# Question
Title: How do I remove a review I've written from the Android Market app?
How do I delete a review that I have written from the Android Market?

Somewhere in Google's issue tracking software someone has raised this issue (I've lost the link, sorry), and the answer given was that there is a "remove review" menu option when viewing the app in question in the Market application. The person asking seemed satisfied, however there is no such menu option on my phone (Android 2.2).

# Answer
> 12 votes
Nowadays, there's a Delete button on the Play website:

So, the remainder of this post is just in case things change again at some later time, especially as in November 2012 Google has made things worse, but also kind of solved the problem for existing reviews by removing your name:

> Google Play is now connected with Google+ to help you find reviews you trust.
>
> New reviews will be posted publicly using your Google+ name and picture. Your name on previous reviews will appear as "A Google User".

Also note that someone reported Issue 16483: Android Market doesn't allow removing an existing application's rating and comment. Voting might help! Or maybe there's some alternative market app that interfaces with Google's store?

My findings:

* Despite what many write: clearing all text including the title does not clear the review for me; it just moved my old review to the top again, with a new date and an updated version number. In the Play app the "OK" button is disabled when clearing the title, so I guess the title text is mandatory. Indeed, just typing a title on the website does save the new review with an empty description. Still, that does show my name, rating and title.

To edit one's own review on the website, even if it's actually shown on the main page: first click "All reviews" or go to the tab "User Reviews", then find the "Edit Review" button next to "My Review". Note that different languages might show different reviews! (I cannot find my review in the Dutch Google Play, as I entered it using an English Play app?)
* In the Play app one can swipe the stars to the left to get "unrated", but then the "OK" button is disabled.
* Uninstalling the reviewed app does not seem to remove one's review. (Which makes sense, I guess.)
* As true for new or updated reviews too: it takes quite some time for changes to propagate. Even once the new review is shown, refreshing might show the old one again. I guess there's multiple servers involved and it takes some time to synchronize. Be patient, for otherwise you might actually activate the old review again.
* Old versions of the Market app reveal an option "Remove my review" by simply pressing the hardware menu button, when viewing an app one reviewed. That seems to have gone in 2.3.5 and I cannot find it in Play on 4.0.4 either.

I tried with an old Android 2.1 device, with Market version "2002306". That old Market app still works just fine, but not all apps are visible on that old device, and some show "The requested item could not be found" when selecting it.

Sniffing the network first shows some HTTPS request, probably authentication. Removing the rating gave me a POST to `android.clients.google.com`:

```
POST /market/api/ApiRequest HTTP/1.1
version=2&request=CpQDCr[...]OTc2NTE4MzgYARQ

```

This is a request like many others that people have been deciphering. Unfortunately the unofficial Android Market API does not support these rating requests.
* Using "Manage apps" I removed all updates for the Play Store 3.5.19 on Android 4.0.4, getting me the version 3.4.7. No luck.
* I also tried AppBrain, hoping it would somehow interface with the Google Play Store and would then allow for changing ratings. No cigar.

# Answer
> 4 votes
Follow these steps:

1. Go to your browser
2. Go to Google home page
3. At the top, click on `Play`
4. Go to the bottom of the screen
5. Click on `My orders and settings` (bottom left)
6. Select the app you need to remove the comment from.
There will be an option to edit or delete the comment.

Hope this helps.

# Answer
> 2 votes
On market application, click vote stars again, just clear your review text and save again. (you can clear your review but can't delete vote stars, alse you can change your vote stars if you want)

# Answer
> 1 votes
In the latest version of Google Play Store, v4.9.13, the original reviewer has to find the original review. This is easy, because in my experience, my review is presented at the top of the list of reviews. Click Edit button, and a dialog appears with a Delete button. Click the Delete button.

# Answer
> -2 votes
The OK button shows up as disabled if you don't have everything filled out. Make sure you have the stars clicked and BOTH THE SUMMARY LINE, AND COMMENT SECTION filled in.

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


# Question
Title: Can't have G,E,3G,H+ in the network bar (thus no internet connection unless on wifi)
I have a new Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo, I have a question. Since I bought it 2 days ago, the internet connection is fine (with or without wifi) and it shows either G/E/3G/H+ symbol.

But, I once get into a basement (which I got no signal), and then, when I came out (this morning), the internet network coverage shows no symbol.

What I did wrong? I might accidentally pressed something unconsciously since I am new to this device (and android smartphone generally).

The signal bar (aside G,E,3G,H+ symbol) shows full bar, though.

Thanks. (I haven't call my service provider, since it might be device problem)

Additional notes :

* On : Wifi, Vibrate, Screen Rotation, Mobile Data, Multi Window, Smart Stay, Sync
* Off : GPS, BT, Blocking Mode, Power Saving, Screen Monitoring, Wifi Hotspot, S Beam, NFC, Air View, Hands-free mode, Smart pause, Smart scroll, Airplane mode
* Android version : 4.3

# Answer
There are many things that can go wrong when messing around with the network settings, but the main ones to check are:

1. that you have enabled `Packet Data` and is not `Roaming` on different network
2. and that you have not **set** and exceeded your data limit. This can be both from your provider and also as a user defined setting.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: internet, mobile-network, samsung-galaxy-note-3
---


# Question
Title: change download folder to external sdcard in ttpod
I am new user of Sony C6603, with Android 4.2.2. For free music download, I use TTPod. I find the music can be downloaded for free in this App, but I wonder if I can change the default download folder (/storage/emulated/0/ttpod) to somewhere external sdcard (/stroage/sdcard1)? Or maybe such a change prevent some functions of this app?

# Answer
> 1 votes
1. Press 3 line button beside TTPod to open the menu
2. Press "Settings"
3. Press "Downloads"
4. Press "Audio auto download directory" and select where you want to save your files

---
Tags: sd-card, music-player, downloading
---


# Question
Title: How can I tell if I need a valid SIM card (active phone #) on my old Smartphone to use an App?
I gave my old Moto RazrM phone to my daughter. The phone and Mobile internet had stopped working. So it only has wifi. It also has not valid phone "account".

Will this limit her ability to use Apps? If so, how can I tell when that's causing problems? (Several apps/games she's downloaded are not working. And at least one of them worked previously.

# Answer
The phone service (which includes texting) is a feature of the Android. Tablets don't have this feature.

Without being connected to a phone provider will cause you to loose features the service provide. However other features of the Android OS will not be affected. You don't need phone service to use many apps. Also there are many apps that can be used without Internet service (as long as you have a means (such as USB tethering to get the app on the device.

In other words the Android device should function very similar to a computer that works offline with applications installed and online when connected to the Internet.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: sim-card
---


# Question
Title: Is there an Android video chat client that displays video stream and text messages at the same time?
I'm looking for a video chat app for Android, but I'm unable to find one that can display the video stream and text messages at the same time, it's either one or the other. I tried for example Google Hangouts and Skype and both have this problem. Screen estate should not be problem since it would be used on a tabled with external keyboard

Is there another app in the market that allows this? If possible I would like also to be able to call Windows clients.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Voice chat programs uses an Internet data stream. It isn't up to the developer of the application. No matter which app you find it will be limited based on your phone service provider and the type of phone you have.

Take a look at this (the protocols that are available via some services and phone types:

(taken from this thread, Can I talk and use Internet or other apps at the same time)

> If you really want to know why and how this happens, without all the techie speak - - - -
>
> Verizon's 3G data and voice network is CDMA, and only a device with SVDO technology can use voice and data at the same time (as opposed to the current standard EVDO) on CDMA. The first device to do this was the HTC Thunderbolt. The Galaxy S3 also has SVDO, so you can surf and talk at the same time if you have Verizon 3G service.
>
> The VZW iPhone does not have SVDO, so it can't do it. The iPhone on ATT and Tmobile can do this, as those two carriers don't use CDMA - they use GSM, which can do voice and data already. I don't know why specifically, but just know that Tmo and ATT are GSM and Sprint and VZW are CDMA.
>
> Finally, any 4G LTE enabled phone on verizon can do talk and data at the same time, as the data will run over the LTE network and the voice runs over CDMA. So, devices like the Moto Droid Razr and other LTE phones can do talk and data at the same time, but only if LTE service is available. If in a 3G-only area, the Droid Razr can't do talk and surf together.
>
> Make sense?

So if this is a needed feature you would have to shop for a specific phone provider and a specific phone that will allow you to use Data service and Phone service simultaneously... again, limited by the phone service and phone, not the app.

---
Tags: tablet, chat, video-calling
---


# Question
Title: How do I reset the input language to English when I can't read the current language?
I have a **Nexus 4** with the latest OS.

I accidentally set the input to **Arabic**.

Now I don't know how to reset to **English**.

I tried re-booting but it did not revert to **English**.

I would like to avoid a factory reset, if possible.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I discovered how to do this.

The icons for the various functions remain the same.

I went into

1. **Settings** (cogwheel icon) then
2. **Language & input** (white square with black A)
3. Top item in this menu is **Language**

I tapped this item and was presented with the normal list of languages, each in its own font.

---
Tags: settings, 4.4-kitkat, nexus-4, factory-reset
---


# Question
Title: Moto E being charged for mobile data even if it's turned off on Vodafone Karnataka SIM
I have very recently purchased **Moto E** and using **Vodafone Karnataka SIM**. I have disabled mobile data and work only with WiFi.

Even after this, I see I am being charged with 0 MB data usage.

<sup>(Click for full size)</sup>

I don't understand what is happening here. It is coming very frequently. I am very sure none of the apps are using it since I uninstalled almost every app that I installed after this problem has arisen. I have checked data usage logs and it says 0 MB data usage and that none of my app have used any mobile data.

Why is this happening? Probably some check after WiFi gets disconnected? I checked with Android debugger, but there is too many log statement. Anything particular I should be looking at?

Any help or suggestion is appreciated.

# Answer
> 2 votes
From your screenshot, it's apparent that you're using a dual SIM phone and that Data Roaming is enabled on one of those SIM cards.

I've never used a dual SIM phone but I read on a forum that at any point of time only one of the SIM cards can be used for data while the other is on standby or being used for a voice call.

Make sure both your SIM cards have Data disabled. Also disable Data Roaming for both SIM cards.

Use these screenshots for reference (click for full size):

1. Check your data usage in `Settings``Data usage` to see what's using your data connection
2. Make sure `Data roaming` is disabled for both SIM cards

# Answer
> 0 votes
Install Greenify. It will stop all background processes and save memory, battery and unwanted network connectivity.

# Answer
> -1 votes
After using Mobile network and you disabled it , you will receive a notification in black background about your Balance internet GB/MB or charged price for internet usage (as like what you received now in the picture)

# Answer
> -1 votes
Airtel system has some bugs. the usage is not shown properly and i will advise to install an app that would manage your data account. which can show your real usage.

---
Tags: mobile-data, dual-sim, motorola-moto-e
---


# Question
Title: Network Issue after flashing Cosmic ROM at Galaxy S Duos
I am a Galaxy S DUOS S7562 user and I have flashed Cosmic ROM v2.5 to my phone. However, I face some connectivity problems. My phone is dual sim but now it forever activates and deactivates both sims and it has started getting on my nerves! Besides, I cannot make calls. What's going on? My dmesg output.

# Answer
Did you have the required baseband and did you use CWM recovery to install the zip file? If yes, flash the Stock ROM again and root the phone, intall CWM and install v2 zip file first and then v2.5. I have been using Cosmic ROM v2.5 from the past one month and don't have any issues. You seem to be having issues only because of some goof up during installation. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2503230 He has given the .bin file for the supported baseband. Flash it via odin.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: custom-roms, kernel, samsung-galaxy-s-duos, dual-sim
---


# Question
Title: How can I share my screen from Android device to another Android device?
I hand my clients an Xoom (Android tablet) and I am holding a Xoom.

How do I simply have them watch what I'm doing on my screen? No video, audio, or anything else fancy needed. All I need is a simple screen share. Will be showing documents, webpages, and such.

Join.me and GoToMeeting only allow view mode, not share mode on Android. There has to be a program to allow this.

# Answer
> 3 votes
Try this app. It allows you to share the screens between two tablets or two mobile devices of varying dimensions wirelessly and does not require any thing extra as per your requirements.

# Answer
> -1 votes
There is a TeamViewer app that acts as a server "TeamViewer Quick support" unfortunately it is for samsung devices only

# Answer
> -2 votes
Sounds like some kind of VNC type of solution would be the best, maybe TeamViewer? You might need an enterprise license if you're doing this for commercial purposes.

---
Tags: screen-sharing
---


# Question
Title: Can't connect to Wi-Fi with special characters in the name
I have a Moto G running Android 4.4.4. I am trying to connect to a Wi-Fi network with an accented character in the name. The network's name is 'Sala de Reuniões', but it appears to the device as:

Note that the 'õ' became an 'unknown character'. As a result the device doesn't connect, but a PC can connect to the same network. I can't change the network name as the router is not mine.

What to do?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Have you tried installing Portugese\* as a language in your phone settings? Your current language obviously does not contain that character. If you download and install the Portugese\* language pack for your phone, it should recognize that character in the Wi-Fi network name.

Alternately, you could try to manually add the Wi-Fi network to your phone using the network SSID. Simply type in the correct SSID (network name) with the special character instead of trying to auto-detect the network.

EDIT:

As a quick and dirty solution, you could also use an app like WiFi Connection Manager which claims to be able to handle special characters.

Also, according to this page (https://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/39352/unable-to-connect-to-a-wifi-network-with-a-special-ssid), it seems like the default Android encoding of SSID's is the source of your problem. The only fix I've seen is using an app or writing your own driver or script to connect to the network using the correct encoding for special characters.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Try installing an app for connecting to SSID having special characters in it. You may find it in the Android Market.

Or you can download it here.

Reference - Stackoverflow link.

---
Tags: wi-fi, 4.4-kitkat, motorola-moto-g
---


title: My external sd card keeps losing files

text:
# Question
Title: My external sd card keeps losing files
I have a 16gb card which I have transferred a few videos and books onto, but after a few days on my Galaxy tab the files have disappeared. I have tried three different cards, using different types of files, but after a few days they are always gone. Any ideas?

# Answer
> 2 votes
Is this a SD card that you have used for a long time on other devices? Do you, or have you, done a lot of writing to it?

SD cards have a limited lifespan, so the less amount of writing you can do to it, the better. You might want to do a chkdsk on it to see if it finds any bad sectors. If you find any, that would be your culprit.

I've had SD cards last for about a year and then files start disappearing, etc. That's when I would use it for everything - as the main SD card (swapping it), which means a lot of writing as apps save their data, backing up nightly with Titanium Backup, saving photos, caching, etc.

Once I learned about the limited lifespan of SD cards, I finally retrained myself to not use it as the main SD card. Now, I do weekly backups, once a week and I only store my music on the SD card, and photos that I take with the camera. The latest SD card I have has now lasted over a year which is longer than the others before it.

Also, quality of SD cards is a given. Don't go for the cheaper, off-name brands. They don't last long. It's better to shell out a few extra bucks and get a name brand.

# Answer
> 1 votes
This happened to me both with my Samsung Galaxy S4 and with my Galaxy Note tablet several times. Samsung products in particular are very specific about which MicroSD cards they can work with. The general advice for this situation is to buy a Samsung brand memory card for the phone, as there should be less issues with it.

Before you try that, make sure to **format your current card on your tablet**. Formatting it on your PC will result in a slightly different memory format that may not be as compatible with your Tab. Here are instructions on how to format your card: http://eguides.sprint.com/support/eguides/samsunggalaxytab3/index.html#samsung\_galaxy\_tab\_3\_ug/format\_a\_memory\_card.html
This will delete all data on the card, so make sure to back up your important files (if any still remain) before you format the card. Best of luck to you!

---
Tags: external-sd
---


# Question
Title: External SD card no longer able to be read on CM11
I successfully installed CM11-M2 snapshot on my Razr Maxx (xt912, spyder). I was able to use my camera successfully on the device after install. However, now a few weeks in, I am experiencing a few issues related to my external SD card.

* My camera no longer works with an error *"Insert an SD card before using the camera"*
* When attempting to download a file through the browser I get an error stating that an "SD card is required" to download the file
* I use the app EBookDroid, which allows opening files from the filesystem, while I have an entry for `sdcard1` (my external SD card), I cannot view any files inside of it
* With root permissions on my File Manager, I can navigate through and view files in my external SD card, but cannot open them in any other applications

After a little investigating, I see the path `/mnt/media_rw/` which contains two mounted partitions of `sdcard0` and `sdcard1`. These paths belong to the user and group named `media_rw`. My best guess is that this issue is related to these permissions. Here is output of `ls -la` on `/mnt/media_rw`

```
drwx------ media_rw media_rw             2014-03-06 12:47 sdcard0
drwxrwx--- media_rw media_rw             1969-12-31 19:00 sdcard1

```

Is there an `fstab` file I can verify (I dont see one in `/etc/fstab`). Or am I barking up the wrong tree with `media_rw`. Can anyone assist?

# Answer
How old is your SD card? Does it work under stock? If it doesn't work under either, I wonder if the SD card is going bad? How long have you had it and do you do a lot of writing to it? If so, then the card might be going bad as SD cards have a limited lifespan. The more you write to it, the shorted the lifespan.

Do you have another SD card you could try? I would also do a chkdsk on it to see if any bad sectors are found. If so, time to ditch it and get a new card.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, external-sd, motorola-droid-razr, file-permissions
---


title: Deleted Google Play Settings... Help!

text:
# Question
Title: Deleted Google Play Settings... Help!
I was trying to make room on my cell which is a Huawei Ascend Y215 and I deleted Google Play Settings, Now my Google Play won't work. Please help!

# Answer
Follow the instructions on this website to reinstall Google Play on your phone.

http://www.androidauthority.com/install-google-play-store-312812/
> 0 votes

# Answer
There might be a possibility that you just disabled google play settings. To check just go into settings\>apps\>all and search for play settings . If it exists click on it and enable it :) !
> 0 votes

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


# Question
Title: Messeging or Hangouts - Open Directly to List of People
When I get a notification that I've gotten a new text message, I open Messaging to look. However, it opens usually to the last person I was sending texts to, which isn't always the person that I now want to look at. I then have to go back to get to the list, and then click the new message to read it.

Is there a way to have the app open directly to the list of people, every time? Thanks!

# Answer
When you come out of the app pressing home button, it's state is stored. So no matter how many messages you get ,you still go the previous message you were looking at, if you press messaging app... to prevent this, when you get a new message open notifications instead of messaging app.. This makes app refresh it's previous state to the current one..
> 0 votes

---
Tags: contacts, sms
---


# Question
Title: Lost synced contacts in my HTC Desire HD
I have synced my contacts with my Google account in my HTC Desire HD. It showed that over 400 contacts synced successfully. But I was not using that Google account as activ. Than I have installed a custom rom to my HTC and added my Google account but my contacts are lost. Where should be those contacts? Where did it synced? Do you have any idea?

Update:

The rom I have installed is CyanogenMod and I have enabled sync and contacts to display is set to all. The problem is I can't see my contacts in gmail. Before I install new rom I have confirmed in contacts application of HTC that all my contacts synced with my Google account.

# Answer
You may need to re-enable syncing of your Google contacts. Here's a simple guide on how to do that: http://www.wikihow.com/Sync-Google-Contacts-With-Android.

Also, the contacts may be on your phone, but not set to display. To fix this, go into your contacts list, hit the menu/options button, and open "Contacts to Display". Make sure that your gmail contact list is enabled in this menu.

Finally, if those don't work, check this link: https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/gmail/zCWHBp5d9h4
> 0 votes

---
Tags: contacts, sync, htc-desire-hd
---


title: What should my tablet be charging at?

text:
# Question
Title: What should my tablet be charging at?
I just got a RocketFish USB wall charger with 2.4 amps and 5 Volts. The charge meter that I am using is telling me that it is charging at 50 mA. I also notice that when I try to turn it off to charge, it will have a red 'X' on the battery icon when I turn it back on while it wasn't there. Is it safe to be charging it with this charger? Should it be charging this slowly? The charger model number is RF-AC1U2N.

# Answer
Although charging it slowly will not have a problem, in your case your shouldn't as it is giving a 'x' mark..But you should take care you're not using your tab while charging. Since the charging process is slower than normal, if you simultaneously plug in and use the tab, the battery might deteriorate. Also use quality charger.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: charging, tablet, samsung-galaxy-note-10.1
---


# Question
Title: Internal storage still being used despite of sd card
I have a 4 GB micro sd card mounted in my Micromax Bolt A58. But, whenever I install some apps, it shows "not enough storage space". I went to the settings and set the default download location to micro sd card but in vain. It still shows the same result. What should I do?

# Answer
Use the app management option to move programs to external storage. While apps can be installed on the sdcard, they still need space on the internal storage for actually running.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: insufficient-memory
---


# Question
Title: Is there a way to prevent a user from deleting apps on android?
Suppose I install app X for purpose A. I don't want to simply be able to uninstall the app. How do I prevent myself from uninstalling an app on android?

# Answer
I would suggest installing Smart AppLock (App Protector). You can password protect apps from being uninstalled using this app.
> 7 votes

# Answer
Root that device and move that app to /system/app
> 1 votes

---
Tags: uninstallation
---


# Question
Title: How do you answer a call with a physical keyboard?
My Nexus 5 (Android 4.4.4) touchscreen has stopped working, and the warranty replacement is still a few days away. Since I don't have any other phone to put my SIM in, I still have to use this phone even though the touchscreen doesn't work.

I discovered I can plug in a physical USB keyboard with an OTG adapter, and this suffices to navigate around the phone for the most part. However I can't work out how to answer an incoming call using the keyboard!

Does anyone know what, if any, key combination you can press on an external (USB/Bluetooth) keyboard that will answer an incoming call?

(I worked out that Ctrl+Esc closes the lockscreen if there is no PIN set, but this does nothing when an incoming call is waiting to be answered.)

# Answer
> 3 votes
I don't know about keyboard shortcuts for answering a call on Android.

What you can do is to connect a USB mouse and use mouse gestures that replicate touch input, it is cumbersome but it should work. I've been doing that on a tablet with a similar problem.

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, calls, external-keyboard
---


# Question
Title: Can i read the RAM and CPU usage of other applications-Android
I want to know whether is it possible to monitor the CPU, RAM, Network and Battery usage of each and every application installed in my device through my application dynamically? Does Android's security policy allow this to be done?

# Answer
Probably you are looking for something like this app.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: applications, performance, ram
---


# Question
Title: Backup Notification Led (Pulse Light) Configuration
I recently switched from CyanogenMod to Paranoid Android on my Nexus. I knew I would lose most of my settings, but I felt rather stupid when I realised I had lost all of my carefully defined Pulse Light per-app configurations.

Given that this is quite likely to happen again, **I'd like to know whether there's a way to back up these settings**.

I'm talking about `Settings > Display > Pulse notification light`, where you can configure how each specific app should blink and which colors they should use.

I already use Titanium Backup, but I couldn't find any item in its list which seemed to regard the pulse light.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I use Light Flow app to control my notifications light. It has an option to backup/restore settings that I have used when flashing new ROM or doing a data reset.

# Answer
> 0 votes
On CyanogenMod 11 snapshot M8 I have the notification LED setting in

```
/data/data/com.androdid.providers.settings/databases/settings.db

```

This is the main settings database and contains most (if not all) of them. You probably don't want to transfer the whole bunch, so you have to extract it.

At first, there were 2 files in my backup: `settings.db` (the interesting database) and `settings.db-journal` (its "rollback journal"). The journal contains data that were yet not transferred to the database due to unfinished transactions or maybe for some other reason. Still, before dealing with the database itself, it's better to process the journal. This little (Linux) command did the trick for me:

```
$ sqlite3 settings.db VACUUM

```

After this, the journal should be merged into the database and removed. I've found that the LED settings we are interested in are in the system table. This will get them for you:

```
$ sqlite3 settings.db "SELECT name,value FROM system WHERE name LIKE 'notification_light_pulse%';"

```

I suppose the most interesting ones are:

```
notification_light_pulse_call_color
notification_light_pulse_vmail_color
notification_light_pulse_custom_values

```

I'm afraid I don't know a good way how to transfer those values to your current settings database, though. You should definitely be able to stay with the `sqlite3` tool, maybe use its `.dump` meta-command and then filter it and insert the selected values into your database. This might get messy, though, as the indexes might differ. I'm really no database guy, sorry. Maybe some GUI tool like SQLite Browser might be easier for the job.

Should someone know a good and easy way I'll be glad to update this response.

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, settings, backup, notification-led
---


# Question
Title: Is it possible to to set a fixed NFC P2P RF speed for the Initiator?
In NFC P2P communication, the RF speed of the LLCP connection is set by the Initiator. The possible speeds are 106kbit/s, 212kbit/s, 424kbit/s.

Android always choses the fastest possible speed. For example I would like to set the speed to 212kbit/s.

Is it possible to set a fixed RF speed rate on Android side?

# Answer
> 1 votes
From a user perspective: No, that's not possible.

From a developer perspective: Maybe. Android does not directly provide an API that lets you choose a particular communication scheme/speed (the idea behind peer-to-peer mode is that the two devices automatically choose the best scheme that's suitable for both of them). Consequently, there is no way to do this without somehow modifying the operating system.

You could, for instance, create your customized OS and adapt the Android NFC stack to only use certain modes (for NXP's NFC stack, see the NFCIP-1 speeds enum in phNfcTypes.h:955 and the methods `setP2pModes()` (in NfcService.java:1083) `setP2pInitiatorModes()` (in NativeNfcManager.java:352) and `setP2pTargetModes()` (in NativeNfcManager.java:358).

On a rooted device, there could be an even easier approach (i.e. one that does not require building the complete OS): While there is no public API for setting P2P modes, there is a hidden method `setP2pModes()` in `NfcAdapter` (in NfcAdapter.java:1373). However, in order to call that method, your app needs to have the `WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS` permission (which is only granted to system apps).

---
Tags: nfc
---


# Question
Title: Google Books crashes on loading - workaround? (HTC Desire Z 2.3)
Google Books Android crashes on loading.

Is there a workaround to stop this, while I wait for the developers to fix?

> The application Books (process com.google.android.apps.books) has stopped unexpectedly. Please try again.

This happens every time (trying again won't help).

Restart of the phone and uninstall re-install of the app doesn't help either.

Apparently, there is a known issue whereby it will crash if it has no books (wouldn't that be most people to begin with!?)

But their remedy instructions are vague - just open a free ebook - but from what? A browser? Will this interact with Google Books to solve the problem? I visited the book store and downloaded an ebook but this just went to the Downloads folder so not sure how this can help.

I also tried copying an ebook from the Download folder to `data\com.google.android.apps.books\files` and running the Google Books app but this doesn't work - i.e. the crash still happens.

# Answer
The solution is time; an update to this app fixes this bug.
> 0 votes

# Answer
To get around this problem is very simple. Do these actions:

1. Use your web browse on the Android device and go to website "books.google.com/ebooks"
2. Pick and download any sample book (click on Get Sample)

Once you have saved a sample book you will be able to successfully launch the Books application without the process error.

Good luck
> -1 votes

# Answer
I had the same problem, and fixed it by opening a preview of a different book first. After that, I could open the other books too. Make sure you open it from within the Play Store app, and not from Google Books.
> -2 votes

---
Tags: 2.3-gingerbread, htc-desire-z, crashes, google-play-books
---


title: Charging from different USB cable

text:
# Question
Title: Charging from different USB cable
I have USB cable meant for Sony Xperia, the USB cable can be detached. Will using this USB cable to charge other phones like Nexus cause any issue?. I am not using the entire charger, I am just using the USB cable to charge through PC. Will it cause any issue to the battery in long run?

# Answer
> 1 votes
No, this won't cause any issues. I am having the same case as yours (using Xperia L's USB cable with a Nexus 4) and haven't faced any issues with Nexus 4 or the Xperia.

# Answer
> -3 votes
No issue but make sure do not use charger which is not your phone's

---
Tags: usb, charging
---


title: Multilanguage Keyboard with Android

text:
# Question
Title: Multilanguage Keyboard with Android
Sometimes I type in German and sometimes in English.

I seem to be only able to switch on autocompletion for one language and have to add the words of the other language one by one to the dictionary.

Is there a better way for those people who are multilingual?

# Answer
Yes, you can do this. Here's how:

Note: I'm on Froyo (Android 2.2), so if you're on a different version it may be slightly different.

* Go To your home screen.
* Choose Settings from the Menu
* Choose Language & Keyboard
* Choose Android Keyboard
* Choose Input Languages
* Select the English and German Languages
* Exit out by pressing the Home Key

You're now set up for German and English.

Here's how to test it:

* Open the browser
* Tap the address bar to bring up the keyboard
* LONG PRESS the address bar (or text field, whatever you want to call it)
* Look at the the space bar: it will have the following: \< English \>
* Now SWIPE/SLIDE your finger over the space bar, you'll see it change to \< German \>

Once \< German \> is selected, you're now using the German keyboard. Swipe again to return to English.

Enjoy.
> 8 votes

# Answer
As Bryan has rightly said by installing third party keyboard apps will be helpful. Try an app like the SwiftKey Keyboard.

It has a multilingual keyboard support and is much better in typing when compared to the stock keyboard provided.
> 1 votes

# Answer
What about installing an alternative keyboard, like AnySoftKeyboard with appropriate language packs. (It's free/libre/open-source software, and it's available from http://f-droid.org, which means that it was independently rebuilt from the sources. So you have another guarantee that it doesn't spy, by the way.)

Configure it for multiple languages, and choose it as your default one.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: keyboard, languages, localization
---


# Question
Title: Install another language to Android keyboard
I have Lenovo a390 with goKeyboard by default, and I have tried installing Serbian Keyboard to it. I have downloaded it from Play store and nothing happens, but never mind.

Simple question is this: Is there a way to install new language to default Android keyboard? So I don't have this language in list of installed languages that I can choose from. I want to add a new language.

Is this possible? I would really like to avoid using third party keyboard, because this handset is very limited on resources.

Phone is rooted, so I can do lots of things.

# Answer
> 2 votes
I know that you don't want to install any third party apps but without which you cannot get the language you want.For Serbian try this app.

Visit this page to confirm the Language support.

" I would really like to avoid using third party keyboard, because this handset is very limited on resources." which according to me is due to the Less available memory on your device try to move your apps on the memory card(micro SD Card).

# Answer
> 3 votes
If you mean the Google Keyboard, yes. Go to Settings \> Language and input \> Google Keyboard settings \> Add-on dictionaries.

Refresh if you haven't done it for a while (or at all). Then just check the languages that you want. I don't know if Serbian is there though.

---
Tags: keyboard, languages
---


# Question
Title: File signature for .db file needed after failed restore
I have just performed a factory reset and restore using CWM on Android custom ROM 'Neatrom'.

The restore deosnt seem to have completed properly, as the apps are there but the app data seems to be missing.

As a result, I have lost my notes and tasks ('My phone Explorer NOtes' and 'My Phone explorer Tasks'). I am trying to recover deleted and lost files using Yodot Data Recovery for android. The files are , I believe, 'notes.db' and /or 'notes.db-journal', but '.db' or '.db-journal', are not default file types in Yodot, and need to be entered as a 'new file type'.

It asks for: 1) the file signature of this file type, in Hex, 2) THe file size 3) THe file offset 4) A Description of the type

Could anyone let me know what these details would be? I have tried with the information on .db and .db-journal files in the online file signature database, but 'db-journal' isnt a file type in the database. 'db' has various signatures. Using them, the 'notes.db' file wasnt found when I performed the search.

Thanks!

# Answer
The format of these files is described in SQLite's documentation.

The db file is the main database and starts with the string `"SQLite format 3\000"` (note that `\000` is the zero byte or ASCII NUL).

The db-journal file is the journal for the database. You only need it if the database was open when you performed the factory reset (that is, if the app was running and in the middle of writing the database). It starts with the following bytes: 0xd9, 0xd5, 0x05, 0xf9, 0x20, 0xa1, 0x63, 0xd7.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: data-recovery
---


title: Check application install

text:
# Question
Title: Check application install
I want to write a simple program (java) run on desktop to first check some application is already installed in the device and if not install it. For installation part I may be use to adb install command. How to check whether application is already install in the device.

# Answer
> 1 votes
You can find your answer e.g. at Github, and details in the developers documentation:

```
adb shell 'pm list packages [options] <FILTER>'

```

> Prints all packages, optionally only those whose package name contains the text in .
>
> Options:
>
> ```
> -f: See their associated file.
> -d: Filter to only show disabled packages.
> -e: Filter to only show enabled packages.
> -s: Filter to only show system packages.
> -3: Filter to only show third party packages.
> -i: See the installer for the packages.
> -u: Also include uninstalled packages.
> --user <USER_ID>: The user space to query.
>
> ```

As you can see: Unless you specified the `-u` parameter, `pm list` will only show installed apps. Filter the output for the package you want to deal with. If the output is "empty", the package is not installed:

```
adb shell 'pm list packages' | grep -x 'com.foobar'

```

should output nothing if `com.foobar` is not installed.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Since you make a reference to both java and adb in your question it sounds as if you're familiar with both.

Just have your Java application as a wrapper to perform adb system commands.

Using the system commands to adb, you could use the same Java program (adb wrapper) to check for the installs and actually perform the installs.

You can replace the "pm list packages" with any of the adb commands do perform your intentions.

This is the java class you can use. Of course your java application can search the return (response) string for the apps you want to verify.

```
import java.io.BufferedReader;
import java.io.IOException;
import java.io.InputStream;
import java.io.InputStreamReader;

public class checkandroid {

    static int exitstatus;

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // TODO Auto-generated method stub

        String shellcommand = "/opt/android/android-studio/sdk/platform-tools/adb shell pm list packages";

        String response = runit(shellcommand);

        System.out.println(response);

    }
    static String runit(String inputstr) {
        String output = "";
        exitstatus = 0;

        Process p = null;

        // -----------------------------------------------

        try {

            p = Runtime.getRuntime().exec(inputstr);

            InputStream cmdStdOut = null;
            InputStream cmdStdErr = null;

            cmdStdOut = p.getInputStream();
            cmdStdErr = p.getErrorStream();

            String line = "";
            String line1 = "";
            BufferedReader stdOut = new BufferedReader(new InputStreamReader(
                    cmdStdOut));
            BufferedReader stdErr = new BufferedReader(new InputStreamReader(
                    cmdStdErr));
            while ((line = stdOut.readLine()) != null) {
                // logger.info(line);
                // System.out.println(line);
                output += line + "\n";
            }
            stdOut.close();
            System.out.print("Error Status: ");
            while ((line1 = stdErr.readLine()) != null) {
                // logger.info(line);
                System.out.println(line1);
                output += line1;
            }
            stdErr.close();

            try {
                p.waitFor();

            } catch (InterruptedException e) {
                // Auto-generated catch block
                e.printStackTrace();
            }
            exitstatus = p.exitValue();
            System.out.println(p.exitValue());
        } catch (IOException e) {
            // Auto-generated catch block
            e.printStackTrace();
        }

        // -----------------------------------------------

        return output;
    }

}

```

---
Tags: applications, installation
---


# Question
Title: S2 randomly restarting / draining the battery
For the past month my S2, SPH-D710, Android 4.1.2, will randomly restart throughout the day. I took the battery out for awhile and that didn't change anything. Sometimes it happens when I'm looking at it, sometimes it will happen as soon as I plug it into a charger.. at which point it appears to completely drain the battery. Seems to be only one of my chargers though. Other charger is fine. There is no clear pattern to all this. These issues don't happen all the time. Sometimes I'll go through an entire day with no problem. Warranty expired on the phone. I have never installed a custom ROM on here. Is this something that might be fixed with a custom ROM or is it completely hardware?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Should be an hardware issue.
In my case was the oxidation of the motherboard cause by the sweat cuase i kept the phone on my arms while I was running.

# Answer
> -1 votes
Thanks everyone for your feedback. In my case, there seemed to be no coming back from the dead. Tried the rice, tried a new battery, tried a hard reset. Nothing fixed it. Ended up getting a new phone.

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-2, 4.1-jelly-bean, battery, charging, reboot
---


# Question
Title: Why are USB cables of two different OEM's different
The USB has various purposes for data transfer, movement of input and output signals for hardware like connecting an Android device to another Display screen (USB on the go), charging the device etc.(during a device charge the voltage drawn from the USB is same irrespective of the device or OEM then Why are two USB Cables different ?

A USB of one manufacturer may not be supporting another manufacturer. We get problems if we do connect them like

Why does the screen flicker when connecting to a third party wall mounted USB charger

or

Why does my phone have erroneous input when connected to a non-OEM power source?

# Answer
The two questions you link to are to do with different **chargers**, not the **cables**. If two cables both adhere to the USB standard, they're interchangeable. You can tell if a cable adheres to the standard, as it will have the USB logo on one or both of the plugs. It's not allowed to display the logo if it doesn't meet the spec. There are two cases where you might have a "USB cable" that really isn't (and thus doesn't have the logo):-

1. I've seen cheap cables that don't have the D+ and D- lines wired correctly. They ought to be a twisted pair, as USB uses *differential signalling* to make it more resistant to noise. But the cheapest cables save money by having a single line that's only wired to the D+ pin. These cables will be unreliable and might not work with some devices.
2. Some devices use a USB port to charge but not to transfer data (i.e. they're not USB devices). Examples include Bluetooth headsets and game controllers. These devices sometimes come with a cable that looks like a USB cable but only has the power pins wired: the data pins aren't connected to anything. Such a cable can only be used for charging.

Apart from these exceptions, the cable itself makes no difference (as long as it's not physically damaged). What makes a difference is the **charger**: the thing you plug the cable into, that also plugs into the mains. For faster charging from mains power, manufacturers get around the limit on how much voltage and current USB is specified for by introducing their own extra modifications to USB.

These allow the manufacturer's charger to charge compatible devices faster. However, so that the charger still meets the USB standard, and won't fry a standard USB device, it can only supply the extra voltage or current if it detects that the device is compatible, using extra pins, or by having the pins wired together in a special way. Devices that don't have the manufacturer's modification will only charge using standard USB current, so will charge more slowly.

Because there's been such a need for high-powered charging, recent revisions of the USB standard have added more support for chargers and have increased the current limit, but the manufacturers still use their own extensions (to make sure chargers from the same manufacturer are interchangeable).
> 4 votes

---
Tags: usb, usb-on-the-go
---


# Question
Title: How can I recover my photos from the Vault app when the phone is lost?
I'm a Samsung Galaxy Grand user. I loaded photos to the Vault app without any problems. However, I lost my phone.

What can I do to recover my photos?

# Answer
> 2 votes
Nothing you can do. Your phone is gone, and without a backup, you've unfortunately lost all your data.

# Answer
> 0 votes
The first and foremost thing of a Backup is that it's just a copy of your data which is stored separately away from your device on some storage(pen drive, laptop , Pc etc.)

In case you loose the phone, update your software, format the data by mistake or wanted(for updating etc.) then you connect the device to a system, laptop and re-store the data back which you had stored earlier.

Depending on the device manufacturer you have various backup options available free of cost. In this case yours Is Samsung so you will be having Samsung Kies that helps you in doing the above tasks with ease and with .

There's a very bleak chance of you getting back the valuable pictures that you have lost(1 out of 100).What I can suggest you is to get in contact with vault support team (email the support team given in the bottom of the app) and explain your situation to them if they possibly have a copy then they might give you.

In the future never forget to take backup and keep updating it (the old backup may not have much data compared to the present day backup).Most of us ignore it despite the fact that software/hardware is prone to glitches and the backup comes free of cost(in case you have huge data you backup like in 15 GB and above you may be charged for the storage in case of Drive,whereas Samsung Kies depends only on your System Limits)

---
Tags: samsung
---


# Question
Title: google play uses wrong account for in-app purchases
Problem: When trying to purchase in-app items, google play selects the wrong google account and do not allow the user to correct it.

Scenario: I have two google accounts, one private and one business. The private account is the default in google play when buying and installing apps. Though when trying an in-app purchase, the business account is choosen and cannot be changed. In my case, this prohibits me in-app purchases.

Further notes: Uninstalling/reinstalling app to be sure the correct account is used in google play has no affect.

Haven't tried removing the business account and see how it affects the in-app purchases as I'm reluctant to do so. (Other way around would have been better:)

Question: Have you encountered this problem and found a way to resolve/work-around it?

# Answer
> 0 votes
I found that I had a similar problem. What I did was completely reset my device, and then only associate my business account with it. That way my Gmail App is only displaying business conversations only. This also has the benefit of not confusing Play Store. This isn't the best way to do this probably, but it works. If you need to check your personal account, just sign in through your browser. This also prevents prying eyes from looking through your gmail app and seeing something personal.

---
Tags: google-play-store, in-app-purchase
---


# Question
Title: install missing apps after installing rom?
I've installed a new ROM. In the previous times I've done this, Play reinstalled them once the phone booted. But this time it didn't (I've tried reinstalling the ROM a second time to make sure).

I have a backup of all these apps in Titanium, but I can't find a feature to install missing apps (just "restore" them, which apparently means just restoring settings & data for those already installed)

Is there anything I can do other than going to 'my apps' in Play and installing them one by one (I have many)?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Titanium should restore the APKs as well as the data. But another method is to go into Settings\>Backup/Restore (or similar), and there is an option for backing up and restoring data from Google Play.

---
Tags: installation, restore
---


# Question
Title: In what directory does the Dolphin HD browser store its files?
I already have root access and tried to use ES File Explorer to search for "dolphin" but to no avail.

# Answer
> 9 votes
Applications store their data in a folders named after their package. These folders are located in `data/data`.

The easiest way to find out the package name is to look at the Play Store url.

```
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=mobi.mgeek.TunnyBrowser

```

The package name is the part that comes after `id=`.
You can see that Dolphin's package name is `mobi.mgeek.TunnyBrowser`, so the full path is:

```
/data/data/mobi.mgeek.TunnyBrowser

```

# Answer
> 4 votes
`/data/data/mobi.mgeek.TunnyBrowser`

# Answer
> 1 votes
I found it on the SD card in the folder "tunnybrowser"...

---
Tags: dolphin-browser
---


# Question
Title: Whatsapp: traveling with a pay-as-you-go SIM card
If I replace the SIM card in my Verizon Galaxy s4 with a pre-paid pay-as-you-go UK SIM card, then my phone will have a new UK number.

If I now want to use Whatsapp, do I have to migrate Whatsapp to the UK phone number and back again upon return?

Do I then have to tell my contacts what my UK phone number is? (by email or voice phone call, I suppose). Can I simply send them a Whatsapp text from the new number, and their Whatsapp will accept it?

What's commonly done when traveling? Use Verizon's Global plan, and pay their rates?

# Answer
Switch the SIM, answer no when whatsapp asks you to switch numbers.

REF: https://apple.stackexchange.com/a/122021

If you switch SIM **AFTER** installing WhatsApp, you are good to go with the old number. The servers "save" your activation phone number during that initial SMS.

I tested it on my own phone (it's a Gingerbread p1000n - **All hail the venerable P1000**) with a borrowed SIM card, the app just kept sending messages with my old phone number. WhatsApp did not ask to switch numbers. There is a "change number" setting.

If you reinstall the app while switching SIM, then you have to restart and get a new number.

---

About what is usually done when travelling, I can say from the World Cup visitors we received, several just bought a new temporary SIM card after arriving here in Brazil. The local phone companies even set up special and attractive prepaid plans for the football fans.

YMMV anyway, and you should check your home carrier overseas fees and the local fares. Usually you can get a better deal buying a trowaway SIM. Here in Brazil we even do it when traveling to another state.

If you want to keep your number and still enjoy the reduced local mobile internet fees, you can try and get any old android device that can do tethering (or buy a unlocked mobile hotspot), and then insert the other SIM into that device, then tether the internet to your main phone using the old phone as a mobile hotspot. Just turn off data and use wi-fi.

---

On Verizon's Global (not really global) plan, I urge you to read what Peter Shankman wrote of his personal experiences with that. My advice, is: DON'T. Or if you do, monitor closely your fees.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: whatsapp-messenger, sim-card
---


# Question
Title: Android 4.1.1 system is consuming 4GB of my memory?
I bought an Android 4.1.1 tablet, the ad said "comes with 8 GB". But when I go to the system configuration I get:

**INTERNAL**
1,18 GB total
Apps 0,90 GB
Available 161 MB

**NAND FLASH**
Total 4,55 GB
Free 4,17 GB

I ask the vendor where is the 8 GB, and they said: "the tablet comes with physical 8GB, but the Android System makes a partition for different purposes (Recovery, Loader, Apps, etc.) letting available for the user only 4 GB. The others partitions are not visible for the user. This is the same for all Android devices".

They are telling me the truth? or just are a bunch of liars and sold me an 4GB tablet ?

Android 4.1.1
Core 3.0.8+
Compilation P758.6.01.01.20
Brand: NOBLEX - Model: T7014AR
(official specification: RAM 1GB - Internal 8GB)
http://www.noblex.com.ar/tablets/T7014AR

Thanks a lot.

---

EDIT:

```
u0_a78@android:/ $ df
Filesystem             Size   Used   Free   Blksize
/dev                  443.2M  36.0K  443.2M   4096
/mnt/asec             443.2M  0.0 K  443.2M   4096
/mnt/obb              443.2M  0.0 K  443.2M   4096
/system               607.4M  440.2M  167.2M  1024
/data                 1.2 G   1.0 G  153.8M   4096
/cache                629.9M  16.5M  613.4M   4096
/mnt/external_sd      941.7M  16.0K  941.7M   16384
/mnt/sdcard           4.5 G   382.1M  4.2 G   8192
/mnt/secure/asec: Permission denied
/mnt/asec/com.robotinvader.fooding-1  36.5M  34.8M  1.7 M   4096
/mnt/asec/com.vkcode.SpaceTube-1  14.2M  12.6M  1.6 M   4096
1|u0_a78@android:/ $

```

# Answer
Yes, you have an 8GB tablet. How Android partitioning works is there is a NAND flash chip, and then it's basically split up into system storage (`/system`) and otherwise, and user accessible storage (`/data`) and possibly (in some cases), `/sdcard` (note that I'm talking about the emulated legacy SD Card, not your expansion slot.

So, when they say it's an 8GB tablet, they're correct.

EDIT:

Looking at your `df` output... `Blksize` refers to the maximum length, in bytes, of a file storage block. You don't have to worry about that column. What we're focused on is all the other partitions. Let's start at the top:

`/dev` contains device nodes. Don't worry about the reported size - it has no effect on your storage.

`/mnt/asec` and `/mnt/obb` are each partitioned with 443.2MB. With those two partitions (required by the system), you have **886.4MB**, rounding up.

`/system` (where Android lives) is partitioned at 607.4MB, which will bring our total up to **1.5GB**.

`/data` is where all user preferences and settings are stored. When you do a factory reset, you are wiping the `/data` partition. Adding in the 1.2GB from there, we have a total of **2.7GB**.

`/cache` is also required by Android, and with a 629.9MB partition, we're at **3.3GB**.

`/mnt/external_sd` is your external SD card. Forget about that for now.

`/mnt/sdcard` is the **internal** SD card - a partition of user accessible storage in the internal memory. It's set at 4.5GB - which is what your vendor is reporting.

Add all these partitions together, and we have a total of `7.8GB` which is correct for an 8GB tablet.

Storage manufacturers report storage in decimal, meaning 1000MB = 1GB. However, in binary, 1024MB = GB, so that's why you have a discrepancy.
> 2 votes

# Answer
Yes, that is correct. I have a Nexus 4 16GB and only get around about 12GB for actual usage. Android system consists of lots of native applications, specifically speaking Google apps like Gmail, Maps, Drive etc. etc. I'm not sure if you can uninstall those, but if you can you'd gain some little storage. But Yes, out of 8GB usually user will get 4~5GB for storage which is a shame. Also I think now 8GB tablets are decreasing. Best workaround to is to check if your tablet supports USB OTG (USB On-the-go) mode, so you can extend your storage as required.
> 0 votes

# Answer
This is normal. My LG G2 phone has 32 GB of storage, but only 24 GB was available, when I unboxed it.

The automobile industry could really learn from this.

Customer: "The car only goes 240 km/h, while you advertised it as capable of 320 km/h??"

BMW: "It is overhead. Live with it"
> 0 votes

---
Tags: internal-storage, ram
---


# Question
Title: Is it possible to modify the firmware used when the device is turned off?
On (at least) some Samsung devices there is some piece of software that runs when the device is turned off. It is the one that displays the battery state when charging, along with the red/green indicator light.

It is obviously tiny, native and device-specific. It is also probably (again, at least) somehow related to the initial bootloader that e.g. puts the system in recovery mode if needed.

But would it be possible to modify that piece of software to, for example, change the light colors or other functionality? I'm really asking just in theory; even if extremely hard and non-practical, I'm curious if it would be possible.

**EDIT:** Just clarifying here, but I mean the software that runs when the *entire device* is turned off, not just the screen. I have a Galaxy S3 LTE (GT-I9305, CyanogenMod 10.1, CWM recovery 6.0), and CyanogenMod actually allows me to change the light colors when just the screen is off.

Also, I don't necessarily want to change it by any means, I am just curious if it *could* be changed.

Here's what the software I mean looks like on my phone (sorry for the poor quality, obviously not taken with my phone :P):

# Answer
Have your tried using Custom Roms... I believe AOPK and some others support light changes... Check it out :)

http://aokp.co/
> -1 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-3, charging, samsung, device-firmware
---


title: Kindle fire stuck in "Parenting mode"

text:
# Question
Title: Kindle fire stuck in "Parenting mode"
I unfortunately changed my Kindle settings to Parenting and know find it difficult to use. I can't get access to all my files and documents, videos, internet and many more.

I want to register for a new account but can't get access to my the main settings when I go to the MORE... it just open a page and says "manage child settings", "set daily goals" and others.

I can't use the device now. How can I get this fixed?

# Answer
> 0 votes
If you mean Kindle FreeTime, swipe down where the hotkeys are, then tap exit.

---
Tags: amazon-kindle-fire
---


title: Galaxy S5 stock browser user agent

text:
# Question
Title: Galaxy S5 stock browser user agent
I have a problem with a site not detecting a stock S5 browser as mobile. I don't own a galaxy S5 so I asked the person who found this issue to send me the complete user agent string, this is what I got:

`Mozilla/5.0 (X11; Linux x86_64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/28.0.1500.94 Safari/537.36`

does the S5 browser really not identify itself as running on an android device? Might this be the result of some custom setting (which I'm told never happened)? How else can I identify the S5 browser as being a mobile device?

# Answer
> 2 votes
After some poking around it would appear that in this case the browser is not identifying itself as running on an Android device. I put the `useragentstring` you supplied into useragentstring.com and in the operating system details field it tells me;

```
Operating System:
Linux
running on a Intel CPU
running on a 64 bit processor

```

If I enter the `useragentstring` for the stock browser on my HTC One I get:

```
Operating System:
Android
version 4.4.2

```

and on Chrome mobile browser I also get:

```
Operating System:
Android
version 4.4.2

```

I would suggest asking the user of the device to clear data/cache and see if the problem persists. I can't imagine Samsung would have their browser setup like this by default.

**EDIT:** Also just found here that the `useragentstring` for the S4 should be something along the lines of;

`Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; U; Android 4.2.2; nl-nl; GT-I9505 Build/JDQ39) AppleWebKit/534.30 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile Safari/534.30`

which is nothing like what you posted. If anyone on AE with an S5 could post their `useragentstring` (can get it from here) that would be useful, unless you know anyone else with an S5 where you could check against.

**EDIT2:** FYI, the `useragentstring` for my stock browser on my HTC is;

`Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; U; Android 4.4.2; en-gb; HTC_One Build/KOT49H) AppleWebKit/534.30 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile Safari/534.30`

and for Chrome;

`Mozilla/5.0 (Lunix; U; Android 4.4.2; HTC One Build/KOT49H) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/35.0.1916.141 Mobile Safari/537.36`

# Answer
> 2 votes
I have just tried on my Galaxy S5 and I got following useragent

```
Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; Android 4.4.2; en-us; SAMSUNG-SM-G900A Build/KOT49H) AppleWebKit/537.36
(KHTML, like Gecko) Version/1.6 Chrome/28.0.1500.94 Mobile Safari/537.36

```

# Answer
> 0 votes
I got

> Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; Android 4.4.2; SM-G900F Build/KOT49H) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Chrome/30.0.0.0 Mobile Safari/537.36 ACHEETAHI/2100050050

using the CM browser v5.0.50

A cross-comparison might help you debug.

---
Tags: browser, samsung-galaxy-s-5, user-agent-string
---


# Question
Title: What files need to stay on the device for a clockworkmod?
I installed a *clockworkmod* months ago to an Alcatel OneTouch 995. On the SDCard there is still a `clockworkmod` folder. The directory structure looks like follows:

```
└── clockworkmod
    └── backup
        └── OT995_4.0.4-FR
            ├── boot.img
            ├── custpack.ext4.tar
            ├── nandroid.md5
            └── system.ext4.tar

```

I wonder if the folder needs to stay on the card. Can you please explain why or why not?

# Answer
The `clockworkmod` folder contains data that CWM created, and more specifically the `backup` folder is where your device's backup files are stored. All of those files are what constitute a Nandroid backup of your device.

If you're looking to free up some space on your device you *can* delete the folder, but CWM will recreate only the folder every time you reboot; the backup files will *not* be recreated, and will only be generated when you use the **Backup** feature so be sure to copy these files to a computer (for backup purposes should you ever need to restore it).

I often create Nandroid backups, copy them to a computer or external storage, and then delete them from my device to save the memory for more useful things.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: sd-card, clockworkmod-recovery
---


# Question
Title: What's the name of the manufacturer of my really cheap Chinese tablet?
I recently got into high school. I've received a really cheap Chinese tablet as a gift. I can conclude this because it's Box just says "Android Tablet PC". No model name, No manufacturer name, NO NOTHING...!! As the latest need of new generation and 21'st century, it is really dumb, 'cause it stuck with stock Android 4.1.1 ... It won't even upgrade to Android Jelly Bean(4.2.2). As the new Android Kitkat (4.4.4) is in the market, I really want to upgrade to that android.

It specs(Personally-made)..

Supports Wi-Fi, GPS, but no Bluetooth.

Has 1 GB internal storage, NAND Flash of 5.32 GB and it even supports a SD card.

It's RAM is 1 GB

It's Model Number is **AM818RC**

It's Kernal Version is **3.0.8+**

It's Build Number is **rk30sdk-eng4.1.1 JRO03H 20121228.140006 release-keys**...

# Answer
It's not possible to guess the "name of the manufacturer", as they have not even provided that information on tablet itself.

If you want to use Android Kitkat on the tablet, you can **TRY** some custom ROMs such as CyanogenMod, with any available binary image for a tablet with almost all specifications same as your's, including processor, RAM, NAND etc.

And **I'm not sure whether this will work or not.** So make sure to have a complete backup.
> 0 votes

# Answer
According to a quick Google search based on the model number you provided, this might be Oracom Korea's AM 818 8" tablet.
> 0 votes

# Answer
As KeshavaGN has said CyanogenMod is a safe option(**provided you have read the risks associated with it**) to root your phone to Android 4.4.4(Kit-Kat) but a small note of precaution is that the kit-Kat OS occupies a min of 3 GB space so later you will not have enough storage on board.

(As given by your specs you will have only 2 GB free of storage space for your own use to download other apps)
> -1 votes

---
Tags: updates
---


# Question
Title: Google now crashes on sony xperia m after update to JB 4.3
I have got Sony Xperia M (C1904) it was first with JB 4.1 update. I got very soon update to JB 4.2.2 and google now crash when keep long touch on home button. I got another update to JB 4.3 same problem continued but now after some usage of phone.

Anyone who know how to get rid of this?

I want Google Now launches after long touch of home button or swipe home button as it was working on JB 4.1

# Answer
> 0 votes
Uninstall all the updates to Google Search in the Google Play store. Restart, and reinstall.

---
Tags: 4.3-jelly-bean, google-now, sony-xperia
---


# Question
Title: Unable to attach picture to text message
I can no longer attach a picture to my text messages. It used to work, now when I try to do it, it says I have to sign into Samsung Link first. What to do?

Android Version 4.4.2

# Answer
> 1 votes
Here is a segment from the description of Samsung Link:
** AllShare Play is now Samsung Link. Continue to log-in with your Samsung Account to access your pictures, videos, and documents previously stored on AllShare Play.*

*Access & Play Content across Smart Devices, Anytime Anywhere Samsung Link enables users to access & play content saved on other devices over a wireless access point as well as over the internet.*
This gives me the impression that the item you are sharing is an AllShare Item, possibly shared by you long ago, without your remembering it. It may even have been shared to you by a different AllShare user, and belongs to that account.

(This is Just a Guess) To attach it, it would make sense that you have to log in as the accountholder that owns it.

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


# Question
Title: How to prevent sleep while installing lots of updates?
Whenever I need to install a bunch of updates, I find myself sitting next to the phone/tablet and tapping the screen every 20 seconds, else the updates never complete.

There must be a better way! Right?

What I've got:

* Sony Xperia Arc S, with 4.0 - pretty sure the updates stop when the screen goes out.
* ASUS Transformer Pad, with 4.1 - will have to re-check whether the updates stop now that you guys mention they are expected to carry on.

How I'm connecting: Wi-Fi.

# Answer
> 7 votes
There an app developed to deal with that issue, Smart Timeout Keep Screen On by guidology available from Google Play Store:

> Smart Timeout allows you to specify apps that will keep the screen / display on. Once there are no specified apps visible on the screen the normal screen timeout is enabled.
> Works great while reading articles in web browsers, email, or any app you specify. You'll no longer need to worry about touching the screen to prevent the screen from sleeping, dimming or timing out.

Ain't free, costs 0,76€, but "saves" you from the described annoying situation :)

# Answer
> 5 votes
Though I don't know about any "official way" (did I miss some option in the playstore app?), I can think of a work-around using Tasker (or a similar automation app). As a long-term *Tasker* user, I can best describe it for this app, which is the most feature-filled and complete automation solution for Android (but for sure not the cheapest and easiest one). You might be able to adapt that to a different tool.

*Tasker* combines "conditions" with "tasks" to so-called "profiles" -- so let's create a profile "AppUpdates":

**Condition:** App (select the playstore or whatever market app you use)
**Task:** Display (disable timeout)

That should do it: As long as one of the selected apps (you can select multiple entries there) is running in the foreground, the display will be kept alive -- and thus the device from going to sleep. Mission accomplished.

# Answer
> 2 votes
If you are connected to wifi, then it may be set to turn off when the screen is turned off.

You can use the video linked below to explain how to do it, in essense:

1. Go to the System Settings
2. Select WiFi
3. Press the menu key
4. Select advanced
5. Change Wi-Fi sleep policy to 'Always'

Video

# Answer
> 2 votes
I saw this issue on my Moto X. I also had the WiFi sleep policy to always and the download would freeze once the phone went to standby.

I found that if I put the Play Store in the background, it will continue to download and install.

---
Tags: updates, standby
---


# Question
Title: How can I turn off the home screen preview of SMS/text messages in my Galaxy Note 2
On an Android device (Galaxy Note 2) with a locked screen whenever an SMS is received it's preview is displayed over the locked screen. This is super inconvenient - anyone who is nearby can see it without even unlocking the screen.Is there a way to disable those previews over a locked screen?

# Answer
> 2 votes
i have been annoyed by this as well!!

even after turning off as mentioned above i was still receiving the notification and preview of the msg

my problem turned out to be an add on sms widget for evernote "sms to evernote" that gives you the option to send your sms to evernote.

It is not obvious from the pop up that it is evernote

there are two options in the "sms to evernote" settings

"Enable sms pop up" when you enable this you get further options to "hide sms in pop up"

The "hide sms in pop up" option does not work you get the preview regardless

it took me a while to work this out and i hope this saves someone else some time :-)

# Answer
> 1 votes
Open the SMS app and fire up the Settings option from the Menu button.

In the Notification Settings sub-section there is a Preview Message option. If checked, that will show a preview of the message in the status bar and on the lock screen.

Uncheck it, and your problem should be solved.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Yes, you can do that using `Settings->Lock screen settings` and changing there widgets.

# Answer
> 0 votes
You can go to Messaging, go to Settings by pressing the button next to home button, scroll down and disable Preview Messages ... or even better disable notification.

---
Tags: sms
---


# Question
Title: Access Android Phone on local wireless network from Windows device
Is what the subject implies possible? Typing `\\{phone IP}` doesn't seem to work as it would with other Windows running devices on the same network.

Thank you.

# Answer
For this to work seamlessly you would need an SMB server on your phone. There is such an app, available via this forum thread. It needs root, and it looks like results vary by device. At least one reason why root is required is that normal users aren't allowed to open ports below 1024, whilst by convention, SMB servers use ports 135-139.

An alternative is the On Air (Wifi Disk) app, available in the market. Whilst not quite seamless, this does give you access to your SD card via AppleTalk, WebDAV or good old FTP. I've just tested with an HTC Desire HD and Windows XP over WebDAV and it appears to work well.

The Windows XP WebDAV client is a bit ropey, but that's not really the fault of Android or On Air :)

The On Air app itself warns of issues using the built-in WebDAV clients for Vista and Windows 7, and recommends a standalone client.
> 4 votes

# Answer
well in that case u can use software data cable in your android phone. it'll install the ftp server on your phone and you can get access to your phone storage from the browser.. remember they should be in the same network....
> -1 votes

---
Tags: windows, wi-fi
---


title: App reporting privacy - is there any?

text:
# Question
Title: App reporting privacy - is there any?
When you report an app (for violation) through Google Play, does the developer have access to (any parts of) your Google identity? Does the fact that you've reported this app show up in any of your public (or private) Google records? Does Google have an official policy on that?

# Answer
> 1 votes
There's a pop up every time you submit a report for the privacy policy.

But regardless, pretty much every Google system and API is covered by the same privacy policy: http://www.google.com/policies/privacy/

---
Tags: google-play-store, privacy
---


title: Smartphone on usb rings on computer

text:
# Question
Title: Smartphone on usb rings on computer
I got a smartphone on android, and when it is attached trough USB to my computer (windows or linux), I'd like to have it ring or do notifications in the headphones of the computer.

Is there a way to do it ?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Using the Bluetooth you can very well get it. After the bluetooth connection is established, you can use the bluetooth menu to activate

1. playback of music from Phone on Computer,
2. Receive call on Computer which you have a option to take it on the hand phone if you want ( this is available on the android phone screen page when the call is in activation)
3. To exchange the files between the computer and phone
4. SMS the message from computer that goes via phone.

# Answer
> 0 votes
No. As far as I know, this is not possible.

May be this can be done through custom application. But I think there is no app that does this, at least, for now.

---
Tags: usb, ringtone
---


# Question
Title: How to access the phone via adb; broken screen
My karbonn s2 screen got cracked ,i need to transfer my contacts on pc.i tried using droid at screen (adb).since i can't go to usb debugging option because of damaged screen.While using droid@screen it doesn't read the device.How to solve it ? any help would be appreciated!!

# Answer
By default your contacts are sync'd to Google. You should be able to find your contacts by logging into Google and looking at contacts under gmail.

Also when you get your replacement Android, just setting up the same account that you did for your broken android will bring all your contact to the new android.

Of course if you, for some reason, disabled the automatic sync, this method wouldn't work.

But again, without any changes or having performed special configurations on your part. This will work.

---

Update information for consideration:

For some (particularly me) my data is substantially more important than the hardware. A resource to consider in gaining access to your android is to actually repair it. It's more expensive than some of the suggestions and links provided by Dan Hulme, Izzy, AI E, Chahk, and andeldererathis. But it's very likely to get you your important data.

First, the cracked screen won't stop your access to your device. However, a damaged touch screen will prevent you from being able to access it. To the surest way to resolve the issue is to invest in repairing the touch screen.

You may find the replacement part on Ebay or Amazon. This is an idea of what would be involved:

Youtube: How to disassemble karbonn a15 completely:

Again, this is a hardware resolution to recovering your data. Working with the tiny parts isn't something that most of us can handle. So you'll have to search for a service center to do it for you.

While rather timely and expensive, it's not as costly as trying to hire clean room services to recover data from a hard drive.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: 4.2-jelly-bean, broken-screen
---


# Question
Title: Is my phone liable to explode if I charge it with a charger that came with a different phone?
My friend and I both have droids and we often user each other's wall chargers out of convenience. I was told that it's possible that my phone might explode if it's charged with a charger that wasn't built specifically for my phone. How true is this across droids?

# Answer
> 14 votes
While this is standard cover-your-assets boilerplate, the truth is you can charge your phone off of pretty much any USB charger out there, as long as the following things are true:

* The output specification is +5V DC, and at least 500mA. If it's more (700mA, 1000mA) you are generally fine; the phone will only draw what it needs. My HTC Magic's "official" charger is 5VDC 700mA.
* The data pins in the charger are shorted (most modern chargers will work. If an iPhone charges off the usb plug with its cable, it means the data pins are shorted).

If you use a car charger, do not get the cheap ones. Car power is a lot noisier than household current, and you need a charger that can survive crank (starting the engine).

If you live in a country where power is unreliable, you may want to charge off a UPS or other power conditioner.

I have charged successfully with a Garmin GPS watch charging brick, the charger from an older smartphone (FreeRunner), and the USB outlets at Southwest Airlines waiting terminals (although I'd turn off USB debugging and USB mass storage before using a public USB charging kiosk.)

If you don't trust it, don't use it! Phones are expensive.

If your device DOESN'T charge off of USB (Pandigital Novel)...check the plug size and the output specification.

If your device uses a funny plug (B&N Nook Color - it's MicroUSB, yes, except that their plug in their cable is longer), then you need that cable.

# Answer
> 4 votes
yes, it is absolutely safe to charge a device with a charger that has more current capacity than needed.

Ohm's law tells us the relation between current, voltage, and resistance:

```
I    =     V      /     R

```

(current = voltage / resistance) Since the voltage is held constant (5V), the only factor that determines current draw is the load (another term for resistance) the device places on the charger. Thus, the device will only draw as much current as it needs and no more.

# Answer
> 2 votes
In traditional electrical terms, it is always better to oversize the wattage of a power supply to at least 125 percent. So, if a smart phone uses 700 mA, then a 700 mA charger is at the tippy top of its capacity and could possibly fail. 1 A (a.k.a. 1000 mA) is safer. The phone will only draw what it needs.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Droids? as in Motorola Droid phones or Android phones?

To the point, check the specifications on the chargers, if they're the same there's no danger. Most of the chargers use a 5V line to be compatible with USB charging but the amperage may differ. For example, Galaxy S uses a 0.7A charger, and Galaxy Tab 10.1 uses a 2A charger. I wouldn't try to charge my Galaxy S from the 2A line, but it would be ok to use a lesser amperage for the tab, but this would result in a lower charging efficiency.

---
Tags: battery, hardware, charging
---


# Question
Title: When I transfer files from computer using USB (MTP), I can't access them on device
Trying to set up my shiney new Nexus 7 (2013 edition) I used MTP to transfer files (music and ebooks) to the device from my Win7 PC. It seemed to work, but then when I ejected/disconnected the tablet, it registers that there is space being used in the folders, but doesn't show any of the files (when looking at Storage it says there's 600MB worth of stuff in the folder, but when I tab on it there's no files listed, and my music player and e-reader apps don't see anything either).

What gives?

Thanks in advance for your help!

# Answer
> 1 votes
At Izzy's suggestion, I installed a file manager (OI), and was able to see the files that my Android itself didn't recognize. I used OI to cut-paste them to a new dummy directory and then back to where they belonged, Android recognized them and I can use with the relevant apps (Kindle, Kingsoft Office).

# Answer
> -2 votes
For those of us who are frustrated in trying to alter the file system to MTP and cannot find how to change it. Do not despair.

If you've opened Samsung Kies and connected phone with a USB cable and got the error message, go to your phone and swipe top to bottom on the NOTIFICATIONS list you will see the USB symbol on the left hand side and the line stating - Connected as Camera. If it says - Connected Media Device - then your connected properly. To Change from Connected as Camera, tap/select the line - Connected as Camera and you will be shown another screen with the Camera option selected - Just select Media Device MTP and you will be able to connect to Samsung Kies, and all will be calm and peaceful, no more screaming at the PC or mobile phone.

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


title: Drivers for 2.3.3 device to work as MTP

text:
# Question
Title: Drivers for 2.3.3 device to work as MTP
I have a samsung Galaxy y device running 2.3.3 , where can i find the drivers of this device , to connect as MTP.

checked in the website of device manufacturers. tried installing drivers from device manager also

# Answer
> -2 votes
For those of us who are frustrated in trying to alter the file system to MTP and cannot find how to change it. Do not despair.

If you've opened Samsung Keis and connected phone with a USB cable and got the error message, go to your phone and swipe top to bottom on the NOTIFICATIONS list you will see the USB symbol on the left hand side and the line stating - Connected as Camera. If it says - Connected Media Device - then your connected properly. To Change from Connected as Camera, tap/select the line - Connected as Camera and you will be shown another screen with the Camera option selected - Just select Media Device MTP and you will be able to connect to Samsung Keis, and all will be calm and peacful, no more screaming at the PC or mobile phone.

---
Tags: samsung, usb-drivers, samsung-galaxy-y, mtp
---


# Question
Title: I can't find the boot/recovery partitions on my Android phone for backup - where are they?
I'm trying to back up boot.img, recovery.img, and system.img on my Android phone. I've found several mentions of running this command:

```
cat proc/mtd

```

and then just using dd to copy the listed mount points. Seems straightforward enough. Unfortunately, the output of that command is just this single line:

```
dev:    size   erasesize  name

```

df also doesn't list the usual "Mounted On" column, just the filesystem. This is the output of df:

```
Filesystem             Size   Used   Free   Blksize
/dev                   234M    52K   234M   4096
/mnt/secure            234M     0K   234M   4096
/mnt/asec              234M     0K   234M   4096
/mnt/obb               234M     0K   234M   4096
/system                640M   459M   180M   4096
/data                    1G   406M   898M   4096
/cache                 369M     6M   363M   4096
/protect_f               8M     4M     4M   4096
/protect_s               8M     4M     4M   4096
/mnt/cd-rom              1M     1M     0K   2048
/storage/sdcard1         1G    24M     1G   16384
/storage/sdcard0         7G     2G     5G   32768
/mnt/secure/asec         7G     2G     5G   32768

```

Some details about my phone:

* It's a BLU ADVANCE 4.0
* Board is Mediatek MT6572
* Android version is 4.2.2
* Kernel version is 3.4.5
* I do have root access

So, to reiterate my question - where are the partitions? How can I find them?

While I'm not necessarily averse to using programs other than the shell it seems like I really should be able to do this from there.

---

EDIT: I used dd on the various mmcblk files I found in /dev/block. Most of them I terminated prematurely as they were 100MiB+, but two (mmcblk0p2 and mmcblk0p3) came out to about 10MiB each which seems more probable for boot and recovery. The contents of these when mounted are:

* a directory labelled lost+found (ext?)
* a directory labelled md, the subcontents of which differ

In mmcblk0p2 the contents of md are:

* Two files of unknown type, one 4B one 2.0KiB, labelled MPOD\_000 and ST33A004 respectively

In mmcblk0p3 the contents of md are:

* One file of unknown type, 2.0KiB, labelled ST33B004

# Answer
as aureljared already mentioned, proper configured MTK devices populate their recovery and boot partitions in /dev/recovery and /dev/bootimg. Just dd from there.
> -1 votes

---
Tags: adb, backup
---


# Question
Title: Looking for a way to use voice commands create calendar entry in non-Google calendar
I'm looking for a way to create calendar entries in a non-Google calendar using voice commands. The built in voice command (using CM11 M8 / 4.4.4 with Google apps) only creates entries in my Google calendar and I do not see an option to change this behavior. I'm happy to use a different voice command app if that's what's necessary.

To clarify: I would like to create this calendar entry in a calendar hosted on a server accessed by caldav.

# Answer
> 0 votes
While strictly speaking, app recommendations are off-topic here – let's tread it as "how can I do that". And as this is my second question today, it's time for the app which answers every second question here: , optionally with the AutoVoice addon for more convenience and flexibility.

The Tasker UserGuide explains:

> **Calendar Insert:**
> Insert an entry into the specified calendar.

(More details there)

With AutoVoice, you can have a widget/shortcut on your homescreen to activate it (or have *Tasker* do so via some other event, e.g. "shaking the device up-down twice"). Then speak your command, and *Tasker* would execute the Task assigned to what it recognizes. There are tutorials around also explaining how to make a "loop" for the "Sorry, I didn't understand – please repeat!" case ;)

Drawbacks: Both apps come with a fee if you want to really use them. *Tasker* has a 7-day-trial at their homepage, *AutoVoice* has a limited "free version" – so you at least have a chance to check first if it meets your requirements. Will take a few days getting used to *Tasker* – but once you did, you will wonder how you could do without ☺

---
Tags: calendar, voice-command
---


title: uninstall 0KB apps

text:
# Question
Title: uninstall 0KB apps
I have a LG optimus black p970 (2.3.4). In Settings-\>applications, I see many apps that are o KB. I do not know how they got there. There are apps like 'Fire Work', several wall papers for ex , ' Magic Smoke WllPaper' etc. The uninstall buttons for all of these are disabled. How can I uninstall them. Some of them seem to have all kinds of permission on the device.

# Answer
> 0 votes
The apps you are referring to are *system apps* \- that is, they weren't sideloaded; they were integrated into the operating system.

Removal involves having root access and deleting the corresponding (cryptically named) app in `/system/app`, but I strongly recommend you to stick to a Disable option if available - sometimes system apps depend on other system apps in order to function properly. You might end up soft-bricking your phone if you accidentally delete an important app.

---
Tags: 2.3-gingerbread, uninstallation
---


# Question
Title: "Internet not available" error while trying to connect to wifi
I have a samsung galaxy chat B5330 device.

Whenever I try to connect it to wifi, I get various errors as follows,

1. Using DHCP :- Here it shows a "obtaining IP address" message but never connects.
2. Using Static IP :- It connects to wifi but then shows a "internet not available" error. I'm sure that internet is available as many others use it successfully using other android devices/laptops etc.

EDIT:
I found out that not all are able to use the wifi. Some do not get connected(stuck in "obtaining ip address"), some get the "internet not available" error, some connect and get internet but at very slow speeds(10 KBps download speed) while some lucky dudes get blazing speed(10MBps download speed)

Could this occur due to to many signals at same place? At any given place in campus, we get at least 2 strong and 1/2 weak wifi signals, not to mention some secured portable wifi hotspots from androids.

How do I solve this error.

Note that I don't own the router/wifi, it's open(No security, accessible by any student.)

# Answer
> 0 votes
Seems DHCP is not enabled on WIFI router, you may need to ask others to obtain DNS address, to connect to internet, DNS info is required as well

---
Tags: wi-fi, internet, samsung-galaxy-chat
---


# Question
Title: Is Android connected with Ubuntu by the expected style?
I need a bluetooth connection between Android Ice Cream device and Ubuntu 14.04 laptop.

I am able to transfer ordinary files through a bluetooth connection which is attached as a picture below.

But when i

adb connect xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx

within SDK directory,

i hope some connection appear, but could not.

Also as you can see below there is an "OFF" in the picture.

I wonder if this is the key problem about my bluetooth connection.

I think my server is up, because application can run on emulator.

# Answer
I find bluetooth connections with Ubuntu to be a bit unreliable. I have tried it on a number of machines. I have also tried a variety of bluetooth adapters. I'm not sure if it's the various adapters that I've been using. I tried to find a recommended bluetooth manufactor specification, but didn't have luck.

It's not clear what you mean by

> adb connect xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx

It's my understanding that you have to specify a port when you use the adb to connect (outside of using a direct connection from the USB).

You can have very reliable transfers and connection using your USB or your wireless. Since you make a reference to adb, I'm sure you already have the Android SDK package installed. So you have access to the adb transfer features (push/pull), using the USB connection.

To use the wireless connection for adb you have to first connect USB then activate the adb tcpip connection to your android. This is done by issuing the following command and specifying the port you want to use. After this activation you can unplug the usb cable and have adb wireless connection that will last until your android is rebooted.

```
$ adb tcpip 5123

```

In this example I specified a port that would be unlikely to be a default port for an automatic connection such as an avd.

After you have activated the wireless adb connection for the android you can connect to it by specifying it's IP address and port when issuing your connect command:

```
$ adb connect 192.168.1.102:5123

```

I believe your problems connecting adb has to do with your connection setup and parameters.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: linux
---


# Question
Title: How to force the installation of a programme?
How can I force the installation of a programme, specifically "Simple Sidebar-1.2" in place of "Simple Sidebar-1.3", in android 4.3, on a Samsung Galaxy GT-I9300. When I try to install it now it has a long read-in and then just stops saying that it is not installed.

# Answer
You can't "downgrade" an installed app to an older version. First you need to uninstall the app from your device, and only after that can you install the older version from the APK.
> 1 votes

# Answer
If you've got ADB ready (see: and its tag-wiki for details), there are multiple ways to achieve it. My examples assume you've got the `.apk` file on your computer, and are operating from the very same directory it resides in. Further, let's call the file `foobar.apk`:

```
# trying to downgrade directly:
adb install -r foobar.apk

# if that fails, we've got to uninstall the app first.
# Let's try to do so without losing its data:
adb uninstall -k com.foobar
adb install -r foobar.apk

```

If the latter still fails, you might have to say "goodbye" to your data, and run `uninstall` without the `-k` ("keep data") option. You could also try backing up data first, and restore it after a successful install (`adb backup -f foobar.ab -noapk com.foobar` and later `adb restore foobar.ab`).
> 0 votes

---
Tags: installation
---


# Question
Title: Can I use wifi or Bluetooth to get the same kind of connection to my phone that I can with USB?
I have a new Samsung Galaxy S5 running Android 4.4.2, and I also have a laptop and desktop computer, both running Ubuntu 14.04. In order to access or transfer files from phone to computer, I can connect my Samsung by USB easily enough, but I thought I might be able to do something a little cooler using either wifi or Bluetooth.

My phone always connects to my home LAN whenever I'm at home, so if there was a way to make it appear on the network automatically every time it was in range, that would be sweet.

My laptop I'm often using at hotspots where I probably couldn't connect them via the LAN. So maybe for my laptop, some kind of Bluetooth connection would be best. I'm actually typing right now on my laptop, and I paired the phone and laptop together, so I can select to "Send files" from the laptop to the Android, but that's about as convenient as emailing it to myself. I really want to be able to open the Android internal SD drives like they were drives on a network.

This could be two questions, one about connecting my desktop by wifi and one about connecting my laptop by bluetooth, but I'm asking them together because it may be that maybe one approach works best for both scenarios. Or maybe I have it reversed and wifi would be better for the laptop and Bluetooth for the desktop.

In short, what is the best wireless way for me to make my Android phone always available to my computers so that I can transfer and access files to it? I'd ideally like to have the drives show up the same way they do as when connected by USB, so that I can do other things like syncing my music collection (with Banshee or Clementine) and possibly other tasks.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Probably you can create a Tasker profile to connect to the Wifi network automatically when you arrive at home (or the home Wifi network is in the range)
Another good thing you can achieve it using rSync backup is that, you can use rSync and use a Tasker job to periodically (or conditionally) upload/download data from/to your phone. You can refer to rSync's documentation for its configuration and other setup steps. You can configure it to only specify required one way transfer of files.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I use FileZilla on Ubuntu and FTP Server on Android. Much faster transfers than Bluetooth and you can browse the device.

FTP Server: F-Droid, Google Play

---
Tags: wi-fi, bluetooth, file-transfer
---


# Question
Title: my old sd card crashed and when i replaced it, my device wouldn't allow me to take pictures, it says no external storage, how do i fix that?
My device froze up and then automatically powered off. When I powered my device back on it said that there's was no sd card, and all of my pictures and videos were gone. When my sd card crashed, it deleted all of my pictures and videos. there's nothing in my gallery and I can't take pictures and videos anymore.

How do I not only fix the no external storage problem, but also get my media back?

# Answer
If your phone is easily disassembled, you might want to try powering off your phone, removing the SD card, replacing the SD card, and powering your phone on again. Sometimes the simplest things can fix tough problems for you.

If your phone still doesn't recognize the card, you might want to try plugging your SD card into your PC using a converter or card reader (MicroSD cards are usually sold with one that converts your MicroSD to a standard SD). Run a software like Recuva (or any other data recovery tool), and see if you can recover files from your card. If you can, download them to your computer. Then format your card to `FAT32`, reload the files onto your card, and plug it back into your phone. Best of luck to you.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: external-sd, sd-card
---