Avoiding HTC Locations

I recently updated my HTC Desire HD to Android 2.3, which is quite nice.

Unfortunately, HTC has used this upgrade to force its Locations app into the system – if you select an address in Calendar, then Locations will open, even if you have another mapping application set to default.

Happily, if this is something that bothers you, there’s an easy workaround for this.

1. If you haven’t already, install a file browser app – I use ASTRO File Manager.
2. If you haven’t already, register an account on Android Forums.
3. Go to this post, and download the attached file, com.google.android.calendar.apk. This is the default Android Calendar app.
4. Plug your phone into your computer, so it appears as an attached drive, and copy com.google.android.calendar.apk to your phone. Once it has finished copying, disconnect your phone.
5. Open ASTRO File Manager, and locate com.google.android.calendar.apk. Select it, then use the “Open App Manager” option.
6. Install it.
7. Go to your Apps, and open the Calendar app. The first time you open it, it’ll crash – you can just Force Close it.
8. Open the Calendar app again, and open an event – it will ask you which Calendar app you want to use as default, select the one with the Blue calendar icon.

Okay, so there are a few steps involved, but if you’re familiar with side-loading apps, it shouldn’t take you more than a few minutes.

After this, individual events will open in Google Calendar, which does use your default mapping application. It won’t disable HTC Locations completely, but it’s the best option we have.

Finally, an open letter:

Dear HTC,

Respect system defaults.

Love,
Android users everywhere.