# Question
Title: Android 7 Nougat onwards: hides USB OTG sticks from third-party file managers?
Third party file managers such as ES File Manager and RhythmSoft File Manager HD (others will be tested) do not show an USB OTG device.

It does not even get listed. Only Android's pre-installed file manager does.

### Is USB OTG deliberately hidden in Android ≥7?

# Answer
> 1 votes
As explained here How app can access files on USB OTG storages in Android 6.0 (API level 23) without root?, the accepted answer says about the change introduced from Marshamllow

> In Android 6.0, any device that is not adopted is considered portable. \[…\] Third-party apps must go through the Storage Access Framework to interact with files on portable storage; **direct access is explicitly blocked for privacy and security reasons.**

(Emphasis added)

Which means that the File explorer needs to use Storage Access Framework (requires root as indicated in the question on SO). This XDA post Files by Google adds support for browsing files on USB OTG drives says Files by Google has been updated with this capability (not tested by me).

---
Tags: usb, file-management, usb-on-the-go, files
---


title: Avoid ads on YouTube app

text:
# Question
Title: Avoid ads on YouTube app
There are many ads when playing videos on the Youtube app, I have tried many things but nothing works. Is there a way to avoid all the ads?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Unfortunately, you cannot disable ads on YouTube without rooting your phone,

A workaround for this is to install the Adblock browser and watch YouTube videos from there. However, this may be impractical depending on how frequently you watch videos.

Further information is in this post.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Yes. You can avoid YouTube ads (except on paid channels and movies) by subscribing to the paid membership called "YouTube Red". This also enables you to save videos and songs for offline playback on a mobile device.

YouTube Red includes a subscription to the "Google Play Music" streaming service. (Or vice versa: If you subscribe to Google Play Music like I do, you get YouTube Red for free.)

The price (currently) is US$9.99 per month.

CNET has a summary on YouTube Red including a list of supported devices including the Android and iOS apps, Chromecast, Android TV, Apple TV, some game consoles, and some Smart TVs. CNET says YouTube will have some original shows and movies for Red members, if you're interested in that sort of thing.

(This answer sounds like an ad but I'm not a Google employee.)

# Answer
> 0 votes
Root your phone with Magisk, and then you can either install Xposed to get youtubeadaway, or some of the more recent modules in magisk. I have a black themed ad blocking app that actually installs over the YouTube app dad got through magisk in addition magisk systemless Lea Roots so you can still enjoy the things like Netflix and Android pay not having to sideload.I have a rooted phone and I get ad-free YouTube and I download YouTube for free. Download the XDA app takeoff look-see at the apps that they have on their site. One of the good ones you're never going to see on Google play. Hope that helps

# Answer
> -2 votes
You can use the AdAway apk or use an exposed module called YouTube AdAway, but you will need to have a rooted phone for this.

---
Tags: youtube
---


title: SIM card Virtualization - Possible?

text:
# Question
Title: SIM card Virtualization - Possible?
Is there a way to "virtualize" a SIM card?
Say I go to T-Mobile, and get a new phone line. I have a new number (say (123) 456-7890), and a new SIM card (new ICCID).

Is there a way to "virtualize" that SIM card's information so it can be used on a virtual android machine?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Just found this: **Is it possible to virtually emulate a SIM card and make it work on a mobile phone?**

> Not impossible.
>
> SIM card basically carries authentication information to make the required connection with the network. So, to be able to connect to a network in the name of SIM you don't have, you have to have the information which the SIM carries.
>
> Once you have this, you have to tamper with the phone's hardware(and/or software) to get the information it is expected to collect from the SIM from somewhere else.
>
> Since, the interface between the SIM and the phone is standardised for any given technology, it should not be impossible to mimic this, using a combination of hardware and software. But, such a system is readily available? I haven't heard of.

It seems it's possible if you're genius enough to understand and implement how the interfacing between phone and sim card is done, because on the basic level, a sim card is nothing but a storage device holding access codes and data (you may just virtually store this info and emulate/read it like there's a sim card).

But as far as I searched, no one has done it.. And also, as @Andrew commented, you need appropriate radio hardware to make telecommunication even if something like that hack is accomplished :)

# Answer
> 0 votes
The SIM card is more complex than you think. Of course it is identified by an MSISDN, basically a unique number identifying the phone number internationally. BUT, there are 2 sides to the encryption, 1/2 Key is stored on the SIM card itself, and the other half is stored on the Network (The HLR - Home Location Register). The combination of those 2 enables the Operator to make sure you are allowed to use the network as per your contract with this operator. Only the right combination of those 2 1/2 keys (one of which is in possession of the operator only, enables the device using the SIM card to make phone calls etc... The second half is indeed stored in the SIM card, however there is no way to read it, and it does not even send it to the device, instead the Network generates a unique number say "N" and sends it to the device, itself forwards it to the SIM, which, using an algorithm generates a new number which is (if the SIM card is real), recognized by the network and lets the user "Use" the network. Because the number N resulting from the Network is combination of the Private Key + a randomly generated one, you cannot get anywhere. The actual key is indeed physically encoded on some chip on the SIM card itself, however there is no practical way to get to it.

---
Tags: sim-card
---


# Question
Title: Android device load process (preparing flashing)
Standard Android OS load process looks like (from docs):

1. BootROM (starts with 'on' button)
2. Bootloader
3. Kernel
4. init/mounting
5. Zygote+Dalvik VM
6. System services

But I have a difficulties understanding load process preparing flashing (how I met it flashing Galaxy Tab and MTK cellphone ROMs)

Could you help me to find a position for those tools on this diagram:

1) The code that show logo (or battery charge in percents when power cable is on) and respond to USB (when phone is off but battery is inside) ? Where it is ? It should be postioned before Boot ROM - but how you name it?

2) who are responsible for handle "on + volumne down" to switch to "bootload" menu ? BootRom or Bootloader?

3) "preloader" how it is positioned there? (I'm not sure that I understand what preloader is).

4) Twrp ? fastboot ? odin3 does they replace Dalvik or run over it? twrp by itself look like full OS.

# Answer
Boot process of Android devices up to kernel stage is very vendor specific, device specific and contains mostly closed source code. You may see clear deviations of terminologies used and differences in their implementations. Here I'm giving a simple understanding.

1. When charger is inserted, device boots very similar to when power button is pressed except that a very limited OS is loaded.

Device boots normally up to `init` stage (given at point 4). `init`, instead of starting services from `/system` and `/vendor` partitions, starts a process: `/sbin/charger*` which is not a part of AOSP. Charger binary is usually closed source and varies for different devices. It may load some pictures / animations stored on some partitions specific for this purpose.

Also some OEMs allow enabling / disabling `off-mode-charge` through `fastboot` to control the behavior i.e. whether the device should be switched on when power is plugged in or not. But it's also not a standard feature and varies for devices.
2. Bootloaders (SBL / ABOOT or equivalents) handle Power and Volume buttons pressed to start (Emergency) Download mode, SPL mode, `fastboot` mode etc. and recovery or normal kernel.
3. Preloader is a bootloader stage (SBL / SPL) before final bootloader (UBOOT / LK / ABOOT)
4. Here is the boot chain:
    * BootROM
    * Primary / Secondary BooLoader or PreLoader
    * Final bootloader (which provides `odin` / `fastboot`)
    * Kernel / Recovery (TWRP)
    * Init (first userspace process and in-charge of all other processes, also mounts filesystems)
    * Services or processes are started from `/system` and `/vendor` partitions by `init` (Zygote / Dalvik is one of those).

So `odin` (specific to Samsung) and `fastboot` are two independent protocols for communication with device through USB to format partitions, flash factory firmware, (un)lock bootloader etc. While `TWRP` is a minimal OS which is booted in place of normal `boot.img` (usually using same kernel) in case Android is unable to boot or needs OTA update or some modifications / maintenance.

None of them can be related to `Dalvik`, they are hardware specific and run at pre-kernel or kernel stage. While `zygote` \- a part of AOSP - is a completely userspace process which forks Dalvik Virtual Machine for every app.

---

For details: Boot Process: Android vs. Linux
> 5 votes

---
Tags: rom-flashing, bootloader
---


# Question
Title: Is your Galaxy S7 running slow after 11/2018 T-Mobile update?
Several days after receiving this update my phone became sluggish to do anything. Simple things like: swiping to answer calls is taking 2-4 seconds, lighting up a screen when the call is incoming is taking also several seconds. The battery life suffers as well - I am losing about 30% of battery every day compared to how it was before. When I look at what is consuming the battery, Android system is the biggest consumer, about 10-20% each day.

Also, the phone started complaining about running out of space even though I had 32Gb SD card that was empty. Going to storage setting shows that out of 32Gb of internal storage I have only about 1-2Gb free and that's after cleaning all of personal data. Most of the consumption is in the system memory. There is no way of seeing what goes into System memory consumption as the stock tools don't show it's contents.

Does anyone else have this problem? Any ideas how to resolve it?

# Answer
Here is what I just tried to do and it seems to have worked for now. Be careful when doing this as this may lead to the loss of data.

Installed the app "X-plore". Thanks to the developers of this app - a really great tool! The feature to serve the phone's files over HTTP to the desktop PC is a brilliant idea.

It shows most of the system memory contents. I noticed that directory /sdcard/log was bloated: it had way too many files. Seemed like crash dump files that were zipped into ~6Mb packages. There were hundreds of them and they had dates in the names matching the time when the slowness started.

Deleting those files has freed up ~10Gb of space. The phone is running much better.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: battery-life, insufficient-memory, samsung-galaxy-s7, lagging
---


# Question
Title: Why don't calls to emergency numbers show in the Phone app's call log?
I recently had to make an emergency call.

I later noticed in my device's call logs in the Phone app that the emergency number I called doesn't show up in the call log. (In other words, no entry shows of the call; no trace in the call log that I called an emergency number.)

Why is this? Is this intentional and by design, or is it a bug?

(Using stock Android 8.1 with latest updates on Nexus 6P.)

# Answer
Logically they should for traceability of crank / genuine distress emergency calls. As a matter of fact Call | Android Developers specifies *extra time accuracy* for emergency calls:

> Extra key used to indicate the time (in **milliseconds** since midnight, January 1, 1970 UTC) when the last outgoing emergency call was made. **This is used to identify potential emergency callbacks**

(Emphasis supplied)

Try changing the call app and if it still persists report to OEM / ROM developers

Related What's the purpose of "Emergency Call" button on SIM unlock screen?
> 1 votes

---
Tags: calls, 8.1-oreo, nexus-6p, emergency-calls
---


# Question
Title: How can I view other people's calendar in Microsoft Outlook for Android?
How can I view other people's calendar in Microsoft Outlook for Android?

On Outlook for Microsoft Windows, I can view other people's calendars when creating a new meeting:

# Answer
The scheduling assistant on Outlook for Android works differently than the one for Windows.

In Outlook, click on the calendar --\> new event, enter the people who should attend the meeting.

Select the date, then time of the meeting.

The attendees are listed on the bottom with green checked marked when they are free, red when they are not free. The chosen time for the meeting will also be green or red whether it is free or overlapping with other meetings.

Clicking on an attendee will show either the person is free, busy or tentative.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: outlook
---


# Question
Title: Where is my Outlook attachment downloaded?
I use the Outlook app on my Android phone and I received an attachment in one of my emails. I downloaded it and it automatically opened with another app so I can read it.

Now I want to retrieve it and make a copy, on my phone. Which folder in my phone should I search to find that attached file? I searched the Download and Attachments folders, without success.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Long press on the attachment, a window will appear with the option `Save to`. Select `Device`. The file will be downloaded in the Download folder.

---
Tags: email, downloading, outlook, attachments
---


# Question
Title: How can I view the list of available conference rooms in Microsoft Outlook for Android?
How can I view the list of available conference rooms in Microsoft Outlook for Android?

For example, on the Microsoft Outlook web interface, one can view the list of available conference rooms:

# Answer
> 3 votes
As of December 2018, the room finder is not yet implemented on Outlook for Android.

The following article Compare Outlook for PC, Outlook on the web, and Outlook for iOS & Android lists the features available on different versions of Outlook. `Meeting room finder` feature is listed as `No` (meaning not available) on both Android and iOS but available on Outlook for PC and Outlook on the web.

---
Tags: outlook
---


# Question
Title: Nextbit robin recognised on fastboot but not adb shell
In the process of rooting my Nextbit Rboin, I unlocked the bootloader, and wiped it so I only have TWRP on it.

I have an LOS zip ready but I dont know how to get it on the device. I have installed minimal adb and fastboot, and after that adb did not work I also installed 15 seconds adb installer.

```
fastboot -1 0x2c3f devices

```

shows my device but

```
adb push los.zip /sdcard/

```

gives me the error no devices/emulators found.

```
adb shell

```

gives me same error no device found.

```
fastboot update los.zip

```

gives error does not contain android-info.text

How to get the zip on to the robin? Should I be in fastboot or twep when I run adb? neither work.

# Answer
If `fastboot devices` shows your device, `adb` cannot work (and vice versa).

You need to boot to recovery (TWRP). Then you can push the ZIP via `adb push` and flash it using TWRP's menu (but `fastboot devices` then will show nothing, which is fully normal).

If ADB doesn't work when booted into TWRP, check TWRP's settings whether ADB is disabled. It might also be that, while booted into recovery, your Robin presents a different ID then when in fastboot, so you'd need to configure that (or, in case of Windows, need another reboot for the corresponding driver to update/activate).
> 1 votes

---
Tags: adb, fastboot
---


# Question
Title: Play Protect certification: Device not certified - What does it mean?
I would like to know what it means when Google Play Protect certifies a device. My Motorola Moto G6 (ali) is not certified in the Play Store.

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| Play Protect certification | About phone |

<sup>(Tap to enlarge)</sup>

Is there any way to certify my device? Currently, it's running a soak test OTA firmware from Motorola. Is there a problem if my device isn't certified ?

# Answer
See your Play Protect certification status Google Play Help answers you :

> **What it means if your device isn't Play Protect certified**
>
> If your device is not Play Protect certified, Google doesn’t have a record of the Android compatibility test results.
>
> Keep in mind that:
>
> * Devices that aren't Play Protect certified may not be secure.
> * Devices that aren't Play Protect certified may not get Android system updates, or app updates.
> * Google apps on devices that aren't Play Protect certified aren't licensed and may not be real Google apps.
> * Apps and features on devices that aren't Play Protect certified may not work correctly.
> * Data on devices that aren't Play Protect certified may not back up securely.
>
> **What to do if your device isn’t Play Protect certified?**
>
> If your device isn't Play Protect certified, we recommend contacting your device manufacturer. Ask for a fully tested, Play Protect certified device.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: google-play-store, google-play-protect
---


# Question
Title: Device encryption fails, gives no error and just restarts
Got a redmi note 5 pro, some time ago and I have been fiddling with it. I tried to encrypt the device when it ran Resurrection Remix OS, for some reason, it appears to be working and then less than 30 seconds later, it just shows me the lockscreen again. It never seems to encrypt.

Is it a problem in the latest oreo build or is it a problem in the ROM?

What might be a viable solution?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Encryption requires that 16KiB remain unused by the filesystem on the userdata partition. You can check if this is the issue by

* Do `adb logcat > android.log` on a computer
    + enable developer options first
    + you might need to root, I don't think so though
* Start the encryption process in settings

If this is the problem, you'll see the following in the logs:

```
E Cryptfs : Orig filesystem overlaps crypto footer region.  Cannot encrypt in place.

```

To fix this issue, you'll need to resize your userdata partition.

---

If it's ext4, I believe that you can use `resize2fs` to do this. I'm not sure how to do this though.

---

If it's f2fs, the process is quite a bit more involved:

Reboot into TWRP. Do `adb shell` on a computer. `fdisk -l /dev/block/sda` to view the partition structure. You'll see something like this:

```
Logical sector size: 4096
Disk identifier (GUID): 98101b32-bbe2-4bf2-a06e-2bb33d000c20
Partition table holds up to 16 entries
First usable sector is 6, last usable sector is 14145530

Number  Start (sector)    End (sector)  Size       Code  Name
   1               6               7        8192   0700  ssd
   2               8            8199       32.0M   0700  persist
   3            8200           73735        256M   0700  cache
   4           73736           73991       1024K   0700  misc
   5           73992           74119        512K   0700  keystore
   6           74120           74151        128K   0700  devcfg
   7           74152           74183        128K   0700  devcfgbak
   8           74184           74311        512K   0700  frp
   9           74312           76871       10.0M   0700  oem_dycnvbk
  10           76872           79431       10.0M   0700  oem_stanvbk
  11           79432           79687       1024K   0700  param
  12           79688           81711       8096K   0700  reserve1
  13           81712           85759       15.8M   0700  reserve2
  14           85760           85887        512K   0700  config
  15           85888        14145530       53.6G   0700  userdata

```

Make a note of:

* the "Logical sector size"
* the partition number for userdata
* the start sector for userdata
* the end sector for userdata

Make a backup of this partition. You **will** lose the data on it if you don't, it will be explicitly wiped. I believe that TWRP has a function to do this, but I used a tarball & `adb pull`:

In `adb shell`:

```
~ # mount /dev/block/sda15
~ # tar -cpzf /mnt/fs.tar.gz /mnt/
tar: removing leading '/' from member names
tar: /mnt/misc/camera/cam_socket2: socket ignored
...
tar: /mnt/fs.tar.gz: file is the archive; skipping

```

then `adb pull /mnt/fs.tar.gz`

Unmount the partition using `umount /mnt`

Next, wipe part of the existing filesystem to make sure that we don't get any warnings when making the new filesystem: `dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/block/sda<partition number> bs=1M count=128`. ***This is the point of no return.***

Create a new filesystem using the numbers you wrote down from before: calculate `partition_size = end_sector - start_sector - (16384 / logical_sector_size)` manually, and make a note of that number.

Then run `mkfs.f2fs /dev/block/sda<partition number> <partition_size>` to create a new partition of the appropriate size.

Mount it, and use `adb push fs.tar.gz /mnt/` to send over your backed up data. `cd /mnt; tar -xf fs.tar.gz; mv mnt/* .; rm -rf mnt fs.tar.gz` to extract, and you're done!

Restart and retry encrypting! Hopefully everything will work.

---
Tags: custom-roms, encryption, system-error
---


# Question
Title: Google chrome search results different view
I'm using latest version of Google Chrome in my android. Recently, the view of Google search results have changed.

I don't like this view because address is in a grey color background and search results are in full black and white . I tried all settings to figure out why this change has happened.

It's really disgusting seeing this view

How to go back to previous view? Here is the link for image for more clarity

>

# Answer
> 0 votes
Google might be doing some A/B testing with their UI - iirc they did that a few years ago with black/dark/light blue shades for links. Could you try using incognito, another device and/or another internet connection? Then you can work out how they are targeting you - in any case it's probably temporary.

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


title: Developer Options disappeared?

text:
# Question
Title: Developer Options disappeared?
Recently I had to factory reset my LG Stylo 3 running Android 7. Now the section in my settings that was "Developer Options" is no longer there. How can I get it back?

# Answer
"Developer Options" is by default not shown on recent Android versions. To make it show up, you should go to **Settings -\> About -\> Tap on "Build version" 7 times**, and then it will come back. This action needs to be performed every time the phone is factory-reset, since it's stored as a (hidden) setting item.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: factory-reset, 7.0-nougat, lg, developer-options
---


# Question
Title: How to update Android System WebView on MIUI
I'm on rooted MIUI 10 8.8.9 Android 8.1

Currently there is WebView version 62.0.3202.84 installed inside /system/app/WebViewGoogle/WebViewGoogle.apk with /oat/arm and /oat/arm64 directories containing \*.odex and \*.vdex files

I've tried to just install newer \*.apk, but I get following error "Can't install system applications from unofficial channels".

# Answer
Looks like MIUI's Package Installer is blocking updates of system apps, so you have to disable "Turn on MIUI optimization" in "Developer options". After that system starts using Android's Package Installer which behaves as expected and allows to update.

Note that if you want to reenable "Turn on MIUI optimization" option, you'll have to reboot your device after that for everything to work again (e.g. your device may stop receiving sms from short numbers).
> 1 votes

# Answer
In settings you need to enable install from Unknown sources.

Go to settings - \> Additional Settings \> Privacy -\> Unknown sources.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: root-access, updates, system-apps, miui, 8.1-oreo
---


title: Can .nomedia be a folder?

text:
# Question
Title: Can .nomedia be a folder?
If a file called `.nomedia` gets put into a directory, the Media Scanner skips that directory, e.g. sprite images.

Does that also work if `.nomedia` is a folder?

# Answer
Yes. If a folder contains another folder that is named `.nomedia`, the parent folder will be ignored.

The relevant code is here (note to the confused: `File` doesn't necessarily be a regular file - in Linux directories are just special files).

One of my favorite IME app also creates folders of this name (instead of files) in its asset folders - the assets are ignored by MediaScanner.

Trivia: If you managed to put other special files like symbolic links or named pipes (FIFOs) with the name `.nomedia`, it will also work. (Spoiler: indeed you can, but you need root).

An alternative way, as suggested by beeshyams, is to rename the parent folder and make it start with a dot. This has the same effect as having a `.nomedia` inside it, as both ways make the code return true (should be ignored).
> 14 votes

---
Tags: media-scanner
---


# Question
Title: Google drive making extra local copy on phone
I tried uploading some large audio files recorded on my phone to Google Drive to free up space on my phone (Xiaomi A1).

Almost immediately, I got memory insufficient warnings; apparently the Google Drive app stores a local copy on the device everything something is uploaded.

Is this counter-productive or am I using Drive wrong? I'd like to store files on the cloud and not on my device, with an option to download them to device when I require them. Any solutions towards this end are welcome!

( I would prefer not to migrate to another cloud storage app, but if that's the only option and/or there are other good reasons for that, please let me know.)

# Answer
Some possible causes to why the Drive app saves local copies:

1. The file has been accessed recently and cached. This is possibly to reduce more bandwidth usage when the file is accessed regularly. Clearing the cache from the in-app's Settings can save some space, including limiting the cache size to a minimum of 100 MB.
2. The file is marked as "available offline". Files that are marked as "available offline" will be automatically downloaded to the local disk. To toggle it, tap the overflow context menu (3 vertical dots) on the file, and select "Available offline". To check which files are marked as such, there's an "Offline" category on the navigation drawer.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: storage, insufficient-memory, google-drive, mi-a1
---


# Question
Title: Is there a service that rates app security/permissions?
Is there a service/company/app that vets Android apps and reports on their "trustworthiness"?

I recently moved from Blackberry to a Galaxy S2 which does not have an LED indicator light. I searched the market and found an app that is highly rated and uses the screen to mimic this functionality. This app requires an abundance of permissions that I don't see a need for. I don't want to compromise my data if

I understand that the granularity of permission-granting leaves a lot to be desired, so I'm hoping there's a service that rates whether these apps are "good actors"...

# Answer
> 3 votes
Not really a rating – but like Exodus mentioned in this answer offering help to decide trustworthiness yourself:

**Appbrain** shows which libraries an app does include, divided in "Ad network libraries", "Social libraries" and "Development tools". Except for ad libraries this still means you need to know what a library does, but for many libraries the name makes this clear – unfortunately not for all. They are linked to detail pages, but those focus more on developers to know how "well known" and "wide spread" a library is than on end-users who are rather interested in how much it invades privacy.

If you're looking for apps to cover specific needs you have (such as the OP who just switched to Android), you might find my Android site helpful: **IzzyOnDroid's app listings** have apps sorted by categories, sub-categories and, at the lowest level, groups – where relevant apps are then "grouped together". Next to each app you see how many permissions it requests, and how many invasive trackers it contains – linked to specific explanations. So you can already determine in the "overview" which apps you'd rather avoid (e.g. due to too many trackers). Information on trackers by the way is collected from both, Exodus and Appbrain. Plus sometimes even other sources.

# Answer
> 2 votes
There's one called Exodus Privacy which has both app (open source) and website https://exodus-privacy.eu.org/en/page/what/
One downside: it scans only apps available on Google Play, you can't upload apk manually.

Here's an example of it's report on one of popular browsers:
https://reports.exodus-privacy.eu.org/en/reports/50316/

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

I prefer to use it together with Yalp Store app (free and open source) which allows you to download apps from Play Store without google account and services and has built in support of Exodus Privacy on app's install/update page:

---
Tags: applications, google-play-store, security, permissions, privacy
---


# Question
Title: Only one screen visible when playing videos using VLC and other players
I am able to mirror the Samsung Galaxy Tab SM-T520's screen to my TV over an HDMI cable. I see the screen on both devices. But as soon as I start a video, the tablet screen goes to an image of the traffic cone and a symbol indicating it's playing the video externally. If using the built-in player, the video also disappears and shows an indication of the fact that it's sending video externally. In both cases, various playback functions are available on the tablet, just no video is displayed there.

So rather than mirroring, it's sending the video to either the tablet or the TV, but not both. This only happens with videos; the rest of the apps show in both.

I have poked around at the (very few) settings in the various players, but so far have not found anything that will allow video to show both places. The tablet is on Android 4.4.2. Is there any kind of OS trick to get the video to play on both devices?

# Answer
> 2 votes
The answer is to change to a mode called **"prefer clone"**.

Open VLC, but don't play a video. In the upper left, select the 3 lines (hamburger), then:

> ```
> Settings > Interface > Prefer clone
>
> ```

With this setting 'on', the video will play on both the tablet and the TV.

---
Tags: video, hdmi, screen-mirroring
---


# Question
Title: Can I install apps on phone without using the Android Market?
I have this Huawei Device that does not come with the Android Market installed.

Is there any work-around for this? As in how can I install Android Apps without the Android Market?

Is there a way to install Appbrain w/o having to go through the Android Market?

# Answer
> 13 votes
If your device allows it (AT&T only recently started producing phones that do) there is a setting which allows you to install non-Market apps. Then you can install APKs from anywhere, assuming you can get them on your device.

On my Droid, at least, the setting is at `Settings | Applications | Unknown sources`.

# Answer
> 9 votes
You can get the .apk files from developers' sites or other forums like androidfreeware.org and alternative markets like slideme.org.

Al Everett's answer above is part of the solution.

After changing the settings to enable you to install 3rd party apps, you can either upload / add the APKs of apps that you want on to your SD card and then using a File Manager, install them by tapping them and letting the Package Installer run the setup.

**OR**

You can navigate the sites listed above and download the APK using the default browser - I recommend you install a file manager like Astro so you can navigate to your SD card and install apps.

# Answer
> 7 votes
Use slideME. Download the apk from here tp your phone, then install the application from your phone and you can use that to download and buy apps. See this question: Alternative Android App Markets for a list of Market alternative

Edit: Don't forget to enable non-market installation in Settings \> Applications \> Unknown sources

# Answer
> 1 votes
Look from List of Open Source Android Applications on Wikipedia.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Yes you can

id device is 2.2 or below

just enable check Settings -\> Applications -\> Unknown sources.

on 3.0 + enable check Settings -\> Security -\> Unknown sources

# Answer
> 0 votes
You can download apps from Play Store using Yalp Store app which doesn't require google account or services installed. It's free and open source.

Download it from:

1. GitHub
2. F-Droid

# Answer
> 0 votes
1. First turn on an option to allow installing apps out of Google PlayStore : `Settings > Applications > Unknown sources > accept the warning message`.
2. Simple download the APK from apkmirror.com and install it.

---
Tags: applications, installation, side-loading
---


# Question
Title: Delete all files from an Artist/Album with VLC
VLC has the ability both to remove items from a playlist, but also to delete the filesystem data for a particular item or selection of items. To delete in VLC 3.0.1, open list of items, (e.g. by Artist, then Album) and then long press to select items. After selection, long press again to interact with a context menu which includes the **Delete** option.

However, I can't seem to find an option to delete all items in a particular set (e.g. Artist, Album) in one swoop. Do I have a way to delete these items other than by selecting them individually?

# Answer
No, VLC does not offer the ability to delete an album or an artist in one swoop. The issue was discussed in this thread Ability to delete an album/artists etc...

As stated in the thread:

> That's because we don't support deletion on ext storage. This option would appear only for some album/artists with no clue for the user why.
>
> That would be an inconsistent behaviour.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: applications, media-files, vlc
---


# Question
Title: Can I recall a command to reset a lost phone?
Last night I lost my Nexus 7 coming back from a friend's house. Since it has a lot of confidential work email on one account I logged into the Android Device Manager and - when it didn't show up - set it to be reset as soon as it went online.

This morning the friend rang to say she had found the bag with the tablet in it. I had never even got it into the bike pannier I assumed it had fallen out of.

It is a wifi only model, so it still isn't connected to the net.

My question is, is there any way to recall the remote wipe command so that I dont have to reinstall everything once the wifi has turned on?

# Answer
Right. This is possible, which is great. Log into the Android device manage for a second time, before connecting the lost device: set a password, click on the "wipe device" option, but then press cancel instead of choosing to wipe it. the earlier request is then cancelled and your recovered tablet can safely connect to the net. The new password will appear, apparently magically.
> 3 votes

# Answer
I can confirm it. I used Android Device Manager to issue an "erase" command to my Nexus 10 tablet that I had thought stolen. The next day I recovered the tablet from a place where there was no open wi-fi and it had been unable to connect. ADM's popup window states that if a device is offline it will be reset the next time it goes online.

I turned off the device's wi-fi to make sure it stayed offline and used my desktop to load ADM. The "erase" option was still available for the device because my device had been offline continuously. I again selected "erase" from the initial ADM screen but this time selected "cancel" from the subsequent pop-up window instead of confirming the erase. I repeated this process again for good measure.

With some trepidation, but out of options, I turned on the tablet's wi-fi, allowing it to connect. Android asked me to sign in and go through my two-step verification process. I did, and my Nexus 10 came alive and operated normally, having not been reset and with all programs and data intact.

Hopefully this will work for others. Like the previous poster, my success was certainly due to my device remaining offline and being unable to receive the initial "erase" command then going online only after apparently cancelling the erase with the process above.
> 1 votes

# Answer
This method worked for me, too. I did remove the storage card, the SIM, and turn off my WiFi access point first, though, just in case. After I powered it on, I backed up everything I could think of. When I turned on the WiFi, it did not receive a wipe command. I activated it with a new SIM (I had already replaced the phone), and all was well.
> 0 votes

# Answer
My solution was to remove the SIM card, turn off my WiFi network, turn on the device, and unset Google Find my Phone as Administrator. After that, Google is unable to perform a Factory Data Reset.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: security, nexus-7, android-device-manager
---


# Question
Title: Install Lineage OS on Samsung Galaxy S4 and S5, heimdall problems
I'm trying to install Lineage OS onto my Samsung Galaxy S4 and S5, following the instructions on https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/jfltexx/install

I've successfully installed Lineage to an S4 before, using these instructions, so I don't understand what's going on.

Both S4 and S5 exhibit the same issue.

I'm stuck at a very early stage (step 4): Instead of 'Replace Driver' I get the caption 'Reinstall Driver' on the button (Zadig v2.0.0.147). I figure that's because I did it before and it's using the same driver (also for the S5???). So perhaps that's fine.

In the instructions there is nothing about changing the target driver and I can install any of them successfully. However, none of the options work when getting to the next step, running `heimdall print-pit`

Here is the result for each driver:

**WinUSB v6.1.7600.16385**

```
Initialising connection...
Detecting device...
      Manufacturer: "Sasmsung"
           Product: "MSM8960"

            length: 18
      device class: 2
               S/N: 0
           VID:PID: 04E8:685D
         bcdDevice: 0100
   iMan:iProd:iSer: 1:2:0
          nb confs: 1

interface[0].altsetting[0]: num endpoints = 1
   Class.SubClass.Protocol: 02.02.01
       endpoint[0].address: 82
           max packet size: 0010
          polling interval: 09

interface[1].altsetting[0]: num endpoints = 2
   Class.SubClass.Protocol: 0A.00.00
       endpoint[0].address: 81
           max packet size: 0200
          polling interval: 00
       endpoint[1].address: 01
           max packet size: 0200
          polling interval: 00
Claiming interface...
Setting up interface...

Initialising protocol...
WARNING: Control transfer #1 failed. Result: -9
WARNING: Control transfer #2 failed. Result: -9
WARNING: Control transfer #3 failed. Result: -9
WARNING: Control transfer #4 failed. Result: -9
WARNING: Control transfer #5 failed. Result: -9
WARNING: Control transfer #6 failed. Result: -9
libusbx: error [windows_transfer_callback] detected I/O error 87: [87] The param
eter is incorrect.
ERROR: Failed to send data: "ODIN"
Releasing device interface...

```

**libusb0 (v1.2.5.0)**

```
Initialising connection...
Detecting device...
      Manufacturer: "Sasmsung"
           Product: "MSM8960"

            length: 18
      device class: 2
               S/N: 0
           VID:PID: 04E8:685D
         bcdDevice: 0100
   iMan:iProd:iSer: 1:2:0
          nb confs: 1

interface[0].altsetting[0]: num endpoints = 1
   Class.SubClass.Protocol: 02.02.01
       endpoint[0].address: 82
           max packet size: 0010
          polling interval: 09

interface[1].altsetting[0]: num endpoints = 2
   Class.SubClass.Protocol: 0A.00.00
       endpoint[0].address: 81
           max packet size: 0200
          polling interval: 00
       endpoint[1].address: 01
           max packet size: 0200
          polling interval: 00
Claiming interface...
Setting up interface...

Initialising protocol...
WARNING: Control transfer #1 failed. Result: -1
WARNING: Control transfer #2 failed. Result: -1
WARNING: Control transfer #3 failed. Result: -1
WARNING: Control transfer #4 failed. Result: -1
WARNING: Control transfer #5 failed. Result: -1
WARNING: Control transfer #6 failed. Result: -1
Protocol initialisation successful.

Beginning session...

Some devices may take up to 2 minutes to respond.
Please be patient!

Session begun.

Downloading device's PIT file...
ERROR: libusb error -7 whilst sending packet. Retrying...
ERROR: libusb error -7 whilst sending packet. Retrying...
ERROR: libusb error -7 whilst sending packet. Retrying...
ERROR: libusb error -7 whilst sending packet. Retrying...
ERROR: libusb error -7 whilst sending packet. Retrying...
ERROR: libusb error -7 whilst sending packet.
ERROR: Failed to send request to end PIT file transfer!
ERROR: Failed to download PIT file!
Ending session...
ERROR: libusb error -7 whilst sending packet. Retrying...
ERROR: libusb error -7 whilst sending packet. Retrying...
ERROR: libusb error -7 whilst sending packet. Retrying...
ERROR: libusb error -7 whilst sending packet. Retrying...
ERROR: libusb error -7 whilst sending packet. Retrying...
ERROR: libusb error -7 whilst sending packet.
ERROR: Failed to send end session packet!
Releasing device interface...

```

**libusbK v3.0.4.0**

```
Initialising connection...
Detecting device...
      Manufacturer: "Sasmsung"
           Product: "MSM8960"

            length: 18
      device class: 2
               S/N: 0
           VID:PID: 04E8:685D
         bcdDevice: 0100
   iMan:iProd:iSer: 1:2:0
          nb confs: 1

interface[0].altsetting[0]: num endpoints = 1
   Class.SubClass.Protocol: 02.02.01
       endpoint[0].address: 82
           max packet size: 0010
          polling interval: 09

interface[1].altsetting[0]: num endpoints = 2
   Class.SubClass.Protocol: 0A.00.00
       endpoint[0].address: 81
           max packet size: 0200
          polling interval: 00
       endpoint[1].address: 01
           max packet size: 0200
          polling interval: 00
Claiming interface...
Setting up interface...

Initialising protocol...
WARNING: Control transfer #1 failed. Result: -9
WARNING: Control transfer #2 failed. Result: -9
WARNING: Control transfer #3 failed. Result: -9
WARNING: Control transfer #4 failed. Result: -9
WARNING: Control transfer #5 failed. Result: -9
WARNING: Control transfer #6 failed. Result: -9
Protocol initialisation successful.

Beginning session...

Some devices may take up to 2 minutes to respond.
Please be patient!

Session begun.

Downloading device's PIT file...
ERROR: libusb error -7 whilst sending packet. Retrying...
ERROR: libusb error -7 whilst sending packet. Retrying...
ERROR: libusb error -7 whilst sending packet. Retrying...
ERROR: libusb error -7 whilst sending packet. Retrying...
ERROR: libusb error -7 whilst sending packet. Retrying...
ERROR: libusb error -7 whilst sending packet.
ERROR: Failed to send request to end PIT file transfer!
ERROR: Failed to download PIT file!
Ending session...
ERROR: libusb error -7 whilst sending packet. Retrying...
ERROR: libusb error -7 whilst sending packet. Retrying...
ERROR: libusb error -7 whilst sending packet. Retrying...
ERROR: libusb error -7 whilst sending packet. Retrying...
ERROR: libusb error -7 whilst sending packet. Retrying...
ERROR: libusb error -7 whilst sending packet.
ERROR: Failed to send end session packet!
Releasing device interface...

```

I've tried this on another Windows machine as well and I get the same issue. So between two computers and two phones I always get stuck in the same place. That only leaves the root of the problem to sit between back of the chair and the keyboard - what am I doing wrongly?

Further research suggests USB driver problems, but that points back to Zadig/heimdall, doesn't it?

# Answer
If you're on a Windows machine, there's no need to mess with Heimdall - use Odin instead. It's proprietary software but works almost out-of-the-box (as long as you have the official USB driver installed).

Odin3 v3.13.1 (download supplied by SamMobile)
> 0 votes

---
Tags: rom-flashing, samsung-galaxy-s-4, stock-android, samsung-galaxy-s-5, lineageos
---


# Question
Title: How to prevent SECUSO Privacy Friendly Net Monitor apps from shutdown without my permission
I download the SECUSO research group - Privacy Friendly Net Monitor from https://f-droid.org/packages/org.secuso.privacyfriendlynetmonitor/ and install on my Android 7 phone which is not rooted. I run it to monitor which apps is connecting and downloading at the background (regardless I am on wifi or my phone mobile data).

I notice that the Privacy Friendly Net Monitor will shutdown when the phone is screen off, which I never permit it to shutdown as I want it to continuously monitor all the apps including those from Google (such as Google Play Store app, which is famous for notoriously downloading at the background without user permission.)

So, how do I go about to prevent Privacy Friendly Net Monitor from shutdown or stop running without my permission?

# Answer
By default the app is battery optimised, which means once the screen is off and kicks in, it is stopped.

From Settings → Battery → 3 dots menu on top right → all apps → Netapp → Don't optimize (that's on Oreo, may vary a little on Nougat). Once you do that app will run till you stop it manually.

OP has clarified further

> For Nougat, find the options 'lock screen cleanup' or 'off screen cleanup' from Settings → Battery and choose the option 'Don't Close' for SECUSO Privacy Friendly Net Monitor.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 7.0-nougat, 7.1-nougat
---


# Question
Title: Consequences of removing Launcher3's APK (com.android.launcher3)
I have a rooted tablet with my own custom launcher which is already the default launcher. Are their any side effects if I delete the Launcher3's APK (com.android.launcher3) which is stored in `/system/app/Launcher3/Launcher3.apk?`

My device is chinese custom tablet with an RK3288 procesor, Android 5.1.1.

# Answer
Don't see any issue with that. Though since you're rooted you can probably do it more cleanly with ADB as seen in this answer. If that doesn't work follow the manual delete steps listed there too.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: root-access, 5.1-lollipop, launcher
---


# Question
Title: How to disable hidden trackers, in google play store applications
So most applications, on google play have hidden trackers, analytics they don't tell you about. This site lets you search any app shows trackers. The article explains what i'm talking about.

Example: https://reports.exodus-privacy.eu.org/reports/37324/

Article : https://theintercept.com/2017/11/24/...-android-apps/

Article : https://www.wired.com/story/android-users-to-avoid-malware-ditch-googles-app-store/

The second article explains Fdroid is partly a solution as those apps there don't have these trackers. One other not a full solution is uninstalling the app removes the tracker.

Certain apps on google play store either open source or proprietary don't include trackers as far as exodus-privacy.eu.org analysis is aware of, it's possible there's some there unaware of as they state.

Applications without trackers could later receive trackers through application updates. The other option is researching the extent of the specific trackers used in certain applications and what there been used for.

I want to know how it's possible to disable these trackers, analytics so there not active in the background "while" using these apps.

I saw XPrivacyLua xposed module can disable certain analytics.

Appreciate all advice.

# Answer
***Root access needed***

Both of these apps are likely using built in `pm disable` command in Android, which lets you to disable app's services, activities, receivers and providers (all of these can be done from command line too). Significant part of ads and tracking stuff can be disabled this way. Of course developer can hide whatever they want, so it won't be accessible through `pm disable`. Afaik it can disable only things mentioned in app's manifest. Also apps can reenable all of these back (I think I noticed such behavior only in system apps)

**1)** **MyAndroidTools Pro** (which I use)
It has free and paid versions. Author was banned in Play Store, but you can still buy outdated version (1.5.1 instead of 1.6.0) on Amazon or find apk somewhere else..
App has convenient option to display component info after new app is installed/updated.
Developer made Xposed module to prevent apps reenabling components, but it was abandoned long time ago, so you'll have to check if it works for you.

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

**2)** **Lucky Patcher**
Free app, also not in Play Store. Downside: developer started embedding ads (removed in current version) and analytics recently, which require excessive permissions.
To disable components:
Long tap on app in the list -\> Change The App's Components -\> Disable components 'pm disable' method (may be enabled by the application) -\> Select components -\> Apply
> 2 votes

---
Tags: applications, root-access, privacy, xposed-framework, ads
---


# Question
Title: Can an application wipe or corrupt a SD card?
Is it possible for apps to eliminate or corrupt SD Card specifically the apps that are installed from Play Store? Lately my micro SD card got wiped out on its own and I couldn't recover any of my data since I formatted it as the default disk to write earlier on my phone. I also wonder if it is possible for Beta version of apps to distort an SD Card

# Answer
> 1 votes
Yes, it is possible for an application to maliciously wipe or potentially corrupt data on a SD card. However, that is very unlikely to happen.

More likely is that the SD card had some sort of hardware failure.

---
Tags: external-sd
---


# Question
Title: Google calendar force closing after OTA update (SM-G930A)
I have a G930A, un-rooted, running AT&T's version of Oreo (8.0.0). I received an OTA update over the weekend and cannot use Google Calendar since--app force stops.

I also cannot do a calendar insertion from Tasker.

I have, of course reinstalled, cleared system cache, twiddled permissions, even factory reset, but am getting nowhere. Wife's phone has same update, but calendar is working fine.

Baseband `G930AUCS8CRK1`

Build `R16NW.G930AUCS8CRK1`

Security patch level November 1, 2018

Any thoughts?

# Answer
Ended-up flashing the old firmware (links on xda) and redoing the OTA upgrade. Worked fine this time, which makes me think the first OTA file was munged. Doesn't AT&The have any error-checking built-in to their upgrade script?!
> 2 votes

---
Tags: ota-update, samsung-galaxy-s7, google-calendar, force-close, att
---


# Question
Title: Corrupt files in microSD - How to know if files are damaged?
I have a Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 with a 4GB Kingston microSD.

This microSD has only a few files *(that I can remember) - visible both in PC and in file manager (default app) in the smartphone*:

* Yu-Gi-Oh! Tag Force 5.iso *(1.6 GB - for PPSSPP Emulator)*.
* Yu-Gi-Oh! Tag Force 5.cso *(1.5 GB - for PPSSPP Emulator)*.
* Folder "DIR" - 0 files in it.
* Folder "Music" - 73 .mp3 files.
* Yu-Gi-Oh! Forbidden Memories.iso *(495 mb - for ePSXe Emulator)*.

**Background**

In previous ocassions, the PPSSPP emulator didn't read the .ISO file *(and I though it was the .ISO file)*, so, I compress the .ISO file in a .CSO file *which I read in formus that is recongized by the PPSSPP emulator*, however, the .CSO file was also not recognized and the app freezes.

Trying discarging both files, I used the emulator in my PC and all works well, so, I decided to move all my Music "73 .mp3 files" to the "microSD". After the music files where there, I use the default music player, but most of the files *(when trying to play "random")* says: **not supported** and skips until it finds a .mp3 file "apparentely" not corrupted or ends playing abruptly.

Even some .mp3 files plays for a few minutes, ends abruptly and search other random .mp3 file.

**What have I tried?**

* Scan for viruses the microSD.
* Download from other sites the ISO files.
* Format the microSD "via the available option in the Samsung Galaxy and vía PC (right click \> Format device)".
* Following this answer I downloaded (SD Card Formatter 5.0.1), but the formatting process failed for both format options *(quick and overwrite)*.

For me, it this weird how this microSD can corrupt files *(most of them)* and not others. Also, my goal is use the microSD for storage games that I can use with the PPSSPP emulator "mostly, Yu-Gi-Oh! games".

I'll replace my microSD, but, before to do that, I want to know:

* Is there a way to activate a log file in Android for check wheter are files corrupted or missing?
* What resources or what else can I do for save the 4GB microSD for use as I intend to do?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Few things you can try:

Use fsck to check and repair bad blocks How do I check bad sector on my android with ADB recovery mode?

(alternatively follow this guide for FAT formatted cards) Obviously, both need root, you could also try to run it from a regular Linux box.

And finally, how to run scripts on boot and use logcat perhaps to view the results. I would think that Android already does this check automatically, but...

---
Tags: external-sd, samsung-galaxy-ace-2
---


# Question
Title: My 6edge is 32gb . I have used aproximately 13gb but in storage option it shows that 31 gb is used ... where is my rest of memory. Please clear
This shows you all pls help my about my storage .how can i get it

# Answer
Try something like DiskUsage or search for disk usage visualiser apps to see what's taking up your space if it's not being shown by the storage app.
> 0 votes

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


# Question
Title: How to root Samsung J3 2016 (SM-J320) without a computer
I have tried Kingo root, Framroot and others, but it wasn't possible to do it without a PC. How can I root it?

# Answer
> 0 votes
You most certainly need a PC to do this - at least to get TWRP on it to be able to then flash Magisk, Xposed, etc afterwards. Refer to the XDA page for the device, specifically this TWRP and root guide I found by searching the forums.

---
Tags: rooting, samsung
---


title: Time zone keeps changing wildly

text:
# Question
Title: Time zone keeps changing wildly
Or at least I think that's the problem. For weeks now the time on my Pixel has been popping all over the place, without me intervening, always off by exactly one or more hours in either direction. For long stretches the time will be correct, but then it'll start jumping around.

Moments ago my phone said 11:07am. Now it's the correct time, 3:07pm. I few minutes prior to that it was 5pm-something. Interestingly, I was trying to use the Google Authenticator app, which doesn't seem to work when the time is incorrect. Without me doing anything, it finally figured out the correct time and the Authenticator app worked.

Additionally, yesterday the time was incorrect when I launched Waze and set a route. After my drive started the time randomly fixed itself, but Waze got confused and my 'time to destination' didn't budge, although the route map continued to update. Crazy, and Waze should use their server clock over the device clock anyway.

Under Date & time I, naturally, have Automatic time zone enabled, as well as Automatic date & time. I suppose I could disable Automatic time zone, but that's a somewhat-annoying work-around, not a fix.

Has anyone see this before? Any suggestions as to what might be the problem?

Note: I'm running Android v9. I cannot remember exactly when I upgraded and have no idea if that coincides with the timing of this problem.

**Update**: I disabled "Automatic time zone," leaving "Automatic date & time" enabled, and the issued reoccurred, so it's not that. I suppose I could disable them both, but that seems like it would be a hassle.

# Answer
Just did a quick search on the Issue Tracker - you might want to follow these threads and/or contribute a bug report for them:

Unfortunately yes you'll have to disable auto time zone for now.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: date-and-time, 9.0-pie, time-zones
---


title: Equivalent ADB command in Termux

text:
# Question
Title: Equivalent ADB command in Termux
Is there any command equivalent to `adb cmd package compile -m everything -f` in termux?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Yes, it works. You just need root to do this:

```
$ tsu -a
# cmd package compile -m everything -f

```

Or:

```
$ tsu -c '/system/bin/cmd package compile -m everything -f'

```

---
Tags: adb, 7.1-nougat, termux
---


title: Does ARC Welder still work?

text:
# Question
Title: Does ARC Welder still work?
I recently came to know that there is an official Android emulator available which is developed by Google - Arc Welder. But when I try to follow the steps mentioned, I'm ending up with getting this error message:

```
Graphics Feature Status
Canvas: Software only, hardware acceleration unavailable
Flash: Software only. Hardware acceleration disabled
Flash Stage3D: Software only. Hardware acceleration disabled
Flash Stage3D Baseline profile: Software only. Hardware acceleration disabled
Compositing: Software only. Hardware acceleration disabled
Multiple Raster Threads: Disabled
Native GpuMemoryBuffers: Software only. Hardware acceleration disabled
Out-of-process Rasterization: Disabled
Hardware Protected Video Decode: Disabled
Rasterization: Software only. Hardware acceleration disabled
Skia Deferred Display List: Disabled
Skia Renderer: Disabled

```

Can anyone help me with this error?

# Answer
ARC Welder is dead.

If you want to run Android apps on Chrome OS there now official documentation (including emulator in the Android SDK) on supporting the Play Store in Chrome OS.

The closest I know of to a formal statement regarding ARC is this article from ArsTechnica about Play Store on Chrome OS where a Google manager explains that the ARC method was limited by not passing the Android compatibility tests, which meant more work for developers to get their app working, as well as not supporting Android NDK, which meant games wouldn't work either.

While the initial promise of ARC technology was to use the multi-platform Native Client feature in Chrome it seems that it wasn't up to the job and Native Client itself is getting phased out.

If you still want to try to use ARC Welder in Chrome you'll have to find/use the last version of Chrome which supported it. This post in StackOverflow on ARC welder for chrome is not launching properly from 2017 may give some idea of when it last worked.

As I stated in Chrome OS current support for Android via containers Google is going forward with containers on Chrome OS to support Android apps (ARC++). While current ARC++ support for Android apps still needs improvement, enough is compatible with existing Android apps (including games) for the Play Store on ChromeOS to be in the stable release of some Chromebooks.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: android-emulator
---


# Question
Title: Galaxy S7 Edge - Change USB Mode in Phone that Will Not Boot
I've done a few hours worth of research and have been unable to find a clear answer. Hoping something in the community here might be able to help:

* Verizon Galaxy S7 Edge (Oreo with latest Verizon updates) randomly got itself stuck in a boot loop after plugging in to charge one night.
* Boots to lock screen just before loading "swipe unlock dots" gives an error message saying "Setup wizard has stopped" with an option to "Close App" and then reboots within a few seconds.
* Stock OS, no root, no custom recovery etc.
* Care mostly about trying to retrieve some pictures and documents more than anything else.
* I THINK (99% sure) I have USB debugging enabled but can't get far enough into phone to confirm.

Things I've tried:

* Plugging USB into computer shows up as CD-Rom drive (suggests that USB mode isn't set to MTP which I think might have been changed on me in the last OS or security Update)
* Safe mode/boot results in same bootloop issue
* Cleared system cache from Debug mode, no change.
* Running "adb devices" shows device attached (momentarily prior to rebooting)
* Initially thought it was a problem with the security module so I (perhaps in a poor decision) ran the command "locksettings clear --old xxxx" which I (unfortunately don't recall) must have been preceded by an "adb shell" command.
* This actually WORKED as I must have timed it just right to go through in the 2 secs prior to the phone rebooting.

Current State:

* All efforts to repeat the same ADB commands as before show up as "Device offline" and I can't seem to get more than that.
* Bootloop continues.
* Can access Debug modes and Download modes successfully, but don't know what to do here.

Ultimate questions:

* Is there an ADB command to change the USB mode from Charge Only to MTP that I can try to issue and maybe get the phone to recognize quickly prior to rebooting?
* I'm relatively new to the ADB world, so am I going down the wrong path here? Should I be trying something else?
* What other options might I have (BESIDES a full restore and loss of all data), or am I pretty much done for?

Appreciate anyone that can take the time to provide some feedback. I'd be much obliged and sincerely thankful.

SAD UPDATE: I brought the phone to my local "ubreakifix" store - the service that Samsung specifically refers customers to for technical/repair issues. They attempted to do something (update software or something along those lines, but promising not to erase data). Unfortunately, whatever they did seems to have now DISABLED USB Debugging. I'm willing to try any other suggestions that those more knowledgeable than me might suggest, but I'm quickly losing hope.

# Answer
Did you try ADB pull? If you know the folder your files are in, you can try to pull them out. (`/sdcard` is the name of Internal Storage folder) If it works you should see the file you pulled in the ADB directory.

```
adb pull /sdcard/your-files

```

Also, this can be an issue related to the Setup Wizard app. If that is the case, the following ADB command should work.

```
adb shell pm hide com.google.android.setupwizard

```

If it works you may spot some errors and missing features, but MTP should work. You might have to factory reset or reflash (not sure if that is possible on Verizon devices) to fix the errors.

You can try contacting Samsung and Verizon customer support, and if you prove the device ownership to them (the bill or invoice should do) they might use their debug protocols to recover your files, but I'm not sure about this as I never tried it.

If these doesn't work, I don't see any other methods unfortunately. (@esQmo\_ It is currently not possible to flash TWRP in a Verizon S7 Edge because there is no known method to unlock the bootloader)

To answer your ultimate questions:

1: There is a way to switch USB mode from ADB, but it requires root. Also, I'm surprised that your device shows up in ADB. It shouldn't if the device is in charge only mode. My guess is that your device is in MTP mode, but it doesn't show the files because of a screen lock or something, and your OS interprets it as a CD ROM Drive.

2: Not at all. The only way you may have a shot at recovering this is ADB. You can't do anything in Download or Recovery modes (I think you referred to Recovery as Debug?) because it will compromise data security.

3: The options I mentioned above are the only ones I could think of.

Also, I suggest waiting for any other answers before resetting or reflashing, as they might have methods I missed. Good luck!
> 1 votes

---
Tags: adb, boot-loop, data-recovery, samsung-galaxy-s-7-edge
---


# Question
Title: How can I search for a sticker or emoji on Line for Android?
How can I search for a sticker or emoji on Line for Android?

On Line for Microsoft Windows I can use::

(Tap to enlarge)

# Answer
LINE for Android provides in-line sticker suggestion when directly typing on the chat input text field.

To enable/disable this feature:

1. Go to **Settings** (the cog-wheel icon on the top-right, this can be accessed on 'Friends' page or 'More' page)
2. Under "Shops", tap **Stickers**
3. Under "Sticker settings", toggle **Display suggestions**

When it is enabled, type a single keyword (e.g. 'work'). The text will be bolded (**work**) and related stickers appear above the chat input. Then tap the sticker to use.

**Note**: since the stickers appear above the chat input, fullscreen keyboards (usually used on landscape layout) may break the feature since the keyboard and the input box will cover the whole screen, including the stickers.

---

Demo:

(Tap to enlarge)
> 2 votes

---
Tags: search, emoticons, line
---


# Question
Title: Can deleted phone contacts visible in WhatsApp able to post chat messages?
I have deleted a contact from my Android phone address book, but I still see the deleted contact in WhatsApp due to some old chats. Will the deleted contact be able to send me chat messages on WhatsApp?

# Answer
Whatsapp has no relation with deleting a contact from your phone. WhatsApp uses your phone book contacts only to find who are on whatsapp, and then it shows their names in its contact tab. That's it. There is no more relation.

This means the person is still able to send you messages. His name may not be shown in the chat, but his number will be shown. This is similar to the fact that, we do receive messages in whatsapp from people who are not in our contacts, and also similar to receiving phone calls or SMS from persons whom we don't know. In whatsapp, only their number is shown in the chat screen, along with profile information, if any.

**Only way to stop getting messages is to block the person**. Blocking does not show on the phone of the contact you've blocked. Once blocked, the person will see that the messages he is sending, are being sent from his phone, but are not being delivered to your phone, that is, there will be no double tick, only a single tick. You'll not receive any message any calls through whatsapp from him.
> 3 votes

# Answer
Even I had the same problem. I removed all the contact frommy phone address book but it would still show in my what app. Finally I figured.. though the phone address boo doesno show the contacts .... if auto sync in on.. it will still show. Im my Phone.. I went to .. Phonebook -\> Open Account settings -\> and turned off Auto Sync. That worked. Hope it helps.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: whatsapp-messenger
---


# Question
Title: Asus zenfone 5 how to bypass flipcover screen without flipcover
Recently I got an asus zenfone 5 which is stuck on flip lock screen. I want to bypass that screen without using flip cover. Is there any way that i can bypass it without using a flip cover.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I had the same problem and I solved just with a magnet on the left bottom side of my zenfone 3.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I was able to bypass it by covering the sensor on top of the screen by hand and by that i was able to enter to settings and disable the settings. Hope this will help you.

This is not a sure shot solution I think I just got lucky.

# Answer
> -1 votes
This thread on the Asus forum may help.

---
Tags: factory-reset, asus-zenfone-5
---


title: GET_ACCOUNTS Permission, Email Privacy

text:
# Question
Title: GET_ACCOUNTS Permission, Email Privacy
Any app with the `GET_ACCOUNTS` permission, may retrieve all registered accounts and email addresses stored in Account Manager. I understand this imposes serious privacy and security issues, as a phone compromised with a potentially malicious app, could have ALL of their email addresses collected, and sent to unintended parties.

To tackle this issue, I know one could be prudent in choosing the apps I install, and use a 3rd party email app that **does not** use the Android account manager to store account/email credentials. However, there do not seem to be many of such email apps available to choose from. Most of them use the Android account manager, including of course the stock email app.

My question is, what are the best ways to tackle this issue? Since the choices one have is extremely limited.

# Answer
You can deny permissions requested by apps when using Android 6+ in Settings --\> Apps (or Apps & notifications) --\> Your\_app --\> Permissions.

However if you are "forced" into accepting the permissions that may infringe on your privacy, it is better if you have a rooted phone or tablet to install apps that can feed them with fake data. Thus, reducing their ability to access your private information.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: email, privacy
---


title: Youtube video quality

text:
# Question
Title: Youtube video quality
Youtube app allows switching between normal and high quality videos. Is this normal and high quality depended on screen dpi or are they some fixed quality videos independent of mobile and tablets and their resolution?

For eg: Is the high quality video in my HTC Desier with resolution 480 X 800 same as in 1080p phones like HTC One?

# Answer
If the quality is set to `Auto`, the video quality is dependent on the internet speed (faster connectivity better resolution, slower connectivity lower resolution), screen resolution, quality of the original uploaded video.

You can choose in the settings a resolution of your liking (240p, 360p, etc). However, be aware that only resolutions that your phone or tablet can handle will be shown. For example, you will not see 1080p or 1440p if your screen can handle only resolutions up to 720p,

Source: Change the quality of your video
> 2 votes

# Answer
As far as I know, the official YouTube app won't play 1080p videos yet.

* Standard LQ (HQ not enabled) = 360p
* HQ = 480p
* HD = 720P
> -1 votes

---
Tags: youtube
---


# Question
Title: Can I connect my XLR mic to my mobile via an XLR -> USB cable via OTG?
I have an XLR mic. I want to connect it to my mobile phone. But even after using all kinds of solutions / cables / connectors my mobile's audio (TRRS) socket is not detecting the mic.

I was thinking of bypassing the audio socket by going in for a USB based solution using an XLR -\> USB cable (https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B06XBMMC1D)

If I use this cable and a OTG connector, will my XLR mic work in Android? The cable has a microcontroller based chipset inside it which converts analog signals to digital (that's what the manufacturer says).

My USB pc webcam mic works perfectly on my mobile when connected via a OTG connector. So will the above solution also work?

# Answer
I went ahead and bought the XLR -\> USB cable and IT WORKS through the OTG connector on my Redmi 4 mobile. But there is a lot of background static in the recordings.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: hardware
---


title: Show adb backup manual

text:
# Question
Title: Show adb backup manual
How do I show the help text/manual for `adb backup`?

When I run `adb help` I see

> ...
> backup/restore:
> to show usage run "adb shell bu help"
> ...

When I run `adb shell bu help`, nothing happens. What am I doing wrong?

# Answer
> 7 votes
That's because you need to connect a device to adb first. Check for connected devices, using `adb devices`.

Otherwise, it'll display an error:

```
C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Android\Sdk\platform-tools>adb shell bu help
error: no devices/emulators found

```

When you've connected device, run `adb shell bu help` \- it will output something similar:

```
C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Android\Sdk\platform-tools>adb shell bu help
 backup [-f FILE] [-apk|-noapk] [-obb|-noobb] [-shared|-noshared] [-all]
        [-system|-nosystem] [-keyvalue|-nokeyvalue] [PACKAGE...]
     write an archive of the device's data to FILE [default=backup.adb]
     package list optional if -all/-shared are supplied
     -apk/-noapk: do/don't back up .apk files (default -noapk)
     -obb/-noobb: do/don't back up .obb files (default -noobb)
     -shared|-noshared: do/don't back up shared storage (default -noshared)
     -all: back up all installed applications
     -system|-nosystem: include system apps in -all (default -system)
     -keyvalue|-nokeyvalue: include apps that perform key/value backups.
         (default -nokeyvalue)
 restore FILE             restore device contents from FILE

```

---
Tags: adb
---


# Question
Title: Why my Nokia 7.1 makes a sound every 30 seconds until I view the notification?
Since updating to Android 9 (Pie) a few days ago, my Nokia 7.1 makes alert noises every 30 seconds - 1 minute until I view the notification.

I think it has something to do with the Ambient screen notification setting. I used to have it set at "periodically" which is supposed to be every 2 minutes and would previously just illuminate the screen - not make noise. But now, I get a notification noise about every 30 seconds (37 seconds to be exact) until I acknowledge the notification.

I set the Ambient screen notification setting to be "once" and that seems to have resolved the issue of getting the notification sounds, which is why I believe that setting is no longer working properly.

I can live with that workaround for now, but it really would be ideal to have my screen light up every 2 minutes without noise in the many cases that I don't see it the first time.

I have seen a similar issue reported with a solution of "Tap your Settings, scroll down and tap accessibility, scroll down and tap notification reminder." but I **do not** have that setting.

# Answer
This is no longer an issue since the last Android P update - the setting in question that wasn't working no longer exists.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: notifications, 9.0-pie, nokia-7.1
---


# Question
Title: What determines the LAN/SMB media file buffering speed for android devices
Recently I started streaming media files through windows share and occasionally open them on my android devices(through solid file explorer LAN/SMB connection), I noticed for 1080p/2k videos, my LG G6 would open it rather instantly and I can browse videos without much buffering time. But for my Samsung galaxy tab it actually takes a few extra seconds to load the video and it has a noticeably longer buffering time if I jump around on the progress bar.

This got me curious, I wonder what caused the difference in buffering speed for my android devices. Is it the connection strength of the wifi signal, like my LG G6 would have a better wifi connection signal at home?

My router I'm using is NETGEAR Nighthawk X6S AC3000.

# Answer
> 1 votes
A number of factors may come into play here, firstly as highlighted by Morrison these devices may perhaps have different radio protocols (or standards) that they use and support different bands consequently different downlink speeds.

For more on this see: Why do two smartphones connected to the same WiFi network show different speeds (one displays the link speed as 135 Mbps and other only 72 Mbps)?

In addition, wi-fi signal and speed tend to degrade over distance and through obstacles like walls and this also affect the buffering time. Inteference is another factor, because so many devices predominantly one band use (the 2.4 GHz band), the resulting congestion can cause dropped connections and slower-than-expected speeds.

Having a number of devices connected to the router can significantly reduce speed and increase buffering time, so you may want to reduce the number of simultaneous connections while streaming.

Networking issues like IP address assignment (DHCP server) might be triggering the issue, constant drops in connection on a poorly configured DHCP server may be slowing connection speeds, you may need to try static IP address and observe the difference.

On the client-side media rendering capabilities of the associated media players responsible for playback may also be a factor, you need to use a media player with latest codecs supporting given media formats and high resolution videos to allow a smooth playback.

---
Tags: wi-fi, video, streaming, video-streaming, lan
---


# Question
Title: Copy an entire Android Image to multiple devices
First and foremost, let me tell you that I am everything but a professional when it comes to the Android OS. I've just been using it casually up to now, but I do have a rather annoying task at hand right now.

The issueI have is Setting up About 150 Android devices, disabling the Google apps, changing some Settings and installing one app. Obviously that task would take about for ever if I did everything by hand, so my thought was to just set up one and then copy all the properties and stuff to the other ones. Unfortunately I have no idea if that even is possible.

Rooting the devices is not an Option as the warranty should stay intact. The devices are Zebra TC200J with Android 7.1.2

I'd really appreciate any help about the process or any other ways on how to ease the process.

# Answer
> 0 votes
MDM(Mobile Device Management) is a great option when managing multiple devices. Google has their own MDM.

> MDM begins at a centralized location, usually a single workstation or computer. From this centralized point, the administrator can use the Mobile Device Management software to oversee all the devices in the network. This is done by using the software to set up a suite of policies so that all devices that have access to the network will adhere to enterprise standards.
>
> Once the policies are set, administrators can then enroll smartphones, tablets, laptops, and even desktop computers into the network. Depending upon software capabilities and corporate security requirements, device enrollment can be accomplished, either by physically connecting devices to the workstation, or wirelessly.
>
> From this point, enrolled devices can be configured to meet enterprise needs through a host of options including personalized app catalogs, user restrictions, app blacklisting, and so forth. These configurations help to ensure that all devices comply to set policies while at the same time allowing users the best device experience possible. At any time a device is enrolled into the network, MDM software allows administrators to make policy changes, push apps, install updates, and any other changes that are necessary. Administrators can even disenroll and restrict devices whenever necessary.

There is an alternative, you could enable developer options and enable USB debugging. Later a simple script that runs `adb tcpip 5555` for all devices allowing you to connect them to a network. Now you can perform actions on all phones including keystrokes using `keyevent` by relaying the devices. Something like `adb shell input keyevent KEYCODE`.

I would prefer MDM as it is a little hassle-free, but using adb has worked for me

---
Tags: 7.1-nougat
---


# Question
Title: How to add 5 week shift schedule to calendar?
I need a way to set in my work schedule which repeats over 5 weeks in the calendar, It looks like this:

```
NNNN FFF
LLL FF MM
MM FF NNN
FFF LLLL
FF MMM FF

```

(Night, Free, Late, Morning)

Is there any way to do this? I really want it in my calendar and not as a separate app, I've seen "My Work Schedule" and "Work Calendar Lite" but they're not at all what I need.

Using a Samsung Galaxy S3, hope somebody's able to help me out, this really sucks, especially since my colleagues can easily do it on their Iphone ...

# Answer
As far as I can tell, this is not possible within Android's calendar apps. It is possible, however, in Google Calendar's web app. If you are syncing with a Google account, you can go to Google Calendar and set up events to repeat every 5 weeks. You would have to set up each segment separately, but you could then set that segment to repeat every five weeks.

For example:

1. Go to Google Calendar
2. Add an event for one day of work (say, a single night shift)
3. Edit event...
4. Check box for "Repeat..."
5. In the popup that appears, set to repeat every 5 weeks, and select the days that week that have the same schedule (e.g., Mon, Tues, Wed).
6. Repeat for each segment in your schedule.

If you use the same Google account to sync your calendar to your phone, the schedule should appear shortly.
> 2 votes

# Answer
I'm building a mobile app called Six In A Row to be released in 2019 that should be able to do this when it's ready!

UPDATE: I decided to push the rotation extension feature to the next version. v1.0 might still be helpful though; my wife put a whole year of shifts in by tapping each shift/date that she is scheduled to work and it didn't take long at all. It's in beta now (you can get the free beta version by signing up on the website).

Otherwise in Google calendar you could create individual events for each shift in one rotation, and then set them all to be repeating every x weeks or whatever. I think this is a time intensive solution myself.
> 1 votes

# Answer
if you want just to enter your shifts and make them repeat, so you can see when you working or not, there are plenty of such apps on the android market, for example - Shift Work Schedule ( this one is free).
> 0 votes

---
Tags: calendar, automation
---


title: IFTTT activity paused suddenly

text:
# Question
Title: IFTTT activity paused suddenly
I have a Nokia 6.1 with several geofencing based Applets to turn on/off the ringer, etc. All of these recipes I got from IFTTT. I just realized that none of them have run since December 6th. Any idea what's going on? My phone is a Nokia 6.1 running Android Pie.

# Answer
It's hard to be certain, but it seems like opening IFTTT on my Android smart phone fixed my problem. Although that isn't very helpful in a way, since you have to notice that IFTTT isn't working and open it. I don't see a way of preventing the problem. Maybe I could set an IFTTT applet to send myself a daily "everything is okay" email and then if I didn't get the daily email I would know to check on it? This might not do anything to help problems with the geofence based applets like I use though.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 9.0-pie, ifttt
---


# Question
Title: wi-fi + bluetooth + usb failed for no reason (no system update) on xiaomi redmi note 4
Some time ago I suddenly noted that wi-fi switch does not turn on wi-fi and I could not start wi-fi hotspot on xiaomi redmi note 4. I did not do any system update before that happened. As I've read on that problem on internet reset do not help, and neither it helped me later on. (installing some pdanet app did not help either).

In addition to wi-fi, also bluetooth starts (icon shows it's on, not like wi-fi always off), but does not find any devices.

I wanted to debug from PC, but neither Windows nor Linux see the phone connected as device, only charging worked. I was surprised to find out that OTG works, that points to software root cause IMHO.

The phone has non-removable battery, I cannot easily try what I've read as second advice (for samsung with wifi issue) - take out battery.

What could be the issue and what else do you advice me to try apart from selling for spare parts?

# Answer
This seems like a technical issue. There could be these possible reasons:

1. It can happen if you manually change radio settings of the device (but will auto reset to default when you boot the device).
2. It can happen if you are running your device with an outdated version of custom UI that is not installing OTA updates.

**OTA Definition:**

> OTA Updates \- Android devices gets OTA updates via developer provided directly to your phone under name **'software update'** or **'system update'** or in some devices directly through app named **'Updater'**.

Solution is:

1. Try factory reset to your device.

*Factory resetting to your device makes the device completely clean and settings will revert to the manufacturer default settings.*
2. Try manually updating the ROM.

*OTA update is an automatic process for keeping your mobile up-to-date while manually updating a ROM takes time and a little knowledge of android devices.*

*Benefit is - By manual updating you can get a custom ROM installed faster than others who are waiting for official OTA update that takes time.*

Caution -Manual update can be a risky process for your device. Please search it well before trying manual process.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Perhaps software could be the root cause as you suspect, in which case try to put your device into safe mode and see if the wi-fi and bluetooth are working as they should.

You can put your device into safe mode as follows:

> * First power off the device, then turn it on again.
> * When the Mi symbol appears while booting, start tapping continuously on the fingerprint sensor until the phone completely boots and then finally you will be in safe mode

If you do not see a change, then I'd suggest you reset **Network settings**:

Settings → More → Network settings reset

If all that fails then I'd recommend **re-installing** the firmware, choose the right one here
> 0 votes

---
Tags: wi-fi, usb, connection-issues, usb-debugging, xiaomi
---


# Question
Title: Remove app notification when app opens from launcher
I have looked all over the place and cannot seem to find a way to automatically remove an app's respective notification upon the app opening from the app launcher. In iOS this behavior was just a given but, in Android the notifications remain even after opening the app. If I open the app from the notification, the notification is cleared out, but I may not want to open the app from the notification because it may take me to a part of the app that I don't want to go to (like directly into a particular email rather than the inbox).

I am on a Note 9 running 8.1.0. Not rooted.

# Answer
From searching, an app developer can program this functionality in but I don't think there's a global setting for it. You can investigate into IFTTT type apps like Tasker or Automate \- shouldn't be too difficult to set up a trigger when an app is in foreground and then clear notifications (or disable then enable it if clearing is not supported).
> 1 votes

---
Tags: notifications, stock-android, launcher
---


# Question
Title: Is it possible to freeze an app in Bluestacks?
Sometimes is beneficial to "freeze" an application, for example when configuring on-screen controls for a game which doesn't display them at all times. Hotkey would be the most convenient.

# Answer
What OS are you using? I'm going to assume Windows. I have no real experience with Bluestacks itself, but you can try suspending the whole process. To test if it can work open the `Resource Monitor`, right-click the Bluestacks process and click `Suspend process`.

If it does manage to 'pause' the app you can work on making it programmable using perhaps PsSuspend provided as part of PsTools. Finally put it into something like AutoHotkey.

Usage: `pssuspend <process name | process id>` (`-r` to resume)
> 0 votes

---
Tags: bluestacks
---


title: Lollipop Contact Count

text:
# Question
Title: Lollipop Contact Count
I have a Nexus 6 with Lollipop 5.0. I am wondering how many contacts I have on my phone. Of course I could go through and count each one but is there a way to put the contact count at the bottom sort of like the iPhone contact count. How

How can I enable this?

Thanks.

# Answer
In the *Contacts* app, press the *Menu* button and select `Memory status`.
Then you get a screen displaying you the total number of contacts used for every single account/storage.
This only works for custom ROMs, though (don't know why).
> 4 votes

# Answer
Don't do it on the phone at all. Log into your gmail account on the desktop, switch to the contacts tab, and the number is displayed after "My Contacts"
> 1 votes

# Answer
I wrote an app that counts your contacts. It is called Contact Counter and eagerly waiting for users ;o)
> 1 votes

# Answer
Just scroll down to the bottom of the Contact list -- you'll find the total # of contacts
> -2 votes

---
Tags: contacts, 5.0-lollipop
---


# Question
Title: How can I block the traffic outside the VPN, even if the VPN is down?
I would like to direct all the traffic through my VPN connection on my Android based phone (HTC Desire). The VPN works great, but problem is that when the VPN disconnects, the traffic is redirected through my regular internet, something I don't want to happen. **How can I block the traffic outside the VPN?**

# Answer
> 2 votes
You could use DroidWall for this IF you're rooted. Just deny all traffic and then allow traffic to your VPN IP/port. If you need to use a custom script see the man page of iptables for the syntax. Here's a quick, untested example.

```
iptables -P FORWARD ACCEPT
iptables -P INPUT DROP
iptables -P OUTPUT DROP
iptables -A OUTPUT -p udp --dport 1194 -d xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx -j ACCEPT

```

# Answer
> 2 votes
Previous answer is a bit outdated (but should still work), because DroidWall isn't developed anymore, while there's a fork named AFWall+. App has free and "donate" versions and lets you to allow apps access internet only through VPN using GUI. You'll probably have to obtain paid version for this functionality, but I'm not sure about that because description in F-Droid says you need to buy it, while in Play Store there's nothing about that. Root is needed of course.

On screenshot WireGuard is VPN app and is allowed on all networks, other apps are allowed only on VPN (fourth column), some are not allowed to access internet at all:

Also since Android 8 there's built-in option Block connections without VPN in VPN settings.

---
Tags: vpn
---


# Question
Title: Should i be worried of these permissions from an app?
I was going to download an app ( not giving its proper name because there are many other apps who wants same permissions) but when i was looking for what 'app permissions' it needed. I saw permissions 'camera' , 'identity' , 'send sticky broadcast' and 'request install packages'.

Why an app actually needed to take permission of camera when there is no need of camera anyhow within the app ? And what are those settings permissions under *other* section ?

# Answer
From what I have found, a Sticky Broadcast is a broadcast from an application that stays hanging around after it has been dealt with. It helps for things like battery level. I found this here.

As for Request Install Packages, it

> Allows an application to request installing packages

Source: Android Developers

As for why an app would need permissions to something that it seems like it has no business using, there could be a few explanations. I am a developer and can say that there might be something in the API for Camera that is used, but the actual camera is not. Without know what app you are wanting, one could not say definitively.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: applications, settings, permissions
---


title: Lost my Encrypted mobile phone

text:
# Question
Title: Lost my Encrypted mobile phone
So,

Yesterday I lost my Samsung A6+. The guy/girl who picked must have already shut it down.

It is encrypted and it had a locking pattern each time I needed to use it.

* If the guy does a factory reset(the one went turning on the phone), will he be able to do so, and use it as a brand new?
* The documents I had in the SD Card are cloud safe, so no worries about losing it. However, do you know if the encryption also goes to the SD card level?

I really doubt that even going to the police to alert them I've lost it, would do anything useful in order to have a minor chance to retrieve it if it is one day reconnected to the network, so do you think I should do it either way?

Thanks all!

# Answer
TBH the answer is 'Yes' he can use it after factory reset.

As we know that it is needed for an android device to re-login from the same account as it was previously logged in before doing a factory reset or called it as owner's account, but one can still use other account to log in and set up a fresh android after resetting the device.

However, Google always providing patches to these vulnerabilities but it is not enough as of now. There are various guides to bypass FRP.

Coming to your data on SD card. If it is encrypted no need to worry about data.

It may help you, read here more about 'Adoptable storage' and 'Portable storage'.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: samsung, hardware
---


title: Samsung S8 messenger saved images

text:
# Question
Title: Samsung S8 messenger saved images
I cannot find my saved facebook messenger images on my Samsung Galaxy S8 photos, i looked everywhere, in all my albums, pictures, downloads files etc.tried looking everywhere for my messenger photos, no luck what should i do. help

# Answer
In case of FB Messenger you have to 'Save' image.

1. Click on the image in the Messenger app.
2. Click 'more' in the lower left corner of the screen.
3. Tap 'Save'.

Now the image is saved to your device and it can be seen in Gallery.

Dedicated folder: Internal Storage/Pictures/Messenger
> 2 votes

---
Tags: facebook-messenger
---


# Question
Title: How can I prevent someone from tracking my Android phone? Otherwise, how can I fake the location?
I have a Samsung Galaxy. I have heard that I can turn off my data, GPS locator, or the phone itself but I would like to be able to keep my phone with me and on at all times and have normal functionality.

How can I prevent someone from tracking my device? Is there a way I can route the tracker to a specific location when I want so that I could just tell them I am at that location even when I'm not?

I am willing to root my device and install any kernel or ROM; whatever it takes.

# Answer
If you believe that someone is tracking you with your Android, do this

1. Back up your favorite apps.
2. Factory reset the phone.
3. Encrypt your phone. (This way nobody else can access your phone)
4. For extra protection, you may add a PIN so that you can lock down them from accessing your settings.
5. If you are going a step further, you can lock down your phone in kiosk mode with the help of any custom launchers or anything like that.
> 8 votes

# Answer
Dan already pointed out that this is more a social problem. Talk with your parents, express how you feel about this. The feeling of being constantly monitored is sure not very pleasant.

That said, the only way to make it hard for someone to monitor the location *with the help of your Android phone* is by ensuring that you have a clean initial setup and a locked-down system in terms of screen lock and debugging disabled. This comes down to that if your phone was never compromised before and you prevent all unauthorized access to the phone, it's hard to install surveillance software. It has nothing to do with root access or a custom ROM. In fact, having root access may be counterproductive, since you want a tamper-proof system.

If they use other means of tracking (e.g. GSM-based ones), which is unlikely for individuals, then there is nothing to prevent that.
> 6 votes

# Answer
Some mobile carriers offer services to track children/family/friends which will trace phone location through cell towers and notify of changes.

You'll have to put your SIM card into another phone and leave it at a friend's place to fake your location. You can also set up call forwarding to your new SIM if they decide to call and check.
> 0 votes

# Answer
To be sure you have no additional tracking software installed, you may use these 3 methods.

### Method 1

1. Check logged Google accounts *Settings* -\> *Accounts*: be sure to use *only your account for all Google products/services (Play Store, Maps, Android Phone Manager - this one can track devices)*. To be 100% sure, only you are the administrator of your phone, set up a new Google account for yourself.
2. In *Settings* -\> *Security* -\> *Device Administrators*, check programs set as admins -\> remove all if there are any. (If you find one PIN-protected, use Method 2 with hard/factory reset.)
3. Remove *all* additional apps that may be used for tracking *Settings* -\> *Apps* -\> *Downloaded* \- select and remove all, one by one (some might be PIN-protected, then go to Method 2).
4. In *Settings* -\> *Location Services*, disable the *Access my location* option and turn off GPS.
5. Disable *Mobile data transfer*.
6. Set up and enable PIN and Password (*Settings* -\> *Security*), and enable screen protection with a PIN number.

### Method 2

Manually back up your data (music, pictures) and copy it with file explorer/manager onto an SD card. SMS can be backed up with SMS Backup + App, sync contacts with Google Account. (for security reasons, set yourself a *new* fresh one and use it to back up and restore your data.)

Then, go to *Settings* -\> *Backup and Reset*, choose *Factory Data Reset* important - uncheck *Automatic Restore* checkbox. After a hard reset, choose your own *new* Google account for Google services (set up a new one).

Next, set up and enable Password (*Settings* -\> *Security*), and enable screen protection with PIN.

### Additional info

*Apps that can track your phone*

1. Google Device Manager
2. Kaspersky Mobile Security (This one is tricky and hard to erase. I use this one with my phone.)
3. Avast Mobile Security / Avast Anti-Theft (This one sends an email notification or SMS when the phone leaves the designated area. It also may be hard to remove. You will need a hard reset to get rid of these two). Anti-Theft hides itself as an update agent in apps.
4. Track My Phone
5. Phone Locator

...and many many more. Check them in Google Play (You may find one installed on your phone. If so, remove it.)

### Method 3 (100% works)

Buy another cheap smartphone and a second SIM card. Install on this new phone, let's call it decoy, the software they have installed on your old phone for tracking you (you will find it in *Settings* -\> *Apps* on your Galaxy), log them in, put it into that second phone your old SIM card, redirect all phone calls to you a new number which you will use with your factory erased / clean Galaxy with new accounts logged in. Leave the second (decoy) phone in a place you are supposed to be.

If you can't find the app which they are using to track you down or don't have passwords to log them on a second phone, use the reverse process: buy yourself another phone with a new number (can be prepaid) and redirect all calls onto the new one from your old SIM card and use the old phone as a decoy.
> -1 votes

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Tags: privacy, gps-tracking
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