title: unable to go into fastboot on LG phone

text:
# Question
Title: unable to go into fastboot on LG phone
I have been told that LG phones are painful to get into fastboot but i didn't realize it was impossible. I have the LG K8 2017 (LG-M200n) and I have tried all: #adb devices shows the device is listed, then #adb reboot bootloader does nothing but reboot my usb connected phone. of course fastboot devices shows nothing. I even tried the recommendations to enter fastboot by power down phone, vol down key and connect usb, but phone turns on normal, no fastboot. any help?

# Answer
I found the answer. It is not possible because of the hardware itself. LG sucks really. Here is the info from their developers site which explains all the difficulty (LG K8 not listed below :():

```
"The following devices support unlocking the bootloader:
• LG V50: LMV500EM for the European market
• LG V40: LMV405EBW for the European market
• LG G7: LMG710EM for the European market
• LG V30: H930 and H930G for the European market
• LG G6: US997.USA for the U.S. open market
• LG G6: H870 for the European market
• LG V20: US996.USA for the U.S. open market
• LG V10: H960A for the European market and Android M (Except France)
• LG G5 SE: H840 for the European market
• LG G5: RS988.USA for the U.S. open market
• LG G5: H850 for the European market
• LG G4: H815 for the European market
Unlocking the Bootloader is only supported on selected devices."

```

The lesson learned here: verify the capabilities of the phone you want to buy before wasting your money.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: bootloader, root-access, adb
---


title: Can Telegram notifications be disabled?

text:
# Question
Title: Can Telegram notifications be disabled?
Can you disable Telegram notifications somehow? I am seeing a huge battery consumption since last few weeks and after upgrading to Android 5.0.2. After one day of use battery app is reporting that Telegram has kept mobile radio on for 7 hours. Using 50% of the battery used.

I use telegram rarely. I would like to completely disable notifications, but I cant find any option for that. I have tried disabling notification service and everything.

# Answer
First, AFAIK, "Notification Service" makes reference to receive notifications in Telegram about every new update (changelog or "What's new"), as well as another announcements which Telegram staff may consider important for you to know via Telegram chat.

Second, Android Lollipop has a new way to manage notifications per app. Enter Settings screen for your device and follow these steps:

**Note:** *Screenshots taken from my Sony Xperia Z1 running Android 5.0.2, appearance may vary for your device.*
> 1 votes

# Answer
Like any other app. Go to settings \>\> apps \>\> Telegram. uncheck 'Show Notifications'
> 0 votes

# Answer
Go to **Settings** --\> **Notifications and Sounds**, and uncheck what's under **Notifications for chats**.
Then, under the **Other** section, you can uncheck **Keep-Alive Service** and **Background Connection**.

But per your battery consumption problem, it's weird and shouldn't happen. I use it regularly and it's not on my top battery consumers.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: notifications, battery, battery-life, mobile-network, telegram
---


# Question
Title: Is it possible to change notification bar on Android Pie?
Hi. After updating Samsung Galaxy J7 2018 to Android 9.0(Pie), my notification bar changed. So is there any way to change icons order (justify clock to the other side).

NOTE: My phone is not rooted.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I believe you can do that. Download Good Lock 2019 and install Quickstar. You can move the clock back to right, or even hide it. You also can hide/unhide other icon on the status bar.

If you are unable to use Good Lock, there is alternative. Download an app called "Nice Lock". Then you need to manually download and install "Quickstar apk" from apkmirror. After that, open Nice Lock and from there open Quickstar.

---
Tags: notification-bar, 9.0-pie
---


# Question
Title: Can't find eSIM option on Google Pixel 3
According to specs, Google Pixel 3 supports eSIM, but under Settings \> Mobile networks, there are no relevant options.

Is this depending on whether I'm currently in the service area of a mobile network operator supporting eSIM or should this option appear regardless? If so - why doesn't it appear?

# Answer
Enabling developer mode made the option miraculously appear.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: settings, google-pixel-3-xl, esim
---


# Question
Title: How can I transfer android data to PC (windows) given that phone screen is not working and I don't want to replace it.?
I have a LeTV android phone launched in India in 2016, now the company has been shut down. Few days back, my mobile screen suddenly just went off. Now it is just switched ON. Before dismantling it, I want to transfer my data to my PC as I haven't set backup on. I tried through command prompt adb commands but it is saying device in unauthorized, do it by clicking on screen which I can't do. Please help me, how can I transfer data.

# Answer
ADB commands won't work if you haven't set up USB debugging prevoiusly, and also allowed your computer to debug the phone.

If I understand you correctly that your phone only turns on, but you cannot see anything on the screen, I am afraid nothing can be done. Take your phone to a person who can fit in another display. Otherwise, this seems virtually impossible.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: broken-screen, accessibility
---


# Question
Title: Successfully installed TWRP and Magisk means bootloader unlocked?
I have a Samsung Galaxy On7, running stock firmware, Android 6.0.1. I have successfully installed TWRP and also flashed Magisk. In the developer options, I have toggled the "OEM Unlock" option to ON position.

I was reading that in order to flash a custom ROM like Lineage OS, I have to unlock the bootloader. There are a number of methods to check if the bootloader is unlocked, viz. one from fastboot and one by dialling certain commands in the phone dialer. Unfortunately, fastboot cannot recognise my device in Download mode, and the dialler commands are not working too.

I read somewhere that toggling the OEM Unlock option to ON means my bootloader is ulocked. Is that true? Having been able to successfully install TWRP and Magisk, can I conclude that my bootloader is unlocked?

# Answer
Install Google's ADB drivers, connect your phone to your PC, open a command prompt and type:

```
adb reboot bootloader

```

Then:

```
fastboot oem device-info

```

And you will see the bootloader's status, either in the command prompt or on the device's screen.

To unlock a locked bootloader, type:

```
fastboot oem unlock

```

**Remember that unlocking the bootloader will wipe all of your user data, as a factory reset does.** Backup your data first.

---

Since you have a Samsung phone, remember that Fastboot isn't supported, while Odin is. To unlock the bootloader, simply find the `OEM unlock` entry in the device's settings and enable it.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: root-access, twrp, bootloader-lock, magisk, samsung-galaxy-on7
---


# Question
Title: How safe is it to build and flash LineageOS myself?
I was planning to flash LineageOS on my Asus Zenfone 2 Laser, but I recently found out it is **no longer supported on my phone**. However, this guide explains how to build then flash the ROM on my device (and possibly root it), and I truly want to go down this path.

What is unclear to me a this point is whether it is "safe" to do so. More specifically:

* Will I be getting security updates ?
* Will it be safe to use banking apps with the custom ROM ?
* What can happen if I lose/someone steals my phone ?
* Should I stick with my bloated stock ROM ?

Thank you in advance for your help !

# Answer
* Will I be getting security updates ?

LOS team will keep merging in Android-side security patches, so each time you sync and build you get the latest they've merged, but kernel-side ones are up to you.

* Will it be safe to use banking apps with the custom ROM ?

Root is optional on LOS - if you don't opt into that, the risk is low.

* What can happen if I lose/someone steals my phone ?

With encrypted data and a good enough lockscreen passcode, your data will be secure.

* Should I stick with my bloated stock ROM ?

Why did you ask this question in the first place? ;)
> 2 votes

---
Tags: rom-flashing, lineageos
---


# Question
Title: Why isn't my Galaxy S8 popping up my Captive Portal login page?
I'm dealing with a Raspberry Pi 3 that is using hostapd to create its own wireless network.

When an Android client first connects to the network, it tries to grab the page `http://connectivitycheck.gstatic.com/generate_204` to see if it's behind a client portal. My Raspberry Pi redirects this request to an instance of nginx that it is running, and returns a 302 redirect to my login page.

Because Android didn't get the response it was looking for (an HTTP 204), but got a 302 instead, from what I understand, it's supposed to popup my login page. I've seen this in action using other captive portal hardware.

In my case however, Android just shows a popup that says "Internet may not be available: Connect to another network or turn on Switch to mobile data".

Am I doing something wrong? Is there something specific Android is looking for in the login page before it will make it pop up?

Most of my testing is on my Galaxy S8. I tried it on a friend's S9, and that doesn't work either. Using a Windows 10 laptop though, the login page does popup.

# Answer
> 0 votes
After some digging, it appears it's working now.

When a client tries to access http://connectivitycheck.gstatic.com/generate\_204, it needs to use DNS to resolve connectivitycheck.gstatic.com first. I had my dnsmasq setup to look like this:

```
interface=wlan0
dhcp-range=192.168.30.20,192.168.30.60,255.255.255.0,24h
address=/#/10.45.12.1

```

Where 10.45.12.1 is just a random IP I chose. It didn't really matter what that IP was, because as soon as the client resolves it to that IP, and tries to get /generate\_204 from it, my iptables firewall rules would redirect all requests to nginx running on the Pi.

The only limitation I was aware of was that the IP couldn't be on the same LAN (192.168.30.0/24), or the Pi would try to use ARP to figure out its MAC address, and fail, without making the actual HTTP request.

It turned out that if the IP you are resolving everything to (in my case 10.45.12.1) is a LAN IP, Android won't popup the login page. No idea why.

The fix was to change from:

```
address=/#/10.45.12.1

```

to

```
address=/#/1.2.3.4

```

where `1.2.3.4` is any PUBLIC LAN IP (an IP outside of the '10.0.0.0/8, 172.16.0.0/12, or 192.168.0.0/16' range). This fixed my problem. Hopefully it fixes someone else's as well.

NOTE: My setup does NOT require the client to ever have internet. They connect to the Pi, and get a page popup for configuration purposes. If you need the device to have internet, which would probably be a more common use case, you probably can't just resolve EVERYTHING to `1.2.3.4` like I do

---
Tags: linux, captive-portal
---


# Question
Title: OnePlus 6T Did "fastboot boot" just delete all my encrypted data?
Today after a successful(Booted, worked fine all day) OTA manual upgrade(downloaded latest zip and flashed) I decided to reinstall TWRP in order to reroot. However, after running first "fastboot flash recovery twrp.img" then "fastboot boot twrp.img", I am no longer prompted to enter my passcode(which I know) to decrypt the device, and the /system partition is empty in the TWRP file manager. The sdcard partition is filled with my encrypted files(assuming by their base64 names). I dont think any of my actions in TWRP were significant, except possibly when I flashed the twrp.img to have the recovery be persistent. (When I launched TWRP for the first time, I wasn't prompted for my password to decrypt then either, so I assume the damage was already done) I have tried "twrp decrypt \[password\]" in the twrp terminal but I get "Failed to decrypt data". When I try boot into system, I either bootloop or TWRP launches instead.

A. Is there a way to reflash my system(e.g Can I just flash the same update.zip) and be back to normal Or B. Can I retrieve and decrypt my data, given that I know my lockscreen passcode which is normally used to decrypt it.

Here is everything I wrote in my command prompt

Here is ls -la /

# Answer
> 2 votes
Full credit to alecxs for this answer. Posting incase anybody else has the same problem in the future.

1. Download stock image(Mine was oneplus.com/uk/support/softwareupgrade/details?code=9)
2. Use extract\_android\_ota\_payload-master to split the payload.bin inside the zip (Method for step 2 https://pastebin.com/RfEHuvu7 , I did this on linux because my linux machine has python2 installed, no other reason)
3. Flash the boot.img and boot with twrp (Step 3 https://pastebin.com/Gp9aJq36)

---
Tags: twrp, boot-loop, fastboot, encryption
---


# Question
Title: How do i Connect PC Internet on Android Mobile?
**About My Phone:**

Model Name: Asus Zenfone 5 ( Rooted )

Version: Lolliop 5.0

**About My Laptop:**

Model Name: B460e

OS: Windows 8

Not Having Wifi and Bluetooth.

I used Broadband connection for my laptop.

I am already tried "**Reverse Tethering**" and "**Easy Tether Lite**". These method is not suitable for my phone.

How can i connect my laptop internet to my android mobile?

# Answer
You can do this using Connectify software. I had recently put up a thread on a different site. My PC too doesn't have a WiFi module. My proposal was to use an external USB WiFi module, and then turn that into a hotspot. People in Physics Forums (check the second link) have said that in principle, this should be possible.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop, internet
---


title: Skype via car Bluetooth?

text:
# Question
Title: Skype via car Bluetooth?
I just bought a Samsung Galaxy S7, bound it to my car's Bluetooth and able to make/accept regular calls. However I cannot figure out how to make calls from Skype through car's Bluetooth. When phone is connected to bluetooth and I make a Skype call - call goes through phone's speaker, not through Bluetooth.

Any advice on how to do it?

P.S. I was able to it with my old Windows Phone, so I believe it should be possible with Android 6

# Answer
Every time skype initiates a video call, it changes the default audio output. This will turn off blutooth if you have turned it on. You need to go back into settings and reenable your audio output every time you start a video chat in skype.
> 1 votes

# Answer
I connected phone via android auto and then audio gets routed properly to car audio
> 1 votes

# Answer
Skype on Windows Phone more powerful than on Android, because they both Microsoft's products. On Android you cant make calls via skype from car's bluetooth. But can make call from phone and connect it via AUX and then sound will go throught car's speakers
> 0 votes

---
Tags: bluetooth, skype, samsung-galaxy-s7
---


title: Switch Payment Profiles on Play Store?

text:
# Question
Title: Switch Payment Profiles on Play Store?
I am based in India and my account has a billing address of USA. (this was long ago) I have made another profile which has a billing address of India, and I need to use the Direct Carrier Billing payment method but my Play Store is still showing me my USA profile.

How do I change my Payments Profile on the Play Store app?

# Answer
You can now change this in the `Google Play` app under:

> Menu \> Account \> Preferences \> Country and profiles

If you have more than one profile - they should be here.

In case if you are stuck with a single `business` profile - signing up for YouTube premium creates an `individual` profile.
> 6 votes

# Answer
Go to payments.google.com and change your settings there. You are not allowed to have payment methods from multiple countries, so you'll have to remove your old info and keep only the new one. Make sure you clear data and cache of your playstore to force it to update new info after you make the changes.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: google-play-store, google-account
---


# Question
Title: How to edit two Google keep notes at the same time?
How can I use multi window or another gesture to edit to Google keep notes at the same time. I'm on Android 7.0 Nougat. I know I can use multi window, although I would appreciate it if someone could kindly let me know how to being the second window up, but I don't know if you can have the same so, such as keep, in both windows, so as to achieve my goal.

Thanks.

# Answer
I actually don't think this is natively possible on Android. However there is an app that you can use, called "Parallel Windows". Unfortunately it no longer seems to be on the Play Store, but you can download it from APKMirror at this link.

To use it you need to enable its Accessibility service and permit it to draw over apps. What it does is create a swipe edge on the right of the screen. Open Keep first, and then edge and click on the bottom icon. Click on the Keep app to mirror it.

I usually tend to disable the accessibility service to disable after use because the swipe edge will otherwise stay permanently; it's up to you to use it how you want.
> 1 votes

# Answer
In case anyone comes along looking for an answer to this like me, I've been opening a browser window for keep, and the app as the second. This works for any app which is website-based.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: 7.0-nougat, google, google-apps, google-keep
---


# Question
Title: what versions of android lets you share saved wifi using qr code?
i am trying to list the versions that support sharing saved wifi through qr code .

# Answer
> 2 votes
This is a feature of the upcoming Android Q version.

There are device manufacturers who have already implemented this feature in their current Android 9 devices (e.g. Huawei).

---
Tags: wi-fi, qr-code
---


# Question
Title: What is the fastest way to shutdown unrooted Android phone?
Sometimes I need to have my phone shut down as fast as possible. In older phones I was able to remove the battery, but after some "innovations" this feature is no longer present. Is there any better option than using casual shutdown and waiting for long seconds until it gets down? It is especially bad when I pour water on my phone and the touchscreen refuses to work.

I am using Xiaomo Pocophone F1 with Android 9.0.

# Answer
In fact without removing battery it's not possible to shut down a device ***completely*** in order to avoid the loss that could possibly occur due to short circuit caused by water.

Let's have a brief look at what *shut down* means and what are possible options to achieve this.

**HOW SHUTDOWN WORKS?**
Android is based on Linux kernel which is the very first executable of operating system which is run during boot process. Kernel initializes necessary hardware and prepares a basic environment before executing `init`, the very first userspace process we can see. It's `init` which then starts and takes care of all services and processes. On shutdown, reverse of this happens.

**`INIT`**
When you tap `Power Off` from Power Menu, or when you issue `reboot -p` command from terminal app or `adb`, it sets Android property `sys.powerctl` to `shutdown` (with an optional reason for shutdown) which tells `init` it's time to save any unsaved work to persistent storage, stop all services and processes gracefully (or brutally), sync filesystem caches, un-mount filesystems and then hand over charge to kernel by making syscall reboot (ref). Kernel then makes sure all userspace processes are stopped including `init`, forcibly unmounts any stubborn filesystems and ultimately powers down hardware devices including CPUs and RAM.

Android's `init` supports two modes: `shutdown` and `reboot`. Linux `init` has some more shutdown options including `halt` and `poweroff`. See this answer for more details.

**`KERNEL`**
Most of the time during shut down is taken by `init`. In order to save time you can bypass `init` and ask kernel directly for a poweroff by making syscall:

```
reboot(LINUX_REBOOT_MAGIC1, LINUX_REBOOT_MAGIC2, LINUX_REBOOT_CMD_POWER_OFF)

```

That's what `busybox poweroff -f` command or the magic SysRq key `O` (equivalent to `Alt`-`SysRq`-`O` on a PC) would do (ref). Both should be preceded by `sync` to avoid damaging filesystems. From commandline we can do:

```
~# echo 1 >/proc/sys/kernel/sysrq
~# echo s >/proc/sysrq-trigger
~# echo o >/proc/sysrq-trigger

```

This is the fastest way to shutdown OS on **rooted** device.

**HARD REBOOT**
But how to power down the device if even the kernel becomes non-responsive? Hardware can usually take care of this i.e. if you keep power button pressed for a fixed time interval. There's some hard-coded value (mostly 10 seconds) inside Power Management Unit (PMIC). No process will be stopped, no filesystem would be unmounted, no goodbye would be conveyed, just the power will be cut to CPU, RAM and other relevant hardware resources. Most SoCs (which have PMIC embedded inside) implement this as reboot, not shut down.

---

So to summarize the above lines, there are two ways to shutdown device: through `init` or calling kernel directly. Both can be achieved through simple shell commands or can be mapped to some hardware key or special key combination. But water can make any hardware key useless, so this method can't be a universal solution.

---

**POWER BUTTON**
But the point is, your device isn't fully powered off whichever path you have chosen. During boot process there are things which are powered up before the OS loads (and possibly be powered up even when there is no OS on device). There must be a circuitry in PMIC (e.g. a microcontroller in low-power mode and may be some software stack too) which is always powered up so than it can listen to your request for switching on the device when you press power button for a few seconds, or even when you connect a charger to device in powered-off state.

**COMMUNICATION PROCESSOR**
Also the baseband processor (BP) - which runs modem and is responsible for all communication through mobile networks e.g. call, SMS and internet - is totally isolated from Application Processor (the one we call CPU) and is not governed by Android kernel; it runs an independent RTOS. And as they say, government agencies may use it to track you even when you think your device is powered off. So it means it may possibly be (partially or fully or periodically) running when Android isn't running.

---

If nothing else, at least battery terminals are always live, connected to some part of motherboard which may get short when got wet. So if your device isn't water resistant and the battery doesn't have some short-circuit protection built-in, you can never be dead sure your device won't get damaged when water poured on it.
> 6 votes

# Answer
You can shut down your device by holding

> Volume Up + Power Button

simultaneously for several seconds.
> 1 votes

# Answer
If you continue to press the power key, it will shut down without confirmation. That takes yet a few more seconds but doesn't require the touchscreen in the event you've described.

p.s. Going on a tangent, I find that locking my screen and wiping it often works if a bit of water messes with the touch screen. But if it's drenched shutting it down would be better for the electronics.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: battery, 8.0-oreo, 9.0-pie, shutdown, water-damage
---


# Question
Title: Deleted my stock phone application from android phone after rooting as a result can't call for now
I recently rooted my HTC desire 728 and by mistake deleted the stock phone app and as a result, now I can't make calls ... the phone is not showing any sim signals too and when I go to sim settings it shows process.com.android.phone stopped ... what can I do now? I had factory reset the phone already a couple of times but the after root deleted apps are not showing up ... please help me out

# Answer
> 0 votes
It seems you have taken no backup, which implies that you have to flash the stock firmware. Since you have rooted your phone, I believe you already have a custom recovery like TWRP installed (if not, go ahead and flash one. Search google for the exact instructions for your phone). Then search Google for the stock firmware, and you should be able to find a version of the stock ROM. Download and move this to the phone storage, and flash it with the custom recovery. You might have to clear all internal storage data and/or Dalvik cache and system partitions before/after the flash. Check Google and XDA Developers for the exact instructions.

Note that this will delete all the data of your internal storage, so make sure to take a backup before proceeding. You will lose root access as well, and the custom recovery might be overwritten with the stock recovery.

---
Tags: root-access
---


# Question
Title: Show virtual keyboard when a physical one is connected on Android 7
Related: How to display the on screen keyboard when Bluetooth keyboard is connected

One of the answers under that question suggested an app called *Secure Settings*. It worked well on my old Android L phone but unfortunately it didn't work on my new phone with Android N.

I've gone through Settings and found a toggle named *Show Virtual Keyboard* under *Physical Keyboards* section, but that didn't work.

Any chance I can do this on N?

# Answer
I had the reverse problem (Virtual Keyboard would not stop popping up) on My Galaxy Tab S3 running Android 7.0. I didn't want to install many apps so, discovered my problem to be the tablet's detection sequencing to be my problem. I use my tablet almost exclusively as a laptop replacement. It sees my tablet, at virtually all times, connected to my Logitech K780. I went into settings and turned off `Show Virtual Keyboard`, but the virtual keyboard continued to pop up.

I realized that the tablet had lost the physical keyboard detection and was able to force a fresh detection by turning off bluetooth function and paired again with keyboard and my bluetooth mouse. **Problem solved!**. I think, Your problem may be solved by turning off your bluetooth that causing your phone to detect no physical keyboard and then your setting to show the virtual one might work.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Got similar problem before, some time turn BT off/on solve it, sometime not.

If not, remove BT device from list and pair it again with Phone/Tablet may solve this problem.

FYR~
> 0 votes

---
Tags: keyboard, 7.0-nougat, external-keyboard, 7.1-nougat
---


# Question
Title: How do you view battery usage on Android Pie?
In old Android versions, I would commonly go to view my battery percentage in the options to make sure that none of the apps running in the background were burning out the battery. In Android Pie, however, this is gone from the battery screen in settings. It used to be at the bottom of the settings screen, but it is no longer there.

Has this moved somewhere else in Android Pie? I can't find it.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I posted this question because I had a hard time tracking it down on the internet before finding it myself.

A lot of sites will recommend using the developer settings to enable v8 battery monitoring. This is unnecessary though. All you have to do is tap on the three dots in the top right corner to access the battery usage. You can also just search for "battery usage" in the top search bar for the android settings.

Hopefully, the existence of this post eases some people's android woes... or perhaps I'm just very simple for not having been able to figure this out sooner. Either way, if your sitting and reading this post, I hope your day is going well! =)

P.S. If your standing and reading this post and wondering if my well-wishing applies to you, it does not.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Android's advanced battery stats are actually still present in Pie; you just have to know where to look to find 'em.

First, go to the main Battery page of the system settings, just like normal. See the three-dot overflow menu icon in the upper-right corner? Tap it.

source : https://www.computerworld.com/article/3305756/android/android-9-pie-battery-stats.html

# Answer
> 0 votes
Have you tried this ?

3C Battery Monitor on GooglePlay

In my experience, it's pretty good on battery monitoring.

---
Tags: battery, battery-life, 9.0-pie
---


# Question
Title: How to copy / modify data from a soft-bootlooping Samsung Galaxy S2 (GT-I9100)
The Samsung Galaxy S2 (GT-I9100) I have at hand was turned off after getting hot during standby. When trying to start it again, it was in a bootloop: Like usual, it first shows "Samsung Galaxy S2 GT-I9100", then shows the provider branding and then shows "Samsung". But at the time when it was normally asking for the PIN, it was again showing the provider branding and going into a loop.

It is possible to go into the recovery mode. Among other things (see below) it shows "E:Error in /data/log/recovery\_log.txt (No space left on device)".

The phone was running the newest stock firmware (Android 4.1.2). (At least I’m quite sure it was the newest version.)

Is there something I could try to make it start again, without loosing any data? For example, it could be the case that it’s not starting because the /data partition is full. Is it possible to remove files from this partition when booting the device is not possible?

If that’s not possible, is it possible to backup all the data (including app data and the internal "USB" storage), without loosing any data?

It seems like installing a different recovery ROM makes it possible to backup the data. However, I’ve read that installing a different recovery on a S2 with a stock ROM will stop the system from booting. In this case it doesn’t boot anyway. But in case it’s possible to fix the problem by making space free on the /data partition, can the original system be restored?

Some things which I observed that may (or may not) be helpful:

The recovery mode says "Android system recovery \<3e\>" at the top and "# MANUAL MODE #", "-- Appling Multi-CSC...", "Applied the CSC-code : DTM", and "Successfully applied multi-CDC" in the middle, right over the out-of-space error described above.

When turning on the phone, the provider sends SMSs to everyone who has tried to call the number while the phone was off. Even though the phone is boot-looping, such notification was sent.

# Answer
> 1 votes
When a phone is constantly crashing without any changes from your side, getting hot, usually it has a more seriously reason. You should focus on how to get your data off the phone first.

The SMS availability notifications indicates that android is still booting, just the gui system\_server is crashing. To avoid availability toggle Airplane Mode or remove SIM Card.

Your internal memory (mmcblk0) is probably near wear-out. This means it will switch from read-write access to a read-only mode (for some partitions or completely) and one day it becomes unreadable. So how is data stored? List of partitions

```
EFS        /dev/block/mmcblk0p1
SBL1       /dev/block/mmcblk0p2
SBL2       /dev/block/mmcblk0p3
PARAM      /dev/block/mmcblk0p4
KERNEL     /dev/block/mmcblk0p5
RECOVERY   /dev/block/mmcblk0p6
CACHE      /dev/block/mmcblk0p7
MODEM      /dev/block/mmcblk0p8
FACTORYFS  /dev/block/mmcblk0p9
DATAFS     /dev/block/mmcblk0p10
UMS        /dev/block/mmcblk0p11
HIDDEN     /dev/block/mmcblk0p12

```

Typical important partitions on most android devices are `BOOT RECOVERY CACHE SYSTEM USERDATA`.

The **BOOT** (`mmcblk0p5`) partition contains the kernel and rootfs for the OS. It then loads the ROM from **SYSTEM** (`mmcblk0p9`). both partitions are read-only and can be downloaded everywhere (stock ROM). **RECOVERY** (`mmcblk0p6`) is a separate emergency rootfs. Samsung like to make things complicated, so in your case it is a recovery ramdisk which is included in boot. **CACHE** (`mmcblk0p7`) is a writeable partition for temporary files during OTA updates and log files. It can safely wiped/formatted any time. **USERDATA** (`mmcblk0p10`) is the only writeable partition for apps data, user installed apps and user files. However, seems like your phone has another additional writeable partition **UMS** (`mmcblk0p11`) especially for pictures and downloads (in newer android it is merged aka emulated storage), this is what you call USB Storage.

In android you only have access to pictures and downloads. the apps data is protected from user access and can only be backup with root access.

Modern android partitions are protected from altering, you can not flash modified content with a locked bootloader. Unlocking bootloader will trigger a factory reset, this is for security reasons to protect your data from unwanted access.

**Luckily this is not the case for your device, the GT-I9100 comes from stock with unlocked bootloader!**

The **Android system recovery \<3e\>** (stock recovery) gives you a very limited emergency access (sometimes with `backup user data` / `restore user data`) and `wipe data/factory reset` and `wipe cache partition` and `apply update` functionality.

So how to get access to your data? You can flash a custom recovery like TWRP from flash tool. This will not alter **USERDATA** or **UMS** partition.

**Even more lucky, someone has leaked the Samsungs internal-only OEM signing key for OTA packages!** (for older devices only)

**PhilZ Touch Recovery CWM 6** comes as **flashable signed zip** which can be flashed directy from stock recovery.

This will (hopefully) bring you to custom recovery (if not, reboot to recovery mode). Now you can backup your `/data` and `/sdcard` -\> to `/external_sd`

Once the backup is finished, perform a factory reset to see if this fixes your boot loop. factory reset will only wipe cache + userdata your stock ROM remains intact. If the phone is working, restore your backup and use `adb shell` in recovery mode to examine/delete your files.

If you managed to restore your phone, get off all your pictures via USB. consider a cloud backup of WhatsApp and other apps in google drive. This will help you to migrate your data to another phone before old phone dies.

---
Tags: recovery-mode, samsung-galaxy-s-2, data-recovery, boot-loop
---


# Question
Title: Titanium Backup: Describe error: There is a problem parsing the package
I recently backed up all of my stuff to my Galaxy S5's SD card using Titanium Backup. I decided to test the backup using factory reset (I'm using the stock ROM) and trying to restore the backup afterwards. However, every time I try to do this, I get an error message saying "There is a problem parsing the package."

I've tried changing the backup location as explained here: https://seo-michael.co.uk/titanium-backup-problem-parsing-package-fix/

I've also tried updating SuperSU and changing the name space option as explained here: I can't restore apps with titanium back up

So far, nothing has worked. And I have to force stop TB to try and restore again (it stays stuck at 0% in the notification bar otherwise).

Have I done something wrong? Am I screwed?

# Answer
> 0 votes
There is one issue not mentioned online. When you disable Google Play Store - you need to untick some setting under security. You need to tick Unknown sources and UN-TICK Verify apps - while Play Store is still installed and actively running.

At least this solved parsing issue for me without the need to do backups again. Somehow google has managed to block Titanium backup ...

---
Tags: backup, samsung-galaxy-s-5, restore, titanium-backup
---


# Question
Title: All system audio being transmitted over calls
So I have a Huawei Y9 (2018) running Android 9 with EMUI 9.1. Whenever I'm on a call (I've only observed this with Messenger calls so far), all the audio from my notifications and media (if any) also get transmitted over the call and the other person complains about having to hear them. I don't know what's going on really. Any help?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Check for the secondary microphone on the phone (usually, it is near the back camera or top of the phone). This microphone is used for noise cancellation. Do not block it with your hand while talking on the phone.

---
Tags: audio, calls, 9.0-pie, emui
---


# Question
Title: How to view web video in media player instead of browser?
Playing media inside the browser is terrible. Until recently when I found a video I wanted to watch on a web page, I would send it to the app Downloader by Mirmay, because it would allow me to play it in whatever media player I like (MX, VLC, whatever). Following a recent update, Downloader now forces you to use its built-in, terrible media player.

How to get web video into a decent media player?

# Answer
You can copy the link of the media file you want to stream, and then open VLC player app, go to More -\> New stream below Streams heading, and paste the URL there. It should start streaming directly.
> 1 votes

# Answer
It depends upon your browser, if you can click on the video itself or click on the browser's menu to share, and on having an APP that will load your browser's 'share menu' (as part of it's install routine) with the open command.

I have a few video players on my phone but most don't automatically fixup the 'share menu', and I've not felt the need to dig around and add the feature manually.

Using the YouTube APP or the Firefox browser I can click to share and because I have installed TubeMate (to download or play) and BS Player (stream, or play downloaded video) I can share to them and watch the video that way.

Firefox is usually capable of playing the videos 'well enough' (my phone is a few years old) and TubeMate usually can download from anywhere (and is updated frequently). There was only a week when Vimeo made some changes that TubeMate was finicky, other than that everything has worked flawlessly for years.
> 1 votes

# Answer
In Firefox for Android Beta (maybe some other browsers too? - not sure):

1. Click the video link.
2. Browser will open it in its internal player.
3. Press the green Android icon on the right of the address bar (at the top).
4. Voila, Android will ask you what app you want to open it with.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Just download it with your *Downloader* and then use a *File Explorer* and search for that file.
It should be anywhere inside either:

* Your usual `Movies` folder (very unlikely, though) or \`Downloads' folder (also unlikely, but possible)
* A unique, created folder by the app itself (many downloaders do that)
* The "external data" folder (`Android/data/<package name of the app>`) on your internal storage
* A configured folder (some *Downloader* apps allow user preferences).

First look inside the settings, then try to find it on your phone's storage.
After that, just tap it and Android will ask you which app you'd like to open it with.
> 0 votes

# Answer
First, export those files from the APP itself (from your phone). Then, plug your phone to your PC and you'll see a folder "downloadmanager" and click it. After that, you'll see files with no extension and the names would be in number. Click it, add the extension to mp4 (for videos) and mp3 (for music). And Voila! You can now view the files!
> 0 votes

---
Tags: video
---


# Question
Title: How do I use a U2F key to log into google account in firefox on android
My u2f key is already setup and working as the second factor on my google account, and I've used it many times, including using it with this tablet via usb.

I now want to log into my google account in the firefox browser on my galaxy tab a. When I try, I only get the option to enter a backup code.

I checked about:config and security.webauth.u2f is set to true. Security.webauth.webauthn is true. Security.webauth.webauthn\_enable\_usbtoken is true.

What am I missing here?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Well, it's not a complete answer, but Google has apparently added some behavior at this point: There's now a URL (https://g.co/sc) given when you get to needing the second factor that you can use in another device to get a one-time use code.

I was able to switch to chrome on the same phone and use that URL. Chrome then prompted me for my FIDO key, which worked fine and I was able to login to firefox.

In no way is this ideal, but at least it's a workaround.

---
Tags: firefox-for-android, fido-u2f
---


title: Wifi authentication error occured

text:
# Question
Title: Wifi authentication error occured
So I've been having this issue for the last month+ and I have yet to find an answer. I have a Samsung Galaxy S6 running Android 7.0

My home wifi was working fine until one day, seemingly out of the blue, I started noticing my phone was not connected to wifi. When I would inspect the connection I see "authentication error occurred". I can put in the correct credentials and I still get the error. HOWEVER if I turn the wifi on my phone on and off it can auto connect to the router and will maintain a connection. So it appears the authentication error is not due to incorrect credentials. Sometimes I reboot the phone and that allows it to connect as well.

The phone has no problem with any other wireless access points and no other devices in the home have an issue with the router. I have other Android devices that don't have this problem.

I'm not even really sure what could cause this issue. Malware? Why would it only be between this specific phone and that specific router? Could anyone with some knowledge of networking be able to suggest what the problem could be?

# Answer
Knox was the answer for me. Force Stop the Knox app and my tablet sprang to life. Phone did the same and my wife's Samsung tablet ran much quicker.

Settings -\> Apps -\> Knox -\> Force Stop
> 1 votes

---
Tags: wi-fi, 7.0-nougat, networking, samsung-galaxy-s-6
---


# Question
Title: Unable to delete a contact from Contact List in Android phone
Phone: Nexus 5x Operating System: Android 7.0

When I try to delete a contact in contact list of phone it displays the error message:

```
Contacts from your read-only accounts cannot be deleted, but they can be hidden.
Cancel Hide

```

When I see the details of the contact, I cannot see the number but I can see it in the Whatsapp contact details.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Go to your phone's **System settings→Accounts→**(select your account), then turn off **Contacts sync**.

After that try to delete the contacts from the contacts app.

---
Tags: contacts, whatsapp-messenger, nexus-5x
---


title: Prevent unwanted automatic phone call

text:
# Question
Title: Prevent unwanted automatic phone call
Before anyone tries to dismiss this question, I know of a identical thread, but that question is too specific about a certain behavior following a user interaction with the phone.

I am in search of a general explanation and solution!

The phone of my 11 yo child is a Huawei P8 Light, which made an automatic call, without any interaction beforehands. At 6 a.m. today my wife heard voices and thought she is crazy, but she could locate it. She picked it up, removed the loading cable and saw, that the child's phone called someone of the contact list!

My child cannot install anything without a technical permission (Google Family Link). Before I gave the phone to the child, it was wiped and reset by myself to factory settings. All updates are installed, including firmware updates.

What exactly does cause this behavior and how do I prevent it by some setting?

I do understand technical explanations (I am developer).

# Answer
> 1 votes
There is a far yet distinct possibility that this may be a screen touch issue. Does the phone open and close, etc. other apps too? If so, we may be dealing with a touch issue on the screen.

Another instance that I have experienced is: my friend had a phone that acted up random things when the phone was charging, meaning that when it was connected to a power source, be it a laptop or its original charger, the phone would do random things when on the table (without anyone touching it).

Also, as a third possibility, please perform a "clear cache" for the "phone" app in the "apps" list in your settings.

---
Tags: calls
---


title: Adoptable Storage corrupted my SD card

text:
# Question
Title: Adoptable Storage corrupted my SD card
I'm using LG Leon on Android 6.0 Marshmallow. LG doesn't allow making SD cards internal storage. I have made my SD Card broken because I used adoptable storage.

I had to use a guide that required me to use ADB. So what I did? I opened ADB, wrote: `sm list:disks` or something similar, and then did type something to format the SD card as internal.

Everything worked for a day or more, and I moved an app (for some reason it didn't automatically save to SD card) and my phone restarted. Then it got into a bootloop, and it wouldn't turn on until I would get my SD card out of the phone. Then my SD card stopped being recognisable (yes, I tried to get it out of the phone and insert it back). Then I pressed "Forget SD card" or something similar. Now my card isn't recognisable on my phone or on my laptop.

Please help me.

# Answer
Usually a smartphone can't corrupt an SD-card by using it. The only possibility to degrade an SD-card would be by a large number of writes over a long time (I am talking about months or even years).

Are you sure that the SD-card is really broken? May be you simply need to re-partition it.

In case the card is really dead I see two possibilities:

1. The SD-card you have is a fake, claiming to have more memory than actually available on the flash chips inside. If the SD-card was new and the price was cheap compared to the size than this is the reason for a very high probability. I strongly recommend to test every new SD-card on your PC using a program that allows to identify SD-card fakes like H2Testw
2. The quality of the SD-card was so poor that something went totally wrong (e.g. overheated) so that the SD-card is now defect.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, sd-card, lg, internal-sd, adoptable-storage
---


# Question
Title: Enable ADB and/or change USB connection mode on Galaxy S7 w/ broken screen
My Galaxy S7 Edge has a broken screen (totally black, and doesn't respond to touch). However, the phone does turn on and is recognized by Kies 3 and SmartSwitch. I am also able to unlock the phone via thumbprint (sometimes), or via OTG USB keyboard input (always).

The problem is that the USB connection mode is PTP, and I can't see the screen to change it to MTP so that SmartSwitch can retrieve data from the device.

I don't have USB debugging enabled on the device, so I can't change the settings that way.

And since the S6, there's no video output, so I can't buy an MHL+OTG adapter to view the output on a TV and change the settings via mouse.

I've tried booting into recovery mode by holding volume down + power + main button for 30 seconds, but nothing seems to happen. Even if I get into recovery mode, I'm not sure if I can enable ADB, and if that setting would persist after a restart.

I've also called Samsung support, which was useless.

Are there any options for me to either enable ADB, change the USB connection mode, or send video output to another display?

# Answer
I cannot test this method because my device don't have USB-OTG support. I am not sure if the key sequence is always the same on each phone, this is for android 7.0 nougat

**This only works with PIN or password! This only works once when installed the first time! we need to pick up the Google Play notification, make sure you won't disturbed by incoming calls or messages. call it the notification method :)**

* download adb platform\_tools or scrcpy
* install your phone usb drivers to PC
* remove your SIM card
* turn on your device with internet connection
* wait a while to get all recent incoming notifications
* connect your keyboard with USB-OTG adapter
* open a web browser on PC
* remote install this app to your device Developer Options
* wait ~1-2 minutes until the app is installed to your device
(after this step you can switch off your WiFi router)

**lets (hopefully) select the Google Play notification from lock screen directly with arrow keys. Do this fast within ~5-10 seconds!**

* press  arrow up (10 x times)
* press  arrow down
* press `Enter`
* type your PIN / password
* press `Enter`

We have successfully unlocked the screen now and opened the app which opened the Developer Settings.

**Now lets activate Developer Settings and enable USB-Debugging**
do this right after unlocking, if you wait too long your screen becomes locked again

select Developer Settings and confirm dialog 'okay'

* press `Space` Space
* press  arrow right
* press `Space` Space

scroll down to usb-debugging (sequence may differ for your device)

* press  arrow down (11 x times)

select USB-Debugging and confirm dialog 'okay'

* press `Space` Space
* press  arrow right
* press `Space` Space

**If all wents well, now comes the tricky part. You have successful enabled usb-debugging. But you still can not access your phone. Your PC is not authorized!**

* open `cmd.exe` as administator and `cd` change directory to the folder where `adb.exe` is installed (platform-tools or scrcpy)
* connect your device with usb cable to PC
* type `adb devices` you should see 'unauthorized'
* connect your keyboard with USB-OTG adapter
* press `Space` Space
* type your PIN / password
* press `Enter`
* press  arrow right
* press `Space` Space

**Congratulations! You have successfully enabled usb-debugging and accepted your PC's RSA-Key**
> 2 votes

---
Tags: adb, recovery-mode, data-recovery, broken-screen, samsung-galaxy-s-7-edge
---


# Question
Title: How to view device kernel information (verbose)?
I need to view my device kernel info, in particular the architectures. The device is not rooted, therefore `uname` command isn't available in local terminal, but `cat /proc/version` doesn't have an option to increase verbosity (that I'm aware of) like `-a` for `uname`. Is there any other method I can use to see this information?

# Answer
> 1 votes
If it's the architecture that you are looking in particular, then from the terminal you can type `arch` command.

You can also try CPU-Z to check the kernel architecture on its System tab.

Note : The assumption that uname is only found on rooted devices is unfounded. I have a device not rooted on Android 8.1 that has uname thanks to toybox.

---
Tags: system, kernel
---


# Question
Title: Installing rom zip through TWRP replaces recovery instead of intalling os
I formatted my Oneplus 6t and was able to install TWRP, but when I install the zip for LineageOS, instead of installing it as the OS, it just replaces the TWRP recovery with a Lineage one, and I am still unable to boot into system. Log.txt

# Answer
alright I actually figured it out: the trick is to flash the stock ROM using this tool and then fastboot TWRP, install the TWRP and then install Lineage all without formatting the internal storage. I don't know why that works, but it does.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: recovery-mode, twrp, lineageos, ab-partition
---


# Question
Title: How to ping a local network host by hostname?
I recently wiped my phone and now I am unable to ping a machine by the hostname. Pinging by IP works.

I have a machine, let's say it is called NAS. From my Router and PC, `ping NAS` finds the machine. However, from my Android Phone, `ping NAS` returns `ping: unknown host NAS`.

I am rooted, so I went to `/etc/hosts` and added `192.168.1.### NAS` and it was able to resolve `NAS` to an IP but what is the solution for making it ping all machines by hostname.

In my Wifi settings on the phone, DNS shows 3 entries: `8.8.8.8`, `8.8.4.4`, `192.168.1.1`.

# Answer
## SHORT ANSWER:

You would be able to ping a local host by name only if your Wi-Fi router (or some other local host) is running a DHCP/DNS server **which does know the name of the host you are trying to ping**. This is a screenshot from my router:

Also make sure your Android device is sending DNS queries to local server and not on internet. Android loves Google so much, so you will often find queries going to `8.8.8.8` (may be when router is advertising the IPv6 DNS server) as it's in your case. `192.168.1.1` must be the first (and preferably only) DNS. Configure static IP in Wi-Fi settings or if you have root you can use Android kernel's built-in firewall `netfilter` to force a nameserver. Since DNS uses UDP port `53`, do a Destination Network Address Translation (DNAT):

```
~# iptables -t nat -I OUTPUT -p udp --dport 53 -j DNAT --to 192.168.1.1:53

```

Non-root solution which works for both Wi-Fi and Mobile data is to use a VPN app like Virtual Hosts which intercepts DNS traffic and makes queries to configured upstream DNS server.
On Android Pie+, you need to set Private DNS off because by default DNS over TLS (`DoT`) sends encrypted DNS queries on port 853 which can't be interpreted by ordinary DNS servers.

For more details see How to configure DNS properly?

---

## DETAILS:

**WHAT IS DNS**
Network hosts (anything connected to network including computers, phones, printers, routers etc.) identify each other with addresses (`IPv4` most common these days). Hostname - which maps to an IP address - is relatively easy to remember for humans. When a host wants to access other host by name, hostname needs to be *resolved* first to the corresponding IP address. This name resolution was easy in early days particularly before internet when the networks were smaller. `/etc/hosts` file on each host used to contain the IP vs. hostname mapping of all hosts on a network, still valid today. When network grew in size, having thousands and then millions of hosts, it was no more possible to maintain `hosts` file of an ever-growing network, so Domain Name System was introduced.

In simple words DNS consists of servers \- one or more *hosts* on a local or public network - which maintain a huge *hosts* database. So one can configure the DNS resolver on his/her host to contact a specific DNS server (which in turn may contact other servers recursively) when it needs to resolve a name. IP address of DNS server (`nameserver`) is usually provided by DHCP server or can be set manually. There are a number of popular public DNS like `1.1.1.1` (CloudFlare) and `8.8.8.8` (Google) etc. One can configure DNS resolver to use desired DNS e.g. from GUI settings or using `/etc/resolv.conf` file on Linux but Android doesn't offer a very straightforward way to achieve this. See How does Android OS do DNS name resolution? for details.

**LOCAL DNS SERVER**
So now if you want to ping a local host by name, you either need to add an entry to `/etc/hosts` file on your phone or there should be some DNS server on your local network. Actually there would be already one. Most of the routers offer the services of DHCP/DNS servers in addition to acting as gateways. Even when you create a hotspot on your phone (an it works as a simple router), it runs `dnsmasq` (up to Pie) as its DHCP/DNS server. But in order to resolve local hosts the DNS server should be a *resolver*, not just *forwarder*.

**DYNAMIC DNS WITH DHCP**
Next thing is how a local DNS server would know the hostnames of all hosts on network. This belongs to collaboration between DHCP client and server. DHCP communication occurs using different option codes. Code 12 is the one which lets client send its hostname to server (or may also request for a hostname) when asking for an IP address. Windows and Linux hosts are usually configured out of the box to send their hostnames to DHCP server () . Since Android 8 `DHCPDISCOVER` and `DHCPREQUEST` packets don't include hostname, so Android hosts can't be accessed by hostnames this way. See How do I change the name of my Android device?

DHCP server then forwards the assigned IP along with received/assigned hostname to DNS server so that to update its database (, ). A quote from a router's advanced configuration:

> **Register DHCP leases in the DNS Resolver** allows you to register DHCP static mappings. This, in turn, enables the resolving of host names that have been assigned IP addresses by the DHCP server.

Same is for `dnsmasq`:

> Machines which are configured by DHCP have their names automatically included in the DNS

An alternate solution could be to configure your DHCP server to assign static IP addresses and set hostname for each IP. See this answer for a little more details on this.

**DNS ALTERNATIVES**
DNS queries are *unicast* i.e. a host requests a DNS server for name resolution by calling the later explicitly by its IP address. However it's also possible to call hosts by name on a local network without using *hosts* file or a DNS server. This is done using multicast DNS (a zero-configuration protocol) in which each host on network acts as client as well as server. When a host sends `mDNS` query to all hosts on network at multicast address `224.0.0.251` *where `<hostname>.local` is*, the host with name `hostname` itself responds with its IP address, so the communication starts ().
Android does have mDNS built-in but it works only if an app makes use of NSD APIs. For instance `adbd` force starts `mdns` service () so as to easily access an Android device (e.g. Raspberry Pi) from PC. See this answer for details.

There are also other name resolution solutions like `NIS` and `LDAP`/`AD` usually used on large private networks or `NetBIOS` used by Windows's file sharing. But Android's Bionic libc doesn't provide a phenomenon like `NSS` to prioritize NIS, LDAP or mDNS over DNS. Android's resolver only looks for `hosts` file before going for DNS (). So you have to go for one of the two.
> 5 votes

---
Tags: networking, dns, router, ip-address, hosts
---


# Question
Title: How to make Termius look for hostnames on the local network first?
I have four devices:

1. Windows 10 PC
2. Android Phone (v6.0.1)
3. Internet Router
4. "servername" (Raspberry Pi 4)

All are connected locally using Wifi (not that it should matter) using the simplest possible configuration imaginable. Every device has working internet access. Everything talks with everything else nicely apart from when I try to use Termius on Android to ssh into "servername".

On the PC I can simply issue the command `putty fred@servername` and I can login without difficulties, as one would expect.

However Termius on the Android phone does not seem to understand that "servername" is attached locally to the same wifi network as the phone itself. If I open a local SSH session on the phone itself and ping "servername", then it appears to be going after some random internet IP address (`92.xxx.xxx.xxx`) and fails to login.

If I use the server's local IP address (`192.168.xxx.xxx`) then Termius can SSH to it with no issues.

So, how can I persuade Termius (free version) to understand local network host names? I cannot find any settings that correspond to this problem.

# Answer
> So, how can I persuade Termius (free version) to understand local network host names?

In fact you have to persuade Android OS, not a specific app. Resolving hostnames is handled by Android's C library to which apps are linked through APIs at the time of compiling.

> On the PC I can simply issue the command `putty fred@servername` and I can login without difficulties, as one would expect.

You haven't mentioned which Wi-Fi router you are using and if you have a DHCP/DNS server running on local network or not. But to resolve local hostnames on Android, you must have a local DNS server running. Usually Wi-Fi router is the DHCP/DNS server.

> I cannot find any settings that correspond to this problem.

That's the difficult part, you have to configure your phone to use a local DNS server but Android doesn't provide a straightforward way to do this.

> If I open a local SSH session on the phone itself and ping `servername`, then it appears to be going after some random internet IP address (`92.xxx.xxx.xxx`) and fails to login.

It indicates that Android phone is sending DNS queries to internet. You have to make sure that DNS queries are sent to the local DNS server only. Public DNS servers don't know what hostnames you have set on your private network. Android loves Google so much, so you will often find queries going to `8.8.8.8` (may be when router is advertising the IPv6 DNS server). Configure static IP in Wi-Fi settings to set IP address of local DNS server as the first (and preferably only) DNS. Or if you have root you can use Android kernel's built-in firewall `netfilter` to force a nameserver. Since DNS uses UDP port `53`, do a Destination Network Address Translation (DNAT):

```
~# iptables -t nat -I OUTPUT -p udp --dport 53 -j DNAT --to 192.168.1.1:53

```

Non-root solution which works for both Wi-Fi and Mobile data is to use a VPN app like Virtual Hosts which intercepts DNS traffic and makes queries to configured upstream DNS server.

This should resolve your problem.

For more details please see How to ping a local network host by hostname?.

**Related:** How DNS works on Android?
> 1 votes

---
Tags: wi-fi, networking, ssh, dns, hosts
---


# Question
Title: My phone won't send icmp/ping unless WiiFi connected. Can this be fixed?
I have local terminal access and `ping` command works when WiFi connected, but not when connected via cellular service. I get same results using `ping` within other apps.

Can this be "fixed?"

Phone is Verizon, brand Samsng J7 V, software build M1AJQ.J727VVRU2BSA1

# Answer
Mobile network operaters block outbound ICMP echo sometimes, and inbound ICMP echo most of the times. You can use `nping` to use TCP or UDP for pinging if you know some open port on destination. Or you can use a third party service like https://ping.eu/ping. But be sure your endpoint is responsive to echo requests, some routers and PCs are also configured not to respond. E.g. on Linux or Android to block echo requests:

```
echo 1 >/proc/sys/net/ipv4/icmp_echo_ignore_all

```
> 0 votes

---
Tags: settings, networking, remote-access, echo
---


# Question
Title: Android (Galaxy Tab 6) Will not reboot to bootloader
Im hoping someone can point me in the right direction. So I am in the process of attempting to unlock the bootloader on my Galaxy Tab 6. However, the device will not boot to the bootloader. I can use the Vol up + Home + Power to get to the menu options (Wipe cache, Wipe data, Reboot to bootloader etc..). However, the reboot to bootloader option simply restarts the device to the OS. I have no issue booting to the OS at all.

First I thought I had a corrupt bootloader. I used ODIN to reflash the stock OS, CSC, and BL to the tablet using the Samsung provided files. in BL I selected BL\_T580XXU3BRF1\_CL13839138\_QB18630808\_REV00\_user\_low\_ship.tar.md5 . In AP I selected AP\_T580XXU3BRF1\_CL13839138\_QB18630808\_REV00\_user\_low\_ship\_meta.tar.md5 , I left CP blank as there was nothing provided, and lastly for CSC I chose CSC\_OXX\_T580OXX3BRF3\_CL13878383\_QB18711126\_REV00\_user\_low\_ship.tar.md5 . As far as ODIN options go, I have used Phone EFS clear, bootloader update, NAND erase all, and re-partition. I have had no success though. The tablet boots and works fine other than not being able to boot to the bootloader. Its really strange. Can anyone provide any insight?

# Answer
I resolved it. I discovered that its a problem that was quite common with the T580. I was mistaken about fastboot being on there. The issue is actually with the version of TWRP that was being used. It it for the T580, but does not work. This file must be used -- twrp\_3.2.3-1\_sm-t580\_29918.tar . That version works flawlessly.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: rom-flashing, 7.0-nougat, odin, samsung-galaxy-tab, samsung-galaxy-tab-10
---


# Question
Title: Cross-platform compatible encryption of SD-card for Android
How would I go about encrypting my brand new 256GB SD-card, which is meant for my Android phone, considering the following:

* Card should be usable across multiple Android devices, and other platforms (Linux..). As a consequence, native Android SD-card encryption is not a solution as the contents are not readable on other platforms, nor recoverable if the phone fails or needs a reset.
* Use case is protecting data, mostly pictures, from phone thief/finder, **not** from a gvt agency or police. My understanding is that most encryption methods are broken on Android for these purposes as the keys are often accessible from memory. In that sense, the phone is considered trusted once unlocked, so encryption should be transparent so that files are accessible via standard phone apps (i.e. pictures show in Gallery).

Ideas:

* Full disk encryption methods such as Luks. I found this program : EDS which apparently can mount Luks volume if the phone is rooted. I have no idea how efficient this is performance-wise, or if it is safe for the card.
* Commercial programs using their own file-based encryption but available on multiple platforms such as Boxcryptor, or Cryptomator. Their purpose is originally to encrypt files before storing them in the cloud. It doesn't seem that I can access files using regular apps using this solution.
* Changing my phone to one on which I can install UbPorts :)
* Using Termux and rooting the phone to mount a `gocryptfs` or other encrypted file system
* Using Android default sd card encryption (FDE/FBE), dumping memory to get access to the encryption key and using that from Linux to access files
* Other welcome idea !

I cannot find any info about this use case which seems very strange to me..

Thank you very much for any input !

# Answer
## FDE

In previous versions Android's default encryption for `/data` and Adoptable Storage was **F**ull **D**isk **E**ncryption (FDE) which is a custom implementation of `dm-crypt`. `userdata` partition (on FDE as well as FBE) is hard (or impossible) to decrypt off-the-device because of hardware-backed encryption. In case of Adoptable Storage implemented since Android M, key is saved at `/data/misc/vold/expand_*.key`, you don't need to dump memory but accessing `/data` requires root. Key is stored unencrypted because of the assumption:

> Because the contents of an adopted storage device are strongly tied to the Android device that adopted it, the encryption keys should not be extractable from the parent device, and therefore the storage device can't be mounted elsewhere.

But if you are already rooted and once you have the key, it's possible to decrypt the SD Card on a Linux machine using `dmsetup`. Also note that removing physical SD Card will break your `/sdcard` and the apps you would have moved.

## FBE

Recent versions of Android mostly use **F**ile **B**ased **E**ncryption (FBE) which bases on Linux filesystem encryption (for `ext4` and `f2fs`). It doesn't use a single key, instead the master key generates per file (per inode in fact) keys on the go. On Android encrypted master key is saved to `/data/misc/vold/user_keys/de/` and `/data/misc/vold/user_keys/ce/` along with other related files. Further subdirectories are named after the UserID e.g. `0` for device owner. Here `de` is for Device Encrypted storage which is entirely hardware-based encrypted and is available at boot without user interaction. `ce` is Credential Encrypted storage which requires user PIN/password for decryption in addition to hardware-backed key. Different directories on `/data` partition are (not encrypted or) encrypted with different keys; DE or CE, for user `0` or user `10` and so on.

So each user has 2 encrypted keys - one for CE and the other for DE - just like the encrypted key stored to the footer of `userdata` partition as in the case of FDE. The keys can't be simply used for decrypting files on PC as opposed to a single key required to decrypt whole block device in case of FDE Adoptable Storage. Also FBE with Adoptable Storage doesn't work on Nougat and Oreo, and doesn't look very stable on Pie. I'm not sure how it's gonna work when things get streamlined. If some implementations store unencrypted (CE/DE) master keys in `/data/misc/vold/user_keys/`, there would be higher chances for FBE to work across multiple platforms.

## OTHER OPTIONS

If you don't want to go with Android's native FDE or FBE, you can manually setup `dm-crypt` (plain / LUKS), or try FUSE-based solutions first like `encfs` or `gocryptfs`; they are relatively simpler. Binaries are available here.

FBE can be manually managed with `fscrypt` tool but I don't think that would be a very feasible option at the moment. You may give a try though.

`ecryptfs` is another Linux kernel's native feature. Android by default never used `ecryptfs` AFAIK, so it depends on ROM builder if they built kernel with `CONFIG_ECRYPT_FS=y` or not. You might need to rebuild kernel.

All of the above options work well but all need root access and manual configuration on Android e.g. an `init.d` script, or a third party solution.

Or if you just want to encrypt selected directories and not the whole SD card, give MiXplorer a try. It includes Java port of `encfs` which doesn't require root. However directory decrypted in MiXplorer won't be accessible to other apps. For Boxcrypter type of use case, I prefer `rclone` because it's open-source.

**RELATED:**
> 4 votes

---
Tags: encryption, sd-card
---


# Question
Title: Is there any way to disable the repeated animation in the notification bar, for app update downloads?
I've just acquired an Android 9 phone. It is part of the Android One scheme, so the software should be really stock Android. I do not currently wish to install a custom ROM, or otherwise mod the OS at a root level.

I've turned it on, and obviously it started catching up with updates :-).

I don't like that it keeps showing an animated download icon at the top of the screen. I don't want my attention repeatedly drawn to this, thanks. (I don't know why anyone would?)

I have set "Remove animations" in the accessibility settings. However, the animation still keeps appearing.

Is there a way to disable this animation?

Presumably I could go in "Manage Notifications" and disable Google Play Store, but...

I happened to notice that in "Manage Notifications", if I click on "Google Play Store" (instead of the toggle button next to it), I get a detailed list of notifications which I can disable individually. Some of these look important. I don't want to disable notifications that critical security updates have been released for Chrome, Play Services, and so on!

I can see seven "categories" of notifications. Does one of these cover the animated download icon? If so, what else will it disable?

1. High priority
2. Account alerts
3. App updates available
4. Updated apps
5. Security and maintenance
6. Connectivity
7. Device setup

# Answer
> 3 votes
I don't have Android 9, but if some of the notifications are like on Android 8, then you can try the following:

1. Open Settings -\> Apps & Notifications. Click on "See all apps", then the 3-dot and select Show system apps.
2. Look for Download Manager, click on it.
3. Click "App Notifications" or "Notifications", then disable "In progress"

**Note:** You may find 2 Download Manager. One of them will have the notifications' categories listed.

---
Tags: notification-bar, 9.0-pie, accessibility
---


title: ST21i Removed boot flag

text:
# Question
Title: ST21i Removed boot flag
I was trying to boot from the sdcard, as I thought it was a boot order issue, I disabled the boot flag on the boot partition. Now my phone will not turn on, or enter bootloader. I have found various guides to booting from an sdcard, however they require flipping a switch on the board, which does not appear to be there. Any ideas on how to fix this situation. I would like to be able to get the phone to a working state again, without having to wipe it.

Edit: Having looked a bit more, the phone is detected by the kernel, as it displays in dmesg and is also listed by lsusb. This is on ArchLinux 5.2.13 I have tried qmicli but that appears to only work if the driver is cdc-mdm whereas it is using qcserial. when connected, it generates /dev/ttyUSB0 and /dev/bus/usb/002/\* which is a character unbuffered device file.

# Answer
For booting from MicroSD card you need to heavily modify your ROM. The android boot partition is not like a PC BIOS. You need the bootloader to look at `mmcblk1` instead of `mmcblk0` which is hard-coded in various system files.
(for more information refer to Irfan Latif's documentation for QMobile Z8 on forum.xda-developers.com)

If your phone does not boot into fastboot mode it is hard bricked. Most devices have a emergency download mode from where you can repair your bootloader and flash ROM. For Qualcomm devices it is the EDL mode which can be reached via EDL mode cable/dongle or with a testpoint on the PCB circuit board.

For your old Xperia device you can use Androxyde Flashtool

For other Qualcomm devices use QPST

For MediaTek devices use SP Flash Tool
> 1 votes

---
Tags: external-sd, boot, hardware, sony-xperia-tipo
---


# Question
Title: Minimal way to always have screen on on Android?
I'm preparing a bunch of tablets using a minimal android OS (https://slimroms.org/). And was wondering if there's a way to always have the display on (i.e. disable Sleep and Auto Screen lock) without needing to use third party apps. I've got full root access via SSH and ADB etc - hoping there's some setting in /proc or as a kernel boot argument that I can make.

These are intended to be "We would like your feedback" tablets which are out on public display - so the display should never dim or lock etc. They're always going to be plugged in so power saving etc isn't going to be an issue.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Set the 'keep awake while plugged in' setting
(Screen will never sleep while charging)

Settings - Developer options - Stay awake: on

or from terminal

```
svc power stayon true

```

if the user can press the power button, set the screen lock to "none" (not even swipe) and
use Tasker/MacroDroid/Automate to watch the power button. or run a watchdog from shell

the following example depends on three android binaries
`/system/bin/toolbox`
`/system/bin/toybox`
`/system/bin/input`

```
# (replace first line with while 1)
until [ $(($(toybox cat /sys/class/power_supply/ac/online)+$(toybox cat /sys/class/power_supply/*usb/online))) -eq 0 ]
  do
    case "$(toolbox getevent -lc4 /dev/input/event2 | toybox head -n1)" in
      *KEY_POWER*)
        input keyevent KEYCODE_WAKEUP
      ;;
    esac
done

```

the above code checks for charger is connected as entry point for the loop. the loop exit when charger is disconnected. `/dev/input/event2` may vary for your device. you can check which input event has only 3x buttons \[Vol+|Vol-|Pwr\] from `getevent -il` (for more generic code look here)

---
Tags: screen
---


# Question
Title: What is the "code" after the app package name in /data/app/?
Just by curiosity, since I wasn't able to find an answer after googling, do you know what are these "codes" after the packages names of my apps in `/data/app/…`?

This number is neither in `androidmanifest.xml`, nor in `cert.sf`, nor in `manifest.mf` (inside the meta-inf folder).

For example the package name of Clash of Clans is followed by the "code": `com.supercell.clashofclans-Bd6GIb47XTzpL16jgR1kZA==`

# Answer
That's a random string appended to apps installation path in order to force developers don't hard-code paths in apps, instead use proper APIs.

Quoted from Android 8.0 Behavior Changes:

> You can no longer assume that APKs reside in directories whose names end in -1 or -2. Apps should use `sourceDir` to get the directory, and not rely on the directory format directly.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: applications
---


# Question
Title: Can I schedule my Android phone to mute notifications of a specific app at specific times?
I don't want to receive work emails on weekends.

Can I schedule my Android phone to mute notifications of a specific app at specific times?

# Answer
> 0 votes
No, the only way is to enable "Don't Disturb" mode and adjust priorities so you can just receive notifications for the selected priority type on weekends for example

---
Tags: notifications, settings, automation
---


# Question
Title: How does Avast Anti-theft Survive a hard reset
So, I came across **Avast Anti-theft** a few days ago, they flaunt a feature of surviving a factory reset, how is this possible without having **root** access ?

I looked up a few threads and could not find a good explanation, can someone tell me how it might be able to do that ?

# Answer
Hello I have been the author of Theft Aware, the core technology that later become Avast Anti Theft (my company was acquired). Yes it was possible to survive a hard reset, on rooted devices. I even built a root installer that did the hard work for you. Unfortunately this was not a mainstream feature so after I left Avast they decided to remove it - so now its not there anymore. Hope that helps.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: antivirus, anti-theft
---


title: Android 8 delayed notifications

text:
# Question
Title: Android 8 delayed notifications
Every once in a while my device get "stuck" - I send an SMS or Email, and they are received only after 10 minutes or later. The device can be "stuck" even when the phone is on, and running other apps.

I tried installing Push Notification Fixer apps, but they do not help.

When I send the test and the phone is not "stuck", I get a notification after about 10 seconds.

However, I do receive notifications for Google Voice and WhatsApp when phone is in "stuck" phase, so it does seem app specific issue. Also I have noticed that these 2 apps have permission receive data from Internet , which the Gmail app does not. Seems to be related to what type of push notification is used. see documentation.

Also I noticed the Google Play Store is unable to install/uninstall apps in this "stuck" phase.

# Answer
Here's a list of things you can try:

* Make sure you haven't disabled the app by force quitting on it
* Make sure power saving mode isn't on
* Check Data usage to see if Background Data is enabled for the App
* Turn off battery optimization from Battery Usage option for the App
* Make sure that there isn't any third party overlayer that you've utilized which is utilizing the app sync permissions ( certain launchers/ addons may do so)
* Clear cache for that particular App
* Factory reset the Google app by selecting the Uninstall updates option
* Install this app and set your heartbeat rate to 5 minutes. It's a quick fix for the issue. It's most probably a network driver issue which the company needs to patch up and in the meantime, you can use this app to ensure normal functionality
> 1 votes

# Answer
Try this by order:

1. If you have any Power Safe App - turn it off
2. If you have any Power Safe Mod - turn it off and test will it works
3. Check for Wi-Fi sleep - go to Settinings \>Connection \> Wi-Fi \> Advanced \> ensure "Keep Wi-Fi on during sleep" option is set to Always
4. Check for properly syncing data in the background - Settings \> Data Usage \> make sure "Restrict app background data" feature is turned off
5. Try to delete Cache of app (SMS, email, gmail etc.)
6. With this app which you try set it to maximum amout of time.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 8.0-oreo, push-notifications
---


title: Remap headphone buttons

text:
# Question
Title: Remap headphone buttons
I listen to audible for multiple hours everyday, im wondering if anyone knows of any way/app that will let me remap my earphone buttons to something more useful than play/pause or volume up/down, the amount of times I need to grab my phone out my pocket to click the 30sec rewind is quite inconvenient

# Answer
I have the same problem, wired headset control worked nice with Podcast Addict (after some minor tweaking in podcast addict settings), but rewind/forward(i.e. prev/next) = double tap/triple tap, on the play button, DID not work with Audible.

A partial solution I have, just tried recently (August 2019):

1. install "button mapper" app (the app has nasty privileges, a short inconclusive google search suggests those privileges apparently are required to allow the app to do what is intended to do - but please investigate yourself)
2. in the app, in Headset Button section assign "double tap" to "rewind" function.

and more or less it works with Audible. The shortcomings:

A) IS NOT WORKING WHEN SCREEN IS OFF (perhaps is working with screen off on rooted devices).

B) when "double tap" it jump in the Audible the required amount of seconds back but it also pause the playback (so the action is: play-listen, when I want to jump back: double tap, then again a single tap to resume playback)

C) it messed my controls with Podcast Addict, when mapper is enabled, so I have to switch the mapper off to use with podcast, switch on for Audible, (perhaps a further tweak in Podcast addict settings will fix that for me)

For working with screen off, there is a link suggesting some solution, I have not tried this: https://elementalx.org/button-mapper/screenoff-noroot/

Other option perhaps to investigate is a Tasker app.

If any one has an update or know if Tasker can do the job better, please share.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: headphones, samsung-galaxy-s-9
---


# Question
Title: My android phone is often getting affected with virus
***My problem :***

Hello friends. I use Asus zenfone go T500 android phone. My problem is, my phone *often gets affected by some kind of virus* which sometimes *installs some chinese apps without my knowledge* and sometimes it causes troubles to other system apps and because of this i fequently get a message displaying unfortunately stopped working.

***What I have done:***

1. I tried resetting my phone(factory reset).
2. But even after resetting after a few days the same problem occurs again. So i thought of reinstalling my stock rom and hence i downloaded the stock rom from the official asus site and reinstalled it. Everything was fine. But again after some days the same problem. What i mean here is no matter any time i scan my phone with some antivirus or factory reset or reinstall ROM the behavour still exists.
3. I tried updating all my system and installed apps but no use.

***My predictions:***

What i predicted as a problem was this that my phones private ip address must have been stolen somehow and some idiot from some country is DOS attacking my phone.

***Other info***

> **NOTE:** *I once rooted my phone and then later i reinstalled the stock* *ROM to get rid of it*

My phone: ASUS Zenfone GO LTE

Model: ASUS\_X003 (T500)

OS: KitKat - 4.4.4

ROM: WW-SKU

# Answer
Lots of malware writers make malwares to make money, so developing a virus would do no good to them. Better ways of making money is to force installation of some apps which loads ads for you, or collects your personal data and sells it to third-parties, or just plainly demand ransom for your personal data. Check out this list to know the categories of Android malwares.

Whenever you get into a problem repeatedly you should wonder why so? In this case the biggest problem is you (the user) using an archaic version of Android that was launched in 2013 (6 years ago!). Neither Google, nor your OEM would support the device for that long. Meanwhile, since OS is actually a software built using codes,and because codes can be buggy the bugs get exploited by some malwares writers and the result is what you are experiencing with your device.

The only solution as I see is to keep reviewing the code for vulnerabilities and fixing them. This is near impossible for users so we expect OS developers or OEMs to do this for us. Some OEMs support the device for some period, others don't. In that case, the user can turn elsewhere and see if some third-party is doing this job (custom ROM developers). If even that doesn't work, one should either stop using the device with any new app or updates or with internet connectivity, or to personally port a custom ROM built using secure and new OS code, or simply switch to a device which uses the latest Android version and would be supported for a while.

To summarize, there is no point in fixing this problem technically because your device is asking itself to get compromised again, sooner or later. Switch to a newer Android version.

Note: it *may* be possible to prevent exploitation of some vulnerabilities in an older Android version using SELinux or some other security framework, but I am not aware of any attempt in this direction.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, security, malware, virus
---


# Question
Title: Why can't I change my password in system settings? Nexus 6p Resurrection Remix Pie
After entering the wrong password too many times in VPN settings, I can't enter my password in settings. Whenever I do, I get sent back to the previous page. I can't even change my password!

# Answer
Don't worry I factory reset and it started working again!
> 0 votes

---
Tags: security, 9.0-pie, nexus-6p, pattern-lock
---


# Question
Title: What is the difference between a reminder and an event in Google Calendar?
Upon clicking on the plus sign in the Android Google Calendar app, I am offered with the choice to either create an **Event** or a **Reminder**.

What is the exact difference between the two?

# Answer
I had read about this in Google forums I think but can't locate. However here is an article that explains the difference. More details in the article

> Google explains that the difference between Events and Reminders is that the former is deleted irrespective of whether the event was attended or not. Reminders on the other hand shows up in Calendar until the task is accomplished — and yea, that’s pretty much the literature difference between the two, so nothing new here Google!
>
> Until a reminder is completed users will be notified of the task by a message displayed on top of Google Calendar. Once the user has finished the task, the reminder can be swiped away from notification area. If you feel that this is a bit irritating then you can set the Reminder to a later time, similar to Events.

Aside, this doesn't work well on my Huawei Honor 6 running KitKat, with reminders getting skipped often- I didn't bother to investigate further
> 9 votes

# Answer
In Android 6 I can see that reminders have less possible configuration options. They both share *Name*, *Location* and *start time*, while they differ in:

Reminder:

* One alarm

Event

* Date and time of the end of the event
* Contacts in the event
* Zero or more alarms
* Notes
> 2 votes

# Answer
To keep my Calendar Events and Reminders clear, I tend to think of calendar events as a fixed time and/or place, where reminders are flexible in the “manditoryness”, time, or place to be done.
> 1 votes

# Answer
I use "Events" for date/time specific happenings, and enjoy the fact that they stay listed, and can serve as a record of how I spent my time that day (I tend to delete things I don't end up doing). "Reminders" are cool, bc first of all they have a little finger with a string around it as the icon, and I set them to appear when I want to have my memory jogged about something that needs to be done (serves me kind of like a post-it note): i.e., set out the trash barrels, buy a birthday gift for my niece, etc. Where I think the mix-up can happen, is that Events can be listed, and within the entry box one can set a reminder notification to pop-up 10 min, 30min, 1 hour before the actual event start time.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: google-calendar
---


# Question
Title: Stop Google play store from Auto updating
Okay so this is a weird issue but hear me out. I own an LG G4 and as usual, the play store updates itself to stay on the latest version. But I noticed the original play store that came on the phone is faster, not laggy, and the UI just looks better. Is there a way I can keep the phone ON that older version? Every time I downgrade it, it just updates soon after.

# Answer
Unless you block Download Manager, Google Play Services and Google Pay Store from accessing internet, then you can't stop it from updating. Blocking them will also have the effect of preventing other apps to update which I presume you don't want.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: applications, google-play-store
---


# Question
Title: What is `/system/app/AutomationTest_JBUP.apk`?
For backing up data from and repairing a stock Samsung Galaxy S2 (see How to copy / modify data from a soft-bootlooping Samsung Galaxy S2 (GT-I9100)), I used a recovery ROM (`PhilZ-cwm6-XWMS3-FOP-5.15.9-signed.zip`, SHA256: 406a617e8b378384bde40dd2dc6234c0660a1b4f592b6c25b3be6b6f078b9eec). This recovery ROM works without having to re-install the stock firmware (which, on this phone, is normally required). As a side-effect, it also installed the "Superuser" app, making it possible to become `root`.

After turning on the phone a few times, I was asked whether I want to allow "Automation Test" to gain super user privileges. What application is that and where does it come from? It seems like it is stored here: `/system/app/AutomationTest_JBUP.apk`.

# Answer
According to this thread from Xda-developers, AutomationTest\_JBUP.apk is listed among the apps that can safely be removed from a Samsung Galaxy S2. That will mean it comes installed by the manufacturer as default app.

Its package name is `com.sec.android.app.DataCreate` and analysis of a subsequent version shows that it is from Samsung. I have no idea of its purpose.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-2
---


# Question
Title: Avoid porn/nude recommendation in feed of android you tube app?
How can i avoid video containing porn/nude content from appearing up in feed/recommendation of my youtube app?

# Answer
> 1 votes
1. Open Youtube's settings, click General.
2. Enable "Restricted Mode".
3. Restart Youtube.

---
Tags: youtube
---


# Question
Title: What is /data/backup/ for on android and culd i delet the files in there (try to backup with TWRP)
I need to delete the files in that folder becouse i try to make a backup with TWRP of my system but the files (or just one of them) is abording my backup and i get errror 255

```
I:Error adding file '/data/backup/xwLBFGdSbAq4bs4zMw1ZvB' to '/data/media/0/TWRP/BACKUPS/4741abba/2019-08-18--12-41-39_lineage_dipper-userdebug_9_PQ3A190705003_bd/data.ext4.win000'
Fehler beim Erstellen der Sicherung. (Error while creating a Backup)
I:ERROR tarList for thread ID 0
Fehler beim Erstellen der Sicherung. (Error while creating a Backup)
I:InfoManager saving '/data/media/0/TWRP/BACKUPS/4741abba/2019-08-18--12-41-39_lineage_dipper-userdebug_9_PQ3A190705003_bd/data.info'
Prozess createTarFork() endete mit FEHLER: 255 (Proces endet with error: 255)
Sicherung fehlgeschlagen, bereinige Sicherungs-Verzeichnis (Backup faild, Clean ?Files?)
I:Copying file /tmp/recovery.log to /data/media/0/TWRP/BACKUPS/4741abba/2019-08-18--12-41-39_lineage_dipper-userdebug_9_PQ3A190705003_bd/recovery.log

```

the errors where parthely in german but i wrote a hopfully good enough translation behind them.

for the phone:

* xiaomi mi 8
* 256 GB (9% used)

# Answer
> 0 votes
This answer shows that the folder is related to Google Cloud backups.

I experimented by deleting it. When I restarted the phone, it was re-created. The files and folders that were in it, were also re-created. I'll assume that it is safe to delete.

---
Tags: backup, twrp
---


# Question
Title: Wi-Fi hotspot with access of device storage
Is it possible to create Wi-Fi **hotspot** on Android phone with **access of device storage** through that network?

I'm able to create hotspot OR share storage through network, but is it possible to do it together at same time, with just one device?

# Answer
Your question is not quite clear and I assume that you wanted to turn on Hotspot on your first device and connect to the Hotspot on your second device and access the Internal Storage of the first device.

What you could try is by using a File Manager app called "FX File Manager: The file manager with privacy" and it is available for download in the Google Play Store

Step 1: Open up FX and navigate to the Web Access feature.

Step 2: Turn on your Wi-Fi Hotspot

Step 3: Turn on Web Access by pressing on the "Power On" button

Step 4: A web "link" and a password will be displayed and you will need to type in this "link" on the second device (make sure you are connected to the first device's hotspot on your second device)

Step 5: Enter the "link" displayed in Web Access and enter the password if prompted.

There you have it, you should have access to your first device's storage!
> 1 votes

---
Tags: storage, networking, wifi-hotspot
---


title: Lock Alarm Volume Level To Max

text:
# Question
Title: Lock Alarm Volume Level To Max
So I let other people use my phone a lot and one little boy (which will go unnamed) finds it funny lowering my alarm to zero when he uses my phone.

Is there a way to lock this value(just alarm volume nothing else)?

Image from what I see on my device

# Answer
You can accomplish this with an app. Look up Volume Lock in the Google Play store. If you don't want to prohibit access to your phone and he is extra persistent, you may need to install another app to password protect the Volume Lock app. AppLock does just that.
> 3 votes

# Answer
I prefer Macrodroid, being *easy to learn and free* (upto 5 macros).

Create a macro as shown below. For example

Trigger : Volume Change → Configure → Monitor Volume Changes → Volume Up. Add triggers for all options using **+**

Second screenshot shows the details of configuration for *Action* (Volume Change → Configure)

Name and save macro. Tested on Oreo 8.0. This works even if your mischief maker pulls down the volume settings from status bar and changes them. Changes made to alarm level using the volume buttons will not work as the Alarm is locked to 100%. Changes made from drop down menu to Alarm settings are reversed by pressing volume rocker in any way (That's what those 4 triggers are for)

Note that Samsung / Huawei and other heavily modded UI implementation at times varies from standard implementation so you may need to play around action settings by choosing other options
> 3 votes

# Answer
I'm using Volume Lock app from Google Play - Volume Lock

It's very simple, recently updated and has even parental control, range volume settings and much more. Stronly recommended!
> 0 votes

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Tags: automation, volume-control
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title: Autofill location on Google Calendar

text:
# Question
Title: Autofill location on Google Calendar
How do I get the location to autofill when I begin to enter a place in Google Calendar on my Moto E4 Plus?

# Answer
Fixed this problem in Chrome. Problem: addresses in a Calendar event no longer autofilling. Fixed it like this: Went to Chrome Settings (Chrome, the three vertical dots in top right corner, not Calendar Settings). Then chose "Autofill", clicked "Addresses and more", and turned on "Save and fill addresses". Seems to work now.
> 0 votes

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Tags: google-calendar
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title: Can apps update without Google account?

text:
# Question
Title: Can apps update without Google account?
Scenario: \- No Google account is attached to the phone \- No apps have been installed beside ones that where already on the phone (even after a factory reset)

Questions: \- Is it possible to let the apps update without entering any Google account? \- Can apps update in the background when no Google Account has been entered into the phone?

I could not find this information in the FAQ.

# Answer
**No Google Account means no Play store.**

And one thing is clear, if you don't sign in with Google account then it will not allow you to download or update any application from/to play store.
> 2 votes

# Answer
There are app stores that allow to update apps without a Google account. For example, Yalp store allows to:

> download apps directly from Google Play Store as apk files . It can search for updates of installed apps and lets you search for other apps. Yalp saves downloaded apks to your default download folder. Other features include browsing categories, viewing and leaving reviews, black/whitelisting apps for updates, filtering apps by being free/paid and containing/not containing ads.

When using it, you don't need a Google account, while the apps are downloaded for you directly from Google Play Store.

There are stores such as Aurora and many others listed on our wiki that can be used to accomplish what the OP asked.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Its not possible... You need a google account to download any app and to do any kind of operation on the apps.
> 0 votes

# Answer
You want be able to access Google Play. So none of the normal automatic updating will work. Some apps may be avalible from other sources in which case you may be able to update them manually it will be an app by app thing.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Preloaded apps will soon be able to update even without logging in.

See this article:

> Google is contacting developers who have apps preloaded on phones to give them a friendly heads up on an upcoming change. In the coming months, Google plans to begin testing a feature that allows preloaded apps to update via the Play Store even if you don't log in. As Google says, this will provide a more consistent app experience for users.
> 0 votes

# Answer
It's possible,to do it manually you have to download the last apk of the app you want to update from browser, and then install it, and to do it automatically just install Aptoide, download it from browser, and turn on auto update and give to the app root permissions.
> 0 votes

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Tags: google-play-store, settings, google-account, application-autoupdate
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# Question
Title: Android (Galaxy S8) not showing Bluetooth "Available Devices" screen
My Galaxy S8 is no longer showing "Available Devices" screen when I enable Bluetooth. I used to be able to see a list of available devices when I enabled Bluetooth.

Can this be fixed? Thanks in advance.

https://www.techjunkie.com/samsung-galaxy-s8-and-galaxy-s8-bluetooth-pairing-mode/

# Answer
> 0 votes
The problem is still there of not getting the auto-pop up, but I am closing this since you can still work around it by going to Settings \> Connections, and clicking on Bluetooth (next to its On/Off toggle) to see the list of available devices.

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Tags: bluetooth
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