# Question
Title: Callers cannot hear me unless I turn on speaker phone!
I have a Samsung Galaxy S2 (SGH-S959G) and it is a Straight Talk phone (don't know if that makes a difference or not). Anyway, I have only had this phone for about 6 or 7 months.

Around August 16, 2013 I noticed that when someone calls me or I call someone I can hear them but they cannot hear me unless I turn on speaker phone. I got in touch with Straight Talk and the representative instructed me to:

* turn the phone off,
* take the battery out,
* take the SIM card out,
* clean the SIM card by wiping it on my shirt or whatnot,
* and then replace the SIM and battery.

He then said to make a call, which I did and it worked.

However, two days later it started back doing the same thing by repeated the instructions listed above in the exact same manner several times and it did not work. It still does not work.

Also, when I call voicemail and change my personal settings, it will record what I say without it being on speaker. So I'm not quite sure why I am able to be heard in that manner but not when talking to someone.

Also, every now and then when I sit my phone down on a counter, the phone will just randomly turn off.

There really is no good reason for that to happen unless I was throwing it down, which I am not. I have always taken good care of my things, especially my $350 phone. It's ridiculous to pay this much and only be able to use it for 6 or 7 months.

Please Help.

# Answer
Try disabling "Noise Cancellation" on your device.
> 1 votes

# Answer
There are two microphones on your phone: one for speaker and one for non speaker. You have to clean the mic port on the bottom of your phone with a small pin.
> 1 votes

# Answer
i got this problem also on my (in the mean while old) S2

there is a connector of the speaker in your phone who is not connected anymore

check youtube movies how to open your phone (not so difficult with correct tools) and connect this connector to the main pcb
> 0 votes

# Answer
I advise you to do factory reset of your device as the problem sounds to be software related. If your mic was to be alright, even the voice mail wouldn't have worked.
> 0 votes

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Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-2, calls, audio, microphone
---


# Question
Title: Samsung GALAXY Tab 3 (SM-T210) KitKat upgrade issue
I have Samsung GALAXY Tab 3 (SM-T210) and recently upgraded it to KitKat.

I just noticed now that I lost my Samsung account. It's not on my application list either. Is there anyway to reinstall it? I've done factory reset and it's still missing.

# Answer
> 0 votes
What is the app called?
As far as I understand I think you are looking for Samsung Link.

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, samsung, samsung-galaxy-tab-3
---


# Question
Title: How do you leave a review on the Google Play Store without a Google+ account?
I would like to leave reviews for some of the Android apps I really appreciate. But leaving reviews on the Google Play Store requires signing up for Google+. Like many others, I refuse to add Google+ (or any social network) to my Google account.

So I thought I would just sign up for another empty Google account, and add Google+ to that. Problem solved. Or so I thought. When I tried to leave the first review, Google Play Store refused to let me leave the review, saying that I hadn't installed the app yet. Furthermore, it said that the account wasn't associated with any devices. Ugh.

Most of the apps are free apps and a few are ones I have purchased.

I've noticed that many people have simply chosen to never leave reviews ever since Google made the poor decision to require a Google+ account in order to leave a review on the Play Store.

Is there a way to easily do what I am trying to accomplish?

BTW, before anyone asks, no, I'm not trying to leave more than one review for any app. I just want to leave a positive review for the apps I enjoy using.

# Answer
Sadly at present, you cannot. Since around November 2012 Google require Google Plus to review on the play store. All reviews are in your name, have your G+ picture and are publicly shared.

There is a popup that states:

> From now on, reviews you write will be posted publicly using your Google+ name and picture.
>
> Your name on previous reviews will appear as "A Google User".
> 4 votes

# Answer
If your device supports multiple Google account you may try to add the new account and then leaving a review from the new account.
> 1 votes

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Tags: google-play-store, feedback
---


# Question
Title: Can't install new apps, all incompatible with Android phone (ZTE Blade)
After spending a few moments moving some apps from my phone's internal storage to my SD card, I'm no longer able to download/install apps.

Every time I try to get one (like the Wikipedia app) I get the bellow weird alert, saying that my phone is not compatible with the item I'm trying to download.

*I can update apps already installed, though.*

How can I solve this problem? This is my first Android phone (ZTE Blade, commonly known as "a5" in Portugal) and I have no idea how to solve this issue. I have Cyanogenmod installed and all caches have been dumped.

**EDIT:** I've simply uninstalled the updates for the Market app, downgrading it to the 'old' Market and it just worked!! I could easily download and install new apps, but when the Market app re-updated itself automatically, I couldn't download/install any apps again.

# Answer
> 1 votes
When the market re-upates itself. Goto:

Settings \> Applications \> Manage Applications \> Market

and select 'clear cache'

Now go back into the market and re-signin with your market account. See if this helps.

# Answer
> 0 votes
just get a way to download Mobomarket, and you can use that app to download others, infact it works more or less like google play app. its not necessary to delete anything, unless you cant download the app(mobomarket) itself.

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Tags: google-play-store, installation
---


# Question
Title: Why do I need to use "Android File Transfer" to transfer files from my mac?
I'm curious as to why I need to download and use 'Android File Transfer' so that I can transfer files from my mac to my nexus 5. I assumed because they had a similar file structure that viewing files on one from the other wouldn't have been an issue.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I think it's because Mac does not have all the required drivers. It's like you can't connect your iPhone to a Windows computer properly without iTunes.

---
Tags: file-transfer, macos
---


title: CyanogenMod 11 installer for Xperia SP

text:
# Question
Title: CyanogenMod 11 installer for Xperia SP
I downloaded the CyanogenMod installer from the Google PlayStore however on installation it says my device is not supported and if i should wish to continue, it will be at my own risk. Is there any harm if I should choose to proceed with the installation??

# Answer
> 0 votes
If your device is officially supported by Cyanogen, you can at 99,9% run the installer without any issues. But if you would like to go the "secure" way, I recommend the manual method.

---
Tags: installation, cyanogenmod
---


# Question
Title: What should I do if my (Exynos SM-N900)Note 3 has bootloop?
I have experienced bootloop, it only shows SamSung Logo... And if I download ROM from SAMobile, how do I know if that Rom is not corrupted. Also, how do I know if Odin is stuck/hang or not? Because I thought it hanged so I pulled the cable and it showed crappyKies thing ( when I flashed CFAutoRoot ) then I bring that to Samsung and they fixed it (before root) now I am rooted.. What to do? I am scared

# Answer
If your phone hangs at the Boot-Logo (Note 3), then you have not flashed the ROM the right way.

If it hangs at the Boot-Anination (Samsung), you probably forgot wiping caches and maybe the data partition.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: rooting, samsung-galaxy-note-3, hard-reset
---


# Question
Title: How to Disable brand logo and boot animation
Hii Everyone I am using Samsung Galaxy Grand i9082 device and when i turn it on it is showing two screens one with model number and other with Samsung logo and boot animation is there any possibility to disable both the animations and display a blank screen until home screen appears

# Answer
You can delete `/system/media/bootanimation.zip` and the second boot animation would be gone. You need to root your phone to do that though. Also, this would make your home screen appear faster, but not fully functional until it competes boot.

Changing or removing the first boot splash is trickier, it requires recompiling the kernel with a blank boot splash and flashing that to the device - which is dangerous, hard and , as it requires you to unlock the bootloader, possibly void the warranty and it also runs a risk of bricking the phone.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: boot, samsung-galaxy-grand, boot-animation
---


# Question
Title: How to Chromecast videos from a Safari Books Online subscription
If you have a Safari Books Online, the Safari To Go app for Android is useful for reading the books (particularly offline) and watching the videos, but when you watch the videos there is no option to send it to Chromecast. It would be nice to watch the videos, which include training videos and popular conference sessions, on my TV using Chromecast.

# Answer
Instead of using the Safari To Go app, go to http://m.safaribooksonline.com and log into your account there. When you start playing the video, maximize it and the Chromecast icon will appear in the upper left. Tap that icon, select your Chromecast device, and the video will appear there. As always, you can use your Android to control volume, pause/play, and seek within the video.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: chromecast
---


# Question
Title: Switching contacts from Windows Phone to Android
I have been trying to figure how too switch my contacts over to my Galaxy S III. I had a Nokia Lumia 520 and I really don't want to manually put my contacts in, but I don't see where they were saved.

# Answer
> 22 votes
Easy.

1. Sync your Microsoft account with your Windows Phone.
2. Sign in to your Microsoft account on your **PC** (you can do this at people.live.com), then press the dropdown next to Outlook, and select People.
3. Select Manage and choose "Export for Outlook.com and other services".
4. Now press "Save" to store the exported contacts file "OutlookContacts.csv" on your computer (e.g. on your Desktop).

Now you have to transfer your Windows Live (Hotmail) contacts to your Google Account. To do that:

1. Sign-in to your Gmail account using a desktop computer.
2. In the main Gmail window, click the "Mail" or "GMail" drop-down arrow on the top left of the screen, and choose "Contacts".
3. In Contacts page, press "More" menu and select "Import".
4. Now press the "Choose File" button.
5. Navigate to the location where you saved the Windows Live Contacts file (OutlookContacts.csv) in the previous step and "Open" it.
6. Finally, press the "Import" button and wait until the import process is completed.

And finally to your phone.

1. On the Android phone, go to "Settings" \> "Accounts and Sync" or "Settings" \> "Accounts".
2. Under "Manage Accounts", select (or "Add") the Google account you used to import WLM contacts.
3. Finally press "Sync Contacts".

You're done!

# Answer
> 5 votes
An alternative seems to be offered directly from the device:

## Using Bluetooth

> The Windows Phone 7.5 operating system makes it easy to transfer contacts. Tap the arrow to go to the second page menu. On here you’ll find a simple Contacts Transfer app, tap it and make sure Bluetooth is switched on in your Nokia Lumia

This should (hopefully) be valid for your *Lumia* as well, even if the Windows version does not match.

> Once it’s switched on you’ll find any devices in your area that are using Bluetooth and visible. Select your old Nokia phone and accept the pairing. One linked you’ll find that contacts are sent over automatically.

This should work with all Bluetooth-capable phones on the "other end". You might have to approve adding the contacts on the "receiving end", though – but you need not to involve any third-party cloud services for that.

## Using VCards

Certainly, your *Lumia* will be able to export its contacts as "VCards" in one or the other way (if not directly, for this step the first part of Solver's answer can be used). Once you've got the `*.vcf` file on your computer, transfer it to your Android device. There, start the "contacts" (or "people") app, tap the "menu button" (or, if there is none, the "overflow menu" which looks like 3 dots stapled: "|"), chose "Export/Import", then "Import from SD card", and select the `.vcf` file – your contacts should be there.

---
Tags: contacts, data-transfer, windows-mobile
---


# Question
Title: Will I get OTA updates after installing Android L Developer preview?
I installed Android L developer preview on my Nexus 5. Now I was wondering if I still would get over-the-air updates. If not is there a way of fixing this?

# Answer
No.

For users who are using Android L Developer preview will need to reflash the phone and install the fresh build.

> If you want to receive the official consumer OTA update in November and any other official updates, you will have to have a factory image on your Nexus device.

Official Source
> 3 votes

# Answer
> For the developer preview versions, there will not be an over the air (OTA) update.

This is clearly mentioned in announcement at Android Developer Blog.

So, when the actual Lollipop comes out on November 3rd, Google will create factory images for Nexus Devices and upload to Factory Images for Nexus Devices. Fetch it and flash it again to enjoy Lollipop on your Nexus 5.
> 5 votes

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop, ota-update, developer-preview
---


# Question
Title: Running older windows versions on Android
Read about running *Windows 95* (blog post seems to be 9-12 months old) and *98, XP* (XDA has few threads) on Android. I'm interested (because of mind mapping software I use on Windows) but don't really have time and 2nd device to test this. Has someone here tried this and can give a overview of what's possible. Do these versions just run? Or can you

* easily install and run a .exe
* swap data from android filesystem to Windows
* use internet connection

# Answer
I guess you could try running windows 95 or older versions inside DosBox.

Of course this would require some knowledge on MS-DOS stuff and some patience and skill..

Here's a good tutorial on how to boot win95 on DosBox. http://vogons.zetafleet.com/viewtopic.php?t=24936 I would suggest you try this first on a desktop machine with dosbox.

Another way would be to run it using QEMU for android http://www.mobilephonetalk.com/showthread.php?63990-QEMU-for-Android-Runs-Any-OS
> 1 votes

# Answer
I've managed to install and run Windows 3.1, 95 and 98 on Android via the BOCHS emulator. I believe QEMU would work as well.

I've never managed to get the network connection to work. But I can swap data from my Android partitions to Windows partitions and run the EXE files. So in practice, I have to download everything on native Android and then copy it across.

By the way, it is *really* slow. It took me about a day to install Windows, and then to actually boot Windows it generally takes about 10-20 minutes.

I'm really interested to know how far people have got with this - whether anyone ever managed to install Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1?
> 1 votes

---
Tags: windows, operating-system
---


title: LG Won't Charge

text:
# Question
Title: LG Won't Charge
My LG was at 1% battery yesterday so I let it charge for an hour or so but when I came back I noticed that it wouldn't even turn on without turning right back off. It would only turn on to show a "0% battery" screen.

I tried another charger and the LG had the same issue; it just wouldn't stay on. However, this time, I did notice that once or twice it would flash the "charging" screen for a split second.

I let the phone sit overnight while connected to the charger and when I woke up it appears that at least some charge trickled into the device; it is able to turn on and reach the lock screen but not without immediately shutting off because of a low battery.

What could be wrong? What can I do?

# Answer
> 4 votes
The two most likely causes:

1. The battery could be dead. Lithium-ion batteries (as well as other types of rechargeable batteries) wear down over time. Even sitting on a shelf they eventually decay, but they decay faster the more you use them, and the more they're exposed to extreme heat, cold, and humidity.
2. The socket on the phone has a loose connection. Jiggle the plug, or try applying light pressure in various directions.

If the battery is old (\>2 years) or battery life has been getting shorter recently, it's probably the first one. The second one is more likely if the battery is fairly new or battery life hasn't noticeably decreased from when it was new and it just suddenly stopped charging, or if you notice the charge indicator flashing on the screen and disappearing while you're jiggling the plug.

You didn't specify what model you have, but most LG phones have replaceable batteries. Cell phone batteries are dirt cheap, so if you buy a replacement and it turns out to be a problem with the circuitry, you won't have wasted much money. You should be able to get a new one at Amazon or eBay for just a few bucks.

---
Tags: battery, charging
---


# Question
Title: Getting rid of certain configuration messages
Just got my first smartphone and I've been trying to get rid of configuration messages that my provider sent me. The problem is that i got sent too many of those, I've installed the ones I needed but I don't know how to get rid of the extra ones. If anyone has any advice how to do that, it would be appreciated. I've been thinking of restoring the phone to factory settings?

It's a samsung S4.

Thanks

# Answer
Those configuration messages are sent as SMS, so you'll find them in your messaging application – where you simply can delete them:

Usually, long-pressing on a single message opens a popup-menu, which a.o. holds an item to "delete" the message. Hit that. With some message apps, this reveals check-boxes next to each message in the "thread", which you can tick before hitting the final "delete" button – and gone they are.

You might also be able to long-press the entire "thread" (if those messages are grouped into one) and have a "delete thread" item in the popup, which even would speed up the process (no ticking each message separately).
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-4
---


# Question
Title: Rooting Samsung Grand Duos without Windows
I need to root my Samsung GT-I9082 (also known as Grand Duos) with Android 4.2.2 but I have no Windows computer (I have a Linux one).

Which are the preferred methods?

It seems z4root does nothing (seems just to crash).

# Answer
> 1 votes
Towelroot supports most Samsung devices. Based on a quick Google search, it sounds like it has been confirmed to work on GT-I9082. It's extremely simple:

1. Navigate to towelroot.com on the mobile device.
2. Tap the big red lambda (λ) to download the APK file.
3. Find the APK file, either in the notifications or the Download folder, and tap it to install the app.
4. Open the app and tap the `make it ra1n` button.

That's it. You should get a message within about 5-10 seconds telling you that you have root access. You don't need a PC, and you don't even need to power off or reboot. It's so simple it's dangerous, because one doesn't need to have a modicum of technical ability in order to gain root access.

---
Tags: rooting, 4.2-jelly-bean, samsung-galaxy-grand-2
---


# Question
Title: people can't call my s3 after I have already unblocked them
I enabled blocking mode & blocked 1 contact. After that the person can't still contact me eventhrough I have unblocked that contact already. How to fix this problem?

# Answer
"Blocking mode" has nothing to do with blocking individual contacts. It stops all calls and other notifications disturbing you, like a "do not disturb" mode. If you want people to call you, turn off blocking mode.
> 0 votes

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


title: Change bootanimation of the Kindle Fire

text:
# Question
Title: Change bootanimation of the Kindle Fire
After some exploring around on my Kindle Fire via ES File Explorer, I discovered the bootanimation.zip in system\media. Looking at the .zip, Amazon had left users who could reach this file instructions on how this boot animation works and how to change it. After setting everything up and preparing to swap the original with my own, I was given a warning that what I was doing was unable to be preformed.

Is there a way to get around this problem without rooting my Kindle?

# Answer
That file is in the `/system` partition, which is mounted read-only, and even if you make it writable (which also requires you to be root), by default it's only writable by root. So **it's not possible without rooting your device**. The steps you have to take to be able to change your boot animation:

* Root your device. The rooting method is device-specific, so I can't help you how; it's usually easy to find a tutorial using Google.
* Turn on root mode in ES File explorer (left side menu, root explorer).
* Click on that menu item once more. It brings up a menu in which you can remount the `/system` partition in read/write mode.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: boot, amazon-kindle-fire, boot-animation
---


# Question
Title: Out of space message although I'm using link2sd!
I've Android 2.1 (Sony Ericsson Xperia X8) so I'm using link2sd becasue many apps need some extra space but OsmAnd always shows "Out of space" message.

How can I fix space issue?

P.S.

* link2sd works fine.
* I've 64.13MB of free space in the internal storage and 4.61GB in the 1st SD card partition and 2.18GB in the 2nd SD card partition.
* The size of OsmAnd apk is: 16.5MB

# Answer
> 2 votes
I don't know how much the installed size of the app is. But considering how the install process works, the explanation might be easy:

1. the `.apk` is downloaded to `/data/local` (internal storage)
2. for installation, it might require some unpacking, with temporary files again being created on internal storage
3. only after that, the app will be stored to its final location (in your case, *Link2SD* would then take care to move things to your card)

Checking with our insufficient-memory tag-wiki, you will find that the "insufficient memory" error is triggered when available free space on internal storage falls below ~ 25 MB. Now let's make a little math: You've got ~64 MB free there. The `.apk` is ~18 MB. We need to leave ~25 MB to not trigger the error. So: 64 - 18 - 25 = 21. If the installation process requires more than 21 MB for temporary files, you've got your explanation. With the (packed) `.apk` file already being 18+ MB in size, it's very likely to break that limit.

For a possible work-around, you might want to take a look at Configure Play Store to download temporary files to SD Card.

# Answer
> 0 votes
You can also free space when you move the dalvik-cache to the sd-card. The problem is that android uses a cache for the applications effectively double the occupied space in the data partition. Together with link2sd it can be very effective.

# Answer
> -1 votes
I had same problem.

**Fix for me:** I changed the default install location to automatic, which fixed it for me.

---
Tags: 2.1-eclair, insufficient-memory, link2sd, osmand
---


title: Change Kindle Fire Lock Screen

text:
# Question
Title: Change Kindle Fire Lock Screen
Is it possible to change the Kindle Fire's lock screen from displaying ads to a user chosen file or one of the random presets that come pre-installed?

If so, how would one go about this?

# Answer
AFAIK there's an "ad-free fee" you could pay to Amazon 15 bucks. Apart from that, available solutions require you to root your device:
> 1 votes

---
Tags: lock-screens, amazon-kindle-fire
---


# Question
Title: Music Manager(s) cannot find certain album
I recently added a new album on my phone and my music manager (neither doubleTwist or the system music app) have indexed it.

(Failed) Attempts

* I have tried deleting the whole album and re-uploading it
* I have recently replaced my whole library and while they found every other album, it could not find this one
* I have tried the "Reset doubleTwist" button.

Additional Information

* The album is located at "HTC One\Internal storage\Music\Slipknot\The Grey Chapter".
* It does have every other album in the HTC One\Internal storage\Music\Slipknot\ folder. and every other album I own
* I can find it in my phones file manager and from there use it to play the song
* It IS in MP3

Does anyone know why this is happening and/or how to fix it?

# Answer
Try these:

* If there is a **hidden** file named *.nomedia* in that particular album folder \>\>\> (unhide the file and delete it).
* Move the folder into some other directory and refresh library.
* Check whether .mp3 files have proper tags (IDv3 tags) \>\>\> (or else they go to unknown album category).
> 1 votes

---
Tags: music, music-player, htc-one, doubletwist
---


title: Can I delete factory apps

text:
# Question
Title: Can I delete factory apps
What all apps that come factory on a LG 70 are safe to delete, or force stop, or disable without affecting the phones performance.

# Answer
Not all apps are safe to delete or disable. Most are, though.

* If you are able to remove an app that came with your phone, it is safe to do so.
* If you can only freeze the app, then it is in the `/system` directory, that is why you can not remove it. You can disable nearly any app without bad consequences - but if other apps start to crash, try to re-enable these apps.
* The apps you should never disable is the Settings app itself, the System UI and other core system components - without these, you may not be able to use the phone at all, so you can not even re-enable these. A factory reset can help this situation.
> 2 votes

# Answer
Apps are safe to **Disable** when they provide an option of disabling them in app manager. They won't affect the performance of the device (and disabling some apps may increase battery back-up). For example apps from Google like Newsstand and Books, Google Music, Play Games, Google+ etc are all safe to disable. Also apps from LG like Live Wallpapers are also safe to disable. So you can disable almost all the apps with no effect on device.

*Note: You won't find **Disable** button beside app in app manager if it is not safe to disable it. Here Disable can be replaced by uninstall, delete. Force stop must be used carefully sometimes.*
> 1 votes

---
Tags: applications, bloatware
---


# Question
Title: “Unfortunately, Google Play services has stopped.” on Android L Developer Preview
I'm running the Android L Developer Preview on my Nexus 5. I'm trying to install the Google Inbox beta, but I can only get to the sign up screen. I always get a ""Unfortunately, Google Play services has stopped" message once I press the sign up button. I'm wondering if there's a way to fix this issue besides reverting to KitKat 4.4. Any ideas?

# Answer
I have the exact same problem -- Google Inbox, developer preview on Nexus 5, same error. I looked at the log (CatLog) and it's showing a runtime exception "UnsupportedOperationException: Can't convert to color: type=0x2" on AccountPickerActivity.

A friend said it works on his Nexus 5 after he flashed the latest developer preview image, so you may want to either do that or just wait a couple weeks for the official 5.0 update. I've had several problems like this on the preview version that I have.
> 2 votes

# Answer
You might try capturing a log of the app crashing, and google the resulting error. You may also want to provide it here for people to look at. (Be sure there's no private info in there such as login info). You can paste it to gist.github.com or pastebin.com and then just share the link. Also try IRC or one of the android forums and people might be able to help you out.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, google-play-services, 5.0-lollipop
---


# Question
Title: What are the standard GUI elements called?
Is there a list of what the standard elements on an Android devices are called?

I can use everything just fine, but explaining to others to "use that bar at the top" and "the button that looks like a piece of paper" and so on is a) embarrassing and b) not the easiest way to explain things. Searching for names, I always end up at the GUI-documentation, which is useful in general, but certainly not in this case!

# Answer
> 12 votes
Top bar - **Notification bar**
Bottom bar - **Navigation bar**
Standard Navigation bar buttons - **Back**, **Home**, **Recent Apps**
These are the standard ones in every Android powered device.
*Note - The word "bar" can be replaced by "panel" sometimes.*

Update: Title bar (which has app title, search button, back key) - **Action bar**

---
Tags: documentation
---


title: how to keep the time on screen

text:
# Question
Title: how to keep the time on screen
I've got a Samsung Galaxy 3 tablet (the 10 inch one) running android 4.4.2. My wife would like to be able to see the time on it while playing her apps. Is there a way to do this? I couldn't see anything to do it in the settings. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Go to Play store and search for 'Float Clock'. You'll find something for sure.

I'll try to post a link of certain application when I get to my computer :-)

---
Tags: clock
---


# Question
Title: Upload an APK to a non-rooted galaxy s4 mini
I'm trying to copy an .apk to a non-rooted galaxy s4 mini both though `adb install` (with development mode on) and through windows explorer and in both cases it hangs on uploading the apk.

Is there a way to change this to allow uploading apks? Only rooting?

(An obvious workaround is to copy apks over dropbox but ideally I want to be able to use `adb install` for debugging my apks)

**Edit:**

I have `unknown sources` allowed, I've a couple of apps I've installed by downloading the APKs bypassing Google Play

I've tried with a couple of APKs with the same result. I've successfully installed the same APKs by sharing them via Dropbox and installing on the phone from a file explorer

I'm on windows but the same `adb` executable works fine with my Kindle Fire (rooted) tablet installing the same APK without a problem

`adb install application.apk` just hangs for a while until I terminate it
Occasionally after I terminate it and try to restart it would give me the following:

```
error: protocol fault (no status)
error: protocol fault (no status)
error: device not found
- waiting for device -
rm failed for /data/local/tmp/application.apk, No such file or directory

```

Then `adb install application.apk` hangs again when restarted.

The phone is recognized with `adb devices`

I cannot check if I have `/data/app-lib/application` or `/data/data/applicaiton.apk` as I don't have root access (I can navigate around with `adb shell` but get access denied trying to `ls` contents of `/data/app-lib` and `/data/data`), but I think this is unlikely (I've tried with APKs I've never had installed on the phone before)

`adb install -r application.apk` and `adb install -s application.apk` hang the same way as `adb install application.apk`

`adb push application.apk /sdcard` gives me `protocol failure`

Installing from sdcard with a file explorer (for apks previously downloaded from the internet) does work but I would like to be able to install and debug them with `adb` (through Android Studio)

# Answer
First, do you have `unknown sources` checked under `Settings --> Security`??? Also, have you tried another APK? If it is one you, or someone else developed you may need to uncheck `Verify Apps` in that same spot.

Second, do you only have windows? I don't know about permissions on Windows, but Linux requires sudo adb install or adb install as root user... actually any use of adb requires root or sudo permissions.

Second, does it just say failure? Does it say permission denied? Have you ever had that app installed before?

> **adb install application.apk**

will give a failure response if you have a left over **/data/app-lib/application** folder or **/data/data/application** folder, or if you copied the apk to **/data/app** first without installing it, and then try to install it with adb, because the place is taken up already.

If that is the case try (reinstall flag):

> **adb install -r application.apk**

You should also try (install to sdcard flag):

> **adb install -s application.apk**

or last:

> **adb push application.apk /sdcard**

and then install from sdcard with a file explorer, or package installer.
> 1 votes

# Answer
I also had the same problem. Try doing this:

First, try pushing the apk package to sdcard:

```
adb push test.apk /sdcard/

```

Then, install the apk from sdcard:

```
adb shell pm install /sdcard/test.apk

```
> 0 votes

---
Tags: apk, samsung-galaxy-s-4-mini
---


title: Cyanogenmod without google apps

text:
# Question
Title: Cyanogenmod without google apps
I flashed my Android with Cyanogenmod 11 without google apps, the sole intention being to avoid Google whatsoever. I am using Runtastic to log my runs, but it doesn't display the map. Understandbly, because Google maps app is not installed. My question is if I can install some other maps like bing maps etc. and use it with Runtastic.

PS: I have no intention to install Google maps or any other google product on my phone.

# Answer
You might wish to take a look at the **NOGAPPS project**, which is what I am using. Without having to install the GApps, it e.g. provides a MapsAPI in a way that other apps think it's GMaps. There's also a NetworkLocation provider able to use a locally stored CellID database – found my location on the spot. Third part is the BlankStore, allowing access to the PlayStore including License-verification for paid apps (you cannot buy apps with this, but you can use apps you've already bought). Perfect trio.

You might also wish to see my article on this topic: Android without Google 6: Self-Experiment (need to update it with my progress on another device, where all 3 components work fine).
> 4 votes

# Answer
OsmAnd uses the collaboratively-edited OpenStreetMaps database, and **doesn't need to send your information anywhere** since you can choose to download the maps locally to your phone.

They don't make it clear on their website, but there is a free software build, “OsmAnd~”, available from F-Droid.

More generally, using CyanogenMod free from Google is discussed in some detail in the 2014-06-18 LWN article “Android without the mother ship”.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, google-maps
---


# Question
Title: How can I move application user data (user specific settings, savegames, ...) to a different user?
I have a tablet with Android 4.2 and would like to copy/move the application **user** data (savegames, ...) from one user to another. I have root. Which directory do I need to move/copy. And do I have to care about the permissions?

# Answer
> 0 votes
I would use the app Titanium Backup. 1. Install Titanium Backup on the first user profile 2. Make a backup of the app or apps from the first user. 3. Install Titanium Backup on the second user profile 4. Restore data only to the second user profile

That should do the trick.

For instructions on how to use Titanium Backup look here: http://www.titaniumtrack.com/kb/titanium-backup-kb/titanium-backup-user-guide.html#backup

# Answer
> -1 votes
I think you can do it by go backup app, use go backup to backup apk+data, than copy the backed up apk +data in folder external storage/go backup, than make a copy to your friend mmc, than install go backup on your friend phone and restore the app via go backup, i have not try it before, but i think it will work 100%, if you succes with this trick please give a reply

---
Tags: multi-user, 4.2-jelly-bean
---


title: Downloading videos from dnatube.com

text:
# Question
Title: Downloading videos from dnatube.com
How can i download videos on my android mobile from dnatube.com ? After signing in when Ic click on dowload video button it shows "We are sorry, currently we are not allowed to give any permission for download due to copyright issues." Is there any apps or online site which can capture videos from this site, youtube downloading ideas are not working. Thanks !

# Answer
Two popular apps are **TubeMate** (as zamin suggested) and **VidMate**. They can download videos from all popular video hosting websites. You won't find them in Play Store due to some copyright issues. Sites like YouTube, DailyMotion, Youku etc are provided as speed dials so you have to manually enter *dnatube.com* in address bar. Comment if not working.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: applications
---


# Question
Title: WEP Encryption for WiFI Hotspot in KitKat
Is it possible to enable WEP encryption for the hotspot function in Android 4.4? It only shows WPA and WPA2 for me and I would like to create a WEP hotspot.

Alternatively, are there any hotspot apps that support WEP? All the ones I found just refer to the inbuilt hotspot functionality.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Since WEP encryption is very, very insecure it was replaced by WPA/2. Creating WEP encrypted WiFi networks today is very risky because it can be hacked within seconds. So the answer is you can't create a WEP encrypted WiFi Hotspot with Android.

BTW: An app can only use hotspot features the device is supporting. And because the newer Androids don't support WEP there is no way for the apps to create hotspots with WEP.

---
Tags: wifi-hotspot, wep
---


# Question
Title: How to list clients that have used your wifi hotspot on a Nexus 5
Is there a way to list clients currently using my mobile hotspot? Or even better does it log info on the clients that connect?

I have some totally unexplained bandwidth usage when I had it on and took a 5 hour nap, while the password wasn't that weak, I'd like to check to make sure no one besides me was using it.

Edit: Preferably without root. Although, I might root it if it means I can actually LOG the activity.

# Answer
If your phone is rooted, you can open the file located at /data/misc/dhcp/dnsmasq.leases with an editor. There you can see information about connected devices.

Source: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/9996351/wi-fi-tethering-how-to-get-list-of-connected-clients

(This I maybe duplicate of the link provided)
> 0 votes

---
Tags: nexus-5, wifi-hotspot
---


title: sharing 1 blutooth and 2 devices

text:
# Question
Title: sharing 1 blutooth and 2 devices
I have an automotive OBD2 computer reader connected to a bluetooth elm 327 reader. I can see info on my galaxy 5S or my galaxy tab 2 10.1 tablet.

Is it possible to read on both devices at same time? I have the tablet paired to the OBD2 device and the 5S paired to the tablet.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Bluetooth can only connect two devices at once (please correct if wrong). So in my opinion you can't read on both devices at the same time.

---
Tags: bluetooth, screen-sharing
---


title: Get to data without touch access

text:
# Question
Title: Get to data without touch access
The screen of my Nexus 4 has a crack and touch is not working anymore. I'd like to get to some of my data using adb, but can't authorize it because I can't click/touch the authorization dialog.

Is there a way to authorize adb without touch access?

Is there another way to get to the data? It's a rooted phone and can boot into ClockworkMod Recovery

# Answer
You have luck that you have a rooted phone with CWM!

You can enable USB-OTG by applying this patch to your phone: http://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-4/orig-development/usb-otg-externally-powered-usb-otg-t2181820

Then you can plug a mouse and/or a keyboard and control your phone with it.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: adb, data-recovery
---


title: Gmail(google) password

text:
# Question
Title: Gmail(google) password
I'm **logged in** on my android tablet, but **I don't** know my **password**. I'm already logged in on my android tablet, but I want to see my emails and other google services **on PC**... Is there possible way to find my pass on tablet? I have already tried with "Password forget?", but I don't have alternative email or mobile nummber (on my account, at all), so I can't pass 2nd step of verification.

# Answer
> 2 votes
You can reset the password using Google password recovery. Go here - Account recovery.
Follow on-screen instructions:

* Select I don't know my password. Type your email address.
* It asks for any previous password you remember (if there is one). Type password & continue.
* Next screen will be like this - **Confirm password reset on my Android XXYYZZ phone**. Select Send Notification.
* Follow on-screen instructions afterwards.

Edit 1:

* If you don't have access to your mobile device and do not have an alternate email ID, you can still recover/reset password by answering some questions on recovery page. You need to follow on-screen instructions carefully to reach that page.

---
Tags: gmail, password, google
---


# Question
Title: No sound whatsoever on phone (on calls, or while playing a video or mp3)
I have a DOOGEE DG500 running Android 4.2.2. Apart from automatic updates for installed applications, no other applications have been changed recently.

I switched my phone to the silent audio profile so that I could sleep. The next day I set the audio profile to general again, but no sound can be heard from the phone.

The phone has not been dropped or misused in any way.

I have tried turning the phone off, removing the battery for a few seconds and re-assembling everything together again but I had no luck.

How can I fix the sound?

# Answer
it turns out some cold connection was the problem - not the speaker itself. I had to open the mobile phone case and spend sometime figuring out which connection was cold.

Once I found it I re-soldered it. If you're not into electronic your best bet is a local repair store.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: audio
---


# Question
Title: WiFi won't turn on after rooting, still won't turn on after factory reset
After rooting my phone, the WiFi wouldn't turn on. When I say it won't turn on, I mean it won't toggle on at all. I cannot flip the switch to put it in the on position.

I decided that I would just reflash the stock OS to remove the root. WiFi still wouldn't turn on. Then I decided to do a factory reset. It still won't turn on.

I don't care about losing anything, I just want to be able to turn the WiFi on.

# Answer
**There can be two causes:**

1. Hardware failure. Unlikely, but a possibility.
2. **Each device has multiple sub-models, and each sub-model has multiple ROMs**. You need to be sure you're installing the ROM meant for your exact device model, even if you are re-installing a stock ROM. If you do install a ROM not meant for your device, you often face issues like these.

The solution for this is to first **confirm your exact device model**:

* Boot into your device's bootloader and look up the device version/model.
    * Open the download page of the ROM you installed
    * Download the version specific to your model
    * Install the ROM the usual way, but be sure to do a full wipe/clean of all partitions first from the recovery.
> 2 votes

# Answer
Did you reflash the stock ROM?

By the way, factory reset only wipes data and cache directories which don't even touch the system directory. Normally, the system directory is read-only, but when you have root privileges, you may change something in the system partition, and that cannot be reversed with a factory reset. The only solution is to use a recovery or something and delete all the partitions, especially the system partition, and flash or install your stock ROM/firmware.

You said you can't toggle at all. That occurs when there isn't any device or any driver is not initialized.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: wi-fi, rooting
---


# Question
Title: Unwanted folders showing up in Gallery. Can they be removed?
I'm enjoying Bejeweled 2, but don't want the 'backdrops', 'fonts', and multiple 'images\*' folders in the Gallery. They're a pain to wade through when I'm trying to see my own pics. Is there any way to remove them?

I've Googled a bit, but have only found other people complaining about the issue--no real solutions.

# Answer
> 14 votes
Yes you can! In directories that you do not want scanned by the media scanner put a blank file called `.nomedia`

Don't forget the "."

Windows may not let you create this file because of the name.

Some file explorer apps have an option for creating this file.

The app developers should have created this file for you but some forget.

# Answer
> 2 votes
.nomedia doesn't solve the problem at all! Putting that file in folder where you store music (to get rid of all covers to be listed in gallery) also excludes all the music in the media player (PlayerPro in my case).

I would suggest using a BETTER gallery, like QuickPic, where you can set which folder to INCLUDE instead of needing to exclude folders. I Still don't get it why this option isn't available in stock gallery!

Another solution would be to use a separate app to HIDE certain folders, if your issue is that you have some 'secret' folders you don't want your friends or gf/bf to see ;) Hideit Pro is an excellent app of that kind.

# Answer
> 1 votes
If you really want .nomedia to do its job, follow these 3 steps :

• add a .nomedia to whichever folders you choose

• flush your photo gallery app's cache/data using your device's app mgr

• download/install a free media scanner app from the market (there are several) and invoke it … this last step will rebuild the photo gallery's cache/data… CORRECTLY this time !

Plus, you don't even need a rooted device for this : first step you can use any file mgr, even the dinky one that comes stock with Android devices, second step you can use your device's own app mgr as stated, and third step there are media scanner apps both for and without root, diff is only in some extra options, but invoking the Android media scan service itself is just one single line of code, no root needed.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I just tested out Seth's answer and it worked fine on my HTC EVO. I created the `.nomedia` file using Notepad++ and the default Notepad on Windows, so both of those should create a `.nomedia` file just fine. Even though this worked for me, I still suggest you make a backup of your files before trying this (I did when I tested), since from what I read this in an unreliable method for users to apply. Again from what I read it works fine if the media files are placed in the folder **after** the `.nomedia` file is placed in it, but if the files are there before the `.nomedia` file then it *may* delete the files. If Seth's answer does not work for you, you may want to try creating an empty folder (with the same name as the one you want to put the `.nomedia` file in), place the `.nomedia` file in the folder and then add the photos (or whatever media you want), and see if that fixes the issue. I was going to try this if the first method failed, but it hasn't deleted my media yet, so we'll see what happens. If either of these methods are not helpful, there are a few apps in the market that claim to hide your media. Again, BACK UP YOUR DATA FIRST, since I did read a comment that one user's photos were deleted.

Hope this helps.

*Edit:* As Matt H pointed out, I should have provided links. See the comments below for relevant links.

# Answer
> 0 votes
For it to work, after creating the. nomedia file, you must move the media file out, then back into the folder. I used ES file explorer to create the .nomedia file. Once you create one, just use copy/paste to spread it around.

Also in order to avoid the stress in future, it's better to place the .nomedia file in newly created folders so that all future media file that end up in it won't show up in Gallery. I found the nomedia file in Evernote folder which means they too foresaw this problem :-)

Edit: I came across another solution. After creating the ".nomedia" file, instead of manually moving the media files to and fro, you could remove and reinsert the SD card in order to force the gallery to rescan folders.

---
Tags: gallery
---


# Question
Title: Way to access Samsung Galaxy S4 as USB device without Rooting the phone
How I can connect my Samsung Galaxy S4 to my PC as a USB device.

I tried the Build Number shortcut and it did not work. Enabling USB debugging does not fix the problem. The reason behind this is to recover some deleted videos and all the apps require the phone to be connect as a USB device.

# Answer
> 0 votes
You need to install Samsung Kies on the computer. That will install the appropriate driver; at that point your phone when connected should appear in My Computer (assuming we're talking about Windows 7/8/8.1). If you're running OS X you'll need to install the Android Transfer utility from Samsung. Most Android phones use a generic Google-provided MTP driver, but Samsung rolled their own and the generic one doesn't work.

It's a hassle to install Kies, but Samsung does not provide a stand-alone installer for their MTP driver. Once installed, you can ignore it. The phone will appear in My Computer and be browsable from Windows Explorer.

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-4, data-recovery, usb-connection-mode
---


# Question
Title: Nexus 4 Screen Replacement - Would missing shielding tape or double-sided tape cause issues?
I recently swapped the screen assembly (LCD + Glass + Digitiser + Metal Frame) for my Nexus 4. It was done similarly to this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFzbfeY\_xTQ

I swapped one phone out, and it appears to be fine. However, on a second phone, I noticed some issues: \- Sometimes, when it boots up, the LCD seems fine, but it doesn't register touch inputs. At first, I thought this was a dodgy USB charger I had - when plugged in to that, it would seem to register random touch inputs all over the screen. However, I've also seen it simply not register any touch inputs when it's not plugged in. \- Wifi reception seems a bit off - it will see WiFi networks, but it didn't connect successfully. I still need to verify this (it may be related to congestion/interference, but I'm not sure yet). \- Battery seems to drain a bit fast - I also need to verify this, and quantify it.

During this second repair, a few things went funny (I was tired and rushing it...not a good combination)

Firstly, the battery was very hard to get out, due to the adhesive bonding it to the case. I really had to pry it, and the battery flexed a bit during the removal. I did attempt to get it into reasonable shape afterwards, but not sure if this caused any issues?

Secondly, there is some metallic shielding tape over one component, that also wraps around underneath:

I was able to scrape some of it off the top of that connector, and transfer it across, but the tape also wraps around underneath the connector as well, sitting in between the connector, and the metallic part underneath. I didn't replace this tape with anything.

I don't know if this would cause any issues.

Thirdly, there is some silver mesh double-sided tape that sits underneath this component, sticking it to the case:

I wasn't able to transfer all of this across, and so I guess I'm sort of relying on everything fitting together to keep this flex cable in place.

My question is - could any of the issues I've seen be caused by the missing tape (metallic shielding tape and the mesh double-sided stuff)?

If so, does anybody have any specific recommendations for where I can buy tape to replace them?

If I do have to replace the battery, I suppose I'll need to buy some clear double-sided tape as well to stick it back to the case. The replacement screen assembly I bought had some, but that'll be gone now if I remove the battery in there now.

Any other thoughts on the symptoms?

# Answer
The chip that's missing the shielding is part of the digitizer; it is responsible for interpreting changes in the electric field of the screen and figuring out where your finger currently is, and what location of the display you've touched. Without shielding it won't work properly, or as you've seen.. at all. Get some here.. any decent RF shielding tape ought to work.

The conductive foam stuff is called an EMI gasket, and is used to isolate RF noise sources by "trapping" noise sources in specific regions. It more or less works the same as a traditional gasket, physically blocking the path. Measure the old piece if you can, or just guesstimate the size required.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: nexus-4, hardware
---


title: Micro SD card not usable on phone

text:
# Question
Title: Micro SD card not usable on phone
I installed a Micro SD card on my Samsung Galaxy 3 phone. I had a few dozen songs on the card and everything was working fine. Then I shut down my phone, removed the SD card, hooked it up to my PC and loaded the card up with a few hundred MP3 files. When I reinstalled the SD card on my Android, things went wacky. I can see the SD card icon but when I go to `Settings > Storage`, the only option I see is the "Mount SD card" choice. When I click it, I get "SD card safe to remove".

Bottom line is that the card seems unusable on my phone but works fine on my PC. Ideas?

# Answer
> 1 votes
I've had this problem numerous times and this is how I fix it.....

Take the SDcard and insert in card reader on PC. Use a partitioning program such as GParted, which is open source. Have it scan and fix errors on the card. Using just the PC to scan and fix errors wont work right for your problem. Put it back in your Samsung and enjoy.

# Answer
> 0 votes
You should reformat the card from within Settings -\> Storage, then try copying the files again. Make sure you unmount the card before removal *even if you will be turning the device off to remove it*. I would highly suggest you transfer the files to the SD via the phone itself -- either by connecting the phone to the PC or using one of those apps that gives you access via wifi. SD cards in phones running Kitkat or later use exFAT, which allows for file/folder permissions. Moving a disk between different operating systems is a good way to mess up file attributes and ownership. The permissions are specific to the OS instance which set them, so a second OS reading the same disk wouldn't be able to make any meaningful sense of them.

# Answer
> -1 votes
Android like fat32 filesystem and fat32 like \<4gb sdcard Windows like ntfs system but also familiar with fat32. My advice, format your SD with fat32 and remove it safely turn of your device mount your SD and power your device wait after boot and let us know

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-3, external-sd
---


# Question
Title: Is there any way to Tether through wifi?
I have a desktop without a wifi card. Can I tether my computer to the phone but the data should go through wifi rather than the plan?

I want PC - USB -\> Android phone - Wi-Fi -\> internet

# Answer
> 0 votes
There's an app called Easy Tether (XDA questions about doing it) which can do that. You basically just set up USB tethering and disable the "use LTE" or "use 3G" settings, to force it to fall-back to wifi. Personally it seems a bit silly to do that, when a $10 wifi adapter that plugs into the PC with USB would likely work better.. but yes, you can in theory do it.

---
Tags: tethering
---


# Question
Title: How to increase internal Application Storage?
I brought a CHUWI v17HD, which has 8 GB internal storage. But application storage space available is just 1 GB.

I want to increase the size of the internal application storage. How to do so?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Short answer: You can't.

Long answer: You (probably) can't, but you can try.. if you don't mind potentially bricking your phone. You'll need root.

---
Tags: internal-storage
---


# Question
Title: remote access rooted device with broken screen
I have a samsung galaxy s1 rooted and using cyanogenmod, yesterday i broke my screen , I need help to remote access it, I got allot of things written down on my memopad allot of things that I need to retrive but I dont seem to make it work(i tried allot of things but mostly i need to find a way to press on that button and activate the debugg mode or smth to let me access the phone) because as far as I remember everytime I connected my phone on laptop I had to manually turn on debugging mode for access to the phone , even though I already activated it in dev tools. it shows me that I plugged in my device but I cant access it and I cant use any app to remote control it. Anyone can give me a solution? When I plug it in, on devices I can see the name of my phone, GT-I9000 but thats all I can get access to it...

# Answer
> 1 votes
Suggestion 1:

1. Run an ADB shell in ClockworkMod
2. Remount /system in readwrite mode.
3. Add this to /system/build.prop: persist.service.adb.enable=1
4. Save the file.

Suggestion 2:

You said that you have installed CyanogenMod. So you probably have a custom recovery, right? You can boot into it, connect your phone to your computer and go to "mounts" -\> "mount USB storage". Then you can access your internal storage.

Suggestion 3:

With a little bit of work you could flash a custom kernel with USB-OTG. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1450298

Please note that you need an external power source (USB-Y cable, powered USB hub; see the link).

Then you can use a mouse and a keyboard to control your phone and access your data.

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, remote-access, broken-screen
---


# Question
Title: How to offload browser audio links to background player for continued listening.
Is there an Android audio app that runs in the background and can have audio links offloaded to it (i.e. be the target of the intent) so the user can continue listening when the browser or foreground app that launched the audio link is closed? Or another way to configure this?

I'm on Jelly Bean and the built-in audio player sits in the foreground stopping the sound when I transition away from the foreground app. For example, an MP3 podcast link. The issue occurs in Google Reader app too.

# Answer
I have found BSPlayer to be able to play some internet audio streams in the background.

One unique (?) feature which also I liked is that it has an intent filter for youtube links, i.e. clicking a Youtube link will offer BSPlayer as a choice - unlike the Google's Youtube app, with BSPlayer you can adjust the playback speed - I found it useful for listening to lengthy talk-only videos and presentations where you need to quickly get the gist without wasting too much time.

ps. I'm not affiliated in any way is the app developers.
> 1 votes

# Answer
I finally came across ServeStream, a free app in the Google Play store. It offloads podcasts and the like nicely into the background while you continue to use other apps on the device.

One great thing about ServeStream is it's open source, so you can play with the code if you wish.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: audio
---


# Question
Title: Inconsistent UIDS and wiping a data partition
I've inherited my wife's Android phone (GT540) when she got a newer, shining one :-)

We think to  have **factory** reset it (via the privacy option), and in fact it has finally stopped to refer to her account and all the pics are gone. But I keep getting a warning message, about inconsistent UIDs and the need of wiping the data partition to be sure.

I can click on the only button "I am feeling lucky" to continue, without noticing particular issues.

Obviously, as per Murphy, the message is not popping up right now, so I can't copy it verbatim :-) Will edit the question when it comes out again.

---

# EDIT

The precise message is:

> System UIDs inconsistent
>
> UIDs on the system are inconsistent, you need to wipe your data partition or your device will be unstable.

And it is followed by the unexpected crash of the Market application (processocom.android.vending).

So:

1. what is happening? what data partition is actually worrying it? Wasn't the reset "hard enough"?
2. what could happen, what UIDs is it referring to?
3. how can I fix it?

I have a new SD card, which is as far as I can tell empty. I would have liked to format it before using it, but the option is not available: I can only unmount it. Is this (missed) formatting the required wiping to reset the UIDs? Or is it a completely different thing, which I will search/ask in a later question?

Being new to the Android system I don't know if any other info are missing. The kernel is 2.6.29 (but I would be surprised if such basic matters were strongly dependent on the precise kernel version....). Just in case the firmware of the phone is 2.1-update1.

---

# UPDATE

I have asked my wife and she actually did the factory reset suggested. Just in case I did it again, and we still get the error. What now?

# Answer
> 8 votes
I found another solution:

Have a look at `/data/system/uiderrors.txt`. There you will find the apps that are responsible for the trouble. You can delete them (manualy if necessary) to fix the issue. Reinstalling the apps brings the error back, though.

# Answer
> 6 votes
**Titanium Backup** users can also go to the `batch actions` and select `manipulate data > remove orphaned files`.

As *user48823* mentioned, you can also find the apps in `/data/system/uiderrors.txt` using a root-capable file explorer, but basically Titanium will do this for you, if you select the action I wrote above.

Just fixed it this way on my OnePlus One (Bacon).

# Answer
> 1 votes
1. Usually a hard-reset should be sufficient. But as I don't know how you performed it: It cannot hurt to repeat it. There's a "factory reset" option in your menus (usually in the "privacy" section). What this does is rawly explained by its name: Reset everything to the state of delivery. It purges the `/data` partition -- which is, all user data: Installed apps (except those "in the ROM", which came pre-installed) along with *all* apps data and settings, plus wipe the cache -- then reboot. The next startup will take a bit longer, as Android needs to rebuild the *Dalvik Cache* (which basically contains device-optimized versions of your apps, simply spoken). So after that, everything should be clean -- and you need to configure everything as if you just got a fresh phone.
2. I don't know which UUIDs it's referring to -- without the exact error message this is hard to tell. But as said, the factory reset should fix this.
3. By 1. plus, to be absolutely sure, a clean and empty sd card. To make sure the latter is really clean and empty, you can use a card reader to attach it directly to your computer, and check its contents there. Formatting should not really be necessary -- just make sure there are no files left, especially also no "hidden ones".

Following methods are available to initiate a "factory reset" aka "factory wipe":

* the corresponding item in *setup -\> privacy*
* a "call to the magic number `*2767*3855#`"
* Turn ON your phone. Press both VOLUME UP + HOME + SEARCH buttons for 5 sec. (this last item is taken from hard-reset.com)

---
Tags: partitions, factory-reset
---


title: Download files with Chrome for Android

text:
# Question
Title: Download files with Chrome for Android
Is there a way to download media files directly from the Chrome browser? In the stock Android browser I can long-click a link and select "Save link" to accomplish that, but Chrome doesn't offer that option and opens a media player instead.

# Answer
In Chrome, keep your finger pressed on the link, and you will see an option "Save Link". Hence, the file(s) will be saved in the Downloads folder.

To access it and (perhaps) other folders in the future, I recommend downloading a File Management app.

The best ones are said to be ES File Manager and ASTRO File Manager.

While generally, ASTRO is said to be better, the free version has ads.

Your choice!
> 12 votes

# Answer
Click on the link and close that tab or go back once it tries to play that media. Go to your chrome history from the menu and long press the link and save it.
> 8 votes

# Answer
Chrome on Android has the "save link" now when long pressing on files (such as media) which when just pressed regularly play the content.

the funny thing was that I thought save link would have copied the url or created a bookmark, not download the file...so your question text helped me :)
> 2 votes

# Answer
Download an app named Turbo Download Manager.

With one click on the file in Chrome, the option comes for this app. Thus, it downloads the files required.
> -1 votes

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


# Question
Title: Folder inaccessible, labeled as "file", tried rescanning sd card
I downloaded MAME4droid and I wanted to put a Galaga ROM on it, but when I tried to find the MAME4all folder it didn't show up in windows. As prescribed, I rescanned the sd card, but all that did was this:

If it matters, my device is a Droid MAXX (not the Razr).

# Answer
> 0 votes
I've found that the best way to fix the problem was to use a file manager app (because there isn't one on the device by default) to move the ROM into the right folder.

---
Tags: files, emulators
---


title: Google Play Store is not updating

text:
# Question
Title: Google Play Store is not updating
I unistalled Google Play Services and Google Play Store and later when I reinstalled them both, the Google Play Store was again back to an old version, and now it's not updating. Before I uninstalled it was updated to the latest version, the one with material design. I've tried updating it manually in `Google Play >Settings >Build version` but it says it is up do date. Please help.

# Answer
> 1 votes
What you can do is get the .apk file of the Google PlayServices and Google PlayStore from some trusted source like Android Police etc. You can also use these .apk files Google Play Store and Google Play Service and install it over your device that's should solve the updating problem you are experiencing.

---
Tags: google-play-store, google-play-services
---


# Question
Title: How to turn off notifications from Facebook Messenger on Android Gingerbread?
All the instructions on the web for disabling messenger notifications are for Androids 4.0 and higher. I just don't have "show notifications" box which to uncheck in the app menu on my Gingerbread device. Is there any other way to turn off messenger notifications or am I simply forced to buy a new phone?

Thanks a lot!

Screenshot (click for larger variant)

# Answer
> 0 votes
If you have access on your device, an application like this may work for you. I cannot test it as I have no Gingerbread devices.

---

This option only lets you turn off notifications for 24 hours (what a terrible feature)

Open the messenger application.

Go to the 'cog' icon for settings.

Turn notifications off.

This image shows the Icon, and shows the 'Notifications' option, but the arrow isn't pointing to it!

---
Tags: notifications, facebook
---


# Question
Title: Single Authentication for Wifi, Bluetooth and NFC
I would like to use a single authentication for Bluetooth(BLE and classic), wifi and NFC between an android phone and a wearable device.Which means , say i connect a phone and another wearable through BLE , then later the phone should authenticate the device in other two communication platforms as well without asking authentication again. Please point me in the right direction.Help will be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance !

# Answer
> 2 votes
This question is a bit of a nonsense. There is no standard pre-authentication step for NFC. The devices just exchange data when they touch. If the software you're using to control what data are transferred requires some kind of authentication step, that's only within that software, so you'd need to use some feature of the software itself to turn that off (e.g. in the settings for the app). It's not possible to give a more specific answer because you haven't described the software you're using.

Similarly, the question doesn't make much sense for Wi-Fi. Usually, the phone will be connected to some Wi-Fi network, and to communicate with the wearable device, it would need to connect to the same network. But the phone doesn't authenticate the device in this step: the device needs the Wi-Fi key to authenticate itself to the Wi-Fi hotspot. The phone already has this key, but for security reasons it can't be extracted by a normal app. Only a root app, running on a rooted phone, would be able to send the key to the wearable via the existing Bluetooth connection, and the device would need to be expecting this data. That is, the designer of the device must have included this feature. It's not something you can add as an end user.

---
Tags: nfc, bluetooth-pairing, wifi-direct
---


# Question
Title: What does "<string>@<string>" (ex: se.infra@SEP138#1) mean on kernel version?
I have broken my mobile, so I want to download the original version back.

The original version is:

* Android version: 4.1.2
* Kernel version: 3.0.31-638230 se.infra@SEP138#1

On kernel version, what does it mean by `se.infra@SEP138#1` and how to check the correct kernel version before downloading the Android image?

# Answer
> 3 votes
This is the name of the user and computer that was used to build the kernel. "se.infra" isn't a username belonging to a real person, but an account used by the build infrastructure at Samsung. It's not relevant at all.

The thing you need to match is the **Build number**, shown just beneath the kernel version in the **About device** page of the device settings. It looks something like JSS15J.I9300XXUGNG3: everything after the "." is actually the build number for the baseband (modem firmware) that goes with the ROM. The first half of the build number is listed with each ROM on sites like sammobile.com that offer original Samsung ROMs for download.

---
Tags: kernel
---


# Question
Title: What is the browser engine on Android devices?
Different vendors send non-Chrome browsers by default. Can I assume all of them to be Chromimum based?

# Answer
No.

The default browser on stock Android is Google Chrome. This uses the Blink layout engine. For AOSP installations without the Google Apps, the default browser is the old "Browser" app that uses Webkit.

However, other browsers are available. Firefox uses Gecko, Opera uses Blink, Dolphin uses Webkit, and there are probably others. Additionally, I am informed in the comments that Samsung and HTC install different (non-Chrome) browsers on their phones. I do not know what they are, or what engine they use.

Summary: Android does not have a single browser or layout engine.
> 3 votes

# Answer
No, you can't. If you want a more specific answer than that, you need to give more details on what you're trying to achieve, but bear in mind that programming questions are off-topic on this site.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: browser
---


# Question
Title: Changing Administrator of WhatsApp group due to non-working mobile and migration to another country
My friend is an Administrator of our group on WhatsApp. He migrated from Singapore to US and as a result, his phone is not working. I would like to take the Administrator privileges for adding him back to the group using US phone number. Can you please share suggestions for solving this issue?

Thanks, Aniruddh

# Answer
> 1 votes
No need to remove all users. Just add the person who want to become the admin, then leave or exit the group. The last person you added will automatically become the group admin.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Your friend need to change the whatsapp number first.

Whatsapp -\> Settings-\> Account-\> Change Number... and follow instructions.

Next Step add the one who needs to be the admin to the group(here you)(skip this as you are already in the group).

Remove all others except you and the present admin(your friend) from the group.

Now your friend (present admin) needs to 'Delete and exit ' the group. Now the one who's left will become admin.

Add all your friends back to group. Voila :-)

Source

---
Tags: whatsapp-messenger, device-migration
---


# Question
Title: I have three batteries used in succession and all new. The problem is the same. I supect apps are in use when not needed
I've replaced my damaged battery with a new one in my Samsung Galaxy Note 2, but it drains too quickly.

After fully charging the battery, when I leave the phone without using it (the screen is totally off & no apps running background), the battery level gradually reduces to 87% with in 20 to 30 minutes.

Below 87% to 36%, the battery performance is petty good, but when it is below 36%, the battery drains too fast. It falls to 0% within 5 to 10 minutes, and if I play any game when battery level is around 30%, it shuts down without informing me the battery low information.

I changed the battery twice from the shop that I bought it from, but the same thing occurs.

Why is my phone draining my battery so quickly (and inconsistently)? Is it a battery/software/hardware problem?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Please check is there any application having more number of services. Setting-\> Application -\> Running.

If there is more number of services it will eat your battery.

The main thing is your display will drain your battery. So that the android OS recommend that the following

http://www.wikihow.com/Save-Battery-Power-on-an-Android

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2367542,00.asp

---
Tags: battery, battery-life, samsung-galaxy-note-2
---


# Question
Title: Where to get the release version of lollipop for Nexus 7
I'm looking for the Lollipop OS that I can sideload to my Nexus 7 2012 and supposedly they released Lollipop for Nexus 7 2012 today (Nov 3, 2014). Is there a site I can go to download the OTA file?

The official version is not here yet.

# Answer
> 2 votes
The place you've already linked is where the downloads will show up first. Normally OTA updates are staged-rollout, meaning you'll have to wait until your device/region is eligible to receive the update unfortunately.

---
Tags: nexus-7, 5.0-lollipop
---


# Question
Title: Prevent notifications from coming back after being dismissed
I'm using a Galaxy Nexus which runs Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. Lately, I have been very annoyed with notifications from apps I have installed (like WhatsApp, Viber, or even missed calls) which keep coming back every ten minutes even after I dismiss them.

Can resetting my phone solve this issue, or are there any workarounds?

# Answer
You can disable notifications on a per-app basis by going to `Settings > Apps > APP_NAME` and unchecking 'Show notifications'
> 0 votes

---
Tags: notifications
---


title: How to uninstall framaroot

text:
# Question
Title: How to uninstall framaroot
i search in google and i can't find some easy way to uninstall the application (it can't be found in the play store apps). How i can uninstall (or delete) framaroot?

Thanks

Update:

I suscefully uninstalled the in the settings of the smarthphone, but it's still have root permission the android.

The questions is: how to take away the root permission?

# Answer
Well i found this to delete (uninstall) SuperUser:

* Use root explorer and delete superuser.apk from the /system/app folder(1).
* Go to the Android market and download and install super user. Use root explorer again and delete su from /system/bin (2).
* Go to the market and uninstall super user.

Notes:

(1) I use Root App Delete, but the idea is the same.

(2) I try to delete but it's unsuccessful :)

I solve finally using this guide:

http://www.androidrootz.com/2012/08/how-to-unroot-any-android-device.html

Resume:

* Install es file explorer,
* Install supersu
* Start SuperSu
* in es file explorer start root explorer
* delete /system/bin/su
* delete /system/xbin/su
* Uninstall supersu
> 0 votes

# Answer
Run framaroot.apk and choose unroot.
> -1 votes

---
Tags: 4.1-jelly-bean, uninstallation, unrooting
---


# Question
Title: How to stop getting internet through the prepaid card and use only my home wifi?
I bought a 3G prepaid card that offers internet, but I want to stop getting Internet through the card and use WiFi to connect to his home router or certain WiFi networks of choice.

I know how to connect to WiFi. My question is how to shut off prepaid 3G internet, other than removing the card, which I find tedious.

The reason is simple, I want to use my card for phone calls only and I want to use the WiFi for Internet. Plus, my prepaid card internet is damn expensive.

# Answer
Android will always use WiFi once it is connected. You just have to disable mobile data. To do so go to `Settings``Mobile network settings` and uncheck `Data enabled`.
> 3 votes

# Answer
*To manually start and stop internet:* Go to **`Settings -> Wireless and networks -> Mobile networks`** and disable **`Mobile data`**. This will stop internet connection through mobile network. Enable this to start internet again.

*To stop it permanently:* Some application may start internet automatically, So to prevent accidental internet consumption, Create a new dummy **`Access Point Name`** in **`Mobile networks`** section and select that APN. So from next time your whenever you or any application try to connect to internet though mobile network it will try to connect though that dummy Access point and internet won't start. Internet will only work when you connect to WiFi.
> 3 votes

# Answer
Go to settings and tap SIM management and select always ask for mobile data connection... That is all...
> 0 votes

---
Tags: wi-fi, 3g, mobile-data
---


# Question
Title: Can I root a phone thats already rooted?
I bought a chinese phone thats seems to be be already rooted. How can I be sure? When I download apps that require root they don't work. Can I change privledges on an already rooted phone? Or can I re-root?

# Answer
You can try installing the app Root Checker to know if your device is rooted or not. And yes you can root your device again even if its rooted. But yes first its better to check if it has the rooted privileges or not. As far as running of apps is concerned sometimes some app stop responding even if one has the rooted privileges better would be to first check things out.
> 1 votes

# Answer
In the literal sense, no—you can't root a phone that's already rooted, because that's like killing a bug that's already dead.

If the real question is, as I understand it, whether it's okay to go through the rooting process on a device that's already rooted, generally yes, there's no reason why that would cause any harm. So if you don't know whether the device is rooted, and you want to go through rooting process just to make sure, there's no reason to be concerned that you'll be causing harm if it happens to have been previously rooted. To extend the analogy, it's like not knowing whether the bug is dead and spraying it with RAID just to be sure.

However, it's a waste of time to root a device that's already rooted, because the rooting process is always more complicated than checking whether you have root access. You can use Root Checker as suggested in Peter Carlos's answer. Rather than installing an extra app just to check for root, though, the way I do it is by launching Terminal Emulator (an app you'll probably want anyway on a rooted phone) and issuing the `su` command. If you don't have root, you'll get an error message like

```
/system/bin/sh: su: not found

```

If you don't get any errors, you have root. Also, the prompt should change to begin with `root@`.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: rooting, unrooting
---


title: Limited home screen

text:
# Question
Title: Limited home screen
I need to get a company tablet for operators to use at home to check some data while away from company. Since I don't trust them much, I would like to allow only a few apps to be ran on the android tablet and disable anything else inlcuding play store, settings, web browsing, etc...is there any FREE app that can do what I want?

I would also like avoiding somebody logging in with their own account onto the tablet. Thank you.

# Answer
No, there's currently no way to do what you want with an app. You'd need to develop a custom ROM to suit your requirements (or pay someone to do it, of course).

The new Lollipop version of Android has some features to enable -type applications, so it may be that some apps might come along in future to enable this kind of use.

Slightly off the topic of Android, to amplify what RossC has already said: if you don't trust someone, you probably shouldn't have hired them, and you certainly shouldn't send work to their home. If the worst thing they can do to your business is install an app on your tablet, their job can't be responsible enough to warrant giving them remote access to confidential business data in the first place.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: applications, tablet, home-screen, kiosk-mode
---


# Question
Title: How can i make samsung S5 to be shown as a drive when i connect it to my PC?
when i connect the phone via USB it shows as Portable device; but i want it to be as a drive so i can review my files on the labtop. note: i have S3 and S5 with the same issue.

# Answer
Click on the USB sign on the notification bar. Then in the new page, check the "Media Device(MTP)" and wait for few seconds to see the drive show up in your computer/mac.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-3, samsung-galaxy-s-5
---


title: Can't disable pattern screen lock

text:
# Question
Title: Can't disable pattern screen lock
I recently installed PdaNet+. To use wifi tethering it asked my to accept a certificate and set a screen lock pattern. I have since uninstalled it and removed the FoxFi certificate, but I still can't disable the screen lock (which I don't really want).

Any suggestions?

# Answer
I just had that same issue today.

Go to `Settings`, and make sure you've removed Foxfi as an administrator. Go to `Trusted credentials > User > and remove Foxfi`. Then go back into `Settings > Security > and Clear credentials`. It'll let you change the lock code then! :)
> 32 votes

# Answer
Same thing happened to me.

All you have to do is go to "security" then go all the way down to "credential storage" then clear all credentials. Than you can go back and it's all done.
> 15 votes

# Answer
There is a simple solution to this one. First of all change password lock to pattern lock. Then enter wrong pattern 5 times. You will see forgot password. Click that and enter account details. Then a screen will appear saying to change the lock type. Simply hit the back button and it will be automatically set to none.
> 4 votes

# Answer
This turned out to be a red herring for me. I just had to enter my password one last time to get rid of the lock screen. I hadn't pushed on an unlocked door.

so go to Settings-\>Security-\>Lock Screen Enter Password
> 1 votes

# Answer
Go to settings and go to more, which is below data usage option. Then go to VPN and delete all vpns (jus clear it all). It is that which is blocking that screen lock setting.
> 1 votes

# Answer
You should be able to turn off the lock screen security somewhere in Settings\>Security\>Screen Lock and then change it to none or just a simple slide to unlock or whatever you want. This is how you get to it on my S3, but yours should be similar no matter what phone you have.

To fix your other issue, also in the Security tab on my phone, there should be a tab called "Device Administrators." When you go into this tab, it allows you to check and uncheck which apps have access. If you uncheck the app that is preventing you from changing this, it might solve your problem.
> 0 votes

# Answer
There is indeed a way to remove the lock screen while keeping the certificate: set a pattern lock and try to unlock the phone with a "bad pattern" for 5-10 times, it will show you an error message, now select "Forgot Pattern?" and enter your gmail/password. After these steps the screen lock will be removed without removing the certificate. "
> 0 votes

# Answer
**disable by administrator encryption policy, or credential storage**

if you are using Androidlost.com

1. go to andoridlost.com
2. Sign in with your device gmail account
3. click on Security option
4. lock phone option - clear all number & other
5. Unlock phone
> 0 votes

# Answer
You need to check if you've installed any 3rd party Device Management Applications, like Kaspersky Device Security, KNOX, etc.

I just solved my issue by deleting Kaspersky and all goes well.

Try to see which applications manage your device such as "Tracking your device against thieves so you could erase it remotely".
> 0 votes

# Answer
Settings\>Security\>Device administrators and you disables all administrators
> -2 votes

---
Tags: lock-screens
---


# Question
Title: Is there any technique for controling a smart phone over another smart phone ( both are android)
As because one of the phones display is damaged throgh some part. If there is any method please tell me....

# Answer
You could try Teamviewer or Webkey. Teamviewer is only supported by selected Samsung phones, and Webkey requires root, though. If your phone is not supported by Teamviewer, you are most probably not going to achieve anything without rooting the phone you want to control. (Android only allows an app to inject screen taps and grab the screen in special circumstances: if the app is signed with the manufacturer's key (Teamviewer does this, so it doesn't need root) or the app is running as root.)
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, remote-access
---


# Question
Title: HTC One X+ is getting hot. Is it Normal?
The other day my daughter was playing with wife's phone (HTC one x+) and asked me for help. When I grabbed the phone I realised that was so **HOT** that I think I could fry an egg on it. Is this normal?

Is there any tip you can give me to avoid this?

# Answer
> 1 votes
It is normal. It could have been because your daughter was playing a game on the phone, or just taking up a lot of processing power. Also, having one's hands on the back of the phone also does not help. I've had this issue with multiple devices when playing games specifically.

# Answer
> -1 votes
Nothing wrong with the phone. Getting hot, just not a problem with hardware. I can solve the overheating problem just like that. Disable all the apps that have Google in their name including Google service framework, Play and market feed back and just don't forget the boss Chrome browser. (Even if you don't use them) . Use built in Android browser. You will be cool, I ment your HTC

---
Tags: battery, htc-one-x+
---


# Question
Title: How to solve "application can not be installed" error
I am facing an `application can not be installed` error on my Samsaung Galaxy S Plus whenever I try to install applications. I have already allowed installation from unknown sources, but it didn't work. It still have a lot of memory space although my phone has no SD card.

Can you suggest some solutions to solve this? Thanks in advance.

# Answer
First, make sure you have sufficient internal memory (that should be more than just the app size, because app needs to store data too). The storage for apps is different from internal mass storage. You can find it under Settings \> Storage, look for the Applications label.

Also, if the app is, say 20 MB, keep at least 50 MB free, because apart from the app storage, Android also tends to slow down when short on internal memory.

If you're trying to update/overwrite an installed app, try removing it first. source.

If that didn't work, try this solution. It is aimed at Titanium Backup, but I guess it might work for other apps too.
> 2 votes

# Answer
There might be mainly these two possibilities 1) either the device didn't have the sufficient memory 2) ADB Connection Time out error

To solve 1) clear you temporary memory, un install application or clear un wanted cache 2) go to preferences-\>Android-\>DDMS and increase you ADB connection time out according to your need mine is 11000
> 1 votes

# Answer
That happened to me when I was trying to test on a real device an unsigned app that I built, maybe that's the case.

If you're a developer, sign the app before testing it.
> 0 votes

# Answer
i had same error on my HUAWEI phone and it solved when I changed Default install Location on SD card.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: applications, installation
---


# Question
Title: Samsung Galaxy DUos - Balance Deductions
i am using Samsung Galaxy duos, Battery is consuming very much.it won't last more than 20 hours. It is also deducting my balance and heard mobile data could be a reason. What is mobile data? How can it deduct my balances?

# Answer
> 2 votes
Mobile data means Internet access on phone via mobile network. It costs you money when not on Internet plan. Turning it off is very easy. Open notification bar turn off Mobile Data (icon with 2 arrows one up one down) -or- open Settings\>(More)Mobile networks\> (uncheck) Mobile data (SIM1 & SIM2).

---
Tags: wi-fi
---


# Question
Title: “Insufficient storage available”. Ok, but where?
When I upgrade an Android application from Google Play, it gets downloaded, then the upgrade stops with the message “Error: Insufficient storage available.”

Yet none of the partitions seem to be nearly full. The app is about 10MB, and I have about 100MB free on `/data`. Here's the output of `df` (omitting `/mnt/asec`):

```
Filesystem             Size   Used   Free   Blksize
/dev                   171M    32K   171M   4096
/mnt/asec              171M     0K   171M   4096
/mnt/obb               171M     0K   171M   4096
/cache                 469M     2M   466M   4096
/efs                     6M     3M     3M   4096
/system                503M   329M   174M   4096
/data                 1007M   895M   112M   4096
/storage/sdcard0        13G     4G     8G   4096

```

This is happening on a rooted stock 4.1.2 image from Google.

I've read other questions on this site, such as Why can't I install apps when I have enough storage?, insufficient storage error while updating installed apps \[duplicate\], and others, but they all concern situations with only about 10–20MB free, whereas I have a 100MB safety margin. Unlike Something is secretly eating up my Acer Iconia A500 internal memory and I need help finding it and What can I do to manage my phone's internal storage?, I'm not trying to figure out which files are filling up a partition, I'm trying to figure out which partition is filled up.

So how can I figure out which partition this “insufficient storage” message is about?

# Answer
A common problem on android devices is that android will keep and safe all applications which are in your system directory (system apps/apps installed from the factory). This is exactly the same problem I had with my Sony Xperia arc s.

I've fixed this by rooting my phone and install "system cleaner root" (note: only rooted devices can use this app and you'll probably lose your warranty when you root your phone) and run that application. It will search for saved update files on your phone which are system apps, and then delete these old update files.

The problem should be fixed. As long as you run "system cleaner root" once in a while.
> 2 votes

# Answer
I have also had the same Problem. Personaly I solved the Issue by booting in the Recovery Mode on my Samsung Phone and clearing the Cache partition.

Also, thigs could work is using some cleaning Apps, which would release some memory which was being used by application to Cache the Data. You might also want to uninstall some application with are not being used personal (pre installed applications, like S Calender on Samsung Touch WIz.)

Would advice regular cleaning of the cache partition to prolong the Phone Usage.Using Galaxy S2 for about 3 Years now.
> 1 votes

# Answer
I've had the same issue. What solved my problem was clearing application cache through Application Manager for Chrome and others. I fail to see the connection, but it worked for me.
> 0 votes

# Answer
use this method to remove dump files and get rid of this error. I found this useful.

From your phone dialler, dial \*#9900# You will see sysDump screen on your device. Tap on Delete dumpstate/logcat and it will show you dump result. Click okay and exit.

Source : http://www.theandroidportal.com/fix-insufficient-storage-android/
> -1 votes

---
Tags: updates, internal-storage, installation, insufficient-memory
---


# Question
Title: How to disable lock pattern/pin on lock screen with new Android 4.3 update?
I just did an update on my Galaxy S3 and now it is required that I have a lock on my lock screen. Before the update, I had the simple "Swipe to Unlock."

Now, when I go into Settings\>Lock screen\>screen lock, I am unable to select the swipe option. It says "turned off by administrator, encryption policy or credential storage."

Does any one know how to disable any of those so that I can go back to my swipe lock screen? It is really annoying having to type a dumb password in every time i want to get into my phone.

# Answer
Just select the last option in the Security settings, "Clear Credentials".
> 1 votes

# Answer
I have solved this by decryption of memory card.

Samsung Galaxy Phone:

settings--\>More--\>security--\>Encrypt External SD card--\>disable.

After disabling go to my device--\>lock screen--\>Screen lock--\> all the features will be enabled. You will be able to choose your own security now.

Regards, Hari
> 0 votes

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Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-3, lock-screens, 4.3-jelly-bean, encryption
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# Question
Title: Getting confused by rooting and enabling wifi tethering
I'm trying to activate wifi tethering on my (verizon) Samsung Galaxy S4 mini through rooting. I'm getting a bit confused by the myriad ways to do this that I'm reading about on the web.

Could somebody help clarify the choices for me?

Here are some of my specific questions:

1) To the best of my understanding the process of enabling the wifi tethering begins with rooting your phone then enabling the "Mobile Hotspot" setting (under "Settings\>Connections\>More networks\>Wireless and networks"). Then just installing a tethering app e.g. FoxFi, PdaNet, 1-Click-Tether etc, etc. Is this correct?

2) Is that all there is to it or is there more. For example, I've encountered a lot of posts talking about needing to flash a custom ROM for this. I understood that the purpose is so that you don't mess with your stock ROM so that you don't void the phone's warranty. But to flash a new ROM don't you also need to root your phone thus mess with your stock ROM?

Thanks much for any help.

# Answer
> 2 votes
1. If you have the `Settings > Wireless and networks > More > Tethering and portable hotspot` menu item (which is present from Android 2.2 onwards, so I assume you do, since your phone ships with 4.2), **you do not have to root your device to turn on tethering**. Just use that menu and WiFi tethering will work. Those apps are for phones with earlier versions of Android which did not have this menu item.
2. **Your phone only has one ROM on it at a time. If you modify or replace it, your warranty is gone.** It makes no sense to "flash a custom ROM to avoid messing with the stock ROM and thus preserve the warranty", because by flashing a custom ROM you erase the factory one. (There MAY be highly dangerous procedures which restore the device to a state that the former modification is undetectable, but you could assume that if you do anything that involves flashing or rooting, you void your warranty.)

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Tags: rom-flashing, wifi-tethering
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# Question
Title: Android OS uses a lot of data in background, how to turn auto system update check off?
I have a nexus 5 with Android 4.4. If i look at data usage, it shows that Android OS is using a couple of megabytes per day. I tried disabling sync and backup but it didn't help. What could be causing the background data usage? One thing that I could think of is automatic system update check, but there seems to be no way to turn it off.

What could be the cause of the data usage and can I fix it without rooting?

# Answer
Found out that the issue is not persisting on nexus 4 and only in nexus 5.(Thats very strange.)

Temporary Solution until Google fixes this. Just root your phone and freeze Android System Update. That will fix the mysterious data consumption issue.
> 1 votes

# Answer
You could try going to *Settings→Data usage*, define a global limit (can be imaginary, e.g. 5 GB), and then scroll to "suspect apps": open their entries, scroll down, and check "limit background data". Then those wouldn't use background data while on mobile data, while working as usual when on WiFi or in foreground. That's what I did with e.g. *Google Play* (to keep it from always checking for updates in background) about half a year ago. No side-effects seen yet.

For details, please see my answer here. You might also want to check What won't function properly on device if I disable background data usage for google play store?

Other related questions include:

And probably several more.
> 0 votes

# Answer
This is due to Google Backup.Switch Google Backup off and your problem will be solved.Follow these steps-

1. Open Photos App.
2. From options select Settings.
3. Select Auto Backup and Switch it off.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Go to settings, scroll down to accounts, click your Google account(s), and turn off all the syncs.
> -1 votes

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Tags: background-data
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title: Moved Chrome to SD Card and broke it

text:
# Question
Title: Moved Chrome to SD Card and broke it
I have a Sony Xperia C2305 with Android version 4.2.2.

I was trying to free up internal space using Titanium Backup Pro by moving applications over to the SD Card.

I converted Chrome to a user application and then moved it tot he SD Card.

When I run it i now get the following error: "Critical functionality required to run Chrome is missing; either your Chrome installation is incomplete or not compatible with this version of android".

I attempted to do the following:

* Moved back to Internal Memory and Converted to System Application - Same Error
* Rebooted - Same Error
* Converted to User Application & Uninstalled - Downloaded from Play Store - Same Error
* Converted Downloaded & Installed Chrome to System Application - Same Error

**How can i get a working version of chrome back on my phone?**

# Answer
> 0 votes
After trying the "Quick Fixes", nothing worked.

The Solution was to re ROM the phone with a factory ROM.

In future, use Titanium Backup to first take a full backup, then freeze the application for a week or two and then if the phone is stable, remove the frozen apps.

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Tags: sd-card, chrome-for-android, titanium-backup, sony-xperia
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