title: Octa-Core not Available in US

text:
# Question
Title: Octa-Core not Available in US
Recently I was reviewing the Galaxy S7 Edge models, and noticed the Octa-Core is only available outside the US.

I realize the Octa-Core doesn't add much benefits, but it does have a certain "cool factor".

What reasons would prohibit the Octa-Core versions from entering the US? Surely radios and other country-specific components could be added/swapped to make a US Octa-Core version?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Consumer preference, and media reviews, in the US have shown that any new top-tier Android phone has to have the latest and greatest Snapdragon to be considered worthy. That may change as Samsung moves away from Android to their own Tizen OS, but the changes will probably have to show success outside the US first.

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-7-edge
---


# Question
Title: Trouble connecting to 4G when Wifi enabled, but low signal
I have a Samsung S5 Neo (SM-G903F), Android 5.1.1

My I access internet apps/sites when i am close to my router, works great. But when I go up a floor, and am basically out of range from the Wifi router, the phone does not switch to 4G... but still tried to access Wifi, but evidently its not strong enough to actually connect - so I basically get no connection. I have to manually disabled Wifi, and then it connects fine.

Is there a way to "lower the sensitivity" level, to allow the phone to connect to 4G when the Wifi signal is weak?

Thanks!

# Answer
> 3 votes
On Android 4.4, there is an option "Avoid poor connections" under Settings-\>Wi-Fi-\>Advanced(perhaps under the menu). You want to set this option on.

This option is not present in Android 6. I'm not sure whether it's present in Android 5.1.

---
Tags: wi-fi, 4g
---


# Question
Title: I can't access the chrome:settings and other chrome: and about: urls un Google Chrome
Although google chrome does suggest those urls:

It doesn't allow you to access them:

I'm very upset, since I am forced to use Chrome (it's pre-installed and takes 100MB) but I can't even access full configuration.

# Answer
> 1 votes
You can view full list of supported `chrome:` URLs on `chrome://chrome-urls` page. Note that the lists are different for the Android and desktop versions. In particular, there is no `chrome://settings` in Android version because there the settings are implemented using native OS forms.

---
Tags: chrome-for-android
---


# Question
Title: Factory reset on mako with broken digitizer and TWRP installed
I want to factory reset a mako with a broken screen and digitizer so I can sell it. The device is rooted and there is TWRP recovery and Cyanogenmod installed. As the screen and digitizer are broken I cannot control it via the touchscreen.

Therefore I bought an USB OTG cable, but it does not recognize the mouses and keyboards I plugged in while they work perfectly on another phone. I think USB debugging is disabled as I was able to download all the data by plugging the phone into USB.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Managed to solve it with the help of a friend, this package ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2564453 ) and couple of ADB sideload commands and flashed the stock rom from here: https://dl.google.com/dl/android/aosp/occam-lmy48t-factory-416938f1.tgz

---
Tags: factory-reset, twrp, broken-screen
---


title: Re-installing Whatsapp

text:
# Question
Title: Re-installing Whatsapp
I have been using Whatsapp on my Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 GT-S7275R for a long time. Two days ago, a message popped up saying that my app was outdated. So I started to update it. It gets stuck on the updating, buffering all the time. I have tried everything: closing down my mobile phone and starting again, uninstalling Whatsapp and reinstalling - it still remains stuck on installing. Can you advise please? Anna Stivala

# Answer
> 0 votes
A few questions to start. Does this happen with any other apps? Are you on Wifi or a Data connection? Do you have the latest version of the play store?

You can try a few solutions.

1. Go to the app manager and clear the cache and data from "google play store" and "download manager".
2. uninstall updates from the google play store and download manager if they exist.
3. boot into recovery and clear the cache and dalvik. To do this hold the volume up button when turning the phone on

Here is a little blurb explaining that it is safe to do and won't delete your data or apps https://www.quora.com/I-want-to-wipe-dalvik-cache-on-my-phone-Will-this-delete-my-apps-or-data

4. Lastly you can try logging out of your Google account and back in

Give that a try and see if it helps -Asloss

# Answer
> -1 votes
Do you have enough storage space on your phone ? try deleting some useless app

---
Tags: updates, whatsapp-messenger
---


# Question
Title: turn off pitch correction in VLC when speed is changed
Is it possible to turn off pitch correction in VLC? I cannot find instructions on this anywhere.

# Answer
> 1 votes
For VLC for Android, v. 1.7.5, the required setting is in the "Extra Settings" section under the "Performance" menu and is called "Time-Stretching Audio".

# Answer
> 0 votes
You should be able to turn it off in preferences, check https://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?t=66188 . Hope this helps.

---
Tags: vlc
---


# Question
Title: Android Studio Emulator is running but but never goes beyond "Android Logo"
I am facing this problem that my Android Studio emulator is running but it never goes beyond the "**Android logo**" in booting up.

Please help me out with this problem, it's urgent!

I do not know how to resolve this problem.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I think your memory is not enough to load the emulator settings (screen density etc). You should try a lighter version.

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, android-emulator
---


# Question
Title: Google Play Music frequently flashing in notification bar and notification tray
Recently, Google issued an update for Google Play Music.

Now, I frequently see the Google Play Music icon briefly appearing in the Android notification bar (aka status bar).

It will appear for about a tenth of second, then disappear, then do the same a second later. This happens on and off throughout the day.

I think it is also flashing up a brief notification in the notification tray, but it's hard to tell, because it just flashes there for less than a second.

This happens when Google Play Music is not even running (although it presumably has some background tasks).

This ***never*** happened before the recent update to Google Play Music.

It's distracting to have this icon sporadically appear. Also it can cause all the left-side notification bar icons to shift due to this "fluttering" of the Google Play Music icon.

What's going on, and is there a way to fix it?

(Oh, I should mention: I don't want to turn off all notifications for Google Play Music, because they are useful on days it is actually used.)

***Update:*** This symptom has been confirmed by two other Android SE users.

# Answer
I also saw thius notification flashing briefly. As far as I can tell, it is related to connectivity changes (switching from WiFi to mobile and vice versa). For the time being, I've disabled notifications for Play Music but hope they'll issue an update to fix this behavior.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: notifications, notification-bar, google-play-music, google-apps, notification-icons
---


title: Android Corrupting my SdCard FILES

text:
# Question
Title: Android Corrupting my SdCard FILES
Sorry but i need help :)

looks like my phone corrupting files in my sdcard everything i copy to my sdcard is gone when i instert it to my android. i have format it,chksdk, even buy the new one but yeah my android keep making my files in sdcard become corrupted and useless.For example i copy this film and all the film is good to go but when i insert it to my phone most of the film cant play the files and then when i instert it again to my pc. second picture is happen i have tried all method but nothing is works. Sorry for my bad english or i use bad word :).

@And yeah i already relfash my phone to new condition and its not solve the problem

\[

# Answer
> -1 votes
This thing happened to me, try formatting the drive in the phone itself. Then it should be good to go.

---
Tags: sd-card, files
---


title: get backups form stolen phone

text:
# Question
Title: get backups form stolen phone
my phone samsung SM G361H had stolen while travelling.

any possibility to locate it.

Any possibility to get the backup of contact numbers , photos saved in it.

# Answer
Go to Google Security Normally theirs a google service running in background and youre able to find lock or delete your phone. And its a little bit to late for a backup.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: lost-phone, imei
---


# Question
Title: How can I limit the number of fingerprint attempts before fallback to other login type?
I've got a Nexus 6P and would like to reduce the number of allowed failures before it blocks fingerprint as an allowed login mechanism - according to https://support.google.com/nexus/answer/6285273 you need to use the alternative login mechanism "*When your fingerprint isn't recognized after a few tries*".

It could be nice to know how many "a few" is (and whether this is an adaptive number that for example may take into account how recently it was correctly unlocked), but the point is that it can go (as in my recent testing) at least to 4 failures and succeed on the 5th attempt. I would be entirely happy to force it to block fingerprint access after two failures, but I can't find this as a setting from a bit of quick poking around.

# Answer
> 1 votes
> It could be nice to know how many "a few" is....

From Marshmallow Compatibility Definition Document (CDD) , quoted here

* MUST rate limit attempts for at least 30 seconds after **5 false trials** for fingerprint verification

> .... and whether this is an adaptive number that for example may take into account how recently it was correctly unlocked

* CCD is silent on this so one could safely assume **5 attempts** holds

> .... happy to force it to block fingerprint access after two failures, but I can't find this as a setting

There doesn't appear to be any setting to **increase or decrease number of attempts** (google search)

LockScreen Tweakbox is said to increase the number of attempts to 20

---
Tags: security, fingerprint
---


# Question
Title: Will a Samsung Galaxy S6 case fit on an S6 Edge?
The difference is size seems minimal but I want to make sure. Reason I ask is a custom printed case was ordered as a gift, modeled to fit a Galaxy S6, but the recipient has an S6 Edge. I am wondering if this will be an issue.

Edit:

The dimensions don't seem that far off.

Galaxy S6 Dimensions

(143.4 x 70.5 x 6.8 mm)

Galaxy S6 Edge Dimensions

(142.1 x 70.1 x 7 mm)

# Answer
All of the non-Edge versions of cases I've seen wrap around the sides which would cover the sides of the screen on the Edge.
> -1 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-6
---


title: Optimizing Apps: Why?

text:
# Question
Title: Optimizing Apps: Why?
I have a Kyocera Hydro View. Every time I restart my phone, it tells me that Android is optimizing apps. This takes anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes, and sometimes prevents me from using the phone when I need to use it.

What is Android doing, and why does it need to do it so often?

# Answer
This is something in Android that is called the dalvik-cache. It's basically an optimized version of the android package you usually install/download on your phone. This is usually done while installation and doesn't need to happen at every boot. However, in your case, reboots apparently trigger a dalvik-cache dump(for lack of a better word). So, Android has to optimize all apps all over again. I'd suggest you to try and diagnose why your phone is clearing it's dalvik-cache at every boot. Are you running a custom ROM?
> 3 votes

---
Tags: reboot, optimization
---


# Question
Title: How to see all the purchased apps in google play store
I have purchased several apps on Google Play Store. I've installed a new ROM, and I want to reinstall the purchased apps. Is there any way to see only purchased apps in play store.

I know that there is a way to see all the previously installed apps, but is there any filter to list only the purchased apps?

# Answer
Go to *Playstore menu → Account → Order history*, you will find all details of purchases made using the linked account. Click on the apps you wish to install from there and you are done

**Edit:** Added additional pics to depict the process, seeing that there are answers saying it cannot be done (App chosen is purchased but currently not installed)
> 16 votes

# Answer
Yes, but not with the Play Store app, but check out the apps called My Paid Apps or Purchased Apps and there may be others but I am unaware of them, either should be exactly what you are looking for.

As another user posted it can be done via the web page, but not the app on the device.
> 4 votes

# Answer
Using the account page on the web you can filter for just apps from all purchases. https://play.google.com/store/account?purchaseFilter=apps. On an android device open the link with a browser instead of the Play Store. The Play Store app cannot filter apps from other purchases.

From the web you can also install apps on any devices connected with your account.
> 4 votes

---
Tags: google-play-store, paid-apps
---


# Question
Title: Can I receive text messages when mobile data turned off
If I have my mobile data function turned off, will I be able to receive text messages? If so, how can I retrieve them?

# Answer
SMS messages are not normally sent over mobile data. You should automatically receive them, exactly like normal.

Even MMS messages typically have their own APN set up so that they can be received without other data services.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: notifications, sms, mms
---


# Question
Title: How to import ICS into S-Planner (Galaxy S7)
How can I import an ICS file into S-Planner on my Galaxy S7 ? An ICS file is an exported calendar from another application.

Btw: I know how to use Google calendar and then sync S-Planner with it but I definitely don't want to merge Google calendar with S-Planner calendar. The calendar I want to import into S-Planner is an independent calendar.

If S-Planner cannot import an ICS file, an alternative would be to have a Google calendar imported (not sync'ed) into S-Planner.

Thanks.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I presume the ics is an attachment to a mail or somewhere in your storage. Just tap to open it like any other file, and choose S Planner to open. It will give an option to import the event.

---
Tags: s-planner, samsung-galaxy-s7
---


# Question
Title: Why is my storage not using all of its storage?
My phone says it has 8GB of memory but its only allowing me to use 4GB, why is this? I have already searched this in google but nothing has come up.

# Answer
A part of storage is used for the operating system (Android). In your case it's about 4 Gb.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: storage
---


# Question
Title: missing watsapp contacts on new phone with same sim
i changed my sim from my old phone(nokia n8) to a new phone(samsung GT-S6310L)

on my new phone....i am not seeing few

numbers of my friends in the watsapp contact list.how can i get or restore their

numbers?

# Answer
Transfering the sim does NOT transfer the contacts as well.

You should try using bluetooth to transfer your contacts between the two phones, I believe NOKIA has a built in feature for that in their Symbian Models.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Put your sim card back in your old phone. Navigate to the contact you wish to save, there should be an option somewhere to save the contact to your SIM card. Save all of the contacts, then put the sim card into your new device and you should be fine.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: contacts
---


# Question
Title: Send pdf file as attachment to text message
Maybe this is a naive question, but I was wondering if I could attach a pdf file to a text message. I have a Sony Xperia M4 Acqua running on Android 5.0.

# Answer
> 1 votes
You can't. You can only send small images and audios, but that would turn the SMS into MMS. Don't you like emails?

---
Tags: sms, pdf, attachments
---


# Question
Title: Couldn't acquire root after running superboot
I've already done all steps for getting root at my `MotoG (2nd generation)` but still can't acquire the privilege.

* Unlocked bootloader:
    + Started developer mode + USB debug
    + Ran fastboot oem unlock UNLOCK\_CODE

I'm even getting the "warranty void" message at startup, so it seems that the bootloader was really unlocked.

* Getting root privileges:
    + Downloaded `r2-motog-superboot`
    + Went to fastbook screen again with developer mode + UDB debugging
    + ran `sudo chmod +x superboot-linux.sh` and `sudo ./superboot-linux.sh`

The `superboot-linux.sh` has only these two commands:

```
 chmod +x fastboot-linux
 ./fastboot-linux boot boot.superboot.img

```

The phone restarted but superuser wasn't installed and no root privilege acquired. What can I be missing? Thanks

# Answer
> 2 votes
Because that way (superboot) is old and doesn't work on the current software releases, TBH I am surprised it still boots at all after that, probably because you just just manually booted it and didn't flash it.

I will assume this is the Titan (non-LTE) version. The proper way to do this if you are unlocked is simple... Download the latest TWRP for your device and SuperSU and place the later on your device.

Start the device in bootloader mode, and in the terminal enter

`sudo fastboot boot twrp.img` \<- Replace filenames with appropriate ones for your installation

Once TWRP is loaded, Install (flash) SuperSU ZIP you downloaded from the link above.

Reboot, enjoy root on your device.

BTW, you didn't mention your Linux distro or fastboot version, you may need to get the current releases from the Android Dev package if your repos do not have current ones.

---
Tags: rooting, fastboot, bootloader, motorola-moto-g2
---


title: Dual Sim but one outgoing number

text:
# Question
Title: Dual Sim but one outgoing number
I have a dual sim phone and am starting to do a bit of extra free lancing work on top of my regular job.

I have my own personal SIM which I have a contract that gives me unlimited calls. What I would like to do is get another SIM as a work number to give to clients. To keep this SIM active I just want to pay the minimum amount (I think it is 10 Euro every 6 months or something like that) so that clients phone my work SIM and not have my personal number.

With having unlimited calls on my personal SIM I'd like to phone my clients back using my personal SIM as it costs me nothing extra but make it look like I'm phoning from my work SIM.

Is it possible to do this? Is there an app that can control this?

I could always just phone my clients using my personal SIM and withhold my number so my number doesn't show but that's not really what I'm after.

Does anyone know is this possible?

Thank you

# Answer
> 1 votes
For this I recommend using Skype Out. you can authorize skype to give your actual cell number as caller id when making a Skype Out call. I do this when travelling overseas, my outgoing calls say they are my US number. I let incoming calls just go to voice mail of my real cell phone number so I don't have to pay international fees, and immediately call people back using skype out. My clients never have to know I'm out of the country.

# Answer
> -2 votes
Using a redirection service, you can do this,

Remember that changing a number may be ILLEGAL depending on the area you live in.
In most scenarios it's only calling someone from an unauthorized number,
So it's good to find someone that actually owns the number they are trying to identify as...

If you are Actually the authorised and registered owner of the work phone,
I gather that you have permission to identify yourself as this number, And anyone researching the number will still lead back to you, it should be fine ( i say fine as in Not Identity Theft )

If you enable unknown souces you can install the app in the link THINGS TO KNOW FIRST !

1 • ONLY USE IF YOU HAVE AUTHORIZATION TO SPOOF/USE/MASK THE WORK NUMBER FROM THE OWNER OF THE MOBILE NUMBER !

2• DO NOT TRY TO SPOOF/USE/MASK THE NUMBER YOU ARE CALLING FROM ! THIS COULD CAUSE A NETWORK LOOP AND MAY CAUSE UNWANTED TECHNICAL CHARGES ON YOUR PHONE PLAN/CREDIT OR AT THE NETWORK PROVIDERS EXPENSE !

3• DO NOT USE THIS IN ANY WAY THAT CAN BE FOUND OFFENSIVE AND OR DESTRUCTIVE TOWARDS ANY PERSON, BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY, (" BY DESTRUCTIVE I AM HYPOTHETICALLY SAYING THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN FIRED AND YOU ARE TRYING TO WRECK YOUR OLD WORK PLACES/'S CHANCE/'S OF SUCCES/'S")

4• YOU UNDERSTAND THAT THIS APP IS FREE TO USE ANYTIME, BUT IT DOES COST A NORMAL OVERSEAS CALL FEE, THIS IS BECAUSE YOUR CALL WILL BE SENT TO A CALL CENTER IN ANOTHER COUNTRY AND REDIRECTED WITH A NEW CALLER ID AND/OR OPTIONAL FUNNY VOICE, THIS COSTS A USUAL OVERSEAS PHONE CALL AMOUNT.. CHECK YOUR PLAN DETAILS FIRST

5•IT CHARGES INTERNATIONAL FEESON MY PHONE IT'S A INTERNATIONAL CALL FEE

> STILL WANT TO PROCEED ? ... CLICK ON ME FOR APK FILE

---
Tags: dual-sim
---


# Question
Title: How to I transfer data from my sd card to my phone?
I got a new phone and I want to transfer all of my non-google affiliated apps onto my new phone. I got an sd card and I installed my apps onto it, and then inserted the sd card into my new phone. However, the data on the sd card will not show up/open on my new phone.

My old phone was a LG Optimus L90, and my new phone is a Huawei P8

# Answer
Apps need to be installed, they can't be moved from phone to phone.

You will need to backup all your apps using any backup app from the play store. Your apps will be backed up as .apk files. Use a file browser and find the files either on the sd card or phone storage. Transfer the files to your new phone and install them one by one. Note that `.apk` files just contain the apps, not their data.

Alternatively, you can use Google's app restore feature. After resetting your new phone, login with your Google account in the setup page. There would be one step in the setup that would allow you to restore your apps from the play store (and, if an app supports it, also your data). Of course this requires that you did backup your device to Google before. It's quite dodgy sometimes and I don't rely on that.

If you need to backup app data, you can refer to the backup tag wiki.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: sd-card, file-transfer, data-transfer
---


title: Galaxy s5 upgrade from 5.0 to 5.1.1

text:
# Question
Title: Galaxy s5 upgrade from 5.0 to 5.1.1
How do I manually upgrade my Samsung galaxy S5 from lollipop 5.0 to 5.1.1 as it doesn't want to upgrade by itself. I'm in Namibia and the baseband version is G900HXXU1BOL2.

# Answer
Personally I always use a site called Sammobile. They host every firmware made by Samsung. The firmwares are 100% stock and won't trigger Knox. You will need to register an account on their website, but it's free.

You can download the firmware for your device here. The firmware can be flashed by using a Windows application called Odin (download link in the guide below).

When the firmware is downloaded, flash it on your phone. Here are the steps:

1. Extract the firmware
2. Download Odin 3.11.1.
3. Extract the Odin zip file.
4. Open Odin.
5. Reboot your phone to download mode by holding the home, power and volume down buttons. Release only the power button when at the Samsung logo, and release all of them when you see a green Android robot. Then press volume up to accept the warning and you'll see DOWNLOADING.
6. Connect the phone to your PC, Odin should now see your device.
7. Add the firmware file to AP/PDA. (The "not responding" is normal, just wait).
8. Make sure re-partition is not checked.
9. Click the start button. The flashing can take some time.

> **Note**: The firmware will not factory reset your phone, so if your phone is stuck booting, don't worry. Just boot to the recovery mode, do a factory reset and reboot the device. This shouldn't be a problem if you're upgrading your device, only when downgrading.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: updates
---


# Question
Title: adb sometimes won't connect untill after a lot of tries, and sometimes never
adb sometimes won't connect. I get this behaviour. What's going on?

```
$> adb kill-server
[ user@host ] ~
$> adb connect 192.168.3.160:5556
* daemon not running. starting it now on port 5037 *
* daemon started successfully *
connected to 192.168.3.160:5556
[ user@host ] ~
$> adb shell
error: device offline
[ user@host ] ~
$> adb connect 192.168.3.160:5556
already connected to 192.168.3.160:5556
[ user@host ] ~
$> adb shell
error: device offline

```

(Note: It also occurs with adb using port 5555)

# Answer
> 2 votes
I would write this as a comment but I can't. It may be because of the cable. I had this problem with an old cable that kept disconnecting my phone. Even cables that look fine may do this. The problem went away after I bought a new cable.

---
Tags: adb, connection-issues
---


# Question
Title: Update to Marshmallow cyanogenmod, swipe down shows no options and no settings
I'm hoping someone has encountered this issue before.

We're updating a device to latest cyanogenmod Marshmallow, but now swiping down shows no options. Rotate, location, wifi, *none* of them are present, it's an empty narrow dark green band of a few pixels instead of the normal window with 9 or more icons. Also, there is no settings gear icon. We've rebooted the device several times, pulled the battery and SIM card, searched through the normal Settings path for an option that hints at enabling swipe down, but no such luck.

Will resort to wiping the device and starting over but we're hoping someone in the community has encountered this or might have tips. Your input is highly valued.

Kind regards

# Answer
Turns out, we had an old version of Gapps (2 months old). We wiped everything and then installed the latest version of Gapps. That worked!

We now have the swipe down menu again and settings gear icon.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: notification-bar
---


# Question
Title: Google Play Services High Internet Consumption
I've been using CyanogenMod (version 12.1-20150901) on my Nexus 5 for around a year and things were running perfectly until last month, when my data plan had been completely used up after a couple days.

At the beginning I blamed it on activating my phone's wi-fi hotspot and downloading some files. So I waited the rest of the month for the plan to reset. Once it reseted, I decided to activate the 3G and while I left my phone unattended, **in less than 12 hours, my phone had consumed +400MB!!!**

Taking a closer look the **Android OS had been used more than 10GB** of wi-fi over the last month (I don't have any games, web browser nor audio/video application for this to be possible!). Looking back, this behaviour seems to have started between the 7th and 14th of May.

So as some android forums suggested, I decided to install "Onavo Count" to find the culprit. It turned out to be Google Apps/Google Play Services:

Onavo registered that Google Play Services had consumed 189MB of my data plan just a couple of hours I had it installed! I turned off the 3G immediately, but still after 3 days, Onavo registered it consumed 1.8 GB of Wi-Fi...

I've looked through many forums, yet none has been able to provide a solution that works for me.

* Some suggest one should restrict the app's background data, but that doesn't solve the high Wi-Fi consumption problem...
* Others suggest upgrading CyanogenMod to the lastest stable build (v 13.0-20160418), but that broke completely the functionality of all Google Apps (constant crashes that make the phone unusable... luckily I did make a backup... backups are good).
* There are suggestions of removing permissions and functionality, but I've played with every setting and removing all Google Play services functionality to no avail...

Has anybody encountered this problem and has been able to solve it?

# Answer
**TL;DR**:

1. Install Autorun Manager (you must have root access)
2. Go into the settings and enable "**Show System Entries**" and "**Enable system app disable**"
3. Disable permissions for "**com.android.gsf.update.SystemUpdateService$Receive**" and "**com.android.gms.update.SystemUpdateServiceReceiver**"
4. Sigh in relief as your mobile plan is freed from Google Play's insatiable hunger for data.

---

After a long afternoon of googling, I ended up finding some old but interesting thread on reddit from 2013 that detailed a problem very similar to mine. Although they talk about the Nexus 4, what they discussed seemed to apply for my Nexus 5.

Caseyls, the original poster, seemed to have concluded that the problem is that Google Play services is constantly downloading an update:

> \[...\] Your phone is trying to update to \[a newer version of Android\]. It downloads the update files, but then when it goes to try to tell you to update, \[some\] of the files are \[missing\]. \[... Then\] your phone deletes the update files, and tries \[to download them\] again. And again. And again.

The poster suggested solutions were pretty much the same ones I found all over the internet, but an user named Dourel suggested something useful they found on XDA:

> Install Autorun Manager from the Play store. Then enter its recommended advanced mode. Go into the settings and enable the following : system entries and system app disable. Disable com.android.gsf.update.SystemUpdateService$Reciever under Google Service Framework

So as it was suggested, I installed the app and enabled the options "**Show System Entries**" and "**Enable system app disable**" in the settings, like in the picture below:

Then looked for Google Play Services in the list of apps, expanded its contents, and looked for "**com.android.gsf.update.SystemUpdateService$Receive**". Sadly, as the first picture below shows, that permission had already been disabled in my case (don't know how that happened though). So I thought I was back at square one.

But I wasn't going to give up just yet. Searching more thoroughly I found out there was another service called "**com.android.gms.update.SystemUpdateServiceReceiver**" that was checked on. So naturally I checked it off. To test it whether it worked or no, I left the Wi-Fi on all night and crossed my fingers for it to work.

The next morning, Onavo Count (the app I mention in the question) reported that no substantial amount of Wi-Fi data had been consumed, so I proceeded to test leaving the phone's 3G data plan for the rest of the day (Wi-Fi off of course). To my rejoice, as of tonight (12 hours later), my data plan has barely even been used. Less than 1MB was consumed all day! Yay =)

So that's it! The most effective solution I could find to stop this madness. I hope it works for anybody else.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Restrict your data usage for application which are using data too much , You can also set data limit for a day so that if in a single day if it crosses the usage limit, it automatically turn off mobile data or wifi .
> -1 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, internet, mobile-data, 3g, google-play-services
---


title: Slow USB charging

text:
# Question
Title: Slow USB charging
I'm using Samsung Galaxy S5 and usually charge through USB port of Dell Inspiron 14z laptop. I know that USB charging is slower than wall charging. But USB charging becomes much slower than usual recently.

I recently replaced the charging cable and the battery. Thus the problem must be in the USB port or the laptop itself.

What could be the reason of this phenomenon and how can I solve it?

# Answer
The problem can be in the cable itself. Most of the third party cables are not capable enough to transfer enough power to charge a device in a certain period of time. A branded cable may not have this problem. What type of cable did you buy? Have you checked its power specifications before buying it? Also, I don't think that there is a problem with the phone's battery. If there was, you would be facing a whole lot of different problem than this one.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: usb, charging, samsung-galaxy-s-5
---


title: Using OR logic in contexts for Tasker

text:
# Question
Title: Using OR logic in contexts for Tasker
Let's say I want to create a context where the SSID of a WiFi connection is either 'ABC' **or** 'XYZ'.

I can see where I am able to create 2 contexts, but it seems to enforce AND logic between the two, so in order words I must be in proximity to both 'ABC' and 'XYZ'.

How to make the context to be either, not both?

# Answer
Specify SSID in the WiFi Connected context to be `ABC/XYZ` This will activate the context if you connect to ABC **or** XYZ,

Reference: http://tasker.dinglisch.net/userguide/en/matching.html
> 12 votes

# Answer
Or probably you can use "Inverted" conditions to do an opposite task?, e.g.

If you want to run a task when WiFi is connected OR when the profile:A is inactive, you can instead setup contexts for "WiFi is disconnected" AND "Profile: A is active" both with "inverted" checkbox selected, and setup a task that does the opposite, if that is possible.

This basically works because of:

`(A OR B) = NOT((NOT A) AND (NOT B))`
> 21 votes

# Answer
just posting my solution to this problem if anybody ever comes here:

create a profile for each condition in the or statement on enter %Reasons += 1 on exit %Reasons -=1

create a profile with condition %Reasons\>0 and the required enter and exit tasks

cheers!
> 5 votes

# Answer
You could make your action depend on a variable "%condition=true" and then make two different profiles:

* profile a: set condition to "true"
* profile b: set condition to "true"

your profile: if variable "condition"=true then ... and there goes your exit task

But would be nice if the authors would enhance tasker for that... :)
> 4 votes

# Answer
You will need to make a single profile for each context and pair it to the action individually.
> 2 votes

# Answer
To support my bluetooth headset, my desire was to turn bluetooth on when I'm in the Contacts app OR in a call. I could do it only while in a call but then I can't make sure my headset is connected before the other party picks up.

None of the solutions already posted would work. Setting %BluetoothNeeded on when in Contacts or in call means that when a call starts, it sets %BlueToothNeeded on but then when Contacts becomes background to being in call, it sets %BlueToothNeeded off and bluetooth turns off. Using the inverse operation, turn bluetooth off when NOT in Contacts AND NOT in call but turn bluetooth on as an exit task almost works, but apparently Tasker notices the brief period when Contacts loses foreground status and the call hasn't started yet and turns bluetooth off.

So here's what worked for me, based on this blog:

1. Create a Task called `Dummy` with an Action of `Tasks > Wait > 1ms`
2. Create a Profile called `stateInCall` with a condition of `State > Phone > Call > Type: Any`. Link it to the `Dummy` task.
3. Create a Profile called `stateInContacts` with a condition of `State > Application > Contacts`. Link it to the `Dummy` task.
4. Create a Profile called `Bluetooth Needed` with a condition of `State > Variable > Variable Value`. Set Name to `%PACTIVE`, Op to `Matches`, and Value to `*,stateInCall,*|*,stateInContacts,*`. According to the Tasker docs, %PACTIVE contains a comma-separated list of active Profiles where the list also begins and ends with a comma to make matching easier. Link this Profile to a Task called `Bluetooth On` that turns bluetooth on using the `Net > Bluetooth > Set: On` Action.
5. Create a Task called `Conditional Bluetooth Off` with the following Actions:
    1. Task \> Wait \> 10 seconds
    2. Task \> If \> `%PACTIVE` doesn't match `*,stateInCall,*|*,stateInContacts,*`
    3. Net \> Bluetooth \> Set: Off
    4. Task \> End If
6. Long press on the `Bluetooth Needed` Profile then choose `Properties`. Uncheck `Restore Settings`.
7. Quick press the `Bluetooth Needed` Profile till the `Bluetooth On` Task appears below it, in the right column. Long press `Bluetooth On` and choose `Add Exit Task`, then choose `Conditional Bluetooth Off`.

`Conditional Bluetooth Off` will wait 10 seconds before double checking that neither `stateInCall` nor `stateInContacts` are true, at which point it will turn bluetooth off. Otherwise, it leaves bluetooth on and when both `stateInCall` and `stateInContacts` exit later, it will do its 10 second wait and check again.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: tasker
---


# Question
Title: How to open an URL in Chrome Incognito Tab by launching the Incognito Activity?
Is there any way to open a link in Google Chrome's Incognito Mode from the Terminal ?

I tried this but it didn't work:

```
am start -n com.android.chrome/com.google.android.apps.chrome.document.IncognitoDocumentActvity -d http://google.com

```

# Answer
It seems it's impossible, as per the answer of @bmdixon :

> I don't believe this is possible. According to this Reddit post, it is not possible when writing an app as the Chrome code ignores the request if it is not Chrome initiating it, so an app or user cannot trigger the incognito tab. I assume the same applies when trying to launch the activity 'manually'.
>
> > So what these are doing, is checking whether the intent should be ignored based on whether it is the user or chrome performing the action. They make this determination based on whether there is a token from a signed Google app. So unless there is a way to trick find that token and figure out how to attach it to Tasker I don't think it'll work.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: chrome-for-android, terminal, command-line
---


# Question
Title: What is the difference between generic and branded flashtoolfirmwarefiles (.ftf)?
I want to root my phone a **Sony Xperia Z1 C6903** and followed this guide to downgrade it to **Android 4.4.4 KitKat 14.4.A.0.108** Firmware first.

Because the link to the provided firmware is dead I searched for an equivalent one and found this directory.

Now there are few more .ftf's for *14.4.A.0.108* firmware so which one should I select?

What is the difference between generic and branded firmware?

What are the differences between the different generic .ftf's and the different branded .ftf's?

# Answer
## 1. What is a generic firmware?

A generic firmware is the firmware for an android device published by the devices manufacturer.

## 2. What is a branded firmware?

A branded firmware is a firmware customized by cell phone providers to advertise themself by showing their logo, installing apps or adding bookmarks to the browser. Updates for branded phones getting released later then for generic phones, because the provider has to customize the new updates first. This is the reason why it is always better to have a generic firmware.

## 3. What is the difference between generic and branded firmware?

The difference depents on the changes a cell phone provider accomplishes.

## 4. What are the differences between the different generic .ftf's and the different branded .ftf's?

The difference between several branded .ftf's of the same *Build Number* depending on the changes a cell phone provider accomplishes.

The difference between several generic .ftf's of the same *Build Number* depending on customization the user of this firmware accomplishes before uploading it on the internet. In most cases this recognizable by the keyword *customized* in the name of the .ftf.

## 5. Now there are few more .ftf's for a specific *Build Number* so which one should I select?

In most cases the differences are minimal so it is more or less arbitrary which one to choose BUT there are several helpful indicators to choose a .ftf which fits the most:

* Always choose a generic .ftf.
* Choose region and country nearest to the phones residence.
* If the .ftf is from a forum check user posts for issues.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: rooting, device-firmware, downgrade, flashtool, sony-xperia-z1
---


# Question
Title: Add app shortcut to homescreen in Lenovo A7000
I have Lenovo A7000 with Android 5.0

I've accidentally removed Chrome shortcut from my homescreen. How can I put it back? I don't mean shortcut to a certain webpage, I really mean just shortcut for running Chrome itself on my phone. Now when I want to run Chrome I have to go all the way into the Settings--\>Apps--\>Chrome and click on Launch - that takes forever.

I need icon on homescreen back but there doesnt seem to be an obvious way of how to do it. When I hold on an empty space i get an option to "add or edit widget" and I can choose from dozens of predefined shortcuts and add them to homescreen. However there is NO chrome shortcut here, only bunch of other google services and other apps installed on my phone.

Help pls!

# Answer
Go to your app drawer, long tap on Crome icon then you'll be able to place it on home screen.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: launcher, home-screen-shortcuts, lenovo
---


title: Economist app stuck with old issues

text:
# Question
Title: Economist app stuck with old issues
This has happened to me repeatedly with the Economist app on Android. Basically the app usually automatically downloads the weekly issue by push notification, but sometimes it simply doesn't do that. When I uninstall the app and reinstall it.. it's stuck at the December 19th issue of 2015.

I figured this may be a date problem, so I set the time manually on my phone.. no luck.

Any ideas? And if someone is to suggest this isn't the right stack exchange site for such questions please tell me which one I should use instead .

# Answer
I basically connected my android device to the internet using a VPN service (unotelly.. I currently live in Lebanon although when I first registered with the economist.. I was living in Canada).

Connecting via the vpn solved the problem
> 0 votes

---
Tags: applications, google-apps, bugs, push-notifications, debug
---


# Question
Title: Beta testing app without using Play Store
I am interested to test Facebook Messenger beta version. In this case, Facebook suggests

> 1. Join the Facebook Messenger for Android Beta Testers Google group: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/messenger-for-android-beta-testers
> 2. Allow beta downloads by clicking "Become a Tester" in the Play Store (you need to join the Google Group before becoming a tester)
> 3. Download Facebook Messenger from the Play Store to update your app
> 4. Turn on automatic updates, as the beta version of Facebook Messenger for Android will be updated multiple times per week

But it's not applicable to my case since my phones (running YunOS 2.9.0) don't come with preinstalled Google apps, like Play Store.

So, is there anyway I can get the beta version of Messenger?

# Answer
> 1 votes
No, not officially, although you may be able to find the APK on a collection site like http://www.apkmirror.com

Developers often use Google Play to manage beta distribution because it gives them some semblance of control over the distribution and upgrade of the application. Often beta applications are not available outside of this distribution channel.

---
Tags: facebook
---


# Question
Title: Files deleted from SD card are restored after restart
I use my sd to watch movies, everything was working fine, suddenly every time I reboot my tab the deleted files are back in the sd card.

I tried to format and still same issue, the deleted files are always coming back.

I tried many apps, they seems to delete the files, but if I reboot or format the sd they come back.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Clear the cache on your File Manager, the browser you used to download the movies, and for the application involved used to play the movies.

For each of those applications select the application and clear its cache:

Settings \> Applications \> Manage Applications \> All (at the top) \> {application} \> Clear Cache

# Answer
> 1 votes
Your SD card most likely got broken: I've had the exact same issue a while back on another device. I'd recommend using a card reader to attach the card to your computer, and do a check for bad blocks. In my case it turned out almost all sectors were "bad" – with the effect that the old data remained, and all "writes" went to Nirvana:

* delete file: reappeared after boot
* add file: disappeared after boot

Reason is, those changes are just kept in your device's cache, so it appeared they were performed correctly. On boot, that cache was purged.

So your solution would be: Get yourself a new SD card. Optionally copy over the files which you want to keep from your old one. Now everything should work fine again.

---
Tags: external-sd, file-management
---


title: Call a phone number from app (or text)?

text:
# Question
Title: Call a phone number from app (or text)?
Is there way to call a number displayed on the phone (as part of text, although support for images would be nice too) that takes less steps than:

* long press to switch into text selection mode
* adjust selection begin and end to match the number
* tap the "copy" icon
* press/tap the "home" button
* tap the Dialer icon
* long press on the number field
* tap "Paste"
* tap the Call icon ?

I see there is an app that dials a number from the clipboard, but that only shaves off one or two steps.

Also this question is mentioned many times on the web, but I did not find any conclusive answer/solution.

Note: There is a similar question that is specific to phone numbers that appear on websites (and has no answers anyway).

# Answer
Google Now on Tap on Marshmallow does something similar but not perfectly

Long pressing the `Home` brings up the *Google Now on Tap* with various options , one of them being calling the number listed ( others being- `text`, `share` and `add contact`). The number gets pasted on the telephone app without any user intervention. One can directly call from there

* This is from a resturant search using an app. It works well in this case

* This is from a random telephone directory search on mobile browser (details blacked out for obvious reasons). Here, it picks up only the first number, so this option is a hit and miss , if there are several numbers in the image
> 1 votes

---
Tags: calls, phone-app
---


# Question
Title: Why are my Contacts icons on my phone with different colors?
Example:

Why is that? Does each color mean something? What is this?

# Answer
> 4 votes
Purely random placeholder picture. The colors are quite likely different so it looks more colorful than having one single, boring placeholder picture on every contact.

# Answer
> 3 votes
Nothing in the manual about it, and I haven't been able to determine any type of pattern with the colors. I think it's totally random to break up the monotony of the contacts list or something.

# Answer
> 1 votes
It's most likely that you have several different accounts configured on your phone, and have sync'd contacts with each of them. One color back ground shows google contacts, another for hotmail, another for lotus notes, etc. I have the same thing on my android.

# Answer
> 1 votes
The varying colors of the contacts is not random on my phone (Galaxy S5). Each time I add a contact it selects the next color in the sequence... Blue, Green, Orange, Orange Blue, Green, Orange, Orange...

It just looks untidy in the Contacts list, and I see no way of changing it - apart from adding a contact a few times until it's the color you want, and deleting the unwanted ones. You could also create some simple color pictures to assign to each profile picture (if you don't have their photo)

# Answer
> 0 votes
Your answer has arrived. The different colors in your contacts represents the type of phone carrier and device an individual is using.

# Answer
> -3 votes
It goes by who you contact the most.

---
Tags: contacts
---


title: Wanting to uninstall

text:
# Question
Title: Wanting to uninstall
I have a game chef town. I have it on my phone and tablet. I was going to put the game on phone but I tapped new game. So now I cant get the game to be in the same place as the one on tablet. My question is can I erase the memory of this so it will take me back to where the game will say we found old?

# Answer
This could be solved by going to Settings\>Application Manager\>The App\>Clear data. This is not a 100% guaranteed fix as the synchronization intervals for the server are unknown and it might not be able to synch back at all. Try this first and let me know what the effect is.
> 0 votes

# Answer
You could use this app called Helium to store the data from your tablet and restore it on your phone. I've used the app to restore game data on my phone after a factory reset, and some internet posts, like this one, suggest that it is possible to do so in between different devices. It's worth a shot =)
> 0 votes

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


# Question
Title: How do i connect my Galaxy S3 to my computer?
I Have tried everything i can find to connect my galaxy S3 to my computer, I have used different cables, and Different ports on my computer. My phone will connect to other computers just fine, but on mine it says "Can not recognise USB device. please reconnect and try again." Is this a computer issue, or just my phone?

# Answer
> 1 votes
In my experience, this happens when there is another program or driver that is monitoring the USB ports for the operating system. I have had problems with my Logitech gaming device drivers causing this sort of problem.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Samsung has a webpage here for drivers for development purposes (ADB things) but I believe they will work for transferring files as well.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I had a very similar problem some time ago with my S3. The phone would connect and try to install drivers, but at the end the phone still wouldn't show up no matter how I tried to connect it.

If I recall correctly, I had to use the drivers that were shown on this XDA thread. Hope it helps.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Your PC has a fault in its USB port.

This might have been caused by some device driver errors. It could be hardware failure too.

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-3, connection-issues, usb-connection-mode
---


# Question
Title: Change personal name associated with email address
In the Gmail app our with any other Google app, how do I change the user name associated with one of my email addresses / Google accounts? Thanks.

# Answer
Edit your Google Account information:

1. Sign in to My Account. In the "Personal info & privacy" section,
2. select Your personal info.
3. Choose the information you want to edit and follow the onscreen instructions.
> 4 votes

---
Tags: gmail, google-account, google, google-apps, google-plus
---


title: Android Jellybean not booting

text:
# Question
Title: Android Jellybean not booting
My phone suddenly stopped booting. When I press power button to turn on my phone, I see manufacturer animation in a loop and phone doesn't start.

I didn't do any thing like flashing custom ROM. I don't know what happened to my phone. What should I do now? Is there any hope to fix this?

Phone model : HUAWEI ASCEND G610 U20

Android : Version 4.2

Internal Memory: 4GB (1.5 GB Usable)

RAM: 1 GB

# Answer
1. Download the stock firmware. The website seems pretty slow and the download is 1.41 GB so this might take some time, but it is the official website. It also includes the official flashing tool, so you may not need to download below mentioned flashing tool.
2. Download this flashing tool.
3. Extract the flashing tool to your desktop or wherever you want it. You can use the SD card if you like. In that case, all you need is to put the UPDATE.APP file in dload folder in sdcard, insert sd card to phone, Press Volume Up + Volume Down + Power Button. When Phone vibrates, release power button only, and when upgrade starts release volume keys too. Wait for some time.
4. Follow Steps 6-12 on this website and you should be good to go: It has pictures :)

here

Be patient this process might take a little while. the first boot will also take some time so don't turn off your phone or disconnect it from the computer before it is done.

If you have any questions feel free to comment and I'll try to help as much as possible as I don't have this phone.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 4.2-jelly-bean, boot-loop
---


# Question
Title: How to convert and send HD video via SMS?
I am running stock Android 4.3 and when I use the stock Camera app and record video the file size is huge. The Camera app also has a Record for MMS option that works well but this means I don't have a HD copy of the original footage.

What I would like to do is to record some footage using the stock HD Record mode and then have a "Convert for MMS and send" button.

Is there an app or process that will help me do this?

# Answer
> 1 votes
This might not be the most efficient solution.
It is baffling that this functionality still isn't present on stock Android.

You could use this Video Converter app to convert your HD videos.

# Answer
> 1 votes
There are some applications available in Google play store. Take a look at SMS MMS Messenger.

# Answer
> 1 votes
You can use tools like ffmpeg in command line with a terminal to re encode the video to your liking before sending it.

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


title: Is all data lost after factory reset?

text:
# Question
Title: Is all data lost after factory reset?
I had an LG Optimus I phone (LG E410f) with Android (can't remember the exact version now, but I *believe* it was 4.1.2) -- and I had OI Notepad pp installed (app home is here). There were some *very* important notes saved on that notepad, but I accidentally did a factory reset while trying to boot into recovery (as far as I remember I did boot into recovery, but now everytime I boot it, the phone will start the initial setup again). I did not finish the initial setup after the accidental factory reset, so as to not overwrite any data in case it's possible to recover.

The device was rooted prior to booting into recovery (but I did not install alternative recovery/os/anything -- I just used some apps that needed root access).

So, my question is: is there any way to recover the app data?

# Answer
You might have a chance via a custom recovery:

1. boot into and see if `adb devices` shows your device
2. if not, or if you have no custom recovery, you can "temporarily load one" using `fastboot boot recovery.img` (this is not guaranteed to work with all combinations, but I had luck with this using on several devices)
3. if it shows up, use `adb shell` to get to its prompt. This should be a root prompt.
4. use `dd` to create an image of the relevant partitions (the `/data` partition is what you're usually after). Have it created on your ***external*** SD card.
5. use `adb pull` to get the image to your computer
6. use a file-carving software (see our data-recovery tag-wiki) to get back your deleted content from that image

Detailed information can be found in the article One Way to Use a Linux Computer to Recover Files from an Android Device – including those for some of the tricky parts: how to find your partition (step 4), plus an alternative way to grab it (`adb shell su -c "cat /dev/block/mmcblk0" | pv > mmcblk0.raw` would work even if you have no external SD card, and write the image directly to your Linux machine).

If you got no Linux machine, there are several LiveCDs available you could use. To use ADB on those, see our adb tag-wiki for a minimal installation; I'd recommend to simply download the minimalist archive from my site, unpack to an empty directory, and run it from there.
> 3 votes

# Answer
If the data was not encrypted and not over written, it is technically possible to recover the data using (linux) data recovery tools.

It will require a root shell, it can be the one of your main system, one from the recovery system or one from a volatile system you would load from a computer using fastboot binary.

You may want to check if you didn't just cleared dalvik cache.

If adb is enabled on your recovery or volatile system, you can explore the file system to check if the application folder is still there.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: recovery-mode, factory-reset, data-recovery
---


# Question
Title: Unexpected "insufficient memory" warning w/ adopted SD card
According to this answer, I expected to get 64GB internal storage by adopting 100% of 64GB SD card to 32GB phone. Though I've got the warning when total data size reach to 32GB.

Please let me know what I should do to expand the internal storage.

### Steps I tried

1. Run following command.

```
adb shells
sm list-disks
sm partition DISK private

```

* No setup wizard starts. It adopt SD card silently....
2. Go Setting \> Storage to make sure the SD belongs to Internal Storage.
3. Reboot the device.
4. Go Setting \> App. And made apps to store in "SD card".
5. DL contents through app.

### Current Storage Status

* Setting \> Storage \> Internal Storage section

+ Internal: 31.99GB
    + SD: 0.3MB
* Setting \> Storage \> Internal Storage section \> each detail page

+ Internal: 9GB
    + SD: 23GB

# Answer
> 0 votes
I've found the solution.

It is the "migrate data" function.

You need to go Setting \> Storage \> SD card of internal storage, then run "migrate data" function inside the right top menu after running commands.

I didn't do this because I want to put just certain apps to the SD card, but seems like I can't.

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, insufficient-memory, adoptable-storage
---


# Question
Title: Conf call passcode repeats in skype application
I installed Skype in my andriod mobile to place conf calls. When AV prompts for passcode, after dialling in passcode, the AV reads passcodes as if dialled multiple times. For example 12345#, AV reads out as 112223345# like that. What is going wrong and how to fix this?

# Answer
> 0 votes
I figured out that dial pad in certain mobiles echoes very badly. Workaround was, when I dial in the access code, I have to put on mute. Only then it works. Surprise is, this works fine on other apps like viber, google call. Only skype dial pad is having this issue.

---
Tags: skype
---


# Question
Title: Ways to retain nonexistent WhatsApp number
All this while, I've been using WhatsApp with an old cellphone number which is now defunct. I now plan to switch over to a new phone. This means that I'll need to freshly install WhatsApp, but the catch here is can no longer use the old number because it's going to try sending the verification code which is never going to reach. Any ideas how to go about this?

1. I will finally need to update the new number in WhatsApp.
2. Have to root the phone and move the titanium backup copy from the old device to the new one and gamble with it. I don't think this option is going to play out too well.

# Answer
Directly from the Whatsapp FAQ:

Requirements:

* The number you wish to use (the number you will change your account to) must be able to receive SMS and/or calls and have an active data connection.

On the old phone:

* Open WhatsApp.
* Go to Menu Button \> Settings \> Account \> Change number.
* Enter the number currently verified on WhatsApp in the old phone number box.
* Enter the number you want to use in the new phone number box.
* Complete the verification process.
* Create a manual backup by going to WhatsApp \> Menu Button \> Settings \> Chats \> Chat backup \> Backup.

On the new phone:

* Transfer your chat history from your old to your new phone.
* Open WhatsApp.
* Verify the number you want to use with WhatsApp

Important Notes:
> 1 votes

---
Tags: rooting, 6.0-marshmallow, whatsapp-messenger, titanium-backup, nexus-5x
---


# Question
Title: Error deleting Google account from Samsung Galaxy S4
I recently upgraded my Samsung Galaxy S4 to Android Lollipop (5.0.01). I created a new Google account and then added it to the device; when I triee to delete the old Google Account from the device I didn’t succeed to access to the google account. I went into settings\>accounts\>google account, and an error popped up: "Unfortunately, Settings has stopped." Is there any other way to delete the Google account from my phone? Thanks in advance.

# Answer
> 0 votes
In case nothing else helps, you can always factory reset the device, that's gonna do the trick for sure. Keep in mind that this will delete all of your data and everything else, too, so just use this as a last resort.

The only other thing you could try to do is to delete the data of the settings/account related apps, but that's also potentially risky, so make a backup of everything first.

---
Tags: settings, samsung-galaxy-s-4, gmail, google-account, google-settings
---


# Question
Title: Samsung Galaxy S3 not booting up, just shows ”Samsung Galaxy S3 GT-19300” black screen
This morning I woke up to my Samsung Galaxy S3 which just “hung” during the start-up screen with the white text “Samsung Galaxy S3 GT-19300” on a black background. It never comes to the “Enter Pincode” screen.

It worked without a problem when I went to sleep last night. As far as I know it should not update the software on its own, similarly the apps shouldn't update themselves without my confirmation.

I have tried to restart it and to take the battery out and put it in again but the result is the same.

Any suggestion or advice on how to fix this would be so much appreciated.

# Answer
Your system might have become corrupted or hampered by some misuse/mishap. The method below will install Latest factory Firmware for your Samsung device, i.e., Unbrick the phone.

## Steps to Install latest firmware

### **Note:** Write your phone's model number like "GT-I9812" and IMEI number on paper beforehand.

1. Put your device in Download Mode.

> Don't connect your device to USB port
2. Now, on PC, download and install Samsung KIES.
3. Now, after installation, `reboot` PC. All required drivers will be installed for the PC and android device.

> Connect your device to the PC
4. Open `Samsung KIES`, Go to `Tools` \> `Firmware Upgrade and Installation`.
5. Dialog will popup asking for Model Number. Put `Phone's Model Number` which you have written on the paper and Press `Next`.
6. Now, it will ask for the `IMEI number` of the mobile phone. Just put that in and Press `Next`.
7. There will be some dialog boxes about the system reset and warnings. Just Click `Ok`/`Next`.
8. Now,Samsung KIES will download system software for the device and Install it on the device itself.

> This will take lot of time, so be patient.(*Time depends on the Your Network Speed.*)

Voila! Your Phone is New Again. (atleast on the inside. :-P)
> 1 votes

# Answer
Sounds like a corrupted operating system preventing a full system boot. I would flash a stock system image. I have provided links below to a few helpful resources that will hopefully get you back up and running!

Take a look at this website: http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/Samsung\_Galaxy\_S\_III/GT-I9300

Navigate to the enter download mode section.

Then follow this instruction to reflash your phone back to stock: http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s3/general/tut-unroot-galaxy-siii-stock-updates-t1710613

This should help!
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-3, reboot, boot, unbricking
---


title: Create new Labels in Gmail App

text:
# Question
Title: Create new Labels in Gmail App
Gmail App in my Android device shows correctly all the labels that I created using Gmail through web interface.

**Can I create new labels in Gmail on Android device using Gmail App?**

Also, ideally, once I create these new labels in Gmail App, I obviously should be seeing the same in Web Interface of Gmail too (Sync!!).

Any ideas?

# Answer
As of current writing, it seems that it's (still) impossible to create a new label in Android Gmail app. From Google Gmail official support,

> ### Create a label
>
> 1. On a computer, open Gmail. You can't create labels from the Gmail app.
> 2. On the left, click **More**.
> 3. Click **Create new label**.
> 4. Name your label.
> 5. Click **Create**.

<sub>(Emphasis mine)</sub>
> 13 votes

# Answer
If Inbox App is installed on the device and has access to Gmail ID, then from `Inbox` App, it is possible to create a Gmail Label, and the same will be SYNC to Gmail App.

There is an option in `Inbox` App's Navigation drawer (sliding menu) to create new Gmail Labels.

Not sure why the same is not made available in the official Gmail App itself, because the app is developed by the Gmail Team only.
> 8 votes

# Answer
How I found I could create a new label on Android:

* Open Android Chrome.
* Invoke Gmail within Chrome (via that 3x3 grid selector), which opens the Mobile version of Gmail.
* Open an email & scroll to the bottom and you'll see: "View Gmail in: Mobile | Older version | Desktop"
* Click on "Desktop", which will open the desktop version of Gmail where you can create a folder as you would on your laptop.
* Close all Android apps. Then when you reopen the Gmail app, you will see the newly created folder.

Why oh why cannot such a rich company with so much talent put something as basic as label creation in their mobile app. Geez! :(
> 3 votes

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


# Question
Title: (feature discontinued) Google Hangouts phone app: How to start a group SMS where one of the recipients is a Hangouts user?
I'm actually answering my own question here, and the purpose for this is because the question hasn't been clearly stated before.

Imagine the following scenario:

* I have a friend named Joe who uses Google Hangouts on his cell phone
* I have a friend named Mary who uses a cell phone, but does not have Google Hangouts

I would like to send a group message to both of them. I know that Joe can receive SMS or Hangouts, but Mary only has the capability to send/receive SMS/MMS. How can I ensure my message is compatible for Mary?

# Answer
> 1 votes
You can do this in two different ways:

**Method 1:**

1. In Hangouts, tap the + button
2. Tap "New SMS"
3. Find Mary and tap on her entry. The combination of step 2 and 3 will solidify the message as an SMS. If you select Joe (our Hangouts contact) first, it may convert to a Hangouts message, so it is important to start with your SMS contact first!
4. Find Joe and tap on his entry
5. Tap the green arrow to continue. In my case, I have two numbers I can send from (my carrier number or a Google Voice Number), so I would select my desired number.

**Method 2:**

1. In Hangouts, send a message to Mary
2. While staying in Mary's conversation, tap the "three dots" button in the upper right
3. Tap "New Group MMS"
4. Find Joe and tap on his entry
5. Tap the green arrow to continue. In my case, I have two numbers I can send from (my carrier number or a Google Voice Number), so I would select my desired number.

**Testing**

In either situation, you can test if you were successful by tapping the "three dots" button in the upper right of your group message.

* If the dropdown has an option for "Delete", then you are in a group SMS/MMS
* If the dropdown has an option for "Leave", then you are in a hangout

*Tested on Hangouts version 10.0*

---
Tags: google-hangouts
---


# Question
Title: Using both a firewall and vpn on android
Is there a way to use both a firewall and a vpn app on android. I have tried allowing the vpn through the firewall but one invaraibly goes off when I start the other. Is there some way around this -- to establish two tunnels at the same time.

# Answer
The firewall not stablish a tunnel, this only open or close ports, you can use but you need not close ports of VPN and maybe network of VPN can use other proxy if for example is you home network and you use firewall on your home router. You can use firewall and VPN, both, but is important that firewall not close ports of your VPN.
> 0 votes

# Answer
No, is isn't possible on Android to do this. But I would suggest setting up your firewall policy on the other endpoint of the VPN tunnel (the remote end) which will have the same effect as a local firewall policy.

I suspect you use the VPN to tunnel home? In your VPN router or home firewall that you tunnel to, there you can put rules which traffic are allowed to exit from VPN interface to internet.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: vpn
---


title: Unable to factory reset gt-s5830i

text:
# Question
Title: Unable to factory reset gt-s5830i
I'm in a big trouble let me explain. I have a `GT-s5830i` where I installed MIUI, I have also `CWM Recovery 5.0.2.8`.

Now for many reasons I would like to factory reset my device to it's original ROM, what I did:

1. Enter recovery mode
2. Wipe cache
3. Wipe dalvik cache
4. Wipe data/factory reset

The system stuck here with this error message

```
Error Mounting /sdcard/.android_secure!
Skipping format...

```

Now I rebooted the device and for 1 hour is on boot Samsung logo, it do nothing, just stay on Samsung logo showing `GT-s5830i`

Please help me I don't want to buy another phone. Thanks in advance Sonia

# Answer
> 1 votes
Reading your question a second time, I just see you're on the complete wrong track (a thing we call the XY problem):

> Now for many reasons I would like to factory reset my device to it's original ROM

That's not possible at all. You overwrote this when flashing MIUI (for details, see our factory-reset tag-wiki). You'll have to get yourself a ROM file to flash (see: Where can I find stock or custom ROMs for my Android device?), and flash your device again if you want to "return to stock".

That said, it makes no sense to get your "supposed solution" to work – as even if we did, it would not solve your issue.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Tried: Remove the SD card from your device and launch it like that.

1. HARD reset it (VOLUME UP + HOME BUTTON + POWER ON) hold it for a while until the boot menu pops up. Select to Restore factory defaults (or something similar to that). **CAUTION:** All data will be lost.
2. SOFT reset it (Just take out the battery from your phone and put it back in after few seconds).

Let me know if any of these works.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Try reformatting your sd card to another System type like FAT32. sumthing like that. The problem is with the sd card's system. Or you may try to put the file in another sd card and.flash it with that.

---
Tags: factory-reset, rom, hard-reset
---


# Question
Title: Trouble accessing Samsung Knox & resetting the password
I seem to have locked myself out of Samsung Knox (on a Galaxy Tab S2 - I've used because there doesn't appear to be a tag for the S2 tablet yet).

I hadn't used my tablet for awhile. I turned it on and updated to the latest version of Android.

I had a notification asking me to load the Google Play store to update that as well, and after clicking this notification, at this point, the device locked with the Samsung MyKnox login screen.

I did originally set up Knox but haven't really used it since.

I tried both my device password and my Knox password, but these both came back as incorrect.

I'm able to log in to Knox online with my Knox password, so I followed the instructions in this answer (which are the same as the ones Samsung offers), but it's unclear what I'm meant to do: after clicking on 'Rest KNOX Password' on the web and confirming that action, nothing happens - either on the web or on my device.

On my device, I can pull down the notifications, but pressing the Home button does nothing - it seems to want me to get past this Knox screen.

I'm inexperienced with Knox and a bit inexperienced with the Android ecosystem in general. Have I locked myself out? What steps do I need to take?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Ok, I seem to have resolved this!

I restarted the device while it was on the Knox lock screen, and it booted up normally.

Going back in to Knox asked me to *set* a password (this may or may not have been because of the steps I followed on the website as described in the question above).

Either way, it appears that either *updating Android* or getting stuck logging in to Knox through the *Google Play Store notification* was the cause of the issue.

Restarting the device again and attempting to access Knox now lets me in.

(I'll leave this here in case anyone else comes across the same issue!)

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-tab, samsung-knox
---


# Question
Title: Attempt to root AVD running Android 4.4/5.1 is failing
**I have referred to various posts but I don't think they seem to work, at all, whatsoever, when it comes to AVDs with Android 4.4 or 5.1.**

I felt a need to post this.

So before posting this question, I have understood a basic need for rooting AVDs or even any device.

* Mount /system in rw mode.
* Push su binary; optionally busybox binary.
* do chmod to them, say, 6755. *That should be it*.

I followed posts and successfully rooted AVD with Android 2.2, however, I tried to repeat the same thing for Android 4.4 or 5.1 (both with SELinux disabled), but it seems that there is some kind of **fallback mechanism**.

*For Android 4.4 and 5.1, /system **will be** mounted in rw mode, **but**, as soon as I try to push binaries, it gets **reverted back** to ro mode. Furthermore, it won't get back to rw mode as well, at least **until I do a reboot**. I keep getting a **permission denied** error.*

Since these worked for Android 2.2 (with a modification in filesystem type and mountpoint), I intend to execute following commands (for Android 4.4 and 5.1):

```
adb root
adb shell /system/bin/mount -o rw,remount -t ext4 /dev/block/vda /system
adb push su /system/xbin/su
adb shell chmod 06755 /system
adb shell chmod 06755 /system/xbin/su

```

Anyone who has managed to root AVDs running these versions of Android are requested to help me in this.

**I have experience with Android Studio & Windows.**

# Answer
> 3 votes
I have tested and found that irrespective of the version of Android, if the **ABI** is **arm, armeabi or maybe even mips (not sure)**, the process of rooting is going to work. They didn't worked for me, as of now, if the **ABI** is **x86 or x86\_x64** for *Android 4 and 4+*.

*Below, anything after "#" is supposed to be a helpful comment.*

**Testing working on - Android 1.x, 2.x, 3.x, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2 (add additional space in subsequent boot)**:

```
adb shell mount
# Preferred command: adb shell mount -o rw,remount -t yaffs2 /dev/block/mtdblock0 /system
adb shell mount -o rw,remount /system
adb push su /system/xbin/su
# Appropriate su binary from Chainfire's SuperSu.zip package.
adb shell chmod 06755 /system
adb shell chmod 06755 /system/xbin/su
adb install "Super user.apk"
# Update the su binary for sure.
#adb install "Rootchecker app OR Terminal Emulator app to test."

```

**Testing working on - Android 4.3-4.4 (add additional space in subsequent boot), 5.1, 6.0**:

```
adb shell df
# See the available space in /system
adb shell mount -o remount,rw /system
adb push su /system/bin/su
adb shell chmod 0755 /system/bin/su
adb push su /system/xbin/su
adb shell chmod 0755 /system/xbin/su
adb shell su --install
adb shell "su --daemon&"
adb shell setenforce 0
# optional and recommended; adb shell mount -o remount,ro /system
adb install "Super user app"
# Update the su binary.
#adb install "Rootchecker app OR Terminal Emulator app to test."

```

---
Tags: root-access, windows, android-emulator
---


# Question
Title: Blocking 'Android System,Battery Warning,com.media tek,Common Data Service…' from connecting to the Internet
I am using NoRoot Firewall to block Internet access to some apps. It recently notified me that this/these app(s) are attempting to access the Internet:

<sup>"Android System,BatteryWarning,com.media tek,Common Data Service,EM SIM ME Lock,FotaProvider,Fused Location,Input Devices,Key Chain,MTK Thermal Manager,Permission Control,Scheduled power on & off,ServiceMenu,Settings,Settings Storage,Video Favorites,Voice Unlock,\[non-English characters…\]"</sup>

I'm not exactly sure why it needs to connect to the Internet. What will I miss if I block this from connecting to the Internet? I am using a Lenovo A536 phone. Android version is KitKat 4.4.2.

# Answer
> 2 votes
With respect to MediaTek's "Common Data Service" I worry about it. Reviewing what rights it has in... \[Menu button -\> Manage Applications -\> Common Data Service\] shows that it has all rights, basically.

And I've just setup the ADB (Android Debug Bridge), connected my phone to my computer and ran the following command from a prompt:

```
adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.MAIN -n com.mediatek.connectivity/com.mediatek.connectivity.CdsInfoActivity

```

...and it brings up the app on my phone. It's a menu with the following entries:

* CDS Information
* Wi-Fi Information
* Radio Information
* Network Utility
* Multiple APN
* Connectivity Testing
* MTU Configuration
* Socket Information
* PS data control

There's a wealth of information going on here. The "Network Utility" appears to be able to get/set a variety of attributes to include running local shell commands the user enters.

It kind of looks like a backdoor.

The bad thing about this is that you can't launch it normally using the various methods given to a user. The Launch button is grayed out in the interface under Manage Applications, for example. So if this isn't a tool for users then this must be for MediaTek themselves who made the processor.

Weighing in here only against "Common Data Service" I would say that if it's trying to reach out to the Internet then that's a bad thing. DENY.

As for "MTK Thermal" they're probably trying to send themselves temperature data, in theory, about the products in the field (or so we could hope). OUCH... look at the list of rights this program has. Again, DENY.

Same goes for com.mediatek. DENY.

Unknown UNICODE string of Mandarin. DENY.

Things like Key Chain are worrisome in that you have to go fetch the public key in this sort of cryptography. But then again, what's to prevent them from uploading your credentials to some server out there? Hard to suggest in this case.

# Answer
> 1 votes
You can acces the common data service menu on any MTK device.

You can open MTK engineer mode first by dialing the number `*#*#3646633#*#*` or by using the app MobileUncle Tools.

In engineer mode, go 1st tab to the right and click CDS information.

I am not an expert, but with CDS and MTK engineer mode you can use all kinds of backdoors.

I discovered it yesterday and I'm still searching for more information about it.

**EDIT:**

I think internet permission is required for the NETWORK UTILITY, where you have buttons with 'ping test', 'scan network', 'Wi-Fi API' and more.

You can probably mess your phone with it too, because in engineer mode you can even overclock your device and run shell commands.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I observed that on my device Lenovo A3000 log\_other\_mode increases proportionally with Switch Off time when charging, about 4 MB/hour. Important to know: I dampened the two micros with PlayDo..now they creating just continious 'cracks' like a geiger counter.

You can erase log\_other\_mode to its bone to 4 kB

There is no file size change, when switched on.

I draw following conclusion:

* The MTK Thermal Manager is a backdoor
* It becomes active when you root your device and install a firewall, me, DroidWall
* From now on the MTK Thermal Manager logs the audio, GPS?, acceleration sensor? (for camera/video the file seems to be to small) when the Android device is 'switched off & charging'
* The data are compressed and encrypted in log\_other\_mode
* log\_other\_mode sneaks out when you are Online

---
Tags: security, privacy, firewall
---


# Question
Title: I just reset my android phone, how do I recover my Chrome bookmarks?
I just reset my Moto G, hoping that the Chrome bookmarks would be synced to my account but they haven't and I lost them all. They were extremely valuable and I want all of them back. Please let me know any methods to recover them! I am willing to root my phone for this!

# Answer
> 0 votes
Just login to your Google account and all data will be automatically imported includng your history, bookmarks, extensions etc.

---
Tags: factory-reset, 5.1-lollipop, data-recovery, chrome-for-android, bookmarks
---


# Question
Title: How can we format and re-install android on micromax canvas phone to remove virus because factory reset don't help to remove virus?
My micromax canvas is full of viruses. I have tried to do factory reset. but it doesn't work out. as i start internet on phone, it automatically start installing application and block so many other applications. and popup with porn content.

# Answer
The viruses may be coming from your SD card or the wireless router. So, remove the SD card and disable wireless when you reset the phone. Use mobile data (telecom) Internet, instead of your wireless connection, to activate Google Play and install an antivirus from the play store.
> -1 votes

---
Tags: formatting
---


# Question
Title: Your battery has been infected with 2 viruses. Click to remove. Phone vibrates like crazy :'(
My colleague was surfing the net with my NEW android in my absence. I do not know what he surfed but when I clicked "back" in the browser ..It took me to a website called "cookmobiapps.xyz" and my mobile just started vibrating continuously with a message "your battery is infected with 2 viruses, hit OK to remove. DO NOT LEAVE WEBPAGE" Everything on the screen froze so I clicked OK, then a screen appeared asking me to download an app from googleplay (which I didnt). My phone works fine now and I have not tried hitting the back button again. Why did this happen? What was that message about? Its a new phone and Im very worried :'(

# Answer
Reposted from comments by user154667:

> I installed 360 Security antivirus for Android, which detected a malware (that I removed). I deleted the history, cookies, cache, etc. I cleared the cache through some app manager, and it worked. I'm not getting those malicious websites now when I hit Back.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: samsung
---


# Question
Title: How to open a html file which is in a hidden folder?
I have a folder which has many html files and images. I set the folder to ".myfolder" to hide the folder because it has so many images and they mess up my Gallery app. After set the folder to the hidden folder, the Gallery problem is solved. However, I could not open the html from Chrome even if I update the path. How I could open the file in a hidden folder?

Thanks

# Answer
> 1 votes
Instead of making the folder hidden with a dot prefix, create an empty file inside the folder with the name ".nomedia". This will prevent image/gallery apps from indexing the folder.

# Answer
> 0 votes
It perhaps wasn't possible in earlier release of Chrome for Android since Chrome 45.0.x can easily open the HTML files from a hidden folder.

---
Tags: chrome-for-android, html, folder-organizer
---


# Question
Title: Battery settings seem to be missing in Cyanogenmod 13
I use Cyanogenmod 13 on my Oneplus One. When I try to access my battery settings to view the usage graph, the settings app crashes with

```
[CRASH] com.android.settings threw android.content.res.Resources$NotFoundException

```

Since I don't find many results for this on the web, I assume I'm alone with that problem. How can I further debug and ideally fix this? Is there any possibility to re-upload the missing resource through ADB?

# Answer
> 1 votes
I encountered the same problem. Turned out it was caused by the theme I was currently using. You can try resetting to the default **Hexo** theme from the **Themes** app.

# Answer
> 0 votes
You may have to reinstall cm13.. ohh and verify the check-sum or download another copy, not necessarily wiping data, the exception indicates that the app is missing something(or that thing is corrupt) you may also try fixing permissions if your recovery allows that

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, crashes
---


# Question
Title: Questions about "Speed Dial" screen on Nexus' Phones app
The "phone" dialer app on my Nexus 6P (the app that launches when you press the "phone" icon from the homescreen's launchpad) is driving me insane. Is there any way to configure it to go straight to the dialpad when launched? Or at least the normal phonebook?

I'm specifically annoyed by the "speed dial" page it shows when you first launch the phone app:

* It almost seems to pick contacts to display on it at semi-random, and as far as I can tell, there's no way to manually override its decisions about whom to show on the page.
* The page is like a minefield of clickable tiles. The slightest accidental touch on 95% of the page (anywhere besides the tiny 2mm x 2mm zone around the three vertical dots used to trigger "other actions", or the ~1cm diameter action button for the dialer) will instantly and irrevocably trigger dialing the contact. If you accidentally touch somebody's icon at 4am and hit "end" instantly, there's nothing you can do. The call is going to be made, and show up on their phone as a missed call. On at least 3 occasions, I've accidentally dialed whomever was on the icon flanking the action button that launches the actual dialpad.
* It also makes the phone almost completely unusable for one-handed use, at least, for anything besides accidentally triggering phone calls to random contacts with your thumb.

I've gotten to the point where I've started having anxiety attacks every time I have to make a call, terrified that I'm going to accidentally trigger some unwanted action while attempting to get away from that quick-access screen and get to the actual dialer or the real phonebook app.

Is there a settings page somewhere to do things like disable the "speed dial" screen, or at least choose who's on it and/or what the default action is for touching somebody's tile on it?

# Answer
```
Is there any way to configure it to go straight to the dialpad when launched?

```

No, at the moment, there isn't. You will need to first press the Phone icon, which will load up the stared contacts screen, then press the dialer icon at the bottom center of the screen to get to the dial-pad

```
Or at least the normal phonebook?

```

Contacts app does this. You can place it on the homescreen for quick access.

```
It almost seems to pick contacts to display on it at semi-random, and as far as I can tell, there's no way to manually override its decisions about whom to show on the page.

```

If you star a bunch of contacts, they show up at the top of this window. You may rearrange them by pressing and holding on the contact tile. What follows the starred contacts is the set of contacts whom you frequently contact.

If you want to clear the frequent contacts, press the 3 dot overflow menu on the top right and tap on "clear frequents"

A simple way to avoid going to the dialer is to directly search for the contact name from the persistent google search bar at the top of the screen. This will in turn show the contact you're looking for along with the telephone number details from where you may place the call.

Another option would be to open the phone app, then search or directly type in the entire number(if the contact isn't stored). If the contact is indeed stored, their name will directly show up. If not, you'll see something like "Call 9xxxxxxx".

If you fancy handsfree calling, it is as simple as saying - "Ok Google, dial 9xxxxxx" or "Ok Google, call Mr.X on his cellphone"

One other option is to try out some other custom dialer apps! There are plenty on the play store.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, phone-app, nexus-6p
---


title: Block some sources from Google Now?

text:
# Question
Title: Block some sources from Google Now?
I'm seeing some cards from the Daily Mail when I look at Google Now. How can I prevent Google Now surfacing cards from sources that I dislike?

# Answer
Tap the menu button at the top right of the offending card, there should be an option for "Never show stories from the Daily Mail".
> 1 votes

---
Tags: google-now
---


title: Is disabling built-in apps fine?

text:
# Question
Title: Is disabling built-in apps fine?
I am using Moto E(1st gen) with Android 4.4.4 KitKat. It is unrooted.

I wish to disable some of the built-in apps, which I do not use, e.g. Motorola Assist, Motorola Migrate, Google Play Books etc., to free up internal storage and increase the smartphone speed.

Whenever I try to disable a built-in app, the following warning pops up: "If you disable a built-in app, other apps may misbehave. Your data will also be deleted."

Is it safe to ignore this warning and proceed with disabling it? Or does it really cause the problems it mentions? Also, can disabling these apps have the reverse effect of slowing the phone down, further?

I looked up questions related to this in Android Enthusiasts Stack Exchange, and found these : How can I prevent unwanted pre-installed apps from automatically running on Android?, and How can I stop applications and services from running?, but they do not exactly address this issue.

# Answer
Most apps on android are safe to disable, however some can have some pretty bad side effects. This however depends on what your needs are. You can disable the camera for example but it will also disable the gallery (at least as of kitkat and I believe Lollipop is the same way).

Android does have some core applications that are essential to the function of the actual system itself. For example disabling Package Installer will disable the ability to install any application and will likely cause your phone to go into a boot loop/soft brick.

More to the question, if you are unrooted you should be relatively safe since I can't recall any application without root privileges that can access and 'take down' any vital apps on the system. That being said going mucking around with the core applications that make your phone/tablet function shouldn't be done lightly.

Source: I build custom roms, and I am a former PAC ROM maintainer.
> 6 votes

# Answer
Disabling system apps won't free up your space, since they are *disabled*, not *deleted*. They are still stored in your system (since you can re-enable them), and besides, they are in */system* partiton, whereas the apps you download are on the */data* partition, therefore, even if you did free-up the space, you wouldn't be able to use it since it's located on the */system* partition.

To answer your question, yes, it is safe to disable your apps, and even if it did cause issues with other apps, you can just re-enable them.
> 5 votes

# Answer
> First, not all apps can be disabled – for some you will find the "disable" button unavailable or grayed out. It would e.g. make no sense at all to disable "Android System": nothing would work anymore on your device.
>
> If the app-in-question offers an activated "disable" button and press it, you might have noticed a warning popping up: *If you disable a built-in app, other apps may misbehave. Your data will also be deleted.* That warning is not always true – but yes, sometimes there are dependencies. If you're absolutely sure you don't need the given app, you can try anyway: You cannot disable any app which is really essential. So in the worst case, you re-enable the app and reboot – all that might be lost would be the app's data then.

As I find this information essential (especially for people new to Android), I've just added that (and more details) to our corresponding disable-app tag-wiki – which you might wish to check for the other details :)
> 1 votes

# Answer
Yes you can disable Google apps ,I'm using moto e 1st gen lollipop,my internal memory was full now after disabling Google play ,book , movies & TV newsstand & Google hangout ..I've got more space for other apps to install

All d best Happy moto E
> 0 votes

# Answer
Disabling apps will free up memory and make the device faster. However, you need to check what they are for and what dependencies they have. Apps related to phone or hardware functionality should not be disabled. Google Books can be disabled if it isn't required. Google Framework and Google Account should not be disabled if you need to use other Google apps.

Some system apps renable themselves after sometime or when you restart the device. A startup manager app will help the device remember and re-disable them at startup. You can also use a task killer app to kill apps that cannot be disabled.

To free up space in the non-volatile storage, you need to move the app to SD card. I don't think system apps can be moved to SD card and will be part of the main internal storage.
> 0 votes

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Tags: 4.4-kitkat, motorola-moto-e, disable-app
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# Question
Title: How do i recover my wifi pass from android using adb?
I'm connected to a wifi spot with my android, but i'd like to connect with my laptop aswell. I don't want to root my phone (warranty and stuffs) nor reset the router, as it has complex settings on it. I tried recovering the password from /data/misc/wifi/wpa\_supplicant.conf using adb, but i get an error, which sent me on a rabbithole of solutions until i met a dead end. I'll post the steps i followed bellow, i would like someone to tell me if i goofed on any step.

(I wanted to post images, but i need 10 reputation, sorry)

So i enter on adb and i check if my device is recognized using

> \>adb devices

Everything seems fine, i proceed to try to pull out the config file with

> \>adb pull /data/misc/wifi/wpa\_supplicant.conf c:/wpa\_supplicant.conf

At this step i get this message:

> failed to copy from "...." to "..." : permission denied.

So i searched for a solution for this and i found that i have to use "adb root" to restart adb with root permissions. I try it, but i get this message.

> adb can't run as root on production builds.

So again, i went down the rabbit hole, and i found someone else with the same problem, who says that solved it using "\>adb shell" and then "$ su". I'm getting tired, but i try it, i go to shell, and everything seems fine i get into shell@android with no problem, now i only need to access as su, but as i try i get this message:

> system/bin/sh: su: not found

Now this may or may not have to do with this (i'm a noob), but if i used "adb devices" while on shell, or right after exiting it, no devices would appear listed, even if i checked before doing all the above.

I'm very noob at this and i'm sure i'm messing up somewhere, but i can't find where and its getting late. I've spent 2 hours aready looking for solutions and every step deeper i get, less results i get because any of the above solutions worked for other people. Does anybody have any idea on how to access that damned file without rooting my phone?

(I can use my phone as router usb while i'm connected to the wifi, but i'd rather have the freedom of knowing the password, as i'm going to stay here for the whole summer)

# Answer
> 3 votes
Using this method won't work for you, since /data is not accessible except after acquiring root permissions. But if you can root your device, try this afterwards:

```
adb shell
su         # allow it from phone if required
cp /data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf /sdcard/
exit
adb pull /sdcard/wpa_supplicant.conf

```

Sorry but AFAIK this can't be done without root.

# Answer
> 0 votes
This may still be true,

many routers by brand have a default admin user name and password as well as ip address

```
netgear defaults for my router anyway was
admin admin
192.168.254.254

```

as an example

if you have a device with wireless access to the router use an app from fdroid called Network Discovery to determine the router address, then punch that addy into your browser address bar. you will be prompted to enter admin name and password and from there you have to sort it out yourself. =)

afterthought, you could try john the ripper, i've been thinking about compiling it for my tab to see if i can get it to work.

# Answer
> -2 votes
If You have an android device with wifi access. Go the wifi setting when you are connected. Then press the connected wifi (Access Point / BSSID) for few seconds. It will Pop Up "Forget Network" & "Modify Network". Click on Modify Network. Then Check on "Show Advance Settings". Then scroll down till end. You will see the ip assigned to your device. It should look like "192.168.90.115" or any ip which is assigned to your device. Note it down. And Paste it in the browser of that device and just replace the last number with 1 (i.e: 192.168.90.1) or (http://192.168.90.1)

type admin for username and passward

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Tags: wi-fi, adb, password, shell
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# Question
Title: How to Connect Kindle Fire to ADB while in "Kindle Fire System Recovery"
I have a Kindle Fire HD (tate) that I bricked by modding /system/app/Framework-Res.apk and I am trying to unbrick it. How can I connect it to ADB? It won't show up in Ubuntu or Windows. It is in a bootloop with a red triangle and it prompts to system restore (doesn't work). It doesn't have TWRP because I used iRoot. It looks similar to this image.

Is this possible? If so, then how?

# Answer
You need a driver built by amazon to connect it to ADB. This should help you: https://developer.amazon.com/public/community/post/Tx3RZFBU0KJTSWS/Setting-up-the-ADB-Driver-for-Kindle-Fire-Devices
> 0 votes

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Tags: unbricking, amazon-kindle-fire
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# Question
Title: Mounting SD card as USB drive on Windows PC (Marshmallow)
Since its beginnings, crappy Android has made it difficult for users to achieve the very basic feature of mounting the SD storage of the phone as a USB drive, when the phone is connected to a PC by cable. You can see the phone and SD under My Computer, but not as a USB drive that apps can access. My workaround to this embarrassing shortcoming has been an app that did just that but that only works on a rooted phone - which my new Marshmallow Android phone is not. Is there any other workaround?

# Answer
As you said, it's possible only if your device is rooted..
**Google no longer supports** USB Mass Storage Mode due to several reasons, since JellyBean.

However, there are softwares for PC that virtually shows & provides access to the device (connected in MTP mode) as a Removable Storage USB Drive, like for example, **MTPdrive** (as @beeshyams commented); no root access required in device. But it's just a virtual round-about connection, hence it'll be slower than UMS & even MTP mode..

Or try **WiFi USB Disk - Smart Disk**, which also virtually shows your device as a USB Drive (through WiFi). Or you can do that yourself using file servers by mapping a network drive to your device.

To get your device's memory card actually mounted as a real UMS device, the only way is to root your device..

There are many root apps that would help you enable UMS. Some of them are:

1. **Multi Mount SD-Card** ( Lite | Pro )
2. **USB Mass Storage Enabler** (an app created by me)
3. **USB Sharer** ( Free | Full )
4. **SD Card as USB Drive** ( Free )

Note: Some apps require you to disable SELinux (that is, setting SELinux mode to 'Permissive' by `setenforce 0` command)
> 6 votes

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Tags: usb-connection-mode
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