# Question
Title: Capturing audio out in Android and writing as a mp3
I want to be able to capture all the audio that would normally play through the speaker on my Android phone and write that stream as some sort of audio file.

The reason I would like to do this is that I want to capture Subsonic streams and write them to a file on my phone. Then I can attach it my car stereo as a USB mass storage and play these streams.

Is there a way with or without root to do this?

# Answer
According to Subsonic Music Streamer, one of the application features is precisely what you are looking for:

> Songs are cached for offline playback. Supports mp3, ogg, aac, flac, wma. Most video formats supported too.
> 1 votes

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Tags: audio, mp3
---


# Question
Title: What are the *technical* reasons preventing connection to 4G? How can I diagnose myself?
I have an EVO Shift, and often see an icon similar to `4G!` (see enclosed picture with red arrow) in my android status bar. I have consulted with my carrier ad-nauseum, read the manual, rebooted, updated firmware, updated profile, updated PRL... all to no avail.

The HTC manual says that this icon means that 4G is available, but I am not connected.

This problem can happen at any time; in fact, sometimes it is literally ten or twenty feet from an area where I had max 4G signal strength. In fact, the last time I took the phone into the carrier's store, the tech saw the `4G!` icon, clicked to "scan for 4G service" and the phone suddenly came up with maximum 4G signal strength. This screen capture is after walking less than 30 seconds outside the door to the carrier's store, where again the phone cannot connect to 4G service.

I am an engineer and love to understand the details of how things work. So my questions...

1. I hope to hear from people who understand the intimate details of Sprint's 4G technology and/or the innards of the HTC Shift, and can elaborate on why these erratic 4G connections could be happening (other than low signal strength).
2. I already know I can use the `iproute2` family of commands from a non-root terminal shell; but this is only giving me ip address and link up/down info. Can I get signal strength measurements in dB? What about signal-to-noise ratio, logging, or a list of available 4G tower ids?
3. What apps or Android native APIs I can hook into for better diagnostic information?

This map shows exactly where I had the problem, and Sprint's own coverage map indicates that I should get maximum connectivity here:

# Answer
> 1 votes
While I'm not intimately familiar with Sprint's 4G or your phone (sorry) I have found in my own CDMA troubleshooting that the built in HTC diagnostic tools can be very useful. I found this guide over at XDA as one of the better lists of Sprint CDMA diag codes (even though it's not for your phone specifically). I recommend trying `##33284#` or `##3282#`, one of these should bring up a utility that lists very specific information about your cellular network connection.

# Answer
> 0 votes
See if Cell Phone Coverage Map by RootMetrics is useful to you. It tests your connection and shows dB level and upload and download speeds. Plus it shows the cumulative data for the area based on yours and other users' tests along with comparisons to other carriers.

---
Tags: htc-evo, 4g
---


title: Any way to boost Wi-Fi on Nexus 7?

text:
# Question
Title: Any way to boost Wi-Fi on Nexus 7?
My Nexus 7 seems to have poorer Wi-Fi reception than my iPad (1st generation). At home it is always able to reach the router, so not an issue. Occasionally when I am out the iPad will have reception when the Nexus 7 doesn't.

I was looking inside the back cover, and it appears there are a few antenna built into the cover. I am curious if the Wi-Fi antena is in the back cover, and if there is some way I could boost it by attaching an external perhaps.

# Answer
iFixit has a Teardown that shows the Wi-Fi antenna is on the back. Interestingly, when I took it off and looked I saw that it was nicely labeled too. Also, the Wi-Fi reception seems much better after reattaching the cover. Maybe my Antenna wasn't connected very well.

It appears a simple mod could be done to attach an external Wi-Fi antenna if I needed to do that. A mod may be in my future.
> 4 votes

---
Tags: wi-fi, nexus-7
---


# Question
Title: Why is the transformer Jelly Bean update being staggered geographically?
The Transformer TF300's jelly bean update is now available OTA in North America but not in Australia for up to two weeks.

What would be the reason that they would not make it available all at once? Is there some technical reason it can't be done? Like if I was in the US but I bought the tablet in Australia, would it let me update?

So is there any way for me to bypass this restriction and somehow hook into the North American update site (via a proxy or something) in order to get it now?

# Answer
Each region has its own network-dependent versions (with additional apps / bloatware).

You can use the firmwares from other regions, which you can find in SamFirmware, but you need to have a rooted phone.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: updates, asus-eee-pad-transformer, 4.1-jelly-bean
---


# Question
Title: Is there any documentation on the correct/expected directory structure of the external memory card?
There's a couple of issues that i have with the way Android sees my card...

1. The Gallery App shows CD artwork as a separate photo album.
2. I want to exclude some things from shuffle playback by the music player.
3. there's probably more thing that could appear better if we new what Media Scanner was doing....

# Answer
Summing up from the comments, and adding a little.

# Directory structure

There's no complete documentation for the entire cards structure, that seems not to be fixed. However, some directories seem to be more or less common:

* the developers guide suggests app specific data should be stored below `/sdcard/Android/data/<package_name>/files/` (`<package_name>` represending the name of the package the data belongs to, which looks like `com.example.android.app`), and `/Android/data/<package_name>/cache/` for external cache files (basically, this corresponds to the `/data/data/<package_name>/` directory on internal storage)
* same source recommends a bunch of directories to store files intended to be shared among apps. All of those directories are located in the root of the card, and include:
    + `Music/` \- Media scanner classifies all media found here as user music.
    + `Podcasts/` \- Media scanner classifies all media found here as a podcast.
    + `Ringtones/` \- Media scanner classifies all media found here as a ringtone.
    + `Alarms/` \- Media scanner classifies all media found here as an alarm sound.
    + `Notifications/` \- Media scanner classifies all media found here as a notification sound.
    + `Pictures/` \- All photos (excluding those taken with the camera).
    + `Movies/` \- All movies (excluding those taken with the camcorder).
    + `Download/` \- Miscellaneous downloads.

# Excluding directories from Media Scan

If you wish to exclude a directory from the media *scan* (i.e. from being *indexed* for the gallery), you can place a file named `.nomedia` there. This will tell the media scanner to skip this directory (including all files and subdirectories) from a scan -- thus neither images, nor audio or video files stored here will turn up in the gallery. You however can still access them by looking them up manually. Up to my knowledge, there's no way to restrict this to a certain media type (i.e. having the media scanner index audio/video, but skip images). Important: Note the "dot" at the beginning of the file name (making it a "hidden file"). This must be included with its name.
> 1 votes

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Tags: external-sd, media-player
---


title: Is S Voice slow?

text:
# Question
Title: Is S Voice slow?
Is Svoice taking like atleast 10 seconds (sometimes more) to accept a command and reply (even if the reply is "I didnt catch that" ? Or is my device this slow?

# Answer
It's much slower than Siri with the same connection speeds. It is also less accurate.
> -1 votes

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


# Question
Title: Does installing and re-installing my own app affect my app's rating/ranking?
I just released my first app not too long ago. To test it in the Play store, I installed my own app. After discovering some bugs, I uninstalled it, and installed the one I would code to fix from Eclipse. After fixing the bug, I post an update and re-install my own app from the store to test it out again.

If I keep repeating this process (uninstalling and re-installing my own app from Google Play every time I release a new version), will my app's rating be degraded? Should I strictly stick to using my own app by installing the raw version (not the one on Google Play, but the one I built in Eclipse)?

Thanks.

# Answer
As far as I know, this should in no affect your app's rating. This is something I do myself constantly with testing of my own apps.

The only thing that will ultimately affect your rating are the number of stars your users give you. Yes, you can rate your own app, but you can only do it once. Uninstalling/re-installing shouldn't change your own rating to your own app either.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: applications, google-play-store, app-ratings
---


# Question
Title: Bricked Droid Razr while trying to flash a custom ROM, Safestrap gone
I'm so sorry for being one of these "help me, I don't know what to do!" noobs, but that's exactly my situation. This is my first Android phone and my first time trying to do this. I do come from a programming background, so I didn't anticipate it giving me any trouble.

I have a Droid Razr and I had Gingerbread 2.3.6 on it before I rooted it. After the root, it started giving me notifications for the 6.1...something update, but since I rooted it, the update wouldn't take.

I tried to put Eclipse ICS ROM on it. First, I backed up my apps, put Safestrap into safe mode, and created a backup. I followed the directions here for flashing the ROM. I waited about 5-10 minutes after rebooting - the Motorola logo came up on my phone, followed by the Safestrap boot options, then nothing.

I rebooted and got into the Safestrap menu and tried to restore my backup ROM. The restore failed. I tried formatting the device through Safestrap and it still didn't start up.

I followed the directions here up to step 7 to unroot/unbrick. This uses Droid Razr Utility 1.42, and everything I tried came back with a "command failed" message. I thought it was a little strange that the only option it was giving me was to restore version 6.12.173 while I had 2.3.6, but I figured I would at least try it, and I thought that was why I was getting the "command failed" message. After googling, I downloaded Droid Razr Utility 1.8 and tried restoring it to 6.16.211 (official kernel) - again, the only option it gave me.

After that, I can no longer enter Safestrap. The phone doesn't boot - it goes through the Motorola logo and then shows a small bar of static right at the bottom of the screen. Fastboot recovery and restoring the phone to factory settings makes an error show up on the screen (the Android mascot and an exclamation point in a triangle).

I can still enter into Android recovery and I still have access to the contents of my SD card. I can see the folder where my Safestrap backup should be, but there's nothing in there that the phone recognizes as bootable. I can still also access the Eclipse.zip file. I haven't tried flashing it again.

I don't know what's going on or what to do next. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

# Answer
> -2 votes
Well, If you would have read the instructions for the installation of Eclipse ICS, you would have seen that you're not to install the ROM on top of Gingerbread.

That being said, have no fear. Batman is here to save you. Check out the trusty internets and get you a copy of this file.

DroidRAZRUtility1.6.zip

You will need to run this utility to restore back to factory ginger bread (option 1 I believe).

There are guides for this online. I can't find the source right now. Basically you put the phone into ap fastboot mode while Matt's utility flashes it back to factory. then if you so desire, you can take the OTA ICS update. Only then can you install safestrap and eclipse ics.

Hope this helps.

---
Tags: custom-roms, unbricking, motorola-droid-razr
---


# Question
Title: How do I determine which calendar entry is breaking my Android calendar sync?
First a bit of background for those who aren't familiar: Just a few weeks ago Samsung released their ICS build of TouchWiz, and my phone (a Samsung Galaxy SII) updated over the air. Ever since none of my calendars have synced. It turns out there's a bug wherein recurring events that were present before the update (I think it's only them?) can cause calendars to stop syncing. (I've searched in vain for a concise link to the problem to reference... )

I've tried factory resetting to no avail and I've tried deleting all my extraneous calendars and the recurring events I could find, but sync still doesn't want to work. Is there any way that I can track down which events are causing the trouble more precisely?

# Answer
> 4 votes
I know it's typically frowned upon to answer your own question, but I have. This was a total PEBKAC. I use a different calendar app than the default, so I disabled the pre-installed Samsung calendar in the Application settings in order to stop it appearing in my application list. This is fine and doesn't affect anything, but I apparently got a little trigger happy and also quite stupidly disabled the Calendar Storage process. Yeah, that'll mess up calendar sync something fierce.

---
Tags: sync, google-calendar, samsung-touchwiz
---


# Question
Title: Bricked my Asus TF300T? Manual JB update
First, my device failed to get the OTA Update **because I deleted some system apps** (see my original post).

Then I found this post where another user restored original APKs in /system/apps and managed to **manually update to JB** by downloading the dlpkgfile in this post.

So I proceed, **restored** my /system/apps (with 755 permissions), **rooted** with OTA RootKeeper and SuperSU, placed the **dlpkgfile** and **command** files, restarted to fastboot (**Power+Vol Down**) and entered Recovery mode.

The green android with the **blue progress bar** went for over 10 minutes, then ... the android with the **RED TRIANGLE** appeared

After a minute or so the device restarted, an ASUS logo with a blue progress bar ran, but then it got **stuck in the ASUS logo**.

I'm still able to restart to fastboot (Power+Vol Down), where a message appears:

```
Android cardhu-user bootloader (1.00 e) released by "US_epad-10.4.2.9-20120809" A03

```

, and where I have 4 choices:

> 1. **RCK**: Recovery mode, when I select this the Red Triangle appears again.
> 2. **Android**: Normal android boot, gets freeze right away
> 3. **Fastboot USB download protocol**: Tried using ADB, but don't really know what it is. Here's an image of how the device appear in my Windows PC
> 4. **Wipe Data**: Already done this, seems to wipe user data, but still gets stuck on ASUS logo

Some pictures I took of my device:

I also tried downloading .30 firmware from ASUS website and placing the Zip contents in my SD card, then booting recovery but no luck.

It's pretty awful that everything went so bad, I'm hoping there is a solution.

Anything would be really appreciated!!!

Thanks!

**UPDATE!!!**

OK, I found this tutorial about flashing ASUS firmware with fastboot: http://www.theandroidsoul.com/how-to...back-to-stock/

The problem is that the following commands:

```
fastboot -i 0x0B05 flash system blob
fastboot -i 0x0B05 flash system US_epad-user-9.4.3.30.zip

```

both produce the error: "Signature mismatch"

I guess it's because my fastboot has newer version, since it was actually installed during the JB update, but I'm trying to flash a older .30 firmware.

I guess I will have to wait ASUS releases the new firmware for manual flashing it.

Just guessing...

---

**More info here**: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1846661

# Answer
Solved. ASUS released the new firmware in its website.

Flashing it unbricked my device:

1. Download the stock firmware from ASUS’s official website. On the website, select Android in the OS drop down menu, then select Firmware, and download the latest firmware.
2. Extract the downloaded firmware file. You will get another archive file. Extract this one as well to get several files. One of these files will be named “**blob**”, which is the one we need to use.
3. Install Android SDK for Windows.
4. Shut down the tablet. Hold Power + Vol Down buttons until a message appears saying “Press Vol. Up to enter RCK (5s)”. However, DO NOT press the Volume Up button. Instead, wait for 5 seconds till a new menu appears. Then, in less than 10 seconds, press Volume Down once to highlight the USB icon, then press the Volume Up button to validate.
5. Open Command Prompt on your computer from Start » All Programs » Accessories (or open Start menu, type cmd and press the Enter button).
6. Now, type the following commands in command prompt to flash the stock ROM, pressing Enter after each command:

\> cd C:...\Path-to-Andoid-SDK\platform-tools\

\> fastboot devices

\> fastboot -i 0x0B05 flash system C:...\Path-to-blob\blob

\> fastboot -i 0x0B05 reboot

Source: http://www.theandroidsoul.com/how-to-restore-asus-transformer-tf300t-back-to-stock/

More details: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1846661
> 6 votes

---
Tags: 4.1-jelly-bean, asus-eee-pad-transformer, unbricking
---


# Question
Title: Google Voice in Android to make cheap international calls like on Desktop through Google Wallet?
I need to make international landline/mobile calls. My laptop with Debian is failing me here and iPad failing here. I want to use Google Voice because it is far cheaper than my local carriers.

I tried to use their marketed Google Voice -mobile but for some reason it seems to turn into my carrier -version of "phone" or actually I am not sure whether it is the right version. I am looking for the same Google Voice as in Desktop: you open up Gmail and then there type the number to make cheap calls to which you pay through your Google Wallet.

**So how can I call, using Google Voice and Google Wallet, in my Android -phone?**

# Answer
> 0 votes
Yes you can! Check up this answer about Talkatone here, it is based on Google Voice. The sound -quality is not the best but I like the idea that I actually need just a WIFI to make cheap international calls.

I have actually replaced my landline/mobile/local -phones vith Google-Voice because it is much more convenient to pay to it through credit card and much more convient than carrying a massive amount of PrePaid/Post-paid -cards when travelling-or-just-living-well-and-free-etc, highly recommended tool indeed! Talkatone in iPad is a killer, a bit like FaceTime but integrated to Facebook and probaly to other services in the future. Talkatone in Android is similar, good integration so saving time in toning all contacts from Google Contacts, FB Contacts, etc. If you are a buz, you can imagine how much time this will save -- you need less to worry about crazy international -phone charges and you can actually drop out mobile-phone -contracts altogether, just charge employers with Google Wallet/Voice!

Talkatone has poor sound -quality because it wants to sell its Premium service but if ads and a bit poorer sound quality do not matter, it has worked for me, nicely (haven't tried the Premium -service). A good/bad side is that your number is some oddity but extremely good side is that you do not need to know the prefix with internatinal calls in using Google Voice, super convenient!

> *-Sim-card?*

*-Yes you don't need a SIM -card to make international calls, just WIFI. Phone does not require SIM -card, dot. Victory :)*

---
Tags: gmail, google-voice, google-wallet
---


# Question
Title: At what application size does android add the WiFi tag to it?
In the Google Play Store, when an app is too large in size, a "WiFi" tag is mentioned next to the app name. That way the user can know that the download is heavy. At what application size does Android add the WiFi tag to apps ?

# Answer
Good question. I believe the answer has been recently changing, because while I was initially under the same impression as SaintWacko (thinking the cutoff was 25 MB) I have been unable to find any Google documentation defining such a limit.

What I have found is that the maximum APK (app) size is 50 MB. Developers can also choose to use up to two APK expansion files to be downloaded along with with the app's APK, each of which can be up to 2 GB. Even for these larger expansion files, though, I could find no mention of Wi-Fi only download restrictions (unless explicitly required by the developer). I remember seeing the Wi-Fi download flag you mention on some larger apps that I use personally, but today I've gone back to those same apps and don't see that flag.

As best I can tell this policy has changed.
> 9 votes

# Answer
While there is some conflicting information, the limit at which the market adds the WiFi tag appears to be 25MB.
> 3 votes

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


# Question
Title: Do Google Talk and Play Store still require background sync on Ice Cream Sandwich?
When I used Android versions up to 2.x, some apps like Google Talk and Android Market (now Play Store) required background synchronization to be activated via *Settings* -\> *Account and synchronization* -\> *Background data*. I recently upgraded to Ice Cream Sandwich and noticed that both Google Talk and Play Store now work also when that setting is switched off.

Do such apps still require background synchronization, possibly in a way that is no longer controlled by a user-accessible setting?

# Answer
Yes, background data is always enabled since Ice Cream Sandwich. See the note in the documentation for `android.net.ConnectivityManager.getBackgroundDataSetting()`:

> As of `ICE_CREAM_SANDWICH`, availability of background data depends on several combined factors, and this method will always return true. Instead, when background data is unavailable, `getActiveNetworkInfo()` will now appear disconnected.

---

Vending (the internal name for the Android Market, in fact `com.android.vending`) uses `C2DM` to receive install requests (take a look at its application manifest; even on ICS, it still has c2dm receivers). AFAIK, C2DM only works when background data is available.

Some time ago, I read a blog post somewhere (which unfortunately I am not finding right now) explaining how the Android Market (the post was from before it was renamed) worked. IIRC, even when you asked to install an application directly on your device (instead of indirectly via the https://market.android.com/ web site), all it did was to send a request to the Google servers, which then sent your device (via C2DM) an install request. This explains why Vending needs background data—it cannot do anything without being able to receive requests via C2DM from the Google servers.

I do not know about Google Talk, but from what I have heard, it has used C2DM since before C2DM was available to the public. Again, this would explain why it needs background data to work.

AFAIK, background sync is completely separate from background data, other than the fact that obviously it cannot sync in the background if background data is disabled, and the fact that you could change it from within the sync screen in the settings application.
> 8 votes

# Answer
I have a Samsung Galaxy Nexus running ICS 4.0.4. When I navigate to the Settings-\>Accounts & Synchronization screen and select an account (specifically the account I use for Google Talk and the Google Play store) those two apps are not present in the list of apps that can be enabled / disabled for background synchronization. If these apps are performing background synchronization, it is no longer a user settable option to disable it.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: google-play-store, sync, 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, google-talk
---


title: Installed Galaxy S3 ROM on Galaxy S2

text:
# Question
Title: Installed Galaxy S3 ROM on Galaxy S2
I installed a ROM meant for **Galaxy S3** on my **Galaxy S2** phone by mistake and now the phone won't boot.

I can get into *Download Mode* fine but I can't get to *Recovery Mode* because the ROM installed a S3 specific recovery as well.

How do I fix it?

# Answer
> 2 votes
Go to Download Mode and flash Galaxy S2 firmware/recovery using heimdall or Odin (over USB). There's no other way.

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-2, custom-roms, recovery-mode, unbricking
---


# Question
Title: How can I enable mobile data periodically with Tasker?
I tried juicedefender and it does exactly what I want, but since I already have tasker running all the time I am looking for a tasker recipe.

I would like the accomplish the following behaviour:

* Disable mobile data when screen locked and there is no transfer. If there is an ongoing transfer, allow it to complete before disabling mobile data. Enable mobile data only in periodic intervals of 15 minutes.

# Answer
A quite close profile is described at Tasker-Profile (Google-Translate English variant here). I will try to give an abstract here:

# Basic Data On/Off

## Tasks

You will need two tasks for this:

1. **enable mobile data:**
    * Net -\> Auto Sync (set ON)
    * Net -\> Mobile Data (set ON)
2. **disable mobile data:**
    * Net -\> Auto Sync (set ON)
    * Net -\> Mobile Data (set ON)

You may probably skip the "Auto Sync" part (especially if Wifi comes into play), I mentioned it just for completeness. Also, the *Tasker -\> PSAFE* variable can be utilized to check whether the device is in power-safe mode (*~ 1*) or not (*!~ 1*).

## Conditions

These are the harder part. As for screen on/off, it's easy: *Event -\> Display -\> Display unlocked* for active display, *Event -\> Display -\> Display off* for display being switched off. The harder part is to check for still running transfers -- I don't know how to do this *explicitly*, but it probably can be done *implicitly* via above mentioned *%PSAFE* Tasker variable: With a running transfer, the device is less likely to be in power-safe mode. You probably need to experiment with this. Connect these conditions with the appropriate tasks to create profiles.

# Periodical Checks

For these you need to add a variable to above tasks: *%LCD*, giving us the state of the display. So in *Variable -\> Variable Set* Name=%LCD -- in 1. set to 1 (on), in 2. to 0 (off). Now create an additional profile:

* Time: Repeat 15min
* State -\> Variable Value %LCD ~ 0
* State -\> Variable Value %PSAFE ~ 1

So it runs all 15min, but only when the display is turned off and power-safe active. We also need an additional Task:

* Net -\> Mobile Data: ON
* Net -\> Auto Sync: ON
* Tasker -\> Wait: 1min
* Net -\> Auto Sync: OFF
* Net -\> Mobile Data: OFF

Adjust to your needs.

# Checking for possible transfers in progress

Again, I'm not sure how to check whether there's an ongoing transfer. A possible solution can be found in Google Groups, but I couldn't verify this. Though, as you might want to try it out, this is the basic extract:

> It's a Profile I created on my Droid to experiment with the concept of watching 3G traffic levels.

```
Profile: Net Traf 3G (62)
Priority: 2 CoolDown: 0
Time:  Every 10m
State: Mobile Network [ 2G:On 3G:On 3G - HSPA:On 4G:On ]
Enter: Read3gTraf (63)
A1: Test [Type:File Name Data:/sys/class/net/ppp0 Store Result In:%tg_exists Continue     Task After Error:On]
A2: Read Line [File:/sys/class/net/ppp0/statistics/rx_bytes Line:1 To Var:%TG_RX] Read Line [ %tg_exists Is Set ]
A3: Variable Set [Name:%TG_RX_CHG To:%TG_RX-%TG_RX_OLD Do Maths:On Append:Off]
A4: Variable Set [Name:%TG_RX_OLD To:%TG_RX Do Maths:Off Append:Off]
A5: Stop [With Error:Off] Stop [ %SCREEN ~ off ]
A6: Variable Set [Name:%TG_RX_RATE To:ceil(%TG_RX_CHG/1024) Do Maths:On Append:Off]
A7: Notify [Title:3g traffic active Text:%TG_RX_RATE kb since last check Icon:<icon> Number:0 Permanent:Off]

```

> %TG\_RX\_RATE will contain the kb received in the last 10 minutes, and can be used in a Context condition.
> If my phone is just sitting around, the background level network traffic is less than 20 kb per minute. Surfing the web, it's 100 kb or way more per minute. Your mileage may vary.
> Since /sys is really a virtual folder, the /sys/class/net/ppp0 folder only exists when the 3G interface is turned on. When I turn on wifi, the dir /sys/class/net/tiwlan0 is created instead.
> (So by changing the dir path, I can also watch wifi traffic too.)
> 4 votes

---
Tags: tasker, mobile-data
---


# Question
Title: Adding (lots of) icons to home screen on ICS tablet
I just upgraded my Galaxy Tab 10.1 from Samsung's 3.2 variation to CyanogenMod's ICS RC1. Most everything seems a little slicker or simpler. However, there is one big shortcoming: it seems impossible to efficiently add multiple icons to the home screen. From home, I have to hit the "apps" button in the top-right, find the app icon, long-press it, then drag it to the right place. And repeat. On the 3.2 ROM, I could just drag icons onto "mini" homescreens on the top half of the app list page. (Is this a feature of Samsung's TouchWiz and not part of default Honeycomb?)

I've restored all my apps, so they're installed, but none are on the rather barren homescreen. I had them somewhat organized across the 5 pages under 3.2, and I'd like to get that organization back.

Am I missing something in the CM/ICS UI that makes this easier? Are there 3rd party apps that make this easier? (Is the ICS homescreen the default, or specific to Cyanogenmod?) Are the config files editable?

# Answer
Go Launcher

I use this app (instead of HTC Sense) for my HTC Sensation. This works great, and there is a lot of different themes and plugins for it. Great if you're tired of the standard UI on your phone!

It also solves your problem, when you can add multiple items for your different screens. (Just tap on the ones you would like to have easy access to) :)
> 2 votes

# Answer
Elixir lets you create a home screen widget that lets you add apps. It's easier to add apps using this widget compared to the long-press method. See the "Widgets in home screen" section of the link to see what the widget looks like.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, home-screen, samsung-galaxy-tab-10
---


# Question
Title: How can I sync an Exchange 2003 inbox to an Android 4.x device?
I have ICS 4.x and I'm trying to get the default email client to connect to a MS Small Business Server 2003.

The client will sync all folders but Inbox. I get the error message "Couldn't Open connection to Server". I'm able to send emails, any clues?

# Answer
I was just suffering from the same issue with an Exchange 2010 server. The problem was server-side not client-side.

Upon investigating the event log for the Exchange role, I noticed the following error entry:

> Exchange ActiveSync verfügt nicht über ausreichende Berechtigungen zum Erstellen des Containers "CN=Oliver Salzburg,OU=..." unter dem Active Directory-Benutzer "Active Directory operation failed on server.something.de. This error is not retriable. Additional information: Zugriff verweigert.
>
> Active directory response: 00000005: SecErr: DSID-031521D0, problem 4003 (INSUFF\_ACCESS\_RIGHTS), data 0
>
> ".
>
> Stellen Sie sicher, dass der Benutzer über geerbte Berechtigungen verfügt, die 'domain\Exchange Servers' erteilt wurden, um für Objekte vom Typ "msExchangeActiveSyncDevices" die Befehle 'Inhalte auflisten', 'Untergeordnetes Objekt erstellen' und 'Untergeordnetes Objekt löschen' auszuführen, und dass der Benutzer über keine verweigerten Berechtigungen verfügt, die diese Vorgänge blockieren.
>
> Details:%3

### English Version

> Exchange ActiveSync doesn't have sufficient permissions to create the "CN=,OU=,DC=thenet,DC=gen,DC=nz" container under Active Directory user "Active Directory operation failed on .thenet.gen.nz. This error is not retriable. Additional information: Access is denied.
>
> Active directory response: 00000005: SecErr: DSID-031521D0, problem 4003 (INSUFF\_ACCESS\_RIGHTS), data 0
>
> ".
>
> Make sure the user has inherited permission granted to domain\Exchange Servers to allow List, Create child, Delete child of object type "msExchangeActiveSyncDevices" and doesn't have any deny permissions that block such operations.

It boils down to a permissions issue for the Exchange server. It isn't allowed to change the ActiveSync settings in the Active Directory.

To resolve this, follow these steps:

1. Open **Active Directory Users and Computers**.
2. Click **View** and then check **Advanced Features**.
3. Navigate to the user that is causing the issue (the location is noted in the event log entry) and open the **Properties** for the user.
4. Go to the **Security** tab and click **Advanced**.
5. Check the checkbox **Include inheritable permissions** and click **OK**.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, exchange
---


# Question
Title: Sync Multiple Devices Simultaneously With One Account
I've got a question regarding maintenance/management with multiple android devices on a single account. For example:

* A school has 30 android tablets.
* Teachers need all 30 devices updated
* The school has 1 account for all 30 devices

Is there a way to sync all of these simultaneously to the same account? iTunes U offers this functionality for iOS devices, but wanted to know if there are any similar services for android devices. Thanks for your help!

# Answer
That very much depends on how you understand the issue -- and what is intended. In this case, using a single account for all devices definitly has one big advantage: **Managing its apps** (installs/uninstalls).

If the devices are defined as "school use only" or even for a single class, same applies to the **calendar**: all class specific events can be defined here (in the accounts main calendar), so noone can say he forgot to write it down. For personal events, each user can add his/her own calendar easily -- so no problem with this either.

The **contacts**/address book can be seen the same way: it could hold the classes contacts, plus the teachers (as far as needed/wanted) -- which would make it easier to organize team work. As with calendars, it should be possible for each user to access her/his personal address book additionally (I never tried this, so I cannot tell for sure).

So to summarize: If I didn't mis-interprete your question, the answer should be a clear "Yes". I use multiple Android devices with the same Google account myself, and never had any problems with that.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: sync, google-account, multiple-devices
---


# Question
Title: Can you run Linux command line apps on Android?
I'm brand new to Android; in fact I've never owned one.

But I'm traveling all this summer, and I'm very interested in doing some programming while I'm on the run.

QUESTION: Is it possible to run a full Ruby development environment with Emacs on Android? How?

And does "rooting" give you anything close to a real Linux system?

# Answer
"Rooting" allows you access to the internal Android environment, which of course consists of more than just the Linux kernel. So you are running Linux, but you should consider it as though you are running under a different distribution than say Debian or Redhat.

There's a different set of standard libraries and some files are in different locations. At least on my Droid `ext2` support is not built-in by default. There is also no `init` or `cron`. The full set of Linux modules is not available unless you compile them yourself and put then in `/system/lib/modules`. Important ones you may miss on standard ROMs are `cifs`, `ext2`, `tun`, and others.

Most, if not all, phones running Android are ARM CPUs. So the binaries you run on them must be ARM "EABI" "soft-float" binaries. If you have the source you can cross-compile whatever utilities you need, but read on.

There are many standard commands and utilities available in the `/system/bin` directory such as `grep`, `ps`, `cp`, `rm`, `mv`, `ls`, `ip`, even `vi`. You have enough to get by until you...

...use the "Linux Installer" utility to install a `chroot`'ed Debian environment. Debian has supported ARM for a while. It takes some work, but if you can root your phone, and have a sizeable enough SD card, this is the way to go.

This is close to a standard Linux system and under it you can install and run Ruby. Of course CPU and RAM limitations come into play.
> 10 votes

# Answer
Ruby has not been ported to Android, though you might want to check out Ruboto. For simple editing there are a few options, but I don't believe emacs has been ported either, there are no Market results anyways.

Rooting might provide you the ability to run Linux on your phone, but Android is not Linux. Its kernel is largely based on the Linux kernel but that's about it. You cannot run any Linux application with a GUI on Android, it would need to be rewritten. I'm not sure to what extent native command line apps would need to be rewriten, though of course they would need to be recompiled.

Android also does not have a full Java VM.
> 5 votes

# Answer
You can install a working debian distro on your phone without upsetting the distribution on the phone already. This way you'll have a full userland with stuff you're used to on any other Linux box. You should ssh into your phone to use this comfortably.

Install this: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.dyndns.sven\_ola.debian\_kit
> 4 votes

# Answer
At the present date, Emacs port for Android already exists:

* android-emacs-toolkit released Jun 23, 2012:

> Android-emacs-toolkit helps to build android development environment on emacs. It contains a emacs major mode which help to develop android sdk and ndk program.
* GNU Emacs ported to Android available from Google Play Store, last updated August 23, 2012:

> GNU Emacs ported to Android!
>
> Runs on modified version of Terminal Emulator - requires hardware keyboard and a rather big display.
>
> Includes Busybox and eshell. SSH (for TRAMP) and git are planned.

---

Additionally, you may find useful the information provided by EmacsWiki - EmacsOnAndroid, that essentially is a guide about installing Emacs into an Android device.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: linux, command-line
---


# Question
Title: Accounts inexplicably removed from "Accounts & sync"
I'm running CyanogenMod 7.1.0 on my HTC Desire. I have a few accounts added in "Accounts & Sync" (Last.fm, Facebook, Skype, Soundcloud, etc.), but on several occasions all of them (except Google) got deleted, and I had to log in again in all of them using the respective applications. This could be quite annoying, but fortunately happens only every few days or so.

I can't quite understand why it happens and what causes it. I have some suspicion it might be related to the fact I don't have much space on the device (Desire notoriously has ridiculously little internal storage) -- although I always keep it above the "Low space" warning (which is something like 15 MB).

Is this a known problem? What can I do to prevent it?

# Answer
After some months of additional observation, I'm pretty certain that the accounts disappear when the free internal space gets low, usually when I'm down to 12 MB or so. Presumably, Android tries to free up some internal space occupied by app data, and the accounts seem to be the first to go.

Due to the low internal storage, I have moved all apps to the external storage, so this might as well be a factor, as Izzy mentions in the comments.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: 2.3-gingerbread, cyanogenmod, accounts
---


# Question
Title: How to print a webpage from my Android phone?
> **Possible Duplicate:**
> Is there any way to print directly from the phone?

Assuming a modern (compatible) **mobile** printer, is it possible to print a webpage or a PDF document directly and **natively** from the phone?

I've heard of **PrintShare**, and saw **this question**, I'm asking if it can be done natively, without the use of another application.

If that's not possible, is there some sort of API I can use to achieve it? Assuming I write my own application.

# Answer
There is no known API available for any form of printing support within the Android system itself.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: printing
---


# Question
Title: How to “adb connect” to Samsung Galaxy Tab (P3100)?
I am trying to connect to my tablet (Samsung Galaxy Tab P3100) through network.

```
 > adb connect 10.0.0.2
 unable to connect to 10.0.0.2:5555

 > adb connect 10.0.0.2:5555
 unable to connect to 10.0.0.2:5555:5555

 > adb connect 10.0.0.2:5038
 unable to connect to 10.0.0.2:5038:5038

```

Ping works successfully. I also checked "USB debugging" option in "Developers options" on tablet.

Connection throught USB ("adb usb") works fine.

Is there any suggestions?

# Answer
you have to tell adb to use tcpip

```
adb tcpip 5555
adb connect 10.0.0.2

```

then to go back to usb mode

```
adb usb

```
> 3 votes

# Answer
You can download this app (adbWireless) and connect to it via wireless, using the wifi without the cable you can connect directly via a address as shown by the widget/app.

Usually its the following:

```
adb connect 192.168.1.x:5555

```
> 0 votes

---
Tags: adb
---


title: Quick Dial Shortcut with Skype

text:
# Question
Title: Quick Dial Shortcut with Skype
Is it possible to make a desktop shortcut to dial a number with Skype?

# Answer
> 4 votes
There's a new widget available from Google Play Store that solves this issue:

Direct dial with Skype by sbice

> One Click Skype!
>
> Calling friends through Skype is no longer time consuming and complicated! With "Direct dial with Skype", it's simply just ONE CLICK AWAY!!!
>
> It's a widget installed on your desktop & help you speed dialing your friends with ONE CLICK!

---
Tags: home-screen-shortcuts, skype
---


title: App searches in wrong directory

text:
# Question
Title: App searches in wrong directory
I just installed DroidID3Tagger, however it just searches for my music files in `/mnt/sdcard`, my music however is in `/mnt/emmc`.

Is there anything I can do instead of moving the files?

I'm using CM9 Nightly on a SGS1 with Icy Glitch Kernel. (for some reason the Kernel swapped sdcard and emmc)

# Answer
> 2 votes
In response to @Zuul's comment below his answer, usage of the `ln -sf /mnt/emmc /mnt/sdcard` is not the appropriate way of dealing with it, because it's a soft-link and forcing it that way, can lead to some mis-behaviour of apps who are relying on the SDCard's mount point, by way of refusing to work with it, Play Store can fail in this regard.

The best solution is to use this:

By using `busybox`, explicitly bind the mount point to make `/mnt/emmc` behave exactly like a SDCard, i.e:

`/system/xbin/busybox mount -o bind /mnt/emmc /mnt/sdcard`

Which will show up as a mount point in the proper way, if this was a soft-link it would end up like this -

```
/mnt/sdcard -> /mnt/emmc

```

Google Play store, as I mentioned has an internal checking mechanism to see if the directory is not a link (it will return a error of -22 IIRC).

# Answer
> 2 votes
This app reads files from the device internal storage located at `/mnt/sdcard`, not from the external storage or any other location.

Since the app was last updated on March 4 2011, I don't think this will get fixed.

---

However, if you have root on your device, you can create a soft link from one location to another thus tricking the app.

The command is used like this:

```
ln -sf {target-filename} {symbolic-filename}

```

So you should execute:

```
ln -sf /mnt/emmc /mnt/sdcard

```

When the app accesses the `/mnt/sdcard` the system will give it the contents of `/mnt/emmc`.

---
Tags: sd-card, internal-storage, music
---


# Question
Title: Using Laptop's internet on Android Phone
> **Possible Duplicate:**
> How to set up reverse tethering over USB?

We all know as to how to connect our android phone with our laptop so as to use our laptop's internet connection in our android phone.

But my question is how to be directly connected to internet on the laptop and connect my Samsung Galaxy Y mobile to it, so as to use the laptop's internet connection in the mobile.

---

Reason: Why I need to do that. I Live in the country of India. MTS was the first country to launch 3G Plug-and-Play Modems in India. I have one of those. The device has a direct connection and does not requires insertion of a SIM card. I can connect it to my Laptop and use the internet service, but it is not possible to connect it to the mobile phone.

P.S: Fell free to migrate it to SuperUser if you guys think it belongs there.

# Answer
> 0 votes
If you have a rooted device, Reverse Tether can help you.

# Answer
> 2 votes
Turn your laptop into a WiFi hotspot. See Turn Your Windows 7 Laptop into a WiFi Hotspot with Connectify as an example. In a GNU/Linux system, use `hostapd` for this purpose. (Actually, if you don't like the idea of writing a configuration file for `hostapd`, the popular NetworkManager tool also supports managing an AP now, but this is not available through its GUI tools; it requires a manual tweak in its configuration file for `mode=ap`. "\>Reference in Russian.)

Then use WiFi from your mobile phone to connect to the laptop's WiFi.

---
Tags: internet, reverse-tether
---


# Question
Title: Certain Wi-Fi network not available on Motorola Milestone with Cyanogenmod
I have a Motorola Milestone with Cyanogenmod 7.2.0. Phone is working without any problems.

I was using this phone with my own Wi-Fi network. Something happened, and after that I'm not able to connect to Wi-Fi.

The Wi-Fi router should be fine (we use it with another Android phone and two notebooks without any problem). I made factory reset that didn't solve the problem (after factory reset, I started to use it with different account, so it didn't restore the Wi-Fi settings).

The phone is able to search for Wi-Fi hotspots (it finds a neighbor's Wi-Fi), but it doesn't list my own Wi-Fi network.

I can't figure out the reason, I think it is not hardware related. Maybe I disabled to connect to this Wi-Fi accidentally, I don't know.

Is there a way to check the setting for a certain Wi-Fi, or at least can I reset full Wi-Fi settings?

# Answer
> 2 votes
There are two possibilities:

1. If your WLAN is running in 2.4GHz mode you should chekc the used channel. Not all channels are allowed in all countries - especiall in the US the channels higher than 13 are AFAIK forbidden. Therefore some devices do not even scan the frequencies that belong to those channels. What frequencies/channels are used is specified by the driver/firmware - therefore using CM7 my be the problem. Try to cache your WLAN access point config to use a lower WLAN chennel.
2. Your WLAN is running in 5GHz mode only. Only devices with 5GHz capable WLAN hardware can use a WLAn that is operating in 5GHz only mode. Unfortunately the number of smartphones that are 5GHz capable is very short. Therefore you should check your WLAN access point config if it is in 5GHz only mode and if so change it to dual frequency mode 2.4GHz + 5Ghz running at the same time.

---
Tags: wi-fi, cyanogenmod, settings, factory-reset, motorola-milestone
---


# Question
Title: Can I reinitialize specific core services?
Sometimes my phone gets into a state where one of the core functions - audio, wifi, bluetooth - is in a somehow broken state. Example symptoms:

* wifi cannot see any available networks
* wifi attempts to connect but always fails
* other devices cannot connect to wifi tethering hotspot
* bluetooth cannot see any other devices
* bluetooth connection to headset is established, but no audio comes through
* it is impossible to turn bluetooth on (any attempt just processes for a while, and bluetooth remains off)
* audio doesn't play anything at all, not to an external device nor through internal speaker (and yes, the volume is set correctly)
* audio output is stuck at very low volume

Rebooting the phone *always* fixes the issues in these conditions. However, rebooting this thing takes a silly amount of time, especially if you count in the initialization phase where the phone is online, but so laggy you practically can't do anything.

**Is there a way to restart / reinitialize specific core services without rebooting? How?**

Note: I'm *not* talking about turning the features on/off from settings of from a widget. It does help in some cases, but not always.

The phone is GT-S5570 running Android 2.2.1. The phone is rooted, so solutions that require root are welcome.

# Answer
Have you tried this app or similar ones like this - **Fast Reboot - Google Play**.

You could also try disabling some apps from auto starting via apps like these - Startup Manager - Google Play

Another thing to do could be to install a custom ROM, which may have lesser bloatware but may come at expense of stability. In custom ROMs you may also have option to disable boot-animations, although the difference wouldn't be much.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Did you try hot booting?

> If your Android device starts acting funny, what do you do? That’s right, you reboot the device and everything goes back to normal. But, what if there was a faster way to solve your issues? Many times, the culprit of any and all failures is the shell itself. This can be easily terminated via any of the available task managers out there, but here is a better solution. XDA member appelflap has developed an app that will only reboot the Android shell. This has several advantages, like the fact that you will not have to go through menus and/or lists of apps to find the shell to stop it. Also, it is faster than performing a soft reset. And best of all, it is a one touch kill.

Source: http://www.xda-developers.com/windows-mobile/reboot-the-shell-only-with-hot-reboot-for-android/

Unfortunately I couldn't find the app the developer made. The linked application thread only contains the text "On Market now" with no name or anything to follow up.

So you might want to try searching on Play store for Hot reboot.

In my HTC Desire running ICS there is option to Hot reboot which boots my phone from boot animation. I'm not sure but I do feel its a tleast twice faster than normal reboot. There are some claim that hot reboot is twice faster as well. For eg: http://www.intomobile.com/2010/09/29/hot-reboot-android-video/
> 1 votes

# Answer
The fact that you are rooted is great, because that means that you can isolate the problem by trying to switch to another ROM. If the problem disappears, then it was software related and it's then solved :)

I suggest you look at Galaxy Mini Android Development on xda-developers and find a ROM that you think looks nice. (I'm noting one of them now has the word "wifi fix" in it). Don't forget to install a custom kernel after the ROM if the instructions tell you to do so, you don't want to run a flashy new ROM with an old kernel.

The reason new ROM + kernel is something that's important to try is that these components regulate the functions you mentioned (wifi, bluetooth etc), so by replacing them completely we know if there might be a hardware malfunction or if there was some kind of software bug to begin with.
> -1 votes

---
Tags: wi-fi, 2.2-froyo, bluetooth, services
---


# Question
Title: Where are the .apk files of currently installed apps stored on my Android device?
> **Possible Duplicate:**
> Where in the file system are applications installed?

How can I view the .apk files of currenly installed apps on my android phone?

# Answer
> 20 votes
Use a file manager to look in the following locations:

1. `/data/app`
2. `/data/app-private`
3. `/system/app/`
4. `/sdcard/.android_secure` (shows .asec files, not .apks)
On Samsung phones: `/sdcard/external_sd/.android_secure`

You need to be rooted to view the first three.

Use command `pm list package -f` (via `adb shell` if you want to use ADB) to list packages with their respective locations. You can then read the files. This can be done without superuser permissions.

# Answer
> 0 votes
System apps are found in `/system/app/`.

The other apps you've installed are found in the `/mnt/asec/` directory. See my answer to this question for details.

---
Tags: applications, files, storage, apk, file-system
---


# Question
Title: If I install something from Google Play, can I be sure it can uninstall itself?
So recently bought an Android tablet, having first had an iPhone.

So with Apple's strategy, apps seem quite restricted. They can really only do a couple of minor things outside of the app (like notifications etc.) and they're also reviewed by Apple.

Android seems to allow a lot more freedom. You have apps that change the keyboard, or change the start up screen or allow you to share across apps etc.

So my question is... if I install something from Play Store, do I know that it will always uninstall properly? Do app developers actually need to write an uninstall program or is this done automatically in the OS?

# Answer
## Short answer

Generally, apps are cleanly uninstalled, and most if not all of their data will be removed along. Some exceptions may however apply to their data stored on sdcard, if any.

## Detailed answer

Android uses a data structure which is defined by the developers API, and developers should stick to it. There are also not too many ways they could deviate, as e.g. file system permissions prevent this.

Aside from the `.apk` (the app itself) installed at a defined place, there are also defined places for the apps data: All these can only go below `/data/data/<package_name>` on internal storage (rare chances an app can access other places in internal storage to place its data, except from some "temporary" or cache locations. As for the sdcard, the API strongly recommends to use `Android/data/<package_name>` as corresponding place (see API documentation).

As long as developers stick to these rules, uninstalling the app will also remove all its data (as the system takes care for all those locations defined by the developer documentation, since these are easily identified via the package name). However, on the sdcard there are almost no restrictions which places an app can access (which is due to the FAT file system used for these cards), and some apps go wild here.
> 8 votes

---
Tags: applications, uninstallation
---


# Question
Title: Everything gets saved to the phone instead of SD card
I'm using the Samsung Galaxy Gio, and my problem is that all my apps get saved to the phone, using up all the storage. I've got space left on my SD card but it doesn't want to install anything there. I found a function that lets you move apps to SD card but sadly it doesn't work with 99% of the apps installed.

How do I solve this problem?

# Answer
> 2 votes
# Background

Android has specific rules regarding the installation of applications and their physical location. It works like and hierarchical structure:

1. If the app has a specified location by the developer, this takes priority.
2. If it is not specified in the app, then the default install location is used.

Android has 3 identifiers for app storage location: that may be mentioned on the application manifest android:installLocation:

* "internalOnly":

> The application must be installed on the internal device storage only. If this is set, the application will never be installed on the external storage. If the internal storage is full, then the system will not install the application.
* "auto":

> The application may be installed on the external storage, but the system will install the application on the internal storage by default. If the internal storage is full, then the system will install it on the external storage.
* "preferExternal":

> The application prefers to be installed on the external storage (SD card). There is no guarantee that the system will honor this request. The application might be installed on internal storage if the external media is unavailable or full, or if the application uses the forward-locking mechanism (not supported on external storage).

Old applications may have no choice but to install on the internal storage, as per the Google Documentation:

> The ability for your application to install on the external storage is a feature available only on devices running API Level 8 (Android 2.2) or greater. Existing applications that were built prior to API Level 8 will always install on the internal storage and cannot be moved to the external storage (even on devices with API Level 8).

---

# What can I do?

You can manage the installed applications and set their storage location, all from one place:

1. Tap "home" to return to your device home screen;
2. Tap your device "menu" button;
3. Depending on your device, you either have to:
    * Tap "Manage apps";
    * Tap "Settings" \> "Applications" \> "Manage applications".
4. Now access the third tab where it reads "USB Storage" or "On SD card" (again, varies with the device);
5. Here are listed all the applications that are allowed to be moved to your External Storage, tab over one to bring up more options about it;
6. When the application details panel opens, you have a button "Move to SD card", use it to move that application to your External Storage;
7. Press "back" to return to the list. If you've moved the app to the external memory, you will notice that a green tick is present on the right side on the list, to let you know that the application file is currently on your External Storage.

This is a safe guide to have your OS managing the applications and moving then from Internal Storage to External Storage without hacks or tricks. You can read all about it on the Google Official Documentation.

# Answer
> 0 votes
As the sdcard could become inaccessible (e.g. when mounted via USB to a computer, or when removed), there are some groups of apps which cannot and should not be installed on external storage -- as they could not keep up their work in those cases. These include:

* apps using widgets (widgets could no longer update if the storage is gone)
* apps using services (these services would break then)
* apps providing sync adapters (these adapters would be inaccessible)

Most of these apps are not even able to be moved to sdcard, as their developers declared them "internalOnly" (see Zuul's answer). But some developers forget about this, and so it might happen you move an app which you better had not -- and then wonder about above mentioned things breaking (most users notice this with widgets only). So better keep this in mind as well when moving apps to external storage.

# Answer
> -1 votes
You also have to keep in mind that move apps to sdcard will make them slower, and since they still keep data on internal storage, there can be some annoying side effects: for example, if you move *Twitter for Android* to sdcard, you will have to login again every time.

This link has some good tips about what you should and shouldn't do: http://techgage.com/article/moving\_your\_non-movable\_android\_apps\_to\_an\_sd\_card/

---
Tags: sd-card, app2sd
---


# Question
Title: Faster CPU means higher battery consumption?
A friend of mine and I have the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1.

His tab is flashed with a custom kernel giving 1.2Ghz instead of the 1Ghz I have by default.

Using antutu benchmark, we saw what we expected, his device had a better score about 700 points.

My question is if his tab in comparison with mine will consume battery quicker.

On the other hand, having installed the CPU SPY and we saw that 1.2ghz and 1ghz are both used. The second question is does the device make use of the speed needed (from 216 to 1200) depending on the effort? If the device smartly uses the right cpu speed neede, does the 1.2ghz means a new better alternative for heavy tasks right?

# Answer
Yes you're correct. Android will use CPU frequency as required including deep sleep to highest CPU frequency. If Android uses 1.2Ghz for high end task it will consume more battery but on the other hand will finish the task quicker than 1Ghz.

Many custom ROM also allows you to change this CPU scaling behavior by changing the governor. For eg: if you choose governor for high performance then Android will try to scale CPU to higher frequency.
> 7 votes

# Answer
A faster CPU does not always mean more power consumption. Tegra 3 for example has a special "battery safe" - core that is used in idle mode or when not much power is needed and will need less battery even though the main cores have more GHz.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: battery-life, performance, kernel
---


title: Install built-in system languages

text:
# Question
Title: Install built-in system languages
I open **Settings-\>Language and keyboard-\>Samsung Keypad-\>Input languages** and there is a very limited range of languages there.

In my friend's phone there are more locales I'd like to support in my phone, is this possible (not via installing an external keyboard like MultiLing Keyboard etc.), in my friend's phone, my native language appears there and is integrated in the system.

Note: I've just rooted my phone.

# Answer
> 0 votes
If your question is about global language support, you might want to check How do I add a new language?

If you however simply refer to keyboard layouts: This very much depends on the keyboard/IME used. There is e.g. TouchPal Keyboard available on the playstore -- and also a lot of language packs for e.g. Hebrew, Spanish, Russian, or even handwriting. Same applies to some other keyboard apps, like e.g. AnySoftKeyboard (which even offers a pack for BB-Codes used in forums), Ice Cream Sandwich Keyboard, Perfect Keyboard, and others.

Though your question says you are probably rather looking for the former: If it is just for the keyboard, the latter is the easier approach. While installing a complete language pack may provide you with support for your language in other apps, you should be aware the language must also be explicitly supported by that app itself.

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s, keyboard, languages
---


# Question
Title: How do I get the Android 4 web browser to read arbitrary web pages out loud?
Can the Android browser in ICS read any web page out loud with TalkBack? How? It reads user interface elements, and some parts of specially scripted web pages (google.com) but I don't see how to make it read ordinary web pages.

# Answer
I have no idea how to achieve this natively -- but you could try Talking Clipboard, which can not only read everything you copy to the clipboard -- but also handle web pages directly. It even supports picking the web page's address from Pocket / Read-it-Later, can read from arbitrary text/html files stored locally, and also ePub books.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: text-to-speech
---


# Question
Title: How to find out the variant of my Galaxy Nexus?
There have been some Jelly Bean updates for Galaxy Nexus, but most of these are specific to a certain variant of the Nexus. **How can I easily find out which variant I have?**

# Answer
There used to be an app that did just this, but it's been pulled for some reason. You could also download a "system info" type app, but these often come with ads and other bloatware.

The easiest way is to download a terminal app such as Android Terminal Emulator, open it and run the command `getprop ro.product.name` and you'll get the variant.

Here's an example what the run looks like:

```
u0_a109@android:/ $ export PATH=/data/local/bin:$PATH
u0_a109@android:/ $ getprop ro.product.name
takju
u0_a109@android:/ $

```

... and there you have it, takju!

Another way would be to open `adb shell` and running `getprop ro.product.name` from there. This is more useful if you already have ADB installed. Otherwise, it's faster to just download the app.
> 5 votes

# Answer
# Check the firmware version of your device:

1. Open your favourite File Manager;
2. Access the `/system` folder;
3. Locate and open a file called `build.prop`;
4. Find the line that starts with `ro.product.name`.

Whatever comes after the equals sign `=`, that's the firmware you have.

# The different variants and their meaning:

Below there's an updated list of the known firmware variants for the Galaxy Nexus and what models they shipped on:

**GSM/HSPA+ Models**

```
┌──────────────────┬────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Firmware Variant │  Model it relates to                               │
├──────────────────┼────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ takju            │ USA region and carrier-independent firmware        │
│                  │ released on models sold in the USA through the     │
│                  │ Google Play Store                                  │
├──────────────────┼────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ yakju            │ International region and carrier-independent       │
│                  │ released on models sold throughout                 │
│                  │ western Europe                                     │
├──────────────────┼────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ yakjudv          │ Variant for Australia                              │
├──────────────────┼────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ yakjujp          │ Variant for the Middle East                        │
├──────────────────┼────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ yakjukr          │ Variant for South Korea                            │
├──────────────────┼────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ yakjusc          │ Variant for Japan                                  │
├──────────────────┼────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ yakjuux          │ Variant for Canada                                 │
├──────────────────┼────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ yakjuvs          │ Variant for Brazil                                 │
├──────────────────┼────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ yakjuxe          │ Variant for Russia and the former Eastern Bloc     │
├──────────────────┼────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ yakjuxw          │ Variant for certain carriers in Western Europe     │
├──────────────────┼────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ yakjuzs          │ Variant for China and Hong Kong                    │
└──────────────────┴────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

```

**CDMA/LTE Models**

```
┌──────────────────┬────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Firmware Variant │  Model it relates to                               │
├──────────────────┼────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  mysid           │ Variant for Verizon in the USA                     │
├──────────────────┼────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  mysidspr        │ Variant for Sprint in the USA                      │
└──────────────────┴────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

```

---

# Source:

XDA-Developers Forum Thread: \[GUIDE\] Galaxy Nexus Firmware Guide: Variations, Who Updates What, etc. explains very vividly how to get the firmware from your device (model variant), what it means and its origins.

I'll leave a resume of the current thread here just in case the link goes dead:

> ## WHAT IS ALL THIS TALK ABOUT FIRMWARE VARIATIONS?
>
> With every Nexus phone, there has been a "master" firmware, plus other localized firmware variants for certain regions or carriers. Sometimes these variants will contain language packs, additional ringtones, slightly different baseband (radio) firmware to make it work better for a particular carrier's network, etc.
>
> In the case of the Nexus S, Google maintained the master and all the local variants. On the Nexus One and the Xoom, Google only maintained the master firmware while carriers and/or OEMs maintained the local variants. In the case of the Galaxy Nexus, there are three Google-maintained master firmware variants, and many more Samsung-maintained local variants.
>
> ## WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT VARIANTS AND WHAT DO THEY MEAN?
>
> Below is a definitive list of all known firmware variants for the Galaxy Nexus, and what models they shipped on:
>
> * GSM/HSPA+ Models
>
> + takju - USA region- and carrier-independent firmware released on models sold in the USA through the Google Play Store
>     + yakju - International region- and carrier-independent firmware released on models sold throughout western Europe.
>     + yakjudv - Variant for Australia
>     + yakjujp - Variant for the Middle East
>     + yakjukr - Variant for South Korea
>     + yakjusc - Variant for Japan
>     + yakjuux - Variant for Canada
>     + yakjuvs - Variant for Brazil
>     + yakjuxe - Variant for Russia and the former Eastern Bloc
>     + yakjuxw - Variant for certain carriers in Western Europe
>     + yakjuzs - Variant for China and Hong Kong
> * CDMA/LTE Models
>
> + mysid - Variant for Verizon in the USA
>     + mysidspr - Variant for Sprint in the USA
>
> ## HOW CAN I TELL WHICH FIRMWARE I HAVE ON MY DEVICE?
>
> Using any file manager app, go into your /system folder and open the file called "build.prop". Find the line that starts with ro.product.name. Whatever comes after the equals sign (=), that's the firmware you have.
>
> ## WHICH FIRMWARE IS UPDATED BY GOOGLE AS OPPOSED TO SAMSUNG?
>
> Google updates the following firmware variants:
>
> * takju
> * yakju
> * mysid
>
> Every other variant is updated and maintained by Samsung.
> 10 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-nexus
---


# Question
Title: How can I "split" the virtual keyboard when typing on a large display in landscape mode?
I have a large Android tablet and would like to "split" the virtual keyboard when it's in landscape mode. Something similar like the iPad feature.

Is this possible and if so how?

# Answer
> 9 votes
**Thumb Keyboard** allows for this, as well as many other handy features which make it well worth the money

Paid Version

7 Day Trial Version

# Answer
> 6 votes
Swiftkey's tablet version supports this (paid, free trial). It has the letters split to each side and the numeric keys in the middle:

# Answer
> 3 votes
There also is FloatNSplit Tablet Keyboard (for the tablet rather AI FloatNSplit Tablet Keyboard) which offers this feature:

In addition to being able to split the keyboard, this one can also float with some transparency:

---
Tags: keyboard, tablet
---


# Question
Title: How to add Chinese Input Method to English Android 2.2 Phone
I have an HTC Legend with Android 2.2. I can switch between the standard input method (on-screen qwerty) and Graffiti by a long press in an input field.

I would like to be able to type chinese characters (for a dictionary app etc) without using pinyin. For example using wubi, ckc or some similar method.

Is it possible to add a new input method of this sort or to enable it if already built-in?

# Answer
There are a lot of alternative keyboards available on the playstore, which register as separate IMEs. One example I found is LIME HD Chinese IME, another one Cantonese keyboard:

There are several more available (the developer of the second keyboard offers some other variants as well), many are linked on these apps' playstore pages.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: localization, input-methods, htc-legend
---


# Question
Title: Is there any way to replace the desktop dock app on the Droid 3? Or at least change the widgets/dock area icons in productivity mode?
I have the Motorola desktop dock for my Droid 3 (on Verizon). When I drop the Droid in the desktop dock it lets me bring up either nighttime mode or productivity mode. I'd like to change what happens in productivity mode. I don't need two calendar views, for instance, and I'd like to have the Gmail app on the right side, instead of messages, and I'd like music instead of the camera app.

Does anyone know how any of this can be modified? I'm happy to spend a few dollars on an app if it will be able to take over from the built-in one when I put the phone on the dock.

# Answer
If you've got a replacement app, you could utilize Tasker for that:

* Condition: Docked
* Task: Start App \[your-replacement-app-here\]

On the next docking, you would be asked for the app to perform this action with. Decide for "Tasker" and see if it works as expected. If it does, make it the default next time.

As alternate app you could e.g. use Desk Clock Plus, which might even support this without the help of *Tasker*.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: docking-station, motorola-droid-3
---


title: How can I re-enable my keyguard?

text:
# Question
Title: How can I re-enable my keyguard?
When I first got my Droid Bionic, if I pressed the power button on the top it would lock the screen; pressing it again would display the keyguard, requiring me to slide to unlock. I had it configured so that if I pressed the power button in less than 5 minutes from the time the screen went off, I got the keygoard and then was able to use my phone. If I pressed the power button after 5 minutes past when the screen turned off, I had to enter my PIN.

On my new Samsung Galaxy SIII, the behavior is not the same. It's acting like my Bionic did for a short period, which was resolved by updating the Bionic to Android v1.4.2: If I press the power button less than 5 minutes after the screen turns off, then I am right into the phone, with no keyguard and susceptible to pocket dialing or deleting.

The behavior I want is:

* Power button turns the screen off
* If the screen is off for less than 5 minutes, power button activates the "swipe to unlock" screen
* If the screen is off for more than 5 minutes, power button requires a PIN to access the phone
* If the screen is off, *something* should be required to get back into the phone, either "swipe to unlock" or a PIN. I should *never* be able to get back to the last app/homescreen without doing one or the other (or both) to prevent pocket dials or accidental UI actions.

Settings I currently have set under **Settings \> Lock Screen**:

* Screen Lock: Secured with PIN
* With Swipe Lock: Enabled
* Lock Automatically: 5 Minutes
* Lock instantly with power key: Off (On requires PIN immediately after power key. I want the swipe, and PIN after 5 minutes)

How can I restore the functionality where the keyguard (swipe to unlock) activates instantly but the PIN lock activates only after 5 minutes?

# Answer
This function is also referred to as the "keyguard." Most of the phones that I have had do not allow you to toggle this on and off in the settings. Clearly something, possibly another app, toggled this off. I use Tasker to manipulate this setting. You may need to be rooted to do this but you can enable or disable they keyguard manually or programatically. There are also third party apps for toggling the keyguard. They are usually advertised as ways to disable the keyguard but they slice both ways. Depending on what disabled your keyguard in the first place, you may only need to use this solution once.
> 3 votes

# Answer
Right, the best you can do is download this app called '***aSpotCat***' from the Google play store.

This will iterate through your listing of apps installed on your device.

To carry out the task -

* Tap on '***aSpotCat***' that is the app that was downloaded from the Google Play store.
* Tap on '*List apps by permission*'
* Tap on '*System tools*', this will expand, and there will be a button called '***Details***', tap that.
* Scroll down to see '*Disable Keyguard*', tap on the arrow beside it, and it will expand itself, in there, you will see apps that have the permission to do so.

This will help you track it down and there should be an app listed in there responsible for disabling the keyguard, uninstall it and fingers crossed it will resolve it!
> 2 votes

# Answer
Same issue for me.

Solved removing last "Maps" app update. Found it using "aspotcat", like t0mm13b said.
> 1 votes

# Answer
I'm not fully sure if this is what you want, but you might want to enable the setting "Power button instantly locks" setting in the security section of the preferences. (That's where it is in ICS, I assume name and location are similar in Gingerbread.)
> 0 votes

# Answer
Its called "Set up screen lock".

You can find it under Settings -\> Security -\> Set Up Screen Lock

You'll want to change it to slide.
> -3 votes

---
Tags: 4.1-jelly-bean, settings, lock-screens, standby
---


# Question
Title: How do I *really* disable autocorrection?
I am experiencing this on a Droid2 Global running Froyo, but it was happening on a Droid Pro as well. It did not happen on my Droid running Cyanogen or stock Froyo.

When I'm typing in the gTalk app or using Tweetcaster, my text is auto-corrected. Even when I have auto-correct turned off in the keyboard settings. I use a lot of shorthand, and this gives rise to interesting conversations some times as auto-correct turns abbreviations like "DX" and "D2" into "PD" and similar silliness.

So, the question is: Is there more than one setting for auto-correct? If so, where is it hidden.

*It seems to be global since more than one app suffers from it.*

# Answer
> 2 votes
From the Android 2.2 Froyo Users Manual, specifically on pages 329 and 330, is mentioned the following settings about auto correction features:

**To access:**

Press "Home" \> Press "Menu" \> Touch Settings.

# Android Keyboard settings screen

The Android Keyboard settings apply to the onscreen keyboard that is included with your phone. The correction and capitalization features affect only the English version of the keyboard.

* Auto-capitalization

> Check to have the onscreen keyboard automatically capitalize the first letter of the first word after a period, the first word in a text field, and each word in name fields.
* Quick fixes

> Check to automatically correct some common misspellings as you type.
* Show suggestions

> Check to show suggested words in a strip above the onscreen keyboard as you type. See “Using the onscreen keyboard” on page 29.
* Auto-complete

> Check to automatically enter a suggested word, highlighted in orange in the strip above the keyboard, when you enter a space or punctuation. See “Using the onscreen keyboard” on page 29.

# Device Keyboard settings screen

This settings screen is available only if your phone has a physical keyboard.

* Auto-replace

> Check to correct misspelled words as you type.
* Auto-cap

> Check to capitalize the first letter of the first word in sentences.
* Auto-punctuate

> Check to insert a period ( . ) when you press the Space key twice in a row

---

Depending on what exactly you wish to disable, you need to analyse all the above options to match your criteria.

---
Tags: 2.2-froyo, motorola-droid-2, text-editor, auto-correct
---


# Question
Title: How to configure Show Owner Info on Lock Screen on Galaxy S2 / Android 4.0.3?
I just upgrade my S2 to Android 4.0.3, and I'm trying to configure it to show my info on the lock screen.

I go to Setup--\>Security--\>Owner info

Then, I type in the info, but I don't find any way to save or submit this info. I can only hit the back button, and then when I go to the lock screen, nothing is displayed.

What am I missing?

# Answer
> 5 votes
There is no submit button. Just hit the back button and lock your phone to see the result.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I also had the same problem initially. Nothing happens after setting up the owner's info.

Then I unplugged my USB cable and voilà, it appears under the clock!

Hope this helps... (^\_^)

# Answer
> 0 votes
Make sure the check box is selected above the text entry field where you type in your message.

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, samsung-galaxy-s-2, lock-screens
---


# Question
Title: Is there a way to read a network log file directly from the Android device using a Linux tail command like?
Is there a way to do what's asked in the topic subject for unrooted and/or rooted phones?

I'd like to read from a system log file instead of constantly listening the network activity for battery saving purposes.

# Answer
> 1 votes
You can use any SSH client to establish a connection to your host and tail the desired file.

*This will not help you saving the battery, since the tail command or any other that collects "off-site" information, needs an active connection that uses network, that in turn consumes more battery.*

---

Personally I use ConnectBot by Kenny Root and Jeffrey Sharkey available from Google Play Store for free.

> ConnectBot is a powerful open-source Secure Shell (SSH) client. It can manage simultaneous SSH sessions, create secure tunnels, and copy/paste between other applications.
>
> This client allows you to connect to Secure Shell servers that typically run on UNIX-based servers.

---
Tags: logging
---


title: Motorola Atrix 4g force close error

text:
# Question
Title: Motorola Atrix 4g force close error
I am using Motorola Atrix 4g and it's Android 2.3.6 . It worked like a boss for almost 6/7 months. Recently it started showing Force close com.motorola.service.main and restart the phone, then again force close and restart. After restarting almost 10 times it showed the screen. Then I factory reset the set, thought it will solve the problem.

But after resetting the phone it still gives error "com.motorola.service.main has stopped unexpectedly. Please try again" and then force close, but it doesn't restart now. So I can still use the phone. And I live in Bangladesh, so there is no servicing center available for this.

Anyone faced this before? or does anyone have any clue how to fix it?

# Answer
I had the Force Close problem the error was "The process com.motorola.service.main has stopped unexpectedly please try again". Motorola support couldn't solve it so they had me send it for repair. Sent it to them 2X. When i got it back the 3rd time still had the problem so Motorola provided a replacement phone. When i received the replacement the problem occurred again. This only left 2 possibilities, sim card (unlikely) and MotoBlur. I created a new MotoBlur account instead of using my existing one. PROBLEM SOLVED.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: force-close, motorola-atrix-4g
---


title: Keeping an app in memory

text:
# Question
Title: Keeping an app in memory
I once read about an init.d tweak to keep an app in memory. I'm unable to find that tweak now. Does anyone have the link? An alternate method would also be welcome.

Edit : I'm using cyanogenmod 10.

# Answer
You can do it according to this post on XDA:

> 1. Make a file called 99applock.txt
> 2. Insert code below and put you messaging service in where it says PPID (that usually can be found in data/data if your using aftermakrket sms app) remove the .txt extension and put file in ect/init.d and just give it 777 permissions, it works for me.

```
    #!/system/bin/sh

    sleep 60

    PPID=$(pidof com.your.app)
    echo "-17" > /proc/$PPID/oom_adj
    renice -18 $PPID

```
> 4 votes

---
Tags: ram
---


# Question
Title: How to control the file system on Android from Win7 file explorer?
I haven't found any good solution for managing files on my Galaxy S2 from Win7. I've tested Kies and some other software but I'd like to be able to move files, create directories etc. through file explorer in Windows. There was some talks about installing a server also but it feels like using nukes on a mosquito. Preferably a free software that I can install?

Frankly, I was expecting that a simple connection via BT would suffice in this era of Plug & Play but, apparently, in my case, it's Plug & Prey, instead...

# Answer
You can use your USB-Cable to connect your phone to the computer. If your phone doesn't pop up as external device, you're probably missing the needed USB-Drivers for it.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-2, windows, file-system
---


# Question
Title: Phone response slow, responds 2 - 10 seconds after touching screen or not at all, random lock ups, and power downs
I have a non-rooted T-Mobile G2x by LG running Android 2.3.3. I have had it about two weeks and have noticed several problems.

Randomly shuts down. I go to use my phone and it doesn't come on, I press the power button and nothing happens, unless I long press which makes the phone boot. This has happened 3 or 4 times. The battery has a good state of charge, it's happened just sitting on my desk as well as when I wear it on my belt. It's also done this in the middle of a voice call.

Runs slow. I turn on the phone, the screen comes on, I swipe my unlock pattern, nothing happens for 2 - 10 seconds, then it shows me the pattern and unlocks the phone. It takes several attempts to unlock the phone because it doesn't always see the whole pattern. I swipe correctly the phone just doesn't pick it up.

The phone has locked up a couple of times, the screen is blank, playing with the power button does nothing. The only way I have been able to get the phone to come up is to remove and reinstall the battery.

The only thing I have noticed when it runs slow is I seem to be running out of ram. Less than 10%. If I kill the apps, it runs fast again, until the ram is gone which only takes 2 - 3 minutes before all of the apps using RAM have restarted.

Should I take the phone back to T-mobile and exchange it? If so any tips? I can just imagine the bureaucracy that I will have to deal with to get this accomplished.

# Answer
> 2 votes
Read an article at this location http://www.anandtech.com/show/4502/tmobile-g2x-review-gingerbread-infused/9

Seems to be a software problem.

Imho root and flash cyanogen or install the ROM after reading in XDA

# Answer
> 0 votes
For random shut downs, that's definitely a loose battery problem.

Stick some dental floss (I used Oral-B Glide floss) in the side opposite the battery connectors. I used that floss because it's a bit spongy when you bunch it up but at the same time hard. Used about 1.5 feet of it bundled up in my Nexus S phone.

When you push the battery in, make sure it is tight, but not too tight.

This will force the battery to remain contacted at the pins. When the battery is loose and can disconnect from the pins (for even a fraction of a second), you get an open circuit and the phone shuts off completely (no power).

---
Tags: 2.3-gingerbread, crashes, t-mobile, t-mobile-g2x
---


# Question
Title: Galaxy Nexus randomly shut downs while streaming music with Pandora- how do I fix this?
While streaming music with the Pandora application (on the high quality setting) on a Galaxy Nexus over Verizon 4G, after any given time period the phone will completely shut down. This happens at unpredictable times. The phone doesn't get heated and no data/download limits are reached. I'm fairly certain this is a bug with the Pandora app on ICS or could be ICS in general, as it is not experienced during any other data streaming.

* Has anyone experienced this random shut down while streaming with Pandora on their device, and if so..
* Is there remedy for this type of bug?

# Answer
> 1 votes
For random shut downs, that's most probably a loose battery problem.

Stick some dental floss (I used Oral-B Glide floss) in the side opposite the battery connectors. I used that floss because it's a bit spongy when you bunch it up but at the same time hard. Used about 1.5 feet of it bundled up in my Nexus S phone.

When you push the battery in, make sure it is tight, but not too tight.

This will force the battery to remain contacted at the pins. When the battery is loose and can disconnect from the pins (for even a fraction of a second), you get an open circuit and the phone shuts off completely (no power).

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, samsung-galaxy-nexus, pandora
---


# Question
Title: Will I lose root with the AT&T OTA 3.0 update?
I have the option to do the over the air 3.0 update from AT&T for a HTC Inspire 4G.

Will I lose root?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Generically speaking, if you've only rooted the device and haven't actually installed another ROM, you should be able to apply the OTA update, but you will lose root because of it. You can always root again.

This is mentioned on several forum threads:

As one can see by the posts on each one of the above threads, there's a device agnostic consensus. Users report that OTA updates are possible on rooted devices, but root is always lost.

The reason behind this is that updates essentially replace or add system files, and the permissions on these files that the rooting process has changed to give you root access, are changed to the ones that come with the update, that don't allow root access.

# Answer
> 0 votes
You can also try using an app such as Voodoo OTA Rootkeeper to protect your root. On supported phones, it can preserve root through an OTA update. It must be installed and set up *before* you apply the OTA update.

---
Tags: ota-update, root-access
---


title: Samsung Galaxy Gio network menu

text:
# Question
Title: Samsung Galaxy Gio network menu
I have a problem with my galaxy gio. It has a network lock (I think) and I've tried to unlock it. The problem is that I have the unlock code but the phone doesn't ask for it. It is there a menu or a key code to open that menu to enter the unlock code or any other solution ?

Thanks

# Answer
I've solved the problem. The device has a custom rom and you cannot unblock them so. I had to flash the device with a stock one and Odin and then it asked me for network key.
> 1 votes

# Answer
At least on older phones the unlock codes work directly from the dialing interface. Try to enter the code as if you were calling it (from the dialer).
> 0 votes

---
Tags: sim-unlocking, samsung-galaxy-gio
---


# Question
Title: Nexus 7 won't boot after being powered down...unless plugged in
I have powered down my new Nexus on a couple of occasions now, but it will not boot up subsequently UNLESS it is plugged into the charger. Is this by design? I've also had it go into this unresponsive state after being charged overnight; in that case, I turned the charger off and on again and it was OK.

Anyone had this happen to them? Do I have a faulty unit?

# Answer
I just double-checked mine, and it boots fine without the charger (battery at 64%). I suspect your unit is faulty.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: nexus-7
---


# Question
Title: Play music from Android to Airplay receiver
Is there a way of playing music on my Android phone to an Airplay receiver (like Airport Express etc)?

# Answer
The Airsync add-on to the Double Twist player adds this ability. It's not free, but was worth it.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: music, streaming, airplay
---


# Question
Title: Low Signal Strength after Firmware Upgrade
When I first bought my Samsung Galaxy S (GT-I9000) phone a month ago, it had it's factory installed 2.1 Eclair running. Despite many 'Android Market' apps not being compatable with it, my signal strength was half to full 3G signal wherever I went.

I then upgraded to 2.3 Gingerbread. My signal strength was lucky to get higher than half strength and often had an E or H next to the signal indicator instead of a 3G ledgend.

I have since upgraded again to CyanogenMod9 (4.0 ICS) with no change to signal strength. In the locations I got full 3G signal only a month ago, I still struggle to get over half signal strength with an H ledgend. The bars are usually grey but occationally turn blue.

I am wondering if the factory Eclair install had a preset setting making it suitable to work in Australia with the specific frequency bands we have here, and upgrading has over written these settings. If this is the case, my phone may be looking for frequencies used in Europe or America that arn't used here or are the 2G frequencies.

My googling has found many forum threads where people have lossed signal quality after upgrading, many blaming the carrier or ICS. Several people have subsequently downgraded to default Gingerbread to fix the problem, for me this would mean going back to Eclair. I don't really want to do that.

Is there anything I can do, changing settings or installing an app, that can bring me back to full strength?

**UPDATE 26Aug12**

I think I have deciphered the signal strength bars. E denotes EDGE (2G) signal, H is for HSPA and 3G for UMTS fast 3G connection. The signal bars are grey normally, and turn blue when you have an active data link (and little up/down arrows show data transfer).

I wonder if my phone is having trouble with UMTS and therefore not connecting at 3G speeds after the upgrade.

# Answer
Flashing your Phone probably also changed your Modem/Baseband. Flashing another might give you better Signal.

Here you can download Modems for your phone: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1158783
> 2 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s, network-signal
---


# Question
Title: How to manually upload ringtones and notifications to DroidX?
I've created 2 folders on the root of the SD card,

* Ringtones
* Notifications

and placed one mp3 file within each. When I disconnect the DroidX from the USB cable and navigate to either "Settings" \> "Sound"\> "Phone ringtone", or "Settings" \> "Sound" \> "Notification ringtone", neither mp3 file shows up.

What am I doing wrong?

# Answer
> 2 votes
You don't need to make your own folders.

The proper file to put the mp3s is /system/media/audio/ - where you will find folders for /alarms , /notifications , and /ringtones

There are two things to keep in mind when doing this:

1. If you are using full-sized .mp3's , you will put considerable strain on the system when it comes time to load one. In my experience, two minutes of mp3 works fine for an alarm, but such a file takes a few seconds to load, and will not make for a suitable ringtone, unless you trim the file first.
2. You will have to re-do this every time you flash a new ROM.

An alternative to this -- is to have them in /sdcard/media/ -- But if you have an older device, having them in the root directory allows for better performance.

HTH!

# Answer
> 2 votes
You probably found the correct location (if your "root of the device" refers to the root of your sdcard). For details on those directories, please check with Is there any documentation on the correct/expected directory structure of the external memory card?.

One thing which however may apply: For those files to become available with your settings, the *Media Scanner* must have been run and having them indexed. Usually this should happen automatically when your SD-card gets mounted; but it may be much delayed when you did not unmount/remount the card (and e.g. copied files directly on the device). In those cases, a little app like SDrescan, Scan Media, or SDSync (SD Card Update) might prove useful.

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Tags: notifications, motorola-droid-x, ringtone
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title: Changing end-of-list animation in MIUI

text:
# Question
Title: Changing end-of-list animation in MIUI
I really like the Samsung / iOS bounce at the end of lists, and I really dislike the overglow animation from Google. And since I'm only using MIUI ROMs, I'm used to being able to set up everything the way I want it, I decided to ask them the question:

And as you can see I received a positive answer. But either it's not true, or I'm completely blind.

The menu option isn't there for me. (I double-checked.) So does anyone know if it's still possible, or why she said this?

# Answer
> 0 votes
As Uri seems not to place it in an answer, I will do so -- to help other searchers see there is an answer ;)

As pointed out, there is a *MIUI control panel*, which should ship with most MIUI ROMs. If it is not included with yours, you will find it in an app called Extended Settings.

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Tags: samsung-galaxy-s, miui, themes
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# Question
Title: com.android.phone force closes constantly after a clean install of CM7.1 in SGS1
I installed a CM7.1 over a custom 2.3.5 installation on my Samsung Galaxy S I9000. I did a full wipe through CWM as well as wiping the cache, as explained in the SGS installation instructions. The installation completed without any errors, but when the phone booted the process *com.android.phone* force-closed. When I dismissed the error, it force-closed again within less than a second, and continued doing so.

I rebooted into recovery and made sure to wipe everything, but nothing helped. I finally reverted to my previous ROM in disappointment.

What could be the causing these force-closes? How can I install CM7.1 successfully? Is there any specific kernel I should install? Any specific modem?

# Answer
After researching this in local forums, it turned out to a SIM card issue. My carrier had a series of yellow SIM cards that for some reason caused this problem. I had my carrier replace it, and I've been on CM ever since (with a short break for AOKP).
> 0 votes

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Tags: samsung-galaxy-s, cyanogenmod, force-close
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title: Shaking notification bar

text:
# Question
Title: Shaking notification bar
On an Asus Transformer Prime, my notification bar at the bottom of the screen will randomly start dancing up and down, and sometimes just scramble then go normal. When it does either one of these behaviours, I need to restart my Android to get it to stop. When it scrambles, the rest of the screen is fine, and I can click on areas of the bar that are messed up as if it wasn't, and access their functions (i.e. Back, Home, etc)

# Answer
> 0 votes
Asus released an update, and it's been 2 weeks since it happened

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Tags: asus-eee-pad-transformer, notification-bar
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# Question
Title: Rotate 180 degrees screen in HTC Desire HD with ICS from Blackout team
I just installed ICS in my HTC Desire HD (thanks Blackout Team) in this thread

HTC Desire has the charging plug in the bottom, and a coworker was so nice to make me a stand for the phone. PRoblem is I cant charge it while standing.

IS there a way so that I can rotate 180 degrees upside down everything in my screen?

# Answer
Go to settings \> display \> rotation. In there you might have the option to enable 180 degrees. This works for me using CM9 so hopefully it works for you.
> 2 votes

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Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, htc-desire-hd, auto-rotation
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# Question
Title: Syncing Facebook contacts to Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean
I just upgraded to Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean and I was wondering if syncing my Facebook contacts could mess up my Google Contacts (*which are very well organized compared to facebook*), or if both services do keep isolated from each other.

# Answer
No, they are run completely separate and exclusive from each other, not something that'll completely replace the data within your existing contacts... Although they can be merged so that it displays one contact instead of two (again, it still won't physically combine the data). That way, you can have their profile pic as a contact icon and even their birthday, phone number, email in one place if they have it on their profile. It'll try to merge automatically if the name + phone number or email from your Google contact matches what they have in Facebook, but it'll have to be manually merged if it doesn't.
> 2 votes

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Tags: contacts, sync, facebook, 4.1-jelly-bean
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