# Question
Title: Displaying photos in "years, collections, moments" structure?
Since iOS7 the photos has been organized by time and location and I find it quite handy to find photos, however when I switch to Android it's quite a painful experience to find photos. Is there any way to achieve the similar?

# Answer
> 0 votes
So far I didn't find any Android phone that does similar thing. However if you are OK with 3rd-party albums, here's one that seems to do exactly what you want. It's not as fast as iPhone but the performance is quite acceptable.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.atomicadd.fotos

---
Tags: camera, photos, android-versions, album-art
---


# Question
Title: How can I reduce screen brightness below the minimum without an app?
I have an Optimus Elite, and it has a minimum brightness setting. In certain apps, I can reduce the brightness below the safe minimum, but when I leave the app, the brightness is increased to the system-wide minimum.

Using RootDim, I can permanently set the brightness below the safe amount, and it will stay even after going to other apps. Or using Screen Filter, I can accomplish almost the same thing even without needing root (it displays a translucent 'filter' over the whole screen, reducing brightness/contrast but not actually changing the backlighting power amount).

What I want to know is where the minimum screen brightness is stored. I have a rooted phone with CyanogenMod 9, so I have permissions to edit anything and could change a config or sqlite entry, but I don't know where this value is stored. What I would like to do is use the status bar brightness slider to be able to slide to the actual minimum of the screen, rather than the OS-controlled minimum. Having an app is useful, but having the functionality without the app seems to be within reach, if only I knew where the OS is getting it's safe minimum setting.

Where is this "safe minimum brightness" setting stored? If I can change it, I can remove my apps and use native controls.

# Answer
> 4 votes
Editing `/system/build.prop` and changing the ro.lcd\_min\_brightness property may work. That property may not exist in your file (It doesn't in the file for my GS3), in which case it will default to 20. Lower numbers mean lower brightness.

This doesn't actually work on all devices though. For example, on the Galaxy S2, setting the property to a lower number will allow you to set the brightness control lower, but the actual screen brightness won't go any lower than it did before.

Alternatively, Cyanogenmod includes controls to customize the auto-brightness levels under settings \> cyanogenmod settings \> display \> automatic backlight. There's an explanation of how to use the custom configuration over here at rootzwiki.

# Answer
> 4 votes
Super late, I know, but this may help out anyone who comes across this later. What I did for my phone, the Alcatel Fierce, I got ES File Explorer and browsed until I found the LED controls. For my phone its in `/sys/class/LEDs/LCD backlight/` then there is a file named `brightness` which controls the actual brightness of the phone. I viewed it as text and saw on the lowest setting it says the brightness is 30 so I changed it to 10 and saved and automatically the brightness dropped to a much more suitable level.

Note. For all devices and ROMs this may not be the same but just use the search to find brightness, LCD, or backlight. Be careful when changing values and be sure to remember what they were if you don't have custom recovery!

# Answer
> 0 votes
Give Lux Auto Brightness a try. I used to use Screen Filter for reading but I like the way Lux does it better.

Edit: My bad, you said without an app. I don't know of any way to do it without an app. Still give Lux a try it might work for you.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Try Wellbrightness.

It will enable screen filter when you need darker than minimum limitation.. And it's very simple and intuitive...

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, cyanogenmod, root-access, screen-brightness
---


# Question
Title: How do I press "Up" if I do not have an "Up" button?
Hi all I'm using a Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830 and I wanted to test a "Snake (Game)" app.

When I launched the app, this is what I have:

Samsung Galaxy Ace does not have an "Up" button, I was wondering what are the steps I'd have to take to simulate one?

# Answer
> 3 votes
GO keyboard also has an up button.

You'll just need to launch the editor.

# Answer
> 2 votes
1) If this game has to tested on your device and if you have the source code of the project you can disable or change the listener of button or what components it may be. The constants for catching the up button click event you may see in the Activity.class is the following;

```
KeyEvent.KEYCODE_DPAD_UP

```

OR

```
KeyEvent.KEYCODE_CHANNEL_UP

```

You can change this constant with other KeyEvent constants. See link : http://developer.android.com/reference/android/view/KeyEvent.html

2) If this game doesn't have to be tested on your physical device, then there is emulator option whose virtual keyboard has many buttons. While creating Android Virtual Device you have a bunch of screen options, ram storage, etc. You can create virtual device whose hardware is almost same with your physical device. after that you can push the .apk file by using adb-install command and test it on virtual device.

# Answer
> 2 votes
Im not familiar with your device, is the big thing in the middle on the bottom a trackpad type device? I.E. can you use it to scroll a long page if you rub your finger over it like you would a laptop trackpad?

If so then rubbing that thing with an upward motion should send the DPAD\_UP event, which I assume that game is listening for. You might also try pressing on the top edge of this button thing, perhaps the whole thing is a dpad of sorts.

If that thing isn't able to scroll at all then Im afraid you're probably s.o.l. The game is listening for an event that your device is incapable of sending. If you are interested in development then let this be a lesson to consider all device types and input schemes when designing your interface.

{rant} What is with the trackball hate? The first several devices had trackballs on them, and it was an excellent input method, now they've moved them all to this optical / touch sensor crud {/rant}

EDIT: So even if your device doesn't have any type of trackball type device you aren't entirely SOL after all. https://market.android.com/details?id=com.pedrocorp.virtualtrackball&hl=en that is an app that will give you a virtual d-pad or trackball. There might be a free one if you search around.

P.S. if anyone with influence over hardware design happens to see this: Making a device with no d-pad type input is terrible, it makes so many interactions needlessly awkward. Please don't do it.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Well, if you have cyanogen, you could download swype, and go into the settings of cyanogenmod to show the keyboard on menu hold. Then you could go into the edit menu, and press the up button.

# Answer
> 1 votes
adb shell input keyevent MENU, then press the "Start" on the menu

# Answer
> 0 votes
If you are testing snake from the Android applications examples, you should modify the code in order to include the gesture class. I simply have done this by hooking the event\_key manager by the gesture events. Good training to get familiar with the gingerbread API :-)

---
Tags: keyboard
---


# Question
Title: Eclipse(and adb.exe from sdk) doesn't detect my beaglebone black as running android device
I need some help for problem. I'm using Beaglebone Black and Android (JellyBean 4.2.2) with 3.8 kernel. BBB connected to window7 through USB which comes with BBB. When I boot the android on micro SD card, it works fine(I'm using 4DCAPE LCD screen) but I cannot find it as running android device. I turn on the USB debug mode.

Thanks.

# Answer
I am assuming that you are using the Andrew Henderson's 3.8 Kernel + Android JB configuration. As I understand the adb as it is intend is not functional in this configuration. Nikolay Elenkov in is blog has the following work around. Following is a direct word to word copy from the his blog

Configure FunctionFS support in the kernel

```
(CONFIG_USB_FUNCTIONFS=y):

Device Drivers -> USB Support ->
     USB Gadget Support -> USB Gadget Driver -> Function Filesystem

```

Modify the boot parameters in uEnv.txt to set the vendor and product IDs, as well as the device serial number g\_ffs.idVendor=0x18d1 g\_ffs.idProduct=0x4e26 g\_ffs.iSerialNumber= Setup the FunctionFS directory and mount it in your init.am335xevm.usb.rc file:

```
mkdir /dev/usb-ffs 0770 shell shell
mkdir /dev/usb-ffs/adb 0770 shell shell
mount functionfs adb /dev/usb-ffs/adb uid=2000,gid=2000

```

on fs

Delete all lines referencing /sys/class/android\_usb/android0/\*. (Those nodes are created by the native Android gadget driver and are not available when using FunctionFS.)

Please review this blog for detail infomation

http://nelenkov.blogspot.be/2013/07/building-wireless-android-device.html
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 4.2-jelly-bean, beaglebone-black
---


# Question
Title: How to return SAMSUNG GT-S5670 to Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread?
I have SAMSUNG GT-S5670, and I had android version Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread, but I wanted updated it to Android 4.4. Kitkat. I download on computer Cyanogen Mod and Google Apps package. I put it on SD card, got into recovery mode on mobile phone and then I made backup and after it I rebooted system. But it wont rebooted. It constantly turning on and on. What I can do, except that I need to bring it to a SASNSUNG service?! :( Help me somehow. Can I return it somehow to Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread again? :/

# Answer
You can download matching firmware from SamMobile.com and flash it through .

If you search XDA-developers you can find instructions on how you can flash an ODIN firmware. Some initial details can also be found in our odin tag-wiki.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 2.3-gingerbread, 4.4-kitkat, recovery-mode, samsung
---


# Question
Title: Gear 2 Neo Not Connecting Galaxy S3 CM11
So I was able to get Gear Manager, and it finds the Gear in the list. When I click connect, it just tries to connect forever.

Is there any way to get the gear working, even without Gear Manager?

It is a Galaxy S3 running CM 11 M9. I am open to changing roms if necessary....

# Answer
If you look on this XDA Link you'll notice your not the only one with this issue, in the forum there is a "Fix forever connecting issue" section which will prompt you to download a file and install it on your phone and it should resolve your issue

By doing this you should be able to get gear manager working properly as if I'm correct its the only way to use the gear 2 (neo) with a mobile device, also switching custom ROM won't fix the issue without doing the above.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, samsung-galaxy-gear
---


# Question
Title: How do I repair my Motorola Defy rebooting instantly after start-up?
I installed a few different operating systems (“ROMs”) on my Motorola Defy and I decided to (temporarily) go back to the original one, also known as “stock”, by using an SBF file. But now, whenever I try to start up my phone, it reboots almost instantly. I cannot do anything.

I tried booting in “Safe mode” as explained here (Power button + both volume keys). But that did not change anything. I also tried reflashing my SBF files multiple times, to no success.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Boot into recovery with Power button + lower volume key. Then, in the recovery mode menu, select “Factory reset”. This should delete all previous configurations from your previous ROMs that may interfere with your current installation.

---
Tags: rom-flashing, reboot
---


# Question
Title: Use new hangouts dialer from google search
The new hangouts app let's me call out from it and uses VoIP... Nice!

When I google a business in chrome I often get the business card with a button to call... Nice! But... It opens the regular android phone app...

How can I make the new hangouts dialer the default for this?

# Answer
**Not currently.**

**\[Edit\]:**
Hangouts received an update since this was posted. It now registers itself as a dialer with the system, and comes up as a choice when phone links are tapped in the browser app like Chrome. However, it's still not an option when you use built-in People/Contacts apps.

The `Hangouts Dialer` app does not register itself with the system as an actual dialer. In fact, it's simply a shortcut to a particular tab within the main Hangouts app.

Right now if you want to make true VoIP calls, you have to open the Hangouts Dialer (or main Hangouts app) manually, and copy/paste the number. Perhaps such integration will come in a later version of these apps.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: phone-app, default-applications, moto-x
---


# Question
Title: Quickest way to sync video taken with Android to computer
I'm taking a video on my Nexus 5 and I want to view it on my computer immediately afterward. What's the quickest way to do that? Here are the options I know about, please tell me if there's something faster.

* **Connect the phone to the computer with a USB cable:** Transfer would be blazing fast, but having to connect the phone physically would suck.
* **Use Dropbox's auto-upload to get that video automatically to my Dropbox:** This is great in that there's no need for fiddling, but it takes way too long, as Dropbox is not smart enough to transfer the file directly from phone to computer through the LAN, but rather first uploads the entire file to the Dropbox servers, which can take hours. (The file is a few hundred MB big.)
* **Use AirDroid.** The upload transfer is reasonable, but having to turn on the app, go to the browser, navigate to the file in their interface... That's annoying.

Isn't there a way to have the video automatically transferred to my computer over LAN after it's taken? Or better yet, while it is being taken, to make it even faster?

# Answer
All three are viable options that I have personally used. I have found that connecting via USB is the fastest and most reliable. (By reliable, I am referring to control over the transfer; with Dropbox you will sometimes wait for it to sync.)
> 0 votes

---
Tags: video, instant-upload
---


title: Moving applications to SD card

text:
# Question
Title: Moving applications to SD card
I own a Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (GT8010-Wifi) model and I would like to move some of my apps to the external SD card and change the default installation location to be the external SD card from now on. The Android version on the tablet PC is 4.1.2 and I have rooted it following a guide on the internet which can be accessed via the following URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv8440QhHsw I would be happy to get some assistance on this matter, thanks in advance.

# Answer
You can use the Android SDK. Instructions at http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-install-apps-onto-your-SD-Card-No-Root/?ALLSTEPS
> 1 votes

---
Tags: applications, rooting, 4.1-jelly-bean, external-sd
---


# Question
Title: Combining Facebook contacts with SIM card numbers
I have a new HTC One Mini and I can only import *all* of my contacts from Facebook, not just the ones I want in my phonebook contacts list, so that is really annoying.

Also, I added a few numbers to the SIM card, but I can't combine them with the Facebook contact that ubersync has come up with; I also can't add numbers to the existing Facebook contacts.

In addition, I can't edit the contacts I've added so far to the SIM card, so they can have images like in Facebook.

Adding contacts to this phone is really annoying the hell out of me, am I being stupid?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Let me explain in brief the difference between SIM storage and Phone storage. The later section will contain your solution.

There are two types of storage options for contacts, messages, etc.

**SIM Storage**-The contacts that will be stored in the SIM card of the service provider of your device are called SIM stored contacts.

**Advantages**:-

1. You can have your contacts safely stored and is highly portable. Even if tomorrow your phone crashes (formatting, etc.), you will have your contacts with you and don't need to search for them as when you place the SIM in another device, the contacts from the SIM memory will be displayed easily.
2. Your contacts will be safe and private because most applications have access to only the phone memory but not to the SIM memory, so some annoying apps cannot leak your contacts info to other third party's

**Disadvantages**:-

1. As you know, the SIM card has very limited space, so it cannot have more contacts to be stored.
2. Bigger names cannot be saved as there are restrictions to store a name with a limited set of characters (approximately 6 or 7).
3. If you lost the SIM, then you have lost all your contacts irrespective of the storage area where you stored them.
4. Cannot personalise the contacts stored in the SIM (adding pictures, date of birth, email id, etc.)
5. Double display of contact numbers (if you use what's an app like messenger, it will display double contacts: list 1 with the SIM card and 2 with the WhatsApp contacts list).

**Phone storage**-The contacts which are stored in the phone's storage area and have a predefined space limit by the Manufacturer are phone storage contacts.

**Advantages**:-

1. As the contacts storage area is more you can store more contacts when compared to the SIM card.
2. Personalise add/modify any details to your contacts (third-party apps can add photos, etc. to your contacts display).
3. No double display of contacts if you are using any messenger because all the details of one contact are displayed under a single name.
4. Apps can check your contacts in phone memory and can update it with all the relevant information.

**Disadvantages**:-

1. As your contacts are being stored on the phone memory, your contacts will not be portable because if tomorrow your phone crashes/is modified/updated, then you lose all the contacts because the complete phone memory will be wiped out.
2. You will lose security over your contacts as most applications have access to the phone memory and will eventually leak the data to their servers.

Now coming to the answer, you can simply combine your Facebook contacts with all the details like photos by

1. **Step 1**:-First, move all your contacts in phone memory
2. **Step 2**-Under the display option, disable view contacts from SIM (in order to avoid duplicate from SIM card).
3. **Step 3**-Next as you have your contacts on your phone, you can simply synchronize your contacts with your Facebook mobile application.
4. **Step 4 (not necessary but good to follow)**-After a complete synchronization, restart your device and then you can see the pictures of the user from the relevant apps you use.

# Answer
> 0 votes
1. Upload all of your sim contacts to gmail contacts with email addresses of contacts.
2. Then select the facebook account from the accounts and choose to sync to existing contacts.

It is currently working on my galaxy note 2.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Merge/Add your phone contacts to Google Contacts then use a service such as FullContact to update your Google Contacts with Facebook data. Then, display and use only Google Contacts on your phone and delete all the contacts saved on your device.

---
Tags: contacts
---


# Question
Title: Difference between su vs root SSH login for mounting?
I have a bash script `luks` that I use in Android for mounting/umounting encrypted devices, that can be called in a terminal emulator with

```
 su -c "luks ..."

```

The script works ok for the first part, except at the mounting time, that in the script I do with:

```
 busybox mount /dev/mapper/${vol_arg} ${mount_path}

```

Despite the fact that I get exitcode 0 from this command, the device is not mounted. The command line

```
 su -c "mount /dev/mapper/${vol_arg} ${mount_path}"

```

does not work either in the terminal emulator yet it shows no error (`df` does not shows the device). When I try to execute it agan, I get `mounting failed: device or resource busy`. If I then try

```
 su -c "umount ${mount_path}"

```

I also get `cant't umount...: device or resource busy`. What's happening?

However, the REALLY strange point here is that, if I `SSH` to the tablet as root with the same terminal emulator, the command

```
 mount /dev/mapper/${vol_arg} ${mount_path}

```

mounts the device normally (??!!). In addition, if I execute the command

```
 'luks ...'

```

as SSHd root, it also works perfectly, even mounting the device.

Why does mounting is working if run as SSH root, and not through `su -c`?

Even more strange is the fact that the `su -c` thing works fine in Samsung Android 4.1.2, but not in Cyanogenmod 11 (4.4.2)...

Maybe the cyanogenmod people introduced some ugly bug?

Clues?

Thanks!!

L.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I upgraded to CYM 11 M10, and now su works fine. No doubt it was a bug. So now I can mount/umount encrypted stuff as I was always able to do.

It seems the problem is solved in the M10 build.

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, rooting
---


# Question
Title: Unable to connect Galaxy Note3 N9005 to windows 8
I'm having trouble connecting my N9005 to my pc using Windows8. The problem is it does not recognize the phone's storage and is not able to mount it.
I've tried installing Samsung Universal USB Drivers to no avail.
My laptop only has USB2 ports and if I'm correct N9005 utilizes USB v3. Could it be the cause?

I also have the same problem in Ubuntu.

**UPDATE:** I also tried Samsung Kies and it doesn't work either.

**UPDATE 2:** Upon connection my PC recognizes that the phone's been connected but it's not able to mount the storage.

# Answer
My N9005 was unable to connect via ADB on Windows 8. etc, and I fixed it by entering the `*#0808#` dialer code on the caller screen to change the USB connection mode.

You will see the mode about ADB at the bottom. I tried it and it worked for me, but only for the ADB connection. I did not try other options. Look for MTP options, and also find the USB driver for Windows in any case.

Click image for full size
> 2 votes

---
Tags: usb, usb-drivers, samsung-galaxy-note-3
---


# Question
Title: How can I turn off speaking of incoming caller?
I can't figure out how to change the settings on my Samsung Galaxy S phone to actually have a ringtone when receiving a call.

When receiving a call a voice says "call from 123-456-7890" or "call from Fred". I know how to set the ringtone which has been set but I don't know how to take the voice off.

I tried *accessibility* and *talk back*, there are no option for driving mode but it is still speaking caller name.

What to do??

# Answer
Well, what you can do us head over to the Settings\>Accessibility\>Vision\>Tap over Talkback\>Tap on Settings over the Talkback window\>Uncheck speak caller ID, that should fix your problem out.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: chrome-for-android, android-versions, samsung-galaxy-s-duos-2
---


# Question
Title: How do you open an embedded hyperlink in a PDF on an Android device?
I have PDFs with hyperlinks (linking to other pages in the document as well as external websites) and would like to be able to use the links provided. The Adobe Reader app and other apps I've tried (VuDroid, droidreader, android PDF reader) don't have this functionality. I did find ezPDF which should work, but it is not free (only 99 cents). I am looking for a way to do this for free because this is for an app I am writing that will need to display a PDF. It will be much more appealing to the client - though still not perfect - if their users only have to download a free PDF reader, for example, to use with my app rather than requiring them to purchase a PDF reading app (even if it is only 99 cents).

# Answer
Adobe Reader can follow hyperlinks in PDF documents.

The problem (currently, 2014-09-17) is that the default application associated with PDF documents is Quickoffice, and Quickoffice doesn't have this implemented. Installing Adobe Reader allows you to choose (and optionally remember your choice) what app to use.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: applications, pdf
---


# Question
Title: How to stop an application using the mobile network
The kindle app on my android phone does not allow me to disable download over mobile (i.e. set it to only download over wifi).

Is there any way I can do this externally? i.e. via another app or settings or something.

I am led to believe it is available in some of the android mods but I'm currently on default android for my Galaxy S3.

# Answer
> 2 votes
If your device is running at least Android 4.0 (or higher), you can tell the system to forbid an app the use of "background data" (i,e, upload/download stuff which you didn't explicitely trigger manually). For this, go to *Settings → Data Usage*, and you will see a screen like the first one below:

Data Usage / Restrict background data (click images for larger variants)

I'm pretty sure you've already turned "Mobile data" to its "on" position. Now tick the "Set mobile data limit" checkbox. Next you need to define your limits; if you don't want any "global limits", you can use "fake values" here – e.g. setting the red bar to 10 GB, and the orange bar to 8 GB.

Having that done, scroll the app list on the bottom to find the app you wish to restrict – in your case, the *Kindle* app. Tap that entry to open it, and again scroll to the end of the screen. There you will find another check-box labeled "restrict background data" (see second screenshot) – check it, and you're done: the *Kindle* app should no longer use mobile data without you actively telling it so.

---
Tags: wi-fi, settings, mobile-network
---


# Question
Title: Why does Chrome reload the page when I turn on my bluetooth keyboard?
Lenovo Yoga 10 HD+ tablet with Android 4.4.2. Logitech Tablet Keyboard

If I am in Chrome and I turn on my bluetooth keyboard, the current page will reload. This appears to happen no matter which web page I'm on.

This is obviously a waste of time, and I'd like it to stop. Especially because if I"ve already activated the edit control on the web page, the reload de-activates it and I have to tap again before I can begin typing.

Is there any way to disable this stupid behavior? I haven't seen anything in the settings that would seem to be related.

Updated: Per Dain's question, it happens no matter how many tabs are open (1 or many).

# Answer
> 1 votes
> I turn on my bluetooth keyboard

That is probably detected as configuration change, which triggers a restart of the current activity in android (chrome in your case). Only the app developer can change this behavior, so the only thing you could do is to file a bug report.

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, chrome-for-android, external-keyboard
---


# Question
Title: My phone is 'samsumg s2 plus' i wana root my phone
Am using samsumg s2 plus. I wanna root my phone. Suggests me best way.

Already tryed the www.unlockroot.com website. But I failed. Help me ..

# Answer
> 2 votes
## Rooting the Samsung Galaxy S2 **Plus**

Here is a Youtube video with the steps to root the device, below are the written instructions I've modified this from the XDA post for grammar etc.

**Prerequisites**:

**Rooting the device:**

* Open Odin 3.07.exe
* Put your phone into `Download Mode` (Power button - Home button - Volume down button,at same time)
* When you enter in Download Mod, you should get blue box on Odin 3.07
* Uncheck `Auto Reboot option`
* Go to PDA and find your recovery, then click on OK
* After you checked everything click on Start
* It should take around up to 30 - 40 seconds
* When its finished take out battery, put it again
* Go to recovery mode (Power button - Home button - Volume up button,at the same time)
* Navigate with Volume Rockers (Volume Up - Volume Down)
* Select via Power Button
* Go to install zip from sdcard ( if you putted in your phone)
* Go to install zip from sdcard/sdcard1 (if you putted on sdcard)
* Find root package, and install it via pressing power button
* Go back and reboot system now

DONE ! You have rooted your s2 plus !

---
Tags: rooting, root-access
---


# Question
Title: How can I enable field test mode on Samsung Galaxy S3?
I have a Samsung Galaxy S3. Are there any codes to enable field test mode, like band selection? Has someone managed to enable such an option?

# Answer
`*#*#7262626#*#*` – Perform a field test
`*#2263#` \- If previous doesn't work.

Sadly, Samsung used to provide field test display by entering codes in keypad. **However, from Galaxy S3 onward, the service mode \*#\*#197328640#\*#\* was disabled.** Only \*#0011# is still available. The worst is that even the Android default testing info \*#\*#4636#\*#\* was disabled as well.

And just because this looked very sparse, here's a big list!

For IMEI Number: \*#06#
For RAM Memory version: \*#\*#3264#\*#\*
For FTA SW version: \*#\\\*#1111#\*#\*
For FTA HW version: \*#\*#2222#\*#\*
For Touchscreen version: \*#\*#2663#\*#\*
To test Bluetooth: \*#\*#232331#\*#\*
To display Bluetooth Physic Address: #\*#232337#\*#
To test secret GPS: \*#\*#1472365#\*#\*
To test other GPS: \*#\*#1575#\*#\*
To test WiFi/Wireless LAN of phone: \*#\*#232339#\*#\* or \*#\*#528#\*#\* or \*#\*#526#\*#\*
To display Wi-Fi MAC Address: \*#\*#232338#\*#\*
To test Vibration and Back-light of device: \*#\*#0842#\*#\*
To test Proximity/Distance Sensor: \*#\*#0588#\*#\*
To test Touchscreen: \*#\*#2663#\*#\*
For Audio Test: \*#\*#0289#\*#\* or \*#\*#0673#\*#\*
To launch Service Mode: \*#\*#197328640#\*#\*
Hidden Service Menu (Motorola Droid): ##7764726
Field Test: \*#\*#7262626#\*#\*
To format the phone: \*2767\*3855#
To Restore Factory Settings: \*#\*#7780#\*#\*
To create Immediate backup of your multimedia files: \*#\*#273282\*255\*663282\*#\*#\*
To display Phone Information: \*#\*#4636#\*#\*
To get detailed Camera Information: \*#\*#34971539#\*#\*
For Software & Hardware Information: \*#12580\*369#
To display HSDPA/HSUPA Control Menu: \*#301279#
To start GTalk Monitoring: \*#\*#8255#\*#\*
To get PDA, Phone, H/W and RF Call Date: \*#\*#4986\*2650468#\*#\*
Displays Build Time and Change List number: \*#\*#44336#\*#\*
Packet Loopback Test: \*#\*#0283#\*#\*
LCD Display Test: \*#\*#0\*#\*#\*
Enter Service Menu (on New Phones): \*#0\*#
Diagnostic Configuration: \*#9090#
USB Logging Control: \*#872564#
System Dump Mode: \*#9900#
View Phone Lock Status: \*#7465625#
Executes Emergency Dial Screen to unlock PUK Code: \**05\**#
Enables Voice Dialing Logging Mode: \*#\*#8351#\*#\*
Disables Voice Dialing Logging Mode: \*#\*#8350#\*#\*
Change behavior of Power button: \*#\*#7594#\*#\*
> 1 votes

---
Tags: gsm, dialer-codes
---


# Question
Title: What App do I need to use NFC on an android phone to pay for things in the UK?
I'd like to know if it's possible to use NFC on an HTC One X to pay for things in the UK and if so, what app do I use?

Google wallet doesn't seem to be supported here in the UK.

# Answer
A more generic answer, not specific to the UK alone:

As Ross pointed out, there is not "one specific app to rule them all". That payment stuff is very much vendor-specific – whith "vendor" meaning the company dealing with the payments. Unless several shops/companies join up for a "standard", it might very well be you'd need a separate app for each shop even.

So this question cannot be answered by a "this-is-it" app, but rather would become a pretty long list (Ross' answer already indicates such), which would be subject to (almost daily) changes whenever a new "vendor" joins or another gives up.

To give you an example: Here in Germany I know of two grocery chains using NFC payments, each using its own app – though both belong to the same "mother corporation". If not even those can figure a "joint approach", I very much doubt there will be a "global approach" any time soon.
> 3 votes

# Answer
NFC payment support is still pretty hit and miss in the UK. "Cash on Tap" and "Quick Tap" seem to be just pre-pay NFC cards you can load into your phones NFC chip, and not many phones are supported (your HTC One X is not).

If you have a BarclayCard, you can get a "Barclaycard PayTag NFC" sticker for your phone which seems like a better solution since it will work on any phone and it is actually linked to your card. It also claims to work on any contactless till. There might be other banks doing this too.

Worth noting that contactless card support is still hit and miss too - I've found some big stores don't advertise it but it works (eg Tesco) but others claim to have it and it actually doesn't work (eg Co-op).
> 2 votes

---
Tags: htc-one-x, nfc
---


# Question
Title: Huawei y530 internal storage problem after rooting with TowelRoot
My phone had a bug that said: "Insufficient internal storage", so I tried to solve this rooting with TowelRoot, but when I did things became worse... Now, it seems I can't access internal storage.. if I try to save anything (image, music, etc) to it, it crashes, it just says: "Unable to save file, try again later" if its from WhatsApp, if I try with chrome it closes, if I try with the computer it stays some time trying to copy the file then it says it cannot do it. After this, I did a Hard Reset (power + up volume buttons), but that didn't do it... What can I so now to access the internal storage and be able to save files again?

# Answer
Try installing SuperSU from google play. *SuperSU* has an option to **unroot**. Try multiple times (if it doesn't work once) and reset the phone this fixes the internal memory problem.
> -1 votes

---
Tags: root-access, huawei
---


# Question
Title: Is Android FAT / FAT32 implementation power failure resilient?
Does the android FAT/32 implementation handle sudden battery removal?

I know that Symbian's 'Rugged FAT' (efat32.fsy) and Microsoft's T-Fat implement this, but I've not been able to find any information regarding Android.

# Answer
Fat32 in Android usually only applies to the External SD card, no longer supported by Google. AFAIK it was a fairly generic implementation as it was only for the card.

Since most of the newer devices use eMMC,the file system android uses is **ext4** except for firmware, which is **vFat**. Example below is from a Galaxy S4

* /system **ext4**
* /data **ext4**
* /cache **ext4**
* /firmware **vfat**

In terms of a little detail on the Android File System:

From this stackoverflow answer

It depends on what filesystem, for example /system and /data are yaffs2 while /sdcard is vfat. This is the output of mount:

```
rootfs / rootfs ro 0 0
tmpfs /dev tmpfs rw,mode=755 0 0
devpts /dev/pts devpts rw,mode=600 0 0
proc /proc proc rw 0 0
sysfs /sys sysfs rw 0 0
tmpfs /sqlite_stmt_journals tmpfs rw,size=4096k 0 0
none /dev/cpuctl cgroup rw,cpu 0 0
/dev/block/mtdblock0 /system yaffs2 ro 0 0
/dev/block/mtdblock1 /data yaffs2 rw,nosuid,nodev 0 0
/dev/block/mtdblock2 /cache yaffs2 rw,nosuid,nodev 0 0
/dev/block//vold/179:0 /sdcard vfat rw,dirsync,nosuid,nodev,noexec,uid=1000,gid=1015,fmask=0702,dmask=0702,allow_utime=0020,codepage=cp437,iocharset=iso8859-1,shortname=mixed,utf8,errors=remount-ro 0 0

```
> 2 votes

---
Tags: file-system, kernel
---


# Question
Title: GPS functionality degradation on Galaxy SIII
I recently moved from a relatively flat area to an area near the mountains. I used to have good reception for my GPS when I would run using the RunKeeper app. Now I only get reception for about half of my run. The App shows 'green' on the reception meeter, and I can use Navigation and other GPS driven apps without a problem. Is there anything I can do to test the GPS functionality within the given area? Is there any known reasons why an app would not properly work even though it says it is getting sufficient reception?

# Answer
I had big problems with GPS in my galaxy s2, the connection was unstable and sometimes it took 30 minuts to get the signal

To analyze the GPS signal you can use something like GPS status

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.eclipsim.gpsstatus2

I've discovered that my phone was suddenly loosing all the signals, so I suspected an hardware problem

The GPS uses as antenna the metallic board that is inside the phone

I've disassembled the phone, and Cleaned this board from oxidation in correspondence of every screw with a nail file

I'm surprised of the result the GPS signal really busted (it fix in 30 seconds inside the house) and is totally stable

You can find here a video tutorial specific for s3

Galaxy S3 Gps Fix (When Screw Tightening Doesn't …: http://youtu.be/VI4hs19riRM
> 1 votes

---
Tags: applications, samsung-galaxy-s-3, gps
---


# Question
Title: Reboot option in power button menu for Nexus 4
In order to see the developer option in settings app you have to do the weird 7 tap on the version entry in the settings app (or something like this).

Isn't there as well a hidden way to enable a reboot option in the menu that appears when you long-press the power button ?

I know there are apps that do that for you, but why the hack wouldn't the stock Android that comes from Google for Nexus phones don't include a freaking restart option, only the Power off option ? I saw some phones with custom Android that have that option.

I know that pressing veeeeeeeeeeery long on the power button actually restarts the phone, but that looks to me like a final resort, in case your phone is stuck, or something, not a clean way to restart your phone.

Thank you!

# Answer
> 3 votes
No, without custom rom or root on your phone, you can't have this kind of menu.

It will maybe appear in Android L ...

# Answer
> 1 votes
There is absolutely no such way of restarting on your stock android . Its only possible by having root access basically. And the long press on the power button is to only force shutdown the entire system and not for the purpose of restarting or something.

---
Tags: nexus-4, reboot
---


# Question
Title: Is it safe to rename, delete or disable system/bin/mediaserver?
mediaserver is constantly running in the background eating up CPU.

I don't care at this point if I don't get to use the gallery app and I'm fed up with having to reboot every time I hop out of my car.

While I'm at it, I have the same question/issue with logcat2.

---

Edit: I deleted mediaserver and logcat, booted into recovery, fixed permissions, deleted dalvik and cache and am stuck on `"Android is upgrading... Starting Apps."` (Recovery isn't an issue but having some method of effectively disabling the processes is necessary)

Any advice is appreciated. It's an HTC One m7 running ViperOne 6.2.1.

I have already tried Rescan Media ROOT & Stop Log ☆Root☆ and Netflix still causes these processes to spin out of out control. Perhaps this is related to Greenify's hibernation (active for Netflix)

# Answer
This is mostly speculation, but mediaserver is probably what is used to play all and any sound on android. Some app was probably using mediaserver inappropriately, causing it to show as using excessive battery.

logcat2 is probably the process used for logging output, and is where many debug and error messages are sent to.

Outright deleting them probably wasn't smart. Do you have a custom recovery installed? What phone is this? Your best bet is probably to restore those files. If you don't have them anymore, get them from an identical device.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: file-system, unbricking, logging, media-scanner, disable-app
---


title: Hide photos in the Google+ photos app

text:
# Question
Title: Hide photos in the Google+ photos app
I want to back up my photos using the photos app, but I don't want some of them to show up when I open the app on my phone. Is this possible?

# Answer
> 3 votes
Install file manager

Locate folder where backed up photos are

Put a .nomedia file in that folder

(A .nomedia file is an empty file with no code, which hides media in that folder. To get it you can copy paste it from elsewhere, like if you have WhatsApp, you can browse to it's media in file manager, go to pictures or videos, then to sent, and it should be there, or just do a search in your file manager for .nomedia, or you can make the file yourself)

Go to settings, apps, media storage, and clear it's data.

Restart your phone, go to gallery.

You might need to wait a bit for photos and videos to show up, because you cleared media storage, but the photos in the folder with the .nomedia file won't show up.

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


title: Google Wallet Problem

text:
# Question
Title: Google Wallet Problem
I found out today my cc was under my friends google wallet instead of mine. I was wondering if I delete it from his wallet; will I be able to add it under mine and be capable of using it. I ask because when I go to remove it, it says "This card will no longer be available to use online or on your device", what exactly does that mean if anyone can tell me.

# Answer
You can add the credit card to your Google Wallet account while leaving it in your friend's account. (My wife and I have each others card under both of our accounts.)

As for the "no longer available" message; that refers to their account only.
> 3 votes

# Answer
It means it won't be able to be used with that Wallet account anymore. You can still add the card to your Wallet account.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: google, google-wallet
---


# Question
Title: Hangouts SMS: Keep same conversation when contact gets a new phone number
I'm using Hangouts and a contact recently changed her phone number. Now I have one conversation with her old number and one with her name on it in my Hangouts. Is there any way to merge these conversations?

I'd prefer not to continue to have both numbers under the one contact for fear of accidentally dialing the old number!

# Answer
The only way to merge the two conversations in Hangouts is to update/merge the contacts under your Google account - http://www.google.com/contacts
> 0 votes

---
Tags: google-hangouts
---


# Question
Title: Insufficient memory error in google playstore, even though I have enough space
Recently I changed my sd card from 2GB to 8GB and now I can neither download nor update any apps from the Google Playstore. It shows "Insufficient space on device", even though internal 1.5gb & external 6gb is available. I tried clearing cache for apps, I also deleted some to restore space, but no use.

Can anyone please suggest what to do? This may be a duplicate question, none of the solutions worked for me. My phone is not rooted.

# Answer
You probably don't have enough space. Android installs apps to your internal SDcard, not your external. Going from 2 to 8 gigs is irrelevant when installing apps
> 1 votes

# Answer
Have you tried to move your already installed applications to your external SD card?

You can do it in application settings, after a click on an application in the list.

There must have a button "move to SD card" or something similar. Note that not all the apps can be moved to the external SD card this way.
> 0 votes

# Answer
First, I recommend using your computer to transfer all files and folders from the old SD card to the new one. This ensures a smooth SD card upgrade.

As for the space issue; the amount of your external memory doesn't resolve issues related to the internal memory. Only internal storage is used for apps installed on the majority of devices (it depends on the version of Android that is installed).
> 0 votes

---
Tags: google-play-store, insufficient-memory
---


# Question
Title: Unable to uninstall apps for secondary account
I have a Nexus 10 on which I have a master account, and a secondary (restricted) account for my kids.

Recently, one of them got hold of it while it was logged in and installed a bunch of games. I removed them again — or so I thought. I just found out that, while they don't show up in the list of apps tray, they *do* show up among the app permissions for the secondary account, as well as in the list of apps available via settings -\> apps.

I can't uninstall them from either location. While I suspect I can I uninstall them from the secondary account, how do I know they're really gone if I do so?

Shouldn't I be able to uninstall them from the master account?

# Answer
Go to Settings \> Application Manager \> Downloaded under both accounts and uninstall the app(s).
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, uninstallation, accounts
---


title: Samsung Knox - Keyboard Problem

text:
# Question
Title: Samsung Knox - Keyboard Problem
I was wondering if anyone would be of any assistance to me. I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 (Google Edition) smartphone.

I have recently setup KNOX for business use, and safely connecting to servers etc. However, my keyboard does not work at all in the KNOX application, but it works fine in Personal Home?

Does anyone have any ideas of what this may be? I am using Google Keyboard, since I do not really like the stock Samsung Keyboard.

Thanks in advance,

Ben

# Answer
Swiftkey is free and works inside and outside Knox
> 1 votes

# Answer
I just set up a Knox container myself and it seems that it is a secure sandbox environment that does not have access to your regular apps (any downloaded keyboard included) or even the Play store at all. It has its own Knox store, I suppose to keep the Knox container more secure. I was able to find a keyboard app for sale (Quickwrite Keyboard) in the Knox store but it's not cheap.
> 0 votes

# Answer
It seems, you changed Keyboard default. You have to setup "Samsung keyboard" as default when using KNOX
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-4, gboard, samsung-knox
---


# Question
Title: Why I Can't Use Wifi for anything except whatsapp?
I can't use WiFi for anything except WhatsApp on my *Samsung Galaxy S3 mini.*

I already turned on WiFi on my phone. But I can't do anything except WhatsApp. I can't browsing via WiFi, and can't open *Play Store* either. But when I use mobile data (via my Internet provider) I can do anything, except that I can't browse *Play Store* either.

When I use WiFi via my computer it can work, but can't work again via my phone.

The password is correct. I already check it, but nothing's work.

What should I do? Please help me!

# Answer
> 1 votes
Had exactly the same issue. Fixed it:

Set the router to automatically assign DNS. Turn off PC, Router, Android. Turn on PC, Router, Android after 15 sec.

Everything works like before now! :)

# Answer
> 1 votes
This worked for me 100%. Go to WiFi settings in your phone. Long tap the connected WiFi connection, select *modify network settings* and check if proxy is enabled which I am sure will be **enabled**, just switch it back to **NONE**, then again switch off the WiFi and switch it on again. Viola, the internet is back again.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I faced the same issue when changed my router from 3com to Asus DSL-N12E\_C1 . my DNS was set to automatic by default . I only changed it to google DNS : 8.8.8.8 and it amazingly WORKED .

# Answer
> -2 votes
Clean all the cache using All-In-One Toolbox, and restart your phone. It worked for me.

---
Tags: wi-fi, 4.1-jelly-bean, samsung-galaxy-s-3-mini
---


# Question
Title: Why do I have two notifications when I get emails from gmail?
I don't understand why I get two notifications on my phone every time I get an email. Is my phone running emails from two different apps? It's HTC One Mini, running Android 4.4.2.

Screenshot (click for larger variant)

# Answer
You are running two email applications.

From your screenshot the one with the big "N" is the `Gmail appliction` the other is from the HTC Email application, called email.

You can remove your account from either, or disable the whole application if that suits better.

**To remove the account from HTC Email.**

1. Press the "Application Menu" button at the bottom of your HTC device's screen.
2. Scroll to the "Email" icon, then tap it once to launch the program. If the application opens to the inbox of one of your accounts, press the "Back" button at the bottom of the phone to return to the "Accounts" menu.
3. Touch and hold your finger on the account that you want to delete until a pop-up window opens on the screen.
4. Touch the "Remove Account" option.
5. Tap the "OK" button to remove the account.

**Alternatively** (since this doesn't seem to work on this device in particular):

1. Go to Settings
2. Click Applications
3. Click `Mail`
4. Click `Clear Data`

As another alternative if the mail application is 'mail' rather than 'email' there is a `remove account` option in the settings.

---

**To remove a Google account**

Go to `Settings > Accounts and sync > Your Google Account Name`

You can either untick Gmail in the synch settings, OR click the button `Remove Account` to completely remove your Google account (which you may not want to do for obvious reasons).
> 15 votes

---
Tags: gmail, htc-one, stock-email-app, htc-one-mini
---


title: Stream data via mtp

text:
# Question
Title: Stream data via mtp
Android has removed support for UMS (USB Mass Storage) in favor of MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) for connecting to a computer.

MTP works similar in terms of copying and pasting files and folders to and from the Nexus device, but for example if there's a movie file, double clicking it on Windows requires it to be copied locally first instead of just starting my media player like a normal UMS storage would.

Any way to stream movies like this using MTP?

# Answer
VLC linux has a plugin for MTP streaming(libmtp\_plugin). Sadly Windows version is lacking one - https://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=121275.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: mtp, usb-mass-storage
---


# Question
Title: Switch to another keyboard language using stock keyboard
I have an Xperia (SOL21).

How can I fast switch to another keyboard language, using the default keyboard?

I'm mostly typing in Japanese, but usually swiftly change to Swedish and English (on a non-Android device). How do I do it on Android?

# Answer
I would recommend leaving the stock keyboard and using the Google Keyboard. It does have a language change key that is great for changing inputs, unlike some stock keyboards. I've set up English (QWERTY), English (DVORAK), and Spanish. Its compatible with Android 4.0+.
> 1 votes

# Answer
To switch to another language, you need to open the keyboard selection menu, where every language will be listed as an individual keyboard (named Android keyboard). This menu is in the notification area (just as another notification, present when the keyboard is visible).
> -1 votes

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


title: Encrypt the phone's internal storage

text:
# Question
Title: Encrypt the phone's internal storage
Is there a way to encrypt my phone's internal memory, in the same way you would encrypt a computer's partition?

Ideally, the phone would always ask for the password when booting, and even if someone had physical access to the phone and plugged it into a computer, this person could never see what's inside the phone unless he/she knew the encryption password.

I'm looking for a way to encrypt the internal storage only (that's where the sensitive data is kept). Encrypting the SD card is nice but not necessary.

Running eclair on a motorola milestone, and I'm willing to root it if necessary.

*Note: I know that there are security related apps that offer to remotely nuke the phone. I also know that this might seem exaggerated and tin-foil-hatish to some people, I'm just a bit of a security freak.* :-)

# Answer
Android 3 (Honeycomb) offers full system encryption natively. However, as it's only for tablets at this point I will post some other avenues.

There was some work done on this for the G1 using LUKS and Cryptsetup. I think I've seen this on a moto droid rom too, but you'll definitely need root. It is not trivial to do, and there isn't too much interest so popular roms like Cyanogenmod don't provide for this natively.

There are some apps in the market that support encrypted file stores (check out Lock Files). I have no idea how transparent that is on the system however.

To your italicized point on remote wipe. There are MANY solutions for this. If you're using Exchange you can push this with ActiveSync, if not apps like Lookout, and more provide remote wipe and other functions. There are even manual ways w/ dyndns and a listening SSH server.

Hope I was some help.
> 4 votes

# Answer
Inside this question linked by *GAThrawn*, there is a link found by *noname*:

ANDROID - Encryption

Motorola claims it will offer *"file system level encryption for both internal device memory as well as SD card"*, in early 2011. This encryption seems to be exactly what I was asking for (more details in the link).

All that's left is to hope that Motorola lives up to its promise.
> 2 votes

# Answer
This is a very old question with no up-to-date answer. As of 2014, Android 4.x and later offer native full-disk encryption.

Here's how to encrypt your phone along with pros and cons, and here's a discussion on the benefits of doing so against various types of attackers.

Android N offers file-level encryption.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: 2.1-eclair, security, encryption, internal-storage
---


# Question
Title: Connecting a Nexus 7 (2013) to a VGA projector
I would like to connect my Nexus 7 (2013) to an external projector or monitor. I know that there is a SlimPort to HDMI adapter (I have it and it works when plugged through HDMI), however, projectors at my work still have VGA (and no HDMI) socket.

In addition to the SlimPort HDMI adapter by Analogix, I also bought an HDMI to VGA adapter. The problem is that the external displays do not display any content (the SlimPort to HDMI cable is working, though). I also saw a SlimPort to VGA adapter from Analogix, but apparently it did not work either.

Has anyone succeeded in connecting the Nexus 7 (2013) to a VGA display? Even with complicated or costly systems.

I was wondering if something like that could work: http://www.miniinthebox.com/hd-video-hdmi-to-vga-scaler-converter-box-black\_p296227.html

Thank you for your help!

# Answer
> 1 votes
If you have a laptop with USB ports that can also connect to the VGA projector, then you can use Droid@Screen (http://droid-at-screen.ribomation.com) to show the Nexus' display on the laptop and in turn, on the projector.

Depending on what you are doing, this might work while you figure out a more robust solution. I say this because the main downside is lag, so it's not a good solution if you are trying to project video or show off a new buttery interface.

---
Tags: nexus-7, external-display
---


# Question
Title: How to authorize device for adb when the touch control is completely broken?
My Nexus 7 2012 has fallen from a table and though the display as well as the device itself is fine, the touch control is completely broken. You cannot tap or touch anything.

I believe I can manage a restricted access to it (thanks to great tutorial: http://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/1r2zha/how\_i\_managed\_to\_use\_my\_android\_device\_with\_a) if only I can execute `adb` commands.

Unfortunately any attempts end with simple:

```
$ adb shell
error: device unauthorized. Please check the confirmation dialog on your device.

```

Which is no option for me as my touch control is gone :-(.

I am looking for any option how to bypass/authorize the confirmation without using the device's touchscreen.

# Answer
It depends on what version of Android you have, but you should be able to connect a microUSB OTG cable with any old USB mouse to the Nexus and get control of the cursor. You can then click with the mouse in place of touch controls.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: adb, touchscreen, authorization
---


# Question
Title: How to know if there is any way to access data from a stolen Galaxy S3, or Android phone in general, via automatic backup or any other way
I apologize in advance for my ignorance. My Verizon Galaxy S3 went missing at a party. I am hoping that at least some of the data (documents, media, contacts, texts, phone calls...) was backed up automatically at some point after the last time I manually transferred to my laptop. As I am ridiculously busy, there were many apps that I was not yet acquainted with on my phone. I am not even aware of what types of software is out there for this or whether or not my phone was equipped with any of it.

Does anyone know of any chance I can still access my data before I talk to Verizon and replace my phone? Any and all insight is welcome.

Thanks in advance.

# Answer
Your contacts and calendar (by default) will be stored with your gmail account. Most likely when you activate another phone you'll immediately see this data if you activate the gmail (Gooble Play store) with the same account.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-3, backup, data-recovery, lost-phone, verizon-backup-assistant
---


# Question
Title: How can my company logo appear on other people's phones when I call them or they call me?
When I have called some companies their logo or photo automatically appears on my phone as a contact. How can I do the same?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Install Truecaller and add your contact image.

Alternatively, fill up your Google or Facebook profile with images. The Google Dialer/Contact software will pick up the image you had provided in your accounts.

---
Tags: contacts
---


# Question
Title: Encrypted Sony Z1 Compact stolen - will it be possible to reset and reinstall phone without PIN code?
Today my Sony Z1 Compact Android phone (4.4 Kit Kat) is stolen. Bad luck, but nobody's hurt and I'm quite sure my insurance will cover this. I've encrypted the phone and external SD card. Now this has happened I wonder if it is possible (for the new owner) to reset the phone, wipe and reinstall it?!

They don't have the code of course, and trying to enter the code manually will be a waste of time - the code is too long for that.

**So what I want to know: can this phone ever be used again?**

---

**Update**

I've bought a new phone, exactly the same, and it's encrypted again. It is not rooted! I don't know if USB debugging was on, but it could very well be. So let's assume it was.

If I understand correctly, I need to boot into recovery mode to reset the machine. I've found the following guide: How to Boot Into Sony Xperia Z1 Compact Recovery Mode. It offers three methods.

The last method involves the Playstore, which requires that you started up the phone, which is not possible without the PIN code. So that method is out.

The first method doesn't seem to work. When I reboot the phone, I don't see the led flashing, and pushing the volume button up or down many times during startup doesn't do anything, well except that I seem to enter some kind of "secure mode", but then again only after unlocking the phone.

The second method involved the ADB. I have enabled developer options on the stolen phone. I probably have enabled USB debugging, and didn't disable it afterwards. I need to try this, but it seems to me that this method too requires that you can startup the phone. I can only test this on Ubuntu right now, but I don't see how this can work without unlocking the phone. I connected the phone via USB to my ubuntu desktop, the started the phone. First thing that I have to do is unlock the phone. When the phone has started up, and I unlocked another time I get a notice asking to install software. For me this means this method won't work either.

**Maybe it is possible to wipe the phone with Windows?**

Is there another way to wipe the phone and reset it to the state when I bought it?

# Answer
You can flash the factory ftf using flashtool. You can connect the phone in flashmode (Volume down) and flash the ftf. This is similar to factory reset. This method does not require USB debugging to be ON.

1. You need flashtool to be installed in your machine.
2. Install the flashmode and fastboot driver for your device.
3. Open Flash tool
4. Switch off your phone
5. Hold volume down button
6. Connect USB cable to PC
7. Flash the ftf. Refer this

Note : First connect the usb to your phone then hold volume down button and then connect the cable to PC. I dont know why I need to follow this order. But the other way is not working for me.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Yes, it's possible to *factory reset* (wipe) the phone, and then it'll be like new. If you want to make sure the phone can't be used any more, you have to report the theft to the police and make sure to give them the IMEI of the phone. (It should be written on the box it came in, or possibly your carrier will know.) Then they will blacklist the IMEI so the phone won't work on any cell network.
> 3 votes

# Answer
I had a Xperia Z, with encrypted storage. But it gets factory reset automatically when i enter wrong pass key 5-6 times. Anyways, do you have any anti theft software installed. If yes they might be a help for you.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, encryption
---


title: HTC One Deactivate Autocorrection

text:
# Question
Title: HTC One Deactivate Autocorrection
Is it possible to deactivate the autocorrection feature of the **HTC One** (Android 4.3) without losing the 'swype' feature of the keyboard?

I could only figure out how to deactivate the 'swype'-, wordprediction and autocorrection feature all together.

What I would like is to deactivate just the behaviour that unknown or uncommon words get corrected.

# Answer
Go into your Settings/Language & Input. Under "Keyboard & Input Methods" hit the settings icon next to your keyboard. Scroll down to "Text Correction" hit "Auto Correction" and select "Off". That should do the trick.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: keyboard, htc-one, auto-correct
---


# Question
Title: Get device's component information and health status
Is there any option provided by Android by which we can list down all the hardware and software component of smart phone? Also, we can check the health staus of all the hardware components. For example, battrey, wifi, camera etc. If the battrey is 50% charged then it should show the user about battrey current health. Its hould also tell if all other components are working fine or not, like wifi, bluetooth, RAM,ROM etc.

Is there any existing app for the same. If not then, what all things I need to know to build this app.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Well, there are a number of tools available over the store that can help you in detecting the health status, try using Z-Device Test available over the store.

---
Tags: adb
---


# Question
Title: I formatted /sdcard and my phone won't boot
I have a Samsung Galaxy Star Duos GT-S5282. I installed ClockworkMod Recovery 5 and I was messing with it. I went to "mounts and storage" then chose `format /sdcard` and then rebooted the system.

It is stuck on the logo and restarting and isn't loading. How can I fix it?

# Answer
I'm afraid you delete the whole system on your device, so that there is currently no rom to boot. What you can do now is to flash a rom. If you have an external SD card slot, then push your rom files and g-apps onto it and insert the card and flash via recovery. If your device does not have an external SD card slot or you do not have one, you have to flash the rom via adb. Here's a link to that: xda-Wiki I hope I understood you correctly and that it helps
> 1 votes

# Answer
I guess your phone is soft bricked. Try re-partitioning it with the pit file and flashing the original stock firmware. This will not take 4-hours.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: recovery-mode, clockworkmod-recovery, boot-loop, formatting
---


# Question
Title: Contacts phone numbers disappeared after sync to google
After synchronising with Google, all contacts that have phone numbers associated with them disappeared.

I tried to enter a new contact just to test this. If I sync again the new entry disappears as well. How can it be recovered?

My phone is a Galaxy Note II

# Answer
> 1 votes
Did you clear Contacts Storage?

Settings \> Applications \> General Applications \> All (at the top) \> Contacts Storage \> force stop \> clear data

then Bring up "Contacts" you will then see "You don't have any contacts to display" \> press Menu button \> Accounts \> choose account to sync (your gmail account) \> Sync

# Answer
> 1 votes
Google can restore your contacts from the last thirty days. This is for your desktop computer, and would probably propagate into your Android as well, if Android is not fixed after fixing your desktop contacts, fix those on Android with our other answers, afterwards.

**Google search:** lost gmail contacts

# Answer
> 0 votes
Ensure "contacts to display" is set to "all contacts" (under the settings in your contacts app). This ensures you will see contacts from your Google account.

It would he good to validate your Google Contacts data by going to http://www.google.com/contacts. Verifying that all the data is there confirms that the issue is with your phone's display, not the data.

---
Tags: applications, samsung-galaxy-s-3, contacts, sync, google
---


# Question
Title: Auto-Tether when another phone nearby (in car)
I have an android phone in car for Spotify purposes.
I'm trying to set up the system so the car phone tries to connect to my own phone once car power is on (phone starts charging) and start playing music:

My phone would notice that the spotify android is nearby (bluetooth) and automatically start up tethering for the spotify phone to connect to.

Music would start playing as soon as the spotify android notices it's charging and start downloading new songs once it's connected to my phone's wifi.

Does anyone know how to do this?

# Answer
As I've never tried exactly that (and more specifically, never worked with Spotify), I cannot give you exact steps. But I can outline how this should be possible using :

## On your "Server" device:

* **Condition:** State → BT Near (specify the BT MAC of the "Player" device)
* **Task:** Launch App (whatever "server component" is needed)

## On your "Player" device:

* **Condition:** State → BT Near (specify the BT MAC of the "server device")
* **Task:**
    + Launch App (the music player used to connect to the other device)
    + Either one of the "Media Control" actions, or "Play Music" should start playing

Of course, this assumes that – once the devices are paired, which should happen automatically once they are in reach of each other if they had been paired before – the app on the player-device automatically selects the "server device" as source to play from. As most players on a re-start resume where they stopped before, this should be the case unless you've used a "different source" in between – which might be avoidable using a specific app for this task.

On the other hand, my Collection of Tasker Resources a.o. lists the Media Utilities, dealing with *Tasker* as well as with *Spotify*, and thus might prove helpful in the process. And in fact, you can find a comparable process e.g. described here – explaining how to make *Tasker* launch Spotify when you plug in your headphones, then raise the volume and play the last played track.

## Also see:
> -1 votes

---
Tags: tethering, wifi-hotspot, automation, spotify
---


title: Battery Issues-Moto E

text:
# Question
Title: Battery Issues-Moto E
I am facing battery issues from days,the battery does not survive even a day even without using the internet. Tried uninstalling some apps but there is no effect. It is happening 10 days after 4.4.4 Kitkat update.

Are there any solutions?

# Answer
Use battery monitor in settings to see what's causing the battery drain. Uninstalling apps is not the solution, until you've identified that as the problem. You can either access your battery stats in settings or in notification shortcut.
> 2 votes

# Answer
Install Greenify and hibernate all unused apps, this actually stops the apps from running in background. This fixed the problem for me as I am an extensive apps user.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Diagonise apps with any antivirus or security app and see what is the reason for fast draining of battery.usually the apps which use more RAM are the reasons for less backup of battery. Uninstalling those unwanted apps is the solution
> -1 votes

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


# Question
Title: How install python interpreter on an android device
I cant download the http://code.google.com/p/android-scripting/ because in my country is block this URL. Where can I install the python app for android

# Answer
Check out QPython - Python for Android. This appears to be an IDE and Python script runner for Android.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: applications, python
---


# Question
Title: Samsung Galaxy S disconnected during Kies firmware download
The phone will not work at all now and only shows an icon depicting the phone and a pc connected with an exclamation in the middle. I have taken out the battery etc but to no avail. The PC now doesn't recognise the USB connection.

What do I do now?

# Answer
From the comments it sounds like you've gotten back to Download Mode, so that's good. If not, try different button combinations in conjunction with battery removes and being plugged/unplugged into USB. Something should get you there.

Once you're in Download Mode you're probably going to need Odin to fix your device. You can use my instructions here for Odin.
> 1 votes

# Answer
I found this link to be useful. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=775911

Essentially, you have to remove the battery, SIM card and the microSD card. Then wait for a while and put everything back and connect the phone to the pc running KIES recovery. It worked for me, although its not clear to me what really clicked it.
> 1 votes

# Answer
the problem is that you have bricked your phone. fortunately for you, its just a soft brick and not hard brick. phones can be repaired from soft brick.

run "emergency firmware recovery" option in kies. it will work. run revcovery using the same pc. if you cannot run from same pc, get the recovery code from that pc and use the that code to run recovery from any other pc

from what you have said, i can advise you that you should not attempt to use odin right away to repair you phone. if you still insist on using odin, i suggest you google about itthoughly before flashing using odin.

this problem can be rectified using kies and i suggest you do the same. emergency firmware recovery option is given in kies for your problem and such.

**\*****use kies\**********

-Pawan Kumar
> -1 votes

# Answer
From what you have written it appears that your phone has been "BRICKED." The computer that you were using to perform your KIES update via the USB connection was not capable of handling the update and unfortunately your phone has become inoperable.
> -2 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s, updates, samsung-kies
---


title: Unable to add contact to SIM

text:
# Question
Title: Unable to add contact to SIM
I want to add new contact and save it in SIM Card.

I use OnePlus One with CyanogenMod 11S, which is on top of Android 4.4.4 and inside I have O2 pay-as-you-go card from UK. When I used Gingerbread and Ice Cream versions of Android in the past, I always had 3 options when creating contacts - Google account, Device and Sim.

Now when I tap on New contact icon, I cannot change the type from Google contact to anything else (tapping it just doesn't do anything).

I know this might be stupid question, but I cannot check it with other card. My real question is - **is this problem specific to O2 (carrier), or Cyanogen, or Android 4.4?** Or am I doing something wrong and there is some option I need to enable first?

# Answer
After some investigation, I believe this in **Android 4.4** issue.

It seems to be designed to use only Google contacts, synchronized with Gmail. I could not find any option to even display SIM contacts - they can only be imported from SIM to Google.

I know for sure, that in Android 4.2 devices, user can choose between location of contacts and can display all contacts, regardless of where they are saved.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, sim-card, cyanogenmod, google-contacts, oneplus-one
---


# Question
Title: Creating USB connector cable using female-female adapter
In order to connect a pen drive to One M8, I tried using a female-female USB adapter with one end connected to my phone via the provided USB cable and a pen drive inserted into the other end.. however this didn't work\*.

Can anyone pls provide me the reason for this? Thanks in advance. :)

* after referring to Google I came to know that OTG cable is required.. but why is my setup not working like an OTG cable?

# Answer
> 1 votes
In USB, one device acts as the *host*, and others as *peripherals*. USB-on-the-go sockets and cables use particular pins wired together to let each device know which rôle it should play. Your home-made cable didn't have this, so the phone was trying to act as a peripheral, not a host. If you'd learned about USB-OTG before trying to make your own cable, and shorted together the correct pins on the host end of the cable, it would have worked fine.

---
Tags: usb-connection-mode, usb-on-the-go, usb-host-mode, htc-one
---


# Question
Title: For an android virtual device emulator which target should i target it to? (Image included)
It says that the CPU,ABI system image isn't available for this target, but there is only one target and thats the one that is already selected. What do i do? Any help would greatly be appreciated.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Run the android sdk manager and download the image because you only have the device definitions and the SDK and not the system images so download them from there

---
Tags: emulators, avd-manager
---


# Question
Title: How to re-install updates to Google system apps?
I have Android 4.2.2 on my phone. A few weeks ago Google Play was acting weird and would not install updates to some of the apps. I tried lots of things but nothings worked. Eventually I uninstalled the updates of Google Play Store (back to 3.10.10) and Google Play Services (to 1.0.15), thinking even if it didn't help I could reinstall the updates later. I was asked "Do you want to uninstall all updates to this android system app?" each time and I continued. Turned out it actually worked and I could install those apps that I could not install before. I decided to leave them as old versions since they seemed to work better.

Fast forward a few weeks, now there are some apps that give me errors when Google Play tries to update them. So I want to update Google Play Store and Google Play Services back to the original (and newer) version but I can't figure out how. Any suggestions as to how I can do this? Thank you.

# Answer
I'm assuming your phone isn't rooted. If you know exactly what build/version you're after then do a quick Google search for 'Google Play Services XXX.apk' and manually install the later version over the top of your current one, and the same for the next one. They are available on aptoide, blackmart and other alternate stores.

If you get any packages error, or system error, I would suggest just do a reformat and reinstall all your content- it's generally quicker than scowering the net for the cause behind the issue.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: google-play-store, 4.2-jelly-bean, system-apps, google-play-services
---


title: App for reading CSV files?

text:
# Question
Title: App for reading CSV files?
I use the free version of Documents To Go to open Excel and Word files on my phone, but I was disappointed when I tried to open a CSV file. The only app I have that responds to the Intent for opening a CSV file displays it as plain text.

Does anyone know of a good free app for viewing CSV files in a grid/spreadsheet layout?

# Answer
> 8 votes
Simple Spreadsheet is freeware and lists import/export of CSV as a feature.

Shead Spreet Lite also has similar features.

In the non-freeware category, see CSV Viewer and AndrOffice

# Answer
> 1 votes
Documento - office viewer can open and view CSV files. I believe it costs $1, though it can open other files as well.

# Answer
> -2 votes
Data Bee is the best. It can handle large files without problems. I has been using it for so many years.

---
Tags: microsoft-excel
---


# Question
Title: How can I make Dolphin open bookmarks in the current tab?
I have loaded the Dolphin browser on my HTC Android phone.

Each time I open my bookmark it loads a new tab in the browser which means I have many running and I have to go in and close the tabs.

Does anyone know how to make it use an existing tab of the browser? I don't want the browser to have so many tabs open. I realise this will mean if I have TWO apps the previous will show then open the bookmark. Alternatively, is it possible to have Dolphin close my tabs when the `Home` button is pushed?

# Answer
> 0 votes
In the current version of Dolphin:
Menu Button \> Settings (ship's wheel) \> Customize \> Open links in \> By default

**Default** will open in the page is set up to open the link into (normally the same page), other choices are **Open in background tab** (current tab remains the active tab), and **Open in new tab**.

Older versions of Dolphin had option under Labs instead of under Customize.

---

Optional:

I find it best to stick with the default open in the same tab, but will often use a bookmarklet to force tabs to open in a new tab when I want to make sure I don't fail to use the context menu to open a link in a new tab, for which I assign a gesture written as "nt" in Dolphin, or a keyword shortcut of "nt:" in Firefox (where : is not hard to type on a keyboard).

**Name**: NT: New Tab
**Address**: javascript:(function(){var%20a=document.getElementsByTagName('a');document.title='||'+document.title+'||';for(var%20i=0,j=a.length;i\<j;i++){a\[i\].setAttribute('target','\_blank');}})();

When creating the bookmarklet in Dolphin, create by replacing content of a newly created bookmarklet with the above content, typing a space instead of %20 and and suggest changing the folder to one you have created as "bookmarklets" within your bookmarks.

see my page on Dolphin Gestures

---
Tags: dolphin-browser
---


# Question
Title: Unable to open links in new tab on Dolphin
I am running Andrond 2.2 on HTC Desire.

I was using Dolphin HD til recently. All was well until I upgraded the browser to the current version, which is 10.2.3. It says `previous Dolphin Browser HD` in brackets.

Since then, the long press doesn't work like it used to. The menu just has `select text`, `find on page`, and `close tab`. I can't open links in new tabs. I am finding it extremely hard to browse. The stock browser is worse.

Reinstalling didn't help.

What is wrong? How to fix this?

# Answer
> 0 votes
They may be javascript links that Dolphin will execute, but will not provide context menu for as links. Also we are on 11.2.3 now so if there was a problem with normal links in 10.2.3 it may have been resolved.

Here is a page, 001 Tab Capacity Test, that has normal links such as underscored "04" and some JavaScript links in shaded boxes, such as "loc:" at the top.

The context menu of the JavaScript link is what you would see for plain text, it would be nice to be able to use "Copy link URL" and be able to "Bookmark link" in the normal manner but that is not possible in Dolphin.

If you still have a problem with a page provide the url of a public webpage (no userid or password required) and the link involved so we can look at the source.

---

Optional material:
Installing bookmarklets into Dolphin can be a bit tedious and round about, importing them from another browser may be easier.

---
Tags: 2.2-froyo, htc-desire, dolphin-browser
---


# Question
Title: How do I configure Android without using the touch screen?
I have an old Android phone around whose display broke after a fall. The touch screen has stopped working but I am reluctant to accept the device merely as a paper weight.

I do have some use cases for the device, e.g. as a file server, if only I could configure the network settings and install certain apps.

My specific use case is not the question but:

How do I configure my Android device without using the touch screen?

I wonder if it is possible to configure the device via USB connection.

# Answer
You can send fake keys and touches to an Android device using adb and USB connection.

http://philatwarrimoo.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/root-huawei-x3-8150-without-windows-or.html

About 3/4 into my post I present a bash script to send keys and touches to allow me to setup an Huawei IDEOS phone.

eg

```
adb_tap 0x70 0x80  # tap on android icon
adb shell input keyevent 20  # down to 'Create'
adb shell input keyevent 20  # down to 'Sign in'
adb shell input keyevent 23  # enter
adb shell input text 'username@gmail.com'
adb shell input keyevent 20  # down to 'password'
adb shell input text 'password or 2-factor code'  # 2-factor pw
adb shell input keyevent 23  # enter
adb shell input keyevent 20  # down to 'Sign in'
adb shell input keyevent 23  # enter

```
> 2 votes

# Answer
You could use Android Screencast to control the device connected via usb. It only does about 3-5 fps, but you can do what you need to accomplish, if you have patience. You will need to have the android SDK installed (I believe).

Another solution, that would be specific to your device, is to see if you can find a replacement digitizer. If you can see what is on the screen, but it doesn't recognize the touches, then you need only the digitizer.
> 1 votes

# Answer
What device is it?

if it is a device that supports USB Host mode you can plug a keyboard into it with an adapter of some sort.

If you can't go that route, another option is a bluetooth keyboard. I don't know if you'll be able to get connected with no touch screen though. But if you can once your connected you'll be all set. You can control focus with the arrow keys, send a screen touch with enter, and esc acts as the back button.
> 0 votes

# Answer
With this app MyPhoneExplorer I can successfully lock, unlock and uninstall apps from my phone without using the touch screen. I have gingerbread 2.3.5 installed .
> 0 votes

# Answer
I recently connected a mouse through USB OTG cable to my friend's phone which suffered a similar fate. With the mouse almost all functions were possible including typing thorough the onscreen keyboard. The only thing that was not possible was to use the `Home`, `Back` and `Menu` soft buttons.

I then installed Button Savior app to bring in a overlay soft buttons with which I used the home and back functionalities.
> 0 votes

# Answer
I found this response, while I had a similar problem with my Nexus7 and KitKat. AndroidScreencast and VNC didn't work for me.

I found the repeated use of "adb input" and guessing the x/y location to be very frustrating, so I wrote a series of shell scripts that make it easier to remotely tap/swipe on the screen.

See my blog post for my remote android script collection

In particular, if you want to press on the app whose icon is in the 3 row, and 2 column down, you simply type

```
XY 3 2

```

You can even click fractional locations, like

```
XY 6 0.1

```

which can be used to launch the menu option of Helium, so you can do a remote backup.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 2.3-gingerbread, usb, remote-control, settings
---


# Question
Title: Can I train Google Voice Actions to better recognize my voice?
I'm playing with Google Voice Actions. The idea is great, but I'm having trouble with Google Voice Actions not recognizing some of my words. The mistakes are minor, but are bad enough that the application returns bad results half the time.

Some examples: * The words "Bee Canyon" is interpreted to be "East Canyon". * "Road" is interpreted as "route"

I am using a Samsung Intercept M910.

I speak American English, with a typical American (Californian) accent. I'm sitting in a quiet room with little background noise.

Is there a way to 'train' Google Voice Actions so that it will understand my voice better?

# Answer
You could try enabling the "Personalized Recognition" option in the Voice Search settings. This option basically causes Voice Search to store words and phrases that you use on your Google account, and gradually build up a voice library of your speech patterns. You can read the original announcement for it on the Google Mobile blog.

I believe this feature is only available in the US on Android 2.2 or later, but it's possible there may be other restrictions as well.
> 4 votes

# Answer
The voice recognition also seems to do a better job with longer phrases and sentences (as there is additional context). It often does a better job for me if I add extra words (e.g., when searching for a nearby street or service, add the city and the state).
> 0 votes

# Answer
Look up the "voice search" app, tap on the three horizontal dots at the bottom right of the screen. Tap on settings\> voice history \> Enable it.
> -2 votes

---
Tags: google-voice-actions
---


# Question
Title: press and hold home button to see all running apps in teamviewer quick support
I use teamviewer quick support to control my mom's android from my mac.

It works ok. But still can't figure out how to press and hold home button to see all running apps in android using my mac's trackpad or keyboard.

I tried to move mouse over home button and press left mouse long and tried right mouse key but there is no result.

# Answer
Alternatively you can install an app that emulate it. For example application *home button* . After installation long press to show the recent apps. Application \*floating toucher * has an option named **recent app**
> 1 votes

---
Tags: teamviewer
---


title: Wifi Connection Problem

text:
# Question
Title: Wifi Connection Problem
I am staying in hostel where i get WiFi facility.Using netcut application some are blocking the net connection.I can use internet in laptop using netcut defender but i am unable access in my phone.I am using asus zenfone 5. Is there any way to protect from blocking.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I found this in Play Store. See if it works - NetCut Root.
Comment if worked.

---
Tags: wi-fi
---


# Question
Title: Why are apk files are kept in system folder?
Isn't an apk files just an archive which is unpacked when you install a package? So, why should it be kept then?

# Answer
> 3 votes
APK files aren't unpacked when you install the app. The APK file is the only copy of the executable code and static assets belonging to the app. Deleting the APK file would delete the app.

Unpacking the APK files would just take up more storage and take longer to access when you run the app.

# Answer
> 0 votes
They're in /data/data/applicationPackageName. For example /data/data/com.facebook.android but you have to be root.

Oops I'm sorry I thought you were asking where. I'm in the app and can't find the option to delete my answer. Please dismiss it.

---
Tags: apk, system
---


# Question
Title: Can you identify this 'N' app running in the status bar?
This 'N' thing in the status bar is new and I don't know which app it is. I've looked in the applications list but can't find anything unusual. I think it also changed the wallpaper without asking.

Does anyone recognize it?

Here it is close up:

And in the context of the screen:

# Answer
> 4 votes
I don't know for sure, but could it be a variation of the NFC status icon?

---
Tags: applications, wallpaper
---


# Question
Title: Why doesn't Android store the packages as binaries like on other Linux distros?
On Ubuntu, it doesn't store apps as deb files it stores them as plain compiled code. Why doesn't Android do that instead of using Jit and cache? Wouldn't it be more efficient to just compile it completely like on Ubuntu?

# Answer
There are really two different issues here. Your question about "compiled code" is dealt with by another of today's questions. This is completely separate from whether an app is unpacked from its package file. Don't forget that Ubuntu (and other Linux distros) can have apps written in Java and shipped as JAR files, as well as native executables, and Android apps can include native code as well as Java. In both cases, the binary itself is a small part of the package: the images and other data (known as *assets*) used by the app are far larger.

It's mainly for historical reasons that applications on GNU/Linux have to be unpacked into separate files. This is much less efficient than keeping the package file itself, since the separate files take up more storage space and are thus slower to load. But because of the way GNU/Linux software is developed, and the way different tools work together, it's much more convenient to keep doing it the same way.

As Android is a new OS (with a Linux-based kernel), it's not limited by its history in the same way as Ubuntu. The init system, and the framework with which apps are written, are set up to support running from the APK file itself, while keeping it read-only. As well as the storage advantages above, it also makes it easier to keep apps protected and isolated from each other, because each app is a single file in read-only storage. There's no need for complicated setup scripts to make sure the correct files are overwritten or replaced in upgrades, and the intent system makes it unnecessary for packages to overwrite or replace each other as with Debian's `update-alternatives` script.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: applications
---


# Question
Title: Battery Percentage is not working after flashing Xperia E Dual with Nexboost ROM
I have flashed my Xperia E Dual with Nexboost ROM. After flashing my mobile below functionalities (a far I have identified till now) are not working:

1. Battery Percentage Status Bar (Always showing 100%)
2. FM Radio (Not installed)
3. Live Wallpaper (Not Supported)
4. Gallery (Some options are force closing this Gallery app)

Are there any solution to fix these issues?

# Answer
You must have read about the bugs listed on that page before flashing the ROM. The bugs listed are -

* Battery percentage is weird at times (goes up and down). Battery life is ok, though. There seems to be a problem with the Poseidon Kernel causing this. Hope @UltraGamerHD will fix it sometime in the future.
* A lot of people ask about the stock Xperia Themes. Well, they don't work. I already changed .pngs files in various apks causing the themes to no longer work.
* Some apps force closes at times (Whatsapps, Gmail, Browser,etc..). Clearing the apps data, they'll work again.

*They did not mention anything about FM Radio.*

**So the main point is you should wait until they release their next ROM (or) flash another ROM better than this.**
> 2 votes

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


# Question
Title: Google Play downloads app to wrong tablet
I bought my daughter an Android tablet and tried to download Angry Birds onto it. It showed the message that app would be downloaded shortly, but it never did. A little while later, I logged onto my tablet only to find it installed on MY tablet. I thought maybe I had accidentally picked up the wrong tablet as they do look similar, so I tried it again. Sure enough, go to google play on her tablet and it downloads the app onto mine. How do I fix this?

# Answer
If you are using the web interface (going to the Play store on your computer), there is an option to choose which device to download it to.

After you hit the green install button a window pops up. There will be a rectangle on top that has a list of permissions that the app requires. Underneath that is a drop down box that allows you to choose which device (out of all the devices connected to your account) to install the app to.

If you have the same model tablet as your daughter it may take some experimenting to figure out which is which. You can rename the devices (to make it easier to know which one you want to download to) by going to settings (the gear looking icon on the top right side).

Edit:

```
  If you do not see both tablets in the drop down or under the settings menu you
need to check the tablets themselves to make sure they are both connected to the
same Google account. This is located in different places on different tablets,
but you can usually find it in the tablets settings under accounts.

```

Update:

```
try this link:
http://androidforums.com/google/625570-can-you-sideload-google-play-app.html
it explains how to side load the Google Play store. Here is a summary:

```

> "Download the matching .apk off the web onto your computer. (google search it, use sources like XDA instead of 4shared or other sources that could have viruses)
>
> Mount your phone as hard drive (when you plug in the USB cable to your phone should give you the choice between charge only or mount as hard drive). Put the .apk onto the SD Card where you can find it.
>
> Download a file manager off of Getjar, anything will work.
>
> Then go to settings\>apps\>allow external sources. Assuming your device allows it, this will let you install non market/getjar apps. It might be disabled already, thats OK.
>
> Find the file and tap on it. It'll show a list of permissions, or things that the play store can do on your phone (like access the internet, save files onto your phone, etc). just hit okay, or install.
>
> After that it should install for you, and you'll be able to find play store in your app drawer like any other app.
>
> Here's a link to the play store. Download the unmodded version. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1582422"
> 5 votes

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Tags: applications, google-play-store
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title: Unable to charge my device

text:
# Question
Title: Unable to charge my device
I connected my device to the laptop through the U.S.B cable and tried to charge but it's not charging the device.Although it is connecting the device normally for data transfer but it's not charging the device as it used to.

The device is not getting charged even through the Wall socket provided by the Manufacturer.Now what can i do to get it charged back to normal.

Device:Samsung Galaxy trend(GT-S7392)

Android:4.1.2 Jelly bean

# Answer
> 2 votes
I simply turned OFF the device, disconnected the battery from the mains and waited for 2-5 minutes (placed the battery separate from the device).

Later cleaned the terminals with a soft cloth ,placed the battery inside and connected the socket .

Started charging the device i power off mode itself for some time and later when i switched on the device it was successfully charging the device.

Lucky it was removable battery.(else had to go for a genuine service center and deposit the device for some time )

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Tags: usb, charging
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# Question
Title: Install FM Radio Module on Xperia E Dual flashed with Custom ROM
Can anyone please help me with the procedure to install FM Radio in my rooted Xperia E Dual flashed with Nexboost ROM?

# Answer
I found a thread on XDA forums. They are providing an app (which is already available in Play Store) named SpiritFM which uses phone's inbuilt antenna for radio (also via internet if required). Go to XDA dev page and use search string *spirit fm* or Click Here.
> 0 votes

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Tags: rooting, custom-roms, sony-xperia
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# Question
Title: Galaxy tab 4 7.0 version 4.4.2 stuck in Odin Mode
Today I would like to root my samsung galaxy tab 4 7.0 version 4.2.2. while odin running, it display fail and then my phone now is stuck in odin mode..

Please see my photo :

Odin Mode Product Name: SM-T231 Current Binary: Custom System status: official.

please help

# Answer
Hmmm... seems like you're stuck. Ok so solution is to download the stock firmware and flash your device vis odin. Thats how I got mine fixed. Sm t231.
> -1 votes

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Tags: root-access, samsung-galaxy-tab, odin
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# Question
Title: What adapter do I need: Philips Headset + Samsung S4 mini duos
I would like to use the microphone of my Philips headset (SHO9567GB/10, iPod compatible) with my Samsung S4 mini Duos (i9192). Right now, the headset is only recognised as headphone. What kind of adapter do I need?

# Answer
> 0 votes
The in-line-mic only works for compatible Apple products. Apple always has something different than the standard and most Android devices use the opposite. I would like to see an adapter, but it would probably use an Apple patent. I think you're out of luck, but I'll update this if I find anything in the future. Next headphone pair you buy, I recommend you looking up if it's fully Android compatible.

P.S. If you in-line-buttons (volume and track control) to work, their are apps that convert one Android compatible button to work like the other few buttons using double clicking them. I recommend Headset Button Controller I am warning you that they get annoying because you have to have the play-pause button working as well as be able to spam the play button a number of times to get it to do volume-up for example.

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Tags: samsung, headset
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# Question
Title: Samsung Galaxy I9000 not detected by Odin in download mode
Samsung Galaxy GT-i9000 not detected by Odin in download mode. I have Windows Vista and Kies is also installed on the P.C

# Answer
> 0 votes
You have to stop kies. It has a thread in the background, so seach this in the taskmanager and stop the process.

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Tags: samsung-galaxy-s
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# Question
Title: Root Samsung Galaxy S3 with broken USB port
I recently purchased a Sprint Galaxy s3 on ebay with a broken charge port, and have revived it with a wireless charging reciever and charger. I want to root it but there is no way to connect it to my computer. i have looked into the framaroot/one click root but am unsure how reliable it is and my firmware version is 4.4.2 so it is probably not an option anyway(as it doesn't support higher than 4.2)

Is there a way to do this? could i possibly connect my s3 wirelessly to my computer? I want to root my s3 but am stuck with no idea. Any suggestions? Thanks

# Answer
You can try and use towelroot, which should support all phones \< jun 3 2014
> 0 votes

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Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-3, 4.4-kitkat, usb, root-access
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