title: Samsung a71 virus detected

text:
# Question
Title: Samsung a71 virus detected
so uh, i just went onto a website, and I apparently have 4 viruses on my phone, it said "Your sim card has been damaged by a virus!" I dont know if this is fr and I'm only 14, but i know when not to click on something stupid. But I have to ask, is this real? I know how to deal with it if it IS true, but it is weird. It says my sim card is already 48% damaged.

# Answer
The comments on your question already cleared things for you. It is a scam. If a website or an app suddenly or ever claims that *something is wrong* with your device, its accessories, its OS, a web account, your bank account, **you can be damn well sure that the other party is trying to scam you**.

10/10 times these scams appear as ads, so using an adblocker for both your web browser and and your device is suggested. I use Ublock Origin addon (on Firefox for Android) which greatly helps in reducing ads nonsense when browsing. To stop nonsense ads on Android apps I use AdAway (you can also use Blockada) adblocker app. Some folks give moral reasons not to use adblockers but I keep security, privacy and web sanity over morality. You are on your own with morality here.

In a browser, 9/10 times these ads are able to load through javascripts, often third-party scripts. Using a solution which blocks at least third-party javascripts is recommended to everyone for browsing the web with sanity. I use NoScript addon (on Firefox for Android).

You also need to know about WAP billing frauds (you click something on some \[often\] not-so-popular webpage, and guess what XY amount of money is automatically deducted by your carrier. You apparently gets subscribed to some XYZ value-added service!). WAP billing frauds are facilitated by third-party javascripts.

The list can go on but it is best that at this age you spend a couple of hours to learn about privacy and security on the web, Android or whatever OS your mobile and PC are using, on at least a monthly basis. What you would learn would be far better than a quick fix I have suggested.
> 2 votes

# Answer
You can check any unknown apps is installed remove it. Clear cache of web browser.

You can scan your mobile using antivirus. You can use avg, Avast or panda antivirus. You can use free trail of anti virus.

You can erase your mobile.
> -2 votes

---
Tags: samsung
---


title: Larger Lock-Screen PIN buttons?

text:
# Question
Title: Larger Lock-Screen PIN buttons?
Problem: I just upgraded my phone software, and the lock screen PIN buttons have changed appearance! They are now shifted up, smaller (circular with spaces in between them, instead of square and using the whole screen area), and less responsive. This seems like a terrible idea from a UX standpoint- completely messing up my muscle-memory; now every time I try to log in to my phone, I screw up the pin at least twice. Very annoying.

Examples: Before the lock-screen PIN had something like this, with square buttons, except they were larger & took up the whole the middle of the lock screen:

Now, this is the awful new lock-screen PIN layout:

Phone Specs:

* Galaxy S10e (SM-G970U)
* Android Version 11
* ONE UI version 3.0
* New Software Version: G970USQU4FTLN / G970UOYN4FTLN / G970USQU4FTN

What I've tried: When I try to look up this issue, most of the responses will be about changing my PIN lock-method to a password / pattern, etc. lock method, or changing the PIN itself. Those Q&A's I've found addressing the appearance / behavior of the lock screen tend to say it's inbuilt to the system & nothing you can do except for really cracking your phone software. I also don't see anything in Accessibility options, but maybe I'm missing something. Any ideas, or is this really something I'm going to have to put up with (until I get mad enough & just throw it in the trash)?

# Answer
There are Apps in the Play Store that provide an alternative lockscreen. Have a look at this page to see some. But from a perspective of security, I would personally avoid using an alternative lockscreen app, as you give your whole security and privacy into the hands of one app. But that's a decision you should make on your own. Android itself does provide the functionality to let other apps handle such important things using Device Administrator rights.

Other workarounds would include using an alternative locking method like Smart Lock or installing another ROM, for example LineageOS. I personally would try getting used to it.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: lock-screens, user-interface, accessibility
---


# Question
Title: GPS turns on every time WiFi network is changed
Whenever i change WiFi network, GPS just keeps turning on. I turned off GPS and **change system settings** permissions for every app, but it still keeps happening. **Recent location requests** shows that no apps have used that permission. Turning off google's **find my phone** also doesn't help. What is going on?

Device: Samsung Galaxy s10

# Answer
You can try to go to Settings -\> Connections -\> Wi-Fi -\> Three-Dots-Menu -\> Advanced -\> Turn on Wifi automatically -\> turn this setting off.

It seems like some devices claim access to GPS in order to find the available WiFi networks if this setting is activated.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: wi-fi, gps, gps-tracking, samsung-galaxy-s-10, android-11
---


# Question
Title: Linux program to transfer file from/to an android device?
Do you know if there is a linux program (possibly nautilus plugin) to transfer file from/to an android device? What is in my mind is a program which does "adb push", "adb pull", and "adb shell ls" in the background and has a GUI.

Thanks,

# Answer
> 6 votes
There's QtADB which uses adb.

You can also install an SSH or ftp server on the phone and then use Nautilus with ssh://ip-or-name-of-your-phone/ or ftp://ip-or-name-of-your-phone/ URLs (you can create bookmarks in Nautilus). The cool thing about a standard SSH or ftp server on your phone is that you don't have to install anything special on the computer.

I use QuickSSHd on the phone, but there are also other SSH servers available (search the market, please).

Ftp servers I know are SwiFTP and FTPServer. I didn't test these with Nautilus yet, but they should work.

# Answer
> 4 votes
If you install Eclipse with the Android SDK there is a perspective called DDMS that includes a file explorer. You can easily copy files from/to the device with this tool, which uses adb push/pull in background.

Another way is to simply unmount the SD card from the phone and use it as a mass storage. But in this mode you can access only the SD card and the debug mode must be disabled which can be annoying if you need the device to stay in debug mode for development.

# Answer
> 0 votes
You can get such an interface with Emacs TRAMP and tramp-adb.el.

# Answer
> 0 votes
The best solution for integration into Nautilus is nowadays `adfs-rootless`, as suggested at Software Recommendations.

---
Tags: adb, linux, file-transfer
---


# Question
Title: Quick way to show unread emails in inbox in Gmail app?
Is there a quick (menu / tap) way of viewing the unread emails in your inbox? Or at least showing the unread emails at the top of the list of emails, in other words sorted by unread/read (temporarily)?

The only way I have found to do this is to search for `is:unread in:inbox` which is not ideal on the phone's touch screen IMO.

Is there a quicker way?

# Answer
Doesn't seem to be, the search is the only way as of now, however; if you use the browser there is an option to view only unread emails.
> 4 votes

# Answer
is:unread doesn't work well because it also shows up the archived emails that are also unread but uninteresting.

As of 2021, a better way is to do Settings -\> Unread first
> 2 votes

# Answer
I had the same issue. Tried in vain. Search is the only way - inelegant but works. And repeat searches are relatively easy if one does not have too many previous searches with different filters.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Tap the magnifying glass on the top left corner of your screen to launch the search function. In the search field text box, enter is:unread in:inbox Launch the search and there you go! All the unread messages come up first.
> 1 votes

# Answer
another option is to make a label for unread mails.

1. Make a label for unread mails (Gmail won't let you name it "unread" but you can call it something else. I called it "unread mail")
2. Make a filter. In the filter write under "has the words": "is:unread label:inbox"
3. Press "create filter"
4. Apply the label 5."apply filter to ...." at the bottom
5. "create filter"

Now you can access the unread mail through the label section and once you open it in on your Android through the "recent labels".
> 0 votes

# Answer
It is very easy

* Open your Gmail App (android)
* On the top left side click on the 3 horizontal lines
* Scroll all the way down and click on settings
* Click on your email Account eg

General setting `xxxx@gmail.com` Add Account

Click on your Gmail account (`xxxx` is for an example you should have your account there instead)

Click on the Inbox and select Unread First

Now when you go back and click on the 3 horizontal lines you will see Inbox and Unread ;)
> 0 votes

---
Tags: gmail
---


title: Add Maps-URL to homescreen

text:
# Question
Title: Add Maps-URL to homescreen
How can I add a shortcut with this url to my Homescreen?

`https://maps.app.goo.gl/1234567`

When I open this URL in Chrome, the Maps Application starts and shows the desired page/activity. But because of this instant redirect from Chrome to Maps it's impossible to use chrome's builtin add-to-homescreen feature for this type of URL.

The final Shortcut should open the Maps-App as Chrome already does. The final shortcut may open my browser just for the redirect into Maps, so a simple URL-Shortcut should be fine.

I tried QuickshortcutMaker but it does not offer to add URLs.

# Answer
Found a solution.

I use the App "Url Shortcut" and add a shortcut to open Chrome to navigate and redirect to Maps. For this the URL needs to be changed:

`googlechrome://navigate?url=https://maps.app.goo.gl/1234567`
> 2 votes

---
Tags: google-maps, home-screen-shortcuts, home-screen, url
---


# Question
Title: How to fix Xperia Z3 Dual flashtool driver too old error?
I'm trying to install .575 firmware on my Xperia Z3 dual D6633 device with flashtool but as i connected to the pc (with vol down pressed) flashtool says `ERROR - Device connected in flash mode but driver is too old`. How I can fix this? I'm on latest Marshmallow update and unlocked bootloader.

# Answer
Go to drive C and locate `C:\Flashtool\drivers`.

"flashtool" folder. Open it. Then folder "drivers", open the folder. You will see an application "flashtool drivers". Run this application as admin. Select the flash tool drivers and the fastboot drivers.

Follow the wizard by pressing next.

You must be connected to internet.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: rom-flashing, flashtool, sony-xperia-z3
---


# Question
Title: Disable search suggestions based on current page
Chrome has recently started offering search suggestions based on whatever is currently in the tab when I enter the address bar, like this:

How can I disable this?

# Answer
> 1 votes
From 3 dots menu → settings → Sync and Google services →uncheck Autocomplete searches and URLs

Source: **Chrome Privacy Whitepaper**

---
Tags: chrome-for-android
---


# Question
Title: Turn phone on with damaged power & volume button?
if Power and volume button is busted, is it possible to turn phone on by using adb or fastboot or any other method?

Or may be, How a powered off phone communicate with the power button and other things(i.e charging animation,volume button etc)? perhaps is it possible to tweak this communication to gain access externally?

**Curious, solving this issue by software means, possible?**

# Answer
> 0 votes
You did not mention your phone model, so we can only give broad answer:

On my samsung tablet there is easy way without power button. only press Volume Down + Home Button + connect charger will bring up odin mode splash screen (with additional options). with Volume Down select reboot

---

For more details on how things work please read the linked questions:

> *How a powered off phone communicate with the power button*

What is the fastest way to shutdown unrooted Android phone?

> *perhaps it is possible to tweak this communication to gain access externally*

very hard challenge and not possible by software only, this kind of communication is proprietary low level protocol. furthermore that requires physical access to pcb board

> *is it possible to turn phone on by using adb or fastboot*

No. external access via usb by

* `adb` requires running adb daemon on device. that is only the case in recovery or boot mode
* `fastboot` requires device running on fastboot mode, which is generally not supported on samsung devices
* other application on host requires device running in other mode. Such applications are flash tools like Odin/heimdall or EDL programmer tools (qualcomm only)

---

The auto-reboot after flash trick without power button is similar on most flash tools. It works best on Mediatek devices because preloader mode is activated only by plug in usb cable without pressing any button.
Samsung download mode can be achieved with JIG dongle.

Flashing official stock ROM will reboot phone when done with flashing

---
Tags: samsung, fastboot, power-on
---


title: How to pick a phone for long usage?

text:
# Question
Title: How to pick a phone for long usage?
Is it possible to buy an Android phone for 5 years?

First, replaceable battery, yes.

But then, will I be able to use new and newer Android versions?

# Answer
Yes, it is possible to buy an Android phone that will last for 5 years. My phone has served me well for 7-8 years, so far, and I believe it will last even longer.

However, you can't tell what will happen in the future. So, here's some other thoughts.

The phone will definitely need a replaceable battery as batteries go bad.

Best thing to do would be to buy a phone that is popular or that you believe will be popular in the future.

Custom ROMs are key, as already mentioned. XDA is where you'd likely find custom ROMs.

If the phone is popular enough, then in the future, with more people owning the phone, it will be more likely that there will exist someone that is able to and willing to create and maintain a custom ROM. However, with a phone that has many models, some models may get more or less attention.

Also, with a phone that is popular will likely mean that there will be more replacement parts available in the future...although a lot of phones, I believe, are being made to be less serviceable...so that more people replace their phones.

I have a Samsung Note 3 that was first released in September of 2013. It had Android 4.4 and later Android 5.0 also. Nothing after that. I was OK with it, except that some apps stopped functioning or were updated, requiring newer Android versions. Luckily, XDA had a custom ROM for Android 10 and now for Android 11. I was also lucky that the person(s) creating and maintaining the ROM(s) has/have a Note 3 model compatible to mine. It's fast enough and has most, if not all, of the things that most current phones have/do. I replaced the battery with an extended battery and can get up to 7-10 days of usage by minimizing screen use. Main thing it doesn't have is the upgraded cameras that are available now. There are some other items too, such as fingerprint sensors missing. Liked it so much, I bought a second hand one for $60.

You'll also probably want a phone that is sufficiently fast as future apps will likely be more "intensive". Another thing is that you'll probably want one with sufficient RAM/ROM so that future larger apps and ROMs will have enough free space.

Depending on what you'll be using the phone for, you might actually want to buy an older, released phone that meets some or all of the above. I believe the replaceable battery will be the biggest item. This way, you can verify whether ROMs are available, such as on XDA. Also, chances are, if there's a custom ROM available, it's more likely that there will be future custom ROMs available for future versions of Android.
> 6 votes

---
Tags: android-versions
---


# Question
Title: Access data on device with broken screen (Samsung Galaxy Ace 4)
The screen on my Samsung Galaxy Ace 4 broke (running Android 4.4) and I really, really wish to get all my photos and other data off it. The phone has a pattern lock screen as well as an additional PIN if the pattern is entered wrong. I've tried numerous methods:

* I can turn my phone on, hear the startup sound, all the buttons work (even the two touch buttons for back and menu)
* when I plug in my phone onto my PC, the device shows up but is empty - need to unlock the phone first.
* Touch doesn't respond, so no vision and no touch =\> no way to normally unlock phone.
* Galaxy Ace 4 does NOT support USB OTG, so plugging in a mouse to TRY to do something is out of the question as well.
* I don't have USB debugging enabled
* The device was never rooted
* Maybe that is why I cannot get ADB to work either...
* There are a few software solutions available that claim to be capable of unlocking your phone's screen through USB, or being able to get your data off your phone, but NONE of them support Galaxy Ace 4 explicitly.
* I DO have Airdroid installed on the phone, but WiFi and other means of connectivity are turned off on the device and I know of no way to re-enable them with a broken screen
* therefore Google's Android Device Manager was of no help

At this point I feel I have tried everything. Is there anything else I can do? Screen replacement is roughly $100, and I don't care about this phone anymore as a device, I just want the data. Maybe it's possible to somehow connect a different screen (from a cheaper/older phone? Not just this exact model), it doesn't have to fit perfectly, it can even hang loose on a thread, I just need to unlock the device.

Recently we can often hear in the news how governments hacked someone's phone (a captured terrorist or such), so is there literally any other way I could get into mine? I do know both the PIN and the pattern, and of course credentials to my Google account.

# Answer
> 1 votes
What I would try to recover at least some of the data, if all the things you already mentioned did not work:

---

Disclaimer: I did not perform this exact same steps on the Ace 4, but only on a much older Samsung Device. So I can't guarantee that this works, and I'm not responsible for data loss, so do this at your own risk. This is a hop or drop approach.

---

Part of the process is shown in a video here. I'll put a textual description and some sidenotes below:

1. On a Windows PC, install Odin3. It can be downloaded here. Odin is a flashing tool for Samsung devices, allowing to flash alternative ROMs or a custom recovery. A recovery is sort of a mini-operating system in your phone, allowing to access some deep-level options and modifications. The recovery that is installed by default has a highly limited functionality, so we will install another recovery in the next steps. This other recovery could be able to let you access files stored on your phone.
2. Power off your phone.
3. Put your Ace 4 into download mode by pressing the combination Power Button + Home Button + Volume down key for several seconds. The process can be seen in the linked video. As shown in the video, press Volume Up to confirm going into download mode. Download mode basically means that your device is in a state now where system files (including the recovery) can be modified.
4. Start Odin on your PC, connect your phone to the PC and wait for Odin recognizing the device.
5. Download the CWM recovery that is linked below the video. Download the "CWM Recovery", not "Philz Recovery".
6. Select the AP field in Odin and select the tar.md5 file you just downloaded.
7. Leave all other Odin options as they are, and hit start.
8. Wait until Odin is finished.
9. As soon as Odin is finished, turn off the phone and reboot your phone into recovery mode by pressing and holding Power Button + Home Button + Volume Up button for a few seconds. IMPORTANT: At this point, with a new recovery flashed, I'm not sure if you will still be able to boot into normal Android OS. Most recoveries are not compatible with the default Android OS.
10. Now, you should have a new recovery on your phone, as seen on the video. This recovery provides some useful functions. Now try to connect your phone to PC and see if it appears in Windows Explorer as a device with all the subfolders in your phones internal storage.
11. If nothing appears, now comes the challenging part: We need to navigate to the option "mount and storage" that is shortly seen in the video. This can be done using the volume up / down keys and the power key to confirm.
12. Once you (probably) are in that section, it should look like seen in this picture. Now we want to mount partitions named "ext\_sd" or "sdcard" or similar. At this point with a broken screen its gonna be trial and error. I think usually the 4th entry is /sdcard, so after entering the screen, you should press volume down three times and confirm hitting the power button. As far as I remember, this will toggle the state from unmounted to mounted. If you're lucky, you device will show up in Windows Explorer then. If not, hit the power button again to revert the change you just made and make another try by hitting volume down once again to select the next entry.

I think now how you see what I meant with hop or drop approach, especially with a broken screen - this is probably the last chance to get the data, but also could mess up your device. As I said, try it at own risk. If you try it, though, I will be curious to hear whether this worked out. If you have any other questions, let us know.

# Answer
> 0 votes
AFAIK Samsung phones have WiFi option in their power menu so if that is true in your case and also if you have Airdroid configured to connect on having proper connection to a server i.e., PC than you may have a chance of communicating with the device.
Do try and report back

---
Tags: backup, lock-screens, broken-screen, samsung-galaxy-ace
---


title: Cannot Enable Certificates

text:
# Question
Title: Cannot Enable Certificates
I've got a Samsung Galaxy J3 Prime running Oreo 8.1 that is getting NET::ERR\_CERT\_AUTHORITY\_INVALID on literally every website, regardless of browser. When I check the security certificates (Settings -\> Security -\> Other Security Settings -\> View Security Settings) I see that every certificate is disabled and if I try to enable them they seems to disable again immediately.

I've tried multiple networks and applied all the updates I can with no luck. This is a friend's phone so I don't know if any apps have been installed recently or anything.

Hopefully someone can think of something I have not.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I never did figure out why the certificates were greyed out, but I was able to re-enable them by tapping each one and using the enable button. For some reason the enable slider in the list didn't work, but tapping them and then tapping enable did.

---
Tags: certificates, samsung-galaxy-j3
---


# Question
Title: Why date/time automatic adjustment didn't work?
Recently I went to Italy and bought a pre-paid TIM chip to use while there, because it was much cheaper than the ridiculously high prices of Rogers' roaming.

However, something quite puzzling happened. Whenever I changed batteries (I don't recharge my phone, I change battery to a full one and put the other one to recharge on an external charger) I would lose my date/time, it would reset to 1/Jan/2000. Manually setting it worked, but it was a bit annoying.

I didn't understand why the "Automatic (Use network-provided values)" setting didn't work. I was assuming that the phone would use NTP, and once being able to resolve DNS it should adjust the date/time, but it never did.

Doing some googling I found about NITZ, which apparently Rogers uses but Italian's TIM doesn't. My questions are:

1. is this the reason why automatic updates didn't work?
2. is there a way of changing these configurations? (use NTP instead of NITZ for example, or some other configuration that would make the automatic update work, other than installing an app)

# Answer
> 0 votes
1. Most likely.
2. If your phone is rooted, you can install an app that will sync the clock using NTP. (Just search for NTP on Google Play: there are many such apps.)

# Answer
> 0 votes
BAT500 is capacitor which hold charge when battery is removed. If capacitor discharge fast then time change to 1 June 2000. I am not sure that problem is with capacitor. You can check for it.

When you connect to network. it take local time zone. So I do not think you need to change NTP protocol.

---
Tags: date-and-time
---


# Question
Title: Changing Android Studio Emulator from localhost:port to 192.168.x.x
I am trying to figure out how to change Android Studio's Emulator so that it can be reached from a different IP from the host machine. Currently I can access it at localhost:5554. I am trying to start a listener on port 64006 of the emulator but anything I send to that port from my host machine doesn't reach the Android because it is running on port 5554 and listening on port 64006 within that.

# Answer
> 0 votes
**SOLUTION**

I was able to fix this issue by doing the following:

1. Telnet onto the emulator (telnet localhost portNum)
2. Auth using the auth command and token in your user folder (.emulator\_console\_auth\_token)
3. Use the redir command once authenticated "redir add tcp:123:456" (This command says to send anything destined for host port 123 to port 456 on the android emulator)

---
Tags: wi-fi, android-emulator, android-studio
---


# Question
Title: Can't access photo stored in SD Card from computer
I have **Android 4.4.2**, and when i plug my phone in my pc, and try to access to my picture (i changed the settings to make it save the picture to my SD Card) from the folder: `Galaxy\Card\DCIM`, i dont see a thing, although when i go (in my phone) to **"My files"**, and select **"images"**, i can see all the images, and when i see the details, the path of the picture is `/storage/extSdCard/DCIM/Camera/2015....jpg`, but i cant even see the **"Camera"** folder in the pc.

UPDATE: Even if browse to the `/storage/extSdCard/DCIM/` folder with the file manager app it's empty!

# Answer
Most modern devices don't give you direct access to the sdcard from your computer. The "sdcard" is just an emulated storage area which can not be separately unmounted and provided to your computer via USB. They explained this sometime ago when it was introduced with 4.0? 4.1?

What you see on your computer is what the Android Media-Content-Provider knows.

In your case it's not up to date with the current content. To get it syncronized you will have to trigger a media scan.

See this question for how: How do I refresh/rescan the SD memory in Android 4.4 KitKat

If a normal media scan does not bring it into a consistent state:

There is a system app called similar to "Media storage" (packagename com.android.providers.media on a Nexus5), you can clear it's data and then do a media scan to start from a clean state.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Newer Android versions have prevented this for a while by default but it is easy to change. When plugging in your phone using a USB cable there is a drop-down on the status bar with a few options. To see the card and navigate to it directly, select *Transfer Files* or something similar (It used to be labelled Mass-Storage Transfer).

This is working *right now* on my phone. Just mounted the device and it shows on the Desktop. Open it shows *Internal Shared Storage* plus the label of my *MicroSDXC Card*. Open that allows me to navigate and see all my images which are being stored on the card, just like with your setup.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: sd-card
---


# Question
Title: Can an Android phone pull contact data from somewhere other than Google Contacts?
Is it possible for an Android phone to source contacts data from somewhere other than Google Contacts? If so, does it only do this by syncing, or can it actually connect to some other contact service or provider to source contact details directly?

Or, is Google Contacts literally the *only* place it will look for contact data?

# Answer
There are several sources that can be used for contacts. I eg use CardDAV (and CalDAV for calendars) with my own Nextcloud install (an app named DAVx5, formerly called DAVDroid, takes care for the sync). There are more sync apps available, and also other, more light-weight server software (like Baïkal).

You can also use a local contact storage and take care for backups manually (using the Contact app's export/import feature). On-device they all use the same database (which has a field to mark the source, so data added to one does not get accidentally synced to another). If your device does not provide such local storage, apps like MyLocalStorage can provide it.

Should you want to hide contacts from other apps, you'd need to keep them away from the "ContactsStorageProvider" offered by the system. This is possible using apps that provide their own contact storage, such as Contact Book or OpenContacts.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: contacts, google-contacts
---


# Question
Title: Intrusive Google Play Store advertisements appear as soon as I start charging my phone
I get these types of full screen ads as soon as I charge my phone:

I don't even have to unlock the screen, the ad sound starts playing as soon as I plug in my phone. In order to get rid of it, I installed a third party app called `Blokada` and it worked and if I see which all ads are popping up, the app says that the ads are:

1. app.adjust.com
2. mobile.pipe.aria.microsoft.com

So I guess these ads are responsible for those intrusive popups. I have tried multiple antivirus applications but none of them showed that I have any virus/malware. Is there anyway I can remove these adwares from my phone ?

# Answer
> 10 votes
It isn't a Virus. So, no anti-virus or malware scanner will catch this.

It is just an app which adds lockscreen ads to your device while charging. These ads are set so that they only appear while charging. Some apps even advertise that this makes the device charge faster.

Such ads are included with many free apps and you need to find out which app is showing them on your lockscreen. The most usual culprits are - Avast Anti-virus (Yes!), ES File explorer (the probably stopped now), UC Browser, Xender, Clean Master, and many other so called *device booster*, battery booster, CPU booster, memory booster type apps.

I'm sorry but you'll have to figure it on your own from this point. It is impossible to pin-point a particular app because there are just so many of then which do this.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I just found that "email all in one" was causing this problem on my Samsung android phone. I uninstalled it, unplugged the charger plugged it back in, and no ads popped up, nor the annoying "fast charge" option, which i never used, but the "Not now" box could not be selected because it was greyed out!

---
Tags: google-play-store, 7.0-nougat, ads, popup
---


# Question
Title: How can two apps access the microphone simultaneously?
If an app tries to access the microphone while the microphone is already being accessed, it fails.

How can I make two or more apps access the microphone at the same moment?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Simply you can't. because microphone just like camera is a hardware part of the phone and it's drivers connects to only one source, there is a way to make this work but it will be difficult, by using an app to transfer the audio came from microphone and stream it to another app.

# Answer
> 1 votes
It was possible in earlier versions of Android. And I find the same problem, too. **Using the third-party apps** seems to fix this problem.

**From www.androidpolice.com;** Privileged apps have higher priority than ordinary apps. Apps with visible foreground UIs have higher priority than background apps. Apps capturing audio from a privacy-sensitive source have higher priority than apps that are not. Two ordinary apps can never capture audio at the same time. In some situations, a privileged app can share audio input with another app. If two background apps of same priority are capturing audio, the last one started has higher priority.

**Reference:**

1. https://www.androidpolice.com/2019/09/12/android-10-allows-multiple-apps-to-access-your-microphone-at-once/
2. https://gadgetstouse.com/blog/2020/05/06/working-trick-to-record-whatsapp-video-and-voice-calls/

---
Tags: microphone, voice-command
---


# Question
Title: Is it normal for an Android OS upgrade to change bitness on an upgrade?
I support an Android app, that uses native files. (multiple APKs) Some app setup is done on first startup, (which is different for 32bit + 64bit).

Recently I dealt with a bug report, caused by a users OS being upgraded from Android 7.1 to android 8.1. Surprisingly to me, the OS changed from 32bit to 64bit. I don't have direct contact with the user, so I don't know if this was the user manually upgrading the OS on a rooted device, or a standard OS upgrade.

Is this a normal thing that can happen for non rooted devices?

# Answer
> 0 votes
I was wrong about what was happening.

I was using a C#/Xamarin call to determine the OS bitness : "`Environment.OSVersion.VersionString"` Which I mistakenly believed would tell me the os bitness rather than process bitness. (I was already using `IntPtr.Size` to determine process bitness)

---
Tags: updates
---


title: Reset PIN from adb shell

text:
# Question
Title: Reset PIN from adb shell
I have forgotten the PIN of a device but I do have access to a root shell with `adb shell` and `su`

*Is there some way I could remove the screen PIN lock or change it?*

# Answer
> 4 votes
if your device is not encrypted with login credentials you can delete `locksettings.db`

```
adb shell su -c "rm /data/system/locksettings.db*"

```

However, bear in mind the following files are required for FBE encryption. If you delete these files you won't be able to decrypt userdata partition, all data is lost

```
/data/system/gatekeeper.password.key
/data/system/gatekeeper.pattern.key
/data/system/locksettings.db
/data/system/locksettings.db-shm
/data/system/locksettings.db-wal

```

# Answer
> 4 votes
@alexcs solution can work without root / su (sorry I can't comment on his answer) :

```
adb reboot recovery

```

(wait for reboot)

```
adb shell rm /data/system/locksettings.db

```

and reboot into normal mode with :

```
adb reboot

```

# Answer
> 3 votes
## The big axe

A brute force solution existed as I had access to fastboot too.

To remove the PIN, removed the entire userdata partition with `fastboot`

`fastboot erase userdata`

as described here: https://android.stackexchange.com/a/175887/320098

---
Tags: adb, locked-out
---


title: Keyboard overlaps text boxes

text:
# Question
Title: Keyboard overlaps text boxes
I've been having this strange issue for a while where my keyboard overlaps in app text boxes. It happens with every kind of text box that sits on top of the keyboard. It seems like it aligns with the bottom of the selected text rather than the box. It's really annoying to type this way. Especially when trying to edit something higher up in the text. I then have to close the keyboard in order to be able to go back to the end and put my cursor there.

I attached a screen shot of the issue. It's showing SwiftKey but it also happens with the default keyboard.

I'm running lineage os 17.1.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Apparently this is not a common issue as I have found nobody else having it. I found that the issue is only present in the full screen mode (i.e: when te status bar is hidden). Cant really wrap my head around why that would happen but at least it's a fix for now.

---
Tags: keyboard, lineageos, text-input
---


# Question
Title: Unlocking capability of a locked Samsung Galaxy J3 Emerge phone only for medical purpose
I have just been given a very special type of a phone and I want to know what I can do with it. Let me explain my situation:

I just got a Medtronic pain pump installed via surgery and after I was given a Samsung Galaxy J3 Emerge phone to control it. When they gave it to me, they just said it is to control the pump and nothing else could be done with it. Yeah I do not believe that.

I researched the phone and found that it is a Samsung Galaxy J3 Emerge that runs Android 7.0. The phone looks like it is capable of everything a normal phone can do so I ordered it a case.

Medtronic has basically taken all the apps off the phone like internet browsing, Google Play Store, app to make phone calls, and a texting app. They then installed all of their apps like one to control the pain pump, a web browser the doctor can use in his office, and a user manual for the pump.

I connected it to my Wi-Fi already. What I want to know is, how do I put a web browser, the Google Play Store, and all the regular apps back on it?

I do not want to delete or mess up the pain pump controls but I want to try to use this phone like a regular phone and unlock its full potential.

# Answer
DO NOT USE THE DEVICE FOR ANYTHING BUT WHAT MEDTRONIC SET IT UP FOR as ANY or all additional software (apps) often co-use code and you May open the MEDTRONIC Controller up to a plethora of vulnerabilities thus causing pain pump management System (galaxy phone) to received improper direction which may lead to over or under medicating.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: applications, google-play-store, browser, samsung-galaxy-j3
---


# Question
Title: Why is suggested to OEM unlock when LinageOS can be installed without it
I have a "LENOVO Tab 2 A10-30" which got frozen after the update in the startup loop - did not start after displaying the Lenovo logo. I decided to reinstall it with the LineageOS, and for that I needed (according the articles) to do oem unlock. According articles I should get the OEM unlock key from settings or allow it in the settings - which I can't access as the device won't boot up.

So I tried bunch of commands from the commandline (ubuntu 20.04), I could not OEM unlock, but I was able to install LineageOS just fine. **My question is - how come that it worked, even though it should not be able to unlock the OEM? What happened there?**

Started device with holding vol up:

```
$ adb devices
List of devices attached
0123456789ABCDEF    sideload

```

Then I am not sure now what I selected in the menu, but then I went:

```
$ fastboot devices
84afc61e    fastboot

$ fastboot oem unlock
...
FAILED (remote: oem unlock is not allowed)
finished. total time: 0.002s

$ fastboot oem unlock-go
...
FAILED (remote: oem unlock is not allowed)
finished. total time: 0.002s

$ fastboot oem get_unlock_data
...
FAILED (remote: unknown command)
finished. total time: 0.002s

fastboot oem device-info
...
(bootloader)    Device tampered: false
(bootloader)    Device unlocked: false
(bootloader)    Device critical unlocked: true
(bootloader)    Charger screen enabled: true
(bootloader)    Display panel:
OKAY [  0.007s]
finished. total time: 0.007s

```

But I tried to flash in the TWRP recovery image anyhow:

```
$ fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
target reported max download size of 262144000 bytes
sending 'recovery' (11700 KB)...
OKAY [  0.446s]
writing 'recovery'...
OKAY [  0.947s]
finished. total time: 1.393s

$ fastboot boot recovery.img
downloading 'boot.img'...
OKAY [  0.449s]
booting...
OKAY [  0.023s]
finished. total time: 0.471s

```

After that, with volume up on boot I got in to TWRP menu; where I installed gaps and LineageOS zips, and after reboot it was just there.

My research links:

# Answer
> -1 votes
The official way does not always work, if your phone and flashing are ok, don't touch them is the idea.

Official way to unlock a bootloader, its different for different phones, but it I post a general overview:

1. Back Up Anything You Want to Keep
2. Use Android SDK or the light verision of the SDK called platform tools and the IMEI of your phone to get an unlock key for the bootloder. The unlock key or the procedure to get it can be found on your manufacturer's site.
3. Go to fastboot mode and enter: fastboot oem unlock UNLOCK\_KEY

Read more here:

This is for Sony devices.

Unlocking a locked bootloader will wipe all user data (but not the ROM) from the device. This is a security mechanism, so you can't get at the data on a phone by installing your own ROM on it.

Its locked for security reasons, because it controls all the hardware, independantly from the operating system.

You can read more about bootloaders here.

---
Tags: adb, fastboot, installation, lineageos
---


# Question
Title: Make system app remain uninstalled/disabled permanently
I already know that I can uninstall an android system app using adb `pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.package.name`, which is quite useful but not enough.

There are some system apps that I have to continuously uninstall and reinstall for several reasons, and connecting my smartphone to the pc every time is something I would gladly avoid.

Is there any method (possibly apart from rooting my device) to prevent a disabled/uninstalled system app from being reinstalled?

Thanks in advance

---

EDIT: As suggested by @Robert:

* Model name: Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro
* Android version: 10 (Q)
* MIUI version: 12.0.4
* Package name: com.google.android.youtube (mainly)

# Answer
There is no such option. The solution is customer specific. On some phones the app stays disabled, on others it gets reactivated, because the OS decides its necessary. Its possible that some setting or some other app makes the disabled one necessary, which leads to its re-activation.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: uninstallation, root-access, adb
---


# Question
Title: What are the files in the phoneypot directory?
I am running LineageOS 17.1 Lavender. Can anyone tell me the purpose of the files located in the `/phoneypot` directory in my Android device?

# Answer
I had an app called Haven installed on my system, and it turns out that *phoneypot* directory is created and used by this app. Thanks to @beeshyams for the answer to my query.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: file-system, lineageos
---


# Question
Title: Possible to view history of apps LOOKED at on Google Play?
I was wondering, is it possible to view a history of apps I looked at on Google Play, but didn't necessarily download?

I went down a lengthy rabbit hole of suggested apps and then my Play Store app suddenly crashed...

I am hoping against all hope there might be a general viewing history. I am already aware of how to see a list of currently installed apps, and a list of apps I have (ever) downloaded.

If no such list/history exists or can be cleverly made, perhaps I shall lookup apps through the browser in the future, since surely I would be able to see a history as it would appear like any other webpage visited I would think. However this would certainly be less convenient and would lack the other features and benefits that are a part of the actual app.

Anyways, thanks for your insight and your time. Barrage

# Answer
> 0 votes
There is no option and actually from my experience, spending countless hours on finding a solution for such a minor problem is not good. It only brings headaches.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Neither the Play Store app, nor the Google Takeout offers this data.

It is in the interests of Google to keep a track of visited/seen apps by a user so as to customize its recommendations to that user, but the data collected is not available to the user. You might want to create a support request in the Google Play Community to get this data, but my guess is that you are likely to see no useful response there. Good luck.

Furthermore, and this is just a wild recommendation, if you are a EU citizen you *might* be able to get a hold of this data if you formally request it. See What personal data and information can an individual access on request?.

---
Tags: applications, google-play-store, history
---


# Question
Title: Deleting Hardware files leads sometimes to brick the phone
I started recently to look up for a way to permanently disable my wifi, bluetooth, NFS, Network and GPS. Unfortunately I didnt find a proper method to do that. There was the option to physically break the hardwares, but I didnt want to risk that, if I get something wrong there I wouldnt have a 2nd chance. Except of that, there was only some ways to disable the wifi but it was easy to re-enable it again.

Anyways I figured out, that I need to root my device in order to remove hardware files, but the problem is I dont know WHICH files would be okay to remove.

I'm using a samsung galaxy s8 with Android 9 Pie

Till now I rooted my device twice and deleted hardware files,

the first time I deleted wifi hardware files from the system/etc/permissions folder. That lead to brick my phone.

The second time I deleted hardware files of bluetooth and nfc from:

system/lib

system/lib64

system/vendor/etc/init

system/vendor/etc

system/vendor/lib64

system/vendor/permessions

surprisingly it worked, I totally disabled bluetooth and nfc.

Then I wanted to proceed to remove gps (I figured out S8 aint using gps but gnss) so I removed the gnss files and folders. But this time, it bricked my phone, so I had to reinstall the samsung firmware again and now I rooted my device again.

Before I start trying again, I would like to ask you, if any of you have some knowledge about this and if there is any no-go files, which I should never remove or smth.

I dont really just want to try out over and over, it is taking much time to do all this... I hope somebody can help me out.

Additionally, do any of you know how the network hardware is called? basically the hardware which lets you call people or just the hardware which connects to a network provider.

---

The reason why I want to do this shouldnt be important right? but if you want to know why:

I want to keep my privacy. I want to be able to connect to the internet only via ethernet cable and also I want to use my device more as a map to plan routes, camera, calc etc.

ALOT of other people want to do this too, but nobody (after searching for over 20 hours) had the right solution. Every way I found, it was possible to reenable it easily.

Thank you for taking your time and reading my issue! I hope you can help!!

I will give an update about this anyways!

# Answer
I'm using a samsung galaxy s8 with Android 9 Pie

Model: SM-G950F

Update:

---

I found a way to disable the following hardware:

(disclaimer: there is probably tons of methods to permanently disable hardware, but this is how it worked for me)

Ofc you need to root you device, I used TWRP as boot loader.

MAKE A BACKUP OF YOUR DEVICE

you could loose your data forever!! and dont do the same mistake I did, not backing up the contacts.

Contacts are NOT in the internal storage, therefore you need to do a back up while rooted!!!

Tip: every file you edit or delete, make a backup of the original one and name it differently. If your android bricked, then you can use TWRP and delete the modified file and rename the backup again to the original name. This would help you to prevent wasting much time.

Bluetooth:

Delete the following file:

/system/vendor/lib64/hw/android.hardware.bluetooth@1.0-impl.so

WiFi:

Delete the following file:

/system/vendor/lib64/vendor.samsung.frameworks.ucm.wifi@1.0.so

GPS:

Delete the following file:

/system/vendor/etc/gnss/gps.xml

Some files I just edited them, these are permissions file, if you delete them completely, android wont work anymore.

You need to delete everything between `<permissions></permissions>`

You can edit the files using text editor

GPS: Edit the following file:

/system/vendor/etc/permissions/android.hardware.location.gps.xml

NFC: Edit the following file:

/system/vendor/etc/permissions/android.hardware.nfc.xml

Telephony: I tried to dial emergency numbers, which should be actually possible with or without a sim card, but it didnt work.

Edit the following file:

/system/vendor/etc/permissions/android.hardware.telephony.gsm.xml

And that's it, now just restart your android and it should work with no problems.

I would recommend to download everything you want to have on your phone, before you get rid of wifi.

WARNING:

Most google applications like google map wont work, after you get rid of the gnss/gps. Google doesnt like it, if you turn off your location lol

The network data (LTE, 4G ...etc) is not tested and I am not sure if it is even disabled, I have the feeling that Telephony is not the same. I dont use a sim card anyways, so yeah. But if I found out a solution for that too, I will post it here for sure!

have fun!!
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung, rooting, file-system, hardware
---


# Question
Title: How to set the notification dots on a Moto G6?
I activated the notification dots on my Moto G6 following this process: Settings \> Apps & notifications \> Notifications \> Allow notification dots, but the dots are not appearing.

Did I do something wrong? How can I solve this?

# Answer
> 0 votes
I am also having this issue. Notification dots are enabled on all apps but don't work.

I do not have any 3rd-party notification apps. I have cleared the cache and data from the "Moto App Launcher" application and restarted it. No difference.

I did, just now, download an application for notifications and it works. So annoying. Moto App Launcher obviously has some issues/flaws.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Scroll down from top of screen. If it says 'Notifications paused by do not disturb', then that's the issue. Probably activated it by an accidental swipe/touch.

# Answer
> -1 votes
Go to Special App access -\> Notification Access -\> Enable Moto App launcher

# Answer
> -1 votes
Make sure you do not have Data Saver turned on. This will prevent the notifications from appearing and will also cause email delivery issues.

---
Tags: notifications, motorola-moto-g, 8.0-oreo
---


# Question
Title: Can Always-On Display on my Galaxy A5 (2017) cause screen burn-in?
Ever since I bought my Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017), I've been using its Always-On Display feature, which displays a clock or calendar with unread notification icons, or one of four preinstalled images on the screen while it's in the "off" state (e.g. locked).

I'm using the Image option as you can see on the screenshot above. I've heard recently that Samsung phones are notorious for being susceptible to screen burn-in because of their AMOLED displays. Is that something I should be concerned about when using the Always-On Display feature?

# Answer
I have been looking around phone shops and playing with the Samsung A5 as I am wanting to get it, and every shop that I went into there the A5 had really bad screen burn. The man explained it was because they were constantly playing in demo mode and never going off, but having the time and and constantly on could cause screen burn so be careful and maybe change the setting.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Well, this should not happen. If you had it turned on for a a while, you will notice always on items actually move around on the screen from time to time, so there will not be any screen burn even though it's an AMOLED screen
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung, screen, samsung-touchwiz, samsung-galaxy-a5
---


# Question
Title: Enable USB debugging in an Android broken screen
I have a broken display which belongs to my friend. The mobile can power on but the display is still blank. I need to enable USB debugging to recover the data. While doing so there are these following .

**Problems:**

1. USB debugging is not enabled
2. Bootloader is locked
3. Mobile has a password (pin or character password)
4. Devevoper options may not be turned on (cant tell now)
5. Devices is not detected via ADB or Fastboot
6. Cant go into the recovery or Fastboot mode
7. Device is not rooted
8. Custom Recovery not installed
9. No SD Card slot

**Terminal Output:**

```
➜  ~ git:(master) ✗ adb devices
List of devices attached

➜  ~ git:(master) ✗ fastboot devices
➜  ~ git:(master) ✗

```

**What I have tried?**

1. Tried Odin and SP Flash tool (Mobile not detected)
2. Tried to enter the recovery and fastboot (No use)
3. Tried ADB in a variety of OS (Win 10, Manjaro, Backbox, Win 7)

So is there any way to enable USB debugging in that device? Or any way of recovering the data. Any small lead that can make this device accessible via a computer is really helpful.

**Note: How this differs from other similar questions:**

Those devices that have this similar problem atleast have USB debugging enabled in the first place. Some can still go to recovery where as I cant. Some have SD card support this phone lacks it.

**Device Description:**

* Manufacturer : *Micromax*
* Model No. : *A350*
* Root Status : *Not rooted*
* Bricked Status : *No*
* Boot Status : *Boots*
* Recovery : *Stock*
* USB debugging : *Not enabled*
* Bootloader : *Locked*
* Phone Lock : *Password or Pin*
* Display Status : *Blank black screen*
* USB OTG : *Supported*
* SD Card Support : *No*

# Answer
> 3 votes
I would suggest: Connect keyboard via usb otg and enter password (buy usb otg if you don't have it). Disconnect keyboard and connect PC, take a screenshot on your phone and load it in the PC. Swap between mouse and PC (mouse to move around some, PC to step by step check how to get there by the screenshots)

# Answer
> 0 votes
Connect your phone with USB to your laptop. Then open the folder **DCIM –\> Screenshots** of your phone with the laptop.

With your phone, open “Settings” and **take a screenshot with your phone physical keys (*e.g. Samsung on Android 10: press VOLUME DOWN + POWER BUTTON very shortly to take a screenshot*) every time you scroll the screen to find “About phone” and “Developer Options” –\> USB-debugging**.

**If your screen is unresponsive**, plug an USB keyboard to your phone with an OTG adapter. Then, use the keyboard to open Settings (Android: press the Windows key on the USB-keyboard to activate Google speech recognition and say "settings") and scroll with the arrow keys to About Phone or Developer Options, while taking screenshots every time you scroll with the arrow keys.

**Look at the screenshots on your computer to find the right place to swipe and touch with your finger** (or if you are using OTG+USB keyboard: **find the right amount of arrow key & Enter key presses** to find USB debugging in Developer Options). Refresh the folder every time you take a new screenshot, a new screenshot should appear in the folder in around 5 seconds.

After USB debugging is turned on, connect your phone with USB to your computer and use **scrcpy** (https://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy) to view your phone screen on your laptop computer.

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, rooting, root-access, fastboot, usb-debugging
---


title: Where does APKMirror.com get its apks?

text:
# Question
Title: Where does APKMirror.com get its apks?
APKMirror.com hosts complete split apks, containing not just the `base.apk` but also many languages/multiple architecture support/vr apks etc. Take for example the contents of this chrome split apk:

https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/chrome/chrome-88-0-4324-93-release/google-chrome-fast-secure-88-0-4324-93-5-android-apk-download/

```
.
├── autofill_assistant.apk
├── autofill_assistant.config.en.apk
├── autofill_assistant.config.ja.apk
├── base.apk
├── cablev2_authenticator.apk
├── chime.apk
├── chime.config.en.apk
├── config.ar.apk
├── config.de.apk
├── config.en.apk
├── config.es.apk
├── config.fr.apk
├── config.hi.apk
├── config.in.apk
├── config.it.apk
├── config.ja.apk
├── config.ms.apk
├── config.nl.apk
├── config.pt.apk
├── config.ru.apk
├── config.th.apk
├── config.zh.apk
├── dev_ui.apk
├── extra_icu.apk
├── image_editor.apk
├── image_editor.config.en.apk
├── stack_unwinder.apk
├── test_dummy.apk
├── vr.apk
├── vr.config.en.apk
└── vr.config.ru.apk

```

Where are they sourcing these from?

# Answer
> 6 votes
ApkMirror.com just accepts APK uploads from users. Anybody can extract APK files from their device and upload them to APKMirror.com. However it is not guaranteed that every upload is published. For ensuring security of uploading APK files each upload is automatically checked regarding it's cryptographic signature if it matches the signer of other versions of the same app.

The APKMirror community has set-up some rules about what APKs are getting provided for download and which not. For more details see their FAQ.

Therefore to answer your question the uploaded APK files can originate for any source. Some are extracted from devices (e.g. originally downloaded via Google Play Store), or the APK files are extracted from alternative app stores, web-sites.

In case of **complete split APK bundles** most likely they have been downloaded by PC based tools from Google Play Store (e.g. Raccoon4) and then uploaded to APKMirror.com. This can work because the Play Store protocol just provides links to all split files and the download client decides which parts to download.

---
Tags: apk
---


title: Android phone slowly charging message

text:
# Question
Title: Android phone slowly charging message
I purchased a TCL 10L phone two days ago. To my surprise when I plugged it, the phone said "Fast Charging" and it charged very fast. People on YouTube say that it does not support fast charging. Anyway, on next day, when I emptied the battery, I plugged the charger in. It said something like slowly charging. I panicked and I removed the plug and plugged it back in. It said fast charging like the first time and is currently charging.

I am worried. Is the device displaying the slowly charging message normal? I have 1 day left to replace the device if there are any issues. Though, I am not sure if this is normal or not. The device does not have any faults so far. So, I would risk getting a new device with the same issue and more issues. The port is USB-C if that matters.

Regards and thanks.

Edit: I unplugged the charger at 97%. Then, replugged it. Now, it says "Charging" only. I tried unplugging/replugging two times and still "Charging" no more fast charging at 97%.

# Answer
> 0 votes
"Slow charging" usually means that the phone wasn't able to confirm that the power source is capable of providing more voltage than the original USB spec allows. This usually happens when the phone is connected to a computer or the cable didn't go all the way in and USB data lines don't contact well. If it doesn't happen too often then it's normal.

---
Tags: usb
---


# Question
Title: Android du and df very different: File System Corrupted?
On an Android Nougat (7.1.1) set top box, `du` and `df` of my `/data` partition are very different:

```
$ adb shell du -sh /data
1.0G    /data
$ adb shell df -H /data
Filesystem      Size  Used Avail Use% Mounted on
/dev/block/sda9  10G   10G  469M  96% /data

```

I don’t think that anything else is mounted under `/data`:

```
$ adb shell mount | grep "\/data"
/dev/block/sda9 on /data type ext4 (rw,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,relatime,discard,noauto_da_alloc,data=ordered)
$ adb shell mount | grep "sda9"
/dev/block/sda9 on /data type ext4 (rw,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,relatime,discard,noauto_da_alloc,data=ordered)

```

`lsof` indicates to me that there are dozens of processes holding hundreds of small deleted files of the sort

```
init          1       root    3w      CHR               1,11       0t0      14517 /dev/__kmsg__ (deleted)
ueventd     391       root    3w      CHR               1,11       0t0      14593 /dev/__kmsg__ (deleted)
  . . .
main        756       root  mem   unknown                                         /dev/ashmem/dalvik-large object space allocation (deleted)
main        756       root  mem   unknown                                         /dev/ashmem/dalvik-large object space allocation (deleted)
  . . .
omm.times  3934     system  mem   unknown                                         /dev/ashmem/dalvik-mark sweep sweep array free buffer (deleted)
omm.times  3934     system  mem   unknown                                         /dev/ashmem/dalvik-mark sweep sweep array free buffer (deleted)

```

Using `busybox`, results are different (`df` shows much less usage), but there is still a large discrepancy between `du` and `df`:

```
$ adb shell busybox du -sh /data
389.4M  /data
$ adb shell busybox df -h /data
Filesystem                Size      Used Available Use% Mounted on
/dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/userdata
                          9.7G      8.6G      1.1G  89% /data

```

And using `toybox`, the results are similar to `busybox`:

```
$ adb shell toybox du -sh /data
389M    /data
$ adb shell toybox df -h /data
Filesystem      Size  Used Avail Use% Mounted on
/dev/block/sda9  10G  8.6G  1.1G  89% /data

```

It think that it's important to note that ***these numbers remain similar after a reboot***.

Also, I wish to note that I cannot OTA update this device's Android due to running out of disk space, even though the OTA image is only about 1GB in size. This fact leads me to believe that the results of `df` are accurate in terms of actual available disk space.

All adb commands are run as root i.e., I did `adb root` before executing them. But at risk of making this question be too verbose, here's everything run at the adb prompt:

```
$ adb shell
Z:/ # whoami
root
Z:/ # du -sh /data
389M    /data
Z:/ # df -h /data
Filesystem      Size  Used Avail Use% Mounted on
/dev/block/sda9  10G  8.6G  1.1G  89% /data
10.197.12.14:/ # busybox du -sh /data
389.4M  /data
Z:/ # busybox df -h /data
Filesystem                Size      Used Available Use% Mounted on
/dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/userdata
                          9.7G      8.6G      1.1G  89% /data
Z:/ # toybox du -sh /data
389M    /data
Z:/ # toybox df -h /data
Filesystem      Size  Used Avail Use% Mounted on
/dev/block/sda9  10G  8.6G  1.1G  89% /data
Z:/ #

```

A user in comments has asked for the following:

```
Z:/ # while read num; do (( sum += num )); done <<< $(find /data -type f -exec stat -c%b {} +); expr $sum / 2048
393

```

I understand that `du` reports free space by scanning reachable nodes, and that this could therefore mean that my file system is corrupt. However, unfortunately, this is for devices in the field, and I don’t want to have to (and don’t think I can) run `fsck` or `e2fsck`.

What might be causing the huge difference between `du` and `df` on this device, and how might this problem be resolved? I’m happy to provide further logs.

# Answer
The /data partition was indeed corrupted.

After running `e2fsck -p /dev/block/sda9`, here was the updated `du` and `df` (again, after doing an `adb root`):

```
$ adb shell du -s /data
1.3G    /data
$ adb shell df -H /data
Filesystem      Size  Used Avail Use% Mounted on
/dev/block/sda9  10G  1.5G  8.9G  15% /data

```

After fixing the file system, the device ran properly and updated successfully thereafter.

(Note that I found that I had to run `e2fsck` with the `-p` option; it wouldn't run interactively for some reason.)

A portion of the output of the above `e2fsck` command is

```
data contains a file system with errors, check forced.
data: Deleted inode 163845 has zero dtime.  FIXED.
data: Deleted inode 163847 has zero dtime.  FIXED.
data: Deleted inode 163849 has zero dtime.  FIXED.
   . . . [snip ] . . .
data: Deleted inode 213003 has zero dtime.  FIXED.
data: Deleted inode 262223 has zero dtime.  FIXED.
data: Deleted inode 303108 has zero dtime.  FIXED.
data: 5203/655360 files (2.0% non-contiguous), 186831/2621440 blocks

```

There were a total of 140 lines of the sort `data: Deleted inode...`

FWIW, we are guessing that this problem was possibly caused by the filesystem becoming full with logs, which then caused corruption during the next attempted download of OTA updates: Those downloads failed, but thereafter left the file system in a corrupted state. Subsequent attempts at those downloads seemed to further corrupt the file system.

Thanks very much to @alecxs for your persistence and relevant details. (However, please note that to run `e2fsck`, the partition /dev/block/sda9 had to be UNmounted.)
> 1 votes

# Answer
`df` stands for "Disk Free". That means, it just needs to check with the "global file system information" about free space (accessible for all users). The size of the file system itself is also "globally available". The difference logically is the "used space". Done.

`du` works differently: not on file system level but on file level. It needs to look up each directory and file separately, gather it's size, and sum that up. So it can only take into account what it has access to.

Now you've run both commands as "normal user" – who has no permission to traverse e.g. `/data/data` (where all the apps' data is stored). So it can only sum up a portion of what space is occupied on `/data`. Would you run both commands as root user (as the screenshot in the comment by alecxs shows), numbers would be much closer together – as usually root can access all files. Though as again Alex correctly points out: there is still SELinux which might deny full access – which according to him is a known issue for `mtk-su` on the Amazon FireTV stick, and might be the culprit here, and isolated mount namespaces could be yet another reason for invisible files.

**TL;DR:** there's neither a file system corruption, nor a broken `du` binary necessarily causing the difference. All might work as designed. If you want to make sure, you can run `fsck` (if you prefer, in read-only mode) to rule out the former – and set up a test case on a different place for the latter.
> 2 votes

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


# Question
Title: Is there a way to root a Samsung Galaxy S4 running LineageOS 17.1?
Following the "Samsung (System-as-root)"\* instructions, I cannot get Magisk to patch lineage-17.1-20210304-nightly-jfltexx-signed.zip for a Samsung Galaxy S4 (SGH-M919). Magisk throws an "unsupported/unknown image format" error.

\*since Magik says SAR=yes

Is there a way to root a Samsung Galaxy S4 running LineageOS 17.1?

cf. "root on 17.1?" r/LineageOS

# Answer
It seems to be a Magisk 22.0 bug (issue #3949).

Rebooting into download mode (`Home` \+ `Volume Down` \+ `Power`) and running

> heimdall flash --RECOVERY Magisk-v21.4.zip

rooted it!
> 1 votes

---
Tags: rooting, samsung-galaxy-s-4, rom, lineageos, magisk
---


# Question
Title: Why can't I select some image files on some apps, while the Gallery app can?
I have a Xiaomi device on Android 8.0 Oreo. I was editing some pictures in an application and sometimes the picture that I want to edit doesn't appear on the editing app, but there's in the gallery.

Why and how to fix this?

# Answer
Photo app can find photos stored on device memory. It support some file extension like png, jpg. If file extension is not supported then it will not appear in photo apps.

You can update apps and also reset it.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: applications, images, file-permissions
---


# Question
Title: Google Hangouts keeps history regardless of settings
I use Hangouts to chat with friends. As I don't want to keep history, I set it to be turned off. So whenever I chat, in the input line I see a constant message of "History is turned off".

However, when I open Hangouts again, I can see messages that were sent days ago.

A simple question: how can I see older messages with history disabled?

# Answer
> 0 votes
The history setting only affects messages as they are sent. Turning history off doesn't delete old messages that were sent while history was turned on. If you want to delete your old messages as well as stopping new messages being saved, you can do this with **Delete** in the chat's menu (or **Delete history** in the web-based client).

# Answer
> 0 votes
Go to settings, apps and touch the app, and click clear data. Now check if you are able to change the settings and the the settings works.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Open the person hangout. You can uncheck conversation history and you can delete conversation.

---
Tags: google-hangouts
---


# Question
Title: Unable to remove Google Account from Sync
I want to remove Google account from AutoSync since I want to use Outlook.com for syncing of my contacts, calendar, email etc. I am able to sync Outlook.com, but unable to remove Google Account from automatically syncing. There is no disable sync button for google Account.

I use a Redmi 1S mobile, on MIUI.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Auto Sync should be enabled for checkboxes to appear. Without Auto Sync on, the checkboxes didn't appear.

# Answer
> 0 votes
When you add google account at that time you will get option for auto sync. You can remove account and add account again.

On android 10 on my mobile, setting / google/ backup and auto sync.

---
Tags: sync
---


# Question
Title: Why do Play Store apps show in Galaxy store?
More recently I noticed something weird on my Samsung Galaxy S9 in the Galaxy Store. I have never used it for any apps other than the Samsung exclusive ones, but yet it shows me updates for some apps that are not from Samsung. For example the DJI Fly app, or the Zoom meetings app or the Discord app. App info for all theses apps say, they were downloaded from Google Play Store, but yet the Samsung Store claims it has updates for these Apps.

Is that normal? If I press update there do I suddenly get these Apps from the Galaxy store and am dependent on when they allow an update to the app?

# Answer
Technically by how an app has been installed (which store, via web browser, any other app or via adb) is just a data flag once that app has been installed.

If an app is available in two stores at the same time with identical signed versions there should not be a problem even switching the stores randomly.

Problems can only arise if the app to be updated has a different `versionCode` (e.g. a fixed offset) in one store.

The `versionCode` is a number internally by Android to prevent users from downgrading an installed app. App updates can only be installed if the app signature is created by the same developer and the `versionCode` is greater than the installed app version.

I have seen developers that have different variants of one app (for different devices, platforms, CPU types...) where each app variant has a different `versionCode`. For example the one app variant has versionCode 0x2000234 and a second variant has the versionCode 0x1000234. Both app variants show same version string to the user but internally looking at the versionCode they are totally different.

It may now happen that if the app in the store A has the versionCode 0x2000234 and the same app of a slightly different variant has the versionCode 0x1000234 in store B. In such a case you could install the app from store A as update of the app in store B but not the other way around.
> 4 votes

---
Tags: google-play-store, samsung
---


# Question
Title: How do I turn off screen turnoff during call?
Even though thr light sensor still works as Ive checked, it turns of screen automatically no matter how lighted the area is and i can only reuse the screen once the call is over. I've followed other directions to check call settings, but i couldn’t find any settings to modify that there. Is there any other ways to disable this?

To reiterate, I'm running Android 10 on Realme 7i.

# Answer
> 0 votes
The screen off feature in phone apps use the proximity sensor rather than the luminosity sensor. I am saying this because my device doesn't have a luminosity sensor, but the screen turns off as soon as I bring it near my face during a call.

To answer your question: There is no Android system setting for this as far as I know. It is completely up to the phone app whether it will turn off the screen. If the caller app that you are using does not give you an option to keep the screen on, your only option is to try other apps that have this feature.

---
Tags: calls, android-10, proximity-sensor, realme
---


# Question
Title: I cannot enter a new email to log in to Google again
I quite recently changed both my mail adress any my password for my google account. When I now try to use my phone (any Google services) I get a screen: Verify that it's you (You were signed out of your Google Account. Sign in again to continue.) When I hit next a new screen comes up: Sign in with your Google Account Then there is a text field that says Email or phone. However in this very text field my old email that used to be associated to my account is written there. When I tap that field nothing happens. I cannot edit / clear that field I can only use my old email. When I hit "forgot email?" it leads to account recovery. If i hit next it says "Couldn't find your Google Account" (fair enough I changed my email...) What can I do, I tried restarting my phone, resetting Google Play and Google Play services in the app settings. I do not have any issues loging in with my computer, only smartphone wise that weird phenomenon occurs. Thanks in advance for any help!

# Answer
> 0 votes
You can remove the Google account from your phone by going to the **settings \> Accounts** menu. There may be some differences in the name or location of the settings entry based on which company made your phone, but it should be something like that.

You can then add your new email/password combo to login to your modified Google account and everything should be fine. The associated accounts are not stored within the data of individual apps (like Play Store or YouTube) and that is why clearing their data does not make a difference.

---
Tags: google
---


title: Find WhatsApp photo's sender in Gallery

text:
# Question
Title: Find WhatsApp photo's sender in Gallery
I lost my mobile so I lost all numbers. I really need to find my best friend's number. I have a photo on my hard disk which he had sent me through WhatsApp before.

Can I find his number through its details? How can I find the WhatsApp photo's sender in the gallery by its details?

# Answer
> 2 votes
you cannot find the sender details from the photo. There's no EXIF data added to the photo which can track its sender. So, that's the answer to your question.

Next, you do have other ways by which you can likely find the number:

1. If you sync contacts to any cloud service (such as Google contacts), you can check there and find out the number.
2. If you backup WhatsApp to your Google Drive, then you can install WhatsApp on another phone using the same phone number and then restore the backup from Google Drive. The backup will also bring in your old chats and hence the phone number.
3. Install WhatsApp on your phone and wait for your friend to message you. You'll get the number.

---
Tags: contacts, whatsapp-messenger, photos
---


# Question
Title: Why can't I download a .gif attached to an email in the Gmail app?
Example:

"Save" is greyed out.

Using Android 10 and Samsung Galaxy S9.

# Answer
This behavior seems to be a bug: the "save" is not greyed out at first, when it does become greyed out after clicking on "save". And strangely, the "download again" is also greyed out even after clicking on save. Also the user interface seems to use the terms save and download interchangeably, which gives an inconsistent user interface.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: gmail
---


# Question
Title: Missing contacts after switching phones even with the same SIM card
I switch phones from a Samsung Galaxy II to Motorola Moto G and was able to use the same SIM card, but my contacts are gone.

How to recover them?

# Answer
> 1 votes
They are not gone, they're just left on the old device. Contacts are no longer stored on the SIM card by default for years already. If you've synchronized them (e.g. with Google), you should be able to synchronize them back with the same service on your new device.

Otherwise, you'll have to export them on your old device, transfer the export to your new device, and import it again:

### On the old device:

1. open *Contacts*
2. hit the *Menu* button (the 3 "stapled dots" in the upper right corner), and chose *Import/Export*
3. select to export them to your storage (SD card)
4. copy the exported file (usually `/sdcard/0001.vcf`) to the SD card of your new device

### On the new device

1. open *Contacts*
2. hit the *Menu* button (the 3 "stapled dots" in the upper right corner), and chose *Import/Export*
3. select to import from storage (SD card)
4. select the file

Now your contacts should be there again.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I assume the question you asking here is why your contacts didn't restore from your SIM card...

Most phones don't store contacts to SIM anymore... That is a practice in general from before smartphones. Today contacts are often stored with your online account such as Google account, Apple ID, or Microsoft account.

Many devices have a default location to store contacts, although most users your online account, some use a device only storage scheme, few actually store to the SIM card, and to my knowledge none do by default.

Try adding the same Google account used on your previous device to your new device... If that doesn't work, you will need to use the old device and export your contacts off so you can import them unto your new device or Google account.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Open contact app on your mobile. On top right corner if you see mobile symbol then your contact are stored on mobile not sim card. On new mobile you can save contact on device or on google account.

You can export contact. Open contact app / setting / export. Then import to new mobile.

On old mobile you have option to save contact on sim card or phone memory.

---
Tags: contacts, sim-card
---


# Question
Title: How can I use one Android device as mouse and keyboard input for another Android device via bluetooth?
I've already seen lots of ways to do this for Windows PCs, but is there a way I can do the same thing but for another Android device?

# Answer
Serverless Bluetooth Keyboard & Mouse for PC/Phone should be what you're looking for. I hope this helps. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.appground.blek
> 3 votes

# Answer
Android Mouse and Keyboard might be able to do what you want. Install it on one device, use it in bluetooth mode, and then sync that device's virtual bluetooth keyboard and mouse to the other device just as you would a real bluetooth keyboard or mouse.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: bluetooth, keyboard, mouse
---


# Question
Title: How can I take a picture with the depth camera?
Many phones - such as my Nokia 7.1 - now come with depth cameras and other auxiliary cameras built-in.

For example, my Nokia 7.1 has a front & back facing camera as you might expect, but also has a depth camera listed in the specifications:

*(link to full specs)*

With this in mind, I'd like to be able to take a picture with the depth camera on my phone. Unfortunately though, it doesn't show up if I press the switch camera button in the default camera app - that just switches between the front and back facing cameras.

I've also tried a 3rd party camera app (Open Camera) to no effect.

How can I take a picture with the depth camera directly, and save it as a JPEG file?

# Answer
> 6 votes
While the Nokia 7.1 has a 'depth' camera. It is unclear if the 5MP camera has been exposed to developers (doubtful) or is part of the overall camera system for image enhancement (more likely).

On the other hand a phone like Samsung S10 5G does have a `0.3 MP, TOF 3D, (depth)` sensor accessible to Android app developers.

When referring to depth, its not an hi-res image that a user can look at, but a feature that a camera app developer can take advantage of when the hardware supports it.

For Android developers in the Camera2 API there is REQUEST\_AVAILABLE\_CAPABILITIES\_DEPTH\_OUTPUT

Which uses DEPTH16 Android Image format.

For the more technically inclined there is a Medium post on Working with the 3D Camera on the Samsung S10 5G where the author goes into how to use the 3D camera data.

A key point from the article is that the resolution of the DOF is much lower than any visible light image.

> The ToF Camera
>
> The front-facing ToF sensor on the Samsung S10 5G is a Sony IMX316. It outputs frames in the DEPTH16 image format with a resolution of **240x180**. It has a 75° field of view, which roughly matches the S10 5G’s front-facing camera’s field of view of 80°.

As you can see in the article, the author is using the depth of field image data for bokeh or background blur as each pixel is a depth value and a confidence level. The author also has to apply a variety of techniques to the DEPTH16 data as it appear to be quite noisy.

Those so inclined can get the author's source code here: https://github.com/plluke/tof

---
Tags: camera
---


# Question
Title: adb sideload lineage.zip yields adb: failed to read command: No error
## TL;DR

Trying to sideload Lineage, I hit a brick wall getting the following error:

```
D:\Setups\XXXXX\Lineage FP3\platform-tools_28.0.2(ADB_1.0.41)>
    adb sideload lineage-17.1-20210104-nightly-FP3-signed.zip
adb: failed to read command: No error

```

The phone displays `Timed out waiting for fuse to be ready.` simultaneously.

## Setting:

I'm trying to install LineageOS on my Fairphone FP3+ using Windows 10. Through workarounds including first difficulties and exploiting the manufacturer flash all .exe, I was able to boot the **Lineage recovery** and start sideload. `adb devices` returns the following:

```
List of devices attached
A2XXXXXXXXX1    sideload

```

The phone display prints `Now send the package you want to apply to the device with "adb sideload <filename>"...`

## Problem:

I now enter `adb sideload lineage-17.1-20210104-nightly-FP3-signed.zip`, paying attention on having the archive in the same folder as adb (that's the default way, even if about to change). The result was

* either `adb: failed to read command: Connection reset by peer` with aparent restart of the recovery boot
* or a `adb: failed to read command: No error` in the cmd, giving me `Timed out waiting for fuse to be ready.` on the phone. I don't trust that error as it doesn't time out by waiting but in an instant after sending the *sideload* command.

I also double checked and cross-switched the cable, USB port, downloads, software versions (Lineage and recovery/ADB), as well as un- and reinstalled all respective drivers.

## More references:

I also went through these possibly related questions on this site among others:

# Answer
> 2 votes
## TL;DR:

**Try a different host device or new installation** (of the host OS) **instead of giving up!**

---

The solution in this very specific case seems to have been **reinstalling the host OS** (in my case Windows 10). I suspect it to be a driver issue of some sort as the reinstallation of everything used the exact same setups, files etc. *I could guess into some of the multiple DisplayLink-ish software I tried to use for my tablet as secondary USB PC display. (Such as Superbrush, Super Display, VirtualTablet, WiredXDisplay, spacedesk and so on, I tried a few.)*

While this is not a direct answer to the question, I hope, it could help other people stuck like me. The exact same procedure led to the desired, previously blocked resullt.

---
Tags: command-line, adb, lineageos
---


# Question
Title: Samsung Soft Keyboard Keeps Popping Up when Bluetooth Keyboard in Use on Galaxy Note 10.1 with Android 4.1.2
Models: Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, GT-N8013 (WiFi) and SCH-I925 (4G LTE) Android version 4.1.2

I've been experiencing problems with the overly aggressive Samsung soft keyboard popping up whenever I touch the screen to select an input field, even though I am using a Bluetooth keyboard, and only intend to use a Bluetooth keyboard with this device.

Constantly having to dismiss the soft keyboard is a major hindrance to filling out complex forms. In an attempt to work around the problem, I tried installing the *Null Keyboard* app from Google Play.
This works for a while, however whenever the Bluetooth connection is lost and reestablished, the Samsung soft keyboard, even though not selected as the default, pops up the following message:

> Change input Method. To use Bluetooth keyboard, change input method to Samsung QWERTY

The Samsung soft keyboard then resets itself as default input method.

I have tried other workarounds, such as using the *Perfect Keyboard* app and decreasing its size to the bare minimum, but unfortunately the Samsung keyboard still watches like a hawk and pops up its insipid dialog and resets itself as the default every time a Bluetooth keyboard connection is established...and then proceeds to pop itself up at the first opportunity. This is irresponsible behavior. The Samsung soft keyboard *knows* the Bluetooth keyboard is there, yet not only can't it just go away when the Bluetooth keyboard is active, it insists on resetting itself as the default input method regardless of which alternative keyboard you may have selected.

Yes, I know I could root it and disable the otherwise undisableable Samsung keyboard, but unfortunately I need to be able to deal with this solution on about two dozen units in field deployment, so I pretty much need to keep things safe and simple. I'm not trying to do anything crazy - just use a Bluetooth keyboard for one of the primary reasons for which they were created - to be able to type without taking up screen real estate with a soft keyboard.

***Has anybody found a workaround for this yet?***

# Answer
> 3 votes
It is simple to remove on-screen keyboard when you have Bluetooth keyboard.

To remove on-screen keyboard, follow 5 simple steps.

1. Go to "Settings"
2. Select "Language and Input"
3. Select "Default Samsung keyboard" under "Keyboards and input methods" section
4. Turn off "Use on-screen keyboard"
5. push "Setup input methods" button

# Answer
> 3 votes
You would be better off accessing the Physical Keyboard settings. Settings\>General Management\>Language and input\>Physical Keyboard.

In this settings menu, you can set "Show on-screen keyboard" to off by tapping the toggle.

Hope this helps!

# Answer
> 2 votes
Anysoft keyboard from Google Play Store allows you to hide the onscreen keyboard automatically.

# Answer
> 2 votes
After endless frustration with this issue, I have finally solved it without rooting the device.

The solution for me has been External Keyboard Helper Pro, a $2.45 app on the play store (a demo version is also available).

It detects when a bluetooth keyboard connects, and brings up a pop-up menu allowing you to select "External Keyboard" with two quick taps on the screen, which is definitely tolerable. This completely disables the on-screen keyboard, so I can type in peace (like having the Null keyboard installed).

A few seconds after powering off the bluetooth keyboard, the same dialog pops up, allowing me to equally quickly select my favorite Swype. After months of not being able to use my Bluetooth keyboard because of Samsung's inexplicably annoying implementation, I'm in heaven.

Note that in order to get it to work, I had to go into the Advanced Settings of External Keyboard Helper and enable "Old style detection."

# Answer
> 1 votes
Same problem here. I wound up rooting it. That alone won't let you disable (uncheck) the Samsung keyboard in Settings. I had to actually rename `/system/app/SamsungIME.apk` and `/system/app/SamsungIME.odex`.

Then I was able to use Null Keyboard as the default.

Crazy. I had no other reason to root it and you really shouldn't have to do this.

To avoid this sort of vendor-induced nonsense, and to avoid even having to use the Null Keyboard or similar app, *every* Android device with Bluetooth should allow you to select *Bluetooth Keyboard* as the default input method, alongside other input methods.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I had the same problem with my GN10.1 I use samsung keyboard dock and the popup keyboard just annoyed me.

Because, I'm Lithuanian, I need a special characters (ąčęėįšųūž) for typing.

There is a https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.apedroid.hwkeyboardhelper advanced null keyboard with multilanguage support (basic one works just with english).

Off course, it's very easy to find it for free by using google.

It closes the pop-up software keyboard and I can touch the screeen and enter text without any problem.

# Answer
> 1 votes
2021 Update for Samsung Phones:

* Connect your keyboard.
* Go to "Physical keyboard".
* Turn off "Show on-screen keyboard"

# Answer
> 1 votes
Hi so I was checking my settings after reading this, and I found the solution. (I'm not sure if this will work on other Samsung devices tho, I use a Galaxy Tab A 10.1)

1. Go to Settings\>General Management\>Language and Input.
2. Go to Physical Keyboard.
3. If your software keyboard keeps popping up, it's most likely because the "Show on-screen keyboard" toggle is on. Switch it off to stop the keyboard from popping up. this may or may not have been said in the comments but I just wanted to offer some assistance. hope this helped!

# Answer
> 0 votes
I have been trying to figure this out for my new Galaxy Note 8.0, and have a workaround that works 98% of the time, which is a huge improvement. I started using Bluetooth Keep Active fro mthe play store. It has been mostly successful in tricking my tablet into thinking it was using the bluetooth even when it is asleep and prevented the awful Samsung default on-screen keyboard from turning itself on as the default. I set the timer at a one minute setting. I have been trying it with Null Keyboard, Anysoft Keyboard, Perfect Keyboard, and even turning off all on-screen keyboards. I'm not sure which default is the best to use with Keep Active yet - still fooling with it.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I was able to disable on-screen keyboards in Android "settings" on my Samsung Tab3. Now I can use my Logitech K810 finally with no annoying on-screen keyboards constantly popping up and obscuring 50% of my viewable area on my already smallish tablet screen. I'm running Android 4.2.2. In settings choose "Language and Input" and click on "default" keyboard option. When the popup menu appears, slide the "use on-screen keyboard" slider to the "NO" position. It's not much hassle to go back to settings to slide it back to the "YES" position when my external keyboard is not available. I assume this is an easier fix than installing 3d party software like that "Null keyboard" app.

# Answer
> 0 votes
The best bet, if you are using the chrome browser is to use "tab" to select the field (if you want to select the url bar to search). Another way (if your keyboard has is) is to use the "magnifying glass" quick search button. I noticed that this selects the url and allows you to type a new entry and search.

# Answer
> 0 votes
On Galaxy S10, In settings you turn on show keyboard button. This gives you a handy little button at the bottom of the screen which you can use to switch between different installed keyboards. Touch this, and there is a setting "On-screen keyboard" Just turn this off. No need to install any app.

---
Tags: keyboard, samsung-galaxy-note, external-keyboard
---


# Question
Title: Xiaomi Mi Band 2 cannot be paired with App Mi Fit in Android 8.1.0
I wanted to pair the LG Q6 with the Mi Band 2.

I installed Mi Fit, created a google account and wanted to pair with the device. However, after a while, an error is displayed stating that it couldn't be paired and if I want to reset the device.

If I select yes, the 4-digit number will be displayed on Mi Band 2. A window with a box where I should enter the number will appear on my mobile phone. However, this window is partially covered by another error message that it cannot be reset and whether to cancel or resend. In any case, this window cannot be hidden, so it was not possible to write the number.

So I uninstalled and installed the application, but the only thing that has changed is that the reset fails and the number doesn't appear on the device at all.

Please help

Thank you

PS. Android itself can be paired with the device.

**UPDATE**

I searched for a solution and found a link to Fix-it for Mi Band 2. Although it has a low rating, I still tried. I followed the instructions and everything seemed fine, but it didn't help.

I would be grateful for a solution, but I personally gave it up.

# Answer
> 0 votes
So in the end, the solution was incredibly easy. At the time I was trying to pair it, it never occurred to me to try anything other than the official app. But since then, I've found that the official app may not always be the best. And here it was the same - it was enough to use another application - Mi Band App for HRX, 2 and Mi Band 3.

I haven't tested it yet, but the pairing itself worked, so hopefully there won't be another problem.

---
Tags: bluetooth, lg, 8.1-oreo, mi-band-2
---