# Question
Title: A rather complex wifi issue (android tablet)
Straight to the point. My wifi has not been working properly since after a *few days* after upgrading its firmware and android version.

**Issue description**

The issue is rather inconsistent. Wifi will usually not detect any networks. Sometimes it will spend around 30 seconds scanning, and then it will show available networks for around 10 seconds, after which the networks disappear from the list. Trying to connect in this span of time does nothing, that is, when I tap on the network and then choose "connect", I get bumped back on the network list as if nothing had happened. Other times, attempting to connect a network makes all networks disappear instantly. In this case, the networks come back after a few seconds, and the network I was trying to connect to appears as "connecting", but all networks disappear shortly after this. Occasionally, wifi will get stuck while turning on, but this usually happens after/while I'm tinkering permissions.

I must remark, this happens on every network, it is not a router-related issue. I also ruled out a hardware issue, since I am able to briefly detect networks, but I am not able to connect to them.

**Origin of the issue**

The issue started after a *few days* after I updated my tablet's ROM, using the official software released by the developer, and after rooting the tablet. The odd thing is that the wifi worked just fine for a few days after I upgraded the software. While this could be the origin of this problem, it could come from a different source. By all means do read the "Other (weird) information"

**Fixes I have tried**

* Changing wifi settings (changing advance settings, changing device name in wifi direct's settings, etc.)
* Factory reset (issue persisted even before I rooted the device again)
* Editing permissions of every file inside the dhcpcd folder, using the app X-plore (with root permission), as well as other files inside the "permission" folder (all the ones that have the "wifi" name on them).
* Various "Wifi fixer" apps.
* MAC changer apps (to change my MAC address)
* Wiping cache partition

**Fixes I have not tried**

* Installing another ROM (I am unable to do that, because there are no other ROMs compatible for my device, not even custom ones)
* Rolling back my android version (from 4.4.2 to 4.2)

**Other (weird) information**

* Mac Address oddities

My MAC address changed after a few days, just when the issue begun. I am not sure if this is related, but I'll explain it anyway: My girlfriend's ISP is a local small company (owned by 1-3 people) which requires you to send them your MAC address so they can... whitelist your device? If you do not send them your MAC address, you can connect to the network, but with limited access (only their webpage). This seems odd to me because the network itself is private (that is, it has its own password, like any private network) but you are still required to send the MAC address of every device you want to connect to your network.

When I went to her house and I tried to connect after I had upgraded my ROM, I got limited access, despite having already sent my tablet's MAC address many months ago. I checked my MAC address and I noticed it had changed to **00:90:4c:07:71:12**. I messaged the ISP guy and sent him my new MAC. But I checked again, after a few minutes and my MAC was back to its old number. The MAC went back and forth from the new one to the old one a few times, and it finally stuck with the new one. The ISP "guy" said he would try to "remote access" to try and fix the issue (that is, my limited access to my GF's particular network).

After that, my tablet couldn't connect to *any* network, and the issue begun as I described above. I thought this unrelated to the issue, but I found some threads complaining about issues related to MACs that begin with 00:90:4c. Could this be the source of the problem?

* Brief but stable conection

Last week, my tablet was able to connect normally to my university's network. It happened after I enabled the "mobile network" settings (Data enabled, Data roaming). I have no data service on this tablet, despite that, after checking those boxes I was able to connect like the issue had never existed. However, after disconnecting from that network the issue came back as if nothing happened. I have not been able to reproduce this, not by connecting to the same network, not by being in the same spot (so I would have the same wifi signal strength).

* Wifi was on after factory reset

As it says, after reseting the tablet (and wiping the internal SD card, of course) the wifi was already on by default. Could this mean anything?

**Device description and more information**

It's an Onda v975s, with android kitkat 4.4.2, Firmware version v4.4\_V1. Kernel version 3.3.0. Please, do ask for more information if needed.

I also have some logcats that point at wpa\_supplicant.

> wpa\_supplicant: Could not set interface wlan0 flags (UP): Operation not permitted

You can find the **full logcat here on Pastebin**.

If you made it through this long post, I thank you. I just ran out of ideas, so I hope someone here is able to help me.

# Answer
> 6 votes
By looking at these two lines in logcat:

```
Could not set interface wlan0 flags (UP): Operation not permitted

WifiStateMachine: Driver start failed, retrying

```

I would say that the 4.4.2 ROM has a faulty/missing WiFi card driver (2nd line) without which you of course can't even start/scan/keep the WiFi connection (1st line).

As you have said, you haven't tried flashing it back to 4.2, but I strongly recommend to do so, at least to check if then the WiFi would work again.

If it then does work, that means the 4.4.2 ROM probably has faulty drivers or the permissions somehow changed so you don't have permission to turn WiFi on.

Depending on the outcome, you can either:

* Try to contact your OEM for a fix in 4.4.2
* Stay on 4.2 since you got no custom ROMs available
* MAYBE try to transfer drivers somehow from 4.2 into 4.4.2

I wouldn't rely much on the last option because of compatibility and changes in Android between versions, and besides that, it would require a lot of technical skill and knowledge + it could lead to potential hardware damage.

# Answer
> 0 votes
It seems that your **EFS** ( encrypting file system ) got **corrupted**. I can't tell why. But I have found to fix it. You can check these links --\>

1. XDA
2. A blog

---
Tags: wi-fi, 4.4-kitkat, root-access, rom
---


title: Android integration with Mac OS X

text:
# Question
Title: Android integration with Mac OS X
Is there a way to connect Android phone with OS X Yosemite, just like (or similar) iOS does? Apple - OS X Yosemite - Mac + iOS Continuity.

I'm aware of AirDroid | Delight Your Multi-Screen Life, but I'm looking for other alternatives...

# Answer
> 0 votes
For Calendar, Contact data and other *iTunes sync* features are supported by **AirDroid** as suggested in this *Android Authority article* :Using Android with Mac OS X: tips and recommendations

For calls, SMS and other notifications try Pushbullet.

---
Tags: applications, macos, ios
---


# Question
Title: Some apps are not able to access internet when connected to Laptop's shared wifi on Ubuntu
In my office my mobile used to be connected to the office wifi. There I didn't face any internet problem, all apps work fine.

But in my home my mobile is connected to my Laptop's shared wifi and Laptop is running on Kubuntu 15.10. In this case some apps like Play Store, youtube, telegram, whatsapp and all browsers, etc. work well, but some apps do not work, sometimes partially work or otherwise show the message 'No internet connection'.

What's wrong with connection from my laptop to my mobile, and why are some apps working and some are not? How can I solve this?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Android apps can query android for the type involved: http://developer.android.com/reference/android/net/NetworkInfo.html#getType%28%29

Now as a wifi connection is a wifi connection, as long as an app is enabled for wifi, the app should work otherwise the app can detect and say there's no internet connection available if the app so chooses.

There could in theory be an issue or bug with using the laptop's shared wifi but if one app queries android and gets wifi connected then they all should.

You can try an app like 'wifi fixer' and see if it helps.

I don't think its possible for anyone to give a direct answer on how to fix it other than try this and this and this, etc.

That said, as a direct wifi connection worked in the past, get a wifi router or ap and it should be fixed. This is imo what you should do.

---
Tags: wi-fi, linux, ad-hoc-networks
---


# Question
Title: Marshmallow: Apps NOT battery optimized still seem to doze off
I have a Nexus 6P. I have disabled battery optimization for a few apps and yet those apps still seem to doze off.

Specifically those apps are 1) a sip client (csipsimple and bria) and 2) pushover.

It would be great if those apps would never sleep :-)

Is this possible?

--

Edit: I agree with CmosBattery below that this might not be the way to go. In fact, I have set battery optimization on all apps like it was before. As mentioned in my comment below, some apps, like Bria, suggest that we should do so (and maybe they shouldn't suggest this at all). After a few weeks with the suggested setting, I see no improvement in call reception and a reduction in battery life.

GCM allows developers to send high priority messages. High priority messages allow you to wake your app (haven't tested, but the Android documentation says that this is reliable). Could there be other ways?

# Answer
Apps are designed how they are designed by each developer. Apps can acquire wakelocks and keep the cpu (for instance) from sleeping thereby allowing the app to stay active: http://developer.android.com/training/scheduling/wakelock.html

A great app will do this as little as possible especially as apps can set alarms to check the internet for updates or an app can wait to receive a push from an internet server.

Apps never sleeping is the wrong way to look at it and will do nothing for you but hasten the battery usage for typically no good reason.

If there's an app that stops working when it should stay working then the developer should be contacted so as to let them know you want it to continue working even after situations where it may have become disabled regardless of what happens.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: battery, battery-life, 6.0-marshmallow, standby
---


title: Accessing Google play store

text:
# Question
Title: Accessing Google play store
When l click or try accessing the Google play store application on my android phone, the system says "server error", what can l do? .Now, l find it difficult to download applications on my phone

# Answer
> 0 votes
try to clear Play Store's cache, go to Settings → Applications and find "Google Play Store" there and choose the "Clear cache" option.

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


# Question
Title: How to show only Gmail's contacts in the Contacts app?
I have recently reinstalled Android on B63M due to some problems with the SD Card. I decided to keep all my contacts **only** in Gmail, as a centralized solution to avoid problems in the future. I do **not** want other SIM or phone contacts to show in the contacts list anymore.

However, if I try to uncheck both the SIM and phone contacts and I *do* check all possible Google contacts groups ~~and the option for showing only contacts with a phone number~~1, **no** contact is shown at all. If I also show the phone contacts, then the Google contacts *are* shown (and thus I have some duplicates), but removing the phone contacts removes the Google contacts too.

Note that **the contacts are perfectly synched and all under the *My contacts* group**. It's **not** a synchronisation problem. I'm asking why I *must* select the *show phone contacts* in order to see *any* contact at all (from whichever source you like. Even SIM. I *cannot* show only the SIM contacts without the *show phone contacts* enabled.)

To make things clearer, here are some screenshots of the situation:

Here I have set *only* the phone contacts (*Contatti del telefono* in Italian), without Google contacts:

Here I have added the Google contacts in the options *and they are shown* (see red rectangles. Note the number of contacts at the top going from 116 to 156):

Now, I'd expect that removing the phone contacts I should see only the Google contacts (in this case those that above have red rectangles and the other not shown), but this is what I get:

On the right, it just says that there are no contacts to show and that I can add new contacts or import/export from other sources.

What should I do such that this last set of options *does* show the Google contacts?

---

1 Having or not this option active doesn't change anything. Even if it is not active no contact is shown.

# Answer
The easiest way is to get the Gmail app from the Play Store.
> 0 votes

# Answer
First, type any number(s), select the save option, then it will show you blank field options. Along with those fields, find the option (it will be on top) or drop-down like embedded menu depending on the Android phone model. The blank fields to save will change upon selecting the type of field you selected.

Second, by default, it will be in SIM or phone or your email by the time you're checking which else is there the option in that only contacts are saved.

Thirdly, for saved contacts, go to Contacts \> Options. There scroll and find "Contacts to display". I hope your problem must have been solved.

**Procedure is correct, but options may vary or be located in different ways by different manufacturers**

Finally, coming to other handsets like Karbon, Celkon, Micromax, so-called Chinese handsets in India. Previously, it is found that they don't have any proper sync options. For example, in costlier and top-brand handsets, contacts sync with G+, FB, etc., and give users suggestions to choose contacts still in social & chat apps where else it is not that much we can expect on unknown handsets. What I mean to tell you is contacts matching nearly to your already saved.

The easiest way if possible is to add contacts directly from Gmail on a PC. But you need to log in with the email you're using and require sync in mobile check contacts after logout.

Recently, it has been seen that contacts are directly saved to Viber, Telegram, etc., and not synced with any other app or phone.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Go to `Contacts > [Sitting Button] > More > Accounts`.

Be sure the following are checked:

1. Background data.
2. Auto-sync.
> -1 votes

# Answer
`Contacts/People > Menu > Contacts to Display > select your gmail account` to display.
> -2 votes

---
Tags: contacts, 2.3-gingerbread, gmail, google
---


# Question
Title: How can I remove the previous owner's Google account in a pre-owned device?
i bought a used phone that has the old owner's information stored in Google Play. How do I erase it?

when I download games from Google play if they have already downloaded them they are showing up as the old owners how do I erase this to where the phone recognizes my account not their's for Google play?

# Answer
> 4 votes
Ideally, you should factory reset the device, so you're starting afresh.

You haven't mentioned what device you have or what version of Android you're running, but usually the setting to factory restore a device is found within the main SETTINGS \> BACKUP & RESET. Use the Factory reset option to erase all personal data from the device and start afresh. Once the device is rebooted, you'll be prompted to enter your Google account credentials and link your phone and all apps you download from the Play Store linked to your Google account.

Be warned, factory resetting your device will erase all personal data on the device. If there's any content, you want to retain, copy it over to your PC or to a cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox (using your account, not the previous owner's).

# Answer
> 0 votes
Go to main setting of phone and click on add account. Now add a new gmail account then you can remove the previous gmail account owner. Just tap on the owner account and there should be option to remove it.

---
Tags: samsung
---


title: Problem with Genymotion

text:
# Question
Title: Problem with Genymotion
After I updated to Windows 10, Genymotion no longer works. I get this error message.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I found out that Oracle VirtualBox, which Genymotion is based on, doesn't install the network adapters correctly in Windows 10.

And the solution:

1. Delete all previous VirtualBox adapters
2. Try downgrading to VirtualBox 4.2.18
3. Go to device manager and click "Action" \> "Add legacy hardware"
4. Install the oracle virtual box adapters manually (my path was `C:\Program Files\Oracle\VirtualBox\drivers\network\netadp\VBoxNetAdp.inf`)

Now that VirtualBox adapters are installed correctly, it needs to be setup correctly. (the following solution is like many other solution in here)

1. Start Oracle VM VirtualBox dependent Genymotion, and go to "File" \> "Preferences" \> "Network" \> "Host-only Network"
2. Click "Edit"
3. Set IPv4 192.168.56.1 with mask 255.255.255.0
4. Click "DHCP Server" tab and set server address: 192.168.56.100, server Mask: 255.255.255.0, lower address bound: 192.168.56.101 and upper address bound: 192.168.56.254
5. Now click "OK" and start Genymotion.

# Answer
> 0 votes
A clean Genymotion install will likely solve your issue. It's hard to interpret the error message as you're using the program in French.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Try the following steps. Although this is standard troubleshooting, but it could still help.

1. Reboot your PC and run Genymotion.
2. If you still get errors uninstall Genymotion and reboot PC.
3. Reinstall Genymotion and try again.

---
Tags: genymotion
---


# Question
Title: Stock recovery can flash root packages and custom recovery ZIPs but not custom ROMs
This question might seem to be a duplicate of this question but it is different.

But I'd like to have a brief explanation on why we need a custom recovery to flash a ROM. My main points of confusion are:

1. In stock recovery we have a option to "*Install Update from SD card*". Why can't we directly flash a ROM from there?
2. If signature verification is the problem regarding the first point, then how can we root and flash custom recovery using update from SD card?

Why doesn't any signing or verification problem occur while flashing root package or custom recovery package?

Like any other custom ROM package they are also unsigned.

Kindly explain this to me. Thanks.

# Answer
Now, you should be clear on 2 things:

1. All flashable packages are signed. They can be stock OTA zips, root packages or even custom recovery or ROM zips.

So what is the difference between the "signed" and allegedly "unsigned" packages?

It's in the cryptographic keys used to sign the deployment builds, or the zips in this case.

The "signed" zips, *e.g.* a stock OTA zip, use a private key specific to the OEM for signing the build. This is a "release" key, and the only type of a key a stock recovery will recognize using its corresponding public key when asked to "Install Update from SD Card".

The "unsigned" zips, *e.g.* , root packages or custom ROMs, use the publicly known AOSP (Android Open Source Project) private keys for signing the deployment build. Even if the build hasn't been explicitly signed, the test-signing is implicit. Any released device with a stock recovery from the OEM does not have or recognise the public key corresponding to the "test" private key. Hence, it will refuse to install such test-signed or "unsigned" zips.

This is to maintain device integrity and security, at least according to the OEMs.

This is the official source: The Sign Builds for Release Page on the AOSP website.

2. A custom recovery like CWM or TWRP either disables or provides an option disable (which is usually enabled by default) "ZIP File Signature Verification". This basically implies that it can flash any package, regardless of what keys, test or release, were used to sign the package. To the (stock) recovery, everything is an OTA zip.

So why can **some** stock recoveries flash a custom recovery zip or root package?

This is probably due to 2 reasons:

1. The stock recovery has a security vulnerability or exploit, which the flash package uses on being initially loaded to bypass or circumvent the signature verification procedure.
2. The OEMs private release keys are actually known to the developers of the flashable package, but not to the developers of the ROM. I have personally observed this with Mi and some low-end Samsung devices.

Also, there's another reason a custom recovery is necessary for flashing a custom ROM.

To install the ROM, you must do these steps before actually flashing the ROM zip:

1. Wipe `/data` and `/cache`. On a stock recovery, this amounts to a factory data reset.
2. Wipe `/system`. No stock recovery can do this, for obvious reasons (why would a recovery wipe the `/system` partition if it doesn't support getting it back from somewhere, such as a custom ROM zip?)
3. Wipe `dalvik-cache`, usually done after flashing the zip. Again, no stock recovery can do this, but in this case there's no issue with the device getting bricked if the stock recovery did this.

If your stock recovery does not have either of the above 2 "features", you'll need a flashing software which will flash the recovery or ROM images to your phone from your PC. These flashing software use disk image files of the partition to be flashed, and care nothing about whether that that is signed or not. This involves the bootloader of the device, and bypasses the recovery altogether.

Custom recoveries are usually distributed as flashable disk images, not as flashable ZIPs.

A few examples of such software are fastboot(most Android devices), Odin, Heimdall(both for Samsung devices), Smartphone Flash Tool(for Mediatek devices)

Even the bootloader might perform security verifications on the flashed files on some cases, but insofar as much as fastboot is concerned, the bootloader had to have this verification disabled, that is, it needs to be "OEM unlocked"before anything can be flashed to the device. Anyway, the disk images do not contain any signature related metadata in the first place.
> 5 votes

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


title: Will klte ROMs work on SM-G800F?

text:
# Question
Title: Will klte ROMs work on SM-G800F?
I want to install AOKP on my Vodaphone Samsung Galaxy S5 mini SM-G800F, however, the kminilte ROM is not yet developed.

klte seems the closest to kminilte, so will installing it brick my phone, or will it be successful? What features of my hardware will be voided by installing the wrong version if it successes?

---

Edit as I cannot add an answer as this question is a duplicate.

I actually started dabbling in things regarding porting (slightly modifying ROMs for different devices). And the differences are huge. In the script that initializes the rest of the system, it tests for different models of klte, thus not finding a result and not booting.

Regardless of that, the CPU, screen size, pixel density etc. is different.

If someone has an unsupported device, they can try to find the most similar supported devices to keep change to minimum. You can also look on the CM wiki for unofficial ports.

When comparing devices, I recommend the webpage http://pdadb.net/ as it gives very detailed info about android phones.

# Answer
Very bright chances of bricking your phone if you flash a ROM **not** specifically meant for your phone. Custom ROMs are made by developers to cater explicitly for models specified by them, and being "closest" to your phone model doesn't mean anything in this context. Please read these to get more understanding

I don't know if your phone is "tied to a carrier", or is not , but even flashing a ROM meant for a specific device and carrier on same device but different carrier can successfully brick your phone, and that is the reason developers also mention the carrier it will work on where relevant

Second part of your question, *What features of my hardware will be voided by installing the wrong version if it successes?*, is redundant given the explanation above.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: custom-roms
---


title: CM 12.1 random restarts

text:
# Question
Title: CM 12.1 random restarts
I've got Cyanogenmod 12.1 and it randomly restarts. It seems to only do this when I'm using the phone, for example I've never had it restart when the phone was just sitting unused. Is there anyway I can prevent this or find what's causing it?

# Answer
> 0 votes
You seem to be having a nightly build and there is no way you could fix it manually. All you can do is report bugs or hope that a stable build comes around.

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, sony-xperia-z2
---


# Question
Title: How do anti theft apps deal with the thief simply turning off phones?
https://bestidtheftcompanys.com/2014/top-20-free-apps-to-protect-your-android-device/

There are so many anti theft apps and devices out there, however, all of them can be defeated by a simple trick—just turn off the phone. Any apps that make the phone scream when stolen will just be silent. How do anti theft apps work with turning off phones? Do they make the phone scream when being turned off while being locked?

# Answer
> 4 votes
Yup! :) , you are right about this.But in XPosed Installer there is an app known as **APM+** ( Advance Power Menu Plus ). This has a feature known as **Fake Power off**. By this your phone can pretend to be off, but in reality it would be *working stealthily* and every approach from real owner can be done.
Like this there are also other option which comes in handy.

**As requested:**
Anti-theft Helper™
Note: Actual effect of anti-theft is NOT guaranteed.
• Stop anyone from turning off your phone, enabling airplane mode, etc. when the device is locked by hiding any power menu items when the device is locked. In this way no one can stop device trackers like Android Device Manager from locating your phone by turning off the phone, disabling mobile data and so on(removable battery not taken into account)
• Show a warning to deter thieves.
• Fake Power Off - When you have this option enabled, trick your thieves by "apparently" turn off the phone, but the phone leaves running so you can still track the device (various options and strategies available for fine tuning the effect. Result may vary on different devices)
• Password protection - Lock power menu items and/or the app itself with a password. Apart from thieves, it is also ideal when your phone is on display.

Xposed Module Repository For APM+

---
Tags: anti-theft
---


# Question
Title: S3 screen broken, developer mode on, how to transfer data
My screen on my Galaxy S3 broke and I need to transfer an app that's on my phone to my computer. I have developer mode enabled on the phone and I want to be able to transfer the app without opening up the motherboard. But I can't physically unlock the phone because of the broken screen, so how do I do this?

(When I say I have developer mode on, I mean that I can install apps that I wrote in Eclipse onto my phone and run it. If this isn't what that means, then my mistake. But if it is, how do I access my stuff with a locked screen)

# Answer
> 2 votes
You can pull the apk from the android device using adb pull.

1. `adb shell pm list packages`

This will list the package name for all the apks. See the package name of your app. The app name may vary from the package name. It will be mostly in **/data/app**

If not **get the path** using `adb shell pm path com.the app you need to.transfer`

2 a.`adb pull /data/app/com.the app you need to.transfer.apk`. This will transfer the apk from whichever drive you executed. `Eg: D:`

**(or)**

2.b. `adb backup -apk com.the app you need to .transfer`

This will create **backup.ab**. You can make it a tar and extract using winrar

```
dd if=backup.ab bs=24 skip=1 | openssl zlib -d > backup.tar

```

If there is no zlib support you can try

```
dd if=data.ab bs=1 skip=24 | python -c "import zlib,sys;sys.stdout.write(zlib.decompress(sys.stdin.read()))" | tar -xvf -

```

**Note : Dont setup a password for encrypt backup**

# Answer
> 1 votes
I managed to do an adb backup of my phone based on @sameer's answer. However, as noted in the comments there, you need to confirm the backup using the screen after running the `adb backup` command.

So first, you need to have `adb` installed. Make sure your device shows up and is authorized:

```
# adb devices
List of devices attached
EP732284Z8      device

```

Then run `adb shell input` to make sure the commands we're going to be using are there. You should see something like that:

```
# adb shell input
Usage: input [<source>] <command> [<arg>...]

The sources are:
      mouse
      keyboard
      joystick
      touchnavigation
      touchpad
      trackball
      stylus
      dpad
      touchscreen
      gamepad

The commands and default sources are:
      text <string> (Default: touchscreen)
      keyevent [--longpress] <key code number or name> ... (Default: keyboard)
      tap <x> <y> (Default: touchscreen)
      swipe <x1> <y1> <x2> <y2> [duration(ms)] (Default: touchscreen)
      press (Default: trackball)
      roll <dx> <dy> (Default: trackball)

```

Next, we'll install TouchControl to be able to see what is happening on screen. This won't work if your device is not already in USB debugging mode and authorized already (i.e. if you see "unauthorized" or "offline" after running the first command). I installed the Linux version. I had to install boost to make it work. It should work on Windows too.

We need to unlock the device. For that, we will use "adb shell input swipe \[x1\] \[y1\] \[x2\] \[y2\] \[duration\]" with (x1, y1, x2, y2) depending on your device and duration could be 250 (in ms). For reference, you can look at the numbers in this file (look for "shell input swipe"). In my case the resolution of my device is "1920x1080" so I looked at the part that said " `if (i.toStdString() == "1080x1920") {`. That code does a swipe from left to right. I need to unlock my device by swiping from bottom to top, so I used (300, 1100, 300, 950) with a duration 300, i.e. "adb shell input swipe 300 1100 300 950 300". You'll need to experiment with the values and see what changes on the "virtual" screen to get it right. In my case (0, 0) was the top left and (300, 1100) was towards the bottom middle.

If you have a password or PIN you can input it using `adb shell input text "<yourpasswordhere>"`. If you have a pattern, then you'll have to figure out the coordinates of every dot and make your pattern using `adb shell swipe` commands. (Good luck with that, it'll take some time). Otherwise, you could try some screenlock bypass apps and install them via `adb install`. I didn't have any of that, so I'm not sure what will work for you.

Now run the `adb backup` command:

```
# adb backup -apk -shared -obb -all -system -f ./android-backup.ab
Now unlock your device and confirm the backup operation.

```

Next, you'll have a screen like that one (click image for full size):

So now, we will press "TAB" twice to get to the "BACKUP MY DATA" button, then press "ENTER" to confirm. Basically, based on the numbers in that answer:

```
adb shell input keyevent 61
adb shell input keyevent 61
adb shell input keyevent 66

```

Now your backup has started. Yey!

P.S. To see the progress of your update, you can watch the file size grow. On linux, you can run a command like that one: `watch -n 5 "du -h ./*.ab"` or `watch -n 5 "du --time -m ./*.ab"`

P.P.S. You can use a command like `adb shell input swipe 300 0 300 950 300` to open your notification drawer and `abd shell input tap [x1] [y1]` to press on notifications then `adb shell text [sometext]` to write. And you can use `adb shell input keyevent [61|66]` to press on practically anything without knowing their coordinates.

P.P.P.S. I'm on an Xpreria ZR running "10.7.A.0.222" android version 5.1.1. Your exact commands may vary depending on your screen resolution and android version (e.g. different way to unlock, different number of times to press TAB, etc.).

Hope this helps!

# Answer
> 1 votes
With turned on (which you describe as "developer mode"), you can use e.g. Adebar to create an ADB Backup. Recently, automatic approval of backups as well as automatic unlock (experimental, and only working with "slide to unlock" – not with PIN/password/pattern lock) was added. In its config, set `AUTO_CONFIRM=1` (to automatically confirm backups on the device), and optionally `AUTO_UNLOCK=1` (might or might not work, not widely tested yet). Adjust the other settings to your wishes, then run it.

Afterwards, you'll find two backup scripts in the output directory: one for "user apps" and one for "system apps". Optionally check them before (and comment out what you don't want to backup), then run them. Separate backup archives (`.ab`) are created, one per app; for user-apps they include the `.apk` and data, for system apps data only.

Note that `adb backup` doesn't work for all apps: apps can opt out of this, setting `ALLOW_BACKUP=FALSE` in their manifest. On rooted devices with Xposed, a module called Backup All Apps can be used to work around that. But in your case, this might be difficult to install (with a broken screen).

Disclosure: I'm the dev of *Adebar.*

# Answer
> 0 votes
If you can debug your application written in eclipse in your phone, I guess you have already enabled USB debugging.

Moborobo PC Suite can transfer files from your phone including applications with data and it needs USB debugging to be enabled. In the App manager, Right click on the app and there will be Export option. There you can save your app into your PC.

---
Tags: lock-screens, data-recovery, locked-out, broken-screen
---


# Question
Title: What is the permission ACCESS_WEATHERCLOCK_PROVIDER?
Some launcher apps uses `android.permission.ACCESS_WEATHERCLOCK_PROVIDER` permission.

What is this permission for?

# Answer
Andrew's guess was correct: According to Android Census, this permission is declared by Huawei's own weather app (or rather the data provider behind it). The site further shows it has been found on Huawei devices only (at least by them), covered by different protection levels (ranging from "normal" to "signature|system"), thus it cannot be even clearly said whether its declaration by some user app would have any effect at all.

---

For clarification: `com.huawei.android.weather` is a Content Provider, protecting access to its data via the `android.permission.ACCESS_WEATHERCLOCK_PROVIDER`. If an app requests that permission, it must be granted to it on install – which is done based on at least two conditions to be met: 1) Android knows of that permission (i.e. the app providing it is already installed), and 2) the protection level permits it. For "user-installed apps" that limits it to "normal" and "dangerous" protection levels. Now note the second census link: for some devices, this permission uses level "normal" (so it's available to user-apps), while on others it is "system|signature" (and thus *not* available to user-apps).
> 4 votes

---
Tags: permissions
---


# Question
Title: I deleted too many system apps but I made backup.. My tablet stuck on android logo
A virus similar to **monkey test** that I almost solved the problem with *Titanium Backup* app until I **deleted too many system apps.** Now my tablet **stuck on android logo**. However I backed up all apps with Titanium and copied it to my computer.

Please tell me there is hope. I almost solve three month problem by following steps with Titanium but I overdone it. I hope there is still a solution with the backup I made. I really don't care about the data my problem always was that I never found a ROM for my device but I am no expert. It could be there and I did't not see it.

The virus was similar to the monkey test but it wasn't the same. That's why it was hard to follow steps latterly. Whatever it takes to get my device back it is so important for me. I will right the build number for the tab and upload all apps images and a video for its settings ,model number and virus apps, only images was after deleting obvious virus apps. I really appreciate any help.

Build number: rk\_30 android 4.1.1 sdk v1.00.00 bsmart bs101 v1.0 20130316.

\[**Video showing all info**\]\[2\] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC-Km8pdOf8

i spent the past time trying to learn more about adb ,and i found this video when searching it could be the solution for my problem and i hope it is helpful video for others. i don't want to make the same mistake twice so i'm waiting for your advice before continue in these steps, also i put an image after i did the first step only to make my computer reed my tab on adb

# Answer
If you backed up the apps you removed, you should be able to just adb push them back to the device OR copy/paste to the system app directory if that's available from Windows/Linux (etc) file explorer. Assuming all you did was delete some apk's.

If you didn't and you can find a stock rom, you might be able to do the same but instead getting the apk's from the rom.

Its possible that doing so may not work (depending on how the rom is set up and what you have available) and that you need to (re-)flash a rom (even just a dirty flash of the same rom or newer should get you back in).

But what you should have done was a full backup via adb, made sure there was a rom available for flashing, or installed a recovery and made a full backup before messing around in the system section. BACKUP backup backup!

A more direct answer may be obtained from the device thread on xda website where multiple people likely know the device well enough to get you through it.
> 1 votes

# Answer
You're probably stuck on the logo because, you could've deleted a system app that was named com.android.bluetooth-20151217-190009 which is a PROPERTIES file. You might want to bring it in to the Google Store. This is why you do not mess with system apps! It brings a lot of trouble to your phone. Now, if you deleted the apps because you wanted storage, That is not a good idea, because your phone may overflow with downloaded with apps and games, which is not healthy for your device. Bringing it to the Google Store, they may fix your problem.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: applications, backup, system
---


# Question
Title: Removal of the wonderlandads.com pop-up virus
Would anyone know how I can remove the wonderlandads.com pop-up virus from my Nexus 5 mobile - it appears in my Chrome browser.

While there are many sites dedicated to the manual removal of the virus from PCs, despite several searches I am at a loss to find a suitable alternative solution for Android.

I have installed the free versions of AVG, Avast and Kaspersky to no avail, and I am wary of those sites which suggest SpyHunter, etc as a solution, for a fee. Any help, advice or suggestions would be much appreciated.

# Answer
I managed to successfully identify the cause of wonderland pop ups, this pop up was annoying me for sometime, my PC, two mobiles, a tab was infected and inspite of multiple reset from the scratch didn't work I realised to look at my router and found a tempered DNS, I validated this with my broadband provider and updated correct one.....this works with me and would work for you as well Regards Neeraj
> 2 votes

# Answer
Neeraj is right i'm also experiencing the same problem and found tempered dns in my router and changed it to dns provided by my isp and malware removed from all my devices but it get changed to malware dns after few hours again. So now i have to change it manually and keep checking. I haven't found a permanent solution for this and checked my systems and devices for dnschanger malware with no luck.

Also in this case only puffin browser will help you on android. In nexus 6 chrome is default browser.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Try to remove Chrome from your Android device and use default browser. It was ok for me on Galaxy S6 Edge.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: malware
---


# Question
Title: Recovering deleted photos on internal memory
I read the tag wiki and about 10 pages deep of questions tagged , but it only depressed me.

I deleted a folder of photos off of my phone by accident and need to retrieve them. I haven't done anything on the phone that could potentially overwrite the internal memory where the photos were stored, except for downloading and trying an app recovery tool ("photo recovery"), which of course didn't work.

The phone is an HTC Desire 510 running 4.4.2 (**unrooted**). My computer is running Ubuntu GNOME 14.04

From what I could find googling, PhotoRec seems to be a good free option. Unfortunately, PhotoRec is not detecting my phone. Apparently it's due to the MTP protocol. I cannot find any way to opt for USB mass storage.

What should I do? I cannot find a single helpful resource online and the longer I wait the worse my chances are (in my mind at least).

I found one thing that gives me hope: https://github.com/IzzySoft/Adebar. Does anyone know if this could be what I need?

# Answer
> 1 votes
The only way to recover your photos is that you will need to root your phone. There is really no other way to restore the data you already deleted. First you will need to root your device and then you can recover your files. Rooting your device will void your warranty. Next time before you accidentally delete your photos, use an online backup tool like Google Plus/Photos, dropbox etc.

This app will restore the photos for you: DiskDigger \[ROOT\].

Hope my answer helps

# Answer
> 1 votes
*Adebar* can assist you here, yes. It can help you identify your device's partitions, and get a copy of them to your computer – which you can use there with e.g. *PhotoRec* or rather its pendant *TestDisk.*

But in order to do so, it requires root access on your device (otherwise no low-level access to create images of your partitions). This can be done either by rooting your device, or by installing a custom recovery.

Another important note: Each minute your device is "continue running" lowers your chance of data retrieval, as the "freed space" might be re-used. Additional details can be found in our data-recovery tag-wiki.

Disclosure: I'm the dev of Adebar.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Root is not needed necessarily, only custom recovery with adb enabled.

I'm on my phone now so this will be short.

What you need is to dump the partition image to a computer and then run photorec (or other tool) on that image. This can be achieved via adb with root access that can be gained without actually rooting the phone (but you may need to unlock the boot loader).

Do NOT install anything on the phone itself, preferably don't even start it.

Flash custom recovery, boot to it and then go adb shell from a computer. Use some pipe/fifo/netcat magic to dump the image to the computer, then photorec it.

I know this answer is far from ideal but it should at least give you some idea what to do. I'll edit it and add more info after I get to an actual computer.

---
Tags: internal-storage, data-recovery, photos
---


# Question
Title: Locked Out of HTC One -- Unknown Password
I have an htc one me, I put a privacy protection but I forgot the password. What can I do to unlock my phone?

I have tried the different passwords that I thought I used it failed. I really need to use my phone to contact my friends but I can't access it because of the privacy protection password.

Please help me to remove it.

My brothers tried to unlock it but failed and I am scared of taking it to the service centre, due to concerns about the quality of service.

# Answer
> 1 votes
If you can't remember your password , there is only one way to fix this but it will wipe all your data...

Follow this steps to fix this:

**Turn off your device**

1. Press and hold the **VOLUME DOWN** button, and then press and hold the **POWER button**.
2. Wait for the screen with the three Android images to appear, and then release the **POWER** and **VOLUME DOWN** buttons.
3. Press **VOLUME DOWN** to select FACTORY RESET, and then press the **POWER** button.

The **boot** may take some minutes

# Answer
> 0 votes
If you have enabled the Android Device Manager, this is a simple fix. Open up the device manager from a desktop computer and set a temporary password on the phone. You can use that temporary password to get past the lock screen. Otherwise, you will need to factory reset the phone.

---
Tags: locked-out, htc-one
---


# Question
Title: Cyanogenmod custom recovery can't backup, restore or apply an update!
I just installed Cyanogenmod. It's my understanding Cyanogenmod is a ROM so I was bit suprised when my TWRP custom recovery was replaced by Cyanogenmod's own recovery. Why is this?

Cyanogenmod's recovery can't do anything; it has no backup or restore options and each time I try to apply an update it says-

> signature verification failed.

1. Is it possible to get back to CWM or TWRP or somehow get Cyanogenmod's recovery to work?

I can't flash a new custom recovery from the phone since Cyanogenmod's recovery fails at flashing, and I tried using fastboot from the computer and it appears to flash TWRP but then it just goes by to Cyanogenmod's recovery.

2. I once read that TWRP/CWM only work with stock kernel and Cyanogenmod has it's own kernel so they won't work. Is this true?

I don't think it's relevant to the question but my phone is Xperia Z2 D6503 and the CM is 12 (Lollipop)

# Answer
> 3 votes
From xda thread: CyanogenMod recovery is basic, so you have to flash another one. The easiest way is to use rashr app and it worked for me perfectly

# Answer
> 2 votes
In case you are having this problem with a galaxy s2 and cyanogenmod 12.1, then the solution is to flash the original developers alternative stock kernel with TWRP installed. It is signed and thus can be flashed with the cyanogenmod recovery.

For details and further links see my answer on this question: How can I backup and restore Cyanogenmod 12.1 rom installed on my Samsung Galaxy 2 i9100?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Especially for Galaxy S2. I stuck with Cyanogen Recovery for a couple of days. Neither Rashr nor Flashify worked for me. In the end, reflashing a TWRP kernel (Apollo 9 light) with Flash Gordon did the trick.

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, recovery-mode, clockworkmod-recovery, twrp
---


title: What are Xamarin player alternatives?

text:
# Question
Title: What are Xamarin player alternatives?
It is possible to simulate Android using Xamarin player with Virtual Box:

Mobile App Development & App Creation Software - Xamarin

The number of devices to choose is limited. Are there similar tools that are, like Xamarin player using Virtual Box (or a Virtual Box alternative).

# Answer
> 0 votes
the best are Genymotion, BlueStacks, Andy and BlueStacks doesn't need Virtual Box. Genymotion is more suitable for developers

---
Tags: virtualization, virtualbox
---


title: Droid-2 stuck at boot

text:
# Question
Title: Droid-2 stuck at boot
When I woke up this morning, I found my good old Milestone² (aka Droid 2) in what first seemed a boot-loop: Google logo, CM boot animation, off, repeat – with the "off" state lasting a couple of minutes (turned out it already had depleted the battery, and that took a while to recharge). I finally managed getting into recovery, and wiped cache+Dalvik (Android 4.3 on the device).

After letting it charge up to 100%, I tried booting up again, it got stuck in the CM boot animation. Luckily, `adb logcat` already responded – and I could see the line

```
D/WifiStateMachine( 1620): VerifyingLinkState what=131155 NOT_HANDLED

```

repeated every 1..2s for several minutes (stopped watching it then). To get out of that, I tried to turn off Wifi via ADB – but the `svc wifi disable` command never returned (waited several minutes again, then aborted it with `Ctrl`-`C`).

As the above shows, I can get as far as invoking `adb shell` and getting root access. But I've got no idea what I could do to break through that hanging process. As the GUI is not loaded, I obviously cannot interact with it (neither via keyevents on the shell I assume), so turning airplane mode on via ADB wouldn't do that way.

I cannot tell what might have caused this state: when I put the device in its cradle yesterday, it was working fine. Last thing I did was updating 2 user-apps from Playstore, but they shouldn't have caused network trouble (*Password Safe Lite* should not be loaded at that stage, and neither should *AlarmDroid*). Before that, I've replaced BlankStore (a GooglePlayStore alternative for devices not running Google Apps). Though that being a system app, I very much doubt this was the cause – as I see no connection to the logs.

I've put all errors/warnings from Logcat on pastebin, just skipping irrelevant things like PackageManager skipping unknown permissions. Where that pastebin ends, the last message is repeated eternally.

---

Apart from a : Any ideas what I could try to get the system up again?

---

**Edit:** last logcat with `wpa_supplicant.conf` "made virgin" (i.e. no APNs anymore, just the fresh file from the ROM), no other changes made. The "eternally repeating error" is gone, I'm still stuck in the CM boot logo. The initially wiped Dalvik cache has been rebuild on the previous boot already.

# Answer
Not a satisfying answer: nothing tried lead to success, so I ended up performing a factory-reset after having removed the replaced system app. It isn't sure that app caused the issue, but that was the only change to the system itself applied shortly before – so better play it safe.

That brought the device "back to live" (checked for several weeks to make sure – before updating to the latest CM available for it, which brought it up to 4.4.4 Kitkat).
> 0 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, boot, motorola-milestone-2
---


title: Equivalent for Windows + R for Android

text:
# Question
Title: Equivalent for Windows + R for Android
It's often difficult to locate the app I am looking for on my Android phone. Is there a way/app which behaves like Windows + R on a PC, with autocomplete, so that I can quickly launch the app I want to use, rather than endless swiping?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Most custom and stock launchers for Android support an "app search" feature. I know that ADW.Launcher, Nova Launcher, Apex Launcher, Google Now Launcher and Google Now itself has this feature. I'll tell you how to access this feature with Google Now (Launcher) and Nova Launcher, because I have those on hand to confirm this procedure.

**For Google Now (or the stock Search app):**

Enter the app's name into the home screen search box/widget. It should an option for the app, tapping on which should launch it.

If your Google Now has "*OK Google*" voice commands active and properly configured, saying `OK Google, launch <app's name as shown in the launcher>` or `OK Google, open <app's name as shown in the launcher>` to the device should also work from the home screen.

**For Nova Launcher:**

On the App Drawer page, swipe down from the top, to get a magnifying glass icon on small white circle in the top-center of the page. Pull it down further to get the search bar. Entering the app's name in the search bar should show its icon below the bar, and tapping on that icon will launch the app.

This applies to Nova Launcher version 4 and up. Apex Launcher is very similar to Nova, but I'm not sure this works there too. The latest version of Nova, 4.2.0, also has the "Recently used apps" feature like Google Now Launcher below.

**For Google Now Launcher:**

Same as Google Now above, but it also has a separate search bar on its app drawer page. It also shows your most recently used apps at the top of the app drawer's first page.

This should get you started. Welcome to the mini-universe of Android's custom launchers!

# Answer
> 1 votes
1. **Long press** on your `home screen`. (the screen that comes on when you start your phone) You should get a few options. (widgets, wallpapers etc)
2. **Click** on `widgets`.
3. Scroll until you find `Google Search` or `Google App`. When you find either of these, **long press** on it, and you will be able to drag and drop a search bar onto your home screen.
4. You can now **touch** the search bar on your home screen and start typing the app's name. You can then launch the app from the icons displayed below the search bar.

If this does not work, your Google app might be outdated. You can update it here and try again.

---
Tags: applications, samsung
---


# Question
Title: Decrypting wpa_supplicant.conf on Samsung Galaxy mobiles
When I do `cat` on `wpa_supplicant.conf` file on Samsung mobiles, I see that the passwords are encrypted. But when I open the same file on LG mobiles, I can see the passwords in plain text.

This is what I see on my Galaxy S5. The information below is for my network which has a WPA password `77807780` (`psk` is the encrypted passkey):

```
network={
        ssid=""
        psk=fce6c4f64304b00c5783199bbd2b1f91
        key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
        priority=10
        frequency=2462
        autojoin=1
        usable_internet=0
        skip_internet_check=0
}

```

Is this a feature on Samsung mobiles? What kind of encryption is used to encrypt the password and how to decrypt them?

# Answer
Use wpa\_supplicant's wpa\_passphrase tool to create your own "real" psk. Actually, the plain-text psk (double-quoted) must be processed at every startup and config reload to generate the real, 64 hex-digit (256-bit) psk. So, using wpa\_passphrase to manually create the fully-processed PSK actually optimizes wpa\_supplicant's startup & config reload time. :)

About decrypting them... wpa\_supplicant uses an AES-based cipher, which is well respected. I think TKIP is deprecated and possibly exploitable.
> 3 votes

# Answer
I got a solution:

* Go to root browser
* Go to `/etc/secure_storage/.system.wpa_supplicant` then delete this folder (only ".secure.supplicant.conf"), then reboot.
* Strange number gone

Note: It only works for Samsung devices, all saved WiFi hotspots will be lost for the first time.
> 3 votes

# Answer
Find the following line in `build.prop`:

```
ro.securestorage.support=true

```

and change it to

```
ro.securestorage.support=false

```

Then reboot the device. Now retype password of your Wi-Fi network.

If your phone is rooted, you can view passwords either by reading `wpa_supplicant.conf` file or by installing "WiFi Key Recovery" app.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: wi-fi, encryption, password, samsung-galaxy-s-5, wpa-supplicant
---


title: Can't save anything to sd card

text:
# Question
Title: Can't save anything to sd card
I have an HTC desire 320. I just bought from a koodo stand and the lady talked me into getting a 16g sd card and I didn't even notice till my internal storage was full that it pretty much doesn't work so far I have a notepad app a messenger app and a photo app on it using less than one gig but other than that nothing will save to it even if my internal storage is full and sometimes it randomly unmounts it's self. I've tried everything I could but nothing seems to work.

# Answer
> 4 votes
Since Android 4.4.0 Kitkat, Google has disabled the write permission by default for security measures.

Since the HTC desire 320 is shipped with Android OS, v4.4.2 (KitKat), you can't write to the SD-card by default.

If you want to get the write permission back you must **root** your device and use an app such as SDFix. You also can manually edit the permission list when you are rooted, but it will be reset every power cycle.

---
Tags: applications
---


# Question
Title: Can preloaded apps be restored when Factory reset-ed
I have deleted some preloaded apps. If I restore mobile (Factory reset)

* Will the preloaded apps be restored?
* Will my device remain rooted or will I lose root?

**Device**: Samsung Galaxy Note 1 (GT N7000)

# Answer
There are two parts to your question

1. **Factory Reset**.

a) Factory reset removes user data including apps installed by the user on phone. Since your device is rooted, you can see that everything in `/data` and `/data/data` will be wiped.

b) Factory reset does **not** flash stock ROM. Since you have deleted preloaded apps, they will **not** be restored. If you want them restored, you have to flash stock ROM

To understand more about factory reset, please read this

Factory reset to restore performance? What are the disadvantages?

2. **Root**. You will **not** lose root on factory reset. Your phone will remain rooted

Please read this post to understand more Can I safely do a factory reset without losing root?

Further, unrooting will also not being back deleted apps

Please read this Will un-rooting return stock apps

---

> Additional Information on reverting to stock ROM (asked by OP in comments)

***How can I flash stock ROM?***
> 5 votes

# Answer
Your phone will be unrooted and apps will install again.
> -3 votes

---
Tags: samsung, factory-reset, samsung-galaxy-note
---


# Question
Title: vCard sent to my Android shows up as text
A friend sent me a couple of contacts via vCard mms. I received them as text messages, with for example the contact avatar rendered as plain text and some of the characters replaced with android emoticons. I could dig the relevant info out of the text message, but I would like to simply import it as a contact to save doing that tedious process. If I press and hold on the text, I get option to save the email or the phone but it is just scraping the text - not properly importing the vcard format.

Is there an easy way to import the contact? (note: for something so simple as this, I would not really be interested in a paid app)

My friend was using iPhone 4. I am on Galaxy Nexus.

# Answer
I found some encoding issues when dealing with vCards, but generally, I was able to open any vCard file with the native contact manager application, have you tried to open the file with your computer?

The vCard is a text format file, so the image is encoded in Base64 (characters) if you open any vCard with a notepad, you will be able to see the contact picture encoded with characters.

This is a sample vCard:

```
BEGIN:VCARD
VERSION:2.1
N:Anders;Maria
FN:Maria Anders
ORG:Alfreds Futterkiste
TEL;TYPE=WORK:030-0074321
NOTE:Very Funny!
END:VCARD

```

So... To give you an answer, Android should handle vCards natively, without any special configuration. I'm running Android 4.x as well, and it works as expected.

In my opinion, the issue is about how iPhone encodes the vCard.

You can try downloading this vCard file: I's been tested on many Android devices
> 1 votes

# Answer
This finally worked for me: I was texted a vcf card from an Iphone to my Galaxy S4. Downloaded it, went to device storage. Where is that? Open apps, click on MY Files, Downloads. Voila! Check which file you want, or just tap it. Opens a screen cancel or save. Save to device. Search contacts for name, there it is in contacts!
> 1 votes

# Answer
Even nowdays (2015) there are many devices that have MMS/SMS vCard builtin, but there are quite a lot of them that does not support this feature. When I switched from Nokia to Android (Galaxy Nexus) I was quite surprised that I was not able to receive even SMS vCards...

So I've been working on this topic for few years since 2012 and I've created an app that solves the problem. Even though you are not interested in paid app, you can give it a try. Here is a link to FREE version, that has some limitations, but maybe you'll find it worth the paid version upgrade.

bizCard Manager FREE/vCard
> 0 votes

---
Tags: mms, vcard
---


# Question
Title: App as Lock Screen? -OR- Allow app to run when device is locked?
I've got an old android device running CM11 (KitKat) that I'm using mainly as an alarm clock.

I'd like to be able to run only the clock app (Gentle Alarm) .... and then if I want to use any other apps like email or whatever, I'd have to unlock the device.

A lock screen widget doesn't quite cut it, as I'd like the full functionality of the alarm clock app (or actually, *any* app I select, for that matter) available, but as soon as I click the home or back button, I'd be taken to my lock screen.

I could see this feature being useful for lots of reasons... say if I had a tablet as a remote control for the TV/stereo that guests could use, yet i didn't want them running other games or apps.

Is this possible?

I'd be willing to consider other ROMs if that's what it takes.

# Answer
> 3 votes
# Kiosk mode at your service

What you need is a solution that can put your app in . There are many apps in Play Store that can do this job for you. Simply search kiosk in Play Store. I believe that some of the apps providing child protection would more or less fit your need too. In that case, Izzy's list on app-locker should help.

Anyhow, I tested four apps that should help you without requiring flashing any ROM:

## clyd Kiosk Standalone Lockdown

It is free/paid app. Free version restricts you to a maximum of two apps. Once the app is closed you'd be shown an interface with selected apps' icons and that is all. You can only launch those apps and nothing more. You cannot access Status bar either. You'd easily know how to exit this once you start using it.

## MobiLock Kiosk Lockdown

It is a free/paid app. Free version does the job for us. I didn't test it beyond two apps so I do not know its restrictions, if any. Its usage and behavior is similar to aforesaid app. It's also easy to exit.

## SureLock Kiosk Lockdown

It is a free app with in-app purchases. Free version should suffice your needs. It explicitly has Single-application mode and Multiple-application mode. The latter behaves in a manner similar to aforesaid apps and the app can be exit very easily. However, Single-application mode isn't very elegant. The traditional way of launching password prompt didn't work and hence, I had to force-close the app using .

Make sure you test this app in Single-application mode **only when you've adb setup in PC and** **enabled and authorized in the device.**

## KioWare for Android Kiosk App

It is a free/paid app. I believe free version should be enough. Although I saw the documentation, I couldn't figure out why the app always expects that I want to visit a website and hence expect a browser. I couldn't make it work in Multi-application mode at all. Single-application mode worked but I didn't see a way to exit. Again, came for rescue.

Make sure you test this app **only when you've adb setup in PC and** **enabled and authorized in the device.**

It is very much possible that I didn't understand the usage of or couldn't satisfactorily use this app. Feel free to let me know in comments its correct usage.

---

# Screen pin the app

If you can switch to, or are, already running a Lollipop ROM then you can use screen pinning. On Pin and unpin screens, Google has noted

> You can use screen pinning to keep an app's screen in view until you unpin it. For example, you could pin a game so that you don't accidentally exit the game while you're playing. Then, when you're done with the app, you can unpin the screen to get back to the rest of your apps.

Read through the link to know how to pin or unpin an app or go to Settings → Security → Screen Pinning and read the instructions for its usage.

Know that you can easily unpin an app, more easily because Android directs you to unpin it using a toast, should you press a navigational key.

A simpler solution, only for rooted Android devices, is to block such toasts from showing up. Through jan's answer here I found EnhancedToast and UnToaster app very useful (individually) to block particular toasts. Since they are Xposed modules, you would need Xposed Framework appropriate4 for your Android version.

---

# Lockscreen on-demand

On a rooted Android, you can try ProtectedApps app. Use ProtectedApps to protect your launcher app. Now whenever you would press the Home key or go back to a previous app (it must be protected too) you would see default or your custom lock screen. The app would show you its *know-how* at first run.

---

# Ever-ready Tasker

You want to get your hands more dirty on a rooted Android, use Tasker, AutoInput and optionally, Xposed Additions.

Run Tasker in application context and choose your Alarm or alternative app(s) as trigger. Configure Xposed Additions to disable Home button globally or use AutoInput in a Tasker's task to do that. You can also use AutoInput to disable Back button specifically when you're at main activity of your app.

Follow my answer at Is there any way to disable/enable the back button? to know relevant usage of AutoInput and Xposed Additions, if required.

---

# A tablet with Kitkat

If you happen to have a tablet with Android KitKat, this answer by user77535 may prove to be helpful. (I don't have a tablet so I can't verify it.)

It says, inside Settings → Users, you can create a Restricted profile which would more or less be an app locker to you. The profile however enables system apps and Settings app can't be restricted. It further adds that Xposed module Restrict Me can take care of Settings app here.

---

1: XDA: EnhancedToast
2: XDA: UnToaster
3: XDA: ProtectedApps
4: Xposed Framework: Android 4.x, Android 5.x and 6.x

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, 4.4-kitkat, lock-screens, kiosk-mode
---


title: CyanogenMod vs rooting Cyanogen OS

text:
# Question
Title: CyanogenMod vs rooting Cyanogen OS
Background: I want a rooted Android phone, but I have never dabbled with rooting etc before. I own a YU Yuphoria device (which comes with Cyanogen OS).

It seems to me there are two ways to get root access:

* install CyanogenMod on the phone, or
* root the stock Cyanogen OS that comes with the phone

What are the pros and cons of either option over the other?

If I install CyanogenMod, will I get quicker updates to the OS (including new Android releases)? Does the update happen automatically (or at least very simply), or does it involve some procedure (using the PC to flash/run commands etc) to be followed each time?

Currently I am tilting towards CyanogenMod because I think (though I might be wrong) that it will allow automatic regular updates without having to re-root each time. On the other hand, I have read that rooting the stock Cyanogen OS will require the re-rooting each time after updating the OS.

Any differences in stability between CyanogenMod (the stable releases, not nightly) and Cyanogen OS?

# Answer
> 4 votes
If you're looking specifically at the stable builds of CyanogenMod (CM), then you would be better off rooting Cyanogen OS. Otherwise you would likely be reverting to an older Android version or waiting months for the stable release of the current version of CM to be released. In my experience, the stable release typically comes at the end of the development cycle for a particular Android version, e.g. around when the new version is being released. On the other hand, for the OnePlus One the comparatively stripped out CyanogenOS build would come a few weeks after the release of a new version of Android.

The obvious pro for CM is that it is much more recent and updated. New features are being added constantly, so by the time it reaches a stable release it is much more fully featured than the comparable Cyanogen OS release. The obvious downside is the time that it takes to get to that point.

The obvious pro for Cyanogen OS is that it is built specifically for your device under contract by the manufacturers. It's already on your phone and is supported officially. Being an OEM ROM, it often comes with additional Cyanogen OS-specific apps and themes that aren't available to CM, CM-based ROMs, and AOSP-based ROMs. Although from my experience with the OnePlus One, this point is insignificant.

Between those two options, there isn't likely to be any significant difference in stability. With CyanogenOS, you WILL have to reroot the device every time you flash an official update. You would not have to deal with the steps of the root process that revolve around drivers, which is most of them, but it will also overwrite your recovery so you would have to flash that again as well. With CM the update process involves rebooting to recovery and installing the .zip file. The more I think about this, the more I'd recommend CM. You've changed my mind.

If you are interested in some of the additional features that a custom ROM has to offer, you should browse the lettuce xda page here for custom ROMs. The only people that will be able to answer your stability questions are other people on your same device running these ROMs. A CM 13 build was just released last week so it may be too early to consider that a daily driver but the CM 12.1 build has been around for a while. There are also plenty of other ROMs out there if you want to go down that route.

The rooting process for your device is the same as many others and is very straightforward. Here is a detailed guide. These steps will be common to both rooting CyanogenOS AND installing CM, which is only four additional steps: download ROM zip, reboot to recovery, flash the zip, and wipe cache and dalvik. Reboot.

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, rooting, cyanogen-os
---


# Question
Title: Some songs don't show up in Google Play Music on phone?
Before I start, no this is *not* a duplicate of this question. They just happen to have similar titles.

Anyway, I wanted to listen to music on my Moto X smartphone. So like I have always done with every MP3 player and old phone I've had in the past, I just connected the phone to my computer with a USB cord, and then used Windows Media Player to sync the music files to the phone.

As far as I can tell, Google Play Music is the only app on the phone that allows you to play music files. So I opened the app up and set it to "Downloaded Only" in the sidebar menu. Then I went to "My Library," but to my surprise many of my songs weren't there!

With the phone hooked up to the computer I can look in the Moto X's "Music" folder, and all my songs that I synced are there. But inexplicably some albums don't show up in the Google Play Music app. Can anyone tell me why this is and/or how to get it so I can play these files? Thanks!

# Answer
> 2 votes
Android does not support many formats by its `MediaPlayer` library.
Check http://developer.android.com/guide/appendix/media-formats.html to see if your codecs are supported.

If you don't use a player that features a custom decoder like PowerAMP, you need to convert them to another format, preferably MP3 or FLAC if they are lossless.

Windows Media Player *does* have a way to change the default *Media Copy format*:

1. Go to `Organize`-\>`Options`
2. Switch to the `Copy Music` tab
3. Select the format you'd like from the drop-down list.
4. Select your preferred quality setting (in kBit/s, I recommend 256 kBit/s, because 320 kBit/s does not really add more quality for the bigger size)
5. Hit *`OK`*
6. *Copy all the music!*

---
Tags: google-play-music, moto-x
---


# Question
Title: "Other" folder on SD card with Kindle Fire 10
A friend of mine has a new Kindle Fire 10 tablet and has a 64GB SD card.

When downloading content from Amazon Prime, the SD card fills up with more data than the content downloaded

This content is stored in the "Other" folder but no idea what this

Does anyone know?

# Answer
> 1 votes
"Other" is cached data (browser, other apps), downloaded files, game data (e.g., Minecraft worlds), etc. Basically anything that doesn't fit the named categories.

You can clean some of this up by using the functions in *Settings-\>Storage* to clear app caches/data, delete downloads, etc. If you know what to look for, you can also use a file manager to manually delete things that may not get cleared via *Settings* menus. However, please make sure you know what you are deleting if you attempt the latter.

---
Tags: amazon-kindle
---


# Question
Title: My S4 Mini won't (even try to) send text messages
I tried to send text messages yesterday. When I pressed send, my text disappears from the text field but nothing else happens. The message doesn't appear in the chat log as sent or trying to send or in any other way.

* I sent the messages to four different people. None received it.
* I restarted the phone. Nothing changed.
* I tried sending the messages in two different places, 50 kilometers apart from each other.
* I tried sending the messages in those two different places, twice in each place, each time on a different day.
* I'm with Rogers in Ontario. I was well within the coverage zone every time I tried.

How can I fix this?

# Answer
> 1 votes
I know this seems trivial but try turning on and off your flight mode on your phone. it worked for me. I had been fiddling around with my sim card and then had the same problem as you. anyways hope that helps

# Answer
> 1 votes
Updating the time settings worked for me too! Updating time manually did not wotk; had to set it to select the "use network provided time" option. Fixed the problem almost instantly.

# Answer
> -2 votes
I had that same problem today.. Sent and received messages were getting sucked into the void. I was able to send messages but they would not show up on my end.

Tried disabling hangouts to no avail. Fiddled with the text messaging settings. Even the post above about the cache.

Nothing worked. I checked the time/date settings. They were wrong once I fixed that I could see my messages again.

---
Tags: sms, samsung-galaxy-s-4-mini
---


# Question
Title: Galaxy S Duos 2 - No OS installed currently
Well I started with CWM to get Cyanogenmod 12 but all I did was remove any OS present.Now no OS is currently installed, and I cannot install any ROM as any installation fails with error 7. I tried to fix it with many possible solutions, none of which worked.

1. deleting `assert`,
2. updating binary file for patch,
3. replacing `set_metadata` with `set_perm`.

Now what to do? It will be great to get the stock ROM back.

# Answer
You could try installing a factory firmware through ODIN. You can find instructions here.

For the latest firmware, you can look on SamMobile.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, custom-roms
---


title: How to install Android from scratch

text:
# Question
Title: How to install Android from scratch
So I bought a phone from Aliexpress. It's a J5 Mini phone with Android 4.2.2. Problem is that it doesn't have Google Play services installed on it. When I open settings and try to Add Account, nothing happens. I click on the Add Account and it flashes, but that's it. It looks like I may have to do a clean install of Android on this phone. Any thoughts how I can do this?

I've downloaded the Android Update.zip file, saved it on a micro SD card to try to side load it, but no luck. I unzipped the Android update.zip file and tried to install individual apps but the errors I get state that "this installation doesn't support Google Play Services. I'm assuming because Google Play Services aren't installed.

# Answer
> 1 votes
First of all, that you shouldn't unzip the file.. cause it is a flashable zip.. next, since you said its cause of google play store..

1) go to settings\>apps see if any google product is installed already.. If it does, you need to remove it.. If its installed as a user app.. you can uninstall right away in settings.. If it's system app.. Then you need to root your mobile first and download and install any system apps remover..

Note: If you root mobile, your warrenty will be void.. Since you are using samsung, rooting is against their mobile laws..

2) if the google apps are not installed, search google as "4.2.2 gapps" you will get lot of links.. download anyone you want and flash it in recovery..

Note: it is highly recommended to use custom recovery like clockwork mod, philz touch recovery or twrp to flash files.. google it, you will find one if someone ported it for your device..!

---
Tags: google-play-store, installation, google
---


title: Moving images from one album to another

text:
# Question
Title: Moving images from one album to another
I would like to move images from one album to another. When I select **Move**, my phone displays two albums only ("pictures" and "upload"). The problem is that I'd like to move a picture to "all downloads", which I cannot select.

Am I doing something wrong?

# Answer
> 1 votes
1. Download and open Xplore File Manager. (This can be done with any file manager, but Xplore is easy to use.)
2. Navigate to the folder **to which you want to move the pictures**.
3. Swipe left, and you will see a list of folders on your right. Select the images you want to move by **tapping the ticks on their sides**.
4. **Long**-press on one of the files, and select **Move** from the menu that pops up. Then press **okay**.

# Answer
> 0 votes
First long click on the image you want, select options came and again long click on the image then drag and drop the image to any album you want.

# Answer
> 0 votes
You could try a file browser like androzip or es file manager and locate them in the folders move them that way (Camera photos are in DCIM others will be in downloads) usually a long press and move should do it

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, photos, gallery
---


# Question
Title: How to enable Diagnostic(DIAG) Mode in ZTE Engage N8000
How to put ZTE Cricket Engage N8000 in Diagnostic(DIAG) Mode. I want to use it in DFS CDMA Tool.

# Answer
You can do it only if your phone is rooted.

Make sure Qualcomm drivers for your phone are installed in computer.

Enter this in Terminal Emulator in your device:

```
su
setprop sys.usb.config diag,adb

```

**Note:** This will work only if your phone's ramdisk has the appropriate configs enabled for the 'diag,adb' property. If that didn't work, better open **/init.xxxxxxx.usb.rc** (xxxxxxx represents your device's codename or chipname or whatever) and check for properties related to '**diag**'.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: cdma
---


# Question
Title: Google Apps error - Can't communicate with google servers
I'm having trouble with everything that pertains to google. I've read what you people have recommended and I'm still having troubles with Google Play and the Google Apps. I removed all my accounts and restarted phone. When I click on the Play store, its giving me an error saying **Can't communicate with google servers, please try again later.**
I've tried everything I could think of. I don't know what to do.

# Answer
> 0 votes
you can stop the Play Store faltering just by emptying the app's cache. The cache is a storage area that temporarily holds data so it can be quickly retrieved without needing to be reloaded. To empty the cache:

Go to Settings \> Apps. Tap All \> Google Play Store then finally tap the Clear cache button.

Clear out your Play Store data Deleting your data from the Play Store works along the same lines as our first tip, but is more drastic. It sets the app back to square one and gets rid of your saved information, hopefully including whatever glitchy data was causing the problem.

As with the previous tip, go to Settings \> Apps \> Google Play Store, but this time tap Clear data

---
Tags: google-play-store, google-play-services, google-apps
---


title: Cannot locate recovery image

text:
# Question
Title: Cannot locate recovery image
I have Samsung Galaxy S3 Neo (GT-I9301I). I've installed ClockworkMod and made backup of all files in my device. I had no suitable external memory card for backup, so CWM saved it in phone's memory. I've planned to move that backup to my PC, but I cannot locate it neither looking through "My files" in my device, nor connecting device to PC using USB, although free memory was reduced by 5-6 GB after making backup. The only way I can actually locate the backup is in recovery mode selecting `- restore from/sdcard`. It says backup image is in `/sdcard/clockworkmod/backup'`, but I cannot find this folder on my device.

How do I find my backup files? If that's of any relevance, my phone is rooted. And I've also enabled "Show hidden files" option inside my device.

# Answer
Until Android version 4.4.2 the CWM backups are stored in `/data/media/clockworkmod/backup` Reason for this as per the Reddit Post (see source below)

> In Android 4.2, backups are placed in a secure directory, inaccessible to other apps

Whether it is TWRP / CWM / Philz recovery, clearing "internal storage", does not wipe this folder, unless explicitly cleared, hence back ups remain safe

You should be able to view the backup by any root enabled file explorer

This backup can be transferred to

* External SD card by using a file explorer (to save space on internal SD)
* Laptop using `adb pull /data/media/clockworkmod/backup`

**Source**

XDA Thread: CWM Recovery restoring nandroid backup

Reddit Post: Transferring CWM backups to my PC?

\`
> 4 votes

---
Tags: backup, clockworkmod-recovery, usb-mass-storage
---


# Question
Title: Flashed a new firmware, now wifi won't turn on
last night I installed SlimKat on my rooted S3 (SGH-I747M, Canada Bell) and I had no network connection, so I donwloaded the Samsung original firmware from SamMobile.com. I flashed it on and everything is working now network wise. However, when I enable the WiFi it doesn't turn on at all. Not sure what to do at this point, do I need a different firware or what? Eventually I would like to have a custom rom, but I know I need to re-root it and then install it using CWM, but I don't want to do anything until I know that I have Wifi working.

Another weird thing is that I'm currently in Prague, Czech Republic and I was able to connect to my network here (Vodafone CR) without any problem. I thought it would be locked into Bell again (This is a very good thing obviously, just don't really know why...)

Thanks in advance

# Answer
> 1 votes
Based on our chat, you did not do a *"clean flash"* ( Factory reset + wipe Dalvik cache + wipe, preferably format `/system`) of stock ROM using Odin.

*Clean flash* is **always recommended** if you are switching between ROMs from different sources for same Android Version or switching between versions. This is to ensure that `/system` does not have remanants of the earlier ROM.

What you did while switching ROM from Slimkat to stock is a *"dirty flash"*, (see Clean flash Vs dirty flash which *could* have resulted in your Wifi problem.

Suggest you first clean install stock ROM and check WiFi connectivity. In case that doesn't work suggest you update modem to the latest version from complete modem list for S3 either flashing by Odin or custom recovery

---
Tags: wi-fi, rom-flashing, custom-roms, device-firmware, odin
---


title: Rooting HTC One M8 fails using KingRoot

text:
# Question
Title: Rooting HTC One M8 fails using KingRoot
I am trying to Root my HTC M8. I have tried using KingRoot to get it rooted, but I lost root and couldn't get it to get rooted again. Do you have a better way of rooting the device?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Yeah! Your phone was rooted but there was no change in recovery. So, It would be told that **stock recovery** has some scripts that **sets all back.** I have been through it already.
So, I have solution which helps in permanent rooting.

It can be applied nearly all devices over the globe **--\>**

1. Download a custom recovery and flash it.
You can find its **tutorial and requirement** based on your **model** on some searches.
2. Now, find a **flashable zip** file of **SuperSu** and flash this one using recovery.
This zip file can be found by just searching these highlighted keywords.

This process is permanent for rooting as there is no one to check system changes for SuperSu binary. And as recovery has already root access. So, it can share it with you. I hope it may be helpful for many people.

---
Tags: rooting, htc
---


# Question
Title: Stop from Samsung Galaxy S4 turning on when receiving text message
**Summary**: Is there a way to stop the Samsung Galaxy S4 screen from turning on when receiving text messages (without disabling the notification light)?

**Details**:

I've got a Samsung Galaxy S4 on Verizon. I've noticed that sometimes when it's in my pocket that it will turn on and access apps, etc. (for example one time I saw it had posted something to Facebook).

I think that the problem is when I receive a text message that the phone turns on and then from there the touch screen might do whatever it wants. The reason I think the phone screen turns on when I receive a text message is I've noticed that happen sometimes.

So really what I want to do is prevent the phone from turning on in my pocket, but I don't think that is an actual option. But I thought there should be a way to stop incoming text messages from turning on the screen, while still allowing the notification light to flash. But I haven't found an option that does that.

# Answer
> 2 votes
It looks like having the screen turn on when SMS messages arrive is a stock feature of the Samsung Galaxy S4 on Verzion (possibly applies to other models and carriers as well). I saw threads here and here discussing the problem. There is no setting to disable only the screen turning on.

The workaround that I ended up using is as follows:

1) Disable notification in the stock app: go to settings and scroll down to Notification settings and unselect "Notifications".

2) Install SMS Popup.

3) Enable SMS Popup. Then go to Addition Settings and disable "Screen on for Popup".

Maybe someday Samsung/Verizon will fix the problem, but for now this workaround seems to work for me.

# Answer
> 0 votes
In the galaxy S4 SMS application, go to Settings and there is an option called "Screen On". Untick this option and you should be able to do what you want.

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s, samsung-touchwiz
---


title: Update Nexus 5 From KK 4.4.4 to M 6

text:
# Question
Title: Update Nexus 5 From KK 4.4.4 to M 6
I have a rooted stock Nexus 5, KitKat 4.4.4 build KTU84P with Franco kernel 3.4.88, and I would like to update to Marshmallow 6. Which build should I download and flash? Or do I have to upgrade before to Lollipop and only then to Marshmallow? I would like to keep the device rooted instead of resetting it to factory defaults and then upgrading via OTA. Is it possible? Thanks in advance

T

# Answer
You can flash directly to Marshmallow using the 6.0.1 (MMB29K) factory image. Follow the flashing instructions, which includes unlocking your bootloader.

I highly recommend then installing a custom recovery such as TWRP using the fastboot method. Having the custom recovery will enable you to flash other zip updates like SuperSU to get permanent root.

Note that Google's `flash-all` process replaces your custom recovery with the stock recovery, so make sure to reflash whatever custom recovery you choose right after. You can avoid this by flashing each partition manually instead of using `flash-all`.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, root-access, nexus-5, 6.0-marshmallow, builds
---


# Question
Title: Where does Clockworkmod create a Backup?
I have a Moto G with the bootloader unlocked, and cwm v6.0.4.7 installed. I'm still one the stock ROM, and am looking into installing cyanogenmod

Before I do this, all the articles I see advice me to do the following: 1)Create a Backup using CWM 2)Format System partition 3)Clear Dalvik Cache 4)Flash the new Rom

Now my question is, where is the backup created by Clockworkmod stored? Won't it be deleted when I clear the system partition & the Dalvik cache?

Will I be able to go back to my original ROM if I follow the above steps?

# Answer
> 3 votes
Contrary to expected location of the back up being stored in `sdcard/clockworkmod/backup`,it ends being stored in `/data/media/clockworkmod/backup`, upto KitKat and I *guess* it to be same in later versions for reasons explained below.

Reason for this as given in the Reddit Post Transferring CWM backups to my PC? is

> "In Android 4.2, backups are placed in a secure directory, inaccessible to other apps" That's why you can't find the folder with a file explore or when connecting to your computer via USB.

Whether it is TWRP / CWM / Philz recovery, clearing "internal storage", does not wipe this folder, unless explicitly cleared, hence back ups remain safe (I am on 4.2.2 and this holds true (if you choose to store on device rather than external SD) and would welcome if others can comment validity on later versions)

Coming to your question

* **Clearing System** Since backup is stored in `/data/media`, it is not affected by clearing the `/system` partition (using TWRP also, clearing internal storage leaves `/data/media` intact )
* **Dalvik Cache** pertains to app optimisation (https://stackoverflow.com/questions/7541281/what-is-dalvik-and-dalvik-cache) and is rebuilt every time it is cleared. This has no connection with back up storage location
* **Reverting to original ROM** On carrying out the steps mentioned in your question and flashing nandroid backup, you can safely revert

The backup can be transferred to PC using `adb pull /data/media/clockworkmod/backup`

# Answer
> 3 votes
It is stored in `/sdcard/clockworkmod/backups/<software version with time stamp>/`, which on merged storage becomes: `/storage/emulated/0/clockworkmod/backups/<software version with time stamp>/`

It isn't supposed to be a hidden folder, but it might be in case someone changed something, including the CWM developer. Refer @beeshyams answer for further details.

Also, this is in reference to versions of Android below 4.2 JB for merged storage, but can be applicable up to 4.4 KitKat if the device has a separate SD card partition, i.e., no merged storage. Now, CWM does offer a choice of locations for the backup, not limited to USB OTG, external SD or internal SD partition (whether real or emulated).

Try connecting your device to your computer and see if the folder shows up there.

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


# Question
Title: Recover Android system with TWRP Recovery
> Note that I am running Mac OS X.

---

I tried installing an unofficial version of Cyanogenmod I found on XDA Developers that supports kltemini (SM-G800F). However, I messed up somewhere in the installation, and got a message on TWRP recovery saying:

```
Can't install this package on top of incompatible data. Please try another package or run a factory reset

```

And when I try pressing Reboot into System, I get:

```
No OS Installed! Are you sure you wish to reboot?

```

In the comments, @beeshyams said that I can install from a trusted source SamMobile, where I did get the SM-G800F Czech version, and downloaded it. However, the flashing fails with:

```
Error flashing zip /external_sd/Android_Stock.zip

```

Extracting it on a computer makes a `.tar.md5` file, and extracting that gives me a bunch of `.img` files. I read that I should compress these, and flash, but the same error showed.

Another solution could be to download a custom ROM so I can actually boot into ANYTHING, but most ROMs don't support SM-G800F.

What I can also do is go to Download mode, and download stock recovery, so I can re-install the OS over OTA, however there is a risk that I will not be able to use Recovery anymore.

How can I solve this?

---

UPDATE:

Trying to flash stock recovery with heimdall prints:

```
ERROR: Failed to send data!
Releasing device interface...

```

I am on OS X and I am using the CLI Heimdall to flash

---

I also made a chatroom for active discussion here: http://chat.stackexchange.com/rooms/33331/discussion-on-question

# Answer
> 7 votes
Looking at the installation instructions of the ROM you flashed, I am guessing in the TWRP/ CWM options, under *Advanced Wipe* , one of the options " *Wipe Dalvik Cache, Cache, System and Data* " (likely ***data***) was missed out leading to the current situation.

\[\[ **Edit**

**Thanks to OP** for confirming that wiping *data* was missed out by him while installing CM. A couple of other observations made by OP are listed. These are NOT normally observed behaviour of CWM but may be occurring due to incompatibilities of ROM being " *unofficial*"

1. CM didn't start normally when *data* partition alone was backed up
2. He had to resort to wiping *data* to get back to normal functioning. This is also mentioned in the installation instructions of the ROM

> Flash CyanogenMod:....**Note that the recovery might fail to restore the backup when you want to go back to the stock ROM** (emphasis by ROM developer)

\]\]

That aside, as you brought out, there are two options

**Option 1** Re-flash CM ROM and subsequently revert to stock if needed

**Option 2** Attempt to flash stock directly

Option 1 would be preferred option since your unable to flash stock ROM and get an error message

**Suggested steps for Option 1**

1. Boot to recovery mode of TWRP/CWM
2. Wipe Dalvik Cache, Cache, and Data (inside Wipe -\> Advanced Wipe for TWRP)
3. Install CM ROM
4. Install the GApps zip-package
5. Test that ROM is correctly installed by testing minimum functionality of Google play store connecting, camera and call/ SMS working

Now,assuming it is successful,use the ROM for a couple of days before deciding if you want to continue with it or revert to stock

**Reverting to Stock from CM 12**

1. Since you are using OS X and Debian, install Heimdall (am not conversant with it so will skip the details)
2. Flash recovery. This guide seems to explain the process well but you can suggest a better alternative with your experience http://davideddu.org/blog/posts/how-to-flash-a-recovery-image-using-heimdall/

---

> **Additional Information** that may come in handy for related issues and also to cover points raised in the comments section of question

**Windows users**:

* **Flashing Stock using Odin**

Odin has different versions and some of the versions have options changed. Hence, the description in guides may differ with options available on the tool. This guide has a good pictorial description corresponding to newer version of Odin

http://androidmtk.com/flash-samsung-stock-rom-using-odin

Instructions for flashing stock ROM ate covered here How to convert .img to .tar to flash using Samsung odin tool?

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Tags: recovery-mode, twrp, troubleshooting
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# Question
Title: Is it possible to prevent numbers in text from being dialled
If ever I enter a number into an app within Android (4.4.2, Sony Xperia M2), the system seems to interpret it as a phone number. Therefore, if I try to edit that number, the system tries to dial it.

An earlier, unanswered, question suggested that this happens on Google Keep. However, it also happens on the inbuilt Notes app, on Evernote and others, even numbers displayed on websites in the Chrome browser. Therefore, it isn't the app, it must be the OS.

This feature means that keeping notes that contain a number is almost impossible. You can't edit a note without the thing trying to call the number.

I can't find a setting that turns off automatic hyperlinking of numbers. Is there one? Is there a service running that does it? If so I'll uninstall the service.

At the moment this one feature is tempting me to scrap the phone and go back to an iPhone.

# Answer
> 1 votes
This has been traced to the keyboard.

Replacing the stock Sony Xperia Keyboard app with Swype has solved the issue.

# Answer
> -1 votes
Be clear ,which phone do you use, I dint find such sort.Check accessibility settings or if by mistake you might have anabled any developer settings in developers option, if so turnoff developers option.There is no such system interpretation done by default, you might either have installed some application doing this work, or the above change which i mentioned about developer option.

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Tags: 4.4-kitkat, phone-app
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# Question
Title: WhatsApp won't install via playstore or as an APK... [insufficient space]
My partner just received a new android phone. It looks nice, but Whatsapp won't install. It gives an "insufficient memory" error. I've tried to clear the cache, install it from an APK, all with the same result.

The internal memory reports that there is 1.5GB free.

I've already reset this phone several times. It is running android version 4.4.2 and the software is up-to-date according to the manufacturer.

Any other suggestions or tips on how to get it working?

Many applications install without a problem, there just seems to be a problem with YouTube updating and Whatsapp installing.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Installed a 32GB microsd card into the phone and set it as the default install location for apps. All programs updated and downloaded successfully.

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Tags: whatsapp-messenger
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# Question
Title: Android browser redirecting malware sites
I was redirected to appsliu, onclickads and some other sites which were reffered as malware when I was surfing the internet using android browserd on my Xperia Z1. I tried clearing data along with cache in flight mode and also formatting my phone. This happened on my brother's phone chrome too. Any suggestion to clear out this problem? I heard that it is something related to super cookies and how can I remove it from my phone? Your replies are highly appreciated. ☺

# Answer
Its not the problem inside your phone or your software. Its something that webscripts are responsible for. Many webpages create automatic redirecting ad popups.

There are two ways to deal with this-\>

1) To use AdBlock Plus or similar like MANI said. Though on personal note, I haven't really been able to get any such AdBlocking apps to work properly on Android. But again, that could be just me doing something wrong perhaps.

2) Change your DNS. You can use alternative Domain Name Server such as Open DNS or Google DNS or any other alternative you prefer. This works by changing your lookup for an ad-server which points to your local machine, hence basically preventing them to do anything to your PC. Additionally, many DNS servers are configured to block access to domains or hostnames which are responsible for such ads.

By the way, here's Google DNS and Open DNS in case you want to use:

```
Google DNS
DNS 1 – 8.8.8.8
DNS 2 – 8.8.4.4

OpenDNS
DNS 1 – 208.67.222.222
DNS 2 – 208.67.220.220

```

Also, you do not need to worry about malware. Malware wont affect your android device unless you manually install a malware infected app :)
> 3 votes

# Answer
Usually it has nothing to do with your phone . its because cache server on your ISP. just call them and ask them to activate DNS poison detection.
> 0 votes

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Tags: malware
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