# Question
Title: Can I know who is changing Android's media volume?
Recently my phone's media volume will be changed to a fixed value in period automatically. I guess there's a bad app running in background or by alarm doing this, but I have no idea which one is the convict.

Is there a way to let me know who is changing system media volume? My device is an *HTC Butterfly 3* running Android 5.0.2 official ROM – and power saving is not turned on (in case it matters). Thanks!

# Answer
> 2 votes
In my COS12 (Android 5.0.2), I noticed that whenever the volume was changed an intent was broadcasted with action `android.media.VOLUME_CHANGED_ACTION` and that was all I was able to see using *dumpsys* or . The *extras* in that intent did not contain anything useful to trace the app.

Anyhow. Following is what I can recommend as an approach and as of now:

Install aSpotCat1, uncheck *Ignore system apps* from its settings and under *List apps by permission* browse the section *Audio Settings*. This app missed some system apps which my answer here took care of2.

(Click image to enlarge)

I suggest you check View app's full package name? and find out the package name of all the apps listed by aSpotCat. After that, uninstall all the user installed apps involved. Since removal may not be a preferable option for you, you can consider hiding/blocking them. Setup in PC and do:

```
adb shell pm block PACKAGE # for KitKat
adb shell pm hide PACKAGE  # for Lollipop

```

*PACKAGE* should be replaced by package name of the app. In short, the effect observed from that command is akin to removing an app from your OS with major difference that the app's data and UID *would remain preserved*.

To reinstate the app, replace *hide* by *unhide* and *block* by *unblock* in aforesaid commands.

You would have to wait and observe if the volume is getting changed. If yes, hide/block/remove those user installed apps singularly or in bulk and then go into observation mode again. If all the user installed apps are removed yet the change in media volume can be observed then a system app is involved in the process. If you've a custom installed or you're ready to the device, **only then** you should consider hiding/blocking/disabling a system app listed by aSpotCat since the stability of the OS can be affected.

As you would have guessed by now, this is a messy solution, relies on trial and error and doesn't guarantee much that you would be able to pin-point the app. However, I don't think there is any way to easily pin-point the app affecting the media volume.

---

1 You may try any permission checker app. The helpful list maintained by user Izzy on his website may come handy.
2 Input the permission *android.permission.MODIFY\_AUDIO\_SETTINGS*.

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop, htc, volume-control
---


# Question
Title: Samsung Keyboard language switch + Accessibility service
I've faced an issue that Samsung Keyboard disables functionality of language switching using space bar... after upgrade to 4.4.2 KitKat. That was messed on a forums a little bit and everybody agreed that Accessibility services should be disabled to enable this functionality...

But I have 7 services and DO want to use at least 4 of them... e.g. one of them forward notifications to my Sony SmartWatch... It become pretty useless without this service...

I really like Samsung Keyboard and want to use it... (I do use continuous input switching to voice input some times... and really love space bar switching of language)

How can I enable both language switching and Accessibility services?

GT-I9505

# Answer
> 0 votes
This answer explains why it's not possible to change the keyboard layout when an accessibility service is on.

I faced the problem on my Samsung Galaxy S3 with Android 4.3 (I9300XXUGOE1), installed Google Keyboard, and use it instead of the default Samsung keyboard.

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-4, languages, accessibility
---


# Question
Title: How can I view the contents of an .srt file on my Android?
OS: 4.1.1
Phone: Samsung Galaxy S3

I have a French .srt file that I want to view and edit the contents. How can I achieve this?

# Answer
.srt is just text. So, I'm sure you can edit it using any text editor like Jota+.

Give it a try, and let me know if it works.
> 1 votes

# Answer
> With Subtitle Editor Free you can edit your subtitles in your mobile phone. Application support several different encodings and you can edit time, text, re-sync subtitles and app has a lot of other functions. Try this app!

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mixedapps.subtitlescreator
> 1 votes

# Answer
Change the extension from `.srt` to `.txt`, then any word editor will work.
I use ES file explorer's editor.

When finished, change the extension back to `filename.srt`. It works fine for me.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: files
---


# Question
Title: How do I disable the drop-down spell check box?
I just updated my Galaxy S4 to Android 5.0.1/Lollipop. I don't like to use the drop-down spell check/autocorrect box; I prefer the one built into the Google Keyboard that displays as a line of suggestions above the keyboard. The drop-down displays over that line so I have to back out of it to tap a suggestion.

I had it disabled on Android 4.4.2/Kitkat and cannot figure out how to turn it off in 5. I've toggled all settings under Google Keyboard and Samsung keyboard to no avail. The only way I could find to disable it was to force close the Samsung keyboard, but unfortunately I can't permanently disable it.

Thanks!

Screenshot:

# Answer
> 2 votes
I managed how to disable the Lollipop's spell checker, (not one from keyboards as in other answers).

Just go to, **Settings****Language & input****Spell checker** then switch it off.

Already done ;)

# Answer
> 1 votes
**On the Galaxy A 5**, go to : Settings -\> Language and Input -\> Samsung Keyboard Settings -\> and switch "Predictive text" to off.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Check if you have Google Keyboard installed in Play Store. This keyboard somehow done all the spell checking despite the fact that I couldn't find it in settings, I wasn't even aware I had it installed. After uninstalling Google Keyboard spell checking turned off. (not my advice, I checked it on http://forums.androidcentral.com/samsung-galaxy-s5/514492-spell-check-won-t-turn-off.html)

# Answer
> 0 votes
The drop down bugged me for ages too as I would go to tap the correct word along the top of the keyboard and the drop down overlay would always pop up in the way and I would hit the wrong thing.

Here's how I solved it:

`Settings` \> `Language & Input` \> `Google Keyboard` (It was the 2nd option under Keyboard & Input Methods for me) \> `Gesture Typing` \> switch off `Dynamic Floating Preview`.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Samsung Note 4: Go to **Settings → Controls→ Language and input**, and make sure that default is set to **Samsung Keyboard**.

Under that, tap on **Samsung Keyboard** to open it. Scroll down, tap **Predictive text** to open, and move the slider (in the top right corner) to off.

Done.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Unfortunately I've come to the conclusion that, at least in Android 5 on my Galaxy S4, there is no way to disable the spell checker. I've been trying to just adjust my correction method to use the drop-down.

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop, samsung-galaxy-s-4, keyboard, auto-correct, spell-check
---


title: How can I get more Telegram stickers?

text:
# Question
Title: How can I get more Telegram stickers?
I've recently noticed loads of cool Telegram stickers making their way around. How are people getting these cool things? How can I add more stickers? How can I be cooler than them?

# Answer
> 2 votes
It's quite straightforward actually:

# Sending a Sticker

Pick an emoji, then in the message field, tap on it again

Screenshot - Click to enlarge

Alternatively, you can access the stickers menu in the emoji keyboard

Screenshot - Click to enlarge

# Getting More Stickers

> Sending a link isn‘t the only way to share a sticker set. When you receive a sticker from a set you do not currently have installed, simply tap on it and choose ’Add to Stickers‘ to preview and add the whole set.

If someone sends you a cool sticker you like, simply tap and hold on the sticker and select *Add To Stickers* in the dialog box that appears.

Screenshot - Click to enlarge

You can then manage your stickers in the Stickers menu in Settings.

# Answer
> 0 votes
To add any stickers to your collection, tap on a sticker and click on 'Add to Stickers'.

You can look at different places to see new stickers. Try chatting with @ratestickerbot that will ask you for ratings of new stickers.

---
Tags: telegram
---


# Question
Title: Using Tasker to know if I'm at work for more than a minute
I use Tasker's **Wifi Near** option to activate some tasks in my phone when I arrive at my workplace. My problem is that sometimes I pass by my workplace, with no intention of entering, and the tasks get activated.

Is there a way to make Tasker activate the tasks **IF** I've been near my workplace's wifi spots for more than a minute?

# Answer
Use *Tasker › Wait* in the task. When your *WiFi near* fired, just have it waiting for e.g. 5min, then exit if no longer WiFi near, otherwise continue with your task.

You could also bring variables into play, e.g. setting `%STAYATWORK` to `1` if the WiFi is still in reach after the wait, and have your other tasks using that as context. In this case, don't forget to reset `%STAYATWORK` to `0` (or unset it) if the WiFi is no longer in reach :)
> 1 votes

---
Tags: tasker
---


# Question
Title: How to map "settings" button to "recent apps" on Samsung Galaxy S4 with cyanogenmod
On a rooted Samsung Galaxy S4 (SGH-M919 aka jfltetmo) running Cyanogenmod 11, how can I remap the leftmost hardware button so it brings up the recent apps list?

# Answer
This is pretty easy to do.
Just go to `Settings->Buttons` and scroll down to `Menu button`. Below that you see `Short press action` and you can select your preferred action (*Recent apps switcher* in your case).

That's it. Depending on the developer of the ROM you may be able to remap other buttons as well.
> 1 votes

# Answer
you can enable the s4 ithink s3 also , the BACK button for recent tabs buy touching it for 1-2 seconds ( in the accessibility setting)

that serves the same
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-4, cyanogenmod, customization
---


title: Screen angle and brightness

text:
# Question
Title: Screen angle and brightness
I experienced the same on some Android devices: when changing the angle the screen is looked at, I see that the image gets darker or brighter. I would like to know if it is so on all devices or just some of them.

# Answer
> 0 votes
This is affected by the manufacturer of your device, as well as your own device settings. Different manufacturers use different types of screens for different devices. Some of the different types are: TFT-LCD screens, as well as different kinds of AMOLEDs. I have had one Sony and one Samsung, and have noticed that even though the Sony has higher pixel density and brightness, it cannot be viewed from certain tilts and when natural sun light reflects on the screen, its content goes practically invisible until shaded.

---
Tags: screen, images, screen-brightness
---


# Question
Title: Can I use Dvorak on a physical keyboard?
I use Dvorak as my main typing layout. I own a Motorola Xoom tablet, for which I bought an external bluetooth keyboard. I couldn't find how to use Dvorak on the physical keyboard though; I tried some of the Dvorak-capable keyboard apps in the App Store (Hacker's Keyboard, Honso Multiling, XenionSH Dvorak Keyboard), but none of these seemed to help (ASK has an open issue for this: http://code.google.com/p/softkeyboard/issues/detail?id=181)

Has anyone managed to do something similar (using either an external BT keyboard or a phone with an inbuilt physical keyboard.)

# Answer
> 6 votes
If your phone is rooted I think that you can write your own keyboard layout. I'm using my own layout (on SGS I9000) for some Chinese blouetooth keyboard that I bougth recently.

Layout files are in `/system/usr/keylayout/` directory. Layout file that is used by my keyboard is `Broadcom_Bluetooth_HID.kl`. I think that layout used by built-in keyboard will be `qwerty.kl` \- you could modify it and check if it's working.

Remember to make backups of original files before changing it...

# Answer
> 2 votes
I've made an app that supports a lot (over 30) different layouts and for the latest version (version 2.7) I've added the Dvorak layout. It does not require root.

You can read more about the app here: http://www.apedroid.com/android-applications/external-keyboard-helper

# Answer
> 1 votes
I tried a couple options and ended up using an app from RaidSix (com.tiagofalcao.raidsixinputdevices)\*, which added new layouts for physical keyboards.

I was then able to add multiple layouts to both a Bluetooth and a Logitech Unifying Receiver (via a USB On-The-Go cable) wireless keyboard, under:

* Settings/Personal/Keyboard and Language -\>
* Physical Keyboard/the-physical-keyboard-in-question/Set Up Keyboard Layouts

It may not be as convenient as the External-Keyboard-Helper app, though.

Amazon Fire, Fire OS 5.1.1, Google Play Store enabled

* I don't know what the policy is for linking to specific apps, but here's the full Google Play Store link.

---
Tags: motorola-xoom, external-keyboard
---


title: How to root Lenovo A1000 Smartphone?

text:
# Question
Title: How to root Lenovo A1000 Smartphone?
I tried Kingo Root and Root Genius and some other software but finally failed to root this phone. My phone is Lenovo A1000.

# Answer
To root a Lenovo A1000 smartphone (Android 5.0), go to kingroot.net and follow their directions to download, install, and run KingRoot. I downloaded the Android .apk to my Linux laptop and copied it to the phone via adb, but I'm sure downloading directly to the phone (they provide a QR code) would also work.

By the way, add SuperSU to the list of ones that do not work on this phone.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: rooting
---


# Question
Title: contacts are not showing when I don't add a phone number
Contacts aren't showing when I don't add a phone number.

I add tap the phone icon, I tap the person icon with the plus, I enter a name and email address. I tap "done". It says "contact saved". Then I hit back and look at the list and it's not there when it should be. I restart the phone and it's still not there.

# Answer
> 0 votes
One semi-workaround is to add 0 for phone number, though that won't deal with contacts not showing prior to that i.e. when no number was entered at all.

What will work though is look for an app called "contacts" or "people". That app will list all contacts including ones where no phone number was entered. That's the solution. So those contacts aren't lost.

If you don't see the "contacts" or "people" app, then you could check if it's installed under settings..apps..all. And you could try putting it in safe mode by holding the power button until it says "power off", and then when it says "power off", hold power off. Then it asks to go into safe mode, then say ok, and let it restart into safe mode. Then see if you see the app, to make sure a third party app wasn't blocking it.. hopefully you will see it. I saw it I think even in normal mode, it was just called "people" rather than "contacts. Whether it's "people" or "contacts" might depend on OS version.

---
Tags: contacts
---


# Question
Title: My bluetooth headphone is paired however sound is still from my phone?
I paired my bluetooth to my phone. Then I pair it also to my computer.

I turned on my headphone. I wonder where it will pair too? To my computer or to my headphone?

In any case both my computer and my smartphone say that the bluetooth is paired.

Screenshot (click to enlarge)

So it's paired. However, no sound would show up on my headphone.

Usually I turned on my headphone and I will be listening to my smartphone sound right away. Now it isn't.

Can Bluetooth device connect to several devices at once? Is that where the confusion is?

# Answer
> Can Bluetooth device connect to several devices at once? Is that where the confusion is?

Yes, **but** you can play sound from only one of the connected devices *at a point in time*, not both.

For example, my SBH80 headphone from Sony supports connecting two or three devices to it. But there's a catch. You could only listen to sound coming from the device that connected to the headphone first. In other cases, none will play through the headphone. Some headphones are kinda designed to play sound in a first-come-first-serve approach. Others get confused, and don't play anything at all.

To get your music playing, ensure only one device is connected to the headset.

> Usually I turned on my headphone and I will be listening to my smartphone sound right away. Now it isn't.

This is happening because your computer probably connected to headphone first. Disconnect PC and sound should resume automatically. If it doesn't automatically, re-pair (not take to the repair shop!) the headphone with the phone.
> 1 votes

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Tags: bluetooth-pairing
---


# Question
Title: How can I wipe cache partition in ASUS Fonepad 7 (K00Z) tablet?
I'm running ASUS Fonepad 7 (K00Z, with KitKat updates installed). Here is what I already tried by referring to this and this guide:

1. I started the phone in `fastboot` bootloader by pressing the `Power + Vol-up` button, but it has only these five options:

* Reboot.
    * Reboot fastboot.
    * SDCARD Download.
    * Factory Reset.
2. There is no `Recovery mode` where I can delete the cache partition.
3. I also turned on the developer options in settings and then run this command from my linux laptop: `adb reboot recovery`. But the tablet just starts and quits the recovery screen saying "No command found" or something like that.

Is there any hope of being able to delete the cache partition?

**Edit**

The issue is still unresolved, but I went a long way towards learning new things in Android testing, thanks to @Izzy. Primarily,

1. USB Debugging using Android SDK is very helpful. For instance, `adb reboot-bootloader` will restart the phone/tablet to the bootloader. Of course, the device must be recognized by the computer connected through USB which leads to
2. `UDEV rules` should be properly setup (for Linux OS; I'm using I'm using Ubuntu 14.04) or the proper vendor drivers should be installed (for Windows). This Q/A is very helpful in this regard.
3. `fastboot erase cache` was supposed to help me, but somehow, my ASUS device isn't being recognized by `lsusb` while the tablet is on bootloader screen (and thus, logically, neither by `fastboot devices`). I've raised a ticket about this with ASUS and awaiting a reply from there.

# Answer
> -1 votes
see if this helps :

I installed the temporary custom recovery to root my device, may be you can use that custom recovery to clear the cache.

Search for the methods to root this device.

I will post the link if I can find

---
Tags: recovery-mode, tablet, asus-fonepad-8
---


# Question
Title: Unfortunately process.com.android.phone has stopped unexpectedly error whenever i disconnect a call
Instead of call duration and other details, i get "Unfortunately process.com.android.phone has stopped unexpectedly error" whenever i disconnect a call. I am not able to check the prepaid balance of my phone. No USSD code works properly. This is happening in my new LetV 1s phone.

I have cleared the cache mentioned in the sites as a resolution. I even did a factory reset. Still it is not working. Kindly help me in this regard.

Thanks and Regards, Veena

# Answer
Try clearing data of

* Phone (com.anddroid.server.telecom)
* In-call Interface (com.android.incallui)
* Dialer (com.android.dialer)

You could temporarily download TrueDialer or any other 3rd party Dialer.

If possible a provide a logcat.
> -1 votes

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Tags: applications
---


title: Markdown and email

text:
# Question
Title: Markdown and email
Do you know of a way to add hyperlinks, use italics or bold faces, add mathematical formulæ and do all this kind of fancy stuff to write an email on an Android phone?

I know there are apps such as MarkdownX that let you write *documents* with all those proprieties or export them in various formats but this is not what I'm looking for: I'd like to write an email just as I'm doing now while writing this question, without attaching any file.

Yes, I know that I could just connect with a PC and write the message using some web browser extensions, but I'd like to do all the work using my phone.

# Answer
As for the text editing part, Gmail's new update (February 24th, 2016) has partially provided a solution: it is now possible to give the desired emphasis to your own email adding bold, italic, underlined, coloured or highlighted words *just using Gmail for mobile*.

<sub>(Click image to enlarge)</sub>
> 0 votes

---
Tags: applications, email, text-layout
---


title: HTC One M7 stuck on boot

text:
# Question
Title: HTC One M7 stuck on boot
I have a HTC One M7 since 2 years. I got a software update in December and i tried to update it and somehow after the update the phone showed me errors. So back then i did a recovery and the phone went back to the previous configuration. After this I avoided this update totally. But recently i totally ran out of battery and when i charged it, and started it, it upgraded automatically and now it is stuck in the HTC One white screen. Now if i want to recover it, it gives me the following errors -

> E:missing bitmap oem\_unlock\_bg (code-1)
> E:missing bitmap oem\_unlock\_bg\_yes (code-1)
> E:missing bitmap oem\_unlock\_bg\_no (code-1)
> E:missing bitmap icon\_ruu (code-1)
>
> Write host\_mode success
>
> handle\_cota\_install: Can't mount /sdcard, 1 times
> handle\_cota\_install: Can't mount /sdcard, 2 times
> handle\_cota\_install: Can't mount /sdcard, 3 times
> handle\_cota\_install: Can't mount /sdcard, 4 times
> handle\_cota\_install: Can't mount /sdcard, 5 times

I tried most of the solutions i could find. Did a cache wipe, even did a factory reset by pressing the power button and the Vol down button for some time. After the factory reset it gets stuck in -

> htc one m7 stuck in android is upgrading Starting Apps

How can i fix this? It has been 2 days and I am trying to get it up and running with no success. Any help is deeply appreciated.

# Answer
You need to run/flash the official RUU file from HTC that either matches your device's current firmware level or is newer. This will rewrite the partition table, and all data on the device back to factory condition. If that does not work to bring the device back into service, you will likely need to send it in to HTC or replace it.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: updates, boot-loop, fastboot
---


# Question
Title: Why does my phone automatically power off when there is still 2% battery?
My Moto X Play on Android 6.0 would automatically power off when the battery displays 2% remaining. When I try to turn it back on, I would get a "low battery" symbol, which means my phone didn't exactly run out of battery yet.

Why does this happen?

Additionally, how can this behaviour be overridden? (say in the event of an emergency and I need to use every last bit of the phone's power?)

# Answer
Prowler answers your first question well: *"Why does this happen"* -\> Prevents data corruption.

To answer your question *"How can this behavior be overridden?"*

**You can try:**

`setprop status.battery.level 50` from a shell terminal.

Note that bypassing the shutdown is **10x more risky** than a battery pull. However, in a true emergency, benefit \> risk.

**Why it's more risky:**

Battery pull = power loss to logic board, only unsaved data or partial writes / data-locks can cause corruption.

Dry-discharging battery = undervolting entire logic board, 3.0 volts instead of 3.7 volts can be like running your car on 8.5 volts instead of 12: Canbus stops responding, voltage leaks into serial connections, capacitors explode, etc. The same can happen inside your phone, except it's that RAM doesn't hold its correct value, processor misinterprets, accidentally writes the wrong NAND cells, etc, more so after hooking the phone w/ trashed battery up to a charger. The voltage difference between live power and undervolt battery can cause the same leakage onto the I2C bus. (Ever use a car charger with aux cord hooked up to the stereo... The alternator feedback is considered a "safe" amount of leakage onto the I2C bus.)
> 6 votes

# Answer
> Why does my phone *power off?*

* It looks like that Android code automatically shuts down when the voltage is 3.4V , battery is 0% . See this answer
* Purpose of shutdown as in this answer and also clarified here

> This is intended to make sure applications save any required information to disk that is specific to shutting down to prevent loss of user information.

> Why does it show *low battery symbol indicating phone hasn't run out of battery yet?*

* Battery status is not real time and probably would take some time to show the actual status

+ Most Android devices don't have a current sensor or Coloumb sensor (My phone Huawei Honor 6 has that sensor ).This sensor when coupled with voltage sensor gives more accurate charge levels. Voltage is derived from only from the voltage sensor, in the absence of current sensor. The fuel gauge sensor uses this to track battery State of Charge (SoC), which may not be real time as this . Another source Is the battery icon on your Android phone telling you the truth? says that updating battery SoC information is manufacturer dependent and not Android driven (emphasis mine and I haven't found any other source to corroborate this)
    > We contacted Google about this, and the indication is that the battery data given in the Settings is the correct one. The updating of the icon happens "every so often", we're told; quite how often is **entirely up to the manufacturer, rather than being part of the Android code**
* Further voltage is NOT a true indicator of the amount of charge. Li Ion batteries display a "flattish" voltage drop even though the amount of charge falls relatively steep as seen here at Fig.2

> How can this *behavior be overridden?*

* For versions earlier than 4.2, disabling auto shut down is possible per this DisableCriticalBatteryShutdown. I have not tried this nor do I intend ever trying it, since I always try to charge my battery once it drops to 20% for reasons that become clear on reading Table 2
* IMHO, it is an awful idea to let the battery drain to such levels firstly and even worse to attempt to squeeze last drops of juice from it. I would rather recommend in investing in a power bank, if this is a frequent requirement with you
* If power bank is not an option, you could use an automation app like MacroDroid to sound an alarm at desired voltage levels, say at 15% (uploaded macro accessible from main menu has a macro for doing exactly this). On alarm sounding, disable services/ apps not required to prolong battery life. In Marshmallow according to Compatibility Definition Document quoted here should give you a complete view of app and hardware power usage
> 3 votes

# Answer
It is not healthy for it to wait until 2%. It should auto power down at around 5%. It is a feature designed to help prevent hardware damage and data corruption. There is no way to over ride it unless somehow, you changed the core code of the OS.

Edit: There is a way to do it without recoding the OS. My bad.
> 0 votes

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Tags: battery, battery-life, shutdown
---


# Question
Title: Does android device manager remote lock if you deactivate stolen phone?
okay so my phone is stolen in airplane mode due to the security flaw on the power button....My question is if it deactivated will my android device manager lock and erase still work if the phone is connected to wifi or powered back on?

# Answer
> 2 votes
Yes, Android Device Manager will send the phone the Lock and Erase message as soon as it comes online and starts communicating with Google's servers. When the wipe occurs you will receive an email stating when and where it happened.

http://www.androidcentral.com/how-set-android-device-manager-lock-and-wipe-your-phone

---
Tags: remote-control, android-device-manager, remote-access, remote-wipe
---


# Question
Title: Samsung S4 GPE - "GPS Signal Lost" Dilemma. Considering Factory Reset. Need Backup advice
I've just found this web site and I'm hoping that I can get some advice/assistance.

I have a Samsung S4 Google Play Edition phone. The GPS worked fine for close to a year. (Location setting on High Accuracy.) However in June of last year (I think it was around the time I got the Kit Kat update), I started having a severe GPS problem. Within 90 seconds of initiating a navigation route with Google Maps, I'd get a "GPS signal lost." voice response. As I'd continue on with my trip, I'd notice the minutes to destination would click down at the appropriate rate. I'd also notice that the blue nav triangle would update every couple minutes or so and be somewhat in the vicinity of where I actually was - but the triangle would be turned in odd directions (not in the direction of traffic flow) and be several hundred yards off. And, of course, no voice commands at all. I'm guessing it had no fix on a satellite and was just determining my approximate location from cell towers. This happens every time I initate a navigation route, and for all practical purposes, the GPS is useless. However, one odd thing is that if I was on a trip more than 40-45 minutes, the GPS would get a satellite fix and it would all of a sudden start working correctly for the rest of the trip - a pinpoint-accurate blue triangle moving with traffic and the female voice commands would start. This happens everytime around the 40-45 minute mark of a trip (if the trip lasts that long). Bizarre. I have installed a GPS Status and Fix app and it confirms the unstable GPS signal (it occasionally will fix on a satellite, but then lose it). I have uninstalled Google Maps and reinstalled. Obviously a simple phone reboot doesn't fix the problem (this has been going on since June). My phone has now been upgraded to Lollipop, still same behavior. My network provider is AT&T - which concerns me as other people seem to be reporting on the net that they have GPS problem with AT&T. So, I'm out of things to try except a factory reset- unless someone here has any other suggestions. (I hope you do.)

That being said, I dread a factory reset (I've never done one before), but maybe it won't be so bad. I don't mind re-downloading apps and setting up my screens again. And my emails and contacts are all synced on the Google cloud. However, I really don't want to lose my SMS Hangouts trail or my call history which goes back over a year. I see that there are a few apps that claim to backup these data. But does anyone want to suggest/recommend apps and a procedure to make sure I retain as much of this as possible post factory reset? It will be much appreciated to reduce my anxiety about the process (not that the world's going to end if I lose these data).

Thanks in advance for any help. I appreciate it.

# Answer
Had same problem but was able to solve by:

1. open back cover
2. take a very small phillips-head screwdriver
3. remove the battery, SIM Card, and Data card
4. tighten all screws, especially the one on the top left hand when the back is open. Reason: Behind that screw is the GPS contact point touching the GPS antenna, and this gets loose very often.

For me this solved the problem.

Download GPS Status and Tools from Playstore and test.

Works fine now.

Even Samsung couldn't solve this over phone, but asked me to leave the phone with their service centre which will take a week to fix.
> 2 votes

# Answer
Updating the Google maps fixed for me. Did test with status app. Took few minutes but picked up. Compass was working perfectly.

Note: I tested functionality of GPS by going on highway for 8 miles. Didn't lose the signal once.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Incredibly, after not working for close to 10 months, my Samsung S4 GPE GPS started working correctly - just a few days before the above response to my original post. I do not know why it's now working properly all of a sudden, I'm guessing some update fixed it. Or some hardware issue corrected itself (as unlikely as that seems). I did read a few months ago about tightening the screws and I did that, but that did not fix it (immediately). Maybe it eventually had something to do with it, I don't know. All very bizarre and unexplainable.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: gps
---


# Question
Title: Where is my download list located ony htc desire?
I used my Showbox app and tried to download something and it said "saved to download list"

# Answer
> 0 votes
Open up your apps menu, and look for the "Downloads" app. That should bring up the "list" the message is referring to.

---
Tags: htc-desire, download-manager
---


# Question
Title: Wiped data, cache and everything on Sony Xperia Neo V MT11i, now it's stuck at Sony Logo!
I'm new to the enter flashing and rooting business. So I would like to get some assistance from you guys regarding this issue of mine... here's what I did:

* Installed CWM via APK on my Xperia Neo V Mt11i
* Got into recovery soon
* Wiped the data, cache and everything...
* I tried installing a ROM from the zip file, turns out it was for "Mt11a!"
* And I exited the whole thing, pulled my SD out and got another ROM...this where things went wrong, my phone's stuck in the "sony" logo now... and I'm not able to get into CWM either...

Here's what all I tried and what I got in result:

* Tried flashing the phone using flashtool, but I keep getting "error processing of loader.sin ended with errors" and flash is cancelled!!
* Next I tried CWM install, it says "ADB server is out of date, killing"...

I'm out of options guys, please help me out and tell me what best can I do resolve either those 2 errors or just a new method! Please help me out!

# Answer
> 0 votes
First thing is to make sure your phone is charged fully, or at least above 80%.

Also make sure you're connection to the PC is undamaged, USB ports in good condition, USB cable too.

Make sure you have the correct drivers for your device and the all the correct information about the device to prevent installing another incorrect rom.

If you get the adb to work using those tips, clear the cache and data etc. On the phone to remove any chance of the correct rom being corrupt by the one you tried to install before. (Don't forget gApps!!)

---
Tags: adb, rom-flashing, clockworkmod-recovery, flashtool, sony-xperia-neo-v
---


# Question
Title: my device doesn't switch on it keeps restarting is there anyway i can get my contacts numbers
My samsung note 4 edge doesn't open after a software problem it keeps restarting every time it opens and it doesn't take even 5 seconds then it goes of , is there anyway i can get my contacts numbers although they are still in the device but cant copy them since it auto restart every time i switch on and i dont have a backup :'( , thank you in advance ..

# Answer
> 0 votes
That 5 seconds can be a life changer. That should be just enough to copy a few files at a time over plain USB connection. You'd really have about 15 seconds as MTP is initiated mid-way through the boot animation.

That will get your photos, but not the app data from contacts. Those should be synced with your Google acoount, even if you turned off "backup my data to Google" in "Backup and Reset", but you have sync turned on with a checkmark next to "Contacts".

If that doesn't help, try to use that 5 seconds to enable USB debugging from settings, and launch an `adb backup -system -noapk` via ADB from mid-way past the boot animation when USB is recognized. You may also be able to use adb from recovery mode, which will give you enough time for a complete backup.

This is all assuming you have a locked bootloader. If you're on T-mobile or international edition, your bootloader is unlocked. You can easily recover data after flashing TWRP, CWM, or Philz Touch via Odin.

---
Tags: contacts, lost-phone, copy-paste
---


title: sideloading gapps after cm13 install

text:
# Question
Title: sideloading gapps after cm13 install
I've tried to use cm recovery to flash the Gapps package, but it can't find the zip. I get an error "invalid argument" I have tried flashing through ADB also, but once in recovery mode, the pc can no longer see the device ( nexus 6)

# Answer
Best way: First, install TWRP because CWM doesn't support it, then wipe data and cache. Be sure to take a backup. Now install CM13 and GApps. Reboot and it will work smoothly.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod
---


# Question
Title: Is there a way to improve S6 audio quality?
I just got a Samsung Galaxy S6 (Android 5.1.1) and I'm disappointed by the poor audio quality, as sounds are "chirping" and metallic, quite disagreeable to the ear. At first I thought it was just me, then I found several comments of people having the same opinion.

Is there a way to improve sound quality? For instance a built-in permanent equalizer, firmware updates, etc. ?

# Answer
I'm happy to report that apparently the problem went away with the recent update to Android 6.0.1 pushed to the device.
> 0 votes

# Answer
If you agree to void your warranty, your best bet would be to root your device and install a custom kernel, which can be further tweaked in order to improve the sound quality (amongst other things).
> 0 votes

---
Tags: audio, samsung-galaxy-s-6
---


# Question
Title: how to fix the problem of google play store?
I have accidentally uninstalled the google play store updates. Now the play store is showing error and not working. The error message is continuously popping out which is very annoying. How to get it fixed?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Try each of these things at a time and then open the Play Store app to see if it works again.

1. **Clear the Play Store cache**: `Settings` \> `Apps` \> Tap All \> `Google Play Store` then tap the `Clear cache` button.
2. **Clear the Play Store data**: `Settings` \> `Apps` \> `Google Play Store`, tap `Clear data`.
3. **Try downloading one of the latest Play Store APKs** from here and installing it. Make sure you've enabled installation from Unknown Sources (`Settings` \> `Security` \> Check `Unknown sources`).

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


title: Moto E (1st Gen) Bootloader Unlocking

text:
# Question
Title: Moto E (1st Gen) Bootloader Unlocking
There was some problem with my 1-yr-old Moto E 1st gen. It got dead and after some time the dead android guy appears with some red-blue thing on its chest. It appears for half a second. I pressed Power+volume Down and menu appeared saying 'Device locked status code 0'

Somehow I unlocked it using Minimal ADB and fastboot. Then it said 'Device unlocked status code 3'. On opening it shows window saying 'Bootloader Unlocked'.

Then I tried to install firmware 'RETAIL-DSDS\_CONDOR\_KXC20.82-14\_cid7\_CFC\_1FF.xml' flash images whatever they say. But in every command it returned 'Failure' and not 'Okay' as expected. Now phone is at is, with dead android guy appearing since yesterday. Please Help.

I followed steps from here

EDIT : I downloaded another firmware named : RETAILDSDSALL\_XT1022\_4.4.4\_KXC21.5-40\_cid7\_CFC.xml.zip

Again did flashing but got the same failed(remote failure) in all commands. After that I plugged out the phone and in the fastboot menu it said 'Last time flashing failed'. Now what to do ?

# Answer
> 0 votes
This means your bootloader is not unlocked first you need to go to the sit it gives a code on your mail you have to make sure that you have enabled OEM unlocking in the settings know apply the code in minimal adb and fastboot now flash a recovery and you can flash any rom you want

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop, hardware, device-firmware, bootloader-lock, motorola
---


# Question
Title: Got stuck with a Pop-up on the main screen
I have Samsung Galaxy E5 (SM-E500H) with Android 5.1.1. Recently, I installed few apps and after that, I encountered an annoying little pop-up below the screen sometimes. I got into uninstalling some of those apps but the pop-up didn't go away. How can I get rid of that? More technically, how can I find out which process is the cause of that?

Screenshot (click to enlarge)

# Answer
Thanks for all the helpful comments. Answer to: Determine which app is drawing on top of other apps? helped me a lot. I monitored the apps having special permission to put an overlay on top of other apps. I waited until the pop-up showed and with a little compare with the preceding apps list I could find the causing app. Thanks @Firelord.

So, I want to expose the app that caused this unwanted and annoying pop-up:

> Official name: Premium Wallpapers HD
>
> Package name: com.pixign.premiumwallpapers
>
> Play Store link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.pixign.premiumwallpapers&hl=en
> 2 votes

# Answer
That AD seems similar to the Google ADs. It's not related to TouchWiz. My suggestion is to search through your installed apps for something that may seem suspicious, or that requires too many permissions, and uninstall it.

Furthermore, I know of no apps that do overlay an existing application with ads, so be careful to not have installed some malware. Since I can see the CM Security antivirus, you should enable the heuristics in the app and scan your system.

Lastly, if your device is rooted, I recommend to install an AD blocker app.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: applications, 5.1-lollipop, uninstallation, popup
---


# Question
Title: Disable TouchWiz launcher on a rooted Samsung device
I used a Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 (Android 4.1.2) and a Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 (Android 4.4.2) for a product. I have been searching for ways to disable permanently the **Launcher** of Samsung's TouchWiz application (leave the rest as it is). I've found only two approaches which do not fit my needs. Both of them are:

1. Replace the launcher with another launcher one, and
2. Rooting the device and replacing the stock ROM with a custom ROM.

This is what I'm currently doing, but it's not enough because if my custom launcher (developed myself) crashes, then the selection box will ask again to set the default launcher (mine or TouchWiz's). I want TouchWiz's to get out of the equation (list of available launchers).

Replacing the ROM is not an option because I would have to test again my whole product. So this is not an option.

Is there a way to disable the TouchWiz's launcher component of the TouchWiz app? Maybe through ADB? If anyone knows I would love the help.

My devices are rooted and my custom launcher is a **system app**.

# Answer
> 1 votes
There's no need to uninstall the TouchWiz's launcher or install a new ROM. The solution to this particular scenario is to disable the package associated with the TouchWiz's launcher APK (thanks to @AaronGillion for pointing out its name and location).

To do this, just execute the following command as **root** in the ADB shell:

```
pm disable com.sec.android.app.launcher

```

In both, Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7" WiFi (Android 4.1.2) and Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 7" WiFi (Android 4.4.2), the previous command worked correctly.

Having my custom launcher installed but having selected deliberately the TouchWiz launcher as the default launcher, after disabling its package, my custom launcher was set automatically as the new default launcher.

Just as a side note, notice that I had the same results on both tablets even though I installed the custom launcher as a regular app on Tab 3 and as a system app (/system/priv-app/) on Tab 4.

# Answer
> -1 votes
Use Titanium Backup to force uninstall it (possibly?) but make a backup in case your launcher doesn't work correctly.

---
Tags: samsung, root-access, system-apps, launcher, samsung-touchwiz
---


# Question
Title: How to enable developer mode to install apps via ADB for this cheap Android Watch?
I just bought one of these:

It was fairly cheap so, unsurprisingly, in "Settings" I don't see any way to select "developer mode".

How can I go about enabling developer mode (USB debugging) to install apps via ADB?

# Answer
> 2 votes
If its an Android Wear watch (and it seems so) there is no options on the watch directly. It depends on the phone it is paired with, and all the options are available on your phone.

I have a Moto360 and I also don't have any developer options on my watch. If you plan to develop for Android Wear, you need to install everything on your phone, which will push all needed resources to your watch.

# Answer
> 1 votes
You should follow the steps mentioned here: Creating and Running a Wearable App.

It's quite similar to the phone : go to **Settings -\> About**, then tap on the **Build Number** seven times. It will enable the **Developer Options** where you can enable **ADB Debugging**.

If you can't connect your watch to your computer via USB, you can always enable the Bluetooth debugging following these steps : Debugging over Bluetooth

1. Enable **Debug over Blutooth** on Developer Options on the watch
2. Enable **USB Debugging** in the Android Wear app settings on your phone
3. Execute these adb commands :

```
adb forward tcp:4444 localabstract:/adb-hub
adb connect localhost:4444

```

If the second command fails, try replacing *localhost* with *127.0.0.1* .

---
Tags: usb-debugging, android-wear, developer-options
---


# Question
Title: Prevent USB data transfer (when phone is in use) and being charged
I would like to know how to protect my data when I use public battery charger in public places. I know that if I do not unlock my screen when charging, my data is safe, but what if I would like to use my phone while connected to public charger?

I would like to know how or if it requires to have an app that can help me block data transfer via USB , even if I am using the phone.

# Answer
> 4 votes
**Edit:** While reading up on this after answering, stumbled upon the name for this threat- Juice Jacking, defined as (emphasis added)

> Juice jacking is a term used to describe a cyber attack where wherein malware might be installed on to, or data surreptitiously copied from, a **smart phone**, tablet or other computer device using a **charging port** that doubles as a data connection, typically over USB.

Further, *mitigation* section of wiki says

> Juice jacking is **not possible** if a device is charged via the AC adapter shipped with the device, a battery backup device, or by **utilizing a USB cable that has its data cables removed**

* The simplest way would be to use a cable that only charges but does not allow data transfer. Such a cable is *non-standard*, since it does not adhere to standards wherein **data connectors / cables also play an important role of negotiating the *power* requirements** (1)
* These cables come with a disadvantage- charging speed is **very slow** (often by a factor of 10x as reported in some forums). A work around is to buy a cable of 20 AWG thickness (2) Since 20 AWG is the thickest cable permitted and by virtue of its thickness offers least resistance , and therefore faster charging. Such cables are available on ebay as an example. While these cables may charge at a reasonable rate, they are not recommended for regular use, as charging current rate is constant and not negotiable (as desired by battery charging logic)

**Other Possible Methods**

1. **adb commands/ tweaking your system OS:** These may or may not work since it is highly dependent on the way device OS is designed. To get a flavor, see my answer , which is the opposite of what you want to achieve.

**Edit:** Thanks to Firelord's answer, found a way that hasn't been documented anywhere AFAIK.

> You can run this command:
>
> > `adb shell svc usb setFunctions` This should reset the USB mode/configuration to *charging only*.

2. **DIY methods modifying the cable or end connectors:** **Not recommended** unless you have a good knowledge and are adept at such tinkering. For example, How-to-make-a-USB-no-data-charger-cable\- Google search will give you many more
3. **USB Condoms:** I didn't make that up :). These are implementation of DIY methods, sold as ready for use. SyncStop/ USB condom is one such product- many are available

**Note:** All above methods result in **sub optimal charging** and IMO not recommended for regular use since **charging power can't be negotiated**

Interestingly, there is a product Charging Safely over USB marketed last year (currently out of stock as per website). This recognises that doing away with data connectors is a *bad idea*, and **permits power negotiation** to happen (although slowly) while **denying data transfer** by using capacitors to limit bandwidth only for power negotiation

**Bottom Line** Use 20 AWG cable recommended right on top, and as sparingly as possible

---

(1): USB charging specifications in conjunction with Battery Charging Revision 1.2 lays down " *standard for establishing the proper way to charge a battery from a USB port* "

(2): American Wire Gauge (AWG) is a reference for thickness of cables. In this system, **larger numbers indicate thinner wires.** USB specification above makes reference to AWG numbers of 20, 22, 24, 26 and 28

---
Tags: applications, usb, security, charging
---


# Question
Title: Google now on moto 360 thinks i am talking in arabic
Everytime I say somehting to my moto 360, it thinks I said something in arabic and searches for something absurd in arabic.

How can I change that? I don't remember ever setting it to arabic

# Answer
Try changing the **voice language settings** of the Google app on your phone. You select several ones. You just have to tap and hold to select the main one.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: languages, google-now, motorola-moto-360
---


# Question
Title: Synch a phone to Linux PC without Google
Is there a way to **synch** the SMS/Calendar/Contacts/what not (I am not talking about files, and pictures, etc.) to a **Linux** (Ubuntu) PC? The quirk is to **bypass Google** in the process.So I would envision an App running on the phone sending all data to the PC in, say CSV or something like that... Can you advise?

# Answer
There are multiple ways to achieve this, at least for calendars and contacts:

* On Windows: Check out MyPhoneExplorer. Offers a lot of additional features like Backup Assistant, file browser, managing calls – and also syncs SMS.
* Using a CalDAV/CardDAV server of your choice, such as Baïkal or ownCloud. I use the latter – so for details, take a look at my article Android without Google 2: ownCloud. This would be independent of the OS on your computer, but you will need a web server. Big advantage: You can access your data from anywhere you've got a web browser working. And with *ownCloud* this also can include your documents, photo galleries, and more.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: applications, sync, linux
---


# Question
Title: Light sensor values differes from device to device - are the readings reliable?
I have launched an onboard sensors reading application on 2 phones: HTC M8 (Android 6) and Motorola Moto G (Android 5).

Those phones lays on my desk one just next to the other. And light sensor's readings are completely different: HTC shows `150 luxes` and Moto shows `365 luxes`.

This is a nonsense to use those sensors if readings are so different. Can those readings be treated as reliable? Can we do something about that issue?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Light sensor is sensitive to angle from light source too. Make sure that your two phones have same angle from the light source.

---
Tags: motorola-moto-g, htc, sensors
---


# Question
Title: My GT-I9192 device keeps rebooting to "GALAXY" logo, even when trying to go into Recovery Mode
I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini that turns on just to the "Samsung GALAXY S4 mini GT-I9192" logo and keeps rebooting to it.. even when I try to go into recovery mode it just reboots to this logo and restart again I download its firmware from sammobile.com and tried to flash it with ODIN. ODIN said everything went successfully, but the problem won't go away I also tried to install CMW recovery, it went successfully too in ODIN... but I still can't go to recovery mode

Please, what would be the best solution?

# Answer
That happened with me too, sorry, but your phone is probably bricked. I fixed my S3 by purchasing an un-bricking device off ebay/Amazon. They look like so:

(If your phone is rooted, make sure you have the right root file (International or For a carrier) I corrupted mine because I had the international root file when my phone was sprint.)

Hope this helps!
> 1 votes

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, rom-flashing, recovery-mode, boot-loop, samsung-galaxy-s-4-mini
---


# Question
Title: Weird "Unkown Error" message at specific times
i get this weird "Unknown error" message sometime every 56th minute of every hour. The error looks like this:

Screenshot (click to enlarge)

It used to pop at every 26th minute but recently moved to every 56th. Anyone got any ideas as to what this may be?

# Answer
> 1 votes
This is definitely an app installed on the phone, that **has a 1 hour sync interval** which fails to connect to its designated server. The sync will land on the same minute of every hour.

**Things to try:**

* Find a connected account with a 1 hour sync interval set, by going to `Settings -> Account & Sync`. Remove or update the culprit through Play Store.
* If you have **DroidWall or AFWall** on a rooted device, the culprit app might be blocked in the iptables rules.
* Try **connecting to a different network**, the network you're currently on may have a firewall blocking the culprit app. If you're on cellular data (no WiFi), still try this, your provider may have a screwed up DNS record for the culprit site.
* **Update every app** on your phone through Google Play Store, especially if you're on Marshmallow.
* If all the above fails, disable one app at a time until you find the culprit. You may not be able to disable updated apps, only uninstall them. You will have to use `pm disable com.example.application` from ADB or a terminal emulator. When you find the app, uninstall it, or contact the developer for an update.

**If you're rooted and have Xposed framework:**

* There are two Xposed mods that will tell you directly what app the error is originating from:
    1. **Buttered Toast - Xposed Repo**: Adds the Application name to any Toast notification displayed.
    2. **Burnt Toast**: Inspired by Buttered Toast, Burnt Toast shows the application icon in a Toast message. Screenshot:

I wouldn't recommend Burnt Toast in this case because not all apps have distinct icons, but it is more UI-friendly.

Hope this helps

---
Tags: system-error, samsung-galaxy-s-4-mini
---


# Question
Title: How to downgrade an app if it has been updated via Play Store?
I have an app installed on my phone, which I've installed from the Google Play Store. If I update the app and don't like the upgraded version, is there a way to undo the update and downgrade back to the version of the app that I had previously installed?

I tried searching a bunch on this site, and I found lots of questions about downgrading the OS/ROM/firmware, but nothing about downgrading app versions or reverting an app update.

# Answer
> 5 votes
There is an idea by Firelord in the comment here which I think should work:

> The best way I think is to have a backup of the app (at least its APK if not the data files; APK of earlier version of an app can also be obtained from some websites (beware of malware) if you updated the app and doesn't have the backup) so that if you end up disliking the updated version, then you can simply use that APK to revert back to previous version. That was for non-rooted devices. For a rooted device, well, use Titanium Backup to take complete app backup.

# Answer
> 2 votes
I have successfully downgraded an app just now. I have the old apk file, but when I try to install the apk, it won't install, because it's an older version (`logcat` tells me this).

I have to uninstall the app and then install the old version. This will lose all the app data, but fortunately I have that backed up too. I ssh into my phone and manually replace the configuration file because the app doesn't provide a way to export / import configurations. This step requires root access. I have the backups because I have root access, too.

UPDATE:

I followed Firelord's suggestions, but it succeeded a little different:

```
adb install -d -r xxx.apk

```

The two switches should be used together (`-d` for downgrading, and `-r` for replacing the existing one; so `-d` would mean to downgrade a non-existent app...). They can't be subtracted to `-dr` like GNU tools.

I'm using Android 6.0.1.

# Answer
> 0 votes
For system apps, there is a way to revert back to the version that initially came with your phone. If you updated a system app from the play store and want to revert the app to the original system version, you can do so by opening it up on Play Store and click 'uninstall update'; this will revert it to a system update. Furthermore you can't even uninstall system apps through Google play, so it's a fail-safe method.

If it's a non-system app, this doesn't work.

# Answer
> -1 votes
Check out this website.

http://www.freewarelovers.com/android/apps

On this website you can find freeware applications and many older versions.

Other alternative is F-Droid who allows you to choose which version you want to install. And all available apps on F-Droid are here.

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


# Question
Title: Does Android Device Manager Work if the phone was reset?
For this scenario let's assume the following:

> The phone is stolen and locked. The thief does not know the lock combination and cannot determine it. There is an external SD slot. The thief might already reseted my phone

In case it matters, the phone is a Sony Xperia z2

# Answer
> 0 votes
No, Android Device Manager will not work. It is so, as it does not have the data and information of its setting and accounts. But all of your data will not get in hand of thief.

Did you report it stolen with your carrier? They could report the ESN / IMEI as stolen so at the very least the thief probably wouldn't be able to sell it.

---
Tags: sony-xperia
---


# Question
Title: Any reasons to update Android from stock firmware (via PC) rather than OTA?
Is there any reason to update Android firmware (5.1.1 -\> 6.0.1) via PC using software like Odin, rather than just doing an OTA update? Is there any difference between the two methods in terms of performance, battery life, etc.?

# Answer
> 5 votes
> Is there any reason to update Android firmware via PC using software like Odin, rather than just doing an OTA update?

Yes.

* Since Android Lollipop, Google has moved to block based OTA updates which means if the system partition is tampered with (often done when rooting the device) the OTA upgrade would and should fail. How would you update the OS then?
* In Android versions prior to 5.0, OTA update still fails sometimes because checksum for a file in system partition doesn't match. How would you update the OS now?
* During OTA upgrade, some users report the device being stuck in recovery mode. How would you update the OS now?

Note: I've never found an incremental update that can be flashed via fastboot and I'm not familiar with Odin or the likes of it.

> Is there any difference between the two methods in terms of performance, battery life, etc.?

I can't give an objective view but note that there are multiple reports on this site where you would notice that OTA (it usually do a dirty flash) upgrade caused performance issues, such as sluggish animation, frequent app crashes (result of dirty flash), automatic reboot and issues with functionality of some apps. Often, a fixes them.

In the case of flashing the OS from PC, you're most likely going to clear the data partition as well so the resultant, once the flashing is completed, would be equivalent of buying a device with OS shipped from a vendor. If the OS isn't faulty, you shouldn't be having major issues.

I speak from experience with OnePlus One. OTA never worked for me. They either caused overheating or radio issues.

# Answer
> 4 votes
It depends.

It depends on how the full flashable tar/kdz was obtained. If it was obtained from an OTA capture, what difference does it make? Just doing the OTA would then be the most direct from the manufacturer. Capturing is a popular deal, because big companies don't do free hand outs. The more experienced (ex. Sammobile) actually build their own tar files that are independent flashables using a combination method (OTA + live system pulls). As anyone can see, it's all still based off the OTA.

Your question could then be a) whether wiping data after an OTA makes it "run smoother" and have better battery life. And that answer is definitely yes, because certain old files (like app data) is converted to run on the new system, but can cause problems and complicated interpretation. And b) if AOSP/vanilla/slim roms would be a better option, and that also depends. They will usually run better, but you may get more bugs/crashes.

The bottom line is you have to do your research, and probably rom testing. There is no one-size-fits-all answer.

---
Tags: 5.1-lollipop, 6.0-marshmallow, ota-update, odin
---


# Question
Title: How to find date a bluetooth connection was first paired
I have a rooted samsung Galaxy grand 4.1.2 with full file access, That has a paired bluetooth connection with another phone. Is there any simple way/app (non programmer) to see the actual date the original pairing request was made. I need to find it out exactly for a legal issue and am struggling to find out if its possible. thanks

# Answer
> -1 votes
The database you're looking for is `/data/data/com.android.bluetooth/databases/btopp.db`

The full history should be there *until* you explicitly clear data in Application Manager.

I remember reading a full guide on a digital forensics site, can't find the link I had in mind, but this one tells us the log includes MAC addresses (good for legal evidence):

http://www.forensicfocus.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=11733/

Hope this steers you in the right direction.

---
Tags: bluetooth-pairing
---


# Question
Title: Move saved YouTube videos between devices
Is it possible to move the saved/downloaded exo YouTube files (downloaded with the YouTube app) between devices to avoid having to download them again on other devices? If so, how?

# Answer
I am afraid to say this but moving videos between devices is not supported, Yet, AFAIK.

Here are few technical details.

When user download those videos, using official YouTube app, Android saves those videos on **Internal storage**(and not on external store such as sd-card)of the device. The path can be something like below:

> Internal storage/Android/data/com.google.android.youtube/files/Offline/(system generated folder name)/streams

If you can go to that location, you will find that, **all those downloaded files are saved as .exo files.**

Since these **.exo** files are supposed to be system files, these are usually filled with System info(in another words, the device info) into it. Also, those downloaded videos are encrypted and the video file is split into chunks of .exo files.

Hence not only they can be played on the same device, but they can only be played with Official `YouTube` app.

> You can not play these downloaded videos using any Other Media player.

You may want to check the links related to YouTube offline feature here and here for more information.
> 4 votes

---
Tags: video, youtube
---


# Question
Title: Lenovo A850 bricked while flashing stock ROM
My phone Lenovo A850 (MT6582) bricked just now. I accidentally pulled out the USB cable when it was flashing stock ROM by using Smart Phone Flash Tool. Now it's not charging and won't turn on, like a dead phone. I can get into MTK Meta Mode by pressing `Volume Up` & `Volume Down` then connect the USB, with and without battery. But when I try to flash anything, it gives error 4032. Please help me this is not my phone and I broke it! It does nothing when I press power button.

# Answer
Is your PC showing preloader devices connected in devices and printer menu when you put the USB cable in your device without battery (press volume key 3 or 4 time)?
If it is showing, then you can flash your stock ROM again.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: unbricking, lenovo, flashtool
---


# Question
Title: How do I get the location consent prompt back
I have a Samsung Galaxy S3 and I do not mind when the location consent screen pops up when I turn on GPS, in fact I prefer it As I always choose disagree

The one that says "allow google's location service to collect anonymous data... etc "

Yesterday I hit agree and now the prompt does not come on when I turn on GPS. In the past, if I went to location services and turned off high accuracy mode (GPS Only) it would bring back the prompt so I could disagree again.

Does anyone know how to get this prompt back (Get the dialog box back). I have tried resetting app preferences to default, disabling google app services, google play services, clearing the cache, opening location services and selecting GPS ONLY then re-enabling the google app and google apps, but nothing has worked..

I do NOT want to share anonymous information with google so I need this prompt back. Also - Is there a way to get Location Services to default to GPS only instead of High Accuracy?

This is the opposite of THIS problem Location consent annoyance

# Answer
I tried the solution found here : Location Consent & undo Remeber This Setting It did not work the first time. The second time I left GPS only enabled with GPS on when I rebooted. That did the trick. When the phone rebooted GPS was still in GPS only mode and when I turn GPS off then back on I got the "Improve location accuracy prompt again"
> 0 votes

---
Tags: gps, geolocation
---


# Question
Title: Download old version of Amazon Appstore on android
I accidentally updated my amazon appstore to amazon underground without backing it up. It does not work on my device for some reason (I can't download normal apps I can ONLY download underground and paid apps, weird). There's no way to downgrade so I was wondering if someone could give me a direct link/ server directory to the old version before they went underground (e.g. http://s3.amazon.com/link/to/old/appstore.apk )

# Answer
The simplest and trusted way would be to download it from **APK MIRROR**. This is by far the best site for downloading Android apks(apps). You just have to type the name of the app in the search bar and you'll get search result for the app with different version. You can download the version of the app you like. You should try it. Recommended.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: stock-android, amazon-appstore
---


# Question
Title: Does swiping from recent app screen kill the foreground service?
I have read certain posts and done by myself and i found that on my device android kitkat 4.4.4 when i swipe the app from recent screen the foreground service doesn't stop, So does this behavior present on every version of android os or in some version foreground services are killed ?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Yes, this clear the App from the RAM(memory). This is valid from the Android 5.0+. The foreground services are definitely stopped if executing. Same does not affect any background services if any running.

# Answer
> 0 votes
No, the only effect of removing a task from the "recent tasks" list is to remove the entry from the list. It doesn't have any effect on Android's process or memory management.

---
Tags: services
---


title: How can I install an Epson iPrint App?

text:
# Question
Title: How can I install an Epson iPrint App?
I have a 10.1 inch Android Tablet (4.4 Operating System). I want to install an Epson iPrint App so that I can use an Epson wireless printer. I keep being getting the message that there is insufficient storage available to install the iPrint App.The App contains 26.4 MB.I have already uninstalled 80MBs worth of Apps but the Tablet still won't accept the iPrint App.The Tablet has a 32GB microSD storage card.What can I do?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Android seems to need more space than the app requires to download and install it - as a rule of thumb on my older devices I cleared 4x what was required to get app installs to work. However on newer devices (including my Nexus 7) most Google applications (including Play Store) won't let the device get below approx 500MB.

Things to try are

* For apps which store a lot of offline content set them to use external storage (this may not always be available). For example in Google Play Music - Hamburger \> Settings \> Storage Location \> External
* Clear the cache of an app - Go to Settings \> Apps \> Overflow Menu \> Sort By Size and look for the largest app you're not expecting to be using much space (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter) - try clearing the cache.
* Remove some downloaded content (e.g. video, music) from the tablet (e.g. video you've downloaded from BBC iPlayer or Amazon Instant Video)

When you have sufficient space to install apps again, Disk Usage https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.diskusage is a handy app to have installed - it can identify apps which are using way more storage than you expect (e.g. offline video from an app you've long since removed).

---
Tags: applications
---


# Question
Title: Can someone factory reset it? if its (5.0)OS and has a lock
My phone was stolen (it has a password) and I remember that its OS was 5.0. Can the theif factory reset it?

# Answer
> 2 votes
They will be able to factory reset the device from Recovery. However, if your device has Factory Reset Protection (not all 5.0 devices do) then they will require your Google Account password to access the device on first boot, so the phone will not be usable. Joel's answer mentions Android Device Manager — note that it will not work after a factory reset, and you have to have set it up beforehand as well.

Unlike Joel I would assume that yes, much of your data is recoverable *unless you device was encrypted*. I see no reason to believe that manufacturers started doing proper full wipes beginning with KitKat just because the researchers didn't test those devices! Files that were simply deleted / had their headers destroyed / etc. can usually be recovered because all of their data is still there physically, the OS/filesystem just doesn't know about it.

Also note that if your device's bootloader was unlocked, they could flash a custom recovery and access your data that way without a factory reset (again assuming an unencrypted device). It might be possible to do this without a custom recovery as well depending on the features provided by the stock recovery.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Yes , factory reset will erase all data , including the password. However he will not be able to recover the data (to the best of my knowledge) According to this website

> It must be noted that devices running Android 4.4 and above were not tested, so it is not clear whether devices running Android KitKat and Lollipop are also affected, although the researchers were quick to point out that it’s plausible that they could be.

If you are looking to locate it then use google device manager. Sign in to the same account as your phone was signed in and it will show you the location of when it was last online. Hope that helps

---
Tags: lost-phone
---


title: How to sort Google Account on Setting

text:
# Question
Title: How to sort Google Account on Setting
lot of email currently signed in to my phone. I accidently remove my email due Google Play Games problem. I want to my email back at top on list.

Is there any a way to do it?

Thank you

# Answer
> 0 votes
You will have to remove all of the other accounts and then add back the one you want first before the others. There is no way to re-order accounts that have already been added.

---
Tags: sync, email, google-account
---


title: Whats App Web QR Scanner damaged?

text:
# Question
Title: Whats App Web QR Scanner damaged?
I got a problem with my WhatsApp QR Code Scanner:

I use a Samsung Galaxy S5 with Resurrection Remix Rom (Nightly with Marshmallow) and WhatsApp 2.12.479.
Starting the "normal" camera and using it is no problem. It works fine.
All I could find with google are problems regarding a flipped scanner, but as you can see that is not my problem :/.

I already reinstalled WhatsAPP, but it doesn't work.
Thanks for your help,

# Answer
after hours of searchng I found a post where a suggestion was just to hold the scanner on the qr code... It worked..

So nothing to do here ;)
> 1 votes

---
Tags: whatsapp-messenger
---


# Question
Title: What is my phone's hostname/network name?
This should be really easy to find, but I've done a bunch of google searching and haven't found anything that works. On Linux, you just type `hostname` and it tells you, but that doesn't work on my phone.

I know I've changed the hostname in the past (was `android-r` at one point), but I don't remember how. All I want to do right now is see what it is, though, so I can connect to it without knowing the dynamic LAN IP address.

# Answer
> 6 votes
There's a way to retrieve your device's hostname, but you'll have to meet one requirement, which is to have a Terminal Emulator installed on your device.

Once you have one, just open an instance of the emulator and issue the following command, followed by Enter:

```
getprop net.hostname

```

Your phone will then answer with its hostname.

# Answer
> 2 votes
This depends on the device.
Some devices don't send their hostname to the router or that hostname is already used, so they are only reachable via their IP address or network local hostname (not device local hostname).

On Windows run `tracert <ip>` and you see the locally valid hostname of any device.

Example output:

```
1    94 ms     7 ms     9 ms  android-ce166eae64b93da4.fritz.box [192.168.178.24]´

```

So the hostname is `android-ce166eae64b93da4.fritz.box` for this specific network.
Usually the part in front of the network suffix (in this case `fritz.box`) is unique and works across networks (remember: only local).

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, networking
---


title: What is Android InCallUI?

text:
# Question
Title: What is Android InCallUI?
What is Android InCallUI? I keep seeing it under apps I've used.

I googled it and I keep seeing it related to this xPrivacy Pro software. I have an Android ZTE Z812 phone and am wondering how I find out if this software is installed on my phone and how to access it?

# Answer
InCallUI = In Call User Interface. It handles the display when you're in a call; it has nothing to do with privacy software and you can't uninstall it since it is a core system app.
> 7 votes

---
Tags: terminology
---


# Question
Title: How to stop Wifi from automatically turning itself off?
So on occasion, my wifi automatically turns itself off for some strange reason. This happens on both my Lenovo ThinkPad and my Samsung Galaxy S5. Is there a way prevent this from happening?

# Answer
> 6 votes
Turn off Connection Optimizer

* Settings -\> More Networks -\> Mobile Networks -\> Connections optimizer -\> TickOff connections Optimizer

Or Turn Off Wifi Timer

* Settings -\> Wifi -\> Tap the vertical ... and then Advance -\> Wi-fi timer -\> Turn off any timer selected.

I hope this works for you.

# Answer
> 2 votes
Go to Settings, Wi-Fi, (menu button) advanced settings and then select All the time on the option use Wi-Fi on suspension.

The translation maybe it's not perfect. My phone is in Spanish

# Answer
> 1 votes
Check your device setting... You your device is on power saving mode then this can happen as the more optimized mode switch off wifi when not in use.

I had similar issue with my HTC One which took some time for me to catch and fix.

Cheers

# Answer
> 1 votes
In Wireless options in your Samsung device. Click on options (Overflow-icon) and click Advanced. After that you'll see an option called "WiFi timer", click on it and uncheck both check boxes.

Does this happens on your devices who are connected to the same network or? And does it happens on your, or any network.

And here is the link from Lenovo Support page, about your problem.

# Answer
> 0 votes
It may be because of GPS as some settings for the GPS (aka high accuracy) use Wi-Fi & connect to known Wi-Fi connections to triangulate your position and can improve on location detection. To fix this:

* got settings
* location
* disable GPS by turning off

Hope this solves your issue

# Answer
> -3 votes
Format your phone and check.. This happens due to a virus attack by installing various malware applications by unknown sources.

---
Tags: wi-fi
---


# Question
Title: Can I input a video signal into my HTC phone to use it as an external monitor of a camera?
I'd like to use my HTC Evo 3D as an external monitor for my Canon 7D camera. The Canon 7D has a HDMI output. It also has an USB port, naturally.

I was wondering whether this would be possible. I think the USB/MHL port on HTC Evo 3D is for output only and it cannot receive any signal inputs. Is that right?

That would leave the USB port for this. But I still don't know how to achieve it.

I want to achieve something like this:

# Answer
If your HTC phone has OTG support. You can use one of these USB OTG adapters. Then you can plug your 70D using a mini USB cable and then plug it in to the OTG cable and plug it into your phone. Then you can download an app such as DSLR Controller and you should see live feed of your 70D on the phone.
> 1 votes

# Answer
As far as I know, there are several apps on google play that will support several external cameras via USB, and I believe they allow for control of camera via android as well. Just search for Canon Camera Controller.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: usb, external-display, htc-evo-3d, mhl
---


title: Current profile as condition in llama

text:
# Question
Title: Current profile as condition in llama
Llama is a great tool, but I cannot figure out one (maybe) simple thing. I have a rule that sets the volume low at night (10pm - 6 am) and it works fine. Last night (9pm) I was at the cinema and selected the profile "silent". But at 10pm of course, llama set the profile to "low volume".

Is there a workaround a profile changes only when a certain profile is set (or not set)?

When the profile "silent" is set by another rule I set a llama-variable silence=1, and in the night-rule this variable is checked first. But when I set the profile manually, the variable-workaround doesn't work. I know I can lock profiles, but is there a more elegant way?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Shortcuts to activate specific Llama Events can be placed on the home screen. Therefore create an Event (or use an existing one):

Name: Go Silent (or whatever you want)
Enabled: yes
Conditions: None
Actions:
1. llama variable: silence=1
2. Profile: Silent (can also use Advanced option to lock the profile for a fixed time e.g. 2 hours, so other events won't change it regardless of whether those other events check the silence variable. Note that that after this time elapses, it'll automatically switch back to the prvious profile)

Now that the event is defined, go to your Android home screen and put a Llama shortcut on it which will open a window listing the various Llama Profiles and Events, and select your Go Silent event. Now pressing the shortcut will activate the Silent profile and set silence=1 for testing by your other events.

Alternatively, rather than creating the Event first, just create the shortcut and select "Custom event actions" and this will drop you to limited a Llama Event creation screen that only allows a name and Actions to be defined (without conditions etc).

# Answer
> 2 votes
Or you can use the profile lock. As that is what is intended for.

Go to the profile press the lock icon next to the profile you want to set, then just select the length of time.

Also if you go to the same theater, make a profile for that area for silent. Obviously if it uses the same tower as another area, you will have to add condition such as"and" or "or" to prevent conflicts.

---
Tags: automation, llama
---


title: Current Android font

text:
# Question
Title: Current Android font
Several months ago, I changed my base font using Font Installer. Now I can't remember the name of the font I changed to. Is there a simple way to find out?

# Answer
If you are looking for the name of the font you have changed to, you can use the website What the Font.
> 3 votes

# Answer
If you merely *changed* the font, then you can simply look at `/etc/system_fonts.xml` to see which font it's set to use. If you have a good file manager and a good text editor, then you can just browse to the file and look. You might need to make a copy on your SD card and rename the copy to end in `.txt`.

If you actually *replaced* a system font file, then you'll need to parse the TrueType file. Unless you get lucky with finding the right app, the format's too complex to parse for a simple Android-only answer. The next best thing is to copy the file to your computer (either via file manager + USB storage connection or pulling the font file with `adb pull /system/fonts/Roboto-Regular.ttf`) and try seeing if your OS includes a decent font preview/install program. Or you can use the Unix strings utility (probably only on your phone if you have BusyBox installed) like `strings /system/fonts/Roboto-Regular.ttf`.

Note that `Roboto-Regular.ttf` is the default font as of Android 4.x. Earlier versions use `DroidSans.ttf` instead.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: fonts, themes
---


# Question
Title: Where are the inline remote settings in Android?
I recently purchased a set of headphones with iPhone controls. I've never had these work on Android before and was expecting to just get audio out, and lo and behold, I have media controls.

The trouble seems to be, I also have Voice Dialing, which is triggering itself anytime the headphones are plugged in. Any app playing music now also pauses and plays randomly.

I don't know exactly what's going on, but I suspect that there are 2-3 different apps all trying to do something with the headset, and it's causing problems. I don't really need it to work, but I can't find *any* settings dealing with the inline remote anywhere. I've been digging through the system settings and all of my app settings all day and nothing even mentions these behaviors.

I don't care if I have to recompile the kernel myself; I very much want to edit this behavior. Where do I start looking? Is the headset a hardware button? Is there a flag I can check for with an app's code that can detect when a headset with a remote is plugged in to make it do different things?

# Answer
> 3 votes
To my experience, headset control behaved randomly. Took me a couple of weeks to figure out why suddenly in my training sessions the music player started (wow! that button on the headset suddenly does something...). Like you, I never found any corresponding system settings.

To get rid of that "random system", I took a look around. As usual with Android, almost everything is triggering (or triggered by) an intent, and a listener reacts on that. If there are multiple listeners, the user will be asked with which app to perform the action -- and can declare that app the standard; which holds until a new app registers or the chosen app gets uninstalled.

That said, I went to the Playstore and took a look around -- and indeed, there are multiple apps around taking care of the button-presses: Single press, double, triple, long-hold, klick-and-hold... I never imagined how much to do with a single button :D Unfortunately for me, I could not yet convince the one app I tried to behave as intended -- except for single click and single hold (i.e. play/stop/take-call and volume-up) -- but that may be due to the combination of headset/phone/app, and I certainly will try to figure this out by evaluating different apps.

To give you a starting point: there's e.g. JAYS Headset Control, which I currently use. Though highly configurable, see above for my problems (Philips plugs, Motorola device). Then there's also Headset Droid which looks quite promising, but costs about EUR 2. This seems to support multiple buttons even, from the screenshots.

Then there are Headset Button Controller (also about EUR 2), Philips Headset (free -- the next one I should try with my Philips headset), and a lot more -- just search the playstore for "headsetbutton"...

# Answer
> 1 votes
You can try **Headset button controller**. This worked for me.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kober.headsetbutton&hl=en

There is a trial version for this too.

---
Tags: headphones, remote-control
---


title: Korean font discrepancy

text:
# Question
Title: Korean font discrepancy
I purchased a textbook with a mixture of Korean and English.

The Korean font shown in Kindle on my Nexus 5 phone is simple and readable, but in Kindle on my Samsung S4 tablet the Korean font is unusual, like handwriting, and renders the book almost useless for me as a beginner. I need the tablet sized screen for the book to be useful.

Comparing my two devices, the system Korean font is the same simple style, so I'm unsure why the Kindle Korean fonts are so different.

Changing the Kindle English font has no effect on the Korean :-)

Is there a way I can change the Korean font for Android Kindle somehow?

Android app on Samsung Tab S running 4.4

Thanks! Danny.

# Answer
> 1 votes
The short version is that you need to upgrade your tablet to a newer version of Android.

The long version is that the font rendering changed in Android, upgrading text from "unusual, like handwriting" to "simple and readable". At the beginning of 2013, Adobe donated their CCF rasterizer to FreeType (the font rendering library used in Android and Linux in general), which integrated the changes for version 2.5. It wasn't until the end of 2014 that the updated FreeType library was merged into Android's repository, so the earliest version of Android to get the update is 5 (Lollipop).

The Nexus line of devices generally gets Android updates really quickly. Other Android devices often lag behind by several months or just have support quietly dropped. If your tablet still has the problem and doesn't have any updates available, then switching to a third-party version of Android (e.g., CyanogenMod or Replicant) is probably your only option. Be aware that this could easily brick your tablet if everything isn't done perfectly, so you do it at your own risk.

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-tab
---


title: Google Play Leaderboards Hack

text:
# Question
Title: Google Play Leaderboards Hack
As you may have noticed, on plenty of Android games with top scores, they are linked to the Google Play Games Leaderboards. Of course these will contain plenty of hacked scores. I was wondering **How do you hack a game score and have it appear on the online leaderboards?**

I have tried editing local files containing scores etc. and I've tried using game guardian and both worked for changing my offline score.

Games like Flappy Bird, Crossy Road and Don't Tap The White Tile are the sorts of games which I have successfully modded offline and wish to mod online.

Any help is appreciated

# Answer
> 1 votes
I could only understand... if you have a thousand dollar "high-score" bet on the table to have to spend time trying to hack leaderboards. Anyway...

Your best bet IMO would be to write an Xposed module, that loops into a static method in the Google Play Games API library bundled in each game to (re)set the `private String` or `private Integer` that holds the score.

You'll have to use Xposed (IMO) so the Google Play library doesn't detect the modified code via md5 check.

If you have questions about programming this, go ask on Stack Overflow, lots of people ready to help there.

Hope this provides some insight.

---
Tags: root-access, google-play-games
---


# Question
Title: iFont app caused a bootloop and I cannot see the data despite connecting to a computer
I have a rooted phone on which I installed the iFont app

I selected a font and downloaded it. When I installed it, *it asked me to restart the phone*. I rebooted it and then my phone keeps restarting. I even wiped the *cache* and the *data* partitions but its keeps restarting.

When I connected my phone to my PC, the files seemed to be hidden, so I opened hidden files.

When it appeared, it seemed to have no space in it, I tried to format it but it gave me an error saying that *there isn't any space on the drive*

I searched in Google for a fix but I didn't find anything that helped me

# Answer
I had the same problem today with manually installing a new font by replacing the default fonts (`Roboto-Regular.ttf` and `Roboto-Bold.ttf` on my CyanogenMod 10.1/Android 4.2 Jellybean phone, but probably `DroidSans.ttf` and `DroidSans-Bold.ttf` on your phone because it's on the older Gingerbread version).

There are two ways I found to fix it. You can either reflash the Android image like Sourc7 suggested or you can use `adb` to restore from a backup. Using adb is quicker, but you need to have already enabled it before your phone got stuck in the reboot loop.

Here's how I fixed it on my phone with adb from my computer.

1. Run `adb root` to make adb use root permissions.
2. Run `adb remount` to remount `/system` as writable.
3. Run `adb shell ls -l /system/fonts/` to see which font files have changed recently.
4. Run `adb push /path/to/backup/DroidSans-Bold.ttf /system/fonts/` to restore the font, repeating for any system fonts that may have been changed. It's possible that other fonts may be at fault, but `DroidSans-Bold.ttf` and `Roboto-Bold.ttf` seem to be the main culprits when things break.

If reflashing or adb worked, your phone should now be back to where it started before the change. If you want to try changing fonts again, I recommend this method to prevent the problem from happening again.

1. Use `adb pull /etc/system_fonts.xml` and `adb pull /etc/fallback_fonts.xml` to get copies of your phone's font configurations.
2. Make copies of those files in different folders (e.g., "backup" and "new\_font").
3. In the "new\_font" copy of `system_fonts.xml`, go to the first `<fileset>` XML tag and replace the listed font file names with the name of your custom font (assuming you want your phone to use it for normal, bold, italic, and bold-italic text). It should look something like this (`Dotsies.ttf` is the custom font I'm using on my phone).

```
<family>
    <nameset>
        <name>sans-serif</name>
        <name>arial</name>
        <name>helvetica</name>
        <name>tahoma</name>
        <name>verdana</name>
    </nameset>
    <fileset>
        <file>Dotsies.ttf</file>
        <file>Dotsies.ttf</file>
        <file>Dotsies.ttf</file>
        <file>Dotsies.ttf</file>
    </fileset>
</family>

```
4. Add the fonts you removed from `system_fonts.xml` to a new `<family>` tag in `fallback_fonts.xml`, right after the opening `<familyset>` tag. This way Android can find missing glyphs that aren't in your custom font. The fallback configuration should look something like this.

```
<family>
    <fileset>
        <file>Roboto-Regular.ttf</file>
        <file>Roboto-Bold.ttf</file>
        <file>Roboto-Italic.ttf</file>
        <file>Roboto-BoldItalic.ttf</file>
    </fileset>
</family>

```
5. Add your custom font to you phone via `adb push /path/to/Custom-Font.ttf /system/fonts/`. As long as your custom font uses a different than than the built-in Android fonts, this should be safe.
6. Replace your phone's font configuration files to the changed ones via `adb push /path/to/new_font/system_fonts.xml /etc/` and `adb push /path/to/new_font/fallback_fonts.xml /etc/`.
7. Reboot your phone. It should now be using the new font wherever it should, but gracefully fall back to the system fonts as-needed, without getting caught in a boot loop.
> 1 votes

# Answer
I think the application has installed the font to the /system partition, so wipe the /cache and /data partition won't help.

You can re-flash the phone to the factory image, it will also format the entire /system partition.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: internal-storage, usb, boot-loop, fonts
---


# Question
Title: Push command not working says permission denied
I rooted my micromax p275 and wanted to change its font by replacing /system/fonts/Roboto-Regular.ttf with my desired font but i accidentally replaced it with Robot.Regular.ttf. Now it doesn't starts. I want to push another font file in /system/fonts with the correct name (Roboto-Regular.ttf) but it doesn't works saying permission denied. I have tried su command but it just reprints the same commands i type and press enter and thus doing nothing. Any way out friends. I would be greatly helped by you. Every single hint is wanted.

# Answer
If you have a backup font file and adb is working, then you can just do `adb remount` and try pushing the backup font again. This command is just a shortcut for `adb shell mount -o remount.rw /system`, which remounts `/system` as writable.

If `adb remount` doesn't work, then run `adb root` and try again. (i.e., run `adb root`, `adb remount`, and `adb push /path/to/backup/Roboto-Regular.ttf /system/fonts/`, in that order). I'm not sure how picky adb is about telling it to use root.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: micromax, micromax-funbook
---


title: missing glyphs on web pages

text:
# Question
Title: missing glyphs on web pages
I have a rooted Galaxy Note Pro.

I'm annoyed at black blocks that appear instead of whatever symbol, when reading web pages. I copied Code2000, Symbola, and the BMP Fallback ttf files to /system/fonts, but (e.g. https://en.m.wikiversity.org/wiki/Reed%E2%80%93Solomon\_codes\_for\_coders#Finite\_field\_arithmetic ) I still see a block instead of the symbols for Real and Integer domains. This test page shows lots of blocks in Firefox. The Android browser simply skipps them instead. I also tried Opera.

Is there something needed to register ttf files, other than copying them to the directory? ( Total Commander remounts the file system r/w ) and rebooting?

It's annoying that I can display Tamil, Myanmar-extended-A, and other things I can't actually read, but am missing symbols and marks that appear in pages I *do* wish to read.

# Answer
> 2 votes
Android keeps track of fallback fonts via a file at `/etc/fallback_fonts.xml`. After adding your fonts to `/system/fonts`, you can add a new `family` node to the XML file like this.

```
<familyset>
    <family>
        <fileset>
            <file>Custom-Font.ttf</file>
            <file>Another-Custom-Font.ttf</file>
        </fileset>
    </family>
[rest of file...]

```

Make sure to make a backup first, and you might need to reboot for it to take effect completely.

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Tags: browser, fonts
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title: Install many font on Android device

text:
# Question
Title: Install many font on Android device
I want to read and write Thai and Tibetan languages and also see real symbols for many other fonts instead of squares.

As you can see, replacing system fonts is not a good method, because in this case we need a font consisting of all the aforecited fonts.

iFont and similar programs also just replace system fonts, but I need to add new ones.

My Android version is 4.4.2.

# Answer
> 1 votes
**Caveat:** The exact files and format vary between Android versions. In both Android O and P (at least on LineageOS), the correct file is `/etc/fonts.xml`, and it has a warning not to use it. As of writing, I don't have any devices on Q to test with. So **consider this answer historical** even if it's still useful.

**Warning as of Android P's `fonts.xml` (see here for possible updates):**

> ```
>     WARNING: Parsing of this file by third-party apps is not supported. The
>     file, and the font files it refers to, will be renamed and/or moved out
>     from their respective location in the next Android release, and/or the
>     format or syntax of the file may change significantly. If you parse this
>     file for information about system fonts, do it at your own risk. Your
>     application will almost certainly break with the next major Android
>     release.
>
> ```

Basically, **expect breaking changes** when updating Android.

**Original answer:**

Android does support custom fonts, but there's no user interface for it and you need root access. The basic steps are as follows:

0. Make backups in case something goes wrong. **Do not skip this step! It's very easy to get stuck in a "boot loop" after making the wrong changes with fonts.**
1. Enable USB debugging (so you can use `adb` on your computer to fix your Android device if something goes wrong).
2. Remount the `/system` partition as writable. Some file managers do this for you. Otherwise you'll need to enter `mount -o remount,rw /system` in a console on your phone or use `adb remount` from a computer via USB debugging mode.
3. Copy your custom fonts to `/system/fonts`.
4. Edit `/etc/system_fonts.xml` and/or `/etc/fallback_fonts.xml` to tell Android where to use the custom fonts. I don't know where to find the font names for `system_fonts.xml`, but adding your fonts to `fallback_fonts.xml` *should* "just work" for characters that aren't in the default system fonts.
5. Reboot the device and hope everything worked.

If your device gets stuck in a boot loop, then you can probably still use adb to revert or fix the changes. From experience, this consistently happens when directly replacing the system's `Roboto-Bold` font with a custom font that doesn't have as many characters. This is the reason for editing the xml files and adding new files instead of just replacing existing files.

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Tags: languages, fonts
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