# Question
Title: Retrive data from Broken + Locked Screen Samsung Galaxy S Duos
Today, I used a third party ordinary charger with my Samsung Galaxy S Duos (s7562), and was shocked to see that the screen touch stopped working.

Earlier, whenever I used to use third party charger, the screen used to behave insanely. But, once I unplugged the charger everything was normal. So, I tried to stick to the original Samsung Charger. Today, my cousin went out with original charger and I used the third party for approximately 10 minute. The touch is not responding anymore, but phone is functional. Home button, power button and volume keys are working but not touch. Display is all fine. I tried : 1. Restarting phone after keeping out battery for 5 minutes. 2. Enter recovery mode, clear cache partition. 3. Enter recovery mode, reboot. 4. Physically knocking the edges of touch screen smoothly to fix any loosen connection.

But nothing worked. So, the last thing to test is to FACTORY RESET the phone. Now the problem is I use PIN Lock to lock the screen for security Reasons. And I have very very important photos, Messages and Contacts in my phone.I have controlled my phone earlier with PC Via Bluetooth. And I dont think this cheap crap supports OTG Mouse. Is there any Method to get back my Data by unlocking the phone via PC ?

I know All minds on Stack exchange are intelligent and somebody must show me the correct path.

# Answer
> 1 votes
The problem is not with the phone, but with the charger!

I've experienced this as well with cheap crapware (possibly Chinese-made). The reason they cause this behavior is the cheap design that doesn't provide a sufficient decoupling of the voltage and also a bad ripple current.

Furthermore, they do not meet any safety standards. The one I used blew the fuse of my house. Thankfully, no other devices damaged. Also, a Chinese woman has reportedly been electrocuted by using a cheap charger. Whether it's true or not, I strongly advise against using those chargers. It doesn't have to be from the phone manufacturer, but it's for sure a good idea to get some quality (and none-fake!) charger.

Once you use the original charger again, your phone should be working again normally.

PS: Read this article for an in-depth explanation at the example of fake iPhone-chargers http://www.righto.com/2012/03/inside-cheap-phone-charger-and-why-you.html

# Answer
> 0 votes
Finally Hard Reset My Phone *out of frustation*. **Problem Not Solved** :( Touch Still not responding. If anybody Facing the same problem, dont Format your valuable data. Better to go for Hardware repair.

Didn't get any answer of My question. And, never use cheap chinese chargers.

---
Tags: backup
---


title: ADB app uninstall from bootloader

text:
# Question
Title: ADB app uninstall from bootloader
I have a Galaxy Core Duos that I was playing with. It is stock rom, unrooted. However, I installed one app which is crashing the phone after startup. So I cannot use the phone anymore and I need to reset it.

However, I would like to save some data from the phone before. Especially the contacts, which unfortunately haven't been synchronized completely before this app caused crashing.

Is it possible to access my contacts data somehow via ADB from the bootloader/recovery menu? I didn't have ADB enabled in the settings, though. Or is it maybe even possible to uninstall the app from ADB from bootloader/recovery menu?

Or what else could I do?

# Answer
> 6 votes
No, it is not possible to remove the app from bootloader. ADB daemon is not running in the device in that tiny environment when the device is in fastboot mode and stock recovery doesn't offer shell access.

Your best bet is to flash a custom recovery, such as TWRP, CWM or Philz Touch from fastboot/download mode or from a tool using PC (if at all possible for an ordinary user) and boot straight into that recovery. Note that if the bootloader is not unlocked, unlocking a bootloader may (nowadays it does) cause a full wipe of user's data.

Once you're in a custom recovery environment, follow the instructions to remove the app:

* mount data partition at */data/*, if not already mounted through GUI using volume buttons or touch as appropriate;
* determine package name of the troublesome app;
* Using shell or through a file manager feature of your recovery, go to */data/app/* or wherever the app is installed per */data/system/packages.xml* or per this answer from Izzy
* remove the apk or the app's directory (for Android 5.0 and above) containing the apk using the command:

```
adb shell rm -rf PATH   # PATH refers to location of APK under /data/ (excluding /data/media)

#Example:
adb shell rm -rf /data/app/com.android.chrome-1.apk
adb shell rm -rf /data/app-private/org.mozilla.firefox/

```
* Optional: remove the data of the app from */data/data/* by removing the directory with name as package name of the app using

```
adb shell rm -rf /data/data/PACKAGE  # PACKAGE refers to package name of the app

```
* If the aforesaid instructions do not work out for you, make the Android boot into safe mode. My answer can help you out.

If you intend to backup contacts, make a backup of the directory */data/data/com.android.providers.contacts*. The database inside it contains the contacts. To restore them after a factory reset, boot into a custom recovery and restore the backed up directory.

By the way, it does not matter whether you had USB debugging enabled in Android or not, once you've booted outside of Android OS.

---
Tags: adb, recovery-mode, bootloader
---


# Question
Title: How to disable third-party apps without uninstall?
Is there a way to temporarily disable apps I downloaded from the Google play store without having to uninstall them?

# Answer
See Determine the package name of your app to get the package name of the concerned app and use  *shell* to execute these commands:

```
adb shell
su
pm disable PACKAGE              # disables the app and hides it in Settings -> Applications
pm hide PACKAGE                 # alternative; for Android Lollipop and above
cmd package suspend PACKAGE     # alternative; package remains visible in Launcher and Settings app but cannot be used; a feature of Device Administration

```

`PACKAGE` refers to package name of the app

To reinstate the app, replace *disable* with *enable*, *hide* with *unhide*, and *suspend* with *unsuspend* in the said command and execute it with root privilege.

If you've Android KitKat or above and **do not have root access**, use in PC to execute this command:

```
adb shell pm block PACKAGE         # for Android KitKat
adb shell pm hide  PACKAGE         # for Android Lollipop only
adb shell pm disable-user PACKAGE  # alternative to `pm hide`; for Android Lollipop and above; this works just like disabling an app through Settings app

```

To reinstate the app:

```
adb shell pm unblock PACKAGE   # for Android KitKat
adb shell pm unhide PACKAGE    # for Android Lollipop and only if you used `pm hide` earlier
adb shell pm enable PACKAGE    # for Android Lollipop and above

```

Changes would take place immediately.
> 5 votes

---
Tags: disable-app
---


# Question
Title: How to diagnose a tethering issue after swapping sim cards?
A few weeks ago I bought an Android phone in India, popped in an Indian SIM card, plugged the phone into my laptop over USB, turned on USB Tethering, and connected to the internet immediately. It worked amazingly well out of the box!

This week, I'm back in Europe, and the roaming costs of an Indian SIM are rather high... So, I popped in a local SIM for the country I'm in, accepted and stored the Access Point from the Configuration message the operator sent me, and the phone itself connected to the internet fine. Apps worked, browsing worked, apparently all good.

Then, I plugged my phone into my computer with a USB cable, and turned on USB tethering. My computer connected, got an IP address, and.... Nothing. No actual internet connection to go with it!

This leads me to suspect that I'm missing some sort of setup step, but I can't find any Access Point / APN settings in tethering.

What do I need to do to diagnose this issue, and get tethering working again on the new sim?

# Answer
> 0 votes
The issue is one of Access Points, just not one configured in the tethering settings.

The fix was to go to Settings, then **More** under **Wireless & Networks**, then **Mobile networks** then **Access point names**. Finally, edit the APN that the network configuration sent. In there, I found that the **APN type** was just **default**

It turns out that *default* is enough for the phone to get online, but not for tethering to work. So, I changed it to **default,net,dun**, as shown:

With that in place, Tethering magically started working

So, the fix was APN related, just that it isn't something (in Android 5.1 at least) that is setup in the tethering area, it's in the mobile networks area and needs the dun and net settings

---
Tags: 5.1-lollipop, tethering
---


# Question
Title: Sometimes AMOLED display turns green or purple (tinted)
I am using Samsung Galaxy A5 A500G since last month, but sometimes while using the phone, the display turns slightly green or purple (tinted) in shade. But as soon as I adjust the screen brightness, the display becomes normal.

Is it a problem?

# Answer
> Is it a problem ?

Not if it vanishes by increasing brightness a bit or moving out of shade. It is a problem if you see this with normal day time brightness

**Why does it happen?**

Samsung AMOLED displays are based on PenTile technology and manufactured by Nouvoyance ( Nouvouyance partners with Samsung and also supplies Pentile displays to other OEMs as well). Instead of the conventional (called Real Stripe) OLED displays pixel pattern of `RGB` , PenTile uses `RGBW`, which cuts power consumption to half for the same brightness and hence longer screen life as well

* This technology has disadvantage of colours looking grainy, *more so warmer colours. This effect is visually more pronounced in low brightness*

(OR)

* Red LEDs consume least power for same brightness followed by Green and Blue, so when the screen is in low brightness *red is comparatively brighter and gives a pinkish/ greenish hue*. This is considered to be a feature of Nexus 6 and not a bug

Any /combination of these two factors makes the color combination look tinted and variously described as purple, brown or pink. This should be the main reason for your observation (other being a problem with screen or screen digitizer, if it is very pronounced).
> 1 votes

---
Tags: samsung, screen, super-amoled
---


# Question
Title: The app Facebook has violated its self-enforced StrictMode policy
I am using `Red Mi Note` running on `MIUI5`. Recently, I am getting this error:

> The app Facebook (process.com.facebook.katana) has violated its self-enforced StrictMode Policy.

What does it mean? How can I resolve the issue? It becomes frustrating when the error comes as it continues to pop-up and doesn't hide on pressing `OK`.

<sup>(Click the image to see its larger variant)</sup>

The Error message doesn't have any specific time to occur even the error is not app specific. It occurs randomly on different situations.

# Answer
In the dex provided by Facebook app, on `com.facebook.katana/app_secondary_program_dex` folder, we find a lot of references to the `StrictMode`.

So, for short, if a programmer use `StrictMode`, he has a reason. Basically while forking a busy process (read: animation, reading data, dictionary values for data, open a new fragment or activity on main thread), instead of crashing app there must be put (show) a message to user to inform about waiting or terminating app.

In the particular case of Facebook app, there's `/facebook/strictmode/setter/Policy$All` and also `errorreporting/StrictModeException`. So the message comes after raising an exception. We can just assume an activity take too long or force running in main thread.

The key word is in `MessengerApp`. We may think about Facebook and Messenger app as separate apps, but the truth is Facebook has embeded `FbandroidMessengerAppModule` functions calls in it's core and also performs some logical checking as for example:

* IsMessageBroadcastEnabled
* IsMessageBroadcastGkEnabled
* IsMessengerAppIconBadgingEnabled
* IsMessengerAppIconBadgingGkEnabled
* IsMessengerBlockingEnabled
* IsMessengerFlatBufferEnabled
* IsMessengerLoggedOutAppIconBadgingEnabled
* IsMessengerPhotoEditDefaultModeDrawing
* IsMessengerPhotoEditDefaultModeDrawingGk
* IsMessengerSonyAppIconBadgingEnabled
* IsMessengerSyncEnabled
* IsMessengerThreadShortcutsEnabled

Without access to debug console, I can't predict what cause that kind of message (is it about reading values from stored DB, or are some DB files corrupted, user switched from a WiFi connection to internet connection while parsing some data ?), but my advice is to make sure Facebook app and Messenger for FB are clean installed and updated to the latest version.

Sometime a game app can embed Facebook SDK to share data and try to access data without user FB permissions set on that game (app), or is written badly so it can raise some exception (**I think this indeed your problem**).
> 1 votes

# Answer
This is because of ROOTING.You should UNROOT.
> -1 votes

---
Tags: facebook, crashes, miui
---


# Question
Title: Does using USB 2.0 or 3.0 cables affect charging speed with same adapter?
I have Samsung Galaxy Note 3. If I charge my phone using the same adapter but with different cables, does that affect the charging speed with the USB 2.0 cable or 3.0 cable, supposing the 2.0 cable is of best quality, so both cables are good themselves?

# Answer
> 2 votes
USB 2.0 cables and USB 3.0 cables don't charge your device any faster because: USB 3.0 only increases the speed of copying files to your PC and back, but does not affect the charging speed

# Answer
> 1 votes
To check the amount of current (in mAh) received by the mobile, use app called - CurrentWidget.

Only High Quality Cables will give you high current from the adapter. For example, when your adapter has max output of 2A and using high quality USB 2.0, you will get around 1900mA which is almost equal to Battery Output. On the other hand, when the cable is bent (due to frequent usage), the current transferred via the cable is less.

Also, USB 2.0 and 3.0 cable does not result in fast charge. Rather, USB 2.0/3.0 port on PC provides high current output as well as data transfer rate. On PC, USB 3.0 gives you around 2000mAh current with good cable, whereas 2.0 gives approximately 500mAh.

# Answer
> 1 votes
It won't make any difference , if you are charging from a wall adapter (assuming both cables are fine as mentioned)

But, if you are using your laptop, things change. USB 3.0 port compared to a USB 2.0 port, the former has a maximum rated capacity of 900mA, whereas latter has a rating of 500 mA (80 % faster). In this situation

* USB cable 3 connected to laptop USB port 3.0 (your phone has USB 3 port ) will charge faster at 900 mA
* USB cable 2 connected to laptop USB port 3.0 and your phone , which has USB 3 port will charge at 500 mA (since USB 3.0 port is backward compatible and can accept a USB 2 connection)
* USB cable 2 or 3 connected to laptop USB port 2.0 and your phone , which has USB 3 port will charge at 500 mA

Also see related question from SE superuser Will a mobile phone charge faster if plugged into a USB 3.0 port

**Note:** Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (OP's) phone, is the first phone to have USB 3.0 port, subsequently discontinued in later models of Note series

---
Tags: usb, charging
---


# Question
Title: My tablet is stuck on "no command" screen. What can i do?
I've a Lenovo Tab A8-50 which received yesterday an OTA update.

After the update it didn't restarted correctly.

It now only show the "no command" screen. When I click the power button it shows this additionnal information

```
Android system recovery <3e>
A5500F_A442_000_027_141207_ROW

```

followed by a list of recovery options

* Apply update from ADB
* Apply update from sdcard
* Apply update from cache
* wipe data/factory reset
* wipe cache partition
* backup user data
* restore user data

The problem is I never tried to connect that tablet to my computer using any kind of debug mode, only using standard USB mass storage driver.

I have one microSD card I can use, but it seems this mode doesn't allow me to push firmware from the microSD card to the Android machine.

So ... the question is simple : how can I restore/reinstall a working version of Android on that tablet ?

One additionnaly point is that, as far as I understand, Lenovo doesn't provide any link to the full firmware for that tablet on their support site. So where can i get a working version of firmware, and how can i reinstall it ?

# Answer
> 1 votes
I had the same problem and I spent hours working on it.

Excerpt from this article which helped fix my problem.

When flashing TWRP, do not reboot (into system) since the default "recovery.sh" file replaces TWRP on every boot. So I guess you need to flash TWRP again

So next time you flash TWRP,
1) power off (preferably by pulling battery if nothing else works)
2) enter bootloader or fastboot mode by holding particular button combinations (Google your phone's model to find out)
3) boot into recovery (TWRP)

NOTE that the first time you boot into recovery twrp will ask you wether you want to make changes to the system... Choose "yes"... And then you will have proper recovery (TWRP) working.

# Answer
> 0 votes
After talking to the support of the e-commerce site where I bought that tablet, it was sent to european Lenovo support which unlocked it (I don't yet known how they did that).

---
Tags: updates, unbricking, lenovo
---


# Question
Title: Synchronize google apps with private server?
Is there a way to synchronize google apps with my own server? Does Google offer something like that? Maybe for business use?
Or is there maybe an unofficial way of doing it?

I couldn't really find anything about this. All I could find out is that you can use your own domain when creating a google account, but I don't think that this affects the data sync.

# Answer
Yes and no. It's not possible to use your own server, but Google does offer a hosted platform for businesses called Google Apps for Work. It gives you a Gmail interface (both the webapp and the Android app) and Google accounts in your own domain (which you can register through Google or independently), along with a private Google Drive for your domain and some other of their apps.

All the data are still stored on Google's servers, but because it's an enterprise service, you have service level agreements, non-disclosure and confidentiality.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: sync, google-account, privacy, google-apps
---


title: How to remove viruses

text:
# Question
Title: How to remove viruses
I have a ZTE zmax and when the lock screen is on and I swipe it to open home screen it turns white and usually get a Google screen that says I have 5 mins to hit the button to remove the viruses. When I hit the button it goes to the play store on a virus app. If I ignore it I can just hit the home button and it goes to the home screen and everything else runs fine. I don't know how to get rid of it. It's a pain in the ass. Please help me.

# Answer
Android viruses are very rare to get hold of. Unless you have downloaded any app from any other source, other than the play store, you are not in the risk of any "virus" issues.

Android runs on top of a Linux kernel besides having multiple layer of protection the OS itself has it's on protection methods. The image here will help you ease your mind.

Other than that your issues seems more of a malware in this particular case an Adware which bombards your device each time with a advert asking you to "fix your phone" the Google logo in these adverts are not of Google but a marketing gimmicks. The one sure way to test it out is to browse on your phone by turning off JavaScript in your chrome browser or by using other add-on in supported browsers like Firefox.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: applications
---


title: How to Restore Phone App in CM13?

text:
# Question
Title: How to Restore Phone App in CM13?
I disabled Phone application and set force stop in CyanogenMod 13. Now, I cannot find the phone application anymore. The phone crashes if I try to call.

---

How can you restore Phone Application in CM13?

# Answer
It must be a problem with the ROM if it is not showing the app disabled through Settings app like this:

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

Anyhow, if the Settings app doesn't show it then I see no way to solve this problem without root. If the following steps do not work then your ROM is faulty because they worked for CM13-snapshot in my Nexus 6. In case you do not know, root access can be enabled in CM13 from Developer options.

A disabled app is a user specific restriction and the restriction ends up in the file */data/system/users/USER\_ID/package-restrictions.xml*. USER\_ID for primary user (owner) is always 0.

Find the entry responsible for disabling your app using the app's package name and either remove the whole line or make tweaks there. I'm instructing with a tweak. Here's how the restriction originally looked like:

For the case in question: In the line depicting the cursor and containing the string *com.android.dialer*, integer to *enabled* represents the state of the package and enabledCaller is the caller which instructed the package to be disabled. You can either remove the whole line or change `enabled=3` to `enabled="1"`. (Source)

Do a full or soft reboot and you would find your app enabled.

The alternative method is to use a terminal emulator app or with *adb shell* command to execute these:

```
su
pm enable PACKAGE   # PACKAGE refers to package name of the app to be enabled

```

If you don't know the package name of your app, follow View app's full package name?

Another alternative: While I didn't try, I've full faith that Titanium Backup would offer the option to unfreeze your app. There may be other similar apps that can help you out.

If the said solutions make no effect on the app's status, ditch the ROM.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, calls, 6.0-marshmallow
---


# Question
Title: After flashing TWRP with Odin, nothing happens and the OEM recovery is still there
I'm using a Samsung Galaxy S5, and after flashing the TWRP with Odin 3.07 and 3.10 I'm finding that my recovery is still the default. I'm using these instructions exactly.

> Android system Recovery \<3e\>

It's as if nothing happened, how do I resolve this?

# Answer
Before you flash the recovery, untick the **Auto Reboot** option in ODIN. Then flash the recovery. After flashing in done, reboot your device directly to recovery mode from download mode by pressing **Vol up + Power + Home** button together. Now you will see the TWRP recovery is booted in your device. Now you can reboot normally and your TWRP will be installed.
> 28 votes

# Answer
Per this page,

> WARNING: Do not boot into Samsung's ROM without first applying our Root .zip. **Samsung's OTA updates install /system/etc/install-recovery.sh and /system/recovery-from-boot.p, which cause Samsung's ROM to replace the recovery image you had just flashed with the stock recovery.** Our Root .zip removes these files, thus preserving your custom recovery. Follow the directions below to boot directly into CWM recovery.

Which is good information because it's telling you exactly what happening. **However, you can get around this without downloading their questionable files:** After you install the TWRP Recovery with Odin the device will reboot. After it vibrates in the rebooting process, pull the battery. Have it ready to pull, it boots fast.

Pop the battery back back in, and hold your recovery sequence (Vol Up+Home+Power). This will get you into the TWRP, and you can now sideload, or if that fails `adb push $file /data/` the files you want to install.
> 10 votes

---
Tags: samsung, recovery-mode, samsung-galaxy-s-5, odin
---


title: cache formatting not working

text:
# Question
Title: cache formatting not working
I already had problem where my phone was turning on for a while, showing 'apps are optimizing' and 'no storage left'. I had fixed it previously using recovery mode and wiped cache partition. Everything worked perfectly straight away.

However this time I tried already wiping cache partition in the same way about 10 times already and I also tried to manually delete all content of `/cache` using `adb` and `su`, with no success.

Is there anything I could do to fix it?

If this can help, my phone is Nexus 4, running rooted 5.1.1 lollipop.

# Answer
> 0 votes
If you are familiar with fastboot, you could boot or flash TWRP and format the cache that way.

Download the current TWRP img file, copy it to your fastboot folder, and issue the command

`fastboot boot twrp-3.0.2-0-mako.img`

Once it loads and starts at the main menu, select `Wipes` and then untick everything except Cache and Dalvik cache and execute the wipe and reboot.

If that fails, it might be time to flash a new factory image.

---
Tags: 5.1-lollipop, cache
---


# Question
Title: One Plus One Boot Loop - Marshmallow Update
today I updated my OnePlus One to Android 6.0.1 Cyanogenmod. It is now stuck in a boot loop, it turns on, runs for approximately two minutes, freezes, then restarts.

My phone is not rooted.

Here are my phones details.

Model: A0001

6.0.1

Cyanogen Version: 13.0-ZNH0EAS2JK

Cyanogen API: Dragon Fruit (4)

Kernel: 3.4.110

Thanks in advance.

# Answer
Factory Restart was the only solution.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, 6.0-marshmallow, boot-loop, oneplus-one
---


# Question
Title: Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 went from functional to completely dead in 12 hours
My Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet was working normally before bed. When I woke up, the screen had gone to just grey stripes like a bad test pattern, and I couldn't turn it off whatever I did, so I left it on hoping it would drain the battery and then I could restart it. However it won't turn on whatever I do now.

I have been charging it for days and it's completely dead. Samsung said they thought it was the power cable, but that doesn't explain why it cannot turn on and the grey stripes.

I have pretty much kissed it goodbye but need photos and other files off it, any ideas?

# Answer
You could try changing the battery, but that might not solve the problem. When I had similar problem, there was nothing I could do about it, because the charging unit inside the device was dead. But I'm sure it has something to do with the battery, your best option would probably be sending it to a help / service / repair center...
> 0 votes

---
Tags: data-recovery, power-on, samsung-galaxy-note-10.1
---


# Question
Title: YouTube 360 videos will play but the view is stationary
I'm using Sony Xperia M2 phone on Android Lollipop 5.1, and the YouTube app with latest update. Any video that supports 360 view will play, but the view is stationary - I can't move it around.

# Answer
> 1 votes
To watch 360° videos your phone should support a gyroscope sensor. A gyroscope gives the phone's pitch tilt and yaw, which is needed by the YouTube app to properly rotate the view on display.

---
Tags: 5.1-lollipop, sony-xperia, youtube
---


# Question
Title: How to stop android device from corrupting pictures
When I take pictures with my device (Techno Phantom N9 running Android 4.2) the thumbnails and the images get corrupt. Hence I cant even send it to anybody, but on my device I can see some of the pictures even if the thumnail does not show.

an image of what it looks like (click for larger variant)

I use the default camera app.

What could be the problem, and how could it be solved?

# Answer
> 2 votes
There could be multiple culprits – and depending on which it is in your case, the solution is different:

1. **The camera app:** Try different camera apps, there are plenty good choices to select from. There might be a bug in the camera app, corrupting the file on saving it.
2. **Storage:** Photos can be stored to internal or external SDCard. Your external card could have problems (corruption, incompatibilities – not all combinations of brands/sizes and Android device work together equally well). Removing the external SDCard should force the camera app to save its photos on the internal SDCard. Check if the problem still persists. If not, your card might either be corrupted, or not working optimally with your device. You can check it for corruptions (e.g. using a card reader attached to your PC), or try with a different brand (make sure to buy only class-6 and above: better performance, less battery consumption).

# Answer
> 1 votes
This happened to me as well. I am guessing that one of the pictures was corrupt and that causes everything to be corrupt.

The way I fixed it was I connected my phone to my computer "as a media device" and copied all of the pictures (in `Internal Storage/DCIM/Camera`) to my computer to back them up. A few failed to copy (I'm guessing that these are the ones causing the problem). After I had them all backed up, I deleted the the `Internal Storage/DCIM/Camera` folder on my phone.

Then I took a new picture with my phone. It recreated the `Camera` folder and the picture was visible in the gallery as it should be.

---
Tags: gallery, images
---


# Question
Title: WhatsApp group messages are not in order
For the past 3 days, my WhatsApp group messages are not getting downloaded (when I switch on WiFi) in order of time. Rather, it looks like they are grouped as per contacts. I looked into this site, and as suggested, tried the following:

1. Change your phone to use "Automatic Date and Time": didn't help
2. Reinstall WhatsApp: didn't help
3. Checked the WiFi connection: no issue with the WiFi, web is running perfectly in the same phone
4. Removed unnecessary apps which might delay things by totally resetting my phone to factory default, then reinstall WhatsApp: didn't help

What else should I do?

# Answer
It is a known problem/bug and no solution has been found to this problem. So, your phone is working perfectly, no need to worry. When Whatsapp team gets a solution to this problem, they will probably release an update.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: whatsapp-messenger
---


# Question
Title: Mount Android file system on Windows or Linux
I want to edit some files on my phone, but I can not access the root folder on my phone.

I'm using a rooted Google Nexus 5 running Android 5.0. I can read/write to my `/`, and `/system` by using the "ES File Explorer" Android app, but not Windows software.

How can I mount the Android system file in Windows, so I can read/write to the same places from there? If that's not possible on Windows: I'm also using Ubuntu. So, can I mount my phone under Ubuntu?

# Answer
There's a second way, which should work with multiple operating systems on the computer's end: Taking a look at my list of file Android server apps, you can find some Android file-server apps using WebDAV or Samba, and SSH Clients & Server has some for SSH. Check those with "root capabilities", as you want to access the entire file system read/write.

Preparing your device for read/write access is done the same way as specified in my other answer. Then start the "server-app" you've selected, and you should be ready – not even a cable needed, as this works via WiFi:

* Linux supports SSHFS, i.e. mounting the file system via SSH. There are also helpers to achieve this on Windows (listed there)
* Samba is supported as "Samba" on Linux, and should be natively supported on Windows as "Windows Share"
* WebDAV should also be supported by both systems

So with any of the three categories, you should be able to mount your Android's file system under Linux as well as Windows. Only possible "drawbacks" here are that you need an additional app on the Android device, and it *might* be a bit slower due to WiFi (the latter must not necessarily be the case, though).
> 2 votes

# Answer
I cannot answer the Windows part – but the Ubuntu part I can answer for sure, as I'm using that as well *and mount my devices* from my computer, sometimes with full r/w access. What I use needs ADB tools to be installed on your computer. If you didn't already install them, see e.g. Is there a minimal installation of ADB?

## Prepare your Droid

First a basic requirement, applying to any OS which might run on your computer: To be able to get full access, the ADB daemon needs to be running in root-mode. This is not the case with stock ROMs, even if rooted, by default (though many custom ROMs have it enabled by default). So first check: If an "ordinary" `adb shell` directly brings you to the root-prompt (`#`) without invoking `su`, you're fine. Otherwise, you will need a helper like adbd insecure: Run it, and enable the "patched insecure mode". Optionally check the box to have that accomplished automatically on every boot of your device.

## Prepare for write access to read-only file systems

Second, again independent from the OS on your computer: to read *and write* to file systems, they need to be mounted in read/write mode. You can accomplish that via `adb shell` anytime you need to write there (I don't recomment leaving those partitions in permanent read/write mode), e.g. issuing a `mount -o remount,rw /system` for the `/system` partition.

## Mount your Droid

Now let's go for the specifics. I mount the Android file system via ADB, utilizing FUSE. The tool for that is adbfs-rootless. Compiling the code is easy given the instructions there; that done, copy the resulting `adbfs` binary to a directory in your `$PATH`. Then create a mount-point on your computer; in my example, I will use `~/droid` for that. Now here we go:

```
# Mount the Android FS:
adbfs ~/droid
# Unmount it again:
fusermount -u ~/droid

```

To ease the process, I've created two aliases:

```
alias mdroid="adbfs ~/droid"
alias udroid="fusermount -u ~/droid"

```

You surely already have guessed: `mdroid` stands for "mount droid", `udroid` for "unmount droid".

A different approach to manually mounting/unmounting is using Midnight Commander with a specific VFS: mc-extfs-adb is doing that. A version I've spefically adapted for Ubuntu is available in the download area at IzzyOnDroid, where you can simply pick it (installation instructions included).

Both variants have their pros and cons: mc-extfs-adb takes quite a while on first access (while it caches the entire file system structure) – but then is pretty fast browsing the file system (as it is cached), only slowing down when you copy/edit files remotely. Using adbfs directly starts up much faster, but then always "hesitates" for a second when switching directories (as it does *not* cache the entire structure, but only reads on demand). I usually prefer the latter, but YMMV – hence I've given you both options :)
> 3 votes

# Answer
Windows File Explorer by default doesn't let you access the Android root files. You'll need to download a different application (to your PC) for that. Many places (like this guidingtech.com tutorial recommend Android Commander. Another recommended file explorer program is Droid Explorer.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Install FX File Explorer from the Play Store, give it root access, and change it through the filesystem.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: file-system, linux, windows, mount
---


# Question
Title: Samsung Galaxy Grand Duos: Odin flashed the custom Recovery but device boots into stock Recovery
I am new to rooting Android. I tried using Odin 3.10 to root my Samsung Galaxy Grand Duos. I successfully flashed CWM (Odin displayed pass message). However when I restart phone in Recovery mode, it shows Android with an error symbol, and then loads the stock Recovery.

I am trying to flash CM12. What's the issue, and how do I fix it because I want to root my phone.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Before you flash the recovery, untick the **Auto Reboot** option in ODIN. Then flash the recovery. After flashing in done, reboot your device directly to recovery mode from download mode bu pressing **Vol up + Power + Home** button together. Now you will see the CWM recovery is booted in your device. Now you can reboot normally and your CWM will be installed.

---
Tags: rooting, recovery-mode, odin, samsung-galaxy-grand
---


# Question
Title: Caterpillar s50 stuck at fastbood mode - bootimage is not signed
I need a little help here since i just started messing with android phones and i guess i messed up this one a lot. I rotted it fine and then i tried flashing a rom through flashify. When the phone restarted i am stuck at the CAT logo and on the top there are two lines of text with red fonts. Top line says fastboot mode, second line says bootimage is not signed.

I have downloaded fastboot and i am able to get some info out of it, so fastboot sees the phone, but when i am trying to flash a boot image or a recovery image on the phone i get the message remote: device not support flash command. The answer is equivalent when i am also trying to erase, boot, recover etc. it says device not support.

Is there any way i can get out of this mess? Really appreciate your help and feedback.

Best wishes guys and happy new year.

# Answer
Had the same problem flashing and trying to boot custom made boot.img. I believe you ARE able to enter recovery (if you have not corrupted both boot recovery images, what is unlikely).

To enter recovery on Cat s50 you need to:

1. Power off the phone (in your case just hold the power button for several seconds).
2. Press and hold "volume down" + "camera" (the one between volume up/down) buttons. This is tricky by itself and not so easy from first attempt :)
3. Holding buttons from previous item you should insert the usb cable into powered usb port (controller or host os seems to be irrelevant, just need to have 5V).
4. Screen will show logo, but will not blink with our "bootimage is not signed" error. You may release the buttons and wait several seconds - it will show recovery menu.

Now. To restore /dev/block/mmcblk0p24 ("boot") nothing helps but factory update image. I had backed up this partition image before re-flashing - it did not helped - same error with one from back-up. So:

1. You should download factory image, e.g. from this untrusted source :) https://mega.nz/#F!scdiVLgJ!K7BNoVUTNqaAELWQjsOUnA
2. There are 2 ways - via adb or sd card - both work fine. Lets describe adb. Go to recovery mode with phone connected to pc (linux in my case). You should select "update via adb" in recovery menu - it will wait till you provide image via adb.
3. From your pc you enter adb sideload /yourdownloadfolder/update-LTE\_S0201121.0\_S50\_0.023.00-user.zip
4. Just wait for phone to validate it and restore images (it will say).
5. Reboot and all should be OK.

Google how to install adb if you don't have it already. To update from sd card just copy that zip file into sd card root and select it with according recovery menu item. Someone recommend placing CID file (also available on link from "1"), but I did not - all OK.

Hope it will help, and if so - need to investigate further how to sign that damn bootimage. I want it to provide network file system support for this phone - all modules are ready and work just want it to be smooth from boot via custom bootimage.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: boot-loop
---


# Question
Title: Poweramp access songs from Google Play Music
I have a Google Play Music subscription and I enjoy the unlimited music, but I don't like the audio quality on Google Play Music.

I was wondering if it was possible to listen to GPM downloaded songs in Poweramp.

Note: I tried GMusic and I had problems with it. Mainly the method for downloading music

# Answer
> -1 votes
Downloaded songs as in songs you purchased? Yes, their should be MP3 files you saved somewhere and they should show up in PowerAmp or can be imported.

If by downloaded songs you mean Google Play licensed content, streams or cached music, no, you cannot play them with a different player.

---
Tags: audio, music-player, google-play-music, poweramp
---


# Question
Title: Does anyone know how to fix "No SIM card/Emergency calls only" error on Sprint Note 3 CM12.1?
I had this smartphone working just a few days ago (on CM12.1) but because I changed the phone number on it I had to flash it back to the stock firmware to run the PRL & Profile update. Now that I've flashed CM12.1 back on it the only thing not working is the phone/mobile data. I read on the XDE website that I need to flash a NH7 modem, but the only link on that page is dead.... I believe I flashed the modem the last time I rooted the phone and installed CM12 but that's been over a year ago and I didn't keep a copy of it on my PC. I briefly looked around on google but haven't been able to find any viable solution. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

# Answer
> 0 votes
I had the same issue with my custom Virgin Mobile XT1548 MotoG3 (Osprey). Thing is, CM is more geared for phones that are CDMA. It'll break your SIM card every time you flash if you aren't CDMA. Thankfully, I still have data, but no voice. So I use a VoIP number to make my calls

---
Tags: cyanogenmod
---


title: Lost Android's OS

text:
# Question
Title: Lost Android's OS
I bought a Moto G (1st gen). It was upgrading and had around 1% battery and was charging, but simultaneously I unplugged the charger and the mobile turned off and now it's not turning on. It's not getting even in download mode. I tried starting it in download mode, but nothing is happening. The company I bought the mobile from installs Android too, so there must be some way out.

# Answer
> 1 votes
First charge your device for an hour. Maybe it is not turning on for lack of charge. Then follow this steps:

1. Download the **firmware** as per your device model from Here
2. Download and install **Moto G drivers** on your PC from Here
3. Install **Minimal ADB & Fastboot** in your PC from Here
4. Now when your device is in switch off mode, then Press and hold 'Volume down' then power on the phone. your phone should reboot into bootloader mode. when it successfully booted into bootloader, follow the step "**2)**" and then step "**3b)**" form This post.

Your phone's firmware will be restored successfully!

---
Tags: battery, charging, motorola-moto-g
---


# Question
Title: Does CyanogenMod support the Google Play Store and Google Account integration?
As it says. I am looking into CyanogenMod as a stopgap measure before I upgrade to an iPhone this year or the next. My current phone no longer gets updated and I cannot justify having year old bugs still active.

However, I have invested quite a bit of time in my current Android ecosystem and I both do not want to ditch that AND I want to be able to easily transfer my apps to the iPhone when I am setting the latter up, through the Apple transfer app. Are both an option when using CyanogenMod in this manner?

# Answer
Yes!,Gapps are supported in Canyogenmod. They are supported but you have to flash them instead of regularly installing them. You can find your flashible zip easily just google it.
> 2 votes

# Answer
On a custom Os like Cyanogenmod you must flash the googleapps.zip from the recovery. The apps and services aren't built in but are very easy to flash.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, samsung-galaxy-s-4
---


# Question
Title: How do I bypass the Verizon activation on a Samsung Fascinate?
I want to use a Samsung Fascinate (model SCH-I500) in WiFi only mode for development and testing purposes. The device has been factory reset and boots to the Verizon activation screen. How do I bypass activation? Do I need to root the device?

# Answer
After doing some additional research I finally came across a YouTube video on how to bypass a Samsung Galaxy S Continuum activation screen. The steps outlined in the video are very simple:

1. From the Activation Screen select Emergency call.
2. Enter the following `*#83786633` (`*#TESTMODE`) which will disappear when you press the last 3
3. A toast with the text `Softkey is enabled` will appear
4. Then press the home button
> 2 votes

# Answer
Emergency, dial: \*#83786633 and a message will pop up saying "Softkey is enabled" then press the home key.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Install a stock or a custom ROM that best fits your need from, e.g., Samobile or xda. This way you can select the android version and its flavor.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung-fascinate, activation
---


title: up/down signals by bars

text:
# Question
Title: up/down signals by bars
I purchased an outside antenna for boosting reception as I live in a mostly dead cell zone now I get up/down/arrows from time to time by my reception bars. Does this mean my antenna is actually working///

# Answer
It means data is being transferred to and from your device. That doesn't necessarily mean it is working.

You should try to use a speedtest app with and without the antenna to see if there is a difference in connection
> 0 votes

---
Tags: wi-fi
---


# Question
Title: Can I extract the Stock HTC firmware (Sense) from an M8 and flash it in another rooted M8?
I rooted my friend's HTC M8 upon his request and also put TWRP in it. He tried many ROMs, including AOSP, but couldn't live with the bugs. So, he asked me to revert his phone back to stock with Sense on it and the ability to install OTA updates (basically unroot the phone).

I searched a lot over the Internet on how to unroot an HTC M8 but nothing worked. So, I flashed SkyDragon ROM hoping it would be the closest to stock HTC, but it has its own bugs.

My sister also has an HTC M8, which has never been tampered with (no root) and currently runs Android 6.0.1. I've been thinking for some time if I could somehow extract the Stock HTC firmware from my sister's unrooted M8 and put it in my friend's rooted M8. If I could get this latest version of HTC firmware in my friend's phone (even as a flashable ROM), I don't need to worry about future OTA updates, since this is proably the last update for M8. I understand that first I would probably have to root my sister's phone for that, but that's okay if I can just make sure that she stays on pure HTC stock afterward (I would probably need help for this too).

Is there any way to do this? Or it would also be great if someone could post a working method to unroot the M8 and install OTA updates. That way would be much simpler.

I live in India and both the M8s are the international version.

# Answer
Hey I had the same problem I tried everything. Then I did this - I downloaded ruu file for my m8 and it works like a charm now . You just have to run the ruu file on windows while your phone is connected. Beware finding the right ruu files takes time. And also it requires you to be on the correct mid and Cid that came with your phone (or the developer Cid number 11111111)
> -1 votes

---
Tags: rom-flashing, 6.0-marshmallow, ota-update, htc-one-m8
---


title: Netflix on Nexus 7 Android 6

text:
# Question
Title: Netflix on Nexus 7 Android 6
I can't install Netflix from the Play Store on my Nexus 7 2013, running Marshmallow. I've never been able to install it (but I only tried after upgrading to Marshmallow, shortly after buying the device at the end of last year). I just upgraded to 6.0.1, no difference.

Googling suggests people have had some issues with this app on Marshmallow in the past, but they were definitely running it.

Did they sideload it? Or have it installed before upgrading and keep it that way? Or could it be something else? I'm in Ireland in case that matters. Is Netflix available to anyone else with the same device?

# Answer
It could be either sideloading or installing a version that previously wasn't locked to particular devices, yes. Given that it's available for your other device, it doesn't seem like it would be location-related.

APK Mirror is generally the best place to get apps for sideloading, or you could install it on your other device and then copy it off if that device is rooted.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: google-play-store, nexus-7, netflix
---


title: Group messaging on Samsung J2

text:
# Question
Title: Group messaging on Samsung J2
How do you do group messaging on a Samsung J2? I can send out a group message but when people reply, it comes in as individual texts, not in a group conversation. I cannot find the option to turn on group conversation.

# Answer
SMS is one-to-one; your phone is texting each person in the group individually, and the app is just simplifying this for you. There is no information transmitted to them about the group or about past conversations, nor is there any information transmitted in their replies about what they are replying to. As such it is impossible for your phone to tell that their replies should be grouped together rather than kept separate.

Some messaging apps (like Google's Messages) support group messaging over MMS, which may incur additional expenses.

Otherwise, you'll have to get everyone to sign up for some other service like WhatsApp or Line and create a group within that.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: samsung, sms, instant-messaging
---


# Question
Title: Kindle Fire HD (Tate) boot loop, after attempt to install CM
I attempted to install Cyanogenmod on my Tate, according to the directions in the Wiki.

https://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/Install\_CM\_for\_tate

At Step 3, number 5 (fastboot -i 0x1949 oem recovery), the kindle does not boot to recovery, but just shows the logo, and then goes back to Fastboot, even with a non-fastboot cable.

If I restart without a cable attached, I get a boot loop (even when I hold down the volume button, as described).

Perhaps this is relevant: before I started all of this, my Tate was already rooted. Was it stupid to apply the exploit in that case? I only realized this later. If so, is there any way out?

BTW, I'm on Linux, have a working adb and a fastboot cable.

Thanks!

# Answer
Got it!

I did re-flash the recovery, and that seemed to take care of it.

Before that, I also went

`fastboot -i 0x1949 oem idme bootmode 4000`

However, that took a while but then said it failed, so maybe just re-flashing the recovery by itself was what did it.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: amazon-kindle
---


# Question
Title: Will cutting the sound cables do any long term damage?
If anybody read the question here I have now commited to dissecting the tablet completely, because SCIENCE! Anyway, only one thing is keeping the back connected to the main tablet: the two cables that connect the main motherboard to the speaker.

So, this is it:

So, to my question: will cutting these cables result in *unfixable* hardware issues. To clarify, by *unfixable* I mean destruction of hardware e.g. cutting off power to an important segment. The obvious lack of sound is no issue to me, I can just wire it back if I want (which I won't, for personal reasons)

# Answer
> -1 votes
You should be fine (95%). It's nothing more than electricity. Just make sure to seal it up really well when done modifying your phone.

---
Tags: hardware, speaker
---


# Question
Title: Can I copy the app data from one phone to another phone if they both use Android?
I will be buying Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 phone and my current phone is a Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini. My S3 has Android 4.2.2 and the Redmi should have Android 5 with MIUI on top as the user interface.

I'm planning to root my current phone and backup the folder where the app data is stored at (which I believe is `/data/data` ). After I get my new phone, I will install all the apps I have on my current phone from Google Play. Will I be able to copy the app data folder I backed up into my new phone to restore the app settings and progress I had? If this method doesn't work, is there any way to copy my app settings to my new phone?

# Answer
> 2 votes
You can usually copy the data for user apps without issue, but there is no guarantee. I wouldn't copy the `/data/data/` folder wholesale, since it will include system app data and provides no way to easily manage it.

I recommend Titanium Backup instead. With root, it allows you to easily backup any subset of apps (such as user apps) that you wish, and then you simply copy over the backup folder to the new phone, install it and select the backup folder, and then restore everything in a single batch operation. I've used this to migrate apps and data all the way from Android 2.2, to 4.0, to 5.0.

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-3, root-access, backup, xiaomi, app-data
---


# Question
Title: Malicious malware on phone. How can I make it like new again?
I have ran multiple anti-virus apps

I have factory reset my phone.

Probably gained root access.

I know I will probably have to reinstall the OS.

I have upgraded to android 6.0 (marshmellow) but still see signs of infection.

If there are other components to my device that can be used to hide the malwares "rescue" component(s) please let me know.

Samsung Note 5 Verizon Model: SM-N920V

# Answer
> 0 votes
If your phone is truly unrecoverable, your last resort would be to back up your phone with Samsung Smart Switch in Backup and Reset option in Settings, then resetting the whole phone (Also in Backup and reset) to factory new. This will get rid of **everything**, and so should only be used as a last resort.

Otherwise, state the symptoms you see on your phone, we will try to help.

---
Tags: applications, root-access, factory-reset
---


title: Nexus 7 keeps disconnecting from wi-fi

text:
# Question
Title: Nexus 7 keeps disconnecting from wi-fi
My Nexus 7(android 6.0.1) constanly drops wi-fi connection(connects and disconnects immediately), presumably due to bad connection, while Nexus 5x lying next to it is staying connected just fine.

I got logs using adb and i think the cuprit is

> 04-30 11:15:38.013 594 7142 D NetworkMonitor/NetworkAgentInfo \[WIFI () - 133\]: Forcing reevaluation for UID 10022
>
> 04-30 11:15:38.018 594 7142 D NetworkMonitor/NetworkAgentInfo \[WIFI () - 133\]: Probably not a portal: exception java.net.UnknownHostException: Unable to resolve host "connectivitycheck.gstatic.com": No address associated with hostname
>
> 04-30 11:15:38.019 594 663 D ConnectivityService: NetworkAgentInfo \[WIFI () - 133\] validation failed
>
> 04-30 11:15:38.019 594 663 D ConnectivityService: notifyType CAP\_CHANGED for NetworkAgentInfo \[WIFI () - 133\]
>
> 04-30 11:15:38.027 594 663 D ConnectivityService: sendStickyBroadcast: action=android.net.conn.INET\_CONDITION\_ACTION
>
> 04-30 11:15:38.079 594 663 D ConnectivityService: NetworkAgentInfo \[WIFI () - 133\] EVENT\_NETWORK\_INFO\_CHANGED, going from CONNECTED to DISCONNECTED

I've checked from PC connectivitycheck.gstatic.com can be reached from my network, both dnslookup and ping work on it

There is no option in wi-fi setting to disable avoid bad wi-fi connection.

What can be done?

EDIT: Rebooting router and rebooting device did not help. I've also checked the router logs and settings, the device is not blacklisted, and router logs look just fine consistant with the behaviour - device connected, some negotiations, device disconnected.

# Answer
> 2 votes
As i didn't find any solution neither on the internet nor here, i've desided to just flash my tablet using image from google, it helped. Edit: Factory images for all nexus devices can be found at this page, it contains simple to follow instructions on how to flash your device as well as images. Take care though failure during flash can brick your device

---
Tags: wi-fi, nexus-7
---


# Question
Title: Moto G on cyanogenmod 13 has a black screen but phone seems to be running in background
I have the CM13 installed on my Moto G (Falcon).

Last week, I left the phone on charge longer than usual and I came back to find dark screen. I have tried restarting it and I can feel the phone vibrate when it powers back on, however I cannot see anything on the screen. When the phone is "on" or I press the lock button, it goes from the shade of black to a shade of gray.

I have tried connecting it to the adb but `adb shell` doesn't recognise any device.

The phone must be working though as the alarm goes off every morning.

I have tried looking at several solutions on the web with little success.

Any help is appreciated.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I have faced the same issues too and your best bet is to reset the phone via a custom recovery(assuming you have one installed) since you flashed cm13.

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, adb, motorola-moto-g
---


# Question
Title: How can I tell if I need to replace my battery?
I have a refurbished Galaxy S3. Sometimes it charges to 100% while powered off, but reports 51% as soon as I start it up. Lately, it goes down to 50% or lower even right after charging.

I haven't installed many apps or used the phone extensively yet.

I find lots of links for determining battery drain, but nothing so far on how to tell if I need a new battery.

I'd like to be relatively sure it's a bad battery before replacing it.

Update:

I have eliminated the problem, but have no idea why what I did worked ;(

1) I bought an inexpensive charging-only cable. Using this, the phone charges very nicely.

2) I turned on Power Saving.

3) I bought a more expensive version of the battery.

Now the phone charges fully, lasts a long time, and keeps the charge when turned off.

None of this makes sense - especially the fact that it used to drain when turned off (not suspended). Changing the cable shouldn't have done much either because the old cable did charge the phone - or at least - the phone said it did.

# Answer
Li Ion or Li Po batteries don't *die* suddenly - their performance degrades in terms of :

a) **Short Term:** Ability to hold charge and deliver expected performance

b) **Long Term::** Deliver upto 80% capacity upon being charged / discharged over a period of time (in other words *life of battery*). The battery is considered to be *technically* dead if it delivers less

There is no sure way of determining and saying this battery has gone bad, but there are a couple of things you could try:

* **Spin Test:** Since your phone has user removable battery try this. For details, see this nice answer with embedded video.
* **Vbatt:** This app should give a fairly good indication, since it simulates discharging under *screen on* condition . When you charge your battery to 100% (irrespective of the reading it shows on disconnecting ), activate this app widget and it will tell you the voltage level and how long it should last under screen on condition. Let it ruin till the battery nearly runs out and compare the predicted Vs actual. Simple. From app description

> * Vbatt is a simple battery widget for Android smartphones and tablets. It displays the current battery voltage (Vbatt) and the remaining battery capacity (percentage) and optionally logs these values to a CSV-file.
> * The main reason for developing Vbatt was the differing behaviour of replacement batteries while discharging them in daily use ... For a better estimation of the remaining phone runtime the Vbatt widget displays in addition to the remaining capacity (percentage) the battery voltage

While battery voltage is arguably not the best indicator of health of battery, running this app can help you in a couple of ways

a) Giving you the current performance which you can compare with earlier performance as you recall or from Screen On Time (SoT) which you can gather from internet or forums

b) If you can lay your hands on a new or properly performing battery from your friends, running this app on both batteries, you can easily judge for yourself. You can even ask your friend having the same phone to install this app, run it and compare.

Since your phone is refurbished, there could be another factor at play for deterioration in performance- **date of manufacture of battery**. Li Ion batteries (for that matter all batteries) suffer from Self Discharge At the rate of *4% every month*, which means if your battery, even if it is original, but kept on the store shelf for say an year before being sold, it had already affected the longevity of battery and it shows up in performance

IMO, looking at the battery figures shared, I would recommend battery replacement (assuming no other reason like hardware issues). It would help you to decide by running tests mentioned
> 4 votes

# Answer
It could be a bad calibration of the battery.

Charge your phone to 100% and then use it as normal, without charging. Eventually you'll hit 0% and your phone will turn itself off. Then without turning it back on, charge it until 100%. That can often reset the calibration.

Also take note of how long your battery is lasting. If you're not a heavy user you should easily get a day out of a good battery. If your getting to 0% before the end of the day your battery might be on it's way out. My samsung battery was going from 100% to 30% in an hour and then draining quickly. A couple days after getting those symptoms it just died.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: battery, charging
---


title: Change DNS but stay on DHCP

text:
# Question
Title: Change DNS but stay on DHCP
I have a "Minix Neo X8-H Plus" Android TV box, running Android 4.4 (KitKat).

I want to change the DNS servers on the WiFi connection, but to do that, I only get that choice if I change to a static IP address. Now, on Windows or on iOS you can keep using DHCP, while setting different DNS servers to what the DHCP service provides.

Is this at all possible on Android? Does it mean I will have to root the device?

# Answer
At the moment (Marshmallow) it's not possible. I usually get it using apps which require root permissions.

Another way could be to use an `iptables` trick, but it requires root, too.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, dns, dhcp
---


# Question
Title: Android Factory Reset: My phone shows weird options when I enter recovery mode, and no button selects anything
I checked different tutorials to factory-reset my phone, and this one applies to my phone's model. I had once factory reset this phone successfully, but I have forgotten what had worked for me..

1. I powered my phone off.
2. I pressed Volume-Up + Volume-Down + Power buttons together, and the screen showed me two options: Recovery Mode and Factory Mode.

3. First I tried to enter the **Factory Mode** by pressing the Volume-Down button, that showed me these options:

**At this point the Volume-Up and Volume-Down were navigating between the options and the power button was doing nothing. Their combinations also did not work.**

4. So I pulled the phone's battery out, and did the entire thing again, but this time, I entered the **Recovery Mode**. But to my surprise I was given the following:

```
Select Boot Mode:
[VOLUME_UP to select. VOLUME_DOWN is OK.]

[Recovery    Mode]
[Fastboot    Mode]    <<==
[Normal      Mode]

```

**BUT at this point none among the volume buttons or the power button are doing anything. What should I do?**

# Answer
> 1 votes
If you want to factory reset your phone, just go to Settings-\>Backup and Reset-\>Factory Reset. You will be asked to confirm. Now, your phone will reboot and wipe data (do a factory reset).

I will assume that your volume buttons work correctly otherwise. If this is a repeated issue, it might be a faulty bootloader in this regard. If you have to reboot to recovery, you can use `adb reboot recovery` from the terminal with your phone connected in USB debugging mode to your computer. It should succeed, unless you have a corrupted recovery. In that case, you should take your device to a service center.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Hope it's not too late... You should try another button instead of power button. The power button doesn't work on my phone either, but in my phone, it makes me press "Home" to make a choice.

---
Tags: recovery-mode, factory-reset
---


# Question
Title: How do I replace an uninstalled system application
I mistakenly uninstalled my Download Manager 4.4.4 in my Samsung Galaxy Grand prime G530H. A system application. I tried replacing it with a Download Manager 2.3.5. I did that by using a file explorer to place the 2.3.5 in the system folder. Then I rebooted the phone. It didn't work. The phone doesn't recognize the 2.3.5. Looking through the file explorer I can see the Download Manager 2.3.5 is still in the system/app folder and I tried deleting it but it won't delete. I need help on how to get the original Download Manager 4.4.4.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Okeke,

Refer to `MANI's` answer regarding resetting the device, this *may* assist you, but as far as I am aware a reset does not touch where the applications are actually stored.

**What is a ROM?**

Read Only Memory. Essentially just a new firmware/software for your Android Phone. For a more detailed explanation and information on a ROM look on this website. If unsure if you should do this process, read on How To Geek about the "Top 5 Reasons to install a Custom ROM"

**Process for your Phone**

Here is an example of how to install a custom ROM on your phone (including Drivers, links to ROM etc.)

Here is the Xda Forum for your phone. Covers troubleshooting, ROMS etc. I would suggest you look here also.

**Other Resources**

Refer to this question on SE that provides a detailed answer (thanks @Izzy)

Hope this helps you. Undoubtedly a Factory Reset could assist, but I am not 100%. The steps for a Factory Reset on your device are located here.

Regards

*Mike*

---
Tags: applications, system
---


# Question
Title: Can i turn on usb debugging without touching the screen?
My phone working for a long time without problems. I go to sleep my phone is still working.I wake up and turn on my phone. The phone turned up but i can't write my PIN and my screen is almost not working. I thing the problem is with android and i don't know how to get in recovery mode to factory reset or installing new rom. I don't have turned on usb debugging .Is there a way to get usb debugging turn on without touching the screen ?

# Answer
Press and hold power button to turn off the phone. Find the combination to get into recovery (usually a combination of power and volume buttons). Once in recovery, The phone will most likely be connected in Debug mode.

If its not in debug mode, Then you need to flash a custom recovery(Voids the warranty in most cases).
> 0 votes

---
Tags: usb, usb-debugging
---


# Question
Title: Oxygen OS apk installation Error : Cannot display pdf
When I try and install apk file by clicking from Files App, I get the error message "Cannot display pdf (.apk is of invalid format.)"

The system tries and opens pdf reader app, instead of package installer app.

When trying to install from Downloads App, I get the message "can't open file".

The phone is a new OnePlus X phone with OxygenOS 2.2.1, Android Version 5.1.1

In the Settings, I have checked the Unknown Sources App Installation Option.

Also I cannot see the Developers Option in Settings.

# Answer
The developer options become available after you click the build number 7 times in the about section of your phone.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Referance: Your apk file is not named correctly and thats the problem here. if your apk name is like app apk or app\_apk then its possibly causing the problem.

Solution :

1. Download any good file explorer ( i recomend es explorer/solid explorer/fx filemanager but any good solid file manager will work).
2. find the file and rename it with an .apk at end.
3. install app as you used to do :)
> 0 votes

# Answer
Download and install ES file explorer from the play store. It should identify the file correctly.

Another solution would be to connect the device in debug mode and use

> adb install filename.apk

to get the apk installed. You however need to have adb setup on your computer to use this method.you can find adb in the Android SDK by Google or search for and download a standalone minimal adb.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: installation, 5.1-lollipop, apk
---


# Question
Title: What application is "using my screen" with some kind of overlay?
I want to turn on accessibility permission to Greenify app. But I'm unable to click "ok". I also have Twilight and since some security built in the system, I have to disable, stop or uninstall the aforementioned app which uses an screen overlay to adjust color temperature at sunset and sunrise.

Thing is that I'm still unable to click the ok button. I believe some other app is using some screen overlay but I don't know which one.

How can I find out? Other that trial and error uninstalling and reinstalling every app and their combination (in case there are more than one).

P. S. Already found it, was Nav Layer. Anyway, I keep the question for research.

# Answer
> -1 votes
The Application which applies the overlay can be found using application permission manager. Simply go through the native application manager (or download from play store) and check whether any app has permission for "Draw over screen" or "Apply Overlay" or "draw over other apps".

---
Tags: security, screen, permissions, accessibility, overlay
---


# Question
Title: How does adb shell differ from a terminal emulator?
I have a couple of tasks I want to accomplish on Android 6.0.1 and they need root access when I run them on the device. This target device is not rooted.

Can I use `adb` from a PC to run commands just as if I would using a Terminal Emulator on a rooted Android? I thought adb gives some sort of unrestricted temporary access (like temporary root).

# Answer
> I thought adb gives some sort of unrestricted temporary access (like temporary root).

When you open an ordinary terminal emulator app, you're shown a terminal and are automatically logged in as a particular user. The User ID of this particular user is the user ID of your displayed terminal emulator app. Such user and app is considered untrustworthy and is not allowed to do quite a lot of things. You can see the blacklisted items in the source code of untrusted\_app.te.

ADB on the other hand when interfaces with the device gets to use the user ID 2000. This user is called *shell* and can do quite a lot of things for the purpose of debugging *but still cannot meet the intricate demands of an end user*1. Unless the Android offers a mechanism to switch to another user at will (such as 'su'; not graphical but console), the end user is limited to make any good use of shell user only when device is connected to PC in debugging mode. Follow the source code of shell.te to know about the privileges shell user enjoys.

In short, if the Android is not rooted shell user obviously comes as a winner because of privileges granted to it in contrast to an untrustworthy user, but it does not serve as a good substitute for superuser (su). In addition to that, as I noted above it comes with a cost.

Related resource: user IDs which come defined in Android

---

1 Temporary or otherwise, root user always have the user ID 0.
> 2 votes

# Answer
`adb` does not grant automatic root access unless you modify the system to run `adbd` as root (and if you're able to do that, you probably have root anyways) or if you are running an insecure development ROM (typically only for Nexus devices) and run `adb root`.

So normally, you have to be rooted and run `su` within `adb shell` just like you would within within a terminal emulator app.

ADB does run with some extra permissions, however (see this comment). A terminal emulator app could request some of those permissions, but if it doesn't then you'll need root to make use of them.
> 0 votes

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


# Question
Title: How to send the "open menu" command to an application
So, I have an application I'm trying to use, and on one phone, the buttons are soft-buttons on-screen, and on the other phone, the buttons are hardware buttons.

On the hardware button phone, when I launch the application, I don't see the triple dot to open the menu (The phone has the Box \[hardware button\] and Back Arrow). On the software phone, there's the triple dot on the screen (Triangle, Circle, Box, Triple Dot).

I think my generic question is enough to answer the question, but here's the rest of the details if you're one not afraid to read the less relevant details:

The application I'm trying to use is: KTSync

The phone with software buttons is: Motorola Moto E

The phone with hardware buttons is: Samsung Note 4

Edit: Firelord suggested this, which works perfectly for devices you can access with ADB, but in my case I'm looking for how to do this without ADB:

```
adb shell input keyevent 82

```

# Answer
You can long hold the recents button on your device and that will open the menu.

---

In case you have root access and the above didn't work, you can still do it without using adb. Just open a terminal application and type this:

```
su
sleep 10; input keyevent 82

```

Switch to the other application within 10 seconds, and the menu should appear.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: buttons, menu, softkey
---


title: Cm 13 bug regarding trebuchet

text:
# Question
Title: Cm 13 bug regarding trebuchet
Just got cm 13 for my One plus one. There's a persistent message saying '' trebuchet has stopped '' when I try to go to home screen from an app. Gets sorted on rebooting but restarts in a while. Please help

# Answer
I had the same problem after the cm13 on my OPO a few days ago, but the problem seems to be fixed after I did the following today:

1. Go to settings -\> Apps -\> Trebuchet, click on "FORCE STOP", then go to "storage" to clean data and cache.
2. Reboot the phone.

The home page may look different than before, but you can customize it again.

Hope this helps solve your problem.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: applications, cyanogenmod, updates, sync
---


title: Motorola g2 flashing issues

text:
# Question
Title: Motorola g2 flashing issues
I have installed cm 13 on my moto g2 xt1068.I have twrp installed.I want to install gapps but flashing that it gives me binary file issues.is arm or x86 suitable for moto g2 xt1068? Which 1 is okay ?reply fast.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Almost all phones are ARM. The Moto G2 is no exception.

---
Tags: motorola-moto-g2
---


# Question
Title: Google Photos did not compress a few items, even on high quality mode
As the title suggests,

1. My settings on my Android app is high quality, not original size
2. Most photos are getting compressed, very few photos are left uncompressed
3. Most videos are left uncompressed
4. The uncompressed items aren't eating into my Google Drive space
5. For checking, I uploaded with these individual files on another test Google account and found out that they are getting compressed.

I want all items to get compressed since it's the algorithm is best of both worlds - retains 99.99% quality and reduces space by \>50%.

I can't delete these items from the cloud since that would immediately delete it from my phone, not allowing another attempt of uploading. What can be done to compress these missed items?

# Answer
> 0 votes
It's best to forget about it since the storage for the uncompressed items isn't coming out of the 15 GB Google Drive limit anyway; although the unlikely wish of downloading the items would mean downloading uncompressed items - a very small price to pay for a free service.

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


# Question
Title: Updating the Moto G 3rd gen from Lollipop 5.1.1 to Marshmallow 6.0.1
I'm on a UK Moto G, 3rd gen, 8GB storage, 1GB memory, currently on Android 5.1.1.

I have numerously been prompted to update to 6.0. The 6.0 on Moto G 3rd gen has some bugs, like the shutter sound cannot be disabled. So I am ignoring the notifications, and have remained on 5.1.1.

How come I am being constantly prompted to update to the buggy 6.0 instead of the rectified 6.0.1?

---

~~Update: I have now updated to 6.0. However, when I go to About Phone and check for new OS software, I am being prompted that my software is already up-to-date. This is contrary to this Moto UK website. Restarting did not help. How can I update to 6.0.1?~~
This has been posted as a new question.

# Answer
> How come I am being constantly prompted to update to the buggy 6.0 instead of the rectified 6.0.1?

It depends upon the manufacturer pushing the update. For many number of devices you would end up in same situation even if the first release of a platform upgrade was buggy. Let's take it this way:

Assume that these are the Android versions - build numbers for your device:

Android 5.1.1: build LJKRTY; Android 6.0.: build MOUIPV; Android 6.0.1: build MOUIPW

When you would switch from build LJKRTY to MOUIPV a lot of the files required for Android 6.0 would be upgraded. Since the manufacturer came to know about a couple of bugs in the recent release, *they decided to only patch the bugs and release the patch as an update with build MOUIPW instead of packing and releasing the whole platform upgrade again.*

Now there is no point in applying a patch if at the first place both the vulnerable and relevant code isn't there. You may also not be able to apply such a patch manually since manufacturer can require an update to check whether the currently installed build is compatible.

So over and all, switch from Android 5.1.1 to 6.0. and then to 6.0.1. That's the way to go.

By the way, it is possible that the update for 6.0.1 may be a full blown platform upgrade but your software updater is stuck at 6.0 simply because it is silly. You can attempt to clear its data (if it is a separate app), force stop it (or reboot) and attempt to check if it still requires to download Android 6.0. I won't keep hope here.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: updates, 6.0-marshmallow, 5.1-lollipop, motorola-moto-g, motorola-moto-g3
---


# Question
Title: Unbricking a phone without being able to access recovery
I have rooted my Zenfone 2 ZE551ML using a method which permanently replaces recovery (I didn't realize it back then). Can I unbrick it using only fastboot? I can't use adb, as I can't open recovery. I basically need a fastboot `adb sideload` alternative for flashing the entire firmware/ROM. I tried to flash every single part (except for the system.img, which I couldn't flash) of the firmware using fastboot separately, but it didn't work.

# Answer
You can flash a new recovery image with fastboot.
The command is: `fastboot flash recovery recovery.img` where 'recovery.img' is the name of the image.

If you enter fasboot on the command line with no options or parameters you will see the usage, which is: `fastboot flash [partition] [filename]`
> 0 votes

---
Tags: adb, root-access, unbricking, fastboot
---


# Question
Title: ADB pull error: remote object '/dev/block/mmcblk0p24' not a file or directory
I'm trying to pull the partition /dev/block/mmcblk0 directly to my Windows PC, following the instructions from: How to pull mmcblk0 to a windows pc? while the phone is in TWRP, using the command:

```
adb pull /dev/block/mmcblk0 mmcblk0.img

```

But it keeps returning the error:

```
remote object '/dev/block/mmcblk0' not a file or directory

```

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks in advance.

Additional information: The reason that I want to do this is because I want to restore deleted files from a Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini (GT-I9195), so I need the entire partition.

# Answer
`adb pull` is for files. `/dev/block/mmcblk0` is a block device. user1133275's answer to that question doesn't work; try the other one, i.e. run `adb shell` and then:

```
$ su
# dd if=/dev/block/mmcblk0 of=/sdcard/something.bin

```

Then you can run `adb pull /sdcard/something.bin`.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: adb, data-recovery, partitions
---


# Question
Title: how to enable debugging USB Moto x vesão Player 6.0.1 with ADB commands?
hello please can help me need to enable debugging USB with adb can someone please help me?

# Answer
> 2 votes
You can't. USB Debugging must be enabled for ADB (Android Debug Bridge) to work in the first place, that's what it is for.

---
Tags: moto-x
---


# Question
Title: Lenovo Vibe P1 randomly reboots after upgrading to Marshmallow
I use Lenovo Vibe P1 Series Phone. I got it upgraded to Marshmallow and ever since then it reboots each time I locks the screen. It's working perfectly when I'm using it. It was working perfectly when I had Lollipop.

Please help me fix this problem.

# Answer
OK....I think I have figured out something. This is definitely not a genuine solution, but still it may help..........From settings go to power manager -\> background app management and unrestrict all. This helped me & rebooting has stopped but as I have said, this is not a proper solution. Waiting for Lenovo Team to help us asap.
> 0 votes

# Answer
There are quiet a few things to try in the following order.

1) if it was an official update, and your device is under warranty, then get it repaired.

2) try a factory reset via recovery. Search to find the key combination to get into the recovery and Perform a factory Reset.

3) Android Marshmallow has the ability to grant/restrict specific permissions to apps. Make sure that all system apps and Google apps have all the permissions granted.

4) this step is recommended only if you have some knowledge about the working of an Android device. Connect device to a computer and check the logcat to find what went wrong. try to fix the error that caused the issue.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, reboot, lenovo-vibe-p1
---


# Question
Title: Is WiFi data usage included in the "Data Usage" screen?
Android devices feature a Data usage screen, accessible from the main pull-down menu.

The data usage page lists both the total data consumed and the data consumed per application.

**Is WiFi data included in this count, or only Cellular data?**

P.S. It makes sense that the metered data count only includes Cellular data, but I would like to have a canonical source to settle this issue.

# Answer
> 16 votes
What you are seeing here is cellular data (mobile data) only.

I am not sure what you would count as a "canonical answer", but the following three screen captures have been taken from a stock android ROM with Android 5.1.1 (as you can see by the presence of the Samsung bloatware):

Data Usage (default) / with hamburger-menu / data usage, WiFi tab (click images for larger variants)

The first screen capture is the same as yours.

The second screen capture shows the menu that pops up if you touch the kebab icon (the three vertical dots.) As you see, the menu contains a "Show Wi-Fi usage" option. If you enable showing Wi-Fi usage, two tabs are added to the screen, one for mobile data (probably "cellular data" in your case) and another for Wi-Fi.

The third screen capture shows how the "Wi-Fi" tab looks like on the screen.

---
Tags: wi-fi, data-monitoring
---


# Question
Title: What happens if I clear data in download manager?
What happens if I clear data in download manager? Will it delete all of my downloads?

# Answer
Not entirely sure what it does. Never really looked into it. But I just cleared data/cache for my download manager on my Nexus 6 and all my downloaded files are still there. Edit Just to clarify, the downloads are still there if you navigate to the folder with a file manager. However they no longer show up in the "Downloads" app.

Device: Nexus 6

Android Version: 5.1.1
> 3 votes

# Answer
Clearing data in "Download Manager" is safe and does not have any affect on performance or anything related to android operating system. Clearing data just deletes extra files which were used once while updating your android system. Secondly, it will not delete all your downloads.
> 0 votes

# Answer
this is an old question but the answer is no clear data from download manager will not delete any of your downloads
> -1 votes

---
Tags: download-manager
---


title: Samsung Galaxy Tab 4

text:
# Question
Title: Samsung Galaxy Tab 4
How can I replace the operating system? I am experiencing various problems - especially connectivity - and I suspect the operating system might be corrupted. I would like to clean the device completely - reload the operating system and apps. Can I do this and if so how?

# Answer
> 0 votes
You have to flash the firmware of your device with **ODIN** to reload the operating system and apps. Go to this and this thread to download the firmware as per your device. If you didn't find it, please provide more information about your device so that I can show you the right way.

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-tab-4
---


# Question
Title: Does disabling stock apps cause problems with phone on Android 6.0
So I disabled all the stock apps and other apps I don't use or need in my phone and I am just curious if that could cause issues with the phone where audio eventually breaks.

I've been on support with verizon and after several resets I've ran my phone without any apps installed and the issue came back and the only thing I've done was use blue tooth with my car and disable stock apps.

I'm trying to convenience them that my Refurbished Droid Turbo 2 is a bad phone and while the issue seems like it would be software I can't explain what is triggering the issue software wise that even makes sense unless it was a bad firmware/software upgrade from 5?

The weird part is even if audio breaks, if you blue tooth up to the car it works just fine.

EDIT:

# Answer
There are many stock apps which you defenetely shoud'nt disable as it can problems to your stock frimware behaviour. I also once disabled lots of packages as i thought it will save battery and ram but it turns out there are extensions or side apps which are required by other apps to get/run their content. for example there is an sideapp called media storage which scans and stores media changes in your storage locations i.e. if you disable your music players like play music,phonograph,musixmatch,etc.. wont work and will show previous catched files insted of new files or currwent files. same way you may be facing same problem here. Just check which app does your audio player needs to run audio smoothly. re-enable it and restart your phone..this should solve the problem.
> -2 votes

---
Tags: applications, bluetooth, audio, 6.0-marshmallow, bluetooth-audio
---


title: Nexus 6 - black screen on unlock

text:
# Question
Title: Nexus 6 - black screen on unlock
I have a Nexus 6 that I've been using now for almost a year.

Very recently, it started this odd behaviour of turning the screen black as soon as I swipe up to unlock it.

The screen works fine otherwise - it boots fine, it behaves in bootstrap and recovery mode, etc. The rest of the phone also seems to operate 'correctly' and I can see notifications occuring in the lock screen. There is no PIN or other unlock pattern - just the swipe upwards.

However, the moment that I try to unlock it, it goes black.

Apparently, there is a sensor for magnetic covers that can become biased and cause this issue. Some have noticed this occuring after prolonged use of a cover with a magnetic clasp - and sure enough, the phone has been used with one of these since when it was new.

Any ideas on how to fix this? Both a cache wipe AND a factory reset didn't solve the issue - which would be consistent with the cause above.

Some have suggested swiping a magnet to 'unbias' the sensor, but I am not sure about what kind of magnet and how to do this. Experiments with a fridge magnet have yielded no effect.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I am not certain if there is the Nexus 6 is really using magnetic sensor to determine if it is in a holster but your mention of noticing this problem after prolonged use with a magnetic clasp makes it likely.

If this is your problem then a refrigerator magnet is way too weak. Ideally, you want an AC current generated magnetic field, similar to the old days when one needs to deGauss a CRT. You can try using a magnetic setup that is used to erase computer/audo tapes.

---
Tags: screen, nexus-6
---


# Question
Title: What's the reason Android Reverse Tethering require root?
From what i know:

1. Android Tethering, share internet from Android to laptop via USB cable works without root.
2. Android Reverse Tethering, share internet from laptop Ethernet to Android via USB cable require root.

So I'm curious what's the technical reason/limitation of Non-root Android Tethering is allow but not vice versa.

# Answer
ReverseTethering does **not** require root. If your device runs ICS or newer.

A few months ago, I was wondering the very same thing and started to investigate. Eventually, I started to develop my own solution. The result is an app that works on devices running Android 4.0 or higher on client side, and all major desktop OSs on the host side.

The app is available on Google Play: ReverseTethering NoRoot
> 1 votes

---
Tags: usb, tethering, wifi-tethering, reverse-tether, usb-tethering
---


# Question
Title: How to use Windows' internet on Android phone through USB cable
I'm using Android 4.4.2 (on Micromax Unite 2 - A106). I've a Windows PC at home which has highspeed broadband internet connection. I don't have wireless router or access point. I just want to use PC's internet connection on my phone. I've tried multiple methods but none seems to work.

**Method 1: Using native Android 4.4.2 option**

In my phone when I connect my phone, in `Settings > Wireless & networks > USB Internet (sharing Windows PC internet via USB cable)` checkbox, which I checked then it asked me to choose my Windows version (which is Windows 8.1 but since it didn't show that option) I chose Windows 8. It gives me further instructions as showing in the following picture:

Here is the problem, there is no **sharing tab** (see the following screen shot)

**Method 2: As described in How to setup reverse tethering over usb**

I learned on this site that it is called Reverse tethering. I read and followed the procedure mentioned in How to setup reverse tethering over usb

I followed all the steps described in that answer, until executing the command.

1. Install USB drivers from Android SDK **\[DONE\]**
2. Connect USB cable and activate USB Tethering (You should see on a new network interface.) **\[DONE\]**
3. Bridge the 2 network interfaces **\[DONE\]**
4. On your computer execute `adb shell netcfg usb0 dhcp` **\[PROBLEM\]**

When I execute `adb shell netcfg usb0 dhcp` it says: **`error: device not found`**. I tried the same thing with `USB Debugging` in Developer settings, ON & OFF. The error remains the same.

**Method 3: Rooting the device and using an app**

I read here and there that there is another method, in which we can directly use an app but it requires rooting the device. My phone is a new phone and warranty becomes void if I root it.

**EDIT:** I've tried the method suggested in answer, at the 4th step of method 2, I'm facing this problem:

# Answer
Actually, **Method 1** is quite easy to do. As implied by this answer, you need more that one network connection for the sharing tab to appear.

## Short Answer:

First, ignore the instruction of your android device and try to connect to the USB-Internet anyway.
This will create a new Network connection and allow the sharing-tab to appear on your PC Network Connection.

## Detailed Answer

### 1. Prepare Windows 10

1. Rightclick the Windows-Start Button
2. In the opening Context-Menu, open "Network Connections"
3. The Network Connections will show up. As you can see, there's currently only one Network connection, so there will be no sharing Tab.

### 2. Prepare your Android device

1. Connect your Android device with a USB-Cable to your PC
2. In the *Wireless & networks* section (you might need to click on "More..." on some android devices), Try to activate the *USB Internet*
3. Instructions will appear. Select Windows 8 and just click on *Next* and *Done*, ignoring the given instructions
4. Now, there should be a check-mark after *USB Internet*:
5. If this is the first time you are connecting your Android device to your PC with a USB-Network, Windows might ask you whether to grand the Network connection. That's normal.

### 3. Share the Internet Connection on Windows 10

As you can see, there are now two Network connections, so the sharing Tab will be now available:

1. Right-click the first Network Connection and open the *Properties*
2. Now, there's a *Sharing Tab* and you can Allow your Android device to use the Internet connection of your Windows 10 PC
> 36 votes

# Answer
For your second method (which should work) it looks like you are just missing the correct drivers for your device. I found a page which claims to have the drivers (http://www.digitbrunch.com/android/how-to-root-micromax-unite-2-a106) although I cannot vouch for their authenticity so its up to you if you want to trust them.

Let me know if you run into any problems, because although I have never done something like this before I would be happy to help you through it if I can.
> 11 votes

# Answer
**There is a solution for unrooted devices**

I know this is a late answer, but as all existing answers suggest that USB reverse tethering is only possible if either your device is rooted or has system support for reverse tethering, I though it'd be worth pointing out there's one more option:

A few months ago, I was looking for a solution that would allow me to use my laptop's Internet connection on an unrooted Android device, but I just couldn't find a solution. Eventually, I started to develop my own solution. The result is an app that works on devices running Android 4.0 or higher on client side, and all major desktop OSs on the host side.

The app is available on Google Play: ReverseTethering NoRoot
> 9 votes

# Answer
I tried to do the same thing and like you said "Here is the problem, there is no sharing tab"

But I found a section in Windows assistance saying that there is no "sharing tab" if you have only one LAN connection.

Here is the URL: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/set-internet-connection-sharing#1TC=windows-7
> 6 votes

# Answer
I am also using a *Micromax Unite 2.* What works for me is the first method.

It seems that you are not connecting your device (phone to PC). So it doesn't show you the sharing tab. You only have a LAN device but no device to share.

So, first you need to connect your device to the PC and, then, proceed with the remaining steps. I am really enjoying the Internet from my PC to phone!

### Procedure

1. Connect your mobile to the PC via a USB cable.
2. On your mobile, go to *Settings-\>more-\>USB Internet*, select PC system version-\>next-\>"DONE"(IMPORTANT).
3. On the PC, go to *control panel-\>Network and Internet-\>Network connection.*
4. Here, one of the devices is your LAN Device and another one is your mobile phone.
5. Right click your LAN device go to *Properties-\>choose the "sharing" tab-\>click on the first option-\>ok.*
6. Now you are ready to enjoy Internet on your phone.
> 4 votes

# Answer
I tested first method on ZTE V987 with android 4.2.1 and, after a little search for RNDIS Interface and another MTKandroidUSB device (ADB Interface) drivers (for windows Xp), it worked. I think you don't have the phone drivers installed in windows. Have you checked in Device Manager?

I have tested first method also in Windows 7 and I installed the following devices:

then I have shared the Internet connection, but without success. The phone did not want to see the connection. Then I have changed the drivers with those from http://www.digitbrunch.com/android/how-to-root-micromax-unite-2-a106 (Driver\_Auto\_Installer\_v1.1236.00) and I have tried to bridge the 2 network adaptors and I have obtained next configuration:

Then I have reverted to Internet Connection Sharing and I have tried the following commands (found here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2287494) :

And the phone's USB connection began to operate:

Finally I have re-updated the usb drivers to the initial Alcatel version, deleted MAC Bridge Miniport, set same DNS for IPv4 RNDIS Local Area Connection and used a .cmd file with `adb shell netcfg rndis0 dhcp` command to start the connection.
> 3 votes

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Tags: 4.4-kitkat, tethering, reverse-tether, usb-tethering
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# Question
Title: Does USB Internet option require root access?
Hi I want to reverse tether from PC, OS Win 8.1 to android device but is it required root? In Activity in Local Area Connection Status (Local Area Connection is my Remote NDIS...) I get increased Sent values but this increase is very slow(i.e 168 bytes and after few seconds 210 bytes, and another secs 252 bytes) and not fluent, Received values increase proper and relatively faster than Sent values

I have on the phone 'USB internet active' notification, on PC I have in Connection section in General

**IPv4 Connectivity**: 'No network access'

the same with IPv6

**Media State**: Enabled

**Duration**: (8 minutes and is increasing)

**Speed**: 425.9 Mbps

Ethernet is my PC connection with speed 100 Mbps but I live in dorm and really I have lower speed Phone Model: Quantum 350

I have tried enable sharing tab

and when I launch Opera mini go to some website i.e www.google.com then browser loads and loads and after few minutes I get confirm dialog with info that cannot connect but during the 39 minutes my phone received 395,000 bytes and increasing now (during 45 minutes) I have 460,000 and increasing

# Answer
> 0 votes
ReverseTethering does not require a rooted device. Depending on your device, it might come with a preinstalled reverse tethering option. Unfortunately, this preinstalled solution is only included in very few devices.

I am the developer of ReverseTethering NoRoot, an app that brings reverse tethering to any Android device running Android 4.0 or newer. No root required. All major host OSs are supported. The app is available on Google Play.

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Tags: usb, 4.2-jelly-bean, reverse-tether
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# Question
Title: How to add a contact on the device only?
WHenever I try and add a contact, it only gives me the option to choose which account to add it with.

How do I get the 'on this device' option?

# Answer
On some devices, the "local phonebook" simply doesn't exist. But you can add it, e.g. using an app like MyLocalAccount. Here's this app's description from *Google Play:*

> This app does represent a local contact account. This is helpfully for devices without local contact account (f.e. Nexus series) if you don't want to sync your contacts with Google servers. These contacts can be synced then f.e. with MyPhoneExplorer to your PC.

If you wonder why *MyPhoneExplorer* is mentioned here: the app is from the same developer, so a well-known one. It wasn't updated for a while, but I've not yet found an alternative to it. Worth a try at least – it's free.
> 0 votes

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Tags: contacts
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