# Question
Title: Google IO Galaxy Tab 10.1 refuses to power on, any hope of revival?
This is one of the some thousand limited edition Google IO handout Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 devices. Was known working for quite some time, and susceptible to the "sleep of death" that left it not powering on until you long press the power button while touching the screen.

Device has never been rooted, used only lightly, never dropped, everything points to a simple software/firmware problem (doesn't even have the screen glue problem like others in its batch). Charging cable works (and has worked in the past), device "should" be charged (left plugged in overnight), though they designed it without **any** hardware indicators of charge status.

Things I've tried that numerous forums like XDA and android Forums recommended **(but do nothing)**:

* Hold power button for 30 seconds
* Hold power button for 30 seconds and touch/wiggle finger on screen (used to help, no longer does anything)
* Hold power and up/down volume alternatively (or any combination thereof)

At this point, this is theoretically just an expensive paperweight, therefore I am quite willing to do damage to it to get it working again, or simply use it as parts. This must be a "simple" firmware problem, so I feel that I shouldn't have to take a spadger to it and wrench out the battery or solder in a debug cable just to get it to do something.

Any ideas?

**EDIT:** To note, on neither Windows or Linux does any device show up or get mounted when the device is plugged in during any of the procedures mentioned above. Nvflash sees nothing.

**EDIT 2:** To those reading unfamiliar with the Galaxy Tab 10.1, it seems to be a mostly poorly designed device with only three physical buttons (Power, Volume Up/Down), and possibly zero indicator lights. This makes the number of options left for the consumer to debug it next to nil. I'll wait a week, and unless anyone has a better idea, I'm literally cracking the sucker open and physically removing the battery.

**EDIT 3:** Okay Android peeps, I couldn't wait any longer and went ahead and cracked the sucker open. They were right, the back plastic is very delicate (and snapped in two places, purely cosmetic though). It's fairly tidy inside, and the battery and guts are easily exposed. My attempt to read the voltage of the battery revealed it to be.. basically dead. No real voltage at all. My best guess at this point is that somehow the charging circuitry requires some kind of minimum current available in the battery before it will attempt to charge it (or perhaps enough to boot and allow the software to handle it). Seems pretty stupid to me. If I can get my hands on a replacement battery, or a something to charge the existing battery directly, **OR** a wall wart to provide the 3.7 volts directly, I will try that.

Other than that, looks like I'm totally SOL and I'd have better luck posting into the Hack-a-day QA forums than a respectable software specific support forums like Android Enthusiasts. Thanks again guys! Maybe I'll be back again later for assistance getting Ubuntu installed on my Droid 1.

**FINAL EDIT!:** After a quick jaunt over to Hackaday, I got some confirmation that the actual read voltage across my battery terminals was BELOW the minimum for Li-Ion, so they battery was basically dead. Another quick run to ebay found me a "new" one for ~$35. 5 days later and I shoehorned the new battery in and tada! It works! .. sort of.

Due to the undue stress of being discharged (or perhaps being so lonely), the boot process was broken and it was stuck in an endless boot loop. AFter about 4 hours messing with it trying this method to do fastboot and user wipe, but finding out that windows failed to recognize the it as anything but "Unkown Device", after another 2 hours of hacking around i come to find out it's my horrible cheap chinese knockoff cable that's the culprit!!

Found the original cable, plugged it in, fastboot works, try to wipe with fastboot -w, just hangs. Fooey. Next I follow this unbrick method using the odin download to flash a "Stock" rom. This works! Yay!!! Unfortunately it's back to android 3.2... but I can't complain, as I am now the proud owner of a $35 (+ 10 hours of work) android tablet.

*What* an adventure. Hopefully this log will help someone else along the way in their own tablet adventure.

# Answer
Final Answer (to wrap up the question) \[short version\]: Battery was utterly dead, when popped open and measured at the tabs, voltage was under the safe minimum. New battery ordered from eBay plugged in, tablet worked! Just had to to escape from a boot cycle of doom, root and install Cyanogenmod 9 alpha (of which there are numerous available tutorials for both of these around the web)
> 4 votes

# Answer
I remember reading where someone had a similar problem with his Droid X (software failure, and the bootloader / recovery mode doesn't charge the battery), so he provided the voltage directly long enough to flash / boot normally, then reconnected the charger and battery.

If you can at least get it into the "device is off but charging the battery" mode, you should be fine from there. Sorry I can't be more specific in regards to your specific tablet.
> 1 votes

# Answer
My wife and I each have a Samsung Galaxy Nexus phone and I've seen this exact issue from both of our phones. The devices can get into this bizarre state where they have a dead battery, yet won't charge when plugged into a charger. On our phones the solution is to remove the battery, wait a few minutes, then insert the battery and apply power from a charger. From there we get the battery charging icon without the device powering up. Have you tried disconnecting the batter from the rest of the tablet? There is an image here showing which connector to pull:

Disconnect battery on Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Also, some devices can power up with the battery disconnected and only connected to wall power. I'm not sure if the Galaxy Tab 10.1 behaves in this way, but since you've already cracked the case it is worth a shot.
> 1 votes

# Answer
## Prolog:

I faced a similar problem of a seemingly hard-bricked Samsung Galaxy Tab (not sure which model; a rather modern one).

When reading xda-developers on this matter, among many discussions of this topic, I stumbled upon an article which was slightly off-topic, but still interesting for me to look through it: it dealt with modifying the hardware at home (jumpers, soldering), so that it becomes like a "developer board" (used at Samsung), with more special modes of operation (here: unbrickable mod).

And it said under "Special instructions":

## A potential solution:

> The normal battery charging sequence \[after the modification\] can be activated by holding power for 4 seconds, then plugging in the device

I had the crazy idea to try this on the dead device, although this wasn't advertised as a method to unbrick the normal, unmodified Galaxy Tab hardware.

(No other method had worked, like charging for many hours, or pressing various button combinations.)

## My story:

So I pressed the power button, held it for at least 4 secs, and then without releasing it, plugged the charger into the tab.

And it powered on!

(It was 100% charged.)

I thought about this in the following way: some error occured in the powering-on-and-charging circuit, and the described trick reset it, and forced a normal mode in it.

## Epilog:

Perhaps, what did the trick was the other method mentioned here: to hold the power button, and touch the screen. I'm not sure.
> 0 votes

# Answer
I thought I would have to snap off the cover to do the battery thing, but then I found the original cable charger and within minutes after holding down power button and volume button up it booted up . It is now charging nicely. I had been charging my tablet with a cheaper dollar store charger previously. Try this before attempting to mess with the battery.
> 0 votes

# Answer
I've had this problem many times and also tried everything others post. Heres what works for me: Plug your charger into a desktop I guess it reboots it I really don't know, all I know is it works. I actually had to do it today, so I though I would post my fix. Good luck
> 0 votes

---
Tags: unbricking, samsung-galaxy-tab-10, power-on
---


title: Overwrite chat back up Google drive

text:
# Question
Title: Overwrite chat back up Google drive
I read that googlse drive only keeps the latest 7 days whats ap chat back up . And the older ones are over written. Is this true

# Answer
https://www.whatsapp.com/faq/en/android/20887921 \`Your phone will store up to the last 7 days worth of local backup files (Google Drive will only have the most recent). If you wish to restore a local backup which is not the most recent, you will need to do the following:

Download a file manager. Here are some choices: File Managers and Explorers. In the File Manager, navigate to sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases. If your data is not stored on the SD card, you may see internal storage or main storage instead of sdcard. Rename the backup file you wish to restore from msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt12 to msgstore.db.crypt12. It is possible that your earlier backup may have been on an earlier protocol, such as crypt9 or crypt10. Do not change the number of the crypt extension. Uninstall WhatsApp. Install WhatsApp. Tap Restore when asked. \`

As far as I understand if you manually backup to google drive you will have everything but with auto backup only last 7 days.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: backup
---


# Question
Title: Unable to run fastboot commands: < waiting for device >
I want to unlock my Nexus 5. I cannot run any fastboot command however: the device is not detected. What I did:

1. Press VolumeDown+rightButton until arriving to this screen

2. Plug the phone
3. Run the following commands

though I appear to be in fastboot mode

```
# apt-get install fastboot
# fastboot oem unlock
< waiting for device >

```

Nothing is disaplaye after the last line.

PS: I am using Ubuntu 16.04

# Answer
> 8 votes
You probably don't have USB drivers installed. Download them and install, everything should work now.

1. Download them from here
2. Download Galaxy Nexus drivers here

* Power on the device
    * Go to Settings \> Developers Options \> USB Debugging then enable it.
    * Connect the device to the computer, drivers should be installed
    * Open a terminal and check if the phone is detected: *`adb devices`* (Windows)
    * You should get some `hex numbers` as output
    * Then reboot to the bootloader: `adb reboot-bootloader`
    * Then check if the device is detected in Fastboot: `fastboot devices`
    * Finally proceed with the Unlocking process: `fastboot oem unlock` or `fastboot flash unlock` if the previous doesn't work.

PS: *Seems like you use a Linux system, I'm not familiar with Linux. You should use Linux commands.*

---
Tags: adb, fastboot
---


# Question
Title: Enabling Mass Storage instead of MTP/PTP
Is there any way to enable the old ***Mass Storage Mode*** in Android 4.4.2? Right now I can only see MTP or PTP modes, but not the Mass Storage mode that was used to be around in old versions(2.3, I guess).

The old Mass Storage Mode allowed me to play audio in my car when connected via USB, but ever since with the MTP, my music player doesn't recognize my device. Also when connected to PC, it enabled me to modify partitions directly.

Any ROM hacks or tweaks probably?

P.S. I have a rooted At&T Galaxy Note 2(Android 4.4.2)

# Answer
Unfortunately, Android has switched to the newer MTP/PTP protocols, so no, regular "mass storage mode" can't be enabled. (That is unless there's a ROM hack I haven't found.)

Source: A post from 2013 confirming it's not a thing anymore.
> 1 votes

# Answer
I can say it's possible because I have a **Tornado 348 Play** in which you have the **"USB Storage"** option enabled, in addition to the other options:

* Built-in CR-ROM
* Media device (MTP)
* Camera(PTP)
* Charge only

**P.S**: This response should be a comment, but the 50 points reputation didn't allow me to post it as a comment. :)
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, rom, usb-mass-storage
---


# Question
Title: fastboot seems to work, can transfer files but doesn't actually flash or boot images
I bought a cheap Wiko Lenny 3 (MT6580 with Marshmallow) to replace my old Galaxy Nexus which died yesterday (after four years) from the infamous V3U00M bug.

I owned a couple of Android phones before the Nexus, and I often flashed new ROMs and recoveries, so I'm quite used to `adb` and `fastboot` (under Linux).

So, I'm trying to root this new phone but so far I've been unsuccessful. Unlocking the bootloader was quite easy: there was an item to check in the developer options, and then `fastboot oem unlock` did its thing. But after that, I'm stuck.

I'm trying to boot a custom recovery, the file seems actually transferred:

`$ fastboot boot twrp3.0.2-lenny3.img
downloading 'twrp3.0.2-lenny3.img'...
OKAY [ 0.446s]
booting...
OKAY [ 0.065s]
finished. total time: 0.511s`

The feedback on the phone seems to indicate that the transfer actually happened, but after that, it just sits there, instead of rebooting into TWRP. After a while, it reboots normally to Android.

Trying to flash the recovery instead of booting it ends up with the same result: the transfer works, all on-screen messages (both on the computer and on the phone) indicate success, but the stock recovery isn't overwritten.

I thought that there may be some kind of manufacturer script that checks the image's validity, but trying with the stock recovery image (extracted from a Windows executable provided on the manufacturer's website to recover corrupted phones), but the result is the same: the file is transferred, but nothing happens after that.

So I tried to install the SuperSU zip from the stock recovery, since it includes options to install updates from either an SD card or ADB sideloading (but I have a doubt about this, I used custom recoveries for so long now, that I forgot if a stock recovery including these options should be able to install any zip file, or only ones containing a full factory image). Unfortunately, it didn't work either: installing from the SD card failed with the message "Installation aborted", and the sideloading option, surprisingly, doesn't seem to even start an ADB daemon : `adb devices` returns an empty result, so obviously `adb sideload` can't work (needless to say, `adb` works normally when the real system is booted, and I can `adb push` and `adb pull` to my heart's content).

Can someone help me ? Are those non-functional bootloader and recovery a pattern with Wiko and/or MediaTek devices ? Either I'm too much used to Nexus devices and I'm doing something wrong, or this phone seems to be intentionally crippled by the manufacturer.

*Interesting: by trying several key combinations to start the phone, I found a "Factory Mode" that I never saw on any Android phone so far, with a menu allowing to run tests; and, also, a "Meta Mode" which look like "Fastboot Mode" but doesn't answer to `fastboot` commands - I guess it's meant to be used with a special proprietary tool from this manufacturer. That's what makes me wonder if these MediaTek-based phones are supposed to be hacked with the usual `adb` and `fastboot` tools, or if they are completely different beasts.*

# Answer
> 1 votes
You can't root with ADB or Fastboot because you don't have the ''adress" where the files will be sent. Mediatek devices need a map file, called *scatter files* which maps the memory and tells the flashing tool where every file should go, the start adress and the file size.

As they run Android, Mediatek devices can be manipulated with adb and fastboot (depending on manufacturer: Alcatel and Huawei seem to support fastboot commands).

META mode is like fastboot, as you've pointed out. Besides you can enable ADB in META mode, it is used by hacking tools to access internal memory, as an example for network unlocking, IMEI repairing and so, you need special drivers CDC and VCOM to get it work though.

---
Tags: fastboot
---


# Question
Title: How Do I Activate 3G Only On Samsung Galaxy A5(2015)
I use Samsung Galaxy A5 (2015) and I have just upgraded the firmware to Android 6.0 (Marshmallow). The phone supports 3G but the option to set it is LTE/3G/2G (auto connect) on Network mode.

How do I get the phone to use 3G only?

# Answer
Try to call *#*#4636#*#* then select Phone/Tablet Information, scroll below and you saw Spinner, select 3G/WCDMA only

Or

Goto Settings \> Cellular/Mobile Network \> Your 3G SIM \> Network (3G only)
> 1 votes

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, 3g, samsung-galaxy-a5
---


# Question
Title: Sync ext SD to USB OTG **without** using a PC
**Device Details**

* Moto X Play - Android 6.0.1, Rooted (Systemless root)
* Samsung 64 GB ext SD
* San Disk 128 GB USB \- came shipped with FAT 32 reformatted to exFAT since I have folders \> 4 GB on external SD

**Use Case**

Sync **entire contents of ext SD to USB (one way sync without deletion of SD card contents )** on weekly schedule / on demand , as incremental backup **without** using a PC ( I do have one but reasons for not wanting to use it are not relevant)

**Other Details**

* USB drive recognised by device correctly connected by standard OTG (*Settings → Storage & USB* )
* Busybox installed . It came bundled with ROM Toolbox Pro. I haven't used it directly. If another busy box is to be installed, it's fine as long it doesn't clash
* Mount points as below

**Things tried**

* Unsuccessful app search- I wasn't able to find an app that can do this (Folder Sync claims to but it can't see USB)
* Googling for alternatives
* MacroDroid automation fails, since app can't see USB (raised this in app forum)

**Question:** How can I do this ? I am open to **any means**

Please note that I intend placing a **bounty of 100** , any answer meeting needs before I post bounty will be awarded similarly (I may delay posting the bounty to ensure I get a solution)

Please **avoid** solutions that

* are not tested - it should have been tested on your device and USB configuration to give it credibility
* Involve PC , uploading to cloud, transferring to remote server etc
* References to claims from doubtful sources which can't be verified
* Involving use of File Managers ( I had mixed results with these but then that is for another question)

Aim of the above is not to deter solutions but to discourage frivolous attempts. If clarity is needed, please ask

I discussed this need on chat and some potential candidates for solution included *BusyBox, `rsync` and Tasker*. I know **nothing** of these means so **Please do provide complete details**. Being a bounty question (almost), I expect that I should be able to straightaway implement successfully without seeking clarifications.

( Being a rooted device with systemless root, solutions using root are fine. However, if OS is to be modified on any way, please highlight as systemless doesn't permit it, though there is a work around )

I am strapped for time and need to get this working ASAP

# Answer
> 3 votes
As we figured out the solution you now use in chat, this answer should comply with "being tested", "not involving a PC or file manager" and "relying on verified sources". Though in the meantime there was another `rsync` answer posted, you've asked me to present our solution as well – so here we go:

The `rsync` command can be used to accomplish that. Taken all your requirements into account (including those mentioned later in chat), the command line would look like this:

```
rsync -a --delete /mnt/sdcard /mnt/usb

```

Explanations on the command:

* `rsync` obviously is the executable/command
* `-a` stands for "archive", i.e. keep all attributes. This includes to recursively copying contents (directories, subdirectories, files), keeping filestamps and ownership (the latter usually requires root), preserve permissions, etc. For details, please refer to What is archive mode in rsync? on our sister-site.
* `--delete` takes care to remove files on the target (here: `/mnt/usb`) which are not/no-longer available at the source (here: `/mnt/sdcard`)
* remaining parameters specify the source to copy from (`/mnt/sdcard`) and the target to copy to (`/mnt/usb`). Note that we specified both as directories, so all content, also hidden files, should be included as well (the latter wouldn't if we had used a mask like `/mnt/sdcard/*`).
**Note:** make sure to specify the real mount points or at least real directories here (e.g. not the `/mnt/sdcard` symlink as in the example), or it might just copy the symlink over and think that's all you wanted :)

You might wish to try the above on a small source first to see how it works.

---

Now that the "how" is covered, question remains: Where is `rsync`? It usually doesn't come pre-installed on the device, and most Busyboxes seem to not include it either. There once was an app on Playstore called rsync backup for Android, but it's no longer there. As this wiki points out, you can directly download the `rsync` binary from here¹, then push it to your Android device, and install it. Assuming you've pushed the binary to `/mnt/sdcard`:

```
su
mount -o remount,rw /system
cd /system/xbin
cp /mnt/sdcard/rsync .
chmod 755 /system/xbin/rsync
chown root.shell /system/xbin/rsync
mount -o remount,ro /system

```

The above should be done either in a terminal app or via `adb shell`.

That done, and successfully tested from a shell prompt, remains the question of . I know that can execute shell commands as root (in the past this was done by simply prefix them with an exclamation mark, today there might even be a checkbox for it – I didn't check that for a while), but your Macrodroid might provide that as well. Alternatively, you can do it the Unix/Linux way and utilize Cron, which is provided by Busybox; for details please see: How to use crontab in Android?

---

Also see:

---

¹ Of course you can also try to find the original app on sites like APKMirror or ApkPure, or download the app from here – but then you had to first install that app, and afterwards grab the binary from it's data directory `/data/data/eu.kowalczuk.rsync4android/files/rsync` – which I find a bit inconvenient ;)

# Answer
> 0 votes
Be forewarned. I'm not going to provide you with complete details, mainly because what you're asking for is so unspecific and obnoxious that the bounty on this question isn't worth spending the time to test a solution for you that I have no way to guarantee will work on your device. You can either ignore my advice and suffer or reason out any difficulties through critical reasoning and Google. If you don't like these options, you can always go buy an iPhone. They're designed for people that want something that "just works". If you can't spare the time to research or tweak a solution to work for you, Android may not be for you.

There are a variety of ways to accomplish what you're trying to do. Arguably, the easiest and most reliable method is using software found on most Android devices by default, which is what I'm going to focus on. Since you're trying to run something on a regular schedule, I would say the best solution would be to use `cron`. On that note, take a look at this StackOverflow thread since it's specific to running it on Android. Also, so we're all on the same page, cron is a job scheduler available on most (all?) Unix-like operating systems, which includes Android. Since you didn't go in to detail on when exactly you want this job to kick off weekly, I'll leave it to you to configure the crontab (which is well-documented on the internet and isn't difficult).

This will take care of scheduling everything, but the next step is to figure out how you want to back up everything, which is a very important question you were painfully unclear about. Do you simply want to copy new/modified data on the external SD card to the flash drive or do you want full backups of the SD card stored by date on the flash drive? These are questions you need to figure out for yourself before you ask the internet for advice.

Without knowing what exactly you're trying to accomplish here, I'm going to assume the first scenario works best. Since you're copying file level data (opposed to block level), `rsync` is probably your best choice here. It's very versatile and should work straight out of the box without needing to be configured. You should already have it available and if you don't, it's easily obtained through Busybox.

Assuming the mount points stay the same, the command I would use to accomplish this would be: `rsync -rlpt /mnt/media_rw/0000-0000 /mnt/media_rw/E82C-B290`. For your convenience, I've included a primer on the flags I used below:

> -r, --recursive recurse into directories
>
> -l, --links copy symlinks as symlinks
>
> -p, --perms preserve permissions
>
> -t, --times preserve modification times

There's also the `-a` flag (short for archive mode), but it does a bunch of other needless crap in this situation like syncing uid/gid. In most backup scenarios, using `-a` would make sense since you would want to preserve ownership if you have to restore from your backups. However, external SD storage uses FAT for its filesystem, which doesn't support Unix file permissions. While files on your external SD card do have an owner/group set, they're statically set by the operating system. If you try changing them, I'm pretty sure you'll get an error or it'll silently fail in the background. The flags I used make this process much more efficient, but if for some reason you want rsync to sync all that extra stuff, use the archive mode flag instead.

So, now that we have the command you need to run, it's just a matter of configuring the crontab and having it execute that `rsync` command. This isn't a very elegant solution, but it will work. If you wanted to set up some sort of logging (Mike Rubel has done a lot of work you could draw inspiration from), you could write a shell script, put it on your phone's internal storage, and have cron run the shell script instead of the `rsync` command.

To back everything up manually outside of cron, you can run that rsync command using ConnectBot or any other app that gives you shell access. If you plan on doing that often, it might be faster to put the command in a file (e.g. `backupsd`), `chmod +x` it, and stick it in a folder that's also in the system path (like /system/bin). This way, you can type `backupsd` instead of `rsync -rlpt /mnt/media_rw/0000-0000 /mnt/media_rw/E82C-B290`.

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, sync, automation, usb-on-the-go, rsync
---


# Question
Title: Can I install a ROM made for a different device? Samsung Beta
I have samsung galaxy s6. Can I İnstall the beta version of nougat made for galaxy s7 to s6

# Answer
No.

However, I would suggest using CyanogenMod if you want to get to the latest version of Android when your phone will be no longer supported by the manufacturer.

Unfortunately, as of right now, even CyanogenMod doesn't support Samsung Galaxy S6.

Perks of having a Samsung, hehe.

People, please remember : There are no stupid question.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung, rom-flashing, 7.0-nougat, android-beta-program
---


# Question
Title: Help understanding the integration between Google Voice, Hangouts, and Messenger
I've had Google voice with Sprint since day 1, I love everything about it. Hangouts added some great features like MMS but to search the body of old messages I still have to use Google Voice.

This makes me believe that Google Voice is the parent service for my Google number/Sprint integration and Hangouts is just an app that intercepts new messages and updates Google Voice records.

Now there's Google Messenger. When I launched the app today I saw some but not all of my Hangouts messages and when sending a text, new messages were not updated in Voice or Hangouts.

* Why did only some old messages show up in Google Messenger?
* Why didn't new messages sent from Messenger show up in Voice/Hangouts?
* It's important for me to keep all my old voicemail/MMS/texts as well as logging new ones so, should I not use Messenger and instead keep using Hangouts?
* If Messenger isn't integrated with Voice, why did I get a message in Hangouts saying I should switch to Messenger? Is it just to pull people who don't have Voice over to an app that's specifically meant for local texting only?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Messenger is an SMS application. It can be used to send SMS. Every SMS that are sent from your device are stored somewhere. Other SMS apps can read and write them.

Phone is a phone app. It is used to make phone calls. Every calls made from your device are logged somewhere. Other phone apps can read and write to this list.

Hangouts is a messaging platform. It uses your Google+ account to send messages to other Hangouts users via their Gmail address. You can also make video calls with it. It is very similar to Skype. However, it is also an SMS app! It can send SMS via your phone number and receive messages from other phones.

Hangouts Dialer is a phone app that acts as a plugin to Hangouts. It enables Hangouts to send calls to other phones via your phone number.

The interaction is simple : Your SMS are logged somewhere on your phone and only your default SMS app can access them. This is why some, but not all, messages are displayed in Messenger when you actually sent them from Hangouts.

If you want every messages to be inside the same app, the obvious solution is to keep Hangouts as the default SMS app. However, don't forget to link your contacts infos in Contacts.

---
Tags: google-hangouts, google-voice, google-messages
---


title: Free SMS to shortcodes/Magic?

text:
# Question
Title: Free SMS to shortcodes/Magic?
My current cellular plan does not include free SMS, so I'm trying to find an alternative way to send SMS for free from my Android phone. In particular, I'm trying to use the Magic service, which interacts via an SMS short code. I have attempted to use:

* Google Hangouts/Voice - but I do not get a response from the Magic short code
* TextPlus - but it does not recognize short codes as valid numbers
* XFinity Voice - but it does not recognize short codes as valid numbers

Any ideas on how to get free SMS's to Magic?

# Answer
I emailed Magic, and got a response that it is possible to use a regular phone number instead of the shortcode: `+1 (408) 707-3077`

Magic can then be used with the methods outlined in the original question (e.g. Google Hangouts/Voice, TextPlus, XFinity, etc.).
> 1 votes

# Answer
Every Android phones include Hangouts. When you ask people their phone number, you can also ask them their email address to send them messages via Hangouts. However, if some people hate Hangouts, you can use Google Allo to send messages that will be received as SMS.
> -1 votes

---
Tags: sms, google-hangouts, google-voice
---


title: US: sending international SMS, Hangouts

text:
# Question
Title: US: sending international SMS, Hangouts
Maybe that is less an android and more an operator policy question, but posting here because it may very well be a bug in Hangouts, the most embarrassing app google ever published.

I have a tmobile SIM from the US. I travelled abroad and i could send free SMS to that country (by sending to plain `<phone number>` or `+<country code><phone number>`) and free SMS to the US (by sending to `+1<phone number>`).

Now back in the US, i can't send international SMS at all. My default app is Hangouts. Using either my google voice account or the lame-excuse-for-a-UI-SMS-account in hangouts, when i try to send a message to `+<country code><phone number>` i get a message right after with the text:

> Sorry, this service is not available.
>
> now via SMS

What is the correct way to send international SMS in the US?

# Answer
I'm pretty sure that google hangouts only allows you to **receive** international text and not ***send*** them. Why I don't know its pretty ridiculous if you ask me. Here's their support page. read carefully...

Google Voice Help - Send & receive text messages

> You can send and receive text messages using your Google Voice number on the Google Voice website, in the Google Voice app, through your SMS messaging app, or through Hangouts.
>
> **International text messages**: At this time, Google Voice supports sending text messages to phone numbers in the U.S. and Canada, but you can receive text messages from anywhere in the world. Currently, Google Voice only supports short codes within the U.S.\*
> 2 votes

# Answer
To know if it's your operator, try sending an international message via Messenger. If it works, then it's Hangouts. Just change app and you're done.

If it still doesn't work, then it's your operator. ~~Use Google Allo to send international text messages and you'll be fine.~~ You'll need to contact your operator and see if they can help you.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: sms, google-hangouts
---


title: Root my Android (Motorola Moto E)

text:
# Question
Title: Root my Android (Motorola Moto E)
What is the best method for rooting a Motorola Moto E Android running kitkat 4.4.4? I know nothing about unlocking bootloaders, so any help you could give me there would be great!

# Answer
Rooting modern Moto devices is quite simple, and there are not many variations.

You must unlock the bootloader using Moto's Unlock site. This will give you the pre-requisites needed to root, also be aware this will completely erase all your data

Next download the latest TWRP for your device (Moto E original model linked) and SuperSU.

Flash TWRP, backup, flash SuperSU, reboot. Done, you will be rooted.

For more specific information, XDA is your best source. http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-e
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, rooting
---


# Question
Title: Go Sms Pro: "Too many unsent multimedia messages" error
Every time I try to send a Multimedia message using Go Sms Pro, I get a toast message saying: "Can't send message right now. There are too many unsent multimedia messages"

This doesn't happen when I send something through gomms (which is really only good for sending to other people with smartphones), and it doesn't happen when I use any other sms/mms client (like handcent or the default sms client). It only happens when trying to send an MMS message with Go SMS pro.

How can I get this to work? I would have thought that if this was a global bug issue, that it would have been fixed by now, so I am guessing that there is something I need to set/reset. What do I do to fix this?

# Answer
I figured it out myself. Here's how I fixed it:

As it turns out, the message that says "*Too many unsent multimedia messages*" actually means that there are *too many unset multimedia messages* (who would have thought it!).

I went into the stock message client (the one that came with the phone), clicked the menu button, and selected the "*unsent*" menu tab. Then I clicked the menu button again, and selected the "*delete*" tab. Then I just deleted all of the **unsent** messages.

Now it works fine. Not sure why there was a limit on how many unsent messages there could be, and I'm still not sure why it worked with the stock client, and handcent, but not go sms, but, now it works!
> 0 votes

# Answer
This has happened to me at least once before. Very annoying. In my case I had to check every thread, and scroll up to look for failed mms messages in the thread(red !). Once one fails, apparently nothing else except regular txt will go through until the offender is deleted for some reason. I think I narrowed it down to a message I sent from my garage. With the doors shut and if I'm in the back, I get one signal bar if I don't move. I think I attached a pic, hit send, then stuck it in my pocket while it was trying to send. Why it doesn't send later when i get a better signal is beyond me. But, by checking all my threads, and deleteing each one the had a red ! eventually I was able to send the one I really needed to send. If it happens again, I'll update the post with more solid information. Phone is G'zOne Commando, Android version 2.3.3 hope this helps someone.
> 3 votes

# Answer
In GO SMS you can also:

1. Click the menu button
2. Click folders
3. Go the the outbox folder
4. Delete all the failed messages there

Worked for me - this was driving me crazy!
> 0 votes

# Answer
None of the explanations above worked for me with my LG G5, particularly because I was having trouble finding an app which allowed me to pull up my failed messages and drafts. Latest versions just seem to show the drafts inside the message threads.

Eventually I discovered that Handcent Next SMS comes with a delivery report showing failed messages and a button to pull up drafts. So I cleared all those out and everything is working nicely.
> 0 votes

# Answer
I have a note 3 and had the same issues.

1. Go in your settings and check to make sure sms is your default.
2. Under the sms program is a setting to make sms your default as well.
3. Your default notification on your phone system needs to be turned off so that you don't have multiple notifications.

Hope this helps.
> -2 votes

---
Tags: mms, go-sms
---


title: TWRP Recovery stuck at splash screen

text:
# Question
Title: TWRP Recovery stuck at splash screen
I'm using TWRP 3.0.2 on my LG G3. At first it worked fine and I used it to install Cyanogenmod 14. But now I can't boot into TWRP anymore, it just hangs forever at the splash screen. Android still boots fine.

# Answer
> -1 votes
I was able to solve the problem by removing the SD card before booting into TWRP, like suggested here.

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, recovery-mode, twrp
---


# Question
Title: If you delete a message sent on a WhatsApp group by some other user, do they or anyone else in the group know
Suppose in a group some user sends a message and you accidentally or deliberately delete it, do the original poster gets some kind of notification that this other user deleted your message?

# Answer
> 1 votes
No the original poster doesn't gets any kind of notification.

# Answer
> 1 votes
The simple answer is NO.

If you see the info page of WhatsApp, there is no mention of other users noticing about the message delete by any user in a group. And this makes a perfect sense too because why anyone else need to know what I did with the message received. You may choose to `Favourite` a specific message and even that too is not informed to anyone else in the group including the original author of that group.

However, group wide changes such as 1.Group icon, 2. Group subject will be visible to all group members no matter who does it in a group.

---
Tags: whatsapp-messenger
---


# Question
Title: Weather information not showing up on lock screen like before
I have a Samsung Galaxy S5 phone, in my previous version of Android (presumably KitKat), I configured it to show basic weather information on the lock screen for that day (typically temperature and overall conditions outside). This setting is in Settings \> Lock Screen \> Additional Info \> check "Weather" box to enable.

Since I upgraded to Lollipop, the setting is still there, but even when I enable it the weather info no longer shows up on the lock screen. Pedometer is working, all the other lock screen settings seem to be working. Did they remove this one feature in Lollipop? Because honestly I found it really handy so I didn't have to unlock my phone just to view the current temperature.

Does anyone know if this is a bug or was it removed and they forgot to remove the actual option to display it?

# Answer
> 1 votes
I had the same problem with the pedometer widget, which I solved by toggling the **Additional information** and **Pedometer** settings on and off and rebooting.

Also note that the weather and pedometer widgets only display if there are no other notifications showing on the lock screen.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Hey I had the same problem. Slide the drop down menu from top. Turn on 'location'. Click agree when this shows up -- Improve location accuracy? --

Then go to the clock-weather app (should be on your homescreen). Click the '+' button on top right corner. DONOT type and search for your location instead press the 'location icon' and let your phone automatically locate you. SELECT whatever shows up, refresh and update weather and then lock your screen. It should show up now. (:

# Answer
> 1 votes
I encountered the same problem and Samsung Philippines said that the new Lollipop-OS removed the weather feature in lock screen.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I have a Samsung Galaxy A5 and all of a sudden my weather wiget stopped updating and couldn't find my location. The time on the wiget works fine but not the weather and it no longer shows my location. I checked my weather feature in lock screen and it was turned on but it still would not find my location. I had to turn the weather feature in lock screen to OFF and then it works again and found my location immediately.

# Answer
> 0 votes
You can turn the lock screen display features like the Camera shortcut, Weather and Pedometer on or off by going to the following directory. 1.SETTINGS 2.Tap On GENERAL 3.Scroll down and tap on Accessories 4.Scroll down and tap on "Select items to display" 5.And here you are. Feel free to check or uncheck the features of your choice to show on your android 5.0 lock screen. Note: You may have to restart your device for the changes to take place.

# Answer
> 0 votes
phenry's answer mentioned that you couldn't run the weather and pedometer at the same time. I was trying to run it with the news ticker. I found out that I could run both if I deleted the clock from the clock screen. So, maybe two but not three.

# Answer
> 0 votes
FYI I've run weather and pedometer health apps same time for years. No issues.

I've a gs3, gs4, gs5, updated to android 5 and 6 versions noticed that only clock showed no weather information Iin weather widget. Infact no weather, no colour photo ot animation, just a clock left side. Kept deleting and re adding weather clock 4x2 widget, the Samsung default one. Nothing still same result.

Went to Settings /Application Manager / Change System Settings

Seems I'd somehow lost the ability to turn my "Systems Settings" On Off toggle for apps. Unified Daemon and others appeared greyed out or off and couldn't be turned back on.

I remembered that I'd gone crazy restricting tons of apps to get better battery life.

\************* verified solution below \************

Solution : after fearing that " Reset to defaults" in menu would ruin my settings, trying all of the above and downloading the stock 4.4.01 apk and unifiedaemon that came with it. I was warned by installed that I'd be overwriting a newer one with older. I canceled that asap.

After 3 hours decided to hit the reset all to default in the Change System Settings under the menu key.

Goto application manager change system settings " ( from menu drop down) then when next screen appears ( hit menu key ) select "reset app preferences "

That's it enjoy accuweather,
no reboot or restart required did 4 phones.

I've got to go back in and restrict apps that I don't want to control my system. But I won't touch unifiedDaemon 100%

Whose gonna point us to the true apk for Samsung accuweather apk from Gs6, Gs7 ??? Not some cloned look alike app that requires a 3rd party widget editing and downloading app. I don't want unnecessary apps.

Only want the true original APK made for galaxy S phones by Samsung and accuweather. I've got the Gs7 phones, a how to pull from there to gs5 would be appreciated. I'll share it too.

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop, lock-screens, weather
---


# Question
Title: How to retrieve data from perfectly working phone without a touchscreen?
I have a Motorola XT615, which fell into water a year ago. Everything works fine, except the touchscreen which is completely unresponsive. I've kept it because inside it has the log of dozens of last.fm scrobbles that I don't want to lose (and I'm a perfectionist when it comes to logging the music I've listened to). I asked the dev of the scrobbling app about how to get this, and he said I'd need to retrieve the "sql lite database".

Phone:

1. Is Froyo
2. Is rooted
3. Probably not in USB debug mode
4. Has physical volume buttons that I can use (could be remapped somehow?)
5. Is recognized by the computer, but not in USB mode (can't enable it without a touchscreen)

If there is no solution via software, and before I start trying to track down a digitizer for this really old, abandoned phone, is there any way I can pick up the insides of it, and put it in another phone, in order to get all of this info?

# Answer
Use a keyboard to put it into USB mode and enable USB debugging. After that, you could clone entire phone from PC if you want to due to root. You could also use ADB if the phone supports ADB without debugging.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 2.2-froyo
---


title: Lost all my images

text:
# Question
Title: Lost all my images
I connected my phone to laptop via usb. Since my phone storage was almost full so I cut some folders and pasted it on my memory card.But when I opened the folders the images were gone. I again cut and pasted it on my phone storage. Images are still gone.How can I recover it?

# Answer
> -1 votes
First stop writing to the drives because after deletion data is just forgotten but not deleted.It gets deleted when it gets replaced by another data. Now Connect your mobile in USB memory instead of media device.And then use recuva to scan the drive.

Recuva

---
Tags: images
---


# Question
Title: S7 Archive all apps & settings info for re-install?
Is there a way to save all my Galaxy S7 App List, settings on/off and user settings in a cloud file to allow me to do a factory reset and import my archive file back to my existing phone? Something like Google Takeout?

# Answer
3 Methods

1 = Steps:

1.Root The device.Check if that is your mobile.Root methods made for one variant S7 may not work for other variants.

2.Install Titanium Backup.Backup all the apps that you need.Even settings can be backed.

3.Do a factory reset.Come back.Install Titanium backup again(If not rooted rot again) and reinstall.

2= Steps:

1.Root

2.Install TWRP and make a backup of whole device from recovery.

3 = Steps:

1.Do the factory reset and let it Go

Refer To this:Uses of roots.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s7
---


# Question
Title: Can't login to any Google apps, error pops ups each time attempted
I recently bought a Samsung Galaxy s5 and am unable to login to any google apps. I've tried signing in through all google related apps (play, youtube, gmail) and have tried 3-4 different accounts but each time I try to login an error pops up saying "Unfortunately Google Play Services has stopped working". I've tried logging in on data and different wifi connections, as well as disabling/ force stopping and re-enabling the google play services app, even making a new gmail account but nothing has worked so far. Thoughts?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Check to see how low your Memory is and try Uninstalling some unneeded Apps...then Force Stop All Apps & Unneeded Resources THEN try again..Hopefully this will help... Not an end all Be All...just a possibility...

# Answer
> 0 votes
Same issue here with a S5 active .I heard that it would help to go I'm app manager and stop all the Google play services updates that are on and it would put back what was needed cieaner. Would it? I'd I can't figure it out I'm going to go the apk route. It worked for.me when Google play just showed and error for days if this doesn't work.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Uninstall Google Play services Update.Try it.If works great.If not do a factory reset.

---
Tags: google-play-store, samsung, gmail, samsung-galaxy-s-5, google-play-services
---


# Question
Title: How to delete a Whatsapp group without admin privileges
Today, I have created a Whatsapp group and accidentally left the group. Now the present admin of the group is not able to add me back. Kindly suggest me what to do.

# Answer
> 1 votes
You can't delete a WhatsApp group unless you're the last person leaving it. If your friend's phone is throwing an error, try getting him to make another member of the group an admin, and then the second admin could try adding you. But deleting the group without it being completely devoid of members is impossible.

# Answer
> 0 votes
As the Admins, you could delete the group. Unfortunately, Whatsapp admins. have recently eliminated that option, and without notice.

I see NO rational in the absence of this feature. If you created a group, you should have that same power to delete the group.

---
Tags: whatsapp-messenger
---


# Question
Title: Can I connect existing USB mouse and keyboard and VGA monitor to my Nexus 6
I guess question title sums it all. I have USB mouse, keyboard and VGA monitor. I am ready to buy couple of new adapters/cables. Will it be possible to connect all things up to my Nexus 6. I was thinking to do following:

* Buy Micro USB to USB 3.0 Hub something like this
* Buy USB 3.0 to VGA cable something like this
* Connect Hub to phone
* Connect mouse and keyboard to hub
* Connect USB3.0-to-VGA cable to hub
* Connect monitor to USB3.0-to-VGA cable

Will this even work?

# Answer
> 0 votes
A plug-and-play USB keyboard and mouse should work fine with your phone.

The Motorola Nexus 6 does not support video out of its microUSB port with any adapter/protocol.

You could cast video from the phone to a Google Chromecast ($35 MSRP) HDMI dongle, and then purchase an active HDMI female to VGA male cable/adapter to connect the Chromecast to your monitor - but note that the Chromecast and phone would need to be on the same WiFi network, and there is slight latency in wireless casting that you wouldn't get with a video cable.

---
Tags: external-keyboard, external-display, mouse, android-pc, android-mini-pc
---


title: Can I connect my Android to my laptop?

text:
# Question
Title: Can I connect my Android to my laptop?
I have a Motorola Moto E running kitkat 4.4.4. Is there any way to link my phone to my laptop (Windows 8) and control the phone from there? Such as downloading apps to the phone via usb connection from the laptop?

# Answer
Yes, there is a way to control your phone using your laptop. GO through this link and download Vysor to your laptop as well as phone.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Do you want to remote control device? If that so, than you can use app "teamviewer" it requires internet connection or "air droid" air droid support control via usb if I remember right. Or maybe you dont have wifi so you want to use PC internet because you don't have wifi, than you can use reverse usb tethering here is how to http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2287494 . Im not sure you could do remote control via air droid and reverse tether if you wanted to. Also you can install apps via pc without touching phone, to do that you have to login to google on PC with same account which is used on Android to connect to google. Just go to google play in any browser and choose app you want to install and it will offer you list of devices connected to that google account, so choose device and confirm, just one thing app will not install on the phone until it's connected to internet. This last metod is basically just assigning the task to do. Hope something of this help..
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat
---


# Question
Title: Any way to download swf files on android?
I want to download an swf file on my phone. I have the link of the swf, but nothing worked, chrome just ignores the link while other browsers(dolphin in this case) run the swf file and still no download option. I cannot play it in dolphin because it always crashes at a specific part. Any help will be appreciated.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I download the page it's on as HTML, find the link to the file, and then use ES's Download Manager to download it. But that's just me.

# Answer
> -1 votes
If you just want to download it with your link, you can use Advanced download manager or similar applications.

---
Tags: downloading, adobe-flash
---


# Question
Title: Hangouts application not always suggesting my contacts when searching
I store all of my contacts under Google Contacts, which my Android phone uses/syncs (i.e., the Contacts application lists these, and only these, contacts).

I recently searched for "sergio" under the 2nd tab of Hangouts by clicking the "+" button to generate a new SMS message. I have at least one contact with this matching first name, yet Hangouts only suggests random strangers with this name, none of which are my contact.

After this failed, I used my Contacts application to find his record, where I clicked the sms/message icon. This redirected me back to Hangouts where an existing SMS conversation was loaded. Subsequently when searching for "sergio", Hangouts now lists my contact under Phone Contacts, ahead of the random strangers it lists below that.

For other contacts, they just show up when I search. I can't find any difference between those contacts that don't show up and those that do. Any ideas if this is a bug or a feature? If it is a feature, how can I get all my phone contacts to always show up before random strangers when searching?

# Answer
> 4 votes
For those asking for a clearer, illustrated answer:

1. Click on the (+) New conversation
2. On the right hand of the search box, click on the really-nonobviously-a-modality-switch phone icon:
3. Search will now be limited to your Google contacts.

Presumably some designer made a bizarre choice to use a phone call icon to represent the phone **address book**.

Note: When texting rather than calling, be careful not to click on the contact name rather than the small SMS icon on the far right as this will immediately initiate a phone call. *(credit to Dan Csharpster)*

# Answer
> 3 votes
Instead, immediately after clicking the magnifying glass icon, and before typing in your search, you must then click the small telephone handset icon to search for a contact to call or text. Then, enter the name to search. This will then search your own contacts list and show your contacts with their phone numbers.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Click in the search field then click the phone icon that appears after clicking the search blank. Then start typing the name and it will list only your contacts.

---
Tags: google-hangouts, google-contacts
---


# Question
Title: How to choose which player is controlled by headphone button?
I have headphones, which has a button, which can stop/starts player applications. Unfortunately I also have several such players installed. Sometimes this button works well, but sometimes starts to control random player. Unneeded players can even not being run, but this button invokes them nevertheless. Is it possible to organize this?

# Answer
> 0 votes
If you're rooted, use a tool like MyAndroidTools to disable the broadcast receiver for `android.intent.action.MEDIA_BUTTON` for unneeded apps that respond.

---
Tags: music-player, headphones
---


# Question
Title: Does MTK Android devices get software updates ever? (LG)
I know that mediatek doesn't share their source code (you can buy it), and what I was wondering is does any MTK device gets updates when newer Android version rolls out, and not just new versions, just does they get software updates? I asking about stock ROM-s made by phone manufacturer. Mostly interested about LG devices.

# Answer
Sure - devices from Xiaomi are good examples.

Redmi Note 2, released in 2015, still gets stable and weekly development builds of up-to-date MIUI8. Whether the Android version beneath the UI was updated is a question, but that also stays true for other MIUI devices regardless of the SoCs they're using, and you're not asking about Android version updates exactly, either.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: updates, lg, rom-update
---


# Question
Title: Home Key pressed when not even touching it?
I've been going insane since yesterday. When typing or selecting things on the bottom half of the screen, every so often the app I'm on erratically closes because the home key thinks it was pressed. I removed my scratched screen protector, but all that accomplished was the problem being more consistent.

I found that when ever I press/swipe my finger within 5-10mm above the home key, it activates and I'm back on the home screen. It's especially bad when my finger slows down, so I guess it stops registering the swipe and thinks I tapped.

Anyone having this problem on Android? Or do you think my phone is giving up the ghost? I tried booting in Safe Mode, still same problem.

Phone: Sony Xperia E4g

Android version: 4.4.4

# Answer
If you have older firmware than `25.0.A.2.14` it's probably a software issue (check that link: multitouch bug xperia e4g Otherwise it's probably broken screen or another unknown software bug.. :(
> 0 votes

---
Tags: sony-xperia
---


# Question
Title: Phone app comes up when the phone is unlocked by swiping
I have a Motorola Moto G and have just upgraded to Lollipop. Every time I wake the phone up by swiping/logging in, the phone app comes up as if I want to make a call.

Is there any way to stop this happening? I'd prefer just to see my home screen.

# Answer
If you just upgraded to Lollipop, my guess is you're swiping from the left side to the right side, the way you did pre-Lollipop. That doesn't work on Lollipop. Lollipop is unlocked by swiping from the bottom to the top. Swiping from the left to the right unlocks you directly into the phone app (which is why its icon is in the bottom left of the lock screen), and swiping from the right to the left unlocks you directly into the camera (which is why there's a camera icon on the right).

Takes a few days to get used to swiping up instead, but once you do, you're golden.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Please follow these steps.. Settings Goto-- lock screen and settings Info app and shortcuts Next appshortcuts ( now disable right and left shortcuts) Simple now you will see direct menu when you unlock the screen
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop, lock-screens
---


title: Nexus 5x No Command screen

text:
# Question
Title: Nexus 5x No Command screen
I was attempting to upgrade the os to 7.1.1, but after downloading, installing the os and restarting the device, the screen shows "No command" with a dead android icon.

The "No command" screen is like this:

I followed this link to install TWRP instead, everything works fine, but at the end the screen still shows "No command", how could I escape from it?

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/how-root-google-nexus-5x-install-twrp-recovery-1525518

Actually, I tried this http://forums.androidcentral.com/droid-razr-m/332350-wipe-cache-no-command.html, but still in vain

# Answer
> 2 votes
It seems like TWRP wasn't installed. You still have the stock recovery.

As you've got to the "**no command**" screen, try this: *Hold down the power button for 3-5 seconds and then press and release the Volume up button*.

---
Tags: twrp, nexus-5x
---


# Question
Title: Droid Explorer only shows the "/" directory, and that's empty
I have an RCA Voyager tablet (Android 6.0.1) plugged into my computer with USB debugging and everything. I launched Droid Explorer and am following this guide for rooting (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2684210 \- method 1). For whatever reason, having it in recovery mode doesn't show up under Ubuntu, and all I got from Ubuntu once was a "Failed to mount Android." Anyway a comment suggested this app, but it isn't showing any files. I just freshly installed this and all of Android Studio last night, what am I doing wrong?

# Answer
I had the same issue. After opening the console it showed me a message telling me I had to install busybox. After installing busybox from here the file browser worked.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: rooting, root-access, 6.0-marshmallow, droid-explorer
---


title: No Bluetooth on CM12.1

text:
# Question
Title: No Bluetooth on CM12.1
I recently updated my phone (using a custom ROM), and it appears to be that my phone now doesn't have bluetooth.
Well, it do have a bluetooth radio, and that `Bluetooth.apk` on `/system/app`, but when I turn the bluetooth on, it doesn't do anything; I mean, it just immediately turn itself off everytime I turn it on.

My phone is Samsung Galaxy Core Prime SM-G360HU, running Android 5.1 Lollipop with CM 12 / 12.1 (I can't remember; I'll update this one ...) and TWRP Recovery installed. It is, of course, rooted.

Upon Googling, it only suggests things about Bluetooth Audio (which I am not looking for ...), and how to fix them.

I've done a bit research, and found out that newer versions of CyanogenMod ROMs come with an unfixable bluetooth.

Should I install a different type of ROM (such as Resurrection Remix), or should I go installing the stock ROM?

***Please HELP!***

---

Update *(1)* :

The ROM that my phone is using is CM12.1

---

### UPDATE ***(2)*** :

So, the link *(outdated)* for the quick patches is now dead. Luckily, I still have the file.

Here is the updated download link.

# Answer
This seems to be a known problem when using

## \[ROM\]\[5.1.1\]\[SM-G360H/HU\] CyanogenMod 12.1 for Samsung Galaxy Core Prime

The original developer \>\>***doesntexits***\<\< already knew this and provided a flashable zip file which seems to fix problems related to bluetooth.

**This flashable zip file** has to be downloaded and installed through the recovery.

---

all this information can be obtained from the original post on XDA-Forums
> 3 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, bluetooth, samsung-galaxy-core-prime
---


# Question
Title: I need to connect my samsung tablet to my laptop to use it as a drawing pad but it is not working
I need to connect my tablet to my ASUS computer but it is not working. I've tried a usb port but it still doesn't work. Please don't ignore this text and please awnser it.\*

# Answer
**GfxTablet** shall make it possible to use your Android tablets like a graphics tablet using the network instead of USB. It consists of two components: The Android app and the input drivers for your computer.

The driver creates a virtual "*network tablet*" on your PC that is controlled by your Android device.

The GfxTablet app sends motions and touch events via UDP to a specified host on port 40118.

So, you can use your Android tablet or smartphone to control the PC and, for instance use GIMP (Image Manipulation Program) with your Android tablet as a graphics tablet (even pressure-sensitive, if your hardware supports it).

Check the Homepage.
> 1 votes

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


# Question
Title: Help deleting someone else's Google account from my phone
My boyfriend's Google account was added onto my phone. How do I delete it from my phone and if I do, will it also be deleted on his phone?

# Answer
Go to Settings \> Account \> Google then select the account to be removed.

No, deleting an account from a device only remove it in that device.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Easy, just go to the Settings app \>\> Account \>\> Google. Then, select the account that you want to remove. Click on it. Done.

Of course, No. This process only remove an account from that devices.

Finally, click on the Add Account button and enter your account to login.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: google-account
---


title: android vpn allow connection dialog

text:
# Question
Title: android vpn allow connection dialog
I sometimes use light screen manipulating apps on my galaxy s4(such as twilight app,...) and when the apps are enable,in my vpn apps,`ok` button in `vpn allow connction dialog` does not work(cannot be tapped) but `cancel` button works az usual! I want to know what is the behind?i think this is not a bug, it is something like a rule.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Your **security** is the reason

This is to prevent *Tapjacking* . See bmdixon's answer here Screen overlay detected, what is the problem? for details

So, VPN is not permitted but if you don't have a `Cancel` option to go back ( and disable the screen app, normally option for this is available in app settings) - how do you go back ? You can't, therefore, `Cancel` option is NOT greyed out

---
Tags: applications, screen, vpn
---


# Question
Title: ADB: device unauthorized on device without screen
I have special device, that have no screen at all. Only 3 buttons: volumes and power. So the problem that I've used hard reset option and after that on all my computers I got error:

```
error: device unauthorized. Please check the confirmation dialog on your device.

```

The problem, that I can't check that dialog - no screen or input methods. I've tried to connect from recovery mode, but from it the same.

What can I do in that situation?

# Answer
In Android 4.2.2, Google implemented Secure USB Debugging, aimed to prevent adb from being connected to malicious computers. The user has to authorize a computer before it can connect with adb.

The intended design of secure USB debugging, is that the user needs to manually to authorize new adb hosts. If the user attempts to use adb without authorizing the host, it will throw the following the mentioned error.

However, there is a bug on Android 4.2.2, fixed in Android 4.3.3, it was discovered that by navigating to either the emergency dialer or the lock screen camera, it was possible to trigger confirmation dialog.

All of this implies physical interaction with the device. So I'm not sure this could be possible without confirming the host. Try connecting it in a computer where you already confirmed the device.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: adb, 6.0-marshmallow, recovery-mode
---


title: How to root a Nexus 10 without wipe?

text:
# Question
Title: How to root a Nexus 10 without wipe?
I would like to root my Nexus 10 without wiping its data so I can later install Ubuntu Touch on it. How should I do this?

# Answer
Rooting a device does not require it to be wiped, although, to root it the device's bootloader needs to be unlocked. This action requires the device to be wiped.

So, if you have not unlocked the bootloader yet then you need to wipe it, sadly.

If you have unlocked the bootloader then you can root the device without wiping it.

**To root the device** you can use the Nexus Root Toolkit by Wugfresh. This is your best option.
> 2 votes

# Answer
Newer versions of SuperSU can achieve root without a custom kernel,You can try to update without wiping your device, although you may encounter problems.
> -1 votes

---
Tags: rooting, samsung-nexus-10
---


# Question
Title: How to stop SMS spam from mobile operator?
I keep getting SMS spam from Three mobile and I'm looking for a way to block it. The problem is that the SMSes don't come from a regular number, it just says "From Three" but there's no associated phone number.

According to Ofcom I should be able to reply "STOP" but there's no reply option for this type of special SMSes.

Is there any way to block this type of spam?

(I'm on Android 6.0.1, Xperia Z5)

# Answer
I stopped this sort of spam from Three by forwarding every text I received from them to their own spam reporting number, 37726.

You will get an automated reply asking for the number that sent you the text. As you don't get a number from the spam, just use Three's own marketing number, 0800 033 8002.

It didn't work immediately but they did take the hint after a couple of weeks.
> 2 votes

# Answer
You should to call them to ask an opt-out, it's an option you seem to be subscribed to.

Source: http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/928273

> Just call them and opt out of marketing.
>
> It's in the customer terms that when you sign-up you opt in, which is odd. Most carriers ask or at the least assume you opt out by default.
>
> Phone call should set you straight and stop the sms!
> 0 votes

---
Tags: sms, spam
---


title: Unable to update system app

text:
# Question
Title: Unable to update system app
I have been trying to update the system apps on my android phone, where in I get an error mentioning that the application which I'm downloading can't be installed. (Error code :- 104)

When I searched this problem on the internet, most solutions say *"You have to root your cell phone and then try to update/install the respective application on your phone."*

As I don't want to root my phone, is there any better solution to solve this problem instead of rooting my phone ?

And when I tried to install updated .apk file externally it shows error

# Answer
Click on settings \> backup and reset \> factory reset then say yes to clean your phone.

If you try to factory reset your phone, this will do your phone automatically update your phone with initial version of your applications.

Then try to update your respective built-in application from play store, it will solve your solution.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Open App Info of Google Play, clear cache and/or data and try updating the app again, should help in resolving that error.

If it doesn't help, and you require the update urgently, try downloading an APK file of that particular app, enable "Unknown sources" in Settings \> Security, and open the downloaded APK using PackageInstaller. A good source to find the APK file of the app is APKMirror.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Actually you need to take a build of apk and sign with google with the system/laptop from which you take a base apk uploaded in google play store.

Because conflict in signature(SHA) key of system will lead to this error while updating the application.

you can get system SHA key using below terminal command

```
keytool -list -v -keystore ~/.android/debug.keystore -alias androiddebugkey -storepass android -keypass android

```
> 0 votes

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


title: Cannot flash bricked Xiaomi

text:
# Question
Title: Cannot flash bricked Xiaomi
Device is Xiaomi Redmi 3S

During the last update (6.12.15) 3 days ago, the mobile bricked and cannot boot.

I cannot fastboot because the bootloader is locked and cannot be unlocked using 'minimal adb fastboot' (eom edl is not allowed)

I cannot do the recovery, because "reading device information fail"

I cannot paste rom file into internal memory, because without loaded OS it doesn't appear in connected PC.

If I try anything else, device gets stuck on Java error - systemuiservice error - UnknownFormatConversionException

I run out of options what to do and what I managed to google out.

# Answer
Solved. As `Andy Yan` pointed me, I did it using 9008 Qualcomm mode. It still wasn't easy as I had to open the case, shortcut maintenance pins and find the right combination of flashing tool and firmware rom for my phone, but I did it. Case closed.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: factory-reset, xiaomi
---


# Question
Title: Unable to add Rediffmail account in Gmail app
I was trying to add my Rediffmail account to Gmail app. After choosing any of POP or IMAP, it says *unable to connect server*.

I have other mail accounts in the app and all of them are working fine.

How to add Rediffmail account in Gmail app?

# Answer
Select POP3 → In POP server address, type `pop.rediffmail.com` → in SMTP server address, type `smtp.rediffmail.com`. Then you are all set.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Once you reach final stage where it asks for SMTP details, just prefix with `smtp.` and click on next. You are done.

I did it on my own and it worked fine.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: applications, gmail, accounts
---


# Question
Title: Not compatible app and "install failed missing shared library"
I am currently trying to get a game app running in windows and got some problems. Ive already tested Bluestacks, SocketQ, Android x86, Youwave and the official Android SDK Emulator. Now I'm trying "Jar of Beans" from xda, which looks quite promising.

Anyway, I have the emulator running and the network works as well. The problem I have is that I cannot install the game app through the play store as it says, "my device isn't compatible". Android 4.1.1 is running and it has lots of RAM available (1GB I think) so I really don't know why it says it's not compatible. Is it possible to find that out somehow?

And when I try to install the apk via adb I get "install failed missing shared library".

# Answer
> 1 votes
I had the same problem. I think it's not a matter of the emulator software you use, it's more probably a matter of which is the *emulated* device.

I don't recommend *Bluestacks*, because you may need the root rights (feasable on Bluestacks with hacks, but they are unstable). If you want an easy-to-install emulator with root rights, there's for instance Nox (Nox App player), MEMU and some other ones...

When you use the Google store, it detects which device you use, your screen configuration, and some other configuration details.

So there are several possibilities preventing you to install an app though the Google store:

1 - The detected screen resolution is not compatible

2 - The device is not compatible (not the right phone or tablet, works only on tablets, etc...)

3 - Some apps are impossible to run on an emulator (but it's the app that detects the emulator, not the store)

To solve problem 2, you have many tools to change the emulated device. Depending on which emulator software you use, generally you find this option directly in the software options. You can choose another kind of phone with the name.

To solve problem 1, Trying to change the size of the window in which the app is emulated won't work, because the size of the window is not a parameter that is passed as a device parameter.
You have to change the configuration, not the size of the windows.

My favorite way is with hack app, often root rights, (you'll find many in the store, with words with "DPI" and "change" or "changer" in the name, but you have a way without rooting, it's for instance:

http://android.wonderhowto.com/how-to/change-your-androids-screen-resolution-without-root-access-0160439/

> Warning
>
> Keep in mind that altering your DPI may cause the Google Play Store to incorrectly label your device as incompatible when downloading apps. This is caused by developers limiting their app's compatibility based on a device's DPI value. So if for any reason you get an error, all you have to do is revert back to your original DPI and download the app again. Once you have the app installed, you can switch back to your custom DPI.
>
> Step 1
>
> Install ADB
>
> This whole process relies on issuing ADB commands to your device, so if you don't have it installed on your computer, use one of the guides linked below to grab a copy. And if you haven't already, enable USB debugging from your Android's Developer options.
>
> ADB Installation Guide - Mac ADB Installation Guide - Windows Step 2Find Your Original DPI Before going any further, you should check your original DPI in case you need to revert back later. Plug in your Android to your computer, open up Terminal (Mac) or a Command Prompt (Windows), then enter the following command (copy and paste works best here):
>
> adb shell dumpsys display | grep mBaseDisplayInfo
>
> The output will have a part that says "density," next to which is your original value. Write that number down somewhere safe.
>
> Step 3
>
> Change Your DPI The DPI you choose depends only on your personal preference. Android devices ship with DPIs ranging from 120 up to 640, but know that as you decrease the value, the icons and font size decrease as well. Below you will find examples of various DPIs running on an HTC One M8, so use those as a guide.
>
> (1) 200 DPI, (2) 400 DPI, (3) 600 DPI Now, in your Terminal or Command Prompt window, enter the following command to change your DPI. (Make sure to swap out DPI with whatever resolution you choose.)
>
> adb shell wm density DPI && adb reboot
>
> Your device will reboot automatically, and once back up, your new DPI will be in effect.

I would try all that before trying to solve the ADB "Install failed missing shared library" problem.

If the other steps wouldn't work, you have solutions here to try for this error message: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/5375919/getting-error-msg-install-failed-missing-shared-library

---
Tags: installation, apk, emulators
---


# Question
Title: Why/How does Google Play music discover all my song file that quick?
I would like to learn and know why Google Play Music able to discover all my media file that quick. So I can implement similar functionality for my own app.

In Android system is there some sort of index that indexing alm the media files whenever they got downloaded or moved into system storage? I am guess there is some indexing in Android system and outside of the app. Because when a mp3 file first downloaded in my download folder, the app was able to discover it. But if I use a 3rd party app and moved to another folder (that Google Music Play have access to) , Google Music Play wll still recognize the mp3 file still existing in down folder and show error upon try to play the song.

# Answer
> 0 votes
My guess is it's associated with mediastore, a content provider in Android system. Check this for information.

---
Tags: google-play-music
---


# Question
Title: Is it possible to extract the kernel and device tree from a rom?
Is it possible to extract the kernel and device tree from an android 6.0 rom?

# Answer
If it was that easy then we'd have custom ROMs in no time for every phone on the planet.

What's on our phone are compiled, it's basically impossible to decompile them (modern decompilers are not as powerful as you'd like to think), and sometimes illegal when dealing with proprietary components.
> 6 votes

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, rom, kernel
---


# Question
Title: How does software affect photo quality on different Android devices even though they have the same camera sensor?
Some say that two different Android smartphones with the same sensor have different picture quality because of the software. What do they mean?

The software, in this case, is it a camera app or something low-level, OS-specific, drivers, etc?

I totally understand that the camera is great in a smartphone because of the lens, sensor, pixel size, OS, and software. So what is software in that case?

# Answer
> 4 votes
Camera does not give you the raw data it captures. Before it outputs the format you desire, the data will be processed by a set of algorithm implemented differently by each manufacturers, giving effects such as sharpening, denoising and anti-Moire. How they decide to implement it is beyond our discussion.

Manufacturers keep the algorithm private, so in many cases it's unclear whether it's only in the drivers (blobs) or requires both the app and the low level to work together. However, it's clear that without these proprietary algorithms, image quality will degrade more or less, as evident in custom ROMs without the camera blobs. In Sony's case, that algorithm can also get lost once you unlock the bootloader, causing equally significant effect.

# Answer
> 0 votes
The software controls the camera settings like aperture, exposure, iso and also autofocus. So if the software sets wrong settings or just uses settings which aren't perfect and another software uses better settings, you get a different image quality with the same camera.

The same counts for manual camera settings. If you configure your camera wrong, you get imperfect pictures.

---
Tags: camera, photos
---


# Question
Title: How can I backup playlists or extract path+filename information from them (generated with builtin MP3-player)?
I like to extract playlist information (i.e. path and filenames) I've created on Android's builtin MP3-player, to copy it with the MP3 files to a bigger SDHC card. Playlist information is lost when doing this:

* Removing the SDHC memory card (after turning off the device), and re-insert it later, causes the MP3-player to forget all files in the playlists which I have created. This is especially annoying if you want to replace the SDHC card by a bigger one and want to backup all files including playlists from the old one

The reason for this issue is that Android mounts SD cards as /storage/UniqueId where UniqueId is a hex number (the **serial number** or CID of your SD card), e.g. `A15F-1234`. So your original SD card has a root path like `/storage/A15F-1234/` and when you buy a new SD card, its CID is different, so the root path changes, e.g. `/storage/F987-5432/`, hence the player is looking for the old path as stored in the playlist and don't find the files anymore!

Note that this is a virtual folder and it cannot be renamed.

This becomes important because the music player stores the files of your playlist as absolute path, e.g.

> /storage/A15F-1234/MyMusic/RickSpringField-LoveSomebody.mp3.

On your PC you will just see a path like

> E:/MyMusic/RickSpringField-LoveSomebody.mp3

Once you copy the file to the new SD card, it will be on

> F:/MyMusic/RickSpringField-LoveSomebody.mp3

(where E: is your old, F: your new card in this example)

But when you put the new card into your mobile after copying, your file will be at

> /storage/F987-5432/MyMusic/RickSpringField-LoveSomebody.mp3

and your playlists are all empty because every single entry still starts with the old path `/storage/A15F-1234/...`, and the player (e.g. Samsung Music) can't find them, because it doesn't look into the new path (`/storage/F987-5432/...`).

Now I am looking for a way to backup the playlists or at least their content (i.e. path filename etc) to be able to edit the path to make them usable again.

---

**More information:**

The phone has a playlist folder, containing the `Playlists`, when I use a USB cable to connect it to the PC, I can see them (`*.pla` files) but they have 0 bytes and cannot be copied. Also, if I connect the SDHC card via cardreader, the files aren't useful.

Samsung Kies also did not work for me, it does not seem to support the playlists created on the phone.

I found this interesting question, which explains that Android stores playlists in SqlLite databases, but unfortunately, on my Samsung phone I could not find the database file (although there is a folder `Computer\GT-I8190\Phone\Android\data\com.google.android.music` which should contain it, but no `databases` subdirectory and no database files).

**N.B.:** The smartphone is able to read and import `*.m3u` playlists (via the player's "Music Square" menu - context menu "Library update"), but cannot modify them (if you add titles, they will only be available in the smartphone, the `*.m3u` file isn't changed).

---

To **summarize my question (one of the options below would help me):**

* Do you know how I can backup the playlists on the phone and then extract the file/path info contained in them in Windows?
`Phone Playlist -> Windows PC -> Extract Path/Filename to text file`
* Or do you know if there is a tool available (for Android, or for Windows reading it from the mobile phone) converting the playlists into a compatible text format (like `.m3u` playlists)?
`Phone Playlist -> M3U file`
(**Note:** The other way round it is possible, as this forum post explains). Here's an example of a M3U file, note that relative paths (like `Sounds/Sample.mp3`) are allowed as well (if the player supports them):

`#EXTM3U`
`#EXTINF:123, Sample artist - Sample title`
`/storage/extSdCard/Sounds/Sample.mp3`

(where `extSdCard` stands for a CID like `F987-5432` and `#EXTINF:123, Sample artist - Sample title` is metadata, see M3U playlist format)

---

Your help is much appreciated!

# Answer
> 0 votes
**Update 3:** With Samsung Music, it can be done (Android 12 + latest Music release of Samsung Music App V 16.2.27.5). Details: see here.

**Update 2:** After a long research, I found a **music player "Muzio"** in the Google PlayStore which can save internal playlists as text file (`*.m3u`) and load them later (the player uses `Muzio/Playlist Backup` directory on your internal storage).

To save, use the three dots menu beside the playlist.

This way, you can edit the m3u file with a text editor (e.g. QuickEdit Android) - or you transfer it to a PC and edit it there.

After fixing the paths (search + replace) you can load the updated m3u file with the music player Muzio.

To load, use the three dots menu on the upper right corner of the menu bar and select "Import playlist".

**Download link: Muzio Player**

**Note:**

* If you want to **copy the files** in a playlist **rather than the playlist** itself, you can do that with Samsung Music player and the Tool "Total Commander" installed: Select the playlist (tip and press finger for a while to select), then select "Share" and in the share menu select "Total Commander". Choose the desired target folder. Then switch to Total Commander and you'll see the copy starting.
* You can use m3truid as well, if you export the database to the PC, as described in Kris' answer. However, I have not tested this option yet.

---

**Update:** Andrew has kindly provided an answer, which directly solves the issue. However, I keep this answer in case someone likes to develop a player on his/her own which will include a playlist import/export. Just use the link above which will take you to the source code.

---

There was no answer provided yet, so here's what I found out by myself so far. It is rather an idea how it could be solved.

The solution is to write an Android player app, which has access to the playlist database through the Android API. This app can read the properties of the playlist and save path, filename, title artist etc into a text file, preferrably M3U format.

At AndroidHive.info I found the source code for an android MP3 player, not including the feature mentioned above. But I am sure it can be implemented with some effort.

# Answer
> 3 votes
Playlists are stored in a SQLite database in `/data/data/com.android.providers.media/databases/external.db`.

I've made a Python script to convert the audio playlist from this database to M3U, it's called **m3truid**. You need a PC and ADB enabled.

Not as nice as an Android app but especially useful when your screen is dead.

---
Tags: samsung, music-player, mp3-player
---


# Question
Title: What OTA updates did my S5active att gophone get 12-20-16?
I received am update yesterday day and it behaved as if it was a security patch. or even an OS update. but obviously it wasn't that. but I can't really notice too much of a change on my phone except FB gas some new features. (w/o fb update) and my about phone info says November sucurity patch?? did I just get that late? was it a marshmallow bug fix.

# Answer
This would be a great question for AT&T, since they would've approved for a device update. Did you contact them at all to ask about this? Looking at their site here:

```
Release date: December 19, 2016
Android version: 6.0.1
Security patch level (SPL): November 1, 2016
Baseband version: G870AUCU2DPK2
Kernel version: 3.4.0-9723602
Build number: MMB29M.G870AUCU2DPK2
File size: 164MB
What's new: Android device security updates
What's changing: Call and data reliability improvements for certain network conditions

```
> 0 votes

---
Tags: updates
---


# Question
Title: Andriod 4.4.2 "optimizing app x of 50 android" after flash Gapps
I've flashed Gapps for kitkat in my andriod 4.4.2, and now when I turn on the phone, **The problem is that** always said **"optimizing app x of 50 android"**, the which take much time. (I also happened to this with a cell phone jellybean after flash Gapps)

I've tried advance factory reset from TWRP but this not change, also reflash other Gapps..

**Note:** I dont wanna update kitkat to Lollipop because lollipop have so many bugs in my phone (Azumi A50+)

Help me please, thank you very much

# Answer
> 1 votes
I guess you have a stock firmware, this might lead to an incompatibility with the existing Gapps.

Try downloading the minimal Gapps, nano or pico package from here

# Answer
> 0 votes
Does that happens only on first and second boot or everytime you boot phone? If you use custom rom it's probably rom releated bug, contact developer and report bug.

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, rom-flashing, google-apps
---


# Question
Title: Screen Distortion After Using Certain Chargers
My Nexus 5 has burned in a few times over the past year, which is very unusual since I **never** leave it on when not in use (30 second dim time), but today I finally noticed the trend.

When I charge the phone with certain chargers, they cause the screen to become fuzzy and distorted, with a colored tinge (what I *thought* was a burn-in). This is 100% reproduceable.

I've used a few chargers in America, 1 of which resulted in this, so it is not a problem native to Australia.

Here in Australia, I use the following Samsung charger, which works perfectly:

```
Model: EP-TA10HWE
Input: 100-240V~
       50-60Hz 0.35A
OUTPUT: 5.3V === 2.0A
S/N: SE2FB04YS/B-E

```

The bad one I used today, which triggered the problem again was also from Samsung:

```
Model: ETA0U10HWE
Input: 100-240V~
       50-60Hz 0.15A
OUTPUT: 5.0V === 0.7A
S/N: DK3G904HS/7-E
                      N363

```

Here are the symptoms:

1. Plug the phone in, as per normal, with the screen off. Location, WiFi, BlueTooth, etc don't matter. (2 hours will do this - a full charge is not needed to replicate it.)
2. The screen gets a blue tinge, and duller colors. This worsens the longer it is charged. The tinge is noticeably less present at the edges of the screen.
3. Once unplugged, the screen will still get worse over time. This is especially true when using it - an hour of activity on the phone will result in....
4. **Very** dulled colors, barely distinguishable, a fuzzy screen, and shadow images left wherever objects move. Vertical lines trail behind in these shadow images. Screen is completely white when viewing it from a 45 degree angle.

Image album of the screen distortion as the phone charges: https://i.stack.imgur.com/LJFge.jpg

Facts and other info:

* At the top of the screen, there are small parts which are somewhat immune to the blurring and fading. I have scribbled the bits out in this image: https://goo.gl/M7lbwJ
* There is no image burned into the screen. It is only a blurring, fading, colored tinge (the color has been green, blue and purple so far), and shadow image (very noticeable dragging a white box across a black background. Dragging the box left means vertical black lines on the right side of the box).
* It is impossible to see anything except white when the screen is viewed from a 45 degree angle.
* I once cracked the screen (not badly), and had it replaced. It was at a relatively cheap store ($150 AUD), not by the manufacturer. I can't remember if the burn ever happened before the replaced screen.
* This has happened about 6 times. Each time I solved it by leaving it on with the "Screen Burn-in Tool" overnight, on maximum brightness. It seems to take about 12 hours to fix it fully.
* The phone behaves as normal once recovered - no one could tell the difference between my phone and another. Battery, brightness, etc, are all normal.
* It always charges at the expected rate in all chargers. Nothing remarkable about the power graphs, or power usage of apps. The "bad" chargers work normally for other phones.
* I've always had the phone in a case, and only ever dropped it that once. I take care of my stuff.

### UPDATE:

It happened with a USB cable plugged into a laptop today. What's weird is that I've used this cable with this laptop about a dozen times before (it's only a few weeks old), but it hasn't triggered the effect in it before.

There could be some kind of connection to heavily using the phone while it's charging, or right before charging it, as several of the times that this has triggered, I've been recently using my phone heavily (thus why it needed charging).

For example, the other times I charged my phone (using the same cable and laptop), I'd only been topping it up, or charging it at the end of the day.

### UPDATE 2:

Today I got a brand new Samsung Galaxy S5 for use at work. It came with a brand new charger and brand new cable too.

Last night I plugged the new charger into the same wall socket as my old one usually goes in (it was in my luggage), with the new cable, and charged my Nexus 5. Today, I noticed the tint was coming back very slightly, but didn't realize why. When I charged my phone this evening, and it was 100% blurry and tinted, I realized.

Everything about the actual charger is identical, except the S/N (Serial Number), and the country of manufacturing. Comparison: https://i.stack.imgur.com/27rhm.jpg

If we assume that the chargers are the same (it was plugged into the same wall socket), then that must mean that the cable is what's doing it to the phone, since the cables are very different.

The new one has the text:

```
E321011   ЯJ   AWM   STYLE   21104   80°C   30V   VW-1   23AWG*2C   LUXSHARE-ICT   NON-PVC

```

The old one has the text:

```
E102671-0   ЯJ   AWM   21445   80°C   30V   VW-1   23AWG*2C   30AWG*2C   KAYANG   [5]   HX   NT   NON-PVC   NON-P

```

### UPDATE 3:

Using my good charger base with the new cable didn't cause any problems.
Using my new charger base with the good cable \__________. (testing now)

# Answer
> 0 votes
This is a really rough guess, as that has to be one of the strangest symptoms I've ever seen from a bad charger. Here's what you need to do.

You have 2 of every piece in play here. Test both phones with different combinations of chargers and cables. If only the Nexus is affected, there's an issue with the phone's motherboard causing background noise on the screen under certain conditions. If **both** are affected, one of the charging components are bad and you should throw it away.

Yes, you should be able to use the chargers interchangeably unless the Samsung's has a fast charge system.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I have the same issue while using the original charger. When I use an older stronger charger the screen is fine. It reverts to the correct colors in time, in about 24 hours.

In fact I just checked the charger information and it is the very same one that is giving you the trouble. So I suppose that charger is of a bad design.

---
Tags: charging, nexus-5, screen, screen-brightness
---


# Question
Title: How can I access Transport for London from my device?
How can I use TFL information on my device? Is there an application or other good way of accessing TFL?

For those who don't know, TFL == Transport for London, a webpage of London public transport when you can find what is the best way of getting from point A to B at a given time.

# Answer
> 3 votes
This is the highest rated app I found Appbrain: http://www.appbrain.com/app/pubtran-london/cz.fhejl.pubtran.london

Here's the search I used: http://www.appbrain.com/search?q=tfl&sort=highest-rated

# Answer
> 0 votes
The one that used to be called transport for london is now called london underground and now has pay and ad supported versions.

http://www.appbrain.com/app/london-underground-free/com.visualit.tubeLondonCity

# Answer
> 0 votes
Transport for London has an out of date Security Certificate for Android. Until it is updated, you will not be able to access the site.

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Tags: applications
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# Question
Title: How do I fix malware installed automatically in the /system directory?
I bought a Lyf Flame 7 from Reliance Jio last september. It runs on Android Lollipop. My phone is not rooted and it has never downloaded any other apps from the internet except from the Play Store. Upto October it was working fine. In November I started seeing apps being downloaded automatically. My pre-installed antimalware app reported them to me and I uninstalled those downloaded apps. This happened in a 3 times/week frequency. Last week I found it again and then decided to look for any processes that might be downloading the annoying apps without my permission. It also started showing me pop up ads.

I found out that there's an app called "Wireless Update" and another called "flyee" and "fqad". I googled them and found out that Wireless update is a preinstalled system app in low end smartphones in Asia and it downloads random apps from the internet. I disabled it and found that it doesn't download files anymore. I later went to its settings and also stopped it from using mobile data to download apps automatically and to download only over wifi. I restricted its background data usage. Next morning I found out that there are a load of apps installed in my phone and the ram was totally eaten up. There were apps like a fake whatsapp, PhoneService, U Tobe(with youtube logo), flashlight, two fake phone apps and a lot of other apps. I figured that they were malware and the worst part was that I couldn't delete them. So they somehow managed a way to get root access to my phone and install them in the `/system` directory. They also started minimizing any apps that I am using.

Some other app also started downloading even more apps, and ads were popping up constantly. I force stopped them and disabled them only to find out most of them are enabled automatically. They were eating up the RAM and battery. I downloaded MalwareBytes and found that there were other apps installed as non-root too so I cleaned them up. But the `/system` apps couldn't be removed. I disabled downloads from third party and it stated downloading random apps from the play store one by one. To stop this I went into termux and generated a big 1.5 GB text file with random numbers in C++ to stop downloading any more apps. It couldn't download any more apps but then a new pop-up saying "Launcher Loading" came up and I couldn't use my phone. I couldn't open any apps or anything after the lock screen. This morning, I found out that the Launcher Loading pop-up is gone but a new problem came in. It started giving me alerts saying "Unfortunately PhoneService has stopped". And it goes on an endless loop. If for a moment, it's gone, another alert saying "Unfortunately Google Play Services has stopped" and the earlier alert appears. My phone is currently unusable and I cannot even make calls from it. What do I do? I am in a really serious problem. I tried booting in safe mode but didn't help.

# Answer
> 2 votes
**Note: the following method is risky, you might delete core modules and your device will end up in bootloop or not booting at all. Do it at your own risk.**

* You'll need to root your device and install BusyBox (from Google Play).
* Download Minimal ADB and fastboot
* Enabled USB debugging
* Install USB drivers

Open Minimal ADB and Fastboot tape the following :

```
adb shell
su
mount -o remount, rw /system
cd /system/app
ls (list all installed apps)

```

or even better: `lsattr` (display all installed apps with their attributes).

Then using the `rm command`, delete any suspicious app, like following : `rm com.exemple.malware.apk` (tape the exact name displayed with ls command).

You may encounter some apps that refuse to be deleted with the rm command :

* First check their attributes with `lsattr + com.app_name.apk` i.e: `-i-a--A com.app_name.apk`
* Then remove those attributes with `chattr -iaA + com.app_name.apk` i.e: `chattr -iaA com.app_name.apk`

Finally you'll be able to remove them.

PS: Disable WiFi or data connection while doing this.

* You can post the output of installed apps here, and we'll check out what to remove or not.

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Tags: 5.0-lollipop, malware
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