title: Thermal receipt printer for Android

text:
# Question
Title: Thermal receipt printer for Android
I'm Thinking about a Queue management system built with Android tablets. I figured out that the cheapest way to give each customer a number is a thermal receipt printer. I'm looking for any solution that:

* Can print text and basic graphics (e.g. QR codes)
* Can connect to my Android directly via BT or USB, without Cloud printing or internet connection
* Is generally reliable, and can handle a few hundreds of prints every day

Is thermal printing a good idea? Are there any thermal printers that play nicely with Android?

# Answer
What you are looking for is usually known as a 'receipt printer'. A quick Google for 'bluetooth receipt printer' turns up a number of models from a variety of manufacturers (quite a few of them are actually battery powered and portable - like you see at car rental places).

The big problem here is that Android doesn't really have any concept of local printing, so I think you're going to have to implement it yourself.

Android DOES have bluetooth communications APIs (docs), and I'd be surprised if the printer manufacturers haven't heard all this before, and have at least clues how to proceed (after all, they like to sell printers!). If you'll be buying a significant number of printers, I bet they'll happily help you talk to their devices.

If that's too expensive for you (and those printers look a bit pricey), then you could try USB. Again, you can find USB receipt printers, which again you'll have to learn to talk to. Android does have a set of USB APIs (docs). On the plus side, my quick Google for 'USB receipt printer' turned up some sub-$75 choices right away, so this might be a good approach if you are price sensitive. I'd also be willing to bet that at least some of the USB printers are actually serial devices with something like an FTDI chip bolted up to them. That means that talking to them is probably not very difficult.

Alternately, if you can find a cheap receipt printer that's serial or something, you could look at the IOIO boards and software stack as a way to interface your android tablet to some funky printer. These are boards that adhere to the relevant Android APIs + software that makes them easy to talk to. The boards are available commercially, and the schematics are available, if you want to build your own, and they are designed to make hardware interfacing easy.
> 6 votes

# Answer
There are number of thermal printer available in market with their own SDK. Here is the ans of your queries:

**Can print text and basic graphics (e.g. QR codes)**

Yes we can print the basic graphics from the thermal printers. You can check the EPSON, Casio or any other Chinese printer in market.

**Can connect to my Android directly via BT or USB, without Cloud printing or internet connection**

Yes, you can connect with those printer via Bluetooth, WiFi or USB. Also one more thing is you can install your printer drivers on Server and directly send the printing request to the server. This feature allow you to print form anywhere no issue or slow connection like we face in BT and WiFi.

**Is generally reliable, and can handle a few hundreds of prints every day**

Yes, Thermal printers are reliable and work very well. You can print any number of prints from thermal printers.

**Is thermal printing a good idea? Are there any thermal printers that play nicely with Android?**

Thermal printer is a very good idea because it's available in very small amount. That is small in size so no need to make an extra place for the printer.

For the Developers here is one sample how to deal with thermal printer

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/15701465/how-to-print-from-the-thermal-printer-in-android
> 0 votes

# Answer
I work for a thermal printer manufacturer based in India (Mumbai). We have the perfect solution for your requirements: our 2" Bluetooth printer.

We can also provide a sample APK file, and the source code to integrate the printer with your application. If you want more information, please contact us.
> -2 votes

---
Tags: printing, peripherals, thermal-printer
---


# Question
Title: Google Play Music limit amount of space it can take on SD card
Google Play Music has the tendency to totally fill up my SD card with cache files for streaming. Now I do like this as 3g connection when travelling can be flaky and this way you minimise re-streaming of music you have recently been listening too (so unchecking this option in the settings is not a solution).

Problem arise that Google Play Music is taking up all available space which leads to other applications (Evernote in this case particularly) to complain about having not enough space on the SD card (total free space at the moment is 95mb but this still leads to Evernote shouting warnings/errors).

Is there a way to limit an app like this for the total space it can take on the SD card?

# Answer
> 4 votes
Unfortunately, there is currently no way to limit the size of the cache for the google music app. People have been asking for it since it came out though, so hopefully it appears in a future update.

# Answer
> 0 votes
An alternative until Google gets their act together is to use an cache clearing app like Clean Master (I have no affiliation with it). You can set up an app like this so that it will automatically remind you to clear your cache, whether it be by date frequency or by size.

---
Tags: google-play-music
---


# Question
Title: How can I push music to my Android device with Google Play Music?
I want to **push** music to my Android device running Google Music. Is this possible?

# Answer
> 2 votes
It's actually pretty simple but not obvious at first.

1. Create a Playlist (e.g. 'Offline')
2. Open Google Play Music on your Android device and select the playlist
3. Check 'Keep on device' for the playlist
4. Go to http://music.google.com and add tracks to this playlist
5. You device will download the tracks, *even if you add them with the web interface*

# Answer
> 0 votes
Alternatively open up the Play Music app on your phone. Using the menu navigate to My Library. Choose the Album view. under the album picture is the 3 dots, press on them to bring up menu options, one of which is Keep on Device. Press that to download the music to your phone.

You can specify phone or SD Card (if available) by going into the Play Music settings option and changing the Storage Location under the Downloading options.

---
Tags: google-play-music
---


# Question
Title: Where does Google Play Music v5 store music locally?
I know this question has been answered for older versions of the app, but where does the most recent app store offline music?

Clearly the mp3's I've selected are downloaded - because they play without an internet connection. But the default location for offline music is empty.

Any ideas guys?

# Answer
My Google Music 5.3.1317M.940995 running on a Nexus 4 with CM11 stores the mp3 files under

> `/data/data/com.google.android.music/files/music`

You need root to access that directory.

A older version of Google Music on a Galaxy S stored it on the SD card. And, as I read in the official changelog, Google Music 5.x seems to be able to use the SD card as storage too. Which makes sense for devices with low internal storage space (`/data/data`).
> 3 votes

# Answer
The issue of course is that it is root issue, if you are not rooted it is hidden from view.

The best way around it that I currently know is via the PC. Download and install the listen app for your PC, then you can download the music you have bought from the play store, and you can use the standard explorer to transfer to your music folder.

Which is how I deal with it and am able to use my preferred music player. Only resort to listen when I want to listen to an album I haven't downloaded.
> 0 votes

# Answer
If you have a lot of patience and a little bit of \*unix wisdom this shouldn't too hard for you. Just open up a shell or connect using adb and try:

become root:

```
su

```

search for the song:

```
find / -name "*.mp3"

```
> -1 votes

---
Tags: google-play-music
---


# Question
Title: How can I view online all of my phone contacts that Android synced to my google account?
We have an option in Android that allows us to sync/backup all our contacts to our google account. I did this and then later my phone got damaged and I can't switch it on again.

I would now like to view the contacts that were synced to my google account. Is there anyway I can do this online?

# Answer
> 3 votes
You should be able to see them within GMail or your Google account here

---
Tags: sync, water-damage
---


# Question
Title: I need some photos that an app use, can i get them?
I'm talking about zombiebooth app. I need those photos of damaged body parts for an after effects project. I guess they are saved as .png and i want those files, how can i get them?

# Answer
> 2 votes
You can extract the apk file (which is just a jar/zip file) and find the folder where the app stores the images, it is usually in the res folder, but it may be different place. If the app use APK expansion, then the image may also be stored in the expansion file.

Note that you may be violating the copyright of the developer by using these images, it's better if you contact the developer and request permission to use these images.

---
Tags: applications, photos, files
---


# Question
Title: How can I compile an Android APK from source?
There are a couple of tutorials or even questions here about creating an application for Android. But I was wondering, if I just want to compile an application from the available source on Github, I'm not going to develop anything, do I need to install the Android SDK, Eclipse with ADT plugin, and the SDK tools and platforms?

In GNU/Linux you just have to install the build tools and dependency libraries, not an IDE, which is generally for doing the development. How would you proceed in compiling the APK? Not that I want it to be like GNU/Linux, but what are the required tools just for compiling? And do I need to downgrade my Java version to 6 when I'm compiling for Android 4.1.2 (if Java is needed)?

Also, there are no build instructions on the source, including a few steps on your answer would be highly appreciated!

# Answer
> 9 votes
The minimal requirements for building an Android app are usually the Android SDK and ant. Then, you are able to build the *majority*1 of projects with the following steps.

* If there is no `build.xml` generate it

> android update project -p . -n $PROJECT\_NAME -s

* Then build the project with

> `ant debug`

which will create an `.apk` signed with your debug key.

All other dependencies range from the used VCS (e.g. git), over the required 3rd party libraries, up to other required build tools (e.g. Android NDK).

1 Why did I write *majority*? Because there is no definitive answer for such a question, as it simply depends on the used build system and the overall build setup of the project.

Let's have a look at F-Droid's metadata, which is a big database of build recipes for FOSS Android apps. You will find that there are many ways how an Android app can be build. For example `goo.TeaTimer` has a very clean and short build recipe, namely none, which defaults basically to F-Droid using `ant debug` to create the `.apk`. On the other hand, `org.transdroid.full` requires a few more steps to create the `.apk`: First the transdroid core library needs to be created, that is the `ant -f ../lib/build.xml` line in `prebuild`, then options are disabled with the `sed` command. Now the final `.apk` can be built.

---
Tags: apk
---


# Question
Title: How to enable developer settings Nexus 7 4.4.2 kit kat
I have the old Nexus 7 with stock 4.4.2, and I want to enable developer settings.

I have found many references to Settings -\> About (Tablet) -\> And click 7 times on build number - but that simply does not work. I have tried tapping it 1 million times and nothing happens. If I tap "Android Version 4.4.2" in the same menu, I get the whole spinning K, kitkat, easter-egg game etc.

What am I missing? How do I enable developer settings?

# Answer
Apparently only the tablet owner (first user created) has access to developer settings. I was using another user.

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/14223748/android-4-2-developer-settings-still-unavailable
> 8 votes

---
Tags: settings, nexus-7, 4.4-kitkat
---


# Question
Title: missing pictures/videos from HTC EVO after being encrypted
I have an HTC EVO. It's been encrypted at work. Afterwards, all of my pictures/videos are missing from my gallery, everything else is still there. How do I get them back?

# Answer
It is possible (almost certain) that during the encryption process, they low level formatted your SD card which would make recovering your gallery items impossible at this point. They should have allowed you to backup your data before doing the encryption and/or made a backup of the device before they did the encryption. Might I suggest you ask them if they kept a backup before doing the encryption, that would be your only option at this point to get them back. Sorry.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: encryption, htc-evo
---


# Question
Title: Connect Galaxy S3 Wifi Connection to Computer
I tried googling this, but it kept giving me the USB tethering option, which I don't want.

My laptop currently cannot connect to the Wifi we have at work, because there is a problem with Cisco, Windows 8, and Killer Networks cards not working together.

However, my Galaxy S3 can connect to the Wifi at work perfectly fine.

I know that you can take your phone's mobile data connection, and use that as an internet connection over USB or Wifi.

My question is, if your phone is connected to a Wifi network ALREADY, can you USB tether it to your computer, and use that to connect your computer to the same Wifi network?

Thanks.

# Answer
> 0 votes
You should be able to just tether and while your phone is connected to the wifi network that connection should be used. If this is not the case turning off the mobile data should force it to use the wifi connection

# Answer
> -2 votes
Install Kies; it automatically installs all the required drivers. Then, tether to your computer via Wi-Fi hotspot, bluetooth, or USB.

I always use it like that with my S3.

---
Tags: wi-fi, samsung-galaxy-s-3, tethering
---


title: Android on PC: Correct ISO

text:
# Question
Title: Android on PC: Correct ISO
I've tried doing this before, and I successfully installed Android on my Dell Inspiron 15 \[64bit.\] There was one problem though. No video worked. Not on YouTube, not on the Web. Not when downloaded with any video player. Can anyone please verify an Android ISO that works well with videos and everything? I know people do it, but with which version, and what iso?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Since I cannot comment on a reply to my own post, I will answer it saying that user AI E. nailed it. I have already done that, and would love to help other users do the same. I have succesfully installed it on an AMD processor on a Dell Computer -- if anyone needs help like I did, just let me know.

---
Tags: android-versions
---


# Question
Title: Unable to turn off auto-correction on HTC one
I just received a HTC one. I cannot turn off the autocorrect for 'Word Prediction' (under prediction preference) in the \> HTC Sense Input Setting \> Advanced section. The words are gray colored and the checked box does not respond. Other functions I can turn on and off.

Any suggestions on how to disable this function would be appreciated.

# Answer
> 3 votes
You have to turn off the keyboard trace. Unfortunately through a very poor design, you can't have trace without the autocomplete.

# Answer
> 1 votes
If using the stock keyboard: `Settings > Language & Keyboard > HTC Sense Input > Advanced > Word prediction`. Uncheck the box.

---
Tags: keyboard, htc-one-x, auto-correct
---


# Question
Title: Connect a 3G Android phone with a WiFi-only tab to see phone call information on the latter
I own a WiFi-only Android tab and an Android phone with 3G.

I use the tab regularly at work or while working out on the treadmill, and often I miss a phone call on my Android phone while using the tab.

Is there any App or other possibility to link the phone to the tab to be able to see incoming phone calls on the WiFi tab? Via Bluetooth, for example?

(I also own a Sony smartwatch which does exactly this, but I'm looking for a solution on my tab).

# Answer
> 0 votes
MightyText is a free app that allows you to get communication notifications on your tablet through WiFi. While its geared for people that would want to text from their tablet, it also has some other really nice features. Among them are call notifications, battery alerts, and photo syncing. They also have a Chrome extension which allows you to get the same features on a computer. I used to use this app all the time and highly recommend it.

---
Tags: wi-fi, bluetooth, connection-issues, 3g
---


# Question
Title: Disable badges on Samsung Galaxy devices
I have a Samsung Galaxy S2 with Android 4.1.2 JellyBean.

When I get notifications in SMS or from Facebook, I see a red notification with number (notification badges) on the application icon on home screen.

Is there a way to stop that? I stopped all notifications from Facebook app but I still get notification badges on home screen.

# Answer
> 7 votes
I found this article that explains how to disable it on the Galaxy Note i717. I don't have a SG phone but I imagine the solution would be similar for yours.

1. Go to Settings \> Manage Applications \> swipe laterally through the top tabs until you reach "All"
2. Scroll down to locate `BadgeProvider` and tap on it
3. Click on the `Disable` button and confirm that you would like it disabled.

This will disable **all badge notifications** as there is no per-app setting interface.

---
Tags: notifications, samsung
---


# Question
Title: How can I emulate ctrl-Z (undo) in Android 4.1.2 on a Galaxy Note 3?
Based on this question and this question and this issue, it sounds like Android basically doesn't have undo/redo functionality. (I guess? Correct me if I've misunderstood or if the situation has changed.)

My goal is to use a Galaxy Note 3 with an external keyboard to work on long-form writing projects.

I'd like to have undo/redo functionality.

Is there some way to "bolt it on?"

Like maybe is there a text editor that has undo/redo as a feature, or some app that lets you add it, or a trick you can do an automation utility or something?

(It doesn't actually have to be `ctrl-Z`. Any reasonably convenient keypress would be fine.)

# Answer
> 3 votes
For anyone who comes across this via a search I found these options...

* Polaris Office's word processing program implements undo that works via `control-Z` on my Galaxy Note 3 using a Bluetooth keyboard.
* The JotterPad X text editor implements undo and redo that works fine via on-screen controls.

The JotterPad X app description on the Google Play store claims specifically...

> Compatible with physical and Bluetooth keyboard including shortcut keys (E.g. ctrl + Z for undo)

On my system, JotterPad X's undo didn't work with a Bluetooth keyboard, but maybe it will work on your system or with a different model keyboard.

---
Tags: keyboard, external-keyboard, text-editor, keyboard-shortcuts, text-input
---


# Question
Title: htc desire z keeps restarting on its own
My HTC Desire Z keeps restarting on its own continuously, how do I stop it and how can I switch on my phone now? I tried removing the battery but that didn't work.

Can anyone help?

# Answer
Pull the battery, put it back in press `volume down +power` , it will boot into `Hboot`, then use volume to scroll down and select recovery, then restore a `backup` or flash `rom` again.
> -1 votes

---
Tags: boot-loop, htc-desire-z
---


# Question
Title: Nothing is working after updating Android 2.3 to Android 4.1
I have Samsung Galaxy Ace Duos S-6802 (originally Android 2.3). I followed the steps described here to update it. In short, I installed `ClockworkMod` and then `JellyBlastGenED.signed` in my phone.

After this update, My phone is showing Android v4.1.1 under settings. The icons, fonts etc are looking very small. Also my phone is not detecting any SIM and SD card as well. The phone is having two SIM card.

I just wanted to know that how can I undo the update or fix these errors?

# Answer
> 3 votes
The files you downloaded from that site are for a Samsung Galaxy Y. Your phone is a Samsung Galaxy Ace Duos. You need to find a ROM suitable for your phone. You're lucky that installing that ROM didn't brick the phone completely.

You can't undo an update: to get back to what you had before, find a stock ROM image **for your phone** (probably from http://sammobile.com for a Samsung phone) and install it following the provided instructions. Alternatively, if you still want Android 4.1, look for an unofficial 4.1 ROM **for your phone** and install it in the same way.

See also: Where can I find stock or custom ROMs for my Android device?

---
Tags: 2.3-gingerbread, 4.1-jelly-bean
---


# Question
Title: Contacts and calendar no longer syncing between google and phone
I have a Samsung Galaxy S2 that has suddenly stopped being able to sync my calendars and contacts with GMail. Every time I try, I get the message `sync is currently experiencing problems. It will be back shortly`.

The only thing I've tried to do is to remove and then re-instate my account, but still no joy. Has anyone had this problem before? What have I done or am I doing wrong?

I don't think it's anything new that I've installed because it was syncing fine up till about a month ago, and that's long after I installed non-native apps such as Go contacts.

# Answer
Try these things:

1. Go to the tablet's System Settings/Account (Google), tap your account name, make sure Calendar is checked for sync.
2. Go to the Calendar app's Settings, tap your account name, and make sure the calendars that you want synced are checked.

**OR**

**Settings--\>Apps--\> click on the ALL tab--\>Calendar**.
Then **Clear Data**.
Then go back to **Settings--\>Accounts--\>Google--\>** Tap on **Calender** for sync.

Short cut name will change according to which android version you are using.
> 2 votes

# Answer
Go to the tablet's System Settings/Account.
Set automatic sync.

Go to Google account.
Check sync people details.
Check sync app details.
Check sync calendar.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: contacts, sync, gmail, calendar
---


title: Why won't my S4 charge in the USB port

text:
# Question
Title: Why won't my S4 charge in the USB port
I am trying to charge my Galaxy S4 in my laptop but no matter which USB port it is in it will not charge. It is completely dead now. I am abroad and the adapter doesn't charge it either. HELP!

# Answer
> 1 votes
At first glance I can see (at least) one of the following problems:

* The phone's "charging system" is dead(worst case).
* Cable/charger is broken
* Battery is dead.

Of course I cannot deduct something more precise, because of the lack of information you provide, but what I would do is the following:

* Ask someone to lend you a micro usb cable to try charge it(use both wall plugs along with adapter and a PC usb port).
* If the above wont work, take it to a local electronics shop to test your battery.
* If the above fails too, you are probably unlucky.

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


# Question
Title: Find what is creating folders on SD card
I got two useless folders on /sdcard/ (`baidu` and `baiduMapSDK`) and even though I delete them, they will generate automatically. How can I know which application or which process created these two folders?

# Answer
Baidu is the Chinese competitor of Google. I can't but notice your nickname Leng sounds Chinese as well!

So my bet goes to your phone having Chinese apps, including one related to the Baidu search engine.

These folders are definitely being made by this app.

These folders also might not be empty; content which starts with a `.dotBeforeName` is hidden, and won't show in most file navigators.

My recommendation is to leave those folders be. If you want to get rid of them, you'll also have to uninstall these Baidu apps.
> 4 votes

---
Tags: file-system
---


# Question
Title: How do I get an iTunes podcast into an Android phone?
I want to listen to an iTunes podcast in Podcast Addict app on my Android phone. It doesn't come up in the search engine in the app, and I can't find the link (RSS I guess) on the iTunes site to plug it in manually.

How can I do this?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Podcast Addict v2.3 supports searching and listening to iTunes podcast directly from the app.

You can subscribe to iTunes podcasts (just copy/paste or press on the URL) and you can also browse the iTunes database, so the podcast you're trying to listen will now show up.

---
Tags: itunes
---


# Question
Title: How can I drag and drop files to Nexus 7 from a Windows PC?
I have a Nexus 7 tablet and Windows 7 computer. I can see the tablet in the device manager as a Nexus 7. It shows up as nexus 7 when I view it on my PC as a drive.

When I drag a photo to the tablet from the pc, the photo file on the nexus 7 shows up there. I cannot view the photo no matter what I do on the tablet, it says 0 photos. I also cannot get any video file to play on the tablet after I drag and drop it. No sign of it on the tablet, but I can see it in the folder on my pc.

I am using USB. This is so frustrating.

# Answer
Please see that the photo and video formats are supported by default. Else you might need to install apps that are available in google play. Use a file manager to open the picture by browsing to the location. Once you open it, they might start appearing in the gallery automatically.
> 1 votes

# Answer
you should try pushing them using adb

```
adb push name_of_the_files_or_directory /sdcard/pictures

```
> 0 votes

# Answer
There is an app that allows you to drag & drop file by Wifi and should be easier to show picture and play movie on your device : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.filesdnd

It's "free" (with some limitation) on Android, and totally free on Pc and Mac. There is a paid version without any limitation on Android (you can buy it by in-app payment). Basically you just need to install the app on your Android device and the software from the website : http://www.filesdnd.com on your computer.

Then drag your files on your device (the device must be on the wifi network), and with the paid version of the Android app, it will open automatically. With the free version, it will save it on your device, and then the file will be displayed in the left pane of the Android app.

If you don't have any application that can read your file, there will be a toast that will say it. Then you can uses application like DicePlayer for the movie, or QuickPic for the picture !
> 0 votes

# Answer
Airdroid is a first of its kind to do this hassle free... I used to just use a file sharing application like ES File Explorer and choose "Cloud" – but *AirDroid* is a better choice if you want more freedom.
> 0 votes

# Answer
AirDroid is great for that. I personally use it for everything. You can drag and drop files from desktop to your Android, or vice versa. You can access or modify clipboard, you can view your file browser, music player, you can send SMS, track your device and more.
> -1 votes

# Answer
I know this sounds extremely basic, but...I could not drag and drop either. But cut and paste worked for me, as long as I had one window open (wouldn't work with 2).
> -1 votes

---
Tags: nexus-7, file-transfer, windows
---


title: updated HTC one mini screen black

text:
# Question
Title: updated HTC one mini screen black
I just updated my HTC one Mini and the bottom half of the screen is now black. Why? I have not done anything to it

# Answer
it happens.Don't worry, its just a minor brick. you can recover it. What you have to do is, you have to flash your htc mini with a new firmware(either stock/cyanogenmod/any custom rom). But proceed by your own risk. Now follow up how to flash custom rom/cyanogenmod/ stock rom on htc mini on google. You should find your answer.

Good Luck!
> 0 votes

---
Tags: screen
---


title: Multiple rom booting

text:
# Question
Title: Multiple rom booting
Is there any way to dual boot on the international GT-n7000 phone ? I have no tried the CWM backup / restore to switchbetween two ROMs but I would guess no issue with that to be encountered. Just that it would be too cumbersome.

Thanks

# Answer
> 1 votes
The answer to your question is extremely complex and (in my opinion) not material for SE since there are a lot of files that you'd need to download and cannot be hosted here. Fortunately, XDA has a thread for multi-booting on the GT-N7000. I also found this tutorial on YouTube so that you can see how its done.

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-note, dual-boot, multirom-manager
---


# Question
Title: Android 4.4 on Galaxy S I9000 stuck at boot with ART
I recently updated my Samsung Galaxy S-I9000 to Android 4.4 KitKat, It was successfully updated and KitKat worked fine until I decided to try using the ART RunTime instead of Dalvik.

When I changed runtime to ART and rebooted the phone it never started up. I see the Samsung Galaxy S I9000 logo and then comes the running CyanogenMod circle which never stops. I let it work for more than four hours and it was not fixed.

Note: Once when rebooted for changing runtime phone was powered off. Charged and resumed the process, the same result. I also tried installing cm11 update once again, no change.

If there's a way I can fix this issue, I would be grateful to know how. Thanks in advance.

UPDATE\[FIX\]: I wiped everything, Including Dalvik cache, partition cache and data, then tried installing the ROM, problem fixed. And screw ART for now, it needs some time to get stable and ready for everyday usage. I'll just stick with dalvik. I couldn't respond faster due to my noob account restrictions.

# Answer
As "ART" versus "Dalvik" is a setting the user can switch, a factory-reset should restore its previous (default) state – in this case, revert it to "Dalvik". Reportedly, the following steps solved the issue in this case:

1. Complete wipe, including Dalvik Cache and data (can be done from , and is equivalent to a )
2. Re-flashing the ROM (IMHO an optional step, as the previous one should suffice)

Remark: There's a good reason that switch is a little hidden; ART is still "experimental", and not intended for "everyday use". It was placed with the developer's options just to give developers a way to already test their apps for compatibility.
> 3 votes

# Answer
Success! I had the same exact problem on my Nexus 4, and all it took to get mine working was a forced shutdown, and starting it up again. For the Nexus 4, that's simply:

1. Hold down the power button for about 10 seconds (the phone will shut down)
2. Hold down the power button for about 2 seconds (the phone will start up)

Mine ran through the same "Optimizing app X of Y" that it had before, but seemed to do so faster than it had the first time, and then actually finished booting. When I went to check if Android Runtime was still chosen, it wasn't - it had failed back to Dalvik, which is where it's going to stay on my phone for now.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, samsung-galaxy-s, 4.4-kitkat
---


title: Multiple tabs browsing?

text:
# Question
Title: Multiple tabs browsing?
I like using many tabs when browsing. It's a bit annoying to click links and open them as a tab on Firefox. It's annoying to close and switch between them too (Next tab so I can read VS pull a list and click the next one).

I tried Firefox and the default web browser. I tried looking up Android Firefox for gestures or some way to handle tabs better but it looks like I can't open tabs easily on it.

Are there other recommendations?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Yes, Firefox wastes too much space (especially when showing open tabs), maybe they fix that someday. In the meantime, have you tried with Chrome for Android? It has new gestures to switch between tabs:

> In Chrome for Android, you’ll be able to:
>
> * Swipe horizontally across the top toolbar to quickly switch tabs.
> * Drag vertically down from the toolbar to enter into the tab switcher view.
> * Drag down from the menu to open the menu and select the item you want without having to lift your finger.

---
Tags: browser
---


# Question
Title: I have a search icon that cannot be removed
I dont know why but since 2 days I am getting a search icon in my screen, I can move it and place it where ever I want but it will show in all my screens and also I cannot remove it.

thanks

# Answer
> 1 votes
thanks you all for your answers, I have no idea what happen but yesterday I updated like 15 apps and now the icon is gone. I dont know which app made that happens but the good news is that its gone :)

just FYI it didn't act like a regular app icon, it didn't gave the option to see "app info" or "remove" it was staying in all the screens no just in one. and when it was press it opened a search that when was press to search was searching on Google.

any way, thank you very much greetings Iair

---
Tags: screen, app-icons
---


# Question
Title: How can I load a Video Player App on my Nook Color without google play?
My son's nook color is incompatible with google play, and the default video player app wont play local video files I've uploaded to his nook's harddrive via usb-cable. How can I download a new video player app to his nook 'without' google play?

I am using software version 1.4.3 and am *not* interested in solutions that involve rooting the nook, or rolling back to a previous version of the software.

# Answer
After testing many different apps and many different *versions* of said apps, websites listing what apps work and what apps don't, and more than a few other things, I have reached the conclusion that, *You cannot load 3rd party video players on the Nook Color*. My reason for reaching this conclusion, is when I finally found an app and its correct version to work for the nook operating system, and used the correct working file manager app to run the .apk file the message my Nook Color gave me was;

> Install Blocked: For security reasons, only apps purchased through the NOOK Shop can be installed.
> 0 votes

# Answer
* Download/get the `.apk` file of desired application.

(Example: MoboPlayer from this link.)
* Pass it to the android device.
* Use any `file explorer` to open this .apk file.
* Install the application.
> 2 votes

# Answer
Download the latest version of MoboPlayer take the .apk file, copy it to your NC, open the file through on NC and installed it.
> 1 votes

# Answer
if your smartphone can download this `new video player app` download it on your smartphone and then transfer `apk` file to your son's smartphone, using this application share app.Best lucks..
> 0 votes

# Answer
Well if you are unable to play those video I would recommend download Mx Player from this link. and then copy it to your nook colors' sd card/storage. Then from the file manager of your nook, navigate to that **mx player.apk** file and click on it. It should prompt to install. Just install it. And play whatever you want. For any detailed information, like step by step procedure follow this link

hope that helps.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Here is some information about good media player on Nook Color: http://drippler.com/barnes\_noble/nook\_color#!560253

You can try VLC nightly build for ARMv7:

http://nightlies.videolan.org/build/android-armv7/
> 0 votes

# Answer
According to this article you can enable app sideloading in the following way (text in *italics* is mine):

> **Enable unknown sources**
>
> There’s a hidden settings menu on the NOOK Tablet that lets you install apps from unkown sources. You can’t get to it just by navigating through the settings, but xda-developers forum member lionclaw has provided an easy way to open the settings menu from your web browser.
>
> 1. Fire up the web browser and visit http://comptonsoft.com/test/
> 2. Click the “Download TGPS\_launcher” link. *(They have changed it for "Download AppMenu" link, you can use this)*
> 3. You should see a notification in the lower left corner of your device.
> 4. Click the notification and tap the entry that says **tgps\_launcher.apk download complete**. *(Now it should mention AppMenu.apk)*
> 5. If you try to install the app using the Package Installer, you’ll be whisked away to the screen shown above, where you can check the box next to unknown sources.

Once you have enabled this option, you can follow the steps described in Keshava's answer

---

## UPDATE:

> Fortunately/Unfortunately, the menu wasn't hard to find - all the user had to do was to try to install an app from somewhere other than B&N's app store voila! - the menu was triggered and the option could be enabled. That lasted about a month. Calling the ability to find and enable the option a "bug", B&N sent out an update that "fixed the problem" shortly before Christmas. Ever since then, the only way you can get non-B&N apps on the device is to either **root** it or use a **dual-boot card**.

(Source)

Therefore, your own answer is the correct one. I'm sorry I couldn't help you to solve your problem as I would have liked.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: side-loading, nook-color
---


# Question
Title: Obtaining some 4.0 functions on a 2.3 phone through rooting?
I'm thinking of maybe rooting my phone, for various reasons. But one of the main ones is that I find the current version of Calendar, amongst others, that I have, very lacking. And I'm almost sure the version that comes with Ice Cream Sandwich or later is better. It just has to, seeing all the "what the heck?" things there are in the one I have.

(There's also the fact I need to free my super small phone memory as much as possible, which I'm not allowed to, but this is not what I want to ask about.)

To be clear, I know for sure that my device cannot run full later versions of Android. Clearly, unless you can use an SD card as an extension block of RAM and processor AND install the OS on it, I doubt I can do this. My phone is way too basic.

However, I would like to know if there's a way, through rooting my phone, to get some features of Android 4.0 and up. Such as a better calendar with more features, or the ability to put contacts in groups, for example.

I did look at some third-party calendar software reviews, but none of them seemed to beat the original up-to-date one. Every review seemed to point out things like "calendar app XYZ is great, but X function isn't very compatible with Google Calendar", or "XYZ Google Calendar function doesn't work on it yet", for example.

My phone's specs should be:

* Samsung Galaxy Q (SGH-T589W)
* Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread
* Processor: 600MHz Qualcomm MSM7227 (if indeed it's the same as the Gravity Smart, because information on the Galaxy Q is rare)
* Internal storage: 152 MB, some of which I think is taken up by the OS or useless stock software, because I can't ever seem to free it
* RAM: 279 MB
* SD card: 2 GB

# Answer
> 1 votes
Short answer: No!

That would cause the handset to boot-loop or cause F/C (Force Close) as Ice Cream Sandwich and later, their apps are relying on the v4.x framework.

By bringing it across to Gingerbread could spell disaster and "weird" issues with the handset.

However, bringing across Gingerbread 2.3.x apps across to Ice Cream Sandwich should work, (***Paradox ahead...***) as ICS upwards would have compatibility layer within their framework for running apps that target below ICS! Hope this part makes sense!

# Answer
> 1 votes
As other said, You just can not. Because, every new version of android comes with its' new feature written within its' package (which we know as firmware) So, if you want to have those there is no way. But, Still, you can have some taste of newer version of android on your old one by replacing your stock application with 3rd party application. In some cases, those applications are way better then the stock one. For example you can use a 3rd party dialer and sms app replacing the stock one. How to? Well off-course you have to be rooted. Then use any app that can uninstall system app and make any 3rd party app as system app. In my case I depend on Link2sd to do this job.

This is the only way you can get the flavor of newly release features on your old stock firmware (android version).

Hope that helps.

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, 2.3-gingerbread, rooting, updates, calendar
---


# Question
Title: Can't access Samsung Galaxy S2 (GT-I9100) storage?
I'm using `Samsung Galaxy S2` and I was able to access its storage before. But now, it does not appear in `My Computer` anymore.

I tried reconnecting it and even restarted both the S2 and my PC but to no avail. However, when I typed `adb devices` on cmd, my device is listed there. In fact, the connector icon is also present on the notification bar of my device. I also tried switching the cable I'm using but it still did not work. Furthermore, the cable seems to be working with other devices. Other PCs won't also recognize my device.

I'm using a 32-bit Windows XP and the connection mode of my device is `MTP`. What could be the problem of my phone? How do I fix it?

# Answer
> 1 votes
I wasn't able to know what is the problem with my device. But after performing a factory data reset, it's now working. :)

# Answer
> 0 votes
Did you encrypted your device storage? If no then just backup your all data and give it a factory reset. It should fix the problem. Had this problem with my s3 for two times. Now its' running fine.

# Answer
> -1 votes
Also try a different USB cable. Sometimes cables can be finicky.

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


# Question
Title: How to set a distinctive tone for SMS or phone call from a particular user/ phone #?
I find that I'm getting "alert fatigue" and ignore most of them, even thought I've disabled all but SMS and maybe a couple of others.

If I am out doing something like riding my bike/skiing/etc. I want to ignore all but ones from my wife or kids.

I'm on Motorola Razr-M w/ Android 4.1.2

# Answer
Open contacts, tap the name of the contact you want to set the distinctive ringtone, then open action overflow menu (the three dots) and tap "Set ringtone", select a ringtone different to default one and tap OK.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: sms, alerts
---


# Question
Title: Why is a random app being opened when I exit an app with Back button?
On my Nexus 7 G1 (4.4.2 KitKat), sometimes, when I press back button to exit an app, a random app is opened instead of Home Launcher (Nova Prime). Sometimes, this random app is opened temporarily (then, Home Launcher becomes visual). And, this random app isn't chosen from my `Recent Apps` list. Means, this happens even when the app never appeared in `Recent Apps` list before.

What's going on? How to fix it?

# Answer
It's most likely related to how the task stack works.

In Android, an application can open an activity in another application, but the task stack still belongs to the first application instead of the second.

For example, if you open a YouTube link from Firefox then the back button will take you back to Firefox. The task stack may often cause apps back button to appear to behave strangely especially if you don't understand how the task stack works; most strange behaviors with the back button is caused by users that don't understand back stack, but sometimes strange back button behaviors may be because of a bug in the application, or because of application developers that don't understand the task stack and tried to work around it rather than with it (causing grief for people that do expect proper back stack behavior).

The task stack is also the reason why the Recent apps list may show an app that belongs to say Firefox but shows a Screenshot that appears to come from the Youtube app, and clicking that app will bring you to a Youtube activity instead of to Firefox.

The recent apps list shows both the app name and a screenshot because both are needed to decide which app to switch to. If you want to go to the Youtube app to start a new task, you should switch to the app that is named Youtube, instead of any apps that have the Youtube app screenshot. But if you want to return to the video you watched before that email come that interrupted you, then you want to go to the one that shows the right Screenshot, which may actually be named with your browser or newsreader.

I used Firefox and YouTube as an example but this works similarly in any properly written apps.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: nexus-7, 4.4-kitkat
---


title: Email won't stay deleted (IMAP)

text:
# Question
Title: Email won't stay deleted (IMAP)
Phone: Samsung Galaxy S4 App: default mail app (Android or Samsung, don't know which) Issue: I have an IMAP email account and when I delete an email and then check for new messages later, or at the scheduled sync frequency, those emails reappear in the account - they won't stay deleted.

I can't use K-9 mail as it doesn't support Exchange Server and I have an Exchange account as well. The problem account is set up as IMAIL. I don't see any options anywhere to change server settings for deleting emails on the server as well. Any ideas?

# Answer
> 1 votes
In my opinion there is an issue with the default mail app on the Samsung Galaxy phones. I have recently switched from iPhone to Galaxy Note 3 and was really disappointed with the mail app not properly deleting emails from the server using imap. I know what I am doing and have it successfully working on other DROID and ios devices. My work - around is to not use the trash can icon to delete mail but instead to use the move icon and choose to move the mail to the INBOX.trash folder. Or you could just use Maildroid as there is much more control over what you want to do. I am back on the default mail app now and happy with my work - around as the samsung email app works best with the Galaxy Gear smart watch.

# Answer
> 1 votes
This might seem silly to ask, but is your **auto-sync** to gmail setting on? Assuming your email's IMAP settings are correct, then the issue is with your phone. In the case of the default email android client, you need to have auto-sync on for each added email account. Once that is checked on, your emails on the server will reflect any changes made on the phone.

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


# Question
Title: Where is default navigation app (Blue Arrow) in custom ROM?
I recently installed the Hyperdrive Android custom ROM version RLS12 on my Samsung S4 and cannot locate the blue arrow icon for navigation. I do have the Google Maps installed. Is this something I failed to check off in my install options or is this just gone in RLS12 (I had it in an earlier Hyperdrive release from around October 2013) or is it just hidden and I need a pointer?

# Answer
Navigation has always been a part of the Google Maps application. The icon was essentially a convenience shortcut, but not a separate app, and was removed around July 2013 in the Maps 7.0 update. It's possible you still had the old version of Maps on your other ROM. Either that, or the ROM author added some kind of shortcut "app" to re-create the old Navigation icon or something of that nature.

If you want to use your phone to navigate somewhere, open Google Maps and type the address in the search bar, then hit the button in the bottom right (the exact text/icon may vary depending on distance).

If you really want the separate Navigation icon, you could possibly downgrade to a version of Maps earlier than 7.0. A custom launcher could also let you create a shortcut directly to the Navigation activity on your desktop, but probably not in the app drawer. Apex Launcher, for example, can create a shortcut on your home screen by long pressing on an empty space on one of your home screens, then selecting `Shortcuts -> Activities -> Maps -> Navigation`.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: custom-roms, samsung-galaxy-s-4, navigation
---


# Question
Title: Adding a new spell-checker to Motorola Moto G
Does anybody know how can I add a new spell-checker to Motorola Moto G (it runs Android 4.3 Jelly Bean)?

I have the spell-checker for UK version, but I also would like to use Polish spell-checker.

# Answer
The following is the way I enable additional spell checkers on my Galaxy Nexus which runs on vanilla Android 4.3, I hope it will be the same for your Moto G:

1. Open your app drawer and go to **Settings** \> **Language & input**
2. Scroll down to **Keyboard & Input Methods** section: If your Google Keyboard is enabled, tap its settings button, if not, enable it first.
3. On **Google Keyboard Settings** screen, tap **Input languages**
4. On **Input languages** screen, scroll down and enable **Polish**. Then tap **Back**.
5. You should be on **Google Keyboard Settings** screen again: Scroll down to **Text Correction** section and tap **Add-on dictionaries**.
6. On **Add-on dictionaries** screen, scroll down and tap **Polski** (which it should say it is ***available***).
7. Now it should appear a button to **Install** this dictionary: tap it and wait until it is installed.
8. Now, the **Install** button will be replaced for a **Delete** button, and the dictionary status will say ***Installed***. Exit settings screens.
9. Now you can use the Polish spell checker in the phone. Just toggle the language by tapping the **Globe** key to the left of Spacebar in Google Keyboard until it says **Polski** and you'll be ready to use it.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: 4.3-jelly-bean, dictionary, text-prediction, spell-check, motorola-moto-g
---


title: Link2SD doesn't really move the apps

text:
# Question
Title: Link2SD doesn't really move the apps
I have link2sd with granted root permissions and a partitioned SD card, but when I give Create Link to SD on some big app, it creates just few small files there, like 20-30mb, but the big files of the applications which some are more than 1Gb don't get moved to the second partition... is this supposed to be this way?

# Answer
the apk file is stored in the internal memory still, it's in the 'data' folder. I don't think you can do much about that with earlier versions of android but if you find a way then please let me know!
> -1 votes

---
Tags: link2sd
---


# Question
Title: Will the ''wipe data/factory reset'' in ClockworkMod also remove my backups I have done?
I currently have CyanogenMod 10.1 (Android 4.2.1) on my Galaxy SIII. I used ClockworkMod to flash the ROM.

Now, after using the ROM for a while, I want to try some other ROMs, so I made a backup of my current ROM (CyanogenMod 10.1) in ClockworkMod recovery and the backup was saved to: `/mnt/shell/emulated/clockworkmod/backup`.

Now, if I use the "wipe data/factory reset" option in ClockworkMod recovery, will that remove the backup I made?

# Answer
> 6 votes
*Wipe data* will wipe everything on your `/data` partition (hence the name). A *factory reset* will wipe the same (additionally also cache and Dalvik cache), and put your device back to a virgin state. Usually, this doesn't touch the (external) SDCard, and AFAIK should not touch the internal SDCard either.

I don't know on which partition your mentioned folder resides; but if you want to be on the safe side, back up everything to the external SDCard (or even better off-device, e.g. to your computer).

# Answer
> 0 votes
It deletes `/data` files. If you have a backup in `mnt/shell`, it will not be deleated. Also, you can restore your backup after factory reset.

---
Tags: clockworkmod-recovery, factory-reset
---


# Question
Title: How does android wifi hotspot work when other wifi is available?
Say I have my phone (nexus 4) setup as a wireless hotspot for my tablet to use while outside... Obviously this will make use of my mobile data plan. But when I get near a wifi signal that I regularly use, such as at home, will my phone continue to use my mobile data, or will it use wifi instead, and repeat the wifi signal? That is, do I have to remember to disable the hotspot every time I don't need it? And on that note, how can I make my nexus 7 prefer wifi other than my phone hotspot when available?

# Answer
> 1 votes
When your phone is in hotspot mode, it will only use your mobile data. You'll need to remember to switch the hotspot off when you have wifi available.

You *might* be able to script the shutting down of the hotspot with Tasker or Locale, but I'm not sure if the "WiFi near" function would work when in hotspot mode (a good topic for its own question).

Your Nexus 7 will tend to connect to the strongest signal available, and then stay connected to that network until it loses the connection. When you turn off the hotspot on your Nexus 4, the tablet should auto-connect to an available Wifi network.

---
Tags: wifi-hotspot
---


# Question
Title: Where is reboot and shutdown power menu functionality in Hyperdrive custom ROM?
I just upgraded to Hyperdrive custom ROM RLS12 and now the long press power button is reassigned to control mute/vibrate/sound.

Where do I locate the normal power menu functionality that used to be on the power button held down to choose reboot, shutdown, etc.?

# Answer
> 3 votes
Looking through the Hyperdrive ROM page for Note 3 at XDA, power menu toggle can be adjusted by the following steps.

1. Open the application `Hyperdrive Tweaks` included in the ROM.
2. In the app goto `General Mods > Extended Power Menu`
3. Select the options you want for power menu toggles viz (Shut Down / Restart / Recovery etc).

However, I cannot find out where to disable the Volume settings control from the power button, my assumption would be under Audio Mods of Hyperdrive Tweaks.

Reading further down in the thread, few have mentioned that enabling the power toggle in the Hyperdrive Tweaks app should override the current volume control toggle behaviour by power button (long press).

---
Tags: custom-roms, power-options
---


# Question
Title: Voice command when switching pages on home screen
On the main home screen when I slide between the different pages, a voice says "page 1 of 2" "page 2 of 2" etc. This also happens when my phone is on silent mode and out of driving mode. How can I get rid of it, or at least make it silent while my phone is on the silent mode? Very much appreciated!

# Answer
> 3 votes
A bit late I know, but I've just been having a similar problem with a Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini.

This is how I got rid of it. I tried other ways, but found that if I turned the phone on and off again, the speech would come alive again. This was the only way I could kill it off for good.

Go to `Settings -> Accessibility -> Text to Speech` and there will be a list of current text to speech providers (I had 2, Google and Samsung)

* Go to `Application Manager -> All`
* Find `Google Text to Speech` and disable it
* If there is no disable button, you will have to click `Uninstall All Updates` first, then go back, and the button should now read *Disable*

You'll want to do the above step for each Text to Speech option you had in your list. I had 2, so I did it again for Samsung TTS.

Now if you go back to `Settings -> Accessibility -> Text to Speech` there should be nothing left in the list and your home screen will finally be silent. Hooray!

I also have driving mode and TalkBack disabled. I already had them turned off, but they didn't help.

Hope this helps.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Go to `Settings>Voice input and output>Text-to-speech settings` and check "Driving mode".

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-2, settings, text-to-speech, accessibility
---


# Question
Title: Not able to access the service menu on my Galaxy S3
I have a Samsung Galaxy S3 from *US Cellular* and I'm trying to use it on a different carrier. I added the new SIM Card and I tried all the possible options to access the service menu and it always says ***"Mobile network not available"***. My phone model is SCH-R530U. Thanks.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Is your Samsung Galaxy S3 from US Cellular locked for US Cellular only? If YES, you won't be able to use a SIM card from a different carrier with it. You'll have to unlock the phone first so that it allows SIM cards from other networks.

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


# Question
Title: What exactly is the VPN mode IPSec Hybrid RSA?
I've been going through the VPN options on my Moto X running 4.4, trying to decide what to setup to be able to reach home (home being an Ubuntu server behind a NAT).

I understand most of the options, but I can't seem to find any information about what IPSec Hybrid RSA is, or how it compares to IPSec Xauth RSA (which I'm currently planning to use). Can anyone shed any light on it?

# Answer
In the **regular XAuth/RSA** authentication scheme both client and server are mutually authenticated using RSA certificates during Phase 1 of the Internet Key Exchange protocol (IKEv1) that is used to negotiate IPsec connections. In a second authentication step the client authenticates itself using XAuth (e.g. with username/password, but there can be other credentials), which is desribed in draft-ieft-ipsec-isakmp-xauth and an extension on top of IKEv1/ISAKMP (often called Phase 1.5 as it comes, together with Mode Config, between Main/Aggressive Mode and Phase 2, Quick Mode).

With the **hybrid XAuth/RSA** scheme, which is described in draft-ietf-ipsec-isakmp-hybrid-auth, the client does no authentication during Phase 1 of the negotiation. Only the server does so during that phase, allowing the client to verify that it is talking to the right VPN server when it continues to authenticate itself using XAuth. This simplifies deployment as no client certificates/keys are required. And compared to the commonly used **XAuth/PSK** scheme it prevents man-in-the-middle attacks, which are possible there due to the publicly known pre-shared secret (at least in larger deployments).
> 5 votes

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, vpn
---


# Question
Title: Is it possible to have my Android device see hand gestures to turn on the screen and scroll?
While I am cooking with dirty and wet hands, I want to see the recipe on my smartphone without dirtying it.

How may I turn on the display and scroll without touching the phone?

Is there a setting or application that makes my device react on hand gestures to turn on the screen and scroll?

(I do not know how to categorize this question with the available tags if you know a better tag please feel free to improve the categorization)

# Answer
I recommend getting Air Swiper with which you can turn on your device just by swiping above the sensor (which is located with your front camera), and you can also turn it off by swiping as well.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: lock-screens, touchscreen
---


# Question
Title: How do I transfer files from my Android smartphone to my Windows laptop?
How do I transfer files from my android smartphone to windows laptop?

NOTE: Bluetooth is working fine on both the devices and is in ON mode.

# Answer
There are a lot of different ways to get files to/from computer to Android device. Here I would like to share three methods frequently used:
**1. Transfer Files Using USB Cable.
2. Wireless Transfer Using Cloud Storage.
3. Transfer Files via WiFi or Mobile Networks.**

*The following is the detailed intro of these three ways*.

**Transfer Files Using USB Cable**
The most direct and simplest way to transfer a file from your PC to android phone is using the USB cable. Most of the phones we bought equip with a compatible cable, so there’s no need for you to buy one. Just connect your PC and your Android using the cable, and you will see there’s a message on the phone screen asking what do you want to do.
Choose the option that allows using the phone as a storage device, and you’re good to go. Transferring file is as simple as copying the file from your PC to a USB drive.
*Note: The exact format of the message varies, depending on the manufacturer or your telecom carrier of your android phone, but different roads lead to the same destination.*

**Wireless Transfer Using Cloud Storage**
Cloud storage is famous for online collaboration and easily sharing data across multiple devices, like file servers, desktops and mobile devices. So using cloud storage to transfer files is also a convenient way. Most of the big players, such as Dropbox, Google Drive and SkyDrive, provide free spaces to users, which is big enough to transfer your commonly used files.
All you have to do is to register a free account. And install the PC client and app for your android phone. Each app designates a hard drive folder, and anything saved on your PC will be automatically synced to the cloud and other devices.

**Transfer Files via WiFi or Mobile Networks**
Some people may think connecting Android device to PC with the USB cable is annoying, or using the Cloud Services is not reliable enough, here I will introduce you another method, using WiFi. Most people have WiFi networks at their workplace or home, so it’s really convenient.
There are lots of apps allow you to use the WiFi to transfer files. Let’s take one of them-WiFi File Transfer -for an example. All you have to do is type a specific URL into the web browser of your computer, you can see your device’s internal memory and SD card, from where you can download any files to your computer, or upload files to your phone.

***Contrast of the Three Ways***
The limit of WiFi File Transfer and Cloud Storage is the size of the file, the free version of these apps limit the file size. You can transfer the music, pictures, movies, word document, etc by above two ways. For files with large size, you can use the USB cable directly.

**6 Ways (via Network) are here**
> 10 votes

# Answer
If you are using Windows, USB should be your best bet. But several distros of Linux doesn't support MTP protocol (ICS and above) and hence, you can't mount your Android to those computers. There are a number of methods which you can use for wireless file transfers. My favorites:

1. Install Airdroid\- This is a very simple app which converts your device into a lightweight web-server. After installation, connect your PC to your Android over WiFi hotspot or existing infrastructure WiFi network. Airdroid will give you a web address. Just type it in your PC web browser and you would get a nice file management interface for your phone.
2. Use any FTP server for android (like remote file management tool of ES File Explorer)- The connectivity method is the same as mentioned above. Here you can use FTP for file transfer over USB (Tethering mode) or WiFi (Hotspot mode). This is very handy if you're using Ubuntu (due to FTP client integration in Nautilus). In Ubuntu, press Ctrl + L and type the ftp://:/ in file path. You should get full SD card mounted as network drive.

I've been using the second method since past few months. Since android WiFi access point always gives the same IP, I've managed to put everything in a bash script to facilitate one click mount.

BASH Script:

```
#!/bin/sh
nautilus ftp://<device_ip>:<port_no>/

```

Don't forget to grant 'execute' permission to your shell script!

```
sudo chmod 777 <path_to_your_script>

```
> 3 votes

# Answer
when you connect your android phone to the windows pc you will get notification in notification in notification panel of android . Tap on it and choose `mobile device (MTP)` to browse the contents of your phone both internal and external memory will be shown .

the below link will give you a short description about it :

http://blog.armazine.com/2012/how-to-change-from-mtp-to-mass-storage-mode-in-android-xperia-ray/
> 1 votes

# Answer
Email yourself the files. It is often the easiest solution.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: bluetooth, file-transfer, windows
---


# Question
Title: Change dictionary together with input language in Motorola Moto G
I have a Motorola Moto G with English set as the default language, but I also selected Polish as an alternative input option. However, when I change the keyboard input to Polish, English dictionary is still used for input correction and hints. How can I fix this?

# Answer
> 1 votes
You can fix the input text prediction by following: Adding a new spell-checker to Motorola Moto G

You can't add Polish to the list of Spellcheckers, but too be honest I am not sure where these are used. Google keyboard (which needs to be installed to use the text prediction in this language) lets you download a lot of dictionaries.

---
Tags: keyboard, 4.3-jelly-bean, dictionary, text-prediction, motorola
---


# Question
Title: Identifying whether display is broken or the motherboard
I assume it is possible to damage the motherboard / chips inside a phone if it falls on the ground. So my questions is, is it possible to confirm what has been damaged during the fall?

I don't want to end up buying a replacement display and then found out the problem is somewhere else.

The phone is JiaYu G3T (a Chinese brand), fell on a ground. I completely disassembled the the phone but I didn't find any damage anywhere, everything looks like new.

Pic 1. This should be black with a green logo, left part of the screen is darker than right

Pic 2. Again, half of the screen is darker, color problems at the bottom OR sometimes the same as the startup screen - grayscale-kind-of-inverted-colors display

# Answer
You can use ADB to test phone functionality. ADB tool can be obtained from Android SDK. There are a number of test commands which you can use to test your phone. Steps are as follows:

1. cd to your ADB directory.
2. Connect your phone to PC via USB.
3. type the following command:

'adb devices' (without quotes)

You should see your android listed in the CLI. You can also enter device shell:

```
'adb shell' (without quotes)

```

List SD card contents:

```
'ls -l' (regular unix file navigation commands)

```

If you can access your device shell, it's most likely that your motherboard is working fine. There are several commands to check as well:

```
Sending user touch events to Android:
adb shell input keyevent <event_code>
1 -->  "KEYCODE_MENU"
2 -->  "KEYCODE_SOFT_RIGHT"
3 -->  "KEYCODE_HOME"
4 -->  "KEYCODE_BACK"
5 -->  "KEYCODE_CALL"
6 -->  "KEYCODE_ENDCALL"
7 -->  "KEYCODE_0"
8 -->  "KEYCODE_1"
9 -->  "KEYCODE_2"
10 -->  "KEYCODE_3"
11 -->  "KEYCODE_4" ..... etc

```
> -1 votes

---
Tags: screen, physical-damage
---


# Question
Title: Differences in battery information and phones printed labels
I just run across this today:
The value for battery current capacity printed on the battery of some Samsung Android devices are different than the numbers printed on the label on the phone (underneath the battery).
I tested 4 models (Galaxy S3, Galaxy S4, Galaxy Note II and Galaxy Pocket); The only consistent one was S3 (Phone label was 2100mA and battery was 2100mAh)
On S4, battery is 2600mAh, but the printed label is like this:

> RATED : 3.8 V ... 1300 mA

What's the difference between these two numbers and why on some phones these two values are not equal?
Thanks in advance

# Answer
> 3 votes
mA is not the same as mAh. The former is a current rating, and the latter is the capacity of the battery. 1000 mAh means the battery can supply a current of 1000 mA (at its rated voltage) for 1 hour, or equivalently, a current of 500 mA for 2 hours, etc. It tells you how much energy the battery can hold.

The number in mA printed on the phone tells you how much current the phone can draw. It's like a safety rating, though I suspect the numbers are somewhat made-up for phones: it would be very unusual for the phone to actually draw that much current, and most of the time the amount drawn will be much less.

There's no reason for those two numbers to be the same.

---
Tags: battery, samsung
---


# Question
Title: Media Player stuck on 00:00 (randomly) when opened
My usual listening habits are to listen to podcasts with Doggcatcher sometimes followed by listening to some music (currently using PlayerPro) (on my Samsung Galaxy S4) while driving. Periodically, when I close Doggcatcher and open PlayerPro, and I select a track to play, the track looks like it is going to start to play.

However, although the timer starts at 00:00, and the Play button changes to the Pause button, there is no sound. Often the timer will tick over to 00:01 after a few seconds but it gets not further.

Similarly, if I switch to the Google Play Music app, the timer happily ticks away, but no sound comes out. Switching again to, say, N7, we are back to the same PlayerPro behaviour.

It appears not to depend on the media player, though I usually use PlayerPro. It usually happens after using DoggCatcher, but then again, it is the only app I use for podcasts.

The only solution I have so far, is to restart the device - a bit inconvenient, particularly when driving.

Has anyone else experienced something similar? Any idea what is cause these media players to 'pause'? Any tips on investigating this issue?

# Answer
> 0 votes
I had to rebuild my phone after a firmware update; in doing so, I skipped over a lot of the Junk that I'd previously installed. The upshot is that I no longer suffer this problem (nor several others that had crept in). While it could be the software update that was the solution, I suspect that it was more likely that the clean install that did the trick.

On the plus side, the problem has disappeared; on the negative side, we don't know what the solution is.

---
Tags: music-player, samsung-galaxy-s-4, media-player
---


# Question
Title: After upgrading the preview of text messages on my lockscreen feature disappeared
I have a HTC One Mini and recently upgraded from Android version 4.2 to 4.3,. Everything went fine, but I noticed when people were sending me messages that I couldn't see a preview of them or who sent them on my lock screen. I went into Settings and Personalized settings and my lock screen feature has disappeared.

# Answer
> 0 votes
The settings have moved to the "Security" list, rather than the "Personalisation" list, but I've been unable to see previews on my lockscreen since the update even with these settings. Others that I know have experienced the same issue. HTC just recommend a factory reset... -\_-

---
Tags: updates, sms, lock-screens
---


# Question
Title: Is it possible to Install cyanogenmod on Galaxy S2
I have galaxy S2 which I bought two years and still is in its Prime Condition with no scratches or smudges at all. So Im planning to install New Version of Android OS on it.

I like cyanogenmod So I want to install this on my phone. I have never flashed ROM on it. It still got the same Stock version of Gingerbread 2.3.3

And yes my phone is root-ed

# Mobile info

```
Model No = GT-I9100
Android Version = 2.3.3
Kernel Version = 2.6.35.7-I9100JPKH1
Build No = Gingerbread JPKH1

```

Can someone please tell me what are the pre-requisites to install cyanogenmod

Thanks

# Answer
> 3 votes
Yes - you can install Cyanogenmod for the i9100 S2.

Get the CyanogenMod (nightly if you feel adventurous or stick with the stable since you're new at this) from http://download.cyanogenmod.org/?device=i9100

Also, you'll need to flash the appropriate gApps package from http://goo.im/gapps

I highly recommend you read through the major posts of this thread on XDA

Also, learn how to use CWM or TWRP recovery - Youtube has a number of videos. See how its done, before attempting to do it yourself, and of course - please back up your data to the cloud or to your PC / laptop / external SD card before attempting this and if possible, perform a NANDROID backup so you can revert back to how things were should the unexpected occur and you need to recover.

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, 2.3-gingerbread, samsung-galaxy-s-2
---


title: Some magic to remount /system

text:
# Question
Title: Some magic to remount /system
First of all:
Phone's model is Alcatel One Touch Idol Mini / 6012X
Chipset model is MT6572

The short version:

The device is in boot loop and to resolve this I must rename a file. The problem is that the file is in /system and I haven't granted ADB superuser permissions (So ADB simply hangs on "su", even when running scripts through ADB. Also "at" is not installed). Another problem is that I haven't installed a custom recovery and, more importantly, I haven't even unlocked the boot loader.

I can't manage to install custom images via SP Flash Tool (SP Flash Tool doesn't find the device although the VCOM USB drivers are installed).

What's worse than this? Alcatel doesn't provide a way to reflash the stock ROM.

So, my question:
Is there some kind of magic to force "su" to execute through adb without adb being granted permission by SuperSU?

# Answer
> 1 votes
According to this thread, your device is rootable using framaroot.

As you only need a temproot, the first thing to try would be to:

* extract the temproot binary used by framaroot and push it to `/data/local/tmp` or any folder where you can set permissions
* flag this file as executable then run it

```
$ chmod 777 filename
$ ./filename

```
* if successful, you have temp root and can remount the system read/write

```
# mount -o remount,rw /system /system

```

---
Tags: adb, boot-loop, superuser, stock-rom
---


# Question
Title: Backup and Restore with Holo ( ADB ) from N4 to another N4 - some questions
I am soon receiving a replacement device for my Nexus 4, that got some problems charging now and then.

Some questions regarding Holo Backup:

1. It shall be no problem to restore a "Backup all without system apps" and sdcard from N4 to N4 both running the exact same firmware and stuff, right?
2. Does this option also backups alarms, ringtones set for certain things and sdcard0?
3. Anyway to save my widgets and stuff placed on default homescreen?

//EDIT

my replacement just arrived. Gonna answer these questions soon.

# Answer
Restore via Holo Backup didnt worked at all. Nothing happened on my phone no matter what kind of backup i tried to restore.

Restore via adb from commandoline worked... well not the full backup!! it stucked at an app called "Tasks".

But backup only from app and system data worked fine! So i just let google restore all my apps.

Apps and Folders on the Homescreen were restored. eMail ringtone too (hangouts sms not). alarms were also restored.

I just pulled and pushed my whole sdcard0 folder manually.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: adb, backup
---


# Question
Title: Can I automatically check in to Foursquare?
Is there any app or setting that will automatically check in to foursquare when I arrive at a venue without having to take out the phone and click the app? Preferably something where I can mark "favorite" venues to check in to, such as work.

Thanks

# Answer
> 5 votes
Tasker can do it, using the foursquare API and the HTTP POST task
In the http post task, fill out the form as follows:

1. Server:port -\> user:pass@api.foursquare.com
2. Path -\> `/v1/checkin`
3. data -\>
`vid=362349`
`private=1`
`facebook=0`
`twitter=0`

vid is the numeric id you can get from foursquare.com by looking up the venue. I have it set to not share auto checkins with others. You can also use a tasker variable for VID and define the VID from other events.. IE, I have my office assigned by 'cell near', same with the park where I walk my dogs.. I just call the named tasker task and it checks me in when I get to that location. I follow it up with a 'Notify' action to let me know it checked it, and what venueid (this was mainly for testing..) You will want to use a phone number login for foursquare, not a emailaddress.. the @ sign in the email will confuse the http post function.

# Answer
> 2 votes
Some of these may meet your needs better than others. Not all are free.

# Answer
> 1 votes
The old HTTP POST task method with Tasker doesn't work anymore, ever since Foursquare updated their api.

This FsIntents app does the job though. Works really well!

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.joaomgcd.intents&feature=search\_result

# Answer
> 1 votes
I would also suggest Radii Auto Checkin.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I made a newer app that does exactly what you asked: Check Me In Non commercial and free to use.

The problem I had with the tasker approach is that it doesn't include your location in the http request, a tasker checkin is not valid for your mayorship.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Your getting into Tasker or Locale territory here (both are apps you can download from the marketplace). Both apps allow you to configure anything you want on your phone and would probably allow you to configure this. You would need to setup GPS points and actions that are triggered by entering those GPS points in either app. Keep in mind this will increase battery usage as your GPS will have to beacon (per how you configure it) to determine if you enter those locations.

Might actually take less time and be all around easier to make a shortcut on your phone to Foursquare and just open it. Rather than go through and program one of those apps which would take some time.

---
Tags: gps, automation, foursquare
---


# Question
Title: What is the mobile provisioning website supposed to do?
When I go to **Settings****More...****Mobile plan** it gives me a message "{mobile operator} has no known provisioning website".

Digging into Android source code for WirelessSettings.java I found how URL gets populated (it was later moved to `IConnectionManager` but I guess it have similar implementation):

```
private String getProvisioningUrl() {
    String url = getActivity().getResources()
            .getString(com.android.internal.R.string.mobile_provisioning_url);
    log("getProvisioningUrl: mobile_provisioning_url=" + url);

    // populate the iccid, imei and phone number in the provisioning url.
    if (!TextUtils.isEmpty(url)) {
        String phoneNumber = mTm.getLine1Number();
        if (TextUtils.isEmpty(phoneNumber)) {
            phoneNumber = "0000000000";
        }
        url = String.format(url,
                mTm.getSimSerialNumber() /* ICCID */,
                mTm.getDeviceId() /* IMEI */,
                phoneNumber /* Phone number */);
    }

    return url;
}

```

So potentially it can create an URL like:

`https:\\operator\provisioning.aspx?ICCID=8991101200003204510&IMEI=49015420323751&number=008801552341588`

My question is, what such a provisioning site supposed let me do?

Is information passed to URL is sufficiently secure for a network operator to identify a customer so it can skip authentication?

# Answer
> 2 votes
To my understanding this functionality is to configure your current provider services such as offers, cheaper international calls, flatrates...

But I suppose you'd always have to login first. Just the those 3 things don't seem to be secure enough to just login with them.

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, security, 4.4-kitkat, mobile-network
---


# Question
Title: Text to speech erratic after android 4.3 update
I use the app AnkiDroid on my HTC One to learn Italian. It has a text to speech option which, when enabled, reads the text on the flashcards aloud. However, after updating to Android 4.3, this function has become extremely erratic - only 1 of every 20/30 cards is read out (it worked perfectly before the update).

I have also recently bought a Google nexus 7, running Android 4.4.2, and it also has the same issue. Does anybody have any ideas about why this is happening and if possible how I could resolve this?

# Answer
> 1 votes
I released AnkiDroid 2.0.3 yesterday, it fixes the TTS bug described at https://code.google.com/p/ankidroid/issues/detail?id=1892

Does 2.0.3 fix the problem you described in your question?

Before 2.0.3 the TTS part of AnkiDroid had not changed in a long time, so it must be that TTS changed in Android 4.3.

If anybody has some info about what changed in Android 4.3's TTS it would be extremely appreciated.

---
Tags: 4.3-jelly-bean, text-to-speech, ankidroid
---


# Question
Title: How to capture screenshot of entire webpage in Android browser?
How to capture screenshot of entire webpage in Android browser like I can take in my Desktop with Help of Firefox Addon called "Fireshot"?

# Answer
You might want to check out the Dolphin browser. It supports many extensions, two of them doing exactly what you want:

Dolphin Screen Cut

Web to PDF
> 8 votes

# Answer
Firefox Mobile or another browser would need to support this directly for such an extension to work. Do you need a screenshot, or do you just need to view pages offline? In the latter case, the answers to this question might help: Viewing web pages offline
> 1 votes

# Answer
Firefox Mobile + addon Fennec Screenshot does that job perfectly.
> 0 votes

# Answer
You can use browsers that support Add-ons. For example, I use Dolphin Browser and use the add-on called "Screen Cut" / "Dolphin Screen Cut" which allows freestyle screenshot so you can rearrange and measure a certain area of the screen if you so choose it over than a whole screen capture.

You can also use Maxthon Browser which supports this.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: browser, screenshots
---


# Question
Title: HTC One (m7ul) not found by ADB + formatted filesystem = bricked?
So, I'm really hoping that I haven't bricked my phone and that someone can help me figure out how to fix this.

I can't remember exactly the steps I took to mess it up so spectacularly, but they included trying to flash to the M2 snapshot of CyanogenMod 11 from a ViperOne ROM, relocking the bootloader, attempting to restore to a stock RUU (and failing because I accidentally downloaded an unsigned version), reUNlocking the bootloader, and formatting via TWRP.

Fastboot appears to recognise that the phone is plugged in (it reads `FASTBOOT USB` on the bootloader screen), and Windows 8 sees the device in Device Manager. However, when I attempt to do anything with ADB it returns `error: device not found`, so I can't use rebootRUU or push files to the /sdcard/ directory, and I have no ROMs to flash.

The bootloader screen reads:

```
*** TAMPERED ***
*** RELOCKED ***
*** Security Warning ***
M7_UL PVT SHIP S-ON RH
HBOOT-1.54.0000
RADIO-4A.17.3250.14
OpenDSP-v31.120.274.0617
OS-2.24.841.1
eMMC-boot 2048MB
Jun 21 2013,23:03:15.0

FASTBOOT USB

```

It also appears that I am able to use FastBoot to lock and unlock the bootloader using the unlock bin file I created earlier today, yet `fastboot devices` returns nothing and `fastboot reboot` returns `< waiting for devices >`.

Is there anything I can do short of using a USB-OTG cable to sideload a custom ROM?

I would be inconceivably grateful for any help which gets me closer to getting my phone working again. Thanks in advance!

---

EDIT 1: So, after rebooting a couple of times, `*** Security Warning ***` is no longer there and `fastboot devices` now returns my serial number. However, `adb devices` still returns nothing. Any idea what's going on?

# Answer
Woah! I'm not entirely sure what happened, but it suddenly started working again - I now have CM 11 up and running.

Here are some notes on what I was doing which will hopefully be helpful for someone else who has the same problems I did:

* First off, I was running Windows 8 in a Parallels VM. I don't know if either Windows 8 or the VM was the culprit, but either way, it was silly and probably didn't help things. Getting ADB and FastBoot up and running in OS X seemed to make a difference.
* Also, there is a chance that there were some problems with directory partitioning/formatting - it suddenly started working after I wiped the system a few times with TWRP **(Wipe \> Format Data)** and rebooted. Obviously you'll lose everything, but better to lose a few files and get your phone back!

Other info that I found that wasn't relevant to me but might make a difference:

* Apparently USB 3 can cause issues - try different USB ports, particularly USB 2 over USB 3.
* Windows 8 may not play nice - try Windows 7 or XP (or Linux!)
> 1 votes

---
Tags: usb, adb, unbricking, fastboot
---


# Question
Title: Sending group emails from gmail app in my nexus 10
How do I send a group email from gmail app. The group name is not recognised. Have tried from people as well and cannot work out how to do it. In my android phone it works from my group contacts list.

# Answer
> 1 votes
GMail App didn't have this option yet.

You can try this App. Its called contacts `GroupU`.
It will list all Groups and just press and hold on any group and select `send Email`.
Then there will be a pop up with `Gmail app` listed in it.
Select it. You are done.

---
Tags: gmail
---


# Question
Title: Acer DA241HL - system reset from bootloader
The Acer DA241HL is a 24" Smart Display which has Android installed but also had HDMI input so you can use it as a second screen for a laptop or similar too.

Anyway, I've been able to reboot into the bootloader using adb with the Acer DA241HL connected.

However, it doesn't show up on `fastboot devices` nor `adb devices` and only stays on the boot options screen for about 5 seconds before it seems to turn off completely.

At the top, it explains that pressing  or  allows you to move up/down in the list of options (bootload, restart, shutdown, reboot ? something like that), and then pressing the power button to select the option... however this is not a tablet or a phone, it's a "Smart Display" and the Volume Up/Down options don't do anything but turn the volume up and down for the screen (it's like it's not sending those buttons directly to Android, but only to the screens built-in speakers).

Pressing the power button when on the bootloader doesn't seem to do anything either, I've had to press the power button multiple times before the machine reboots back into Android otherwise it continuously boots into the bootloader and then shuts off after a 5 seconds.

Does anyone know how I can fully system reset (as in roll back all the firmware updates I performed) this device?

I've tried pressing and holding Volume Up with the Power button to boot into the bootloader 'manually' instead of using adb but it didn't seem to work...

# Answer
Summing up from the comments:

1. No "reset" will ever roll back any system updates applied. For that, you would have to re-flash the original ROM.
2. For the device to show up with `adb devices` or `fastboot devices`, you must have your computer configured accordingly. If your computer runs Windows, you will need a special driver (Koush's Universal ADB driver might help you out here, in case you cannot find a specific driver for your devices). If it's Linux, you might wish to consult my answer here, for a Mac it might be similar. Further helpful hints can be found via our adb tag-wiki.
3. As you have multiple identic devices, some updated and some not, you should be able to utilize `dd` (see also this wikipedia article for a starter) to clone all partitions of one device and apply that to others. As partition structures are quite device specific, I cannot give you accurate details here; a little research might be helpful especially on sites like XDA Developers. A custom recovery can be used for this as well: check out our tag and its tag-wiki for details on that.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: device-firmware, bootloader
---


# Question
Title: Accelerometer on Moto G is bad from factory?
I got a Motorola Moto G a few weeks ago and unfortunately it came with what I suspect is a failing accelerometer. I say that because when I open any level (bubble) application it reads random numbers in a wide range, even after the app calibration and on a flat surface (no sensor calibration on the phone settings).
Let me show you the video to make it easier to understand: http://youtu.be/FD35Uk4HmXo
I tried four different applications and all of them show the same symptoms- the bubble moving randomly in almost one full degree. When I talked to Motorola technicians they blamed the application(s), so they recommended me to return the phone and get a new one. To my surprise the new device (the one shown in the video) does the same exact thing!
Now I wonder, do I have bad luck and got two defective Moto G? Or they messed up and put a bad sensor in the devices? Or I am doing something wrong!?
Does anyone have this issue with their own Moto G?
Thanks :-)

# Answer
> 5 votes
From what I can see in the video, the fluctuations are within about 1° in the first app, and 0.5° in the second. That's not exactly "random numbers in a wide range".

Accuracy within 1° is acceptable for most intended use cases: Mobile games, screen orientation, gestures, etc. It's quite possible that Motorola decided to use a cheaper sensor since the phone itself is intended to be a very low-cost device.

I wouldn't say that it's defective. Possibly subpar, but not defective.

---
Tags: sensors, proximity-sensor, motorola, motorola-moto-g, magnetometer
---


# Question
Title: Installing GApps on an old bargain tablet (Impression i10a)
I recently was given a free tablet that is turning out to be more trouble than it is worth. I've been trying for weeks to get some form of GApps installed. I've read through the only resource I've found on the device and had little success. I'm currently the last poster on this thread.

> I have a i10a which came preloaded with ICS 4.0.3. I used Root\_with\_Restore\_by\_Bin4ry\_v32 to get full root (it came sorta rooted). I'm having trouble finding a gapps package that works right.
>
> I've used: gapps-hdpi-20100817-Impression\_10 from the second post and gapps-ics-20120429 both of which would crash at the setup wizard endlessly.
>
> I finally got through to the launcher after using gapps-ics-20120224 which was the closest number to what the build number was (i10a 0.1.05 eng.root.20120223.R&G)
>
> But any gapps I try crash almost instantly. I don't really know what other packages to try at this point...

Is it possible that there is just no version of GApps that would install properly on this device or is it just a matter of going through every one? Is there some strategy to finding the correct package beyond "it must be 4.0 compatible"?

# Answer
I've done this on a cheap tablet before, really all there is to it, is to get clockworkmod installed on the device, then flash cyanogenmod's gapps onto it.....unfortunately I did a little bit of digging, and wasn't able to come up with much as far as getting clockworkmod installed onto that particular device....there was one point in time where you could just flash the market/play store apk directly onto the device, however these days it requires the full blown framework to run correctly, so you can't just flash the apk separate, but rather you need to flash the whole zip file in recovery.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, google-apps
---


# Question
Title: How do I get my phone to connect the internal SD by USB?
I recently rooted and upgraded my Samsung Galaxy S2 to version 4, ICS.

Since doing so, when I connect my device by USB to my Ubuntu computer, only the 12GB internal storage shows up on my desktop and in Banshee.

How do I get my 16GB SD card to also mount on Ubuntu, so that it is available for transferring music files and so on?

---

## Update

According to one answer below, and also in instructions I've now seen elsewhere on the web, I should be able to adjust my USB connection mode by following the following instructions:

> 1.Bring up Settings.
>
> 2.Click More… (under Wireless and network).
>
> 3.Then select USB utilities ~ Set USB cable connection mode.
>
> 4.Select Connect storage to PC

However, I am stopped at step 3 because I do not have a "USB Utilities" option under `Settings -> More...`. What I have looks like this:

I don't know if this is the make-or-break factor that will get my USB connectivity as hoped, but in any case, shouldn't I have the option since everyone else seems to? What can I do to get it?

---

## Details

Here is the storage settings as seen on my phone. As you can see, there are 2 entries of "Internal Storage", one of about 2GB, and one of a little under 12GB.

Then there is an "SD Card", which seems to have about 15 GB, but it is grey and I am unsure if this is really my SD card or not.

Then under "USB Storage", I have the option to mount an SD card, which is problematic, because I already have my card inserted, and seemingly mounted (as described after this image):

If I press the menu key while in the storage settings interface, I get two options:

For "USB computer connection", I have these settings which I don't think I want to change, because MTP does not work with my Galaxy Tab, so I'm not confident it will work with my Galaxy S2. I tried the camera option, but that made it so my phone appeared with a camera icon on my computer, limited the directories, and did not do much to help:

For "Storage configuration", I tried "Use internal Storage" both on and off, but it does not seem to make a difference:

Here is a screen shot from PowerAmp, which seems to think my music is located in a directory called "emmc". The music is accessible from within PowerAmp, but I can not access it when I connect my phone by USB:

PowerAmp tells me I can actually find the emmc directory, where my music seems to be stored, in two locations, `/emmc` and `/mnt/emmc`:

When I connect my phone by USB, it looks like this. Note no `emmc` directory, nor any `Music` directory, and if you look at the side, there is one `12 GB Filesystem`, no entry for my 16GB SD card:

And lastly here is the 12 GB drive's properties:

# Answer
The solution was to wipe and reflash the ROM. I guess the earlier ROM I had was just messed up as far as USB is concerned.
> 1 votes

# Answer
1. There's no problem with Ubuntu, problem is most probably in your phone settings or your phone system. It would be very helpful to know from which source did you get your upgrade, was it official update from your phone provider or something found on the net?
2. According to your picture you have 12GB of **internal storage** and 16GB **SD card** inserted in your phone. Numbers you see are the result of conversion of 16.000.000.000 bytes (which is 16GB as memory or HDD manufacturers think) into the gigabytes, each containing 1024\*1024\*1024 = 1073741824 bytes. If you divide the 16.000.000.000 by 1024\*1024\*1024 you'll get your 14.9GB or something.
3. Grayed out "Mount SD card" under **USB storage** possibly represents the external USB storage you might insert into the USB port of your phone. There's no reason to click on it, unless you have the external USB storage plugged in. And even then, I'm not sure if this is actually supported on SGS2.
4. Missing from your screen grabs, there supposed to be a "menu" option below the "Storage" page, usually represented as three dots aligned one above the other. If you click on this "menu", you'll most probably be shown "USB computer connection" submenu or something similar. Once you get there, you may change how your phone represents the memory you have to the computer. If you make a screen grab of that screen, I could tell you which option to select.
5. As a side note, it's not a very good idea to remove/insert SD card without unmounting it first. Please, next time you remove SD card from your phone, power the phone off or issue "Unmount SD card" from the "Storage" screen you've shown in the question.

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If you could not find "USB computer connection" submenu on the Storage screen, you may try this approach to make USB mass storage to work on your device:

1. Open Settings, then click **More…** (under Wireless and network).
2. Select USB utilities / Set USB cable connection mode.
3. Select "Connect storage to PC".
4. Connect USB cable from phone to PC.
5. Click "Turn on USB storage".

Also, you might need to turn OFF "USB debug" before trying this.
> 4 votes

# Answer
You can also try mounting the SD card from recovery mode. select mount usb storage.
> 2 votes

# Answer
I've tried connecting the Galaxy Note with a SD to my Ubuntu installation (11.04) and it recognizes both.

Make sure you have USB Debugging enabled.
> 1 votes

# Answer
I don't know why upgrading to ICS would make a difference to mounting your ext SD card if you could connect before, but you might want to doublecheck that your Ubuntu system's udev config is correct:

* doublecheck that the vendor ID for your Galaxy is 04e8 using `sudo lsusb`; you should see a line something like `Bus 002 Device 010: ID 04e8:0c02 Samsung Corp`
* using your favourite editor as root edit (or create) "/etc/udev/rules.d/51-android.rules” and add this line: `SUBSYSTEM=="usb", SYSFS{idVendor}=="04e8", MODE="0666"`
* make sure the perms are right for the file you just edited: `sudo chmod a+rx /etc/udev/rules.d/51-android.rules`
* restart the USB subsystem: `sudo restart udev`
* connect your Galaxy and see if your SD card shows up now
> 1 votes

# Answer
On my Samsung Galaxy S II model GT-I9100, I have to do the following to enable mounting on Linux:

1. Go to Settings → Storage
2. Click the menu button
3. Go to "USB computer connection"
4. Click anything *other* than "Mass storage"
5. Click "Mass storage"

This brings up the old familiar "USB mass storage" screen with a big friendly "Turn on USB storage" button.

On Arch I also had to install the `fuse-exfat` package.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Easiest way I know, a little late, but if you are stilll wondering. When you plug in your phone to the computer, it comes up under drive H, I believe, and then a secondary drive opens. Also on my windows computer it's under drive J, and that there is your SD card.
> -1 votes

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Tags: usb, linux
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# Question
Title: Move Mail storage from phone's internal memory to the SD Card
I am not too concerned with the security aspect of putting my mail on the SD card, I am however very interested in moving the mail storage from the phone's internal memory to the SD card.

I have looked at the Gmail app and the stock Mail app and neither of them seem to be movable to the SD card so does anybody know if this can be done?

To be more specific, I really do not need to move the app itself, only the mail storage so if there is a way to move the storage location of mails from the internal memory to the SD card I would be very interested to know how that is done.

# Answer
Only if you rooted, you can use data2sd (original version at Google Play; later modification by enthusiasts at XDA), where /data/data linked to /sd-ext/data (or just sdcard mounted to /data). Then ALL application data will be stored on SD Card.
> 3 votes

# Answer
K-9 Mail supports to store mail on the SDCard. So if you're not bound to the GMail or the other pre-installed mail apps, this might be worth a try.

Details can be found e.g. at TechnosAmigos article How to Save Email Data on your SD Card Rather than Internal Memory on Android Phones/Tablets. Basically, it requires the following steps:

* Go to *Settings → Account Settings*.
* Check for the *Storage* option
* Select the SDCard instead of internal storage

Done.
> 3 votes

# Answer
K-9 Mail's option **Account Settings \> Storage** will allow you to save messages to the **first** SD card. Most smartphones have no internal SD card, only the external. Thus my (Android 4.1.2) smartphone stores to `/sdcard/Android/data/com.fsck.k9/`. Most tablets have an internal and an external SD card and K-9 uses the internal. My tablet (also 4.1.2) stores to `/storage/sdcard0/Android/data/com.fsck.k9/`. AFAIK K-9 cannot store to the removable SD card sdcard1.
> 1 votes

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Tags: sd-card, internal-storage
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