# Question
Title: What is the difference between the official and unofficial version of a ROM?
The title pretty much says it all. What is the difference between the official and unofficial version of a ROM? From what I've seen, unofficial comes before official, for ROMs like cyanogenmod.

# Answer
Rahul Gopi describes the basic concept of official and unofficial, but I'd like to add some important additions.

1. Unofficial is not necessarily different from official in sense of code and result. One can build purely from codes supplied by the ROM team without additions, and the result will be exactly the same as Nightlies, minus some fingerprints here and there that shows who built it.
2. Official is not necessarily better than unofficial. For many popular devices, both exists, and the developer for unofficial versions will add tweaks to differentiate, e.g. a custom kernel, slimmed down build (i.e. removed some preinstalled apps), themed to the developer's liking. This is what I'm doing monthly as a home compiler, by the way.
3. Official is not always perfect. Sometimes developers have unreleased patches that aren't pushed to upstream yet, or haven't been approved in code review for various reasons, leaving long overdue bugs in official builds. Devs can push out unofficial builds with those baked in when building locally, thus fixing the bugs.
4. When a new Android version releases, unofficial builds almost always come first. This is due to the strict requirements (e.g. what basic features should at least work) the ROM team choose to enforce on official releases. Contrarily, devs for unofficial builds are mostly concerned about bringing the version to the mass as early as possible as a proof-of-concept.

For those reasons above, you should not assume that "who builds it doesn't matter" - look carefully at the intro of the unofficial ones (because official ones rarely offers such intro), and decide if it has an edge you need.
> 2 votes

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Tags: rom, terminology
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title: Google Play Store mobile payment

text:
# Question
Title: Google Play Store mobile payment
I'm haing a problem with google play store from few weeks, I can't purchase any app with carrier billing option. it says "Your mobile payment service isn't available, try again later" any ideas how to fix this? thanks

# Answer
Carrier billing agreements are only set up on a few carriers in a few countries.

As of the end of 2013, that list is:

```
Country       Carriers
Australia     Telstra
Belgium       Mobistar
Germany       T-Mobile International, o2
France        SFR, Bouygues, Orange
Hong Kong     3
Ireland       3, O2
Italy         Wind Italy
Japan         Docomo, KDDI, Softbank
Korea         KT, SKT, LGU+
Netherlands   KPN
Norway        Telenor
Poland        Play
Russia        Beeline
Singapore     Singtel
Spain         Movistar
Sweden        3, Telenor SE
Switzerland   Swisscom
UK            T-Mobile International
US            AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon

```

(source)

If you're still having trouble, Google Play Support has some other troubleshooting steps you should try:

If you don’t see a carrier billing option under Payment options, here are some troubleshooting tips:

* Make sure you’re connected to your carrier’s mobile data network (3G/4G), not Wi-Fi.
* Direct carrier billing is only available on mobile devices using the Google Play Store
* Google Play Store app, not computers.
* Your account with your carrier must be in good standing.
* Check with your carrier to make sure:
    + You haven’t exceeded your carrier’s monthly spending limit.
    + Your device and service plan allow premium content purchases.
    + Your device can use direct carrier billing.
> 2 votes

# Answer
If the phone is working normally otherwise (that is, you can make calls and send/receive texts normally), then it's unlikely to be a problem you can fix yourself. You should contact your carrier or Google support.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Basically this has to do with the tie up for billing between your carrier & google. Currently google may not have a tieup with your carrier to charge you directly on phone bill. Or if you were earlier use to but via your carrier than their is a fair chance that contract between google and you carrier is over or in some dispute due to which direct carrier billing integration has been removed.
> 0 votes

# Answer
I went through this for a couple of weeks recently until I found help online. I just needed to turn my wifi off and use my data to make the purchase. As soon as I did that I was able to use the bill your cell provider option.
> 0 votes

# Answer
If you haven't set up a Google Wallet account, you’ll need to create one before making a purchase.

Open the Google Play Store Google Play Store app. Select an app or digital content item. Touch the price. If you're purchasing an app, review and Accept permissions to continue. Next to the price, touch the Down Down arrow. Touch Payment options. Touch Carrier billing Enable carrier billing. Review and Save your account information.
> -1 votes

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Tags: google-play-store
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# Question
Title: How do I solve the "Unfortunately, System UI has stopped." on Gionee S6 Pro?
I seem to be getting the error "Unfortunately, System UI has stopped." on my Gionee S6 Pro. I have tried wiping cache partition via recovery with no progress. The OS is Marshmallow and UI is Amigo. The touch screen is unresponsive, but I can press the close button after error pops up. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advanced!

# Answer
> 0 votes
the issue is with all gionee S6 model. The best way out of this is to do a factory reset. But u may loose ur files on ur storage.

# Answer
> 0 votes
The stock launcher for this model seems buggy, and apparently there is no fix at the moment.

To solve your problem, try installing a third-party launcher such as **Nova Launcher,** **Google Now launcher** or any other launcher...

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Tags: 6.0-marshmallow
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title: What signature does TWRP look for?

text:
# Question
Title: What signature does TWRP look for?
The stock recovery will look for a valid signature from its manufacturer.

What signature does TWRP look for? Does it have a built in keychain of known developers? Does it just check for any signature and accepts it regardless of the signer to check for integrity only? Does it check whether the signature is from the same signer as the currently installed ROM?

(I'm asking because LineagOS recently started releasing signed builds but TWRP failed to verify it. Probably you'll want to use the LineagOS OS recovery but those haven't been released yet)

# Answer
> 0 votes
It will for an md5 checksum of what you're flashing if its present. If TWRP won't let you flash a file, likely the checksum is turned on and can turned off in settings at the TWRP gui and possibly at an extended menu when selecting the file to flash.

If the file you're trying to flash doesn't work with TWRP, for example its contents isn't in a format that TWRP handels, then it won't work. Files from phone manufactures often have their own signing signatures that are only going to work with the recovery that is also from the manufacturer, and some manufactures are going to use an encrypted image that the stock recovery and bootloader are going to work with. The rule of thumb, here, is not to flash OEM files with TWRP unless you know its okay with your device.

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Tags: twrp
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# Question
Title: Android 4.4.2 on Sumsung S4 has 100MB free from 5.18GB , what is using all the space
I cannot install disk-usage as i have no space.
Ive tried deleting stuff, removing apps...etc
but am only ambe to get back small amount.
Something is using up an enormous amount of disk-space.
What is it?
how do list hidden files etc.

# Answer
If you have access via adb, you can navigate to the sdcard and run "du -sh \*" or from the computer ' adb shell "du -sh \*" ' and see the output of how large the folders are. Likely Android is going to be big. You need to be selective about what you delete from the Android folder if that's the route you need to take.

If you can't look at things using adb: Try clearing cache of apps that build up a lot of space such as youtube and google translate. Also, and if this doesn't free things up enough to install disk usage, look inside the Android folder of the sdcard. There are two subfolders here to look at, on is data and the other is obb. Games that take up a lot of space are often in obb; deleting here will screw up your game and you may have to reinstall entirely in order to get this data back, but it one way of clearing a big files in your scenario. Cached data that really builds up goes in the data folder; look for youtube in case it wasn't cleared when you went to settings. In fact a lot of Google apps keep ridiculous amounts of history which can eat up space. Its best to try to clean it in settings\>apps opposed to manually deleting it unless you feel you know your way around the files you're looking at. Clearing files in Data, or clearing data via settings, will reset apps as if they were just installed which isn't convenient.

There is also sometimes a "clear cache" function in the menu to format the sdcards which can free up space without screwing things too bad however I haven't tried it on that device and only used it once on a different device. You want to be careful you don't format a card in the process while in this menu.
> 0 votes

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Tags: internal-storage
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# Question
Title: Is it safe to delete "Tencent/MicroMsg/diskcache" folder?
Is it ok to delete Tencent - MicroMsg - diskcache folder in Samsung Galaxy S3? It's related to WeChat.

# Answer
> 2 votes
To be short, it's sade to clear and remove `SD/Tencent/MicroMsg/diskcache`
The content of it is caches for chat pictures and Moments pictures that you have **sent**, so you can safely remove them. However if you go on to **send** pictures, things will re-generate in it. You might want to clean it up regularly.

# Answer
> 0 votes
If you're referring to the ***Tencent*** cache folders from an app and not the ***Tencent virus,*** you're more than welcome to delete it, but it may re-appear.

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Tags: samsung, files, wechat
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# Question
Title: Removing a deleted account that's still on Galaxy S4
I had a Google account I wanted to get rid of linked to my phone and ended up going to: Settings\>Accounts\>Google\>Account Preferences and selected my account so I could get rid of it. Click to enlarge image

I selected "Delete your Google account" and I don't remember but it probably prompted me asking if I was sure or what the password is or something like that. Anyways I deleted it and ever since I've had this error message

Click to enlarge image

And when I tap it, it opens up Google and asks me to sign in again and says it can't find the account. All this is just an inconvenience but what's really making this a problem is I can't update any apps in the play store until I get rid of this account somehow. I've tried looking in the android file explorer for some sort of accounts system file or even a google accounts system file to delete and can't find anything of the sort on the S4. I don't want to have to factory reset and get all my stuff back over this. Oh yeah, this is what shows up for the accounts settings now.

Click to enlarge image

Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

# Answer
Just remove the account from the device.

Go to **Settings** \> **Accounts** \> **Google**, then click on the account, click on 3-dots ⋮ \> **Remove account**. You'll get rid of the notification.
> 1 votes

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Tags: google-play-store, samsung-galaxy-s-4, google-account, accounts
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title: Is Android a 32-bit or 64-bit OS?

text:
# Question
Title: Is Android a 32-bit or 64-bit OS?
The title is pretty much self-explanatory: is Android a 32- or 64- bit OS? I assume that it is one or another and not both, as that would force both 32- and 64-bit binaries to be hosted on Google Play. I know that this is a simple question, and that other people have been asking it, but for the life of me I have not been able to find an answer on the web, and there is certainly not one on this SE.

# Answer
> 48 votes
In the realm of the ARM chipsets which is the common factor, the entire Android stack, from the near-identical kernel based on Linux, are in fact, 32bit, cross-compiled from usually either a 32bit/64bit host environment, the host environment is usually one of the distributions of Linux. Recommended distribution, by Google, for building and cross-compiling Android is *Ubuntu*.

The Android run-time library (media, graphics, filesystem, to name but a few) are also 32bit, but as we reach the layer of the dalvikvm, then the number of bits becomes irrelevant as it is at this point, the apks coming from the Google Play Store are native bytecode (A "by-product" of generated Java code compiled into a portable bytecode) which targets the DalvikVM (Virtual Machine) which in turn interprets and translates the bytecode targetting the raw ARM instruction set.

Froyo was the last Android that enabled compilation under a 32bit hosted environment in which it was cross-compiled targetting the ARM chipset.

Gingerbread was the first of "future" Android, back then circa, three years ago, that introduced a requirement to use a 64bit hosted environment in which it was built. There was many hacks to get Gingerbread to be built under 32bit hosted environment.

ICS and JB, and upwards now definitely requires a 64bit environment to speed up compilation and to reduce turn-around time in building.

So to sum up, what you see on the Play Store has no bearing on whether 32bit or 64bit are used and thus irrelevant.

*Side note: Typical 16GB RAM/Quad core/64bit Linux distribution, the time it takes to build ICS from scratch, takes 30minutes maximum, had this being a 32bit Linux distribution, it would have taken longer, in fact, may cause a CPU meltdown as there is simply, not enough processing power to churn and crank out cross-compiled code, which **is** a very demanding and taxing process!*

# Proof of this.

Pull in any native ARM binary found in `/system/bin` or `/system/xbin`, for example, `/system/bin/dalvikvm`, this is the Dalvik VM binary that is responsible for the upper layers of Java and APKs.

Now, examine the binary by issuing this command: `file dalvikvm` which gives a summary of the type of file it is, the expected output would be this:

> dalvikvm: ELF 32-bit LSB executable, ARM, version 1 (SYSV), dynamically linked (uses shared libs), stripped

Notice the reference to 32-bit ELF, and is cross-compiled to ARM and is a binary executable.

Right, moving on, let's inspect a native shared library found in `/system/lib`, for example, `/system/lib/libandroid_runtime.so`, now issue `file libandroid_runtime.so`, the expected output would be this:

> libandroid\_runtime.so: ELF 32-bit LSB shared object, ARM, version 1 (SYSV), dynamically linked, stripped

Again, notice, its 32-bit ELF, cross-compiled to ARM and is a shared library.

The key to the host's cross-compilation can be found in the AOSP source, i.e., Gingerbread build originally had a requirement to be built on a 64bit host system, here's the newsgroup linky referring to **how to patch the scripts to get it to build on 32bit host** which has two patches, found here, for `build/core.mk` and `build/main.mk` (combined) on AOSP's Gerrit review.

As a subsequent result, this patch had made its way to ICS's build scripts in which I did have the privilege of compiling ICS on a 32bit platform which took 3 days to build (*it was a port of ICS for the Zte Blade*). Now, the requirements are ramped up, you **do** definitely need 64bit host to enable cross-compilation of building AOSP from ICS upwards :)

# Answer
> 10 votes
Originally, Android was written for 32-bit processors only: and specifically, 32-bit ARM processors. Later, Intel and MIPS invested a lot into making Android support their architectures too: but still only 32-bit processors. They were able to do this without (many) compatibility problems, because most apps aren't shipped as binaries. Written in Java, they are instead shipped as *bytecode*, which a *virtual machine* on the phone compiles to the phone's architecture when the app is run. Some apps include *native* components, which are shipped as a binary. This is done to make some kinds of apps faster (particularly games), or to let the app access C libraries that aren't available in Java. Those apps can include more than one binary for the native code parts, to allow them to run on different architectures. Even so, the majority of apps are Java-only, so they just work on any architecture.

The above was all true at the time this question (and most of the other answers) was written, but no longer. Lollipop introduced support for the new 64-bit ARM processors (*ARMv8*) as well as for Intel and AMD's x86\_64 processors, which means that Android now supports both 32-bit and 64-bit processors. The Nexus 9 was the first flagship 64-bit Android device. As well as giving access to new instruction set extensions, 64-bit support means that apps can use more than 4 GB of RAM. Most apps won't need that much, but high-end games and photo/video creation software can certainly make use of it: pushing Android towards being a platform for console-quality games (including VR games) and for creating content. Java apps don't need to be updated to take advantage of this, because the virtual machine always compiles them to the phone's architecture, but apps with native code will.

Because ARMv8 is backwards-compatible with 32-bit code (the same way x86\_64 can still run x86 code), even apps which include native code for 32-bit processors can still run on 64-bit Android. So an app only needs to be compiled for 64-bit if it contains native code **and** it wants to take advantage of the higher RAM limit or the new features of the architecture.

# Answer
> 5 votes
All ARM chips are currently 32-bit. Because of this, Android currently **executes** all code in a 32-bit environment.

64-bit processors set to launch in 2014.

# Answer
> 2 votes
> Is Android a 32- or 64- bit OS? I assume that it is one or another and not both, as that would force both 32- and 64-bit binaries to be hosted on Google Play.

Neither actually. Android is a Dalvik VM-based OS, and Google Play hosts Dalvik applications. Dalvik VM itself, like Java VM, is always 32-bit regardless of the bitness of the physical machine.

As you suspected, applications that ships with native binaries and NDK applications must ship with binaries compiled for every architectures it is intended to run at. The most common architecture that Android runs on is ARM 32-bit; however there are also devices that runs on x86 and MIPS.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Im just guessing but I think this also explains it just simple. It depends on what device you are using, theres four types of os which is ARM, ARM 64, X84 and X84\_64. The ARM is the popular 32 bit platform, ARM 64 is also the popular but 64 bit platform, X84 is the uncommon platform and used on Zenfones, same as X84\_64 its uncommon and used on Android Emulators. I got this os information on Open Gapps

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Tags: system, tech-specs
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# Question
Title: Phone will randomly crash, then only loads to boot loader
I rooted my Samsung-sm-g930a (Galaxy s7 AT&T)
And after I did, the *VOLTE* showed up... I thought nothing of it because it is **Voice Over LTE** but a week after I did that when i tried to open an app it closed the app 2 seconds later (almost immediately) and if I restart my phone it gets stuck at the AT&T logo I can boot it into recovery and reset the device, this fixes it temporarily then 3 days later it does it Agian. Any idea how to fix this?

# Answer
It appears that something wrong has happened with your rom. Since factory resetting has not fixed the issue, the next step is to restore the stock rom. Here's a link to the stock rom for the Samsung Galaxy S7:

Edit: New link (from OP): https://forum.xda-developers.com/att-galaxy-s7/how-to/firmware-stock-sm-g930a-pb5-odin-files-t3411468

(Includes Root)
> -1 votes

# Answer
I ever faced a situation like this where my phone load until the Samsung logo and that's it. What I did was installing a stock rom in to my Samsung and it did fix my phone. You can visit the web of cyanogen to see if your phone model is listed there.
> 0 votes

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Tags: rooting, 6.0-marshmallow, boot-loop, bootloader
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# Question
Title: How can i Bypass the owners Google account verification on Android v10
My friend bought a used LG Android v10 T-Mobile phone and she factory reset it immediately because she didn't know the screen lock password. Unaware of the new security lock option for Google account. It says connect to Wi-Fi. Then press next. It says 'checking connection' and 'verifying Google account'. Then it directs me to the sign in requirement page for the phone set up and asks for my e-mail address.

When I put my e-mail and password in, Google security account verification calls phone to give code. I then have to type in the 6 digit code provided. It checks information and accepts my account info but before next step it redirects me to "please sign in using the owners account that was previously synced to device" and I don't have any way of knowing a name or e-mail of original owner.

Is there a way for me to bypass this Google security verification so I can use this phone?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Try contacting the previous owner of the phone and see if you can have them set a temporary password to get through it.

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Tags: factory-reset, google-account
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# Question
Title: How can I update my Samsung Galaxy S2 (GT-I9100) from Android 2.3.3 to a newer version?
I have a Samsung Galaxy SII (GT-I9100). OS version-2.3.3. Whenever I connect it to Kies, it cannot find an available software upgrade. Is there any other way to upgrade my OS?

# Answer
> 2 votes
Sure, just be aware that doing so you'll lose the warranty! If you want to do it anyway, just go to sammobile.com and look for your phone (just type i9100 in the search box). In the result list, choose your firmware and download it. To flash it, follow these steps:

1. Download ODIN v1.85 from here
2. Unzip the downloaded files, both Odin and the firmware
3. Power off your phone and boot into Download Mode. To do so, press and hold the Volume Down and Home buttons together, and then tap the Power button until you see the construction Android robot icon with a triangle. Hit the Power button again to confirm entry into Download Mode
4. Launch ODIN on your computer and connect your phone to it while your phone is still in Download Mode
5. In case your phone connects successfully, one of the ID:COM boxes will turn yellow with the corresponding COM port number. This process may be time-consuming
6. Choose the files to be flashed or installed on your phone, which can be found among the extracted files in Step 2
7. Click the PDA button and choose the file named 'CODE'. Tap the Phone button and choose the file named 'MODEM'. Ignore this step if such file is missing. Hit the CSC button and choose the file named 'CSC'. Ignore this step if such file is absent. Click the PIT button and choose the .pit file. Ignore this step if there is no such file
8. In ODIN, enable Auto Reboot and F. Reset Time options. In case of the Re-Partition option, check it ONLY if you chose a .pit file in the previous step
9. Click the Start button in ODIN and the ROM installation process will begin. It may take a few minutes to complete. **DON'T DISCONNECT THE PHONE OR IT WILL IRREMEDIABLY BRICKED**
10. Once the ROM is installed, your phone will reboot. When you see the home screen, disconnect the phone from the computer. This may take a LONG LONG time, so don't panic and give it a few minutes

Your Samsung Galaxy S2 I9100 is now successfully updated. Go to Settings \> About Phone to verify the firmware version installed.

Enjoy :)

# Answer
> 0 votes
If there are any available custom recovery for your device this should work. 1st: Flash a custom recovery and download stock or custom rom that suits you (make sure they are compatible with your device) 2nd: After flashing custom recovery, go to recovery mode (custom) and factory reset and wipe system too 3rd: Go to install and find the rom and some patch files (like gapps or anything if needed) 4th: Flash the found rom and patch files (if needed) 5th: Normal boot and try the rom

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Tags: 2.3-gingerbread, samsung-galaxy-s-2, updates, samsung-kies
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# Question
Title: Can Emoticons in Google Messenger be Moved or Rearranged
There are two emoticons in Messenger that I like to use more than others. Unfortunately, you have to slide quite a few pages to find them. They are located right next to each other.

Is there a way to move those emoticons to the first page which would reduce the time in searching for them?

# Answer
> 0 votes
First of all, emojis are added from your keyboard, not Messenger, meaning that it all depends on the keyboard app which you are using.

Secondly, most keyboards do not support rearranging the emoticons. You can check out the *Frequently used* tab, though. Most keyboards have that.

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Tags: google, google-messages
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title: Two sets of Screenshots - Play Store

text:
# Question
Title: Two sets of Screenshots - Play Store
Why does every app on the Play Store have two sets of same Screenshots?

Some apps have Portrait and Landscape Orientation Screenshots but most of them have the same Screenshots twice.

Is it some sort of bug? Or is there some real purpose to it?

# Answer
> 0 votes
When it has two sets but one is landscape, that shows what it would look like on tablets, screenshots in portrait are from phones. And about that when there is 2 or more sets of screenshots in same orientation, I think the uploder do that, don't know why, maybe because of look when there is only 2-3 screenshots, but even when having enough screenshots, I don't know why they do that.

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Tags: google-play-store, screenshots
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# Question
Title: Almost all memory is used up by files symply classified as "Other". How do I fix it?
Currently using an HTC Desire 510 with Android 4.4.3 It has a total of roughly 3.8 GB interal storage (not counting application storage). But about 3GB are occupied by what the phone considers "Other files", not letting me see which files those are.

When I connected to a PC through USB I did find a file named ".thumbdata" in DCIM/.thumbnails weighting over 2GB, which I immediately deleted. The empty space in my phone remained unchanged, so I restarted it a couple of times. The file reappeared, now weighting just 30MB, but the source of those used up 2GB is nowhere to be found. What can I do?

# Answer
> 0 votes
.thumbdata is nothing but the thumbnails of the images in your gallery. They are cached into the .thumbdata file.

Other than that, most of the space will be occupied by Apps installed in your phone.

Try clearing the cache of every app that you use and uninstall the apps that you don't need.

Try using ES File Explorer to analyse the files in your phone and get a detailed view of large files, duplicate files, junk files, etc.

# Answer
> 0 votes
In section other is showing that uses space in my case that happens i multiple situations: When there is files in .zip or any other format that is not music readable document or such Aslo sometimes when apps stored some files downloaded trought them an files stored in Android folder, that was counted into other in storage settings Sometimes when .mp3 files wasn't stored into "Music" folder they was counted as other And finally cache not whole but good part of it was counted into other but when I clean cache with tapping on cache in storage settings that cache was cleared. Now about .thumbdata files, thoose files mostly creates by stock gallery app, sometimes it's being created when you send some picture from for example from viber, so try disabling stock gallery app and deleting those files. In my expirience happened that file manager shows that .thumbdata file weights 2gb but when I delete it storage doesn't show 2 more GB free but file is gone. Use ccleaner app and clear cache and other junk it should delete .thumbdata too.

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Tags: 4.4-kitkat, internal-storage
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# Question
Title: What are the advantages and disadvantages of MTP versus PTP?
My Android 5.1 phone lets me connect to my computer via MTP or PTP. Are there any advantages of using one over the other for copying files between the phone and computer and visa versa?

# Answer
> 9 votes
From Wikipedia:

> The Media Transfer Protocol (MTP) is an **extension** to the Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP) communications protocol that allows media files to be transferred atomically to and from portable devices. Whereas PTP was designed for downloading photographs from digital cameras, Media Transfer Protocol allows the transfer of music files on digital audio players and media files on portable media players, as well as personal information on personal digital assistants.

You'll be able to see most if not all files with MTP:

...whereas you'll only see media-related folders with PTP:

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Tags: data-transfer, mtp
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# Question
Title: Google Now no longer working on Nexus 5x
I am on a Nexus 5x running 7.1.1. Earlier today found no cards on the Google Now screen, just this message: "New Version Available A more recent version of the Google app is available for download". So tapped the link which took me to the Play Store and the Google App. Where there is no update available, just options to open or uninstall.

Hitting open loops me right back to the above message.

Fixes I have tried: Turning Now off and back on. Deleting card preferences. Uninstalling Google and the Now Launcher and reinstalling both. Turning location services off. Have also checked that Settings\>account & privacy\>Google activity controls\>web & App activity is set to "On". Oh, and switching my phone off and on again :-) None worked. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Just to let you know you're not alone.

too have exactly the same symptoms on a Nexus 5X running 7.1.1 I've tried:

1. Leaving the beta program, removing Google App (beta) and installing mainstream Google App
2. Google App Rejoining the beta program, removing Google App and installing Google App (beta)
3. Deleting all cache data for Google App
4. Rebooting the phone.

etc.

Nothing worked.

However, switching to an alternate Gmail account clears the problem. This account is not in general use and although registered on the phone was not active when the App was updated earlier on today.

I do not want to change the main account as I have a vast network of settings and content in the original, non-functional account.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I have the same issue with my "Google Account" Here's what I have noticed so far. Incidentally I got a replacement Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge yesterday and I noticed this issue after I completed the initial device setup. But it did work fine initially.

Here's what I have observed so far:

1. This started happening around 9 PM CST.
2. I signed up for beta testing to install updated version but that did not help.
3. Reinstalling Google App, clearing app cache or android cache partition does not help.
4. This issue is not specific to a device, it's tied to the google account. I see this on my original Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge (the one I am getting replaced under warranty), My wife's Galaxy S7 Edge(when I add my account to her device) and for that matter even on my Nexus 2012 tab.
5. Adding a different google account resolves the issue. This is not an ideal solution though, since Google now cards are based on data from google account and using alternative google account will not show you cards which are relevant to you.
6. Another possible solution, but it has limitations:

Navigate to Google App settings -\> Account Privacy -\> Google activity controls and turn on Web & App activity. Go back to google now cards and swipe down on screen to refresh. Google now cards start working and the "New version available" message is not seen any more.

Limitations: You will not get cards related to traffic updates, location, cards based on your web and app usage. This pretty much beats the purpose of using Google now cards.

Extremely frustrated with this issue. Hopefully there is fix available soon.

# Answer
> 0 votes
This issues seems to be fixed for me now. I added another google account and switched to it (only in Google App) for a while that was at least showing me the cards. Now I tried switching back to the the original account in Google App and it is working as expected. I still have the second account added though.

Now everything seems to be working fine. I an pretty sure this was at Google's end (server side) since no app update was pushed to fix this issue.

---
Tags: google-now, 7.0-nougat
---


# Question
Title: Galaxy Tab S2 is psuedo-bricked; will not get past activation process
I have a Galaxy Tab S2, 8.0", Wi-Fi (SM-T713). I have flashed it with stock firmware (flashed SYSTEM, CACHE, HIDDEN, BOOT, and RECOVERY), and wiped /data ("Factory reset" in recovery). However, it is stuck in a "psuedo-brick".

I call it this because while it may not be "bricked", it can't get past the initial setup process, and therefore can't be used for anything useful.

The specific issue is after the "Welcome!" screen. I select "English (United States)", and then it asks to set up Wi-Fi. It is off, so I turn it on. I wait a few seconds, and it turns itself off, without detecting any networks.

It seems to make me select a Wi-Fi network to proceed, which of course I can't do.

The FRP lock is enabled, so I cannot boot into anything custom.

**How can I get my device to stop turning its Wi-Fi off?**

# Answer
> 0 votes
The issue seems to be an incomplete flashing. The method I did used `heimdall` to flash the `system.img.ext4`, `cache.img.ext4`, `hidden.img.ext4`, `recovery.img`, and `boot.img` files. While this allowed for a bootable system, it did not have Wi-Fi capabilities.

The solution was to get the device's PIT file via `heimdall download-pit --output pit.file`, then view the PIT via `heimdall print-pit --file pit.file | less`. You'd then have to go through each entry (my tablet had 42), and flash the file specified to the partition specified. (If the entry has no file name or the file doesn't exist, skip it.)

I do not recall which partition did the trick (I rebooted only after flashing all of them), but Wi-Fi capabilities were brought back.

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, samsung, factory-reset, setup-wizard
---


title: Tell me what is actually broken

text:
# Question
Title: Tell me what is actually broken
I got a Galaxy S4, which was accidently fallen by me on floor, not it won't show anything on screen and appers to be broken motherboard or screen, can anyone tell me what is actually broken either of these. When I connect it to my PC it shows me as Removable Drive, but when i try attempt to go on Odin mode by I just dit earlier by pulling battery and holding power+home+volume up. It just shows me as 'ID : COM5' in odin. Can anyone please tell wheather screen i broken or motherboard? Please I need help. Regards, Dc5000gs4

# Answer
If you can see it as a removable device and Odin connects, there is a fairly good, but not 100% chance, that the internals are okay.

If you want complete confirmation, buy a HDMI output cable for your phone and plug it into a TV (Research your device to find exactly how your it works with this system). You should see the screen, however, this is, in my mind, overkill. Send it to a repair shop an they'll have a better idea of what's wrong with it.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: broken-screen
---


title: Opening CMD app on Android

text:
# Question
Title: Opening CMD app on Android
I have got a software that I use on my pc, it is some kind of console that runs on CMD. Can I port or open the software in my phone? The file extension in the software is .exe but once I open it it opens Command Prompt, so I believe its a CMD app. Can Terminal Emulator open it? If so how do I do it?

# Answer
> 1 votes
exe files are Windows executable files. They can be executed only on Windows OS. You can't run exe even on a Windows phone.

Only apk (Android Package) files can be installed in Android phones.

If you want to run a terminal (Command Prompt) on Android, install Terminal Emulator for Android

Even then, only Linux commands can be executed on the Terminal Emulator. You can't execute Windows Commands.

---
Tags: terminal
---


# Question
Title: How do I delete application sync data permanently?
Is there a way I can completely remove sync data for an app and thus prevent it from syncing with my google account? For example, I had Google Fit on my other mobile, I wasn't using it at all, but it is still listed in my account to sync on this new phone, even when I dont have Google Fit. Is there a way I could completely remove its association with my devices?

# Answer
> 0 votes
You can just go to google settings, delete all your Google Fit history and other App-data, remove google fit, and not worry about it showing up under your account sync settings.

---
Tags: applications, google
---


title: Auto-sync is turning itself on randomly

text:
# Question
Title: Auto-sync is turning itself on randomly
(Nexus 6 on rooted stock Android 7.1.1)

I have a feeling a rogue app is turning on auto-sync, but is there any way to discover which one?

I checked that it was switched it off this morning and at some point in the last 4 hours, it has come back on without me doing anything.

# Answer
The rogue app that was switching on auto-sync was Kana Town https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=fr.koridev.kanatown
> 0 votes

---
Tags: sync, 7.0-nougat, nexus-6
---


# Question
Title: Can an app be customized to always appear in fullscreen?
I have an app that has buttons positioned in the top left and top right corners of the app interface. Because the buttons are there, it is easy to accidentally bring up some items in the notification area. If the app could be set to full screen always, or if the notification area could be hidden when the app was shown, this would improve usability.

Assuming the app itself has no such settings, is there some way in Android to set a particular app to always appear in full screen?

# Answer
> 2 votes
There is a setting called as the Expanded Desktop Setting in the `Settings` -\> `Display`.

There you can select the `Hide Both` Option to enable full screen mode.

PS : I am using a custom ROM (Mokee) so I have that setting by default. I don't know about the normal Android OSs

---
Tags: settings, 5.1-lollipop
---


# Question
Title: I accidentally deleted protected google chrome app. Now it is nowhere in phone. Please help me to get it back
I have a protected folder in my Lenovo zuk z1 phone, where Google chrome browser was there. I pressed the cross button beside it accidentally. Now I could not find it anywhere to replace it back. My phone doesn't have app drawer facility. Please help.

# Answer
> 4 votes
Why do you need to replace the file or folder back?

Download Chrome from Play Store

---
Tags: 5.1-lollipop
---


# Question
Title: How do I disable audio pause in Android 5.0 when receiving notifications?
My device is running Android 5.0 and one annoying thing about it is that if I'm listening to music and get a notification, my music will pause just to play my notification sound. Is there a way I could disable the pausing of audio when receiving a notification? I have root access, which should help, but I don't know where to start or how to start.

# Answer
If you're willing to switch to another audio player than whatever you're currently using, you can achieve this with PowerAmp. It has a menu for audio focus, which has settings for pausing or not when a notification is received, and whether to pause or not when there's an incoming call.

The one I linked to is the trial version. The pro version costs roughly $5.

I'm not directly affiliated with MaxMP or PowerAmp, but I am betatesting the upcoming version.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop, notifications
---


title: Delete draft sms in ICS

text:
# Question
Title: Delete draft sms in ICS
I see there are some other threads here about the same thing but they are not for ICS.

If I start to write a sms to someone and not send it the text will be stored as a draft. How can I delete this?

The only options I can see is to delete the entire thread witch is not really an option.

Has anyone found the trix?

# Answer
I honestly don't know if there's an easier way to do this but I just long-press the previously entered text, select all of the text (the weird grid icon in the top right in text selection mode) and hit backspace on the keyboard to delete it all. When the text area is blank it will no longer put the "Draft" notification on the thread.
> 1 votes

# Answer
I was having a hard time trying to figure out how to delete drafts in outlook on my Samsung A tablet and discovered by accident, all I had to do was swipe the draft left and it deleted. So simple, but I couldn't find an answer anywhere.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: sms, 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, samsung-galaxy-nexus
---


# Question
Title: Calibrating/Correctly draining an Extended Battery
I recently purchased an extended battery for my ailing Galaxy S4. It's supposedly rated at 4000 mAh over the previous 2600 mAh OEM battery.

First time I threw it in, I turned on the phone, chucked in the battery, and sat it on the charger for an hour or so.

It actually lasted a pretty long time. About 2 days and 5/6 hrs. SoT (not fantastic for 4000 mAh, but it's new so what the heck).

So, listening to the advice of others, I threw it on the charger until completely topped off while the phone was shut down. Again, I discharged it from 100%. However, this time, the battery drained much faster than usual. There weren't any particular apps draining the battery, it just drained faster.

Seeing as this was strange, I drained it to 0%, and charged it back up. Still, the same terrible battery drain. It may be I have to cycle it a couple more times.

Advice? How should I correctly calibrate an extended battery?

# Answer
> 0 votes
* Firstly, battery calibration is a myth, normal or extended battery. See Bought a new battery, do I need to calibrate it?
* Next, with extended batteries, there is always a possibility that the **correct** capacity of the battery is **not being read** by the ROM and displayed ( since there are two different sources for reading the battery capacity and it may be reading from the hardcoded (ROM) rather than battery capacity files. See for more details here Where are the battery capacity files located?)

**What you can do**

* Measure the actual capacity of your battery as explained here How to determine maximum capacity of a battery in mAh? - received fake battery using the app mentioned.
* Adjust the capacity of the battery manually in the app (from Battery Manager → Tap the 4 small square icon → Adjust Capacity or use Configuration Wizard) and create a shortcut on your home screen for the *Battery Mgr* widget and use that to measure

You can optionally avoid the first step above if you trust the battery provider capacity and adjust on the app

---
Tags: battery, samsung-galaxy-s-4, battery-life
---


title: Battery draining fast

text:
# Question
Title: Battery draining fast
I have Samsung Galaxy S2 GT-I9100, I had purchased new battery three days before and charged until it's full, after an hour I found my mobile switched off. I would like to know the how to rectify this issue.

# Answer
According to the site: http://blog.gsmarena.com/samsung-i9100-galaxy-s-ii-thorough-battery-test-results-are-out-even-better-than-the-galaxy-s/

The battery should last 82 hours, maybe the one you bought may have been used previously, or it already came with problem, this is not normal, it is certainly a problem in the battery itself and not in the cell phone.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: battery-life, soft-reboot
---


# Question
Title: auto switch problem on music on(android version lollipop )
my android 5.1 lollipop switches to the next song if it experiences a shake so its frustrating when you are listening to music with the phone in my pocket, it auto switches to next song if it detects any movement. so how do l stop that?

# Answer
You can resolve this problem "Go to Settings - Accessibility - switch off Air-shuffle function for Music, FM radio, Pictures, Camera."
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop, 5.1-lollipop
---


title: Restoring backups from SD

text:
# Question
Title: Restoring backups from SD
Using Titanium Backup I backed up apps + data to the SD card and see they are still there. I flashed a new ROM. I installed TB again but am having trouble restoring the apps. It can’t find the backups, how do I change it? I went to menu \> preferences \> backup folder location \> Storage provider \> DocumentProvider storage \> naviagated to correct location \> pressed “select” Then the list populates with backups but the “use the current folder” is greyed out. I can only click cancel. However if I make a new folder and navigate there, the “use the current folder” is clickable. After clicking select the message quickly flashes “Access granted. Please create/choose subdirectory for your backups”

How do I resotre backups located on SD card? I named the folder myself so it’s not like the default. I'm on ROM that is based on Android Nougat 7.1

# Answer
> 1 votes
In order to successfully select a backup directory via the **DocumentProvider** storage, you should not navigate to the chosen folder *immediately after choosing the abovementioned storage*.

What you should do, is to navigate *only* to the root directory of the external SD card and then tap on **Select**. Next, after the **Access granted** popup appears, use Titanium Backup's built-in file explorer to navigate to the chosen backup directory, and then tap on **Use the current folder**.

# Answer
> -3 votes
If you changed(upgrade) rom version customizingly i.e. Kitkat to lollipop.... Then titanium backup fail to restoring the app and data.... If you want to restore backup any how then you have to flash previous rom....

---
Tags: external-sd, restore, titanium-backup
---


title: Root Alcatel One Touch Pop 4s

text:
# Question
Title: Root Alcatel One Touch Pop 4s
Are there any tools to root a Alcatel One Touch Pop 4s (Android 6.0), I already tryed Kingroot and Famaroot but both do not work like on other Alcatel phones

# Answer
> 0 votes
You can try KingoRoot instead of kingroot....

# Answer
> 0 votes
Try this.... It will work.....

1. Download Super-Root.apk for Alcatel Pop 4s from this link : http://downloadsafe.org/file/0yF980
2. Connect your device to your PC using the USB cable.
3. Copy the Super-Root.apk over to the root of your SD card.
4. Once it’s been copied, disconnect your device from your PC.
5. Head to Menu\>\>Settings\>\>Security on your device and enable the Unknown sources option.
6. Open the File Manager app on your device and install the app you copied earlier to your device.
7. Once the app’s been installed, launch it from your App Drawer.
8. Select Install SuperSU from the first dropdown menu.
9. Select exploit, tap on it in the app.
10. The app should begin rooting your device, shouldn’t take too long to finish.
11. Reboot your device once it’s been rooted.
12. You’re all done! Enjoy

---
Tags: root-access
---


# Question
Title: How can I find the last Synced location for my phone (which is now dead/off)?
I'm using Google's `[Device Manager][1]` to find my phone. It shows the last sync time as yesterday but won't show me WHERE that was.

(I'm sure my phone battery got too low and it turned off)

Device Manager shows:

*Location unavailable*

*Last online January 29, 2017 (yesterday)*

Seems like I should be able to find the *last place it sync'd* but I see no option for that.

# Answer
> 3 votes
Google's Device Manager does not store location. It will send a location request to your device, which if turned on with a network connection and location services enabled, will respond with its current location.

If you have location history enabled, your location should show up in the Google Maps timeline.

---
Tags: lost-phone
---


title: Duplicate Contacts on Marshmallow 6.0

text:
# Question
Title: Duplicate Contacts on Marshmallow 6.0
I am using Android 6.0 on C5302 Xperia SP. For some unknown reason, all the contacts in my phone show up twice with a few exceptions. I tried to manually delete the duplicates but that resulted in both the duplicate and the original one getting deleted. I tried out many apps from the play store to merge or delete duplicate contacts but no duplicates were found. Can someone help me out on this.

Under contacts to display option, I just have my google account selected.

# Answer
\*Go to contacts\>filter Uncheck everything, then Check the ones under Google tab. \*Go to WhatsApp\>Settings\>Contacts uncheck "show all contacts". \*Go setting\>account\>WhatsApp tap the WhatsApp under Account tab and uncheck "Sync Contacts". \*Go setting\>account\>then remove Whatsapp. \*Go back to setting\> accounts then add Whatsapp, Check "Sync Contacts". \*Go to WhatsApp\>Settings\>Contacts Check "show all contacts". That worked for me after playing every kind of settings. Hope works for you too...
> 0 votes

# Answer
I just figured this out accidentally.

1. Go to contacts to display option
2. Select customise option (spanner icon)
3. Under your google account, select only my contacts and uncheck other options. Repeat this for other accounts that show duplicates.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: contacts, 6.0-marshmallow
---


# Question
Title: Android 6: Can't save text files to external sd card
I can open text file from external sd card, but I can't save it back to the same place because of error

> can't create storage...
> Permision denied

Is there a way to change app permission to saving files to external sd?

# Answer
> 0 votes
To write to an external drive you need to add the necessary permissions to your manifest. To write you will want to add:

`<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />`

To read from the drive you should add:

`<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />`

You should be able to get away without the read permission but if you want to futureproof your app and make it so users don't run into bugs add it in. Google's API explains the proper guidelines for handling datafiles here.

---
Tags: external-sd
---


title: About security of my device

text:
# Question
Title: About security of my device
Once my friend login his google account in my device.Then he cleared my phone data by using lost my device option.Now how to protect my device from this type of problem?? Help me

# Answer
The best way to keep yourself from being in such a situation is you should never let somebody else login to your device. They can't use their account to wipe your phone if you don't let them login. Also, if you are going to let somebody login to your device(which you shouldn't do for security reasons), do it via incognito in the browser. If they wiped your phone then you should be fine to login with your google account and get a backup(hopefully).

Just like the only way to make sure your computer can never get malware is to make sure it never interacts with the outside world, the only way to make sure others can't use their google accounts to wipe your phone is to make sure their accounts don't have access to your phone.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop, security, gmail, google-account, accounts
---


title: How to get out off bootloop?

text:
# Question
Title: How to get out off bootloop?
Can you tell me how to get past bootloop on my HTC desire 620g dual sim. I did an software update, but it failed. Help please

# Answer
> 0 votes
If you're able to get to recovery mode, maybe you can flash a stock rom or use a backup. You may also be able to use ADB to flash a working rom, this tutorial is for the htc one but it's mostly the same.

You can also just keep turning it on I guess, I've gotten lucky plenty of times when a phone that was seemingly bricked and not exiting a bootloop just decided to work one day.

Also, if you are having issues flashing roms to your phone you should probably do a bit more research. Using reliable cables, not turning off devices and doing a bit of research into other people who were able to successfully flash and those who unsuccessfully flashed to a device is always a good way to prevent these mishaps as well as fix them. This tutorial explains the process quite well.

---
Tags: boot-loop
---


# Question
Title: I want to use my phone as a GPS, but I don't want to turn on high accuracy to assist Google's wardriving. What am I to do?
I like using my phone as a GPS. It has all the sensors and storage and everything. Even if I can't find a good app yet.

However (*since I am concerned about leaking private data, I have turned the location setting to device only, which means it only uses the GPS radio*), Waze constantly nags about turning on "high accuracy" location; meaning it wants to scan wi-fi, bluetooth, and everything else. Which means that the OS will be shipping that info to Google/Alphabet HQ.

How can I use my phone as a GPS without assisting Google's wardriving efforts? GPS by itself is highly accurate, or at least it was until Google decided to harvest wi-fi locations via a distributed Android network. Or am I misremembering something?

Are these nags just part of apps, or is there something I can do to mitigate incessent nagging?

# Answer
You can use the "Device only" location mode, found under Settings-\>Location-\>Mode. The key performance impact of this setting is in the time to first location fix. It can take minutes to find your location initially, but later updates will be quick.

I am not sure whether you also need to disable use of WiFi and Bluetooth for scanning purposes, but if you are concerned about privacy I would disable these: Settings-\>Location-\>Scanning
> 1 votes

---
Tags: gps, geolocation, gps-tracking
---


# Question
Title: Undo the effect of .nomedia file for WhatsApp images
I downloaded ES File Manager and created a `.nomedia` file so that my WhatsApp images wouldn't automatically download into my gallery. But that sends ALL WhatsApp images to a hiding spot. Ideally, I want to select the images I want from WhatsApp and have those seen in my gallery. It seems there's no middle ground or way to do that. So, if I have to choose, I'd rather all media automatically go to my gallery and I'll delete the images I don't want. But I cannot figure out how to undo the "damage".

I finally located and "unhid" the `.nomedia` file, but I can't seem to send my pics back to the gallery or make them automatically go there.

# Answer
If all your WhatsApp images are located in the **same** directory, then I have to say that there doesn't exist a 'middle' solution. However, if those images lie in different directories (it's OK even if the directories are nested, i.e. one contains others), you can create `.nomedia` for them separately.

Please note that the 'effective range' of a `.nomedia` is the folder it is located in **and all the subfolders** under it. So if the directories are nested too complexly, the solution may not be very satisfactory.

To undo the effects of creating the `.nomedia` file you simply delete the same `.nomedia` file. Then force restart your gallery app or restart your phone.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: whatsapp-messenger, gallery, images
---


# Question
Title: Can we change SD card after installing a custom rom?
i have Samsung gt-19082 i recently rooted my phone and added cosmic cm 11, but i have a smaller SD card ? i want to know is it safe to change the SD card ? (as during installation we add all the ROM , g apps on the SD card . i am a newbie at this

# Answer
**For TL;DR** It is definitely safe to replace your external SD card for a new one.
A normally working system will continue working normally. However there is no guarantee that all your apps will work correctly, as some of them may store extra info on your external SD card, like image caches (this is different from normal caches, some caches regenerate but others don't, e.g. image cache from the most popular instant messaging app in China, WeChat) and Link2SD. Most apps are designed to store only 'unessential' data on external SD card, so there's just a small matter of some network traffic to reload those caches.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: custom-roms
---


# Question
Title: Any downsides to disabling the gmail app?
I wanted to disable the Gmail app because I don't use it and something on my phone keeps hogging all my bandwidth. When I disabled the Gmail app it warned that "some apps may not function correctly" if it is disabled. I haven't noticed anything. Which apps might not function correctly when the Gmail app is disabled?

# Answer
It is a standard message to warn that dependent applications will find some functionality missing. Few apps are dependent on gmail. Most other email apps would work fine in its place. The only deficiency that I noted was that the gmail app can accept HTML content sent (shared) from other apps. Other email app turn the HTML content to plain text.
> 5 votes

# Answer
The "some apps may not function correctly" warning is a standard thing that pops up when you disable stock apps. You shouldn't experience any issues for the most part, the only instance where I could possibly see an issue is when using google's other email client "inbox". But even then it's its own standalone app and they use google play services to connect with google and it's services. So as long as you're not using any apps that for some reason directly link to gmail (there shouldn't be any as long as you're not using some weird xposed module or something) in some way you'll be fine.
> 4 votes

---
Tags: gmail
---


# Question
Title: Downloading... don't turn off target (S7 Edge)
I accidentally went to download mode and this "downloading don't turn off target message" appeared. It took me at least 20 seconds before I finally pressed volume down + home button + power button. My phone seemed to have rebooted after I did this. Was any harm done? Did my phone download something? Kinda worried because I'm not sure if it damaged my phone or something. Thanks!

# Answer
> 2 votes
That's Odin mode, designed for flashing firmwares from PC via Odin or Heimdall. As long as you didn't flash anything during the period, you're fine.

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-7-edge
---


# Question
Title: How do I uninstall the LINE app (third party app)?
At my sister's suggestion, I installed the LINE app in my Galaxy S3. After a while I decided I didn't like it, so I want to uninstall it. Weirdly, when I open Settings \> Application manager, there is no option to remove application, only "Uninstall update", which restore an earlier version of the app. The same situation when I open Google Play, the "Uninstall" button only uninstall the updates and restore an earlier version. Same luck with trying an uninstaller. I also read that some application may prevent uninstallation by setting itself as Device Administrator, but I check my Device Administrators and LINE isn't listed.

I only observed this behaviour before for system apps or apps that got installed by my carrier, but LINE certainly isn't such app, I installed it myself. How could they have uninstall restriction, and how can I uninstall it?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Seems like 'Line' has been converted to a system app. You can convert it back to a user app and uninstall it if you have root permissions by using apps like App Uninstaller or System App Remover.

Otherwise you can disable it after uninstalling updates. "Disable" button can be found besides the "Force Stop" button under Settings → Apps → \[offending app\]

Else restore your phone (preferably from a Nandroid backup if you're rooted with a custom recovery). Even a factory reset *might* work.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Have you set this application as the default SMS client, given it notification access or administrative rights? I'd suggest look into those issues as it may (although the it should not be) a factor in the issue.

If none of the above are mentioned, and you're only able to uninstall updates, try disabling, deleting set directory then uninstalling. It should remove any files that Line uses to store info.

I'd comment, but alas not enough rep.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Diagnosis: Very rarely (but it DOES) a 'placeholder' version of an app is built in a ROM and cannot be uninstalled regardless of updating. If LINE is not set as Device Administrator, then the only possibility for this case is that it's a system app.
Solution: To uninstall it, you need either root access or a custom recovery. If you have root, you can use an app like System App Remover to force remove it, or simply delete it's file from `/system/app` using Root Explorer. After a reboot LINE should be gone.

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-3, uninstallation, line
---


# Question
Title: Can't transfer files to Galaxy S3 from laptop, Kies not getting Installed on laptop
I have a Samsung Galaxy S3 on Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean. I can't connect it to my Windows XP laptop. When I connect it with a USB cable, it's not getting mounted and thus I'm unable to transfer any files.

On my laptop, Samsung Kies is not installed, hope it may be the problem. But my laptop, Kies is not getting installed, it's showing "no internet connected!!" even if I am connected to WiFi.

I am totally stuck, please can anyone help?

# Answer
I'm pretty sure you need the KIES USB driver in order for Windows XP to recognise your phone. This feature is already built into Windows 7 and above by default and doesn't need any external driver software.

You don't need all the KIES software just the single file USB driver. Google it (the driver) and install it.

Kies3Setup.exe 42 806 KB

That how I got my Samsungs to be recognised by my Windows XP PC.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Select the 'Mass Storage Only' option in the USB settings and then connect the cable.

If this doesn't work, you can connect your laptop and your phone to the same wireless network and use AirDroid to transfer files wirelessly from your laptop to your phone and vice versa using a browser on your laptop. Both devices just have to be connected to the same wireless network (with or without internet access).

Hope this helps!
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-3, file-transfer, samsung-kies, usb-mass-storage
---


# Question
Title: What does the hyphen and number that comes after an installed package name mean?
For example, if I install Google Chrome on my phone (assume it's not prebuilt), whatever the original name of the apk is, it will usually be installed to `/data/app/com.android.chrome-1.apk` but sometimes `/data/app/com.android.chrome-2.apk` and even xxx-3.apk or xxx-4.apk
My question is what the number in that case mean and how is it generated? It's often varying and I haven't found any clue.

# Answer
> 3 votes
The number has no special meanings. It is used to distinguish old and new packages **during installation**. While installing an app, the Package Installer first finds an available 'packageid-number' pattern, with the number incrementing from 1, and creates the directory (APK file for Android 5.0 and under). Then it places the APK file in it and removes the old one. Therefore, most commonly the number only varies from 1 to 2 because only one instance of an installed app exists. Summing up the old app and the temporary name, there can only be 2 instances. If you have, by some other means like installing 2 of the same app using a parallel container, there can be up to 4 instances of the app, thus creating `com.example-4`.
Here's my experiment on Android 5.1.1, using Root Explorer to install the app and Terminal Emulator to monitor directory content change.
Preparation: Use XInstaller (an Xposed module) to allow downgrade installing app (so that I can repeatedly install the same version of an app).
1. Tap the prepared APK file in Root Explorer to install it. In my case, it's Termux.
2. Repeatedly run

```
root@android:/data/app # ls -d com.termux-*
```

Output:
First: `com.termux-1`
After some time: `com.termux-1 com.termux-2`
After more time and finally: `com.termux-2`
3. Tap the APK to install it again and repeat Step 2.
Output:
First: `com.termux-2`
After some time: `com.termux-1 com.termux-2`
After more time and finally: `com.termux-1`
4. Create placeholder directories named `com.termux-2`, `com.termux-3`, `com.termux-4` and set correct permissions.
5. Repeat Step 3.
Output:
First:

```
com.termux-1  com.termux-2  com.termux-3  com.termux-4
```
After some time:
```
com.termux-1  com.termux-2  com.termux-3  com.termux-4  com.termux-5
```
After more time and finally:
```
com.termux-2  com.termux-3  com.termux-4  com.termux-5
```
Where `com.termux-2`, `com.termux-3`, `com.termux-4` are all empty as they are created by me, not the Package Installer. To verify, run
```
root@android:/data/app # pm list packages -f | grep com.termux
package:/data/app/com.termux-5/base.apk=com.termux
```

# Answer
> 2 votes
If you first install the package, it will have a "-1" appended to the folder name. Every time you update the same package without uninstalling, regardless of how it's done, the number increments by itself.

---
Tags: applications
---


# Question
Title: I used memory card as adoptable storage in Android Marshmallow
I used memory card as adoptable storage in Android Marshmallow.And all of a sudden its asking to format the card,but wherein i have my data stored..how do i recover it?thanx in advance

# Answer
Check if your pc is showing the sd card content. If it is then copy the whole storage into pc and format the card and copy back everything into card.If it is not , then format the card and use data recovery software like diskgetor to get back the lost data.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, data-recovery, formatting
---


# Question
Title: How to go back to MIUI from Cyanogen mod?
I recently installed **Cyanogen mod 14.1(7.1.1)** on **Mi5(gemini)** and now I want to go back to MIUI (preferably **MIUI global developer rom**) and lock the bootloader. I have to tried to flash using the existing **TWRP** and also using the inbuilt **fastboot** mode, but was not successful. I can neither find a proper flashing guide nor the proper files required to flash. Is there something I am missing?

# Answer
If you haven't saved a backup with TWRP you have to reinstall the MIUI.

First of all download the ROM here.

Then put the ROM in a USB drive or SD card (it has to be read from the smartphone outside its own disk).

Then, install the ROM.

You can follow these steps from How to Flash a New ROM to Your Android Phone

But if you have a saved backup with TWRP, go to restore and select your backup.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Method 1:

If you have backed up previous MIUI ROM(nandroid) using TWRP, you can restore MIUI by locating the backup file. Also, you can restore user apps from nandroid backup using Titanium backup.(Titanium backup pro have option to restore apps from nandroid backup).

Method 2:

If you don't have nandroid backup, then you need to reinstall MIUI. Download MIUI ROM from http://en.miui.com/download.html. And have a factory reset, to lock bootloader and remove root and replace stock recovery.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, rom-flashing, custom-roms, xiaomi, miui
---


# Question
Title: Using phone's computing power to assist in PC's calculation
Is phone cluster or cluster with PC and phones possible?

I was thinking if recoding MOSIX or using any other program/software to connect your phone with PC and let the PC use phone's computing power in calculations is possible.

I know that it won't boost it a lot, but mostly just for an experiment.

# Answer
A modern smartphone that runs Android is a general-purpose computer. Yes, you can run a single or cluster of smartphones to do general-purpose computation.

A smartphone is probably not the best tool for this job. Phones are expensive because they are optimized for size and power considerations. A desktop or laptop computer will be give you significantly more computing performance for the same cost.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: cpu
---


title: Retrieve GPS Data

text:
# Question
Title: Retrieve GPS Data
I have tried to Google this but not sure how or if it's possible. How can I retrieve my gps data from my android phone from an older date to prove I was not speeding?

# Answer
Even if you had a continuous stream of GPS fixes from the time you're interested in, you *couldn't* use it in court to prove you weren't speeding. GPS doesn't record speed, only a sequence of positions, and there's enough error on each position that the speed can be inaccurate - inaccurate enough to look like you're speeding when you're not, or vice-versa.

Location History doesn't record GPS co-ordinates often enough to be any use for this purpose even if it were accurate enough anyway. You can get apps to record this information continuously, but they need to run all the time so they really drain the battery. And of course you can't go back in time to install the app before the date you want.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Go to your location history here: https://www.google.com/maps/timeline.

Keep in mind that the location history might not be complete and also doesn't contain any speed information.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: gps
---


title: View list of voicemails

text:
# Question
Title: View list of voicemails
I have a first gen Moto G running Android 5.1 that I purchased from Republic Wireless about two to three years ago. Whenever I receive a voicemail I get a notification. If I tap the notification I get taken to a visual list of voice mails that I have received with the title saying "History". If I tap the back button I am taken to the home screen of the Phone app.

I am unable to figure out **how to reach this list** of voicemails without having a notification for a new voicemail.

---

**Description of the Phone App**

On the home screen of the phone app I have the following tabs: Speed Dial, Recents, and Contacts. Going through these three I have been unable to get to the list of voice mails.

# Answer
While writing the details for this question I figured it out.

There is a horizontal ellipse at the top-right of the screen. Tapping that and then Call History brings up a screen with three tabs: All, Missed, and Voicemail. The voicemail tab is what I was looking for.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 5.1-lollipop, voicemail
---


# Question
Title: Turn on flashlight when volume button is held
I have Nexus 4 on Android 5.0 Lollipop, and I'm using Tasker. Is there any way to get the Flashlight to turn on when screen is off and the volume up or down button is held for 2-3 seconds? Then turn off the flashlight if the button is held again.

I know there's a `%SCREEN` variable for the screen part, but how can I detect if a volume button is held?

# Answer
> 2 votes
I don't know how to detect a Volume Up/Down button press for 'n' seconds, so I would give an alternate solution. You would have to install Xposed Additions Pro and TeslaLED Flashlight. The former needs root access and Xposed Framework installed.

# Instructions

1. Visit my answer here. Under the heading "*Instructions for Xposed Additions*" follow steps 1-6.
2. For step 7, choose **Screen Off** instead of others.
3. Tap the newly created entry, activate **Long Press** by ticking the check-box, then tap on **Long Press**.
4. Scroll down and select **Shortcut****TeslaLED Toggle**. It will show a screen like:

<sub>(Click image to enlarge)</sub>
5. Also, the delay of 2-3 seconds is way too large in my opinion. Anyhow, the app doesn't allow long press delay more than 500ms and you may configure in step 2 of my linked answer. I settled for 250ms.

You may use Tasker instead of using the TeslaLED app (officially recommended) but there is no guarantee that the native method would work. In fact, some users reported that even the latter app didn't work for them.

The action in Tasker to activate torch is **Alert → Torch**. It would show up in red color if it's not supported on your device.

There are some other ways mention in this Reddit thread which seems to be device specific but nonetheless could give you a lead for better web search results.

For example, in my One Plus One running CM12 there is no class named `camera` let alone a file `/sys/class/camera/flash/rear_flash`. But it does have a class `leds` and the file `/sys/class/leds/led:flash_torch/brightness` too. The default torch brightness in my device is set to 53 instead of 100.

---

I also tried the Tasker plugin AutoInput but it doesn't seem to support long press hardware buttons.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Unfortunately, Tasker cannot turn the flashlight on by Alert\>Torch. Torch is not available at Lolipop or better.

---
Tags: tasker, volume-control, buttons, camera-flash
---


# Question
Title: Flashing Nougat failed (partition table error), fast bootloop
I tried flashing my Acer Iconia tablet with Android Nougat (NMF26U), following the Google directions, but it failed during executing `flash-all.bat`.

What can or should I do to try and restore my device to any working state?

## Terminal Output

`C:\Users\admin\Downloads\marlin-nmf6u>flash-all.bat
target reported max download size of 134217728 bytes
sending 'bootloader' (32980 KB)...
OKAY [ 1.110s]
writing 'bootloader'...
FAILED (remote: partition table doesn't exist)
finished. total time: 1.120s
rebooting into bootloader...
OKAY [ 0.004s]
finished. total time: 0.005s
< waiting for any device >`

## Observations

The terminal hasn't updated since that, and the device shows no signs of life except it causes the Windows 10 "Device Manager" to update/refresh about once a second. This makes me believe that it's such in a fast bootloop, which causes problems mentioned below.

The device itself does not respond to any combination of button presses or holds, which may be a result of the fast bootloop not allowing the device to recognize longer button holds.

`adb devices` no longer sees the device at all, and neither does Windows. The screen remains completely black, and there are no indicator lights on the device.

## Attempts

I am unable to use the terminal or any other tools to recognize the device over USB cable, except for the "Device Manager" refreshes explained above. The buttons are completely unresponsive. I have tried disconnecting and reconnecting the battery ribbon, but the device returns to the exact state it was in before the hard power cycle.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Wait, you tried flashing the factory images for the Pixel XL (codename Marlin) to an Acer Iconia tablet?! Yeah, you cannot do that, you can't just flash any firmware to any device, this doesn't work that way.

You would need Acer to release their firmware for your tablet, the firmware you flashed is for the Pixel XL and is only meant for the Pixel XL. You may have bricked your tablet doing this. You maybe need to figure out/find your factory firmware for this (from Acer), and figure out how (...if?) it can be reloaded.

---
Tags: rom-flashing, bootloader, partitions, 7.1-nougat
---


# Question
Title: How can I prevent an application (Chrome) from opening another application (Google Play Store)?
So today `Facebook Messenger` declared a war against users of the mobile website. Of course we have been plagued for months with small header messages as well as overlays hiding all content and encouraging us to install `Facebook Messenger`.

But as from today, wherever I click in the messaging interface of Facebook's mobile website (and that includes the *Message* icon in the toolbar, clicking any conversation, clicking the *Load more* button, ...), each time it will open the `Google Play Store` application and send me to `Facebook Messenger`'s application.

So I wonder if there is a way to prevent an application (in this case, Chrome) to open other applications (in this case, Google Play Store) via deep linking.
I don't believe that this is a bug that would be fixed any time soon so I am looking for a way to overcome this.

Installing any Facebook application is not an option for me.
I have searched for similar questions: answers suggested to clear Chrome's and/or Google Play Store's data, which I have tried but it did not solve the problem.

# Answer
"**Request desktop site**" works (for now)...
> 3 votes

# Answer
This worked for me: Navigate to

https://www.facebook.com/deactivate/

and delete your account, then don't ever visit the site again.

Facebook never opened the Play Store ever since, so I suppose this workaround is just fine.
> 4 votes

# Answer
Depending on what version of android you are on you can clear the defaults of the play store so that it won't open up the play store when you click on a google play link from anywhere in android. The steps to do this vary by which version (skin and Android version) you phone/tablet is running. Generally you have to:

1. Open Settings
2. Applications
3. Application Manager
4. Find the play store and remove defaults for opening web links

This approach will however still bring up the play store on your web browser.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: google-play-store, chrome-for-android, facebook, facebook-messenger
---


title: how to toggle oem unlock from fastboot?

text:
# Question
Title: how to toggle oem unlock from fastboot?
i have flashed a new rom , nano gapps , a new firmware(which i think may be corrupt and have created problems),so now i see the oneplus logo for almost 500ms and then black screen appears though i can boot into fastboot mode but not into TWRP. Main problem is I don\`t have enabled oem unlock from developer option as i have just flashed a new ROM.So,i just need a method to toggle oem unlock further all things can be done by me.

company OnePlus model OnePlus 2

# Answer
> 1 votes
Just try these fastboot commands:-

```
adb reboot bootloader
fastboot oem unlock-go
//To Toggle
adb reboot bootloader
fastboot oem lock-go

```

---
Tags: root-access, rom-flashing, oneplus-two
---


# Question
Title: Where can I find open source Android apps?
I'm not an open source zealot, but I generally prefer to use open source applications over proprietary ones if they stack up. Are there any directory sites with reviews, ect that specialize on open source Android apps? The closest thing I've been able to find is Wikipedia's list.

# Answer
> 20 votes
You can install F-droid to get a market-style repository of Free and Open Source android apps:

http://f-droid.org/

# Answer
> 14 votes
Google Code seems to be the predominant place for open source Android apps:

http://code.google.com/hosting/search?q=label:Android

# Answer
> 1 votes
Can't find any directories that specialize in open source apps, but you could do worse than a simple search on one of the regular app directories (like this or this)

Otherwise, I'd say your Wikipedia list looks like a pretty good source.

# Answer
> 1 votes
This is another source:

http://www.aopensource.com/

# Answer
> 0 votes
How about crawling Aptoide? Not all are Open Source, but there are many!

# Answer
> 0 votes
As far as my own experience goes, Aptoide is really great. I discovered it when I was trying to find something similar to vshare for the iphone on android\**`*.I downloaded the APK Installer for the app directly from their website - aptoide.com.*`\** I don't really know anything about f-droid, I might try i though. I did try blackmart before and didn't go very far with it, it didn't feel trustworthy. That was awhile ago though.Anyway, I have issues with google play and try to avoid it as much as possible, so I am solely dedicated to aptoide and it hasn't failed me yet. As far as safety goes, I occasionally install software such as AVG and Advanced Mobile Care if I feel I might be taking a risk. I haven't been afflicted with any malware from aptoide's markets yet! On the other hand, my 10 yr. old son is not as critical as I am when he chooses to download something from them on his own tablet, he also refuses to run any software like AMC & AVG and his tablet does have adware.But for as far as it goes , it doesn't seem to be doing any real damage to his device.
\

# Answer
> -1 votes
You can install F-droid or you can go to fossdroid.com (frontend web of F-Droid) to browser open source apps by trending, popularity, ect... (with screenshots).

---
Tags: applications, open-source
---


# Question
Title: possible to ssh into android phone over 3G?
Is it possible to run an ssh shell on an android phone when the phone is remotely connected but on 3G? I have my phone remote and sending data over 3G but I might want to change something on it. I have considered

1) the phone receiving text back from an http request and riunning it as a connad 2) running an ssh shell on the phone anything else?

Thanks

# Answer
One way to make your Android machine accessible via WAN SSH access (as in connecting from anywhere) would be to create a reverse SSH tunnel from your Android machine to some machine that is always online. It can be your Desktop machine behind a NAT router (most common case). Then you forward that same port from the Router to your Desktop machine. This is what you get:

Android ==REVERSESSHTUNNEL==\> Desktop \<==PORTFORWARD== Router with public IP

Both the reverse SSH tunnel and port forward from the Router can be done on any high number port, but to avoid making a port numbering mess just pick one high number, above 1024, and stick with that. So you get for example:

Android:3331 ==REVERSESSHTUNNEL==\> Desktop:3331 \<==PORTFORWARD== Router:3331 with public IP So what happens when you SSH into your router's IP at port 3331 is that your router forwards the connection to the Desktop at port 3331 and the Desktop (because the connection from the android device to the desktop, which looks like it's in the wrong direction, is in fact REVERSED, so it's as if the Desktop is actually connected to the android device) will forward the connection to the Android device at port 3331. So your SSH connection will go from Whatever =\> Router =\> Desktop =\> Android.

This will work because your ISP will not block your Android from SSHing into your desktop while it would block you from SSHing into your Android from your Desktop or anywhere else on the default port. So we use that fact, connect "the wrong way" and then reverse the connection and get the same thing as if though we connected the "right way".

Don't forget to make the Android machine's SSH app listen at port 3331 or make the reverse tunnel open the port 22 on the Android machine's side.
> 4 votes

# Answer
As others have said, technically yes it is possible but there is a chance that your carrier does not allow connections to the relevant port.

Try SSHDroid, that should do what you're asking for. If it doesn't work then you know its because of your carrier. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=berserker.android.apps.sshdroid
> 1 votes

# Answer
I don't think it would be very possible for a lot of carriers based on the fact the ports would most likely be closed. If it were over WiFi/local, yes. You could easily use Tasker to read texts and perform actions though I could imagine.
> 0 votes

# Answer
If you prepare your phone acordingly, yes, its possible. I've done it many times. I wrote an App which does a port forwarding to my Server. (adb over wifi port). All you need to do is to log on to the server and you'll see the device connected as it would be plugged in using usb. I even did further port forwarding to my local machine. Works well, but if the phone is on the ride, you may get several connection losses.

It works cause the phone is connecting to the server and not the other way round (blocked by firewall in most countrys).

Good luck!
> 0 votes

# Answer
If you have a VPS cloud it is possible. Get cheap cloud from arubacloud.com.

First off, log in to your remote server and open `/etc/ssh/sshd_config`. If it does not already exist add the line:

```
GatewayPorts clientspecified

```

Then restart the SSH daemon:

```
sudo /etc/init.d/ssh restart
# or
sudo service sshd restart

```

Back on your Android, start your development server or any thing you want to access from anywhere and then in JuiceSSH terminal run the following:

```
 ssh -N -R :3000:localhost:8182 root@vpsipadress

```

On asking type VPS user's password. That's it. Where Android's local port is `8182`. Anyone now can access it `vpsipadress:3000`.

You can `apt-get install sshpass` and use passwords of servers in this command:

```
sshpass -p Password ssh -N -R :3000:localhost:8182 root@vpsipadress

```

aswell.

`autosh`, `cron` ---- `crontab -e` and `auto.sh`, too many options.

**Update.......**

The Best thing on Android is that install Gnuroot Debian. Best Linux for non rooted Adndroid. Install `ssh` and `sshpass`. And in `/etc/rc.local` add this command :

```
while true; do sshpass -p YOURPASSWORD ssh -N -f -R :3000:localhost:8182 USER@YOURHOST-OR-IP; sleep 3; done

```

`rc.local` will make sure to execute this command on startup. And on disconnect or any kind of change in internet/network, the loop script will try to reconnect it every 3 seconds.

You can also make `auto.sh` script:

```
#!/bin/sh

while true; do sshpass -p YOURPASSWORD ssh -N -f -R :3000:localhost:8182 USER@YOURHOST-OR-IP; sleep 3; done

```

`chmod +x` will make it executeable.

```
sh auto.sh

```

If `rc.local` won't help install cron:

```
apt-get install cron
crontab -e

```

add command: `@reboot sh auto.sh`. `shif+zz` to save. This cron job will do it on startup.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: root-access, ssh
---


title: GPS for WiFi only MiPad

text:
# Question
Title: GPS for WiFi only MiPad
I have a MiPad which works only with WiFi. How do I use it as a GPS device? Google map isn't able to access my location and my MiPad doesn't support tethering.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I found the solution on MIUI website here:

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

> **Prerequisites:**
>
> 1. Have a device that has **GPS built-in** and **tethering/hotspot**. In my case, I'm using the Xiaomi Mi 3.
> 2. Download and **install TetherGPS** Lite on both the Xiaomi Mi 3 and Xiaomi Mi Pad.
>
> **How it works:**
>
> 1. In the Xiaomi Mi Pad, **enable** Settings-Developer Options-**Allow mock locations**.
> 2. **GPS location** must be **enabled** on both devices.
> 3. On the **Xiaomi Mi 3**, enable Settings-Wireless & networks-Tethering & portable hotspot-**Portable hotspot**.
> 4. On the **Xiaomi Mi Pad**, enable Settings-WLAN and I **connect to my Xiaomi Mi 3 hotspot**.
> 5. **Start TetherGPS** on both devices.
> 6. On the **Xiaomi Mi 3**, click on **Start Server**.
> 7. On the **Notifications bar**, you will see the **IP of the TetherGPS Server**. Note it down.
> 8. You will also see that your device will be searching for the location until it is found.
> 9. On your **Xiaomi Mi Pad**, click on **Start Client**.
> 10. Under the **Notifications bar**, if you find that **TetherGPS Client is not working**, go into the TetherGPS app. **Uncheck "Automatic Broadcast IP" and key in the IP** you noted down earlier. Click on **"Stop Client"** and on **"Start Client"** again.
> 11. If the setup is working, you will notice that both **Notifications** bar will **show the connection time of TetherGPS**.
> 12. Start your **Google Maps** or any **other navigation apps** and enjoy **driving from point A to point B** using your **big 7.9"** screen.

# Answer
> 0 votes
The solution for one of your problem is here . You can enable hotspot on your MI Pad

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=w0DLbEnHspw

Yes you can do it.

Ie is what you want if you use xender, interconnected games or shareit.

Have a happy time from here after

---
Tags: gps
---


# Question
Title: How to prevent CPU throttling after not poking at screen
I'm trying to run some benchmarks on a Nexus 5 using GNURoot Debian. (The purpose of these benchmarks is to figure out which implementation strategy of an algorithm is the fastest on ARMv7, so the CPU needs to stay constantly clocked.)

I've set GNURoot Debian to take a wake lock and a wifi lock. In the system developer settings, I've prevented sleep when changing. (And I've connected a charger.) I've set the screen timeout to max (30 min).

Yet, when benchmark runs suggest that the phone still alternates between some kind of 100% performance, 80% performance and 75% performance modes.

Is there a way to tell the phone to stay in one of these modes consistently (when the screen is on and the charger connected)?

(I'm keeping the phone in a cool place and the phone isn't running hot, so I think this isn't thermal throttling. Also, the phone stays in the non-100% modes for longer than Raspberry Pi 3 stays in its 50% mode when doing presumably thermal throttling during the same benchmarks.)

# Answer
> 1 votes
If you have root access you can try to use an app like Device Control to set the processors min frequency and a rather aggressive cpu governor.

explanation:
The cpu governor controls how quickly the cpu responds to alternating performance demands. If you set it to an aggressive mode like "performance" or "interactive" the cpu will try to stay in a high power state as long as needed whereas with a powersaving mode it will try to be in a low power state as long as possible.
With the cpu min frequency you can try to lock it to the fastest possible power mode.

---
Tags: performance, standby
---


# Question
Title: How to natively automate an app with usb debugging disabled?
I am an avid sports bettor and everyday I place bets using a mobile app from a local sportsbook. The sportsbook offers a mobile app, only, and no desktop version. Which is too bad because I know how to automate desktop applications and desktop browsers using Selenium.

The placing of bets is a mindless operation that I have to perform manually. I get an email with which teams to bet from a professional service, I then open the mobile app from the sportsbook, and use my fingers to click through the various bets, submitting them as I go. I want to automate this to give me back time in my life.

I thought that I could use something like Android Studio, jUnit, and uiautomatorviewer (Android SDK tool) and automate the phone via my desktop through a USB connection on the phone. Of course this solution requires enabling USB Debugging on the Android phone. Thinking this solution would be a slam dunk, I started implementing it and I ran in to a major snag: the sportsbook mobile app disables itself when USB debugging is turned on! Which stops this solution from working. And that is why I am looking for a native solution: one that does not require a USB connection. (note: I did call them and ask why this is - they said that they triangulate my phone using its LTE connection to ensure I'm in a legal place to gamble in - and that if the USB connection could be enabled then theoretically someone could setup a server farm, hook phones to it, and remote in from any where in the world to place bets, violating the law - well I'm not breaking the law with what I want to do, but I see their point as to why it disables)

Before I go down the rabbit hole of discovering a native solution - which I freely admit I know nothing about - I'd like to ask the community here how it might be done.

Some thoughts that I had...

Could I write an android app that controls another android app?

Could I use Selendroid (natively) to control the mobile sports app?

Both seem like major undertakings.

# Answer
```
The Settings-App uses a persistent system property to enable/disable
adb.

The property_service inside  the system controls which "process-id"
is allowed to set the different properties. Any Property starting
with
"persistent.service.*" can only be set by AID_SYSTEM.

So you app must be a system app to be able to set this kind
of properties and for this you have to sign it with the platform key
of the particular device.

```
> 0 votes

---
Tags: automation
---


# Question
Title: How to overcome the failure of data wipe? My smartphone's type is Huawei g730 - U 10
My mobile was restarting several times even when I touch the screen or trying to make a call...then I found this message:

Encryption unsuccessful Encryption was interrupted and can't complete.As a result, the data on your phone is no longer accessible

To resume using your phone, you must perform a factory reset. When you set up your phone after the reset, you'll have an opportunity to restore any data that was backed up to your Google Account.

There is such like a button entitled "Reset phone". When I press it, the phone restarts and enters in "Android system recovery \<3e\>"

There are more than a category or alternatives to choose from. When I choose the "wipe cache partition", everything is ok and this process completes successfully. On the other hand, When I choose the category of "wipe data/factory reset", unfortunately appears to me this phrase: "wipe data failed".

What should I do? Give me a hand, please!

# Answer
Common issue with Huawei devices. This happens when the memory chip (eMMC) is damaged and become read-only. This is a hardware failure, the only fix is replacing the chip or changing the motherboard. Sometimes heating the chip can solve (temporarily) the issue.

To be sure the eMMC is damaged, power off the phone, **hold volume up and volume down** at the same time then **briefly hit the power button**: if the screen goes purple or you get a more explicit message : Update exception. EMMC is readonly, you can't update your system - the chip is damaged. Otherwise you can flash the device to solve the issue.
> 1 votes

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Tags: recovery-mode, data-recovery, huawei
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# Question
Title: linux kernel not seen from android filesystem?
I'm reading 'embedded linux' and in chp.6 "filesystems" there is a figure that I do not understand.

here it says that the 'linux kernel' is not seen from android filesystem. This give me some confusion:

-\> The linux kernel image is definitely stored in a storage attached to the device. So when this figure says 'not seen from the android target filesystem', does this imply that the filesystem seen from the 'linux kernel' and 'android framework' is different?

In other words, if the kernel is to do its job, it needs to be able to see and access all the files available to the system. On the other hand, since android is practically a 'user' from kernel view, its scope is limited? And it does not have access to the actual linux kernel image due to this reason?

# Answer
> 1 votes
The linux kernel for an android device will be built separately from the vanilla AOSP. Of course, one can configure to include the build of linux kernel inside the Android build process.

The kernel will be compiled and compressed into an image along with the ramdisk image. This is essentially what constitutes the `boot.img` which will be placed in the **boot** partition.

BTW there are several partitions divided inside whatever storage is used for the target android device.

While the linux kernel resides in the **boot** partition inside the `boot.img`, the android system will be stored in `system.img` which will be located in the **system** partition.

For a typical android build, the root account is inaccessible to the user(android system). Thus, a typical android user will not be able to check out the root directory.

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Tags: linux, file-system, kernel
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title: Synchronizing Call log with Gmail

text:
# Question
Title: Synchronizing Call log with Gmail
I have noticed a label in my Gmail with name **Call Log**. And it contains the some Call Logs of my Phone. I haven't created that Label. I thought it was because of the Mails synchronization. But the same thing isn't happening now-a-days. The Call Logs label mail box contains the information about only few days. After that it stopped logging the Call Logs information.

I want to synchronize the Call Logging information on my Gmail. How to do that ?

# Answer
Finally found the solution and the reason.

I installed SMS Backup + application from Market sometime back. This application syncs the messages, Call logs and Contacts with Gmail.

I installed once and removed. In that time span it sync the contacts, Call logs with my Gmail. Thats why I can see the Call logs label in my Gmail.
> 4 votes

# Answer
Can't shed any light on your current experience I'm afraid. It's possible that Timescape has some sort of feature built in but I have just the app for you. Call Track syncs all your calls to your calendar, including time duration and number (and name if they're in contacts) and will import your existing call log. You can select a specific calendar or label to sync with. Hope that helps. :-)
> 6 votes

# Answer
This may have been answered by now. I use SMS Backup+ noticed the same problem. My Gmail label "call log" stopped logging. The app settings were no help. The solution: Settings, apps, SMS Backup+, permissions, turn on the switch "telephone". I'm on android nougat and one has to provide more permissions. Hope this helps.
> 1 votes

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Tags: sync, gmail, call-history
---


title: Creating a cron job on Android

text:
# Question
Title: Creating a cron job on Android
I want to write a bash script (similar to Linux) to run a cron job every 10 hour. The task is fairly simple, e.g. deleting files from cache folder.

According to this topic, I installed busybox and terminal emulator and phone has already been rooted. Here is what I did:

```
su -
echo "*/5 * * * * root reboot" >> /data/crontab/root
crond -b -c /data/cronjob

```

Note that for the test, I set the phone to reboot every 5 minutes to see if `crond` is properly working.

Problem is, it doesn't work! Any idea for that?

# Answer
> 2 votes
**Requirements**

1. Root access
2. Busybox : for 'crond' service
3. /system/etc/init.d folder to start 'crond' service at boot

**Creating cronjob** Create the cronjob file in directory /data/crontab/ with filename root. Write your cronjob inside the file 'root'. Set executable permissions for the file 'root'

*Test without rebooting* Now open any terminal emulator in device and run the following commands..

```
su -
crond -b -c /data/cronjob

```

Now the crond service will start, to check type...

```
top | grep crond

```

*Start crond at boot*

1. mount system partition in read write :

`su -`

`mount -o remount,rw /system`
2. Create a file 99my\_daemon at /system/etc/init.d with executable permission and enter the following lines

`crond -b -c /data/crond`
3. Close writing the /system partition

`mount -o remount,rw /system`
4. And reboot

Example of cron filename root

```
*/15 * * * * reboot

```

Will reboot your device every 15 minutes from o'clock.

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Tags: automation
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