# Question
Title: Android Device Stolen, Android Device Manager not set up
My android device has been stolen (Xperia L) and I had not set up Android Device Manager. How do I remove the google access and play store; uninstall apps; protect SD card and personal data; sign out from shopping apps and block the SIM access.

If there is a way to control my phone remotely **without** having any prior access to the device or Android Device Manager enabled, please let me know.

# Answer
Even phones where I never installed Android Device Manager are listed for me on google.com/android/devicemanager so I think as long as you are signed in to the Google services you'd be able to use the Device Manager.
> 0 votes

# Answer
If the remote phone is **off**, or if it does **not have network access**, you won't be able to control it remotely. If the SIM card is not removed, you *could* control it via SMS *if* you set up an app to do certain security functions (with apps like AVG Antivirus). However, *remote control from SMS is limited and you need to set it up in advance*.

If you did not set up such security measures, there is no way to remotely access your device without network access. Since Android Device Manager doesn't work, **we can conclude that the phone has no network access, or it is off**.

At this point, although you cannot control your device remotely, you might be able to find out it's last reported location from Google's **Location Timeline**. This would be able to help you locate it if you did not turn off *location history* on your device.

If you do locate your device, please do not attempt to confront any suspect by yourself.

*From Lookout Mobile Security:*

> If your cell phone is lost or stolen and you don’t have a mobile security app, the first thing to do is contact your network provider, who will be able to block your phone in order to stop anyone else from using it.
>
> This is particularly important if you have a pay monthly contract, as you will be liable for any calls made (or expensive apps downloaded) before you report your phone stolen. Most of the major US network providers allow you to suspend your service and request a new SIM online or by calling their customer service department.
>
> If your cell phone has been stolen it's also important to notify the police, as insurance providers will usually need a crime reference number in order to process any claims.
>
> If you use your smartphone to shop or bank, you may also need a police report to dispute any fraudulent charges made on your debit or credit card accounts using the stolen device.
>
> Make a report at your local station, being sure to give them your device's International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number, which your network should be able to provide you with. This could help the police get your phone back to you if it were to be recovered.
> 0 votes

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Tags: remote-control, remote-access
---


# Question
Title: Taking pictures using an external (USB) camera on a Samsung Galaxy S2
Question: How can we take a picture using an external, USB camera, on a Samsung Galaxy S2 (setup in host mode, using an OTG (On The Go) cable), running Android 4.0.3 (Ice Cream Sandwich).

Details: We are trying to build an app as part of a project, where the phone will be out of sight (e.g. in someone's pocket), but the external camera can take a picture (on demand) that our app can process. We have seen evidence of success using OTG and flash drives/mice/keyboards, but are unsure of what difficulties may arise (and how to approach them) for a USB webcam.

Given that we are trying to write an app (API level 15), other pointers (with regard to interfacing with the external camera) would be appreciated (as a starting point, we really would like to just prove that the camera CAN work - that is, using any existing app, take a picture using the external camera).

Beyond basic recognition and potential problems, we are concerned (perhaps needlessly) about the power that the phone can provide to the USB camera - is it likely that this will be sufficient to power the camera?

If it is not possible to use a USB webcam as an external camera on an Android phone, other suggestions as to how we can setup an external camera to work with the phone, would be appreciated.

**Specifications:** Android version: 4.0.3 - Ice Cream Sandwich API level 15 Device: Samsung Galaxy 2 Model GT-I9100M Build Number: IML74K.UGLD3

# Answer
I found this: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=infinitegra.trial.usbcamera This is an Android application to display and record the video from an USB camera which is connected to a smart phone or a tablet device. For more details please check his website: http://www.infinitegra.co.jp/en/solution/AndroidApp1-spec.htm
> 2 votes

# Answer
you should try this: Webeecam Free-USB Web Camera

This android application displays/records video and captures images from a USB UVC camera that is connected to Android phone or tablet device. This a free trial version so you can check if it works.
> -1 votes

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Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-2, usb-host-mode
---


# Question
Title: How to disable whatsapp pop notification?
-I just want to disable the annoying whtsapp headsup notification on lollipop. -I dont want to Completely stop the notification by unchecking the "show notification" option in the application manager.

# Answer
A non root option is now available. The HeadsOff app can disable all Lollipop Heads-up notifications on your phone. It can also disable Heads-up notifications only for selected apps. If you purchase the Pro key you can restore the ticker text in the status-bar to see a little notification preview.

Original post : How to disable Heads Up notifications in Android Lollipop? (notification popup at top of the screen)
> -1 votes

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Tags: stock-android
---


# Question
Title: Music stored on the External SD Card is removed from playlists at reboot
So I'm getting a really frustrating issue happening with my phone wherein any .mp3 files stored on my external SD card are removed from their playlists whenever I restart my phone. Any music stored on the internal phone storage still remains in the playlists but everything else gets cleared out of them. I've taken a look into the Media Store's SQL logs and found this:

Basically, I cleared the Media Store's data to reset the Android media database, then I rebooted. On the first reboot, all my playlists displayed perfectly (external SD music AND internal SD music). This produced the 3 log lines above the highlighted line in the image. Then I restarted my phone again and once again all the music on the external SD card was erased from my playlists. Restarting gave the log lines below and including the highlighted line. What seems to be happening is Android is removing any reference to files stored on my external SD from the Media Store database at reboot, then it rescans when the phone starts, but it generates the playlists BEFORE it scans the external SD for media, so it just thinks there's loads of missing media in the playlists and removes any reference to external SD music. Then it scans the external SD for music and finds all my media there.

So in the end I can still access all the music stored on my external SD and my phone sees it just fine, it's just that it's never maintained in any playlists. If anyone has any method of fixing this or any advice at all, I'd really appreciate it! I don't have enough room on my internal SD to store all my music.

Thanks!

(I'm on a Google Play Edition Galaxy S4 running Android 5.1)

# Answer
> 3 votes
After more experimentation, I've made a breakthrough. Ultimately, this all happens cause Android's Media Scanner will scan the internal SD for media at startup. When it finds Playlist files it attempts to import them into the system database but because the SD card takes a while to mount at startup and is temporarily unreadable for a while at boottime, when it tries to follow the path back to the music on the SD card it can't find the music since the SD card is still mounting. Instead of, yknow, doing anything logical like waiting for the SD to mount, it just erases the entries from the playlist. So to get around this stupid flaw in the system, **you need to move all your playlists (.m3u/.pla/etc files) to the external SD card.**

By moving the playlist files to the SD card, it ensures that they only ever get read once the SD card has finished mounting and the Media Scanner then attempts to scan the external SD for media. At this point it finds the playlists and follows their mp3 file paths back to the finally loaded Music folder on the external SD.

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Tags: reboot, music, media-files, media-scanner
---


# Question
Title: 32 gb internal storage having 10.82 gb of total files but shows only 5 gb free
I have samsung sm900(galaxy note 3) and out of 32 gb internal storage, only 10.82 gb is used but it shows only 5 gb space free. Please solve this.

# Answer
That is only the `/sdcard` partition. Since you are not rooted, that is all you can access. But actually there are a lot of other partitions that are occupying the 32 GB space you have. They include but not limited to, `/system`, `/boot`, `/cache`, `/root` etc. You can consider them like `C:\` and other drives from PC. What you access using File Manager and is equal to 10.82GB is only the `/sdcard` partition (`storage/emulated/0`) so there is nothing to help since there is nothing unordinary.
> 0 votes

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Tags: 5.0-lollipop, internal-storage, samsung-galaxy-note-3
---


# Question
Title: How does the "Cast screen" display feature work?
I have a Galaxy Nexus running Android 4.4.4. Under Settings-\>Display & lights, there is an option called "Cast screen", which can be toggled on and off. What devices and/or software are compatible with this feature? Is this for Chromecast, or something else? Is the screen picture/video sent via WiFi, Bluetooth, or USB?

# Answer
> 2 votes
It is meant to work with Chromecast, but there are other desktop applications like Reflector 2 that will work with the cast screen setting. You can use the Chromecast app from the Google play store to do the same thing.

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, screen-sharing
---


title: How to root Samsung Galaxy A5?

text:
# Question
Title: How to root Samsung Galaxy A5?
I have Samsung Galaxy A5, SM-A500H running Android 5.0.2, downloaded from here. I want to root it.

The only root available right now AFAIK, is CF-Auto-Root, as described here for example. But this root breaks everything. All the apps stop running when you reboot the phone and you have reinstalled the firmware, it doesn't work.

Is there another way to root my device?

# Answer
> 1 votes
I've recently used Kingroot, installed without computer assistance (downloaded the .apk with the device browser via wifi and installed from the device's internal storage), to root a device so obscure I haven't seen a single reference to any fixes, custom ROM, or even version upgrades: the Visual Land Prestige Elite 10Q tablet. Kingroot took about ten minutes to run, including rebooting the device, and the only thing I don't like is that I have to hold the tablet in portrait orientation whenever I use any Kingroot function, because it doesn't recognize screen rotation.

Obviously, I haven't tried this software with a Galaxy A5, but it should be fine.

# Answer
> 0 votes
The short answer would be: no, this is currently the only *practical* way to go. It fully supports the current Android firmware and future firmwares as well since it is not firmware dependent.

What exactly do you mean by the apps *stop running*? Apps stop running every time you restart your phone. So maybe you meant that they stop *working*? CF-Auto-Root is the safest and easiest method and **no data should be lost**. You should **not have to reinstall firmware.** If you used the method correctly, your apps should be working as before.

Please note that the tutorial that you have linked is only for **Android 4.4.4 with a specific built ID**. Since your device is not running on the same Android Version and built ID, then you need to download and flash the firmware to match the one from the tutorial *before* rooting it. Or check other tutorials to use this method with your specific Android version and build ID.

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop, rooting, samsung-galaxy-a5
---


# Question
Title: What do the different device/code names mean?
Most devices seem to have multiple "names" depending on the context, e.g. marketing, updates or rooting. For example:

* Huawei P8 lite (actually, not specific enough since there are at least two variants)
* ALE-L21 (or ALE-L04)
* hi6210sft (`ro.product.name` from `build.prop`)
* BalongV8R1SFT (`ro.product.board`)

What are the definitions of all these "names"?

# Answer
> 3 votes
* `Huawei P8 Lite`: This is the basic model; design, UI and features are usually assigned to the model name.
* `ALE-L21/ALE-L04`: This is the specific model; depending on carrier, location etc. This is often used for determining different revisions of one model and specifies the firmware that needs to run on the device.
* `hi6210sft`: This is the internal product name used for identification (e.g. in apps) and update configuration.
* `BalongV8R1SFT`: This is the Mainboard model. It defines which chips (CPU, GPU, RAM, antennas etc.) are build in your device. This may or may not differ from different models, revisions of your model etc. and are usually important for updates, firmwares, custom ROMs etc.

---
Tags: device-firmware, terminology
---


# Question
Title: How to use *.img file instead of *.gz (or *.pit) file with Heimdall?
I have downloaded .img file for TWRP recovery. How I should use it with Heimdall? It seems that Heimdall accepts `.gz` files (or `.pit` files in older versions), not .img!

I've tried opening an `.img` file and Heimdall complained

> Tar header contained an invalid file size

Opening a .tar file led to

> firmware.xml is missing from the package

# Answer
If you use Linux - download heimdall-frontend so you can use GUI. It is much easier.

To flash using Heimdall you first need to specify `.pit` file.

`.pit` stands for Partitions Information Tables, so Heimdall knows where it need to flash it.

---

To flash TWRP using Heimdall follow this steps:

1. Open Heimdall frontend.
2. Go to Utilities tab.
3. You will see Download PIT. Go Save As and save it on some location.
4. Go to Flash tab.
5. In PIT category, click Browse and select PIT file you downloaded from device in step 3.
6. Click Add button.
7. For partition name select where you want to flash it. BE CAREFUL! If you flash it on wrong partition you can perma-brick device. On my device for recovery it is Kernel2.
8. Go Browse for file and select `.img` file.
9. In Session let everything unchecked.
10. Click Start.

**Note1 : REPARTITION MUST STAY UNCHECKED!!!**
**Note2: This can brick device, be careful, here on site, we do NOT hold responsibility for your device.**
Note3: If you're on Windows, just use Odin...
> 6 votes

# Answer
Newer versions of Heimdall will accept a .img file for the --RECOVERY parameter and automatically download a PIT from the device to add the img contents to.

```
$ heimdall flash --RECOVERY recovery.img
Heimdall v1.4.1

[trimmed some output here]

Session begun.

Downloading device's PIT file...
PIT file download successful.

Uploading RECOVERY
100%
RECOVERY upload successful

Ending session...
Rebooting device...
Releasing device interface...
Re-attaching kernel driver...

```
> 16 votes

# Answer
A image file does not really need heimdall. Most devices that update via a .img file allow you to just put it on internal storage and rebpot to update. An alternative is to move it to your device, and install it via TWRP by loading the File in it.
> 1 votes

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Tags: heimdall
---


# Question
Title: How to Delete Voicemails from VVM App Using Tasker
I have a Tasker program which first seeks out T-Mobile visual voice mail, using root, and then copies them to the internal SD card. From there, they are auto-synced to a Dropbox account. The copying and syncing work fine, but I'm having trouble deleting the original messages in the /data/data directory.

The problem seems to be that the voice mails can be deleted, but the VVM app still shows them. They show up as voice mails, but with the play button greyed out, implying there's no audio file anymore. The other information, like caller, date, time, and message length, is still observable in the app.

The process for deleting the messages is simply to use a File Delete command within Tasker, again referencing the /data/data/... T-Mobile directory. Trying to delete the entire directory doesn't work.

Is there a way to remove the messages from the VVM app as well? Perhaps by using an intent?

# Answer
Deleting info on the Visual Voice Mail app itself was as simple as deleting the db file. This was located just above the folder containing the voice mails. It was in the format: xxx-xxx-xxxx@tmobile.db.

I used Tasker to delete that file, and then went back into the app. No more voicemail showing.

It's probably best practice to delete the cache files as well.

Haven't had any problems receiving new voicemail. Therefore, there's no reason to try and use an intent to do the same thing. Without the database file, the app can't find any info on deleted voice mail messages, so it thinks they don't exist.
> 2 votes

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Tags: tasker, t-mobile
---


# Question
Title: Messaging apps don't receive messages when on WiFi with screen locked
I have a Samsung Galaxy S5 phone running on Android 5.0. At home and in the office, when I'm connected to a WiFi network and the screen is locked (sleep), WhatsApp doesn't receive any messages until I unlock the screen. I don't use so many apps so I can't confirm if this is the case with other applications or not, however, I might have experienced the same problem with the email app as well.

I have observed my phone behavior and noted that other applications (e.g., hangouts) show act the same. Furthermore, I noted another fact that might shed some light: Say, I unlock my screen and after several seconds my apps start to notify me about some messages. But the time-stamp of these messages aren't for this moment but rather \[e.g.\] half an hour ago when they were supposed to be delivered.

"Keep Wi-Fi on during sleep" is set to "Always", I don't have any power management application or any particular settings. I checked WhatsApp FAQ and they suggested checking priority notification, which I don't use. Searching the web suggests clearing cache and data which doesn't solve the problem. I have cleared the cache/data files, updated the app, etc. I would highly applicate if you submit answers that do not suggest these generic (and almost always non-functional) workarounds.

Any workaround?

# Answer
> 0 votes
I think your issue is related to the OS, as discussed in Android Central forum.

Maybe a new update from Samsung might fix this issue. You should contact Samsung service. Some guy exchanged his Samsung Galaxy S6 over this issue as mentioned in the discussion.

# Answer
> -1 votes
Just uninstall WhatsApp and re-install again, but before doing so, you should backup all your files/conversations and it should work fine.

Also, it's better to power off the phone when you feel that you really don't need it especially during your night sleeping hours, or keep on Airplane Mode, it works.

---
Tags: wi-fi, 5.0-lollipop, whatsapp-messenger
---


# Question
Title: How can I access my MOTO G3 if I forgot my mobile pattern?
I have forgot my screen lock pattern of my MOTO G3. What do I do now? How can I access my mobile now. If there is any solution, please let me know.

# Answer
> 0 votes
It's very simple. Just make it 3 times and if you not able to open than it will ask you the real password code number, you may just put that number to reset the new password, it doesn't take much time, 2 minutes job, all the best!

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Tags: lock-screens, locked-out, motorola-moto-g3
---


# Question
Title: Maximize battery life while recording video
There are times where I need to record a lot of continuous video. I've found battery life to be insufficient for this. Is there anything I can do to squeeze out every bit of battery efficiency?

The biggest offender is probably the screen. I don't need it to be on, as the phone is usually propped up against something while I do the stuff I'm trying to record (weight lifting in my basement; recording myself to check for correct technique). Codec choice also comes to mind as potentially CPU intensive and thus battery draining.

Any ideas?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Secret Eye can help the drain from screen. It allows to record even after the screen is switched off. There are lots of similar apps. Find the best one.

Inorder to save more battery,

1. You can root the phone and use an cpu governor to run the processor at lower clock cycle.
2. Freeze unwanted apps.
3. Turn off radio

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Tags: battery-life, video-recording
---


# Question
Title: Is it safe to keep /data partition when switching from one ROM to another?
If I am switching from stock/custom ROM to custom/stock ROM, would it be safe to keep the /data partition so as to keep the data there as it is?

# Answer
The short answer is no. It's always a good idea to do a wipe when switching ROMs so as to prevent any issues due to incompatible data.

You should back up things like games and save data individually, or use the backup through your Google account where available.
> 2 votes

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Tags: data-transfer
---


# Question
Title: I get a notification every day that says " Couldn't send attachments Photo's"
When I click on the notification it opens gmail. I am not trying to send any thing, I have made sure my outbox and drafts are empty. Is some other program trying to send out my pictures? How do I stop this?

# Answer
You can go into GMail and look for outstanding mails in your outbox directory and delete them.

If that doesn't work/there is no mail you can go into settings \> apps \> gmail \> wipe app data/clear data. Then GMail has been factory reset.
> 1 votes

# Answer
I faced the same issue on my Android phone and found the solution: Whatever document I was trying to attach, has become either corrupt or no longer exist. That is why I was facing issue. I copied a fresh document into my mobile storage and was able to attach it with gmail id. Hope this will help you.
> 1 votes

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Tags: notifications
---


# Question
Title: How to automatically switch from WiFi to mobile data when no internet on WiFi?
I have a wifi router at home with adsl connection. But internet connection from our service provider keeps dropping off. Unfortunately, the service provider I am using is much better compared to others.

In my mobile phone (galaxy s3) I have the wifi and mobile data enabled. So when I am at home it automatically gets connected to my home wifi. Switching from mobile data to WiFi works good.

But is it possible to automatically switch to mobile data when there is no internet on the WiFi connection?

Is there an app which can check if there is a internet connection with the current connection (data or wifi) and do the switching automatically. Let's say for 30 minutes and switch back to wifi and so on?

I will be happy to even use 2 or more apps to achieve this? Any tips or suggestions are welcome.

# Answer
If you have 4.4.x you can go to `Settings` -\> `Wi-Fi` -\> press `Menu` button -\> `Advanced Wi-Fi` -\> check `Internet available` (another possible name - "Avoid poor connection") . That wil disconnect WiFi automatically when there is no internet in it.
> 2 votes

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Tags: wi-fi, mobile-data
---


# Question
Title: I cant Update Google play services as it says "Authentication is required. You need to sign into your google account"
I keep getting nonification updates the I need to Update Google Play services and that Google Play services wont run unless updated, wh I click on the nonification. It bring me to Googl play services but it says "Authentication is required. You need to sign into your google account which I checked in Accounts, I was signed in. I need to get the Play services to work as most of my apps like Snapchat rely on it.

# Answer
Try to update Google settings, front-end for Google Play Store and other Google stuff. Go to *Settings* -\> *Apps* -\> *Google Play Services* and uninstall the updates. Leave the phone on WiFi. It will update automatically.
> 1 votes

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Tags: google-play-services, snapchat
---


# Question
Title: Boot into specific Hangout with one person
I would like my tablet to boot up into the Google Hangouts app, and open the conversation with a specific person.

I'm able to open the Hangouts app easily with this app (or one of the many like it), but I need to open the conversation and this leaves me at the list of people page.

Resources that haven't quite gotten me there:

Similar question on Reddit

Similar discussion for the Tasker app

YouTube tutorial

When I try to use AutoContacts and log the `%achangouturi` variable it doesn't work. Many people say they needed to enable contacts syncing in G+, but the menus have changed and it does not work. That's the most common issue. But it's not mine.

Using the Automate app I was able to finally log the URI for the contact, and therefore have a unique ID with which I can one day hopefully open a conversation.

The way I got it was by using "Pick Contact", setting the output variable to contactURI, and then using log to log `{contactUri}`.

However, I am not able to open the hangout chat yet.

Using Automate, I choose launch app and choose hangouts.

I've tried using:

* ACTION: android.intent.action.VIEW
* DATA: content://com.android.contacts/data/xxxx
    + as well as DATA: content://com.android.contacts/contacts.lookup/xxxx
* MIME TYPE: vnd.android.cursor.item/vnd.googleplus.profile.comm

In the Reddit answer, I don't understand and can't find the options to set the flags he did in either Tasker or Automate:

FLAGS: FLAG\_ACTIVITY\_FORWARD\_RESULT FLAG\_ACTIVITY\_CLEAR\_WHEN\_TASK\_RESET FLAG\_ACTIVITY\_PREVIOUS\_IS\_TOP

I've also tried using and not using `com.google.android.talk - com.google.android.apps.babel.phone.BabelProfileActionActivity` in the activity field.

# Answer
I have done this using tasker. You are completely on the right track, instructions below.

## SQL to find contact ID

Find the unique contact ID from the contacts database (which it seems you have already done). In case you have the wrong ID you can check with the SQL instructions. I had a few issues with this given I was only entering the first name when looking for the contact, and for some reason it wasn't being found. Anyway, this SQL query should work on the file: /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db

You can use a SQL app/program, browse to that file, and enter the SQL query:

```
SELECT _id FROM data WHERE raw_contact_id LIKE (SELECT _id from raw_contacts WHERE display_name LIKE "Contact Name" ORDER BY _id DESC LIMIT 1) AND DATA4 LIKE "10" ORDER BY _id DESC LIMIT 1

```

Or you can enter this command into the terminal provided you have sqlite3 on your specific device (often not included in production release devices):

```
sqlite3 /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db 'SELECT _id FROM data WHERE raw_contact_id LIKE (SELECT _id from raw_contacts WHERE display_name LIKE "Contact Name" ORDER BY _id DESC LIMIT 1) AND DATA4 LIKE "10" ORDER BY _id DESC LIMIT 1' | sed s/\"//g

```

Just replace "Contact Name" and put the contact you want to open inside the quotes. The full contact name preferably.

## Unrooted phone

I was working on a solution for this, but app backup is explicitly disabled in the contacts app manifest. Try the solution below and let me know if it works. I wasn't able to test it without root.

Install Tasker and AutoContacts. AutoContacts is paid, but you can get a in the next 15 minutes after buying the full version if you just want to test it.

Setup a task in tasker, name it, then add a new action Plugin \> AutoContacts \> AutoContacts. Then in the configuration type in "Contact Name or Nickname" the name of the desired contact. Press the tick. Press the back button in Tasker to get back to the list of actions for that task (you will have 1 now). Add a new action Alert \> Flash. Press the button on the right of "text" that looks like a label and select "Autocontacts: 01. Hangout Uri ... %achangouturi". Press back to go to the action list. Press back again to save the task. Go back into the task and run it. The ID that you need for the contact you want will be at the end of the string that flashes up and will usually be 5 digits long. Run the task again if you didn't catch it in time.

## Creating Tasker task

Once you have the ID copied down, you need to go into Tasker to create the task that will open hangouts to the conversation. You have the right idea to use an intent, it is just a little different from what you already have. In the new task create a new action "+" select System \> Send Intent. Create the intent in the following format:

```
Action: android.intent.action.VIEW
Cat: None
Mime Type: Leave blank
Data: content://com.android.contacts/data/#####
Extras/package/class: Leave blank
Target: Activity

```

Where ##### is the contact ID you found earlier. Mine were all 5 digits long.

Now you should be able to use this task for whatever your heart desires. Give it a test by pressing the play button in the task in Tasker.

A quick note, I mainly use mine in conjunction with AutoVoice in order to open a message I just got sent. I found it very useful to be able to launch hangouts back to the main screen and actually found this quite difficult as the Tasker "kill app" wasn't completely restarting hangouts. I found the way to do this is create an action "Launch App" and select the "Always launch a new copy" checkbox. This will always open hangouts to the main threads list.

Most of this is from this Google Groups discussion. Good luck, let me know if you run into any troubles.
> 1 votes

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Tags: boot, google-hangouts
---


# Question
Title: Google Account Sync, high battery usage of Google Play Services
I have a similar question like this one. I recently (since 2 days) also have a very high battery wastage (keeps only less hours while it used to keep the whole day). In the battery settings the chart looks similar to the one in the question from the link. (Google Play Services on the top.)

Click image to enlarge

My Question now is regarding the answer in the topic from Dean:

> After trawling through all manner of options I isolated the root cause of this issue.
>
> Within Google Account Sync I had a look at all available settings and the one that seemed to be causing an issue was 'Sync Internet' option which was just constantly running (and appearing to be keeping the phone awake.
>
> Switching this off has got back my battery back to normal.
>
> I still have no idea why my phone was trying to sync the entire internet :-)

I can't find the Google Account Sync in Android 6.0 since the settings menu has a new layout. Is the answer still valid and if yes how can I find these settings or is the problem a new one?

*Side note:* I just noticed that the Google Play Store itself also received a recent update, but they wouldn't release an update with that high battery consumption, would they?

# Answer
My guess is the problem is going to get worse, theoretically, since I an still on 4.2.2, so can't speak with practical experience.

Going by this, Android 6 has a great auto back up system, key changes are:

1. In addition to app data it saves your settings also
2. Reinstalling apps comes with data of those apps.
3. Games saved with 'Saved Games' feature of Google Play Games will have game data restored.
4. Back up is scheduled to happen every 24 hours or trigger based. This back up mechanism is moved to Google Play services, except for games which are in Google Play Games

The documentation configuring auto back up for apps as quoted in the link states "**On devices running Android 6.0 (API level 23-API levels are tied to Android releases, so Android 1.0 was "API 1," Android 1.1 was "API 2," and Android 1.5 was "API 3." Android 6.0, is API 23) or higher, the default system behavior is to back up almost all data that an app creates."**

I do not know how much has been implemented in the OS and the same article quotes " as of October 10, 2015: of the top 200 third-party, non-game apps, 190 targeted API 22 or lower and thus won't work on the new backup system." How rapidly this situation will change is anybody's guess but eventually non-game apps I suppose will want to be compatible

So, my guess is that sync is going to carry a far heavier payload than before and surely be a bigger battery hog and also hurt those on data plan.

Bottom line is that it is better to disable sync or selectively sync in Google Play services and Google games services if you want to limit your battery drain, besides uninstalling those Google apps which you don't use. Since the third party app back up with data may take a long time to be fully implemented by app developers, creating custom recovery images as back up would still be required.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: sync, battery, nexus-5, google-play-services, 6.0-marshmallow
---


# Question
Title: What data flows through AirDroid's servers?
When using AirDroid do your text messages and/or data get transmitted through AirDroid's servers or is that data kept locally between your Android device and your computer?

My understanding is that your computer and Android device need to be on the same wireless network, yet AirDroid requires a login to their servers which makes me wonder what data is being sent through their servers.

# Answer
> 3 votes
> When using AirDroid do your text messages and/or data get transmitted through AirDroid's servers or is that data kept locally between your Android device and your computer?

AirDroid for Is AirDroid Secure? has noted:

> \[In\] Remote Connection Mode, your account credential, **SMS, contacts, call logs and many other sensitive private information are all** securely **transmitted** via HTTPS and we never store them (except your AirDroid account information, the latest location of your Android device if the Find Phone feature is activated) without your explicit consent.

<sub>(Emphasis mine)</sub>

For Lite mode and LAN Connection mode,

> \[All\] data is transferred on the same local area network and not exposed to the Internet\[.\]

(If needed, see What's LAN Connection Mode and Remote Connection Mode?)

In Lite and LAN Connection mode, you're not sending anything to AirDroid's server(s).

---

> My understanding is that your computer and Android device need to be on the same wireless network, yet AirDroid requires a login to their servers.

As per AirDroid's help center, you can use AirDroid without logging in or having an account. See How to Use AirDroid Web Without an Account?

* use Lite mode: find the IP address of the Android device having AirDroid running on it and use that in a web browser.
* scan the QR code : go to web.airdroid.com and scan the QR code there using your AirDroid app.
* use tethering

The first and last method can work without the need of Internet access, thereby, comes under local transfer.

See What is local transfer and remote transfer?

* Local transfer: When both PC and Android device are under same network.
* Remote transfer: When the device and PC are on different networks.

Relevant readings:

---

There is a catch however. If you're certain that the latest AirDroid app requires log in for its usage, then either the help center has not been updated accordingly or the log in itself isn't mandatory yet you've somehow ended up believing that it is needed.

---
Tags: security, privacy
---


# Question
Title: How to automatically shut down tablet after it auto-powers on?
Currently my tablet on Android 4.0.4 (rooted) sometimes switches on by accident, which I don't want. (I'm cycling through Africa and sometimes power connections are minimal.) I need a way to shutdown the tablet after starting up. So something like:

1. Start on boot
2. After X (say, 10) minutes, prompt me to continue with a "*Yes*" button (in case I use it)
3. If I select "*No*", shuts down and completely powers off the tablet.

I tried several apps but cannot find a solution. Any suggestions?

# Answer
> 1 votes
You can use Tasker (paid; 7 day free trial) and its Scenes to achieve the goal.

Example:

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

# Instructions

(**Note:** root access is needed to shutdown the device.)

1. Go to Tasker → Scenes and create a scene named *Auto off*.
2. Per your taste, set the size of the scene.

You can add text using Text element. The *Yes* and *No* in the images are also text elements but you can opt for button elements too.
3. Similarly, create a separate scene for *Yes* and *No* options named *Yes* and *No*.

While you've not asked for confirmation, I've considered *Andrew T.*'s point legit and genuine, hence, separate confirmation for *Yes* and *No* selection would do good.
4. I'm giving a broad idea here.

* For each element of scene, under Tap there is an option to execute an action when the element is tapped once.
    * Show scene and Destroy scene options are available under Scenes action category.
    * For any Show scene, set Display As: Overlay Blocking and uncheck Show Exit button -- this would force you to choose an option in a scene and avoids the scene getting closed by a hardware button, such as Back button.
    * Wherever you want to show the timer, mention `%Scount`.
    * *Auto off* scene,

    + for the *Yes* element, destroy *Auto off* scene and show *Yes* scene
        + for the *No* element, destroy *Auto off* scene and show *Yes* scene
    * *Yes* scene,

    + for *Yo man!* element, destroy *Yes* scene and do Task → Stop → *Auto power off*
        + for *Shutdown now* element, select System → Reboot → Type: Shutdown
    * *No* scene,

    + for *Just do it!* element, select System → Reboot → Type: Shutdown
        + for *Hell no!!* element, destroy *No* scene and do Task → Stop → *Auto power off*
5. Profile, task and actions:

1. Profile: Event → System → Device Boot
    2. Task: (Name: *Auto power off*): (Actions):

    1. Task → Wait → set Wait as the time period after which you want to seek user intervention to continue or shutdown
        2. Scene → Show Scene → select your first scene (*Auto off*)
        3. Variables → Variable Set → Name: `%Scount`, To: set 60 or maximum number of seconds for auto shutdown timer
        4. Task → Wait → 1 minute
        5. Variables → Variable Subtract → Name: `%Scount`, Value: 1
        6. Task → GoTo:

        * Type: Action Number
            * Number: 4
            * If `%Scount` `>` `0`
        7. System → Reboot → Type: Shutdown

---

**Supplementary info:**

* `%Scount` is your custom global variable which should be equal to the maximum value of auto shutdown timer, such as 60 for 1 minute or 60 seconds.
* In the task *Auto power off*, the variable gets set to maximum value of timer after the first X minutes wait is over and first scene is shown. This is what starts the timer.
* For timer to work, Tasker waits for one second, then subtracts value 1 from the current value of `%Scount`, decides to wait for one second and do the subtraction again, if the variable's value is not zero, and once the values reaches zero device executes the shutdown action. (I learned about the timer from the post by *nooblikeyou* here.)
* In the *Yes* and *No* scene, the task *Auto power off* is supposed to be stopped wherever you choose to continue using the device, else, once the timer completes the device will auto shutdown.
* The solution would work even if the screen is off.

---
Tags: automation, power-on, shutdown
---


# Question
Title: Device stuck in a "bootloop". Resolved after re-inserting battery
A Customer of mine has a Casio V-T500 Tablet on which he runs our app. For a few days it started to be stuck in a bootloop which could be broken by removing the battery, wait a few seconds, and then putting the battery back and starting the device. It's running Android 4.0.4 with an special Launcher by Casio.

Does someone ever have/had this kind of problem? How can this be resolved? Is this a hardware failure? After about 9 Months of "work"?

# Answer
> 0 votes
I got stuck in a similar bootloop last Sunday on my Samsung GS4 (i9505G), except instead of rebooting, it would power off. Pulling the battery did not resolve it. I had to plug it in to a charger. The battery was at about 25% at the time.

Sadly, I do not know why that resolved the problem, but I wanted to post my reply in case it helps someone.

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich
---


title: Backing up data of protected apps

text:
# Question
Title: Backing up data of protected apps
I am using adb to backup some applications' data from my old phone to my new one. It worked fine for all apps except the one I purchased, it took me a while to figure that out since Android and its log were not showing any errors, instead it was telling me that the backup is complete and the log says:

```
D/BackupManagerService( 2121): Full backup processing complete.
D/BackupManagerService( 2121): Full backup pass complete.

```

and the generated backup file has a size of 549B (bytes)

Note: it says "Full" but it actually for a single package.

After searching I now know that Google added some kind of protection in Android 4.1+ to prevent people from coping protected applications between phones. However, I am not interested in backing up the apk itself as I can download the app from Google Play Store, instead I want to backup the data so I can restore it in my new phone and not have to deal with setting the application again.

Is there a way to do that without needing root access to the device?

Note: the old device is Nexus 4 (5.1.1 Cyanogen + root), while the new one is Nexus 6P (6.0 stock, no root).

# Answer
I changed the title from saying "purchased apps" to "protected apps" since I found, thanks to @Firelord, the problem that prevents me from doing the backup. These apps have the flag `android:allowbackup` set to `false` and that will not only prevent backing up the application apk, but also its data and setting and will prevent you from restoring a backup if you managed to have one. I tried doing a backup from my rooted phone using "Titanium backup", unpacked the apk using "apktool" changed the flag to `true`, singed the apk with my keys and restored the modified TitaniumBackup into the rooted phone, that allowed me to do the `adb backup` of the data. However, restoring the data to the original app on the new phone didn't work.

So the only solutions I know of are these two:

* Use my modified and signed apk instead of the play store version, but that means I have to do the modification and signing whenever there is a new update of the application.
* Or, root the new phone and use TitanimuBackup to restore settings.

and unfortunately it seems impossible to do it otherwise, not very convenient.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: backup, protected-apps
---


title: Rooting, bricking, and unbricking

text:
# Question
Title: Rooting, bricking, and unbricking
I want to root my Xperia SP C502.

I was wondering what if I bricked my device? Is there way to unbrick it? Can it be repaired? Is rooting worth its risk or I should forget the idea?

# Answer
> 1 votes
There are two different cases of bricking your phone.

**1- Soft brick:** In this case, phone is not functional as it is supposed to be however it is possible to fix the phone which is usually done through custom recoveries.

**2- Hard brick:** In this case of bricking, saving phone programatically is beyond possibility and a change in hardware is necessary.

Is rooting worth it? It is pretty opinion-based. For some, rooting is what makes Android awesome. And to some, the best way to use it, is the way manufacturers wants it to be used.

---
Tags: rooting, unbricking, sony-xperia-sp
---


# Question
Title: 'Authorization Failed' toast message at startup
Every time I reboot my HTC One M8 Google Play Edition running 6.0 Marshmallow, there is a toast message that reads 'Authorization Failed' with no other information on what actually failed.

Any idea what is causing this so I can fix it?

# Answer
Improvising Firelord's comment, if you are using Linux, execute in terminal

```
adb shell dumpsys window > log.txt

```

and then,

```
cat log.txt | grep 'TOAST'

```

Now, you can find the package name and app causing the problem.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: boot, 6.0-marshmallow, htc-one-m8
---


# Question
Title: Phone Screen Blackouts and respond only to Power Key Long Press
I have Moto G with Bootloader unlocked and I have installed TWRP Recovery and I was using CM-12 Nightly Build.

The device was working fine but now The device just Blackouts after reboot and I am unable to access any control of device but when I press Power button for couple of seconds, it shows Reboot/power off/Airplane mode option.

I am able to hear caller ringtones and everything seems to be working fine except the screen is completely black.

# Answer
I just switched off my phone and then reboot in Fastboot Mode using **Power + Volume Down** key and then chosen recovery.

In recovery mode I choose **Wipe** and then **Format Data** then typed Yes and hit Go

This will take some time and the phone will reboot and now it's working fine.

Note : Take backup of data before formatting, you can take backup by connecting phone to your PC via USB and Copying all data on PC.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, motorola-moto-g
---


# Question
Title: How to enable the "Allow Peeking" option on Lollipop?
I have recently upgraded my Samsung Galaxy N3 (SM-N9005) to Android 5.0 in the hope that I would get the heads-up style notifications. According to online resources I have found, this option is called "Allow Peeking" and is found under the notification options for each app.

However, when I go into the notifications for the apps I have installed, none of them have the "Allow Peeking" option.

Is there something else I need to enable? If not, how do I get the "Allow Peeking" to appear?

# Answer
> 2 votes
"Heads-Up" Notification is introduced in Android Lollipop. However you can only disable the feature by updating to Marshmallow. Marshmallow has the option for disabling Heads-Up notification so-called "Allow Peeking".

Below is the screenshots for Lollipop and Marshmallow.

App notifications on Lollipop

App notifications on Marshmallow

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop, notifications
---


# Question
Title: Why does every app has/needs the permission "Send MMS" and "Send Email"?
So, I recently bought Elephone P8000 which has Android 5.1 installed. One of the first things I noticed was the new "App Permissions". After installing a few of my standard apps, I was curious and checked the app permissions, and I was quite surprised when I saw that every app had the permissions "Send MMS" and "Send Email".

I could understand that if it were only WhatsApp, obviously, a chat app might need this permission. But even my GBA Emulator or the Fallout Pip-Boy app had this permission even though they don't have any kind of communication functionality.

So what is the point of these 2 permissions? Why does every app need those?

# Answer
Intrigued by this question, I searched in the forums and found a similar query,which probably explains, at least in part, of what you are seeking.

Preventing installed apps from making calls or sending SMS

Almost verbatim from the answer by @ Steven Roose (all credits to him)

Developers sometimes grant their apps permission which their apps in fact don't need. If you are aware and you don't agree with this trend, the only thing you can do is not download such apps. Or even better, you can consider contacting the developer of the application and ask him why this permission is required. Maybe they are not aware of the fact and are very willing to remove the permission if they can please their users by doing so.

A to-do list should not have the permission to send SMS messages, if I see a to-do app that requires this permission myself, I would just look for another app to use.

My "guess", is that app developers ask for them just in case it is required in future, though the app may not need or use them currently. It might even be that the developer has requested an inclusive permission (for example, `android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE` implies that `android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE` has also been granted, and both permissions will show up for the app); although this might not be true in your case.

Also, one point: It might be a device-specific or case-specific (one-time) issue. Try uninstalling and reinstalling all relevant apps to check.

EDIT

ELEPONE 8000 runs a custom ROM as per Android Authority.

"The Elephone P8000 runs Android 5.1 Lollipop out of the box, with the custom Elephone UI on top"

ROM appears to be Flyme as per this forum (search for Flyme)

Does this explain the discrepancy of app displaying different permissions as discussed in comments to the question?

EDIT 2

As tested by Andrew T, I have repeated that by downloading from play store and the app does not have "send MMS " or "send email" permissions accorded. This leads to the conclusion that the observations made by OP are ROM / UI specific.

Reasons for the ROM/UI causing this could be a topic for separate question
> 8 votes

---
Tags: applications, permissions
---


# Question
Title: Android 2.2: Avoid disappearing of home shortcuts to apps into SD card. Restore app list items
I'm using a Samsung Galaxy i5510. The space in internal memory was just about to finish so I decided to move some apps to the SD card. After I did it a lot of the apps moved (not all of them) disappeared from the application list. Also did the shortcuts from my desktops.

I don't think this is a problem with the SD card because the applications are still installed (I can see them in apps management).

Thanks for your help!

**Update**

Tanks to @GAThrawn's answer now I know that it is expected to disappear the home (desktops) shortcuts when the SD card is unmounted. But it is not expected that they disappear from the application list. So the questions:

1. Is there anyway to recover the icons in application list other than reinstalling all apps?
2. Assuming that this wont happen any more and will only disappear from the home / desktop. Is there anyway to avoid that? I would like to have my apps in my SD card but with shortcuts.

# Answer
I have an EVO and had this problem as soon as I started moving a lot of apps to my SD card. Basically, apps moved to an SD card are stored in a secure area and it apparently takes Android a while to make this "secure" area available at boot, and this may not happen before your launcher starts. The more apps you have, the longer it takes to do whatever it's doing, and at some point you will find none of the SD card apps available at boot.

Restarting your launcher may or may not be necessary; the one I use, Tag Home, does seem to notice apps becoming available on the SD card... sometimes. I found that a hot reboot (a partial restart that only reloads the phone's UI; you can find apps that do this in the Market, though you need to have rooted the phone) would usually help, but I had to time it properly, or do it multiple times.

I read somewhere that Gingerbread (Android 2.3) makes this better. The EVO came with 2.2 and recently a 2.3 OTA upgrade appeared for it. I haven't yet installed that for a couple of reasons: first, as I said, I rooted my phone and need to be cautious with this, and second, there were some bugs reported in the upgrade which will be fixed later this month. So I don't yet know firsthand if this is true.

I have had much better luck partitioning my SD card (adding a dedicated 1GB partition for apps) and using an app from the market called Link2SD. Not only do the apps usually seem to be available by the time the launcher loads, you can move the ENTIRE app to the card (did you ever notice that apps take some internal memory even after moving them to SD?) and even moves apps that can't be moved the usual way. (HBO GO wants 15 MB of my internal memory? Not anymore! I even moved Adobe Flash to SD and it continues to work fine.) However, you have to root your phone to do all this and it is fairly advanced.
> 3 votes

# Answer
The apps will disappear from your Home screen if your SD card is unmounted from the phone for any reason, they won't automatically come back on their own.

The most likely reason is that the SD card can't be mounted to both your phone and your PC at the same time, so if you plug your phone into a PC, and your SD card is mounted as a drive so you can copy files to and fro, etc then that dismounts the card from your phone temporarily and you'll lose the home screen icons.

The apps should still be in your Applications list and you should be able to add them back onto the Home screen the same way that you did it when you installed them.

This is a combined limitation of the way that the Android OS handles SD cards, and the way that most home screen launchers (like Samsung's TouchWiz that you're using) cope with apps moved to SD.
> 4 votes

# Answer
The answer to both questions turned out to be Force to stop the app TwLauncher. Then when I close the apps management it started again and I get all my icons (and shortcuts) back.

So now when I have my SD card unmounted I can't see the icons. When it is mounted back, I have to restart TwLauncher. It is very annoying but at least I know I have not lost all my apps.
> 3 votes

# Answer
I have the same problem, the partial solution is open the task manager and clear the "level 2" RAM memory, this will close and relaunch everything and the apps in the SD reappears.
> 0 votes

# Answer
I'm using ES Task Manager on Samsung gt-i9300, custom rom Lollipop 5.1.1 and from User Apps, I just select an app and from the menu at top right corner (3 vertically aligned dots)I select Add To Desktop and the short-cut is created on the phone desktop at first free space.
> 0 votes

# Answer
I loaded Ram Booster Pro for this problem, and after letting the phone boot up, click "boost" in the app. With one click it clears your RAM. Android Lollipop doesn't add this feature, so task manager is of no help. When you go back to your home screen you will see your app icons as you have placed them.
> -2 votes

---
Tags: applications, 2.2-froyo, sd-card, application-manager
---


# Question
Title: Anitivirus and antimalware apps not working on malicious ads shown during the usage of Times of India app
I have a Redmi 2 Prime phone running Android 4.4.4. I have a news app named Times of India in which if I read some articles, suddenly, an ad popup appears. And these ads seem to be totally fake and malicious. Ads like "your phone has slowed down" or "your phone has virus". They take up the whole space, so it's like a hijack.

There was this same problem, only more severe, in my last phone. Now I have changed the phone altogether, but it seems the problem have crept back in somehow.

I have installed all sorts of antivirus and anti-malware apps with no avail.

How do I get rid of the issue?

# Answer
> 2 votes
If the problem persists on two different devices but within the same application, I would suspect that the application *is* the problem. Looking at the Times of India app, the first sign is the "Mature 17+" rating, which is suspicious for a news app. The second is the ridiculous list of permissions for this app:

```
Version 3.8.1 can access:
Device & app history
read sensitive log data
Identity
find accounts on the device
Contacts
find accounts on the device
Location
precise location (GPS and network-based)
approximate location (network-based)
SMS
read your text messages (SMS or MMS)
Phone
read phone status and identity
Photos/Media/Files
modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
read the contents of your USB storage
Storage
modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
read the contents of your USB storage
Wi-Fi connection information
view Wi-Fi connections
Device ID & call information
read phone status and identity
Other
receive data from Internet
full network access
view network connections
read Google service configuration
prevent device from sleeping
control vibration

```

Finally, if you look at the reviews for the app, most of the negative reviews say there are a lot of very obtrusive ads (while a lot of the positive reviews are spam not even related to the app).

I would suggest either finding another news source (like accessing a respectable newspaper through the mobile browser) or continue using the Times of India app and live with the fact that those ads make the app free to use.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Try to get in safe mode (*google it for your phone*)

Then go to applications see in all applications and uninstall applications that are uninstallable

Go check again your phone might be fine and you can also try *`Adaway`*

---
Tags: malware
---


# Question
Title: How do you reach the command line on a android phone?
I have been reading about all the things that can be done with an android if you can reach the command line in the OS Shell. I'm working with an old LGL55CV3 in hope that I can network it to my Raspberry B+ with the ARM7 chip. I'm a NOOB but, I'm moving to the JavaScript OS chip as soon as I can unlock the command line to the LG.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Assuming you are rooted: Just install the apps busy box and terminal emulator. You are good to go afterwards.

See attached Screenshot.

---
Tags: connection-issues
---


title: Note 4 camera not focusing

text:
# Question
Title: Note 4 camera not focusing
New galaxy note 4 camera doesn't focus at first, it will only work when I shake my camera or thump it real hard. Had anyone had this issue or have an idea on his to fix it?

# Answer
> 0 votes
This is a common issue on Note 4s running Android L. The most common suggestion seems to be a replacement, as the issue is not software based but actually a loose sensor within the phone itself. I suggest contacting your phone service provider.

# Answer
> 0 votes
This is an issue with most of Galaxy s5, s6, Note 4, etc... I took to my local Samsung Store here in Los Angeles and they replaced the camera right the way under the warranty. It takes about 30 minutes.

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-note-4
---


# Question
Title: What does the "eye" symbol mean at the bottom of Telegram messages?
In Telegram Messenger, at the bottom of each message, there are two numbers. One is the time that the message has been sent, and the other is a number near an eye symbol. Does anyone know what this number means?

Note that this number is in all messages, not only messages released in groups or channels. These are two screenshots:

# Answer
> 7 votes
As per Telegram's official blog:

> Each post in a channel has its own view counter.
>
> Views from forwarded copies of your messages will be included in the total count.

That eye icon is usually used to depict the total page or post views. For example, Quora uses a similar icon:

You can find some more icons here.

---
Tags: telegram
---


# Question
Title: XPeria L stuck in bootloop after flashing Ressurrection Remix ROM
Folks, I unlocked the bootloader and rooted my XPeria L without problems, I then installed TWRP, made a complete backup and tried flashing the Ressurrection Remix ROM. But the phone doesn't boot up and the ROM installed the Cyanogen Recovery atop my TWRP, and now I can't find a way to restore my backup.

I tried flashing the system image again through Flashtool, but it doesn't work. Flashtool returns an error saying "Error Flashing. Aborted".

I then tried to reinstall twrp by connecting the device in fastboot mode to my PC and issuing the command:

fastboot flash recovery recovery.img

But it returns an error message saying "FAILED (remote: Command not allowed).

What can I do to save my device?

# Answer
I found out a way to do it. As pointed in the comments, I had to flash a new boot image, because for some reason on sony devices (not sure if on all of them) you can't flash a new recovery through fastboot.

So what I did was search for a new XPeria L boot image with twrp, which I found here:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-l/development/twrp-twrp-xperia-l-t2667370

I flashed it through fastboot and booted back to recovery, and then proceeded to restore the backup I made before trying to flash a custom rom. From there I flashed a new rom and now everything is working fine.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: recovery-mode, boot-loop, fastboot, twrp
---


# Question
Title: Linux Deploy on Android 5.0 (Nexus 5): "Configuration file not found!"
I used Linux Deploy on Kitkat before and it worked. Now that I updated my Nexus 5 to Lollipop (Chainfire-rooted the device), I installed Linux Deploy again, but whenever I would like to create the disk image or virtually do anything else, I obtain `Configuration file not found!` or `Updating configuration file... fail`. I tried various settings, also enabled Wi-Fi while the application is running... no success. Has anyone been able to run Linux Deploy on Android 5.0 or know how I can get the configuration file?

# Answer
> 1 votes
You need to install Busybox to be able to update the configuration file. However, on my Nexus 5, I haven't been able to get past "Updating configuration file ... done" after the fact. It could be incompatibility or some settings need to be tweaked first. I'll report back if I fix it.

# Answer
> 0 votes
**Quick Answer**: Verify the path/file really exists, using a "terminal emulator" or an ssh connection to your Android (not a graphical file browser).

First thing (as Marius Hofert suggest) is to enable "debug info". You will see the full message of the issue.

While installing I saw many "No such file or directory"

Someone suggested to change the directory and after many changes I got it installed & running.

But something changed and I couldn't run the installed OS anymore after shutdown (same messages).

I installed an SSH Server and started checking permissions and files, and guess what, the folder does not exist indeed.

The default configuration (on my phone) has
`/storage/emulated/0/linux.img`
but (on my phone) the file is in
`/storage/emulated/legacy/linux.img`

(to be honest it is in `/storage/emulated/legacy/linux/linux.img` but the example above seems closer to what most people may find).

But that's not all. Using a graphical file explorer, I DO can see

`/storage/emulated/0/`
`/storage/emulated/legacy/`

but the first (/0/) looks different, like if it were a symlink (symbolic link).

Maybe "Linux Deploy" is getting lost because of that, so better use clear, reliable paths.

Again, I did my verifications using a ssh connection.

I hope it helps others. I provided the troubleshooting so others can help themselves too.

---
Tags: applications, root-access, linux, 5.0-lollipop
---


# Question
Title: Screen goes off during call and does not come back in Micromax A89
I am using Micromax A89 with

```
ICS 4.0.4
512 MB RAM
Screen 4.0 Inch

```

I am facing this problem since beginning. But it was solved automatically. Now again it happens when I dial a call or receive a call my mobile's screen goes off and does not come back. I must have to use power button to end the call (I set "Power button end call" checkbox from settings).

I think it's a proximity sensor problem but not sure?

But when I restart my mobile then it works for 1 or 2 calls but after it again it creates this issue.

Any help would heartily be appreciated.

# Answer
I faced the same problem but I found a simple and perfectly working solution:

1. Dial `*#*#7769#*#*` (Proximity sensor calibrator)
2. You will see 2 options `Start` and `Exit`
3. Click on `Start`.
4. Move your finger over the proximity sensor 3-4 times and try to change the value on screen.
5. If values are changing after 3-4 tries then your problem is solved.

Thanks to nighil g
> 1 votes

# Answer
If you want to learn whether or not it is caused by proximity sensor you can download this app and see if your proximity sensor is constantly sensing something that it shouldn't. If that is the case, I went through the very same problem and solved it. When I was searching the internet for a solution, someone simply suggested me to

> Take a little pipe and blow into the speaker of the phone strongly a few times.

And it worked. I had to do it a few more times later on but it is solved permanently. Give it a try and I believe it'll work out.
> 1 votes

# Answer
The question is too general and there aren't enough details to suggest a solution, it seems more likely to be a hardware problem.

Get your phone checked from a Micromax Service Centre.

PS : If you use a screen guard, it might be partially blocking the proximity sensor.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Try this: turn off the phone, then press volume up + volume down and power buttons for a while. It will show 2 options, recovery mode and factory mode. Select factory mode and there you do all tests and all your problems will be solved.
> 0 votes

# Answer
You can try Xposed Installer app and can download proximity disabler to disable your proximity sensor.. :-)
> -3 votes

---
Tags: screen, proximity-sensor, micromax-a89
---


# Question
Title: Is there a way to find the battery usage of apps on Moto 360?
I've been using the Moto 360 for a while now, When I started using it the battery life lasted almost the whole day. After a while of usage with couple of new apps, I noticed that the Moto 360 died even before it was evening. So, Is there a way to find the **battery usage of the apps running on the Motorola Moto 360** ?

# Answer
> 4 votes
Yes. You can check **Watch battery usage** In **Android Wear** app version 1.3.0:

1. Launch Android Wear
2. Tap **gear icon** in action bar to access Settings screen
3. Under device settings check tap **Moto 360** to access your Moto 360 settings
4. Tap **Watch Battery**

# Answer
> 2 votes
With the Lollipop update for the Moto 360 and the latest Android Wear app, it is possible. From the Android Wear app, go to the main screen and tap the settings gear. From there there is a "Watch Battery" option that will show you the requested information.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I found the solution for this over an year back itself. There was a neat little app called **Wear Battery Stats** on the Google Play Store.

---
Tags: battery-life, android-wear, motorola-moto-360
---


title: Should I root my phone?

text:
# Question
Title: Should I root my phone?
Clearly I am being thrilled with this question boggling in my mind. "Should I root my phone?" What are the pros and cons? Clarify this thing to me, is it dangerous or is it better than I imagine?

# Answer
If your phone really gives you a hard time, and it really needs to be upgraded, then rooting is the best options.

As per Wiki says "Rooting is the process of allowing users of smartphones, tablets and other devices running the Android mobile operating system to attain privileged control (known as root access) over various Android subsystems. As Android uses the Linux kernel, rooting an Android device gives similar access to administrative (superuser) permissions as on Linux or any other Unix-like operating system such as FreeBSD or OS X."

**Pros of Rooting :**

* Install Custom ROM’s
* Can back up all the Device data onto memory card
* Can Install Awesome Themes
* Install Many Apps with Some awesome features.

**Cons of Rooting :**

* Security issues
* Malfunctions of Your Android Device
* Loss of Software warranty.

Helpful Link :

http://www.techglitter.com/2013/08/what-is-rooting-how-to-root-android.html
> 0 votes

---
Tags: root-access
---


title: Did the "stop" command brick my phone?

text:
# Question
Title: Did the "stop" command brick my phone?
I have a rooted Sony Xperia Z3+.

So I was mucking around in a root terminal (on my phone, not via adb), and I simply typed `stop`.

The phone seemed to instantly turn off, but it won't turn on again! What did I do? Sorry if this seems like a dumb question, but I cannot even find any infromation on the `stop` command by googling.

# Answer
From @AndrewT 's comment, I gathered this:

Referring this answer on StackOverflow

*What does `stop` do?*

`stop` entered in a root terminal basically stops the Android process called `zygote`. This in turn stops all processes registered in the context of `zygote`, that is, all services (including system services) registered to `zygote`. This includes the `SurfaceFlinger`process responsible for rendering the Android UI.

So, nothing displays on your screen once you enter this command, but the Linux kernel below Android is still going, as you can check if you have a UART connection to the device, or have set it up to specially broadcast output to ADB even if `zygote` has stopped.

A power-on isn't possible after `stop` as technically the device isn't powered-off.

*What is `zygote`?*

`zygote` is the hosting process for any Android app. That is, it holds the context of the app and the app itself, and on versions of Android below 5.0, hosts the Dalvik VM instance for the app. It is a system-level process, started on boot.

*So how can you recover your device?*

Try a hard reboot. That is, pull out your battery, leave the device alone for 15 or so minutes, and then put it back in and boot it up again.

If your device lacks a removable battery, the workaround is to hold down the power button until the device vibrates or shows the bootloader splashscreen. This usually takes about anywhere from 10 seconds to 1 minute.

If you can get the bootloader splashscreen, you are (relatively) safe, you aren't hardbricked. Further steps can be added if Android fails to boot past that step. If that happens, and you have a custom recovery and a NANDroid backup, just restore that.

If you can't get the bootloader splashscreen, check if your device charges when connected to a mains source. If it does, you're still relatively safe and a restore is possible (but out of scope of this answer, as it is very device-specific).

If it doesn't even charge, a recovery may still be possible but you are effectively hardbricked. Maybe the service center can help you further.

Note that the cause of the soft or hardbrick wasn't the `stop` command, probably something else. What, can't be said without further details.
> 8 votes

---
Tags: unbricking
---


title: Manual icon change now apk wont install

text:
# Question
Title: Manual icon change now apk wont install
Well I've went into the res folder to spruce up an app icon figuring it would look much better with the modified alternative.

The icon png 's are stored in about five different folders.

`res\drawable-hdpi-v4`

`res\drawable-mdpi-v4`

`res\drawable-xhdpi-v4`

`res\drawable-xxhdpi-v4`

`res\drawable-xxxhdpi-v4`

`res\raw`

In each folder there are mainly 3 icon files as png's

`icon.png`

`large_icon.png`

`widget_icon.png`

Of different sizes \large\_icon.png being the largest I assume this would be the main app folder icon that displays as the package installer and home screen icon.

I've made changes to the icon that is being used to replace the current one's by copying them over and replacing them with the same file name for each.

The icon being used is the same for each, Around 57kb.

After successfully replacing the icons, rezipping the package and changing the `.zip` to `.apk` the app shows up with the changed icon and will install but when the install is completed a notification comes up saying not installed.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Figured out what the problem is. After editing an apk it needs to be resigned to instal properly. Resigned it with zipsigner as auto-testkey, install error is gone now.

---
Tags: applications, 5.0-lollipop, customization
---


title: Cache size exceeds phone capacity

text:
# Question
Title: Cache size exceeds phone capacity
What is going on here? (please see attached screen shot).

This is a Galaxy S5 Mini. Totally stock rom, never rooted. I have recently restored it to factory settings in an effort to overcome a fast draining battery.

Apps are complaining about lack of space, but based on this I believe that to be false (also, I have put almost nothing on the phone).

Anyone have any ideas on the best way to fix this?

Storage (click to enlarge)

# Answer
> 2 votes
I fully agree the storage screen shows "incoherent data" (more cache used than there's storage available), so it must have miscalculated.

As your device is already complaining about "low storage", I assume installing additional apps is not an option. If your device were rooted (which it is not), you could figure which app(s) is/are responsible for "high cache consumption", utilizing ADB:

```
adb shell su -c "for dir in /data/data/*/*cache; do du -sk $dir; done"

```

This shows the directory (including the app's package name) and the size of cache used in kB. Snipped of example output (from one of my devices):

```
2224    /data/data/com.feedr/app_cache
32      /data/data/com.feedr/cache
32      /data/data/com.fsck.k9/app_sslcache
32      /data/data/com.fsck.k9/cache

```

Without root, there might be ways achieving similar results via tools like "package manager" (`pm`) – but I couldn't figure that yet. If the culprit was found with the above command, you can selectively free its cache running `rm -rf` against the specified cache directory (again as root), or just clear the cache altogether (see Clear Caches from ADB). Clearing the cache completely doesn't require root and is possible via most (stock and custom) recoveries, and also (stock, custom, root or not) via the `fastboot erase cache` command.

If the above is not possible for you, and you're still able to install apps (maybe after deleting another installed app), you could go the way SarpSTA recommended and install a cache manager to check. If that's not possible either, the "long way" would be going to *Settings › Apps* and walking the "All" tab – opening each app's page and see how much "cache" is printed for it, manually hitting the "clear cache" button for "heavy eaters".

---
Tags: 4.3-jelly-bean, cache
---


# Question
Title: Can I recover the WhatsApp chat history from a damaged phone?
My phone has suffered physical damage and it will no longer turn on. I have given it to a phone repair shop in the hope that the data is still alive in there and that it can be extracted using external means. Assuming I can get a copy of the internal storage of that phone into a thumb drive, one of the things I would like to recover from it is the WhatsApp chat history. The standard procedure, however, requires a working Android system on the old phone to work, and this might be a little too much of a stretch given the damage.

Is there a way to recover the chat history given these circumstances? Or is it lost to history due to WhatsApp's encryption mechanisms?

# Answer
> 2 votes
You can, if you can save **everything** in the `/data/data/com.whatsapp` folder. Your logs will be in `/data/data/com.whatsapp/databases` but they are encrypted as you mentioned and encryption key is in `/data/data/com.whatsapp/files/key`. Proper transfer of these files will mean a successful operation. Once you start Whatsapp on another phone with the `/data` folder from your broken phone and start Whatsapp, it will prompt you to activate Whatsapp on this phone with a text like *"This account wasn't activated on this phone, please activate"* and once you do, it'll be successfully done.

---
Tags: whatsapp-messenger, data-recovery, physical-damage
---


# Question
Title: Spam in comment section on Google Play - what is more powerfull vote down or flag as spam?
I am a developer who develops one of the main digital version of newspaper in my country.
Many (not most) tend to write what they think about politics instead posting valuable comments. I would like to clean this mess on my app's Google Play page.

What would be more appropriate action as a developer - flagging comments as spam or just clicking vote down? What is Your experience?

In comment:

> This newspapers is b\** sh\**. This newspaper turn your brain into sh\**. Do not read this newspaper.

# Answer
I would say that as a general principle, spam and posts with offensive abuse should always be flagged.

Flagging brings them to the attention of someone who may be able to delete the post and the account of the poster.

Downvoting leaves the possibility that the posts remain visible. It may take a while for a flag to be acted upon but - no flag - no action.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: google-play-store, spam
---


title: How to root Lenovo A319?

text:
# Question
Title: How to root Lenovo A319?
I have a Lenovo A319 and Kingo Root didn't work on it. I badly need to root my phone because it has collected lots of bloatware. Please help.

# Answer
* Try "Root Genius for PC" to root your phone.
* Download it from here Root Genius for PC
* Install it on your PC, Run the Software.
* Connect your Phone with PC using USB Debugging. When your Phone get connected-\> You will see in the Software, there is root button, Click on that, wait for 15-20 minutes.
* After sometime, your phone get rooted, and you can see "Kinguser" app is been installed.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: rooting, lenovo
---


# Question
Title: Android 5.0+ multi-user feature: how detailed can you set user restrictions?
I'm thinking about buying my first **tablet** in the near future. The main goal is to use it for very different parts of my daily life (private, university, two different music groups, some private business, etc....).

I'd like to keep all those parts separated, that is why I want to create various users and use android's multi-user feature. Until today I only have a htc smartphone, with android 4.2 and also only one user of course -\> no experience with multi-user @ android at all...

I already bought a lot of apps and I'd like to (re-)use those apps (or at least some of them) on all of my different users in the future. This means I will be using one google/play account only, for every user the same account. BUT I'd like to restrict some users from accessing this google-account's calendar-data for example.

Is this possible? Is it possible to make the restriction-settings in such a detailed way (allowing access to play but restricting access to calendar, email, etc. for example?)

If so, this would be really great. Since i never had the opportunity to hold one of the new android tablets in my hands I just don't know. I hope someone of you can help me :)

Thanks in advance!

All the best ben

# Answer
When any app is installed on your android device, the app is visible to all the users. However, the data of each is user will be different (private to each user).
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop, tablet, multi-user
---


# Question
Title: ADB and Fastboot displays different devices
I'm trying to unlock the bootloader of my device, Cherry Mobile Fuze, which is a port of Micromax A96.

As seen on the screenshot, is it normal that the ADB displays a device that is different from the device being displayed by fastboot?

# Answer
> 3 votes
## Short answer

Fastboot, (recovery) and your "normal Android" are different systems, each using their own configuration and "device serial".

## TL;DR

That's nothing unusual. Most devices1 use different IDs in normal// to indicate the mode they're in. You can cross-check that with the `lsusb` command on your Linux shell prompt, which reflects this by different device IDs. On top of that, some devices even use different IDs depending on what "normal mode" you've activated. To give an example, here's what my LG P880 presents:

* `1004:61c5` when in charge-only normal mode
* `1004:631c` with MTP enabled
* `1004:631e` with PTP
* `1004:61f1` using the "LG Software protocol" (to connect with their PC counterpart, which is Windows only)
* `1004:61fe` when in tethering mode

Easy to guess: the `1004` remains the same (it's the "manufacturer ID"). But the number behind the colon changes – so the device presents itself with different "product IDs".

However, this should not reflect on the "Serial" – as the device serial in all those 5 cases is taken from the same place (`build.prop` of the system running in "normal mode"), which is bound to the *currently running ROM.* Now what happens if you switch to "fastboot mode"? That's not related to the running OS at all (put in "easy terms", you could compare this with a PC's "BIOS" or, more correctly, the "Grub" bootloader). So `fastboot` doesn't know about the ROM's serial number, and thus uses its own. With it's somehow similar – in our comparison, you chose a different entry in Grub and thus booted a different system.

---

**1:** in fact, all devices I've tried, so I don't know of any exception – though with the amount of different devices available, I cannot guarantee there is no exception at all

---
Tags: adb, fastboot
---


title: Media Device (MTP) problem

text:
# Question
Title: Media Device (MTP) problem
I have USB Debugging on, whenever i set the USB Computer connection to MTP it just disappear in the Devices list, I set to PTP and it appears in the Devices list, help please.

# Answer
Its an incomplete question but will try to answer. First of all make sure you installed your smartphones drivers successfully by enabling usb storage if available. If its not available install from your smartphone manufacturer website or from xda developer website.

Then try to reboot your laptop and reconnect your smartphone with your laptop.

It will surely fix the issue.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: settings
---


title: How to be confident mobile data is off

text:
# Question
Title: How to be confident mobile data is off
I have a mobile package which includes a small amount of mobile data. If you exceed the limit, or use data abroad, the costs can be truly enormous. This has made me paranoid about how to ensure that mobile data is turned off.

My biggest fear is that I am abroad, but then want to check my email when without wifi. I manually turn on my mobile data, check my emails, but then forget to switch it off.

What is the surest way to avoid this scenario? I have seen all sorts of apps on the market that relate to this issue, but none of them do quite what I need. For example there are many apps you can open up and check your data usage... but of course if you don't know that you've left data on, then why would you even go and check? There are also apps where the icon on your screen shows the state as connected/not connected. But they tend to also act as a switch themselves, so it would be far too easy to accidentally switch data on just by touching the icon. What I would really like is some strong visual indicator of being connected, which isn't itself a toggle to switch data on.

Another alternative that I haven't seen yet is something which turns mobile data off when the phone sleeps (and doesn't turn it back on again).

I have a Samsung Galaxy II with Android 4.3. My phone is not rooted, and I don't want it to be (my banking app does not work on rooted phones).

**SOLVED:** I ended up using mattm's answer as well as using Firelord's suggestion of macrodroid. I used macrodroid to switch off mobile data every time the screen switches off.

# Answer
The standard Android Settings-\>"Data Usage" allows you to set warnings and limits for mobile data usage. The screenshot is from Android 6, but I recall having something similar in Android 4.x.

This won't give you a visual indication of data usage on your home screen, but it will give you a warning (I don't remember what this looks like) and it will cut off your mobile data if you hit the limit.

The advanced settings also allow you to toggle whether data is enabled on roaming connections.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: mobile-data
---


# Question
Title: Take a photo in PNG (or other lossless) format
I need to take a collection of photographs using my Samsung Note 4 used as resources for a video game. To give the best experience, it is important that I use a completely lossless format for this. When I take a picture with my phone, it saves it in a JPG format by default. I need to losslessly save this image in PNG format.

I am looking for some way to do this with existing apps. The one resource I found about this topic from a user's point of view claims it is impossible as there is some sort of hardware encoder -- however I very much doubt this as I've always considered the encoding into a file format to be handled by software.

Is it possible to take a photo in PNG (or other lossless) format in Android?

# Answer
> 3 votes
If you really want to take lossless photographs, you should look for a camera app with RAW support. Typically, you would be working with a `.dng` file, instead of a `.png` file. RAW photos are lossless and uncompressed, which is what you're looking for, and (as the name suggests) captures the raw data from the camera's sensor.

The Lollipop Camera2 API includes a feature to capture RAW images, and there are at least a few popular apps that take advantage of this.

1. OpenCamera (Free, Open Source)
2. Manual Camera (try the compatibility checker app before buying)
3. Camera FV-5

---
Tags: camera, photos, samsung-galaxy-note-4
---


# Question
Title: How to handle multi-keycode keys on Android with a bluetooth keyboard?
I have a Microsoft Mobile Wedge keyboard. I've connected it to my Nexus 9 and after setting the language in the settings it works almost perfectly. Almost! There are 4 keys on it that don't work, because they're multi-keycode keys. They're the "magnifier glass"-key, the "3 dots on a ring"-key, the "black rectangle intersecting with rectangle border"-key and the "gears/settings"-key.

So far I've found out with

```
getevent -lt /dev/input/event4

```

that the Linux keycodes they send are

```
KEY_LEFTSHIFT
KEY_LEFTMETA
KEY_F21

KEY_LEFTALT
KEY_LEFTMETA
KEY_F21

KEY_LEFTCTRL
KEY_LEFTMETA
KEY_F21

KEY_LEFTMETA
KEY_F21

```

I've created the 2 files from their `Generic.kl` and `Generic.kcm` counterparts

```
/system/usr/keylayout/Vendor_045e_Product_0790.kl
/system/usr/keychars/Vendor_045e_Product_0790.kcm

```

and made sure with

```
dumpsys input

```

that they're used.

I tried to enable F21 in the layout first, but that didn't work because there's no Android keycode for F21. So I bound it to INSERT instead, because it's an unused key. Then I went into the character map and tried making an INSERT key (which is actually F21) and applying the right modifiers to it.

```
key INSERT {
    base:           'a'
    lmeta:          'A'
}

```

The above being for the key that only had 2 keycodes. Unfortunately this didn't work. Nothing happened. So now I'm here to pick your brain.

Does anyone know how to do multi-keycode keys?

Thank you very much in advance.

# Answer
Do the following:

1. Run `getevent` without the `-lt` flag.
2. Press the key you want to test a few times. You'll get three lines something like:

```
/dev/input/eventn: 0004 0004 longnum
/dev/input/eventn: 0001 4_DIGIT_NUMBER_OF_INTEREST MASK
/dev/input/eventn: 0000 0000 longemptynum
```

The `4_DIGIT_NUMBER_OF_INTEREST` is the scan-code.
3. In your `.kl` file (in `/system/usr/keylayout/[yourlayout].kl`), add a line:

```
key [4_DIGIT_NUMBER_OF_INTEREST] [UNUSED_BINDING]

```

You've already gotten that far.

So, in your `.kcm` file, you put the following lines and you should be good to go.

```
key [UNUSED_BINDING] {
lmeta:            what_you_want_for_just_lmeta (but it should be first)
lshift+lmeta:     what_you_want_for_lshift+lmeta
lalt+lmeta:       what_you_want_for_lalt+lmeta
lctrl+lmeta:      what_you_want_for_lctrl+lmeta
}
```

Reference: Key Character Map Files (under Key Declarations → Properties)
> 1 votes

# Answer
*I am not sure if your way works or not, but try and see if this works. I have linked all the necessary stuff, have a look and try and se if it works.*

Android Keyboard Devices (Scroll to the bottom of the page for all the key codes)

Keytest Apk (Use to show keycodes when pressed)

How to map android keys to your USB/Bluetooth Keyboard

Map android keys to any Keyboard

Android key Maps (User Blog)

**Keyboard shortcuts and navigation, these may help with your problem or not (also extras for users who are reading this)**

* ESC = go back
* CTRL + ESC = menu
* CTRL + ALT + DEL = restart (no questions asked)
* ALT + SPACE = search page (say “OK Google” to voice search)
* ALT + TAB (ALT + SHIFT + TAB) = switch tasks

Also, if you have designated volume function keys, those will probably work too. There’s also some dedicated app shortcuts like calculator, Gmail, and a few others:

**Android Keyboard Shortcuts:** *Apps*

* CMD (Windows key) + A = calculator
* CMD + C = contacts
* CMD + E = e-mail
* CMD + G = Gmail
* CMD + L = Calendar
* CMD + P = Play Music
* CMD + Y = YouTube

Others keys that are useful include:

**Android Keyboard Shortcuts:** *Scrolling*

* Spacebar: Page down in any Web page/document view
* Shift + Spacebar: Page up in any Web page/document view

**Android Keyboard Shortcuts:** *Typing*

* Alt + Spacebar: Insert a special character
* Shift + Del: Delete the character to the right of the cursor
* Alt + Del: Delete an entire line
* Shift + Shift (press it twice): Activate caps-lock; press shift once more to exit
* Alt + Trackball **(Mouse)** -Left: Move cursor to beginning of line
* Alt + Trackball-Right: Move cursor to end of line
* Alt + Trackball-Up: Move cursor to top of page
* Alt + Trackball-Down: Move cursor to bottom of page
* Shift + Trackball-Left/Right: Highlight text for cutting or copying
* Menu + X: Cut text (will cut all text on-screen unless specific characters are highlighted)
* Menu + C: Copy text to clipboard (will copy all text on-screen unless specific characters are highlighted)
* Menu + V: Paste text from clipboard
* Menu + A: Select all text in the current field

**Android Keyboard Shortcuts:** *Browsing*

* Menu + I: Zoom in
* Menu + O: Zoom out
* Menu + J: Go back a page
* Menu + K: Go forward a page
* Menu + R: Refresh current page
* Menu + F: Find on page
* Menu + B: Open bookmarks
* Menu + S: Open social network sharing menu
* Menu + H: View browsing history
* Menu + S: Open browser settings

**Android Keyboard Shortcuts:** *Gmail*

* F: Forward current message (works only while inside the message)
* R: Reply to current message (works only while inside the message)
* A: Reply-all to current message (works only while inside the message)
* Y: Archive message (works from within message or while on main inbox list)
* Menu + U: Refresh inbox
* Menu + C: Compose new e-mail
* Enter: Open an e-mail (from the main inbox list)
* Alt + Trackball-Up: Jump to top of inbox
* Alt + Trackball-Down: Jump to bottom of inbox
> 0 votes

---
Tags: system, external-keyboard
---


# Question
Title: Lost my phone, how can I get my contacts from my SD card?
Well, I lost my phone. I know I can get some contacts from google, but it's not phone numbers, only e-mails. (I already tried locating my phone with google, and I was able to do it. It seems to be turned off now, though.) Is there any way that I can get those contacts from my SD card? I can get a new phone, but I can't get all those contacts back.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Did you back up the contacts to you SD card before losing the phone? Normally the contacts are stored on the phone's internal storage, or sometimes on the SIM card.

If you did save the contacts to the SD card before losing it, you should be able to retrieve you contacts by going to your contacts app, and finding the option *'Import/Export'*, where you can choose *'Import from SD card'*.

# Answer
> 0 votes
NO..If you have not backup it to SD card or if you did not backup it using some 3rd party app to your email or drive. there is no way to retrieve that. But next time you can use some backup app there are all over the play store not only contact it can backup every thing in your phone.

---
Tags: contacts, sms, hardware, lost-phone
---


# Question
Title: How much impact can an SD card have in battery life?
I have a samsung tablet and since I bought the sd card I notice imapact on the battery.

Unfortunatly I installed Android 5 by the same time (thatś why I bought the card), so its unclear if its the card or the OS change.

I have read that Android 5 has a poorer performance in terms of battery life, but I even givin that as a fact I think the tablet is using too much energy.

# Answer
It's always possible for the SD card driver to be terrible and to spin uselessly wasting battery, but far from typical. Accessing the SD card shouldn't really use any more battery than accessing any other kind of storage.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop, sd-card, battery-life
---


# Question
Title: Can I store a CWM backup on the PC and copy it to the phone when needed?
I was wondering if I could just simply copy the backup file and when needed copy back to the phone....because it takes up almost 3 G space. Weird that it is that big.

By the way....I cant even locate the backupfile. Where is the default folder for it?

# Answer
> Can I store a CWM backup on the PC and copy it to the phone when needed?

**Yes, you can.**

> `CWM` backups are stored in `/data/media/clockworkmod/backups`

**And for TWRP :**

> you can choose the *files/backup-files* for saved and stored in Sdcard or Extsdcard during backup process.

```
Stored in -> sdcard -> TWRP -> Backups

```

**or:** `Extsdcard -> TWRP -> Backups`

and then, you can copy this backup when needed into the phone and then, Restore it from related recovery.
> 1 votes

# Answer
I used to have the same question as you mentioned: (`/data/media/clockworkmod/backups` cannot be found), now here is how I solved it.

In addition to LinX64's answer, in order to access that folder, it requires **root** privilege.

After rooted, with the help of File explorer, I copied the files to *download* folder, then pull them out to PC.
> -1 votes

# Answer
Check `/mnt/shell/emulated/clockworkmod/backup`.
> -1 votes

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Tags: backup, clockworkmod-recovery
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title: HTC One M7 won't update

text:
# Question
Title: HTC One M7 won't update
My HTC One M7 has been notifying me about a new update (v 7.18.111.35, Android Security Patch for *libstageFright*) for the past few months. And every time I try to install it, this is the result:

All I can do is reboot and the phone operates as normal.

It's not rooted, not modded in any way and I did a data wipe/factory reset about a week ago, but still it won't install.

My carrier is T-Mobile (although I'm not sure if that has anything to do with it)

Does anyone have experience with this? And maybe have a solution?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Yes. The `Installation Aborted:Status 7` error indicates an assertion fail during execution of the updater-script binary inside OTA file. This can be due to one of 2 things:

1. The OTA zip itself is corrupted (bad download). This then indicates a signature mismatch error.
2. The updater-script could not find the appropriate properties in your system during execution. This means that the updater-script checks for some particular values in your `build.prop`, which allow it to confirm that it is being installed on the system it was meant to be installed on. The updater-script has assertions, a kind of safety mechanism (or exception handlers, if you prefer). to verify this. This indicates an incompatible system software version versus OTA zip.

In both cases, you would be better off redownloading and double checking the update(checking the checksums if any are provided), or manually updating via `adb sideload` (Recovery Mode option `Apply update from ADB`), Recovery Mode option `Apply update from SD card`, or using an HTC RUU or `fastboot`.

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Tags: updates, stagefright
---


title: How to move apps

text:
# Question
Title: How to move apps
How can I have LG e-612 running on jelly bean. Without apps it gives proper performance. When I'm trying to install apps from play store they get installed in internal memory. Phone is slow and sluggish. So I just want to move apps to external memory or micro sd card. LG customer care say you can not move. So I checked many forums and tutorials but maximum are about rooting android none of them clears me. So how can I move apps to external memory or micro sd card?

# Answer
Installing an app to your SD Card will use memory even on your phone so I think this doesn't help your situation really (At least that what I experienced) but give it a try without root , Their should be a button located on the app properties "Move to SD Card" . Like I say this will NOT move them from the system but its worth a shot I suppose .Every phone is different
> 0 votes

# Answer
these the simple first select on app then mark all the apps and there options like move your app to sd card then click on it .am talking about LG e612
> -2 votes

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Tags: insufficient-memory, app2sd
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title: Inconsistent performance over wifi

text:
# Question
Title: Inconsistent performance over wifi
I noticed this with my Nexus 5, and was surprised to see it continue with my new Nexus 6P:

I have a 5th generation Apple Airport Extreme. When I am using my Android phone on wifi, images load really slowly or not at all on apps like Facebook and the Google Play store. When I switch to LTE, they load right away. This is weird, because my speed tests indicate 100mpbs performance over wifi, and most other apps don't have any issue.

# Answer
> 1 votes
It turns out turning off IPv6 support in the Airport config fixed the problem.

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Tags: wi-fi
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