Can an app kill my phone [Galaxy Note 2]?

GibsonSt19

Hi all, I've had my Note 2 since launch, and absolutely love it.

This morning, I was browsing the Play App Store, and installed Nova Launcher (reviewed favourably). I was impressed by the performance and customisation offerings of the launcher, and bought the Prime version (for the additional features, and to support the developer).

I rebooted my phone (generally do it daily), but on reboot my phone slowed to a crawl (general responsiveness). Key presses taking seconds, and everything generally became painfully slow.

I've tried another reboot, without joy. I've tried setting TouchWiz as the default launcher again... no joy. I've now removed Nova Launcher from my phone, and even rebooted (removing battery), but my phone appears to have been crippled and remains teeth grittingly slow to respond to anything.

I'm not blaming Nova Launcher (as I don't understand how it could have done anything to my phone), but it seems massively coincidental that the problem arose minutes after installing it.

I'm running stock 4.1.2, which has been great until now (and I wish my curiosity hadn't got the better of me).

Any ideas, lovely people of MSE Land?

DevCoder

Have you reflashed stock rom (maybe using ODIN, I tend to avoid KIES)?

GibsonSt19

Nope, have done no rooting activity whatsoever.

I'm confused that my phone could be fine one moment (the last few months), then crippled after an apps been installed (and even removed!).

DevCoder

Try a stock rom reflash, there is a difference between flashing stock rom, flashing custom rom and rooting.

AlecEiffel

I would try a factory reset before you reflash as that may well fix the issue. You would lose all data and settings either way though.

JJ_Egan

Factory reset 100% as it should clear the faulty Launcher .
But backup any wanted data first .

I would also check Kies for a firmware update .

All goes wrong a method for Kies to go back to the original firmware .For SGS3 but same for any Samsung Android product .
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1978840

GibsonSt19

Well, thanks all. Ended up flashing a custom ROM, and all's working very nicely. Thanks for your guidance!