# Question
Title: Are my phone contacts notified when I install WhatsApp?
When I install WhatsApp, I read that it tries to add all other WhatsApp-registered numbers in my phone Contacts list to my WhatsApp contacts.

Are all of these contacts then notified about this, or is this strictly just convenience on my end, while remaining quiet to other users?

# Answer
> Are all of these contacts then notified about this, or is this strictly just convenience on my end, while remaining quiet to other users?

No, contacts are not notified. They are notified only if you message them. However, if they view their WhatsApp contacts, then they can view your name there.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: whatsapp-messenger
---


# Question
Title: Move to SD Card Option Greyed out even for Compatible Apps
I am using a Motorola Moto E with Android Kitkat and I am unable to move applications to my SD Card even for Apps that support moving to SD Card.

I am using ART Runtime (Developer) instead of Dalvik.

# Answer
When using ART, you cannot move apps to the SD card. Media moves are fine. You can switch to Dalvik, move apps, and then switch back to ART. ART is a developer option for Android Kitkat.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, art, motorola-moto-e
---


# Question
Title: Nexus 5 stuck on “flying color dots lollipop” screen after Hard Factory Reset
I updated my Nexus 5 to Lollipop a month back and it was working fine. Suddenly one day my device didn't boot up so I did a factory reset and I got wipe/cache error and if I switch off the power and restart I get the flying color dots page and nothing comes up after that. I went to service center and they said it's a software issue and they can't do anything about it. How can I fix this?

# Answer
> 1 votes
There is nothing to worry. You just have to flash the images properly.

Please follow the steps mentioned in this Android Enthusiasts answer.

The initial bootup usually takes time around 10 to 15 minutes. I'm up and running 5.0.1 without any problems.

---
Tags: nexus-5
---


# Question
Title: How to forbid my location only for Viber on my Android phone?
I want to know how can I switch off the location service ONLY for Viber on my Android phone. I know there is an option to do that on iOS, but is there any way to do it on Android phone?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Unfortunately, when you get an android phone out of the box, no, there is no way to do that.

However, if you're willing to root your phone, then you can use apps like "Apps Ops Starter" which essentially launch the hidden settings for you to use which would allow you to find Viber (or any other app) and see its permissions and deny them one by one.

---
Tags: applications, viber-messenger, location-services
---


# Question
Title: Is it possible to connect to chromecast through router while still using data network for internet?
Here's the setup I am envisioning:

Chromecast and android phone both connected to a WiFi router/hotspot (has x amount of data usage). My phone however has unlimited data usage and I would like to pull external content (soundcloud/netflix/youtube/etc) from my phones data network while letting the Chromecast pull data using the hotspot network.

I would be mirroring my display to the Chromecast so the Chromecast should only have to get very minimal amounts of data.

Is this possible? How can I do it? I've tried even hooking both the Chromecast and the phone to an isolated wireless router (no internet) and unfortunately my phone does not fall back to using data.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I've been able to set up a hotspot on my phone and use a third android device to pair the chromecast to that hotspot. After that you can screen cast to the chromecast no problem. (ignore the wifi not on part - it will work anyways)

The third device won't be necessary after the initial setup process.

---
Tags: networking, wifi-hotspot, streaming, chromecast
---


# Question
Title: How to figure out what the Android Software Update is?
I just received a "Software update" and in the details it says important \[sarcasm\] stuff like:

> Size: 91.45 MB
> Improved stability.
> \[WARNING: The devices will be restarted during the installation process.\]
> Caution: ... blah blah about you can't use your phone during install.

but it doesn't state which version I'm updating to.

### Phone details

> **Phone**: Samsung Galaxy S4
> **Model**: GT-I9505
> **Android**: 4.4.2
> **Build**: KOT49H
> **Baseband**: I9505XXUGNG8
> **Carrier**: unknown

It's secondhand phone, I think German/Austrian because it keeps installing some weird apps with german names on every OS update. I bought it in the UK and currently using it in Hungary.

### News / 5.0

When I search for new news articles about S4 and OTA today, I find Android 5.0 Lollipop OTA finally arrives for Galaxy S4 Google Play Edition, there are a few problems with this:

* I don't think I have Google Play Edition, because I have TouchWiz
* I don't believe S4 would get 5.0 sooner than my Nexus 7 (1st edition)
* I cannot believe an 5.0 update would be 90MB...

I'm really looking for some authoritative info on whether it's 4.4.3 or 4.4.4, because I want to avoid 4.4.3. Even the build number of the update would help a lot. By authoritative info I mean that it's possible to find out next time it happens without asking again. Maybe a global list of baseband/build numbers?

# Answer
I tried a few methods I could think of:

* Wireshark the WiFi packets -\> nothing
* `adb logcat` to see if anything extra info is logged -\> nothing
I found out thought, that most of what we see on the "Update" screen is hard-coded and only the "Improved stability..." part is dynamic.
* `adb pull /cache/fota/update.zip` or `adb pull /data/fota/update.zip` -\> requires root

After almost giving up I found http://sammobile.com. The sad thing is that it only works for Samsung phones, which I have luckily. The fact that my phone's origin is German or Austrian and the date the update showed up helped me narrow it down to 12-11-2014 Firmware Updates:

```
Germany (DBT)                   GT-I9505    GALAXY S4 LTE   4.4.2   I9505XXUGNK4
Germany (Black Edition)(DBT)    GT-I9505    GALAXY S4 LTE   4.4.2   I9505XXUGNG8

```

and since I already have `I9505XXUGNG8`, it must be the first one, which is weird because I would swear the color is black like this

Then I checked the carrier's listing: http://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/database/GT-I9505/DBT/ which seems to correspond with the timings of my past received the updates. So I checked my CSC (`*#1234#`) and found that indeed this is my current version so the update is still 4.4.2.

## Edit

I did the update and after checking *About device* it was indeed updated to `I9505XXUGNK4`.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, updates, samsung-galaxy-s-4, 5.0-lollipop, ota-update
---


# Question
Title: I'm trying to figure out what the symbol on my main screen on my s3 means
I was wondering what the symbol on my top screen of my phone was it kinda looks like a sun with a smaller sun in it and it just spins and pops on an off

# Answer
> 1 votes
It looks like a GPS icon from what you've described. You can check the official list of icons for a Samsung device to be sure.

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-3
---


# Question
Title: Is it safe to use an LG charger on a Moto X?
I have a 2014 Moto X, and a Nexus 4. Is it safe to charge my Moto X using my Nexus 4 charger?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Yes, no problem. They both use a regular micro USB format.

---
Tags: battery, charging
---


# Question
Title: Does sharing installed apps pose a risk of sharing personal data?
Let's say I install an app on my phone from the play store. Now I want to give this app to a friend. I use an app called File Commander to share an installed app via bluetooth.

Will any settings or data used in my app also be sent with the apk, or just the app itself?

Thank you.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Most likely, it is not going to send the app data with the app.

If the only file being sent is an apk (example: angrybirds.apk), then there is no data sent with it. The apk is just the app itself.

However it is possible to send app data. If you are using "File Commander", it would depend on whether File Commander sends app data or not (sorry I don't have this app). It may be an option in the settings, so you could perhaps enable/disable the sending of data along with the app.

# Answer
> 0 votes
An .apk file is just the zip of the actual app. It's what you download from the AppStore. It doesn't contain any user data.

The user data is located in /data/data/

---
Tags: bluetooth, apk
---


# Question
Title: 4.3 Galaxy S4: how do I prevent keyboard backspace from deleting whole word?
I've just updated my Galaxy S4 (T-Mobile, in case that matters) from 4.2.2 to 4.3. Now when using the keyboard (default settings), if I get to the end of a word -- either strictly on my own or via one of its suggestions -- and then backspace, it deletes the whole word. Before, backspacing at that point deleted one character at a time. Often it's faster for me to correct a suggestion (or notice and fix a typo of mine) this way than to start over with that word. I'd like my phone to stop being so aggressive in cleaning up after me.

I don't remember setting something for this in the previous version (though it's been a while). I've walked through the settings for the device and in Twitter and Messaging (the apps where I've noticed this behavior so far), but haven't found anything that seems relevant. I have not rooted my phone and don't plan to.

Current settings, under Device -\> Language & Input:

* Default: Samsung keyboard
* Samsung keyboard settings:
    + predictive text: on
    + auto replacement: off
    + auto capitalization: on
    + auto spacing: on
    + auto punctuate: off
* Keyboard Swipe:
    + SwiftKey Flow on
    + Cursor Control off

Aside from auto punctuate (which I turned off), these settings are as they came after the upgrade.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I never got this working (and didn't download a different keyboard), but I recently received the update for 4.4.4 and it's working now. So I don't know if it was something specific to Samsung (or my provider, T-Mobile), but the whole-word deletion has stopped.

# Answer
> 0 votes
If I may, I suggest KK Keyboard. I'm not advertising, but I use it myself, because my keyboard did this too.

---
Tags: keyboard, samsung-galaxy-s-4, 4.3-jelly-bean
---


# Question
Title: Moving apps to SD: is there any difference between the function in Settings and the apps offered in the Google Play store?
I noticed several apps in the Google Play store featuring the ability to move apps to the SD card. My Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 has an application manager under Settings, and this application manager already provides the ability to move apps to the SD card.

Without rooting my phone, is the included application manager doing the same thing as the apps in the store? Or is there something more the other apps can offer?

I ask because of a few problematic apps that take up a lot of device storage, even after telling them to move to the SD card.

# Answer
No they both use the same method to move it over. And if you did desist to root your phone, they could move over the ones that aren't allowed to be moved over, but that may cause them to break.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: app2sd, application-manager, samsung-galaxy-tab-4
---


# Question
Title: How can I restore my Moto G from a bootloop caused by updating to Lollipop?
I updated my Moto G (XT1032) to the new Lollipop (5.0.1, I think). I left the phone plugged in to let it download and install, and when I came back to it after about a half hour, the phone was displaying the screen with 'Google' and an unlocked padlock on it. I left it for another 20 minutes or so, but it stayed on the same screen. I couldn't power it off at all, every time I tried to, the screen would turn off, but then come back on and vibrated once, only to go back to the padlock.

I ended up going through the Flashboot menu and cleared the Cache Partition, but that made no difference. Also tried a factory reset, but that seemed to make no difference. Currently, the phone is still sitting at the padlock screen.

The Flashboot menu says that the phone is unlocked, but I have no memory of doing this. Maybe it's something to do with the update failing?

Just wondering if anyone has some advice on how to proceed with this.

# Answer
> 5 votes
Well, there are two ways to fix this one out:

Requirements:

1. You need to have a custom recovery (CWM/TWRP) installed
2. You are going to require Stock firmware zip file for Moto G XT1028, XT1031, XT1032, XT1033 and XT1034 which can be downloaded over here
3. ADB and Fastboot

Method 1:

1. Boot your phone into custom recovery mode. Recovery will have `adb` on by default, so leave recovery as it is.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and open command prompt and issue the command: `cd directory-with-adb.exe-and-fastboot.exe`
3. Now, issue the command: `adb devices`. If Moto G drivers have installed properly, the phone will show up. If not, get it over here and install it over your device
4. Now, from recovery wipe /data and media
5. Open command prompt and execute: `adb push rom.zip /sdcard/rom.zip` It will take some time to install the ROM. If you face a not working SIM or WiFi, extract the downloaded ROM zip file and navigate to extracted firmware folder using cmd and issue:

> fastboot flash modem NON-HLOS.bin
>
> fastboot erase modemst1
>
> fastboot erase modemst2
>
> fastboot flash fsg fsg.mbn

Method 2:

1. Extract the downloaded firmware file to a folder.
2. Download and extract mfastboot and copy its content to the same folder where the extracted firmware files.
3. Reboot your Moto G into the Bootloader Mode. To do so, turn off your phone and then press and hold the Volume (-) and Power buttons simultaneously for a few seconds.
4. Connect your phone to your PC via USB cable.
5. Now, launch a command window from inside the firmware folder (click shift key, right click and select open command window here option).
6. In the command window, issue the following commands one by one:

> mfastboot flash boot boot.img
>
> mfastboot flash recovery recovery.img
>
> mfastboot flash system system.img\_sparsechunk.0
>
> mfastboot flash system system.img\_sparsechunk.1
>
> mfastboot flash system system.img\_sparsechunk.2
>
> mfastboot flash modem NON-HLOS.bin
>
> mfastboot erase modemst1
>
> mfastboot erase modemst2
>
> mfastboot flash fsg fsg.mbn
>
> mfastboot erase cache
>
> mfastboot erase userdata
>
> mfastboot reboot

Note: If firmware includes four `system.img_sparsechunk` or you do not want to erase the userdata, you can modify the command. You have now successfully installed a fresh ROM on your Moto G and the phone the phone should work as usual.

Also, depending on which version you are going to and from, you may need to try using the standard `fastboot` rather than `mfastboot`.

Source: \[GUIDE\] Restore softbricked phone after Lollipop update over on the XDA Developers forum, specifically post 1 and post 14.

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop, motorola
---


title: HTC One M8 Factory Reset not working

text:
# Question
Title: HTC One M8 Factory Reset not working
My One M8 has started acting very strangely, as if it is unable to write to its local storage any more. Every time I restart it, it's like it gets reset to a previous point in time - files that were on the local storage have gone, Apps that I uninstalled have come back and so on.

I've tried to do a factory reset via the bootloader, which appears to complete successfully, but then when the phone restarts, it's back to the same state it was in before I ran the factory reset!

Any ideas? The phone is stock, locked and unrooted.

# Answer
The issue appeared to be the built in /sdcard filesystem had become suspect and was being mounted read-only. Rooting the phone could probably have resolved it but it was still under warranty - so I just had it replaced.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, htc-one-m8
---


# Question
Title: Nexus 5 Lollipop goes into Recovery while trying to update to 5.0.1
I'm using LG Nexus 5 Lollipop (manually installed 5.0) and rooted with TWRP.

I just go notification to update to **5.0.1**. But when download and install, the phone automatically goes into TWRP Recovery mode, and if I restart from there nothing happens. I have to download the update again and so on...

Manual adb sideload doesn't work because of TWRP recovery. Also I have tried sideload from inside TWRP, doesn't work.

Basically if I try adb sideload, on fastboot screen it get error: no device found. (Please note: if I use adb command while connected to PC in normal phone state adb commands work fine. even the adb reboot bootloader.)

Updated: after following below answer, if you too get stuck like me while on adb sideload, please update your drivers like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXtbAMarHQw

If you face error: closed while adb sideload then type this command: `adb usb` and then type `adb sideload UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.40.zip`

# Answer
> 13 votes
Try using this method:

https://gist.github.com/eyecatchup/ec0a852428c19705380e

Give thanks to this guy of course.

**EDIT:**

*The steps outlined in this document assume the `Android SDK` to be installed on your PC and the `adb`, `fastboot` and `android.[bat|sh]` to be in your `PATH` variable!*

Download OTA zip from Google's servers to your PC.

http://goo.gl/dx2JoM \- `signed-hammerhead-LRX22C-from-LRX21O.785a2f7a.zip`

Rename the downloaded zip to 'update.zip' (without the quotes (and if you're on windows and known file extension are hidden, make sure you not end up with update.zip.zip)).

To the same folder, download the latest SuperSU flashable zip.

http://goo.gl/XRK49m \- `UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.40.zip`

To the same folder, download the latest TWRP recovery image for hammerhead.

http://goo.gl/XhAOt7 \- `openrecovery-twrp-2.8.2.0-hammerhead.img`

To the same folder, download the 5.0 factory image tgz archive from Google's servers. http://goo.gl/Z8ITiM \- `hammerhead-lrx21o-factory-01315e08.tgz`

From the 5.0 tgz archive extract the

`recovery.img`

`boot.img` and

`system.img` files to the same directory where your downloads are located. (Tip: With 7zip, for example, you can 'internally' open the archives within the archive and extract just the files you need. The same is possible with command line tools, of course.)

Update `platform-tools` and `tools` of the sdk manager.

Connect your device (USB debugging enabled, of course) to your PC.

Back at your terminal, go on by running the commands as follows (type only those lines prefixed with '\> ', but without actually typing the '\> '!).

```
# Make sure the device is recognized
> adb devices

# Boot into bootloader mode
> adb reboot bootloader

# In bootloader mode, make again sure the device is recognized
> fastboot devices

# Flash stock LRX21O recovery image
> fastboot flash recovery recovery.img

# Flash stock LRX21O system image
> fastboot flash system system.img

# Flash stock LRX21O boot image
> fastboot flash boot boot.img

```

When the last flash is confirmed, use the volume rockers to choose `'Recovery mode'` and confirm with the power button.

When you see the little Android lying with the red triangle warning sign on it, push power then volume up to get to the recovery options.

When you got to the recovery options, select '`apply update from ADB`' using the volume rockers again and press the power button to choose it. When the device says it's awaiting commands, type from the PC's command line:

```
adb sideload update.zip

```

When OTA update successfully installed, select '`reboot bootloader`' from the recovery options again using the volume rockers and press the power button.

Back in bootloader mode, type from the PC's command line:

```
fastboot flash recovery openrecovery-twrp-2.8.2.0-hammerhead.img

```

When the flash is confirmed, use the volume rockers to choose 'Recovery mode' and confirm with the power button.

Now in the TWRP recovery menu, choose `'Advanced' > 'adb sideload'`. Check both option, `clear 'Dalvik-Cache'` and `'Clear Cache'` and swipe the bar to start sideload mode. When the device says it's awaiting commands, type from the PC's command line:

```
adb sideload UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.40.zip

```

When done, confirm to reboot system. Finished. Mission completed.

You're now on 5.0.1 with your custom recovery, rooted and can pick up from where you left.

PS: First boot, as always, will take some minutes.

---
Tags: nexus-5, 5.0-lollipop, android-versions
---


# Question
Title: How can I start GPS track logging from an intent?
I'd like to automatically start and stop recording a GPS track by sending an intent, e.g. from Tasker. I don't care what app is used to record the GPS track, and it's OK if I have to set it up myself beforehand, but it shouldn't require any user interaction when I send the intent. I just want to send the intent and have it start recording right away, and later (when my Tasker profile has detected that I've reached the end of the route) stop recording automatically and save the track so that I can review it later.

I also don't care whether the end result is a track that I can only access within the app that recorded it, or a GPX file that gets saved somewhere, or something that gets uploaded to a website automatically.

# Answer
> 4 votes
There's an open-source GPS track recording app called GPSLogger. It has shortcuts to start and stop, and also publishes the necessary intent details, so you can start and stop recording without having to interact with the phone. You can also configure it ahead of time (via the app's settings) to save files in various formats and/or upload to Dropbox, OpenStreetMap, or other sites of your choice.

I'm sure there are other apps with the same functionality.

# Answer
> 2 votes
As you already mention *Tasker*, that should be possible with this alone – though the profile might be a little tricky (complex) to build. To find the needed conditions/actions, I've just added some graphics to my Tasker Resources:

Graph of available *Tasker* conditions and actions (as of 12/2014; click image for larger variant)

Actions to be used for this:

* Location › Get Location
*(the fix data are stored in the relevant %LOC variables, see the Variables section of the userguide.)*
* File › Write File
*(If Append is checked, the text is added to the end of the file without changing the existing contents.)*
* Location › Stop Location
*(This is only necessary if the Keep Tracking parameter is checked in Get Location.)* – but that's probably what you need to do

Basically, that outlines your task – just in the second bullet-point, you'll need to evaluate the `%LOC` variable in a loop. Pseudo-Code: "While (not-reached-target) do: (evaluate `%LOC`), (write file), (wait X seconds)". As the end-loop-condition is a, hm, condition, you'll probably need a slightly different approach:

* before the loop, set a custom variable, e.g. `%TRACKING_ACTIVE = 1`
* have a profile firing on that variable. Conditions:
    + `%TRACKING_ACTIVE ~ 1`
    + current location ~ target
* that profile's task then: Variables › Variable Set (`%TRACKING_ACTIVE = 0`)
* your "exit condition" for above while loop then is: `%TRACKING_ACTIVE ~ 0`

So much about a "raw outline" to get you started. Have not the time to try it out myself and ship the ready-to-use profile, sorry :) And of course you've got to figure the format of the file – but hey, you're a dev :) AFAIK GPX should be easy, KML as well, as both are text-based (XML) formats.

---
Tags: gps, intents
---


# Question
Title: How to use OTG Data Cable with a Nexus S to access?
Having an OTG Data Cable, I connected different thumb drives to my Nexus S – running JB 4.1.2 – but my phone doesn't seem to read them. The thumb drives I tried are:

* a 16GB Kingston G3 Data Traveler USB 2.0
* a 16GB Sandisk Cruzer Fit Mini USB 2.0
* and a 2GB generic drive

What else is needed in order to access that memory?

Is there anything along the lines of the Nexus Media Importer but for Nexus S?

# Answer
I also have a Nexus S device (running CyanogenMod 11, Android 4.4.4 KitKat), and it seems Nexus S does not support USB OTG. I tried connecting an external USB keyboard and also a USB mouse, and it did not work. The mouse LED for the optical sensor did not even light up.

So, I believe that either the hardware does not have support for USB OTG, or you might need a custom firmware with a custom kernel to make it work (I believe this is unlikely).
> 1 votes

---
Tags: 4.1-jelly-bean, samsung-nexus-s, usb-on-the-go
---


# Question
Title: How to see Public Holidays via Google calendar on Samsung Galaxy S?
I have Galaxy S with Froyo. Use Google calendar a lot to share appointments with colleagues, and via PC can see a calendar called UK Holidays along with colleagues' calendars. However the calendar on Galaxy S only allows me to add my colleagues' calendars, it does not display UK Holidays. Why is this, and it there a way of changing it?

# Answer
Can you see the calendar if you go to your Calendar app and open Menu -\> More -\> Settings -\> Calendars? Check that it's enabled there. You could also try to remove/readd the calendar from the PC and then sync your phone again.
> 10 votes

# Answer
I had a similar problem to yours on my Galaxy S. I have about 5 calendars set on Google, but the calendar app of the phone only shows 3 of them to be displayed. On the vanilla Android calendar there's a way to add more, but Samsung removed this option from the menu.

Fortunately, I have found a not-too-sophisticated workaround for this. From Play Store I have installed a calendar app called Jorte. In Jorte, you can choose to use the Google calendars, and it has a similar setup screen where you can pick which calendars to display. That screen is very similar to the stock calendar's setup screen, but has one extra option: Add calendar, which helps you to add your other Google calendars.

After this, if you even uninstall Jorte, the calendars you've added will appear in the stock calendar app as well.
> 1 votes

# Answer
On my Nexus 7 (Jellybean 4.2), I went to settings then clicked on my google account (eg somebody@gmail.com). Under that option it showed the optional calenders I have on my pc version which I could then select.

Hope this helps.
> 0 votes

# Answer
If you're using the Android 5 app: Try pressing refresh and waiting for the calendar to sync if you've just opened calendar for the first time. I had that problem.

However, because I was impatient, I added "Christian Holidays" to the "Holidays" calendar in "more" (Settings -\> Holidays -\> Add religious holidays). Not sure if that was needed though for the calendar to sync. However, next time I opened the app all the holidays had been added.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s, google-calendar
---


# Question
Title: Can I have Gmail and Inbox by Gmail installed together
I am a **Gmail** user but would like to try **Inbox by Gmail**. But.. I don't want to have **Gmail** removed as part of the "upgrade".

Is this possible?

# Answer
> 3 votes
You can indeed! Inbox will give you a pop option to disable notificaitons from Gmail and get them from Inbox, or you can just get the usual Gmail notification. They are completely separate applications, both just happen to link to your emails, which are online so the Gmail app will have the usual layout, and Inbox has its bundles, previews etc. If you wanted you could get notifications from both of them (though that would be more of a pain I'd imagine)

I've been using it for a few weeks now with both installed and I have no conflicts bar one small one: Tesla Unread Plugin. This is an extension for Nova Launcher Prime that shows the number of unread mails/texts/missed calls etc over the icon for an app. On a rare occasion Gmail has a '1' over it after I've read the mail in Inbox. Opening and refreshing Gmail, or just leaving it alone for a few minutes solves it.

---
Tags: gmail, inbox-by-gmail
---


# Question
Title: Determining support for Bluetooth Low Energy
I'm doing a feasibility study into Android tablets for commercial applications. I have a product that requires a Bluetooth Low Energy connection.

I have a Nexus 7 tablet which is supposed to support BLE but I haven't found much information about it. Is there a way to check whether the tablet has BLE and if it's enabled or not?

# Answer
> 7 votes
As of now, the checking for BLE support has to be done manually by studying specifications and searching on Google (as far as I know).

See this question on Stackoverflow: Bluetooth Smart (4.0) / GATT support in Android 4.0?

It states that Android does not support Bluetooth 4.0 (LE) out of the box up to Android-4.0 (maybe with Jelly Bean 4.1 onwards, the Nexus 7 tab suggests that). Manufacturers have to add their own API to allow access to BT LE (e.g. this app is limited to Motorola). That's why your mileage may vary with different phones up to 4.0. Casio's Bluetooth LE enabled watch is also an example of limited (official) compatibility (not even the iPhone 4S is mentioned, by the way).

My best guess is that with more devices having 4.1 the issue will solve by itself and you can find apps showing it.

Here are lists by manufacturers:

# Answer
> 4 votes
There is no Bluetooth LE support in all current Android APIs (at the time of writing that is API level 16, up to Android 4.1). Phone manufactures have to use the stacks of the Bluetooth chip manufactures. The only phone that has a build-in LE chip **and actually makes use of it** is the Motorola Razor. There have been reports that after the ICS update, Bluetooth LE pairing wont work any more.

So, no convenient way to query a device for LE support and make use of it, until there is Bluetooth LE support in the official Android API.

IIRC the Linux kernel has no (stable) Bluetooth LE API yet, too.

# Answer
> 3 votes
Finally with Android 4.3 there is BTLE support in the OS. For individual devices you need to wait for a 4.3 update to see if the support has been added. For now a Nexus 4 looks like the one device that should be good. (I have just ordered one to do BTLE development on.) Some devices that were sold as BTLE ready and are believed to have the necessary hardware don't look like they will really work. e.g. the original Nexus looks not to be getting the update according to Google.

# Answer
> 3 votes
Now that Android 4.3 (API Level 18) exposes an API for accessing BLE, it's possible for third-party apps to perform a check for this system feature. One app that can check this for you is Bluetooth LE Scanner. The top of the main activity has an indicator that will display "Supported" if your device has BLE capabilities.

The app is open-source, so you can take a look at the implementation details on GitHub. I have checked the code used to determine if BLE is supported (here, for the curious), and it looks correct based on the official Android guidelines, so I have no reason to suspect that the app will misreport BLE support unless you have attempted to modify your device to try to "fake" it. In any case, it is correct on my Nexus 5. Apps that attempt to perform this check will, of course, only be useful on Android 4.3 or later.

---
Tags: bluetooth, bluetooth-le
---


# Question
Title: How to install Cyanogen without losing data
I've been using ICS on my Samsung Galaxy S3 for a while now, but I can't update to Jelly Bean for multiple reasons. I've decided to switch to Cyanogen Mod, is there any way I can move to Cyanogen without losing any application data?

# Answer
> 9 votes
As geff described, you cannot avoid a wipe/factory-reset. But you can do a proper beforehand, so you can restore most of your data afterwards. This should work without any trouble for the apps you've installed yourself ("user apps"), while special care must be taken for pre-installed apps ("system apps"): As data structures (inside their databases) might have changed, a simple restore (replacing the databases) might break things and even render those apps unusable.

Provided your device is rooted, Titanium Backup is a good choice. Backup all "user apps" and their data, plus the "system apps" and their data. Special care on restore: "user apps" can be restored 1:1. Before goint to the "system apps", make sure to turn on TB's "migration" mode. Then restore *only data*, and do so one-by-one, after each "data set" verifying there are no side-effects.

An alternative to be named is Helium Backup, which even works on non-rooted devices.

Safest is to stick to your "user apps", and let contacts etc. solve via sync. For several things like SMS, there are special backup/restore solutions which you could use.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Moving from stock ROM to custom ROM usually requires a wipe or a factory reset. Otherwise, you will encounter force closes (FCs), heat issues, and possibly other problems. In short, *headaches*.

Even upgrading from a CyanogenMod (CM) to a major CM version will require a wipe, especially if it contains a major Android update. This is because the files / directories are now different (layout-wise, etc). *I'm sure there are other reasons too.*

Most, if not all, will also recommend you to do a wipe. This is the best way to ensure that the installation will be smooth.

Of course, you can still rely on Google Sync to ensure that your contacts (and other syncable data) can be restored.

# Answer
> -1 votes
Resurrecting an old thread.. but see http://forum.cyanogenmod.org/topic/74526-how-do-i-update-cyanogenmod/ which says you don't need to do factory reset/wipe cache etc....

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, cyanogenmod, 4.1-jelly-bean, updates, samsung-galaxy-s-3
---


# Question
Title: Transform Amazon Fire TV into Nintendo Gaming Console
I'm wondering if I could install N64 and Gamecube Emulators on an Amazon Fire TV. Will I have to root the device? Is it possible without?

Will PS3 Controllers work wireless and is there something I have to have in mind for buying No-Name Bluetooth Controllers?

Thank you

# Answer
> 1 votes
Just google for bluetooth controllers that FTV supports. I have a Nyko and Ouya controller that I use on mine. You don't need to root in order to play emulators. You just need to side load the apk files. Not all emulators will work and some will work better than others. You will however be limited to the space on your unrooted FTV though. Having a rooted FTV will let you play games from a flash thumb drive or HDD.

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Tags: rooting, emulators
---


# Question
Title: OTG Is it possible to connect two devices
I would like to be able to copy files from SD card (through card reader) to USB flash drive. All is connected through OTG USB Hub, but all the apps I found mount only one OTG device at a time. Is there any way to connect two at once?

# Answer
> 2 votes
YES - it is possible. It seems thought your phone/tablet has to be rooted. I've tried all the apps I found without root and could only connect one device at a time. Today I rooted my tablet and got Stick Mount app. Now everything works great - I can copy files between SD Card and USB Drive, which is what I wanted.

Here is the link to the app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.stickmount

# Answer
> -1 votes
No it's not possible ! I have tried doing that myself and a error pops up ! So, without doing any extra terrestrial tricks its not possible !

---
Tags: usb-on-the-go
---


# Question
Title: How do I unlock my Nexus 5 without touching the screen to back up my pictures and videos before re-setting?
My touch screen won't work at all and if I have to replace the screen,is it going to reset my phone. OR I just might buy a new phone, but to get my pictures and videos, I need to get my phone unlocked.

# Answer
Get a USB OTG cable, and connect a standard USB mouse to your phone. You can use the mouse on the lockscreen; no need to enable anything in advance.

I tried this with http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B009DFCCKO and it worked perfectly with my Nexus 5. It took a few weeks to arrive from China, but luckily I wasn't in a hurry. I'm sure it's possible to get something similar sooner if you pay a little more.

To answer the other part of your question, there's no need to reset a device just to replace the screen (I changed the screen on my Nexus 7 without resetting it). But if it was me, I'd feel happier about sending it off for repair if I had all the photos safely backed up, just in case.
> 1 votes

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Tags: backup, touchscreen
---


title: How to unroot Motorola Moto G 2014?

text:
# Question
Title: How to unroot Motorola Moto G 2014?
I have rooted my Motorola Moto G 2014. But now, I want to unroot it to get Lollipop update. I followed few suggestions, but in all of them stock Android download link is not working.

And, can I get the Android L update prompt even if my phone is rooted?

# Answer
You can go to SuperSu app or any other Superuser app you are using, and go to Settings and you will see a Full unroot option, press that and restart the phone when prompted. This should unroot the phone. But the boot loader will stay unlocked if you have unlocked it.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: unrooting, motorola-moto-g2
---


# Question
Title: How to pick the desired contact/contact image when dialing a number shared by two (or more) contacts
This is something that's bugged me about Android for a while and I can't figure out how to change it. Basically, it seems like when I add a contact entry to some app, in particular a launcher app that lets you set a button to direct dial a particular contact, if that contact shares the given phone number with another contact, then it just picks one, and in my case it always picks the WRONG one, lol!

An example: Right now I'm trying to set up my mom with her first smartphone, and I put Big Launcher on which will have buttons to call each of us, both cell and home. The problem is that me and my wife both have separate cell phone but share the same home number, of course. So, I add direct dials to both our cell phones and our appropriate images show up. However, when I add a direct dial to MY home phone number, for some reason my wife's image comes up. It is her home number as well, but I would think that especially since it is created via my contact record that it would use my image. The same exact thing is true between my sister and her husband's phones.

Is there any way to get around this? I tried tricking it to see if just formatting the number differently and putting a 1 in front of the area code on one of the contact records would fix it, but it doesn't. It just seems odd that this issue has not been resolved and that there isn't a simple way for apps to let you pick the image/avatar based on the contact record that's chosen...

The phone I'm dealing with right now is a Sprint LG G Flex with Android 4.4.2 Stock, but this is a problem I've noticed on every Android phone I've owned...

# Answer
> 1 votes
I assume the profile photo chosen is based on the contact ID, however an easy (albeit less than ideal) workaround in this situation is to create a unique contact for "Home", set the desired photo there and add that as a separate direct dial option.

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, contacts, phone-app
---


title: Show boot process on screen

text:
# Question
Title: Show boot process on screen
I've borked something in my nexus 4 stock rom playing with system files over ADB, and my device no longer boots past the animation.

Is there any way I can make the system show it's boot process instead of the animation? Or at least a way to enable adb at this stage so i can logcat and try to identify the problem

I still can do whatever I want with the device - I have cwm and the device is unlocked but I'd prefer to fix the problem instead of backing up my files through adb for hours and reflashing stock rom

Thanks

# Answer
> 1 votes
Have you tried this app from Chainfire?

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.liveboot

From the description, it shows a logcat of the boot process over the boot animation.

---
Tags: adb, nexus-4, boot, stock-android, logging
---


title: Restore whatsapp chat if no SD-card

text:
# Question
Title: Restore whatsapp chat if no SD-card
I have Samsung Galaxy S3 which I formatted it then when I re-installed WhatsApp, it did not ask me to restore back my chat.
I don't have an SD-card installed in my phone.
What can I do to get back my chat? Please help.Thanks

# Answer
> 1 votes
You cannot recover them because you erased them when formatting, and Whatsapp can't recover them for you from their servers because they are deleted as soon as they are received by the client (you):

http://www.quora.com/How-long-does-WhatsApp-keep-the-delivered-data-like-images-or-etc-in-the-server https://www.whatsapp.com/faq/en/android/20887921

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-3, 4.1-jelly-bean, restore, whatsapp-messenger
---


title: How to get maps for off-line usage?

text:
# Question
Title: How to get maps for off-line usage?
I spent almost entire day looking for decent apps for maps (decent = free, up to date, being open-source is a plus).

I ended up with TrekBuddy, **GoPenS**, **RMaps**, Maverick, OruxMaps (the emphasized ones look the best, in my opinion).

However, now I have another problem -- how to prepare maps for those apps (please help me with one, and hopefully I will manage the rest) for off-line usage?

I would like to go on a ride, pick up the phone somewhere in the forest and see on the map where I am. For now it works only with internet connection, but without it I have a huge-scale map and after zoom-in blank space or "loading" icon.

In short -- **QUESTION** -- how to feed phone/apps with maps, so I could zoom-in/out map freely when I am in the wild (offline)?

*I would like avoid tricks like relying on caching -- so "solution" to scan interesting region with all possible scales and in such case acquire off-line version of the map is a no-go!*

**Clarification:** I am not looking for another app (however thank you for the hints/links), I am looking for **maps** (data). I want to get map from on-line version (which are automatically downloaded) to off-line one.

# Answer
> 14 votes
OsmAnd (on Play store or F-droid.org (version is sometimes a little behind)) has those features:

* Fully open source
* Fully offline (w/ option for some online features)
* Play Store: Limited to 16 downloads (free) or costs ~6EUR (for funding)
(build it yourself or use a nightly build if don't want to pay or use the free one)
* Offline vector maps:
* Online tile-based maps (data-caching plugin for GMaps/Bing/Yahoo/ and 25? others)
* OSM integration (bug report, GPX uploads, live editing)
* Voice guided offline navigation
* GPX tracking

**The unlimited app (in Google Play) costs a small fee (around 3EUR) to fund the project.** Please consider buying it once you tested the free version and like it and don't just leech the nightly if you don't just want to test the bleeding edge features. You can of course also build your own (its FOSS).

# Answer
> 11 votes
Since Jun 27th 2012, Google Maps for Android is offline featured.

They provide a 10-mile radius of map cache, and since you can point to different locations and cache them, you can virtually cache the entire world.

1. Open Google Maps App;
2. After the map loads, press the menu button and select "Settings";
3. From the "Settings" panel, select "labs" and enable the "Precache Map Area" option.
4. Return to map view, navigate to the area you want to save for offline use;
5. Once loaded, click on it to open the detailed view and select the option "Precache map area".

Repeat this process as many times as you would like to cache all the desired areas.

## Links

More Detailed step by step instructions at: How to Use Offline Feature of Google Maps in Android.

Official Google Support page for Offline maps here.

# Answer
> 5 votes
Use *vector* maps instead of pre-downloading or caching rendered map tiles.

**Vector Maps versus Bitmap, Pre-rendered, Tiled Maps**

Here's the difference: Caching Google Maps or any other pre-rendered maps stores dozens to thousands tiles of (bitmap) images on your device. Even though these are compressed, they take up gigabytes of storage, especially if you're in to storing maps for a full country.

Also, bitmap images are just that: Images. Mapping, and especially navigation applications cannot interpret what's displayed on the image. So they don't know about the nearest gas station, bus stop, what river you're on paddling, etc.

A vector map is in some special data format. To be displayed it has to be rendered which means an image must be calculated out of the raw data first. So the biggest drawback is that applications using those might be more cpu intensive. However, depending on the quality and contained features of the vector map, and the quality and features of the application, you can query the map for navigation by car, by foot, by boot, by bike. You can get info about nearest restaurants, or the nearest letterbox.

Another main advantage of vector maps is its much smaller size compared to bitmap data. While a pre-rendered map tile image may contain some greenish and varying pixel data to represent a wooded area which is linear proportional to the covered area, the same vector map may just say "wooded area" and store the coordinates of the boundary.

Another advantage thus is that the application decides how to render said wooded area and thus the user has some influence on how she likes maps to look like. You might be able to tell your mapping application to switch to a red/blue/black color scheme during the night without having to download a second set of bitmap tiles. It's just recalculated on the fly upon changing some settings, and does not take up any additional memory.

The amount of storage, and the available feature set is restricted by the data contained in the vector map. So depending on your needs, and those of your applications, some may want to have the full open street map data, while some get by with just a basic set.

Also, with vector maps and their small amount of storage, and their ability to customize their rendering inside applications, there's no need to use any additional application on your desktop to prepare the maps. Download files, and off you go. While in theory, this works, in practice the original data files of the OpenStreetMap project have to be converted into a syntactically different format. See below.

Coming back to howtos and applications, I'm still a beginner on android. Here's what I use today.

Open Street Map is a project to provide full featured vector maps for free. Like Wikipedia, the map data can be improved by users, and this happens all the time.

**Mapsforge Vector Maps**

Pre assembled vector maps of open street map can be found courtesy of the mapsforge project, at http://download.mapsforge.org/maps/

**Using original Open Street Map files**

The above mapsforge files can be used as-is, and are thus the most convenient solution. However, if you'd like to start from the original Open Street Map files you can follow this guide to convert the original files from the PBF format to the map format using Osmosis. A typical command line example would be:

```
osmosis --read-pbf "hungary.osm.pbf" --mapfile-writer file="hungary.osm.map"

```

**Locus**

As a mapping application you can use Locus Free. Download and install.

Download any of the vector maps file and store it on your phone in the folder `/mnt/sdcard/Locus/MapsVector/_themes/`. Personally, I download the maps on my desktop pc, store them in a folder which I share via Samba on Linux, or share on a Windows machine. Then I use any android filemanager (Ghost Commander with Samba plugin, ES File Explorer File Manager) on my phone to copy the files from the shared location to the Android device's Locus mapping folder.

**OruxMaps**

You can also use the OruxMaps app. Unfortunately I have not yet found a way to use both applications without having to store the map data twice. (SD Cards do not support symbolic links. If you've got the data on internal memory you could use them, and store the maps only once). You can use again your preferred filemanager on android to copy the `*.map` files from the aforementioned Locus folder to the folder where OruxMaps stores its map files. By default this is `/mnt/sdcard/oruxmaps/mapfiles`

Switch to the new map:

1. Click the upper right hand "map" icon
2. Click "new map" in the pop up menu
3. Click "offline" in the upper right hand side
4. Choose any of the \*.map map files

Note that in OruxMaps you can navigate through subfolders. So if you like you can use your filemanager to organize maps in subfolders. Hint: You could fully copy the mapsforge data into your OruxMaps map folder, and never worry anymore :-)

Note also that if you have the OruxMaps app open while you are copying new map files into it's data folder, then you may have to click on "reset map sources" in the "new map" dialogue to ensure it rereads the map folder for new files.

Here's a howto on those two applications for theming your maps maps. As mentioned before, depending on the app, you may influence the way the vector maps are rendered. This includes color settings as well as which data is to be included in the display and which is not.

# Answer
> 2 votes
Thanks to your clarification I assume it is OK when you can acquire the map data from within the app. In this case I'd suggest you take a look at Locus Maps, which is an excellent solution. It has already a lot of map sources built-in -- and if that's not enough for you, the Map Tweak Addon offers additional sources.

Additional ressources on Locus Maps include:

I could name even more ressources -- and will do, if you wish.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Yes, HERE Maps is way easier to use for this purpose. Just download the app from the Play store and then you can download the offline maps for any state or country in the world.

---
Tags: gps, offline, maps, offline-map
---


# Question
Title: Stream audio from any app on phone to receiver
I have an HTC One m7 phone and a Marantz NR1604 receiver (with a nice set of speakers). Both are connected to my home WIFI network.

How do I stream audio from *any* app on the phone to the receiver over the WIFI network?

# Answer
You can use XPosed Framework and BubbleUPnP's Audio Cast Feature.
> 1 votes

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Tags: audio, streaming
---


# Question
Title: Hide folder only from stock gallery without using Samsung's private mode
I know this might seem like a very common question, but when I have searched for a solution it seems almost no one has this same problem, all that is discussed is how to hide pictures that no one should see, which is not my case.

I need to stop the media scanner from scanning several folders and subfolders for pictures, but still scan them for audio media. My case is that I have a lot of music albums in folders with album art in the same folder. So in the stock gallery app I get all this album art which is meaningless.

The following found 'solutions' would **not** work in my case:

1. to create a file named `.nomedia`, since that would stop the music from being scanned.
2. to use the privacy mode (I have a Galaxy S5), since that would still display all this album art when I am in the privacy mode
3. to use some kind of file vault, since that would hide everything in the folder from every app (I guess)
4. to use another gallery app, since KitKat doesn't allow non-stock apps to modify the external SD card

I might consider rooting if that would enable non-stock app to modify the SD card, since I use ES File Explorer anyways.

# Answer
I wanted to do this and the .nomedia file approach is the way to go as it is used by certain apps to hide images that they don't want indexed (such as pics of birds in the birds of Britain app).

However it's a bit of a devil to do. Firstly you must create this .nomedia file in every directory that you don't want indexed, not just the top level one.

The main difficulty is trying to get the gallery app to forget the indexed images. It goes without saying that the next step involves clearing the app's data and cache to force a reindexing (this will also possibly require a reboot of the phone if the gallery app refuses to work afterwards - this happened to me and I had to reboot the phone to get it to work again - sometimes it just worked after clearing it's data, sometimes it didn't - random pot luck). I had to repeat this a couple of times to get it to work. Go to settings -\> apps -\> all apps -\> gallery and tap on stop app, clear cache, clear data.

If you decide to create a new folder and create the .nomedia file inside that and then move the images you don't want indexed into that directory then that should just work as it does for other apps. The difficulty comes when you try and get the gallery app to honour the .nomedia file on directories that it has already indexed.

This worked for me on a Nexus 4.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung, gallery, media-scanner
---


# Question
Title: WhatsApp restored my older backup, not the latest backup
Today, 19th December, I was trying to reset my phone, but I had backed up WhatsApp first.

After that I reboot my phone (Xperia Miro) and installed WhatsApp. Problem came while WhatsApp was restoring `msgstore-2014-12-13.1.db.crypt7`, not `msgstore-2014-12-19.1.db.crypt7`.

Even though, in folder WhatsApp databases, there are seven backup files: those two files and `msgstore.db.crypt7`, `msgstore-2014-12-12.1.db.crypt7`, `msgstore-2014-12-14.1.db.crypt7`, `msgstore-2014-12-15.1.db.crypt7`, and `msgstore-2014-12-16.1.db.crypt7`.

Why did WhatsApp restore 13th Dec backup? Not 14, 15, neither 16 nor 19?

I have to get 19th December's conversations.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Simply *move* **All backup files** to another folder or *delete* them (If you dont want your old conversations restored in future) **Execpt** backup file you want to restore (i.e - msgstore-2014-12-19.1.db.crypt7 )

-Now again try to restore with whatsapp

-Since there is only one backupfile in `whatsapp` \- `databases` folder it will restore that file(i.e backup of 19th December 2014)

---
Tags: backup, whatsapp-messenger
---


# Question
Title: How to root a Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo bought in China?
I bought a brand new Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo here in China, just to find out that all the major Google apps are obviously not working.

I found some comments in this forum that gave me hope, apparently you just need to root it and install something, and then it works out like a phone bought in Europe.

Could anyone give me some detailed and simple advice on how to do that? I'm not experienced at all with this and I'm afraid to damage my phone entirely if I intervene there through rooting.

# Answer
> 0 votes
**There are many clones that originate from the east like China.** Meaning, things like CF-ROOT are made for that particular model and not a clone.

The `build.prop` could have been modified to state those things, most likely if it has a MediaTek processor - it's a clone.

If you are sure it's not a clone, root the phone, google TWRP and download their custom recovery for your device (as a tar file) then use Odin to flash the tar (AP). Then go to XDA Developers and flash any ROM from the recovery and it acts like a European device.

---
Tags: samsung, rooting
---


# Question
Title: Do I still need to install GAPPS if I want to use the new Cyanogenmod Android 5.0 rom?
I was just about to flash the latest the build for Cyanogenmod, but then I remembered from past phones where I flashed new ROMs, that I needed to install the latest Google Apps file. However, when I went to see if I can download the latest I see that there is not a full build for it (unless I read it wrong).

Do I need still need to install GAPPS if I want to use the new Cyanogenmod Android 5.0 ROM?

Since the build is not complete for GAPPS should I wait?

GAPPS forum on XDA

# Answer
You don't need to install Gapps to use Cyanogenmod, you can install it and use it without them.

If your real question is "do I need to install Gapps if I want to comfortable install all my favorite apps from the playstore?" then the answer is probably yes.
> 1 votes

# Answer
To cut a long story short, GAPPS basically provides you with the sync between your device and google services, which otherwise wont be readily available on custom rom running devices.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, rom-flashing, samsung-galaxy-note-3
---


# Question
Title: Turn off screen but still let video and streams running
Sometimes, I want to listen to streams or videos while I'm on the go, but I can't put my phone in my pocket because that would press buttons on the display. Is there any way to turn the screen off and still let the stream/video running like it does with music players?

# Answer
* Download MX Player
* Play YouTube/Sdcard video using MX Player.
* Press Menu button (or the 3 dot icon), and then select Play
* Make sure "Background Play" is checked
* Now, you can press Home Button and listen in lock screen.

**There is also a shortcut for enabling Background Play, which is tapping and holding the Play button, instead of just tapping it to play a video**

*Update:*

> **Only For Rooted**: You can install Xposed Modules Installer and use Repository called Youtube Background Play

**Update #2**

If you are open to installing mod YouTube Vanced is the easiest way for getting background play feature and it works well for non-rooted Android too.
> 6 votes

---
Tags: screen
---


# Question
Title: HTC Desire P voice/MMS works, but 3G doesn't
I brought a phone (HTC Desire P) from overseas to U.S.A. I got a voice/data plan with AT&T. We tested the voice but forgot to test data, and later found that the 3G data isn't working.

I tried to turn on mobile from the both from the UI (it auto disconnects after several seconds) and with the android debugger:

```
adb.exe shell data enable

```

but I get "Permission denied".

Does anyone know anything that could point me in the right direction?

# Answer
> 0 votes
The HTC Desire P does not support AT&T's 3G frequency bands. Its antennas support the 900 and 2100 MHz frequencies, whereas AT&T has deployed 3G on the 850 and 1900 MHz bands.

You cannot use your phone on AT&T's 3G network. If you want to determine if another device would be compatible, you may wish to look at Can I use my device on a different carrier?

---
Tags: htc, 3g
---


# Question
Title: Unusually large file size of recorded video
The videos I record on my phone are significantly bigger in size than videos of similar or higher quality that my friends seem to record. I've tried to change the settings but to no avail. I'm currently using a resolution of 640\*480 and have set the quality to normal (there is also fine and super fine). It's still taking up about 15 MB per minute. I've asked some friends and their videos are between 4 and 5 MB per minute and they're using similar or better settings.

What can I do to fix this and reduce the file size?

I have a Huawei Ascend Y300 running Android 4.1.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Video record size depends not only on resolution and framerate but also on the compression algorithm - the encoder used by your phone.

I suggest you transfer a video recorded with your phone and another recorded with your friend's phone to a computer and analyze them a bit with MediaInfo.

Look for format, width, height, framerate and bitrate (probably the video quality setting affects bitrate) and if there are small differences between the two files then there may be a problem.

---
Tags: video, video-recording
---


# Question
Title: S4 won't see connection to PC at either end
Have a Verizon 4.4.3 Galaxy S4 using the standard cable. When I connect to the PC, the PC doesn't show it in explorer. The phone doesn't bring up the connection notification. I have enabled/disabled developer options. Re-installed the drivers. Tried different USB ports. In the end all it does is charge. I know this worked before as I have done it before, but this was before many updates ago.

The reason I need this is for debugging an android application I am developing.

Any ideas?

Thanks

# Answer
Samsung usb cables have a history of being finicky with data connections. I know it personally from trying to root several Galaxy phones over the years. Your best bet is to buy another usb cable. I highly recommend cables from Monoprice as they are cheap and high quality. However to be fair, any good quality cable you can find from another manufacture would be your best bet.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: usb, samsung-galaxy-s-4, connection-issues, usb-connection-mode, usb-debugging
---


title: Can a mouse emulate swiping?

text:
# Question
Title: Can a mouse emulate swiping?
I use Moon+ Reader software to read pdf files on a Sony xperia tablet. Instead of swiping on the screen to scroll the pdf, I would like to use a mouse with scrolling wheel instead to scroll. Is this possible and what do I need? Using 4.2.2.

# Answer
This answer shows that you can capture touch input from the raw device (\`/dev/input/event2') to a file, and then play it back whenever you like. You could then automate an event to play back the captured touch input each time you want to scroll.
> 1 votes

# Answer
If your Xperia tablet is rooted... use an app called Tasker. It is able to emulate to send touch and swipe events to the screen. I have used it in several apps to scroll the screen up. Of course you can use Tasker if the device *isn't* rooted, but I'm not sure if you can send shell commands.

In Tasker, create a new task, Action category CODE--\> RUN SHELL--\> input swipe X1 Y1 X2 Y2

Check out this link: http://www.pocketables.com/2013/07/how-to-emulate-touch-input-using-tasker-and-root.html

You can also use Tasker to send button events to emulate a directional pad. Just send x amount of clicks in order to scroll the appropriate amount of the screen.

Now you just have to figure out how you want to trigger that task to run.

If this works, let me know!
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 4.2-jelly-bean, mouse
---


# Question
Title: Why do I have duplicate contact birthdays on Android calendar?
I deleted all of my contacts from Google and from my HTC incredible so that I could reload them all in just Google. As a result, the calendar on my phone has 2 entries on the "contacts birthdays and events" calendar on my phone. The calendar in my Google account only has 1 entry. The android calendar even has a birthday for a contact I deleted.

Has anyone else seen this and have a fix?

# Answer
" TomSawyer\_2112

Hey Guys,

I had to clear the Calendar Data for the Bday to show on my calendar. This is what I did, Go to Settings-Applications-Manage applications, then select Calendar Storage then "delete data". After doing this the screen (HTC EVO) will reboot (white screen with the HTC Logo).

After clearing the data, go to the calendar setting and add the Bbay.

Hope this work for you. "

Source: http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/android/thread?tid=58d284f1a1f36866&hl=en
> 3 votes

# Answer
Remove the google-account from your android system (sync settings), than add it again. After that, go into your contacts and refresh / resync your contacts. Now take a look at your calendar, it should be fixed now
> 1 votes

# Answer
You have to go into your address book, select the contact to edit, and then delete the event (in your case, birthday). Then click save. Now, on the calendar, it should only show one entry for the birthday.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: contacts, calendar, htc-droid-incredible
---


# Question
Title: How Google can check whether an application is installed from Play Store or Not?
If a developer turns ON Google Play's Anti-Piracy setup, the application cannot access the play services if it is not installed from Play Store(so says Google). My question is how Google verifies this? More than that I need to know, if I can install an application from the play store, then modify the apk and then re-installs it in my phone manually(by enabling 'install from unknown sources') AND then use the play services?

# Answer
i think following link can explain how google Play knows or in fact how any dev can know if a given app was installed from play store or side loaded:

How to know an application is installed from google play or side-load?
> 1 votes

---
Tags: google-play-store, google-play-services, google-play-games
---


title: WhatsApp is stuck at initialzing

text:
# Question
Title: WhatsApp is stuck at initialzing
Restored phone to original factory settings on 22nd November 14.Today I downloaded WhatsApp from the Play Store(and it installed correctly).

After entering the phone number, WhatsApp has been stuck at the Initializing screen. I tried clearing the Application data. Reinstalled the app but to no avail. It's been stuck at the initializing screen for 2 hours now. Installing via the APK didn't help too.

I'm using a Samsung Galaxy S3 and have 4170 contacts (could that be the why the reason why sync is taking so much time?).

# Answer
Yeah the 4170 contacts is the thing because of which it's taking so long. What I'd suggest is, try removing your Google Account(after syncing everything ofcourse) so that contacts are removed and THEN try starting WhatsApp.

Enter your number with no contacts and let it initialize. That should fix the problem. After WhatsApp is running just log into your account and resync contacts to phone and WhatsApp.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-3, whatsapp-messenger
---


# Question
Title: I accidentlly wiped my device with Android Device Manager
I accidentally deleted my phone through Android Device Manager as I thought it was stolen. I have found the phone.

Can I still use the phone, or is it no longer usable since it has been wiped from Android Device Manager?

# Answer
Yes you can. What you did only completely wipes the phone(all stored data, contacts, etc will be lost). You should be able to set it up again and get it running for you.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: hardware, android-device-manager
---


title: Link to download adb for Mac,please?

text:
# Question
Title: Link to download adb for Mac,please?
sorry but i cannot find a link to download adb for Mac..can somebody provide me a link,please?thank you!

# Answer
> 1 votes
Here is the home project page for adb and fast boot install for Mac from Google.

Here is the download page from the same source.

# description

this script installs ADB and Fastboot to /usr/local/bin/ on Mac OS X. You can uninstall using the Uninstall ADB.sh script provided.

# how to install

* from terminal

Run ADB Install Mac.sh from Terminal (/Applications/Utilities/Terminal.app) and then restart Terminal. If you wish to uninstall, simply run Uninstall ADB.sh ADB and Fastboot will be moved to /usr/local/bin/

* from command

On Mac OS X (and some Linux distros) you can drag and drop your install file into your terminal windows and press return (or enter) and the script will run.

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, adb
---


# Question
Title: Dialog option "Use by default for this action" or "Always" not displaying for NFC tag
I just completed my Android application which scans NFC tags. When an NFC tag comes near the device, the device tries to show all the apps which can scan the NFC tag.

I want it to remember which app it should use to scan the NFC tag. It displayed my app, but I do not want the system to always ask me which app to use.

In my two devices, it not does show any option like `Use by default for this action` or `Always`, while in my other device with Android 4.2.2, it shows the options.

Why is this so?

# Answer
> 1 votes
This is because there can be no default handler for all NFC intents. You'd have to create a mimetype for your NFC tag and use that mimetype as the data field for the intent filter.

However, this site doesn't deal with developer issues, so you'd be better off on StackExchange, for example here.

# Answer
> 1 votes
NFC disovery events that indicate only a certain tag technology (or even only the presence of any tag) are usually too broad to be bound to just one app. It seems that the Android team therefore decided that it should not be possible for one app/activity to take precedence for such an unspecific event.

As a consequence, the only way how this mandatory intent chooser can be avoided is if an NDEF formatted tag is used and if the app's developer registered the app/activity for a more specific NDEF intent (e.g. a URI, an NFC Forum external type or a MIME type).

# Answer
> -2 votes
Someone or something has set defaults for the application(s), and this default was set as soon as someone or something set it either internally, or by hitting the button "Always."

In this case, you'll have to go to your App Drawer, go into Settings and find your Application Manager. In this case, you'll want to go to the application that doesn't have the option. Find it, click it, go down, and hit "Clear Defaults.", now, hit the home button, find the application you're wanting to run, and VOILA! The action menu should set itself back.

If it doesn't, find the application that is automatically running upon startup of that specific object, and hit Clear defaults.

# Answer
> -2 votes
Just disable the default app for NFC by searching it in the application list. Post this your custom app will be the default app to run, when you tap NFC Tag and it will execute the task as you configured in the NFC Tag

---
Tags: default-applications, nfc
---


title: Define Gesture in ES File Explorer

text:
# Question
Title: Define Gesture in ES File Explorer
I'm using ES File Explorer. There's one thing I want to ask, what is the purpose of the small spot at the center of the screen when I turn on the app?

Whenever I click on it, a toast message show

> No gesture defined. Please add or disable gestures in fast access

I've searched the web for the answer but there's no answer. Could anyone explain it?

# Answer
The gesture feature is explained on its official manual (scroll down to **Gesture**), albeit slightly outdated.

> What is the purpose of the small spot at the center of the screen when I turn on the app?

The small spot (or the "gesture water drop", as it's officially called) is the trigger to start gesture action.

As hinted by the error message, you have to add a new gesture for this feature to work as supposed to be:

1. Open **Fast Access** (the drawer on the left side) by tapping the "three horizontal bars" or by sliding a finger from the left side of the screen to right.
2. Open **Tools**, there should be a **Gesture** with on/off button. From here, you can disable/enable the feature. Disabling the feature will remove the water drop.
3. Tap **Gesture**.
4. Select **Add a gesture**.
5. Choose the action you want to do.
6. Draw the gesture on the middle of the dialog
7. A new gesture will be added. You can also delete/edit the gesture.
    * Red dot is the starting point (i.e. gesture water drop)
    * Light blue line is the gesture path

Now that you have gestures defined, you can use it on the app:

1. Go back to main screen
2. Draw the gesture starting from "gesture water drop", following the path you've defined.
> 6 votes

---
Tags: es-file-explorer, gesture-typing
---


# Question
Title: Will Xiaomi Mi band tracker work with Android 4.3?
Will the new Xiaomi Mi band (fitness tracker) work with Android 4.3? I know it says that it works with 4.4, but I also saw somewhere they said it won't work with 4.2.

# Answer
It is compatible with Xiaomi Redmi 1S Android 4.3. Source.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Yes. it is compatible and I'm using with my Redmi 1S.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 4.3-jelly-bean, fitness, xiaomi
---


# Question
Title: What are the build.prop settings for a modern tablet?
I want to install a tablet-only game via the play store, and I am at the build.prop file, only I don't know what to change the device to - does anyone know what values I can put in for the ro.product.name and ro.product.model for a new-ish tablet? something along the lines of a galaxy tab s for example?

# Answer
You CAN'T just change the model number/name. What you have to change is the DPI setting of your phone for this specific app.

For that, follow up this explanation to do so with XPosed: http://highonandroid.com/android-apps/how-to-run-apps-in-phone-or-tablet-mode-on-any-rooted-android-smartphonetablet/
> 1 votes

---
Tags: settings, installation
---


title: Services without a process

text:
# Question
Title: Services without a process
In the Settings \> Apps screen, under "Running", a few apps are listed as having as active (i.e. a service is running) despite having zero running processes and taking no memory.

Why are they in this state? Are they waiting for some kind of event?

# Answer
Yes, these are cached services. They are used to boost up service start time. From Android Developers - Processes and Threads (as of Feb 13, 2015)

> 5. Empty process
>
> A process that doesn't hold any active application components. The only reason to keep this kind of process alive is for caching purposes, to improve startup time the next time a component needs to run in it. The system often kills these processes in order to balance overall system resources between process caches and the underlying kernel caches.
>
> Android ranks a process at the highest level it can, based upon the importance of the components currently active in the process. For example, if a process hosts a service and a visible activity, the process is ranked as a visible process, not a service process.
>
> In addition, a process's ranking might be increased because other processes are dependent on it—a process that is serving another process can never be ranked lower than the process it is serving. For example, if a content provider in process A is serving a client in process B, or if a service in process A is bound to a component in process B, process A is always considered at least as important as process B.
>
> Because a process running a service is ranked higher than a process with background activities, an activity that initiates a long-running operation might do well to start a service for that operation, rather than simply create a worker thread—particularly if the operation will likely outlast the activity. For example, an activity that's uploading a picture to a web site should start a service to perform the upload so that the upload can continue in the background even if the user leaves the activity. Using a service guarantees that the operation will have at least "service process" priority, regardless of what happens to the activity. This is the same reason that broadcast receivers should employ services rather than simply put time-consuming operations in a thread.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: processes
---


# Question
Title: Where are Messages and other data like Application caches or even Applications saved?
Where are the **Data**s like Messages or Applications exists, i have looked at many stackexchange's Android questions and found that its in *data/* location, but when i tried searching for *data/* but find *data/* in *android/* folder i.e *Android/data/\***, i did'nt find anything in it like .APKs, and even i tried formatting both internal and external(SD Card) storage, but after opening "Messaging App" it shows every messages, even tried restarting my phone because i thought the messages should be loaded up already in the memory, and the applications still exists in my phone after formatting internal memory and removing external memory card, are they installed on a other disk where the OS is installed, because even 3rd party apps can be seen in the Apps list like Hike and WhatsApp, where are the 3rd party Apps installed other than SD card and Internal memory, i have'nt done anything like rooting, i have **Micromax Canvas 2+ A110q** (**Jelly Bean OS**), Can anyone tell where does my device installs those third party Apps.

---

**In short:** I have formated my Internal SD Card on my PC through USB cable, and removed the External SD card, and restarted the device, but still Messages and Apps can be seen even 3rd party Apps messages(i.e hike's and WhatsApp's Messages). Thanks in advance!!

# Answer
You might wish to see Android Folder Hierarchy, where the locations in storage are explained. Basically, you need to distinguish between different partitions:

* **System partition (`/system`):** This is were the Android system resides, together with the "pre-installed" applications.
* **Device internal storage (`/data`):** This is were your 3rd party apps go by default. All your user data (including data from all apps) usually go here as well (`/data/data/<package_name>` for apps' data)
* **Internal and external SD cards:** They serve as "external storage", mostly for your music collection and documents. Apps might place data here as well, and – depending on device and ROM – you might be able to partially move apps here (e.g. using ).

So it's pretty clear: Even if you formatted all the "external storage" (your SD cards), most apps would remain – as they are installed on either internal storage, or in system space.
> 0 votes

# Answer
* Messages are stored in /`data`/`data`/(apps package name) folder which you cant access since your device is not rooted.
* There are built in options in these app to delete conversations ( e.g in whatsapp go to `settings`\>`chat setting`\>`delete all conversation`)
* You can also delete this data by going to `settings`\>`apps`\>App which you want to delete data e.g:`Whatsapp`\>`clear data` (**NOTE**: If you will clear data you have to log in agian in app(whatsapp/hike) and *dont select restore conversation in whatsapp*)
> 0 votes

---
Tags: applications
---


# Question
Title: Power button is not responsive when being hold on LG Optimus F3
I have an LG Optimus F3. Last night, I wanted to screenshot something, but holding the power button didn't do anything. I can press it and the screen would turn on/off, but there's no response when holding it.

I tried holding it for a good 1 minute, but it still isn't working.

How to fix this?

# Answer
> 1 votes
This is a routine issue for me.

Removing the battery to force a reboot temporarily fixes the problem. I haven't found a permanent solution though.

---
Tags: lg, buttons
---


# Question
Title: Mobile Data is Off but still i am being charged 0.041INR..Crazy issue on MOTO E.I am using Vodafone Karnataka SIM
I have very recently purchased Mote E. I have disabled Mobile data and work only with Wifi.

Even after this I see I am being charged with 0 MB data usage.

enter image description here (Click for full size)

I don't understand what is happening here. It is coming very frequently. I am very sure none of the Apps are using it since I uninstalled almost every app that I installed after this problem has arisen. I have checked data usage logs and it says 0 MB data usage and that none of my app have used any mobile data.

Why is this happening? Probably some check after wifi gets disconnected? I checked with android debugger but there is too many log statement... anything particular I should be looking at?

Any help or suggestion is apprecia

# Answer
* First Check Out `Settings`\>`Data Usage` that if there is any usage of data connection by any built in app (as you mentioned that you have deleted third party apps)
* If there is not any usage there.As @Andrew T mentioned It must be some problem with your network providers side. Contect them to sort out the matter.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: motorola
---


title: How to forward emails in MailWise

text:
# Question
Title: How to forward emails in MailWise
I use MailWise to check my Exchange emails.

Now I need to forward an email, but I can't find the function for it.

Can you tell me where it is?

# Answer
Open the email you would like to forward.

Click on the "more" 3 dots. it is there under Reply all.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: email, exchange
---


# Question
Title: Multi window is disabled after upgrading from 4.1.2 to 4.2.2
Multi-window icon is disabled after upgrading samsung galaxy tab from 4.1.2 to 4.2.2.

Screenshots (click images for larger variants)

Anybody fixed this problem ? Any idea how to fix this without doing a factory reset ?

# Answer
> 0 votes
A factory reset seems to work for some people. You might want to back-up your files / data before doing this.

**Source:** Problems with Jelly Bean 4.2.2 update

# Answer
> 0 votes
Just hold the `back` key and it will come back. It's probably in hidden mode since the icon is highlighted and showed as ON in the screenshot provided.

# Answer
> 0 votes
You can get back all the options by going to Settings \> My device \> Home screen mode \> Standard mode. Now, all your missing options are there.

For multitasking, enable multitasking from notification tray then long press the 'back button' to have sidebar appears on screen. Now, you can enjoy multitasking back.

---
Tags: 4.1-jelly-bean, 4.2-jelly-bean, samsung-galaxy-tab
---


title: HTC One V (GSM) Ruu

text:
# Question
Title: HTC One V (GSM) Ruu
I would like change back the original factory/stock ROM on my HTC One V devices. Currently is run an Cyanogenmod 10.1, but the device frozen in boot loop.

**Device data:** Primo U SHIP S-ON RL HBOOT-1.18.0000 RADIO-3381.24.00.23\_M eMMC-boot

How can I get back the stock/factory ROM?

Any help?

Thank you for your help!

Daniel

# Answer
PrimoU RUU

This is about the most complete set of PrimoU RUU's I could find. There is also OTA's as well.

---

Can't answer on the boot looping without further details
> 0 votes

---
Tags: boot-loop, htc, stock-rom, htc-one-v
---


title: Google Contacts not Syncing to Phone

text:
# Question
Title: Google Contacts not Syncing to Phone
Although everything else is syncing from my Google account to my phone, my Google Contacts won't sync! I have all of my friends' and family member's numbers in my Google Contacts. Any ideas as to why everything but my Contacts would sync??

# Answer
> 0 votes
Head to your settings and find the personal account/sync option and then select google. Tap on the account in question and then if your calendar sync is off, tap it to enable it.

---
Tags: contacts, sync, google
---


# Question
Title: Why is Call Waiting not available on Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread)?
From my Samsung Galaxy SIII's Phone application (on Android Jelly Bean 4.3), as long as my phone has credit, I can access the application's "Settings" screen via the menu key and then tap on "Additional settings" to check the "Call waiting (During a call, notify me of incoming calls)" feature. With this feature, when I am on the phone, if someone else calls me, then the speakerphone emits two beeps, followed by a pause, followed by two beeps, and at the same time displays a screen where I can answer the incoming call. The beeps are not audible by the party already taking part in the phone conversation. I then have the option of answering the new call, while putting the old call on hold, or reject the new call, optionally rejecting it by also sending a text message displaying the reason for the rejection (e.g. busy, etc...). In case the new call is answered, the other call is put on hold, and I can then either swap which party is on hold and which party is online via a button on the screen. I can even merge the two calls in which case I will be hearing both other parties at the same time and they will also be able to hear each other.

So, all in all, Call Waiting is a great feature because when someone calls you and you're busy on the phone, you still have a chance of at least answering the new incoming call if it is more important than the current call. However, this feature seems to be lacking on Android Gingerbread devices.

So, my question is, why is the Call Waiting feature missing from older Android devices? After all this feature has been available for a very long time on phone networks (including those times when there were no cell phones and this feature was available on landlines and was used mainly by people at work who made use of the feature at an additional cost)?

Thanks.

# Answer
It may be a Samsung omission rather than an android one as from manuals that Google has provided, Call Waiting is referenced in their documentation. http://www.google.com/help/hc/pdfs/mobile/AndroidUsersGuide-2.3.4.pdf
> 2 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-3, calls, 4.3-jelly-bean, 2.3.3-gingerbread, call-waiting
---


# Question
Title: How to use Android tablet as a ebook reader?
If the screen resolution is high enough, there should be no difference between a tablet and an e-ink ebook reader (I read in several reviews).

However, when I use my Android table (2560x1600) for reading by Adobe Acrobat, my eyes get tired soon comparing with Amazon Kindle.

I tried several bluelight filter, but it makes the color unnatural.

What are the best apps/ways to use an Android table for reading colorful PDF documents for long time without eye strain?

# Answer
I think you misunderstand what e-ink is. It is nothing like LED or LCD pixels. Resolution has nothing to do with it.

* Typical displays *emit* light. You can use them in the dark and they will light up your face.
* E-ink displays *reflect* light, like standard paper. This is why they strain your eyes less.

As far as reducing eye strain with a non-e-ink device, try the following:

1. Use bright text on a dark background. Dark text on a bright background (such as this website) is typical however many find it to cause more strain. There are apps that will invert colors of a PDF for you. Depending on the app, images may or may not be inverted. (APV PDF Viewer is an example, although I haven't tried it personally).
2. Reduce the color temperature of your display. This means making the display's colors more "warm" (the colors are more red-ish), although after a minute your eyes will adjust and you won't notice. This can be done with an app (try Lux) which has the ability to automatically change the color temperature with the time of day.
> 4 votes

---
Tags: pdf, ebook-reader, ebooks
---


# Question
Title: Saving pix from Google camera to SD card
I have tried all the suggestions in the forum, but to no avail...

What I have: Galaxy S4, 8GB internal, 64GB SD card, Omega ROM with Android 4.3 (TouchWiz); has Samsung camera AND Google camera (with Photosphere) which I prefer much more than the Samsung camera.

Samsung camera makes it easy to store pix on ext. SD card. Cannot find any setting or way to do the same with Google camera. Even tried deleting DCIM on internal SD card, hoping I would be asked where I wanted to store pix. But DCIM and subfolders were just recreated on the internal SD card.

With only 8GB internal, I need to clear more space out. That's why this is so important. Any help?

# Answer
Unfortunately the Google Camera app does not natively support saving pictures/videos/panoramas to SD Card. I am guessing that this goes with Google's general stance against SD cards in general. If your device is not rooted, you are stuck with having to manually move the images/videos.

For rooted devices, there is a work-around to this limitation. Xposed framework allows various modules to override many stock firmware options without using 3rd-party ROMs. It should also work on custom ROMs, but that isn't "officially" supported by the framework's developer. You will need the Pictures2SD module, which makes all media from various camera apps (including Google Camera) to be automatically saved to the DCIM folder of the SD Card.

Xposed Installer app is not directly available via the Google Play Store, so after rooting your S4 (looks like you are already rooted, since you're running a custom ROM), you will need to allow side-loading of applications via `Settings -> Security -> Unknown sources`, download and install the APK from here, and activate it according to these instructions:

> **Installation of the framework:**
>
> 1. Download the Xposed Installer APK and install it
> 2. Launch the Xposed Installer, go to the "Framework" section and click on "Install/Update"
> 3. Reboot
> 4. Done!

After that, the installation of modules is pretty straight-forward:

> **Installation of any modules:**
>
> 1. Download .apk (e.g. via the builtin repository browser) and install it
> 2. Launch the Xposed Installer and go to the "Modules" section (you will also get there if you click on the notification warning you that the module is not enabled yet)
> 3. Enable the module by checking the checkbox
> 4. Reboot
> 5. Done!
> 8 votes

# Answer
Install a file manager like ES File Explorer and manually move the captured images to a directory on your SD card. Only way around this ridiculous restriction I believe. You would have to do this each time you use the camera obviously.
> 2 votes

# Answer
Here is my workaround (I'm not sure if it works on Samsung devices). On my Moto G with Kitkit 4.4.4, I go to Settings \> Storage \> Move Media \> Pictures.

...and voila. Google's Camera takes better pictures so I don't mind moving them every once in a while over to my SD.
> 2 votes

# Answer
Saving pictures to any 3rd party app is forbidden. It leads to a CTS fail even if a ROM builder provides an app with it. Therefore, I don't think Google Camera app has that function. You should change `/system/etc/permissions/platform.xml` by adding:

```
group gid="media_rw"

```

under

```
permission name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE"

```

After that, find an app with the function of saving to the external SD card.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-4, camera, storage
---


# Question
Title: Can i upgrade my firmware with another phone model's official rom (using odin)?
Is it possible to upgrade my phone's firmware using another phone model's official rom using odin ?

# Answer
No, Official or custom firmware are only to be used with the device specified in its name

Using a different phone model may result in your hard bricking your phone

Is there a reason why you want to use a different phone model firmware over your own?
> 6 votes

# Answer
Even if some apks would eventually work; device drivers, kernel, HAL would be for different peripherals. So, it would be useless and unsuccessful.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: rooting, rom-flashing, custom-roms, odin
---


title: Cyanogenmod 7 OpenVPN DNS not working

text:
# Question
Title: Cyanogenmod 7 OpenVPN DNS not working
I want to route all the internet traffic of my phone through my VPN.

I configured OpenVPN on my htc Desire with Cyanogenmod 7.2.0.1-bravo through the integrated VPN settings dialog.

When I activate the Redirect-Gateway option, DNS resolution (e.g. google.com) doesn't work anymore. So not like others where the resolution of there local hostnames doesn't work (that wouldn't be a problem for me). The device hast still a connection to the internet (through the VPN) but it can't resolve domain names anymore.

The nameservers look correctly configured (adb shell):

```
# cat /etc/resolv.conf
nameserver 8.8.8.8
nameserver 8.8.4.4

```

I've also tested the OpenVPN Settings app but as soon as i add 'redirect-gateway' to the openvpn configuration file I get the same problem.

What could cause this problem?

# Answer
I found now a solution myself:

First, `cat /etc/resolv.conf` isn't a valid way to display the used DNS servers under Android. Use `getprop net.dns1` instead.

In my case the DNS server wasn't the Google server as set in `/etc/resolv.conf`, instead it was one of my ISP which accepts only requests from IPs in its network but my OpenVPN server is in another network.

To solve this issue i just modified `/system/etc/dhcpcd/dhcpcd-hooks/20-dns.conf` a bit:

```
# Set net.<iface>.dnsN properties that contain the
# DNS server addresses given by the DHCP server.

set_dns_props()
{
    case "${new_domain_name_servers}" in
    "")   return 0;;
    esac

    count=1
    for i in 1 2 3 4; do
        setprop dhcp.${interface}.dns${i} ""
    done

    count=1
    for dnsaddr in ${new_domain_name_servers}; do
        setprop dhcp.${interface}.dns${count} ${dnsaddr}
        count=$(($count + 1))
    done

    setprop net.dns1 8.8.8.8
    setprop net.dns2 8.8.4.4
}

case "${reason}" in
BOUND|INFORM|REBIND|REBOOT|RENEW|TIMEOUT)       set_dns_props;;
EXPIRE|FAIL|IPV4LL|RELEASE|STOP)                unset_dns_props;;
esac

```

That will force the phone to always use the Google DNS servers for all connections (e.g. 3G, WiFi, OpenVPN, ...).

I've tested that for a few weeks now and it works perfect.
> 1 votes

# Answer
I just ran into the same problem. Everything works but dns.

I found before that my cell provider, Bell, blocks udp 53 to anything but their servers.

Maybe dns isn't going through openvpn on android but openvpn is changing the servers.

I noticed that some other apps didn't go through openvpn, like the play store.
> 0 votes

# Answer
I got it to work perfectly with 'openvpn for Android' app by playing with provided options within the app and not other messing around...with 'openvpn connect', it worked only for non market/os apps after manually setting : setprop net.dns1 xxx each time after a VPN connect... Hope that helps.
> -1 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, htc-desire, dns, openvpn
---


# Question
Title: I hate the analog time picker, can I force apps to use something else?
# I really dislike this:

---

# I would love to be able to force all of my apps to use this:

I realize that everyone has their own opinions about good vs bad UX. I don't want to start fights, **I am just wondering if there is a way to force my phone to always use the digital time picker rather than the analog clock face.**

# Answer
**Android OS has a built-in date and picker that can be used in any app, but app developers can create and use their own picker.**

The time picker that is shown in the question was *Google apps' own customization*. Thus, other apps will normally show like this instead:

*Android doesn't have a setting for date-time picker customization*, thus it is not possible to change it, other than perhaps using a custom ROM that implements a built-in date-time picker similar to Google's.

(As a reference, there is a 3rd-party library that implements the digital time picker from the previous Google Calendar, but it's only useful for developers).
> 2 votes

---
Tags: clock, user-interface, date-and-time
---


# Question
Title: Disable (in software) Nexus S Power Button
My Nexus S has a broken power button that some days works fine, some days doesn't work at all, but most days just acts up and will randomly turn my phone on, even when it's sitting on the table.

I'm running a CyanogenMod 10.1 nightly on it. Through ButtonRemapper, I've mapped the soft search button to act as a power button, and enabled the volume buttons to turn the phone on. Thus, I have no need to use the power button anymore, and it is just annoying.

Is there a way I can disable (without hardware modifications) the power button? ButtonRemapper doesn't have in its options the ability to change it, and I've had no luck trying to modify the keymap files.

Any help is appreciated!

# Answer
> 2 votes
## **Xposed Additions** Method

For this, you will require **root**:

1. Install the latest version of BusyBox. *If you are having trouble with that installer, you can use an alternate BusyBox installer like BusyBox Installer.*
2. Install the latest version of Xposed Installer.
3. Install the Xposed Additions module (Play Store)
4. Activate the module via **Xposed Installer \> Modules \> \[tick the box next to Xposed Additions\]**.
5. Install the framework via **Xposed Installer \> Framework \> Install/Update**.
6. Reboot. *A soft reboot is sufficient, but if it doesn't work, try a full reboot*.
7. **Xposed Additions \> Buttons \> Add New Button \> (press the hardware button(s) you want to reconfigure, then tap OK\]**.
8. Now, under **Xposed Additions \> Buttons**, the buttons you have added will be there. Tap on the **Power** entry in the list. From here, you can configure the button to have no action on both *screen on*, *screen off*, and *lock screen* (if necessary). You can change each *Click* and *Long Press* action to do nothing.

*Note: This will only prevent the power button's action while Android is running. This will not affect your button configuration while your device is (a) powered off, (b) in bootloader/download mode, or (c) recovery mode*.

***IMPORTANT****: Make sure you have an alternate power button configured, or you may have no way to turn your screen on without a reboot! If this happens, reboot the phone, then add an alternate button to power on your device.*

# Answer
> 0 votes
There is no way to disable the power button thru software

Because power button signals is hardwired to the phone's internals. Hardware modding is the only option for this happen

I suggest getting that button repaired. Its not really expensive (250Php equivalent to 6$ USD), and can be done quite fast. Not sure about official service centers though

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, samsung-nexus-s, buttons
---


# Question
Title: Are there Android devices without a camera, but with a torch?
Flashlight in Android seems to be "entangled" with Camera, leading to UI, power consumption, privacy and other issues.

Are there Android devices with a torch, but without a camera at all? How the LED is managed there?

# Answer
> 0 votes
I don't think there is any Android phone with a LED flash but without a camera. There might be a few low end phones(with a generic OS) that are available with a small LED for flash for using flash.

> Are there Android devices with a torch, but without a camera at all? How the LED is managed there?

Even if there is such a phone, Android has a Camera API that will let the app control flash.

---
Tags: camera-flash
---