title: Retrieve WiFi password

text:
# Question
Title: Retrieve WiFi password
How to get saved WiFi password from my android 5.1.1 without rooting?

I checked the path `/data/misc/wifi/` using `adb pull` from terminal, but it's empty

# Answer
You can't get the passwords without root access because shell (adb) is not privileged to access the file containing those passwords. As you would know, the file `wpa_supplicant.conf` contains all the saved Wi-Fi passwords. In order to even ascertain the existence of that file, you must have read or executable permission until `wifi` directory. It just happened that the permissions on that directory is `drwxrwx---`, is owned by user `wifi` and group `wifi`. Executing `id` tells us that shell is not part of `wifi` group, so it ultimately would be considered `others`. As you can see, the permissions for others are blank `---` i.e. no read/write/execute permission is available, hence, you can't enter that directory, let alone copy a particular file residing inside it.

Root the device if you want that file badly.

Related reading: File permissions and attributes
> 4 votes

# Answer
I have to say I am surprised that the answer to this is hidden so well on the internet.

**It is a myth that retrieving the WiFi passwords from an unrooted device is impossible.**

Prerequisites:

* developer mode activated on android device
* USB debugging (in activated developer options)
* USB data cable
* adb (on host computer)
* java (on host computer)
* an archiver such as winzip or 7zip (can be skipped on Unix systems)

These prerequisites may differ depending on operating system. android version and manufacturer. Answers on how to prepare these on your specific platform can be easily obtained with a search on your favourite search engine. Keep in mind that a USB cable that is good for charging your phone not necessarily provides a data connection. Use the cable that came with your phone if in doubt.

Steps:

1. Connect your phone to the host computer using the USB data cable
2. Backup your WiFi passwords with *adb* (from command line).

```
adb backup com.android.providers.settings

```
3. Enter a password for the file on your phone. The resulting file will be named "backup.ab" and appear in the directory where you executed *adb*.
4. Download and install Android Backup Extractor.
5. Convert the backup file into a TAR archive using the password that you entered earlier:

```
java -jar abe.jar unpack backup.ab backup.tar *password*

```
6. The archive will contain a file called "flattened-data". This file contains all networks that are saved on your phone. The *psk* entries are the passwords.

Notes: It may be easier to move the backup file into the same directory as abe.jar before converting it. Tested on Android 7 and Ubuntu, adb version 1.0.36, android-backup-extractor v20180521. If *adb* doesn't work, make sure you device is found using `adb devices`. On the same device, I tried to access the passwords directly using `adb pull` which didn't work (as was expected).
> 3 votes

# Answer
Reading memorized wifi passwords by device is only possible if you have a rooted device. There are two methods to do it.
1)You can do it manually by pulling file **wpa\_supplicant.conf** Or
2)By simply using applications like **wifi password** by farproc on play store. Install app, grant root permission and it will automatically show you all saved wifi passwords.
> 1 votes

# Answer
@Firelord is right but there's a file browser for Android that doesn't require root for some IO operations, and looking from the path for the saved passwords it should have full rights. It's called XPlorer, hope this helps
> -1 votes

---
Tags: 5.1-lollipop, wifi-password
---


# Question
Title: Using multiple devices with the same cloud accounts
I bought a new phone and everything is now up and running, and the old one has been disconnected from the Internet since I set up the new one. Now I'm considering using it as a backup phone for situations where I could lose or break down the new one.

Is it ok to connect both phones to the Internet at the same time or will that mess things up? I'm thinking of problems like different versions of an application writing configuration info or metadata in different formats, and messing up one another.

# Answer
It is very unlikely that such a setup messes anything up. The only possible scenario where this could happen would be a badly coded app.

In most cases, your apps would only allow you to log in from one device. Once you login on another device, you get logged out on the first. For instance, WeChat works like this.

Other chat clients like Skype or Google Hangouts push your messages to all other devices that are connected. Email clients should work in the same manner.

Cloud storage apps like Dropbox or Owncloud synchronise your files. Unlike messaging apps, they allow modifying and sharing of files. In rare cases, synchronising errors can occur. To solve such conflicts, the cloud server creates a duplicate. This would only happen if you try to edit a file from two or more devices at the same time.

Apps that include an editor (such as Google Sheets or Simplenote usually allow only one version at the same time. That means, even if more than one person edits the file, there won't be any synchronising issues as changes are made instantly. If these persons delete each others changes, data loss would also be instant and can be reversed using the history function of the app.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: accounts, multiple-devices
---


# Question
Title: E3004: This package is for device: gts210vewifi; this device is
I'm trying upgrade a Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 Wi-Fi (2016) AKA gts210vewifi from a LineageOS 18 April 2017 to a 30 July 2018 build, but it fails printing this in TWRP:

```
E3004: This package is for device: gts210vewifi; this device is .

```

What does this apparently broken error message mean? -- Someone suggested that perhaps I "need to upgrade the firmware".. how would I need which version this new build requires?

# Answer
> 8 votes
OK, so this means that you have an outdated version of TWRP which, apparently, does not correctly report the device model name (it's empty). -- Updating TWRP from 3.1.0-0 to latest is 3.2.2-0 solved this problem!

---
Tags: lineageos, samsung-galaxy-tab-2-7, samsung-galaxy-tab-2-10.1
---


# Question
Title: How to delete Google account from a factory-resetted phone?
I have an Android 5.x smartphone ("phone 1"), which was using my Google account. Recently, I've started using different one, so I've (pretty confident that I've) dropped Google account on "phone 1", and then after having all things set up on "phone 2", I've made a factory reset on "phone 1"

However, when my son is now trying to begin using "phone 1", the initialization procedure REQUIRES him to use the account that was used on this phone before !! I presume this is good for protection against thieves, but how can I allow him use this phone ? I don't want to login under my account on that phone again

# Answer
(I've done reset via some hardware menu, it had such items as wipe device, etc.)

After asking the question:

I've logged into Google Accounts as that user on a desktop, and removed that device from a list of "my devices"

It did not change anything.

Then I've logged on THE DEVICE as that user. Then I was provided an option to login as a different Google account, as I did. So that solved my problem.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: factory-reset, google-account
---


# Question
Title: Remove other peoples' Google accounts on my device?
My friend used my phone to check his email but forgot to clear his account on my device, now his mails and notification come to my device, how do I remove his Gmail account and remain with only my account on my device?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Open settings, and go to "Accounts and sync", from there you can see currently logged in Google accounts, and you can sign-out from there.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Open settings -\> go to "Accounts and sync" -\> go to "Google Account", open which account you want to remove and there is "Delete/Remove Account" option in the menu(More option), you can delete the account from there.

---
Tags: google-account
---


title: What is the lock in bootloader?

text:
# Question
Title: What is the lock in bootloader?
I know how to unlock. It's through `fastboot oem unlock`.

I know why the manufactures place a lock. It's for security reasons.

But what is the lock? Is it a file in the system, saying "Hey, the bootloader is locked! Delete me if you want to unlock!", or a registery key, or an appsetting?

Or is it possible to unlock without running "fastboot oem unlock", can I send the unlock command by myself without using "fastboot oem unlock"?

# Answer
It's a flag in the bootloader itself, which tells the bootloader to verify the signature of the image it boots. It's stored in the bootloader's own storage, which isn't accessible from Android. On some phones, the bootloader also has some digital fuses as write-once flags. Unlocking the bootloader blows one of these fuses, so even if you subsequently re-lock, the phone is forever marked as having been tampered with.

> can I send the unlock command by myself without using "fastboot oem unlock"?

You could make your own replacement for `fastboot`, which sends the same command to the bootloader, but it wouldn't change the behaviour. It would still wipe the userdata partition when you sent the command.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: bootloader
---


# Question
Title: Will this "SIM Free" Android phone for sale near Osaka (Japan) work in Europe and North America?
Will this "SIM Free" Android phone for sale near Osaka (Japan) work in Europe and North America?

Hello,

So my phone recently went temporarily out of order and then I saw this Asus ZenFone 3 for sale in a second hand shop near Osaka (Japan).

It says "Sim Free" I think but do you guys think it would work in Europe and North America as well?

Vesa

# Answer
This is the JP/TW variant of ZenFone 3 Max - detailed specs here.

From the listed LTE bands, it's missing the crucial Band 20 (wide coverage) for European countries and main bands for major carriers in the US. You will likely get less-than-stellar LTE coverage out of the device as a result. 3G will still work and likely suffice for most use cases.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: sim-unlocking, localization, compatibility, carriers, gsm
---


# Question
Title: How to find out currently running user name/ID from ADB
I am having Nexus 7 running multiple users. I am trying to find out which is currently running user using ADB. The best I could get so far was to check legacy directory linking which is either linked to `/mnt/shell/emulated/0` or to `/mnt/shell/emulated/1`.

Is there more efficient way to find out which is currently running user? Also is there a way to find out user name of current user?

# Answer
> 32 votes
For Android 8, 9, 10, and possibly for Nougat too I suppose, run:

```
adb shell am get-current-user                # returns USER_ID of the foreground user
adb shell cmd activity get-current-user      # alternative command

```

Alternatively, do:

```
adb shell 'dumpsys activity | grep mCurrentUser'

```

You output would be:

```
mCurrentUser=0

```

0 is always the user Id for the owner (primary user). Any other number, say 10 or 11, would reflect a secondary user (including Guest user).

For Lollipop, enter the command:

```
adb shell dumpsys user

```

You would get something like:

```
Users:
  UserInfo{0:Owner_lol:13} serialNo=0
    Created:
    Last logged in: +1m40s308ms ago
  UserInfo{10:New user:10} serialNo=13
    Created: +1h1m15s438ms ago
    Last logged in: +6m2s390ms ago

```

In `{0:Owner_lol:13}` `0` is the userID of the user having user name `Owner_lol`.

For each user you would see `Last logged in:` time. The entry having time closest to current time implies that the corresponding user is currently in focus on screen.

Given that you've root access, you can see all these details from the `XML` file of each of the user available under `/data/system/users`.

It is another matter that my Android 4.2.1 didn't give `Last Logged in:` time correctly.

---

Alternatively, in Lollipop, you can do:

```
adb shell pm list users

```

You would get something like:

```
Users:
        UserInfo{0:Owner_lol:13} running
        UserInfo{10:New user:10}

```

In my Android 4.2.1 I don't see the text "running", perhaps because it wasn't implemented in the code or because the device has single-user support.

**Note** that if multiple users are logged in then you would see "running" for all the logged-in users.

---

`user` (`android.os.IUserManager`) is the service which manages users in the system. `dumspsys` simply dumped the output queried from the service `user`.

You can alternatively query the service provided that you know which function to query. For e.g. In my Android 5.0.2 I can enter:

```
adb shell service call user 8

```

It gives me a hex-dump where I can at least see the user name and userID among other things, of all the users in system.

Number `8` is calling a particular function. See the source code of `android.os.IUserManager` for your Android release here.

**Edit**:

An another method is to peek into the `activity` service.

```
adb shell dumpsys activity

```

Look for the few lines after the line with text `mStartedUsers:`. You would see something like:

```
User #0: mState=RUNNING
User #10: mState=RUNNING

```

The numeral entry between `#` and `:` is the userID of a user.

# Answer
> 3 votes
I tried everything Firelord suggested, but non of it actually gave useful results. It always says that all users are "RUNNING", "Last logged in" doesn't update/reset when switching user accounts...

I ended up with this:

```
adb shell dumpsys activity | grep -E "mUserLru" | grep -Eo "[0-9]+\]$" | tr -d "]"

```

Returns the user id of the active user.

This works very well for me.

---
Tags: adb, shell, multi-user
---


# Question
Title: Connect from Android to SSH server without password
I want to run scripts on an Ubuntu PC from my Android phone just with a tap, no passwords or other stuff.

Things I did so far: I managed to connect via SSH to the PC, but I cannot configure a public-key authentication (I'm using CM9, for what it matters). I could create a rsa key on my phone (and stored it on the server) but it's like it's not using it when connecting, so I tried using the "ssh -i" flag but then I get an error that the string is too long. ConnectBot rsa authentication works well, but I cannot use it to run scripts. I also tried installing dropbear but I stopped as soon as I needed to compile stuff, because I could not find a complete guide, or they are mostly describing the opposite process (install an ssh server on Android). To run the scripts I use "Script Manager - SManager" that allows the creation of widgets, but so far it's always asking for the password.

Can you suggest a proper way to use pub key or any alternative solution?

Thanks!

P.S. I know this has already been partly discussed here: Where to add SSH keys to allow connections to remote server on Android? But it does not work and I cannot comment that question.

# Answer
> 1 votes
When you provide the key (using -i switch), you should provide the path to the file, not the key itself - are you entering the file path?

---
Tags: ssh
---


# Question
Title: Phone dropped in water - Now screen won't turn off (Samsung Galaxy S2 (SII))?
I currently have a `Samsung Galaxy SII (S2)(I9100)` that got dropped in water. I took the phone apart (removed the screws on the back and properly took the back off) and left it to dry in a warm place overnight.

The phone works absolutely fine as you'd expect it to, but it now has this weird issue where the `screen won't turn off` at all, whenever I press the power button to turn the screen off, it comes straight back on again. If I let it go to sleep with it's own "timout" it just comes back on straight away also.

It has been `factory reset` and still does it. It has `stock Android that came with the device`, `never rooted` or had `custom ROMS` installed.

Here's a video of the problem actually happening:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4UViRT64Ss

I assume it *has* to be a hardware issue from the water damage, but has anyone experienced this? **Is it likely I'd be able to change any of the parts inside to try and fix it?**

# Answer
The water evaporating has left now undissolved mineral ions on your phone (ions conduct electricity).Now electricity doesn't go as designed.Also heat cycles will possibly change chemical and physical structure of your hardware.The more you use it the more likely something will get worse

Instead of drying to get rid of water and leave the ions on your phone you should have hoovered the water being cautious not to discharge static electricity to the phone (even though theoretically almost everyone should have damaged their hardware with static many times in their lives it somehow never happens)

Now maybe you should clean it properly (isopropyl alcohol should work the purer the better at least 99%)

The better way to clean it is with bathing it in the alcohol and use ultrasound at the same time which some more professional phonerepairers do with special machines.(You can find some good replacements of the machines for about 50usd) It most often works without ultrasounding but the ultrasound method is much better and fixes the performance of water damaged phone more.
> 1 votes

# Answer
I'd try an app to turn the screen off, such as this: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.katecca.screenofflock&hl=en

Sounds like you've done well to only have this little damage. Perhaps even this will recover in time.
> 0 votes

# Answer
In my case the Screen Off app solved the problem. It allows the user to turn off the screen without pressing the power button.
> 0 votes

# Answer
change the charging connector in the phone.
> 0 votes

# Answer
FIXED: I am a Phone/PC Technician, I just fixed a customer's phone, the issue was the screen wont turn off via power button nor when the phone goes to standby it would come back on... The Samsung Galaxy J5 fell in his toilet which he quickly grabbed it out.. The FIX was to remove the board and use clear rubbing alcohol and a small flat head screwdriver to scrape and to clean all contact points which had some white corrosion, even the internal metal edge that grounds against the chassis and board. Screw phone back together ensuring all contact points are touching then test to see if all is working. All the best to you!
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-2, screen, hardware, water-damage, wakelock
---


title: how can I forward all calls except one?

text:
# Question
Title: how can I forward all calls except one?
because i have a small business I get lots of calls, but sometimes I want a day off... so on these days I would like to be able to forward all my calls to my office, BUT allow ONLY my office number to call me in case of an emergency...

so how can I forward all incoming calls to my phone, but exempt a single number so as to allow it to be able to ring thru to my phone?

does the phone have this capability, or is it possible with an app? Thanks

# Answer
> 1 votes
For starters, call forwarding happens at your service provider, not at your phone. For most services, to forward calls that you don’t answer, first dial \*71+the 10-digit number to forward calls to. To turn off call forwarding dial \*73.

Now, step two. Do a search on the play store for “white list”. There are a number of apps that will only allow the numbers that you have entered into the white list. In theory, all others will get forwarded. I haven’t tested it but it should work. Good Luck.

---
Tags: google-apps
---


# Question
Title: Adopted external sd card as internal storage - but storage space is not available
On my Xperia XZs with Android 8.0 I formatted the external SD card to be used as internal or adoptable storage. I had to use ADB to get this working. The system sees the storage, but I can't use it.

Total Commander only sees the internal memory, which is 20GB of 32GB internal memory. The 128GB external SD shows up as 256GB of which half is used.

**How can I get the SD card showing up as internal storage?**

# Answer
> 1 votes
First of all, open SD card from screen displayed on screenshot in your question, than tap and hold recents button in nav bar or tap 3 dot menu if it's displayed, you will get various options one of them is migrate data tap on that and it should be fine. Now because total commander see only one storage it is good, it is same case on my phone, and it works fine. Also adopted storage doesn't appear as internal storage it stays under same name and as external storage, but thing is that you can open app options in app manger in settings and choose to move to external storage in that case app will end up on adopted SD card. When did you adopted SD card because it's already half full and as you said it didn't work as intended, when SD card is formatted as adoptable all data from SD card should be deleted. Since it's showing 256 instead of 128 you should repeat process of adopting since something went wrong.

---
Tags: external-sd, 8.0-oreo, adoptable-storage
---


# Question
Title: Brand new Moto G6 won't send or receive SMS
My brand new out of the box Moto G6 won't send or receive SMS. I'm using the official SMS app which has SMS permissions (triple checked this) and is the default SMS app.

I tried everything: cleaning cache, reinstalling, updating, rebooting, turning off both SIM cards, rebooting the radio through phone commands, etc. Nothing worked.

How to fix this?

# Answer
After installing another generic SMS app and seeing it was receiving and sending SMSs, I uninstalled it and opened the official SMS app and it worked.

It makes no sense but I'm posting here to help.

And yes, the official SMS app was setted as the default SMS app AND had SMS permissions.
> 2 votes

# Answer
Had the same problem. Turned out that the default SMS app didn't have the phone number entered in the app's settings (in the SMS app click the 3 dots, then Settings then Advanced, then Phone number). Once the phone's number was added - text (both send and received instantly started working). Hope this helps others!
> 2 votes

---
Tags: applications, sms, networking, mobile-data, gsm
---


title: Backup AND RESTORE of viber messages

text:
# Question
Title: Backup AND RESTORE of viber messages
Is there any free solution for backing up an restoring viber messages?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Since this is old question but someone maybe still wonder how to do it now there is option to do that manually and automatically. Everything you have to need is that you are logged in with Google account, and simply go to viber \>settings\>account\>viber backup, you can select a Google account on which you want backups to be stored and than choose how often you want backups or do that manually by pressing 'backup', there is also restore option and by the way restore option will be offered automatically when you install viber if Google account in use have backup on it. Here is a video of how to do it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISWywTUB2-M

# Answer
> 1 votes
**Backup Viber messages**

You can backup Viber messages using the built-in option by following the steps from this official Viber support webpage: Viber | Create a backup file of your messages .

> 1. Open Viber.
> 2. Select *More options*.
> 3. Select *Settings*.
> 4. Select *Calls and messages*.
> 5. Select *Email message history*. Tapping this option will create a backup file of all conversations present in the chat history.
> 6. Once the backup file is created, select the application through which you would like to email it and send it to yourself or any other email
>
> Messaging history backup is available on Android and iPhone only.

**Recover deleted Viber messages**

Login to your email account and download the attachment (backup file) to your SD card. Once you’ve done so, the backed up Viber messages cannot be restored onto your device directly.

---
Tags: backup, restore, viber-messenger
---


# Question
Title: How can I make toast notifications stay on screen longer?
I occasionally have a toast notification that is too long to read in the given amount of time that it is displayed. Is there any way to change the length of time these notifications display?

Also, is there any way to view these notifications after they are gone? This would be ideal, like an app or a folder that logs all the toast notifications where I can review them later.

# Answer
> 7 votes
Simple Answer: No, this isn't possible.

Long Answer:

Toasts are built into apps, and are low level. There is no way for 3rd party apps to catch toasts, and there is no way to view them longer.

This could be possible if you made your own custom ROM however.

# Answer
> 5 votes
The values of `LENGTH_SHORT` and `LENGTH_LONG` are 0 and 1. This means they are treated as flags rather than actual durations so I don't think it will be possible to set the duration to anything other than these values.

If you want to display a message to the user for longer, consider a Status Bar Notification. Status Bar Notifications can be programmatically cancelled when they are no longer relevant.

# Answer
> 1 votes
The currently accepted answer stands obsolete, now that there are handful of apps offering solutions for copying notifications and toasts for later use. I use Toast Source and it has worked well so far. You can find alternative apps in Play Store.

Install Toast Source, enable its service, let it observe the toasts which you can view them later under Saved toasts option.

As for extending the duration of the toasts, an Xposed based solution could probably help here. XToast claims to change a toast's duration. I have not tried this so I cannot vouch for it.

# Answer
> 0 votes
No, however some apps lets you set a time that a toast message stays on screen.

(...I think.)

# Answer
> -2 votes
If you enable engineer mode under quality enhancements you can change display toast time and notification time

---
Tags: toast-notifications
---


title: Unknown icon on the status bar

text:
# Question
Title: Unknown icon on the status bar
anyone can figure out what's the 2nd icon from the left ?

Thanks

# Answer
> 3 votes
That icon is one of the apps from Opera Software and its called "Opera Max" thus the "M" icon and it is used for data saving or so it claims. Its shows you your estimated data usage and what you have saved. In their own words "Opera Max - Data Manager is a tool that lets you save considerably on the number of megabytes on your Android device's data plan using a simple procedure that automatically compresses all videos and images that you see (while using 3G) to around half their size. "

Hope your question is answered

---
Tags: applications
---


title: WhatsApp away from Wi Fi?

text:
# Question
Title: WhatsApp away from Wi Fi?
When I am away from WiFi, I do not want to receive nor send messages or media on WhatsApp. Where on my Moto G can I make this setting? Thanks !!

# Answer
> 1 votes
There is no standard way, on Whatsapp, to disable send/receive messages. When I want to save my internet, I just go to the phone's configuration and disable all internet conections (leaving just Wifi on, since it is "free") - but it would affect all apps.

The best you could do on Whatsapp is to not download media - go to Configuration -\> Storage Data and disable all automatic media download.

# Answer
> 1 votes
It is possible to restrict background data usage for certain apps. Here, "data" or "mobile data" means the Internet connection you get through 4G or 3G, and not what you get through Wi-fi. (I don't know how to restrict foreground data usage for certain apps, so you would have to also avoid opening WhatsApp if you don't want it to use data.)

* Go to "Settings", "Connections", "Data usage".
* Tap "Mobile data usage"
* Scroll down and tap "WhatsApp", or whatever app you want to restrict
* Turn off "Allow background data usage"

---
Tags: whatsapp-messenger, downloading
---


title: Sync arbitrary files with a server

text:
# Question
Title: Sync arbitrary files with a server
I'm looking for a way to keep a file (keepass .kdb) on my Droid2 in sync with one on a server.

* This is just a file on the filesystem - not contacts, calendar, etc.
* I need bidirectional, not just push or pull. If the server's changes, download it, if the Android's changes, upload it. Yes, this may result in conflicts that need resolved.

I'm using Unison to achieve this between PCs, but there's no Unison client for android. I've found hand-waving about installing OCaml on Android and running Unison on that, but I'm hoping for something native.

Botsync sounds promising, but it's unidirectional - when making a config, you choose if it's upload or download.

I've seen sugarsync, but given that this is my KeePass file, I'd prefer to keep it on my own server.

# Answer
You might want to consider another option here, if you want to use this for KeePass password database. This won't work for other sensitive material, but since you asked specifically for KeePass, here's what I do:

* Protect the database with the password (I assume you have, already), **and** a key. This will give you a two-factor authentication ("something you know" -- your password, and "something you have" -- your key). The password database can only be unlocked when **both** pieces are in place.
* Copy the key to the local storage of all your devices, and give it some inconspicuous name. Preferably put it in a crowded directory where it would seem like some configuration file or some random noise file created by a program.
* Upload your database to a third-party storage service (I use Dropbox, but other options would work just as well). It goes without saying that the service should have an Android client if you want to use it on your device.
* **DO NOT** upload your key there -- use another method to copy it to the devices you need. Dropbox in particular keeps a copy of the files you upload and then delete at least for a week for backup purposes (quite convenient, I must admit), but if your key is on the server already, it's not more secure than a normal password-protected database.
* Configure your KeePass clients not to remember the location of the key (remembering the location of the database is fine).

In this way, you can upload your database to a random website, and even if your password gets compromised for some reason (i.e. keyboard loggers), you can only use the database from devices that have the key AND now which file is actually the key.

For convenience, you might want to have key-only authentication on a mobile device (secure passwords are tedious to type on a mobile device, and you obviously don't want to use anything short and easy here). But I would recommend against this, as in this case the security is even lower than a password-protected database -- instead of a password you have in your head, you use a "password" (the key file) that is on your device.

KeePass doesn't give any hints whether it requires key, password or both -- which works to your advantage.
> 3 votes

# Answer
You may have found something you are happy with now but I have compiled a binary of unison that works on android - it is possible using the hand-waving instructions you are talking about - I used them to cross-compile the linux source within ubuntu 12.10 using the android NDK and with a few alterations to the code it is now working. Follow the instructions at https://sites.google.com/site/keigoattic/ocaml-on-android and then you will need to do a few things. There is a file called pty.c in the unison source - find the following section:

```
// openpty
#if defined(__linux)
#include <pty.h>
/*#define HAS_OPENPTY 1*/
#endif

```

and comment out `define HAS_OPENPTY 1` as shown. You also need to open ubase/util.ml and edit:

```
let homeDir () =
  System.fspathFromString "/Your path here"

```

Comment out from here:

```
    (if (osType = `Unix) || isCygwin then
       safeGetenv "HOME"
     else if osType = `Win32 then
(*We don't want the behavior of Unison to depends on whether it is run
  from a Cygwin shell (where HOME is set) or in any other way (where
  HOME is usually not set)
       try System.getenv "HOME" (* Windows 9x with Cygwin HOME set *)
       with Not_found ->
*)
       try System.getenv "USERPROFILE" (* Windows NT/2K standard *)
       with Not_found ->
       try System.getenv "UNISON" (* Use UNISON dir if it is set *)
       with Not_found ->
       "c:/" (* Default *)
     else
       assert false (* osType can't be anything else *))

```

...To here!

Then you'll also have to edit Makefile.Ocaml

```
   CWD=$(shell pwd)
    EXEC_EXT=
    WINOBJS=
    SYSTEM=generic
    # openpty is in the libutil library
    ifneq ($(OSARCH),solaris)
      ifneq ($(OSARCH),osx)
      #  CLIBS+=-cclib -lutil
      endif
    endif
    buildexecutable::
        @echo Building for Unix
  endif
endif

```

And comment out `# CLIBS+=-cclib -lutil` as shown.

And as far as I can remember that all worked. The other step once compiled is to mount your android system partition as writable and copy unison to the /system folder where all the rest of the shell commands are.

Hope that is helpful to someone...I lost a lot of sleep getting it compiled.
> 4 votes

# Answer
I do exactly what you ask with FolderSync. It's a very nice piece of software, with plenty of options and features. I use it as a personal dropbox alternative using SFTP over SSH with keyfile for authentication. You can even set it up to automatically detect changes on the local replicas and trigger an immediate upload. On my phone i use it to upload pics on my server as soon as i take them, and it works just perfect.
> 2 votes

# Answer
I've also followed the cross compilation root as indicated in ChC's answer

I've released UnisonSync that allows you to unison without dealing with the command line (and without rooting) on Google Play:

From the proof of concept, which was quickly running, to a production ready app it took much more time than expected, but now it works and is very handy to sync my publications and datasheet repository.
> 2 votes

# Answer
I use unison by mounting the android with sshfs. As ssh server I use SSHDroid.

But be warned, unison with sshfs is really slow. Though with one single file it should not matter.
> 1 votes

# Answer
I don't know of anything native that does this. There are many file sync apps but all the ones i've seen are either unidirectional, or rely on the user to manually sync the file from the phone to the cloud. What you are intending to do should be possible with the Dropbox API but I don't know if you are willing to create your own custom app that keeps watch over the specific files you need sync'd
> 0 votes

# Answer
A market search revealed aFileSync which claims to sync files via FTP and also has support to auto-sync files. You will need to be running an FTP server on your own.

There's also SK Sync, but users have reported mixed results with it.

Obviously, before you try any of these programs / apps, please backup your files both on the PC/server as well as your Android device.
> 0 votes

# Answer
For synchronize files from Android is new version of my app BotSyncPlus. When you wrote about BotSync, there was only one configuration for upload or download. But now a new version BotSyncPlus is available, where is multi-configuration.
> -1 votes

---
Tags: sync, file-transfer
---


# Question
Title: What are the tiny superscript numbers on home page buttons?
What is the number "2" in the button below that shows up on the home page?

Opening up the Play Store and looking around does not show anything obvious as to what that number means.

When this number shows up on the YouTube button, opening up the YouTube app shows that there are new videos in my feed, so I am extrapolating and assuming that other apps have new information for me to view. But that is not the case for Play Store.

If I knew what these things were called, I could easily do a web search to find out what they are and how to get rid of them for specific apps (presumably by viewing the new information that the app has to show).

I want to call these things 'notifications', but that is does not seem correct. I believe that 'notifications' are something that shows up in a tray in Android, not a number that is associated with some button on the home screen.

This is on a Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 tablet, model number SM-T820, running Android 8.0.0 with April 1st 2018 patch level.

# Answer
It is called a **Notification Badge** which is a feature that became available in Android 8.0:

https://developer.android.com/training/notify-user/badges

You should be able to manage each app's notification behavior under

**Settings-\>Apps & Notification-\>\[App Name\]-\>App Notifications**
> 4 votes

# Answer
Android 8 (Oreo) does have notification badges. But phone manufacturers and other launchers have supported badges even before that, and they work differently then the way Android 8 works. Here are the differences, that I can see:

* **Android 8 notification badges** count the number of notifications in your notification drawer. If you clear a notification, it will also disappear from the badge in your home launcher.
* **Other home launchers**, like the old version of Samsung's home launcher, will show badges on certain supported apps. For instance, on the WhatsApp icon, it will show a badge counting the number of unread messages. If you clear your notifications from the notification drawer, the badge will remain unchanged, because it is not tied to notifications. The badge will disappear once you have read all your messages in WhatsApp (in the case of that app).
> 1 votes

---
Tags: notifications, notification-icons, app-icons
---


# Question
Title: Huawei Ascend P7: "Log In WiFi Network", but WiFi works well, and a very strange issue
I have a problem with my Huawei Ascend P7

The cell phone connects perfectly to WiFi but I have several problems related to this:

1. Repeatedly asks me to "Log in WiFi network".
2. Certainly, it connects to the internet, but only for a few moments, the speed of the connection goes down until it is constantly lost (for long periods of time).

> EDIT: Well, I tried connecting in my cousin's WiFi and worked, now I know that the issue happens only in my WiFi

**Important data:**

1. This problem does not happen when I connect to a HotSpot, or a public network (which asks me to login)
2. My router works perfectly.
3. Update the ROM (officially) to Lollipop 5.1.1

**"Strange" things that happen in this case**

1. The notification of "start session in wifi network" appears for a few seconds, and then disappears.

> Once I was able to open the notification, I could even "log in" to my Wi-Fi network with Google Sites, but nothing happened

2. The problem suddenly appeared, I do not know when it happened.

**I tried:**

1. Change to static IP.
2. Check the "Wireless" section of my router
3. Reset my phone.
4. Wipe data

I hope to find help to solve this problem, this is the only phone that I will have for a long time (that's why I updated it)

Of course, thank you.

# Answer
Check to see if wifi service is actually an app called tispy .. It hides under the name wifi service
> -1 votes

---
Tags: wi-fi, huawei, huawei-ascend-p7
---


# Question
Title: How to stop Wi-Fi from using all my mobile data?
My phone all of a sudden is consuming huge amounts of mobile data ; apps usage report shows that 'Wi-fi' is causing this: from less than 500Mb per month is has consumed 2GB in a day , and it continues to do this unless I disable the mobile data .

What is causing this ? How can I stop it ? Can someone explain why WIFI would use my mobile data ( I thought Wi-fi would use my internet connexion)

Material used: Samsung S5 dual SIm. UK Three SIM card and France Orange SIM card Probelem is with both cards and both providers. I've had to disable both mobile networks to stop the usage.

there are two 'Wi-Fi apps' one version 35 and a version 126. Uninstall or Force Stop are inactive, and I cannot see who is the Publisher.

Any suggestions ? thanks !

# Answer
> 2 votes
As suggested by Dan Hulme, this is a malware app that called itself 'Wi-Fi'. After his comments, I read the below post by Srihari Karanth that helped me to identify that ''Wi-Fi'' was in fact a Mobile tracker app.

Srihari's post

''To know if a spy app is installed first check your Device Administrator list to see if there are any apps which you have not downloaded yourself. If you find any apps, no matter the name, no matter the icon of the app, just disable the privilege and uninstall it from application list as valid system applications will not be listed in there. Device Administrator list can be found under Settings -\> Security or Settings -\> Application.''

thank you

---
Tags: wi-fi, samsung, mobile-data, malware
---


title: Disable harmful app

text:
# Question
Title: Disable harmful app
System update shows "disable harmful app", but it keeps coming up. I have a Micromax Canvas Infinity HS2. What can I do?

# Answer
Micromax was just finding ways to make more money from its phones. So, what it starting doing was to throw ads and auto-install certain apps without the user consent. This backfired with many users complaining against them.

All this was done using the application which also checks for and provides phone system updates. While system updates are important, it will be too much to expect from them.

All this app is doing now is to show ads on your phone's various areas. That Play Protect warning is straight to the point. You should uninstall it, but even in case you fail to, there will be a *disable* button. Just disable it and get rid of annoying ads and this notification as well.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Uninstall it unless you know what you are doing, the app seems to contain adware/malware.
> 0 votes

# Answer
You should uninstall that app, unless it's integrated in system in that case you won't be able to uninstall it, but since it's prompting button to uninstall than it is probably uninstallable. It is probably Micromax bloatware.
> 0 votes

# Answer
If you buy phones of the grey market, these are the sort of pop ups one could expect to see.

I would recommend downloading the norootfirewall app. That may help perhaps with your issue.
> 0 votes

# Answer
System update / Updater application notifies only when an OTA update for the device is available. I have never seen such a message from stock system update app.

* Do you remember that, you have installed any third party app named system update? Or any bloatware app (eg: battery management like app).
* Some times opening a adware/bloatware website may have a chance to happen like this.
* Some devices have Security application that notifies to free-up space, uninstall unused apps, remove battery draining apps etc. But, those app definitely have name schemes with Security / Cleaner words in it.
* **Solution**: Please check all apps and uninstall apps which found to be unsecure. Install apps from a secure source like play store.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: security
---


# Question
Title: How do I change the Umi Super's shortcut button to take screenshots?
I have a Umi Super (rooted) device with one shortcut button (press it, and it opens an app of your choice)

I want to remap the key to take screenshots.

I have tried Button Mapper - but it takes to much time to take the screen shot, or sometimes it does not even take it. I am open to any solutions, exposed modules /root apps / etc

# Answer
> 2 votes
* Install Xposed edge module (see the help and support section on basics of how to use this module)
* Select *Keys* from main menu and tap to reveal the next screen which has hardware keys listed (You can also add hardware keys if not listed). In the corresponding drop down menu you have actions of *click, double click and long press*. Map the action to taking screenshot (full screen / selected region)

---
Tags: hardware, buttons, screenshots
---


# Question
Title: I have an old HTC Sense and i am having problems getting market to open or even updating to google play store.
I have an old HTC Sense Android, running 2.3.4, I'm not new to this scene, i currently have a galaxy S6 Active and a S8+, but im still learning, ANYWAY this phone doesnt have service, just wifi, i was bored and It has market, but won't connect. Did they make updates to install google play store, ?? Does the Android market even still exist..?? I appreciate any help. - D.W.O I have just seen that in settings it says 2.3.4 but somewhere else i saw 2.3.6...also this device is stock, i have no clue about rooting...would like to learn

# Answer
"Android Market" has been renamed to "Google Play Store" long ago. Afraid Google also changed the API since and deprecated the old one, so you won't be able to use this "ancient" version anymore.

For an alternative, you could try F-Droid, an open source Android "market" which should still work with "ancient versions". There you'd also find apps like Yalp Store, which would allow you accessing Play Store.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: google-play-store
---


# Question
Title: Remove boot password from the command line
I just tried to remove the boot password on a Android Oreo device using the following command:

```
$ vdc cryptfs changepw password original_password ""
200 5478 0

```

Even though the status indicated success (I've previously used this command to change the password without problems), the device does neither accept the original password nor does it boot without putting in a password. The password prompt still shows up.

I'm pretty sure this is only recoverable with a factory reset. (I'll still gladly take alternative hints on how to unlock this ;-))

My question is: How can I remove the boot password using adb without making the device unbootable?

`vdc cryptfs clearpw` *seemed to me*, like it would to the job. After reviewing the source, I found out, that it unfortunately only removes the password from memory. I've also tried setting the password to `default_password`. This leads to the password still being required on bootup.

# Answer
> 2 votes
```
vdc cryptfs changepw default current_password default_password

```

does the trick. Replace current\_password with the real current password.

I believe the new password specified is irrelevant, as the `DEFAULT_PASSWORD` constant is used anyway. However, the current password seems to be required, atleast when using hardware-based encryption. (see https://github.com/LineageOS/android\_system\_vold/blob/61a3249612495e7a5b2a1950859e9eb43dfc4559/cryptfs.cpp#L2858)

---
Tags: encryption, 8.0-oreo, disk-encryption
---


# Question
Title: How to fix Samsung Note 3 SM-N900 bootloader loop?
My Samsung Note 3 SM-N900 got fully discharged and now it's stuck at the samsung logo when I power it back on.

Things that I have tried to fix my mobile:

1. Wiped the Cache partition from the recovery mode.
2. Used platform tools for adb recovery, but the device is not recognized in the PC probably because USB debugging was not on.
3. Soft reset using Home and power button.
4. Fully recharged the mobile, changed the battery as well.

I have a lot of important data which I don't want to erase. The last option left with me is to factory reset my device which would result in data loss. Is there any other way to fix the device without losing the data?

# Answer
You have two ways of recovering you data:

1. Boot into fastboot and try to flash custom recovery (like TWRP). It allows making partition backups, which you can open on PC later.

```
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img

```
2. Try to boot into temporary custom recovery and do the same (full partition backup). However, this depends on device and can be not available for Samsung Note.

Check this and this tutorial.

What concerns fixing the tablet in general from bootloop, it depends on what you've done/what have happened, and probably cannot be achieved without loosing your data. To be on the safe side, it's always preferable to do the backup prior to any manipulations.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Do what Suncatcher suggest,

And / or...

Install Phliz cuatom recovery via download mode to do full partition backup to your external card (Philz makes good backup, results in folder clockworkmod)

Then change the recovery, install TWRP custom recovery via download mode and go to file manager feature to copy all your files from internal memory to external card You can mount the system partition also to browse and copy files (TWRP good at this)

Backup all your copy and partition backup from external card to your PC

Back to your phone with file manager in TWRP, Go to /data/system/sync Rename folder /sync to /sync.old

Then back to /data/app Delete or rename to .old the apk that you suspect too hard to load when boot up

Then rename that folder /data/app to /data/app.old

Then reboot the system

You will find your phone successfully boot with factory only applications There will be your last sms, contacts, dial logs with no last applications you've had

If you want to get your last applications, reboot to recovery (TWRP) go to advance - file manager Delete the /data/app Then rename /data/app.old back to /data/app

Wipe dalvik cache

Repair partiton one by one (in wipe - advance) feature

Do the renaming and wiping steps carefully and get focus (well, you still have backups in your PC, right?)

Then reboot the system

You have to plug in your devices to charger while waiting the phone boot up. It can take up to one hour to successfully boot depend on how many applications to load

You will find all your applications back on stage but with no logins

Hope that could help
> 0 votes

---
Tags: adb, 5.0-lollipop, boot-loop
---


title: adb.exe runs then disappears

text:
# Question
Title: adb.exe runs then disappears
I had ADB working just a few days ago, but now, whenever I try to run adb.exe, it will start the daemon successfully, and then after a couple of commands the adb.exe file itself will disappear. When I try to uninstall then reinstall platform-tools via Android Studio's SDK manager immediately afterward, the uninstaller hangs (though the window doesn't freeze) after the following output:

`To install:
Preparing "Uninstall Android SDK Platform-Tools (revision: 27.0.1)".
Generating patch...
"Uninstall Android SDK Platform-Tools (revision: 27.0.1)" ready.
Finishing "Uninstall Android SDK Platform-Tools (revision: 27.0.1)"
Stopping ADB...`

with the status:

`Packing .installer/`

However, I can't seem to find anything ADB-related in Task Manager. I tried killing it with adb kill-server, buy CMD's reply was of course that it couldn't find adb. After I restart Windows, the uninstallation/reinstallation runs perfectly well, but ADB just disappears all over again. What in the world is going on, and how do I get ABD up and running again?

Example CMD. When I reinstalled ADB after taking this screenshot and tried again, I didn't even get the `* daemon started successfully` message.

OS: Windows 10

Device: LG V30+ (United States/Sprint), Android 7.1.1, LGE USB driver

# Answer
As esQmo\_ guessed in the comments on my question, my antivirus (Avast) was blocking adb.exe, probably with some silly "heuristic protection" feature. I checked my quarantine folder and found it chock full of adb.exe's. I whitelisted adb.exe and did not run into any more problems.
> 4 votes

# Answer
That's all true. Disable Avast for Adv. exe but it seems to be a real threat because when trying to install the APK on a real device, the antivirus of the cell blocks it. If we unlock this option, we see strange behaviors in the Android system so I'm convinced that "Adv. exe " comes with bad intentions from a download server in Android Studio.
> -1 votes

---
Tags: adb, windows
---


# Question
Title: How to change Google assistant associated account?
If I have multiple Google account signed in. How do I change the associated account which Google assistant will use?

So Google assistant will load the personalized settings from the correct account.

# Answer
> 3 votes
Open Google Assistant by holding Home button.

Go to **Explorer** (Tap the Explorer icon on Top-Right Side).

Tap the Menu icon and choose **Account**, Then select your account.

**Done.**

---
Tags: google-account, google-assistant
---


# Question
Title: My Moto Z is stuck in a bootloader mode AND will not communicate with my Windows 10 PC
Before it became problematic, the bootloader on my Moto Z was unlocked, developer options were on and so was USB Debugging. Then a friend tried to root it and that's when my problems began.

Now, when I connect my Moto Z to my PC the usual "USB connected" sound is heard and the android device (Moto Z) appears without error under Windows Device Manager.

As far as I know, my major issue is that the phone only connects to the PC in charging mode. I've tried various cables, including one that specifically claims to be for data transfer. I also have the correct universal drivers installed. These were installed after I removed the Motorola drivers (they didn't seem to work, either).

Any idea how I can get my Moto Z to communicate with my Windows 10 PC so I can transfer the necessary files to the phone to get it out of this "soft-brick" mode?

Thanks.

John ODwyer

# Answer
have you tried to connect in bootloader mode? hold power button plus volume down when device turn on untill it boots into boot loader and from there flash TWRP then you can transfer files via TWRP. you gonna need ADB tools tho.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: rooting, adb, usb
---


title: Is Mobdro only for ARM now?

text:
# Question
Title: Is Mobdro only for ARM now?
I'm trying to use Mobro on the Android SDK emulator. It only seems to install on ARM images. Is this a Mobdro limitation?

# Answer
There is a universal architecture (armeabi-v7a + x86) available at APKmirror repository (Mobdro Version: 2.1.4 (21412604)). This variant is larger in size (33.22 MB) than the arm counterpart.

For interest sake, I downloaded it and installed it, it is working fine on my `x86` virtual device (`API level 22`):

This was uploaded on May 10, 2018, I guess you could be right that it is now being developed only for arm architecture, if you desperately need to run it on x86 then grab it on this repo. This is just a speculation
> 1 votes

---
Tags: unknown-sources, arm-processors, x86-processors
---


# Question
Title: How to remove duplicate phone numbers within one Android contact
Under many of the contacts on my phone I have pages full of the same phone number and/or email address. Is there an automated method to remove them?

*Please note,* I'm not talking about duplicate contact records. I'm talking about one contact record having multiple phone number entries with the same number filling multiple pages. I could press the "-" button dozens of times to remove them, but this issue is happening on many of my contacts.

Googling this issue only returns results regarding "duplicate contacts" with suggestions of merging. I'm not looking to merge contacts. I'm looking to remove duplicate numbers that are listed under a single named contact.

When I went to Gmail's website to look up the contact for the person in the image I attached, Gmail only lists their email address (once) with no phone number. I'm not sure where the other numbers are coming from or if there is a way to organize the contacts outside of my phone. I'm interested in hearing options you may suggest. I'm a developer and not afraid of an export/cleanup/import scenario if that is viable.

I have a Galaxy S7 with Android 7.0.

# Answer
> 1 votes
You may use apps like Contacts Optimizer (available on google play) to link contacts with same phone numbers into one. There should also a similar feature built-in in the contacts app on your phone.

# Answer
> 1 votes
It is highly recommended to use the ''Google Contacts App'' on your browser instead of the third party apps.

You can find the Google Contacts within your Gmail account as well. Else, you can just search Google contacts.

The feature allows to remove the duplicate entries of the contacts in your Google Contacts. Also, it prompts you to merge the contacts with the same name.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I tried **Contacts Optimizer**. In the first pass it only addressed duplicate contact records. I wrote to the authors and was told that the free version should support removing duplicate numbers within one contact so I ran it a second time. After that the duplicate phone numbers were gone. This solved my issue.

---
Tags: contacts
---


# Question
Title: Only some apps on my moto g5 have internet access
I have had a Motorola Moto G5 for around a month now and today, suddenly it seems that apps like Instagram are unable to connect to the internet. I have restarted the phone, restarted the modem, reset the internet settings, forgot the wifi network, reconnected but nothing seems to work. When I turn on my 4G everything works fine. When I open chrome, I can access Google. My Version of Android is 7.0 and it has the July 2018 Security patch level that was recently installed, could this be the problem?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Ah Ha! I may know the issue. My ISP, Talk Talk, has randomly enabled Kid Safe and is blocking some websites including the servers of the apps with no internet. When I use a VPN, everything starts working again due to KidSafe being bypassed. After disabling, it all starts working again without the VPN!

---
Tags: wi-fi, 7.0-nougat, connection-issues, motorola, motorola-moto-g5
---


# Question
Title: Why is there no option for USB INTERNET in WIRELESS & NETWORK SETTINGS on my Nexus 5?
I own a Nexus 5 with Android KitKat 4.4.2. I have been trying to do reverse tethering without root as is supposedly possible from Settings → Wireless & Networks → More → USB Internet. But I can't see any USB Internet option in Wireless & Networks. Why not ??

Can someone assist me with this ? I am having a PC with Windows XP.

# Answer
In Android 4.4.x you should be able to find the USB Internet option under:

```
Settings --> More... --> Tethering & Portable Hotsport --> USB Tethering

```

If you want to later on configure your network sharing settings so that your device can benefit from the shared internet connection, please read this stack answer.
> -1 votes

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, nexus-5, usb-connection-mode, reverse-tether
---


# Question
Title: How can I view which program wakes up my Android screen?
From time to time, I see my Android screen turns on. How can I view which program wakes up my Android screen?

I use unrooted Android 6.0 on LG4. The screen is locked.

# Answer
You should look into `dumpsys`. This works without root, using ADB.

First, enable developer mode on your phone (tap the `build number` in `settings -> information/about this phone` 7 times). Then go to `settings -> developer settings` and enable USB debugging there.

On your PC install ADB, there are many versions, minimal ADB and fastboot is quite nice.

Once you got all that you can execute `adb dumpsys` on your PC within ADB to get a f\**kton of increible information, from detailed battery usage to SMS history, LCD debug information, wifi radio information and a ton more. All without root, so that's pretty cool.

The `dumpsys` utility is divided into multiple modules, which you can individually access by appending their names onto the `adb dumpsys` command.

The module you should be looking at would probably be `usagestats`, so give `adb dumpsys usagestats` a run. That should show you which app was active at the time your display turns on.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, screen
---


# Question
Title: What acts as the internal storage of an android device?
Just like HDD/SSD act as the internal storage for a PC, what exactly acts as the internal storage for an android device?

# Answer
It's a flash memory chip on the mainboard of the phone. Usually it has the same electronic interface as an MMC, just soldered onto the board instead of in a socket.
> 3 votes

# Answer
An android's or any other mobile or tablet has storage chip that's embedded on to its motherboard.

To better explain that a typical HDD or Hard disk stores the data on a magnetic tape (slow). RAM will have multiple storage chips where the data will be stored on a circuit so that the data can been accessed quickly. SSD is an upgraded version of RAM with increased storage size (fast) . A mobile device has a chip on its motherboard to store data the same as the chips on a RAM or an SSD.
> 1 votes

# Answer
It's using flash chips, similar to those you have in USB drives. Almost exactly the same.

The storage technology is called EMMC. Linked wikipedia article has some pictures too.

This is an example of a 64GB eMMC flash storage module, basically the exact same thing that is used in android phones/tablets too.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: internal-storage, hardware
---


# Question
Title: When i try to capture a screenshot i get an "USB Storage may be in use" error. I can't install or use almost any app as well
First of all, I have a Galaxy Note 2. Hello, I've read more than an answer for this issue but none of them solved my problem. The problem is when I try to capture a screenshot it gives me an error message that says `"Unable to save the screenshot, USB storage may be in use"`. I can't also use any application. When I open any application it gives me the `"{Application name} has stopped"`

What is the solution? It ought to be mentioned that I've tried to wipe the cash partition but it didn't work. Thanks in advance.

# Answer
> 1 votes
After surfing the internet and trying more than a solution (i tried everything but the factory reset because I don't wanna do that) I discovered that this is a board problem. It's caused by many things. In my case, uninstalling Google Drive solved it. I got Link2SD and removed that app and that solved the problem. None of the tons of the solutions I read have mentioned that this problem may be caused because of some software need to be uninstalled. So, if you have the same problem and you reached this answer, try to play around your mobile phone and it will be solved. Because I and you have the same problem, but for different reasons.

If you are too lazy to do that, do a factory reset. It always helps.

---
Tags: usb-storage
---


# Question
Title: LG G4 ghost touch and swipe when data is turned on
Odd problem with my LG G4 phone, on Monday I check my whatsapp and the screen starts ghost touching itself randomly in different places? I lock the phone to stop it and reset a couple of times, but it’s still noticeable.

At the same time that started there was a issue with my rear camera, a message kept popping up saying “unfornately the camera has stopped working”. I eventfully got that fixed by removing the battery for a bit, no other standard troubleshooting was able to fix it?

Before I fixed the rear camera I had identified that if I switch the data connection off then the screen is fine, no ghost touches ever happen when data is off.

So I’ve been keeping my data off now until I need it, but when I turn it on the ghost touching starts near instantly. And if it’s on, but there is no signal then it’s fine, but the moment it gets signal the ghost touches start again.

I also notice that sometimes the whole screens frame rate drops way down, almost as if I’m only viewing a remote access view of my screen??

I’m planning to do a factory reset after I get a backup setup, but looking to see if anyone has any ideas.

I haven’t installed any apps that weren’t on the play store, and I haven’t modified the OS is any way. And it doesn’t happen when connect to WiFi

# Answer
> 1 votes
I may have found a solution?... Before, I was exclusively using fast-charging. I stopped that completely and went back to normal charge 2-3 days ago and the ghost touching has not re-occurred since!

My battery also lasts noticeably longer after a normal charge, so I think I’ll stick to this regardless.

If things change I’ll post a comment

---
Tags: mobile-data, touchscreen, lg-g4
---


# Question
Title: Installing custom recovery using Odin will erase data or not?
My phone's model is sm-g5108q(SAMSUNG G5108Q Galaxy Core Max).

I'm going to install custom recovery on my phone. But I can't found custom recovery package suitable my phone. So I prepare custom recovery package similar version.

1. Installing custom recovery will erase data?
2. Is there any problem others?

# Answer
> 0 votes
The installation itself will not erase any user data, but to boot a custom system image or custom recovery, your bootloader needs to be unlocked. If it isn't already, then unlocking the bootloader **will** erase all user data.

Note also that it is generally not possible to use a system image or recovery that was prepared for a different phone. Samsung in particular tends to release two completely different phone models under the same marketing name. Commonly one has an SM- model number like yours, and the other has a GT- model number. ROMs made for one model will not work at all on the other model.

---
Tags: twrp, odin
---


# Question
Title: Can I add special characters to the default Android keyboard?
Sometimes I need to type a special character or symbol that is not accessible by default through the Android keyboard. Currently I do this by copy/pasting them from other sources, very inconvenient.

Is there a way to add custom characters to the keyboard?

It's typically things like currency symbols (such as ₭ ₩ ฿ ƒ) or math symbols (such as ∈ ⇔ ∫ ⌊ ⌋ ∑ ) etc.

# Answer
> 5 votes
No, you cannot add custom keys on the default Android Keyboard.

But what might work is keyboard shortcuts. You can create shortcuts like when you type "yt" option to change to "You there" will appear. So may be you can create keyboard shortcut that when you type "ms1" it will change to ₭.

To create keyboard shortcut:

* Go to Settings -\> Language & Input -\>Personal dictionary
* Tap the “+” sign in the top-right corner of the screen and create your shortcut.
* Now, go to the Messaging app, compose a new message, and tap one of your new shortcuts—and when you do, the phrase you entered will appear in the row of auto-correct options just above the keyboard. Tap the phrase to add it to your message.

More details on keyboard shortcut is here: http://heresthethingblog.com/2012/12/04/androidiphone-tip-create-custom/

# Answer
> 0 votes
For math symbols, I downloaded a Greek language keyboard, and so far it seems to do the trick. I'm using Swiftkey, but it should probably work for the Android keyboard.

---
Tags: keyboard
---


# Question
Title: Difference between system files charging_enabled vs battery_charging_enabled
I have a oneplus2 and I need to know the difference between `charging_enabled` vs `battery_charging_enabled` files present in **/sys/class/power\_supply/battery**

I am using an app called Battery Charge Limit that is currently using `battery_charging_enabled` file to toggle charging when the preset limit is reached but even though I can see my phone is discharging (the app stop phone's charging even though the cable is plugged in), the discharging current is unusually very small as compared to "normal" discharging (without the app). Why is this happening? From where is it getting the extra power (if not from the battery) to keep up with the activities done on the phone.

I was wondering if the full charge condition (the ability of the phone to run directly on plugged power source instead of battery after it charges to 100%) was being applied at 90% (which I have set as the max charge limit in the app).

Also I checked the status of `charging_enabled` while the app was activated and it was 1, which means that it was not affected by the app (which is obvious as the control file used by the app is different).

**Edit**: I just changed the control file of the app from `battery_charging_enabled` to `charging_enabled` and now the battery drain seems normal.

Can anyone explain the difference between these control files ?

**Edit:** Adding device codes snippets from the file `/android/lineage/kernel/oneplus/msm8994/drivers/power/qpnp-smbcharger.c` . Hope it helps.

```
case POWER_SUPPLY_PROP_BATTERY_CHARGING_ENABLED:
                smbchg_battchg_en(chip, val->intval,
                                REASON_BATTCHG_USER, &unused);
                pr_err("chg_en form userspace battery charging enable: %d\n",val->intval);
                break;
case POWER_SUPPLY_PROP_CHARGING_ENABLED:
                smbchg_usb_en(chip, val->intval, REASON_USER);
                smbchg_dc_en(chip, val->intval, REASON_USER);
                chip->chg_enabled = val->intval;
                pr_err("chg_en form userspace charging enable: %d\n",chip->chg_enabled);
                schedule_work(&chip->usb_set_online_work);
                break;
------------------------------------------------------------------------
case POWER_SUPPLY_PROP_BATTERY_CHARGING_ENABLED:
                val->intval = smcghg_is_battchg_en(chip, REASON_BATTCHG_USER);
                break;
case POWER_SUPPLY_PROP_CHARGING_ENABLED:
                val->intval = chip->chg_enabled;

```

# Answer
I had mailed this to developer requesting to answer here , instead he answered on mail to me. Quoting verbatim

> You are right. Different control files behave differently. `battery_charging_enabled` tries to maintain the charge. It takes required power from charger, and it didn't charge/discharge battery. This behaviour is ideal, and if it works, then you should be using it.
>
> `charging_enabled` completely cuts off power supply from cable. This case we need the threshold limit to start charging again
>
> I have a OnePlus 3, I have both files, but the former doesn't work. I have no choice but to use the latter.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: battery, charging, battery-life
---


# Question
Title: How to clear the keyboard autocomplete suggestions
I need to completely clear the autocomplete words my Sony Ericsson Xperia arc has learned. I used it for entering some random letter combinations (CAPTCHA entries) and now they are part of the autocomplete for some important prefixes. How can this be done? Looked in the settings screen but no luck.

# Answer
> 9 votes
This is positioned high in Google, so I'm gonna paste my solution here. I own a **Sonyericsson Xperia Arc S** and the Personal Dictionary list was empty.

The way to go was to go into the **app listing (all apps)**, find the **Xperia Keyboard** service and **Clear Data**.

It resets every keyboard configuration, but it's how it works.

# Answer
> 4 votes
You can clear learned words under `Settings --> Language and keyboard --> User dictionary`. Long press on the learned word and then edit or delete.

# Answer
> 3 votes
Go to setting ---\> Controls ---\> Language and inputs ---\> keyboard and input methods --\> (setting icon) behind your keyboard type -- \> predictive text --\> clear personal data .. :) That's all :)

# Answer
> 0 votes
Clearing the words by Setting:Language and Keyboard:User Dictionary works only for words you've saved manually. To unlearn words that were learned automatically, you need to go the the app that drives your text input and clear the data for that app. For example, on my Casio Commando, I go to my list of apps, click on XT9 Text Input app and click on "Clear Data.

# Answer
> 0 votes
**For xperia**

---

Go to setting ---\> Controls ---\> Language and inputs ---\> keyboard and input methods ---\>Select the Keyboard you using (eg., Xperia Keyboard)---\>Settings icon---\>\>Use my writting style---\>In My Words you can delete the words you want to remove or you can go to Clear data to clear all your words.

# Answer
> 0 votes
To clear the autocomplete suggestions and be able to type the message: **double tap on the word you are trying to write**, than try to finish writing your word.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Open any app like mail or message and start typing, predicted text will be displayed. Just long press it and select remove from prediction.. Done

---
Tags: auto-correct, dictionary
---


# Question
Title: Spell check for more than 1 languages in Android
I try to make the spell check work for more than one language on my Pixel 2 (Android 8.1) with Gboard. My question is *not* about auto-correction or word prediction.

The spell check is activated and the two languages (UK and German) are activated in Language preferences and Gboard preferences. Changing the language while typing via the space bar does not solve the problem.

So far, it is only working in Google Docs:

I read the answers on Stack Overflow - Adding a second dictionary to the spell-check in Android 4.3?, but they did not solve the problem.

I guess a solution for SwiftKey is even more difficult?

# Answer
This is a known bug in Gboard: https://issuetracker.google.com/issues/72386511

I tested flesky and SwiftKey and they do at least a spell check for one language.

Even if I only chose one system language and only one dedicated spell check language Gboard underlines nothing. In general this is the same for every App. Only Google Docs seems to have its own spell check.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: gboard, spell-check
---


# Question
Title: How to set custom ringtone for contacts group in Lollipop contact app
I'm using Moto g with Lollipop 5.0.2. I can add contacts to group by edit contact.

1. How do I add specific ringtone for specific contact?
2. How do I add specific ringtone for specific group?
3. If there are no options, where do I give feedback for these options?

# Answer
I don't think it is possible in stock Android to set a specific ringtone for an entire Circle. You can however, edit a specific contact and in the edit menu you can set a custom Ringtone.

If this is not what you want then you can send Google Feedback any time.
> 2 votes

# Answer
> 2. How do I add specific ringtone for specific group?

You can use the app **Group Ringtones** to do it.

**Steps**:
1. Make sure a group is created in your default Contacts/Phone app (available while creating a new contact) and contacts are added to it.
2. Open that app, and select ringtone for each group.

> 1. How do I add specific ringtone for specific contact?

For this, you can do as @lokmamcetin said
> 1 votes

# Answer
All below is right, but my problem was, that after contacts transfer from my old Android, in the contact edition menu the groups are present, but in the contacts main menu - groups menu item not exists... The problem was solved by creation of a new group on the new device (Android 6.01) - then immediately appears "Groups" in the contacts menu, and there were also appears imported groups. That's when you CAN change the melody for each group of contacts: colleagues will call you a certain music - whatever you choose from ringtones or local music files what you own.
> 0 votes

# Answer
You probably need an app to set per-group ringtones. It seems like Android only supports per-contact ringtones, so most of the group ringtone apps simply automatically set all the per-contact ringtones for you.

Search on the Google Play App Store for: "group ringtone"

I use the Group Ringtone Lite app.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Try the app: **DW Contacts & Phone**

1. **Open** the app and select the '**Toolbox**' tab.
2. Click on "**Groups**". Now select any standard group or create a New group from Options(3dots at top right).
3. Add required contacts to that group. Then select **Options-\>Set Ringtone for shown contacts** inside that group to set ringtone for that particular group (or set of contacts)
> -1 votes

---
Tags: contacts, 5.0-lollipop, motorola-moto-g, ringtone, contact-groups
---


# Question
Title: How to hide or spoof bootloader info from any app?
I have spent hours trying to perfect build.prop and when I finally was at the end I forgot about this leakage. Any app can easily know device's bootloader info. I realized this when I ran CPU-Z. Installed Magisk and Xposed in systemless mode. Running Lineage OS 14.1. I by no means an expert as it is clearly evident from my question otherwise.

Idea is to hide or fake this information from any app including system apps. But I am failing miserably at achieving this since I have no deep understanding of Android.

I searched Git and XDA but answers were not met with requirement. Final search with keywords "getprop ro.bootloader" shade some light about the fundamental commands about getting this info. I am exhausted right now and I might be not thinking in the right direction so your input matters a lot.

I await your instructions!

# Answer
Install XprivacyLua and select `use tracking` Pics below show the difference in output

For *spoofing* instead of *hiding* you may have to use custom hooks. You can ask on the XDA thread of the app or use the pro version of the module to change values globally or on per app basis

**Caveat**

Quoting Namnodorel from comments

> Note that this only works if the apps tries to retrieve bootloader status via Java. XPrivacyLua can't do anything if an app uses native code to check the bootloader.
> 4 votes

---
Tags: root-access, bootloader, magisk
---


# Question
Title: Connecting a USB keyboard to Xiaomi Mi A1
I am trying to use a basic USB keyboard with my Xiaomi Mi A1 and it's not working.

I connected the phone to the keyboard using a female-to-female USB adaptor. Nothing shows up on the phone. I tried the USB Host Controller app, but it says "Root hub is not present, USB Host mode not active or not available".

I have tried enabling USB debugging. Not sure what else to do? I also tried plugging my mouse in instead but nothing happens.

# Answer
I have the same device. Female to female adapter as pointed out in comments doesn't work. You **have** to use OTG adapter. I use it for USB storage

Aside, phone only works with `vfat` formatted USB / Ext. SD unless you use custom kernel
> 1 votes

---
Tags: usb, keyboard, xiaomi, mi-a1
---


title: Disable Chromes "articles for you"

text:
# Question
Title: Disable Chromes "articles for you"
The Google Android Chrome browser (which is the default browser on lots of Android devices) is displaying "suggested" news items on every new tab "articles for you". There doesn't seem to be an option to disable this feature.

Can the new tab page be customized / configured?

# Answer
Tldr: Disable the #enable-ntp-remote-suggestions flag in Chromes Dev settings.

Long version: Follow the steps described in here https://www.androidpolice.com/2017/04/27/customize-chromes-terrible-new-tab-page/
> 0 votes

---
Tags: chrome-for-android, google, google-now
---


# Question
Title: Disable notification spam at end of do not disturb schedule
I'm using a Galaxy S7 with Android 8.0.0 and Samsung experience 9.0.

At the end of the do not disturb schedule all my notifications come through at once. All I hear is just the notification sound being spammed repeatedly for every notification that was suppressed while do not distrurb was enabled. This never used to happen, it would just come out of do not disturb mode and no sound would be played for old notifications. This seems like a bug. Is there a way to stop this?

This may be a Galaxy S7 specific question, I can never seem to tell which is a core Android issue and which is Samsung specific. The articles I have seen on do not disturb for Oreo look quite different.

# Answer
> 4 votes
It seems like an Oreo issue as documented here:

https://www.androidpolice.com/2017/09/26/feature-bug-oreo-dnd-turns-off-get-barraged-sounds-vibrations-pending-received-notifications/

It was resolved in 8.1.0, but Samsung hasn't provided this update to its 8.0 phones. So today it is mostly Samsung users that are affected.

https://us.community.samsung.com/t5/Galaxy-S9-Questions-and-Answers/S9-notifications-after-do-not-disturb-goes-off/m-p/371390#M7828

---
Tags: notifications, 8.0-oreo, samsung-galaxy-s7, do-not-disturb
---


# Question
Title: Why does YouTube volume fade when visiting certain sites?
I use split screen YouTube and Chrome on my phone, but when I visit e.g. bbc.com the video volume fades to a much lower level.

What causes this and can it be prevented?

This is a OP3t with Android 8.0 in case that matters

# Answer
Most times this is caused by an video-ad on the website. It shouldn't happen on websites without any ad.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: youtube, volume, multitasking
---


# Question
Title: Stop Google Photos from Retaining Deleted Photos
If I take a photo using my phones stock camera app, and then delete it using the stock gallery app, it *doesn't* get deleted from Google Photos. How can I change it so that deleting photos on my phone causes them to get deleted on Google Photos as well?

I'm using a Galaxy S9 with a stock ROM.

# Answer
> 2 votes
If you are using Google Photo to backup your photos, you should also use it as your "gallery" app on your phone to manage photos.

When you delete a photo in the Google Photo app, it will delete it in Google Photo's online storage as well. Actually, it places it in Google Photo's "Trash" folder, where it is held for 60 days unless you manually purge a picture or the entire folder's contents.

To my knowledge, this is just the way it is and is by design, there are no options to do anything differently. It is designed to be your "recovery" for photos in case you lose them by any means... How is Google Photo supposed to know if you deleted that photo purposely, or by accident.

---
Tags: photos, gallery, google-photos, samsung-galaxy-s-9
---


# Question
Title: how to transfer files on pen drive in phone to laptop?
I need to transfer data to the laptop but none of the USB ports work. As my pen drive is dual compatible, it can be connected to mobile. To transfer data from mobile to laptop I generally use airdroid app but this app is not showing data of external pen drive. Can anyone help in accessing the pen drive files(connected to mobile) from laptop?

Thank you

# Answer
Some file managers have an "Access from PC" option that allows you to access your device's storage over Wi-Fi (using FTP).

For example, you could use the "Access from PC" option in the free app File Manager + (I am not associated with the developers of this app).

Alternatively, if your device is rooted, you could use ADB over Wi-Fi found in the also free app Kernel Tuner (that I am also not associated with) and then press the "ADB over WiFi" button (found in MISC \> ADB over Wifi or its widget), then run

```
 adb connect (enter IP address here)

```

(It will tell you what IP to enter after pressing the button).

Then, use `adb push` and `adb pull` to send and recieve files from your device.

If your device runs LineageOS (tested on LineageOS 14.1 (Android 7.1.2)), you can also edit the Quick Settings menu (the menu above the notifications) to have an "ADB over Wifi" button (so no third-party app is needed).
> 0 votes

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Tags: applications, data-transfer, asus-zenfone-2
---


# Question
Title: Infinity loading of centrain Google Apps on Italian SIM
I have OnePlus 5 (Android 8) phone and I have 1 SIM slot with my home SIM and 2 SIM slot with Italian Prepaid card with internet data.

I am getting infinity loops when I am using centrain Google apps. For example I cannot login into YouTube, Search on Google Play, or download emails. I am always getting infinity loading. When I am on Wifi its ok and working. Only on first or second card I am getting this problem.

What is going on? Is google blocking access to some accounting servers from different locations? I am originally from Czech Republic and now I am on vaccation in Italy.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Fixed by clearing cache and data of all Google apps... Seems apps where setuped for different country. I am now back from Italy and SIM data alsos topped working so I did clear again and it works now.

---
Tags: internet, sim-card, roaming
---


# Question
Title: Stock image dump for running Magisk necessary?
In the offitical installation instructions for Magisk it says: “However, you MUST have a stock boot image dump beforehand, and you also have to be able to flash the patched boot image, either through fastboot/download mode or ODIN”

*What’s the rationale for having the stock boot image dump beforehand?*

If the rationale is to have a backup when something goes wrong, then strictly having a stock boot image dump is not necessary for running Magisk.

Furthermore, it is unclear to me how to create that dump.

PS: My plan is to root the Xiaomi A2, to be able to directly interface with USB OTG devices from within Termux. The Xiaomi A2 is an Android One device.

# Answer
> Stock image dump for running Magisk necessary?

**No**. Far more easier is to use the flashable ZIP that does all- That performs all the steps: backing up the boot image, creating a patched version, flashing that, installing Magisk Manager (thanks to Izzy in comments)

But to clarify on the instructions

> What’s the rationale for having the stock boot image dump beforehand?

For devices that **don't have custom recovery** but you would want to root

Magisk needs the stock boot image for two things

* To be able to *patch* it so that Magisk can be installed.
* If you wish to uninstall Magisk, it replaces the patched boot image with stock boot image

> Furthermore, it is unclear to me how to create that dump

For MiA1 you can see the details on this XDA thread. In essence:

* You need to have fastboot image of the stock ROM (for MiA1 they are released every month)
* Extract boot.img and store it on your device
* Install Magisk Manager .Tap on Install on the prompt and then "Patch Boot Image File". Select the untouched boot.img through your File Explorer. Wait for it to do its thing. The patched\_boot.img was created and it should be located at `/storage/emulated/0/MagiskManager/patched_boot.img`.
* Copy the patched boot.img to your PC and fastboot into it (`fastboot boot patched_boot.img`)
* From Magisk manager *Direct Install* and you are done

If that is too much work, you can wait for somebody at XDA to provide patched boot images

Edit : See this for more How do you root a device with Magisk when it doesn't have a custom recovery
> 5 votes

---
Tags: rooting, root-access, magisk, android-one, mi-a2
---


title: Can't access filesystem from PC anymore

text:
# Question
Title: Can't access filesystem from PC anymore
Starting a couple of weeks ago.. I can't access the file system from my PC on my Samsung tablet..

When connecting the tablet via USB to my PC I never get the dialog box where you choose whether or not the PC can have access to the file system

When connecting my Samsung phone on the same USB port and using the same USB cable it works fine!?

Have also tried to reset the tablet..

# Answer
I had the same issue with my phone. The USB cable was fine (I checked it with another phone like you) but when I tried it with my phone, it only charged my phone without showing any option for connection. It turned out that the **usb port** (usb connector) of the phone was damaged. Out of the two usb data wires (not the power wires), one was broken. I would therefore suggest you to get your ***tablet's usb port*** (connector) checked.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Are you pulling down your notification bar, clicking the notification then hitting the "Connect USB storage" button? You can also get to this by Menu \> Settings \> Wireless and network \> USB utilities and hit "Connect storage to PC". In this case, you will plug in your phone after you hit the button.

If you're doing this, the last thing I can think of is your computer has a USB driver issue or your cable went bad.

source: https://forums.androidcentral.com/sprint-galaxy-s-ii-epic-4g-touch/154789-cant-access-my-files-phone-computer-anymore.html

You asked same question there. Do you solved your problem?
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung, tablet, troubleshooting
---


title: Why the pattern to power down

text:
# Question
Title: Why the pattern to power down
attempting to power off my samsung t560nu to prepair for a hard reset upon pressing the power button the tablet requests the security pattern why is it doing this the pattern is the reason im trying to factory reset

# Answer
> 1 votes
You really don't have a question here, but since you seem new I will not down vote or attempt to close it because I think I can guess at it.

I assume you want to know why this occurs, it is simple security.

The "fix" is just as easy, hold down the power button and continue to hold for about 15-30 seconds and the device should hard reboot (essentially like pressing the RESET button on your computer).

You will need to perform the factory reset via recovery, so know the key combo and be ready to hold it immediately at restart, it might take a few tries to get the timing right.

Remember you will likely need the username and password of the Google account that resides on this device, or the reset will not matter and you will be locked in FRP.

---
Tags: factory-reset
---


# Question
Title: ES File Explorer - Remote manager read only
I have just installed ES File Explorer on my Samsung, and started the Remote manager

I opened a FTP client on my PC and could connect to my tablet.. But I can't write files only read? Is this a bug or do I have to pay to get write access?

# Answer
Not necessarily, I have the same setup on my devices using both MiXplorer and ES explorer. The ftp server runs fine with read/write access (even on non-rooted device).

Perhaps your OS doesn't allow anonymous logins to have write access, in which case you need to configure a password authentication on your ftp server:

* Under remote manager, go to settings → Set manage account → Current user
* Input you new username and password
* Run the ftp server and enter the configured password on the target PC to access the files, and see if you have write access.

If you still having issues to access the files, then I recommend you'd use an alternative ftp client e.g WinSCP for Windows or Fillezilla for linux
> 1 votes

---
Tags: wi-fi, file-transfer, ftp
---


title: Stock OS vs Custom, Proprietary Camera

text:
# Question
Title: Stock OS vs Custom, Proprietary Camera
So i no stock manufacturers, roms have the blobs drivers for full potential of the camera.

Does this only apply for the stock camera app say from Samsung? if i download third party apps while on stock rom do they also make use of the proprietary drivers? if they don't then is the quality the same as it would be while using lineage os for example?

Appreciate all answers.

# Answer
The short answer is that like custom ROMs, it depends on which phone model.

The camera driver in the ROM implements Android's standard `Camera2` API, which is common to all phones. Any app can use this API to access the camera. As you've pointed out, on some phones this requires having a binary-only camera driver in the ROM: without the binary part, only some modes may be available (e.g. lower resolutions), or the camera might not function at all. But if you have the binary driver, any app gets the full functionality of the `Camera2` API, which is usually the full functionality of the camera.

The answer's not quite a flat "yes" because some phones have extra features. Phone manufacturers like to add extra camera features that aren't present in Android's API (yet). This mainly applies to the flagship phones from the big names like Samsung and LG, who compete on extra features not in stock Android. These extra features are only present in the manufacturer's own camera app, and they might use a special API to communicate with the camera driver, as well as Android's API.

These extra features will only be available from the manufacturer's camera app, and usually only on the stock ROM. Third-party camera apps will still be able to use the full functionality of the `Camera2` interface: they just won't have access to these added features.

Note that image quality isn't just a property of the drivers. Many camera apps (both stock and third-party) do some amount of post-processing to make the image look better. You might find that a third-party camera app produces worse images just because its image processing isn't as good as in the stock camera app. Or you might find that a third-party camera app produces better images, if it uses an algorithm or technique that the stock app doesn't use.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: camera, front-camera, google-camera
---


# Question
Title: How can I open files that have Japanese filenames?
I organize my Japanese ebooks and manga using the respective Japanese titles as filenames. I then access this content from my Anrdoid device by mounting a cifs share with cifsmanager. However I cannot open the media using my Android 4.1 (AOSP) device. The non-ascii characters in my filesystem show up as just question marks, e.g. `/mnt/sdcard/manga/??????/`. The error behavior that various apps will give range from `File does not exist` (File Manager) to nothing at all (PerfectViewer).

# Answer
I should have identified that this problem only occurs when mounting the media remotely using cifsmanager. Better late than never, I suppose. The solution is to pass a parameter using the options field: `iocharset=utf8`.

The parameter tells the cifs module to use utf8 as the character set when it mounts the samba share. This may become unnecessary in the future, as it would make sense to have this set by default in the first place.
> 2 votes

# Answer
You are facing this issue because (as @liamwli said) you lack the required font and also possibly because of lack of sufficient libraries in your present ROM.

Due to this reason, it is unable to display the file name properly and as a ramification of this issue, different apps behave differently based on how the developer handled this situation.

## What can be done?

This depends on few factors:

If your phone is rooted, extract `DroidSansFallBack.ttf` from `/system/fonts` folder to your computer and examine whether it has the required characters in Japanese. I assume you can read Japanese. This is to ensure the first part of the reason explained in "why" section.

If you do not have Japanese character displayed, please try finding a suitable TrueType Font (TTF) which displays Japanese characters in PC. Copy this file to the above said folder with `DroidSansFallBack.ttf`, replacing the existing file (after backup). After a reboot you *may* be able to see characters properly. Then the apps might be able to open the file.

In case if you are still unable to open such files, please revert back the backed up TTF file.
> 3 votes

# Answer
I do not think that this is a font issue. Applications do not need to be able to display the characters to handle files using those characters. Moreover, Droid Sans do support Japanese characters. In my stock Galaxy Nexus (not a Japanese phone), Japanese file names are handled and displayed fine using OI File Manager and ES File Explorer.

File names in Linux and Unix filesystems (e.g. ext2/ext3/ext4) are just sequence of bytes because the Linux kernel is encoding-transparent, i.e. the kernel does not care about filename encoding. Filename encoding is considered an application-level issue. In contrast, Java File API (and, therefore Android's Java File API) is encoding-aware and will attempt to decode file names according to system default encoding. The system default encoding in Android is utf-8. The situation is different if the files are stored in an SD card that is formatted using Windows filesystems, e.g. VFAT or NTFS. These filesystems specifies a certain on-disk encoding for file names.

Applications that directly handle files coming from another system, such as file transfer programs (FTP, etc) and decompression programs (Tar, Zip, etc) are supposed to translate file names from the remote systems or inside archives to the local system's default encoding. However, this isn't enforced by the kernel, so it is possible for poorly written (native) application to produce files with filename encoding that does not match system's default encoding.

My guess is that you have file names that are not encoded in utf-8, and the Java File API were not able to decode these filenames. Try to rename and reencode the file names or use a file transfer program that knows how to translate the filenames to the system encoding.
> 3 votes

# Answer
you will need to install a japanese font onto your device.

To do this, you would have to be rooted.

Another workaround: See if you can change the system language to Japanese.

You may be able to download an app from Google Play that will automatically install the font onto your device.
> 2 votes

# Answer
If you are rooted I think the answer of Narayanan said it all; just copy a Japanese font to the `system\fonts` folder

However, if you are unrooted you can install a file explorer app that includes a Japanese font. I did a quick google search and the following file explorers (say that they) support Japanese:

I'm not entirely sure if this solves your problem opening the files. You might need to install viewer programs with Japanese support as well.

BTW, are you sure you have Android 4.1? I remember reading that Jelly Bean has (improved) native Japanese support.
> 2 votes

# Answer
I had a similar issue, I did have Droid Sans, but the issue was my linux computer I copied them from had encoded the Characters in latin\_1/iso\_8859 encoding. I had to make sure I resaved the files in UTF-8
> 0 votes

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Tags: fonts, ebooks
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# Question
Title: Nexus 9 WiFi tablet permanently in awake state
I've recently been observing heavy battery drain during idle periods on my Nexus 9 tablet. The key here appears to be the awake status of the tablet. The left hand side of the picture shows a solid line indicating awake permanently. I found this for a number of days before I fixed the issue. The solution I will outline below in an answer to my own question.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I found the answer was to turn off the tablet, then start the tablet in recovery mode (hold volume down and power). You will get an Android robot lying down, press volume up and power to get to the menu. You need to enter recovery mode, then wipe the cache partition. It took around 10-15 minutes for me, but I've seen reports of longer. When that completes, reboot and the issue should go away. As you can see from my original image, the battery life is significantly improved.

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Tags: battery-life
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# Question
Title: How to determine to what hosts Android apps are connecting (root)?
How does one determine to what hosts Android apps are connecting (or trying to connect)?

Want to know this information even if the host is being blocked by an entry in the `hosts` file.

Assume the device has root privileges.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I can recommend "Charles Proxy" for Windows.

It acts like a SSL MITM proxy, you set it's IP/PORT on your Phone and most of the traffic gets redirected/dissected.

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Tags: root-access, data-monitoring, hosts
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