# Question
Title: Instagram Login Error - sorry there was a problem with your request instagram
Instagram Login Error -

What is the reason for receiving this error message in the Instagram?

# Answer
I had the same problem few weeks ago and i figured two ways to get over it.

1. This option is for people who have a different phone in handy. You just have to login to your instagram using a different phone(and the irony is that it allows you to login there). Then you link your instagram with facebook. Logout from instagram and then log back in to instagram using your original phone with facebook.

Now, if you don't have another phone with you or you don't have a facebook account, you can try option 2.

2. This option requires you to download an app called parallel space. this app basically clones all the apps present on your device. And then using this app you can successfully login to your instagram.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: applications, instagram
---


# Question
Title: What is the Difference Between an Android Phone and Android Tablet?
This is probably a dumb question, but I have never had a phone or tablet before.

So what is the difference between a tablet and phone?

From what I can see the tablets do not come with the monthly data plans (so are cheaper).

1. But is there a sim card slot in a tablet if you want one?
2. Do all tablets have WiFi so I can link to my home broadband router. (I found out today that phones do - that shows you how green I am.)
3. Do they all come with a usb slot?
4. Can tablets and phones both do Google Play?

From what I can tell the APK files will work on phones and tablets (provided the apk can cope with the different screen resolutions).

Is there any difference?

# Answer
Questions that ask several other questions aren't the best format for Stack Exchange, but I'll answer these anyway.

> But is there a sim card slot in a tablet if you want one?

Depends on the model. Some do, ~~but these are obviously used for just data~~ and this can be used for internet access when outside of a Wi-Fi zone. Many mobile networks provide data-only SIM cards that are just used for internet which are perfect for tablets, but if you get a full SIM, with texting and calling, you'll be able to text but have a difficult time with making calls (I don't think most tablets even come with a dialer app?)

> Do all tablets have WiFi so I can link to my home broadband router. (I found out today that phones do - that shows you how green I am.)

I think it's safe to say that all tablets aimed towards the average consumer have Wi-Fi built into them. ;^)

Just read the specs of the tablet before you buy it and you'll be fine.

> Do they all come with a usb slot?

Again, it depends on the model, but all have some way to connect them to a charger. Micro-USB and USB Type-C ports are commonplace nowadays.

> Can tablets and phones both do Google Play?

Yes assuming that the manufacturer installs it in the first place. The only time you'll not find it is on Amazon Fire devices, specialist devices, and in countries which prohibit Google Play due to laws or whatever. There are ways to install Google Play yourself though.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: tablet
---


# Question
Title: Play Store is not loaded, showing a blank screen instead
I am on an LG G4 running on Android 7.0 Nougat.

Whenever I try opening Google Play Store, I only see a blank screen, even after waiting for more than 10 minutes with the screen on:

I have tried the following:

* Rebooting
* Clearing cache
* Deleting data
* Uninstalling updates
* Doing all the above with reboots between.

Yet nothing works, I still get the blank screen.

Is there a way to fix this without going through a factory reset?

# Answer
Note: this is not a *good* solution.

I messed around in the account settings of my phone. For some reason, I could not remove my Google account (to re-add it after), but trying to do so seems to have triggered something in the software that got everything working. I believe it had to do with the syncing not working properly as my Gmail and calendar apps weren't working properly either.

So that could be a possible direction in which to search.
> 0 votes

# Answer
June 2018, just happened to my LG G4 (yes, it's still running). Deleting cache/data for the Play Store didn't do the job. Reinstalling the Play Store with APK didn't do the trick either

In the end, I took drastic measures:

1. Cleared the data + cache and uninstalled updates on both Google Play Store and Google Play Services (set them back to the factory installation)
2. Turned off data and used a secure/private WiFi connection instead
3. The Google Play Store app opened! I had to re-enter my Google account info and download all the updates, but it is working again, yeah!
> 0 votes

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


# Question
Title: Downloaded photos from Samsung Galaxy S7 are corrupted on PC but viewed OK from Android Gallery after the internal storage got full
I have a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge on Android 6.0. I usually take videos and photos and then get a message from the Camera app that I can't use the app anymore since my phone memory/RAM is full. I usually connect the phone to a PC and then download and delete the photos from the phone, and it's back running fine. The last time when it was full, I noticed it was going to take forever to transfer.

I checked the phone's DCIM Camera folder and noticed some 8GB JPEG images. Strange, and I thought they were created while I was "shooting video" and the phone may have been low on space already, and I was hitting that PHOTO button during video shooting to also get some photos during the video shooting.

Interestingly, in the Windows folder preview, I could even see a small "preview" of the actual JPEG image even though it was 8GB in size supposedly, but I could not "open it", may have complained of RAM or some other issue can't remember.

I also noticed there were some files that had corrupted file names like: `2018Ȱ620_160140`, basically after the "2018", some kind of strange mark above O.

The issue/complaint is, well I can't really remember for "sure" if even the 8GB file photos displayed perfectly fine on my phone, but all the others that I at least know for sure looked all great on the phone but were *corrupt* if I tried to view them on my computer. It didn't matter if I viewed the version I copied to my computer, *or* if I viewed it on PC directly from my phone.

The phone does not use any SD card, only the built-in RAM/memory it came with, etc. I just retried everything with a different USB cable, no difference. I had also rebooted the phone in case anyone wondered, made no difference.

Why are my photos all being corrupted when I transfer/copy them to my computer?

# Answer
It seems an issue with the USB port on my computer corrupting the data.

I can see the photos just fine from another computer, and after I transferred/copied some over USB, I can also open them up fine on the computer.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: internal-storage, camera, photos, samsung-galaxy-s7
---


# Question
Title: Block apps from accessing the Internet on Android device
In Android, is it possible to block apps from accessing the Internet? Many apps will often connect to remote servers in the background, including Google's own apps or system services. Over time this can eat away at a user's data limit set by a mobile carrier. Does Android allow an app to act as a firewall whereby the user can select which apps have access to the Internet? Or does the device have to be rooted to have that ability?

# Answer
If you don't have root access on the device, then you can use mobiwol to control the access various apps have to the Internet. Mobiwol creates a 'virtual' VPN connection on the device which allows control of the individual app connections. *However*, although the app starts when the device starts it is possible that there may be a brief period prior to Mobiwol executing in which apps could get Internet access despite the Mobiwol configuration.

If you have root access, there are more alternatives:

* Remove the 'internet' permission using an app like Permissions Denied
* If your kernel supports IPTables, you can use an app such as AFWall+ to control which apps have access to the internet.
> 33 votes

# Answer
Without your device, you won't have much choice: you can either disable the network when the app runs in foreground, as LinX64 suggested – or "hibernate" (suspend) it when it goes to background (is not actively used), as suggested by Dalvik. Of course, you could combine the two – which should effectively prevent that app from accessing the network. But still on the cost of bringing your entire network connection down as soon as you want to use that app.

With , things look different: there are apps available dealing with other apps' permissions, allowing you to revoke some of them *after* you've installed that app. That way you could e.g. revoke the permission to access mobile data and/or WiFi *just from that app*: Your network connection would not be affected at all (so background-checks for mail and updates in WhatsApp/Viber/Skype/SE-App would keep working) – while the app-in-question would be told "there's no network available currently" (faking a "network down" *just for that app*).

---

**Update:**

Meanwhile there are Internet Firewalls available which also work on non-rooted devices. Simeon already mentioned Mobiwol – but a much better choice is **NetGuard**, available from F-Droid as well as from Playstore. Availability at F-Droid already indicates it's Open Source (almost a must in the security sector), and it comes for free. This is up to version 2.44 (added on 2016-08-06). Later versions from the Playstore have non-free dependencies, so the app is no longer updated in F-Droid's "official" repo anymore, and will likely not be. You still can obtain up-to-date versions via my F-Droid compatible repository, though.

*NetGuard* (Source: Google Play; click images for larger variants)

As you can see in the first screenshot, if gives you very granular control:

* Generally forbid an app access to WiFi or mobile data
* Permit an app access to WiFi or mobile data only when screen is on
* Regardless of above settings, keep it from accessing mobile data when roaming

It's by far the best rated app in this section – and though I haven't tried it myself, ~~I'd say it's the one to recommend if your device is not rooted.~~ Update: Note that recent versions of Netguard include Google Ads as well as Firebase Analytics – two things which IMHO have no business in a firewall (or any other security) application – which most likely is the reason it is no longer updated on F-Droid's official repo (still available in mine with the appropriate warnings).

With root access available, the candidate most likely is **AFWall+:**

*AFWall+* (source: Google Play; click images for larger variants)

Like *NetGuard,* this app is open source (available at F-Droid and at Google Play), and allows to control internet access by WiFi and mobile data separately. But while it is more powerful in some ways, it seems to lack *NetGuard's* features of "screen-on" and roaming control (or I didn't see that).
> 26 votes

# Answer
Try the app No-Root Firewall. It allows you to control what apps have Internet access over both wifi and cell data. It works by setting up a VPN on your phone.
> 6 votes

# Answer
## Droidwall

The app Droidwall will do this, but it requires a rooted android device. It works very well, though, giving you the option of allowing either cellular or wifi internet access to each app (or both or neither), as well as disabling the rules entirely while keeping the settings so you can easily give everything full normal access when desired, then go back to the rules easily without clicking a lot of options.

## Afwall+

Afwall+ is another very similar app with some compelling additional features. It also lets you choose, on a per-app basis, access to wifi, 3G/4G, and additionally roaming which could be very useful for those who have roaming data charges.

It also allows profiles to be set up so you can easily change configurations without spending time setting all the app permissions if you want, for instance, different configuration for home vs work use.

Like all the other comprehensive solutions it also requires root access.
> 6 votes

# Answer
Following are some apps that claims to be a firewall, mostly using IP-tables or VPN to restrict internet access to apps:

### Root access not required:

### Root access required:

### Access not mentioned:

---

**Note**: These are those apps which were not covered in answers mentioned at the time of writing this answer. There can be many more in Play Store or on the web.
> 4 votes

# Answer
You can try the Greenify app.

It saves your battery as well as you data. You can suspend the app and the app only runs when you open it.
> 2 votes

# Answer
# For CyamogenMod Users

There is a built in **Privacy Guard**. (Settings -\> Privacy)

It can prevent app from using Internet (wifi and/or mobile)
> 2 votes

# Answer
I am amazed no one has mentioned the Google solution, Datally. No root required. More information on the Google blog: https://blog.google/technology/next-billion-users/meet-datally-new-way-understand-control-and-save-mobile-data/

Or download immediately from the Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.freighter
> 2 votes

# Answer
Yes, with APK APP :

Net Blocker - Google Play

**To block networks for specified apps:**

> **1.** Open "Net blocker"
>
> **2.** Tap app that you would like to block it from accessing the Internet access
>
> **3.** Check the network types that you'd like to block
>
> **4.** "Net blocker" app will automatically disable the Internet connection when the blocked app is running in the foreground
>
> **5.** A new notification icon will tell you which networks are blocked
>
> **6.** Tap the notification icon to restore the Internet connection, tap again to disable the Internet

or, check the below link :

**Block apps from accessing the Internet on Android device**
> 1 votes

# Answer
Well I would personally have a service running where I can get the currently running application like here

Also what you can do is that you can turn the mobile packet data off if the activity is the one which you want to block

like here in this example

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/3644144/how-to-disable-mobile-data-on-android

except for this method I don't think there is a easy way you can deny internet to a application because it requested for it at the time of download itself.
> 0 votes

# Answer
You can also control which apps may access Internet with LostNet Firewall: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lostnet.fw.free

While your requirements are pretty simple and many apps can satisfy your needs, with LostNet Firewall you can do a little research on the countries your apps connect to and, may be, you will completely block access to certain countries.
> 0 votes

# Answer
To disable mobile data from the carrier :

1. Make sure the sim card is in the phone and the phone is not in airplane mode , otherwise the option is not shown.
2. From Settings-\>Data Usage-\>Mobile data switch to off

Works for Samsung J3 2016
> 0 votes

# Answer
Force stopping an app in Android stops it from doing anything, even using the internet, unless you open up the app again. This mainly solves my problem most of the time. Or else restricting background data prevents all the apps from using the internet in the background, aside from some stock Android apps.
> -1 votes

# Answer
I use Easy Battery Saver. Choose super power mode and configure the apps that allowed to accessing network.
> -2 votes

---
Tags: internet
---


title: Disable harmful app notification

text:
# Question
Title: Disable harmful app notification
A notification with a heading "Disable harmful app" from something that looks like Google Play (because of the logo). No amount of settings is making it go away

# Answer
> 3 votes
This can be removed in Google Settings.

* Open Settings.
* Select "Google" (if there is no "Google", open Google Settings from your launcher).
* Select "Security".
* Select "Google Play Protect".
* Turn off "Scan device for security threats".

If you don't trust the app you could also uninstall it. Some root apps are flagged as malware (when they are not), but there are also real viruses for Android.

---
Tags: notifications, play-protect
---


# Question
Title: Unable to install Express (of Node.js) in Android Termux using sdcard0 as directory
I'm unable to install Express in Android Termux. I have the latest Node.js installed.

It is working perfectly when I use Private storage, but I'm using `cd /storage/sdcard0/NodeJS/Test/` and getting a **permission denied** error. I saw the word **symlink** repeatedly in the terminal's error message.

Here's what I saw after commanding `npm install express --save`:

```
$ npm install express --save
npm WARN test-lab@1.0.0 No description
npm WARN test-lab@1.0.0 No repository field.

npm ERR! path ../mime/cli.js
npm ERR! code EACCES
npm ERR! errno -13
npm ERR! syscall symlink
npm ERR! Error: EACCES: permission denied, symlink '../mime/cli.js' -> '/storage/sdcard0/NodeJS/Test/3/node_modules/.bin/mime'
npm ERR!  { Error: EACCES: permission denied, symlink '../mime/cli.js' -> '/storage/sdcard0/NodeJS/Test/3/node_modules/.bin/mime'
npm ERR!   cause:
npm ERR!    { Error: EACCES: permission denied, symlink '../mime/cli.js' -> '/storage/sdcard0/NodeJS/Test/3/node_modules/.bin/mime'
npm ERR!      errno: -13,
npm ERR!      code: 'EACCES',
npm ERR!      syscall: 'symlink',
npm ERR!      path: '../mime/cli.js',
npm ERR!      dest: '/storage/sdcard0/NodeJS/Test/3/node_modules/.bin/mime' },
npm ERR!   stack: 'Error: EACCES: permission denied, symlink \'../mime/cli.js\' -> \'/storage/sdcard0/NodeJS/Test/3/node_modules/.bin/mime\'',
npm ERR!   errno: -13,
npm ERR!   code: 'EACCES',
npm ERR!   syscall: 'symlink',
npm ERR!   path: '../mime/cli.js',
npm ERR!   dest: '/storage/sdcard0/NodeJS/Test/3/node_modules/.bin/mime',
npm ERR!   parent: 'test-lab' }
npm ERR!
npm ERR! Please try running this command again as root/Administrator.
npm ERR! A complete log of this run can be found in:
npm ERR!     /data/data/com.termux/files/home/.npm/_logs/2018-05-29T13_09_20_748Z-debug.log

```

Is it really possible to install Express while current storage is something like `/storage/sdcard0/...`?

# Answer
Unfortunately, the answer is **No**, not even with root.

Android uses FUSE (Filesystem in USErspace), which has symbolic links **disabled**. Since Node needs to setup symlinks, it's impossible to install it onto the SD card (or whatever internal storage where you store your photos, downloads, etc.). You can only install it into Termux's directory, which is `/data/data/com.termux/files`.
> 2 votes

# Answer
I fix it with this:

1. Install Termux:API (Play Store).
2. In Termux shell: `apt install termux-api`

That's all. https://www.npmjs.com/package/termux
> 0 votes

---
Tags: termux
---


# Question
Title: How can i safely clean up my phone for selling
I am getting rid of my Samsung S 8 and need to reset to factory settingsHowever in the list of personal it tells me i am signed in to yahoo amongst others .Are my emails safe if Yahoo and others when i hit reset

# Answer
> 0 votes
If you mean to ask: "Are \[your\] emails safe if Yahoo and others \[are deleted\] when \[you\] hit reset?"

Then the answer to your question is yes, absolutely. Your phone simply acts as a medium between the email app (Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, etc.) and where your emails are actually stored (in the respective apps' servers).

Using your example: Your Yahoo account, and all of the emails for it, are all part of Yahoo's servers. Deleting your Yahoo account off of your phone will make no difference to the account or emails still contained in Yahoo's servers. You would have to use a Desktop browser and log in to your Yahoo account, then find the option to delete your account, and explicitly click that option - if you were trying to delete your account.

So yes, you have nothing to fear by factory resetting your phone in terms of keeping your account and emails safe.

---
Tags: security
---


# Question
Title: How to force apps to use different language instead of system language?
I am a Czech, however i like english language much more so i like to have most of apps in english(besides very crappy translations). Is here any way how to set language pre-app instead of globally ? I'm sure there is no built-in way, how to do this. I'm not asking for tutorial for something what does not exist, but what i want (and I'm sure it exists because of creativity of humans) is any kind of hack or workaround how to set language pre-app.

Phone Details :

---

model : Lenovo A7000
android : 5.0.0 - ROOT

# Answer
It took some time but I found solution. As I mentioned in original question, I was asking for hacky workaround and , well, what I found is very hacky.

step 1 : Have a root, the root is power. You need to have something to "flash" files to system from .zip. Clockwork recovery mod is more than sufficient. Alternatively, you can use computer with ADB and flashing tools.

step 2 : Xposed. Now we getting to core of it, literally. Xposed is framework, core for so called "Modules" With its help you can modify your android down to last variable. Great tool by itself.

step 3 : Module "App Settings". Hell yeah, now we are getting to it. Besides many ways how you can screw up your application there is field called "Locale" where you can set pre-app based language.

.... and when you are on it, you can install GravityBox too. Don't ask for what is used but you can thanks me later.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: languages
---


# Question
Title: Moving applications from the Internal Storage to my SD Card
How can I move applications from my internal storage on my Android 4.4.4 to my SD Card? I am trying to move Facebook to my SD Card so that I can update it.

Here is an image of the problem:

I have tried:

* Rebooting the phone.
* Removing the SD Card.
* Unmounting the SD Card.

I don't have access to a Computer and Laptop.

# Answer
The "Uninstall updates" and "Disable" buttons in your screenshot show that this app is installed in the system image: that is, it was pre-installed on the phone, not installed by the user. System apps can't be moved to the SD card.
> 0 votes

# Answer
i achieved that, with you diferent way, one was with the aplication ES File Explorer that allow you move files manually and it give to you more options that the configuration of the android, and the other way that i use was download a apk of the app i really dont know why with the apk app allow me to change the Location and with the official not.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: applications, internal-storage, external-sd
---


# Question
Title: How best to block ads on non rooted phone?
How can you block ads on a non rooted phone. I tried rooting and have no success.

# Answer
Adguard is a good option (as suggested above) given it can employ more than one way of filtering ads from traffic. It can utilise local VPN or local HTTP proxy, but can have significant battery drain.

A more lightweight option may be using DNS66, an open source application available for free on the F-Droid Repository.

> DNS66 uses DNS level filtering to filter ad traffic. This means that it only filters the ad traffic for a specific amount of time after your device is connected to the internet. Therefore there will not be any significant battery drain when you are using DNS66 to block ads across the system of your Android device.

After installing, head to the **Hosts** tab at the top of the screen. From here, you'll have to pick at least one ad-blocking hosts file, which is basically a list of known ad servers that DNS66 will block for you.

Now you have to select the hosts file which contains the list of popular ad servers that are hosting the ads you see across the websites and apps.

The most recommmended one is *Adaway hosts* (as it covers most popular ad servers) and then click on the Action option and select deny. This will now block all the ads that are hosted by the servers in the Adaway host file’s list.

From here, head back to the Start tab from the top menu, then tap the "Start" icon near the bottom of the screen to start the VPN ad-blocking service.

acknowledgements
> 4 votes

# Answer
If you wish to keep your phone not rooted you still have several options.

* use ad block apps on your phone
* install AdBlock chrome extension for android
* configure your router to block specific sites (not all of them has this feature)
* deploy your own proxy to block what you want

I've been in similar situation before and figured out that the best option for me it the 4th one. So I created a pre-configured squid image deployed in docker on raspberry pi, opened the port on my router and set RPI external ip address as proxy. Since then I have no ads on my phone, not on any site not in the apps and I don't have to worry about privacy because I manage the proxy.

The docker image, its source code and a short documentation are available here: https://github.com/andrassebo/squid-adblock
> 0 votes

---
Tags: applications, ads
---


# Question
Title: Copy all URLs of all tabs simultaneously
I have a Samsung mobile. I am using Google Chrome on Android. I have opened more than 20 tabs in past 20 days. Now, I want to copy and store all the URLs (website links) of all the opened tabs in a text format in mobile (memo) or email all the URLs combined before closing all the tabs.

How can I do it on mobile?

# Answer
Sync the open tabs in Chrome for Android with Chrome for PC. Once the sync is completed you would see the opened tabs of your Android under *History* section (click *Tabs from Other Devices* in left panel) **in your Chrome for PC**. Thereafter, click the three dots line in the upper right panel, choose *Open all*. Make sure to close other tabs in your Chrome for PC.

Next, install OneTab extension. Click its icon in toolbar, and it would reduce all the opened tabs into a single tab by providing hyperlinks to the recently closed tabs. You can export the URLs from *Import/Export URL* option in the right panel of that tab.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: chrome-for-android, url, export
---


# Question
Title: How to input ⑮⑭⑬ (unicode symbols with a number in a circle) when typing?
I saw somebody rename their Pokemon in *Pokemon Go* using numbers in a circle, such as "Dratini⑮⑭⑬"

I can only think of copy and paste, but you always have to find a document that has these characters and copy from there and paste it in *Pokemon Go*.

How can it be done? Is there a faster/direct way?

# Answer
> 4 votes
The fastest way on Android is to use Calcy IV with the renaming feature enabled, change the settings to the circled numbers and you're good to go.

# Answer
> 3 votes
I agree with Gokul NC and iBug that a special Unicode keyboard (e.g. Unicode Keyboard) is the answer.

---
Tags: keyboard, gboard
---


# Question
Title: Does the lock screen on a encrypted device provide different security than an unencrypted device?
I am wanting to encrypt my phone and SD card. I have been reading around about it all week and still don't understand a few things. I though that the encryption was like blackberry encryption, where you put the password in every time you turn the phone on to the screen lock. After a bit of reading, I understand that the "decryption" is only done at boot up by putting the password in once. After that, you have to put the same password in at the screen lock simply because of a limitation of Android not allowing two different passwords. I do know that there are new ways to use a different password on the screen lock, and even a pattern lock, that's not my issue.

Here are my questions....

1. If the device is technically decrypted after boot up, is the screen lock the only security on the phone once it's turned on?
2. Does the screen lock of an encrypted device have any stronger security than that of an unencrypted device? If not, it seems like the phone is just as vulnerable to data theft as an unencrypted device if someone steals it while it is turned on. I understand that it will encrypt again if they turn it off, but if it's on, what good is encryption?
3. If someone pulls the SD card out (which is encrypted) they can't read it with a card reader, but if they put it back in the phone while it's still on, won't the decrypted phone just mount it again so they can read it from the phone?
4. Finally, on a Blackberry, a wipe is performed by erasing the encryption key. This makes an almost instant wipe of the whole phone and SD card. I know an encrypted device has to be wiped the same as an unencrypted device, but is Android programmed in a way that the encryption key is wiped first, in case someone pulls a battery or forces a phone off during a wipe? I know that's far-fetched, just curious about how it works.

Not sure if it makes a difference, but I am using a Razr Maxx HD, rooted on OTA 4.1.1

# Answer
Yes, the lock screen is the only barrier on an encrypted but booted Android device; Android keeps the encryption key in memory and transparently decrypts all files read by applications in the background.

Of course, that is far from ideal (iOS uses a much more complicated scheme, where some classes of encryption keys are dropped the moment the screen is locked), but it is a very simple model which is still fairly effective against many kinds of attacks.

You can find more details on the implementation and the threat model on SE crypto.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Although lock screen is the only security barrier on an encrypted but booted Android device, it is still almost equivalent to the device bootup decryption process - bar exploiting possible lockscreen or other running processes vulnerabilities, - considering the password is the same, that is the same entropy.

One wrong move while fiddling with the screen lock and the device forces you through the whole boot process.

Same goes with reading an encrypted sdcard on a booted phone: you need the same strength password, either for unlocking the lockscreen or for booting the device afresh for getting to the filemanager to read the files from sdcard.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: sd-card, lock-screens, encryption
---


# Question
Title: Will encryption encrypt my "internal sdcard" (personal data)?
First, a note. This question stems from the big confusion that are terms like *internal storage*, *internal sdcard* -- at least to me -- and the fact that **factory reset**, which claims to "erase all data from your phone's internal storage, including \[...\] music, photos", doesn't touch my personal data (data in the *internal sdcard*, like camera media and WhatsApp conversations) **at all**. I don't use removable SD cards, by the way.

When I say *internal sdcard*, I refer to `/sdcard` or `/data/media/0`, which are equivalent in my Samsung I9300 Galaxy SIII running CM11 nightly (KitKat).

Okay, the question: will encrypting actually encrypt the entire internal storage including *internal sdcard* and all the rest (entire root filesystem) or will it encrypt only the data which would be affected by a factory reset (which seems to me to be only the /data/data directory)?

# Answer
First I have to admit I'm not an expert on device encryption. I cannot speak out of first-hand experience, but at least can give some background information which definitely will prove helpful here.

---

So for one, there's the big confusion about storage naming. Our tag-wiki can be a big help on this. In your specific case it's the question what "internal storage" refers to, and how that differs from "internal SDCard" (which it does). So let's see how our tag-wiki defines internal storage:

> Internal storage generally refers to the storage space on your device that can be used for installing applications and their associated data.

I see our tag-wiki is even more precise/detailed:

> * **device storage:** usually referred to as "internal storage" or "phone storage". \[…\] On your device, this will be used for apps and data, and usually is mounted at `/data`
> * **internal SDCard:** some devices offer a separate internal SDCard, where you can store your own data (such as documents, videos, music files, pictures, etc.).

So from this you can clearly see the difference. Without , you're not able to (freely) store your personal data (as defined above) on device storage. But our apps have their own specific directories here where they *can* (and do) save their settings, data, and more.

---

Second confusion is caused by different manufacturers using different "mount points" and access-paths for storages. As you describe for your device, they might even mount the SDCard inside the `/data` partition. However, **if the encryption setup offers you separate choices to encrypt internal storage and internal SDCard, this should not matter: If you can tell it to not encrypt a given partition, one should assume it follows this advice.**

---

If, on the other hand, you don't get the option to not touch the internal SDCard, I'm not sure it will be left out. In that case, it might very much depend on your device (and system). When switching from UMS to MTP to provide access to your "internal SDCard" from your computer, for many of them there was a second change going along: to not "fragment" the internal storage space (i.e. "internal storage" running low while there's plenty of space available on "internal SD", or vice versa), they just use a single partition to hold both. The "internal SDCard" then is created as FUSE device, in simplified terms: pointing to a directory on internal storage. If that's true for your device, encryption of "internal storage" most likely will affect the "internal SDCard" as well. But as initially stated: I have no first-hand experience here, and thus gladly accept corrections in the comments.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Short answer: no, the emulated SDcard storage is not encrypted.

I believe I am in a similar situation as you. I have a HTC One S4 ("Ville") here which also lacks an SD card socket extension, so the phone is partitionned in a way to make it look to Android that there is an actual sdcard in there. It is mounted in `/sdcard` and there's a separate `/data` partition that holds the usual private data (contacts, sms, etc).

Following the `Encrypt phone` procedure from Cyanogenmod 12.1, only `/data` is encrypted but `/sdcard` is accessible without a password! That is, to say the least, a little disappointing. I am not sure it is absolutely inevitable: I suspect that the internal sdcard wasn't encrypted because it was formatted as FAT.

I was able to reformat the filesystem as EXT4 by mounting it on my laptop and re-formatting, at least. Unfortunately, `vdc cryptfs enablecrypto inplace` found that the phone was already encrypted and didn't attempt to encrypt the SD card. I am still at a loss as to how to encrypt that part of the phone and so have resolved to avoid storing too sensitive data on that partition.
> 2 votes

# Answer
Apparently, this depends on the specific device implementation.

`/sdcard` can get encrypted as well as can be left unencrypted while the entire devices gets encrypted with the Android's built-in "Encrypt device" function.

On some (older?) devices `/sdcard` and `/data` are two separate partitions which implies they can be wiped independently and encrypted (or not) independently. There `/sdcard` is most likely not enctypted when one does "Encrypt device".

By contrast, on another handset I have observed, `/sdcard` was a logical part of `/data` which implies it gets erased when doing "Factory reset" on the phone, and it very much likely gets encrypted when doing "Encrypt device".

For this particular phone, a quick experiment of filling up `/data` and watching available room on `/sdcard` shrinking synchronously (besides showing the same size in the first place) proved `/sdcard` and `/data` are the same block device, although different filesystem types.

As Android device encryption (up to Marshmallow release) uses dm-crypt, which works on the block level, I have concluded `/sdcard` and `/data` are both either encrypted or in-clear in this particular Android implementation at hand.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: sd-card, encryption
---


# Question
Title: Dark statusbar/quicksettings theme on Oreo?
I've updated my Google Pixel to Oreo. Now the statusbar and quick settings area have a light theme. Is it possible to change that back to the dark theme, like on previous versions of Android? The white background is way too bright... I didn't find any option in the settings.

# Answer
Sony helped Google in implementing native support of RRO layers in Android O. This was previously used in many Xperia phones for a better system-wide theme support. In android custom rom and root community, Project Substratum is used for same. It also uses RRO layers thus provides better and more consistent theme than previous option CynogenMod Theme Engine (CMTE).

Till Oreo RRO layer patches and root were necessary for Substratum to work but as Oreo has native RRO layer support so it can be achieved in stock rom.For detailed method see this and this xda article. @Tony Chiboucas has also mentioned the method in his comment.

P.S. For unrooted devices, this is a paid process.
> 3 votes

# Answer
Android Oreo 8.1 introduced an automatic theme switch. It adjusts the theme depending on your wallpaper. If you have a sufficiently dark wallpaper the quicksettings area will use a dark theme, otherwise it uses a light theme.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: google-pixel, 8.0-oreo
---


title: Unlocked phone, GPS active

text:
# Question
Title: Unlocked phone, GPS active
What does it mean when I unlock my phone and the GPS icon shows active when I'm not running any apps that use GPS? After a second or two, it goes away.

# Answer
I means you're on an security reset\[ed\] phone. If you forgot the pin / pattern / etc and you had to reset it with alternative access ways, like login with the google account email and password, then after every unlocking your phone sends your gps coordinates to the google account and the location settings will always reset to high precision, no matter what.

Offtopic, I'm on 4.4.1 and have no idea how to turn it off. Most suggestions are for smart lock but 4.4.1 doesn't have it or I can't find it.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 2.3-gingerbread, gps
---


title: Setting screen timeout when browsing

text:
# Question
Title: Setting screen timeout when browsing
I know that it's a often asked question, however, none of the answers are applicable to me.

I read this, this and this answers, but some apps (like Screebl or Keep Screen Lite) are non-existent already and some (Tasker) are not working for me.

The most proposed solution is Tasker, however I tried it and it messes my display settings which is even worse than the lack of dynamic timeout. It doesn't return timeout setting to default state which then drains my battery and is also very irritating. Seems to be a bug.

My question is: do you know a **native MM way** to dynamically set up timeout while browsing? Or maybe a web-browser app that have **built-in** ability to disable timeout?

I tried searching descriptions of apps, but this option is rarely highlighted, and, personal experience is highly appreciated. Have anybody met such app?

# Answer
> The most proposed solution is Tasker, however I tried it and it messes my display settings

I use Tasker to keep my display time for longer when using certain apps, and it works perfectly. It's very possible that you might have missed a minor setting somewhere. Therefore, I suggest you try the steps below to set it up correctly.

1. download Tasker. (it is a paid app, but you can get a free trial version and see if you like it. It has much more than the options mentioned here)
2. Open the app and press on the '+' symbol on the bottom right of the screen. And press 'application'
3. Now select the apps in which you want the display to stay on for a long time. For example your browser app, or any other app. Select as many apps as you want for this action.
4. Press on the back button on your phone. Now it will ask you what you want to happen when you open those apps.
5. Press on 'new tasks'
6. Type a name for this task something like 'screen timeout 5 min'
7. In this new window, press on the plus symbol, and in the search bar type 'display timeout'
8. Press 'display timeout', and now under where it says 'mins' choose the amount of time you want the screen to stay on for, while using the apps.
9. Press on the back button twice, and you should be brought back to the main page.
10. Long press on 'screen timeout 5 min' (or whatever you named this task) and press on 'add exit task' -\> 'new task'
11. Give the new task a name something like 'screen timeout x seconds.'
12. Here, do the same as steps 7 and 8 just when setting the time, set it to the amount of time you want the screen to stay on while you're not using the selected apps.
13. Now, go back all the way to the main screen of Tasker and press on the check mark symbol on the top right. (If you don't see a check mark symbol, then don't worry about it)
14. Test to see that all is working by going to your home screen and see how long it takes for the screen to go to 'sleep' it should be the amount of time selected in step 12, then go into the selected apps and see how long the screen stays on.
> 0 votes

# Answer
I use an app called Keep Screen On. Simple and very easy to use.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, screen, browser, screen-timeout, reading
---


# Question
Title: Skip "Sign in to Google" when setting up new Android device
I recently got a new Nvidia Shield TV. On the first start, after asked me to set up my language and connect to my wifi, it prompts me to "Sign in to Google." The only options on the screen are "use your phone or laptop" and "use your password." How can I bypass this step?

# Answer
My Shield TV worked just fine for three years without a Google account, but the Oreo update appeared to lock me into a signup page; This is pretty obnoxious.

You can double-tap the home button and dismiss all the active applications; once you do that the launcher will come up without requiring you to login to a Google account or give them your phone number to create one.

You will have a permanent notification suggesting you sign in, though.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: privacy, accounts, nvidia-shield
---


title: Termux print to txt

text:
# Question
Title: Termux print to txt
So i use termux and newbie,i want to save -help command from package as txt in internal storage with specific file name Ex:youtube-dl --help,aria2c -h,etc How to do that?

# Answer
What you want to do is called "output redirection". By assuming the program whose output we need to be redirected is `youtube-dl`, the full command to issue becomes

```
youtube-dl --help &> /sdcard/help.txt

```

In the above string, `youtube-dl --help` is the program whose output you want to save, alongside any needed argument. `&>` means "redirect the standard input and standard error"; it's important to redirect both, as some programs output their help message to stderr. `/sdcard/help.txt` is a file in the internal storage, where the output will be saved.

Take care when using this method, as the target file will be recreated anew if it already exists, thus its contents will be lost. To concatenate the new input to an already existent file, use e.g.

```
youtube-dl --help &>> /sdcard/help.txt

```
> 2 votes

---
Tags: termux
---


# Question
Title: "Use Voice with Wired Headset" Notification Stops Music
I have my Moto G plugged into an AUX port in my car which plays music from the car's speaker's via Google Play Music. Occasionally, the music will automatically pause and a notification will popup on my phone saying "Use Voice with Wired Headset."

If I try to hit play again, Google Play Music will show the music playing, but nothing is coming from the speakers. In order to get it working again, I found I need to kill the Google Play Music app, unplug from the AUX cable, then reconnect and open the app. The process repeats every time the "Wired Headset" notification pops up. The frequency of the notification is random when driving.

I'm guessing the phone is picking up the music from my car's speakers and thinking it's me trying to give voice commands. I turned off all relevant settings concerning voice commands (Settings \> Accessibility; Google Assistant \> Settings \> Voice), but it still occurs and I'm afraid a I'm missing something.

Anyone familiar with the problem or have an idea for a countermeasure?

Thanks!

# Answer
No. The Internet is full random speculation about this issue, ranging from dirty/damaged headhone jack, to hardware issues and defective headphones. All of these lame excuses are wrong. Google Assistant has been intentionally written (several updates ago) to use this method of nagging harrassment to force Android users to enable "Ok Google"/Assistant. Just like your Google Feed cannot be shut off now without completely disabling the Google app entirely, and disabling Play, Gmail, etc along with it. It is just another form of "user herding" so they can further Snoop and send you focused advertising. Not happy with only gathering search terms, they want everyone on board with Voice, befotre they change the user agreement and eavesdrop on end users constantly. This is already happening to wide cross section of users, without any real consent or knowledge. Some of it Google has pushed off on third party affiliates to insulate themselves from inevitable push back and outrage. People are figuring this out, by conversations overheard by phones are changing their advertisment and news feeds.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: audio, voice-recognition, google-assistant
---


# Question
Title: How to fix a Nexus 9 that bootloops after an official update?
**Summary**

* Nexus 9
* Never rooted the device and boot loader is locked
* Stuck in a boot loop since an android update
* Factory Reset doesn't work
* Recovery mode doesn't work
* Can't flash anything
* Can't unlock boot loader due to OEM setting
* OEM setting can't be turned on due to boot loop

**Context**

I bought nexus 9 and I have never rooted this tablet or have done anything fishy to it.

Within few months I received a new android update and I got stuck in a boot loop with a message "Your device is corrupt..." and I lost access to my precious non backed up pictures. However, I have abandoned the pics and decided to try factory reset. I get stuck with a green android icon when I try to factory reset for about half an hour then it reboots, but it still gets stuck in boot loop.

So then I try to start the recovery mode but then I get stuck with a dead green android icon with red warning sign.

So what do I do next? I try to flash a custom recovery program, TWRP.img using fastboot but I can't because the bootloader device status is locked.

So I try to flush all preinstalled img to stock, so I try unlocking boot loader using fastboot oem unlock but I can't because I didn't turn on the OEM permission on before being bricked. If only there were way to turn on OEM from adb but I see a lot of people saying its not possible.

How can I fix my tablet?

# Answer
You should still be able to sideload an official OTA update from the stock recovery. You can get the official OTA images here: https://developers.google.com/android/ota

1. Download the latest OTA image for the Nexus 9 from that page
2. Reboot into recovery mode
3. Press the volume up and power keys at the same time to activate the hidden menu
4. With the volume keys, highlight “apply update from ADB” and press the power button to choose it
5. From your computer, execute `adb sideload otaFilename.zip`
> 1 votes

---
Tags: recovery-mode, boot-loop, unbricking
---


# Question
Title: Android 5.1.1 no "move to SD Card" option
Just bought a nice 9" Android with 8GB storage. Put in a 32 GB SD card. It shows up under storage. When I select Apps then pick an app, there is no option to move it to the SD card like I had under Kit Kat on another unit. It does show the Clear Cache and Clear Data options.

I just erased the SD card and it still just shows up as empty, under Storage. The internal 8 GB is starting to fill up so I really need to use the SD card.

Q: How can I move apps to the SD card when the option is not there under App info?

# Answer
You can use the paid version of Titanium Backup to move the majority of apps to the SD card, if your device is rooted.

(no financial stake in Titanium Backup, just a satisfied user)
> 1 votes

# Answer
First I need you to tell me that you only are able to move a few apps. Often apps which include Google Play Services need to be in internal storage.

Check out first if any of your apps are able to be moved using the system (often games or apps like wikipedia). If not, just go to the Google Play Store and get an app which do that for you.
> 1 votes

# Answer
In Android 5 and older, not all apps can be moved to the SD card. If you look in the"SD card" tab of the apps settings, you can look only at the ones that can be moved. In Android 6 the option to add SD cards as internal storage was added. See if you can upgrade to Android 6.
> 1 votes

# Answer
The purpose to move apps to the SD card is usually to save space on the limited internal storage.

For all the apps that let the user choose the storage folder (in my case Podcast Player) this is an effective solution:
www.beyondpod.com/Moving-podcasts-to-external-SD-Card

The solution is this:

> EVERY app can write to its own private folder (and subfolders thereof) on SD \>cards on KitKat (and Lollipop). It's just a matter of knowing what the folder \>should be called. It will be
> "sdcard path"/Android/data/"app ID"
> For BeyondPod it's "sdcard"/Android/data/mobi.beyondpod/files
>
> You'll need your phone manufacturer's File Manager app to create this folder (since only a system app can write to any arbitrary place on an SD card). If your device didn't come with a pre-installed File Manager, you'll have to \>create the folder on a PC. But once it exists, the app's "owner" will be able to write to it and any subfolder within it.

I found the right "app ID" by just looking at the default storage path.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: sd-card, 5.1-lollipop
---


# Question
Title: Is it safe to uninstall AudioFX from CyanogenMod 13?
**Background:**

I recently upgraded a Samsung Galaxy S4 from Cyanogenmod 11 (KitKat) to Cyanogenmod 13 (Marshmallow). Everything seems to work fine except that AudioFX crashes several times in a row ("Unfortunately AudioFX has stopped working").

Since the crash message grabs the focus and this happens easily 4 to 6 times in a row, it is very disruptive. Oddly, AudioFX crashes have only happened while I am using Ingress: AudioFX doesn't always crash while I am using Ingress, but it only crashes while I am using Ingress. There doesn't seem to be any pattern to the crashes in terms of what I am doing or what Ingress is doing just before the crash happens.

I grabbed a logcat to see the specific error messages, and here is a representative crash log:

```
--------- beginning of crash
06-30 10:02:33.418  1425  1425 E AndroidRuntime: FATAL EXCEPTION: main
06-30 10:02:33.418  1425  1425 E AndroidRuntime: Process: org.cyanogenmod.audiofx, PID: 1425
06-30 10:02:33.418  1425  1425 E AndroidRuntime: Theme: themes:{default=overlay:com.material.black.theme, com.android.systemui=overlay:com.material.black.theme, com.android.systemui.navbar=overlay:com.material.black.theme}
06-30 10:02:33.418  1425  1425 E AndroidRuntime: java.lang.RuntimeException: Unable to start service org.cyanogenmod.audiofx.HeadsetService@bf433a3 with Intent { act=cyanogenmod.intent.action.ACTION_AUDIO_SESSIONS_CHANGED cmp=org.cyanogenmod.audiofx/.HeadsetService (has extras) }: java.lang.RuntimeException: Cannot initialize effect engine for type: 0bed4300-ddd6-11db-8f34-0002a5d5c51b Error: -3
06-30 10:02:33.418  1425  1425 E AndroidRuntime:    at android.app.ActivityThread.handleServiceArgs(ActivityThread.java:3061)
06-30 10:02:33.418  1425  1425 E AndroidRuntime:    at android.app.ActivityThread.-wrap17(ActivityThread.java)
06-30 10:02:33.418  1425  1425 E AndroidRuntime:    at android.app.ActivityThread$H.handleMessage(ActivityThread.java:1461)
06-30 10:02:33.418  1425  1425 E AndroidRuntime:    at android.os.Handler.dispatchMessage(Handler.java:102)
06-30 10:02:33.418  1425  1425 E AndroidRuntime:    at android.os.Looper.loop(Looper.java:148)
06-30 10:02:33.418  1425  1425 E AndroidRuntime:    at android.app.ActivityThread.main(ActivityThread.java:5461)
06-30 10:02:33.418  1425  1425 E AndroidRuntime:    at java.lang.reflect.Method.invoke(Native Method)
06-30 10:02:33.418  1425  1425 E AndroidRuntime:    at com.android.internal.os.ZygoteInit$MethodAndArgsCaller.run(ZygoteInit.java:726)
06-30 10:02:33.418  1425  1425 E AndroidRuntime:    at com.android.internal.os.ZygoteInit.main(ZygoteInit.java:616)
06-30 10:02:33.418  1425  1425 E AndroidRuntime: Caused by: java.lang.RuntimeException: Cannot initialize effect engine for type: 0bed4300-ddd6-11db-8f34-0002a5d5c51b Error: -3
06-30 10:02:33.418  1425  1425 E AndroidRuntime:    at android.media.audiofx.AudioEffect.<init>(AudioEffect.java:411)
06-30 10:02:33.418  1425  1425 E AndroidRuntime:    at android.media.audiofx.Equalizer.<init>(Equalizer.java:139)
06-30 10:02:33.418  1425  1425 E AndroidRuntime:    at org.cyanogenmod.audiofx.HeadsetService$EffectSet.<init>(HeadsetService.java:95)
06-30 10:02:33.418  1425  1425 E AndroidRuntime:    at org.cyanogenmod.audiofx.HeadsetService.addSession(HeadsetService.java:208)
06-30 10:02:33.418  1425  1425 E AndroidRuntime:    at org.cyanogenmod.audiofx.HeadsetService.addSession(HeadsetService.java:242)
06-30 10:02:33.418  1425  1425 E AndroidRuntime:    at org.cyanogenmod.audiofx.HeadsetService.onStartCommand(HeadsetService.java:445)
06-30 10:02:33.418  1425  1425 E AndroidRuntime:    at android.app.ActivityThread.handleServiceArgs(ActivityThread.java:3044)
06-30 10:02:33.418  1425  1425 E AndroidRuntime:    ... 8 more

```

Troubleshooting steps I have taken are:

* reboot the phone
* disable AudioFX from within the app
* clearing the AudioFX cache
* setting up an AudioFX profile for every sound output device

None of these have prevented or reduced AudioFX crashes. I cannot disable the app from within Android (only from the app itself) since it is marked as a system app. I have looked at apps that uninstall system apps, they are listing AudioFX as a "Key Module."

**The Question:**

1. Is it safe to uninstall AudioFX?
2. Does AudioFX need to be replaced by another equivalent app?

# Answer
According to this, AudioFX is completely safe to uninstall from CM13.
> 0 votes

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


# Question
Title: How can I choose which Google Drive backup WhatsApp uses?
I have two phones with WhatsApp.

I have a WhatsApp backup on one Google account, and one on another.

Is there any way to choose which Google Drive backup to use, without removing all but one Google account?

# Answer
> 0 votes
You can't

From WhatsApp FAQ

> In order to successfully restore a Google Drive backup, you need to use the **same phone number and Google account used to create the backup**

(Emphasis added)

---
Tags: whatsapp-messenger, google-drive
---


title: What make app to the "top apps"?

text:
# Question
Title: What make app to the "top apps"?
I assumed that app is more "top" within its category mostly based on installs (quantity and velocity) and user rates and comments. Probably also slightly some other criteria like android vitals score etc.

However, I spotted the app that is #9 in Top for parents with 1.9 average rate (sic!) from 177 users, and only 10k+ installs. All other apps in this top10 are like 100k installs and 4.8 rate.

The question is how is it possible?

# Answer
Google recently changed its ranking policy creating turmoil

It's quite possible that what you ate seeing is a fallout of that

---

In the past

The algorithm Google uses is clearly not public for obvious reasons of gaming by app developers but

Google Play help says

> Apps are ranked based on a combination of ratings, reviews, downloads, and other factors

I think these other factors and **search query** wording (apart from downloads) play an important role as explained in this blog

> * App Name
> * App Description
> * Backlinks
> * In-App Purchase Rating and Reviews
> * Updates Downloads and Engagement
> * Some Hidden factors

Try changing the search query significantly to see a different result. Also the same search query from my phone and another users phone yields variations
> 1 votes

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


# Question
Title: TWRP: Wiped phone, can't put any data onto it through MTP
So I wiped my phone because I was going to install Cyanogenmod 12 (Nexus 5) but now it is wiped I can't make any folders or move any ROMs onto the phone through MTP even though it shows in Windows.

How can I fix this?

# Answer
> 7 votes
I had the same issue with MTP not working from TWRP (Windows 10 x64). I used `adb push` as a workaround way to put update on the phone after *disabling* MTP from TWRP "Mount" menu:

```
adb.exe push update.zip /sdcard
adb push open_gapps-arm64-7.1-nano-20170625.zip /sdcard

```

# Answer
> 1 votes
Switch off your device. Take out your memory card. Place it in some card reader. Access it on your computer and place the ROM in it. Now, place the memory card back to your device and go to recovery. Flash the ROM from memory card and you are good to go... :)

# Answer
> 0 votes
I am presuming that your device doesnot support SD-card (memory-card). You can see MTP, it means that drivers are fine.

1. Update your TWRP TWRP for LG Nexus 5
2. Update your drivers and reboot PC.
3. Format Data from Wipe option in TWRP.
4. Connect to PC, and hope you can see MTP. Copy CM12 (for your device ONLY) ROM from PC to internal storage. Don't forget Gapps and Supersu zip files too.
5. Flash ROM first, then gapps and finally Supersu.
6. Reboot phone, Done.

If above steps doesnot work, then last thing you can do, is to go to bootloader and flash ROM using sideload.

# Answer
> -1 votes
If any of u suffering from this problem then the best way is flash the older version of twrp....i stucked in the same situation my phone doesn't support sd card and mtp not working as well.......actually i was using stock firmware in my Gionee S5.1 i tried to reset it as usual but my phone stucked in bootloop means my os was totally gone but luckily my twrp stills there hence i connected my phone to the pc its connected via mtp at that time, i found that there is a new version of twrp available i flashed it and mtp stops working as i was wiped out my whole internal memory data and my phone doesn't sd card so i downloaded the previous version twrp puted it in the usb and connected with otg and flashed and mtp worked again and then flashed new rom!!!!! I hope it will help

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, twrp, mtp
---


# Question
Title: CAN i reinstall the system apps which i have deleteed accidently during rooting?
Recently i have rooted my phone .And somehow my media storage has beeen deleted during the rooting process ans i cant play the music and watch photos .My andriod version is 5.1. So can somebody send me the apk file (the apk file of system apps can be created by apk extractor ,you can find it on play store) of the media storage ,so i can reinstall it. P.S.I have tried with other versions of andriod and i failed.

PHONE DATAILS: OBI SJ1.5 RAM 1 GB

# Answer
You might need to reset your phone to stock rom for that
> -2 votes

---
Tags: system, default-applications
---


# Question
Title: Samsung Galaxy S i897 not detected by PC
I have read every forum and every "help" site on Samsung's website and all over the internet. Nothing has worked. I bought an unlocked Galaxy S i897 on ebay, originally an AT&T phone but I'm using it on T-mobile. Is this potentially the problem? I've tried 2 different cords, only charges, never recognized in any Kies version and never recognized by PC like step 3 on this page says it should.

http://www.samsung.com/us/support/SupportOwnersFAQPopup.do?faq\_id=FAQ00045584&fm\_seq=46246

Extremely frustrated at this point. I don't think calling t-mobile can help because the phone was AT&T. Samsung probably wouldn't help either because I bought it on ebay. Unless you think they would, then let me know. I just want to add music and transfer files back and forth, backup contacts, etc., and most importantly update my firmware (currently has Froyo).

# Answer
Apart from potential issues from your current OS version, installed drivers, etc, you can look at this problem from your phone's side.

Assuming that the problem doesn't lie with Kies, Windows 7 or the drivers in use:

1. Before connecting your phone to the computer, open the keypad and dial `*#7284#`;
2. You will see a menu for UART and USB;
3. Under USB, select PDA. If PDA is already selected, select MODEM and then back to PDA;
4. Don't worry about USB debugging or anything, just connect your phone to the PC Everything will work as it is intended to whether you use Kies, no Kies or just Mass storage.

This is a known problem with Samsung, the PDA mode for the USB connection needs to be active. And when active, sometimes we need to reset it by selecting something else and then PDA again.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Please download and install the Samsung drivers - if you're using a 64 bit computer, use the 64 bit drivers, otherwise use the 32 bit version.
> 0 votes

# Answer
What type of OS do you use? On W10 Home it simply does not work, try on any W10 Pro. I had the same issue before, very annoying :(
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s, usb
---


# Question
Title: I can not transfer my app into sd card on Huawei Y9 2018
There is no such option in the device and it is running on android 8.0

# Answer
> 0 votes
Go to **Settings** -\> **Apps** -\> **info/App info** -\> **Storage**

Here change the storage to SD card

Reboot the phone after this, if required.

---
Tags: active-sync
---


# Question
Title: Can't connect to WiFi after spoofed MAC address
I'm changing the MAC address on my Android device; however, once I change it I get disconnected from the WiFi network that I'm connected to and then I'm unable to reconnect to the WiFi.

I realized that I can connect to unsecure WiFi but not secure. I know the MAC address is changing properly because I did packet capturing with WireShark and the spoofed MAC shows as the MAC address of the packets.

I have tried forgetting and reconnecting to the secure WiFi network, but it still doesn't connect. When I changed back the MAC to the original value, it works fine. I can only connect with the real MAC address, but not the spoofed one.

Is there something missing?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Make sure MAC filtering is disabled on your router or your spoofed address is allowed to connect to the network and try again.

# Answer
> -3 votes
Perhaps the router is smarter than you thought or the Mac address isn't spoofed properly....you need to format your Android phone to be able to reconnect to other WiFi

---
Tags: wi-fi, mac-address
---


# Question
Title: Can I pull the emails off my Android phone?
I recently lost all the emails on my laptop computer. And they were important business emails. Many of those emails still exist on my Android phone. I know I can forward them all, but that will take a lot of time and then they'll all be in my inbox from me, not the original sender.

Is there any way to pull the emails off and then drop them in to my mail program?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Unfortunately there is no easy way to do this. Here is the method I found...

Open an email on your phone and find where you can "save email as file". It is usually in the upper right dropdown. After saving, go to your phone's storage and find the Saved Email folder. The email will be saved as an \*.eml file. Since the file is relatively small, you can do this for multiple emails. (It is a little time consuming to open emails and save as files but once you get the hang of it you can go pretty fast.) All you are doing is opening emails and saving them to that Saved Email folder.

Next, using an email account, email the \*.eml file(s) to the email address you want to place the emails in. Remember you can attach multiple files in one email since they are small files. Now open the email account on your computer with the attachments and select an \*.eml file. When you open the attachment it will appear as an open email. Move the open email to the folder you want it to appear in.

The email will now be in that folder and appear just as it was on your phone. Unfortunately you now have to spend time opening each \*.eml file as an email and moving it to the desired folder. At least now the emails will be saved where you want them in the order (date and time) as they appeared on your phone.

# Answer
> 0 votes
You can try out any of the Backup App, that would let you have fun!

The thing that you're saying

> I recently lost all the emails on my laptop computer. And they were important business emails. Many of those emails still exist on my Android phone.

As the mails on your device might get removed as soon as you connect it to the Internet (sync might do that), if you need to install a backup app better download its `.apk` file to your computer, and sideload it (e.g. copy it to your SDCard, and start the `.apk` using any file manager, which would trigger the installation; make sure to have activated for this). A good choice would be Helium Backup: it creates `.ab` (Android Backup) files compatible with `adb backup`, and there are solutions available to extract those on your PC.

> Is there any way to pull the emails off and then drop them in to my mail program?

No, there is no direct way to do that – you could only forward them, which you don't want. Then I don't think there is any other way to do this. You can either create a backup file to just save the emails, then forward them. That's the only way to get back your emails, but still you will lose the time, sender name and other! And it will be replaced with Sender as: You, Time: Current Time, Body: Body will have the email included as signature or something like that. That's it!

Good luck, Cheers.

---
Tags: email, restore
---


# Question
Title: Using ADB shell, How I can disable hotspot / tethering on lollipop Nexus 5
My screen got broken and I've been using my phone with a VNC Server installed on it, but this morning i'd the stupid idea of enable hotspot just to see if I can use my mobile data plan on my laptop, but when I did this, the wi-fi got disconnected from my router and now i only have access to my phone using adb shell.

I need to disable hotspot from ADB, already searched on google but didn't find anything, i also tried disable and enabling wi-fi, doesn't works.

# Answer
A cleaner way to do it is by calling "service call" command.

For example on my phone I could call

```
# Start Wifi tethering
adb shell service call connectivity 24 i32 0
# Stop Wifi tethering
adb shell service call connectivity 25 i32 0

```

`Service call` will call the function number `24` in connectivity service (which happened to be the function that turn on tethering) and pass it `0` as argument (`0` would be wi-fi tethering, 1 would be usb tethering and `2` would be bluetooth).

Sadly service functions code change from one android version to another. This stackoverflow reply explain how to get the right function code for your current android version. https://stackoverflow.com/questions/20227326/where-to-find-info-on-androids-service-call-shell-command

Also this is the functions list for connectivity service for the android version I am using (Nougat) https://android.googlesource.com/platform/frameworks/base/+/android-7.1.2\_r1/core/java/android/net/IConnectivityManager.aidl
> 1 votes

# Answer
```
  adb shell input keyevent 3 # home

  adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.MAIN -n com.android.settings/.Settings

  adb shell input keyevent 20 # down

  adb shell input keyevent 20 # down

  adb shell input keyevent 20 # down

  adb shell input keyevent 66 # enter

  adb shell input keyevent 20 # down

  adb shell input keyevent 20 # down

  adb shell input keyevent 66 # enter

  adb shell input keyevent 20 # down

  adb shell input keyevent 66 # enter

```
> 5 votes

---
Tags: adb, wifi-hotspot, tethering
---


# Question
Title: Disable Notification Vibration for Specific Apps
I would like to change a setting for my Android (v5.1.1) to make my YouTube app show notifications (on the Lock Screen and Status Bar as it currently does), but without vibration and sound. That is, I want to override the default notification volume/vibrate settings.

Looking at other Android StackExchange questions such as this one, it appears that this might be a feature I would need to rely on the developers of the app to implement. Assuming this is not the case, is there is any setting that would allow app notifications while disabling the volume/vibrate only for that app?

# Answer
> 3 votes
Via https://www.xda-developers.com/stop-vibrations-android-apps/ :

Vibration can be disabled per-app with an adb command:

```
adb shell
cmd appops set [package] VIBRATE ignore

```

The \[package\] is usually something like "com.somecompany.someappname". There are a various programs that will let you see the name of apps (the page there suggests one), but

```
adb shell 'pm list packages -f'

```

should do it as well.

More detailed info about installing and using adb is listed at the top link or in other answers on SE.

---
Tags: settings, notifications, 5.1-lollipop, vibration
---


title: How to delete Skype history?

text:
# Question
Title: How to delete Skype history?
How to delete Skype history?

I saw two methods declared: (1) delete Skype application data and/or (2) reinstall Skype.

But both methods are compromised by an idea and saying, that Skype history is (maybe partially) stored on Skype server.

If so, then History will resurrect after both actions.

So, my question is: how to really delete history?

Also I need some explanations about the cases where history was resurrecting. For example, this can be because parallel client was holding history...

# Answer
> 1 votes
Go to Settings - Apps, find Skype in list of installed apps and click on clear data button and clear cache.

> Also I need some explanations about the cases where history was resurrecting. For example, this can be because parallel client was holding history...

Skype archives your chats for you and stores them locally on your computer (or device), if you have enabled this option. Chat histories are not stored anywhere on the Skype network. source

# Answer
> 0 votes
If you have an Android phone, you can follow the below steps for deleting Skype history,

Settings \>\> Applications \>\> Manage Applications \>\> Downloaded Apps/All \>\> Skype \>\> Clear Data

For your PC,

Open Skype \>\> Tools \>\> Options \>\> Privacy \>\> Clear History

Hope this helps!

---
Tags: skype, chat-history
---


title: Termux trying youtube-dl with aria2

text:
# Question
Title: Termux trying youtube-dl with aria2
I'm newbie and experimenting,like the title said i wanted to use youtube-dl with aria2

So this is my youtube-dl config

```
--cache-dir /sdcard/Download

--all-subs

--external-downloader "aria2c"

--external-downloader-args "--dir=/sdcard/Download --split=16 --max-connection-per-server=16 --min-split-size=1M --continue=true"

--merge-output-format "mkv"

--embed-subs

-f "bestvideo[width=1280][fps>=30][vcodec=vp9]+bestaudio[acodec=opus]/bestvideo[width=1280][fps>=30]+bestaudio"

```

The thing is when i try to download https://youtu.be/kUd9act5EP4 (pewd's new video) around 141mb(avc1 with opus audio) and 112mb(vp9 with opus audio) its downloaded with aria2 but when I try to download https://youtu.be/FKhtrdd6p4Q (random lengthy video) around 764mb(avc1 with aac audio)its downloaded without aria2(idk what its downloaded with(native termux downloader?)).

So what is my error in this?(I have attached a screenshot)

Oh and one more thing,how to change youtube-dl download location?

# Answer
Ah after more reading it seems that aria2 does not support segmented DASH.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: termux
---


# Question
Title: Can't start Android 8.0 Oreo on emulator: "Decryption unsuccessful"
I recently downloaded system images for API Level 26 (Android 8.0), on my SDK emulator but unfortunately I can't boot the virtual device all the way to home screen.

I'm stuck on the following screens:

*One which request a description password;*

(*and the other showing that description want successful (which is confusing me*)

I have tried different things to no avail:

* tried wiping user data whilst starting the AVD
* tried deleting/swapping `user data.img`
* tried starting the AVD from command line
* swtching `google_apis_playstore` image with `google_apis image`(which never boots)

And all these instances still **I can't start successfully the virtual device.**

Is there something I'm missing or is there a workaround to bypass the screens?

# Answer
I managed to get the Android 8.1 images to run on the emulator. I figured out the main issue was to do with emulator itself which was rather outdated.

From the looks of things it seems the emulator (originally distributed as part of the Android SDK Tools) is no longer updated since version `25.2.3`

The solution was to **manually** update the emulator, to make it compatible to run `API level``26`. The emulator tools (for windows) can be found here: https://dl.google.com/android/repository/emulator-windows-4266726.zip or linux

**Instructions**

* Download the latest emulator from the above link or here
* When done, decompress the downloaded `emulator.zip` file and extract the emulator package to `%USERPROFILE%\Android\android-sdk\tools` or relevant path (**yes you have to merge it into that folder, since the emulator doesn't have all libraries and files**)
* After this your emulator will be updated (to `26.1.4` in my case)
* Now prepare your AVD (`API level 26` or `27`) as usual and should be up and running.

Although, the standalone SDK Manager and AVD Manager (GUIs) have been deprecated in favour of command line `sdkmanager` tool found in `android_sdk/tools/bin/`, you can still update the emulator using the method mentioned here: https://developer.android.com/studio/command-line/sdkmanager.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: boot, android-emulator, 8.0-oreo, avd-manager
---


# Question
Title: How to select an arbitrary MP3 as ringtone on LineageOS?
I encoded a part of a song as MP3 and I'd like to set it as ringtone on LineageOS 14. I found some instructions to move the file to a certain location - or better locations because the locations because they seem to differ based on model and version. However, it's 2018 and developers are usually educated in basic UX, so there's probably an acceptable way to do this (assuming that it's not acceptable to force a user to speculate that a configuration option might be available after moving a file to a certain unspecified location in the context of a GUI - forum threads like this one of a German LineageOS forum not based on meritocratic swarm intelligence suggest five contradictory approaches).

I'm using LineageOS 14.1 on a Moto G 2014.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I'm pretty sure that this damaged my profile setup so that I needed to do a factory reset. The approach is however supposed to work and most likely will with your phone - have a backup ready just in case and see https://forum.xda-developers.com/oneplus-one/help/lineage-os-homescreen-menu-buttons-t3553235 for (horrible forum-style) info in case you don't and and did the following anyway.

Since I don't have access to the internal storage in the LineageOS and other file browsers, but to my SD card only (or the SD card is commonly referred to as internal storage which would be largely ambiguous), I could put the MP3 file into `Ringtones` on the SD card and select the ringtone **after a reboot**.

I suggested to replace this with an intuitive import function in the ringtone selection menu at https://jira.lineageos.org/browse/BUGBASH-1945.

---
Tags: lineageos, ringtone
---


# Question
Title: How to use a paired bluetooth device as Smart Lock trusted device?
I am interested in using my Nexus Player (or other bluetooth device) as a Smart Lock trusted device for my phone. My goal was to be able to unlock my device without needing my usual pin while sitting on the couch. It seems like my Nexus Player (which never moves from under my TV) is a good candidate for that.

When I navigate to *Settings* -\> *Security* -\> *Smart Lock* -\> *Trusted devices* -\> *Bluetooth*, I can see it listed, but not connected:

**Trusted devices not connected**  (Click image to enlarge)

The devices are paired (but not connected):

**Paired bluetooth devices**  (Click image to enlarge)

Is there any way to use these as Smart Lock trusted devices?

# Answer
> 6 votes
I managed to "trick" it into connecting by sending a file from one device to another. Then it becomes available to add as a trusted device. So I think you need to be actively doing something with the intended device in order for it to be "connected"

Your car does this because your car expects to receive data from your phone. Maybe you can use bluetooth to control the device you want to connect to?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Yes the device needs to be connected. Most devices simply need you to press the blue button (or whatever makes a blue light flash). Then in the setup...Bluetooth screen make sure it is scanning for devices. If necessary, turn Bluetooth off then back on to force a scan.

When it finds the device it will first show an address (not the name) and you can tap on it to start the pairing.

Then when you ask for it to be trusted it will prompt you for a security code.

For many devices the code is 0000 or 00000

Here is an article that discusses the issue in detail:

How to setup Trusted Devices on Android Lollipop to automatically unlock your phone or tablet

# Answer
> 0 votes
I followed the advice to send a file from my laptop to my phone via bluetooth, and yes, then SmartLock was able to connect to my laptop.

---
Tags: bluetooth, smart-lock
---


# Question
Title: Root Terminal command to kill or stop a service?
The latest LiveView Application for my device keeps appearing on the status bar even if the LiveView device isn't connected. Since I can't find any means to disable this behavior, I want to create a fix for myself via Tasker. I made it so that the LiveView process is killed when the device disconnects. However, although this successfully kills the app, after a few seconds or minutes, it starts up again and sits on the notification bar like before. I suppose this is a countermeasure against Task Killers of sort.

This is the next approach I'm taking, using a terminal command to kill or stop a service fully. I'm going to run this command in Tasker in replacement of the process kill method.

Another thing I found to work is to go to Settings \> Apps \> LiveView \> Force Close. So if Force Close is do-able via terminal, that would be nice too.

This is all on a rooted ST17i, running MiniCMSandwich Lite ROM (ICS).

# Answer
> 5 votes
Your suggested approach would have the same result: a few seconds later, the app would be back. Tasker kills it again. Start at the beginning. This vicious circle will certainly help you drain your battery faster -- but nothing else.

Two possible solutions would include either to uninstrall the app, or to disable the "listener" it established to get started on certain events. The latter can be done by e.g. Autorun Manager PRO (yes, this requires the Pro version):

Though there are similar solutions available, and I tested some of them, *AutoRun Manager* seemed to be the best: It's faster than most of the others, and finds more intents than many others. But as the app also warns: if you disable too many (or the wrong) listeners, the (disabled) app may start misbehaving. To get around that, a new version of this app (coming soon) will implement profiles to switch between (so you could e.g. have one "disabled" profile, and one "enabled"), and also allows for the third option below. (Before anybody asks: No, I'm not the developer -- I just happened to suggest this feature to him, and he approved it).

A third option, which will soon be available with *AutoRun Manager*, already is available with Titanium Backup Pro: Freeze the app in question when not needing it, and unfreeze it when you want it. *Titanium Backup* even offers to create a widget to switch between both states -- but you need one widget per app.

# Answer
> 2 votes
you can execute: `pm disable "packagename"` to fully hibernate

apply `pm enable "packagename"` to enable again

Some info & examples (click images to show larger variant):

In case `pm disable` / `pm enable` seems not to work on your device, try `pm hide` / `pm unhide` instead, which was introduced with Android 5. Some Kitkat devices even used `pm block` / `pm unblock`.

Disable vs hide

---
Tags: tasker, task-management, processes
---


title: Google Keep Mobile frequently freezes

text:
# Question
Title: Google Keep Mobile frequently freezes
I use Google Keep a lot and I have many... many notes. Some of these notes were written with the mobile version of Google Keep. However, something that really inhibits my experience with it is the fact that around every ten seconds, the app will just "freeze" and not react for three seconds. I can type all I want, but the text won't appear until it unfreezes and it will ignore backspaces for some reason. Also, sometimes when I edit an already existing note and I leave the app too early, it will just remove all the additional text I typed into the existing note, which I assume is also an effect of this constant freezing.

My only theory is that the folks at Google, for some reason, decided to have ALL notes load at the same time and that's what's slowing down the whole app. The microscopic scrollbar on the right side seems to be evidence of this. I don't know why they would do this instead of the lazy load approach the regular Google Keep website uses, but it really starts to p\*ss me off. Is there a way to make this constant freezing stop?

# Answer
You could try deleting your notes. :D

If you don't want to delete them, you can archive them. You probably don't need all those notes all the time. Archiving removes it from the home screen, but you can view it when you need to by going to archives.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: google-keep
---


title: Reduce minimum in call volume

text:
# Question
Title: Reduce minimum in call volume
**I find that the minimum in-call volume on my HTC Desire is still far to loud on some calls.**

Since I got the phone, I have flashed several different custom ROMs, radio updates, etc, and have had the issue throughout.

**Do you know of any way (setting, hack, app, whatever) to reduce the minimum volume?**

My device is rooted and I am currently running one of the CyanogenMod 7 (Gingerbread) nightly builds.

# Answer
> 3 votes
I was reminded by a friend that the CyanogenMod ROM I am using includes 'DSPManager' which is essentially a graphic equaliser with profiles for Headset, Phone Speaker and Bluetooth Device.

By lowering all the levels for the Phone Speaker profile I have managed to reduce the minimum in call volume (hooray!).

For people using ROMs other than CM on a rooted device, I believe a combination of DSPManager APK and modified audio library can be flashed but people appear to have had mixed results.

# Answer
> 6 votes
1. Place a single layer over the speaker.\*
2. Repeat Step 1 as needed.

**Works with Wii-motes too.*

# Answer
> 0 votes
I figured it out. You actually have to turn it up.....then turn it down. Doesn't make sense, but it is working.

# Answer
> -1 votes
I'm pretty sure Tasker can do this. I've seen references to people doing it, but I haven't found a specific profile/recipe for it. They have a 7-day trial you can get to fool around with it.

---
Tags: volume-control, calls
---


# Question
Title: Whats the difference between the "OK Google" function and the new "Google Assistant"?
I've had OK Google on my Galaxy S7 since I bought it. Now I see Google Assistant coming out. Whats the difference?

# Answer
According to this, Google Assistant is a beefed-up version of Google Now (what you call "OK Google"). Google Assistant allows for better context to your requests and is designed for better integration with other devices.
> 7 votes

---
Tags: google
---


# Question
Title: Single Purpose Educational Android Tablet
This question is not very technical but I had to ask it somewhere, and this was a promising place to get answers. Please help. I have to provide Educational-Tablets to High-School Students. We want to make sure that those tablets are not misused and only 2 application (developed by us) run on the tablet. I went through many MDM (Mobile Device Management) solutions but none seemed promising. Is there any way (Any Android Native Functionality) to ensure the "Single Purpose Use" of the Tablet?

# Answer
> 0 votes
There are a few good business and educational solutions out there which are either free or at very low cost to achieve this. My company makes one, and you can find out more on our website -\> look for Android Kiosk Mode. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

# Answer
> 0 votes
There is no native functionality to lock down tablets, There's Screen pinning on Android devices (5.0 and above) which lets you lock down the device to an app screen, but this feature has its limitations, users can unpin it and access other apps and content on the device just as easy. That’s why we made it a point to offer a powerful Kiosk mode on our MDM solution. We have whole school districts with tablets deployed in Kiosk mode with Hexnode MDM. You can lock down the devices to single app or a set of applications of your choice. You can choose to have an app auto-launch in fixed time intervals, selectively enable various settings toggles, seamlessly update Kiosk apps and more. I'm pretty sure you'll fall in love.

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, kiosk-mode
---


# Question
Title: LG G3 restarts and shuts down automatically
I have LG G3 (D855) and running stock firmware, Someday back my phone start showing invalid sim then i tried same sim with different phone and its working. Now i know there is some fault in phone, i was keep trying then after few minutes my phone restart with awkward loud beat and then shut down/restart to boot. To boot i need to take out battery but it still restart or shut down automatically.

I flashed my phone to stock KDZ successfully but still i am facing same issue. My screen sometimes stuck to LG logo or LG logo disappears and shut down (Need to take out battery to start my phone again), Boot sometimes to home screen then turn off. I flashed to D85530e\_00\_0927.kdz , which is stock i was using before any issue in my phone.

Please help me to fix my phone

# Answer
Same problem here. LG service"s solution was a new mobo euro 200. I replaced the battery for euro 5 and everything was like new.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Lots of LG phones are showing up bootloop issues. The issue you are facing can be closely related to other bootloop issues seen in LG phones. And if it is, I dont think you can do much to fix this issue.

You may however give a try installing a light weight OS like lineage OS. I had faced similar situation with Nexus 5x. Installing Lineage OS helped a bit(restarts/sudden shutdowns became less frequent). In my case replacing motherboard solved the issue for me.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, rom-flashing, boot-loop, lg, lg-g3
---


# Question
Title: Welsh letters with circumflex: example - ŷ
Can these be input via my Galaxy s4 keyboard?

The example is embraced by Unicode hex `0177` and its capital version `0176`. The Welsh language is not amongst the language options on this device.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Did you try with Google's `Gboard` ? This keyboard has support for several languages including Welsh. Simply touch and hold Y : `ŷ`, `Ŷ`

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-4
---


# Question
Title: Samsung Smart Switch - Do I need the same version of an app on both phones?
I mean to transfer only selected apps from my J7 2015 (Phone #1, P1) to my new J7 Prime (Phone #2, P2) using Samsung Smart Switch (SSS).

Some of these apps are already installed in P2. Since different versions of an app may use a different file structure to handle its data and work, I conceive that SSS is not smart enough to be aware of this (it would be too much asking from SSS), and therefore that the switch requires first to have the same version of the apps to be switched in both phones, for the transferred data to be operative in the new phone.

**Is that correct or not?** **Can anyone provide authoritative answers/links?** **Did anyone had specific experiences with different versions of apps (which app/version in each phone)?**

PS: At first, I had a non-updated version in my old phone, and SSS was not going through (and not throwing any error or warning message). Then I updated SSS and it worked. So at least SSS requires some degree of "similarity" in its own versions.

PS2: In some apps, I can confirm that login info was not properly transferred, and I had to login again in the new phone.

# Answer
> 1 votes
For many of the applications that I transferred, only the app itself is transferred, not the data, so it becomes irrelevant if the versions are the same or not.

I do not know if this is always the case.

---
Tags: samsung, data-transfer, samsung-smart-switch
---


# Question
Title: trying to adb backup but dialog doesn't show
I have sony xperia P device and I want to flash its ROM to get Marshmallow(I currently have android 4.0.4).

I want to do full backup of my phone before doing this, I knew about `adb backup` command, I installed android-tools from my Arch linux repos and issued :

```
adb backup -all -apk -shared -f momsmobile.ab

```

it shows : `Now unlock your device and confirm the backup operation.` but Nothing shows at all, I have USB debugging enabled and tried to put a password the Developer option "Desktop password for backup".

I also tried following Arch wiki and added udev rules, this is the rule file :

```
SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTR{idVendor}=="xxxx", MODE="0666", GROUP="adbusers"
SUBSYSTEM=="usb",ATTR{idVendor}=="xxxx",ATTR{idProduct}=="yyyy",SYMLINK+="android_adb"
SUBSYSTEM=="usb",ATTR{idVendor}=="xxxx",ATTR{idProduct}=="yyyy",SYMLINK+="android_fastboot"

```

I'm sure the vendor's and product's id are correct(the real ones aren't provided for privacy).

the above didn't work too, I still get no confirm prompt, although when I issue `adb devices` I can see mine there.

Basically I have the same issue as this question, only this question has different device model(Sumsung vs Sony) and it's not answered.

Lastly I tried to disable all my antivirus protections, I'm using avast mobile security and disabled every thing but still didn't work.

So what's the problem ?

## PS

I don't want to root the device(at least not on backup phase) and I don't want to use any apps.

# Answer
Might be a little late, but here's what worked for me: put single quotes around the parameters.

```
adb backup '-all -apk -shared -f momsmobile.ab'

```
> 11 votes

# Answer
I did it! I switched ON "USB Debugging(Security Settings)" in options 'For developers'. I have two options for usb debugging: 1. "USB Debugging" (simple) - this was always ON and 2. "USB Debugging(Security Settings)" - this was OFF.

Phone: Xiaomi Note 3 Pro SE (kate)

On yours phone options maybe will have different names.
> 2 votes

# Answer
On my LG G5 I changed MTP to RNDIS (USB Ethernet) in option "For Developers"; no quotes needed to get the Backup dialog. Thanks for the tip
> 0 votes

---
Tags: adb, backup
---


# Question
Title: Run Google Chrome with flags (not from chrome://flags)
There are command line flags (or "switches") that Chromium (and Chrome) accept in order to enable particular features or modify otherwise default functionality.

I want to add `--sync-url` flag to use my sync server instead of Google sync servers. `chrome://flags` only enable/disable flags but won't let you add a new flag.

Tried Chrome 41.0.xx and Chromium 43.0.xxx shell with:

```
# echo "chrome <flags>" > /data/local/tmp/android-webview-command-line
# echo "chrome <flags>" > /data/local/tmp/content-shell-command-line
# echo "chrome --sync-url whatever" > /data/local/tmp/chrome-command-line

```

Any idea how to run Chrome with flags on Android or directly add these to the default profile?

# Answer
You need to add the entire command into the `/data/local/tmp/chrome-command-line` file. For example, I usually you want to skip the "First run experience", and I do:

`# echo "chrome --disable-fre" > /data/local/tmp/chrome-command-line`

You probably need

`# echo "chrome --sync-url whatever" > /data/local/tmp/chrome-command-line`
> 4 votes

# Answer
I just went through this myself on Android 5.0.1. It's what was mentioned by Munim with two important tweaks.

1. In `chrome://flags`, enable the "Enable command line on non-rooted devices" flag, this makes Chrome look in `/data/local/tmp/chrome-command-line` (instead of `/data/local/chrome-command-line`)
2. Create the `chrome-command-line` file with `chrome` plus the additional flags you want (no need to repeat existing flags found in `about:version`), e.g. `chrome --sync-url whatever`
3. Change the mode of the `chrome-command-line` file to `755`, e.g. `chmod 755 chrome-command-line`
4. Restart Chrome and verify that the flags you specified appear in `about:version` at the beginning
> 2 votes

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Tags: chrome-for-android, chromium
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# Question
Title: Trying to find out how to add the icons back on my home screen it is an Android phone
I accidentally delated the icons on my Android phone, how can I add them back.

# Answer
It's a simple answer, but go to the "Apps" screen (the button with several dots on it) and right press (touch and hold) the icon you want. Then, position it where you want on the screen and release.

You can also create folders by putting an app icon on top of another and widgets by long pressing the desktop \> Widgets.

If you erased the icons on a third-party launcher (e.g. Nova Launcher) and have the same config on your stock launcher (or a backup), you can go to (right press) \> Settings \> Backup & import settings \> Import from another launcher (or Import backup if you have a backup).
> 0 votes

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Tags: app-icons
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title: Extracting data from a TWRP backup

text:
# Question
Title: Extracting data from a TWRP backup
How can I extract individual files from a backup created with TWRP? I’ve come across this answer, which is about extracting an APK from the system partition. However, I want to extract files from `/data`, which gets split across several files in the backup.

# Answer
> 11 votes
The files created by TWRP with a `*.win` or `*.win???` extension are tar archives. If a partition gets split across multiple files, each is a tar archive in its own right.

There is a slight difference, depending on the TWRP version used to create the backup. The watershed seems to be 3.2.\* or before.

**If the backup was created with an older version:**

The files are in standard TAR format which any Unix-like OS should understand. Simply rename each file, giving it a `.tar` extension, and open it in your favorite archive tool (Engrampa on Ubuntu MATE has worked well for this).

**If the backup was created with a recent version:**

The file format uses custom TAR extensions, which the standard tar tools cannot process, see https://github.com/TeamWin/Team-Win-Recovery-Project/issues/1472. You need to extract the file with TWRP’s own flavor of `tar`:

* If the backup is no longer on the device, copy the required file back. (Should work on any device with TWRP, regardless of where the backup was created.)
* Boot into TWRP.
* `adb shell` into the device.
* `cd` to a folder where you want to store your extracted files (I recommend creating a temporary one, extracting files there and then copying them to their intended destination – gives you some security against accidentally overwriting parts of your filesystem).
* Extract those files with TWRP’s custom tar build:
    + `tar -tvf data.ext4.win000` will list all files in that particular backup archive (use `grep` to search for something particular).
    + `tar -xvf data.ext4.win000 path/to/file` will extract the specified file. In my case, TAR removed the leading `/` from file names and placed the extracted file in the current folder, with the path appended.

Another option would be to build TWRP’s custom tar tool on a system of your choice, then do the extraction on that system.

# Answer
> 21 votes
`cat data.ext4.win??? | tar xvfi -`

What this does is concatenate each file matching the pattern `data.ext4.win???` and then pipe the concatenated files to tar for extraction. the `-` as the filename tells tar to extract from stdin. The i option ignores zero blocks which will be in between each archive file concatenated.

In this example I used the ext4 formatted data partition. Change `data.ext4` to match the partition you are extracting.

Disclaimer: This has not been tested in a windows environment.

For a less hacky solution found here

`for f in data.ext4.win???; do tar xvf "$f"; done`

This is a bit simpler without relying on the ignore zeros option of tar to operate properly

Edited to reflect davidgo's comment.

31-Jan-2020 Edited to reflect Code Bling's comments.

17-Feb-2021 Edited to reflect alecxs's comments.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Try BinWalk, it's a fast, easy to use tool for analyzing, reverse engineering, and extracting firmware images. and for more information take a look at this Quick-Start-Guide.

# Answer
> -1 votes
Just extract it with winrar to a folder on desktop and that's it

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Tags: backup, twrp
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