# Question
Title: What is the other number in the alarm notification?
I set up an alarm (using Google Now) for 55 minutes, so the end time was around 20:13 (and therefore the start time was 19:18

When I looked at the alarm notification, there's another little number in the right hand side which said 19:43 (so 30 minutes before the time the alarm was set for)

It would make sense if it was the start time (19:18) but by itself it makes no sense.

Edit: I just tried it again and the same thing happened. I set the alarm for 55 minutes at 20:36, and it says 20:36 on the right hand side of the notification, then when there's 30 minutes left, it changed to 21:01 (which is 30 minutes before the end time)

# Answer
The time on the right-side of the notification is, just like all other notifications, the time when the notification appears.

The alarm notification is a new feature from Android stock Clock app on KitKat.

> Google's latest Clock app ... now notifies you two hours ahead of when your alarm is set to go off ...

The clock app will display the first notification 2 hours before, then the second one 30 minutes before the alarm goes off.

By looking at how Android works on the notification, when the notification is displayed using same ID and it's not dismissed yet, it will be updated instead and the "time when notification appears" will also be updated (overwritten) to the new (current) time.

In your case, when you set the alarm for 55 minutes, the notification appeared since it's already less than 2 hours. Assuming you didn't dismiss the notification, when the alarm was less than 30 minutes, the app updated the notification. Since there was no info changed (alarm's time & name are still the same), you wouldn't even notice that the notification was updated, except the "time when the notification appears".
> 2 votes

---
Tags: alarm, clock
---


title: Samsung S4 Active turning itself off

text:
# Question
Title: Samsung S4 Active turning itself off
I hope this is the right place to ask this question.

I'm using a Samsung S4 Active with stock Samsung-branded Android. Since I updated the OS from `4.2.2` to `4.4.2` my phone is sometimes turning itself off, trying to restart and failing, trying again. Maybe around 3 times until nothing is happening anymore.

The only way I can restart the phone is, that I connect it to power. Furthermore I feel that it only happens when my battery is lower than 60% - but still way higher than 0%!

I updated the phone via the Samsung-thingy which keeps popping up. So nothing external...

I factory-resetted my phone because I thought it might solve the problem - but unfortunately it didn't.

Any ideas what could be the solution for my problem? I googled quite a lot but couldn't come up with a hint...

Thanks,

Ron

# Answer
Well, turned out that the **battery** was the problem. I invested 10€ for a new one and since one week no trouble at all.

Still thanks everybody!
> 0 votes

---
Tags: updates, samsung, stock-android
---


# Question
Title: How to differentiate between a full signal icon and an empty signal icon on my Andriod Device?
My question is not a duplicate of this post as in that the OP is asking for the difference between the network icons for a rooted device whereas mine is for mobile signal icons in an un-rooted device.

Mine is a Samsung trend phone with Android 4.1.2.Every time i check my phone for any signals it shows full but in the notification tab(the area displaying the network name) displays no network.

When there is 1 bar and not greyed out i am able to receive messages but when it's full with a surrounding grey box there is again no network and some times it also display's a small triangle with an exclamatory symbol in it when the phone signal is completely empty bars.

I am confused and unable to differentiate how does Android 4.1.2 display the different availability of phone signal icons.(i.e. No signal,Full signal, etc)

Note:-I would be adding the screen shots of the device shortly .

# Answer
> 0 votes
The "no network" in the notification tray doesn't mean there's no signal: it means your phone isn't allowed to use the network it's connected to. For instance, this might happen if there's no SIM card. In this case, your phone's not allowed to make normal phone calls, because it can't identify you as a customer, but it still connects to the network and can make emergency calls.

It might also happen in an area where your operator has no coverage, but there is another phone network there. Again, you can't use it because you're not their customer, but your phone can connect to the network and make emergency calls.

---
Tags: stock-android, network-signal, notification-icons
---


# Question
Title: Migrating game data from Windows 8.1 to Android 4.4
I have been playing Asphalt 8: Airborne on Windows 8.1, and now I want to continue playing it on Android without starting over. I read that you cannot save data on cross-platforms.

Can I go into a folder in Windows and copy current data to Android? Otherwise, are there other options?

# Answer
No, you can't get around it by copying the save data yourself from your PC to your phone. The reason the game doesn't support cross-platform sync isn't just because it doesn't know how to copy the files. (Obviously it does, or you wouldn't be able to sync on the same platform either.) It's because the different versions of the game have different data formats. So even if you did copy the save data, the game on Android wouldn't be able to understand it. It might ignore it completely, or it might crash trying to load it.

It was the developer's choice to do it this way. They obviously didn't think that spending time on making the different versions compatible was worthwhile.
> 1 votes

# Answer
You need to log in, once you do whatever progress you do is saved on the cloud, be it that, if you do log in on another OS , it will continue from where you left it. References or more information , please visit : http://support.gameloft.com/OnlineAndSocial/showSelection/283/
> -2 votes

---
Tags: windows, data-transfer
---


# Question
Title: Why Does Not My File Explorer See A Mounted Folder?
Why can't i see a mounted folder into my file explorer (checked ES file explorer and RootBrowser) , but i can see it from a terminal?

I'm mounting a folder (/mnt/sdcard/Source) into other folder (/mnt/sdcard/Destination) with the next command (requieres Root permissions):

```
mount -o bind /mnt/sdcard/Source /mnt/sdcard/Destination

```

If i check with the ls command, i can see the files, but not on my explorer.

I'm testing it on a Moto G running Android 4.4.2 (Kitkat), but the same command works fine on Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean).

# Answer
Seems like here's the answer and solution: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2718760 .
Quoting biopsin.

> Since Android 4.2 and the intro of multiusers there is a problem with bind folders across sdcards, making any attempt on mount bind folders as root would result in visible to root only. Solution is to fool Android with temporary hijack debuggerd to create the mount binds for us. Thanks Chainfire for this workaround!
> * Download both files and rename without .txt
> * edit debuggerd.mnt to suit your needs (using any other dir then /emulated/legacy/ will result in read only if browsing folders from sdcard0)
> * move debuggerd.mnt to /system/bin
> * move mount.sh to any place with execute permissions
> * execute mount.sh with any preferred method.
> cheers!

Content of "debuggerd.mnt.txt" below.

```
#!/system/bin/sh

# Mount sd hack
mount -o bind /storage/sdcard1/Download /storage/emulated/legacy/Download
mount -o bind /storage/sdcard1/Ebooks /storage/emulated/legacy/eBooks
mount -o bind /storage/sdcard1/Pictures /storage/emulated/legacy/DCIM
mount -o bind /storage/sdcard1/Pictures /storage/emulated/legacy/Pictures

```

And below content of "mount.sh.txt".

```
#!/system/bin/sh

# Mount hack
mount -o remount,rw /system
stop debuggerd
mv /system/bin/debuggerd /system/bin/debuggerd.bak
mv /system/bin/debuggerd.mnt /system/bin/debuggerd
start debuggerd
sleep 2
stop debuggerd
mv /system/bin/debuggerd /system/bin/debuggerd.mnt
mv /system/bin/debuggerd.bak /system/bin/debuggerd
start debuggerd
mount -o remount,ro /system
echo "Mount hack enabled"

```
> 2 votes

---
Tags: 4.2-jelly-bean, root-access, 4.4-kitkat, mount, command-line
---


# Question
Title: If I delete all photos on my phone, will contacts pictures also be deleted?
If I delete all photos on my phone, will contacts pictures also be deleted?

I have pictures that I use for some of my contacts. The picture is what shows up when they call or if I text them (the little square picture on the side).

-samsung note 3

# Answer
> 2 votes
No. Contacts' pictures are kept separately from the original photos you added them from. They're stored with the contacts database, not with the photos on the SD card. Deleting photos from the Gallery app or wiping the SD card won't affect them.

---
Tags: contacts, images, delete
---


# Question
Title: my phone will not turn on all the way, shuts off and turns on repetitively
My phone was not syncing to Google, I read somewhere to delete a file called 'etc' in my system files. I restarted my phone and found it to never turn on. It will vibrate show Samsung and then shut off. My phone is doing it all on its own and I'm not even pressing anything. I can't even factory reset because my phone will shut off before it can get to the screen. I have a rooted Galaxy-S-3 Samsung. Please help??

# Answer
> 1 votes
I hope you don't care about all your data because I don't think there is a way to retrieve it. Perhaps people with more knowledge than me know how (perhaps using ADB?). However, if you want to resurrect your phone, you need to follow this guide:

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/update-galaxy-s3-i9300xxugnh4-android-4-3-stock-firmware-1468061

This guide below is a bit more old but you can look at it's images so it will help you:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s3/help/guide-odin-flash-guide-t1671969

The first guide will help you flash a 4.3 stock ROM to your S3 to revive it, but please make sure it's model is GT-I9300!!! If you have a Verizon or any other variant you may risk bricking your device.

Good luck.

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


# Question
Title: How to stop phone from savings all images in my emails
I have a samsung galaxy s5. for some reason it saves every email image in my photo gallery. meaning every image from the signature lines of all my emails keep saving as pictures inthe gallery and junking up all my memory...any suggestions so the gallery only saves pictures i actually take and not the same images over and over?

# Answer
> 0 votes
you will find an option to turn off auto downloading and saving of images in your mail settings.

---
Tags: gallery
---


# Question
Title: Remove GO Keyboard language notification icon
I am using the latest version of GO Keyboard from the Play Store on a Nexus 5.

Whenever the keyboard is active, there is a notification icon on the right side that says the language selected, in my case 'En' over a green leaf icon.

Is there any way to remove this?

# Answer
Yes. Long press on the notification and check 'hide app's notification icon'.
> -1 votes

---
Tags: notification-icons
---


# Question
Title: Nexus 7 wont appear on my PC in the bootloader, semi bricked
So I tried to root my nexus 7. I realized I done screwed up. However, when I looked for my SuperSU installed file in TWRP, I forgot to install it before hand, when I was at my bootloader, or before that. Now my Nexus 7 will not appear on my P.C to save my life. I have tried it one 2 different cables and PCs. It won't appear as a media device no matter what I try. I also cant open up the OS for some reason. I followed this guide and that did solve my issue of having TWRP. Say I have 0mb internal storage, but I still cant install super SU, or boot up my OS. Whenever I try and start it now I get a slightly lit black screen forever.

EDIT: despite all this I am able to do commands like flashing EDIT JUST A FEW MINUTES LATER: removing TWRP via fastboot erase or something, then reinstalling allowed me to see my nexus on my computer, install super SU, and reboot... into a still black screen. i guess ill try and reinstall the system os rom? EDIT: A few hours ago I reinstalled and flashed the System.img Straight from motorolas website. It worked. Thanks if you helped.

TL/DR: Device won't show up on my PC. Device is semi bricked in bootloader.

# Answer
> -1 votes
Did you ever tried using Wugfresh? Try it, they have everything explained in their software, how to install/remove drivers, easy root, bootloader unlock, and many other tools.

---
Tags: rooting, bootloader
---


# Question
Title: How do I get the Google Plus app to ignore videos I loaded onto my phone?
I recently loaded some videos from my PC to my phone (running Jelly Bean) and got the most recent Google Plus app. I was going to turn on 'Instant Upload' so that it backs up my photos quickly, but realized that it also wants to upload the videos I put on my phone.

Is there a way I can get it to not upload videos from my phone (or have it ignore things in a certain directory on my phone)?

# Answer
> 0 votes
I don't think there is any way to stop the Google Plus from auto uploading video if you have instant upload turn on.

The work around I can think off is to use a file manager like "Astro" to move all your video file from /DCIM/Camera folder to a different folder in your sdcard. I believe Google Plus will ignore the folder outside of /DCIM/

EDIT: Re-read your post, looks like you were uploading video from your PC to your phone which you probably just placing those under some folder in sdcard.

You can try this app StudioKUMA .nomedia Manager and set the folder that contains video with .nomedia and perhaps the entire folder will be ignore by Google+

# Answer
> -1 votes
There is: open photos app (Google's one of course), go to 'on device' menu and tap right-hand side cloud icon on any folder you want.

---
Tags: google-plus, filter, instant-upload
---


title: Wipe data on device completely

text:
# Question
Title: Wipe data on device completely
I have a nexus 7 1st gen, which has a cracked screen.
I am planning to repair and got a quote from a local store.
But, before handing over the device to them, I would like to clear my data on the device.
I heard that the data can be recovered even after a factory reset.

Is there an application or a way to remove the data completely, just like zero-fill, so that the data wiped / removed cannot be recovered?

# Answer
> 2 votes
The recommended way is to go into Security -\> Encryption. Encrypt your phone, which takes several hours. Then do a factory reset.

Others will have no way of recovering your personal data.

**Additional Info**:

It works much like BitLocker on Windows. When you start up the phone, you'll be required to enter a password before loading Android OS (or the Recovery Mode). Afterwards, none of the applications running on the OS will even notice the encryption.

What the encryption does is:
1) make it extremely difficult (i.e. for all practical purposes impossible) for other software to recover the /sdcard/ files (e.g. user data) after a factory reset.
2) prevent external applications and operating systems from reading those files without first decrypting it, which requires Android OS to load.

---
Tags: applications, nexus-7, data-recovery
---


# Question
Title: SuperSU binaries won't install to my HTC One M8
I am following this guide to root my HTC One M8. I just need root, I don't need a custom ROM.

I have gotten to step 7 (weaksauce). I can install weaksauce fine and it roots my device (at least, it says it roots it).

However, when I try to run SuperSU (downloaded from the Android market, latest version) it says `The SU binary needs to be updated. Continue?` It says this in my notification bar as well. I click `Continue` and it says `Installing, please wait. If you see this message for more than five minutes please restart and try again`. After about 30 seconds, it says `Installation failed ! Please reboot and try again`.

I've tried it multiple times with all forms of rebooting (adb reboot, holding power button, etc) as well as a factory reset (which put me back down to 4.2.2), however it keeps giving me this error.

# Answer
> 3 votes
I have had this issue and there are 3 ways to try to get around this.

You will need a custom recovery to attempt 1. or you can use Odin alternatively for 2. below. The `superSU` binaries are often (but not always) installed via and the app itself gives this option.

1. When `superSU` asks you to update the binaries, rather than select 'Normal' select 'Recovery' and see if it can install that way.
2. Flash `superSU.zip` directly in your recovery or `Odin`. Here is the link to Chainfire's latest version. I have tried this myself and it fixed the issue for me on a number of devices.
3. Install an alternative super user app from the market. (This can be messy, and you need to ensure `superSU` is completely removed)

# Answer
> 0 votes
You can only achieve perm root by unlocking Bootloader then flashing a custom recovery. This cannot be done in Odin as the previous answer dictates. It must be done via adb. There are a couple of methods that work for unlocking the Bootloader but the only gurantee is Sunshine. After the Bootloader is unlocked flash a custom recovery(TWRP,CM OR PhilZ touch) via adb. The latter is what I would recommend if your used to using CM on previous devices. There are plenty of tutorials as well as how to vids on YouTube and it is really quite simple. Hope this helps

---
Tags: rooting, root-access, verizon, superuser, htc-one-m8
---


# Question
Title: I want to upgrade my samsung s3 mini sd card
How do i change the sdcard without losing all my games pictures ect and does every thing on the phone on on the chip or do you need to do something to put it all on the chip (YES im thick when it comes to phones LOL thankyou paula

# Answer
Just copy all your data from your previous SD card to your newer SD card. Everything would work fine if nothing is left behind.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-mini
---


# Question
Title: How to purchase an app on Google Play without a credit card?
I live in India and I don't have a credit card. I have tried using debit cards, internet banking and a virtual credit card from my bank (State Bank of India), but none of them work.

How can I purchase an app (PowerAmp) without a credit card?

Google Wallet is not acceptable because my phone runs Gingerbread and it isn't compatible.

# Answer
I am from India. I think Google play gift card is not available in India till now. I will tell you a method through which you can purchase android apps from Play Store in India without credit card.

The only legal way to buy paid apps from Play Store other than credit card is by creating Virtual Credit Card. Virtual Credit Card is an artificial credit card which acts similarly like any ordinary credit card and you can use it for on line shopping. But in virtual credit card you have to transfer the amount first just like debit cards.

There are two trusted ways of creating Virtual Credit Card -

* Create Virtual Credit Card from bank - Many banks are having a service of creating a virtual credit card for online shopping. STATE BANK OF INDIA and HDFC BANK are two banks which I have used for creating Virtual Credit Card especially HDFC BANK's NetSafe service is awesome and just perfect for any online shopper. Amount charged for creating virtual credit card is very minimum.
* Create Virtual Credit Card from Entropay \- If your bank doesn't give the service of creating virtual credit cards then you can use ENTROPAY for purchasing apps from the Play Store. Entropay is an online service which I strongly recommend for creating virtual credit cards, as it is completely safe and secure. All your information is protected by encryption. Creating virtual credit card through is very easy you just need to fill up your details and your virtual credit card is ready in minutes, now transfer your fund to virtual credit card and start shopping. EntroPay is used worldwide and processes thousands of transactions daily. For using EntroPay you need to pay certain charges.

Earlier Google only sells android apps through its Play Store in India but now Google has start selling books and movies also, so this Virtual Credit Card method work perfectly with them also means you can buy android apps, eBooks and movies without credit card using Virtual Credit Cards.

I hope this post is helpful for you.
> 5 votes

# Answer
Perhaps you can mail-order a Play Store gift card - https://play.google.com/intl/en-US\_us/about/giftcards/#lightbox
> 2 votes

# Answer
I appreciate your intention of buying applications in spite of the difficulty you face.

If your question is about only buying Poweramp, you can buy it from its website directly.

The website permits following payment options (and Paypal): You can try your State Bank of India's debit card (old card is a Maestro and the new one is Visa) or even the virtual card.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Google Play Cards can be bought at many stores (depending on your country).

There are also Websites providing instant Gift Card-codes.

I have personally used and can recommend this site for German speaking countries.

For everyone that is interested in keeping banking information away from Google (as far as that is possible today) that is the only viable option.

The codes are redeemed within the Play Store --\> Options --\> Redeem Gift Code

The money is then added to your account to use on any app, movie, music or In-App-Purchase.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: google-play-store, 2.3-gingerbread
---


# Question
Title: How do I mount an external disk drive formatted in ext4 via USB Host?
I plugged a 2.5 inch 1Tb drive into a Nexus 10 and I cannot see it anywhere really. Something pops up in ES File Explorer, but I cannot access the drive.

Do I have to root my device, or is there some other way? Would formatting it to a different filesystem help in any way (to access it for r/w)?

# Answer
> 0 votes
You have a couple of options. The easiest way is to buy nexus media importer - it was $4 last I checked. You can use the nexus photo viewer app to make sure it will work. I used it with a flash drive on my nexus 10 and it worked great.

The alternative is to root and use stickmount. I prefer to root my devices, so I would recommend that way, but is does come with some security issues. It is pretty straightforward on the nexus 10, but if you are uncomfortable with the idea, nexus media importer is worth the $4.

Note that that drives like that need to be externally powered or they will not work - I don't think tablets can put out enough juice by themselves.

If you would like to root I'd be happy to walk you through it, but it'll probably take enough time that it is worth just buying the app, unless you are interested in learning more about this kind of stuff.

---
Tags: file-system, mount, usb-on-the-go, samsung-nexus-10, disk-drive
---


title: What is Launcher3 4.4.4-9 application?

text:
# Question
Title: What is Launcher3 4.4.4-9 application?
I'm new Android user. I just found that I have "Launcher3 4.4.4-9" on my Moto G 2-gen.

It has permissions to make calls. I cannot uninstall it.

Is this normal? This is system app/service?

# Answer
> 2 votes
From F-Droid wiki,

> Name: Launcher3
>
> ID: com.android.launcher3
>
> **Description**
>
> ---
>
> Android 4.4 homescreen from AOSP ...

The version (4.4.4-9) also confirms that it is the Android KitKat (4.4.4) AOSP Launcher. It's normal and it's a system app.

---
Tags: permissions
---


# Question
Title: Can a Custom ROM affect the performance of my battery?
My Device is Samsung Galaxy S4 I9500.
A week ago, I flashed a custom ROM on my Device, now my phone's battery drains out even if the phone is on stand by. Previously, it degraded but not so drastically. Sometimes the battery percentage increases automatically.

Is it a battery problem or Is it due to the Custom ROM?

# Answer
It's the custom ROM but it may not be the ROM itself. Most of the times it is the kernel that comes with the ROM that is most influential. But, it is possible that the ROM has a feature or two that is draining the battery.

Also, since it is an S4 I have to ask, is it a Samsung ROM or AOSP? Because AOSP is so much different that usually because it is not the most compatible with the hardware it will take a toll on the battery. Samsung knows how to customize it's software the best so generally Samsung ROMs (doesn't have to be stock) are better than AOSP ROMs on Samsung phones or any OEM phones for that matter.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: custom-roms, battery, battery-life, samsung-galaxy-s-4, samsung
---


title: Custom Rom installation for defy

text:
# Question
Title: Custom Rom installation for defy
I have been trying to customize my current ROM in my Defy which runs 2.2 froyo currently as stock.

I'm confused which how I can customize my ROM, such that my stock ROM is backed up and if I don't like my new ROM I can restore the backup.

Another question is how can I install my new ROM?

I found couple of videos on Youtube that says installing ROM via 2ndinit after Rooting and then go recovery menu wipe cache, dalvik, etc and then install from SD card. Is this a valid procedure?

Refer to this video.

Is this a valid way of installing?

# Answer
So late to answer a question like this, still:

For all non-advanced users who want to root their Defy and install custom ROMS, first refer this article.

It says all about you want to know about Defy before torturing it :D But don't worry, it is almost impossible to brick the mighty Defy, so feel free to experiment.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: custom-roms, rom-flashing, installation, motorola-defy
---


# Question
Title: Apps take up space but do not show up on app list
I'm developing applications using Icenium (new IDE for hybrid app development), I have been testing all day without any problems, deleting the apps from phone, rebuilding the apps, etc.

At some point during the night, my apps stopped being displayed on my phone when I compile them, the apps take up space but don't actually show up anywhere on my phone.

Things I tried:

* Reboot
* App Cache Cleaner (app)
* Fast Reboot (app)

I only managed to free up a couple of MB though (right now I have 15MB out of 153MB free - even though I have very little apps installed!!).

What can I do to delete these application files and hopefully being able tor rebuild my apps again?

EDIT: Also, when I try to move apps from SD card to phone - I get the "Not enough storage space" error, even though it should supposedly fit (app is smaller than 15MB).

# Answer
Install Titanium Backup. Hit menu key on device. Under storage option click clean dalvik. Might not free up much, but maybe a little
> 1 votes

# Answer
As they are user-installed apps, thy should be user-uninstallable. Not being shown in the list of installed apps complicates things a little, but should not make them impossible: as you developed the apps yourself, you will for sure know their package names (I will use `com.package.name` in my example).

### One-time setup

1. Your computer must have ADB installed. As you say you develop yourself, you most likely will have the Android SDK installed already (for other readers: Either install the Android SDK, or check Is there a minimal installation of ADB? if you don't need the full SDK).
2. Turn on *USB Debugging* on your device (if you not already have done so, that is)
3. Connect your device to your computer
4. Your computer must be ready to deal with your device. For Windows, you will need suitable drivers (see Universal Android USB Driver). On Linux (and most likely Mac as well) you just need to configure `udev` (see Is there a minimal installation of ADB? again).

### Deal with the app

Above steps only need to be performed once to be able to deal with your device. Now for the remove-part:

1. Connect your device to your computer with *USB Debugging* enabled
2. From a shell/cmd window, run `adb shell pm uninstall com.package.name`

Done. You optionally can add the `-k` parameter to `pm uninstall` if you just want to uninstall the app, but keep its data.

**Edit:** As Dan pointed out in below comment, instead of using `adb shell pm uninstall`, you also could simply use `adb uninstall` (which can count as an "alias", and thus also supports the `-k` parameter). One more remark is: if you've already got some terminal app on your Android device, you could also take this instead of adb, and simply use `pm uninstall` locally.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Even if an app doesn't show up in the app drawer, it must still be listed in **Settings****Apps**. You can uninstall it from that screen. If it's not listed there, it really isn't installed.

Uninstalled apps get their internal storage deleted automatically, but files they created can still take up space on your SD card. Of course, it's also possible that they added content to other apps (such as contacts) which would continue to take up space.
> 1 votes

# Answer
If your device is rooted, another great option is to use ES File Explorer. it has a great root Explorer function that let's you view all installed apps at the system level. I've used this to delete apps on an amazon firetv that do not show up in the regular list. I'm all about using the terminal, but this is another option.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: internal-storage
---


# Question
Title: conversion printing app from landscape to portrait mode
I often work just with the smartphone (Galaxy Note 3, Android Kitkat 4.4, no root) without any computer.

**After opening a landscape powerpoint-presentation with the smartphone, I want to print it in portrait mode (2 slides per page). Is there any solution?**

If there is no direct printer app with Remote Print it would also be very nice if there would exist a conversion app to save a conversed ppp in portrait mode as a new pdf. I'm searching since several months and would be so thankful and happy if there would be a solution!

# Answer
One of the best apps for your (=my) aimis the app "Samsung Mobile Print".

1. Select 2 Up
2. Print it to your android device (use Google Cloud\_Printer)
3. Wait a couple of minutes until your android device will download the new document (unfortunately this solutions converts colors to black/white, but for me it's okay)
4. Send the downloaded PDF to a normal Google-Cloud-Print or Remote-Print-App!

That's it!
> 0 votes

---
Tags: applications, printing
---


title: Trebuchet: Disable/Hide Dock

text:
# Question
Title: Trebuchet: Disable/Hide Dock
Is there a way to disable the dock entirely on Trebuchet on CyanogenMod? I find that I always go to my main home screen before touching the app drawer out of habit, so I'd like to have that extra space for the regular screens. Is this possible?

# Answer
> 3 votes
There does not seem to be a way to do that in Trebuchet on CyanogenMod (when not on CyanogenMod you can do it in the Trebuchet Settings).

As an alternative you could use nova launcher, it is free and the dock is removeable (even on CyanogenMod).

There may be many more launcher providing this feature, but nova is tho only one I used on CyanogenMod.

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, launcher, trebuchet
---


# Question
Title: Does android save a log of its own IP addresses?
I have a Wifi network to which I connect at work. The IP address has always been DHCP, but today the DHCP server is down. If I can figure out what IP address I had, I can set it statically (after checking to make sure another device hasn't already taken it, via ping from my desktop).

Does Android have a log anywhere of the IP addresses it is leased? I have root and thus can look at any file on my phone.

# Answer
> 3 votes
If you have USB debugging turned on, you can see the DHCP activity in the logcat. Unfortunately, without a working DHCP server, you're not going to see anything. And the logcat doesn't stick around long enough for you to see the previous day's successful negotiation. You can also see the currently-assigned IP address in Wi-Fi settings under the advanced menu. But again, this is only when everything is working right.

Without some inside knowledge about the subnet, you're reduced to guessing. Try 192.168.1.xx, 10.0.0.xx, 192.168.0.xx, etc. But you could also just check with one of your IT people.

If this happens often, I suggest checking your logcat or the settings menu when it's working and making note of the address. This will get you prepared for the next outage.

---
Tags: logging, dhcp, ip-address
---


title: Moto E - Auto switching off/on

text:
# Question
Title: Moto E - Auto switching off/on
I have a Moto E which is only a few days old. It keeps switching off and on all day, automatically and usually around 20 times each day. It supports up to 32GB memory card, and I'm using a 32 GB card (if this might causing problem).

# Answer
Most likely the culprit is an app. Try safe mode. Press the Power button and when the menu pops up tap and hold on the Power off option and then tap OK. If you don’t experience any random reboots in safe mode then we can assume that one of the apps you’ve installed is responsible for the reboots.

Read more: 10 tricky Moto E problems and how to fix them | Digital Trends
> 0 votes

# Answer
It's probably a problem with one of your SIM cards. Whenever your phone restarts, it is because there is no network for one of your SIMs. So it restarts which may get network.

If you are using 3g network, try changing it to 2g.
> -3 votes

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, motorola-moto-e
---


title: Nexus 5 charging problem

text:
# Question
Title: Nexus 5 charging problem
My Nexus 5 recently has a charging problem.. If I wiggle the charger a little it sometimes give the notification that the charger is not connected and if I release the charger it says its charging, I guess that problem is because my nexus 5 charger input is broken ??

And if I charge it while the screen is on ( and using the phone ) the phone takes a long time to charge and if I leave it with sometimes the screen of ( and not using the phone ) it charges 0 to 100 real quick.

If somebody know what I can do, I would be very thankfull

Phone information: -Rooted Nexus 5 -Version 4.4.2

# Answer
It just sounds like the plug is a little loose in the socket. This can often happen with cheaper USB cables. Just try a different USB cable and you'll probably get a snugger fit.

It's entirely normal that the phone charges more quickly when you're not using it. When you're using it, you're draining the battery at the same time as trying to charge it. It's like trying to fill a bath while the plug's out.

> If somebody know what I can do, I would be very thankful

You don't need to do anything. Your phone is working correctly.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: root-access, charging
---


# Question
Title: Eclipse is not able to detect smartphone
Debian 7.6, Eclipse 3.8.
When i program with API8 for my HTC Froyo I have no problem: running the debug session i see the device in the device list and I'm able to debug my app.
Since I started with a API14 for smartphone and tablet, I'm not able to detect that devices.
When I connect them to the PC i only see ????????? as Serial Number. If I check the USB connection with `lsusb` or `dmesg`, the devices are detected correctly by the system.
I tested Smartphone LG L5II and Hamlet tablet XZPAD0970H and, of course, the debug option is checked.

I read about a potential problem with permissions but i don't understand how to solve the problem.

# Answer
> 0 votes
**I found!**
I followed the article Configuring ADB for Nexus 4 on Ubuntu 11.10 adding a find and a row for my smartphone, inserting its VID e PID. Then I restarted the adb.
Now the smartphone is visible to Eclipse!

Next I'll try with the tablet inserting its VID and PID ..

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, adb, debug
---


# Question
Title: Can I mod my phone with bootloader locked?
I have a Motorola Defy ('jordan') that I have just recently rooted. I would like to add a mod to it though as it is running on Android froyo still but my bootloader is locked so i'm not very sure how to go about this. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Even if the Defy's bootloader is locked, you can still root it and install custom roms. It's with the help of a software called 2ndInit.

As mentioned in the comment, you can search in the xda forums to get the details. You can start here by rooting and then install any custom rom. :)

---
Tags: bootloader, motorola-defy, motorola
---


# Question
Title: How to flash TWRP over CWM recovery in Nexus 5?
In order to upgrade my encrypted CyanogenMod installation I need to use the TWRP recovery instead of the CWM.

I have already tried multiple ways to flash TWRP recovery including ROM Manager but it always gets back to CWM when I boot to recovery.

Any solutions?

# Answer
You didn't specify which device you own, but by the tag I assume it is a Nexus 5. Flashing TWRP is pretty easy, especially on Nexus devices.

Download the newest .img file here: http://techerrata.com/file/twrp2/hammerhead/openrecovery-twrp-2.8.0.1-hammerhead.img

Turn off your device. Turn on the device and keep holding volume down until a menu shows up. The device will now be in fastboot mode. Plug the device into your computer. If you have the right drivers installed, your screen should now say FASTBOOT USB. Run the following command via the command line (in the directory the ADB is installed):

fastboot flash recovery openrecovery-twrp-2.8.0.1-hammerhead.img

Note you will also need adb and fastboot for your computer.

If you don't have ADB or the correct drivers installed, I recommend downloading Wugfresh Nexus toolkit from here: https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=95747613655047107

And follow the instructions for installing the drivers.

OR - if for some reason you're having trouble with the above, just download Wugfresh Nexus toolkit (link above) and select root my device (make sure to check 'install custom recovery').
> 4 votes

---
Tags: twrp, nexus-5, clockworkmod-recovery
---


# Question
Title: Why can't I upload binaries to Android Sony Xperia Z?
I recently upgraded my Android to 4.4.4 via 4.3.? When I was on 4.2.\* I had no problem either uploading apks and pictures via usb nor via adb install / push.

Symptoms below, any help appreciated. I'd rather not have to root the phone but if I must I must...

Since I upgraded the USB upload has started to act strangely:

* I can download any file
* I can upload text files
* I *cannot* upload apks
* I *cannot* upload apks renamed to .txt
* I *cannot* upload xml, jpg or anything other than plain text
* It is not a size issue I can upload large text files
* I've tried both MSC and MTP modes.
* I've tried different PC's and cables
* If I try to upload a binary from windows 7 copy dialog that stays on screen forever doing nothing or sometimes the storage resets on the phone and it errors.

ADB has stopped working from within eclipse I get:

\[2014-10-07 19:14:25 - BluetoothTest\] ------------------------------

\[2014-10-07 19:14:25 - BluetoothTest\] Android Launch!

\[2014-10-07 19:14:25 - BluetoothTest\] adb is running normally.

\[2014-10-07 19:14:25 - BluetoothTest\] Performing uk.co.dossytronics.bluetoothtest.MainActivity activity launch

\[2014-10-07 19:14:40 - BluetoothTest\] Uploading BluetoothTest.apk onto device 'CB5A1PVTNA'

\[2014-10-07 19:14:46 - BluetoothTest\] Failed to install BluetoothTest.apk on device 'CB5A1PVTNA': An existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host

\[2014-10-07 19:14:46 - BluetoothTest\] java.io.IOException: An existing connection was forcibly closed by the remote host

\[2014-10-07 19:14:46 - BluetoothTest\] Launch canceled!

From the command line: C:\android-dev\sdk\platform-tools\>adb -s CB5A1PVTNA install c:\users\dominic\workspace\BluetoothTest\bin\BluetoothTest.apk

protocol failure

error: device not found

* waiting for device -

rm failed for /data/local/tmp/BluetoothTest.apk, No such file or directory

# Answer
After a lot of messing around I think I've nailed it. It was an application called "Sony Smart Connect". Like most things that contain the oxymoronic phrase "Sony Smart" is anything but smart. Instantly everything went back to working and I can now get on with coding until the next update stops me for a month...

I hope this is of help to someone in the future.

Dom
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, adb, usb, installation
---


# Question
Title: flash-all doesn't work, command not found - Ubuntu
Trying to install the new Android 5.0 Preview. I first installed it a while ago on Windows with no problems. I switch over to Ubuntu a few weeks back, and now, after unlocking, I can't flash-all.

# Answer
Figured it out. Had to actually extract the thing, navigate to it(I navigated to the zipped file, not the unzipped) with the `cd ~/...` command and run the `./flash-all.sh` file.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: linux, nexus-5, 5.0-lollipop
---


# Question
Title: adb shell remove directory with patenthesis windows
I'm trying to delete a directory that contains parenthesis in its name. So far I've tried:

```
adb shell rm -r "sdcard/music/SomeArtist - (good stuff)"

```

And I get:

```
/system/bin/sh: syntax error: '(' unexpected

```

I'm on windows btw. Any suggestion? Cheers

# Answer
> 0 votes
The problem is that the quotes are being interpreted twice: once by the Windows shell when it parses the `adb` command, and again by the Android shell. Remember that `adb shell foo` opens a shell on the device and runs the `foo` command there. When you run

```
adb shell rm -r "sdcard/music/SomeArtist - (good stuff)"

```

Windows is using the quotes to see the whole path as one argument, and then removes them. The command that actually gets sent to the device is then

```
rm -r sdcard/music/SomeArtist - (good stuff)

```

and the shell on the device interprets the `(` as a special shell expansion. There are two ways to avoid this. One way is to double the quotes, so that there's still a set left when the command gets to the device:

```
adb shell rm -r "\"sdcard/music/SomeArtist - (good stuff)\""

```

The second, and more generally useful, is to avoid trying to do everything at once. Use `adb shell` to open an interactive shell on the device, and then

```
rm -r "sdcard/music/SomeArtist - (good stuff)"

```

inside that shell to run the command you want. You can use `ctrl`-`d` to exit the shell when you're done.

---
Tags: adb
---


# Question
Title: How to download a phrasebook from google translate
So i've been using google translate for a while and there are a bunch of translated words and phrases that i have asked for to date stored on the device. I now want to take a copy of them to my PC (in any tractable text format) so that i can use a decent text editor / script to convert them to anki format (a flashcard app) so that i can memorize them.

Does anyone know how to get at this data? I had a quick look through the file system on my android phone (which incidentally, is a samsung galaxy S III) and i couldn't see anything obvious there. I reason that the phrases i have used must be in there somewhere because they are displayed on the phone even when there is no internet access from the device.

# Answer
> 6 votes
If you are logged into your Google account, your Phrasebook will synchronize across devices and you can also access it from the web interface of Google Translate. Furthermore, after importing to Anki you can synchronize your decks across devices.

1. In the web interface of Google Translate, show the Phrasebook by clicking the Phrasebook icon in the upper right corner:
    2. Export the Phrasebook to a Google spreadsheet by clicking the Export icon, again in the upper right corner:
    3. Click "Yes, import the data".
    4. Export the resulting spreadsheet to .csv format:
    5. The .csv file has four fields: source language, target language, source phrase, and target phrase. To import the data into the Anki desktop application, choose File -\> Import in the menu, and in the dialog that opens, choose **Front** for field 3 and **Back** for field 4:
    6. Click Import, and you're done :)

# Answer
> 0 votes
Here is a tool to import from Google Translate: https://github.com/jamhed/anki

---
Tags: file-system, google-translate
---


# Question
Title: Can I use an Adafruit Trinket as a simple Android peripheral?
I want to control the standby state of an LCD panel through an android media PC. I'm thinking of using a Trinket as a cheap android USB peripheral. Is this possible?

I'm new to Android and Adafruit but really keen to learn. Previously, I controlled my LCD panel through my Raspberry Pi GPIO interface, but I want to move to some hardware with a little more oomph!

The LCD Panel accepts a 3.3v signal to switch the screen on. Is the Trinket the right piece of hardware for this application?

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

Best Regards, Jabah

# Answer
> 0 votes
The answer depends on what kind of interface you're hoping to use between the Android device and the Trinket, and whether the Android device has drivers for that USB class. For example, if you made the Trinket act like a mouse, and your Android device has USB HID (human interface device) support, then that would work fine - but a mouse isn't much use for controlling your LCD panel.

You need to look in the specs of the particular Android device you're using, or try it out with some existing USB devices, to find what USB classes it supports: in particular, you'll likely be wanting to use a USB-serial interface.

You'll probably also need to write some special-purpose software for your Android device, to communicate with the Trinket. I'm afraid as this isn't a programming site, we can't help you with that.

---
Tags: usb, usb-peripherals
---


# Question
Title: How can I enable USB Debugging on an LG G2 (vs980) with a broken screen?
I have an LG G2 (vs980 - Verizon). The digitizer and screen is broken - I can view it, but not submit input.

The device has fastboot and TWRP capabilities, and I can get to ADB from TWRP.

The device previously had USB debugging enabled and was associated with my PC's public key.

It seems the only thing preventing me from accessing the device via ADB while booted normally is LG's 'USB connection type' setting, which defaults to 'as a media device' or 'as an installer'. This phone requires me to choose 'as an internet connection' / 'ethernet' once I hook up the USB cable from the notification panel for ADB debugging to work. As the screen is broken, I cannot do this.

How to I write this setting to the system from recovery mode? Perhaps a build.prop tweak or a sqlite3 edit? (I have sqlite3 on the device; I just enabled my wifi with it).

```
$ adb shell getprop | grep persist.sys.usb.config
[persist.sys.usb.config]: [mtp,adb]

```

---

Since I can access ADB from recovery and my rom has a /system/etc/init.d, i can run commands after the system boots from here.

My current plan is to switch ADB to connect over wifi and proceed from there.

# Answer
> 1 votes
In this situation, since you have rooted your phone and can access the device via recovery adb, create a startup init.d script to set adb to wifi listening and then connect via wifi.

---

/system/etc/init.d/97adb

```
#!/system/bin/sh

if [ -e /sdcard/adb_wifi ]; then
    /system/bin/adb_to_tcp &
fi;

```

---

/system/bin/adb\_to\_tcp

```
#!/system/bin/sh

# Close STDOUT file descriptor
exec 1<&-
# Close STDERR FD
exec 2<&-

# Open STDOUT as $LOG_FILE file for read and write.
exec 1<>/sdcard/did_adb_tcp

# Redirect STDERR to STDOUT
exec 2>&1

while :
do

/system/bin/iptables -F
/system/bin/iptables -P INPUT ACCEPT
/system/bin/iptables -P OUTPUT ACCEPT
/system/bin/iptables -P FORWARD ACCEPT

setprop service.adb.tcp.port 5555
stop adbd
start adbd

/system/bin/sleep 120

done

```

---

/sdcard/adb\_wifi

---

Ensure the former two files are +x and that the final file exists. Reboot. Wait. You now have 120 second intervals to:

```
adb connect [yourip]:5555
adb shell ps | grep sh
adb shell
> su
> kill -9 $PID_OF_SH

```

---
Tags: adb, screen, lg-g2, broken-screen
---


# Question
Title: How to load a preset list of Tasker profiles into another user's installation of Tasker
I'm new to both Android and Tasker. I have two Android devices, and have created a bunch of Tasker profiles/scenes/tasks on Device 1 and would like to have those same profiles/scenes/tasks on Device 2, but don't want to enter all of them in again. Is there a way to do this automatically?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

# Answer
There's indeed a possibility:

Hit Menu (the three dots in the top right corner if you don't have hardware buttons) -\> Data -\> Backup. Then copy the Tasker folder on your SD-Card to the one of your second device. There, hit Menu -\> Data -\> Restore. That should do it!
> 0 votes

# Answer
I believe Tasker has the ability to perform a backup and export. If not, find the directory in which the above are stored and copy them to the other phone?

Try reading this blog: http://almost-a-technocrat.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/how-to-export-taskers-projects-profiles.html?m=1
> 0 votes

---
Tags: tasker
---


# Question
Title: I can't boot my nexus 4 after trying to install custom rom, please help
I am pretty new to all this stuff and i tried to install android L alpha preview on my nexus 4. I rooted my phone and downloaded the .zip file and then followed the instructions on the internet site. I reset all my data and wiped dalvik cache but forgot, that i had .zip file under my downloads. I couldn't install it, because i deleted it and i deleted everything else on my phone too. So now my phone won't boot and I don't now what to do. I also can't transfer my files from computer to phone. Please help, I'm really desperate.

(sorry for my English, not a native speaker)

# Answer
> 0 votes
Don't worry, the solution is pretty easy.

Download Wugrfesh toolkit from here: https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=95747613655047107

Once you open the program, press "Flash stock + unroot" on the right side. Just follow the instructions and you'll do fine.

Good luck :)

---
Tags: rooting, rom-flashing, backup, custom-roms
---


# Question
Title: A way to get location coordinates from command line
I'm looking for a command line, or a series of commands that can dump or list the latitude and longitude on a rooted device.

I connect to a device using ADB shell. A way that will cause the coordinates to be logged to the command line is also good for me.

# Answer
Looks like there is a way:

> adb shell dumpsys location \> dumpsys.txt

This will give you a file with all location service information. In this file search for `'Last Known Locations'` and you should see something like:

```
passive: Location[network 92.915479,55.610965 acc=22 et=+1d4h10m34s255ms {Bundle[{noGPSLocation=Location[network 92.915479,55.610965 acc=22 et=+1d4h10m34s255ms {Bundle[{coarseLocation=Location[network 92.918919,55.603997 acc=2000 et=+1d4h10m34s255ms]}]}], networkLocationSource=cached, networkLocationType=wifi, travelState=stationary}]}]

network: Location[network 92.915479,55.610965 acc=22 et=+1d4h10m34s255ms {Bundle[{noGPSLocation=Location[network 92.915479,55.610965 acc=22 et=+1d4h10m34s255ms {Bundle[{coarseLocation=Location[network 92.918919,55.603997 acc=2000 et=+1d4h10m34s255ms]}]}], networkLocationSource=cached, networkLocationType=wifi, travelState=stationary}]}]

```

Of course, the list will include another entry if you have the GPS provider enabled on the device.

Going by android code, I tried to find out how apps get the location when they use LocationManager.getLastKnownLocation(). After a bit of following, I ended up in LocationManagerService here. which implements getLastLocation and also a dump function.

The coordinates are not stored in any file as far as I can tell. They are stored in memory in a hashmap and dumped for the dumpsys command. This also explains why a directory heirarchy search did not reveal any files with gps info.

If you want this info in a more standard format, you will need to take the app route and go with something like this. This app exports the info in a GPS or a KML file that you can feed into geo based apps.

PS: This works on non-rooted device just as well.
> 12 votes

---
Tags: adb, geolocation
---


# Question
Title: Change which AppDrawer is started (Google Now Launcher)
I've recently installed Beautiful Drawer because I would like to categorize my Apps in the Drawer. I'm using a Nexus 5 with Kitkat and the default Google Now launcher. My phone is not rooted.

Is it possible to change the default AppDrawer which is started when tapping on the AppDrawer-symbol on the main screen? It should start Beautiful Drawer instead of the default Drawer.

Here is a picture which shows the icon I'm talking about:

# Answer
> 3 votes
No. The app drawer is part of the same app as the home screen itself: the *launcher* app. You can only replace both of them at once. Some launchers don't even have a separate app drawer: the list of apps is a seamless part of the home screen itself.

# Answer
> 0 votes
You could probably look at App Swap drawer, launch it from Google Now gesture : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.ebt.appswitch

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, nexus-5, launcher, google-now, app-drawer
---


# Question
Title: How to recover my files and personal data a phone who doesn't boot?
My Galaxy S II runs under Android 4.12 and it is stuck on the boot screen. How can I recover my files and personal data on the phone ?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Is the Phone rooted and is USB-Debugging enabled?

If yes, you could probably boot into recovery and try recovering the files via ADB.

How to copy selected files from Android with adb pull shows you how to work with ADB to recover your Files ;)

# Answer
> -1 votes
I don't think you can recover files and folders over the device which isn't booting up I would say first of all fix the booting problem up and then you can take the help of various recovery apps and software available to restore the deleted files and folder. I am know you can't recover 100% of them out but I would say to some extent you may get most out of it !

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-2, boot, data-recovery
---


# Question
Title: Video Recording stopped because battery was low, restore file?
I just recoreded a Video, and my Android powered down while recording because the battery was completly empty.

Now i have a 1,5 GB mp4.tmp file that i cant open with VLC.

I have a Nexus 4 with Android 4.2.2

Is there anyway I can save this file?

# Answer
> 1 votes
I found this - i had a similar problem with a mp4 file that was corrupt, and not being able to find version 1.5 of grau anymore. i came up with this solution.

> \[Scenario\] video.mp4 (200mb) grau version 1.6 + (only does 50% of video for free version)
>
> \[Directions\] make 2 of the same video files and name them 1.mp4 and 2.mp4 this means you will copy video.mp4 in the same fold twice so you have two of them!
>
> in DOS (Run: cmd.exe)
>
> locate to the folder where you have the two video files type in the command to merge the files together
>
> copy /b 1.mp4+2.mp4
>
> you will now see that 1.mp4 will be 400mb and not 200mb
>
> now use grau video repair tool and it will do 50% of the file you merge. meaning you will get 100% video freee!

Source

# Answer
> 0 votes
MP4 video repair from Iwo Banas.

Automatically finds broken files in your droid, and using another video file from the same device as a reference, fixes it. Works like a charm.

Dont forget to donate!

(:

---
Tags: video, nexus-4, data-recovery, video-recording
---


# Question
Title: How can I preview (watch online) videos while downloading the torrent?
How can I preview (watch online) videos downloaded from torrent?
I've tried Torrent Stream Controller with Ace Stream Engine for Android but it seems to be only for torrent tv and I even couldn't force it to work on my device.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Sequential download feature is more common in current torrent downloading apps, e.g. you may find it in Flud and tTorrent apps.

It can be a bit problematic to find video player which supports playback of unfinished video files in various formats. VLC isn't perfect, but quite usable for this.

---
Tags: video, torrents
---


# Question
Title: Nexus 4 factory reset, does it wipe/erase all the content?
Does factory reset erase/wipe the entire 'important data' on the phone? Such as password, sms, pictures, apps etc? I used encase to check the internet storage and as it seems it's filled with zeros but not the entire phone, I can still see some data. Can i somehow restore the 'important data'?

best regards!

# Answer
## You want to sell your phone

Factory reset generally doesn't erase anything on a micro-SD card.

It doesn't in all cases exhaustively overwrite internal flash either. So it may be possible for determined people to recover your data (e.g. on a second-hand phone). This doesn't mean it is easy to do or 100% successful.

I believe since Android 4.3, a factory reset will attempt to more effectively wipe all data in the phone's internal storage.

Several sources advise using the phone's options to encrypt all data before doing a factory reset.

Some phones have a recovery mode accessed using VolumeDown+Power from which you can select "wipe data".

--

## You didn't realise Factory Reset might make your data inaccessible

If you don't regularly back-up important data, you will eventually lose it. You should also back up data before performing any major operation like a factory reset on any device/computer.

See links above for data recovery.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: nexus-4, factory-reset
---


# Question
Title: Change user account in google hangouts samsung s3 mini
I've just signed up to Google Hangouts but am using a shared phone, as my friend already has an account and is logged in I don't know how to add an additional gmail address to switch accounts within the app...is this possible? If so how can I do it? Any other way I can access my Google Hangout on the phone if not?

# Answer
> 0 votes
You can add a new Google account from the main Settings app on the phone. On Samsung phones, choose the **Accounts** tab, then **Add account** and follow the steps as they come up. Once you've done this, the Hangouts app will show a *spinner* (drop-down box) to choose which account to use.

You might also wish to check the sync settings from the account settings. By default, when you add a new account it will also sync contacts, gmail, calendar items, &c. to the phone. If that's not what you want, you can turn off those items from the sync settings.

---
Tags: google-account, google-hangouts
---


title: Locked out of my phone!

text:
# Question
Title: Locked out of my phone!
I'm locked out of my phone and I need to change the password on it how do I reset it and clearing everything off my phone?

# Answer
> 0 votes
You might be able to use recovery mode to perform a wipe and factory reset.

---
Tags: password
---


# Question
Title: i can't retrieve a wallpaper setting i looked in my gallery but it is not there
I selected a picture from the gallery as my wallpaper but replaced it with another picture from my gallery, and i can't find my original picture. How can i retrieve it?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Android doesn't save a history of old wallpapers. If the old wallpaper is still in your Gallery, just select it the same way you did before. If you've deleted it from wherever it originally came from (e.g. your camera photos or downloads folder), through Gallery or another app, then it's gone.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Once you pick a wallpaper, Android actually caches it elsewhere. In Ice Cream Sandwich, Jellybean and Kitkat at least, try these two directories:

```
/data/data/com.android.settings/files/

/data/system/users/0/

```

Inside one of those directories you should find a file called "wallpaper". This is a png formatted image, you may need to manually add the extension once you copy it elsewhere.

---
Tags: 2.2-froyo
---


# Question
Title: Use Quick Responses with Hangouts' Implementation of Google Voice
Back in the days of the original Google Voice app it was not possible to send quick replies when you're receiving a call through Google Voice.

But now that Google Voice is integrated with Hangouts is it possible? When I tried to set it up, it sent through the Hangouts app as expected but used my carrier number.

# Answer
I don't know about "Quick Responses" in general but for all SMS and MMS messages sent via the Hangouts app, you can pick in the settings which number you would like to send it via. For example in my case I can choose to send from my Verizon number or my Google voice number.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: sms, google-voice, google-hangouts, quick-responses
---


title: Auto-start slowing me down

text:
# Question
Title: Auto-start slowing me down
My ASUS tablet runs slow. I've stopped using active desktop backgrounds, uninstalled apps that I don't use and changed the animations, but nothing seems to solve the problem. My memory is reporting at 77% full with Facebook and Twitter being two of the biggest culprits. I don't have them open all the time and only want them running when I use them. How can I prevent them from starting up? ASUS TF700T running version 4.2.1

# Answer
There are a few applications that can help. Have you heard of memory booster? I would suggest download it and set it to auto clean daily (not too often), and then use the features it has (boost startup) which provides a graphical GUI to uncheck startup items- both user and system.

In regards to those two applications causing issue, I would suggest you download an application, such as Watchdog, to run in the background and ensure it is not consuming too much of your tablets resources. If you find that with both the above running and it does not help, I'd suggest format your phone and reload it, but look into running the bare minimum for a few days, then gradually add applications back on until you reach such a point where it plays up again.

Once you reach such a point that your tablet plays up again, try removing set packages and see if the issue resolves itself. If you find that it's Facebook continually, it may be feasible to go to Settings \> Developer Options \> Active Threads and set it to two/three (only for testing!) and see if that helps. If so, you could set Watchdog to terminate such apps on closure, effectively performing the same role the development options do.

I'm sorry, this is more of a comment however I do not have enough reputation to post them, so I rely on getting thumbs up/comments on answers.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: task-management, auto-start
---


# Question
Title: How do I download videos from my phone (or card) to my PC?
How do I download videos from my phone (or card) to my PC? Once I connect the phone and PC only my photos are visible on the PC screen. I can only see the videos on my phone screen.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Lisa, when you say download I assume that you mean transfer. I apologize, I cannot add comments.

The easiest method I would suggest is that you first go into your File Manager (or download one), and find the path to your videos, e.g. DCIM \> 100Media and confirm that your videos are there (or wherever they are). Once achieved, connect your phone and set the USB type to Transfer (or whatever it is called on your device), then navigate to this path on your PC. You should then be able to copy the videos.

Alternatively, let's say your video is called 'video1.mp4', you should then be able to search on your PC for this file. From there, right click and open file location. From there it should just be a matter of copying and pasting. Hope that helps!

---
Tags: usb
---


# Question
Title: How can I make a full, restorable image of my pre-root Android hard drive, as in Clonezilla?
In Clonezilla, one boots OS-1 (Clonezilla) on Drive-1 (USB stick) in order to make a full, restorable image of Drive-2 (which may contain OS-2) on Drive-3 (the backup drive). One does not need any permissions or "root" on Drive-2 or OS-2 in order to make this copy. In fact, one could perform this procedure on any drive at all, including your drives, without knowing any of the relevant passwords!

* **Question #1:** How can I use free software on OS-1 (Linux, Windows, etc.) to make a full, restorable image of Drive-2 (*brand new, untouched Android phone*), including ROM, bootloader(s), and any other sections, partitions, etc.?

If you believe the answer is, "You can't," then..
* **Question #2:** After I have rooted, how can I restore Drive-2' (*the rooted and thus altered Android phone*) to its original state, Drive-2 (*brand new, untouched Android phone*)?

If you believe the answer is, "You can't," then..
* **Question #3:** Why should I not worry about this?

It seems odd that one must alter Drive-2 (rooting process) in order to make a copy of Drive-2', but it seems like ClockworkMod's NANDroid images (and others) do exactly this by requiring root. Perhaps I am simply confused.

# Answer
> 0 votes
1. In general, you need to root the device to make a full backup. After you've rooted the device, use nandroid (which it seems you already know about). You can make a backup that doesn't include the OS by following one of the answers to How do I perform a full pre-rooting backup of an Android phone?
2. By flashing the stock ROM and recovery for your device, and wiping the userdata partition. See Where can I find stock or custom ROMs for my Android device? to find the stock ROM for your phone.
3. Because if you've broken the OS, recovery, and bootloader on your device sufficiently that you can't just flash a ROM image the usual way, there's no way you'd be able to restore any kind of backup image.

---
Tags: rooting, clockworkmod-recovery, restore, nandroid
---


# Question
Title: Android 4.4: How to get the Easter Egg and unlock the Dessert Case daydream?
Similar to Android 4.2/4.3 easter eggs, does 4.4 KitKat have similar or other ones?

# Answer
> 19 votes
## KitKat easter egg

1. Open ***Settings***
2. Hit ***About phone*** at the bottom of the items list.
3. Tap the entry ***Android version*** three times quickly. A big K will appear on your screen.
4. Hit it a few times or long-press to continue to a KitKat style Android logo.

---

## Dessert Case daydream:

1. Go through steps 1-3 of the above.
2. Long-press (1s) the big K.
3. Long-press (1s) the Android logo.
4. It will open a new daydream 'screensaver'.
5. From now on, you can select it as a daydream option in ***Settings******Display******Daydream***.

# Answer
> 0 votes
You can also do it if you have launchers like nova or holo. Long press home screen to add shortcuts-\>activities-\>system ui-\>dessert case.

---
Tags: settings, 4.4-kitkat, daydream, easter-egg
---


title: MTP usb driver failed

text:
# Question
Title: MTP usb driver failed
I upgraded my Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 GT-i8160. Everything went smoothly during the upgrade, but when it's almost finished, it got disconnected from the PC for no reason. When it reconnected again, it says that the MTP USB driver failed.

I can't connect my USB cable to the PC no matter which port I insert it in. Now my phone won't open.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I had tried tons of proposed solution and it seem doesn't work for my Samsung Note 3. However i finally solve without installing/uninstalling anything.

Problem Solved as following;

1) Reboot phone to Recovery Mode.

2) Wipe Cache Partition.

3) Restart phone and connect to PC.

Bum!!! Window successfully installed your MTP driver.

---
Tags: usb, samsung-kies, mtp
---


title: Unlocking SIM card Huawei Ascend Y530

text:
# Question
Title: Unlocking SIM card Huawei Ascend Y530
I recently bought `Huawei Ascend Y530` which is SIM-locked in a swiss provider, `swisscom` that is. I checked through the web to find how can a sim-locked phone be used with any sim, but surprisingly I couldn't find something usefull.

There are a lot of entries, about companies that give you an unlocking code, by providing them, the device's `IMEI`. Unfortunately this doesn't come free of charge let alone the questionable reability.

I contacted `Huawei` to provide me with the code, but they couldn't.

The most relevant information I could find was from xda-developers forum, where someone can find a lot of information about rooting or unlocking bootloader but not on how to unlock the sim.

Another interesting question was Is there a free way of unlocking an Android phone from a particular network?. There, someone can unlock the phone just by giving the IMEI number. Rather sadly however, this app can only be used for a certain provider and a specific device.

I don't know if I factory-reset the phone will be unlocked or even rooting it.

Does anyone know how to unlock the phone, so as to use any sim card? Is there a way to get access to the SIM-unlocking code, just like it can happen with a lot of Samsung devices?

# Answer
> 1 votes
It's nothing to do with Huawei. You need to contact the carrier who you got the phone from.

---
Tags: sim-unlocking, huawei, carriers
---


# Question
Title: Windows 7 Laptop unable to recognize Samsung GT-S7562 and Micrommax A116 Android Device
I have two Android phones: a Micromax A116 and a Samsung GT-S7562.

I am able to connect both of the devices on an XP Machine at the office. But at home I have a laptop running Windows 7. When I try to connect it, both of the phones are not getting detected.

I have installed Samsung Kies for GT-S7562 and I have also installed the Micromax A116 drivers on both XP and Windows 7.

I also tried uninstalling and reinstalling all the drivers. But no use.

I need help. Thanks in advance.

# Answer
Any android phone can be easily detected based on the purpose of connection.Just check and ensure the type of USB driver you download is for the correct purpose.

Basically we have two modes of connecting an Android device to a system.

1.As a Personal user(can be any,file transfer,update,backup etc.)

2.As a Developer(to debug,deploy an application etc.)

1.**As a personal user** If you basically want to connect your device for personal use.Then you need the simple USB drivers which can be downloaded from Samsung.Depending on your Operating system you need to install the required file.For Samsung.Contact micromax for the USB drivers as i didn't find any.

**Ex**:-If you have a windows 7 Operating system then it will automatically download and install the USB drivers and if it's Linux then you need to search for the respective drivers regarding Linux and install based on your procedure.But if it's Windows XP then you need to manually search for the USB driver's download it and install them as and where required.Once installed you can connect your device and do your work

**2.As a Developer**:-If you need to connect the android phone as a developer/tester then you need to download the special ADB debug drivers.These drivers are way different from the normal U.S.B drivers as they provide you to test/debug the application on the device but not for file transfer or any other use. After downloading manually or automatically from the SDK Manager you can connect your device but you need to configure it .Check this site for more details.Once done your device will be detected by the eclipse software and then you can do you work.

Based on the use of yours you can select the choice of connection.

**Note**:-The basic connection setup is the same for all the devices irrespective of their manufacturer.Although there may/may not be any slight changes based on the Android Version.

The difference is may be you have restrictions/U.S.B drivers are missing in Windows XP machine.So just check whether the U.S.B drivers are not disabled and you have access to the U.S.B as well
> 1 votes

# Answer
Have you tried going to device manager and right-clicking the top of the tree and selecting "Detect Hardware Changes"? Maybe your "Shell Hardware Detection" service isn't running or not running right?

Or are there any exceptions on the USB controllers of the system in your device manager?
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung, windows, usb-drivers
---


# Question
Title: How to turn off data usage for all but specific App in android?
I want to disable the auto sync(i.e mobile data) for all of my App ,except whatsApp when I am in mobile data connection.So basically talking , when I am on mobile data I only want to use whatsApp to connect to internet.

But when I am connected to wifi , any of App can update,sync and do things whatever they want. How can I do that ?

EDIT: MY PHONE IS NOT ROOTED

# Answer
There are a number of applications (3G Watchdog for example) which allow you to restrict background data to WiFi; therefore when you've left the application it cannot continually use data.

In later versions of Android you can go to Settings \> Data Usage \> Apps and restrict background data, thus not needing a third party app. Both methods do not require root access. Here are a few related questions:MMS and Restricting background data, Restrict Mobile data but exclude some apps or How does "Restrict background data" work?.

The above mentioned will give much more explanation on what to do, why to do etc. but I will just give you the means to read it. It's quite an easy process to compelte. I will, however, give an alternative which is not often used: AutoMateIt. Let me know if you manage to incorportate this into your issue!
> 4 votes

---
Tags: wi-fi, sync, mobile-data
---


# Question
Title: Viber is asking for access code but I already have account!
I have a new phone with old sim but it will not let me use viber. It says I need access code and then never sends one. How can I sign in using my viber account?

# Answer
> 1 votes
I have had similar issues with Viber on many Android devices, all running multiple versions. I've found that first clear your data, then using your entire number e.g. +61 0403233142 has seemed go help. Logic? There appears none.

Whilst I do not have a "fix" nor the cause for this issue, there are many sites that offer their opinion. I do believe at one stage there is a manual activation method in which you're able to call a service to retrieve a code- I will try to hunt this down for you.

Another method you could possibly try is to setup Viber from a PC client and send the activation code- it may be an issue with your phone sending the request. I will also add in some 'handy links'; hope all goes well!

Please look into this page for assistance: http://www.viberfaq.com/i-did-not-get-my-access-code-what-can-i-do/

The theory behind this support may also apply: http://support.viber.com/customer/portal/articles/1251053-solving-access-code-issues-iphone-

Worst comes to worse, look here and possibly try the desktop client: http://support.viber.com/customer/portal/topics/646085-most-popular?b\_id=3838

---
Tags: viber-messenger
---


# Question
Title: How do I install CyanogenMod on Sony Xperia Z1 Compact?
I have rooted my compact device, but I'm not able to use ROM Manager because the app says my device isn't supported. I am trying to download CyanogenMod on my Z1 Compact. Since ROM Manager doesn't work, how do I install CM?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Follow the instructions in the official CyanogenMod wiki for Sony Xperia Z1 Compact.

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, sony-xperia-z1
---


# Question
Title: Can I update my [rooted] phone using downloaded OTA zip file? how?
My phone (HTC One M7) is rooted, so I can't update it simply by accepting update option in the settings menu.

I downloaded a zip file from a forum for an OTA available for my phone.

Now how can I use this OTA zip file to update my phone? How can I do that?

My phone: HTC One M7, rooted, bootloader unlocked, S-on.

thanks.

# Answer
These OTA files check for every part(file) of the update if a checksum still matches. If your rooting procedure touched some files on the system partition or you removed some preinstalled files this check will fail and the updating procedure will stop because of an assertion error.

As you already found out you need to restore your system partition to the expected state inside the OTA update(matching checksums) install the update via recovery and re-root as this procedure deletes all changes not included in the OTA update package from your system partition.
> 1 votes

# Answer
If you have already downloaded the zip file then you need to flash it via `recovery mode` using a custom recovery.

You usually get to this by holding `power`\+ `down` on HTC devices.

Custom recoveries like TWRP can also reinstall root if it is lost during the update process.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: updates, root-access, ota-update, htc-one
---


# Question
Title: Cannot sign-in Google account on Samsung Galaxy S with 2-step authentication
I recently use 2-step verification to sign-in my Google account.

But after turning this on, I cannot sign-in my phone since no SMS is sent to my phone.

What can I do to sign in now?

# Answer
If you signed up for 2-step verification, you may need to enter an application-specific password in place of your regular account password. You can generate an application-specific password when you are authorizing access to your Google Account. This process takes a few minutes, and you only need to do it once per application or device.

Note: For Android devices running 4.0 or higher, you do not need an application-specific password and only need to submit your username and password. You'll be directed to another page where you can enter a one-time six-digit code.

To check if 2-step verification is on or off, visit https://www.google.com/settings/.
> 9 votes

# Answer
I had a hard time because I had two Gmail accounts on my Android,: one for work and one personal. The process is broken if you have two accounts and you try to apply two step auth on a phone (I have a Galaxy 4 by Samsung).

The solution was to delete my personal account off the phone, do the sign-in process which kicks out an SMS 6-digit code then authenticate (worked). Afterwards you can add back the second account.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: google-account, 2-step-verification
---


# Question
Title: Installing/updating apps over mobile data
On my LG G2 device running Android 4.2.2, I can't seem to install or update any applications while on the mobile network. I can still access the Play Store but upon tapping "Update", the download progress bar remains at 0% and fails after a while (presumably timing out).

I have only restricted background data on YouTube and Instagram but I don't think this would affect the Play Store.

Is this problem solvable or was this done by design? I am not rooted and do not have intention of rooting the device.

# Answer
I think I found it, as I had the same problem:

1. In the Settings go to Mobile Data.
2. Scroll down to item "Media" and tap it.
3. Scroll down and see if "Limit background data" is checked. If so, uncheck

This was the cause in my case, because for the Play Store app the same setting was not active. The problem with Android in this situation is, that there is a global setting "Limit background data" and there's a per app setting. Unchecking the global setting does not uncheck the per app setting. Doh!
> 3 votes

---
Tags: google-play-store, updates, installation, mobile-data, background-data
---


# Question
Title: In a Google account (sync), what is the difference between Contacts and People details?
For a Google account, you are allowed to sync `Contacts` and `People details`. What is the difference between these two?

# Answer
The best explanation I could find online:

> People Details is a new sync service related to the recent release of Google Play Games. It was pushed to most (if not all) android devices recently. Its purpose is to tie you together across all Google Play services (the separate services available from the Google Play screen). The idea is to maintain a uniform and unique "identity" for you in all related Google Games so that data from one can potentially be used to "enhance" the user experience in another

The contact sync is for the usual contacts that a user saves directly on your phone.
> 33 votes

# Answer
* *Contacts* is for syncing contacts with Google contacts. The information is the one specified by Android contacts (email, phone number, etc)
* *People details* is for syncing information with Google play and Google+, such as the Google+ profile picture, fit, Play game profiles, etc. The information is Google-specific.
> 16 votes

---
Tags: contacts, sync, 4.4-kitkat
---


# Question
Title: How do I root Android Lollipop developer preview?
How can I best root the new Android Lollipop developer preview? Chainfire's original SuperSU binaries don't seem to work:

<sub>(Click image to enlarge)</sub>

> There is no SU binary installed, and SuperSU cannot install it. This is a problem!
>
> If you just upgraded to Android 4.3, you need to manually re-root - consult the relevant forums for your device!

# Answer
> 2 votes
Right now the only officially supported devices for the developer preview are the Nexus 5 & Nexus 7 (2013).

Chainfire has issued updated SuperSU binaries that allow rooting, but the recently updated developer previews seem to have broken this, resulting in the SuperSU binaries not being recognised.

Fortunately, Chainfire has responded with a quick fix: flashing a custom android kernel.

Simply flash the modified kernel in fastboot then the SuperSU binaries zip and your device should be rooted.

**EDIT**: Some users have reported issues with the kernel Chainfire provided. Try flashing this one instead.

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop, rooting, nexus-5, developer-preview
---


# Question
Title: Roam on certain countries, not in others
Android version 4.1.2.

More and more mobile network providers seem to be offering "free" roaming, i.e. not having to pay additional charges when abroad. This is true only for some countries. My network provider will not charge me extra for using voice or data in a range of EU countries, but will indeed charge me a zillion bucks if not in one of those countries. So I have to take care. Some of these countries are rather small. I travel a lot and often I'm close to a border where the handset may inadvertently connect to a provider in a neighboring country.

I would like to configure my phone to permanently allow data roaming when I'm connected to a network provider in one of those countries on the "whitelist". I would have to configure the "whitelist" myself, I guess.

I cannot figure out how to do this. Android doesn't seem to have the concept of allowing roaming for certain network provider countries and not for others. It's an all-or-nothing setting. Secondly I'm not sure a handset even has such data available. Does Android know that when connected to a network provider named "Vodafone Spain" that it is connected to a provider in country "Spain" ? If it is then it would be possible to create a more intelligent roaming application.

Please help. Is there something I can do with out-of-the-box Android or is there an intelligent app already made for this?

# UPDATE

Based on Izzy's answer below I've tried out an app named "Roaming Control". It should be noted that I'm not affiliated with that company in any way.

The application doesn't allow to me to setup a new group of countries besides those already defined in the application. It does - however - allow me to configure a new additional single-country rule via the context menu button. If I configure a new rule for country "Spain" then that rule will show up on the Izzy's left-hand side screenshot of the app. If I'm actually in Spain (or more precisely: connected to a Spanish network provider) then that row will be highlighted in green. (The green highlighting seems to indicate the rule the application is currently using.)

Now, the nice thing here is that the application seems to be clever enough to understand that single-country rules should take precedence over group-country rules. So my newly defined rule for "Spain" will actually be the one used, rather than the pre-existing rule for "EU countries". Bingo. Exactly what I wanted to see.

I would have liked for the app to allow me to be able to define a new country group but I can live without it, meaning define each country on my network provider's whitelist individually.

# Answer
An app named Roaming Control (maybe even its free trial) might help you out here. From the app's description:

> Roaming Control automatically enables or disables mobile data connection, airplane mode or auto sync based on the currently active network operator.
> \[...\]
> Besides manually defined network operators, Roaming Control also supports special rules for your home network, for national roaming and for unknown networks. For certain networks, free roaming partner networks are also supported.

To me that sounds like an exact match to your requirements. To give you a better idea, here are some screenshots:

<sup>*Roaming Control* Screenshots (source: Google Play; click images for larger variants)</sup>
> 4 votes

---
Tags: roaming
---


# Question
Title: I flashed Samsung Galaxy S and now it won't start beyond logo screen
I was trying to install Cyanogenmod and after the step in which I went into download mode and moved mod to SD card and do "hermidal zimage" which opened up Hermidal in which everything was successful; no errors and stuff.

Now about Zimage to be renamed `recovery.img`...that step I didn't do. Because that made no sense; first in the guide it said rename it if you are a Windows user but later on it says to use a file named that, so I had to rename it to the original. But I don't think this is the problem.

I can't get into recovery mode, or start it normally. What I can do is go in download mode.

Whenever I start it, it just shows a big "S" and the Samsung logo and stays stuck at that boot screen.

It keeps flashing and then just stops flashing but after that the boot logo stays there.

# Answer
> 1 votes
If, as you say, you can get into download mode (Odin), then you can use the Odin desktop app to re-flash the stock firmware. I encountered the same symptoms multiple times for different reasons, and re-flashing the stock firmware fixed it.

The process is a bit tedious but not too complicated:

1. Download and install the Odin desktop app.
2. Obtain the firmware files. You can get them from samfirmware.com. For most Galaxy S4 models you can find them through GalaxyS4Root.com, which I find quicker. (You don't need an account to download, you just need to solve the advertising Captcha at the bottom.)
3. Boot your device to Odin mode by holding the volume down button, menu button, and power button. Add the power button to the combination *last*, and hold for a few seconds, until you see the warning that says `A custom OS can cause critical problems...`, then press the volume up button, which should bring up a screen that says `Downloading...Do not turn off target!`:
4. Connect the device to the computer with a USB cable. The Odin app on the computer should print the message `Added!!` in the message area in the lower left corner.
5. Click the `PDA` button, and browse to the firmware file with an .md5 extension (you may need to unzip the file you downloaded in step 2). Odin will go through a verification process. If you get an error message about a version mismatch, that means your .md5 file is for the wrong build number. The filename should include the build number (e.g. I545VRUNFNC5). If you don't know the build number—and obviously can't find out because you can't boot the device—just try all the firmware files available for your model.
6. Click `Start`. On the device, you should see some messages in red text (`START` followed by some numbers in brackets), and a blue progress bar. Wait for the process to complete and restart the device.

**Be very careful to make sure the process is not interrupted!**. If that happens, you can brick the phone (and I mean truly brick it; it's only soft-bricked at this point). Use a computer that's plugged into a power source, make sure your USB connection is not loose, and walk away from the general area until it's finished. Maybe leave the house and take a drive somewhere to make sure the vibrations of your footsteps don't disturb the connection. If that sounds exaggerated, that may be because I'm going through the pain of an interrupted firmware flash as I type this. ;)

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, samsung-galaxy-s, unbricking
---


# Question
Title: Remote Battery management service while SureFox Kiosk is running
I am running PAW Server and SureFox (a kiosk browser) to run some webpages. However, I am experiencing significant battery drainage, and I would like to track battery usage by services as the programs are running. Most importantly, I would like have remote management on the devices.

I am using Nexus 7 on Android 4.4.2. WiFi on both ends are guaranteed. I can't do anything on the device since I need to exit surefox to check services and battery usage; I need a service that lets me see battery usage details (top 5 services that are sucking battery) when SureFox is running.

# Answer
> 0 votes
you might try the commercial apps and their monitoring. That would be Kioware and PROVISIO Sitekiosk

Would be easier maybe if Google had something like Samsung KNOX? https://www.samsungknox.com/en

---
Tags: battery, nexus-7, remote-control, android-versions, remote-access
---


# Question
Title: If the sim is out and the phone has been factory reseted can I track it?
My phone was stolen and I called but they obvioulsy had taken out the sim.They've logged out all my google accounts,twitter,facebook,viber and I'm thinking that they did a factory reset!Is there anyway I can track my phone?It was a sony xperia m

# Answer
With a factory reset, there isn't much you can do. Here are some options that may be useful.

## Tracking apps

If you had the foresight to install some tracking type apps and move it to the system partition via root, those can survive a factory reset (though the preferences may be reset).

## Report as stolen

If you know the IMEI, you can at least report it as stolen. The cell companies can block that phone from their network (both CDMA (non-sim) and GSM (sim) networks can do this; CDMA networks call it ESN instead of IMEI). However, I highly doubt they will help you locate it, even if they could track it.

You can find the IMEI if you kept the original packaging; usually it's on the box or on a sticker in the manuals. Again, you need the foresight to either copy the IMEI or keep the original packing materials.

## Google location history

If you enabled Google Location tracking, you can view a map of the location history for the device. If the thief didn't wipe the device right away, this could give you some clues as to their whereabouts.

If you really want to track it down, you could use that location information and see if there are any security cameras in the area (ask the shops to see if you can view their security tapes). If anything turns up, give the information **to the police**, and don't try any heroics.
> 1 votes

# Answer
If the phone has been factory reset them no.

Unless you had installed an anti theft app that survives or prevents factory resets I think you're stuck.
> 0 votes

# Answer
i hope you Android Device Manager app or log into site will give u past location of your phone before the factory reset only. this app is owned by the google and now it auto installed on new phones.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: lost-phone
---


title: Installing Gmail Material Design APK

text:
# Question
Title: Installing Gmail Material Design APK
I have the APK File to the pre-release of Gmail Material Design. I went to Google Play Store and uninstalled my current, up-to-date Gmail package. When I install the material design APK, it tells me that an app with the same signature already exists. What app? I just uninstalled it, it should just install, no? After all, I even went to ES File Explorer \>\> App \>\> Gmail \>\> Uninstall. I am not rooted and I use Blu Studio 6.0 HD.

# Answer
NOTE: The Gmail 5.0 apk is currently causing a lot of issues and force closes on numerous devices, and without root I doubt this will work. **Proceed at your own risk.** As a non-root user I would wait until Google roll out the update.

The signature already existing means that you already have something with the same package installed: Gmail! Gmail may well be a system app on your device and is not being unistalled properly. The actual /system/gmail.apk may remain despite it seemingly uninstalling, especially on a non-rooted device. The conflict is happening as you are trying to install an app you already have.

The easiest way around this is to uninstall Gmail. users can simply uninstall the application, and install Gmail 5.0. You ***could*** disable your existing Gmail application `Settings > Applications > Gmail > Disable` and try to install the apk, but as I said at the start there is a very high chance you will get endless force closes.

One of the workarounds on XDA for ROOT ONLY:

I am showing this less as a guide, and more as an illustration of the issues at the moment.

* Rename old gmail.apk Pushed/renamed new Gmail.apk Change permissions
* Then clicked on the app in Root Explorer and installed it --- this time it installs successfully.
* Then I deleted all app cache and app data.
* Changed the r.build.type=userdebug
* Saved.
> 2 votes

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Tags: applications, signature-error
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# Question
Title: Odin3 says phone is successfully rooted but I have no root access
I'm attempting to Root my Galaxy S3 to try and breath new life in to it (I don't want to upgrade if I don't have to).

I've followed the steps detailed in this post and the results seemed to suggest that everything had worked, as you can see in the screen shot, however when I check using the Root Checker app it states -

> **Root Access** \- no access

Maybe I'm missing something, but I can't find anything that I can understand, so I'd be grateful if someone can help me fix this problem.

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**Update**

Below are two screen shots taken after the above root process. On the left is the aforementioned Root Checker app, showing no access. And on the right is a warning shown when I open the SuperSU app.

I have indeed just updated to 4.3, so I'm guessing I'd need to go down the manually re-root app, but I have no idea what the relevant forum would be.

# Answer
looks like this pda file is only flashing recovery and cache image. So you should have a custom recovery now(probably CWM recovery).

If this is the case download supersu from here: http://download.chainfire.eu/396/SuperSU/ and push it onto your device.

After this boot into recovery(probably vol up + home + power) and install this supersu update zip.

Reboot system and see if you have luck :)
> 1 votes

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Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-3, root-access, odin
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# Question
Title: Both Bluetooth and Wifi not working on Galaxy S3 Mini
I have a Samsung Galaxay S3 Mini. I bought it from Canada and used there for 8 months without issue. However, when I came to Pakistan I unlocked it, and started seeing lots of issues.

First, I have both WiFi and Bluetooth turned on, but they do not work, even though I have fast WiFi. The second issue is is that sometimes I lose cell service, and can't receive calls or messages.

# Answer
I had the same problem. WiFi and Bluetooth modules use the same antenna. This is a hardware problem and I fixed replacing the antenna but you should the check other possibilities. Check this link out: http://blog.brokenlcds.com/samsung-galaxy-note-2-bluetooth-and-wi-fi-problem/

About your second issue, it also sounds related to the antenna of the communication module.
> 1 votes

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Tags: wi-fi, bluetooth, samsung-galaxy-s-3-mini
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# Question
Title: Email App for Exchange Server and alternatives
I would like to set-up my company email in the Email app on my android device (Exchange server). After completing the set-up, it asked me for security update in which it lists lots of warnings such as erasing all the data on phone, etc. I got scared from these as I am not sure whether the IT dept would have all those privileges on phone or not.

Alternatively, I tried to set up an alias with my Gmail account to send email from my Gmail and it looks like it was sent from my company email, but I don't have the SMTP server address (I tried my best to get it, it seems that the exchange server doesn't have one).

Any alternative to use my company email on my android without give all these permissions to take control of my phone without my knowledge?

My phone is Samsung S3 GT-I9300 with Android 4.3

# Answer
> 1 votes
The security requirements set by the Exchange server admins are designed to protect their company information. They don't want to risk you losing your phone and having any random person read your company email. If a thief tries to brute-force the lock code, the email program will force a factory reset after a certain number of failures.

Personally, I think if they require you to read email outside of work hours (yuck) and have this security requirement, they should be willing to provide a phone and service for free. But I digress.

Here are some solutions you can try:

## Email app that lies about complience

There are some email apps that will lie to the Exchange server about its adherence to the requested policies. I use Enhanced Email. It's a paid app, but it was a Free App of the Day on Amazon a couple years ago. There's also K-9, a free and open source app, but it only works with specific Exchange servers (2003/2007). There are probably others out there that work as well.

## XPosed Module

The XPosed has a ton of modules for system tweaks, including one that should let you bypass Exchange Security Requirements. It will let you bypass the requirement while using any email app you want.

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Tags: email
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# Question
Title: Error [DF-SA-01] when downloading application from the play store
Can anybody help me how can I solve this problem. I have tried options of clearing cache data, force stop google paly store/service, removing google account from accounts and reboting device but it didn't work for me.

# Answer
Apparently this can be fixed by resetting app preferences:

1. Go to `Settings`\> `Apps`
2. Open the menu (usually 3 dots in the top right but may vary depending on your device)
3. Select `Reset app preferences`.

Source
> 2 votes

# Answer
I fixed it like this (expanding on bmdixon's answer, thanks for your advice!):

1. Go to Settings \> Apps \> press menu button \> Reset app preferences
2. Open Play Store. Open Settings \> Apps again, swipe to the "All" view, and find Play Store. Force stop and clear data. Then open Play Store again from the recent apps screen.

Following only step 1 or only step 2 don't help, but together, they seem to work okay.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Settings \> Apps \> Google Play Store \> Uninstall updates. Then restart your device.
> -2 votes

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Tags: downloading
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