# Question
Title: Would a full back up (from recovery) preserve all data including installed apps?
I wonder if I create a full back up from recovery, would it preserve all my data? Including installed apps (along with their configs) and my contacts?

# Answer
If you are talking about a Nandroid backup: Yes, it would. It creates images from the devices file systems -- so all that's stored there gets copied to those image files. You can then even extract single items using e.g. Titanium Backup.
> 5 votes

---
Tags: backup, clockworkmod-recovery, recovery-mode
---


# Question
Title: does Cyanogenmod 7.2 Madteam release 16/6 on Vodafone 858 support USB host?
I've a Huawei u8160 which is running Cyanogenmod 7.2.

I saw in the change log that it has better support for USB mouse and keyboard and it was written beside it COMMON.

Quoted from the Cyanogenmod github CHANGELOG.mkdn:

> ...
>
> Common: Better support for mouse and usb keyboards - Emilio Lopez, Tanguy Pruvot
>
> ...

So I was wondering if it supports USB host so I can connect it with a USB mouse and keyboard ?

# Answer
The `Common: Better support for mouse and usb keyboards` found at the changelog refers to all devices supported, meaning that there was an overall improvement on the USB support for mouse and keyboard devices.

But take into account that the words "better support" means that there was an improvement, but it may still be buggy on certain devices under specific situations.

**As a side note:**

To your particular case, you are referring that **you have a Huawei U8160**, but on the changelog, the **support goes for Huawei U8150**. So, it may not be fully supported with or device.

---

## Relevant Links:

The changelog can be found at: github - CyanogenMod

CyanogenMod Forums: CyanogenMod 7.2 Released! (2012-Jun-16)

Wikipedia: List of devices supported by CyanogenMod
> 2 votes

# Answer
You can try because the chipset is the same.
> 1 votes

# Answer
I would say, go for it and try it out and report back here. :)

What the wording '*Common*' means is this, common to all devices regardless of platform. Its a CM thing in documenting the changes made.

If there was a specific device in there it would be highlighted, for example, '*OMAP Common*' refers to those devices that has ARMv7 media processing embedded on the chip or SoC, by Texas Instruments (generally found in high end devices)
> 0 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, usb, usb-host-mode, huawei-u8160
---


# Question
Title: Does Android have a 2.1GB file size limit?
I have tried many voice recording type applications and the best I have found only allows me to do a recording upto a maximum file size of 2.1GB. I can do many of these 2.1GB recordings as I have a fairly large SD card.

On one of the applications I have tried, the developer has specifically said that his/her app has no recording length limit

So my question, does Android have a built in 2.1GB limit per file?

# Answer
Short Answer: Yes

More Detailed Answer:

The file size limit is not something specific to Android, it is a limit of the File System.

It may "technically" be a bug in Android though, as FAT32, which is what the file system is for the sdcard, should have a file size limit of 4GB ((2^32)-1 = 4,294,967,295B) but it looks like the filesystem on Android is android is actually using a limit of ((2^31) - 1 = 2,147,483,647B). Which means they could be using signed integers, instead of unsigned integers for the addressing on the filesystem.
> 13 votes

---
Tags: file-system
---


# Question
Title: What happens when I connect a 2 amp charger instead of the 0.7 amp charger provided?
> **Possible Duplicate:**
> Is my phone liable to explode if I charge it with a charger that came with a different phone?
> What's the safe limit on charger output for a Galaxy Nexus

I have a phone with 0.7 amp charger. I also have a Galaxy Nexus with a 2 amp charger. If I connect the 2 amp charger into my phone, will my phone blow up?

# Answer
> 7 votes
Electric current is measured in Amperes, shortened to Amps or simply the letter A.

One well spread example is to think of electricity in terms of water, pressure being equivalent to voltage, and flow rate equivalent to amps. As long as you have the correct pressure, the flow rate isn't a problem, provided the necessary minimum is present.

Typically electronics will only draw the current they need, so extra amps is OK.

The important thing is having the correct voltage with sufficient amperage available. Extra amperage will be ignored by your device.

---
Tags: charging
---


# Question
Title: Is there a device that will keep me from losing my Android phone?
Recently I lost my phone and have had to order a replacement. It seems that there should be some sort of device I could use that would sound an alarm when I separate more than, say three meters from my phone. Does anyone know of such a device?

I tried searching for a proximity sensor but got only irrelevant stuff about the sensor that detects when the phone is being held up to the ear. It seems that "proximity sensor" is the wrong search term.

# Answer
> 1 votes
There's no easy way to control the mentioned scenario, since you may get away from your phone, leaving behind the device used to alert you.

I've been playing around with an APP, that basically runs a task when a certain action occurs within your phone.

The test I performed, was having my phone playing a really loud sound if my phone gets disconnected from the bluetooth earpiece. It works, I go away from my phone and as soon as the bluetooth gets out of range, the phone starts to play the music. I hear the music and remind myself that my phone was left behind.

Of course that if you use Dragon V2 Bluetooth Headset, it will only get out of range after 100 meters, which is roughly 10 times more distance than a regular Bluetooth earpiece. :)

## Tasker

Tasker by Crafty Apps available from Google Play Store (4,49€)

From their website you have a free 14-day trial download.

---
Tags: proximity-sensor, lost-phone
---


# Question
Title: Can't get out of airplane mode: option is greyed out
When I go to bed, I usually put my Samsung Galaxy Ace in airplane mode to use it as an alarm clock/music player, while saving battery. I can enter that mode successfully.

However, after I enter that mode, sometimes I can't leave that mode since the option (the second one in the list) is greyed out: I have to reboot. Any ideas?

I'm using Android 2.3.4 and my phone is rooted.

# Answer
If you either go to airplane mode each night, you might want to try out some automating app like Timeriffic (free) or Tasker (~EUR 5) which could switch on airplane mode at night, and automatically switch it off in the morning. This way you do not get stuck with a grayed-out menu item -- and in case you do and need to get out of it, you may just need to play with some profile in this app.

Another alternative would be using some toggle-switcher (e.g. Elixier or Power Toggles), which provide you with widgets to switch airplane mode and more.

Also, on many Android devices, there's a pre-installed widget available which usually also includes airplane mode -- mostly called something like "Power Widget" or "Energy Widget"; just check the lists of widgets available to be added on your device.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Try getting out of off-line mode while your phone is charging. If that always works the battery might grow old.
> -1 votes

---
Tags: airplane-mode
---


# Question
Title: Accessing Tor on Android device via a virtual wifi network
I've hosted a wifi network using a virtual router, with which the local area connection is sharing it's internet with. My Android device can connect to this wifi network and can access my laptop's internet.

Now comes in Tor. On my laptop, Tor can be accessed on 127.0.0.1 via a Socks5 protocol. I'm trying to connect to this network from my Android device. I figured that all I need to do is acccess my laptops localhost from my device. Since my phone is connected to the laptop's wifi network, I should be able to access localhost by using my laptop's ip address (192.168.xx.x). Unfortunately this does not work. Any idea why?

Is there a better way I can access the Tor running on my laptop from my device via Wifi or USB tethering?

Windows 7 (Ubuntu 12.04 is available if a solution demands it), rooted Android on CM9.

Orbot is not an option since it's unable to connect via the wifi's proxy.

# Answer
Local is a separate interface on your laptop, just like your ethernet adapter and Wi-Fi adapter. Just because a program listens on 127.0.0.1:1080 (localhost SOCKS proxy) does not mean that it will listen on another interface. "Access the laptop's localhost from my device" is not possible. Proxies, that are not intended for public use, normally listen only on localhost for security reasons.

If you MUST connect to the laptop's localhost SOCKS port, you need "TCP tunnel" software running on your laptop to listen on a reachable interface and redirect it to the local interface. Realize that you are creating a security risk if you do, because the Tor client on your laptop won't be able to tell whether it's you connecting to the local socks proxy port. It's been a decade since I last looked for "TCP tunnel" or "TCP proxy" software, so I don't know which to suggest -- you'll have to research it.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: wi-fi, proxy, tor
---


# Question
Title: Can I use a radio firmware for GB (2.3.6) for my SGS1 (GT-I9000) if I have ICS installed?
I still have the original cellular radio firmware my phone came with (at least, I think I do. The baseband version is I9000BVJJPG). However, I've changed ROMs many times, and am currently using the latest AOKP Milestone release.

Is it safe to install the latest radio image from http://samfirmware.com (PDA: I9000JIJVG, CSC: I9000CELJVG), if it is meant for 2.3.6, and I have ICS?

# Answer
You do not want to do that.

From my understanding, flashing an older radio than the one you currently have installed is a sure fire way to brick your phone.

Besides, the *latest* radios are *always* better. And so long as you are sticking with ICS, it is a *very* good idea to use the *latest* radio.

Like ce4 said, flash the radio recommended by whoever is making your ROM- And NEVER flash the same radio twice.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s, cellular-radio, radio-firmware
---


# Question
Title: ADB do not recognize a Tegra Based Tablet
I have a tablet and I'd like to use adb but I have some probles, I looked on google but without luck...

**Tablet Info: (from tablet)**

```
Model Nr: SN10T1
Android OS Version: 2.2
TapUI Version: 1.2-4204
Kernel Version: 2.6.32.9-0001
Build Nr: FRF91

```

I did the following:

* Activate Debug Usb on tablet
* Downloaded and installed android-sdk and google-usb-driver
* Edited the file `extras/google/usb_driver/android_winusb.inf` adding under `[Google.NTx86]` and `[Google.NTamd64]`

`;NVIDIA Tegra`

`%SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_0955&PID_7000`

`%CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_0955&PID_7100&MI_01`

Restarted adb but using adb devices it does not show the tablet....

I checked under device manager the VID and PID of my device and VID = 0955, PID = 7100 so they are the same of the file above...

Triyng to reinstall the driver using `extras/google/usb_driver/android_winusb.inf` I got this error:

`The folder you specified doesn't contain a compatible software driver for your device. If the folder contains a driver, make sure it's designed to works with Windows x64 based system`

I have windows 7 64bit Professional...

# Answer
> 1 votes
Follow the instructions here. I just followed them (changing the PID and VID numbers as you did and it worked!)

**TIPS**

1. In the changed `.inf` file remember leaving an empty line after pasting the code after \[Google.NTx86\] or \[Google.NTamd64\]; and also after it and the beginning of the next paragraph.
2. Don't forget the step 5 where you must put your VID number (example: if your VID is 0955, then put 0x955).

And the rest is exactly the same. It worked for an Excite 10 from Toshiba with Tegra 3 processor.

---
Tags: adb, usb-drivers, tegra
---


# Question
Title: Displaying the lock-screen clock on the home screen
I'm having a problem opposite to How to display my calendar on the lock screen?.

I absolutely love the clock I see on the lock-screen (Xperia Arc S (LT18i), Android 2.3.4):

Very nice appearance, and displays day of week in full. I'm very used to it since my previous phone, Xperia X8.
I want this clock on my home page (as it used to be on Xperia X8).

But when I add it as a widget, I get that:

Much smaller font and no day of week. And I can't seem to find any settings for it.

Google Play tells me the clock is Digi Clock, and it confirms it's that clock that is installed on my X8. I can't install it ("already installed"), I can't remove it (system app) and I can't update it (no updates available).

So how do I make that clock appear in the same way on both the lock-screen and the home screen?

# Answer
> 1 votes
The clock shown on the lock screen is part of the lock screen itself. The clock on your home screen is a widget.

The only way to get the lock screen clock on your home screen is to find a widget that looks the same. There are plenty of widgets on the Google Play store, and if you can't find one you like you could always write one yourself!

---
Tags: lock-screens, clock, sony-xperia-arc
---


# Question
Title: Android: POP3-only email clients without mandatory SMTP settings?
I have a few email accounts at a free email service (and all accounts are old but I prefer to use them as non-primary), and I'd like to connect them to my Android email client. In free mode, that email service only allows POP3 access so I use that for registering at message boards, services etc for really long time. When I was trying to add those accounts to my Android email client, I failed to do that because my client also requires SMTP settings. Sure, as a work around, I can use Gmail to import those accounts to my primary Gmail, but I'd like to keep them separated.

So, the question is: is there an Android email client that does not require mandatory SMTP access?

Thanks in advance.

# Answer
> 3 votes
Found it myself:

K-9 Mail @ Google Play

---
Tags: email
---


# Question
Title: Shell script to kill custom apps, run another app then restart killed apps?
Is it possible to make a shell script that would run using Smanager, for example, to do the following:

1. Kill a list of custom apps loaded from a file
2. Run one custom app loaded from the same file
3. When that app is closed, restore killed apps

If that's not possible, then could it be split into two scripts, one that kills all the custom apps and launch one custom app, the other to restart the custom apps?

All of this is on a rooted phone. Thanks.

# Answer
> 1 votes
You can use an Tasker to kill apps when you launch your game. And you are also able to do the opposite, when your game gets closed, Tasker can initialize other apps.

You may use the trial version to test this, but I believe that better results can only be achieved with root.

## Tasker

Tasker by Crafty Apps available from Google Play Store (4,49€)

From their website you have a free 14-day trial download.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Fast Reboot will get the job done for you.

Whenever you want to play your game, just launch Fast Reboot and then launch your game. It will free up some extra RAM without interfering with anything critical, and it is much easier than a script.

Don't worry about restarting the apps, because as t0mm said, they will almost immediately restart themselves. (You can launch Fast Reboot twice to see this)

This solution will solve your needs without having to pay for Tasker.

Although, I *do* recommend that app- it can do anything.

# Answer
> 0 votes
In order to start in game mode, I thing you can use the following commands

```
pm enable package_name

```

and

```
pm disable package_name

```

then you should restart some application services like whatsapp in order to restart checking automatically (Not sure if they will automatically restart services since package has been disabled) to do that you can use `am` command, but not sure what where will be the best arguments. You can use the `logcat` command, to debug what intents are being launched.

If you only kill the application it automatically will restart few seconds.

In SManager, at this moment it is not possible execute script after app has finished. But it could be a new feature.

You also should kill SManager in the las line of the script.

```
killall os.tools.scriptmanager

```

---
Tags: shell, scripts
---


# Question
Title: Transfer of files and apps from old sd card to new sdcard
I have got a new 8 GB SD card, but the catch is I have done the app2sd stuff. So what are the steps to be followed for the data and apps transfer without loss of anything.

Will a simple copy and paste including all hidden files be enough?

# Answer
Depends on how the copy is performed. The SD card contains a couple of hidden files/directories (especially with App2SD being used, there's the `.android_secure` folder to be considered).

Usually, when on a Linux workstation, a complete copy from sdcard#1 to sdcard#2 should do the job (`cp -dpR <source> <target>`). Same should apply to Mac OS. As I have no Windows, I cannot speak for that.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: app2sd
---


title: Using Android as network server

text:
# Question
Title: Using Android as network server
I want to use my Android device as a network server. In the same kind of way you would make it a Wi-Fi hotspot, but I don't want to allow connected computers to access the internet, I would like them to be able to communicate together.

Possible uses:

1. Playing games via LAN (e.g., Quake)
2. Allow computers to share files
3. Bonjour (Macs)
4. etc...

Is there any way to achieve this? Any apps out there that will set up a wireless network server?

# Answer
Use WiFi Tether app to create Wi-Fi hotspot. It features *Access Control* using which you can allow/**deny** clients to use mobile data.
> 4 votes

# Answer
I did a quick search for "server" on the Android marketplace, and most of the results seem to be basic file servers, web servers and FTP servers. These will help with sharing files, using your Android device to store the files, but probably not much else.

Here is one that I found that supports UPnP (Universal Plug n' Play), and DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance), and is designed for images, video and music, and states that Xbox 360 and PS3 are supported, although it doesn't state that you can use it for games on those consoles, and the screenshots don't seem to have anything about games.

Now I'm assuming that nearly all of these apps will require a network to be in place, that is, all devices would be on Wi-Fi with your router (your homehub or whatever you use for all your devices to connect to the web, assuming you don't have a separate modem), so I don't think that these apps will make your Android like a Wi-Fi hotspot, just a server in the sense of a central machine that stores the data that others use. The actual data connections would be via the router, just all going to/from the Android.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: networking
---


# Question
Title: My Galaxy S has had a software upgrade and now it only types digits on the 3 x 4 keypad
I have tried a factory reset and messed with all the settings, no luck. I even tried an external keypad app. It just keeps texting numbers when I use the samsung 3 x 4 keypad even when its on the ABC setting. Please help!!!

# Answer
Go into:

* Settings
* Language & Keyboard Settings
* Samsung Keyboard
* Keypad types, tap that

There is various styles , *3x4 keypad* is probably selected, the one you need is ***Qwerty Keyboard***.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: keyboard
---


# Question
Title: Is it possible to use an Android device as X11 server for a remote machine over SSH?
When my desktop computer is up, I can connect to it with my notebook, even over the internet (I've set up my router to forward SSH to my desktop computer). My desktop computer runs GNU/Linux (Ubuntu distro), so I can use it with X terminal. My notebook also runs Ubuntu. I just need `ssh -X desktop.ip.addr`, then I can launch any program on my desktop machine.

So, the question is: what's the way of **using Android as X-terminal over SSH**?

I don't want to use VNC or other stuff. I think there must be some good SSH apps for Android (I've read about ConnectBot), but I haven't find anything about X11 (maybe it's my fault).

# Answer
Apparently X11 can be run on the G1 via some sort of Debian image and shell app; see this XDA thread for example. I can't find any other ports of it.

I use ConnectBot for "regular" SSH, I find it to be quite good. Even edited and compiled code with it!
> 6 votes

# Answer
I've stumbled upon an X server for Android project (now available as an APK to intall from F-Droid too):

> This project implements an X11 server for use with Android devices, written in Java. The X11 server runs within an Android View subclass, allowing it to be embedded in other applications.

But perhaps it's a bit tricky to connect to it through X forwarding via SSH... you must figure it out.
> 4 votes

---
Tags: ssh, remote-access, graphics
---


# Question
Title: Manually upgrade Galaxy Nexus 4.0.4 (yakjuxw) to 4.1
I have a Galaxy Nexus (maguro/yakjuxw) with Android version 4.0.4. I saw the new features in 4.1 so i want to update, but i don't think an OTA will be available anytime soon. So, I'm considering manually updating. AFAIK, I will need to switch to the yakju firmware that gets updates directly from Google.

That being said, I have some questions:

* Is the firmware the same as the OS? I always thought firmware is something like BIOS, UEFI, coreboot etc. and OS like Windows, GNU/Linux etc. But i have a feeling the terms are used slightly differently in the Android world. This is because the updates guides I found usually show how to flash firmware.
* Will such an upgrade require rooting the phone?
* Will this void my warranty?
* I know a Google search will yield many guides on how to do this, but I'd appreciate it if an experienced user could provide a link with the guide he/she considers to be the best (most complete, safe etc.)

# Answer
> 4 votes
* Firmware, in this case, means the OS, since it's a preinstalled part of the core system.
* The method I used does not require root, but it's possible to root at the same time. I didn't.
* This depends. In most cases, unlocking the bootloader voids your warranty if the warranty is read and interpreted letter-to-letter. However, you could install an official firmware and relock the bootloader to try to bypass this.

I've upgraded my yakjuxw with this guide's method #2. Everything went perfectly except for a few little tricks.

First of all, if your phone is completely unmodified, you need to unlock your bootloader. This can be done by booting into the bootloader as explained in the post, and running `fastboot oem unlock`, navigating to "Yes, unlock bootloader" with the volume keys and confirming with the power button.

**NOTE: This will clear your phone, so you'll need to copy the necessary files to your phone after this!**

After this, reboot once so that the partitions are mounted correctly in CWM later.

Now follow the guide carefully, and you should be able to upgrade (almost) without any problems. My phone got stuck while booting for the first time, so after 15-20mins I rebooted the phone (yanked the battery) but had no adverse effects.

At least my phone got the official 4.1.1 update today, so check for that after your first boot!

# Answer
> 0 votes
I found this topic useful: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1614827 and managed to update yakjuxw 4.0.4 to yakju 4.1.1 very smoothly with user-friendly toolkit mentioned in the first post of the topic.

No need to root!

1. First, installed Drivers on my PC (using Main Menu command 1)
2. Unlocked BootLoader (Main Menu command 3), will clear all your data
3. Downloaded and installed Google 4.1.1 ROM (Main menu command 9)
4. Optionally: re-lock BootLoader with command 3.

Less than half an hour work from installing the ToolKit. Everything is menu driven.

Afterwards, phone was synced to my Google account, with all the contacts and apps reloaded. I was very impressed by the smoothness of migration.

---
Tags: updates, custom-roms, samsung-galaxy-nexus, 4.1-jelly-bean
---


# Question
Title: In Android Is it possible to access the physical layer of 2G/3G to transmit voice/data
I wanted to make an walkie talkie app in android, i know there are a lot of apps like these but they use the Wi-fi or they are just web services. But if we want to like transmit voice/data on 2G/3G frequencies, is there an option in android ? or "is it even legal ?" considering it will be a short range transmission.

i know that 2G/3G are not device-device communication systems but if we can directly access the physical layer of 2G/3G(the transmission hardware) of the phone then we can transmit data through it.

# Answer
> 2 votes
The short answer is No, the baseband firmware is not for public usage (**read carefully**, *I am referring to the programmatic details of this, i.e. API's*)

The baseband radio is isolated and proprietary and does not "exist" outside the realm of Android, rather, its using libraries which are closed source that interacts with the radio firmware.

If you are curious to know exactly behind the scenes in how Android works with the radio firmware, look at my answer on StackOverflow, it is technically orientated but will emphasize my previous paragraph.

And also, for consideration, to be honest, there is a grey area involved in using the GSM frequencies for short band transmission like as in Walkie Talkies, and furthermore, those GSM frequencies are explicitly reserved for the usage of GSM network traffic, 900Mhz, 1800Mhz, 2100Mhz.

Another aspect, you *may* have to acquire a license for this to be able to do so as far as laws are concerned within the jurisdiction of your country. - *That I do not know*!

***Edit:***

Radio FM apps that receives radio broadcasts of music, news etc, that is a different story, that uses a FM transmitter which is a S-o-C; this will vary depending on the chip-set used, so do not get that mixed up either with Radio firmware as far as 2G/3G is concerned :)

***Disclaimer:*** I am not a legal expert, but if, and this is a big if this is possible, to do this - take heed and consult with your local laws.

---
Tags: hardware, 3g, networking, 2g
---


# Question
Title: Are there any legitimate ways to watch NFL season on Android without cable/satellite subscription?
Are there any effective ways to watch NFL games (preferably live) on Android devices this coming season? Ideally, they'd be available in high resolution and streaming, but what options are available? I know there is a DirecTV app, but it seems to require having a DirecTV subscription, which many do not have.

# Answer
The NFL keeps a tight rein on its broadcast rights. Further, the outfits that ponied up those huge payments for those rights are not going to be happy if there is a cheaper alternative. So, no, there is not going to be a way to watch live NFL games without subscribing to cable or satellite.

If you're okay with watching games after the fact and you have an Android tablet, there's Game Rewind.

Things *may* be different outside the U.S. Using a proxy to bypass such limitations skirts the edge of legitimacy (in my opinion).
> 4 votes

---
Tags: streaming
---


# Question
Title: How to know if a Galaxy Note is a real one?
I'm in Thailand now and I've seen a Galaxy Note device that seems to be a real Galaxy Note phone, but it has an extremely low cost (about 100 USD). I'd like to confirm that the phone is real, how do I prove it? I had the chance to play with the operating system and it is like my Galaxy S, but with a larger screen. I cannot "open" or connect to laptop, but I can play with it.

# Answer
1. Grab MAC address of Wi-Fi adapter of device. Go to `Settings` ~\> `Wireless and Network` ~\> `Wi-Fi Settings` and tap/press options key. Then, tap `Advanced`. Here, you can get MAC address. The method can vary based on firmware.
2. Look up this MAC address at http://www.techzoom.net/tools/check-mac.en or http://www.coffer.com/mac\_find/ . If device isn't legitimate, you can detect here.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Gadgets in Thailand are way cheaper than anywhere else but, there's a small heads-up - more than likely, it will have a CSC code for Thailand, Asia, so the updates on that would be somewhat, slower than the rest of the region zones.

Having said that, you can flash it with a different regional CSC code. So go for it, when the first Samsung Galaxy Tab 7" (P1010T with Wifi only) came out, it was on sale there in Thailand - a mate of mine was there, and got it for me - 200 euros - it was a steal, it would have been about 450euros to buy in the EU. And yes, it was genuine, the real thing! :)
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-note
---


# Question
Title: Where are cached email messages stored in the Gmail app?
Google recently disabled one of my Gmail accounts (and will apparently take several days to re-enable it), but luckily I have some emails I need right now saved in the Gmail app.

Is there any way I can download them to my computer? In what folder are they stored on Ice Cream Sandwich?

# Answer
> 7 votes
Gmail usually stores its data on internal storage:

```
/data/data/com.google.android.gm/
├── cache
│   ├── download
│   └── webviewcache
├── databases
├── files
├── lib
└── shared_prefs

```

From this directory structure you may guess some things. I'm not sure what exactly is stored in the `cache` subdirectory except for downloads (the extracted Nandroid backup I've got on my workstation comes from a device where Gmail actually wasn't used). Your messages (in fact, your entire mail contents) are however stored in a SQLite3 database: `databases/mailstore.<address>` -- where `<address>` is your mail address.

So if you can pull this directory to your computer (which might require root privileges), you could use a graphical SQLite frontend to explore this database. The `messages` table will be your primary target.

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


# Question
Title: How can I attach a default sms template text to a specific contact number?
I would like to **attach a certain text** to a specific contact number to used as **default text** when I want to send a text.

*In other words*: as soon as I select a contact to send a text message to: some default text should already be inserted.

I am aware that programs like `tasker` can do this. Although undoubtedly a very impressive program, it seems to me to be an overkill to install a program like this, just to have this one feature.

Is this possible ?

# Answer
chompSMS by Delicious Inc. available from Google Play Store.

> with lots of extra features like Quick Reply, Quick Compose, Scheduled Messages, Passcode Lock, Privacy, Easy Pick Emoji's, **Templates (text snippets)**, Signatures, heaps of customization options (notifications, ringtones, colors, fonts, wallpapers), Blacklisting and much more!

May diverge a bit from your precise goal, but works like a charm to achieve the same end.

You can use this app to have a ton of templates prepared, and use them when texting someone.

Instead of typing over and over the same thing on different messages, either at the beginning, middle or end of a text, you just long tab the message body and pick up the desired template.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: sms
---


# Question
Title: How do I display/see the Valid List in a Google spreadsheet on Android device?
I made a spreadsheet in Google Docs and used data validation to restrict a range of cells to a list of valid values. When I look at the spreadsheet using a browser, the valid list is correctly shown in the dropdown menu. However, when I look at the spreadsheet in my Android phone, I don't see the list (there is a little \[1\] shown in the cell, but I don't see how to click this.)

Is there any way to make this list display on a phone?

# Answer
Using the Google Drive App I created a test spreadsheet to investigate your question. I found the `[1]` to be a footnote - at the bottom of the spreadsheet is a list of all notes about validation for each applicable cell. The same applies to comments made to cells and, I suspect, other types of advanced cell formatting that don't translate well to small screens. It's clunky, but at least the validation follows to mobile. There doesn't seem to be a way to change how validation information is displayed.

See here below the spreadsheet are two footnotes, one indicating valid data (by displaying the help text, `[1]`) and the other representing invalid data (by displaying "validationFailed\[Help Text\]," `[2]`):
> 3 votes

---
Tags: google-drive
---


# Question
Title: How to log and visualize resource usage stats (to identify resource hogs)?
I want to be able to collect up to, say, a couple of day's worth of resource usage statics for my android, at the resolution of individual apps, and ordered according to their shares of the resource. And I would like then to be able to view this information in such a way that I can easily identify the worst resource hogs.

Any suggestions for how to do this would be appreciated.

(FWIW, my phone is rooted.)

Thanks!

PS: There is a bazillion of apps for monitoring CPU usage, memory usage, etc., but all the ones I have found give only global statistics. I.e. they will tell me that, e.g. 84% of my phone's CPU is being used, but none will give me a weighted breakdown of that percentage over the apps responsible for it. Monitoring apps that do not collect and display statistics at the resolution of individual applications are of little use to me. And of course, it goes without saying that "task manager" apps, or even for apps like Watchdog are even farther removed from what I'm looking for; these apps may be very good at what they do, but they simply are not designed to do what I want done.

# Answer
You might be able to get some of what you want from Carat. This app is a project from UC-Berkeley to measure what's using your battery and how your battery life compares to other people's devices.

It doesn't *directly* measure CPU, but your resource hogs are going to use more battery by implication.

From the description:

> Carat will tell you which apps it thinks are hogs (they use a lot of battery) and which are bugs (they use a lot of battery on your device but not most others). Being a hog or a bug does not make an app 'bad', but a user trying to improve their battery life can use these designations to adjust their behavior.
>
> == Carat Features ==
>
> * Action List telling you how to improve your battery life and by how much
> * Device information detailing exactly what data we are recording
> * Reports apps that are using lots of energy and whether that is happening on other devices, too
> * Detail views let you dive down into the data and see graphs of energy use
> * Low-overhead sampling requires almost no energy or CPU
> * J-Score tells you how your battery efficiency compares to other users
> * Sharing features let you post/tweet/blog about your experience; more users means more data which means better recommendations for you
> 3 votes

---
Tags: performance, ram, logging, resource-monitoring
---


# Question
Title: Auto-Enhance Multiple Photos In Gallery?
Is there a way to auto-enhance multiple selected photos without picking one by one which supposedly takes more time since it returns me to start of photos list and I have to navigate and find last photo I shot and once again navigate to "Auto-Enchance" option.

If there's only app that can accomplish that, it is fine, I would like to know which one is it.

**Andorid 2.3.5**
**HTC Desire S**

# Answer
> 4 votes
There is a fairly new app called Perfectly Clear which allows you to select multiple images and apply corrections to all of them at once in batch. You could also set a preset and apply the enhancements the same way for all images. Fair warning, for the more advanced features they have in-app purchases.

# Answer
> 3 votes
if you really do that often, compile/install image magic and use a script. https://github.com/lilac/Android-ImageMagick

you will dread the though of going back to the lame algo in those apps.

---
Tags: camera, photos, auto-correct, editing
---


# Question
Title: What is a good guide that shows new Android users how to properly backup and Flash a new ROM?
I've had my Samsung Captivate for almost a year now, It's my first smartphone, and I've just recently decided to root it. Being new to root and not having the greatest understanding of the Android system or the Linux/Unix system I still want to install CyanogenMod.

Does anyone know a good guide for someone like me? It doesn't have to be CyanogenMod specific.

# Answer
> 3 votes
CyanogenMod has a good overview with many devices and a full update guide per device (Captivate as example here). Here is an explanation of commonly used terminology (fastboot, adb…).

There are some differences between manufacturers/brands:

* Google: very easy, with standard tools (adb, fastboot)
* Sony: rather easy, all standard tools + special tool (flashtool by androxyde), locked bootloader that needs an unlock code from website (not possible for all branded phones)
* Motorola: rather hard to mod, locked bootloaders
* Samsung: rather easy, unlocked bootloaders (except for some branded phones)

# Answer
> 1 votes
I appreciated the presentation video of ROM Manager, the best known app to backup a phone and install a new ROM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player\_embedded&v=psmI8KmBNeY

---
Tags: 2.2-froyo, cyanogenmod, backup, rom-flashing
---


# Question
Title: Samsung galaxy S3 phonenumber sync facebook
I had the HTC wildfire S like a week ago. It managed to automaticly fill my contact list with phone numbers and pictures from Facebook. Is this function not in the galaxy s3? If so, how can I get it?

# Answer
> 1 votes
I'd recommend using Haxsync to sync Facebook data to your phone, works great for me.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Go to **contacts**....Press the left button (the settings button) and then **Accounts**. Here you can add your facebook account. (Also I guess if you use facebook app, it asks you whether you want to sync contacts or not.)

---
Tags: sync, facebook, samsung-galaxy-s-3
---


# Question
Title: Does "make offline" option in Google Maps works with applications that utilize Google Maps?
In newer Google Maps I can make area available offline.

Do other applications that rely on Google Maps (utilize Google Maps Android API) use offline maps?

# Answer
No.
I have made my current city offline. But, when I do local search with third-party apps, the map is displayed after consuming internet connection.

Its task of third-party apps to cache fetched map data for future use.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: google-maps, offline-map
---


# Question
Title: What information is more reliable -- battery capacity or stand-by time?
*Stand-by time (not talk) because I rarely use the phone actually ;-)*

Let's say there are two phones -- Xperia Mini and Wildfire S -- both have very similar battery 1200 mAh and 1230 mAh (respectively), so one could expect similar stand-by times as well.

Yet for Xperia Mini it is "Up to 340 h (2G) / Up to **320** h (3G)" and for Wildfire S "Up to 360 h (2G) / Up to **570** h (3G)".

You can see that for 3G network the difference is huge (almost double). Wildfire S has slower CPU (600 MHz vs. 1 GHz in Xperia) but what kind of computation is done in stand-by mode? *Another oddity Xperia is more efficient in 2G, while Wildfire in 3G*.

**QUESTION:** without any head to head tests, what information is more reliable -- capacity or times? I.e. those two phones would stay on one charge for the same amount time or indeed not?

---

I copied the data from GsmArena pages: Xperia Mini http://www.gsmarena.com/sony\_ericsson\_xperia\_mini-3947.php and Wildfire S http://www.gsmarena.com/htc\_wildfire\_s-3777.php

# Answer
> 3 votes
In my view, battery capacity i.e. the mAh value is best the way to compare. The reason why I say this is that the battery drain includes so many factors that even a small software glitch can show a remarkable difference. Hence the standby time is a combination of several factors which are not reliable for comparison, unless they are from from same manufacturer (with a hope that there will not be variations in test situation). The guide from GSMArena explains this clearly as:

> Manufacturers measure talk time in controlled conditions and the quoted numbers are rarely reached in real-life scenarios. These numbers are best used as reference when comparing phones from the same manufacturer because battery life measurement methodology will probably vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.

With battery rating at least you know your how much capacity the battery has and how it gets used or wasted is simply a temporary situation (i.e. by changing ROM, updates, platform upgrades etc).

---
Tags: battery, standby
---


title: Headphone Volume buttons do not work

text:
# Question
Title: Headphone Volume buttons do not work
I have the V-Moda Crossfade LP headphones, which have convenient volume buttons. They work great on my iPhone, but on my Nexus 7 they seem to have no effect. They even work on Windows XP, 7, and Mac. How can I make them work on Android too?

# Answer
> 2 votes
## Short answer

Unfortunately, the answer is that **you can't make it work**. (at least, not without modding your Nexus 7)

## Long answer

As jeff says in his comment:

> I can confirm unlike some other android devices I have used standard volume control headphones that work with iPhones and many other mobile devices, including android do not work on the Nexus 7. This is a hardware issue as far as I can tell

According to the Crossfade LP product page, the volume controls are only for apple devices:

> Universal Compatibility and Microphone Communication LP comes with 2 cables for universal compatibility with all modern mobile and audio devices. The **3-Button remote microphone cable is designed for the latest Apple devices**, including iPhone®,iPad®, iPod®, and Macbook series. The long **audio-only cable and 1/4" adapter is universally compatible with all audio devices** and professional equipment. **(Emphasis mine)**

In order to understand how these headphone volume controls work, I asked about this over on Electrical Engineering stack exchange, and it appears that this relies on the switches presenting a fixed resistance between the ground and the microphone input. Thus this technique requires (at a minimum) a 4 pole (TRRS) jack, rather than a standard 3 pole (TRS) jack as is used in the Nexus 7.

Note while that the Asus Nexus 7 spec suggests that it has a *Headset Jack* (i.e. headphone and microphone), Google have confirmed to at least one person that this is incorrect, and the Nexus 7 only has a *headphone jack*.

As such, the volume controls are not intended to work with ordinary headphone sockets such as the one on the Nexus 7.

I'm not sure how you got it to work with Windows XP/7 unless the headphone socket on your windows machine was also a headset jack and also supported this volume control technology (or you are running them virtualised on a Macbook, in which case OS-X will be taking care of it for you).

---
Tags: headphones, 4.1-jelly-bean, nexus-7
---


# Question
Title: Get rid of 'battery-low' popup after some delay?
I'm using an Android phone (a Motorola Defy+ running CM9) with OsmAnd as a map solution mounted on my motorcycle (it just shows the map and a gpx-track as a driving hint).

It's not connected to a charger yet and I don't mind when it runs out of battery (I have spare ones).

However there's this "battery low" message popping up at 15% downwards. It covers a huge part of the map and stays there until you hit the OK button which does **not** work with gloves on and during the ride at all.

That remaining 15% still give \>1h runtime which I want to enjoy withouth nagging popups!

Is there a way to hide it completely or get rid of it after some seconds automatically?

# Answer
> 3 votes
That is hard-coded into the framework am afraid.

Look in `frameworks/base/core/java/android/os/Power.java`

```
public static final int LOW_BATTERY_THRESHOLD = 10;

```

The alternative is to roll-your-own ROM to do this, there's a broadcast intent for battery low warnings (ACTION\_BATTERY\_LOW) but that's only for system signed apps AFAIK and cannot be intercepted.

The alternative is to listen for the ACTION\_BATTERY\_CHANGED broadcast and perhaps using Tasker, just to mute the battery warning sound...

---
Tags: notifications, battery-life
---


# Question
Title: Documentation for adb shell getevent / sendevent
Is there any documentation on the format of the getevent and sendevent shell commands? specifically the ones for touchevents. or is this device-dependent?

it is a bit hard to guess what those ids are doing.

# Answer
There is some documentation on the AOSP site:

Plus several Howtos like e.g.

However, the answer to your question on Google Groups states:

> No, this is fairly device-dependent. getevent prints a summary of all the devices so you know what those are. The data generated for a device are generally the Linux kernel's event protocol, so you can look there for further help, but there is no guarantee that a particular device will be following those conventions.
> 8 votes

# Answer
That will depend on the factors for the kernel in question:

* If it has `uinput` enabled then that's good...
* Touchscreen drivers, some initialize themselves to reside anywhere within `/dev/input/event`X
* How the kernel handles the input, for the hardware buttons

If this passes the three criteria above, then by reading certain events from `/dev/input/event`X where X is a number - this will be determined at boot-time, depending on the ordering of loading the appropriate drivers. This will vary but you can try it out and see:

* `adb shell cat /dev/input/event`X (where X is a number, you will need to know before hand!)
* depending on which event it is then you can see funny things happening on the screen based on the appropriate `/dev/input/event`X being outputted.

The values are in encoded form, based on the kernel's input structure - `struct input_event` which can be found in most kernel sources under `include/linux/input.h`.

Be careful! Depending on the touchscreen driver used, some, do not actually return the proper coordinates - that's left as an exercise :)

On the Samsung GT-i5500 running Eclair, `/dev/input/event2` is the touchscreen and the values are in encoded form, this is not to be taken for granted as that will depend on what touchscreen driver is used. On the Sony ST15i, running ICS, its, surprisingly, the same! But on the Zte Blade, its `/dev/input/event1`.

Incidentally, I did some work about a year ago, on creating a touchscreen for ClockWorkMod Recovery which can be found over on Modaco.

The real painful part was trying to determine which event was the touchscreen and act on it accordingly which was ported over to Zte Skate, Zte Racer and Samsung GT-i5500.
> 6 votes

---
Tags: adb, shell
---


# Question
Title: Can Galaxy S2 ICS be updated to enable spell-checker without rooting?
I've read that Samsung disabled the ICS spell-checker by removing it from the settings application. Can it be re-added/enabled without rooting the phone?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Based on Android ICS spell checker does not know how to spell (English)?, spell-checker seems to be enabled \[but there's some issues\].

Right now, I'm on Samsung Galaxy S2 ICS \[using CyanogenMod\], and there is a checkbox to enable Spelling correction. When I was using stock ICS, I could turn off spelling / auto-correction, but it might be because I was also using a 3rd-party keyboard \[GO SMS Pro\]

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, samsung-galaxy-s-2, spell-check
---


# Question
Title: Is there an Android app that scans a device for vulnerability issues?
Is there an application that scan the phone or the phone image searching for vulnerability issues?
In the internet there are several tools that make Network scanning, but I found nothing specific for Android.
Any ideas please comment, I'll be very grateful.

# Answer
If you connect your phone to WiFi, it will acquire IP address. So you will be able to scan it's network services for vulnerablities from your desktop PC with convient programs.

I like NMAP port scanner and ZenMAP shell for it.

Also it looks like guys are porting NMAP to Android. Link 1, Link 2
> 1 votes

# Answer
Aside from open ports that a network scanner would find, you may also be vulnerable to certain local exploits. The somewhat recently released X-Ray app is designed to check for a number of known vulnerabilities (though it is not capable of fixing them - you'd need an updated version of Android for that).
> 4 votes

# Answer
Huge edit.

Almost all of the "one-click root" methods exploit a security hole; it's usually a privilege escalation exploit to get "temp root" as a first step. (From there the scripts will go on to make /system read-write, allow writing to partitions that are normally read-only, etc., in order to keep root access across reboots.)

Obviously, if *you* can break the security of your phone, someone else can too.

TL;DR: If a root method exists for your phone that does not consist of **"unlock the bootloader and flash whatever you want"** \- you have a security vulnerability.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: applications, security
---


# Question
Title: Motorola Atrix 2 native camera app failing
I use the native camera app and many of my recent pictures either have a large grey area with no information:

or noise in the picture made of bits of another picture:

Is this a known problem? It was happening again last night with great frequency, so I restarted the phone and the next picture was fine.

---

Edit: I have since removed all 752 pictures. I shot a few more, and still had at least one shot with each of the problems presented here. I believe I will try a 3rd-party camera.

# Answer
As it turns out, my SD card was failing. I have since replaced it and all pictures are fine thus far.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: camera, motorola-atrix-4g
---


title: Unwanted Toast Notifications

text:
# Question
Title: Unwanted Toast Notifications
Android 4.0 3. HTC Sense 3.6. I have some app installed on my SD card (1 of 195), that pops up a toast notification on boot/SD mount that says "Have a good day!" And lasts for nearly a minute. Does anyone know an easy way for me to figure out what app is causing that? Since toasts aren't a permission, an app like addon detector won't work. Cheers!

# Answer
> 3 votes
Sounds like there's an app that is listening for the permission `android.permission.RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED` and firing the toast much to your annoyance.

You need to check with yourself by asking yourself those two vital questions -

* When did this happen?
* What was the last app you installed?

And backtrace it to the offending app. For an example, check out this and narrow it down to that aforementioned permission and see which one is it and un-install it.

---
Tags: notifications
---


# Question
Title: How to get Tasker CPU options available on MT4GS?
myTouch 4G Slide \[MT4GS/Doubleshot\] ICS Virtous Inquisition ROM

I cannot get the tasker CPU options available. I've checked the common problems listed at http://tasker.dinglisch.net/userguide/en/cpu.html. I can confrim that I have Superuser.apk installed in /system/app and that su binary is available. I also have Secure Settings and Secure Setting Helper installed. The frequencies are available and listed in /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpuX/cpufreq/scaling\_available\_frequencies but still no CPU option. What do I need to do to figure out what is still wrong?

# Answer
I'm not sure what did it but it must be OS dependent as once I installed CyanogenMod9 Alpha6 I had those options available under performance settings and they also became available in the tasker menus as well.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: permissions, tasker
---


# Question
Title: Can I prevent ICS browser from using CPU while in the background (without back-button exiting)?
I'm running ICS 4.0.3, and I notice if I have the Web app (default browser) open, but not in the foreground, it still uses a lot of CPU (25-50%), based upon the built-in Android Task Manager. Other apps are using 0%. Looking at my battery usage, the Web uses about 33%, even when my phone is inactive.

Is there any way I can prevent the Web app from using so much CPU when it is not in the foreground, without using the back button to exit?

I'm running on a Samsung Galaxy S2.

Edit: If the best answer is to use a different browser, I am open to that suggestion.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I have reason to believe that this may be a bug caused when the Web app has a large number of bookmarks. In `System Settings -> Accounts and sync` I turned off `Sync Web` under my Google account. Then I went to `Manage Apps`, clicked the All tab, and hit the `Clear Data` button.

This reduced the usage of the Web app to 1% when in the background.

When I enabled `Sync Web` to import all my Chrome bookmarks, then disabled it, the problem showed itself again. I reproduced this problem twice.

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, stock-browser, battery-life
---


# Question
Title: Something causes my phone to hang and reboot
This problem always happens after I restore my apps from Titanium Backup and move them to the SD card, regardless which ROM. However, I noticed that this problem has something to do with the SD card. Since the logcat is too long, I posted it here:

P.S. all these logcats occured during the same session, after that, the phone started becoming slow, hanging, then rebooting.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Actually I don't think this is related to the SD card per se. Some applications just don't handle being placed on SD or being back-upped and restored with Titanium Backup too well. I've experienced trouble with restored apps myself and solved the problems with removing the app and installing a fresh copy from the Market.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Could it be you restored system app data from a different ROM?

```
I/ActivityManager( 3000): Start proc com.google.android.apps.maps:LocationFriendService for broadcast [..] pid=5275 [..]
W/dalvikvm( 5275): threadid=1: thread exiting with uncaught exception (group=0x4001e578)
E/AndroidRuntime( 5275): FATAL EXCEPTION: main
E/AndroidRuntime( 5275): java.lang.NoSuchFieldError:            static:

```

Similar error quoted in above comments by Paul. This usually happens when you restore system databases from one ROM to another, where the database structur may be different. Apps in this case often force-close, things become laggy.

**IMPORTANT:** If you want to restore system data to a different ROM with Titanium Backup,

1. be **VERY** careful
2. best only do so for one app/database at a time (to be sure it went OK)
3. use TB's *migration* feature (that's an option to be explicitly turned on -- it takes care e.g. not to overwrite databases, but migrate the data into the existing ones)
4. optional, but often helpful: in the configs troubleshooting section, enforce the systems SQLite engine to be used.
5. repeat from 1. only if you are sure everything did fine!

---
Tags: reboot, logging
---


# Question
Title: Does Xperia Mini have automatic camera flash?
Just today I learned that Sony did a nasty trick with Xperia Ray and it features only manual flash.

So I would like to be now super sure how it is with Xperia Mini -- does it have normal automatic flash for camera, or only a manual one as in Ray?

# Answer
As an owner of the Mini ST15i, the answer is yes, it does have the automatic flash for camera in which it can be turned off if the need arises.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: camera
---


# Question
Title: Android Password Recovery + 2 Step Auth. What happens?
I recently enabled two-step auth for my Google account, and I'm happy to say it works fine. However:

* Application specific passwords, like for Android are temporary, and the guide makes it obvious that you aren't supposed to write them down or save them anywhere.
* When someone fails to unlock a password protected Android phone too many times, it allows the user to connect to a WiFi network and login with his/her Google account.
* How does this apply to an account with two-step auth? Has anyone had this sort of an issue before? Is generating a new app-specific password enough?

# Answer
You can use your normal Google Account password to unlock the phone (as long as you are connected to the internet), even if you have 2-step authentication turned on.

I have tested it on a Galaxy Nexus running ICS and another running Jelly Bean, and on a Nexus 7 running Jelly Bean. There might be a possibility that this was different on Android 2.3 but I don't think so.
> 2 votes

# Answer
I am unable to understand why you've problem. As you've said in your second point, it asks users to login with Google Account. When it comes to authentication of Google Account, why is password matter to you?

You can do this in those situations:

* Create a new application-specific password and use that (you can delete old one).
* Use one time emergency passcode generated at the time of enabling 2-step authentication.
* Turn off 2-step authentication and use original Google Account password.

I've used first one once when my jeans pocket screwed things up.
> 2 votes

# Answer
Some phones do not allow unlocking with the google password even if you are connected to the internet. The password is cached on the device and must be the same. This means that you must use the temporary password that you setup your account with. This is device dependent and I understand that it is a bigger problem for older devices, like those running gingerbread.

My advice is to use a password safe like keepass and keep that temporary password saved in case you need to unlock your phone. My kids locked my phone by playing around with it and my normal password would not unlock it. Had to reset to factory settings to get it off.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: security, password, 2-step-verification
---


# Question
Title: Is there a way to update the Flash player for Google-TV on Logitech Revue?
I've noticed any apps that use the Flash player via the browser to play video just fail with a flash error. For example, trying to play a video via Amazon Video On Demand (via the installed App, which just launches the browser on Amazon's web site) results in "The following plug-in has crashed: Shockwave Flash"

Some Flash ads for example work, while other Flash games crash too. I hope there is a way to update Flash and fix this.

* HoneyComb 3.1.0
* Adobe's Flash Version check shows I have Flash installed.

+ Flash Player Version: 10.2.163.145
    + OS: Linux 2.6.35.14-ge141a01 (32-bit)
    + Capabilities: GTV 10,2,163,145 (Including Audio, Video & Local Files)

Adobe's site says the latest version of Flash for Android is 11.1.111.8 (Android pre-ICS).

# Answer
The Honeycomb 3.2 update for Logitech Review fixed this.
> 2 votes

# Answer
I'm not sure where you would find one, but you could try sideloading the Flash Player app from the Play Store as installed on another HC 3.1.0 device and see whether that can display Flash content any better.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: adobe-flash, google-tv, logitech-revue
---


title: Prevent ICS From Mounting USB Storage

text:
# Question
Title: Prevent ICS From Mounting USB Storage
I have a Motorola Droid Razr Maxx running Android 4.0.4. I'd like to prevent ICS from mounting USB storage every time I plug it into a USB host. I just want it to charge by default. I am very dissatisfied that they took away this option in the upgrade from Gingerbread to ICS.

I am willing to do stuff in the terminal that requires root privilege to prevent this from happening, but I would be happier if there is an app for it. I want my phone to **Charge Only** when I plug it into a USB host.

# Answer
> 1 votes
If you enable USB Debugging Mode, the phone will connect to your computer and charge as usual, but you will not get any auto-mounting for the phone storage.

## Enable USB Debugging in Android 4.0

1. Click your device home button;
2. Tap "Settings";
3. Scroll your way to "Developer options" and tap it;
4. Check "USB debugging".

## Enable USB Debugging in Android 2.3

1. Click your device home button;
2. Tap on "Settings";
3. Tap on "Applications";
4. Scroll your way to "Development" and tap it;
5. Check "USB debugging".

This method works for me to charge my phone without mounting the storage.

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, charging, motorola-droid-razr, usb-mass-storage
---


# Question
Title: How to load public route into Google Maps?
Let's say there is a route:

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=pl&msa=0&msid=104314102588659350539.00043799567b09d5f132f&z=12

I have Google Maps (application) in my Android phone.

**QUESTION**: how can I load a route (as one above) so I could later turn it on (to see it over the map) and off (not to delete, just to make it disappear from the map)?

*I am interested in downloading it (storing) for later off-line usage.*

# Answer
Is this the route you want to take offline in Google Maps app:

How did I take it to Google Maps app? Well, I opened this question in Dolphin Browser and tapped the link you provided. It gave me `Share via..` pop-up from which I chose `Maps`. Done!

To push links to Android device, you don't need to publish it on web. There are plenty of options available viz. AirDroid. You can use Gmail too. In Android device, just open that link in web browser.

If `Share via..` pop-up doesn't appear with your web browser, it means that its not tightly integrated with Android. I'd recommend you to use Dolphin Browser because I have tested it.

To make it offline, just hit `Options` key & you'll find `Make available offline` option...

To later use this map, just tap `Layers` icon on top bar (on bottom bar in ICS) & choose the route:

**Note:** I've put screenshots from a Gingerbread device. My ICS device is currently not available. If you're running ICS or above, it'll be slightly different.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: google-maps, offline
---


title: Can't Pull Bar to Mount Storage

text:
# Question
Title: Can't Pull Bar to Mount Storage
I don't know what's wrong with my phone. Things are breaking left and right ...

To mount the phone so I can access files on it (I don't have an SD card), I:

* Disable USB debugging
* Enable Mass Storage Mode
* Plug the phone in
* Go to the home screen
* Drag that bar down on the top of the screen
* Click on the USB item
* Click "Mount Storage"

Viola, I can access my files. The problem now is that the bar at the top doesn't drag down. I fear that it's a hardware issue (is there some way to disable/enable it from the software side?)

Having said that, how can I now mount the storage to transfer files onto my computer? I have several (100ish) 1.5MB images I need to copy over.

I have a Samsung i7500g running Android 1.6.

I wrote my own app, which can trap events on the top bar part of the screen; it seems that it's only the home page bar that doesn't allow me to drag it down. Is there some setting I'm missing?

**Edit:** Even stranger, sometimes, the pull bar works perfectly.

# Answer
> 1 votes
When you're done transferring these files, it is more important that you eject the device from the computer than it is for you to unmount the SD from the statusbar.

Once your computer says the device is ejected, the problem should be resolved after you unplug the phone--

If not-- you can transfer files via adb without 'mounting' the sdcard. In this case, you would not disable the debugging option (Which you don't really need to do in the first place, btw).

=D

# Answer
> 1 votes
One solution would be to use an app like Auto Mount Your SD Card, which would automatically switch to UMS (USB mass storage) mode when your device gets connected to a computer via USB. If you still want to manually decide, this seems to be provided by MountUSB Widget (which is not free, but costs ~EUR 1).

# Answer
> 1 votes
A possible cause would be using a custom launcher (ADW, Go Launcher, Apex, Nova, Launcher Pro, etc..). Some of these launchers allow you to hide the status bar at the top, and trigger it with actions like double tapping the home screen, swiping up or down, swiping with two fingers, etc..

What might be happening is that you are unintentionally triggering the show/hide status bar. When hidden, you can no longer pull it down.

If you are using a custom launcher, go to the launcher settings, there you will find an option that allows you to customize behavior .

I can also tell you if the issue is with the status bar, it is most definitely not a hardware issue.

---
Tags: internal-storage, notification-bar, samsung-galaxy-i7500
---


# Question
Title: open-gpstracker: Export all tracks or access the SQLite database
I am using open-gpstracker to track routes. After quite some time I have collected a large number of tracks that I like to export as GPX files. The application allows to do that, however, there is no export option for all tracks at once.

I am using a device **without root** access. Is there any way I could access the SQLite database of the application? I also thought of modifying the source code of the opensource application to my requirements, but I am afraid of losing my data when I install the customized version of the app on my device. Am I right, that this can be a problem?

---

**Update:** I came up with the idea that I could use the `ContentProvider` of the application, if there is one included and if it is public. I could write another application that uses the interface to access the database. Do you think this is possible? How can I see if there is a public `ContentProvider`?

# Answer
Each app on Android stores its data on internal storage by default, below the `/data/data/<package_name>` directory. Due to the sandbox princip, except the app itself and root nobody has access to that if not explicitly defined otherwise by the developer (e.g. Skype currently has a serious security flaw giving *everybody* read/write access to *all* its data, including plain-text passwords). So no, you won't be able to get access to the database, which most likely is located in the `/data/data/nl.sogeti.android.gpstracker/databases/` directory without having root access to your device.

As for your second question: You are assuming correctly. As you don't have access to the developers certificate (for good reasons), you cannot "update" the original app with your modified version. You would have to uninstall and then re-install -- or giving your modified version a different package name. In both cases, you won't have access to the original apps data.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: gps, gps-tracking, open-source, sqlite
---


# Question
Title: How do I recover the Dolphin Sonar icon?
In my application list, Dolphin Sonar/Sonar is not one of the icons. I've "peeled off"/deleted all of the Dolphin Sonar icons by mistake, and I want it to be on my home screen. I use it very often. Where might I find the icon? Do I need to reinstall Dolphin?

# Answer
> 1 votes
According to the Dolphin for Android phone faqs, you can manually create a shortcut to the home screen:

> How do I create a shortcut for Dolphin Sonar to the home screen manually?
>
> Please click Menu\> More\> Settings\> Gesture & Sonar \> Sonar Settings\> Create Shortcut.

---
Tags: home-screen, home-screen-shortcuts, dolphin-browser
---


# Question
Title: If an app is written for Android 2.3 will it run on 2.1?
If an app is written for Android 2.3 will it run on 2.1?

# Answer
It depends. If an application uses features present in Android 2.3, then it will not work on 2.2 or lower. If it only uses features present in older versions, then it will work on those older versions.

For example, an app written for 2.1 (i.e., an app that only uses features from 2.1 or lower) will work on 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.0, and 3.1 (and any future versions, unless Google changes how things work).
> 6 votes

# Answer
Internally Android uses so called API levels to distinguish between the various Android versions. An app records two (actually three, but this doesn't matter here) API levels within it's manifest:

* `minSdkVersion`
* `targetSdkVersion`

These levels can differ when, for example, the App uses a feature of a higher API level only optionally. E.g. the access to the front facing camera came with 2.3.3. If the App runs on a older version (API level) it can only access the rear camera. But the app will be installable and runnable.

So yes, if a app is written for a higher Android version it could run on a lower, *but only if the app developer took care of that*.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: compatibility
---


title: Problem purchasing android apps

text:
# Question
Title: Problem purchasing android apps
I bought humble bundle for PC, which comes with some games available on android market, played the games a bit, uninstalled, then I went to market and wanted to buy a second copy of OSMOS HD, but it still shows as purchased and I don't have it on my Galaxy S2 anymore, and yes, I cleared cache, uninstalled market updates, cleared dalvik cache, reinstalled and uninstalled game to see if it worked...I wanted to buy it again because of the easier updates, but market won't allow me.

Also, I installed another game, Generation of Chaos which I didn't pay for it, then uninstalled, did the same procedures as OSMOS HD above, and I want to buy it on market, but it still shows as purchased and will not download.

Any ideas/tips ?

# Answer
> 1 votes
The issue is that the Play Store falsely linked some apps to your account that you installed from third-party sources.

This has been in some 3.5.x version, and now it works as expected.

---
Tags: google-play-store, samsung-galaxy-s-2, paid-apps
---


# Question
Title: Duplicate calendar entries presumably caused by Google's calendar sync
I have a subscribed calendar in my Google account.

Events from this calendar get synced to my phone as you would expect. However, whenever it syncs it creates a completely new event instead of updating the existing one, or taking no action.

How can I fix this?

*Samsung Galaxy S running Gingerbread 2.3.6*

# Answer
> 0 votes
I ended up disabling the linked calendar, and adding it manually using the ICalSync app in the market.

---
Tags: 2.3-gingerbread, calendar, google-calendar
---


# Question
Title: Does rooting mean I will always run my device as root?
> **Possible Duplicate:**
> How exactly does “root” user access/account works? Do all applications run as root on my phone after rooting?

I understand the root user under Linux and the goal of rooting an Android device. Though, when people say "rooting", does it mean I will always use my device as root? Or just while I apply my changes?

# Answer
No. Rooting in that case means that apps are able to request root. If they do so, then usually a pop-up appears asking for your permission.
> 3 votes

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


# Question
Title: How can I track my days activities on Android (Similar to Track and Share on iPhone)?
There is a app called "Track and Share" available for iPhone.

This app helps us track as to how we spend our day, doing what activities and doing what category of activities.

I wonder how I could do the same on Android. Maybe a similar app exists?

# Answer
There are many for Android, this two seem to perform the tasks mentioned by "Track and Share" *(additionally, you can check the left column from Google Play Store for related apps)*:

* Time Recording - Timesheet App

> Timesheet manager - easy to use, highly adaptive. Manage your timesheet.
>
> + Check in & out
>     + Task assignment
>     + Daily & detailed notes
>     + Overview of day, week, month
>     + Data export & email as CSV, HTML or XML
>     + Integrated backup & restore

Check the Lifehacker review.

---

* Daily Task Tracker

> Keep track of your tasks that you repeat on a daily basis.
>
> This app allows the user to keep track of daily tasks that are important to them. Add each task and then throughout the day or at the end of the day check off the ones that were completed.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: applications
---


# Question
Title: Premature editing interruption and keyboard disappearance when typing text
I have noticed a few times today an unusual behavior of the built-in virtual keyboard on my Nexus S with Jelly Bean 4.1.1. When I type text in different apps (e.g. Google+ Messenger, Google Drive), the keyboard suddenly and unexpectedly disappears, and text editing mode is terminated.

This premature interruption is triggered at apparently random moments after typing a different amount of text each time (from a couple to a few tens of characters), but approximately after the same amount in the same session. Rebooting the phone fixed the issue the first time, but had no effect in subsequent instances.

Some context and details. I use the device in Italy and the system language is Italian. I switch between using two languages with the keyboard, Italian and English. The premature interruptions seem to happen mostly when using the keyboard with Italian, and when typing fast. This issue never happened before today.

What causes this problem? How can I fix it?

# Answer
> 1 votes
I found a Google Mobile Help Forum thread reporting the same problem. A Google employee suggested a fix: deleting and reinstalling all the installed dictionaries. This worked for me.

---
Tags: keyboard, 4.1-jelly-bean, editing
---


title: UDP multicast with reverse tethering

text:
# Question
Title: UDP multicast with reverse tethering
We are using a Wi-Fi network to communicate with other devices running our applications. And, we are using `UDP` multicasting.

However, due to some new restrictions we are no longer allowed to use wifi.

Is there a way to connect all the devices (via `USB`) to different computers (connected to the same local network) and have them all receive and send data with `UDP` multicasting?

We don't need internet, just the LAN. This is only used for testing purposes.

---

I am looking at this post about reverse tethering. Has anyone used `UDP` multicasting with this setup? Will the mentioned method solve my problem?

We do not currently have a linux machine setup and it would take us a **while** to get one setup. So if anyone could confirm this, from experience, before we start doing down that road, that would be fantastic.

# Answer
Instead of going the whole "multicast over reverse tethering" way, which to me, doesn't make any sense at all, you should evaluate if a **VPN setup with multicast enabled** (plus optionally reverse tethering) may be a solution to your problem.

On a second thought: VPN + reverse tethering *is basically* "multicast over reverse tethering"
> 0 votes

---
Tags: networking, reverse-tether
---


# Question
Title: How to connect USB CD/DVD-rom to my Asus Eee transformer?
I have lot of CD/DVD movie's. And i want to watch those in my Android so i bought one USB CD-DVD ROM.

But my Transformer, does not have USB input, how can i use it?

# Answer
According to the specs, the Eee Transformer has USB ports. Android 3.1 added USB host support. The problem(s) with what you want to do is that there is no support for DVD navigation (and probably the `udf` and `cd9660` filesystems, as well) in Android. You'd be better off ripping the DVDs onto your computer and using a USB hard drive (or the Transformer's internal storage) to play them on the tablet.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Can't say for the tablet itself, but the Eee Station comes with USB ports, and Samsung introduced recently (Apr 2012) the world's thinnest optical drive designed for tablets.

## Samsung introduces world’s thinnest optical drive for tablets

> The **SE-2188BB supports Android Honeycomb version 3.1 or later** and can handle a variety of media at high speeds including 24X CD-ROM, 24X CD-RW, 8X DVD±R recording, 5X DVD-RAM recording, 6X DVD+R Dual Layer recording, 6X DVD-R Dual Layer recording, 8X DVD+RW recording and 6X DVD-RW recording

*It's safe to assume that this is the type of solution you were after.*
> 1 votes

---
Tags: asus-eee-pad-transformer
---


# Question
Title: Android Market not showing full list of app updates
When I have app updates, the android market notifies and takes me to the list of apps that have updates but some apps that have updates are not shown sometimes. Only when I go to search and key in the exact app name, the app shows up with its status showing there is indeed an update to it.

I hope you get my point. Why is this happening. Why doesn't the android market show all upgrades so that I can batch upgrade it?

I have around 135 apps Installed (as shown by Android Market 3.3.11)

# Answer
I realize this is an old question, but still today I face the same issue. The reason behind this (AFAIK) is that apps, when updated, can be "batch updated" if no changes were made to the app privacy policy or the app permissions for the device *(other scenarios may apply)*.

**e.g.,**

Just this week I did a "batch update", but had to manually update two apps, one needed my consent for additional privileges, and the other one had changed something *that I didn't bothered to read*.

Message from the first app that was outside of the update batch:

> This app's permissions have changed to have access to the following: ...

*Due to this changes, this app was excluded from the batch update.*
> 0 votes

---
Tags: google-play-store, updates
---


# Question
Title: Switching to TouchNooter home from Stock Home
So I have just rooted my Nook with TouchNooter.

When I press the home button it asked me which I want to set as the default GO Launcher or Home. I chose Home as the default.

Now, I can't figure out how to get back to the TouchNooter homescren. How can I do so?

Thanks

# Answer
> 1 votes
You can go to Settings\>Manage Applications\> All Applications\> then, find & select the Home app--- scroll down, and select "Clear Defaults"

The next time you press your home key, it will give you the same dialog asking which app to use.

---
Tags: home-screen, launcher, default-applications, nook-color
---


# Question
Title: Android 2.3.5 unlock screen activated unexpectedly
My Android HTC Sense 3.5 running Android 2.3.5 suddenly and out of the blue activates the unlock screen without pressing the power button. That's a problem because it gets unlocked by itself sometimes when it is in my pocket. Is there a special setting to disable this activation of the unlock screen?

# Answer
> 3 votes
I don't know why this happens, but you may be able to combat the problem with Proximity AutoLock. If the phone's screen is somehow turned on, the proximity sensor should tell the phone to turn its screen off right away. Now, this works when the power button gets pressed; I would think it would also work when other events turn the screen on, but I'm not completely sure.

# Answer
> 2 votes
You can set up a screen lock that requires more that a keystroke to unlock the phone, as to prevent the phone being unlocked when bouncing around inside your pockets:

1. Click your phone "menu" button;
2. Tap "Settings";
3. Tap "Location & security";
4. Scroll your way to "Screen unlock" and tap over "Set up screen lock";
5. Pick your *poison*, for me it was "Pattern";

After selecting a more robust method to unlock your screen, even if the unlock screen pops up while the phone is in your pocket, it will be virtually impossible unlock the phone that way.

---
Tags: 2.3-gingerbread, settings, lock-screens
---


# Question
Title: Is there a way to evaluate Android apps in a browser (like Pieceable for Android)?
I have seen Pieceable which is a Website where you can upload iOS apps and then try them out directly in the browser. Is something like this also available for Android?

To upload an APK File, embed some code into a website and be able to try out the app before buying it?

# Answer
> 1 votes
I have found AppSurfer.com to work very nicely for me. They are still in BETA but in 1 - 2 months to come out with plans... It's free for 10 users at the same time at the moment and works quiet well...

# Answer
> 2 votes
Thanks for introducing Pieceable. After reading your question I learnt about it and when going beyond, I found Amazon's Test Drive seems to have a similar ability. Thanks to @jcisio, I found this answer here. Currently the Amazon Test drive is available in US only. Hence, I could not test and verify it.

---
Tags: applications
---


title: How do I root my device with Mac OS X?

text:
# Question
Title: How do I root my device with Mac OS X?
Similar to How do I root my Android device?, except using Mac OS X.

Everywhere I try to find the answer to leads me to Windows applications. Are there any guides or tools for OS X?

# Answer
It's very device-specific, of course, so you'll have to follow the directions given for the device.

Generally it works to follow the Linux directions for the device, except that you need ADB for Mac OS X.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: rooting, macos
---


# Question
Title: Why can't I transfer data from my tablet with OTG support to my phone with USB?
## Problem

I want to copy music from my tablet to my phone with USB.

My tablet can't see the phone when connected which is somewhat strange because the phone sees that it is connected and the tablet has OTG support. Therefore I can't select the phone from 'Explorer', so I can't copy the files.

I can connect the phone to a laptop with Ubuntu 10.10 or Windows 7 pro without any trouble so the problem shouldn't be on the phone's side. And the phone can't see an USB stick directly, so even that won't work as file transfer.

## Tablet:

Wayteq xTab-100is with Android 4.0.3 and USB 2.0 OTG without Bluetooth

## Phone:

Nokia 2700 classic micro USB 2.0

# Answer
*At least one of the USB devices would need support for host-mode USB \- which is a hardware feature and therefore can't be upgraded via software - and the other needs to report as mass storage USB device.*

Since your tablet has OTG (=host-mode USB) support it may be a simply compatibility issue. Bluetooth may be an option, but it's slow.
> 1 votes

# Answer
What about transferring the data from your tablet to your computer and then from your computer to your phone?

Besides that, I think your phone is too old to be recognized as a disk drive on your tablet anyway. Some tablets can read data via USB from sticks/phones, but I think this does not support phones like yours.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, usb, tablet, file-transfer, usb-host-mode
---


# Question
Title: Switch ROMs, still seamlessly use Apps and its data
I am presently using a rooted LG P500 running stock 2.3.3. I am very fond of trying various ROMs and recently got hooked to unofficial CM10 Android 4.1.1 (JellyBean).

Working with such unofficials or even official nightly builds has a problem of receiving frequent update. When ever such update comes I have to wrap up all my app and its data using Titanium Backup (TB) and for safety backup my present ROM completely using CWM recovery.

After installing the new ROM, I will download TB alone and restore all my apps. Though the TB has batch mode for "Restoring all missing apps and its data", TB asks for confirmation before installing every app and prompt for "Done/Open" after installing every app. This kills the purpose of running a batch.

Now my questions:

1. Is there any way I can switch between ROMs but keep the apps (with its data) installed in a common location for all ROMs
2. Automate the restore option (in new ROM) such that with one click and a wait of few minutes should get my phone back with all apps and data intact?

My dream use case with either question will be like: While I am in 2.3.3 ROM I would simply backup the present apps and its data to SD card and install the new ROM. When the new ROM is installed, I would like to have the apps that where backed up in my 2.3.3 ROM to come back with its data by doing something that is not daunting, but ready to wait for a while.

Any suggestions?

# Answer
The pro version of Titanium Backup supports batch restore without user interaction. It's worth it.
> 7 votes

---
Tags: backup, restore
---


# Question
Title: What is the best way to delete all contacts on the handset?
I was trying to clean up the contacts on my Droid X and part of the process (after turning off sync) was to delete all contacts on the phone. I didn't have many, so I manually deleted each on (read: tedious). Is there a way to bulk delete contacts on a handset?

# Answer
> 7 votes
From the home screen hit the menu button and go to Settings \> Applications \> Manage Applications. Make sure yo are in the "All Applications" tab so you see the system apps and choose "Contact Storage" and click "Clear Data". **This will delete all your contacts without disturbing anything else.**

# Answer
> 1 votes
You can delete this file if you have root: `data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts.db`

You could also try clearing data for Contacts Storage (`Settings -> Applications -> Manage applications`).

Finally a factory reset will do this, but you lose all your user apps and data as well.

Note: As per Ryan's comment, you'll need to shut off contact sync for your accounts if you don't want the contacts to be repopulated.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Well, there's this app, imaginatively entitled Delete Contacts

Interestingly, doesn't work on the Droid. There are also, of course, some other apps in the "Related" area that would appear to do the same thing.

# Answer
> 0 votes
My phone is rooted. First I made sure all of my data was correct at www.google.com/contacts . Then exported the data (.csv file) from google’s web site to my home computer for safe storage. I used the app Titanium Backup to “Wipe data” for the apps Contacts 4.0.3 and Contacts Storage 4.0.3. Next, waited (approx 1 min) for my phone to re-sync with google and all of the contacts were restored. Finally, I went back into Titanium Backup and preformed a full back up for apps Contacts 4.0.3 and Contacts Storage 4.0.3.

---
Tags: contacts
---


# Question
Title: All of my texts disappeared, what can I do?
All of my old text messages disappeared. What might I be able to do to recover them?

# Answer
> 3 votes
Unless you have a previous backup, there's no *easy* way to recover them.

Use Handcent or GoSMS - they have in-built scheduling to backup SMS to your SD card or to send the backup to an email mailbox you specify.

# Answer
> 3 votes
**SPOILER: The following does only work on rooted devices!**

If they are already gone, in most cases it's too late. However, some chances are left if your device is rooted -- but they are not that easy to achieve: You would need a complete (physical) file system copy from your internal storage, and pull that to your workstation. Once you've achieved that, you can use a process called File Carving to get hold of even deleted files. This might get especially tricky as most devices use YAFFS2 for their internal storage -- a file system rarely used on any workstation.

Some File Carving software solutions include:

* Scalpel available for Linux (prefered), Mac OS X, Windows
* foremost Linux; can also work on Images created with `dd` -- so if you were able to create such on your device, the YAFFS2 barrier is gone)
* TestDisk supports a lot of operating systems

Concerning this special case (especially with YAFFS2), I'd say the best approach would be to go with a `dd` image and foremost. As on YAFFS2 things are not that lightly "deleted or wiped" (to prolong the life of NAND-Flash, "stuff" is rather marked deleted and only overwritten when that storage block is needed to store new data), chances are quite good to recover "stuff".

Not everybody's easiest way, I know -- but there's no "easy solution" I could see.

---
Tags: sms, data-recovery
---


# Question
Title: Enable/Disable automatic SD card installations in android phone
i don't know why, but in recent 3 day, my memory card goes crazy! and sometimes (3 times in a day) notify me : "damaged memory card, do you want to format it?"
and when i format sd card, some applications corrupted and can't run, because it says : "this application not installed in your phone!"
is there a way to disable or disallow android from installing or storing any data related to application installed on phone?
phone Specs:

* model : samsung GT-I9100G
* Build number : Gingerbread.JPKK1
* android version : 2.3.6

# Answer
> 4 votes
What you describe is a mix of multiple problems. First, your apps becoming "unavailable" is most likely due to Apps2SD being used, and you installed those on your SD card. See:

Second thing is your card itself (hardware, the "thing you put inside your device"). If it goes broke that often, this rises some hardware related questions. Most likely possibilities:

1. Your card is broken
2. Your devices card adapter is broken
3. Something with your card controller is broken

You can check 1. easily in different ways:

A. check whether your card causes problems in other devices
B. check whether other cards cause the same problems with your SGS

If (A but not B) =\> use a new card (case 1.)
If (B but not A) =\> have your device checked (for either 2. or 3.). Hopefully you've got some warranty left.

Other useful Q&As on this site which might prove helpful to you include (but are not limited to):

---
Tags: 2.3-gingerbread, sd-card, app2sd
---


# Question
Title: How to restore the official firmware on Samsung Galaxy Note?
I have a question for you guys. When I bought my Samsung Galaxy Note, it came with custom firmware with lots of bugs. It's being over 3 months I bought this phone and it freezes a lot. My question is, does anyone know how to restore the original firmware from Samsung? Thank you..

```
My Android version   : 2.3.6
Model number         : GT-N7000
Baseband version     : N7000XXLB2
Kernel version       : 2.6.35 14-FM-2.0-g399c932
                       frank_m@VirtualBox
Build number         : GINGERBREAD.XXLC1
Rom version          : KingDroid Elegance Deluxe v7.0

```

# Answer
> 0 votes
It was easier than I expected. Just follow this tuto will guide you well.

1. Download Odin
2. Download the related firmware
3. Launch Odin, click on ROM
4. Select the firmware
5. Click on Start button.
6. Pray!

Thank you for everyone who took their time to help me.

---
Tags: rom-flashing, stock-android, samsung-galaxy-note
---


# Question
Title: What's causing the pictures copied to my HTC Desire to disappear?
I'm currently running CyanogenMod 7.0.3 on my HTC Desire, and pictures copied to the SD card disappear!

If I copy an image from my computer to the phone using USB Mass Storage mode, it disappears as soon as the copy is finished.

Pictures taken with the Camera app disappear too.

Pictures copied with `adb push some_pic.jpg /mnt/sdcard/DCIM/100MEDIA` don't show up in the Gallery app.

# Answer
I noticed a similar problem on my HTC G2 recently after I migrated phones. Deleting the thumbnails folder fixed the problem.

See also: Not all images showing up in gallery
> 1 votes

# Answer
Check you SD card for errors, preferably by powering down the phone, removing it and inserting into an SD reader.

And always use "Safely Disconnect Hardware" in Windows system tray or unmount the USB mass storage device in Linux.
> 0 votes

# Answer
A quite common cause for "disappearing media" is not restricted to photos only, but can also affect audio and video files:

The media scanner checks each directory for a file named `.nomedia` (this file can be empty, its content is not checked). If found, this directory including its subdirectories is skipped from scan -- which means, this media does not appear in the gallery.

You can easily check if this might be the cause:

* use a file explorer (e.g. ES File Explorer) to check whether your media is where it should be (i.e. usually somewhere on your sd card). You can also check this from your computer via USB.
* if so, check all the tree along for a file named `.nomedia` (note the leading dot!). It may reside even in the root directory of your sd card -- or somewhere in the path to your media files
* if found, just delete it (safe to do so -- you can re-create it anytime, it has no important content but is more likely even completely empty).
> 0 votes

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Tags: htc-desire, 2.3-gingerbread, cyanogenmod, images
---


# Question
Title: How can I attach a file to an MMS message?
Can I attach files to an MMS message? I am looking for a way to attach files like doc, pdf, or zip and send them over MMS.

# Answer
> 4 votes
Regular android messaging apps tend to disallow files other than image/video.

I use Tmail by Phonelight available from Google Play Store:

> Tmail breaks the restrictions of all the Messaging apps. It is the only app that allows the user to attach any kind of file to an MMS message. You are now not limited to image, audio or video file. Tmail has expanded the MMS capability.

You can use the trial version to test it. the unlimited version costs 0,81€.

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Tags: sms, files, file-transfer, mms, attachments
---


# Question
Title: Add New Ringtones, Notifications and Alarm tones on Nexus One
I have music (MP3 files) on my SD card and am trying to set them as ringtones, notification tones and alarm tones on my Nexus One.

My phone only lets me select the stock ringtones, notifications or alarms. I tried to transfer and copy the music files to the ringtones and notification folder on my phone but it fails every time. I think those folders are write protected or something.

Can anyone help? I have searched at all possible solutions online. Some solutions suggest copying the files using my PC to my phone's ringtones/notification tones folder, but I can't even see these folders on Windows Explorer. It's like they are invisible.

Can anyone help?

# Answer
There are special directories you can use to store your custom "noises". The "starting point" (root-of-noises-dir) may be different between devices (so this is rather a generic answer, as I do not own all of them) -- pick one and check if it works, if not, pick the next:

```
/sdcard/media/audio
/sdcard/media
/sdcard

```

In there, put the directories for the specific events:

```
┌───────────────┬───────────────────────┐
| directory     | description           |
├───────────────┼───────────────────────┤
| alarms        | for your alarm clock  |
| notifications | for... notifications? |
| ringtones     | for incoming calls    |
| ui            | keyboard click etc.   |
└───────────────┴───────────────────────┘

```

Then place your sound files into the appropriate directories. Done. Now you should be able to pick them in your configuration(s).
> 3 votes

# Answer
The app Rings Extended combined with any free file manager will do what you want. Once installed, picking a ringtone will pop up a window asking which app to use for ringtone selection. Tick the option to make it a default and choose "Rings Extended". It will then allow you to pick any supported music file from your SD card for ring and notification tones.
> 2 votes

# Answer
I have had luck on CyanogenMod 6 by making a folder called "Ringtones" on my sd card and putting files there. However this may be CyanogenMod specific. (You may need to reboot or trigger the media scanner to get the files to show up.)
> 2 votes

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Tags: nexus-one, ringtone, file-management
---


# Question
Title: How do you turn off all cellular communication but leave things like bluetooth and wifi enabled?
I'm going to be traveling overseas and don't have an international roaming plan. I would like to disable my cellular radio while I am there but I'd also like to use bluetooth and wifi. I don't think I can enable bluetooth or wifi while in airplane mode, though. How can I do this without physically removing my SIM card?

# Answer
> 7 votes
You actually can enable both of those features while in airplane mode. They get turned off automatically when you first enable airplane mode, but there's nothing that prevents you from re-enabling them:

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Tags: samsung-galaxy-nexus, cellular-radio
---


# Question
Title: Does Bluetooth drain power when it's not in use?
> **Possible Duplicate:**
> Will constantly having Bluetooth on drain my battery too fast?

When Bluetooth is turned on, but not in use, is it still draining power? If so, how much relative to it being in use?

# Answer
Yes. When it is on, but not in use, it continually scans for the device it has been previously paired with.

This allows for it to do things like-- automagically connect to your car when you get in it.

However, the amount of battery drain is still minimal, even if it *is* continually scanning.
> 3 votes

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Tags: bluetooth
---


title: ICS Photo editor weird behavior

text:
# Question
Title: ICS Photo editor weird behavior
I have just installed CyanogenMod and, while testing the Gallery and Photo editor apps, have noticed a very strange behavior. Whenever I try to apply some effects such as Lomo, Documentary among others, the Photo editor applies the effect only to a circle in the center of the image. The problem happens with any image from my gallery, no matter the resolution or the camera (back or front camera).

I have already rebooted the system, and have tried to "clear data" of the app. I have searched all the possible configurations and could not find anything related to this problem.

(The funny thing is that I tried an app called Photo Editor ICS, which is a clone of the original Photo Editor, and it worked fine. But I don't mean to keep using it, I expect that the original app works)

# Answer
Try using Aviary instead. It's an excellent photo-editor app with even more features than the default one, and it works for me, even when I flash experimental JB roms where the camera doesn't even work.

This is a strange problem, unique to your device, and you should probably report it on the CM forums.

HTH!
> 1 votes

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Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, cyanogenmod, gallery
---


# Question
Title: Tablet apps sounds does not work anymore
This morning I was listening music using grooveshark and the speakers of a Pantech P4100 Tablet. the player stopped playing.

Now -even after restarting and resetting to factory settings-, only the notifications and alarms make sound. the apps do not sound.

Nonetheless, if I plug my headphones it works (appsm notifications and alarms)

### How can I fix the integrated speaker sounds?

# Answer
The problem is caused because the OS thinks you connected your headphones. I saw that problem in iOS some years ago. Use this app to solve it: WiredHeadphoneRoutingFix
> 1 votes

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Tags: audio, tablet
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