title: A random floating ad is always on top

text:
# Question
Title: A random floating ad is always on top
In the following image, you can see a floating ad and it looks like an average ad by Google. Problem is, it's always on top. In the image, you can see it over my Settings app.

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

I did not install any new apps on to my device (OnePlus One running CM12s - Android 5.0.2), and the single ad keeps popping up randomly in different positions on the screen. (Since today morning.)

Following is a screenshot of the webpage that opens up, when I select 'opt out'.

From where did this come from, and how do I get rid of it?

# Answer
You've got some kind of adware. Check your running apps and stop any apps that are unfamiliar-looking. Be sure to checked cached processes as well.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: ads
---


# Question
Title: Remove the white background on app drawer on Android 5.1
Is there a way we can remove the white background that shows up forever behind the icons on Android. I read somewhere that Android 6 Developer options may provide that. If someone figured it out on Android 5, please advise.

# Answer
This is very much possible, but you will require a custom launcher. For the sake of this, we'll use Nova Launcher.

1. Install Nova Launcher and set it as the default when going back to your Home screen.
2. Go to the "App & Widget Drawers" screen in Nova settings and scroll down to find the options shown in image. Make sure the switch for "Card background" is set to off.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: 5.1-lollipop, app-drawer
---


# Question
Title: App drawer doesn't allow scrolling by letter on Android M Dev Preview 3
I just flashed the newest Dev Preview of Marshmallow, but I found the App Drawer looks different than most screenshots.

Mine:

Screenshots:

Is there a setting I need to set?

# Answer
> 1 votes
You're comparing the older Dev Preview 1 to the newer Dev Preview app drawer.

From an article on AndroidPit,

> **App drawer has been fixed**
>
> While we commend Google on trying a new, vertical-scrolling app drawer, the alphabetical dividers on the left and negative space at the end of some sections was a bad idea. The new Android M removes these and is faster to navigate because you have more app icons on screen. It still scrolls vertically though.
>
> The old app drawer (left) and the new Android M developer preview 2 app drawer (right). / © ANDROIDPIT

AFAIK, there's no official way to revert back to the older version, unless you are OK with flashing Dev Preview 1 (and stuck with it).

Alternatively (though I haven't tried it, **so do it at your own risk**), based on another article on AndroidPit, try to replace Google App with older version, specifically the Android M Preview 1.

> **Install the new APK app for Android Marshmallow**
>
> Once you've installed Google Now Launcher (OP: already installed by default on Nexus), you need to download the Google App APK file. To do this:
>
> * Make sure your device is set to accept downloads from unknown sources. To enable this, go to **Settings \> Security** then tick the **Unknown sources** box.
> * Next, download the Google App APK file to your device, which you can get directly by clicking here. Open the APK once you've downloaded it, then follow the instructions to install Google App.

**Note**: you probably need to uninstall Google App's update first. Also, by installing from unknown source, Google App can't receive automatic update from Play Store anymore.

---
Tags: app-drawer, 6.0-marshmallow, developer-preview
---


# Question
Title: Will the Android M developer preview get an OTA update to the stable release version?
If I install the Dev Preview 3 on my Nexus 5 right now, will I get an OTA to the stable build or will I have to flash it as well?

# Answer
> 2 votes
No, you need to flash it since Google only provides the stable release as downloadable image on Factory Images for Nexus Devices.

From Official Android Developer site,

> **Note**: Developer Preview 3 includes final APIs and near-final system images available by both download and OTA. At the full public release of Android M later in Q3, final system images will be available by download only, so you'll need to **flash manually** to your test devices.

---
Tags: ota-update, 6.0-marshmallow, developer-preview
---


# Question
Title: SIM is unsupported on Galaxy Y running CM11
There's a problem with my Samsung Galaxy Y S5360 after upgrading from GingerBread to Android KitKat.

I followed all the steps starting from downloading CWM, CyanogenMod 11, and the KitKat ROM. And thankfully I was successful. At first, it was so long before the update was fully installed on my Galaxy Y.

**Problem:** When I turn it on, it accepts the SD Card, but **SIM card is not detected**.

I tried rebooting over and over again. But only the SD card works, specifically that only the SD card is inserted, not SIM card and it works properly. But it **doesn't start when SIM card is inserted**.

Now I rebooted it with only the SIM card inserted, hoping that "somehow" my Galaxy Y will take its time rebooting while my SIM card is inserted. But still, I'm not sure what will happen. Please help me.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Here's what you have to do:

1. Reflash your ROM
2. After reflashing, let it boot
3. Turn off your profile and shutdown
4. Wait until the phone vibrates and open it again

If it doesn't work, format cache, system, data, and also cache on CWM recovery, then try reflashing again.

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, sim-card, samsung-galaxy-y
---


title: Boot animations support in LG-G2 CM12.1

text:
# Question
Title: Boot animations support in LG-G2 CM12.1
I am running Cyanogenmod 12.1 in LG G2. I would like to change the boot animation.
Does the system support this feature?

# Answer
> 0 votes
If you change Theme (Settings \> Theme), you can select boot animation as one of the attributes from that theme to update.

I use the boot animation from one theme and other attributes (icons, fonts, colors) from others.

In Play Store, you can usually see a small preview of the boot animation in the screenshot section. Search for "12.1 theme".

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, lg-g2, boot-animation
---


# Question
Title: How to Flash Android 5.1 in Moto E XT1022
I've update my Motorola Moto E with Android 5.0.2 in Soak Test. Here's my S/W version.
.
Somehow I was unable to got Android 5.1 update. thus I've decided to install it manually. I've found Moto E 5.1 Stock ROM Here! But, my problem is how to follow these steps mentioned in website.
I mean what is **Custom Recovery (TWRP)**, what is **Factory Reset (System, Data, Cache, Dalvik)\*** and **How to Flash ROM?**. How to do this?.
Thanks in advanced for any kind of suggestions, help or tutorial link etc...

# Answer
A custom recovery is a replacement recovery software for your device. It basically has a backup feature and a system for installing unsigned updates (flashable zips).

Factory reset is a wipe of your user data and cache partitions. It does not affect other partitions, and can be done via stock recovery.

Flashing a ROM can be done in two ways: fastboot or some flash tool for stock ROMs, and for custom ones, by flashing a ROM zip through a custom recovery. For the installation of a custom ROM, not one of its updates, these partitions should be wiped: system, data, cache (app data cache), and dalvik cache (app code cache). Further information depends on the particular variant of the device you are on.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: rom-flashing, 5.1-lollipop
---


# Question
Title: How to download OBB files without using the Chrome/Firefox Extension?
First of all, let me emphasize that *I AM NOT TRYING TO PIRATE ANYTHING.*

My situation is that I have this game which needs to be updated, but I have been failing to finish the update every single time.

My guess is that the Internet connection got disrupted midway through downloading the OBB file, and Google Play app is not equipped to perform a resumable partial download.

It really gets tiresome after a while.

I tried installing the "APK Downloader Extension" but it either failed to login (on Chrome) or does nothing (on Firefox).

If there's a way to get the URL of the OBB file, I can use Firefox's DownThemAll, and manually transfer it to my phone.

So, to repeat the question: Is there a way to download the OBB file without using the Google Play app on the phone?

# Answer
> 0 votes
You aren't pirating anything if it's free in the first place. Google play does support resumable downloads. You can use sites like apk4fun or the amazon store, in case you are otherwise dissatisfied. They host all files for direct download.

---
Tags: google-play-store, apk
---


title: Automating adb commands

text:
# Question
Title: Automating adb commands
is there a way to run adb shell commands via windows?

I would like to run a batch script such as this

```
adb shell
mount -o rw,remount /system
exit

```

Currently when i run the batch script it only runs the first command `adb shell`

# Answer
> 2 votes
Wrong syntax :)

```
adb shell "mount -o rw,remount /system"

```

would do in your case (i.e. passing the command you want to run on the device to `adb shell` in double-quotes; the "exit" is not needed here as it is "implied"), provided your device's ADB daemon runs in root mode. You can even run multiple commands at once this way, e.g.:

```
adb shell "mount -o rw,remount /system && echo 127.0.0.1 foobar.com > /system/etc/hosts && mount -o ro,remount /system"

```

Commands connected with `&&` here, meaning: only execute the next command if the previous one succeeded. If you don't want that dependency, use `;` instead to connect them.

For how to use a multi-line command (so called "HEREDOC") with Windows (or any other OS), SuperUser is the better place to ask (in case the Wikipedia entry is not sufficient ;)

---
Tags: adb, shell, scripts
---


# Question
Title: How unlock S6 Edge When The Finger Print Scanner is Not Working?
My S6 edge was locked by finger print. It was working fine, but today while I was on bath my child was playing with my mobile and by mistake they tried finger print scanner, now my device is locked out.

Now my device asking for backup password but as the password was alphanumeric (12 digit long), I had also forgot it. I have searched a lot on Google and found that either Google account or resetting the device is only solution.

But I can't even use my Google account as my WiFi and/or mobile data was off when my phone was in lock mode. Now because of Google's security system I can't even enable WiFi or mobile data?

So, my question is: 1. Is there a way to make my device to ask for my finger print once again?
2. or is there a way to on my WiFi or mobile data on lock screen?

Because I don't want to reset my device, as I have unsaved data.

Thanks in advance

Best regards

# Answer
> 1 votes
Try pressing the power button, till it shows the options like, power off, flight mode, restart, emergency mode

then select emergency mode. Wait for it to enable. After that, it will ask again for your finger print.

---
Tags: security, locked-out, samsung-galaxy-s-6, fingerprint
---


# Question
Title: How do you input Cantonese characters in Android?
I am able to use handwriting to input Chinese characters. However, I would like to input Cantonese characters (which are slightly different from Chinese characters). How do I do this?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Use **Cantonese Input**. Install the keyboard and add it as an input method. You can then use any of the following to input characters:

> * Pinyin (Yale, Jyutping and Cantonese Pinyin standards)
> * Cangjie
> * Handwriting
> * Voice
> * Stroke

# Answer
> 0 votes
You can first try the solution provided by Huey. Alternatively you can also try these,

1. Install Google Handwriting Input and enable it.
2. Select the `Cantonese` language under the `Configure languages` option.
3. Now select `Download languages` (Download size around 12MB)
4. Now choose `Select Google Handwriting Input` and select the `Cantonese` keyboard.

Now you will be able to use the Cantonese Handwriting input and write in Cantonese.

---
Tags: input-methods, text-input
---


# Question
Title: Google contacts party deleted, how to restore?
My phone has since this morning forgotten about a part of my contacts: it only displays some of them in my contact list, or only displays their email address and not their phone number. I don't know what triggered this and there doesn't seem to be a logic behind it: I see and don't see contacts related to different accounts.

Now luckily my WhatAapp conversations with many of the deleted people are still there, so I can re-add them to my contact list manually, but this of course doesn't work for people that I have not talked to on WhatsApp recently.

The thing is, in my phone, contact sync with my main Google account is turned off (has to do with my limited data plan). This means that I sometimes sync manually, but I had some contacts in my phone that weren't synced with Google and part of them are now gone. Is there any way to restore these?

Also, which of the following will syncing my Google contacts do?

1. Overwrite the contacts in my phone
2. Add to my phone the contacts that are in my Google account without deleting any contacts in my phone that are not in my Google account
3. Delete all contacts that are just stored on my phone and not in my Google account?

Any other suggestions are also appreciated, but please be very clear because I'm new to this.

# Answer
> 0 votes
If you sync your google contacts it will add the contacts present in your google account to your phone, without deleting or modifying the other contacts (option b).

The reason might be that, you accidentally deleted all the contacts in your phone and restored the partially synced contacts from your google account.

How to restore? - I think you already restored the available contacts using your google account. You can't restore beyond those contacts, unless you had the other backup source (like you can backup your contacts using inbuilt option for contacts backup)

---
Tags: contacts, sync, recovery-mode
---


# Question
Title: Internal SD card accessible through PC even after encryption
I recently bought a OnePlus Two. The first thing I did after getting the new phone was a full encryption under security settings.

But even after that, the files in my internal SD card, such as WhatsApp media files, images and more are accessible via a PC.

How to prevent this? Am I missing something?

# Answer
You can't prevent that. It is because your device is mounted to the computer via MTP. It's supposed to be visible. However, whenever you boot up, a password will be required to decrypt your device before any data can be accessed, so you need not worry. Also, MTP connections won't display any data if the device is locked. This is a security measure. In Lollipop, not even a factory reset can remove your lock.
> 4 votes

---
Tags: encryption, 5.1-lollipop, internal-sd
---


title: How do I defrag my Android device?

text:
# Question
Title: How do I defrag my Android device?
I've seen a few apps online, but they don't seem legitimate. From what I've seen, they don't seem to show what's going on while the drive is being defragmented. So I decided I wanna stay away from defragmenters in the Google Play store.

What would be an efficient way to defrag my both my phone's SD card and internal storage?

# Answer
> 11 votes
There's no reason to defragment flash media. It serves no purpose, because access to any flash cell is going to take the same amount of time as access to any other flash cell. The reason defragmenting is beneficial to mechanical hard drives is because it makes related data blocks contiguous, so that they can all be read in order as the disk is spinning and minimizing the amount of movement needed from the drive heads. Flash media has none of these moving parts, and therefore does not suffer from the same problems as mechanical drives.

In fact, defragmenting flash media could potentially be *detrimental*, because it will wear the memory faster while not providing any benefit. Flash memory firmwares will actually fragment data **intentionally**, in a practice known as wear-leveling, which helps to prevent specific cells from being overused and wearing out more than others.

Flash-based devices generally benefit from TRIMing, but Android 4.3 or higher will do this for you automatically. Apps that claim to perform defragmentation are suspicious at best. Even if they "work", there is no reason to use them.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Defragmenting storage IC memory is not recommended for it may actually break the IC... Just like how SSDs are, you simply do not defragment Storage IC or it may break... also as far as I know Unix systems don't need to defrag since the files are already arranged in such a way that it is faster to access them

a better explanation here: http://geekblog.oneandoneis2.org/index.php/2006/08/17/why\_doesn\_t\_linux\_need\_defragmenting

---
Tags: maintenance
---


# Question
Title: How can I share a post from Facebook on Android with other apps?
Facebook for Android doesn't seem to have any ability to provide a permalink for a post, or a share possibility for other apps. It only allows to send via Facebook Messenger, which obviously is useless. Also Facebook's save feature is useless if I want to use for example Pocket.

Did I miss something? Is there any hack? Alternative application?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Have you tried sending it to yourself via messenger? since the facebook can actually make you send yourself a msg... try doing that, that might be the answer.

P.S. I can't comment cause I still don't have 50 reps.. hate that kind of thing here...

---
Tags: facebook
---


# Question
Title: How can I merge SMS and Hangouts messages within Hangouts?
It made sense to me to merge SMS, WhatsApp style messaging and video calls into one app to save resources and switching between apps so I set up Hangouts to be the SMS app.

I just had one problem - how to send SMS messages from Hangouts? (If I know the person has a problem with data reception, then I do specifically want to send an SMS at that time, for instance.)

According to Google:

"Choose a contact from your conversations list. Touch someone's name at the top. You can then choose SMS from the drop-down menu."

But that is not true in practice. It appears the reason I couldn't do that was because I was in the "hangout" for Hangout messages (I will call it MoIP - Message over IP - in the following) and video calls for that person, not the SMS "hangout" for that person.

Integrating the two in one app and then separating them seems to be going half a step backwards again, so does anybody know if I can merge those two hangouts and do SMS, MoIP and video calls to a person from the same "hangout"?

My phone is a Moto G 1st generation without 4G (XT1032) with Android 5.0 "Lollipop".

# Answer
> 5 votes
If you long press on either hangout (MOIP or SMS), then press on the other one you should get an option to merge them. This should then give you the option to send either from the same hangout.

There is also a setting within `Settings` \> `SMS` to `Enable merged conversations` which needs to be enabled.

# Answer
> 0 votes
When you click on a conversation in Hangouts, click on the icon to the left of the text field. That'll give you an option to switch between SMS and hangouts.

# Answer
> -3 votes
Go to settings /sms/default sms account and Change it to your Gmail account

---
Tags: sms, motorola-moto-g, google-hangouts
---


title: Overwrite /system/bin/su using adb

text:
# Question
Title: Overwrite /system/bin/su using adb
Can't overwrite su file in /system/bin/ my stupid classmate put a prank on me and inserted a different su binary coming from his linux pc instead of the already existing su in /system/xbin/

I want to overwrite it myself since even him can't do it

here's the adb shell su return:

> /system/bin/su: not executable: magic 7F45

Is there a way to replace this one with the already existing su in /system/xbin/? I've been trying to chmod the su overwritten su file for 3 months now.. I can't even chown cause IDK what are the users and IDK how to list all of them. Help. Thanks in advance.

P.S.

## -can't load custom rom since I'm still on the way of rooting phone

## -can't load stock rom for I'm using a very rare tablet (Arc Mobile 727M) can't find a good alternative for stock rom

# Answer
> 2 votes
Andrew, if su binary in xbin is proper, then run,

```
adb shell
/system/xbin/su -c mv /system/bin/su /system/bin/su-dead

```

then reboot and open terminal emulator and run su.

Did this device come pre-rooted? If not then what prevents you from repeating the process you used to root?

---
Tags: rooting, tablet, superuser, arm-processors
---


# Question
Title: SIM card not detecting after android 5.1 update moto g 1st gen
I updated my 1st Gen moto g today but after that the phone is not detecting the SIM card. I have tried with other cards too but it won't work.

EDIT: Its system default update for lollipop 5.1

# Answer
Was this an official update or a custom rom you flashed yourself? If it's an official build, then the manufacturers would soon come up with a fix. If you flashed a custom rom yourself maybe you should check the blog where from you downloaded the rom to see if other users too have the same problem. In the meanwhile you may try a factory reset.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: motorola-moto-g, 5.1-lollipop
---


# Question
Title: Create new image file of 750 x 380 px on Android phone
I need to create a blank 750 x 380px image on my android phone - then paste some images and text onto the blank image. Simple as this sounds - spent over 72 hours searching the Web with no way to this. Pixlr and all other mobile image editing apps can only edit existing images - but won't allow you create new ones with fixed canvas size. Suffice it to say I haven't got access to a computer now and must do this on my Samsung android mobile. Help guys - I'm about to really really freak out.

# Answer
Don't freak out. That would be silly.

I just tried (for your question) an app named PhotoSuite 4 Free. I was able to start a new project, specify its pixel dimensions and add a text layer. Seems to be what you're looking for.

<sub>(Click image to enlarge)</sub>
> 2 votes

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat
---


# Question
Title: Symlnk failed in strange way on Samsung Galaxy S3
I tried to create a symlink for the external SD on a Galaxy S3 as I have done it on my HTC M8 previously. I tried with terminal emulator in command line, with Root Explorer and with Solid Explorer. It always worked and they were fully operational – but when I rebooted the device they are always lost, no track of the symlink previously created. Could someone explain, what is happening and how to correct that ? Thank you.

I forgot, my device is GT-9300 French running Android 4.3

# Answer
> 1 votes
That very much depends on where you wanted to create the symlink. A good guess: in the root file-system? That would explain the behaviour:

Android uses an initial RAM-disk (aka "boot-image") on startup, from which it creates the rootFS (and several other things) anew each time – so changes to the root file-system don't survive a boot. That leaves you with at least two or three options:

* **manipulate the boot-image:** only if you have the experience. Getting that wrong, and you might have to flash a fresh ROM (worst case; keeping the original, you could replace it via – but the try-and-err process might take a while)
* **use some `init.d` script to create the symlink on each boot:** Requires your device/ROM to support the init.d system (not all do). Again, a "borked script" might screw your boot process; but you could verify your script (running it manually) before placing it into `init.d`, and doing so keeps the risk level very low.
* **Using an app-based solution:** apps like offer to run stuff as soon as boot is completed.

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


# Question
Title: I've installed a custom recovery image, but not yet rooted my phone. How can I install SuperSU and subscribe to automatic updates?
I own a Samsung smartphone. I'm running Android 4.1.2 "Jelly Bean". I've also installed ClockworkMod Recovery 6.0.4.5.

Each time I exit ClockworkMod Recovery, it offers to root my phone. I haven't accepted this offer yet.

Binaries are not yet available for the currently-maintained fork of Superuser. So I guess I'll install SuperSU instead.

OK; fine. So I want to install SuperSU. I also want to start getting automatic updates — in other words, as new versions of SuperSU are released, I want the Google Play store app to install them automatically.

Please note that I would rather not boot Android up even once with `su` installed but with no `su` GUI installed. Doing such a thing would be a security risk which I'd rather avoid if possible.

What steps should I take, and in what order?

# Answer
Follow these steps:

1. Download the flashable ZIP for SuperSU app into your device. It would have both the APK as well as `su` binary. Choose the stable build .
2. Boot into the custom Recovery → flash the ZIP → Reboot.
3. After the boot animation you would see "Android is upgrading" dialog for few seconds. Once booted to Home screen, launch SuperSU app.
4. Go to **Settings** and scroll down until you see **CLEANUP** section.
5. Choose **Reinstall**. It would remove SuperSU app from the system but not the `su` binary.
6. Go to Play Store and install SuperSU app. Since the app is now installed from Play Store, you would definitely receive updates to the app as long as they are pushed to Play Store and are compatible with your device.

Done!
> 2 votes

---
Tags: rooting, security, recovery-mode, clockworkmod-recovery, application-autoupdate
---


# Question
Title: 4 apps get installed after every reboot, how to remove them
I am using Micromax canvas turbo with Android 4.0 ICS.

I once tried to root my phone, but didn't find any good use so reverted it.

Now I have 4 apps:

1. Hola Luancher
2. One touch white
3. One touch Black
4. Lazy swipe

And I also have some internal app getting installed like:

1. TimeService
2. MusicProvider
3. backUpProvider

They all get installed and enabled after every reboot. How do I resolve this?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Factory Reset. Back up your data and perform a factory reset, and if that doesn't work, then you will need to root your phone to get rid of them. :|

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, micromax-a110
---


# Question
Title: Mount USB OTG to specific destination folder
I've got a Moto G with 4.4.2 and, as stock OTG functionality is broken in the latest android version, I need a way to mount my mini USB card reader (meenova) to /sdcard folder.

From what I've found on the internet I have to use this shell (I'm trying to use it with tasker):

"mount -o rw /dev/block/sdb /storage/emulated/0" or "mount -o rw -t vfat /dev/block/sdb /storage/emulated/0" Neither of them worked for me

/deb/block/sdb is the location of my sd when plugged in and /storage/emulated/0 is the phone internal memory (or at least I think so, I've also tried using just /sdcard but no luck either)

I was able to mount the sd card using Stickmount app from Chainfire but it mounts it to /sdcard/usbStorage/sda and I need it to be just /sdcard (plus if I manage to do that with tasker I don't need another app installed).

What can I do? Thanks.

# Answer
It's actually real simple but you need work from recovery. All things mounted go through some script called fstab. And **don't** go change anything until you know sure that's right to do. Some info can be found in a map called MNT and PROC. However never try to alter those because it could lead to **bricking** your device.

Some textfile examples are MOUNTS and PARTITIONS where you can find detailed info. Mounting however uses the fstab folder as device parameter info point. So think adding or changing it might work. Here an fstab textline as example.

```
/dev/block/mmcblk0p9 /system ext4 rw

```

You might find more info when googling for android fstab properties. Still altering them in any way is up to you.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: usb, 4.4-kitkat, tasker, mount, usb-on-the-go
---


# Question
Title: Tasker: How can I randomize a wait action?
I know how to make a randomize variable, but I don't see anywhere in the wait action to enter the variable.

I've been told to look for "crossed arrows" that will let me enter a specific value or a variable, but I don't see these crossed arrow anywhere.

# Answer
I just had to disable beginner mode in Tasker preferences. The crossed arrows (shuffle symbol) showed up after that.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: tasker
---


title: Lock icons on Nexus 5

text:
# Question
Title: Lock icons on Nexus 5
App icons are deleted or getting moved to other screens by mistake. Is there any app to lock the icons? I don't want to install a launcher if I can get an app to lock the icons.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I agree it would be nice if Android were to lock down its app icons because they're too easy to accidentally move/remove! Ugh, so annoying! While Apple iOS also doesn't lock down their app icons, it's actually harder to accidentally move/remove app icons than on Android.

Sorry this doesn't exactly answer your question because it doesn't involve an add-on app to preexisting launcher but, there's a very thoughtfully designed, lightweight launcher called Smart Launcher that has an important feature called "Prevent Modifications," which solves the problem of accidental moving/deletion of app icons you and most people are having.

Other unique benefits/features:

1. Conserves screen real estate by allowing two actions per icon/app--secondary action done by double-pressing an icon/app; allowed actions include app, folder, widget, shortcut, etc.
2. Arranges home screen apps into a circular (other choices as well) pattern, making it easy for user to remember where things are, so access is faster.
3. Instead of showing apps collection page by page, it groups apps by their categories, modifiable by user. It's like the Linux Mint Operating System's start or app menu.
4. Rarely used apps can be hidden by user.
5. Since it's among the most lightweight of all launchers, it conserves battery and valuable resources which could be used for something else, which is crucial for slower, older phones.
6. Advertised to work with "OK Google" voice command, though I've never tried it because I don't need it. Uses a Contacts-searchable bar on the homescreen.
7. Doesn't require rooting.
8. I've been happily using the Free version which meets my needs, but if you find you like the additional features then they're in the Pro version.

---
Tags: nexus-5, app-icons
---


title: Any concerns using LED flashlight apps?

text:
# Question
Title: Any concerns using LED flashlight apps?
I've always wondered with flashlight apps, especially ones that use the LED light(s): Is there any risk of shortening the life of the LEDs? I noticed one app ("ASettings") gives a warning that doing so can "harm your phone"... which to me sounds even more ominous than burning out the bulb. I thought LEDs had a crazy long lifespan to begin with, so do I need to worry?

# Answer
There's a really good thread of discussion about this on AndroidForums here.

In short, LEDs have a long life span (20k+ hours?). So the concern isn't really the LEDs burning out (although after a long period of time, they will eventually start losing the amount of output and their brightness will dim).

The real concern is to not apply too much voltage to the LED and overheat it. Another concern would be overheating your battery (due to heat dissipation from draining the battery from powering the LED).

In short, if you're only using the LED for time periods less than half an hour, you should be okay. If you need to use it longer, go get a real flash light. :)
> 16 votes

# Answer
LEDs do have a long lifespan (35K-50K hrs depending on the type of LED) but the issue is heat. The LEDs are intended to be used as a flash (ultra short duration) and probably don't have very robust heat managment systems if they have any at all. Each phone is going to be different. I would say that using it as a flashlight for a couple minutes tops is fine, but beyond that you run the risk of overheating which, depending on the type of LED and where it's positioned in the phone in relation to other hardware could damage the LED and possibly other components.
> 7 votes

# Answer
I use my LED for camera shots and also for lights and I have been doing so for almost every day or so and I've had my phone (myTouch Slide) for about 3 months now. Nothing has happened to it. I think if you're an avid user, you should just take care of it externally.
> 1 votes

# Answer
I have burnt my phone's leds with two of my previous phones. Pressumably because of those apps. I have never used flashlight continously not more than five minutes.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: hardware, camera-flash
---


# Question
Title: How to turn off the spell checker in Android 4.4.2?
I have a Nexus 4 with Android 4.4.2 and I can't switch off the spell checker. I write messages in several different languages and it insists on changing foreign words to the closest English. Writing a message can take me several minutes to sort out all the errors Android itself introduces.

Assessing *Settings* \> *Language & input* the *Spell checker* field is turned off, but this doesn't stop Android from messing up my messages.

Thank you.

# Answer
> 5 votes
Try going into Settings \> Language & Input and configure the Google Keyboard. In there you can turn off 'Auto-correction'. This should stop it from changing the foreign words to English.

You could also try adding additional dictionaries. This should allow you to enter words from different languages without it detecting them as mis-spelt English words.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I did Settings -\> Language & Input and turned off Spell checker.

And then still in Language & Input I went into the Google Keyboard config, de-selected Use System Language, de-selected English(US), then selected Alphabet(QWERTY).

# Answer
> 0 votes
On HTC One M8 what I did:

`Settings -> Language & keyboard -> Keyboard options -> Advanced -> Word prediction` unticked.

Worked for me.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Android 5.1.1. Settings\>Language & Input\>Google Keyboard\>Text Correction\>Disable Auto Correction

# Answer
> -1 votes
Just turn off Swiftkey and auto correction on your remaining keyboards in Settings → Language & keyboard.

---
Tags: nexus-4, spell-check
---


# Question
Title: Android 5.1 & Group SMS in Messenger defaults to MMS
Am I right in thinking that as of Lollipop 5.1 all group messages sent via Messenger are sent via MMS?

In prior versions I had the choice to send them as multiple SMS messages, which is what I want as my contract gives me unlimited SMS messages but charges me per MMS.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I was recommended the Textra app to send group SMS as an actual SMS rather than MMS and I would recommend it to everyone else too. Cost me something like 60p after the trial period ran out, or about the same as 2 MMS messages!

# Answer
> 0 votes
-Open the stock sms app

-Open the menu

-Click on settings

-Scroll down to "MMS"

-Uncheck "SMS/MMS send to groups" (My language is german, so there is possibly a different test)

Working with CyanogenMod 5.1.1

regards Lukas

---
Tags: sms, mms, 5.1-lollipop
---


# Question
Title: Rooted Motorola Moto G 2014 xt1068 OTA always loads up TWRP
I've rooted my Motorola Moto G 2014, it\`s using a standard ROM (I think). Today I got a notification about the OTA update to lollipop so naively clicked it. It downloaded and then when it came to rebooting it turned off and booted into TWRP. Every time I turn it off in TWRP then attempt to turn it back on again it gets to the unlock screen then powers off again and loads up TWRP...

How do I save my phone because its just repeating that process... is there any way to get it not to go into TWRP and instead load whatever is meant to load to update the phone?

# Answer
> 3 votes
I just ran into this exact problem with a Moto G 2015. TWRP themselves warn not to install OTA updates with TWRP. Here's what I did:

1. Install the Android SDK or download fastboot separately
2. Get the build number for your phone
    1. From TWRP on your phone go to *Mount* and make sure *System* is selected
    2. Connect your phone to your computer and open build.prop with a text editor
    3. The build number is on the line beginning with `ro.build.id=`
3. Download the stock ROM for that build number and unzip it
4. From TWRP on your phone go to *Reboot**Bootloader*
5. Flash the factory recovery

```
sudo /path/to/fastboot flash recovery recovery.img

```
6. Use the volume buttons to select the option to boot the phone. It should then install the OTA update successfully.

Next time you can save yourself some time by flashing the stock recovery ahead of time.

If the update fails for any reason after that point, it's normally because other files have been modified and the checksum failed. You can normally look at `/cache/recovery/last_log` to see which file is causing the problem and replace it with stock. More details on that here:

Moto G OTA update error

---
Tags: twrp, motorola
---


# Question
Title: Micromax A88 screen flashes white after booting in recovery mode
I tried rooting my Android phone (Micromax A88) using Kingo Root for Windows. After rooting, I got root permissions, but recovery mode got corrupted.

After booting in recovery, screen just flashes white and device turns off. I have tried ROM manager and also Mobileuncle MTK Tools using Recovery Image but no luck.

How should I fix this issue?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Flash the Stock ROM using SP Flash Tool. If you go to Service Center, they'll charge unnecessary !

You need to download SP Flash Tool, Drivers for MMX A88 and the Stock ROM of the same.

Install Drivers in your PC and extract the Stock ROM, which will be incompressed file format.

Follow the detailed procedure here

---
Tags: rooting, recovery-mode
---


# Question
Title: Changing the color of the lollipop... Does this serve any real purpose?
Screwing around in the software info I pressed Android Version 7 times. The lollipop showed up on my screen. I touched it and it changed colors. ( Yippee :P) But does this do anything other than that? ( ie Open a new exploit of something cool like that)

# Answer
> 2 votes
No. But if you long tap it, you can play a game similar to Flappy Bird.

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop
---


# Question
Title: How to Delete a Contact's "Mark as Default" selection
In the stock Contacts app one can `Mark as default` one of the contact's numbers. I don't want to select another number as default, *I don't want any of the contact's numbers to be default.*

**How can I delete this "mark as default" selection?**

I have a Samsung Galaxy S5 running Lollipop 5.0.

# Answer
All you have to do is the following:

1. Open the contact
2. There will be a check mark indicating the default number: Press and hold on that number
3. A box will appear. Select **Remove Default** (this may also be **Clear default**)

You can also mark a number as default by pressing down on the phone number and selecting **Mark as Default**
> 2 votes

# Answer
There is no functionality to "unmark" the default setting for a contact. However this work around will remove the "mark as default" setting for a phone entry:

1. Edit the contact
2. Add a new phone number using the same number as the entry currently marked as default

Note: You will need to temporarily choose a different phone number type (e.g. work) for the new entry
3. Delete the phone entry marked as default
4. Save the contact. When prompted to mark an entry as default, touch `Cancel`
5. Edit the contact a second time
6. Change the new phone entry's "type" back to its original setting

Tested on Lollipop 5.0 using the built-in Contacts app.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop, contacts, samsung-galaxy-s-5
---


# Question
Title: do I pay for multiple downloads of paid apps?
I am thinking about buying Tasker, and swype. If I purchase these apps, will I need to pay for them on each device? Or will a single purchase allow me to install on all my devices?

# Answer
> 3 votes
Apps purchased through Google play store are linked to a Google account and not a device. This means you can purchase an app then use it on devices signed into the Google account that purchased it. https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/113410?hl=en

---
Tags: google-play-store, tasker, swype
---


title: Resolving Credential storage issue

text:
# Question
Title: Resolving Credential storage issue
On Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 SMP600 when I try to to add a VPN I'm prompted for credential storage password. I have tried all the other solutions on SO and none of them worked. I have PIN code on the lock screen as well and I cannot clear the password as the option to do so is greyed out.

I talked to Samsung and they eventually told me I had to factory reset of the tablet! I want to know how to fix this once and for all. My device is rooted running stock ROM Kitkat 4.4.2.

# Answer
> 1 votes
*This is a non-conventional solution (which might/might-not work for everyone) but can be helpful to others having the same issue.*

Answer gathered from androidforum and google product forum

What we are trying to achieve is to Set-up a pin and fail to enter it deliberately to access recovery using gmail address and entering the VPN settings directly after google sign-in.

---

Steps to achieve this:

1. Add a pattern lock and other information that goes with setting up a pattern-lock recovery.
2. Reboot phone and when the screen presents itself asking for lock pattern enter 5 failed attempts.
3. When theprompts says to wait 30 seconds, press OK and find the recovery button where you enter google account info.
4. After signing-in go straight to VPN settings and enter a new pattern-lock/pin.

---

If the above mentioned steps does not solve your issue go ahead with the alternative method.

Alternatively you can make use of 3rd party app called QuickShortcutMaker and follow the steps as mentioned here

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, samsung, password, vpn
---


title: Why are some of my pictures all black?

text:
# Question
Title: Why are some of my pictures all black?
I was out on a hike today and took a few pictures. When taking a picture I saw the usual animation where I see snapshot of the picture just taken, and then it slides away from the screen to display the camera viewfinder again. After coming home I notice this in my google photos:

What causes this to happen?

# Answer
It appears as if this is an issue where the camera got activated in a dark place, such as your pocket. Undue pressure (false touches) can cause this, or even if the camera app took 2 pictures in burst mode (it isn't supposed to happen, but it does anyway). There can also be other issues which may rarely be for to a hardware problem, but since this is not a major problem I don't think it merits a service center visit.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: camera
---


title: Duplicate Facebook notifications

text:
# Question
Title: Duplicate Facebook notifications
OK I am a non tech, old generation guy, using an HTC Android phone. Just recently when Facebook posts to my phone, not only do I get the usual tone to alert me to a posting, a split second later I get a bell sound, a bell shaped icon, and the text "xx also commented on his post https://m.facebook.com/ meaning that I have two alerts for the posting. It's only started doing this recently.

Why is it doing this (duplication) and how can I stop it (irritating!)

Thanks

# Answer
It seems you have used Chrome to log into Facebook.

Go to Chrome\>Menu\>Settings\>Site Settings\>Notifications, and disable Facebook from there.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: notifications, facebook
---


# Question
Title: Why does "Android Keyboard" keep crashing even though I'm not using it?
I use the Swype keyboard to enter text on my Samsung Galaxy S5 running Android 5.1.

Often, at least once a day and often more depending on usage, I get a pop up error message that says "Unfortunately Android Keyboard has stopped" and I have to click "Ok" to dismiss it. It does not seem to matter what app I'm using, this error will pop up any time I'm entering text.

I'm not using Android Keyboard, I'm using Swype, so why am I getting this error and how do I stop it from happening?

# Answer
Try clearing the cache and app data for keyboard. Go to system settings then apps and search the keyboard there. Try clearing cache and app data. If the problem is still there you can disable the keyboard.

Mostly the default keyboard is Google Keyboard
> 1 votes

---
Tags: swype
---


# Question
Title: Broken SONY SD Card, formatting, "shredding", adding/deleting files to no avail
## Whole story

(Feel free to skip to the "**The Problem**" section. This section is included for completeness, and just in case if it actually is related.)

---

SMARTPHONE: SONY Xperia E C1504
Specs:
-RAM: 512 MB
-DATA/SYSTEM space: \< 1GB (~700MB)
-DATA/SYSTEM used out-of-the-box: ~ 300-400 MB
-INTERNAL STORAGE: ~ 2 GB
-PROCESSOR: Qualcomm Snapdragon S1
-STOCK ROM: SONY: Android 4.1.1 - based ROM

---

SD Card: SONY 32 GB microSDHC Class 10 (U1)

---

The stock SONY ROM that comes with the phone is too bloated, filled with unnecessary features, apps, and other stuff that make the phone (close to) unusable. Not only that, but even more space is wasted with some "SONY PC Companion" installer that I don't really need (download it from internet, maybe? and NOT WASTE VALUABLE SPACE!!!)

It's so crazy, that I can't even update all the apps in the phone (even without installing other apps in Google Play) without getting "Can't update : Insufficient space available.". Not only that, but 512 MB of RAM struggles to keep up with Facebook/Twitter! (Yes, they come pre-installed.). Way to go, SONY.

(barely) Survived for 2 years, after rooting using KingoRoot, removing loads of system apps, getting an SD Card, and installing Link2SD. After that, some apps just stopped. Knowing an update was pending, decided to **Unroot -\> Use PC Companion** to do clean install. Still SLOW, and storage problem persisted, so decided to **Unlock Boot Loader -\> Install TWRP -\> Install CM10, CM11, or CM12**, whatever was available. Latest that worked was CM11, but without camera (bummer), so CM10 was used. So much for Lollipop. :(

Running CM10 smoothly, updated everything, and installed a couple of apps, and now only 150 MB available. :(.

---

# The problem

Installed Link2SD, created mount scripts, and rebooted. Now some apps that were previously on SD card, including Play Store, Play Services, Nova Launcher, etc. appeared magically. Since some were installed in CM10 after wiping, the were replaced by their respective SD card versions.When opening any of those apps, I am greeted by "Unfortunately, has stopped.". Recreate mount scripts / relink apps / etc, and prompted for a reboot.

Except the reboot eliminated all trace of those apps. Means Google Play Services is GONE!

Next logical step: delete those files and start over. Used an adapter, and it mounted it read-only!!! Tried other adapter: (seems) perfect. After deleting, unmounted SD Card. Surprise! Everything is back again!

Tried GParted (deleting all partitions and creating new ones, as well as destroying old partition table), and to no avail. Everything is back!

Even tried `shred -f -v -z -x /dev/mmcblk0`, and no errors reported.

So I'm left with yet another SONY product that doesn't work as it should. And it's a shame as I used to trust SONY products, as I thought they were of good quality.

---

Non-working or impossible:

-Buy a new phone.
-Deal with it, and just use the phone for calls and SMS. No WhatsApp, Telegram / Plus Messenger, etc.

Help? Please?

# Answer
The description is a strong indicator of a currupted/broken card. I had a similar case lately (deleted files reappeared, added files disappeared, changes were undone), and used the Linux command-line tool `badblocks` to check the card (attached using a card reader). Even with non-destructive mode, it immediately started spitting errors – so I knew the card was "borked". Ordered a replacement, and everything worked fine again.

As you figured out in your comment already, you must tell `badblocks` the device to check. If the card has to be erased anyway, destructive mode is giving a more complete result (involving used sectors/blocks as well as unused ones):

```
badblocks -wvs /dev/mmcblk0

```

(which you used – so I assume you ran the `badblocks` binary on-device via `adb shell` or a terminal) or

```
badblocks -wvs /dev/sdb

```

(using a card reader on a Linux PC – make sure first the card really is at `/dev/sdb`, or you might destry some other storage device!) will tell you the state the card is in. If it starts spitting out many numbers (the IDs of the bad blocks), you know it's time to order a replacement.
> 0 votes

# Answer
You can always try:

1)Format/repartition SD card using a PC and ensure that everything in it has been deleted.

2)Wipe your phone from TWRP (data,cache,dalvik cache,system).

3)Reinstall CM10 from scratch.

4)Insert SD card.

5)Link2SD again.

6)Does it work now?

7)If it still doesn't work, it might be a bug in the ROM. See if the developer can help.

8) Of course, the culprit is probably a bad SD card. Try replacing it.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 4.1-jelly-bean, external-sd, link2sd
---


# Question
Title: Google Play say "You dont have any device"
I've just bought Ewing I960 android tablet. strangely this device does not come with google play store. So I try to install directly from google play site. But could not install any of the android apps. Got this message from google when installing the apps. So not apps can be install.

I did download latest google play apk. It got installed but fail when opening the apps.

Hope I can get some light on how to resolve this. thank you.

ag.

# Answer
> 2 votes
Looks like your device is not supported by Google (list of devices that support Google Play). Anyway, you can try to find GApps - Google applications that come pre-installed with most of devices. In your case they must be installed via recovery.

---
Tags: google-play-store
---


title: Loding file on recovery mod

text:
# Question
Title: Loding file on recovery mod
I really need to know how to load .zip files on the recovery TWRP. Because I did a system wipe without previously do a flash of the new ROM. There's a way to put the ROM on the phone even without any system on it? Thanks.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Loading and flashing a ROM from within TWRP can be done with a few easy steps.

1. Select a ROM and download it to a place on your computer with a simple path such as a folder on your desktop.
2. Open into TWRP and plug your device into your computer.
3. Open the terminal with administrative rights and verify your device is visible with the command `adb devices` if your device is present it will show up.
4. Next throw the command `adb push path_of_the.zip /sdcard/` that should put the ROM.zip in your sdcard.
5. Within TWRP click the install button and navigate to where the ROM.zip file is. In this case it's in the /sdcard and click it then slide the bar

---
Tags: rom-flashing, recovery-mode, rom, twrp, oneplus-one
---


# Question
Title: Silk Browser's full screen option has gone on Kindle Fire HDX?
Am I going nuts (well, yes, but ..), or has Amazon Kindle Fire HDX removed full screen from the silk browser? I can not find the full screen button now, just a sort of menu button in the navigation bar right hand side.

# Answer
Nope. Not nuts. Yup. They rolled out a version without full screen for some reason.

From an e-mail inquiry:

> Note: As part of this redesign, we have temporarily removed the Full Screen feature. We plan to bring this feature back in the coming months and apologize for any inconvenience.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: stock-browser, amazon-kindle
---


# Question
Title: How can I root the Posh Mobile Orion Pro x500A?
I recently bought a Posh Mobile Orion Pro (x500A running 4.4.2) as a new phone. It has good bones and I've been looking for methods of rooting to remove bloatware and to optimize some of the performance (battery and internal storage partition, in particular).

I've looked and looked but I can't seem to find a specific rooting method for this phone. One Click Root says there's no root available for this phone, but I don't know if that means it *can't* be rooted at all, or if there's no specific method for this particular device.

I'm interested in CWM or Cyanogenmod. Any help or pointers would be appreciated.

# Answer
I used kingroot to root my orion pro. Haven't found a custom recovery or ROM Yet. I used kingroot V 4.5.0.1 it roots your phone automatically by finding weaknesses and exploiting them. I'm also working on finding/making a custom recovery for the x500a.
> -1 votes

---
Tags: rooting
---


# Question
Title: I have a galaxy S3 and want to copy the data from my sdcard to my nexus 6 without a PC any ideas?
My Asus laptop is caput and I would like to get the SD card data onto the nexus 6, any idea maybe direct cable between both phones?

# Answer
> 0 votes
You could try Airdroid which allows you to transfer files from your device to your laptop(and vice versa) via Wi-Fi and then transfer them to your Nexus.

---
Tags: sync, hardware
---


title: 'Google Play Services is not working'

text:
# Question
Title: 'Google Play Services is not working'
i recently flashed my Samsung Galaxy S4 with Resurrection Remix rom.My phone now doesnt support any of the official Google apps.Whenever i open any such app, it says that 'Google Play Services is not working'

# Answer
With some custom roms, the default Google play suite won't work. Check too see if anyone has released a Google play package for that rom.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: google, services
---


# Question
Title: What does "SMS Messaging Account" mean in Hangouts?
I'm using Nexus 5. In my Hangouts settings, I noticed that the setting called "Default SMS Messaging Account" was set to my email address with my full name (And can alternatively be changed to "SMS" instead, which hides previous chats)

Does this mean that I've been broadcasting my full name and email address to everyone I sent "SMSes" to?

# Answer
It is a weird and confusing design decision in my opinion.

To answer your question : No. Your full name and email address is only linked to your Google account and is only used for your Hangout chat.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, sms, google-account, privacy, google-hangouts
---


# Question
Title: how can we import contact from lost mobile to new mobile
i lost my samsung android mobile, now i bought a new samsung android. Let me know how to get recovery of contacts in my new mobile.

# Answer
If you had auto-synced your device with your Gmail, you would probably have the backup of all the contacts. So, You can login with the same account as that of the lost phone and then retrieve the contacts from gmail/gdrive backup.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: contacts, recovery-mode
---


# Question
Title: "Monkey Test" app is always downloaded every time I am online
My phone keeps downloading apps like "Cash Yourself", "Monkey Test" and many more.

I have tried to stop and clear data, but every time I am online they were download again.

How can I stop this?

# Answer
> -1 votes
Open the Play Store. Navigate to "My Apps". Untick the box for "Update applications automatically". Then, try to clear data once again.

# Answer
> -2 votes
Open Play store, go to settings, then go to Auto-Update Option and select the desired option

---
Tags: applications, malware
---


# Question
Title: How to get email notifications on the new Outlook Android app
The new Outlook Android app show new emails when they arrive but does not show the notifications for them. How can I turn on email notifications? I am not using Quick Filter.

# Answer
> You can set notifications to be for Focused only, all or none per account. The default is Focused only, so if you turn off Focused Inbox globally you get no notifications unless you go into the account settings and set them to all. \[Ref. - Android Central\]

In the new Outlook app, the default notifications setting is Focused only. In order to see notifications for all emails follow the following steps:

* Open the Outlook Android App `Settings`
* Select your account, e.g., john.doe@outlook.com
* Under `Mail Notifications` select `All` in the pull-down menu.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: notifications, outlook
---


# Question
Title: Lock screen is not changing after updating to Android 4.4.2
I have updated my Samsung Galaxy Grand 2 to 4.4.2 and after that I'm not able to change my lock screen wallpaper. It always shows a wallpaper which is already in the device which has red background. Home screen changes every time whenever I want to change but lock screen remains the same. But if I put a live wallpaper as my home and lock screen it applies to both home and lock screen. Please suggest something how I would be able to put any pic from my gallery as lock screen. I changed the lock screen through settings also but no use.

# Answer
I have a HISENSE SERO7 e2371 tablet here. I could not get the lock screen wallpaper to change at all.

Finally figured it out and thought I would post it here just in case anyone is looking for a solution.

I went into **Settings → Security → Screen Lock** and changed **Hisense** to **Slide**.

It seems that it was an issue with the Hisense custom lock screen they provided, so this may be same on other devices where the manufacturer has added a custom lock screen option.
> 1 votes

# Answer
just a quick search results show me that you may try power off and removing the battery some people face the same issue after update
> -2 votes

# Answer
Just change unlock effect.. There you go.. You can change lock screen wallpaper on Grand 2. Setting-device-lock screen - unlock effect. Change it. Thank you
> -2 votes

# Answer
I think it is software glitch on the Grand 2. To solve the problem, try to transfer the SIM 2 to 1. You may be able to change the lockscreen wallpaper.
> -4 votes

---
Tags: updates, lock-screens, samsung-galaxy-grand, background-process
---


# Question
Title: Google Account Sign in atempt prevented! Cannot sign in to play store
I cannot sign in to a Google Account for enabling Play Store in my Device(Galaxy Y duos GT S6102). When I try to add a Google account, it says that my Username & Password don't match. Then when I opened my gmail from my PC, I found a mail from google which said "Sign in attempt Prevented from an app that does'nt meet modern security standards". Once by mistake I uninstalled Play Store & now I have reinstalled it. Is this the reason for not meeting modern security standards? What can I do to overcome this problem?

# Answer
Try heading to https://www.google.com/settings/security/lesssecureapps and seeing if you can turn on access to the application.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: google-play-store, google-account, samsung-galaxy-y-duos
---


# Question
Title: Why do different Android phones with the same camera specs have different picture quality?
I was comparing the rear camera quality of two Android phones; The Samsung Galaxy S2 and Lenovo A7000.

Both have the same camera specs,

* A7000: 8 MP, 3264 x 2448 pixels, autofocus, dual-LED flash
* Galaxy S2: 8 MP, 3264 x 2448 pixels, autofocus, LED flash

When using apps like Snapchat or just Camera, I noticed that the A7000's picture quality is lesser (blurry) than that of the Galaxy S2. The pictures taken using the Lenovo aren't that great and the S2 has some really good quality.

Why is it that when different phones have same camera spec, they don't capture images the same way?

# Answer
> 21 votes
The only thing you mention is the resolution. Stating that the cameras have the same specs only because they have the same resolution, is a fallacy at best. It's like saying that two cars should perform the same because they both have 4 wheels.

> When using apps like Snapchat or just Camera, I noticed that the A7000's picture quality is lesser (blurry) than that of the GS2.

With the amount of information provided you might as well roll a dice to determine what camera is better. Did you use the same settings? Did you take the same photo?

> Why is it that when different phones have same camera spec, they don't capture images the same way?

There is more to a camera than its resolution:

1. Software can have an influence on the image. That software may or may not be visible to you. Noise reduction, stabilisation, etc.
2. the lens
3. additional hardware like image stabilisation

# Answer
> 9 votes
Because resolution is probably the least important from all the characteristics of a camera (and it can even go against quality, a larger resolution without an accordingly better sensor might just as well give a worse overall quality).

In the usual circumstances of phones, probably the most important factor is the sensor size and quality, and neither will be accurately described in sales literature. The physical size of the sensor has obvious influence on image quality. A smaller sensor will see less light, and while the attached hardware and software will try to compensate, this will increase noise.

Then come the actual lens and optics. This is again something you can't really describe and compare in specifications but it matters a lot. Phones that excel in the camera department often have more complicated and more expensive lens systems coming from reputable old names of the photographic era.

And finally, the processing of the image. I don't think you can find any phone camera these days that doesn't do an awful lot of processing under the hood because that's what people want to have. Most people are very bad photographers so it would really upset them to see what they actually shot. :-) Phones compensate for almost anything these days, lighting conditions, movement, they enhance contrast, sharpness, faces, whatever.

So, what it boils down to: there is really no other way to compare two phone cameras but to shoot and compare for yourself. If you're lucky, somebody else already made the comparison and you can find the pictures on the net. But always judge by the pictures, not by specifications.

# Answer
> 4 votes
You also need to take into account the pixel size of the sensor, as well as the sensor size, all of which can positive affect image quality of the photo. The processing of the photo is vital as well.

# Answer
> -4 votes
The fact that some cameras are interlaced has a huge effect on quality.It is down to the marketing and saying that a camera has 21mp for example when it doesn't.

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Tags: camera
---


# Question
Title: How to evaluate generic no-name tablets?
I have pretty much decided to buy a cheap Chinese generic / no-name tablet before I leave Taiwan.

This will be my first Android and my first touchscreen device of any kind. I'm buying something very cheap because right now I don't have much disposable money and don't need a serious bit of hardware. This will be more or less a toy to play with the tech.

That being said I still want to avoid the worst pieces of hardware and get the best value for my money. But of course reviews for generic devices are hard to find and sometimes they don't even seem to have brand names or model numbers.

So what should I do to evaluate an Android tablet that I physically can play with in a consumer electronics market?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Not easy to say. Android version is an obvious starting point and is much more important than with bigger names because with this cheap ones, you normally don't get any support and updates, so you will be stuck with the version that came with the tablet. Don't go below KitKat if you can afford it. Jelly Bean is the absolute minimum, never below that.

After having seen a couple of smaller tablets and related user problems, I'd say the second most important point is the memory. Cheap tablets come with smaller amounts of memory and while they usually offer a card slot, this can be very deceiving. Android only allows you to move apps between the first and second memory area (provided the app itself allows it, which is usually rare, so better not counting on it). And I saw quite a few tablets where the internal memory is already partitioned in two, the memory card coming in as third, for instance, a 8 GB tablet:

* 1 GB internal memory
* 5 GB secondary memory (usually named USB memory, even if that name is a bit misleading)
* your memory card, say, 16 GB

In this setup, you can't move apps to the memory card, only to the secondary ("USB") memory. And because most of your apps will not move at all, you're practically limited to 1 GB of actual app storage that is hardly enough for the standard selection of browsers, video players, Facebook and similar stuff and the memory card won't help you, either. The problem is, the manufacturer will not tell you this, they will simply state that you have a 8 GB tablet, 6 GB available. Which is, of course, true, considering that 1 + 5 = 6 but this doesn't reveal the whole situation.

Somehow you have to make sure that it isn't partitioned this way, that you will have at least 2-4 GB of real, app-usable memory to play with. The more the better, of course. But you'll need either personal testing or at least a reliable review somewhere where they describe it precisely enough. If you can check it out in the flesh in a store, that would really help.

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Tags: hardware, tablet
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# Question
Title: Monochrome v. Colour logo in search widget
Following Google's recent rebranding, the three Lollipop devices in our household all got the updated search widget.

My wife's 2nd-gen Moto G got the usual coloured one (this image from the web, not a screenshot):

while her 2nd-gen Nexus 7 and my 1st-gen Moto G got a rather more tasteful monochrome version (screenshot from my Moto G):

Why the difference, and is there any way to swap between the two?

# Answer
Moto G dual-SIM 16GB first generation here.

I noticed my phone google widget, unlike yours, was displaying the color version of the logo. I've been using Aviate launcher and, before that, used google now launcher. Tested it and, again, colorful version:

Then I Switched to the default launcher (unlike 2nd gen Moto G, 1st gen does not use Google Now launcher by default) and voilà! there was the monochrome white version of the logo in on the widget.

What i can guess is that somehow the widget is themed to match the launcher.

(I Apologize for the possibly bad english; I'm not a native speaker)
> 0 votes

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Tags: 5.0-lollipop, nexus-7, motorola-moto-g, google-search
---


title: Add emoji to Motorola

text:
# Question
Title: Add emoji to Motorola
I have an unlocked Motorola Moto X running 5.1. I want to add tennis emojis, like these. How do I do this?

# Answer
> 1 votes
You need to first enable the Emoji Keyboard under the iWnn IME. After enabling this, open any active text area and open the iWnn Emoji Keyboard and select the Car emoji icon group() and scroll down a bit. You'll be able to find the Tennis racket and ball emoji (Unicode U+1F3BE) like this,

Image and source: Emojibase

Here's a screenshot of it,

iWnn Emoji Keyboard - Tennis ball racket emoji (Click to enlarge)

In old Android versions it is dislayed like this

Alternatively, you can also use the shortcode `:tennis:` to add the tennis racquet and ball emoji to your messages which works in most of the phones.

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Tags: 5.0-lollipop, emoticons
---


# Question
Title: How to connect a Galaxy Tab 4 to projector with VGA or HDMI?
I have a Galaxy Tab 4 10.1 (SM-T531) that I want to connect to a projector. So far as I have checked, there is no working MHL adapter for it.

Could someone please tell me another way to connect it either with HDMI or VGA wirelessly?

# Answer
> 0 votes
I use Amazon Fire TV and the Amazon Fire Stick with my Galaxy Tab 4 7.0 and Galaxy S3. The Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter is supposed to work with Android devices as well. All of these options connect to an HDMI port.

The Fire Stick is by far the most cost effective route and is very easy to use. Here is how to use display mirroring on the Fire TV and Stick (from Amazon's website):

> To quickly start display mirroring, on your Amazon Fire TV remote press and hold the Home button and select Mirroring. Then connect your compatible device. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings, and then tap Settings. Tap Display & Sounds, and then tap Display Mirroring.

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Tags: hdmi, samsung-galaxy-tab-4, mhl
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# Question
Title: Samsung keyboard in a Galaxy tab just got changed to white by Lollipop
I use the built in Samsung keyboard in a Galaxy tab. It just got changed to white by Lollipop. How rude - I HATE it! I've tried Swift Key and Google keyboard and dislike them both (no delete key, among other reasons). So am I just stuck with this unwanted white color, forced on me without asking?

Thanks

# Answer
I just started using a new keyboard app last week and totally love it. Multiling O Keyboard can be configured any way you like including colors as well as adding and removing keys (like delete). The app can be a bit confusing at first, but if you mess with the settings for a while you'll find it to be great. Plus, it has almost no permissions and takes up hardly any memory.
> 0 votes

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Tags: 5.0-lollipop, samsung, keyboard
---


title: Custom Alarm tone in 5.1

text:
# Question
Title: Custom Alarm tone in 5.1
I am aware that by creating folder named `Alarms`, `Ringtones` and `Notifications` and placing audio files inside them will list those audio files as appropriate custom tones. However in my rooted stock Nexus 5 running Android 5.1 the alarm tones does not show the media files while it works perfectly for notification and ringtones.

Is this a bug in Android 5.1? I was able to achieve this in KitKat.

# Answer
This worked for my 5.0:

* Stored the files in the Alarms folder (don't think this will be necessary)
* Go to file with ES Explorer (or other file explorer)
* Play the file with the built in media player of ES
* Tap on settings
* Set as ringtone and choose Alarm
* Go to Clock \> Alarms and use your new music file as wake up alarm

Probably there is a option (just once/always) for choosing a ringtone in the Alarm menu. I think, I clicked on always by accident. (clearing cache/setting did not worked out) But this will be a pretty simple work around ;)
> 8 votes

# Answer
1. Plug your phone into PC.
2. Open folder → go into internal storage → alarms. File type that has worked for me is Mp3 and M4A.

I have not found any other way for this to work. If you want to stay native to the phone and not download any apps then you have to use a computer.
> 1 votes

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Tags: alarm, 5.1-lollipop, custom-sounds
---


# Question
Title: How to recover contacts from an Android phone whose screen has died?
My daughter's Samsung Galaxy S4 has a faulty screen - it is completely non-functional. As it died the remainder of the phone functionality appeared to be completely fine. Now the screen is dead. So there is no way to see what is displayed nor interact with it.

She got a new phone and was dismayed to learn that most of her contacts did not appear. Apparently, unbeknownst to her, they were saved to the phone (not SIM) rather than Google.

Is there a way for her to recover those contacts from the screenless, but otherwise still-functioning, phone?

It does not appear that simply connecting it to USB will work. I thought about installing over-the-air the app AirDroid - but it appears it is too late to do that, since some of the setup appears to need to be done on the phone itself.

Any other solutions?

Thanks.

# Answer
If the USB port were working on the phone it would probably be easiest to copy any or all of the phones data with a pc, however I surmise the screen defect was caused by the notorious shorted USB connector on Samsung phones. This being the case if you have another Samsung s4 5 or 6 one of the pieces of preinstalled softwares allows you to place 2 phones back to back to copy your contacts and settings perhaps that could help you.
> 0 votes

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Tags: data-recovery
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# Question
Title: How to enable lock screen widgets in HTC One M8?
Update: turns out I was simply being blind, because I'm running Android lollipop... I do have a default widget though, which I don't seem to be able to change or remove.

(Click image to enlarge)

I have recently bought a new phone, a HTC One M8, and I am trying to customize everything. One thing I am used to is lock screen widgets, but I can't seem to enable those. The option simply isn't present in the settings menu.

(Click image to enlarge)

Does anyone know how to fix this?

# Answer
Turns out, as commented by Firelord, that I am actually running Lollipop instead of Kitkat which means I can't add any lock screen widgets :(

Either way, thanks for the help!
Luca
> 0 votes

# Answer
On my phone I slide my lock screen to the right, and tap the plus button. If you can't find this on your phone, it probably doesn't exist. You can get apps from the app store that customise your lock screen though.
> 0 votes

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Tags: 4.4-kitkat, htc-one-m8, lock-screen-widgets
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# Question
Title: Effect of Background Color on Battery Life in Android App
I am studying about the effect of different parameters of Android app on Power Consumption and tips for optimizing them . I came across this paper which states that ligh background color consumes less power than dark bg color. I wonder whether We can apply the same logic for apps. When I measured the power consumed by changing the back ground color of a mock Android App , I couldn't notice any change . Is the change too small to notice or it didn't occur at all?

# Answer
> -1 votes
It would also vary with the type of screen, blacks on AMOLED screens do not turn on the cell, so there is no power drain. It's a bit more complicated than the paper suggests. Really the brightness will have far more effect than a colour, unless you are going all white or all black, and even then the screen type and the software rendering will have a huge impact. – RossC Oct 22 '14 at 10:52

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Tags: applications, battery-life
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# Question
Title: How to clear all applications data in android?
Hi I want to clear all applications data(preferences and sqlite) from my phone in one tap.

How can i do this? is there any app which can do this WITHOUT ROOT PERMISSION?

# Answer
You can do factory reset under such case.

Go to Settings -\> SD & Phone storage -\> Factory data reset.

I don't think an app without root can do it as apps are limited in their own sandbox.
> 6 votes

# Answer
If you mean clearing all app and user data on the phone, you can do a factory reset via Settings -\> Privacy -\> Factory data reset. Note that **this erases all data on the phone**, not just app data.
> 4 votes

# Answer
If you need a fresh phone, reboot in recovery mode and select wipe data. It will format your `/cache` and `/data` partitions. Then no data will be there other than your SD card.
> 1 votes

# Answer
You can try 1Tap cleaner : https://market.android.com/details?id=com.a0soft.gphone.acc.free&hl=en . It works on non rooted devices.

EDIT: Try Clean Master . It scans the memory card for large cache file that you can delete altogether.
> 0 votes

# Answer
No you cant.

But if you decided to root

These are the steps

1. Root your device
2. Install xposed framework app
3. Install gravitybox module app
4. Reboot device .

Get all these downloads by google. Just type app name and your android version.
> 0 votes

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Tags: applications, cache
---


# Question
Title: Is there a way to permanently clear all notifications and mark them as "read" from the lock screen or notification menu?
Background: I often get no signal on my phone, so use apps like Airdroid and O2 TuGo which allow for texting and calling over wifi and from multiple devices.

The problem is, when I get my signal back, I suddenly get a flood of text messages which take a long time to individually mark as read. I also get message/call notifications from apps like TuGo even if I've already read the message from another device such as a desktop PC or tablet.

Is there a way I can **permanently** clear the notifications, preferably from the lock screen and/or the notifications bar?

A search leads to this question but it only applies to SMS messages, not other notifications.

Android's own "clear all" button does not mark notifications as read, it only temporarily removes them which is pretty useless.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I have some solutions.

1. To avoid apps permanently not to display in notification bar.

Go in app info of particular app and disable show notifications.

2. To read all SMS at once.

Install Tetra SMS from play store .This app gives option to mark as read to all SMS

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Tags: sms, notifications, notification-bar
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# Question
Title: Unable to access Google account in Android Market on HTC Desire HD
After resetting factory settings, I am not able to access my Google account in Gmail / Market / Talk. Whenever I try to "sign-in" to Android Market using Google account, it shows error with title as "Can't establish a reliable data connection to the server" and the message as "This could be a temporary problem or your phone may not be provisioned for data services. If it continues, call Customer Care."

What can I do to access "Android Market" from my HTC Desire HD? I'm using Bangladeshi net gp.

# Answer
> 0 votes
This would indicate that you are not connected to the Internet.

When you did the factory reset, the APN data for your network/carrier might have been erased.

You will have to check with your network/carrier for the correct APN settings.

You can also connect to a wifi network to connect your Google Account.

You can enter the APN settings by going to `System Settings->Wireless and Networks->Mobile Networks->Access Point Names->Menu Button->Add New`.

# Answer
> -3 votes
Try reinstalling Google play services.

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Tags: google-play-store, google-account
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# Question
Title: How can I delete a Hotmail account from the Email app on Android 4.4.2?
I want to remove a Hotmail account that I added to the Email app in Android 4.4.2. I do not see a 'Remove account' option anywhere in the app. How do I do this?

# Answer
> 0 votes
According to OP's comment, you have to clear Email's cached data:

1. Go to Settings - Apps
2. Choose "All" tab
3. Find and open "Email"
4. Click "Clear Cache", this will remove all email accounts used on the app.
5. Re-add the accounts that you want to use.

# Answer
> 0 votes
On my Android phone, I had to do this:

Settings →Accounts → select the account you want to delete (by tapping it) → tap on the 3 vertical dots menu → select Remove Account.

# Answer
> 0 votes
if above techniques are not working for your mobile then go to apps -\> all -\> go to exchange which is having the same symbol as email and tap the clear data. your email account will be removed :)

# Answer
> -1 votes
Go to settings\>accounts\>email\>your account\>remove account

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Tags: email, accounts
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# Question
Title: Can Windows be installed on a n Android Phone
Well I have a Lenovo K3 Note and would like to know if I could install windows on it if so could anyone tell me how because I've done my research and only ended up with tutorials and videos that use a software called change my software and while researching this software I came up with a few isuues some people say its malware and some say that its useless and will only brick my phone if you could provide me a method of installing windows on an Android phone and dual booting it with android I'd be greatful

# Answer
> 1 votes
In short: no.

I'm afraid there is little support in the area of custom flashing for your device as it is, even on the Android side.

This topic on XDA guides you to root the device and install a custom recovery but doesn't give any links ROMs, which you'd need. There is, however, a topic that allows you to install Cyanogenmod 12.1 (Android 5.1.1) here. Note that this is a not officially supported ROM and by the looks of the comments there appear to be quite some issues at the time being.

That doesn't mean all hope is lost. There are rumours by reputable resources that Microsoft is working on a way to install Windows 10 (partially) on an Android device but I wouldn't count on it arriving any time soon. Even if it is, there is no way of saying it'll be compatible with the K3 Note. The question is **why** you need this operating system. If it's specific Microsoft apps you're looking for, there's already a wide range of them available on Android (and iOS) such as Cortana (beta), Bing, Outlook or Word.

Virtualization can be a solution for you but you'll need a running Windows machine to connect your device to. Just Google for "run Windows programs on Android" and you'll find plenty easy-to-follow tutorials to get it done.

As for dualbooting, you'd be roaming dangerous territory. Dualbooting on an Android device is completely different from your average home PC dualbooting Windows and Ubuntu. There are tools like MultiROM, Safestrap, DualBoot Patcher and GRUB for Android but they are in most situations highly experimental.

I hope this helps you in the right direction and at least answers a part of your problem. Whatever you do, make a nandroid backup so if you get in trouble, you can still restore your original setup.

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Tags: windows, windows-mobile, android-pc, android-mini-pc
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# Question
Title: Samsung S4 Google Sync Settings Problems
When I am in settings, Accounts, Google, myemail@gmail.com, I see "Sync turned off. I select it and get a list of things I can sync. I can hit each and sync it, but there are no check boxes to auto sync certain features, I have limited data and don't want to sync all continuously, not that I can see how to anyway. A few minutes ago, at the bottom I could choose 'Sync All', now that option is gone, this whole screen makes no sense to me, basically, I always want to sync contacts, gmail and Chrome settings, nothing else, anyone know how? Always in awe of how bad menu designs/UIs (don't) work. Thanks much!

# Answer
I am using S4 Kitkat though, however I was in the same situation where I needed to enable Sync for selective Providers like Google mail, Calendar, Contacts (not Google Games, Google Books etc).
I ended up using the Synker App (Paid) to achieve those. However, not sure if it works equally well in Lollipop!
> 0 votes

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Tags: contacts, settings, sync, gmail, menu
---


# Question
Title: what is error 909 in play store? I am unable to insall any application
When I am downloading any application from play store, I am getting error 909. And I am unable to install any app. So please help me with this issue

# Answer
> 3 votes
**Try 1**
Clear Play store App's **Data & Cache** (*fix for most of the app related issues*).
**Try 2**
1. Remove the Google account
2. Reboot
3. Re-enter your Google account. Takes a couple of minutes.

# Answer
> 0 votes
It could be your data connection is lost. \- Try to pull out the battery in your phone. \- take your sim card out and re-insert it back in. \- turn your phone back on and try your download again.

This works for my S3 TMO

# Answer
> -1 votes
Logout from playstore , take out battery and sim from your device let your device be switched for 5min and switch on .
It works on every device

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Tags: google-play-store
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# Question
Title: Turning off "charging" sound effect on Xperia Z3 Compact
Is it possible to turn off the sound when the charger is connected? I have got the answer from Sony Support that this is a "feature".

# Answer
No. Assuming your phone is updated to Lollipop, the sound is just always on now.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Try installing Setting Profiles Lite.

If you are rooted, you can get an Xposed module that can properly do that for you. And if you are really tech savvy, you can mod the `framework.jar`, but that requires some coding knowledge and could seriously damage your device.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Maybe not the best answer but, try to change the ROM.

I'm using Resurrection Remix, so I can disable this sound and many other things. Like RR, other custom ROMs also have this option, such as Carbon ROM, AOKP, CyanogenMod, etc.

Some links:
> 0 votes

# Answer
You can switch to vibrate or silent/priority mode prior to connecting power to your device, it will vibrate or do nothing accordingly.
> 0 votes

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Tags: charging, audio, sony-xperia-z3
---


# Question
Title: Google Play accidentally uninstalled. How to get it back?
I rooted my phone recently. Then my brother came and uninstalled Google play. I factory reset my phone but the app didn't come back. How do I get it back?

# Answer
> 0 votes
The solution to your problem can be found in this XDA link: Google Play Latest APK

Try pushing it to your system Give the permissions `644` or `rw- r-- r--`.

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Tags: google-play-store
---


# Question
Title: How do I run two programs at once in split-screen?
I have a Nexus 10. I want to split screen to do two things at the same time. Is that possible in Android? 3rd-party apps are acceptable too.

# Answer
As of this writing, only a few Android devices offer multi-window functionality out-of-the-box. Samsung built this feature into 4.1.2 OS version for several of their Android tablets (Galaxy Note 10.1 and Galaxy Note 2, for example.)

There are some major drawbacks to this. First, it's a proprietary Samsung feature that only comes with their TouchWiz overlay, and therefore is not compatible with "vanilla" Android OS. Second, apps must be specifically written to support this feature.
> 7 votes

# Answer
While I don't believe that there are currently any window managers available for Android devices (except where some manufacturers, like Samsung may build this in) there are some other options that may work for you, depending what you're after, by optionally floating some other apps or features over or alongside your current app.

* There are some third party Android web browsers that can "float" a window over your current window, and can be dismissed or brought to the front very easily: OverSkreen (formerly known as AirBrowser), or Floating Browser Flux
* There are some small utilities like two calculators or Terminals that can also be floated over your current window.
* Quickdesk is an app that can put a floating toolbar over other apps, giving you quick access to other apps.
* If you're finding the keyboard is getting in the way, and you'd rather it floated over other apps, then you may find some of this question's answers helpful: How can I “split” the virtual keyboard when typing on a large display in landscape mode?
* Although it needs custom written widgets/apps, you may also find that the Chameleon Launcher can do what you want as it specialises in arranging tiled windows of information/apps alongside each other (website).
> 2 votes

# Answer
Tested on a Samsung Note 10.1 (SM-P605) with Android 4.3 i found some apps which are supporting multi window, e.g:

* My Files (\*)
* stock Video Player
* MX Player
* stock email app
* Gmail
* stock Webbrowser (\*)
* Chrome
* Gallery
* Contacts
* Phone
* Google maps
* Polaris Office 5
* WhatsApp
* Facebook
* Watch now
* Chat on (\*)
* Google Play Store

But there are really very few apps capable to run with multiple instances (from the above list only those which are marked with (\*)). So, you can for example open `My Files` twice (left & right of upper & lower half screen)

Unfortunally, `Polaris Office 5` (pdf viewer) isn't capable to run twice. So if you want to view 2 pdf docs side by side, it seems that you have to install a 2nd pdf viewer app (see here).
> 1 votes

# Answer
Sideload Xposed Framework and install the XMultiWindow module.

> Open the XMultiWindow app from your app drawer to get started. Tap Sidebar Settings in the app, tap Sidebar App Settings, and use the Add button to add the apps you want to multitask with here. The apps you add to this list will appear in the sidebar so you can open them in split-screen mode.
>
> Tap the Open Sidebar option in the XMultiWindow app to launch the sidebar, and then swipe in from the left side of your screen. The sidebar will appear at the left side of your screen above other running apps — it functions like a floating app.
>
> To open an app in split-screen mode, long-press the app’s shortcut icon in the sidebar and tap Add to up Workspace or Add to down Workspace. If your screen is oriented horizontally, you’ll see the Add to left Workspace and Add to right Workspace options instead.
>
> When you’ve opened the apps you want to use, swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification shade and tap the Sidebar Running notification. This closes the sidebar, freeing up your screen space. You can always swipe in from the left again if you want to view the sidebar and open another app.
>
> You’ll then be able to use both apps alongside each other. Here we’re watching a video while browsing the web — the kind of powerful multitasking that’s still impossible on most tablets and mobile operating systems today!
> 1 votes

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Tags: multi-window
---


# Question
Title: Ability to disable SIM card (at best periodically)
I don't like the thought of being tracked via my cell phone. Thus I am looking for an easy way to disable my SIM card. I would like a way to automatically turn the SIM on every n minutes to check for calls, etc, and afterwards turn it off again. Is there a way to do this?

Edit: I am aware of the fact, that I would miss calls and mobile data would be disabled, too. One can disable the PIN of the SIM, so it could be turned on automatically.

# Answer
If you kept turning it off, you would miss most of your calls, unless they luckily come in the few seconds you have it on, so it wouldn't be practical.

Besides, every time you enable the SIM card, you have to put on your PIN code, so you either disable it (bad idea!) or you keep typing it in every minute to get the SIM card working.

And it also would mean no mobile data, by the way, so no, I don't think such app exists. You can always keep switching airplane mode on and off, but that only solves part of the problem.
> 0 votes

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Tags: sim-card
---


# Question
Title: Help need a way to know how to do bulk updates across multiple devices
I manage a bunch of android devices and I was wondering if there is an easy way to do bulk updates when a new release comes out. Also would like to know if I can block certain devices from being updated at all?

Thank you

# Answer
> 0 votes
No, there's not. You have to manually accept evey software update from every device. Imagine how big of a security problem it would be if you could do that remotely.

Of course you can ignore updates. They'll ask you for confirmation to install them, so you can just say no and be done with it (recent versions will allow you to block the notification if you don't want to see it). Some ROMs even have the option to only check for updates manually, so you don't even need to know there's one available.

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Tags: updates, multiple-devices
---


# Question
Title: What is the difference between temp root & pemanent root? What is a soft reboot?
The AT&T Samsung Galaxy Note 4 currently has temp root, but no permanent root. I am not 100% sure I understand the difference.

From what I gather, temp root is lost if the phone is rebooted in a typical fashion:

* Battery drains to the point the phone shuts off
* Pull the battery, let the electricity discharge, put the battery back in, and boot the phone normally
* Tell the phone to reboot (for example by holding the power button and using that menu)

However, I remember reading (sorry lost the links) that a "soft" reboot will not force you to lose root. I'm not clear on what a soft reboot is. The description I read said something about the software rebooting but not the kernal. Finding information on this is troublesome since the terms "reboot" and "reset" have become intermingled by nontechnical users.

For example, Technopedia describes one thing, while another site talks about hard vs soft reset. Both were results for the search term `what is a soft reboot`.

There's a link on XDA Developers where a user is asking the difference between a soft reset and a reboot: http ://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=620337

Over on Android Central, there's a thread where the people who reply get their vocabulary mixed up: http ://forums.androidcentral.com/htc-evo-4g/15765-soft-reboot.html

What are the differences between a permanent root from a user functionality perspective? What kinds of apps do not work, or don't work well, with temp root?

What is a soft reboot? What are the benefits?

# Answer
## Permanent root vs. Temp root:

Permanent root:

* Root persists a reboot
* No need to re-root after rebooting
* Root access in boot phase (needed for some apps that run after Android is booted)
* *Usually* prevents any future OS updates
* *Usually* voids warranty

Temp root:

* Root access is lost after a reboot of the device
* Needs to re-root after a reboot
* No permanent changes to the OS
* Allows future OS updates1
* No root access right after booting

1: Only if the device has no active "root check" (like some Samsung devices)

## "Soft" reboot vs. normal reboot:

Normal reboot:

* Complete and safe shutdown of the device
* Proper halting of the CPU
* Restarts through the bootloader with possible access to the recovery and download mode

"Soft" reboot:

* Reboot of the Android framework
* *No* restart through the bootloader
* No access to recovery and bootloader
* The system is abruptly halted/killed (ie. unsafe)
* Most of the hardware is still running (ie. no need to re-enter your SIM-Pin, WiFi does not need to re-authenticate)
* Can be achieved by killing he `system_server` process
* *Requires* root access/Custom ROM
* (Preserves temp root)1

1: Only if the device does not check for modifications *after* the initial boot (like some Samsung devices)
> 2 votes

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Tags: rooting, reboot
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# Question
Title: Motorola RAZR D3 power button doesn't (un)lock screen
I have Motorola RAZR D3, and when I press the power button, nothing happens:

* If the device goes to lock screen (after 5s), I can't unlock it with the power button, and the only way is using the soft reset to restart the phone.
* If I press Power + Volume down, the device is restarted after 10s.

Thing I have tried:

* Check *Settings \> Security \> Power Button instant lock* and it's checked.
* Reset the device with *Settings \> Backup & reset \> Factory data reset* and I still have the same problem.

# Answer
> 0 votes
This is *not* the ideal solution, but is still a working solution (bad solution is better than no solution):

Using the reference from TrendBlog.net, I installed Power Button to Volume Button which replaces the power button functionality (un/lock screen) with the volume buttons (up & down).

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Tags: lock-screens, buttons, motorola
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title: Call using hangouts from contacts

text:
# Question
Title: Call using hangouts from contacts
I can select Hangouts to replace SMS from the contacts app, but I don't see the option to use Hangouts instead of the default dialer. Is this option available without root?

# Answer
> 1 votes
This configuration, using the system's default contacts app, is officially unsupported as of now:

> You won't be able to use Hangouts as the default app for calling on your Android device, like when you start calls in Google Contacts. But you can choose to use the Hangouts dialer when you touch a phone number on a website or other apps, like Google Search or Maps.

*However*, in lieu of rooting, you can instead try a third-party contacts application that broadcasts the proper intent for the Hangouts Dialer. Based on a quick test, it appears that Contacts+ does this, meaning that you can tap a contact and it will allow you to complete the call in Hangouts. Other third-party apps may support this as well.

# Answer
> 0 votes
You are probably missing the Hangouts Phone application.

Simply download it on the Play Store and you will have the Hangout dialer.

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Tags: 5.0-lollipop, google-hangouts, phone-app
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# Question
Title: How to make SELinux permissive on a Knox Samsung device?
I have a Samsung note 2014 which I rooted following this tutorial. However I now have problems with SELinux which (apparently) is preventing me from installing a Linux virtual box. I backed up and uninstalled KNOX using Titanium backup but still no success. When I type `setenforce permissive` in a terminal, if get no error message but when I type `getenforce`, I get "enforcing".

Is there any way I can change this? The device is running Android 4.3.

# Answer
You need to open a local terminal shell, by using a "Terminal Emulator" like app. Otherwise you will not get an `su`'able shell. Since AOS 4.2.2, ADB is not letting you use "su", to get root shell, on stock "Enforced" SELinux devices.

Then do this:

```
su 0 setenforce 0

```

If you need to make this permanent to last between re-boots, you need to find where this is originally set in the various `init.*.rc` files in boot.img and change it, and reflash...

**EDIT: 2015-09-22**

The above trick **no longer work** on Stock devices using AOS 4.4.4 and above, even with insecure kernels. (Such as those provided by *cf-autoroot*.) That you can blame Google who made *Enforcing* permanent. Your only option, other than re-compiling your own ROM, is learning about *SEAndroid* and context changing using SuperSU's `supolicy` command to inject the policy files.
> 1 votes

# Answer
## **Getting around Militant SELINUX**

You need to run a custom kernel build.

1. Samsung open source is here
2. My harvested info for setting up your build system for Linux is here
3. The kernel patch you will need to fix SElinux to permissive is here. It should absolutely work for Kitkat source as well.

I would post the diff but it doesn't wrap right.

You should not need to set the SElinux boot flag and userspace disable options during `menuconfig`, but do remember to disable Samsung anti-root in the kernel hacking section.
> 1 votes

# Answer
In Terminal emulator app, enter `su` and then enter `setenforce 0`. Now check the phone. It should show "permissive" until a reboot. You can execute the commands again after reboot or get SELinuxModeChanger from XDA which switches it automatically at boot.
> 0 votes

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Tags: root-access, selinux, samsung-knox
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