# Question
Title: Is it safe to delete all empty folders in Android?
Almost every Android "cleaning" app (such as SD Maid) includes the ability to delete all empty folders.

In operating systems such as Windows, this is generally not a good idea. Windows applications sometimes expect certain folders to be present; although they should handle a deleted folder gracefully, sometimes a deleted empty folder will result in a crash.

Given the number of Android cleaning apps that delete all empty folders, is the story different on Android? Is it safe for the user to delete all empty folders in Android?

*Update:*

* By "all empty folders", I refer to all empty folders inside **/storage/emulated/0**. Note that this does include **/storage/emulated/0/Android/data/\***.
* The folder **/storage/emulated/0**, and its subfolders, can be located on the *internal* memory of an Android device or on an *external* memory Card.
* If you can also provide an answer for all folders beginning at the root, that would be very useful, but is not required.

*(Please, do not diverge answers into a "why would someone want to do that" discussion.)*

# Answer
From what I read here: http://androidforums.com/threads/can-empty-subdirectories-subfolders-be-deleted.324275/

You can delete empty folders if they are really empty. Sometimes Android creates folder with invisible files. The way to check if the folder is really empty is using explorer apps like Cabinet or Explorer.
> 2 votes

# Answer
sometimes empty folders are used as asset staging while an app is running, as well as what's been mentioned. another way to check for hidden files is to get a terminal app, navigate to the directory in question and run the following:

```
ls -a

```

any hidden objects will have a "." prefix. make sure you know that these are not needed by an app, etc. before deleting.
> 1 votes

# Answer
I used a **Galaxy Note 4 SM-910C** from Androids **4.4.4** to **6.0.1**. I actively use *Andro Shredder* to shred folders and files like DCIM, LazyList, Pictures and some folders with .file or .nomedia, but they keep reappearing and I experience no repercussions.
Thank you.
> 1 votes

# Answer
You can delete any empty folder in android.

If rooted it gives exclusive permission to file system some times it may misbehave if some folder not found.
> 0 votes

# Answer
I have rooted android 5.1 smartphone I deleted all folders in the location u specified except these folders Android Whatsapp DCIM MOVIES BLIETOOTH DOWNLOAD And its still working fine after 2 months
> 0 votes

---
Tags: file-system, file-management, files
---


# Question
Title: LG P880 - No keyboard after factory reset
yesterday I tried to reset my rooted phone (LG Optimus 4X HD) because I thought it would run faster after a factory reset.

Unfortunately I didn't remember that I uninstalled the stock keyboard and now, there is no keyboard installed on the device. This makes it impossible to get past the setup wizard.

I tried sideloading a keyboard apk via adb but it failed (error message: verifying package ... installation aborted). I also failed to connect the device to the PC suite (I presume this is the case because USB debugging is turned off).

Is there anything else I could try?

Thank you in advance

# Answer
> 0 votes
You do this: Simply skip setup wizard (turn off cellular data to be able to do this), then when get to launcher turn on bluetooth and transfer keyboard .apk file and install it (check unknown sources to do this). Than go to play store and login to google account. To prevent this from happening again use titanium backup and convert keyboard to be system app.

---
Tags: adb, factory-reset, keyboard, usb-debugging, lg-optimus-4x
---


# Question
Title: Where are actions of buttons' long pressing stored?
I want to remap the long press action of the menu button to open the dialog box that appears when the power button is long pressed. I know the keybinds are stored mainly in `/system/usr/keylayout/Generic.kl` but I can't find where the **long press** settings are stored.

The settings menu allows me to remap the action of long pressing, but it doesn't offer an option to invoke the dialog box of power menu. As far as I am concerned, the Android API doesn't provide any option to access the power button so I need to change the action inside proper system files. Also, the API doesn't allow me to map the screenshot taking what is the main purpose of mine. So I want either to map the dialog box of power menu or screenshot taking to the long press action of menu button.

I own Samsung Galaxy S3 with Cyanogenmod 14.1 Android 7.1.1

# Answer
> 0 votes
So there appears to be several apps on the app store.

Button Mapper: Remap your keys is one such example. Buttons remapper (no root) is another.

---
Tags: settings, system, customization, buttons
---


# Question
Title: Google now cannot display cards because of low storage space
My android phone has 5.5gb of internal storage and I have used around 3.9. I have the rest of the apps on a SD card set as adoptable storage . Google now says it cannot display cards because of low storage space. Why is that?

# Answer
Just clearing the cache didn't fix the problem. But restarting the phone afterwards solved it.
> 2 votes

# Answer
I think it is becasue of cache files go in settings\>storages\>cache data and clear them.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, internal-storage, google-now, motorola-moto-g2
---


# Question
Title: How do I enable birthday reminders or view birthdays as events in Calendar on Nexus 4
Simple problem: I forget the birthdays of my friends. I have the dates saved in my contacts (CardDAV-Sync address book) and can view them with the People app. I have not found a way to set up an alert or reminder, though. Alternatively I'd like to see them as events in Calendar. I would hope there is some option in the stock Android 4.3 of my Nexus 4 to configure this, but if it is not possible, do you know of a simple reminder app *that does not ask for full internet access*?

Thanks in advance.

# Answer
*..., but if it is not possible, do you know of a simple reminder app that does not ask for full Internet access?*

The topic is also discussed in the Google forum for the calender application and indeed there seem to be only workarounds.

There is also an app mentioned, which does provide the notifications for the birthdays and does not need Internet access: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.noyer.consulting.contactevents.pro

That is a paid app for a small amount, but there is also a free version with Internet access for advertisements: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.noyer.consulting.contactevents.free

If you just want to try the free version if it works for you, you could perform the following steps:

* Download the free app in the Play Store
* Turn your device into flight mode
* Start the app
* In Android 6 or higher: Grant access to adress book at first start
* Check the app, widget etc. (Notifications are only raised at midnight)
* Uninstall the app
* Turn off flight mode
* Decide if it worth to get the Pro version
> 4 votes

# Answer
I couldn't find a native way either for that, and was wondering why it worked on one of my devices but not on the others. On the "working" device, I'm using aCalendar as a frontend to the Google Calendar, which also comes with a nice widget, and is really handy. *aCalendar* also sends birthday reminders, shows them on the widget itself and also puts a hint in the notification bar which is hard to miss. So until you find a solution you like more, this would be a possibility.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Kindly follow these steps :

1. How to Add Your Gmail Contacts' Birthdays to Google Calendar

**Add Your Gmail Contacts' Birthdays to Google Calendar**

To add a calendar showing and alerting you to birthdays of your Gmail contacts to Google Calendar:

Please follow these steps:

* Go to google.com/calendar so you are just viewing the regular home screen
* On the left hand side under Other calendars, find Friends' Birthdays, click the drop down arrow and select Reminders and notifications from the menu
* Under the Event Reminders section, Click Add a reminder, set the desired reminder
* Click Save
> 0 votes

---
Tags: contacts, nexus-4, people-app
---


title: Internet Speed Test

text:
# Question
Title: Internet Speed Test
I tested my speed with ookla. I also have a speed counter on my status bar (enabled using GravityBox). Both of them show different results. I tried another speed test site as well, an it shows another result. Can anyone explain whats going on and which one to trust?

Screenshot (click to enlarge)

# Answer
> 1 votes
It's the difference of byte VS bit at play here - 1MB/s (byte) = 8Mbps (bit). The 2 speeds displayed match well.

As for different speed testing sites showing varying results: obviously they use different servers, bearing different route and latency. Speedtest (the one you're using) chooses the best based on ping, but not necessarily every site does.

---
Tags: internet
---


# Question
Title: How can I require my Android (latest version) phone to require BOTH a fingerprint and a password?
Setting up one or the other is easy, but I can't seem to activate both at once.

Before anyone asks, my primary reason for wanting to do this is security.

# Answer
> 3 votes
You can go trough Android's security using only one at once. For example, if you have both Fingerprint and Pattern activated, only one of them is required to unlock the device. However, with third party apps like Next Lock Screen or Picturesque Lock Screen, you can actually stack them. If you activate Next Lock Screen, Pattern and Fingerprint, you will have to use Next Lock Screen first, then either Pattern or Fingerprint.

# Answer
> 1 votes
@Susan If your phone is rooted and has the Xposed framework installed, you can take a look at MasterLock. It's nearly impossible to remove (installs as system app, is device admin, etc). Though, I can't resist to ask, why want to use two lock methods at once? Only you have your finger prints. An additional number lock seems kind of useless to me.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Most likely you can only use one security type on your phone. If that is the case, I would suggest taking the fingerprint security type, so that way if your phone is stolen, it cannot be accessed. However, there may be apps that you can download to allow you to have more than one security type.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Now I don't know much about this topic but I do know from past experience that the best way to do both is 1 use the phones actual finger print password then download an app that gives you a second password or an aplock best wishes and good luck

# Answer
> 0 votes
If you want two locks (fingerprint and pattern/pin/password) only once, you can restart your device or else as others said you need to add any other security application.

# Answer
> -1 votes
Look for an option in the settings, if this doesn't work out you can install a third party application like applock for adding up a password. :)

---
Tags: password-protection, fingerprint
---


# Question
Title: LG V20 turns off wifi when phone goes to sleep
LG V20 WiFi turns off sometime while in sleep mode. Have to go into settings, Turn on WiFi and Connect to available WiFi when I want to use the phone. I found other people that have the same problem on other brand phones but answers to the problem do not help me with the problem no matter how I try to apply those answers. My phones settings options are not the same as other brands/models.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Go to WiFi settings and check whether "Keep Wi-Fi on during sleep" is set to always. Hope this helps

---
Tags: wi-fi
---


# Question
Title: Will an Android phone still use data when cellular data is switched off?
I refer to the option under Settings / Data Usage. If that is turned off is there a possibility for the system to still use mobile data?

# Answer
> 0 votes
> If that is turned off is there a possibility for the system to still use mobile data?

Absolutely not. That setting turns off the data completely as soon as you use it.

Sometimes it takes 2-3 seconds to turn the data off completely(the LTE/H+ sign to disappear because of network issues), else the data is always switched off immediately.

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop, 6.0-marshmallow, 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich
---


# Question
Title: How can I delete Auto backup photos in Google+
I couldn't delete them. What can I do? I know that it's private, but I have a little worry.

# Answer
> 3 votes
Google offers a tutorial on how to delete auto backups on their support site:

> **How to delete**
>
> * To delete one photo at a time, open the Photos app \> touch the thumbnail of the photo you wish to delete to open it \> trash icon.
> * To delete multiple photos at once, open the Photos app \> touch the
> menu icon/button \> Select... \> the thumbnails of the photos you wish to delete to select them \> trash icon.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Delete the photos in your Google+ account from your computer, then empty the trash. Then go into your phone's Settings, navigate to Apps -\> Gallery, and select Clear Cache.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Look up Google Album Archive to see every image you've ever uploaded to any Google platform, be it Hangouts or Google+.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Log in to your Gmail id and go to this link and delete pics here they will be deleted everywhere. https://get.google.com/albumarchive/

# Answer
> -1 votes
Drag the gallery icon up to the info icon at the top of the screen. It will show clear cache button when you scroll down.

---
Tags: google-plus
---


title: Need deleted data from locked phone

text:
# Question
Title: Need deleted data from locked phone
My moto g phone 5.1 pattern is locked accidently, is there any way to get my images from phone.

# Answer
If your phone is unlocked, you can try using 'Recuva' software for recovering data from a deleted or formatted phone. Although the Success of Recovery is not 100% and every file may not be recovered, but you can still recover most of the data which is lost (accidentally or purposely :p )
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 5.1-lollipop
---


# Question
Title: How can you verify titanium backup is encrypting backups?
In Titanium Backup Pro it has the option to encrypt backups. How can this be verified that it's working? It normally outputs a gz file with an apk inside. When I try to open the apk with a text editor it doesn't have any human readable text, so does that mean it's encrypted??

# Answer
As per this post titanium does not encrypt apps binaries(apk). It just encrypts apps data.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: encryption, titanium-backup
---


title: Recovery is rewritten

text:
# Question
Title: Recovery is rewritten
I am using a Lenovo p70 which I flashed with AOSP 6.0 ported from Lenovo k3.

The ROM keeps overwriting the TWRP custom recovery with stock recovery (which doesn't even boot). As far as I know this problem is caused by the fact that /system is mounted as read-only. In most cases twrp must promp you and take care about that but that is not my case. Also I tried editing "fstab.mt6752" but it gets overwritten on boot/reboot and the default values are returned.

So the question is how do I stop the ROM (AOSP) from overwriting the TWRP? And in case I am right, how do I make system to be mounted as read-write by default?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Don't know if you already done. But, most customs like CM, have an option in developer settings to not overwrite recovery.

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, recovery-mode, twrp
---


# Question
Title: Does Wiping Data/Internal SD in TWRP Remove files Permanently?
I am selling my Moto X Play and want to make sure all my personal files were permanently removed from the device.

I did a Factory Reset from within the OS twice and noticed that my photos would still appear after the reset was completed.

So then I booted into TWRP recovery mode and went to wipe and wiped the internal SD and Data on the device, booted back into the system and the pictures were all gone. I then flashed a completely different rom and pictures are still gone now.

I just want to confirm that at this point that my files are completely erased and could never be recovered.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Of course. If you see the process of working twrp, you'll see that it erase sdcard without wiping data/media that is sdcard0, in some cases. It contains all of your saved files like music etc

---
Tags: data-recovery, delete, remote-wipe
---


title: Repair blocks in android ARMv7

text:
# Question
Title: Repair blocks in android ARMv7
Hi would check the `badblocks` in my android with the `badblocks` tool, but I cant found the binary for my:

**armv7** with mt6582 - lollipop 5.1, and TWRP 3.0.1.

* How could compile or get it (the badblocks for execute from /sbin/)?

Note: I want not use e2fsck neither fsck.... I would like check it through of **badblocks**

# Answer
1. Get a Linux Desktop (Debian, Ubuntu, Suse) edition and install it on your PC
2. Get ARM (el, hf) compiler and binutils etc-
3. Get Android NDK and SDK (Large files...)
4. Get the kernel source for your smartphone/tablet too
5. Get badblock source files for linux, and cross compile it
6. BTW the smartphone should be rooted and be aware about the using (!) of badblocks...

Or find a developer here or at https://forum.xda-developers.com who has already compiled it
> 0 votes

---
Tags: file-system, system, system-error
---


title: Queue up episodes in Play Movies & TV

text:
# Question
Title: Queue up episodes in Play Movies & TV
In Google's native "Play Movies & TV", the app that plays your movie and TV content purchased from the Play Store, is there any way to queue up something to play next, or an option when watching a TV series to have it automatically play the next episode?

Maybe I've been spoiled by the Netflix app, but I was playing a TV series I had downloaded for my son on the Chromecast through a Nexus 7 tablet, and I kept having to manually select an episode to play once one was finished. Sort of annoying since each episode was only ~10 minutes long.

I couldn't find any option for what I want but maybe I am missing something?

# Answer
> 3 votes
Use the YouTube app. Within the YouTube app under your account you can find purchases. Within purchases are playlists of seasons of TV shows which you can queue up to play in a row.

Netflix still does it better as it checks on you occasionally so you don't binge every episode.

# Answer
> 2 votes
New answer due to a new option within the Google Play movies **settings**. There is an option to **enable binge watching** which will autoplay the next episode in your library.

> App version: 3.22.14 \[AU\]

---
Tags: chromecast, google-play-movies
---


# Question
Title: i have a SPICE COOLPAD MI 515 AND I CANT ACCESS TO MY STORAGE
i had not rooted my phone yet but i tried storage swaping intern to ex. but after editing vold.fstab sdcard0 to sdcard1 and restarted my phone. I loss access to my storage after the said restart So how can i get back my storage external as well as phone storage because both does not shown give me suggestion for unrooted phone.

# Answer
You could try editing the file over an ADB interface. You can install the appropriate drivers and the ADB Interface, and then use a program called PuTTYTray: https://puttytray.goeswhere.com . There, you can use the built-in Linux text editor using the command called *vi* to edit the vold.fstab file to return your device to its original configuration.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: applications, storage
---


# Question
Title: Does Google Photos allow for "Hidden" albums or photos?
I have not found anywhere in Google Photos to "**hide**" and album, collection, or specific photo from view under any given context. *Is there a setting or workaround that will allow a user to select specific photos or albums from being in the main view when viewing photos in either the album view or timeline view?*

**Use case**: If one backs up every photo taken to Google Photos, it would be helpful to have "hidden" folders or photos that are only visible when selecting to view those photos or collections/albums, or various contextual "profiles" to view photos as, such as "Personal," "Business," or "Show All." That way, depending on the context of why the user is viewing the photos, one could see all photos that apply to that given context.

There was a lot of emphasis on "contextual learning" at Google I/O 2015, and this is one obvious way that it would seem Google Photos would work under that philosophy, so it may be that I just haven't found the setting yet.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I have seen no indication anywhere, from every setting within the site or app to deep searches, that indicates any such feature exists. The last mention of it I see dates back to Picasa. It seems the feature died there.

I personally have entirely separate Google accounts for different needs, and I keep my photos in those locations that don't belong in my general collection. Not optimal, but the only solution I've found.

# Answer
> 0 votes
2 options using the android app X-plore File Manager (amazing file manager)

1. You have to put the files in a zip file

Select everything you want hidden and tap and hold \> pop up menu \> "create zip" You can still browse what is in the zip like its a folder in X-plore File Manager You can then add new photos or video to the zip by simply copying to the zip

2. Make the folder your media is in "Hidden"
    * The names of videos might show up but the will not be playable

Add a dot to your folder name. example "Media" become ".Media" Add a text file name ".nomedia" (no extension) In X-plore File Manager top right click the three dots \> Configuration \> Show Hidden Files

# Answer
> 0 votes
No, you could however use a Photo Vault app from the Play Store to hide images, using a password of your choice.

---
Tags: photos, google, google-photos
---


title: Allow S7 to draw >500mA

text:
# Question
Title: Allow S7 to draw >500mA
I have a MacBook Pro - as we know, a USB 3 port can output at least 900mA at 5V for 4.5 Watts. However, when I plug in my S7, it only draws 500mA. What is the trick to allowing a device to draw 1A? Is it shorting the data pins, or is it a move by Apple to only provide extra current to their own products?

Many Thanks.

# Answer
Unfortunately the S7 itself comes with USB 2.0 as of official specs, which allows 0.5A max current.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: usb, charging, macos
---


# Question
Title: can i get lost images/ videos from broken phone if i had a google account
I lost all the pictures and videos on my last phone because it got wet and wouldn't come back on. On this new phone (same exact phone as broken one) under settings\> backup & recover its was already set to automatically back up files so I'm assuming the old one was too. But I don't know what I need to do to find them or get them back. I have the info for my old google account but I also set up a new account when I got this phone

# Answer
If you enabled sync with Google Photos, you would find it here: https://photos.google.com/
> 0 votes

---
Tags: lg
---


# Question
Title: Proxy error while trying to connect to FTP/computer, but proxy is not enabled already
I'm using Lenovo A7000's inbuilt application. Everything was fine, but suddenly, I am getting an error while trying to access the default FTP service via WiFi.

> The folder 'ftp://192.168.1.3:2121' is read-only because the proxy server is not set up to allow full access.

No proxy is set up on WiFi neither on my Android nor Windows PC. And, I am on the same network.

I've verified using another phone, so it's unlikely the Windows problem.

(Moreover, Xender is not working too. When I tap on connect to PC, my computer's browser showed an error unable to connect).

# Answer
> 0 votes
I rebooted and cleared my phone's cache and Dalvik cache via my TWRP recovery and FTP started working.

---
Tags: wi-fi, connection-issues, proxy, ftp
---


# Question
Title: Terminal app launch and subordinate intents
I'm using Tasker to open an app at certain time and state. I wanna open the Run log menu of Tasker at the end of the app launching task.

I know that's no need to flash on screen this log but when I tried, I haven't found a way. I can only open tasker but not launch a subordinate intent of this app.

Any help about this basic programming question will be appreciated.

Tnx in advance!

This is the description of the Tasker Manifest.xml:

# Answer
> 0 votes
Provided that you *have root access*, you can use this command to launch the Run Log window:

```
am start -n net.dinglisch.android.tasker/.RunLog

```

*RunLog* activity, *without root access* however, fails to launch and throws the error:

```
Permission Denial: startActivity asks to run as user -2 but is calling from user 0; this requires android.permission.INTERACT_ACROSS_USERS_FULL

```

Perhaps the following attribute, as mentioned in the manifest, is the cause of the issue.

```
android:exported="false"

```

---
Tags: linux, tasker, shell, android-emulator
---


# Question
Title: How to install app from command line (terminal)?
How to install app from command line (terminal)?

I would like to start a terminal window and do the apk installation from command line (shell script)

EDIT1: within the phone. Also is it possible to install from Google Play from URL, instead just a local path?

I didn't get answer, how to install Google Play app from command line.

# Answer
Given enough privileges (ADB, root, system application) you can use simple terminal commands to install apps:

## On a PC:

Run the simple command

```
adb install <path to .apk file>

```

and the app will be installed.
This requires `adb` to be installed and debugging mode enabled.
The file has to be located on the PC.

## In `adb shell` or a terminal on the device:

```
pm install <path to .apk file>

```

This is basically the same as the PC method but requires the file to be placed on the phone.
Additionally privileges to install apps are required (ADB shell inherits them from the system, other terminal apps require *root*)
> 15 votes

---
Tags: applications, installation, command-line
---


# Question
Title: Why has the emergency contacts functionality been removed?
According to some users at What is an "Emergency Call," and can I set number for it? there used to be a feature to add emergency contacts that can be dialed without passing the lock screen.

Does anyone have knowledge of why this was done?

# Answer
> 3 votes
This may differ depending on what brand and model your phone is, but with Nougat an *Emergency Information* feature was introduced. You'll find it under *Users* in the settings screen.

If you open it, you'll see two tabs: *Info* and *Contacts*.

Under Info you can add information about yourself, such as mediaction, allergies, and of course your name and under Contacts you can add contacts which can then be called without unlocking your phone. However, accessing it is a little involved; you need to bring up the emergency call screen, then hit *Emergency information* twice.

The screenshots were taken on a Samsung Galaxy S3 running LineageOS 14.1 Nightly as of 13 February 2017. Currently I have no contacts on that phone, so I can't add any to show you, and my primary phone is still on Marshmallow, which doesn't have that option.

---
Tags: lock-screens, emergency-calls
---


title: Why does rooting void warranty?

text:
# Question
Title: Why does rooting void warranty?
What is the reasoning behind Samsung being against rooting? Why does rooting cause your warranty to be voided? Isn't rooting a good thing for the user, since you have added functionality? I understand that there comes security risks with rooting, but I'm sure if Samsung gave their full support to users that want to root their phone by making it an option, that they could avoid/fix security problems that come with rooting

# Answer
> 10 votes
> What is the reasoning behind Samsung being against rooting? Why does rooting cause your warranty to be voided?

It is not a Samsung-specific case. Almost all manufacturers demand you to use the device as is. It is mostly about risk management. The risk of user damaging the phone is increased significantly when the phone is rooted and it would create a very big burden on manufacturers both as work force and economically. When they manufacture a series, they do it hundreds of thousands in numbers. They expect a number of problems with certain percentage of phones manufactured. If rooting is allowed, it would add greater risk and make the number of expected faulty phones unpredictable.

> Isn't rooting a good thing for the user, since you have added functionality?

Yes, as long as the users know what they are doing, but you obviously fail to see how unrelated this fact is to the question you ask. All computers have their own security-usability ratio. The reason you need rooting in the first place is because Android deliberately restricts the access of the user to certain properties. Not many people cares about getting to set CPU frequencies of the phone but many people cares about having a phone that is malware-free.

When you use a phone as is, the odds of creating bootloops, hard-bricks, security problems, usage of unauthorized software etc. is minimal and that is the way warranty-providers want to keep it. And that is not even the whole story. Manufacturers get paid to install bloatware. They don't want you to be able to delete them that easily.

> I understand that there comes security risks with rooting, but I'm sure if Samsung gave their full support to users that want to root their phone by making it an option, that they could avoid/fix security problems that come with rooting.

You are **sure** but you are **wrong.** You don't understand the root user concept of Unix-like operating systems. It is risky, period. You are free to use your device the way you want but you can't ask manufacturer to cover the expenses you might create by using the phone the way you are not told to do.

# Answer
> 2 votes
Rooting an Android means unlocking the operating system, it gives user the privilege to control unauthorized parts of Android subsystem. Although this might sound good, this increases system vulnerability, which means your Android is at a higher risk of being hijacked by malware or the user himself may do something that isn't supported (e.g. overclocking the CPU) which is a potential threat.

Manufacturers basically disable access to such parts of operating system which may cause harm and decrease the life of your phone. Rooting provides access to these parts, hence you are responsible for your own cause.

Although unrooting a phone bring backs your warranty, Samsung has come up with a security feature called Knox which trips up as soon as you mess up with your phone. Bad news.

Rooting is no harm unless you start tinkering with unsafe areas.

P.S. - it is like doing things your parents (manufacturer) warned you not to do but you are your own boss. You do the same things and mess up, so who's responsible?

---
Tags: rooting
---


# Question
Title: How to use in-app payment without Google Play?
I downloaded the apk for the app Contacts Optimizer and had it installed via sideload. I would like to upgrade the app to PRO. This is done using an in-app payment. Trying to use this tells me that "Cannot initialize connection to in-app payment server, please try again later." I guess the reason is, because I have no Google App store on my phone. How can I use in-app payment without Google Play?

# Answer
> 3 votes
I don't think that Google billing is possible without the Google apps installed.

However, there are some apps that offer in-app purchase emulation. In most cases, they work and in addition, you don't have to pay. Lucky Patcher is an app which does in-app billing emulations. However, if you are not rooted, you need to rebuild the APK in which you want to use emulations and reinstall it.

---
Tags: in-app-purchase
---


# Question
Title: Decompile/Recompile Apk on Android device
So I am running Phoenix OS and I have installed Termux.

Is there a way to decompile and then recompile an apk inside of android. I see this required for Apps here and there but I don't have a physical computer.

# Answer
> 0 votes
No, here is the official response from the developer here. To quote

> We leverage a couple of Java7 features that aren't completely in AOSP yet. Most of this being the java.nio2 library. Additionally our YAML library (SnakeYAML isn't compatible on top of Android).
>
> Finally, our native binary (aapt) that has builds for Mac 64/32, Unix 64/32 and Windows doesn't have an ARM build for AOSP. That is why.

---
Tags: apk
---


title: Disable IPV6, what could happen

text:
# Question
Title: Disable IPV6, what could happen
Because of wifi connection issue, I have disabled completely IPV6 on my phone.

What bad could possibly happen ? Could some functionality/app be broken ?

# Answer
> 1 votes
If there is any way to solve your problem other than disabling IPv6 on your device, you should do that instead. For instance, if the problem is an old home router that doesn't support IPv6 properly, update its firmware (if that fixes the problem) or replace it.

It might not have much of a noticeable impact on you today, but these are the things you should expect:

* Accessing web sites which have already deployed IPv6 (and are using both IPv4 and IPv6, which is known as "dual stack") will usually be slower, because IPv4 has to go through network address translation, which adds latency to the connection. The difference may be barely noticeable or extremely aggravating. When large scale NAT is in use (this is sometimes given the ridiculous name "carrier grade NAT") as it is on almost all mobile networks and many cable/\*DSL ISPs, your IPv4 connections may also be unreliable. IPv6 connections do not need to pass through any sort of NAT, and do not suffer from the latency and reliability problems associated with NAT and large scale NAT. This issue will also affect Android apps which connect to IPv6 enabled web sites.

The sites (and apps) where you may have problems are small and large, starting with Google, Facebook, Wikipedia...
* There is a very tiny (but growing) number of sites which use *only* IPv6, because there aren't any IPv4 addresses left for them to use. You won't be able to access these sites at all. You will only receive an error message.

---
Tags: internet, ipv6
---


title: Identify when a file was Deleted

text:
# Question
Title: Identify when a file was Deleted
Some files suddenly went missing from my Android Device. Is there a way for me to Identify when a file was Deleted? I don't need to recover them (for now), but I just want to have a clue when it was deleted/removed so i can further investigate.

# Answer
> 0 votes
If you have root acess you can try app like Undeleter Restores File And Data.

You can search for the deleted file and as well as recover it.

---
Tags: file-system, file-management, files, delete, history
---


# Question
Title: How can I transfer the whole contact to iphone?
I want to buy upcoming iphone 8. Now I am using samsung galaxy s4. So how can I can transfer my contacts to iphone 8 ?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Android phone backs up your contact data on Google/Gmail account, On similar hands an iPhone backs up data on it's iCloud server.

Transferring contacts from Android to iPhone this,can be done by transferring data from your Gmail account to iCloud server

Watch this Video for this method -

https://youtu.be/g\_5ABwx-yW0

Other method is to use CopyTrans app for iPhone this is shown in the following website

https://googleweblight.com/i?u=https://www.copytrans.net/support/how-to-transfer-android-contacts-to-iphone/&grqid=3UysKgyv&hl=en-IN

Best Of Luck.!

---
Tags: ios
---


# Question
Title: Permissions conflict with screen overlays
I installed Marshmallow on my Galaxy Note 4 like 2 months ago. Everything was nice and peaceful, and I was happy to be able to select custom permissions per app.

A few days ago, out of the blue, I started getting this very irritating and well known problem, where every time I want to grant an app permissions, I have to get a message that asks me to turn off screen overlays.

The most annoying part, is that it doesn't tell me what overlaying app I have to disable. I just get this generic annoying message, PLUS, there's no master switch for overlays on my Note 4! Am I gonna have to spend the next two years being unable to give any app any permissions? Every time this happens, I spend an hour digging... This is crazy and very impractical!

What are my options here? How can I get rid of this problem once and for all?

PS: My phone is rooted, so please, whatever it takes!

Thanks!

# Answer
The solution for me is: turn off all Accessibility settings in the Settings of the phone. (now I feel bad for people who need them).

Also the program Twilight was another reason contributing to the problem.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, permissions, overlay
---


title: How to use Adblock AND a VPN

text:
# Question
Title: How to use Adblock AND a VPN
I'm using Private Internet Access's VPN via its App and now I'd also like to additionally use Adblock Plus.
The problem however is that I apparently can only use either VPN or Adblock Plus - but not both in combination.
Is it possible to use both by changing some setting in either of the Apps or of my phone ?

It says it couldn't change the proxy settings of my phone so I should do it manually. But as all traffic is routed through the VPN changing the proxy-name to "localhost" and the proxy-port to "2020" didn't help. It keeps on waiting for traffic on Port 2020. I guess it comes down to routing the VPN traffic through the proxy. But maybe there's also another solution to it (like another Adblock App that works differently for example).

---

**My phone**:
Samsung Galaxy Ace 2, I8160
Firmware 4.1.2
Rooted

**The Error Message** (roughly translated):
"Seemingly no traffic was routed through adblock plus. Adblock Plus couldn't change the proxy settings of your device. Please configure them manually."

# Answer
> 1 votes
There are good reasons why you cannot use such a combination:

* routing your VPN traffic via another proxy might compromise it, thus rendering your VPN useless
* doing it the other way around won't work, as the Adblock proxy then would need to be *behind* the VPN one – which *you* cannot establish *on your device*

So what you need is, as you correctly pointed out, an ad-blocker working by different means. Examples include (without giving any recommendation here, just listing possibilities):

* something working via the `hosts` file (i.e. routing all ad-requests "to `/dev/null`" (or rather to `127.0.0.1`, which is your device itself, which doesn't have them → nothing returned to display)
* something "nulling" the ad modules themselves (i.e. "disabling" them)

None of those are "to be found" at *Google Play* for obvious reasons (though there might be some which *Google* either didn't recognize yet, or which have the corresponding activity hidden from the UI itself by hiding it, or which are simply ignored as "not fit for international use").

I could name some of the latter two categories, e.g. *LBE Security Master* (which is only available in a Chinese version on *Play* (see XDA for a localized English version)). There are also several apps working with the `hosts` solution, which you can find on e.g. *F-Droid* or *Aptoide* (see my app-list on Ad-Blockers for examples).

# Answer
> 0 votes
For non-rooted phones see my relevant question *here*. Currently I'm using a VPN connection for my NetGuard firewall.

If you have a non-rooted phone you can use a VPN and then use the browser Firefox for Android and install an adblock AddOn to it (like UBlock Origin). Or simply use the Firefox Klar browser which blocks ads and tracking by default.

As far as I know there are no adblockers for non-rooted phones that also block ads in apps and don't use VPN. One exception I know of is pi-hole which isn't a solution in my and most cases.

---
Tags: privacy, vpn, proxy, adblock-plus
---


# Question
Title: How to run a firewall and an AdBlocker on a non-rooted phone at the same time?
I have a non-rooted Android phone and would like to use both a Firewall and an Adblocker at the same time. How can I do this?

I could only find Firewalls and Adblockers for non-rooted phones that use use VPN with only *one* VPN connection being allowed.

# Answer
> 3 votes
You can use adguard for this purpose which has the capability of both a firewall and an adblocker. It sets up a local vpn for non rooted phones. It also has a proxy mode. ( inorder to use with other vpns).

# Answer
> 0 votes
You can install a firewall for non-rooted phones that uses VPN like the open source *NetGuard* and then use the browser Firefox for Android and install an Adblock AddOn to it (like uBlock Origin) or simply use the Firefox Klar browser.

Sadly I couldn't figure out a way to also use an additional non-root Adblocker that also blocks ads in apps but maybe there are some other alternatives. Pi-hole isn't really a solution in my and most cases.

---
Tags: rooting, privacy, vpn, firewall, adblock-plus
---


# Question
Title: Can't install applications (not enough memory) but Storage shows there is free memory
I'm trying to install an application from Play Store and after downloading it (about 25 MB) I'm gettin an error "not enough memory". My phone is Sony Xeria Tipo (ST21i) 4.0.4.

But in phone Settings I see that there is enough free memory:

Why it happens so?

# Answer
Android upto **version 4.0**, has different partitions for application storage and storing normal user files, for imparting security on the apps.

As you can see even though your internal Storage is 2.15GB, the total available memory for apps is only 754MB, of which your there is only 134MB available,

even though your downloaded app is about 25MB, it is in compressed state and will be extracted on install. So, you should either 'uninstall some of your unused apps' or 'delete appdata of already installed apps'.

If your phone is rooted! checkout some apps on playstore to move apps to external SD card.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, insufficient-memory, storage, sony-xperia
---


title: How to flash ROM on Moto E2 XT1524

text:
# Question
Title: How to flash ROM on Moto E2 XT1524
How would I flash this ROM:

```
XT1524_RETEUALL_MOTOE2(4G-LTE)_5.0.2_LXI22.50-13_cid7_subsidy-DEFAULT_CFC.xml.zip

```

From

```
https://firmware.center/firmware/Motorola/Moto%20E%20%282nd%20gen-2015%29/Stock/XT1524/XT1524_RETEUALL_MOTOE2%284G-LTE%29_5.0.2_LXI22.50-13_cid7_subsidy-DEFAULT_CFC.xml.zip

```

On A Moto E2 XT1524

# Answer
Moto factory firmware images are flashed with fastboot, not recovery, so you need to do some homework/setup first. Be aware that downgrading a Moto device, while sometimes possible, is NOT supported and can result in a bricked device. You must use a factory image that is the same or newer version than you have installed already.

\** BACKUP ANY IMPORTANT DATA - EVERYTHING WILL BE LOST \**
\** Enable OEM Unlocking in Developer Settings **PRIOR** to starting \**

Backup is self explanatory. By enabling OEM Unlocking you are giving yourself an out, if something goes really wrong you have the option of unlocking the bootloader to correct it which is not possible if this switch is not set prior to starting.

If you are using Windows, you will need to install the proper drivers (Google can help you with this, I use Linux so drivers for Android devices are not relevant). Then you will need fastboot on your computer, you can get it from Google as part of the Android Studio package, Minimal ADB and Fastboot package, or if using Linux it is part of most distrobution's repositories.

Next extract the ZIP you linked above to your fastboot directory and shut down your phone. Startup your phone while holding the VOL DOWN button, you should get to the bootloader screen (if not, try again), then connect the USB cable and open a terminal or command window and enter the command:

`fastboot devices`

If you get a response similar to "List of devices: *SomeLongString* fastboot" you are ready to begin the flashing process. Enter each command individually ONE AT A TIME and verify each step results in a result of "Okay", if any step fails repeat it up to 2 additional times (modems frequently do not take the first time)

`fastboot oem fb_mode_set`
`fastboot flash partition gpt.bin`
`fastboot flash logo logo.bin`
`fastboot flash boot boot.img`
`fastboot flash recovery recovery.img`
`fastboot flash system system.img_sparsechunk.0`
`fastboot flash system system.img_sparsechunk.1`
`fastboot flash system system.img_sparsechunk.2`
`fastboot flash system system.img_sparsechunk.3`
`fastboot flash system system.img_sparsechunk.4`
`fastboot flash system system.img_sparsechunk.5`
`fastboot flash modem NON-HLOS.bin`
`fastboot erase modemst1`
`fastboot erase modemst2`
`fastboot flash fsg fsg.mbn`
`fastboot erase carrier`
`fastboot erase cache`
`fastboot erase userdata`
`fastboot oem fb_mode_clear`
`fastboot reboot`

(Every recent Moto Android device uses this same process, it is derived from the contents of flashfile.xml that is contained within the factory firmware image itself and used by Moto's factory flashing tool)

The first boot may take a significant amount of time, 10-20 minutes even, just let it work and do not interrupt it.

Be aware that there additional resources for this on XDA in their Moto E 2015 General Discussion area, including threads specifically for firmware images and flashing instructions.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: rom, motorola-moto-e
---


title: Boot only when connected to a Pc

text:
# Question
Title: Boot only when connected to a Pc
Is possible to set my Android(Asus Zenfone 2) to only boot with it's connected to a specific computer via usb.

No problem if root is needed.

# Answer
No, there is no trivial way to do this. You would have to write a custom bootloader for your phone.

If your intention is to protect your data, a viable option would be to use full disk encryption, which does not even require root.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop
---


# Question
Title: What is this "in app browser" called and how do I disable it
I factory reset my Nexus 5x a few days ago and ever since most apps (if not all) are opening all links in this in-app, stripped down, reading mode browser. Before the reset I'd never seen this:

It doesn't have any onward journey or sharing button so I can't open in a real browser (for eg if it is required) so it is supremely useless.

And I don't know what it's called so I can't figure out how to just open links in chrome.

Can anyone help?

# Answer
It was webview. I used http://www.whatsmybrowser.org/ to check.

Even though webview showed as disabled.

I factory reset a second time and it stopped using that browser

> ¯\_(ツ)\_/¯
> 0 votes

---
Tags: nexus-5, browser, 7.0-nougat
---


# Question
Title: Recovery Mode on tablet with no volume buttons?
* I have a Yarvik TAB10-201. The default launcher is corrupted.
    + I can get the tablet onto the recovery screen (Dead Android with red exclamation mark).
    + I can't bring up the options menu without volume up and down keys.
    + I can see the device in Android Multi Tool, but when doing wipe data, it just restarts back into recovery mode.
    + Rockchip does not detect the device for rooting as I can't hold volume up on boot.
    + I can see the device running ADB devices (shows as recovery status).
    + ADB reboot bootloader just turns the device off.
    + fastboot devices returns no devices.
    + I have the default ROM for the Yarvik tablet, but unsure how to flash if fastboot is not locating the device.

What other options do I have to recover? I am happy to root or recover. I can't access the OS at all, on boot it just throws errors regarding the launcher.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Thanks to esQmo for helping me look for a solution.

Turns out it was a Windows 8 problem, I switched to a different PC using Windows 7 and had no problems with RKBatchTool. For some reason even with correct drivers installed that worked when the tablet was plugged in, when the tablet was in Flash Mode Windows 8 had problems with the USB drivers.

For anyone that comes across this question.

I got the stock Firmware for Yarvik TAB10-201 from here.

I used RKBatchTool 1.7 and the RKB Driver Assistant for the drivers.

---
Tags: rooting, adb, rom-flashing, recovery-mode, rom
---


# Question
Title: Why does the Samsung S60 draw so much power?
I've been recording the current draw from my s6 using ampere- the absolute lowest i can get is 100mah (screen at minimum brightness and airplane mode). The highest is around an amp with the screen on.

This means that my phone would be flat in two hours of use, and likely sooner. I typically get 5 hours of battery life out of my phone- which to me is ridiculous: just listening to Spotify for an hour in the gym and a 40 minute commute, and I am down to 50% from a full battery (screen isn't on all this time). I have tried factory resets and it is not significantly better with even the stock apps.

I know that power management comes into play when it comes to battery life, (especially during idle times), but what makes modern smartphones so power hungry? Is the screen the main culprit? or just crappy unoptimised apps that keep the device awake?

# Answer
Most of the power consumed on a mobile device is by the display. I'm not sure how you are getting these current measurements, but 100mAh is good. 1 amp seems high if you're not running an app. I found by uninstalling apps like Snapchat and Facebook I was able to get extra battery life. Companies like Symantec publish annual reports of apps that consume extra battery and network data. Check those out.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: samsung, battery-life
---


# Question
Title: Is it possible to make computer temporary storage?
Weird question,

But is it possible to use your computer as a temporary storage via USB charger. I'm thinking I could use this to download files straight onto the computer from my phone.

Edit: I mean using the PC as a sort of mount point for my android. This will be like having an SD card however I understand it would probably not be as fast as I want to do this with an USB Charger. I was possibly thinking of this to download files bigger that my phone and sd's capacity.

Is this in anyway possible?

# Answer
MTP is the protocol in which the phone can transfer files from your phone to your computer (and vice versa). If it is a Windows computer, you should be able to plug your phone in and access and modify the files from the `computer` section in the file explorer. A pop up on your phone may ask you what protocol to use (for security reasons) and your phone's files can't be accessed until you select MTP. Macs don't support MTP (last I checked). You may also want to use a wifi file transfer app, if that is more convenient.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, usb, storage
---


# Question
Title: Why phone encryption without screen lock is possible under Marshmallow?
Since phone encryption is irreversible, I'd like to ask *before* applying it to my phone for the first time.

I have a slide-screen unlock set under my Moto E3 / Android 6.0 Marshmallow. No PIN, no pattern. How it is possible that my phone / Android allows me to encrypt my phone in this situation?

Here are all the warnings I can see.

First screen warns me that:

* I need to power up my battery to something around maximum,
* I need to connect my phone to charger,
* phone encryption takes 1+ hour.

Second screen warns me that:

* phone encryption is irreversible,
* phone encryption takes 1+ hour.

But, on both screens I can tap `Encrypt Phone` button without any problems.

What am I missing? Shouldn't I be rather warned that phone encryption is not possible in my case, because I failed to set PIN-lock or pattern-lock for my screen / phone? Shouldn't Android 6.0 rather disallow me to continue with phone encryption in this case?

# Answer
I have a Galaxy S5 (Android Marshmallow), and when I hit the encrypt phone button, my phone stopped me and forced me to have a password or pin in order to continue. If you use finger print or face recognition, you will need to enter the password or pin on device restart. So the answer is **Yes your phone will disallow you from continuing with phone encryption without a password or pin**, your phone will just ask you nicely for a password as a part of the encryption process rather than send you back into the settings to make a password.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, encryption, motorola-moto-e, motorola-moto-e3
---


# Question
Title: I want to know what the middle notification symbol means please. the one That looks like a sheild with lines in it
I want to know what the symbol inn the middle means..the one with the lines:

Screenshot (click image to enlarge)

# Answer
It's the logo for **Lookout** .

Found it here.

Hope this helped.
> 0 votes

# Answer
It's the icon of Lookout Security & Antivirus.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop
---


# Question
Title: Mounting external sd-card on rooted Android 7.1 tablet fails, but only if partition not empty
Edit: I have tried mounting the sd-card with an empty ext4-partition, and it worked just fine, but after I ran `debootstrap` on the sd-card, the problem reappeared with identical symptoms.

---

I want to mount an ext4-formatted sd-card, but

`# mount -t ext4 /dev/block/mmcblk1p1 mountpoint`

returns

`mount: mounting /dev/block/mmcblk1p1 on mountpoint/ failed: Invalid argument`

So far I have:

* made sure the sd-card itself is OK (mounts fine on my debian laptop)
* made sure the block device is the right one
* replaced `mount` with `busybox mount` , which is a different binary, but gives the same error

The mountpoint exists, and the kernel supports ext4. My device is a rooted Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 running a Lineage OS 14.1 ROM (Android 7.1), SELinux is set to permissive.

---

Any pointers are appreciated!

# Answer
Does sdcard mount Android storage setting?

Run blkid command, see what say about partition.

Also what is mountpoint? I.E. /mnt/sd-ext

If you call mount like this

```
# mount -t ext4 /dev/block/mmcblk1p1 mountpoint

```

You have to be in same directory as mountpoint
> 0 votes

---
Tags: sd-card, mount, ext4
---


# Question
Title: extSDCard as internal Storage - how does Androied manage app & data location
Since Android 6.0 is it possible to use the external SD card as internal storage. If you do so all data on it will be erased and the card will be repartitioned.
I'm quite new to Android \> 5.0 but I installed Resurrection Remix OS 3 weeks ago but running again into the storage limitation of my SII (I9100), I used the 1GB/2GB PIT (see *Increase system partition size* or *Lanchon REPIT* on xda).

Anyway as far as I understand, depending on your Android version, you can either use any of the apps such as AppMgr Pro III, Link2SD or App2SD what are able to partition and mount your extSD as internal storage, there is a tutorial on classroom.synonym.com (How to Partition Your SD Card in a Droid for APP2SD). I read all in forums.androidcentral.com (\[TUTORIAL\] Everything you wanted to know about app2sd, ext3, ext4 partitions!!) but they didn't answer all questions.
Besides, the \>Android 6.0 in-build feature is a IMHO more handy.

Anyway, can someone answer the question how Android manage the internal */Data* and */media\_rw* partition combined with the external partition before running again in any limitation.
Will I be able to utilise almost all 32 GB or 64 GB of the extSD for apps and their data. I don't take that many pictures with my I9100 due to the poor cam. I found 2 well explained tutorials (#1 & #2) but both missing this detail.

# Answer
The adopted SD card is actually mounted at /mnt/expand/$UUID

Instead of forcing the user to pick for EVERY file whether they want it stored in the device's internal storage or the adopted storage, they simply made the internal memory unavailable for storage. That is, /storage/emulated is mounted to point to your adopted SD card and your previous internal storage data that actually lived in /data/media is moved over to its new home on the SD card. This gives the added benefit that there is NO ambiguity where apps are storing user data. It always goes to the adopted SD card.

Go here for more info reddit: Let's clear up the confusion regarding storage in Android once and for all, including adoptable storage in Marshmallow.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: internal-storage, external-sd
---


title: Xposed as a system app

text:
# Question
Title: Xposed as a system app
And by the course of the days, memory keeps stacking and stacking up on Android, I have the habit of restoring the phone after a while (even with root, SuperSU as system app). But now I have Xposed framework, and it is not a system app (but I can change that easily). Do Xposed framework keeps working when the phone is restored? (Assume that Xposed is a system app)

# Answer
Xposed Installer is not necessarily a system app; however, Xposed framework itself , mainly `/system/bin/app_process`, is. If by "restore" you mean factory reset (wiping `/data`) then it will not go away.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: system-apps, xposed-framework, reformat
---


# Question
Title: How do I determine which A2DP codecs my phone supports/is currently using?
Bluetooth's Audio Profile A2DP supports multiple codecs. All devices have to support SBC (subband codec), then they can support additional "optional codecs" like MP3 and AAC, or "non-A2DP" codecs like apt-X.

Of course these codecs can't actually be used if the receiver doesn't also support them, in which case both devices fall back to SBC.

1. How do I find out which codecs my hardware/ROM support?
2. How do I find out which codec is currently in use? (Maybe this depends on the track, too, if it passes MP3/AAC files directly without re-encoding, for instance)

# Answer
> 10 votes
On my Cyanogen 10.1 phone (AOSP 4.2.2), it is possible to enable a capture of bluetooth traffic. You can then load this capture into Wireshark and look at the negotiation phase to determine which codecs the paired audio output device supports. Not sure what OSes support this: when I first ran across this method it claimed support only from 4.4 onward, but clearly not the case with CM on a Doubleshot. :-)

Assuming you have the requisite setup (rooted ~ 4.2.2 or later), these are the steps:

1. pair your phone with the A2DP device of interest
2. disable bluetooth on your phone
3. edit this file: /etc/bluetooth/bt\_stack.conf, changing the BtSnoopLogOutput setting from its default value of false to true. For this I use ES Note Editor, launched from ES File Explorer after enabling its "Root Browser" setting.
4. start CatLog, with all logging types enabled
5. enable bluetooth on your phone
6. after it pairs with the output device, play a snippet of audio with your player of choice (I use Apollo). Ten seconds or so should be plenty.
7. disable bluetooth again
8. stop CatLog's logging and save off its log file to your SD card
9. \[IMPORTANT!\] edit bt\_stack.conf, changing BtSnoopLogOutput back to false.
10. copy the BT capture from your SD card (/sdcard/btsnoop\_hci.log), along with the saved CatLog file, to a computer with a current copy of Wireshark installed.
11. load the capture file into Wireshark and set a Wireshark display filter of "btavdtp" (no quotes). You'll now see a few packets only, look for the output device's reply to the AVDTP GetCapabilities query and you'll have your answer.

You can also line up the capture timestamps with the CatLog log's timestamps to look for suggestive log entries. I found a couple and cleverly forgot to include them in the notes upon which this post is based.

Once I have some more time am hoping to reduce this rather lengthy set of steps down to an app, but not sure if it's possible and won't have the time yet for a while anyway. Meanwhile, suggestions to improve on the above process are welcome.

# Answer
> 8 votes
Looking at the source, there are at least 4 codecs: SBC (mandatory), MP3 (MPEG12), AAC (MPEG24) and Sony's ATRAC.

```
./android/external/bluetooth/bluez/audio/a2dp.h:
#define A2DP_CODEC_SBC          0x00
#define A2DP_CODEC_MPEG12       0x01
#define A2DP_CODEC_MPEG24       0x02
#define A2DP_CODEC_ATRAC        0x03

```

The underlying software is linux' "bluez" stack. It supports SBC and has limited MP3 capabilities.

The changelog for v3.25 (2009?) reads: "Add limited support for MPEG12/MP3 codec".

```
./android/external/bluetooth/bluez/ChangeLog:
ver 3.25:
    Add limited support for Handsfree profile.
    Add limited support for MPEG12/MP3 codec.

```

See also the v3.25 announcement. MP3 support seems to depend on gstreamer which is not available on Android, so I just guess SBC is the only option for A2DP to boot.

PS: Most A2DP devices seem to lack support for MP3/AAC due to patents/licencing issues (including Linux).

# Answer
> 8 votes
With Nexus 4 (5.0.1) or Nexus 7 (2012)(4.4.4) devices it is possible to use the developer mode to get the btsnoop\_hci.log. "Enable Bluetooth HCI snoop log". It is not necessary to root the devices. It seems that both devices don't offer aptx. I test this with Moto Stream (no aptx) and Philips AEA2500 (with aptx).

# Answer
> 4 votes
In many cases, you need not go through this process, as valdikss now keeps track for many of the contributed results on his website

https://btcodecs.valdikss.org.ru/codec-compatibility/ https://btcodecs.valdikss.org.ru/

If you have trouble finding your btsnoop\_hci.log file, please try solution posted here:

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/28445552/bluetooth-hci-snoop-log-not-generated/30352487#30352487

Once you find your btsnoop\_hci.log, please start at step 7 in the Previous Answer below.

Previous Answer: \[Credit for this answer mostly goes to ewedel, who clarified that the answer is in the btsnoop\_hci.log file, using Wireshark; and prittstift69, for sharing the easy way to create this log file.\]

This is a newbie-friendly, step-by-step tutorial, summarizing answers already given, with some interpretation of the results from me.

As prittstift69 and others mentioned, you can "Enable Bluetooth HCI snoop log" under Developer options. No need to follow the more complicated approach suggested by ewedel.

1. Start by turning bluetooth OFF on the android device (I'll call it 'phone').
2. Turn on Bluetooth HCI snoop log under Developer Options.
3. Turn ON Bluetooth on the phone and connect it to the Bluetooth receiver (I'll call it 'receiver'). This step assumes that the receiver had been previously paired with the phone.
4. Play music on your phone (ideally an uncompressed WAV or FLAC file). Ten seconds is all you need. (Probably even less)
5. Turn OFF Bluetooth on the phone.
6. Turn OFF Bluetooth HCI snoop log
7. Transfer the file btsnoop\_hci.log (I found it in /sdcard/Android/Data/) to your computer. Run wireshark on your computer and open the file btsnoop\_hci.log
8. Filter for "btavdtp" (no quotes) Search for a message from the phone to the receiver "Sent Command - SetConfiguration ...." This is the message sent by the phone to the receiver with the final configuration to be used for this audio after the handshaking is completed. The text in the Info field will tell you what the final configuration was.

\[SBC\] If it is SBC, you may want to know what the bitpool is. To do this, remove the Filter for btavdtp and look for a message with Protocol SBC and click on it. Below, in the details section, expand the Bluetooth SBC Codec information. Then expand any (or all) of the Frame data. There, it should clearly show the Bitpool used by that Frame. If it is 35, there is a good chance that your sample rate is 44.1 kHz, you are using Joint Stereo, and using the Middle Quality SBC audio profile (http://soundexpert.org/news/-/blogs/bluetooth-audio-quality-a2dp). The bitrate for the compressed audio is then 229 kbits/sec SBC, which scores a 4.68 in Sound Expert's testing (http://soundexpert.org/encoders-224-kbps) which is comparable to mp3 around 110-130 kbits/sec.

\[APT-X\] If it is APT-X, then both your phone and receiver support APT-X, and that is what it is using. Assuming 16-bit, 44.1kHz, the codec is running at 352kbits/s.

---
Tags: bluetooth, audio, a2dp, bluetooth-audio
---


title: Swipe pattern for broken screens?

text:
# Question
Title: Swipe pattern for broken screens?
I had a swipe pattern lock set on my LG G3 phone. It felt down and the glass broke, so I cant use the touch screen any more.

Is there any way to connect my phone to a kind of a screen emulator, so that I can enter the pattern on a emulator and unlock my phone?

# Answer
> 0 votes
I bought a new  for a few bucks, unscrewed my phone and connected that with my phone. startover and entere swipe pattern and copied all my stuff.. DONE!

# Answer
> 1 votes
I'm afraid not, you now have to enter your boot menu and wipe all data. This will remove the lock.

This URL might help

Boot Menu

---
Tags: lock-screens, broken-screen
---


title: Device permissions

text:
# Question
Title: Device permissions
I rooted HTC Desire 526 5.0 with kingroot Apk and it says that my device is not giving the root permission so what do I do to fix that please help me thank you dee

# Answer
flash with SuperSU..and grant the application root access
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop
---


# Question
Title: How to disable mobile data for one of the sim
I have a OnePlus 2 and have 2 sims in it. My question is how can I keep Mobile Data for SIM 1 on and off for SIM 2?

I have tried options in `SIM and network settings` but option to *enable/ disable* mobile data is in general setting and not in SIM specific settings.

# Answer
There will be an option in Sim and Network settings mentioning "Default Sim for Internet". Choose the SIM 1
> -1 votes

---
Tags: oneplus-two, oxygenos
---


# Question
Title: The "OK" button is deactivated in creating new AVD although I have provided all details. So what is the problem?
The "OK" button is deactivated in creating new AVD although I have provided all details as below:

# Answer
> 1 votes
I agree with user61926, you have the the CPU type for an Android Wearable but the display type is not set for an Android Wearbale.

Taken from developer.android.com

> **2. Set Up the Android Wear Emulator**
>
> 1. Launch the Android Virtual Device Manager.
> 1a. From Eclipse, select Window \> Android Virtual Device Manager.
> 1b. From Android Studio, select Tools \> Android \> AVD Manager.
> 2. Click New.
> 3. For the AVD Name, enter "AndroidWearSquare" or "AndroidWearRound", depending on whether you want to create an emulator with a square or round display.
> 4. For the Device, select Android Wear Square or Android Wear Round.
> 5. For the Target, select Android 4.4.2 - API Level 19 (or higher).
> 6. **For the CPU/ABI, select \**Android Wear ARM (armeabi-v7a).** Note: Android Wear is designed to support multiple processor architectures.\**
> 7. **For the Skin, select AndroidWearSquare or AndroidWearRound.**
> 8. Leave all other options set to their defaults and click OK.
> Although real Android wearables do not provide a keyboard as an input method, you should keep Hardware keyboard present selected so you can provide text input on screens where users will instead provide voice input.
> 9. In the list of AVDs, select the one you just created and click Start. In the following window, click Launch.
>
> The Android Wear emulator now starts. To begin testing your app's notifications, you must now pair the emulator to your development device that has the Android Wear Preview app installed.
>
> Tip: To improve the emulator startup time, edit your AVD and enable Snapshot under Emulator Options. When you start the emulator, select Save to snapshot then click Launch. Once the emulator is running, close it to save a snapshot of the system. Start the AVD again, but select Launch from snapshot and deselect Save to snapshot.
>
> Caution: Do not install apps on the Android Wear emulator. The system does not support traditional Android apps and the result of running such apps is unpredictable.

# Answer
> 1 votes
It is something to do with the CPU type you have chosen (Android Wear) and the Skin? Do Android wearables really support up to HVGA screens?

# Answer
> 0 votes
The AVD Name cannot contain spaces. Heaven knows why the programmers didn't raise an error in this case (or simply highlight the field and provide an explanation).

---
Tags: android-emulator
---


# Question
Title: "Notification ranker" - what does it do, and what happens if I disable it?
After staying for so long on Marshmallow, today I finally made the decision to upgrade one of my secondary devices with Nougat (LineageOS 14.1 to be precise). Everything went smooth and most things stayed familiar... except this weird entry in Settings - Developer options - Running services.

Screenshots (click images for larger variants)

I'd keep the running process list as clean as possible (habit, don't question why), but when I clicked into this "Android Services Library" and tried to stop it, it says it runs a "Notification ranker service" (second screenshot).

Clicking "Settings" there takes me to an app preference screen (third screenshot; likely the same as in Settings - Apps) that contains nothing about the service or the app:

Furthermore, I can't find any reference on how this "notification ranker" mechanism works, or even what it is.

Note that I also flashed stock Nougat on my Nexus 6P before, and from what I remember, that one also has this service running, so it's not specific to LineageOS.

Can anyone with sufficient knowledge tell me what it does, and what will happen if I disable this service via external means, e.g. will notification functions be affected?

# Answer
From arstechnica:

> GoogleExtServices has an app name of "Android Services Library" and does actually contain something: an **"Android Notification Ranking Service."** A "Notification Ranking Service" was added in Lollipop, and it sorts notifications by "importance" based on things like freshness, app type (IM apps come first), and by contact. This seems to be an extension to the system that includes support for Nougat's "notification bundling" feature. This is a really minor feature, and with only this single chunk of code, GoogleExtServices weighs in at a microscopic 10KB.
> 3 votes

# Answer
Now for the last part of the question...

```
...will notification functions be affected?

```

I just jumped ship to Nougat with my primary device (Nexus 6P), and disabled the service right away, and while I set other things up, all notifications continue to pour in normally, so it definitely does not affect the basics. It will probably affect the fine-grained notification priority in Settings, but since I only use the 2 extremes ("fully on" or "fully off"), this isn't of concern.
> 1 votes

# Answer
I am not sure about lineage OS, but I hope it will be similar to (Show notification - block all - Don't silence or block) which is default in Nougat. My Oneplus 3 has something similar to this and it has 5 levels. Maybe Notification Controls will something like this.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 7.0-nougat, services
---


title: Storage type mismatch

text:
# Question
Title: Storage type mismatch
I've got tablet Asus MeMo Pad 7 (ME173X). I don't know what happened with him (is it broken physically or by software). Tablet don't respond on buttons, or charger. I connected it to computer dmesg shows (device also disconnect after one second and connect again):

```
usb 2-1.3: new full-speed USB device number 3 using ehci-pci
usb 2-1.3: New USB device found, idVendor=0e8d, idProduct=0003
usb 2-1.3: New USB device strings: Mfr=0, Product=0, SerialNumber=0
cdc_acm 2-1.3:1.0: ttyACM0: USB ACM device

```

Sometimes but very rarely dmesg shows also (including above):

```
usbcore: registered new interface driver cdc_acm
cdc_acm: USB Abstract Control Model driver for USB modems and ISDN adapters
usbcore: registered new interface driver usbserial
usbcore: registered new interface driver usbserial_generic
usbserial: USB Serial support registered for generic
usbcore: registered new interface driver option
usbserial: USB Serial support registered for GSM modem (1-port)

```

I found stoc firmware, to flash preloader but every time I got error

```
Storage type mismatch!
scatter storage type is hw_storage_emmc
target storage type is hw_storage_none

```

I was looking some more info. I read some info about meta mode. I tried connect device holding vol up or vol down (both) but device is always recognize as above and flashing also return the same error.

Is there any chance to unbrick this tablet?

# Answer
You can try hacking the kernel Readfile and WriteFile using a debugger and inject your data while flashtool is communicating with the device. What you should do is modify the devices output data to match the required output data from a similar device, therefore flashtool will think all is Ok. It could work. Or try emmc unbrick .
> 0 votes

---
Tags: unbricking, flashtool
---


# Question
Title: Is it possible to be connected to two different bluetooth devices at the same time?
I'd like to be able to send A2DP to my car stereo while at the same time sending phone calls to the speakerphone I have in my car. I haven't bought the stereo adapter yet, since I wanted to find out if this setup would work, otherwise I would just try it. ;)

Thanks!

# Answer
# Answer:

Yes, you can have multiple bluetooth devices connected to your phone.

# App to manage your bluetooth devices

Additionally, you can use Smart Bluetooth Widget Pro by MDR Tools, Inc. available from Google Play Store to help you manage those devices:

> This is a must have widget for your android if you have any bluetooth devices.
>
> It adds a bluetooth icon to your home screen, and by just clicking on it, It will display you the list of paired devices and you can just click and connect to your bluetooth devices. No need to go to settings screen, turn the bluetooth on, and connect to your devices.
>
> When you walk away from your bluetooth device, this widget not just cancels the bluetooth connection, It also turns off the bluetooth to save more from the battery.
>
> You can also connect to multiple bluetooth devices at the same time.
> You can connect to your speaker, and your headset at the same time.

There's also a free version Smart Bluetooth Widget Free.
> 5 votes

# Answer
Yes, it is possible.

However the limitation I found is that, output can only go to one bluetooth device connected, and not to all the bluetooth devices simultaneously.

For instance, Throw is a feature that came with Sony Xperia Z2, which manages connections to multiple Bluetooth devices and commands and gives options which connected device you might wanna send your output to.

Thus, you could have a bluetooth speaker, bluetooth headset and a bluetooth earbuds all connected to your phone, but you select which to 'Throw' the sound to at any point in time, and can switch in between seamlessly easily instantly.

My personal experience with Throw was nice.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Yes you can be connected to two or more bluetooth devices at the same time. On android, you can specify that your car be used for call audio, while your stereo be used for media audio. You accomplish this by going to the android device settings and adjusting the profiles used for each device.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: bluetooth, a2dp
---


# Question
Title: How to transfer photos wirelessly without losing file date and time
I want to quickly wirelessly transfer photos off an Android (Kit Kat) device. The catch: I don't want to lose the file dates/times during the transfer. Specifically, I am **not** talking about the EXIF date/time; I am talking about the actual file date/time. I organize my images by file timestamp (aka datestamp) and having the file timestamp change during the transfer prevents this simply and effective technique. This task is trivial to accomplish with a wire, but I have been unable to find a wireless solution.

I prefer a solution that can be performed without any internet access, but am open to all solutions.

**What I've Tried**

* I tried using ShareIt. Datestamps are changed. FAIL.
* I tried using SuperBeam with the experimental option to maintain timestamps enabled. Datestamps are changed. FAIL.
* I tried using Google Drive. Datestamps are changed. Internet access required. DOUBLE FAIL.

***Does anyone know what will work?***

# Answer
> 1 votes
If you mean by "transfer photos off an Android" to "transfer from android to pc" i use a pc software to reconstruct the file-date from the exifdate (exiftools)

for the other direction "from pc to android" i insert the android-s sd-card into the pc so the pc can set the file-modification date.

On my android-4.2 and android-4.4 devices the android-os prevents the manual seting of a file-timestamp so transfering to android device via wifi will not work (at least not with my android devices).

\[update 2017-02-21\]

i have programmed a batch with exiftools :

```
 exiftool "-DateTimeOriginal>FileModifyDate" -ignoreMinorErrors -overwrite_original -r -ext .jpg .

```

meaning: copy for all \*.jpg in current dir and their subdirs: exif-DateTimeOriginal to FileModifyDate

---
Tags: wi-fi, 4.4-kitkat, photos, file-transfer, date-and-time
---


# Question
Title: Device does not boot to system after flashing boot image
I unpacked the boot image from TWRP backup and repacked it without any modifications. but once i flash this image, it only boots to recovery - it fails to boot to android system. I used the tools from https://github.com/pbatard/bootimg-tools and the following commands to extract and remake the boot image.

```
# to extract
unmkbootimg -i ../boot.emmc.win
mkdir ./extracted
cd ./extracted && gunzip -c ../ramdisk.cpio.gz | cpio -i

#to recompress
cd ./extracted && find . | cpio -o -H newc | gzip > ../ramdisk.cpio.gz
mkbootimg --base 0 --pagesize 2048 --kernel_offset 0x10008000 --ramdisk_offset 0x11000000 --second_offset 0x10f00000 --tags_offset 0x10000100 --cmdline 'androidboot.hardware=tn8' --kernel kernel --ramdisk ramdisk.cpio.gz -o ../boot.emmc.win

```

The one possible issue I am seeing is that the newly created .emmc.win image is much smaller than the original one and has no trailing zeroes.

I am unsure how to avoid this issue and create a correct boot image.

MiscInfo: Device is Nvidia Shield Tablet, initial kernel/rom is cyanogenmod.

# Answer
> 0 votes
got it! Question is a duplicate of https://stackoverflow.com/questions/15573917/need-help-compiling-mkbootimg-binary-for-android

leaving this answer here for reference.

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, boot, twrp, kernel, nvidia-shield
---


title: How to transfer files from Galaxy s7

text:
# Question
Title: How to transfer files from Galaxy s7
I had a galaxy s7 until i dropped it and the LCD broke. The screen is black but the phone is on. To repair it is $250, Id rather not pay that. But I need my files from my phone. Any ideas???

# Answer
Sorry to hear that. You can connect your phone to a pc or Mac to transfer files from your phone.

You can find it below. https://support.google.com/nexus/answer/2840804?hl=en

Hope this helps.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung
---


title: Why my app disappear at reboot?

text:
# Question
Title: Why my app disappear at reboot?
When I reboot the phone, often, some of the apps a get generic icon and won't load anymore.

A reinstall solves the problem but I'd rather not have to do that.

Device is an Acer Liquid Metal with Froyo.

# Answer
I finally found out why! :D

When the phone boots - at least if I use go launcher - if the sd card is not completely mounted apps "get lost". I've completely solved the problem activating my phone card pin code. I turn on the phone, wait on the pin code screen without entering it for a minute and then I enter the pin: everything is perfect. I think the problem can be also solved killing and restarting the launcher but I didn't test.
> 4 votes

# Answer
Have you moved them to or from the SD card? My app icons disappear from my home screen when they are moved.
> 3 votes

# Answer
I sometimes have this problem with my LG Optimus V. I used to re-install the app(s), now I just reboot the phone again--works 9 times out of 10 (and with those odds, the a second reboot handles that 10th time).
> 0 votes

# Answer
Finally I found it

Settings \> apps \> apps settings \> disable all apps \> apps settings \> enable all apps
> 0 votes

---
Tags: applications, reboot
---


# Question
Title: How can an Android phone acting as a local hotspot show how many people are connected to the hotspot?
Can an Android phone do that? Or even better, ask for permission whenever a phone tries to connect to the hotspot?

This is because with iOS, Mac, or other devices, they may "connect to this hotspot" as free Wifi, and transfer or download 500 MB, 1.2 GB of data as they please. But the hotspot uses cell phone data transfer (LTE or 4G), which means 1 GB of data will cost US$10 to US$15.

This is especially serious with Apple devices, because if you use one iPhone / iPad to connect to this hotspot, then all your other Apple devices will also get this hotspot (or Wifi) password through iCloud, and all automatically connect to this hotspot, and download the 3GB of app updates, system update in the background, and so all of a sudden, the 1.2GB of software update should have been free, but now is US$12. Multiply by 3 computers / iPhones and 2 times a month and that's like $80.

# Answer
Yes it will tell you what devices are attached. You also set the security settings, including password, for the hotspot so only devices with the password can connect.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: wifi-hotspot
---


# Question
Title: I got a Samsung Galaxy 3 lite from a friend I don't have the Google accounts info and don't know the password to unlock
Samsung Galaxy 3 lite Please I got it from a friend that moved away. I don't know the Google accounts info or the password or pattern to unlock it. What do I do??

# Answer
This all depends on the IMEI number written under the battery !

Give me that number and I'll see if i can help !
> 0 votes

---
Tags: pattern-lock
---


# Question
Title: What's the difference between uTorrent and BitTorrent apps from the same developer?
In Play Store, there are two apps with almost same descriptions from same developer: uTorrent and BitTorrent. What's the difference between them?

# Answer
> 6 votes
Effectively nothing. The two desktop torrent clients, uTorrent and BitTorrent used to be developed by two separate groups. Late 2006, µTorrent was purchased by BitTorrent Inc. Since then, they started shipping BitTorrent as a re-branded uTorrent, but also kept uTorrent around. Wikipedia

Because of this, they maintain one program, but have two versions separated only by name, and it seems as though they carried this over to their Android apps as well.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Agree with the user53233 that both were own by the same community but still feel that Bittorent is slightly better than utorrent. Following are the reason of my claim:

1. In my 10mbps connection, BitTorrent performs better than Utorrent.
2. when I checked both on MAC, Bittorent also feel slightly better than Utorrent. Here is a guide which can also second my opinion. https://www.vpnranks.com/utorrent-or-bittorrent/

---
Tags: google-play-store, bittorrent
---


# Question
Title: Nexus 4 does not turn it on and blinking red notification light only
This morning, my Nexus 4 (Android 5.0.1) had some issues about Google apps crashing. I decided to do factory reset, so I went to Settings and apply factory reset, it was showing power turn-off, then it has not been started again. I tried to plug charger and everything but nothing is worked out.

Now, when I plug it to wall USB charger or laptop USB charger, I can't see any charging icon. I tried to hold down `power` \+ `volume down` buttons, but nothing happen. However, when I hold `power` \+ `volume down` buttons and plug it to any charger, it shows red notification light which blinks for 10 seconds. Releasing the buttons made the light go off.

Tried below solutions, but nothing worked for me till now:

1. Put it charging more than 2 hours.
2. Checked solutions from Red notification light on Nexus 4, won't power on, device unresponsive too, but no success.
3. Checked this Deep Hibernate solution from here
4. Also tried XDA developers solution

Any other possible solutions?

# Answer
I have the same problem once a week and have a little different solution (workaround):

1. Unplug the phone from the charger
2. Press and hold the `volume down` button plus `power` button for 15 seconds
3. Plug it into the wall-charger (while still holding both buttons!) -\> the red light should start to blink.
4. After 4-5 blinks release the buttons
5. Wait some seconds and then press the `power` button and it should boot

Maybe this workaround will help you.
> 3 votes

# Answer
I had luck holding the power and volume down button for 10 seconds, then plugging in the usb charger. I was presented with the technical boot screen which gave me a few options (start, recovery mode, etc) - I just selected start and it began to power on as normal. Now charging with the white icon from 0% charge.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: nexus-4, power-on, notification-led
---


title: List of broken apps on Android 5.0

text:
# Question
Title: List of broken apps on Android 5.0
I had some apps installed on my Sony Xperia Z external SD Card.

Now the SD card is damaged for some reason, and my mobile won't show those apps. Instead of each app icon, I get a green Droid icon with a little red sd-card icon on its top left corner. Obviously meaning that those apps are missing and can not be loaded from SD Card.

Is there a way to get a list of those apps, so that I would re-install them from Play Store? Even groupId would be enough (e.g. com.example.foe) and I will do the search manually to figure out all those missing apps.

Thanks!

# Answer
Alright, found what I was looking for.

All apps that were stored in the SD card, are located inside this file:

`/data/data/com.sonyericsson.home/shared_prefs/home_external_storage_apps_pref.xml`

Thanks for all contributed comments!
> 1 votes

---
Tags: applications
---


# Question
Title: How to turn off Wi-Fi 15min after it had been turned on?
I seek help creating a Tasker profile/task to turn off the Wi-Fi 15min after it had been turned on.

Is this possible in Tasker?

# Answer
I am not familiar with Tasker , in Macrodroid another versatile automation app:

**Trigger :** WiFi state change → connected (choose network)

**Actions:**

1. Wait 15 minutes
2. WiFi configure → disable Wi

**Constraints:** None (Run always) or set up your Constraints under which macro runs
> 3 votes

---
Tags: tasker, automation
---


# Question
Title: Auto-delete messages from a certain contact when received
Is there an app or any other way to auto-delete specific contacts/numbers' text messages when received?

# Answer
When you block a number, it automatically blocks all incoming calls and messages from that number and also deletes all of the conversations you have had with them. This is so they won't be able to reach you at all and no matter what they do. they won't be able to contact you.

When you block a person, it also erases their phone number. If you try to call or text them, it also won't go through since you have already blocked them. There will be no problem since neither of you can contact each other. It is the best way to go.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Currently you don't need an external app for this, it has been a feature of Android since long time. Messages from blocked senders are deleted upon arrival so they don't even appear on your device.

Go to *Phone -\> More -\> Settings -\> Call blocking -\> Block list* and add the number you want to block.

Alternatively, go to your phone log or SMS list and select *More -\> Block number*.
> 0 votes

# Answer
You can just download an app from Play store - it can block text messages and even phone calls.

Try Truecaller, add the contact to the *Blacklist* which will lead to the block.
> -1 votes

---
Tags: sms-blocking
---


title: Windows 10 Fastboot Driver

text:
# Question
Title: Windows 10 Fastboot Driver
My Sony Z3 Compact is currently unusable and I would like to flash the Marshmallow version of FXP.

Unfortunately it seems like I can't find any `fastboot` (or as device manager calls it: `S1Boot Fastboot`) driver for Windows 10.

Am I looking somewhere wrong or is there simply no `fastboot` driver out there for Windows 10 yet?

Regards

# Answer
I found the solution myself: Windows 10 somehow does not want to install the driver, as it can not verify the manufacturer. So the driver from Sony Developer's site works just fine. After deactivating the Windows driver signature check everything works fine.

To deactivate proceed like this: (taken from HERE)

> 1. Press `Win` `+` `X` then `U` then `Shift` `+` `R`
> 2. Once your Computer has rebooted you will need to choose the Troubleshoot option
> 3. Then head into Advanced options
> 4. Then Startup Settings
> 5. Since we are modifying boot time configuration settings, you will need to restart your computer one last time
> 6. Here you will be given a list of startup settings that you can change. The one we are looking for is “Disable driver signature enforcement”. To choose the setting, you will need to press the F7 key
> 10 votes

# Answer
By looking at the inf file, you can find that it tells to use the WinUSB driver. So there is a better solution than disabling driver signature enforcement, you can use the tool Zadig (http://zadig.akeo.ie/). This tools create a self-signed inf for this specific device, using ephemeral keys, added to the trusted certificate store (for this only device / inf), removing the need to disable signature check.

So you can do this :

1. Download the tool, start it.
2. Select the "S1Boot fastboot" device
3. Select the WinUSB Driver
4. Click Install

And then `fastboot devices` list your device.
> 21 votes

---
Tags: fastboot, windows, sony-xperia, 6.0-marshmallow, sony-xperia-z3-compact
---


title: What app uses this notification icon?

text:
# Question
Title: What app uses this notification icon?
It looks like a partial alphabet *a* in black color over a white circular background.

# Answer
That is a notification icon from Podcast Addict. See this screenshot for an example.

It's not the icon you see when content is playing or paused: I think it's the icon you see when the app wants to tell you there is new content available.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: notification-icons
---


title: Remove Pattern Lock

text:
# Question
Title: Remove Pattern Lock
I am unable to remove the pattern lock on my Moto G 2 because the none option is greyed out and a message saying 'Disabled by administrator, encryption policy or credential storage'. I have already tried having all accessibility settings off as suggested by other members here. Please help.

# Answer
> 1 votes
The answer is in the pop-up message... Go to Settings - Security - Device Administrators and revoke the Device Administration privileges for everything except Android Device Manager and then change or remove the pattern lock. Note that if you have a corporate email setup, they may require this, so to remove the device administration privilege you may have to completely remove the account.

# Answer
> 0 votes
My guess is that there's an app that is mandating the pattern. For example, I know that when you have a corporate MS Exchange account set up that account can mandate a pattern. If you don't have any exchange email, I guess it could be another app, but that's the one type that I know will do it. It's possible the new Android Pay will mandate a pin/pattern as well, but not sure if that's the case...

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Tags: lock-screens
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# Question
Title: Samsung Galaxy J5 connected to WiFi but network not available
I bought this brand new Samsung Galaxy J5 yesterday, but I'm stuck with an internet connection problem.

The thing is that the WiFi connection worked properly on the store and at some other places, but in my home, it connects to the WiFi but I don't seem to have any network (I open the browser but can't access any URL). All others devices that I have in my house work very well (other Android devices).

I'm assuming then that :

1. The J5 is working properly (as I can connect it at other places);
2. The WiFi in my home is working properly (as others devices connect to it *and* can access any URL).

I was digging many hours yesterday on the web to find a solution for this but nothing has worked so far. By the way, all "J's" devices seem to have a lot of these issues.

Is it correct to say that I may be facing some kind of compatibility issue, between J5 and my WiFi? If yes, what could I do to solve it?

# Answer
My dual SIM Samsung J5 has problems after restart to find the Provider Connection, so I can't take the calls.

The solution to fix this: after every reboot, start both SIM cards. After that, you can make calls again. Turn off 1 SIM card if you want to save the battery.

You have to do this after every phone reboot. It's easy but important to know this solution.
> -1 votes

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Tags: wi-fi, connection-issues, internet, samsung-galaxy-j5
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# Question
Title: What is preventing my phone from staying locked?
Normally, when I press the power button on my phone, the screen turns off and when I press it again, I'm presented with the lock screen. (I don't have a password or pattern, so it's just the "Swipe up to unlock" screen.)

In the last month or so, my phone has started exhibiting the symptom that I press the power button and the screen turns off, but when I press the power button again, it's *not* at the lock screen, but whatever the front application happens to be. Sometimes I'll note that about 20 seconds after I press the power button to lock the screen, the phone will emit another sound from the speakers that sounds a lot like the "I've just locked" click.

This doesn't happen all of the time. At a guess, I'd say that about a third of the times that I wake from a black screen, I get no lock screen. Also, I'm not sure if pressing the power button to lock vs. a timeout makes any difference.

It seems to me that there must be some application that's keeping the phone from locking, but I think I've uninstalled all the applications that I installed shortly before this started happening. I'm guessing that it's an application that had been recently updated, but I don't know how to track that down.

I don't really want to uninstall apps one-by-one, as I can't reproduce the problem. It never happens when I want it to.

Does anyone have any ideas how to track down this problem?

This is on a Nexus 5 running 6.0.1, rooted. (I never do anything with root, though, and it's preventing me from upgrading, so I should really undo it.)

# Answer
> 2 votes
Since you suspect this to be app related, install wakelock detector which should help you identify the wakelocks that are *holding* the screen awake. Read the *Screen Wakelock* section

Once the culprit is identified, Googling for that would lead you to the app, if the app name is not evident ( You may need to monitor over a few hours repeatedly, since the behaviour reported is not consistent)

*Edit:* Remember to monitor when the phone is not being used. Charging the phone to a fixed percentage like 90% before retiring for bed would be ideal monitoring time

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Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, lock-screens, nexus-5
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