diff --git a/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/FallbackSwipeHandler.java b/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/FallbackSwipeHandler.java
index 901040d..a80c111 100644
--- a/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/FallbackSwipeHandler.java
+++ b/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/FallbackSwipeHandler.java
@@ -22,12 +22,14 @@
 import static com.android.launcher3.GestureNavContract.EXTRA_ICON_POSITION;
 import static com.android.launcher3.GestureNavContract.EXTRA_ICON_SURFACE;
 import static com.android.launcher3.GestureNavContract.EXTRA_REMOTE_CALLBACK;
+import static com.android.launcher3.Utilities.createHomeIntent;
 import static com.android.launcher3.anim.Interpolators.ACCEL;
 import static com.android.systemui.shared.system.RemoteAnimationTargetCompat.ACTIVITY_TYPE_HOME;
 
 import android.animation.ObjectAnimator;
 import android.annotation.TargetApi;
 import android.app.ActivityOptions;
+import android.content.ActivityNotFoundException;
 import android.content.Context;
 import android.content.Intent;
 import android.graphics.Matrix;
@@ -126,7 +128,11 @@
         ActivityOptions options = ActivityOptions.makeCustomAnimation(mContext, 0, 0);
         Intent intent = new Intent(mGestureState.getHomeIntent());
         mActiveAnimationFactory.addGestureContract(intent);
-        mContext.startActivity(intent, options.toBundle());
+        try {
+            mContext.startActivity(intent, options.toBundle());
+        } catch (NullPointerException | ActivityNotFoundException | SecurityException e) {
+            mContext.startActivity(createHomeIntent());
+        }
         return mActiveAnimationFactory;
     }
 
diff --git a/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/OverviewComponentObserver.java b/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/OverviewComponentObserver.java
index 7bf7712..fb8f9fe 100644
--- a/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/OverviewComponentObserver.java
+++ b/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/OverviewComponentObserver.java
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 import static android.content.Intent.ACTION_PACKAGE_CHANGED;
 import static android.content.Intent.ACTION_PACKAGE_REMOVED;
 
+import static com.android.launcher3.Utilities.createHomeIntent;
 import static com.android.launcher3.config.FeatureFlags.SEPARATE_RECENTS_ACTIVITY;
 import static com.android.launcher3.util.PackageManagerHelper.getPackageFilter;
 import static com.android.systemui.shared.system.PackageManagerWrapper.ACTION_PREFERRED_ACTIVITY_CHANGED;
@@ -74,9 +75,7 @@
     public OverviewComponentObserver(Context context, RecentsAnimationDeviceState deviceState) {
         mContext = context;
         mDeviceState = deviceState;
-        mCurrentHomeIntent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_MAIN)
-                .addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_HOME)
-                .setFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK);
+        mCurrentHomeIntent = createHomeIntent();
         mMyHomeIntent = new Intent(mCurrentHomeIntent).setPackage(mContext.getPackageName());
         ResolveInfo info = context.getPackageManager().resolveActivity(mMyHomeIntent, 0);
         ComponentName myHomeComponent =
diff --git a/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/RecentsActivity.java b/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/RecentsActivity.java
index d050030..d6f896a 100644
--- a/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/RecentsActivity.java
+++ b/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/RecentsActivity.java
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
 import static com.android.launcher3.QuickstepAppTransitionManagerImpl.RECENTS_LAUNCH_DURATION;
 import static com.android.launcher3.QuickstepAppTransitionManagerImpl.STATUS_BAR_TRANSITION_DURATION;
 import static com.android.launcher3.QuickstepAppTransitionManagerImpl.STATUS_BAR_TRANSITION_PRE_DELAY;
+import static com.android.launcher3.Utilities.createHomeIntent;
 import static com.android.launcher3.testing.TestProtocol.OVERVIEW_STATE_ORDINAL;
 import static com.android.quickstep.TaskUtils.taskIsATargetWithMode;
 import static com.android.quickstep.TaskViewUtils.createRecentsWindowAnimator;
@@ -307,9 +308,7 @@
     }
 
     public void startHome() {
-        startActivity(new Intent(Intent.ACTION_MAIN)
-                .addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_HOME)
-                .setFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK));
+        startActivity(createHomeIntent());
     }
 
     @Override
diff --git a/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/inputconsumers/DeviceLockedInputConsumer.java b/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/inputconsumers/DeviceLockedInputConsumer.java
index 5aaea00..85ecab1 100644
--- a/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/inputconsumers/DeviceLockedInputConsumer.java
+++ b/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/inputconsumers/DeviceLockedInputConsumer.java
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 import static android.view.MotionEvent.ACTION_POINTER_DOWN;
 import static android.view.MotionEvent.ACTION_UP;
 
+import static com.android.launcher3.Utilities.createHomeIntent;
 import static com.android.launcher3.Utilities.squaredHypot;
 import static com.android.launcher3.Utilities.squaredTouchSlop;
 import static com.android.launcher3.util.VelocityUtils.PX_PER_MS;
@@ -203,9 +204,7 @@
                 public void onAnimationEnd(Animator animation) {
                     if (dismissTask) {
                         // For now, just start the home intent so user is prompted to unlock the device.
-                        mContext.startActivity(new Intent(Intent.ACTION_MAIN)
-                                .addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_HOME)
-                                .setFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK));
+                        mContext.startActivity(createHomeIntent());
                         mHomeLaunched = true;
                     }
                     mStateCallback.setState(STATE_HANDLER_INVALIDATED);
diff --git a/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/inputconsumers/OverviewWithoutFocusInputConsumer.java b/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/inputconsumers/OverviewWithoutFocusInputConsumer.java
index 924b32c..864e08d 100644
--- a/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/inputconsumers/OverviewWithoutFocusInputConsumer.java
+++ b/quickstep/src/com/android/quickstep/inputconsumers/OverviewWithoutFocusInputConsumer.java
@@ -15,10 +15,12 @@
  */
 package com.android.quickstep.inputconsumers;
 
+import static com.android.launcher3.Utilities.createHomeIntent;
 import static com.android.launcher3.logging.StatsLogManager.LAUNCHER_STATE_BACKGROUND;
 import static com.android.launcher3.logging.StatsLogManager.LAUNCHER_STATE_HOME;
 import static com.android.launcher3.logging.StatsLogManager.LauncherEvent.LAUNCHER_HOME_GESTURE;
 
+import android.content.ActivityNotFoundException;
 import android.content.Context;
 import android.graphics.PointF;
 import android.view.MotionEvent;
@@ -77,7 +79,11 @@
 
     @Override
     public void onSwipeUp(boolean wasFling, PointF finalVelocity) {
-        mContext.startActivity(mGestureState.getHomeIntent());
+        try {
+            mContext.startActivity(mGestureState.getHomeIntent());
+        } catch (NullPointerException | ActivityNotFoundException | SecurityException e) {
+            mContext.startActivity(createHomeIntent());
+        }
         ActiveGestureLog.INSTANCE.addLog("startQuickstep");
         BaseActivity activity = BaseDraggingActivity.fromContext(mContext);
         int state = (mGestureState != null && mGestureState.getEndTarget() != null)
diff --git a/robolectric_tests/src/com/android/launcher3/util/LauncherUIHelper.java b/robolectric_tests/src/com/android/launcher3/util/LauncherUIHelper.java
index f019a20..fdddab4 100644
--- a/robolectric_tests/src/com/android/launcher3/util/LauncherUIHelper.java
+++ b/robolectric_tests/src/com/android/launcher3/util/LauncherUIHelper.java
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@
 import static android.view.View.MeasureSpec.EXACTLY;
 import static android.view.View.MeasureSpec.makeMeasureSpec;
 
+import static com.android.launcher3.Utilities.createHomeIntent;
+
 import android.app.Activity;
 import android.content.Context;
 import android.content.Intent;
@@ -46,10 +48,7 @@
      */
     public static String getLauncherClassName() {
         Context context = RuntimeEnvironment.application;
-        Intent homeIntent = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_MAIN)
-                .addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_HOME)
-                .setPackage(context.getPackageName())
-                .addFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK);
+        Intent homeIntent = createHomeIntent().setPackage(context.getPackageName());
 
         List<ResolveInfo> launchers = context.getPackageManager()
                 .queryIntentActivities(homeIntent, 0);
diff --git a/src/com/android/launcher3/Utilities.java b/src/com/android/launcher3/Utilities.java
index 5c2f35b..42d6b12 100644
--- a/src/com/android/launcher3/Utilities.java
+++ b/src/com/android/launcher3/Utilities.java
@@ -460,6 +460,15 @@
     }
 
     /**
+     * Returns an intent for starting the default home activity
+     */
+    public static Intent createHomeIntent() {
+        return new Intent(Intent.ACTION_MAIN)
+                .addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_HOME)
+                .setFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_NEW_TASK);
+    }
+
+    /**
      * Wraps a message with a TTS span, so that a different message is spoken than
      * what is getting displayed.
      * @param msg original message