# Question
Title: Can I use MIUI's auto SMS + MMS backup + restore thing on another custom ICS rom?
MIUI's built in SMS + MMS backup works quite well. However, I want to try out new custom ROMs. Is it possible to add integration of that MIUI service onto another ICS rom?

# Answer
**Answer:** No you can't.

**Reason:** You can't install the MIUI Backup App on another rom, because it's a signed system APK.

**Solution:** Use a backup solution which is available for all roms. If you just want to backup and restore SMS, then use the free https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.riteshsahu.SMSBackupRestore

**Source:** I'm a MIUI Beta tester and former moderator on the original forum en.miui.com
> 1 votes

# Answer
I don't think you can use the MIUI specific functionality, but using Titanium backup you can backup your SMS and MMS:

* Open Titanium Backup
* Press the search icon at the top and then the filter icon which appears to the right of the search input box
* At the bottom of the 'Filters' Screen, press the "Create label" button
* Enter the label name - "SMS"
* Press the "Add/Remove elements \_" button
* Find and check the "\[SMS/MMS/APN\] Dialer Storage 2.2" checkbox - It may be called 'Messages (SMS & MMS)' depending on what OS you're using.
* Press the "OK" button and then the "Save" button
* Press the back radio button
* Select the "Schedules" tab
* Press the "Add new schedule" button located at the bottom
* On the schedule that just appeared, titled 'Redo backups for newer app versions', press the "Edit" button
* On the top combo box select the arrow to pull down the menu.
* Select the "Backup all system data" option
* On the next combo box that says "No filtering", click the arrow to pull down a menu.
* You should see your label you created.
* Select your label.
* Select the time you want your backup to take place
* Select the days you want your backup to take place
* Press the "Save" button
* Check the "Enabled" check box to enable your schedule

Now Titanium Backup will automatically backup your messages at the specified time and day or days.

Note: You will need the Titanium backup pro key to access the batch operations.

You can also backup your call call history by adding '\[CONTACTS/CALLS\] Contacts Storage 2.2' or 'Call Log' to a label

Taken in part from this guide on XDA
> 0 votes

# Answer
You can backup SMS, MMS and call logs to your GMail account with this free app. Being online, you wouldn't lose your backups even if wipe your sd card or lose your phone.

This is better than using Titanium Backup, as it can sometimes cause issues.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: sms, backup, mms, miui
---


# Question
Title: Installing Android 4.1 or higher on Sony Tipo with permanently locked bootloader
My operator (Telecom HU) has disabled unlocking the bootloader of my Sony Tipo. I would like to get Android 4.1 or higher on my device, but so far this seems impossible. I successfully installed ParadoxRom, but I found out that it is just a re-skin of the same android version I had before. My choice would be installing Cyanogenmod 10, but every tutorial I've seen so far relies on unlocking the bootloader, and as I found out from the service menu, this is impossible in my case.

If this doesn't prevent me from upgrading to 4.1 or higher, I would like to know what rom(s) can I use that are *actually* a newer operating system rather than a heavily edited ICS.

# Answer
Have you tried FlashTool?

This is a particular software suite for flashing ROMs on Sony handsets, however, I am not 100% confident if it supports the Tipo.

The full forum thread that discusses about this tool can be found at XDA so it might be worth a try to **read** the thread from beginning to end, to see if others have used it successfully on the Tipo.

If no luck, try posting a question there on that XDA thread, identical to the above question that is asked and wait for a while for someone to answer - *you do need to be patient, as people are answering in their own personal free time*.

**Be warned though**, using this tool, you could lose data, as a result of unlocking the boot-loader, there is a FTF (Flash Tool Firmware) file available for listed and detected devices, which can circumvent this and also can re-instate the boot-loader lock mechanism.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, custom-roms, bootloader-lock, sony-xperia-tipo
---


# Question
Title: How to get my lost Xperia SL back even after factory reset?
I'm new to this forum, I have lost my Xperia SL yesterday in a bus. I have registered police complaint with my IMEI number. I was trying to locate the phone using android device manager when someone uses my phone's internet. so far nothing is going correct.

When i log in to the google play with my email-id, my mobile phone model has been showing.

I have a doubt that, when the thief does a factory reset, and sign in using a new account in google play, will i able to still detect my phone with its registered model number? will i able to track my mobile with any of the technology? (I have not installed any tracking apps in my mobile). or i have to wait for the police to track it with my imei number?

Can anyone help me to clear my doubts?

I have not changed my password of my gmail, so that i may have the more possibilites of tracking my device.

# Answer
As soon as the device gets factory-reset, you can forget about tracking it with Google's Device Manager: As your Google Account on the device is gone then, there's no way for Google's DM to communicate with it.

Unless you've installed some anti-theft solution which integrates with the ROM (and thus survices a factory-reset – a feature offered e.g. by Cerberus, if your device is rooted), you will have lost all control then. But even a ROM-integrated solution would be gone as soon as a new ROM is flashed.

As long as it's still working, you could take a second device and follow the lost one. Once in range that you should be able to see it, you could trigger the 5-minutes-permanent-ringer. In the hope for an "honest finder", who should take this as a proof and hand your device back to you.

Don't wait too long, or the battery might be dead!
> 0 votes

---
Tags: google-account, lost-phone, android-device-manager
---


# Question
Title: Determine if the phone supports cover art image files and the right filename and format
My music library master is stored in my PC, and I sync to my phone on a regular basis. Most of my album covers are stored in separate image files inside the related album folder, whereas very few of them are embedded in songs metadata.

Now, I noticed the stock ROM player in my phone is not able to handle the covers in separate image files; only covers embedded in metadata are shown. So I googled around and I understand now there is no guarantee a certain player can handle separate albumart pictures and there is no fixed filename and format.

So I'd like to know if there is a way to determine if a player can handle separate albumart pictures and the filename and format it uses (e.g. `AlbumArt.jpg`).

# Answer
If you're using the Google Play Music app (which is the stock music player in many phones, and is available for phones running Android 2.2 up if not) to play your music then this Google Support article "Copy music files directly from your computer" says:

> If your music files have accompanying artwork in .jpeg format, rename the art file albumart.jpg and include it in the same folder as your music files.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 2.3-gingerbread, media-player, album-art
---


# Question
Title: Send and receive text messages on computer using galaxy s2
I could use Nokia PC suite to receive and send SMS messages on my computer. But I could not find this feature in Samsung Kies.

How can I send and receive text messages on a PC using my Galaxy SII?

# Answer
> 2 votes
This feature isn't built into Android, but there is an app - DeskSMS, that allows you to do what you are asking.

It does, however, require the use of a browser plugin.

# Answer
> 2 votes
You might want to take a look at e.g. AirDroid, which offers a little more than just SMS stuff:

This app establishes a service on your Android device, and you can connect to it via your favorite Web browser: Manage your files, contacts, SMS, and more. No special client-soft necessary on your PC (except for the Web browser).

If you want something more close to your Nokia Suite experience, take a look at MyPhoneExplorer Client:

Here you need a special PC component (available for download on the developers homepage). But then you can synchronize lots of things with your PC (Windows only!), like e.g. your calendar with Outlook etc.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Sorry I'm a bit late to the conversation. You could checkout PopMyPhone on the Google Play store. It sends/receives SMS through your email, and works if your phone only has3g. If you receive an SMS it will popup in your email system on your Desktop/Laptop/Tablet. You can reply and the SMS goes from your GS2. Search for PopMyPhone. There is nothing you need to install on your Desktop/Laptop/Tablet or anything else that can receive email.

Disclosure: I am affiliated to the people who develop PopMYPhone

# Answer
> 0 votes
Not sure if you are still looking for a better solution.

But I recommend to try mysms. It's the best that I found (and I tried Desksms, Airdroid, Browsertexting & Mightytext), and I'm using it for a while now. It replaces your stock SMS app on your Galaxy SII and lets you text from your PC at app.mysms.com. Messages are synced across your phone and computer. Until now the app has never let me down!

If you also use a tablet, they have also an app for it.

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-2, sms, samsung-kies, pc-studio
---


# Question
Title: Asus Nexus 7 Tethering and Wifi HotSpot not available
Using my ASUS Google Nexus 7, I was trying to make it as Portable Wifi Hotspot. But when I opened my settings --\> Wireless&Networks there is option for Tethering and Portable Hotspot. I tried this link. Its an app in Play store to enable Wifi Hotspot. Can someone help me to make this work?

SPECIFICATIONS:

Model Number - Nexus 7 Android Version - 4.2.2 Build Number - JDQ39

# Answer
> 0 votes
You probably don't have the version that includes a GSM modem.

I guess you want to set up an ad-hoc local wifi network?

The non-GSM variants don't offer tethering options because there's obviously no point in tethering when the device lacks the functionality for a GSM mobile data connection. Alas, some rarer use cases like *set up a local wifi accesspoint without internet access* or *USB-tethering the wifi connection* are also not possible then. Only rooted devices or 3rd party firmwares like CyanogenMod offers this.

---
Tags: wi-fi, 4.2-jelly-bean, nexus-7, wifi-hotspot
---


title: How to change notification pane image

text:
# Question
Title: How to change notification pane image
I've just installed an ICS Rom (HTC Nameless) which has background images in both the notification pane and app drawer. These images don't appear to be well planned, because I can't read anything very well on top of them.

I'd like to either change or remove both images, but don't have the faintest clue of where to start looking. I have tried a few apps that have utilities for this, but none of them seem to work. I know my way around the filesystem alright, so I would like to change them manually.

My device details are as such: Phone: HTC Desire C Rom: Nameless (ICS 4.0.3) v7.3 build 4 Rooted: yes

If anyone can point me in the right direction, I'd be very glad :)

# Answer
As per Jeff Darcy (original):

> This is what I did to fix it (without touching a PC). I used ES File Explorer, and "Photo Editor" from the Play Store to accomplish this:
>
> 1. Copy the original apk (systemui.apk and Rosie.apk) to a writable folder
> 2. Using ES File Explorer, long press on the apk and choose 'extract'
> 3. Once the extraction is complete, find the image you want to change, under `res/drawable-mdpi`
> 4. Edit the image using Photo Editor (I just made it black), and overwrite the original.
> 5. Using ES File Explorer, recompress all of the files you got from the extraction, using the ZIP extension
> 6. Keep the original apk, renaming it to something like "systemui.apk.old"
> 7. Rename the new zip file to "SystemUI.apk", being sure to match the original apk file name in spelling and case.
> 8. Move your new SystemUI.apk to `/system/app`, overwriting the default
> 9. Reboot, and enjoy.
>
> Caution: this may not be the generally accepted method, and therefore could potentially cause damage to your filesystem. Be sure to perform a nandroid backup, and back up your original apks, JUST IN CASE.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, custom-roms, notification-bar, customization, app-drawer
---


# Question
Title: Advertising on website opens Google Play Store. How can I prevent that?
A website I recently visited on my Android device (http://forums.mtgsalvation.com) has code on the page (likely in the advertising banner at the top) that forces my Android's Google Play Store application to open up to Candy Crush. The link it's using:

```
market://details?id=com.king.candycrushsaga&referrer=ACID155-1378233900389-90097883

```

This is an unwanted action. Other than no longer visiting this site on my Android devices, is there a way to prevent this from happening?

I had two thoughts on the matter. Changing the agent to something that would not indicate that my device was running Android, or to disable the Play Store by deleting the vend app from a rooted device.

I'd like to avoid such nuclear options if possible.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Better way - block it on that site.

Try installing Adblock Plus for Android. According to Adblock Plus official website it
"Blocks banners, pop-ups and video ads - even on Facebook and YouTube".

# Answer
> 0 votes
If your device is rooted, you could use `AdAway` to block advertisment of almost any kind on your device.

The app uses android's hosts-file to block/redirect queries to online adresses hosting advertisments.

In other words, every time an app tries to load advertisment from a specific online source, it's very likely that `AdAway` successfully redirects or blocks that attemp. In that case, the advertisment simply won't appear at all, resulting in an ad-free experience while using your phone.

Sadly, though, Google decided to take down ad-blocking apps like `AdAway` for violating Android's Developer Distribution Agreement.

If you wish to use `AdAway` anyway, you'll have to resort to third-party-sources. Please note that this bears significant security risks. Proceed at your own responsibility!

1. Make sure the installation of apps from `unknown sources` is allowed in `system settings` under `security`.
2. Download and install `F-Droid`
3. Open `F-Droid`, search for and install `AdAway`.
4. Open `AdAway` and grant root-access when asked.
5. Click on `Download files and apply blocking`.

That's it, you're all set. You can refine some of the app's configuration under `settings`, e.g. automate the update of hosts file process.

---
Tags: browser, hyperlinks
---


title: Install adb enabled setting from zip

text:
# Question
Title: Install adb enabled setting from zip
Is it possible to make a zip file, similar to the one that installs GApps, that stores ADB debug mode as a system setting? Maybe somehow modify a system bootup script to change the ADB debug mode setting to on? I'm setting up a testing environment, and I can't have a factory reset turn off ADB.

update: I think I've almost got it - I have a rooted deice using CWM recovery, and I am using SuperSU for root permission management. I unpacked the .zip that the CWM installs `su` from, and added a modified `/system/build.prop` to the update, as well as a command to turn on adb in `/data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db` using `sqlite3`, but I think it require root access, and `SuperSU` has default access to `su` set to 'prompt'. Is there a way I can modify it to be 'grant' by default?

useful links: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/13326806/enable-usb-debugging-through-clockworkmod-with-adb

# Answer
> 2 votes
For those who are looking for an answer to this question: you can enable adb from a zip file that you install through recovery. I modified Superuser.zip from http://download.chainfire.eu/351/SuperSU/UPDATE-SuperSU-v1.65.zip What I did was I modified `system/build.prop` and added `persist.service.adb.enable=1` at the bottom, I also added `ro.setupwizard.mode=DISABLED` to disable the setup wizard which gets annoying if you wipe or flash often. Then I added a precompiled `sqlite3` (don't have a link, I got it from my company's repo) to `system/bin` and the line `sqlite3 /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db "UPDATE global SET value=1 WHERE name='adb_enabled'"` to `system/etc/install-recovery.sh` (although some people say modifying `settings.db` is optional.)
Unfortunately it seems adb still requires you to accept the rsa certificate until you unpack boot.img and modify /default.prop

---
Tags: settings, 4.3-jelly-bean, system
---


# Question
Title: Moto X has 5 models with different LTE bands. Does it matter which one I get?
I want to purchase an LTE phone for use with T-Mobile. According to Wikipedia model XT1053 is what I need... however it uses LTE bands that many of the other phones don't use.

* What is an LTE band?
* If I purchase model XT1055 and use it on TMobile will I only use LTE band 4, and the other ones are unused?
* Is there an impact on battery life if using a phone that has a different LTE band then expected by the network?
* Is it correct to say that these LTE bands are hard coded into the phone and can't be changed?

# Answer
> 3 votes
1. LTE bands are the bands of radio spectrum that the cellular networks run on. There are 44 defined bands and different carriers in different areas use different bands to provide service. Wikipedia has a fairly extensive list of who uses what bands.
2. Yes, T-Mobile operates on band 4 (aka AWS), so any other band capability on the device would go unused.
3. If you don't have the same band available on the phone as on the network, you won't be able to use the network period. It would be like trying to pick up an AM radio station on an FM-only radio.
4. Yes. Band availability is determined by the hardware radio set the phone was built with.

# Answer
> 3 votes
An "LTE band", or any other type of "band" that you read about with relation to a phone, is referring to the radio frequencies that the phone picks up. Each cellular provider builds their network on a specific set of radio frequencies which are divided up into chunks that are assigned band numbers. So, using your T-Mobile example, band 4 is specifically comprised of two frequency ranges:

1. Upload bandwidth uses radio frequencies between 1710 and 1755 MHz
2. Download bandwidth uses frequencies between 2110 and 2155 MHz

A phone's spec sheet effectively lists the frequencies that its antennas (and cellular radio) are designed to support. You **cannot** change the antenna's supported bands because this is not something that is set in software - the supported bands listed in a spec sheet are, generally, a statement about the phone's *hardware* support for different networks\*. Therefore, your phone *must* support the carrier's LTE network bands in order for you to have LTE coverage. Otherwise the LTE radio will be unusable.

Cellular antennas these days are pretty much always multi-band pieces of hardware (that is, one antenna picks up several bands). The difference between powering a 5 band radio and a 2 band one is probably measurable with very precise instrumentation, but it's certainly not going to be an amount that would be perceptible when actually using the device. Further, having support for additional bands is generally considered a net benefit because you have the ability to use the phone on multiple carriers (assuming a SIM unlocked device).

Per your specific example of the XT1053 vs the XT1055: you *could* use the either on T-Mobile USA's LTE network, because both support band 4 LTE, which is what T-Mobile is using. However, the XT1055 will **not** work on T-Mobile's current HSPA+ network because it lacks support for the UMTS 1700 band. In places where LTE is too weak or not available, you would drop all the way back to EDGE (2G) speeds, whereas the XT1053 would be able pick up HSPA+42 speeds (if available).

---

\*There are some exceptions to this rule, where a device may *actually* use a radio chipset/antenna combination that provides hardware support for a band that is effectively "locked out" by the software layer. One example of this is the Nexus 4, which does not list LTE support in its specs but does, in fact, have an LTE band 4 chip installed that can be enabled on older baseband versions. However, you could not force the N4 to work on, say, LTE band 17.

---
Tags: cellular-radio, moto-x, 4g
---


# Question
Title: Google Latitude and multiple devices - How to prevent location jumping?
I have an Android smartphone and tablet which both are linked to my Google account and Latitude enabled. Since I don't carry the tablet always with me, my Latitude location sometimes jumps back and forth, if my smartphone has no connectivity.

I could disable Latitude on my tablet, **but I wonder if there is a way to configure Latitude on the tablet to not provide any location information at all?**

# Answer
There's an app called ALTitude that does allow you to configure those settings per installation (= per device in your case).

EDIT: Purpose of the app - updating your Latitude status/location base on more fine grained settings (update interval, location source).

ALTitude on Android Market

XDA Thread

I'd recommend to configure Latitude to "manual location" and ALTitude to automatic update, but first read through the thread to check if this tool does the trick for you.
> 8 votes

# Answer
This is probably overkill and might not even work, but you could root your tablet and install Cyanogenmod, which lets you revoke permissions for individual apps. So you could revoke permission for Latitude to access your location on the tablet, but leave the rest of the app running. This may just cause it to crash, though.
> 3 votes

# Answer
If you go to Settings in your Latitude, under Location Reporting it gives you the option "Do not update your location". Another option is to just turn off the GPS on your tablet, this way it won't give your position in Latitude.
> 2 votes

# Answer
For the current version of Google Maps (7.2.0) set `Settings > Google location settings >`**`Location Reporting`**`> Off` on your tablet. For more details see the Google help page.

For an older version of Google Maps (6.14.4) I found: `Settings > Location settings >`**`Report from this device`**.
> 2 votes

# Answer
Under `Settings > Accounts > Google, Privacy > Maps & Lattitude`, I have disabled the option "Report from this device" on my Nexus 7 tablet. This makes my phone the only device to update my location.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: geolocation, google-latitude
---


title: Managing Multiple accounts for apps

text:
# Question
Title: Managing Multiple accounts for apps
My wife and I just bought new android phones for the first time, and are new to the google play store, and I am wondering the best way to manage app store purchases.

Occasionally I'd like to have an app that she has purchased and vice-verse.

Currently we both to manage our own google ids on each devices and make separate purchases on each id.

In the event I wanted both devices to have the same purchased app, is it advisable to switch the google account in google play store, install the app in question, and then log back in with the primary google account? Will this mess with anything important? Will updates still work, etc?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Note that Google Play Terms of Service prohibits sharing of accounts by multiple person (it allows sharing between multiple devices owned by the same person).

With that said, the Play Store does support multiple accounts, however multiple accounts means that you will also share Gmail, Calendar, etc, which means you probably will have to create a third account specifically created for sharing.

# Answer
> 1 votes
That won't help, at least in most cases not. Purchased apps are bound to the account they are purchased with, and an online license check is applied on them. So as soon as you "switch back", and the app checks it's license, it will de-activate itself (or at least refuse to work).

It might work however as long as the account is still *present* on the device, though it's not the primary. So you could both have each other's account configured on your devices in addition to your own. But then you also need to take care what you synchronize etc. I'm not sure if that would be worth it, considered that most apps are free, and the payed ones usually come for cheap.

**Edit:** as posted at the same time, I just saw Lie's answer. To avoid syncing each other's data, if you really want to go for it, the "third account" might in fact be the best option.

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


# Question
Title: How to prevent adb shell from exiting upon Ctrl+C
When I `adb shell` into my device (from Windows desktop), and run some command there, sometimes I want to terminate that command. The standard unixy way to do it is with `Ctrl+C` key combination. However, when I do that, the whole `adb shell` terminates.

How can I terminate just the current program inside the shell, not the shell itself?

# Answer
> 14 votes
I found sort of a workaround for this (at least for a rooted phone). If a phone is rooted, `busybox` is most probably installed. `stty` is part of busybox.

> stty intr ^x

Redefines `Ctrl`+`X` to act as a break command, e.g. what was previously `Ctrl`+`C`.

# Answer
> 5 votes
`Alt`-`NumPad 3` \+ `Enter` works for me. `Alt`-`NumPad 0`-`NumPad 3` \+ `Enter` also works and displays "^C".

# Answer
> 3 votes
i was able to stop the `top` process and still stay in shell by typing the following in this order:

`C`

`CTRL`+`Z`

`CTRL`+`M`

if I did not type all 3 of those combos it would not stop and I would have to `CTRL`+`C` to exit the shell. I found this by just trying different combinations of keys and found it by accident. YMMV

# Answer
> 3 votes
`Ctrl`+`\` followed by `Enter` usually works fine.

This will send a SIGQUIT signal which may not be appropriate for a server (dumps a core file for example) but I don't think it's a problem using this on an Android phone/tablet (which doesn't dump a core file by default). Easy solution that works in most cases.

# Answer
> 3 votes
On Windows, you can just enter \[Alt\]+\[3\] via the numpad (don't forget to press enter afterwards).
This sends \[Ctrl\]+\[c\] to the shell thereby terminating the current command:

```
D:\Android>adb shell
$ cat
cat
♥
^C

$ exit
exit

D:\Android>
```

Note that \[Alt\]+\[3\] produces the ASCII-Char ♥ in Windows which equals the ETX-Byte.
You can also press \[Alt\]+\[0\]-\[3\] (hold the Alt key down while pressing \[0\] and \[3\] on the numpad) if you don't wand windows to display a heart ;)

---
Tags: adb, shell
---


title: downgrade from Android 4.xx to 2.xx

text:
# Question
Title: downgrade from Android 4.xx to 2.xx
can we down grade Android from 4.x to 2.x?? if I bought Android 4 device and need to downgrad it to Android 2.xx, can I do that ?

the devices are HTC with these modules:

•HTC devices especially the Incredible

•HTC Wildfire running CyanogenMod

•HTC Desire

•HTC Wildfire running CyanogenMod 6.1.0

but when I buy them they will have Android 4.X

# Answer
It depends on the device, and what you mean by "2.xx". Do you want **A:** stock Android? **B:** a ROM? **C:** a manufacturer-skinned stock image?

I'm going to assume that the answer do the question above is **D:** Any of the above. I'm also going to assume that by "2.xx", you mean **2.3**. There are a few general requirements that will need to be fulfilled for it to be practical, and remember that *this depends on the device and software*; do your research before buying (assuming you haven't bought already).

**The requirements:**

**1:** The device was launched with Android 2.3 or earlier.

**2:** The device has an unlocked, unencrypted (or unlockable) bootloader.

**3:** (Pseudo-requirement) The device had, at the time that Android 2.3 was still important, an active development community.

**If you meet the requirements:**

You will have to do some google searching for various solutions. If you want...

**A stock device image** (not stock/"pure" Android) then you can find instructions generally by searching "unroot \[device name\]" on Google and XDA Developers.

**A ROM**: Go to XDA Developers or the popular dev community site for the device (Google is your friend) and search for CyanogenMod 7, or any other 2.3 ROM.

**Stock Android**: Good luck. I don't think you'll be able to find any flashable images with stock Android 2.3 for non-nexus devices.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, htc-desire, htc, htc-wildfire, htc-incredible-s
---


# Question
Title: Are there any benchmarking apps that measure how smooth scrolling is on a certain device?
The one thing I think that IOS (and Windows 8 as well) still has over Android even after all these years is smoothness in scrolling. After a while you don't really notice the difference until you start using an iphone side by side and realize just how smooth it should be.

Jelly bean made things better and recently I bought the new Nexus 7 and 4.3 seems to have improved things even more. Aside from just "feeling" it is smoother, are there any benchmarking apps to verify this?

# Answer
Most of the difference you see is likely the result of an addition to Jelly Bean (initially in 4.1 and tweaked a bit in 4.2 and 4.3) called Project Butter. It basically consisted of vsyncing all graphics, using triple buffering, synchronizing touch response with the vsync, and working to predict and prepare for your next action. Those seem like small things, but they make a considerable difference.

You can see a slow-motion side-by-side comparison here. Both devices are Galaxy Nexuses, one with ICS and the other with JB 4.1. The difference is rather striking, especially with the quick contacts demonstration at 0:45.

As such, the new smoothness isn't going to depend so much on the hardware but on how much the device manufacture has tinkered with things, such as with HTC and Samsung using their own Sense and Touchwiz UIs rather than Google's stock one, and thus benefiting less from Butter.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: user-interface, benchmarks
---


# Question
Title: What applications can I disable on my Samsung Galaxy S4?
I have just bought a Samsung Galaxy S4 and discovered that it comes with a large number of programs that I know I will never use (Amazon MP3, all Samsung Apps, TripAdvisor etc.). I have found that they can be disabled by going to `Settings > More > Application Manager`, selecting a specific application and choosing `Disable`. The problem is that I don't know which applications can be safely disabled.

Can someone provide a definitive list of all the applications installed on a new Galaxy S4 along with whether they are required or not?

# Answer
> 1 votes
You can check out DjeMBeY's pre-rooted S4 thread in XDA. The author has debloated (i.e. removed unecessary apps) the stock S4 ROM. There is a download link that contains all the APKs that he has removed; search for `Removed Apps`. It is safe to assume that these apps are safe to be deleted.

Better yet, why don't you just flash his custom ROM? That seems easier. :)

---
Tags: applications, samsung-galaxy-s-4
---


# Question
Title: How can I prevent the battery in my Nexus S from draining overnight?
I have a Google Nexus S and for the past 2-3 days whenever I go to sleep the battery drains completely overnight. I mean when I go to bed the charge on my phone is plus 90% but for the past 2 days it's dead when I wake up. Thankfully I didn't miss work these two days otherwise my boss is gonna kill me.

I have Android 2.3.7

Any advice?

# Answer
> 1 votes
There are several things which can be done. Most obvious is to switch it off completely (*grin*), but that only as a side note. Also, switching it to Airplane mode falls close -- though, when used with a "timer" (via automation apps such as Tasker or Llama), it can be quite a useful thing to not only save some juice over night, but also care for some silence. Another obvious option is to connect it to some power source, which clearly prevents it from running out of juice. But these are just general rules.

In your special case, the problem is some app draining your battery over night. True, above mentioned solutions would take care that there's enough juice left -- but still that's a misbehaving app. So first thing I would do is, after it drained a little (but still enough juice is left, say 30% or more to be sure), go and check your battery stats. You will find them in your system settings, on most devices it is in *Settings → About Phone → Battery Use*. This should list the most heavy consumers, and your candidate should be on the very top.

Other useful sources on this topic (and here at Android Enthusiasts) include:

# Answer
> 0 votes
If you are running a custom ROM, check with its makers if there are any known causes for battery drain. Otherwise, (since there are no known issues with stock Android 2.3.7, the battery drain is caused by some app.

Turn off bluetooth and auto sync (leave wifi on), install Watchdog and charge the battery fully, then let your phone idle for a couple of hours. In that time, any apps that misbehave will be listed under the alerts tab of Watchdog. Check that and report here, maybe we can help.

If it does not list any app, try eliminating each of the common culprits for battery drain - social media (older versions of Facebook) and sync apps that constantly use connectivity options, free versions of apps that regularly pull in ads for display, location apps including Google's own reporting service. Uninstall or turn off whichever you can. If ads are an issue, and you are rooted, you can use Adblock.

Also, check for your battery health - if you've been a heavy user for over 2 years, it is likely that the battery has lost much of its original capacity, in which case a battery replacement would be necessary (I know because I have the same problem, and ordered a new battery yesterday). You can find OEM batteries for $30-40 - avoid cheap duplicates, you never know what they could do to your phone.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Shut down your device overnight.

Or just plug it in before sleep.

Or buy a new one. After some time the battery want resist so much.

Oh.. of course... or buy a new battery.

---
Tags: 2.3-gingerbread, samsung-nexus-s, battery-life, charging
---


# Question
Title: "App_Name" Could not be downloaded due to an error (500)?
I developed an app for android. I used my two devices (Galaxy Nexus running 4.02 & Galaxy Tab10.1 running 3.1) to test the app before I published it.

When I published the app to the Market, I removed the tested version of the app from my devices and tried to install the one in the market but I couldn't install it !

In my Nexus device, It gives me this error: \*"App\_Name" Could not be downloaded due to an error (500).\* In my Tab, a progress bar is shown then disappear with no error message.

To solve it, I tried:

* Rebooting the devices.
* Removing my Google account from my Tab and re-adding it again. the problem still exists.

I can install other apps with no problem. If you think the problem is from my app, try installing it. Search for "Untiny" in the market

-Thanks

# Answer
> 0 votes
Turns out that the app didn't upload completely! Something went wrong while I was uploading it to the Play store.

It installed just fine after I uploaded a new version.

Thanks to all.

# Answer
> 1 votes
The app works on other devices according to the user reviews. Perform a factory reset on your device and see if the error occurs while installing

# Answer
> 0 votes
I have had this problem before and tried everything, including hard resetting my phone. I forget what worked, but I think going through the web version of Market helped.

I had tried restoring a backup previously of a previous version of the app. This may have caused the problem but it doesn't explain why several apps have failed on auto update this time. I use Vodafone, and the service is not that good, so maybe the apps are getting corrupted.

Thinking about it might have contacted android support on web market place and got a resolution there after a few goes. So the thing about google fault see them, last time might be the only valid answer. I also have the error on new installs to, I have discovered. So it is likely some corruption between the app configuration on my phone and the market. Google should have had a method to fix this, if only by reinstalising the data. As I said before I waited 1 to 2 minutes for it to clear, it did not, so contact them quickly.

# Answer
> 0 votes
1. Go to recovery =\> wipe cache
2. Go to advanced
3. Wipe dalvik cache
4. Fix permissions
5. Reboot

Source: http://androidjinni.com/google-play-store-error-500-solution-2353/

---
Tags: google-play-store, samsung-galaxy-nexus, samsung-galaxy-tab-10
---


# Question
Title: Why does Sound Recorder in Cyanogenmod need network permission?
It doesn't seem to be able to share sound recordings. Why does it need that permission? Cyanogenmod 10.1 although I've seen it in other versions.

# Answer
There's no malicous intent you can safely use it.

This App has been part of the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) since at least Android 1.5 Cupcake and Cyanogenmod only adapted it.

Here's CM's source code which shows it was only copied from the original AOSP code:
https://github.com/CyanogenMod/android\_packages\_apps\_SoundRecorder/blame/cm-10.2/AndroidManifest.xml
Here's the initial AOSP version from 2007 which already has the same permission grant:
https://android.googlesource.com/platform/packages/apps/SoundRecorder/+/e2118f54af4c5215bd988979769e383292b9c9cb/AndroidManifest.xml

Now one may ask why it has this grant in AOSP already: I don't know why, it's seemingly not needed.
> 1 votes

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Tags: cyanogenmod, audio, permissions
---


# Question
Title: number of pattern matching attempt in android 2.3(Maxx msd7)
When i start my phone(Maxx msd7),i am getting "number of invalid pattern matching attempts" error in android 2.3.I am trying to perform factory reset at starup.

I got the recovery menu at startup by pressing volume - button but i am not getting Factory reset option over there.

* TEST ITEM
* TEST ALL
* CLEAR FLASH

options are there.

What should i do.?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Solved....

Select clear flash option,It will restart phone and menu will be displayed at startup.

---
Tags: factory-reset
---


# Question
Title: Is there a reason why I need to remove my phone's battery after it crashes before I can turn it back on?
I have a Galaxy Nexus running on 4.0.1. I've noticed that when it crashes it usually requires a battery pull to get it working again.

I was wondering if the pulling of the battery to get the phone to work again is a "feature" of Android. The phone will otherwise stay off after a crash indefinitely until you pull the battery out and put it back in. Is there a specific reason why it cannot be turned on again without first removing the battery? Is there some benefit to this?

# Answer
> 3 votes
You can't remove the battery on the RAZR or MAXX, so the magical key sequence to power off is holding the volume down and the power key for 10 seconds.

# Answer
> 2 votes
That's not entirely true. When your device crashes, Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds. The device will be rebooted. It works at least on my Galaxy S. You should try it, too.

If this method is not working, you shouldn't blame Android for that. This is the way computers work. When the Kernel runs out of memory, the device is crashed. Your screen is on or off, it doesn't matter.. The data is intact in memory (mainly RAM). The RAM is designed such that it can hold data as long as it has power supply. It's not like hard drives, DVDs etc which could hold data without power supply. When you remove battery, the RAM loses its data. So, when you start the device after that, it's like a fresh start, the kernel is loaded again in RAM to handle everything as usual.

(If you have problems understanding any terms or process in last paragraph, please see this question for some definitions.)

# Answer
> 1 votes
It's not a benefit or a feature per se, but rather a design issue. Some devices' hardware won't respond to hardware buttons to force a reboot, necessitating a hard power off (ie, removing the battery) if the system crashes. It depends on how the hardware is designed - ie, if there is a separate circuit, not dependent on the OS, that a physical button can trigger to force a hard reboot (similar to many PCs, where holding down the power button for 5 seconds will force a hard reboot).

---
Tags: battery, crashes
---


title: Problem with Google Now in Tab 2

text:
# Question
Title: Problem with Google Now in Tab 2
I have a Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 which I have updated to the official jellybean provided by Samsung, it is supposed to have Google Now but I cant see the cards on opening the the app. Can anyone help me out by pointing out the way in which I can see the cards.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Press home button and then slide to the search icon. You should be able to see "show more cards" button. If not then slide down to the very bottom of the screen, you will see three dots in the bottom-right corner. Click this, open Settings dialog and then click on Google Now tab. You will have the option to turn it on then. If it's not appearing check also TOP RIGHT corner of the screen for a switch available.

# Answer
> 0 votes
It's entirely possible that there simply are no cards to display. If you don't have a wireless connection on, for instance, it can't fetch data to populate cards for viewing.

Available cards also depend on several other factors such as whether the GPS is on, whether you allow Google to track you/your data, and what country you live in (most Now cards are US-centric; living in Canada, the only ones that ever come up for me are weather and "time to travel" Navigation cards)

---
Tags: google-now, samsung-galaxy-tab-2-7
---


title: Whatsapp offline status

text:
# Question
Title: Whatsapp offline status
I friend of mine says that whenver I am talking to someone over phone, my whatsapp status shows offline i.e. neither it shows me online (since I am not using whatsapp at that moment and talking to someone on phone) nor the "LAST SEEN" status is available. And he can even tell me the exact duration of time I spent talking to that person. Is this possible?? Is this a feature of whatsapp?? because as far as i know, no such case exists and if I try to view the status of a person who is currently talking to someone over the phone then obviously the "LAST SEEN" status for that person is available. Is the friend of mine using some software or app??

# Answer
> 3 votes
Your data connection is probably being lost during the phone call. Thus, whatsapp gets disconnected.

CDMA networks (Verizon, Sprint, and others that do *not* use a SIM card) do not work with data and voice at the same time when on 3G. Voice takes over, so anything using data is disconnected. Verizon is working towards this feature, called svdo (Simultaneous Voice and ev-DO data), and according to that page has one device that uses it, the HTC Thunderbolt. Similarly, Sprint also has the HTC Evo 4G LTE that can use it. Almost all other devices, though, do not support this.

However, LTE (4G) does allow for voice and data simultaneously, so certain devices that are LTE capable and are connected to LTE can maintain data connections during a phone call.

In the end, if you have service through a network without SIM cards, and you aren't connected to WIFI or LTE, then you will lose data connections when you make or receive a phone call.

---
Tags: whatsapp-messenger
---


# Question
Title: Are all apps on Google Play compatible with the Samsung Galaxy S4?
I wanted to know whether the *Samsung Galaxy S4* will run every app from the play store or not? I had done a lot of googling but failed to find an answer.

# Answer
> 8 votes
In general, NO.

Some apps:

* run on specific devices only (i.e. not compatible with S4)
* run on specific Android versions
* available only in specific countries
* available only on specific carriers
* requires root access. (i.e. if phone is not rooted, it won't work)

# Answer
> 3 votes
No there are not all compatible. When you watching an application on Google play ( from your device ) if you cannot find the button for installing that app, that means that your device is not supported by that application. Also if you visit that application page on Google play desktop site, and your device is listed in your account than a message will appear in browser that says that specific application is not compatible with your device.

# Answer
> -1 votes
I would say 80% app is compatible. And other 20% are for other specific devices. Specific android version and specific screen size

---
Tags: applications, samsung-galaxy-s-4, compatibility
---


# Question
Title: Does my cell phone alarm run off the battery or does it need cell service
Will the alarm in my phone go off when programmed if I am in a poor cell reception area?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Yes, it will.

The default alarm is built into Android and uses the `alarmManager` to schedule when to sound the alarm.

It will always go off, unless the device is powered off or in silent mode (however some ROM's have separate volume controls for alarms and other volumes).

---
Tags: alarm
---


# Question
Title: Add multiple Gmail accounts in Gmail app
Is there a way to do this?

I currently have Android 4.1.2 on an S3, and while I can do this on the e-mail app, I much prefer to use the Gmail app for its interface.

I know that this was possible in earlier versions.

Is this still possible, and if so how?

# Answer
> 5 votes
There's nothing special you need to do within Gmail. (In fact, there's nothing you *can* do in Gmail.)

Simply add the Google account(s) to your device under `Settings > Accounts > Add account`. (It will then appear there listed under "Google Account".)

After that make sure you're syncing Gmail plus whatever other Google services you want (or not).

---
Tags: gmail
---


# Question
Title: How to turn on USB mass storage with JellyBean
I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0.

I have files on an external SD card but I cannot mount the tab as a usb drive from my computer - I cannot find a way to turn on USB Mass Storage.

How do I do this in JellyBean?

# Answer
> 4 votes
Starting in 4.0 <sub>(actually 3.0, but few devices used that)</sub>, most Android devices use the MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) class rather than the Mass Storage class. This was done for various reasons, including the annoyances attendant to having to unmount the SD card from the Android device to access it from the PC.

Samsung has embraced this new way rather fervently and doesn't allow mass storage at all under normal circumstances (If you have root, you can force it on some devices. Not sure if it works for a Tab 2).

MTP mostly "just works" on Windows since XP and on Mac, though getting it working on Linux can require a bit of effort if you don't use GNOME. The Arch Linux wiki has a useful article on the ways and means of accessing MTP devices on Linux.

---
Tags: 4.1-jelly-bean, usb-connection-mode, usb-mass-storage
---


# Question
Title: Can't access internet but I'm connected to wifi.
I have been using my dorms WiFi forever -- but since the latest system update on my S3, it won't get internet even though im connected to the WiFi (status says I'm connected -- but the icons in the notification areas stay white). Its like that all over campus. Other places I can use the WiFi without any problems.

Immediately after the mentioned update, internet worked for one more day on my phone in my dorm, but after that only other WiFi networks seem to work for me.

I have no idea what the reason could be. Any ideas what I should look for?

# Answer
> 3 votes
Have you tried dialing `*#*#526#*#*` ?

It fixed a wifi connection problem I had.

I dialed it on the phone, got the "call cannot be completed" message. Hung up, restarted the phone, then went through the whole phone call again.

It worked. My wifi problem is fixed. I kid you not. Google it. I hope this helps.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Have had the same issue on my droid 2.3.6. It used to connect to wifi but could not browse the internet until I disabled:

Parental Control

from my wifi router.

Hope this will help someone.

---
Tags: wi-fi, samsung-galaxy-s-3, connection-issues
---


# Question
Title: Why does my Android OS state that there's, "Not enough free space to install the program", when there's plenty of free space?
My hard drive on my smartphone has 100 MB free, and the app I'm trying to install is 2 MB.

I just recently deleted apps totalling to about 88.3 MB, and the computed size has already been adjusted, and is displayed on the screen.

However, I have to wait 10 or 15 minutes to install it.

It's as if the updated, computed space is not registered in some way to the operating system immediately.

It's Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread, no root, no unlocked; factory pre-set all the way(not for long though).

So, basically, is that the problem? Why do I have to wait a while after uninstalling apps, and re-computing space availability to above par to install a new, extremely small app, to actually work?

Is this all the OS's fault, or is something else at play here(e.g., hard drive or circuit-level operations reigning outside the control of just the OS software)?

Because if the re-computed size is what it's going to be, at least let the end-user know that rather than give the impression that you have the available space, but it won't install anything.

# Answer
This can be caused by having any partition full, so you can try clearing your cache and other partitions that might be full. I'm guessing it's the cache since it clears out by itself.
> 0 votes

# Answer
If you root your device, then you can do the following to get more free space to install more apps.

1. Install DiskUsage
2. Run DiskUsage and choose \[Root required\] -\> "/Data"...

Then you will see how much storage "/data/data" and "/data/dalvik-cache" uses. As far as I know you can delete the content of them both and reboot without having any problems or losing anything other then temp files. I have done this several times.

To delete the content of any file inside /Data, you will need a root file explorer, not all of them out there works. I am using "CyanogenMod File Manager", but that's not on Google Play.

Hope this helps.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Rebooting your phone may fix temporary anomalies, but if the app storage location is full you may need to do more. Note that many devices also have a data storage location, which can contain some of the app data.

Try an app like App Manager (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.a0soft.gphone.app2sd) to see how much space is left and, if you have a SD card (which may have a slot, or may be permanently inside your phone), you might be able to move some apps from "phone" storage to "sd card" storage. Phone storage is at a premium, so if you can move some apps to the SD card you'll be better off. Not all apps let you move them, though.
> 0 votes

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Tags: installation, insufficient-memory
---


title: How do I script my phone?

text:
# Question
Title: How do I script my phone?
What I mostly want to do, is quickly alter settings, add alarms etc.

It is perhaps called something else?

This is from a Windows PC. Language is not important, but I know Python and UNIX scripting.

How would this usually be done?

# Answer
As you write you know Unix scripting, you might want to take a look at apps like SH Script Runner, Script Manager, Script Kitty, and similar. They all allow you to run shell scripts on your Android device.

Also, you could utilize Tasker: create a task to run a script, and then create a shortcut to that task on your homescreen. So you have easy access to your scripts directly from there.
> 4 votes

# Answer
One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is SL4A, the Scripting Layer for Android. This allows you run various types of scripts on your phone, Python scripts being one of them. Since SL4A isn't directly in the Play store, you may want something like QPython instead (which incorporates SL4A). Tasker, also mentioned by Izzy, has the ability to launch SL4A scripts.
> 3 votes

# Answer
Alright, well you said you are running Windows, which supports **Microsoft's "batch"** scripting. This is not available on your Android device because the Android operating system runs in a Linux environment. So you will need to learn **"shell"** scripting.

First, you need to check to see if you can run shell scripts from your phone.

use the ADB(Android Debug Shell) to open the console to your phone.

The program, "sh" should be available to you. Simple test(list files):

```
sh -c "ls"

```

Have you ever used the Android Terminal application before?

Take a look: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jackpal.androidterm

Have you ever written shell scripts before?

Take a look: http://tldp.org/LDP/abs/html/

Once you have written your scripts, you need to run them using "sh". Some applications can run scripts for you or you can do it manually using ADB.

Take a look: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=os.tools.scriptmanager

I hope this is helpful, let me know if you need anymore help.
> 0 votes

# Answer
you can install Qpython to code python apps and make what you want: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hipipal.qpyplus

or you can try to tweak with tasker: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.dinglisch.android.taskerm
> 0 votes

---
Tags: settings, automation, scripts
---


title: Android version compatibility

text:
# Question
Title: Android version compatibility
I would like to know a tablet with following specifications support Android 4.3 (or 4.2 or 4.1)? It currently runs on 4.0.4.

Specifications Summary:

```
DISPLAY (800x444)
    Size: 800x444
    Refresh Rate: 59.69 Hz
    Density: 120 dpi (Low)

PROCESSOR (ARMv7)
    Processor: ARMv7 Processor rev 2 (v7l)
    Cores: 1
    Max Frequency: 1008 Mhz
    Instruction Sets: armeabi-v7a, armeabi
    SIMD Instructions: NEON

MEMORY (353 MB)
    System RAM: 353 MB
    JVM Max Memory: 48 MB
    Internal Storage: 617 MB
    External Storage: 3785 MB

OPENGL 1.X (Mali-400 MP)
OPENGL 2.0 (Mali-400 MP)
GRAPHIC MODES (RGBA 32bit)
GRAPHICS
    OpenGL 2.0

```

Full details of spec is available here : https://gist.github.com/abidrahmank/6913200

# Answer
353MB is probably too little for a proper 4.1+ experience.

Besides this, there's no generic Android installation media, each device needs its firmware tailored and adapted by the manufacturer. If the manufacturer has put it end-of-life, you're hosed unless you find someone who ported it or you port it yourself.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, tablet, 4.3-jelly-bean
---


# Question
Title: How to enable experimental reverse port forwarding in chrome?
> Commonly you have a web server running on your local development machine, and you want to connect to that site from your device. If the mobile device and the development machine are on the same network, this is straightforward. But this may be difficult in some cases, like on a restricted corporate network.

This is what I ran into at work.I have been trying to get my web application that runs on my my localhost to be accessible on my mobile device.

* Desktop OS: Mac OS X 10.6.8
* Desktop Chrome: Version 30.0.1599.69
* Mobile OS: Android 4.3 (Nexus4)
* Mobile Chrome: Version 30.0.1599.82

I found an article about chrome experimental features that was explaining you how to enable **reverse port forwarding** in chrome. I have been following the article until it said to tick the checkbox for "Enable reverse port forwarding" in "developer tools \> settings \> experiments". **I found the tick list but could not find that option.** Does anyone know how I can enable this reverse port forwarding?

# Answer
Seems that what I was looking for was right in front of me. The **option** "Reverse port forwarding" from the article was **renamed** to "port forwarding" .
> 1 votes

---
Tags: adb, nexus-4, chrome-for-android, macos
---


# Question
Title: How to find the pathname of the swap partition on SD card?
As this warns, you should not enable swap on the wrong partition or you can destroy your phone:

> OK before we go any further! previous phones had a partition layout where mmcblck0 was the SDcard (external) our phone uses mmcblck1 for the external sd. This is important because if you use an app it may be preset to use mmcblck0 as swap partition.using this setting will cause you to use your sbl2 or sbl3 as swap partition.this will brick your phone and unbrick guide will be useles.

So the swap partition might be `/dev/block/mmcblk0p3` if I have 3 partitions (fat32, sdext, swap) on my SD card, or `/dev/block/mmcblk0p2` if I have 2 partitions (fat43 and swap) or `/dev/block/mmcblk1p?` if you have a different phone, etc. and the wrong choice can brick your phone.

How do you find out *which* partition is which? It should be the only partition on any drive of the phone with the `swap` filesystem.

* `fdisk -l` does this on Ubuntu, but outputs nothing in Android
* `blkid` does not show the swap partition
* `cat /proc/partitions` lists a lot of partitions, but doesn't indicate which is the swap
* `cat /proc/swaps` only lists swaps that are *already* being used
* `cat /proc/mtd` only says `dev: size erasesize name` and nothing else
* `ls /dev/block/vold` lists some partitions as `179:64 179:65 179:66`, but doesn't indicate what they are?
* 4ext recovery will show it in the table of partitions (`swap swap 129 MiB`), but doesn't say the dev name
* ...

Even if there's no command line tool to print it directly, surely there's a way to deduce it from some other information??

# Answer
> 8 votes
I installed the Disk Info app and in the options, I enabled *Expert mode* and *Unmounted partitions*. It doesn't say "swap", but it shows clearly that it's the only other partition on the SD card and it's the right size, so `/dev/block/mmcblk1p2` must be the one:

Swapper 2 is configured to use `/dev/block/mmcblk0p3` by default, so I'm glad I didn't go with the default.

# Answer
> 8 votes
`fdisk -l` works if you pass the whole disk device name explicitly (e.g., `fdisk -l /dev/block/mmcblk1`); what does not work is automatic discovery of block devices (apparently because Android places block device files under the `/dev/block` directory, but `fdisk` expects to see those files directly in `/dev`). Therefore one option is to collect the list of whole disk devices (`/dev/block/mmcblk0`, `/dev/block/mmcblk1`, …) and look at their partition tables using `fdisk -l *<device>*`. These whole disk devices are listed in `/proc/partitions` before the corresponding partitions.

The `blkid` utility does not look at the partition table at all — it opens all block devices known by the system and detects the filesystem type from the actual data on those devices; therefore `blkid` will not show correct information for the swap partition until that partition is initialized by `mkswap`. This means that `blkid` is useless for your current task (finding which partition should be passed to `mkswap`).

`mount` usually shows devices under `/dev/block/vold`, which are named according to their major and minor numbers. To get the usual device name, you can look in `/proc/partitions` to find a row containing the same numbers in the first two columns. Then you can remove the `p*<number>*` part from the end of the device name, add `/dev/block/` at the start and pass the resulting name to `fdisk -l` to see the partition table of the corresponding device.

Beware that if you look at the `fdisk -l` output for the internal eMMC flash, you may find lots of partitions with strange types, especially on Qualcomm-based devices. E.g., see the partition table for Samsung Galaxy W (GT-I8150):

```
# fdisk -lu /dev/block/mmcblk0

Disk /dev/block/mmcblk0: 3959 MB, 3959422976 bytes
1 heads, 16 sectors/track, 483328 cylinders, total 7733248 sectors
Units = sectors of 1 * 512 = 512 bytes

              Device Boot      Start         End      Blocks  Id System
/dev/block/mmcblk0p1               1      212991      106495+  c Win95 FAT32 (LBA)
Partition 1 does not end on cylinder boundary
/dev/block/mmcblk0p2   *      212992      213991         500  4d Unknown
Partition 2 does not end on cylinder boundary
/dev/block/mmcblk0p3          213992      221183        3596  46 Unknown
Partition 3 does not end on cylinder boundary
/dev/block/mmcblk0p4          221184     7733247     3756032   5 Extended
Partition 4 does not end on cylinder boundary
/dev/block/mmcblk0p5          229376      239615        5120  47 Unknown
/dev/block/mmcblk0p6          245760      285759       20000  49 Unknown
/dev/block/mmcblk0p7          286720      292863        3072  58 Unknown
/dev/block/mmcblk0p8          294912      306175        5632  48 Unknown
/dev/block/mmcblk0p9          311296      324271        6488  50 Unknown
/dev/block/mmcblk0p10         327680      333823        3072  4a Unknown
/dev/block/mmcblk0p11         335872      342015        3072  4b Unknown
/dev/block/mmcblk0p12         344064      360447        8192  90 Unknown
/dev/block/mmcblk0p13         360448      375807        7680  91 Unknown
/dev/block/mmcblk0p14         376832      387071        5120  92 Unknown
/dev/block/mmcblk0p15         393216     1488895      547840  93 Unknown
/dev/block/mmcblk0p16        1490944     1613823       61440  94 Unknown
/dev/block/mmcblk0p17        1613824     3887103     1136640  95 Unknown
/dev/block/mmcblk0p18        3891200     3993599       51200  96 Unknown
/dev/block/mmcblk0p19        3997696     3998695         500  97 Unknown
/dev/block/mmcblk0p20        4005888     4013079        3596  98 Unknown
/dev/block/mmcblk0p21        4014080     4024319        5120  99 Unknown
/dev/block/mmcblk0p22        4030464     4070463       20000  9a Unknown
/dev/block/mmcblk0p23        4071424     4081663        5120  9b Unknown
/dev/block/mmcblk0p24        4087808     4101807        7000  9c Unknown
/dev/block/mmcblk0p25        4104192     4114431        5120  9d Unknown
/dev/block/mmcblk0p26        4120576     4130815        5120  9e Unknown
/dev/block/mmcblk0p27        4136960     4147199        5120  9f BSD/OS
/dev/block/mmcblk0p28        4153344     7733247     1789952  a0 Thinkpad hibernation

```

Partition type codes there are even dangerously wrong, because `/dev/block/mmcblk0p1`, which is declared `Win95 FAT32 (LBA)`, actually contains some system data (including locations and MD5 hashes of various ROM parts); however, `/dev/block/mmcblk0p28`, which is the FAT16-formatted “internal data storage”, has a type which looks completely bogus. In this case the manufacturer did not reuse the `0x82` (Linux swap) type code for their own purposes, but I'm not sure that such collisions never occur, so you should not blindly try to use any partition which looks like swap — first check that the device size and partition layout are what you expect to see on your SD card.

`/proc/mtd` is never useful for finding a swap partition on SD card (MTD drivers are used to access directly attached raw flash chips, they cannot work with external SD cards).

---
Tags: linux, file-system, partitions, command-line, swap
---


title: Switch keyboards quickly

text:
# Question
Title: Switch keyboards quickly
I've got a Samsung Galaxy Note with SlideIt installed which works wonderfully. But I can't write with my pen anymore. So how do I switch VERY QUICKLY to the Samsung keyboard and back?

# Answer
> 2 votes
I had the exact same issue with my Note II. The best solution I've found is the app Quick Keyboard Switch, which gives you a notification bar icon you can tap after pulling down to bring up a dialog box to switch KBs. You can switch back the Samsung kb, and from there hit the handwriting input button to get back to pen input.

# Answer
> 0 votes
There's a little keyboard icon in the notification pane up top which appears when a text field get's entered. This can also be used to switch quickly. So It appears a third-party app is not necessary.

---
Tags: keyboard, samsung-galaxy-note, keyboard-shortcuts
---


title: AnySoftKeyboard ignored after update

text:
# Question
Title: AnySoftKeyboard ignored after update
I've recently updated my *HTC One X* to version 4.2.2 of *Android* and version 5.0 of *HTC Sense*. Since then, my phone no longer uses *AnySoftKeyboard*. Even thought the `AnySoftKeyboard` option is set to `on` in the *Language & keyboard* setting, the default keyboard still opens instead of the *AnySoft* one.

I've tried uninstalling *AnySoftKeyboard* and reinstalling it, and restarting my Phone, but it still doesn't work. I've also tried following this tutorial, but I can't get the `Input Method` dialog to open(the tutorial is old, but I didn't find a newer one).

What can I do?

# Answer
> 2 votes
When you have any keyboard open to enter text into an app, you should see a keyboard icon among the notifications. Click this to open the input method chooser, then select AnySoftKeyboard from the list.

The checkboxes in the **Language & keyboard** settings only control which keyboards appear in this list.

---
Tags: keyboard, htc-sense
---


# Question
Title: Need to press power button three times to turn screen on using Screen Off and Lock
I'm using the **Screen Off and Lock 1.7.1** application on **Android 4.1.1**. The phone model is **Huawei G510-0010**.

After I turned off the screen using that application, I have to press the power button three times to turn the screen on. Using the power button to screen off/on, it is ok.

I uninstalled 1.7.1 and installed 1.10 which already works perfectly in other devices, but still facing the same issue.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I changed my mind to use Gravity Screen - On/Off.

> This app turns automatically your screen off when you put your phone into your pocket or onto a table and turn the screen on when you take it out or up. No need to touch any button and you are ready to go.

---
Tags: applications, 4.1-jelly-bean, screen
---


# Question
Title: Is it possible to get notifications for specific email senders?
I just want push notifications when my boss sends me email.

# Answer
You could try the solutions mentioned in this answer. Otherwise we're need more details on what kind of email and phone setup you have.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: notifications, email
---


# Question
Title: Why does Android 3.x have no market share?
According to the Android Developer Dashboard, the market share of Android 3.2 is only 0.1%, and no other 3.x version has even as much as that. Versions 2.x and 4.x have all the market share.

Can someone please explain why there's a whole major version of Android that is apparently unused, while the previous and the next major versions are in wide use? Was 3.x quickly replaced by 4 and all devices forced to upgrade? What would have made 3.x so bad that no one uses it?

# Answer
> 7 votes
* Honeycomb was a tablet-only version of the OS
* It was only ever released for a few devices
* The source code was ~~never released~~ not released until the source for Ice Cream Sandwich was available, and even then the Android devs noted that 3.x source was not complete
* It never had much in the way of market share

See also:

# Answer
> 1 votes
To build on Al Everett's answer:

Yes, 3.x was a tablet only version of Android. The user base is phone dominated until more recently, but now Android tablets are coming with 4.x. Since the first Android tablets came out with 2.x (the first Galaxy Tab) I am assuming that there was an initial tablet crowd that picked that up instead of an iPad, which was dominant in the market at the time to begin with, and then when 3.x came out there was some hesitation for the unfamiliar since there was no way of knowing what 3.x was like since it was not available for the phones that users already possessed.

# Answer
> 0 votes
For a Vendor to release a 3.x tablet its hardware needs to be approved by google. Very few vendors hardware was approved to release their Tablet with 3.X version. Devices with 3.x are less in the market so are the downloads

---
Tags: 3.0-honeycomb, android-versions
---


# Question
Title: Prevent LED flashing when tablet is on standby
My Xperia Z tablet has a really bright LED that flashes when it is in standby (that is when the screen is blank). In fact, I am not sure it does it all the time, but it is very annoying if it is in the room at night. Is there any way to stop this from happening?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Perhaps the app Notification Light Widget will help you. It gives you a widget to manually enable/disable the light. Can't get a lot simpler than that!

Note that tweaking the notification LED is often a hit-or-miss operation with some devices. There's no promise that it'll work perfectly. Give it a shot and let us know how it goes!

---
Tags: 4.3-jelly-bean, notification-led, sony-xperia-z
---


title: Cannot change screen lock setting

text:
# Question
Title: Cannot change screen lock setting
I'm using Android 4.3, and a few days ago I added a new root certificate to my phone (Via Settings \> Security \> Credential Storage / Install from storage). This required me to choose a screen lock pattern or PIN. So far so good.

Now I've removed the certificate, but I can't change back to using swipe to unlock. The option is disabled, with this message:

> Disabled by administrator, encryption policy, or credential storage

To be clear:

* There are no options selected in the "Device administrators" settings page
* Encryption has never been enabled on the device
* There are user credentials stored on the phone (The "User" tab of Trusted credentials is empty)

Is there any way of finding out what is preventing Android from enabling the swipe to unlock feature?

# Answer
> 2 votes
Just from my readings, I think choosing the option to clear credential storage (removes all certificates) may allow swipe. Even if there are no certificates, you may need to explicitly use that option to clear certificates.

---
Tags: settings, lock-screens
---


# Question
Title: How to open PDF from Notification bar and fix "Cannot open file" error?
I have searched and searched for a solution to this problem, please help. I am using a Samsung Galaxy S4 with Android 4.2.2 along with the Chrome browser.

Steps to replicate:

1. Navigate to: http://www.buzzbuzzbingo.com/Holidays/Halloween\_Images/
2. Click "Download and Print" to start download of PDF file.
3. Notice notification that says "Starting downloading..."
4. Open notification bar and see that the download has completed.
5. Click the downloaded PDF file and receive "Cannot open file" error message and the notification bar closes.

Long clicking the downloaded PDF does not offer options for choosing which app to open the file. I have installed Adobe Reader and using that to navigate to the downloaded file will open the file just fine. Same with Polaris Office. I would like to be able to open the PDF from the notification bar. Alternatively if I could view the PDF directly in Chrome, that would be acceptable.

# Answer
> 2 votes
It's a combination of a PDF and a browser issue. Some PDFs work fine while others do not across different browsers.

Downloading the PDF you mentioned, here are the results using different browsers:

* Chrome: Cannot open PDF from notification
* Boat Browser: Cannot open PDF from notification
* Dolphin: Can open PDF from notification

Downloading a different PDF from another site, here are the results using different browsers:

* Chrome: Can open PDF from notification
* Boat Browser: Can open PDF from notification
* Dolphin: Can open PDF from notification

**UPDATE 2013-10-11:** According to Scott's findings, this is a PDF issue. The Content-Type header of the problematic PDF is `application/x-download`, while the working PDF is `application/pdf`.

If you control the server which is serving these PDFs, you can switch the Content-Type header to allow it to open in all browsers. PHP example:

In PHP this was previously broken when sending:

```
 header('Content-Type: application/x-download');

```

Switch this to this header to work:

```
 header('Content-Type: application/pdf');

```

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-4, downloading, notification-bar, pdf
---


title: SuperSU vs Root

text:
# Question
Title: SuperSU vs Root
I have seen two methods, which claim that they root an Android device, that I don't know the difference of. Method 1 is as easy as installing the SuperSU from Google Play. Method 2 is going downloading some files, going to recovery mode by pushing some complex buttons simultaneously, and much more difficult stuff. (e.g. here)

What is the difference? Does Rooting in both methods mean the same thing? If yes, why should anyone bother himself trying the second method?

Regards

# Answer
Just installing SuperSU don't give you root - it's only *tool for controlling access* to root account on rooted device.

From app's description:

> SuperSU requires a rooted device !!!
> 7 votes

# Answer
When coming from Linux/Unix, you may be confused because su == root, and that is also true on Android, but with a small addition:

A 'rooted' android device has a setuid root 'su' binary to allow a process to get root, but the version typically used on android doesn't allow just any process to use it to get root. It uses an android intent to communicate with an app (superuser/supersu) to determine if the caller is allowed to get root. The app then decides if it's allowed, typically with a popup on the screen of the android device.

More details here: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/13138867/how-does-android-superuser-app-detect-that-an-app-requests-root
> 5 votes

---
Tags: rooting, root-access, superuser
---


title: fastboot serial number?

text:
# Question
Title: fastboot serial number?
On occasion I've seen the serial number reported by `adb` and `fastboot` differ. Is there a way to reliably determine what the `fastboot` serial number will be from `adb`?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Generally speaking, the serial number as reported by `adb get-serialno` **will** be different to fastboot as determined by:

* Manufacturer
* Make and model of device in question
* Android version

`fastboot`, on the other hand, since there's no `adb` loaded, instead, it uses a rudimentary USB protocol tied in with the boot-loader, the serial number will be different.

> Is there a way to reliably determine what the `fastboot` serial number will be from `adb`?

There is no reliable way of achieving it.

---
Tags: adb, fastboot
---


# Question
Title: How do I convert a NANDroid backup into an update.zip file that works in the stock recovery mode?
For this case, consider a phone stuck in a bootloop (not fixable through data wiping or USB jigs) with no CWM Recovery and no adb or fastboot access. Only an SD Card, the stock recovery mode, and Qualcomm's QPST serial port debugging interface.

Relevant files available are a handful of NANDroid backups of the same phone (made previously via CWM Recovery) and an "update.zip" from the provider/manufacturer that contains an OTA update.

Goal is to restore a NANDroid backup using the stock recovery's "apply update from external storage" feature.

**Update:** I've dug around, and as far as I understand, my stock recovery mode requires properly signed .zip files. I've made numerous .zips up on my own using various scripts and toolsets I had found, and some by tampering with the OTA update .zip I had mentioned. Attempting to apply either of them results in the exact same output that follows below. (The only one going past that point is the original OTA update.zip, whose instalation dies after the message "file\_getprop: failed to stat "/system/build.prop": No such file or directory", but this is certainly part of the bigger problem with the device)

```
-- Install /sdcard ...
Finding update package...
Opening update package...
Verifying update package...
Instalation aborted.

```

Is my case hopeless without having the manufacturer's private key on hand? Can you think of any workarounds or alternatives? Could I be making a mistake in the zip-making process?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Most stock recovery modes require proper, officially signed update.zip files. There are ways to convert NANdroid backups to update.zip files or even directly back them up as such but the hard part is actually signing the update file (there are a handful of tutorials for doing these on the Internet, and in part in the official Android documentation). The signing requires official keys which can only be generated by the manufacturers. Getting them is nigh impossible unless you have inside access or very very cooperative support.

# Answer
> 1 votes
You can't get there from here. As you found out, almost every OEM requires images flashed via the stock firmware/recovery to be cryptographically signed by the OEM to prevent tampering. Considering that they're the only one that are going to have the private signing keys, you're not going to be able to make your own image.

The most likely path to a working phone is to get an official image from the OEM. For example, RUUs for HTC phones and ODIN images for Samsung phones. These are generally available online (in some cases, available from the OEM or carrier themselves) and have the advantage of being properly signed for flashing via either stock recovery or bootloader access. It may be possible to get an official image from the OEM support as well.

Once you have a working device again, you can root (or unlock the bootloader) and flash your preferred recovery and restore the backup you do have.

---
Tags: updates, 4.1-jelly-bean, backup, recovery-mode, nandroid
---


# Question
Title: What does the "@" symbol in the Running Applications/Services mean?
What does the "@" symbol in front of the time given in the right column of *Running Applications/Services* mean?

See screenshot below.

Phone: Samsung Galaxy S4 (GT-I9505) OS: 4.2.2

Screenshot (click image for larger variant)

# Answer
It means that the process has been running longer than 99 hours, 99 minutes, and 99 seconds. It's a formatting bug.

The second hour digit, after reaching '9', will simply continue with the next characted from the ascii alphabet:

```
0123456789:;<=>?@ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ[\]^_`abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz{|}~

```

Where in this case ':' means 10, ';' means 11, '\<' means 12, etc.

For example, '\<5:12:34' means 125:12:34 and '?5:12:34' means 155:12:34.

It's fixed in Android 4.3

The Related bug report is here: http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=41401
> 6 votes

# Answer
I don't have a Samsung Galaxy S4 but based on the information provided it seems like this is the time frame since the services has been active (i.e. Service "com.sec.phone" *started about* 1:46:26 ago). I can see that this is the case because a few other services have the same start time, at which point you either turn your phone ON (and Android initiated those services automatically).
> 0 votes

---
Tags: applications, services
---


# Question
Title: How to ensure dalvik-cache and lib are linked to SD on boot?
Recently, I upgraded my with a bigger SD Card with a partition of 512Mo on it.

I installed to place apps on SD card `ext4` partition.

Then I had to create by hand, the mount script to have my partition used by . (certainly due to write access on `/system` mountage)

What I wander is if there is a way to ensure that on reboot, linked apps create their dalvik-cache directly on SD. What is happening on startup is that I need to open , select all my apps, and relink everything.

Is it a feature included in the mount script?

Or is it simply the way works?

*PS: what is anoying is that the dalvik-cache takes too much place and can prevent some application from starting correctly.*

# Answer
Unlikely to be possible in this context, as Dalvik cache has a fixed system-wide location (`/data/dalvik-cache`). So you cannot have "linked apps place *their* dalvik cache directly on SD". Either all or nothing. Take a look at the tag-wiki for alternative approaches which might allow to move *the entire cache* to your SDCard. But a selective move IMHO is impossible.

Remark: An exception to this general rule are odexed ROMs, where the `.odex` files sit in the same place as the app, at least for *system apps*. So there *might* be a way to do the same for "user apps" which I have missed.)
> 1 votes

---
Tags: htc-desire, boot, link2sd
---


# Question
Title: What is this blue dot and circle on the lock screen?
Under the slider, there is a blue dot/circle. What is this?

# Answer
It was current data usage from Settings \> Data Usage \> Show on lockscreen.
> 4 votes

---
Tags: lock-screens
---


title: Looking for an MP3 player with playlist

text:
# Question
Title: Looking for an MP3 player with playlist
I am looking for an MP3 player that has a playlist and that automatically loads MP3 files from a given folder.

I'm using Winamp, but it's not loading my files.

PS I've asked this question so I don't lose time searching and testing software

# Answer
> 1 votes
I've found Meridian Player Transcend and it's what I needed. I can play all the mp3 files from a folder (all songs in an album)

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


# Question
Title: Android driver resets DNS on my Win7 host
Few days ago I plugged my android (HTC1) phone to my Win7 machine which never had any network issues.

When I connected, I also made th following change:

> Mobile Hotspot & tethering-\>USB network Setting-\>Internet pass through

Even when the phone is *disconnected*, from time to time, something (new) resets the DNS setting to my phone's IP address. I reset with `ipconfig /renew` and it is fine for a while, but eventually flips back.

**Update:**

Ran wireshark on PC and it looks like the phone is sending DHCP ACKs and announcing itself as the router & DNS server etc.

**This can't be a feature, How am I supposed to stop it?**

# Answer
> 0 votes
Workaround: I am pretty sure got fixed after I enabled and disabled "Mobile Hotspot"

So while I am answering my own question, I will accept any answer that describes how to disable this faulty behavior

---
Tags: tethering, wifi-hotspot, wifi-tethering, dns
---


# Question
Title: Signature verification failed when flashing custom kernel (Siyah)
I am trying to flash a custom kernel (Siyah-s2-v6.0b5-CWM) to my Samsung Galaxy S2.

When I go to recovery mode, click apply update from sdcard, and select the file, it shows this:

```
Finding update package...
Opening update package...
Verifying update package...
E:signature verification failed
install_package = (2)
installation aborted.

```

Any ideas what to do?

# Answer
Is your phone still using the stock recovery? That may be the problem.

If you're trying to flash / update ClockWorkMod (CWM) zips, then you need to have CWM recovery on your phone. An easy way to install CWM would be described in this answer; needs root.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-2, kernel
---


# Question
Title: my phone is stolen and sim cards removed. how to track it?
my android phone got stolen a few hours ago. the thief has already removed both the internet sims. as such, i had not installed AndroidLost or Mobile Tracker apps in the phone as it is a relatively new one. i have tried to remotely install it, but it may take time . please help out with the procedure and suggest methods to get it back.

# Answer
There can be many other options instead of those apps.

### Android Device Manager

http://www.android.com/devicemanager

This is the only thing to do, and check where the theif had been for a few last moments. But this isn't perfect.

### Android IMEI

If you ever wondered what your phone's IMEI is, you would have checked it via \*#06# too. If you have it, then go to the government officials who can handle it (I am sorry I cannot guide you to the perfect organisation for that, because I never tried using IMEI to track a phone) and they will help you either in protecting your data or will even get you to your mobile too.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: 4.1-jelly-bean, lost-phone, micromax-a110
---


# Question
Title: How can I make an actual heart symbol in a text on my htc inspire?
I've recieved text message where the the heart wasn't \<3 but an actual heart symbol and I have an HTC inspire, how do I send one like that?

# Answer
> 4 votes
1. You can us3 character application. (Search at play market)
2. Use hackers keyboard (free at play market) - at landscape mode long press on button 3 allows to select: #|³|¾|⅜|♥|♠|♦|♣.

# Answer
> 1 votes
SlideIT keyboard has a heart symbol

# Answer
> 0 votes
One way to do it is using unicode: U+2764 ♥

Another way is to use image replacement, this would be dependant on the messaging app to replace a specific sequence of letters with the appropriate smiley.

# Answer
> -2 votes
An easier way and free of any encoding...

```
<3

```

Simple eh? :)

---
Tags: sms, special-chars
---


# Question
Title: battery drainage question on HTC Sensation
HTC Sensation Z710e is one of the phone I have used over years. I found out that this handset’s battery drains extreme fast and I tried to find out some ways to reduce the battery drainage and make battery performance better. I got a replacement battery for Sensation from a friend and this is helpful.

I think it probably because I are using the stock battery for too long time? it is also easily got hot now...so how long can a stock battery actually be used??

# Answer
Install a wakelock detector. Wakelocks don't allow your phone to conserve battery life like it's intended to. The detector will tell you which apps to uninstall. Something is probably pegging your phone processor or wifi.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: htc
---


title: WinAmp not loading new mp3 files

text:
# Question
Title: WinAmp not loading new mp3 files
I have some new music on my SD card and Winamp it's not showing it. How can I load the new files.

# Answer
> 2 votes
According to the information wormed out by the comments, the culprit seems to lie in the way the files have been transfered – as the transfer method chosen obviously didn't trigger the media scanner.

**Explanation:** Most media players rely on the media database (a SQLite database) to find available tracks, as a simple database query is both faster and less battery consuming than scanning all available storage. Hence the latter is left to a single app, the so-called *Media Scanner*. Once triggered, it scans all available storage and feeds its finds to the SQLite database. This *Media Scanner* is triggered by different events: following a device boot (`boot_completed`), mounting a storage (e.g. putting in a SDCard), and unmounting from *USB Mass Storage* are some examples. So if the files were copied e.g. via some WiFi app, and the *Media Scanner* had not explicitly been triggered, those players won't find the new files.

**Work arounds** you can assume from the explanation: umount/mount the SDCard, or reboot the device. Both not really elegant. Alternatively, check the Playstore for some helpers like SDrescan, Media Scanner, or Rescan Media, which are simply triggering the *Media Scanner* when you tap their Widgets.

---
Tags: mp3, winamp
---


title: Rotate reminder in camera

text:
# Question
Title: Rotate reminder in camera
**Is there any way to have a Samsung Galaxy S3 remind the user to rotate the device when shooting video or photographs?**

The user in question keeps promising to start rotating the device when photographing but always forgets. I do understand that the problem might be the wetware and not the hardware, but I argue that the form factor and UI of the device actually encourages this behaviour.

# Answer
That looks like a job for Tasker:

**Profile CameraRotate:**

* *Condition:* App → Camera
* *Task:* Notify Sound (Text: "Rotate me, please!", Sound: \[select file\])

This way, whenever the camera app becomes the active (foreground) app, a notification will appear with the text specified. You can also include a sound (maybe something annoying or shocking, to make the "user in question" really aware). Also, instead of the notification you could chose "play sound", and have a pre-recorded MP3 played saying/shooting something like "Hey, don't forget to rotate the device!"
> 3 votes

---
Tags: camera
---


# Question
Title: Is there a curated list of Android web browsers?
I was looking for a reliable list of available Android browsers for the purpose of comparing features, standards support, engines, and the like. At first I thought something like this would be pretty easy to find! (Spoiler: **I was wrong**)

A Google search for "List of Android web browsers" returned blogs, a few arbitrary "Top 10" lists, and outdated forum posts. (Along with a mix of unrelated results).

The highly informative Wikipedia article titled List of web browsers includes many *mobile* browsers. However, the article does not explicitly specify which platforms the browsers are available on.

That "Mobile" section of the article above contains a link to Wikipedia's Mobile Browser article, which has a section titled Popular Mobile Browsers which also does not specify platforms.

Compro01 Points out that there is a limited list immediately blelow the "Popular Mobile Browsers" list for "Microbrowsers", which includes platform availability. Unfortunately, it's a very limited list.

Searching for "Web browser" in the Play Store returns a *lot* of results which are not very well-suited to at-a-glance comparison.

Does anybody know if/where a curated list of Android browsers, perhaps with some information about features/etc, exists? (Please don't just respond with your personal browser of choice!)

# Answer
> 1 votes
Well, I've wound up using alternativeto.net to specify alternatives to a specific browser, and limiting the results to Android. It's not perfect, but it's actually very workable.

It gives me a list that is fairly comprehensive, gives me an idea of user base numbers, and also includes enough at-a-glance information to help me a bit.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Based on your comment, are you looking for these things?

You can either use **real** Android device or lookup existing Internet resources to examine the code.

P.S. Do not ever attempt to use Android emulator to perform testing. As it is not reliable at all.

## HTML5 Compatibility Table List

Desktop and mobile browsers

http://caniuse.com/

Desktop, tablet, mobile, television and gaming browsers

http://html5test.com/compare/browser/index.html

Mobile browsers

http://mobilehtml5.org/

CoreMob (www.coremob.org): Mobile Web App Profile

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AuIhlK0fCwP4dEFPR1pUWHk1QVczcV9xbFAtX19CMXc#gid=0

## Test it yourself

Ringmark (Mobile Browser Test Suite by Facebook)

http://rng.io/

---
Tags: applications, browser
---


# Question
Title: Frequent WiFi disconnects with my WiFi router
I recently purchased Wireless Router and When I connected Wirelessly through my mobile(Sony Xperia P, android ver: 2.3.7), keeps on connecting and disconnecting for every 2mins. Whereas from other mobile(Samsung Galaxy Y) its perfectly connecting w/o any issues. Can someone pls tell me how to resolve this issue?

# Router details:

D-Link, Model No: DIR-600L, H/W ver: B1, F/W Ver: 2.00

# Answer
> 1 votes
Problem was solved by unchecking the option in my android mobile --\> "Use wireless networks" in "Location & security settings".

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Tags: 2.3-gingerbread, wi-fi
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# Question
Title: Chrome browser closed after receving a call
I started an online transaction on Chrome (under Jelly Bean). In between, I had a phone call and the browser closed automatically. It disconnected from the web sites, and I had to start the transaction again.

Is there any way to keep Chrome running in background and keep all the connections open?

This is really a big problem for now. I fear starting any online transactions on my Jelly Bean device.

Is there any other browser which will keep the connections open?

Google must have come across this issue.

# Answer
This is probably because of the amount of RAM on the device you are using. It sounds like the system gave the RAM that was being used by Chrome to the phone app. It saw that Chrome was no longer the active app and the phone app was requesting more RAM so in order to free up the RAM it had to close Chrome.

If Chrome was using a majority of the system RAM, and a new app requested access to the RAM, the system needed to free some up.

Since you did not specify what device you have though, this is really only a guess.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Android has two mechanisms that claim memory back from the applications that you run.

One mechanism is called OOM and is an integral part of linux. It activates only when the memory is really needed for something else. A phone call would normally NOT trigger this mechanism. Playing a game would, or copying large amounts of files from internal storage to SDCARD.

The other mechanism is native to android, and closes applications that have not recently been used. The exact defintion of "recently" is a moving target. It changes with every release of android, and also with the specific modifications that the manufacturer has made to it. Only the application that is currently visible is always recent enough to not be killed under this mechanism, on every version of android.

Apparently on your system and phonecall is enough to trigger that.

You can try two things to avoid this to happen. One is to switch back to Chrome while you talk on the phone. Use the multitasking functionality of your phone to do that. Chrome will then be the most recent app and android should respect that even during long calls. Note that your call wont be killed either under the same mechanism, because it handles audible interaction, which also makes it a currently used app even when not visible.

The other thing to try is an app that I made. Its originally designed to solve this very same problem for the Opera Mobile browser (now called Opera Classic). Its flexible enough to let you use it with Chrome. However I dont know if it really helps, your mileage may vary. You can download it for free here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2269810

There is also another aspect to your problem, namely memory management inside Chrome (not android). I vaguely recall that Chrome can evict tabs from memory when you look at other tabs. If that is true, the above tricks might only help you to keep Chrome itself alive but the previously loaded content may still be gone. In this case, only a new improved version of Chrome can solve your problem, or switching to other browsers.

I know that Opera Classic does not evict single tabs from memory, neither does Opera Mini. They either stay 100% in memory, or they are killed 100% at once. If you dont like those two, you may want to test other browsers specifically for this property and then apply one of the mentioned tricks to keep them always in memory.
> 0 votes

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Tags: browser, calls, chrome-for-android
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# Question
Title: What is the address for internal storage on browser?
If `file:///sdcard/` is the access address for the SD card, then what is the address for internal storage on my HTC?

# Answer
> 0 votes
You probably won't be able to access much of your internal storage via the web browser. The URL you mentioned, `file:///sdcard/`, consists of two parts: the protocol (`file://`), and the path (`/sdcard/`). So basically, you just have to change the path accordingly. You can check with a file manager what the path to the desired destination is.

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Tags: browser, storage
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# Question
Title: Variable amount of free space indicated in "Manage Apps"
When I go to "Manage Apps" and view the "Downloaded" section, the indicated amount of used space first shows a high value then drops slowly while the system calculates the space used by each app. After around one minute it finally displays a value which is up to 100MB less than the initial value.

I had always assumed that the final value was the correct one but recent experience suggests that the first value displayed is what is actually available for installing apps.

So, can anybody tell me what is actually happening here and how I can reliably measure the free space?

# Answer
You should be able to execute the `df` command from within any terminal app or via `adb shell`. It would list up all available file systems and their "free space" (`df` stands for "disk free"). But you would need to know what is what there. To give you an example from one of my tablets:

```
shell@android:/ $ df
Filesystem             Size   Used   Free   Blksize
/dev                   430M    64K   430M   4096
/mnt/asec              430M     0K   430M   4096
/mnt/obb               430M     0K   430M   4096
/system                674M   331M   343M   4096
/factory               127M    18M   109M   4096
/data                    2G   505M     1G   4096
/cache                 127M    18M   109M   4096
/storage/sdcard0         4G   650M     3G   4096
/storage/sdcard0/external_sdcard    29G     2G    26G   32768

```

So just like Cinderella you have to pick out the good ones, but simply can ignore the rest (or you can take a look at Android Folder Hiearchy to learn the important ones):

* `/system` is where your OS and its system apps reside. Rarely interesting to the end user, as it's not writable (except you can make it such on rooted devices)
* `/data` is your "internal storage"
* `*/sdcard*` (differs between devices and Android versions) your internal or external SDCard (see next item)
* `*external*` (may be `external_sd`, `external_sdcard`, `ext_sd`, ...) is your *external* SDCard. If that entry exists, the one mentioned with previous item for sure is the internal one.

So in my example there's enough free space available: 1 GB on `/data` (internal storage), 3 GB on internal SD, and 26 GB on the external. As these values are yielded by the system itself, one should be able to trust them :)

Remark: I ommitted some of the `df` output to make it better readable.
> 0 votes

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Tags: 4.1-jelly-bean, samsung-nexus-s
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title: WhatsApp: Group kick and deletion

text:
# Question
Title: WhatsApp: Group kick and deletion
I couldn't find any relevant source for this. So I'm hoping to find an answer to my simple question here.

If I kick someone out of my WhatsApp group (I'm the group admin), will the chat history on the person's mobile device be removed as well?

# Answer
No it won't be. The person will simply be shown the message "You have been removed from this group"
> 2 votes

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Tags: whatsapp-messenger
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