title: How to assign an app to an NFC event?

text:
# Question
Title: How to assign an app to an NFC event?
I would like to use NFC tags with NFC Task Launcher or AutomateIt, but every time I scan the tag, I get a popup asking for the application to use (I have a few NFC-related ones). I have a Samsung Galaxy S3 and a Galaxy Note 2.

There is no "always use this application" choice (similar to the ones I had when clicking on a link for the first time - which popped up an app panel with a choice of "this time only" or "every time").

Is there a way to force the assignment of an app to an event?

# Answer
## Background

To understand the issue, you will need a little background on how this works:

For almost everything, Android broadcasts "events" -- such as e.g. boot\_completed, SMS received, SD card inserted/removed, battery low... NFC signal received. Apps can register so-called "Listeners" with the system, which are bound to specified events. In your case, mentioned apps have registered for NFC events.

Now, when an event is broadcast, and there's no listener to it, nothing will happen. Is it a single app that registered a listener, this app will be called. If multiple apps registered listeners, the system looks if one of them is set to "Default" by the user; if so, this one is called -- otherwise a popup appears fot the user to chose which app should handle the event. Usually, this popup also holds a checkbox to make that app the default for this given event.

## Solutions

As said, usually there should be a checkbox -- which in your case does not seem to be the case. So it seems there's no possibility to define a default action for this event, whatever the reason. You could try apps from the playstore which do handle default apps (e.g. Default App Manager) -- but most likely this will not work either.

A second point to look would be in *Settings → Apps → Manage Apps*, pick the app of your choice, and see if it has the corresponding checkbox *not grayed out* -- if so, simply check it. Most likely, this will be grayed out, so you cannot do anything here either.

Next step would require root -- so if your device is not rooted, it's purely informational to you. As described above in "Background", all related apps have a listener registered with the system. So we should be able to un-register it. This can be done e.g. with Autorun Manager PRO (yes, it will need the Pro version -- as with the free you only can change 2 entries).

As the screenshot shows, this app can enable/disable listeners, so you can avoid having apps started automatically in situations you rather don't want them. Which would apply to yours: Find the corresponding listener, disable it, fine.

Without root, the only remaining possibility is to get rid of all but one of the apps. You could uninstall the others, or, if you'd rather keep them (and you are running Android 4.0 or higher), rather simply disable them in *Settings → Apps → Manage Apps*, so when needed, you can simply re-activate them at the very same place.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: automation, default-applications, nfc
---


title: Calendar app gone after flashing

text:
# Question
Title: Calendar app gone after flashing
I have installed an ICS leak from my carrier (rom created by Motorola signed by my carrier but not released) and the calendar app has gone, I reinstalled the ROM from 2 different download sites and nothing, no one complains about this issue at all, some others just compalin some events don't appear but they have the app o.0

What can I do?

# Answer
The Official Calendar app, just like Google Maps, YouTube, etc., has been an independent app from the Android Stock ROM and published on Google Play.

Which means you can just download it via Google Play
> 1 votes

# Answer
Has your calendar app really been wiped? (Try adding it as a shortcut from the app drawer.)

You can sometimes download an application from your handset manufacturer for your PC which provides a feature like "emergency firmware recovery". This should allow you to install the latest official release of Android.
> 0 votes

# Answer
I'm going to assume you did this using a rooted phone. If that's the case, you should be able to find someone who has Calendar app, and manually push that to system/app and fix permissions.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, calendar, rom
---


title: Why do I have so little unused RAM?

text:
# Question
Title: Why do I have so little unused RAM?
> **Possible Duplicate:**
> Are there guidelines on how much free RAM a phone should have - specifically Samsung Galaxy S?
> 0 ram free on ICS

My device (ASUS TF201, unrooted, stock Firmware) is running on Android 4.1 and has 1GB of RAM installed. However I noticed that only 200-300 MB's are left and marked "unused". Also I know that does not necessarily mean that all "used" RAM is really in use. For example cached Apps may be held in RAM for faster start-up and this RAM may be freed by Android if more memory is needed. So I tried the following steps to get more unused RAM as I am experiencing Force-Closes from another App which (may) result from insufficient memory available.

1. I checked running apps and force-closed some of them but this gave me not enough RAM. Although this list contains Apps which may be responsible for almost 100 MBs of RAM but not for 600 MB. So I checked which Apps are cached, and closed all of them giving me also only a few MB's.
2. I rebooted my device but after start-up 600 MB's are already used.
3. I performed cold-boot still 600 MB's are already in use.
4. I pushed the reset button which immediately shut down my device, but after reboot 600 MB's are still in use.
5. I performed a factory reset and did not installed any other app (nor did I perform a backup-restore, as I hadn't specified any Google account so far). But still 600 MB's are used.
6. I applied all of those memory task killers which all performed badly and killed only those apps I could kill myself. Except one profiler gave me a hint: It sayed that 300 MB's are used by the kernel and 300 MB's are used by apps. It also provided me a button for killing all running apps. Directly after this still 200 MB's are in use (it says "kernel memory") but after 15min again 600 MB's in use (with again 300 MB's per kernel- and app-memory). Is that normal that so much memory is used?, I mean this is factory reset no additional apps were installed by myself!
7. I also tried to to force-close and disable almost all apps which are currently running and which I don't need but still around 600 MB's are in use.

As I fear to lose warranty if I open the back of the pad I cannot put off power. (But of course I could wait until no battery is left) But I won't think that this will help, as this should have worked with a hardware reset or cold-boot as well.

So what can I do?

# Answer
> 1 votes
A friend of mine told me, each app is running inside its own Dalvik instance (Sandbox) also apps may use additional libraries, but this memory is not shown in the list of running or cached apps. Hence the size given their must be interpreted carefully. He also said, that in case more memory is needed, Android should close some of these apps to free some memory.

---
Tags: ram
---


# Question
Title: How can I receive phone calls through Wi-Fi on an Android phone?
How can I receive phone calls from a landlines/cellphone when I have Wi-Fi connectivity, but no cell phone service?

# Answer
You could signup for Skype and get a Skype "Online Number" (this used to be called "Skype In") and then install the Skype app on your phone.

This would give you a real phone number that anyone could ring from a normal landline or mobile, that would ring through to Skype on your phone (or any other device) over your data connection.
> 3 votes

# Answer
T-Mobile US has a Wi-Fi Calling app available, and other carriers might have done the same. There might be charge for some of these services, but when I was on T-Mobile it was free.
> 3 votes

# Answer
Yes if you use a VoIP app and your cellphone service provider lets you divert your number on no connection - but remember that you will bear the cost for the diversion.

If you want to just have a wifi-based (VoIP) number that's separate from your cell number then any VoIP service provider will be able to do that - I have a test VoIP setup on my HTC Desire in the UK that lets anyone call my mobile on an 0845 number.
> 2 votes

# Answer
I you can get a free or paid SIP account and use something like SIPDroid.
> 2 votes

# Answer
I believe that Viber will do just that, if you're calling other people with Viber.
> 1 votes

# Answer
If your friends don't have viber you can use a MobileVoip The list of voip provider supported is endless: http://www.mobilevoip.com/en/supported\_brands
> 1 votes

---
Tags: wi-fi, voip
---


# Question
Title: Random screen captures in Galaxy Tab 10.1
I have a recent issue with my Galaxy Tab 10.1 where the screen capture function randomly activates, and it is driving me crazy. I did a factory reset and the problem persists.

It is more than accidental touching of the new quick reference key. It is completely random, most noticeable while whatching a movie etc.

Other than the factory reset, is there anything else I can do? In communication with Samsung, their only suggestion is to conduct the reset.

# Answer
> 1 votes
What have you done after the factory reset -- installing *everything* you've had installed before? Best way to figure out where the problem is located is:

1. Backup as much as you can
2. factory-reset the device
3. do **not yet** install/restore anything!
4. check for a reasonable time whether the problem re-appears
    * if it does right after the factory-reset, your device needs go to support (or they need to send a firmware update/fix)
    * if it not re-appears, continue with 5.
    * if it does re-appear, you've found the app causing the issue. Break here, see below.
5. re-install/recover **ONE** app. Repeat from 4.

If above steps resulted in an app being the cause, you've got multiple choices:

* re-configure the app and see if you can make the error go away
* uninstall the app and see if the problem goes away
* if none of the two works, start with step 2. above and *skip* the bad app.

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, samsung-galaxy-tab-10
---


# Question
Title: Using the same apps for a second user in Nexus 7
> **Possible Duplicate:**
> How to migrate applications to other user account without downloading the applications again?

I've created a second user on my Nexus 7 for my wife.

Do I have to re-install common apps like Facebook and Skype for the second user?

Can I not just bring the apps across from the first user?

# Answer
> 1 votes
There are multiple possibilities with Android 4.2. The "board methods" are, as already explained in other answers: Every user has to **install** each app he wants to use (aside from the pre-installed ones) -- but they will be downloaded only once. Now, if one user updates the app, it will be updated for the other user(s) as well (which might get a bit problematic if one user does *not* want a certain app to be updated -- but that's up to the users to make clear).

If root is available on the device, some other interesting options pop up -- for which you might want to take a look at:

How to migrate applications to other user account without downloading the applications again?

With root, you can share apps (not data, of course) among users without the need of re-installation using Multi-User App Share, which even is reported to (partially?) work with paid ones.

# Answer
> 0 votes
From a system perspective, no, you don't need to reinstall. You might have Each user has their own settings for those apps.

# Answer
> 0 votes
You must reinstall them, but not re-download them.
Apps that download external content will most likely have to download it for every user. For example, Dead Space.

---
Tags: nexus-7, 4.2-jelly-bean, multi-user
---


title: How do I root my Nexus 7?

text:
# Question
Title: How do I root my Nexus 7?
I am wanting to gain root privileges on my Google Nexus 7 tablet, running Android 4.1-4.2.1. How can I do this?

# Answer
> 17 votes
The Nexus 7 is probably one of the easiest Android devices to root - and all you need is the Android SDK (and 2 downloads).

**Step 1**

Install the `adb` and `fastboot` commands. On Ubuntu:

`sudo apt-get install android-tools-adb android-tools-fastboot`

On Windows you should download the Android SDK, however you can just download this zip which contains the `adb`, `fastboot` and dependencies.

**Step 2**

On your Nexus 7, go to `System Settings->Developer Options->Check USB Debugging` (You may need to slide the toggle switch in the action bar to on). If you do not see the USB Debugging option, go to `System Settings->About Tablet->Tap on 'Build Number' 7 times`.

Connect your Nexus to your computer.

**Step 3**

*Make sure the drivers have downloaded and installed if you're on Windows - Windows Update should automatically find them.*

Once connected, open up a terminal window (Windows: Win+R, type `cmd` press `Enter`. Ubuntu: `ctrl`+`alt`+`t`) and navigate to where you have unzipped the fastboot & adb programs (no need to do this on linux - they are in the path).

**Step 3.5**

Type `adb backup -all -nosystem` to backup your userdata to the `backup.ab` file.

**Step 4**

Type `adb reboot bootloader`.

**Step 5**

When the Nexus 7 has rebooted into fastboot mode, type `fastboot oem unlock`. Read the information on the device, and touch the `Yes` option. Your bootloader will be unlocked. **This will erase *all* userdata!**

**Step 6**

Download the latest TWRP recovery image. Save it in the same location as the fastboot binary. Issue the `fastboot flash recovery twrp.img` command to flash this recovery image.

**Step 7**

From the fastboot menu (green robot on its back with the cover open), use the volume keys to cycle through the options `start`, `restart bootloader`, `power off`, to `recovery mode`. Push the power key to select recovery mode. You'll see the google logo with an unlocked padlock, and then the TWRP splash screen for about 45 seconds. Then TWRP asks "keep system read-only?" Instead of tapping on "no," swipe the swiper to allow these modifications. This shows you the TWRP menu, 8 big buttons. Tap on `Advanced`. On the next menu, tap on `ADB Sideload`.

Download the latest SuperSU zip file and save it to the same location as adb and fastboot. **DON'T UNZIP IT.**

**Step 8**

On the Nexus 7, swipe the swiper to prepare it to sideload. Issue the command `adb sideload CWM-SuperSU-v0.99.zip`, which takes about a minute, and then tap the `reboot` button. This may take several minutes and several reboots, so don't worry.

The Nexus 7 is now rooted!

**Step 9**

Type `adb restore <backup file made in 3.5>` to restore from a backup.

---
Tags: rooting, nexus-7
---


# Question
Title: How can I delete all Winamp playlists at once?
How can I delete all Winamp playlists from an Android device? I currently have to delete them one file at a time.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Long tapping on a playlist brings an option to delete. Looks like you don't want to use it because you've gazillions of playlists.

So, do this: Simply, clear data of Winamp from `Settings` ~\> `Applications` ~\> `Manage Applications`. It'll make your Winamp install fresh like when it was installed. The only thumbs down thing is that settings of Winamp will be reset to default & you'll need to re-configure them, but its not a big thing.

**Update:**
After some brainstorming, I found that Winamp stores playlists in a database externally. On my smartphone its: `/data/data/com.android.providers.media/databases/external-xxxxxxx.db` where xxxxxxx are numbers which are different on two devices I checked.

Use Root Explorer to delete this database after mounting /data partition with R/W access (root access is required).

# Answer
> 1 votes
I use the built-in mp3 Player (Samsung Galaxy S2).

I went into ***Playlists*** \> *right button* \> *Delete* \> *Select all* \> *Delete*.

Whatever the playlists were there, they will get deleted

---
Tags: winamp
---


# Question
Title: GS3 automatically answering incoming calls
Why is my GS3 automatically answering incoming calls. I am not using a headset/bluetooth. The phone can be in an entirely different room when a call is automatically answered.

# Answer
Is your Settings \> Language And Input \> Voice Command for Apps 'On'? Sometimes it picks up something in the background and answers the calls.

If turning off that doesn't work, try to do a factory reset on the phone.

Unfortunately, if even that doesn't work, you will have to get it inspected at a Service Center.
> 2 votes

# Answer
Try inserting a 3.5 Headphones with mic and call your cell.

If it will answer automatically it is a software problem, try to remember what things have you changed/installed before that was happend.

If it fix the problem, take out the Headphones and try calling your cell. Sometimes the AUX 3.5 Jack isn't recognizing when a device is plugged-out (mostly because of a damaged headphones/headphone's Jack), this could be the problem.
> 1 votes

# Answer
On my T-Mobile SGH-T999 Galaxy S3 (Android 4.1.1), there is a "S Voice" icon under Apps. If you start the app and skip the setup questions, you will be prompted "***What would you like to do?***".

At this point press the menu button and choose ***Settings*** \> *Control apps*, turn off "*Control apps: Use voice commands to control device*".

Hope that helps!
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-3, calls
---


title: On screen soft mouse?

text:
# Question
Title: On screen soft mouse?
Is it possible to have a touch control of the mouse cursor in Android instead of the use of a hardware mouse? Maybe something like the soft keyboard?

# Answer
> 2 votes
As Liam W suggested, have you tried the any of the developer options? On at least 4.0 (ICS) and higher (and perhaps older versions, someone else will have to verify) in *Settings \> Developer Options* check out *Show Touches* and *Pointer Location* (screenshots and short descriptions here). Neither are exactly what you're looking for, but perhaps you'll find them useful.

---
Tags: mouse
---


# Question
Title: Is there a way to speak "Send" in order to send an SMS?
I know I can pull up my SMS app and press the microphone to activate speech. I speak my message, but then I need to press the "send" button to actually send my message.

Is there a way to activate the send function by saying a keyword instead of pressing the button?

Coming from an iPhone where Siri does most of this for me, basically I can say

> Tell my wife, I'm running a bit late.

Siri responds

> Here's your message to *wife's name*, would you like me to send your message?

I say

> Yes

and off it goes.

I'm looking for something similar in Android.

# Answer
> 1 votes
With Google Now/Voice Actions I don't think there's any way to do this. Some actions will happen automatically after a short delay ("note to self..." is one I know offhand; there may be others), but text messaging requires you to actually press the "Send" button on the card that pops up.

However, you could try a third-party app for these specific functions that you'd like to be completely hands-free. Dragon works a bit more closely to Siri, acting in a conversational manner, and will prompt you for a "Yes/No" to send a message in a very similar fashion. Skyvi is another option you could try, which will send text messages automatically after a 5 second delay (during which time you can press a "Cancel" button to stop the sending).

---
Tags: sms, 4.2-jelly-bean, google-voice-actions
---


# Question
Title: Reset battery history after unplugging charger?
As far as I can tell, the stats on the Battery page of Settings records the time from when the battery is booted up onwards. What I'd rather want it to do, is to reset that counter whenever I disconnect the charger so that I can monitor more accurately how long a full charge lasts.

I am aware that there are 3rd party apps like Battery Monitor widget for these things but I'd really want to use the pre-built in options that came with Android.

# Answer
> 1 votes
One thing that comes with Android is the dialer. Try to "call" `*#*#4636#*#*`. On most devices, this gives you the choice between "since boot", "since last unplugged", and more. Admittedly, the graphics is not that nice as with your screenshot :)

# Answer
> 0 votes
If your phone is rooted and also if you flashed a clock work mod, then you can clear battery status by

**1.Reboot into Recovery**--\> **2.Advanced**--\> **3.Clear Battery Status**

# Answer
> 0 votes
Take a look at this setOnBatteryLocked method from Android:

```
        // We will reset our status if we are unplugging after the
        // battery was last full, or the level is at 100, or
        // we have gone through a significant charge (from a very low
        // level to a now very high level).
        if (oldStatus == BatteryManager.BATTERY_STATUS_FULL
                || level >= 90
                || (mDischargeCurrentLevel < 20 && level >= 80)) {
            doWrite = true;
            resetAllStatsLocked();
            mDischargeStartLevel = level;

```

---
Tags: settings, battery, charging
---


# Question
Title: SD card full bricks Android 2.2: In fsckdelay end. Kill dosfsck, ret=-1
I downloaded this 80 MB ZIP file containing 27000 files to my SD card and unzipped it using this code.
A no space left error occurred before all files could be extracted.

I couldn't remove the folder, neither with `adb shell rm -f` nor the Open Manager app nor by mounting the SD card and removing from Ubuntu/Nautilus:

```
$ adb shell rm -f /sdcard/OxygenGuide
rm failed for /sdcard/OxygenGuide, I/O error

```

Ubuntu/Nautilus:

```
There was an error deleting 08267130495190304.html.
Error removing file: Read-only file system

```

It looked like trying to remove this particular file makes the whole SD card read-only. Unmounting/remounting made it read/write again, but the same error happened when I tried to delete again.

---

I decided to reboot, and now I just have a black screen with just the top bar, showing the "Checking SD card" icon and usual network/battery/date. `adb logcat` shows this:

```
I/ActivityThread(  323): Publishing provider downloads: com.android.providers.downloads.DownloadProvider
W/Vold    (   71): Filesystem modified - rechecking (pass 2)
I/Vold    (   71): Device /dev/block/vold/179:1, target /mnt/sdcard mounted @ /mnt/secure/staging
D/Vold    (   71): Volume sdcard state changing 3 (Checking) -> 4 (Mounted)
I/ActivityThread(  270): Publishing provider call_log: com.android.providers.contacts.CallLogProvider
W/logwrapper(   71): In fsckdelay end. Kill dosfsck, ret=-1

```

*Android 2.2*

# Answer
> 0 votes
Here is how I solved both problems:

1) Remove battery and reboot. Two times because it was still behaving strange the first time.

2) Remove files little by little, until I found the problematic file, called `%01.%02`, I recognized its content as a tile from the Maverick map app (which I have not launched so it is more of a random casualty). Anyway, I renamed that file to `a.a.` and then deletion was successful.

---
Tags: 2.2-froyo, sd-card, file-system, unbricking, zip
---


# Question
Title: What's causing my games to sometimes exit to the homescreen?
I have a Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray.

When i first bought the phone, it came with a 4GB class 2 microSD without a brand name. I could play games without problems and it was pretty stable.

Then I bought a cheap 32GB microSD without any class. I moved my files from the old card into a new one by copy-pasting them. When I play games (mostly big-sized games) the games will sometimes suddenly crash to homescreen without any "force close" option.

Then I thought it was maybe because of the cheap microSD so I bought a new Transcend 32 GB class 10 microSDHC. It is fast enough for HD games, and I'm satisfied with it, but the same problem happens - games will sometimes crash to homescreen.

Is this because of my storage space? Maybe I installed too much stuff on it? I have 80 MB free space. Maybe this is the cause?

My phone condition:

* Rooted
* No other modifications applied.

# Answer
If your foreground app is being closed without warning, the suspect is no other than Kernel. It generally happens when Kernel runs out of memory. In such case, Kernel reclaims memory by killing other apps, otherwise the device would be crashed. In such situation, Kernel doesn't respect multitasking (apps with background services, apps having icon in status bar etc) and in some cases, even foreground apps (when its very critical). When Kernel fails to do it due to CPU unavailability etc, the device really get crashed. This is how it works.

In your case, one or more reasons are responsible:

* You've a load of lots of background running apps which draw lot of memory even during game play.
* The game requires more resources than your device hardware provides. Its less likely because game runs most of times, but its possible that game does a lot of memory caching which outruns currently available memory.
* There's memory leakage bug in atleast one of your installed apps.

When it comes to fully filled big storage, system requires somewhat more resources to locate a file in it, but it doesn't cause this type of problem. You can reduce memory card size or files in it to lower down performance impact, but its not recommended. Its better to hunt down and remove always-running apps which are not extremely useful. Even if its useful, you should find its alternative which doesn't always run in background.

In the last, you can always install CatLog to see what happened after game crash. If you find it as alien language, Google it or ask here.
> 5 votes

# Answer
In such cases I would highly suggest to try to replicate the problem while usb debugging is enabled. Install the android sdk which will give you the necessary tools to "logcat" what's happening. The messages might give you a clue what is causing the sudden shutdown of your application.

After having installed the sdk you can simply start the logging through Terminal/cmd by

> adb logcat

A picture for illustration (click to enlarge):

As suggested it might be a problem with low ram. Sony Ericsson Xperia S Phones sometimes feel sluggish especially if you use a lot of "widgets" such as the timeline and media player widget on your homescreen as they are quite ressource intensive. This might be indirectly linked to the shutdown of your games if there are many background services running there just won't be enough free ram for the game.
> 2 votes

# Answer
Download Advance Task Killer from Android Market. Then, open it, go to `Settings` and select `auto task kill`.
> -3 votes

---
Tags: crashes, sony-ericsson-xperia-ray
---


# Question
Title: How to mirror Android phone on Mac or Windows for application presentation?
> **Possible Duplicate:**
> How do I project the screen of my android phone for a presentation?

Can anyone suggest some tools which can mirror an Android phone to a PC or a Mac?

I found some apps, but mostly they are remote desktop apps. They bring desktop screens to the phone. However, I want it the other way around.

# Answer
> 0 votes
You can use Droid@Screen for this.

If you have root access, you can use androidscreencast as well. Hope this helps.

---
Tags: screen-sharing
---


# Question
Title: How can I use the camera button to pause/resume mp3?
How can I change camera button functionally and use it (or any other physical button) to pause/resume mp3 in a media player app? It is very important for my, because I want be able to pause/resume mp3 without looking to screen of the phone.

Actually my phone (Xperia Mini Pro) has a hardware keyboard with 42 keys, but a few apps use this button as a keyboard shortcut (X-plore is one of few programs that uses hardware keyboard properly).

# Answer
> 2 votes
You have multiple choices on how to accomplish this:

## Using a headset

If you've got a 1-button-headset connected, you can facilitate that button. There are multiple apps on the playstore providing enhanced possibilities to this -- just search for "headset-control. Having a Philips headset, I use Philips Headset, which works pretty well; you might have to try several of the available choices to find the one suiting you best.

Most of these apps offer things like:

* configure a media player app to be started as soon as the headset gets connected
* play/pause (or accept an incoming call) with a single press
* skip forward (or reject an incoming call) pressing twice
* increase volume by holding the button, decrease it by one click followed by holding it
* skip backward (triple click)

Actions are usually configurable.

## Without a headset

Re-defining a hardware button can be achieved e.g. using Tasker, which is an automation app for Android (to be more precise: it's the most complete automation app available; costs ~ 5 Euro, a 7-day-trial is available at the homepage, but it's worth every cent). The Tasker manual states:

> Simulate Media Button: when selected, any media player which listens for Media Button events can be controlled. Without it, the only the Android system media player will respond.
>
> Note: the Toggle Pause function may not work unless playback has already been started manually.

And yes: You can bind that action to...

* Button: Camera
* Button: Long Search

amongst others. You could even bind it to a "shake pattern" (e.g. shake left-right to skip a title).

### Example:

* *Condition:* Event → Hardware → Button: Camera
* *Task:* Media → Media Control → Cmd: Toggle Pause

---
Tags: keyboard, buttons, keyboard-shortcuts, mp3-player
---


# Question
Title: how to turn off camera sound besides lowering the volume on i9220?
> **Possible Duplicate:**
> How do I disable the ‘click’ sound on the camera app?
> How do I turn off the shutter sound for the Android camera?

We have a Samsung i9220.

How to turn off camera sound besides lowering the volume?

Rooting is not an option.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Besides lowering volume there is no option available with out rooting. or else you can find 3rd Party Camera Apps with this feature.

---
Tags: settings, audio, camera
---


# Question
Title: Bricked LG Optimus P999 using ROM Manager
I have the LG Optimus P999 from Wind Mobile.

I downloaded ROM Manager and tried to flash a Cyanogenmod ROM (cm-7.2.0-p999.zip). The backup and flash said they went OK. But when it rebooted, it froze at the second LG logo and won't go anywhere. Booting into recovery mode did nothing.

It took many tries to get the LG Optimus unbricking tool to recognize my phone, but I finally got Clockworkmod Recovery to install on it. Now when I boot into recovery mode, nothing works because it can't mount the SD Card.

My next attempt was to flash stock ROM back to it, but I can no longer get the tool to recognize my phone.

Have I totally bricked my phone?

# Answer
Ok, I managed to fix my phone.

The first thing that differed about my phone from the video tutorials I watched was that when you are preparing to flash the phone, you're supposed to hold Vol+ and Vol- then connect the USB cable. In the video tutorials the LG logo came on at that point, but on mine it did not. I figured out that if I plugged in the cable first, then held Vol+ and Vol- the LG logo would come on. **This was wrong.** The P999 does not display the LG logo when ready to flash. Hold Vol+ and Vol- and then connect the USB cable, wait a few seconds and then let go. Your phone should be ready to flash now. If it's not, try again.

Secondly, this is the software you want to use to flash if you've bricked it: T-Mobile G2X One-Click Recovery Flasher. The version I found on some other websites was outdated and wouldn't fix the problem I had mounting the SD Card (which is actually internal memory on the G2X). With this version I was able to boot into Recovery mode, mount the SD Card manually, and then flash the ROM. I was able able to properly enable USB Mass Storage from recovery mode, which would allow you to copy a new ROM to the SD Card if you've somehow lost your data.

The final issue I ran into was no Google Apps, and no ability to sync my phone to Google. You can grab the Google apps and Flash them through Recovery mode here.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, clockworkmod-recovery, lg-optimus-2x, rom-manager
---


# Question
Title: how to stop 3rd party video player from opening mp3 files
When I install MoboPlayer it becomes the default mp3 player for Gmail. This is a problem because it can't actually play mp3 files associated with Gmail (it can't find the file location).

All the advice I see on the web is to go into manage applications and clear the defaults, but the App Info says MoboPlayer has "No defaults set" and Clear Defaults is grayed out. I don't see any way to change the default file associations within MoboPlayer. I tried Default App Manager Lite and it also didn't see any defaults associated with MoboPlayer.

Questions: a. Is there any way to stop MoboPlayer from opening mp3s. b. Why is it gmail opening mp3s in MoboPlayer anyway since apparently it's not set to open anything by default?

I like MoboPlayer, but I don't have a huge problem ditching it. I'm really more curious about b. Why is gmail using it to open mp3 files when it's not the default???

I have a Nexus 4 with Android 4.2.1.

# Answer
> 1 votes
This is most likely caused by MoboPlayer being the only installed app having itself registered for MP3 capabilities. If you install any app which also announces this to the system (e.g. a second player), you should be prompted which one to use. Of course this would only offer MoboPlayer and that second app as choices.

Alternatively, you might take a look at Open With. I did not test it, but according to its description it should intercept here and offer you to select the target app you want to use. Not sure if it only integrates with the "Share" menu -- but certainly worth a try.

---
Tags: default-applications, mp3
---


# Question
Title: LG Lucid doesn't recognize SD card as extra memory when dealing with photos
> **Possible Duplicate:**
> How can I deal with “Low on Space” messages on my HTC Incredible?

I have an LG Lucid, and recently (more or less) learned how to put files (music, etc.) on it from my Mac.

My question is: Why does my phone constantly think the memory is full when I'm looking through or taking photos? A little box pops up and tells me to delete files to make room. It still saves the photos I take, but it doesn't save the screenshots.

Does anyone know how to fix this?

# Answer
There are multiple things you need to adjust -- let's step through them one by one:

## Camera

Unfortunately not on all devices / Android versions, but some camera apps let the user configure where to store the photos (phone memory or sd). Check if your camera app supports this. If so, set it to sd (or "external" -- all but phone ;). If not, you might want to check the playstore for alternative camera apps offering this feature. Videos, photos, and music files are most likely the largest files on your device -- so keeping those away from your precious internal storage will reduce the possibility / frequency dropping into this problem.

## Make room

As you said you get the "Memory low" or "Insufficient storage" errors, free space on your internal device memory (phone memory) most likely dropped below 25 MB. So as advised by that popup, you should make room. I'm not going into details on this, as this is already explained here multiple times. Check e.g. the following questions:

Additionally, check out the list of most frequent questions tagged "internal-storage", which will list you even more useful questions (with answers, of course).

## Screenshots

Once you've sorted out above two things, this problem has solved magically as a side-effect :)
> 0 votes

---
Tags: sd-card, internal-storage, music, ram, screenshots
---


# Question
Title: Proxy app which doesn't requie any root access in android 2.3.6
I recently installed proxydroid app in my android 2.3.6 This application requires root access. Every time to use it, I need to make root access to my device.
Is there any proxy app which does not require any root access?

# Answer
Simple answer: No.

Long answer:

No, as these app use a native binary installed onto the system to reroute data through the proxy. This is done at kernel level (actually it's done using the terminal commands, but it is done at kernel level), because of this root access is needed.

There are **0** apps that allow you to use a proxy without rooting first. Android 4.x natively supports proxies however.
> 2 votes

# Answer
### Short answer:

No, proxy apps available on the playstore all need root (to my knowledge). **But you can use the native proxy -- even with Android 2.1.**

### Longer answer:

As Liam wrote in his answer, an explicit proxy requires kernel level access. But Android has a native proxy built in.

Before Android 4.x, its settings were simply hidden. So all you need is access to its settings page -- which is what some apps provide, as e.g. Proxy Settings does:

From the app's description:

> It provides a set of tools to ease the access and the modification of the proxy configuration into your Android device. **Proxy Settings** offers to the users a set of tools to check and troubleshoot the selected proxy configuration

*Proxy Settings* works with Android 2.1 and higher.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: 2.3-gingerbread, proxy
---


# Question
Title: Galaxy ace - Can't seem to add a contact without adding them as a Google 'contact'
Every time I add a contact (via the little plus) it brings up the Google contact screen. It used to give me an option for SIM or phone storage for the contact, but this is no longer an option.

# Answer
You should check `Contacts` -\> `Menu` -\> `Settings` -\> `Default storage` (or similar), there you should have the different options, including Phone memory, SIM and Always ask.
> 2 votes

# Answer
On my DEFY XT it's Contacts -\> Menu -\> Accounts, then I can pick my account, and there is a check box for "Sync Contacts" which I've unchecked. I assume the default location is in the phone memory (not SIM or micro-SD). But, in Contacts -\> Menu -\> Import/Export, I can import from or export to the SD.

A suggestion I've heard elsewhere is that if you want some contacts synced and some not, you can create another account, and have one account sync and the other not sync.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: contacts, google-account
---


title: Gmail notifications stopped working

text:
# Question
Title: Gmail notifications stopped working
I don't receive Gmail notifications on my phone recently, no sound, no light and nothing appears on the notification bar. Searching the web, I figured it might have happened because I turned syncing options off. So I turned it on except for some syncing options such as Pictures and browser. I still am not getting notified of new emails. What's wrong?

# Answer
Summing up results from the in-comment-discussion:

Starting with Android 4.1, notifications can be disabled on a per-app basis: Either by long-pressing a specific notification in the notification area, and navigating from there to the app which sent it -- or directly from the Android settings in *Apps → Manage Apps*, and selecting the app you want to disable notifications for: here you will find the possibility to allow/forbid an app to place notifications in the notification area. This is valid generally and for all apps, starting with Android 4.1.

As with the Gmail app, some apps also offer this option themselves (which then also works for Android versions prior to 4.1). You find it from inside the app, when visiting its settings page(s). But as said, this will vary between apps -- not all apps offer this option.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-nexus, notifications, gmail, notification-bar
---


# Question
Title: Is there a way to use Chrome's phone interface on a Nexus 7 instead of the tablet interface?
I don't find the tab switching on Chrome for tablets easy. I know I can swipe from the sides to move between tabs, but I prefer the version optimized for smaller screens. Is there any way I can use the phone interface on my Nexus 7?

For comparison, here's Chrome on a Galaxy Note 2:

And here's Chrome on a Nexus 7:

# Answer
There is no way to change this for just one app, but it can be changed globally by increasing the DPI value.

You will need to be rooted to change the DPI value. This app will change your device DPI.

You will have to play with different values, but take a nandroid first!

Edit: I played around with DPI values and 240 will force the phone ui mode for apps. Remember that this is global, and that it will make the app drawer look strange, as well as disabling the users feature.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: chrome-for-android
---


title: How to setup call only mode

text:
# Question
Title: How to setup call only mode
Miss this feature from my old 'Berry - easily set to Phone Call Only mode overnight so support calls from work ring through but text/email notifications are silent. Is there a way to have similar one touch on/off functionality? Thanks

# Answer
You can use blocking mode. A feature in the Samsung TouchWiz devices (I believe made available in 4.0).

Settings -\> Blocking Mode

* Enable blocking mode
* Uncheck "Disable incoming calls"
* Set the time that blocking mode should be enabled
* Sleep until the phone rings

If you still want to actually receive the notifications for email and text messages you can do the following:

* Go to Settings -\> Sound
* Select Volume
* Turn up Ringtone
* Turn down all the others

While these are not "one touch", you can do the second one right from the home screen.

* Just hit the volume button
* hit the button to expand the volume controls
* adjust the volume of all the settings
> 2 votes

# Answer
you can do this easily by using Timeriffic. All you have to do is setup a new time triggered task. At the set time, you can make the *notification volume* to zero. After the set time you can make it change the volume back to normal level

I suppose you want to *mute* the notification sounds rather than disabling them.
> 1 votes

# Answer
I came from BlackBerry too and I've used the Quick Profiles app on my Atrix for exactly this purpose, and you can create multiple profiles.

* to allow phone calls to come through at night while muting all else.

It's free and offers a lot of flexibility (e.g., settings such as screen time-out, brightness, etc.)
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 4.1-jelly-bean, samsung-galaxy-s-3
---


# Question
Title: Tasker: Run a task when a specific bluetooth device loses connection
I want to run a task every time my phone loses connection to my truck's bluetooth device.

I can see a way to run a task when it connects, and obviously I can "invert" it, but inverting it doesn't sound right to me.

What is the right way to run a task upon BT connection loss to a specific device?

# Answer
Create a profile that is active when connected to the Bluetooth device and set up an exit task to run whatever you want when the profile becomes inactive due to the device disconnects.
> 13 votes

---
Tags: bluetooth, tasker
---


title: Reply-by-SMS with Google Voice

text:
# Question
Title: Reply-by-SMS with Google Voice
I've got a Samsung Galaxy Nexus running stock Android Jelly Bean 4.1.1. As you probably know, Jelly Bean has a new feature that allows you to "respond-by-SMS" to incoming phone calls. Unfortunately, this feature sends a text message from your "real" phone number instead of Google Voice. For those of us that use Google Voice full-time, and don't want to reveal our real phone numbers, and keep accurate messaging logs, this is undesirable behavior.

**Question**: Does anyone know if it's possible to get the respond-by-SMS feature to send from Google Voice instead of the built-in *Messaging* app?

The description of the feature in question is: "*When you miss a call, a new notification lets you return the call or reply by SMS with a single touch.*"

http://www.android.com/about/jelly-bean/

# Answer
You should be able to go to Settings\>Manage Applications\>All Applications\>

Go to your MMS.apk, and reset the defaults.

So long as you already have Google Voice installed on your phone, The next time you try to use this feature, it should ask you which one you want to use.

But IDK- No JB love on the HTC Sensation, *yet*.
> 1 votes

# Answer
I found a simple but amazingly effective workaround solution: Any.Do for Android. Install it from Google Play.

How it works for me:

1. Decline incoming call
2. A missed call popup will appear from Any.Do. Choose the Send Text option
3. I think the first time you use it, you have to choose default app. Here's where you choose Google Voice and, bam, you are all set!

You can create custom default messages as well within Any.Do.

Hope this helps.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: sms, 4.1-jelly-bean, calls, google-voice, quick-responses
---


# Question
Title: How can I use Google Latitude's Location History without a constant Internet connection?
I find the Location History part of Google Latitude really useful. Is there any way to make the app (or another) store my location when an Internet connection is not available, and send it to the Latitude servers as soon as a connection is available?

# Answer
Latify in the Play Store does the trick.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: google-location-history, google-latitude
---


# Question
Title: Why are some files under /proc are universally readable?
Why are some files under `/proc` are universally readable by anyone using adb? e.g.

`/proc/<pid>/statm`
`/proc/<pid>/maps`
`/proc/<pid>/smaps`

We can even cat the content of these files, which is dangerous to leak sys info.

Is it because other system components are also using/reading/writing these files under `/proc`, so that these files under `/proc` are universally readable to anyone?

# Answer
There are perfectly good reasons why those informations are **readable**, and that's nothing dangerous (*writing*, however, would be). This is inherited from the Linux system Android builds upon -- and I will give you a few short examples to show you the good of it:

If you list contents of the `/proc` (virtual) directory, you will find things like e.g.:

* `/proc/meminfo`: This is where all apps can obtain information about total/used/available RAM -- so e.g. system monitors can present these details
* `/proc/devices`: Shows all devices available on the system, so e.g. a camera app can tell if (and where) there is a camera to be used -- or exit otherwise
* `/proc/uptime`: to show you how long the device is already running

And more. Nothing dangerous about *knowing* this -- just the opposite: to many apps these are essential information so they can do their job.

Now to your special `/proc/<pid>` sub-tree: Again it is the system monitors (and the task killers) depending on this information. Here they can get a list of running processes. All the details on those apps (how long have they been running, how much memory are they using, etc.) is to be found here. No system monitor could do without this. And again, there's nothing harmful about *reading* here. The maximum "bad" thing about this is any app could look what other apps are running, and what resources they are using.

From a user's perspective, we won't dig much deeper here. Just one more thing to say: these informations can be very useful if you have to go troubleshooting. Some of my answers even included this already.

And for sure you don't need to be afraid of "dangerous leaks" just from the fact this all is world-readable. Moreover, as Lie Ryan makes clear in his answer, not *all* of the information here is world-readable: Some sensitive information is, in fact, protected.

Also keep in mind that ADB generally has more privileges than any other "normal user process". Especially starting with Android 4.0 *Ice Cream Sandwich* (ICS) its privileges have been increased (e.g. to make a complete backup possible even if the device is not rooted), so you cannot take "access via ADB" as a reference here -- but rather should check from a (local) terminal. Additionally, risks are increased when connecting via ADB with *USB debugging* enabled, as this again increases privileges granted to ADB.
> 7 votes

# Answer
The files

```
/proc/<pid>/maps
/proc/<pid>/smaps

```

are NOT universally readable by anyone, at least not in stock device.

Try running from a Terminal Emulator from inside Android (running as a regular user), instead of ADB (which runs at a slightly elevated privilege). ADB runs with a lot of privileges because it's used for debugging and need to be able to access a lot of device features, that's why it's dangerous to connect a device to an untrusted machine with USB debugging enabled.

And the file `/proc/<pid>/statm` is also readable in desktop linux systems.
> 4 votes

---
Tags: adb, file-system, kernel
---


title: Sometimes My Phone Just Restarts

text:
# Question
Title: Sometimes My Phone Just Restarts
Occasionally (maybe twice a month) my Milestone just reboots (goes black and then to the Android startup screen (but not all the way to the Motorola screen)). I presume that such behaviour could be caused a poorly written app. I have uninstalled a few but to no avail. Is there any sort of log that I could pull which would shed some light on this or even a dump file?
Could this restarting issue be caused by something else?

I am currently running Android 2.1 (no OTA update available for me, yet) on a Milestone and have had this problem since I bought it in December (when it was 2.0).

# Answer
I have uninstalled TaskKiller as I read that these types of applications can cause stability issues on Android 2.1 and 2.2. So far so good...
> 3 votes

# Answer
I know its too late to answer the question. But anyway, Restart generally occurs when,

1. Phone is going out of resources, (Memory)
2. Bad Battery contacts, due to frequent pullouts.
3. Faulty apps leading to crash and screens of death.

I am saying so as Android too is an OS and these are the basic nature of an OS. So if your Milestone is rooted, use XDA Assistant from Market and do some tweaks to your phone like

1. See your startup list and remove unwanted services while boot.
2. Also download InfoLLc CacheCleaner to clean cache on regular intervals.
3. Install AdBlockers to block unwanted ads, sometimes they leads to crash.
4. Remove all apps that are not in use.
5. Instead of Auto Cleaning , do manual memory cleanup {RAM} using taskkillers.
6. Dont use any Battery Defenders as they too run their own service on the phone 24X7 {in wake phone} and consumes memory.
7. Use App2SD and try to move all your apps from pHone memory to your SD Card.

Finally I would like to say, keep your OS as light(clean) as possible.
> 0 votes

# Answer
I have the same problem. One possible reason is that the graphics card does not support it. Delete graphics, especially pics attached in the phonebook. Everytime I am tempted to attach pics to the phonebook, I get this problem.

Hope it will help.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: motorola-droid, reboot, motorola-milestone
---


# Question
Title: Are JS apps effectively running through 2 VM's?
When using Google Chrome mobile (or any other android web browser) is the Javascript VM running on top of the Java VM? Or is the JS code compiled to Java bytecode?

I ask this because JS seems to run obnoxiously slower on Android using Google Chrome vs a PC. Granted a PC is much faster, but I have a Galaxy S3 which should be on par with a 2yr old netbook right?

# Answer
The Javascript engine in Android's Browser/WebView can be either JavaScriptCore (lower end phones) or V8 (higher end phones). Chrome also uses V8. Both engines are written in C++.

Javascript is never compiled to Java bytecode, instead it is interpreted and/or JIT compiled into ARM bytecode.

My **guess** on why V8 on PC is much faster than V8 on Android is probably because JIT compilation to x86 is more mature than JIT compilation to ARM.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: chrome-for-android, java, javascript
---


# Question
Title: Galaxy Note 2 shows no sim card after radio flash
I have the SGH-T889 (T-Mobile USA version of the Note 2). When I got my Galaxy Note 2, I loved the device, but disliked the software. So, I decided to flash CyanogenMod 10 build from the N7100 forums. Although many things worked, the radio did not work. So, I decided (in my infinite wisdom), to `dd` the radio from the Stock SGH-T889 T-Mobile rom to the /dev/block/mmcblk0p10 partition (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2039081).

This did not work, so I installed the stock SGH-T889 rom just to get it back to working order. However, my sim card was no longer being detected. I have tried flashing other roms to try and get the radio back, but alas all say that there is no sim card.

I realize I have probably permanently messed up my phone. Does anyone have any ideas or things to try to get it back to working order? I am out of things to try.

**UPDATE:** I have tried everything you guys have posted, and ended up sending it back to Samsung and get them to fix it under the warranty. I believe they replaced the whole motherboard, so I will never know exactly what the problem was. If you decide to send yours back, make sure to reset the binary counter that you see in download mode. There are guides around the Internet for this. Thanks for all of the help.

# Answer
Get the ODIN package from here. Then use ODIN to restore to "True" Factory Stock. This will put you back to stock (but will not reset your flash counter). Then from there you can start and use ODIN to root the device again, flash CWM and flash custom ROMs. The modem/radio you linked to should be the radio that you will want to flash if you flash an N7100 ROM. But, as you can see, I would stay away from ROMs that are not for the specific model. the T889 has a couple ROMs based on the stock N7105, but there have been changes (things like the radio) replaced with versions that are for the T889.

I eagerly wait for an AOSP build (specifically CM) for the T889, until then, I am running one based off the N7105 with the Bullet Kernel by cmenard. This kernel has the modules for CIFS support, which I use constantly.
> 1 votes

# Answer
I had the same problem. So I just read through threads and was able to fix the problem. I simply looked up my model number for the Galaxy Note 2 T-Mobibe version, and I discovered by flashing the stock modem kernel fixed my problem of no SIM card error.

Download the modem stock recovery here.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Simply look for your model number. I have tried 10 different stock kernels before one of them worked. When you get the right stock kernel for your model, it will work.

Flash the kernel with Clockwork Recovery. If you don't have Clockwork Recovery, you can download it from Google Play, but your phone must be rooted.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: sim-card, radio-firmware, samsung-galaxy-note-2
---


# Question
Title: Is it possible to remove the Android smileys that replace text strings like ":)"?
A friend of mine was wondering if it's possible to remove or replace these smileys entirely, or if they are a native function of the Android operating system that would require tweaks in a custom ROM to get rid of. Question applies to both tagged devices (S3 and Galaxy Nexus).

These are the smileys we are talking about, for reference:

# Answer
This is a feature of the particular app that you are using. If you are referring to the SMS Messaging app, there are various SMS apps replacements available on Google Play, you can customize the smiley on some SMS replacement apps or disable them entirely.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: 4.1-jelly-bean, samsung-galaxy-nexus, samsung-galaxy-s-3, 4.2-jelly-bean
---


# Question
Title: Samsung Galaxy S: phone won't send or receive calls and text messages
I own a rooted Samsung Galaxy S, running 2.2 Froyo. My service provider is AT&T.

Every so often, around about once a week to once a month, my phone will unexpectedly, without warning, enter a state where it refuses to send or receive text messages and phone calls. The only way I've found to get my phone to work normally again is by rebooting.

Specifically, if I try sending a text message, it just says `sending` but never actually seems to send anything. I don't receive any text messages at all (and when I turn my phone back on, I might receive several at once that were sent over an hour ago).

I don't receive any phone calls.

When I try calling somebody, I don't hear the 'ringing noise', and the phone attempts to call endlessly without actually doing so. If I give up, and try clicking the red 'End Call' button, it does return me to the homescreen but displays the phone symbol in the notification bar.

If I slide the notification tray down, it has a sort of green 'in-progress' calling thing with a few buttons to mute or end the call. Attempting to end the call does absolutely nothing, and the 'call in-progress' thing is stuck there until I reboot.

However, the internet (both wifi and 3G) both seem to work.

I'm not sure exactly what causes this issue, or precisely how frequently this occurs. Since I only notice when I need to call somebody or am expecting a call, I suppose it's entirely possible that this issue occurs more frequently then I notice and just as silently resolves itself (although I have no idea how to check this).

I've tried searching on the internet, but wasn't able to find anything useful. Can somebody identify what's wrong with my phone, or help me diagnose the issue?

**Edit:**

Here's my logcat and here's the output I got after running `adb bugreport`. The error/crash last occurred on Thursday, Jan 10, 2013. I know that I wasn't receiving phone calls/text messages starting from at least about 3:20pm (Pacific time), and I rebooted the phone around 4:10-4:20pm.

# Answer
> 4 votes
I am suspecting, after reading the logcat and dump, the kernel killed off quite a few processes, whether its down to the ROM itself, or a buggy RIL (Radio Interface Layer), RIL is responsible for communicating with the cellular radio base-band firmware.

This is the excerpt from the kernel, showing Dolphin, Alarm Clock, Google Voice(?) getting killed off:

```
[125362.321461] select 2452 (ogle.android.gm), adj 8, size 5199, to kill
[125362.321481] select 2543 (.osp.app.signin), adj 9, size 3650, to kill
[125362.321495] select 2559 (pp.clockpackage), adj 9, size 4222, to kill
[125362.321512] send sigkill to 2559 (pp.clockpackage), adj 9, size 4222
[125363.255635] select 1225 (ek.TunnyBrowser), adj 7, size 19674, to kill
[125363.255657] select 2452 (ogle.android.gm), adj 8, size 5189, to kill
[125363.255671] select 2543 (.osp.app.signin), adj 9, size 3648, to kill
[125363.255684] select 2597 (gphone.acc.free), adj 9, size 3850, to kill
[125363.255699] send sigkill to 2597 (gphone.acc.free), adj 9, size 3850
[125364.339592] touch_led_control: 2
[125365.378613] select 1225 (ek.TunnyBrowser), adj 7, size 19294, to kill
[125365.378646] select 2452 (ogle.android.gm), adj 8, size 5061, to kill
[125365.378664] select 2543 (.osp.app.signin), adj 9, size 3604, to kill
[125365.378681] select 2611 (ock.xtreme.free), adj 9, size 3969, to kill
[125365.378702] send sigkill to 2611 (ock.xtreme.free), adj 9, size 3969

```

This is the excerpt from the telephony, note the gap in time logged, last logged at *19:23:48.949* and *19:35:33.144*:

```
01-13 19:23:48.949 D/RILJ    ( 2574): [14954]> REQUEST_GET_NEIGHBORING_CELL_IDS
01-13 19:23:48.949 D/RILC    ( 2366): [14954]> GET_NEIGHBORING_CELL_IDS
01-13 19:23:48.949 D/RILC    ( 2366): [14954]< GET_NEIGHBORING_CELL_IDS fails by E_REQUEST_NOT_SUPPORTED
01-13 19:23:48.949 D/RILJ    ( 2574): [14954]< REQUEST_GET_NEIGHBORING_CELL_IDS error: com.android.internal.telephony.CommandException: REQUEST_NOT_SUPPORTED
01-13 19:35:33.144 D/RILJ    ( 2574): [14955]> SCREEN_STATE: true
01-13 19:35:33.148 D/RILC    ( 2366): [14955]> SCREEN_STATE (1)
01-13 19:35:33.152 D/GSM     ( 2574): [GsmMultiDCT] Stop poll NetStat
01-13 19:35:33.644 D/RILC    ( 2366): [UNSL]< UNSOL_RESPONSE_NETWORK_STATE_CHANGED

```

Further on in the log related to telephony:

```
01-13 19:36:13.891 D/RILC    ( 2366): [14972]< QUERY_NETWORK_SELECTION_MODE {0}
01-13 19:36:13.891 D/RILJ    ( 2574): [14971]< SCREEN_STATE
01-13 19:36:13.891 D/RILJ    ( 2574): [14972]< QUERY_NETWORK_SELECTION_MODE {0}
01-13 19:36:13.895 D/RILC    ( 2366): [14973]< OPERATOR {AT&T,AT&T,310410}
01-13 19:36:13.899 D/RILJ    ( 2574): [14973]< OPERATOR {AT&T, AT&T, 310410}
01-13 19:36:13.899 I/GSM     ( 2574): EVENT_POLL_STATE_OPERATOR
01-13 19:36:13.899 D/RILC    ( 2366): [14974]< GPRS_REGISTRATION_STATE { 1,a7e9,007537ea,9}
01-13 19:36:13.899 D/RILJ    ( 2574): [14974]< GPRS_REGISTRATION_STATE {1, a7e9, 007537ea, 9}
01-13 19:36:13.899 D/RILC    ( 2366): [14975]< REGISTRATION_STATE {1,a7e9,007537ea,(null),(null),(null),(null),(null),(null),(null),(null),(null),(null),0}
01-13 19:36:13.903 D/RILJ    ( 2574): [14975]< REGISTRATION_STATE {1, a7e9, 007537ea, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, 0}
01-13 19:36:13.923 I/GSM     ( 2574): <Leo> PrePLMN: 310410, plmn: 310410, ss.getState(): 0
01-13 19:36:13.923 I/GSM     ( 2574): handlePollStateResult(); regState: 1, mNewLuRejCause: 0
01-13 19:36:13.923 D/GSM     ( 2574): Poll ServiceState done:  oldSS=[0 home AT&T AT&T 310410  HSDPA CSS not supported -1 -1RoamInd: -1DefRoamInd: -1EmergOnly: false] newSS=[0 home AT&T AT&T 310410  HSDPA CSS not supported -1 -1RoamInd: -1DefRoamInd: -1EmergOnly: false] oldGprs=0 newGprs=0 oldType=HSDPA newType=HSDPA
01-13 19:36:21.298 D/RILC    ( 2366): [0001]> OEM_HOOK_RAW (raw_size=6)
01-13 19:36:21.302 D/RILC    ( 2366): [0001]< OEM_HOOK_RAW
01-13 19:36:21.306 D/RILC    ( 2366): [UNSL]< <unknown request> {0}
01-13 19:36:21.306 D/RILJ    ( 2574): processing unsol response: java.lang.RuntimeException: Unrecognized unsol response: 11012

```

The NITZ (Network Identity and Time Zone) crops up a fair bit too, as shown below within the same telephony log, IIRC, NITZ handling was not exactly great up to ICS, in which a patch was made to handle the handling of the timezones (either roaming when browsing the net or something awry went wrong with the RIL:

```
01-13 19:13:19.035 D/RILC    ( 2366): sendUnsolicitedResponses: multi client index=2, fd=28
01-13 19:13:19.035 D/RILC    ( 2366): [UNSL]< UNSOL_NITZ_TIME_RECEIVED {13/01/14,03:13:18-32,00}

```

The telephony errors shown, are sticking out like a sore thumb, and also down to the fact that Froyo 2.2, *is* old, and may not be able to handle whatever issue is with AT&T that causes it. Also, AT&T could have had their systems updated/upgraded, that is sending out extra telephony information/NITZ in a format that Froyo cannot handle and freezes.

Best bet would be to try a firmware update and see if that resolves the issue.

Prior to doing an update, since the handset is rooted, best to make a backup of everything, use Titanium Backup to backup user apps and data, use SMS Backup & Restore to save the SMS messages. It will be inevitable that the upgrade will lose root, but then again, it would be easy to do that **after** the upgrade.

# Answer
> 1 votes
It appears that there are some defects in your handset. So, there are no simple hacks or mends specifically apply to your situation. But here are some *...suggestions on how you can recover from the error...* and some tips to *...diagnose the issue...* as you have asked.

* Try using a different SIM card in your device. These kind of problems are often caused when the SIM card does not contact the metal connectors on your phone.
* Check your signal strength. When there is poor signal levels, some devices act wierd when they are have poor reception form the carrier.
* Go to your mobile network settings and try switching between the different network modes available.

If none of the above solved your problem, you should talk to your dealer/manufacturer (and claim your warranty if applicable) or its time to change the handset. Option for updating your OS to the latest Ice Cream Sandwich is non applicable. Your device do not have an official update available (src)

# Answer
> 1 votes
Does the phone allow you to enter Airplane mode? Try enable then disable it.

This may not completely solve the problem, but is a workaround for other phones that have similar issues.

---
Tags: 2.2-froyo, samsung-galaxy-s, sms, calls
---


# Question
Title: Why is root access required for a custom ROM?
I'd like to be clear, and as my question indicates, I'm very ignorant of mobile devices in general so my apologies if this is common knowledge.

Say I want to install a custom ROM onto a device, then it would appear I need root access. I'm able to find out from every web page on *how* I can root a device, but I'm unable to find how *why* I need to root a device. I understand that rooting a device simply gives me root access on the device, but why is this needed? If I connect the phone to a PC then doesn't that give me access to the entire file system of the device? If so, then why can't I just overwrite the relevant parts of the FS with whatever ROM I want?

Also, why would rooting and using a custom ROM cause a device to be bricked? Couldn't I just overwrite the ROM that was causing the issue with the original one (that I'd thought on to back up! ;)).

# Answer
> 16 votes
## Short answer:

For security and warranty reasons.

## Detailed answer:

This is mostly a precaution taken by most (not all!) device manufacturers to save them from too many service requests from "playing kiddies" (and the sort of people who want to try everything, even if they are not understanding anything). So those manufacturers took special actions to avoid "custom ROMs" (or, more precisely, any ROMs *not* provided by themselves) to be flashed.

As t0mm13b already pointed out in his comments above, by default you do *not* get physical access to your devices file system simply by connecting it via USB. Depending on device, Android version, and some more criteria, you get only to see parts. This might be the entire SD card (physical, in UMS mode), or even only "logical" access to parts of it via MTP. Some more privileged access can be gained via ADB when enabling *USB Debug* -- but with a stock ROM, in none of these cases you gain *full access*.

Now how are updates accomplished then? One very common practice is the use of a special ZIP file (`update.zip`). This is placed on the SD card, which is inserted into the device, and the device is booted into a special mode (recovery), where the `update.zip` can be applied from. **BUT:** the device checks the integrity of that `update.zip` -- it must be signed with the manufacturers key. For obvious reasons, that key is not freely available -- so no custom ROM can be installed this way on such a stock system.

All these things can be circumvented only with super-user access to the device -- which means: you must root it.

So that's for the **WHY** part -- while not handling the **HOW** part of rooting. Exactly as you asked for :)

---

## Update for even more details

As Liam pointed out in his comment that using `fastboot` would be a method to flash Custom ROMs without the pre-condition of having the device rooted, I did a little more research to find out about this. I will continue looking into this, but still already wanted to add my first results here.

Up to a certain point, Liam is right with this: It seems not only valid to Samsung devices (as I assumed first), but some other devices (not all) also support this method, without root being involved (aside from the fact that most Custom ROMs will ship rooted, of course -- so you will have root available *after* installing them). However, there are devices which seem to require root even for `fastboot flash` (see e.g. TheUnlockr concerning the Iconia A100, quote: *You must have rooted your device before doing this procedure.* -- and yes, they use `fastboot flash recovery recovery.img` afterwards).

However, even if `fastboot` works for your unrooted device, there is one crucial point to consider:

> To Flash a ROM for your Android device with fastboot you must have an unlocked bootloader or an engineering bootloader

<sup>(Flashing Guide - Android - XDA-Developers)</sup>

Which means: If your bootloader is locked, you need to unlock it first, which will wipe (factory-reset) your device. So all data will be gone for good this way -- while with root you could have done a complete backup (Nandroid, Titanium Backup) before this step. However, starting with Android 4.0, this is no longer a real problem -- as you can do a full backup via ADB (see: Full Backup of non-rooted devices)

---

## Summary:

There are devices requiring to be rooted before you can flash a Custom ROM. If your device falls into this category, the reasons for *Why is root access required to flash a Custom ROM* are those mentioned above.

However: There are also devices which can be flashed using `fastboot` *without* being rooted before. If your device falls into that category, the question *Why is root access required to flash a Custom ROM* becomes invalid (the answer not, as *ex falso quodlibet sequitur* ("from false can follow anything") you can draw any conclusion from a wrong premise :)

That is: ***IF*** rooting is required, the above is ***WHY***.

# Answer
> 7 votes
You generally don't need to root the phone to install the custom ROM, you have to root the phone to install a mechanism to install the custom ROM (such as a custom recovery image).

Some phones have unlockable bootloaders - you can flash boot and system.img files via the bootloader without the need to root.

You can also flash a custom recovery image using fastboot *without being rooted*.

You would need to install a custom recovery as the stock recovery checks that the update zip is signed - and most custom ROM zips *are not* signed.

You might need to root to install a custom recovery image if your device doesn't support fastboot, but generally you don't need to - it just comes with the image you install.

Samsung devices have download mode - no need to be rooted to use that, you just need ODIN.

> If I connect the phone to a PC then doesn't that give me access to the entire file system of the device? If so, then why can't I just overwrite the relevant parts of the FS with whatever ROM I want?

No, it doesn't. It gives you read only access, so you can't overwrite files in the `/system` directory. Root can be used to make `/system` read-writeable.

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


# Question
Title: Jabiru disconnects/reconnects every 10-15 minutes when inactive
I'm not an Android user, but I have an Android user as a contact in my XMPP roster (instant messaging). I noticed that his presence switches from "Away" to "Offline" rotatory when his smartphone is not in use (but constantly connected to his private WLAN).

See for example the following status changes for his account from tonight (while he was sleeping, so no activity with the phone):

```
[00:05:13] Status: Offline
[00:06:02] Status: Away: AutoStatus (idle)
[00:18:14] Status: Offline
[00:21:17] Status: Away: AutoStatus (idle)
[00:35:15] Status: Offline
[00:36:32] Status: Away: AutoStatus (idle)
[00:50:47] Status: Offline
[00:51:52] Status: Away: AutoStatus (idle)
[01:00:08] Status: Offline
[01:01:14] Status: Away: AutoStatus (idle)
[01:15:13] Status: Offline
[01:16:31] Status: Away: AutoStatus (idle)
[01:25:13] Status: Offline
[01:25:44] Status: Away: AutoStatus (idle)
[01:40:13] Status: Offline
[01:41:00] Status: Away: AutoStatus (idle)
[01:49:14] Status: Offline
[01:50:14] Status: Away: AutoStatus (idle)
[02:15:17] Status: Offline
[02:17:32] Status: Away: AutoStatus (idle)
[02:31:19] Status: Offline
[02:32:48] Status: Away: AutoStatus (idle)
[02:52:20] Status: Offline
[02:54:04] Status: Away: AutoStatus (idle)
[03:07:52] Status: Offline
[03:09:18] Status: Away: AutoStatus (idle)
[03:22:52] Status: Offline
[03:24:34] Status: Away: AutoStatus (idle)
[03:37:55] Status: Offline
[03:39:48] Status: Away: AutoStatus (idle)
[03:53:26] Status: Offline
[03:55:03] Status: Away: AutoStatus (idle)
[04:08:57] Status: Offline
[04:10:18] Status: Away: AutoStatus (idle)
[04:23:57] Status: Offline
[04:25:32] Status: Away: AutoStatus (idle)
[04:39:28] Status: Offline
[04:40:47] Status: Away: AutoStatus (idle)
[04:54:29] Status: Offline
[04:56:04] Status: Away: AutoStatus (idle)
[05:09:30] Status: Offline
[05:11:19] Status: Away: AutoStatus (idle)
[05:24:31] Status: Offline
[05:26:34] Status: Away: AutoStatus (idle)

```

He uses the XMPP client Jabiru. He can't explain why this is happening; he doesn't find any settings that could be responsible for this.

I googled if it is a known bug and found this statement (in German) in a forum thread, which could be translated to:

> Nice client, but it will probably not keep you connected when inactive, "thanks" to Androids memory management

Is this true? Could it be a problem with Android itself and not this particular XMPP app? How can this be fixed? The XMPP status should stay at "Away" (and not disconnect&reconnect again and again) when the smartphone is inactive.

# Answer
## About the statement

The quoted statement **is just plain wrong.** Android (or it's memory management component) does not prevent any app from keeping a stable connection to any kind of network service (e.g. XMPP).

You only have to deal with fact that Android will kill your process if it's under memory pressure. But the same manager that did kill your service (`ActivityManager`) will also restart your service once the low memory situation is resolved. Your app simply has to reconnect then.

As this will only happen when no Activity from the App is in foreground, the user usually doesn't notice the reconnection, or he/she simply doesn't care, since the App is in background anyways.

## Your symptoms

Obviously Jabiru does reconnect. And I also think that jabiru doesn't disconnect intentionally. It's more likely that the data connection went down. The most probable reason for this is that the WiFi went to sleep. But then the GSM connection should take over and we would only see \**one\* disconnect after around 15 minutes.

I think you should look in the Android log to find out what happens around the time Jabiru disconnects. The WiFi sleep policy is one reason to look at, but then I wonder why Jabiru is able to reconnect at all, since the WiFi should be disabled until the device is woken up again.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: xmpp
---


# Question
Title: Slide unlock till pattern lock gets activated after interval
Using Jelly Bean, 4.1.1, on a Galaxy Nexus, I want this: You lock the phone. For the first 5 minutes, if you try to unlock, you can just slide and unlock it; after that, you have to enter a pattern.

I don't know how to get the slide to unlock to be activated for the 5 minutes in the middle. I have it set up right now so that it unlocks right away in the first 5 minutes, and asks for the pattern after that. Is this even possible?

# Answer
> 10 votes
I was able to set up what you want with one caveat: You have to use a PIN or a password, not a pattern. My solution depends on the apps Tasker (trial version here) and Secure Settings. Secure Settings requires root for some of its features. I don't know if this is one of them. If you aren't rooted, you can try it and see if it works.

Posting a complete how-to on Tasker is beyond the scope of my answer. Instead, here's the official documentation and links to user-created guides. My solution involves setting up two Tasker profiles. The first one sets the PIN or password after a timeout. The second one clears the PIN/password once the screen is unlocked.

Here are my profiles:

```
Profile: Screen Locked (98)
    Event: Display Off
Enter: Anon (106)
    A1: Wait [ MS:0 Seconds:0 Minutes:5 Hours:0 Days:0 ]
    A2: If [ %SCREEN ~ off ]
    A3: Secure Settings [ Configuration:Set Pin Package:com.intangibleobject.securesettings.plugin Name:Secure Settings ]
    A4: End If

Profile: Screen Unlocked (107)
    Event: Display Unlocked
Enter: Anon (108)
    A1: Secure Settings [ Configuration:Clear Password Package:com.intangibleobject.securesettings.plugin Name:Secure Settings ]

```

Once you've got Tasker configured, go to your phone settings and set slide unlock (and set he timeout to be whatever you find to be an appropriate amount of time for the slide lock to come up) . Note that when the password/PIN is enabled, you'll first have to slide unlock, and *then* enter your PIN/password.

# Answer
> 2 votes
This isn't possible. The best you can do is:

1. Go to `Security`
2. Uncheck the `Power button instantly locks` option
3. Above that, set the timeout for `Automatically lock` to `5 minutes`

Now whenever you lock the phone by using the power button, it will not ask you for a passcode unless you let it be with no activity. The screen will turn off, but if you press the power button again it will come on and not ask you for a password unless 5 minutes have elapsed.

NOTE: With this setting, any button can unlock the device for the set timeout, including the volume button.

# Answer
> 2 votes
Adding to Scott's answer, this should even be possible without the addition of *Secure Settings*, just with Tasker alone:

* Event
    + Screen off
* Task
    + Keyguard Off
    + Wait \[ MS:0 Seconds:0 Minutes:5 Hours:0 Days:0 \]
    + Keyguard On
* Collision: Stop running task

So what does this do? Whenever the screen is switched off, Keyguard will be turned off (that's the one locking the screen). Then it will wait for 5 min, and turn Keyguard on again (re-activate locking). If the task is already running (i.e. you switched the screen off for the 2nd time within the 5 min window), the running (waiting) task is aborted (collision), and the "counter" starts over again.

And what is the catch here? This profile looks simpler, there must be one. And there is: This probably disables the "slide to unlock" as well -- so as soon as the screen is switched on, there's no protection against unwanted input. So what do we do? Adding a second condition:

* State: Sensor -\> Orientation -\> Face Up

Fine. You probably never put it into your pocket face-up unless you're lying on your back :) So if you only put it on the table and switch off the screen (I often do while reading my news feeds at breakfast), it's fine and simple.

# Answer
> 2 votes
just commenting cause I found this by googling for an answer, and actually I achieved exactly what the OP wants, with Tasker and Secure settings. No caveats here, working fine. Using it both on a Nexus 4 and N7 on CM 10.1.

First of all, have the slide to unlock enabled, then enable your pattern. When Secure Settings disables pattern unlock, it goes back to what the phone was set to before.

`Profile: display off (7)`

`Event: Display Off`

`Enter: Slide/pattern (12)`

`Abort Existing Task`

`A1: Secure Settings [ Configuration:Pattern Lock Disabled/Wait For Unlock Package:com.intangibleobject.securesettings.plugin Name:Secure Settings Continue Task After Error:On ]`

`A2: Wait [ MS:0 Seconds:0 Minutes:5 Hours:0 Days:0 ]`

`A3: Secure Settings [ Configuration:Pattern Lock Enabled Package:com.intangibleobject.securesettings.plugin Name:Secure Settings Continue Task After Error:On ] If [ %SCREEN ~ off ]`

`A4: Wait [ MS:0 Seconds:1 Minutes:0 Hours:0 Days:0 ]`

`A5: Secure Settings [ Configuration:Pattern Lock Disabled/Wait For Unlock Package:com.intangibleobject.securesettings.plugin Name:Secure Settings Continue Task After Error:On ] If [ %SCREEN ~ off ]`

The "continue task after error" setting is probably not required, I was just testing and left it there. Two key settings are on Tasker, disable beginner mode on settings so you get the task properties icon, then there, change collision handling to "abort existing task". In Secure Settings you need to install and enable the helper or the pattern unlock will work but may be unstable (it was on my N4).

Note that in A3 and A5 I enable pattern and disable it again. This is done because if you just enable it, it will ask you for pattern twice in a row, cause you set in Secure Settings' pattern unlock to ask you for pattern the first time. If you don't set it to ask you for it, then the pattern can be bypassed by simply turning off the screen twice.

---
Tags: lock-screens, 4.1-jelly-bean
---


# Question
Title: How to free up more storage (upgrading to 4.2 made me lose 6GB)?
So this morning, I bought a new game and it required a large file download. I went to download it and a message told me that I had 0mb of space remaining. This seemed odd to me because last time I checked I had plenty of space.

I looked at my storage and saw a little over 6GB in Apps and a little over 6GB in Misc. I uninstalled 2 games which both had large files (around 2GB each). After uninstalling, my App storage updated to what is shown in the image (1.82GB). The Misc storage did not change at all after uninstalling the apps.

I understand that Android now has a `/sdcard` and a `/sdcard/0` for the multi-user feature. There are many duplicate directories in these two locations. For example, there exists both `/sdcard/Downloads` and `/sdcard/0/Downloads`. The `/sdcard/0/downloads` has all the downloads from *before* I updated to 4.2, and `/sdcard/downloads` has all the downloads *since* I updated to 4.2. This makes me think that `/sdcard/0` is like a backup, but from the research I've done, it seems like the multi-user support effects more than just this sdcard stuff that I'm seeing (something about emulated storage). Right now, I am trying to free up as much storage as I can, but I get so confused when going into the file system now.

**Questions:**

1. What is this Misc stuff? More specifically, what is the obb and 0 that is taking up all my storage?
2. What can I delete to simplify this mess and free up storage?

# Answer
No, it will not duplicate your files. However, there are some files that will not be deleted, like system files and some other software data.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: internal-storage, 4.2-jelly-bean, file-system
---


# Question
Title: Stop Evernote from using Location based services?
Here is a screenshot from Evernote app:

How do I stop Evernote from using this service? I have looked around the settings but did not find anything.

# Answer
> 1 votes
1.**First Turn -On your GPS**
2.**Go to Evernote Settings**
3.Under **General Settings** you can find **"Other Options"**
4.Uncheck **"Use GPS Satellites"** option. Also Uncheck **"Use wireless networks"**

If you didn't turn on your GPS, **"Use GPS satellites"** option get greyed out.
Now your note will not store your location.

# Answer
> 0 votes
If you do not use your GPS at all, just turn it off. Locations services will not be enabled and the "Places" Evernote service will not be used.

---
Tags: geolocation, evernote
---


# Question
Title: How to keep files downloaded via Dropbox after uninstalling app
I want to know whether there is any app on the Google Play Store which

* stores all dropbox files to memory card whenever there is net available
* Leaves the files in my memory card even after I uninstall the app

# Answer
> 1 votes
You can do this by

clicking on the arrow on the extreme right of the items you want to save

cick export and save it to a selected place on your sdcard

# Answer
> 0 votes
For the 2nd point, you can copy or move the downloaded Dropbox files in another folder before uninstalling the application. Take your favorite file manager and do it.

---
Tags: sd-card, dropbox
---


title: Text Messaging: Group Text Message

text:
# Question
Title: Text Messaging: Group Text Message
I have a DroidX running Android 2.3.4. When somebody sends me a text message that goes to other devices too, is there anyway I can tell? Usually the only way I find out is when somebody else does a "reply all" (probably using a newer version of Android), and I get some random message from a number I may or may not recognize.

Also, what about when I reply to the message? Does it only go to the person who sent it to me, or does it somehow auto-reply-all behind the scenes?

# Answer
> 2 votes
I am on 2.3.5

In the basic "messages" app you can go to the message, clicknhold, view message details. There it shows all recipients.

If i just reply it only goes back to the sender. Now, others that I know have iphones replied and it went to everyone...

There is a "reply all" option after you click and hold.

# Answer
> 3 votes
In 4.2.1 (maybe in 4.2.0) there was an option added to the MMS application to support multiple recipients.

While you may have been able to see them all the way that William stated, i've never seen that option.

In 4.2.1 you click on the menu and select "Group Participants". This shows everyone that is included in the conversation. When you reply to a group now, it sends the messages to all participants, not just the person that sent you the message.

I know this doesn't relate directly to your question as you are not asking about 4.2, but I do not know of a way that this can be done in anything pre-4.2. This feature was discussed a bit because it was the first time android supported this feature.

While you could always "start" a group conversation in any version of android, you could not "participate" in a group conversation with anyone other than the original sender.

# Answer
> 0 votes
You could use the stock messaging service by adding numbers seperated by a comma into the recipient box.

But in my opinion there's a better option. You can download **GroupMe** which let's you message multiple people at a time. You can choose whether to use SMS or your data connection to send the message.

---
Tags: 2.3-gingerbread, sms
---


# Question
Title: Android tablet won't reboot after rebooting using volume and power buttons
I am using a 7" Smartfren tablet called S7.

I was following this tutorial. When I got the last part about the bootloader, I turned my device off. I tried to reboot using the volume buttons and power button, but it won't open up. Also, it cannot be seen by using the command `adb devices`. Thus, I can't use any adb command to access it. What am I doing wrong?

It is recognized by my laptop as Android Bootloader Interface. So, it means that it can still be detected by my laptop, but not when using adb devices in cmd.

**Edit #1:** I tried the fastboot devices command, and it just returned an empty line. I guess it means that nothing happened.

**Edit #2:**
I'll tell you its current status. It can't be normally rebooted, but when you plug it in, it shows that it is charging. Then if I put it back on its case, complete with box and all it heats up meaning it is still functioning and is turned on.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I was able to solve this problem by draining the tabs battery completely. After a day I was able to turn it on using the power button today while charging.

---
Tags: bootloader
---


# Question
Title: Can I use usb OTG for serial connection between nexus 7 and Arduino?
I got myself an OTG cable for Nexus 7, which works just fine. Now, I am wondering if I can connect the Nexus 7 with my Arduino for serial communication between the two.

# Answer
> 2 votes
Yes, according to this blog post. It involves Android programming, something I'm not very familiar with.

# Answer
> 0 votes
There are reports that what you want to do is achievable. (src)

I think you alteady know that peripheral devices can also be hosted on your USB port. (more info)

There are several apps specifically made for your arduino in the Play Market

---
Tags: usb, usb-peripherals, usb-on-the-go
---


# Question
Title: Using Moto Droid Car Charger with Samsung Galaxy Nexus
I just upgraded my phone from the original Motorola Droid to the Galaxy Nexus. Both phones use the same micro USB port. Is there any reason I cannot use my Droid's car charger with the Nexus?

# Answer
> 0 votes
It turns out that the car charger I bought for my Moto Droid is unable to charge the Galaxy Nexus. It just does...nothing.

# Answer
> 1 votes
It should work fine -- Micro-USB is Micro-USB. The only possible caveat is the phone and charger may not negotiate high speed charging. However, that's unlikely.

My wife and I have shared wall and car chargers between her old Droid, current Droid X, and my Incredible without any problems.

# Answer
> 0 votes
It could be an issue with the actual car socket. Ensure that the fuse is intact, and that the socket is working fine.

---
Tags: motorola-droid, charging, samsung-galaxy-nexus
---


# Question
Title: How can I get Google's two-step verification to work?
On my Android phone, I can't seem to use my Google Account because I have the 2-step verification enabled. Can I log into Google without disabling the 2-step verification system?

Here is a link to Google's 2-step verification system: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/advanced-sign-in-security-for-your.html

Logging into my Google account is not a problem using the 2-step verification on a standard PC/Laptop, i.e. on a Microsoft/Mac OS, I just can't seem to use the 2-step verification system on Android 2.2.2.

# Answer
The answer is that you have to use a standard computer, log into your google account 2-step verified google account, go to authorise applications and sites, and set up your android device. Google have said that 2-step verification will not work yet on android, so they have provided this work around for now.

Here is the link where you create a password to authorize your device: https://accounts.google.com/IssuedAuthSubTokens

They will then give you a password which you can enter into your phone, allowing you to keep 2-step verification enabled.
> 12 votes

# Answer
Good answer, but this was still confusing to me, because it wouldn't let me enter the app-specific password for Google's Play Store. Final Solution:

1. Create an app-specific password for Google Play at https://accounts.google.com/IssuedAuthSubTokens (E.g., name it "Android Phone Play Store").
2. On the phone, add a 2nd Google account (All Settings \> Accounts & sync).
3. Launch Google's Play Store.
4. Go to Menu \> Accounts.
5. Switch account; then, switch back.
6. When it asks for a password, enter the app-specific password you've created.
> 10 votes

# Answer
Finally I found the answer for this problem. following url has the answer

http://support.google.com/accounts/bin/answer.py?hl=en&ctx=ch\_b%2F0%2FSmsAuthConfig&answer=185833

Create a application specific password.

Enter that as password.
> 2 votes

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Tags: google-account, 2-step-verification, authorization
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title: Application not found

text:
# Question
Title: Application not found
I have a Sony Xperia P, with Android ICS. I have Ingress installed on my phone. Today, I synced my phone, and Ingress got updated. I had an icon on the homescreen. However - whenever I click on the shortcut, the toast message appears and says `Application Not Found`. I can't find the Ingress icon in applications list too.

I thought that it might get accidentally uninstalled, so I went to Play store to download it again, but I can see that it's already installed on my phone. I clicked on open button and Ingress got opened, and is still working fine.

So what is wrong here? I didn't yet try to reinstall the app, and don't want to do that. Where's the app-icon, and how can I get it back?

# Answer
> 5 votes
This happened on my Nexus - you just have to reboot your device, and the Icon will show up.

Most likely Niantic changed the Launcher activity, so the short cut is no longer pointing to the correct activity, hence the error message.

Rebooting the device/restarting the launcher, and then re-adding the home screen shortcut will fix this.

# Answer
> 2 votes
Seems your application points to the app location which was altered or moved with the update.

To solve this, simply delete the existing shortcut icon (by dragging it on to the bin icon which appears after a long press on the shortcut)

Then create a new shortcut icon for the application through the customizing menu. (which appear after a tap or with the press of menu button whipe you're in your home screen)

You may want to reboot the device beforehand.

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Tags: home-screen-shortcuts, system-error
---


# Question
Title: Where can I find the media downloaded from whatsapp installed on a virtual device?
I installed `whatsapp` on virtual device :

Where can I find the media downloaded from `whatsapp` ?

I searched the android directories but couldn't find the media I downloaded.

# Answer
It *will not* be on the Windows filesystem.

The emulator makes a `.img` file that it then mounts as the virtual SD Card.

So, to answer your question, the file is stored in the sdcard `.img` file in the avd folder.

(You *may* be able to extract it using winRAR or another unzip utility. Check the `C:\Users\<your username>\.android\avd\<avd name>\sdcard.img`)

EDIT: This program claims to mount `.img` files. I am using Ubuntu though, so cannot test sorry.
> 1 votes

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Tags: downloading, android-emulator, whatsapp-messenger, media-files
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# Question
Title: How can I set some handy settings on the main screen?
I want to be able to set Wifi, bluetooth, GPS on and off quite easily but I can't find where I should do this.

# Answer
You can add the Power Control widget to the home screen to control those functions. Open the app drawer, find the Power Control widget, long press and drag it to the home screen.

There are also many widgets in the market that offer expanded functionality when compared to the stock widget.
> 6 votes

# Answer
The widgets you ask for are on the notifications menu on my Galaxy Stratosphere. However, it is possible that this is part of a carrier-provided (Verizon) modification. For me, it is easily accessible, but out of the way, preventing accidental changes.
> 1 votes

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Tags: settings, samsung-galaxy-nexus, home-screen
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# Question
Title: vCard sent to my android from an iPhone arrives as text message
Is there any easy way to save a contact which has arrived like

```
<Subject: PXT> - BEGIN:VCARD
VERSION:3.0
PRODID blah blah blah

```

Into the contacts? I believe it happens when someone "shares" a contact with you from iPhone. If there is only the number or email there it is pretty easy to dig the details out of the text message, but if it sends a small profile picture that comes in decoded as a massive text message which is quite annoying. It would be nice to have a way to import that text message into a contact, with the avatar and all.

# Answer
This seems to be a bug on the OS (src)

You have to use a third party app for this. vCardIO and bizCard Manager/SMS vCard are good solutions. Former one is preferable and it's free.
> 1 votes

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Tags: contacts, ios, vcard
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# Question
Title: How to connect laptop to internet via Galaxy S2?
I am traveling with my notebook and I want to connect to the internet using my cellphone data connection. I have a Galaxy S2, and I've set up a portable Wi-Fi hotspot, which my laptop successfully connects to. But thereafter I cannot connect to the internet. Can't browse, ping, nothing. All I can ping is the gateway (which I presume is my droid).

Is there some secret switch I'm missing?

# Answer
Turned out I wasn't being patient enough. It took a little while for my phone to realize it needed to connect to data services; after that the tethering worked fine. It helped for me to open my email on my phone, just to give it a little nudge.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Depending on your carrier, FoxFi may help you out. It allows you to share you mobile data plan as a WiFi hot spot. Just be careful not to use too much or your carrier will get suspicious.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Usually your service provider has to activate the ability to use your cellphone as a hotspot. For Sprint, there is a monthly fee associated with that feature.
> 0 votes

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Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-2, internet, wifi-tethering
---


title: How do I debug my wi-fi connection?

text:
# Question
Title: How do I debug my wi-fi connection?
I have two wi-fi networks at home and one of them I just cannot connect to with my Galaxy Nexus. (It works fine with several laptops.)

It shows up but when I try to connect after "Connecting..." it just goes to the state "Saved, secured with WPA2".

I also tried connecting using WPS but it just times out.

I am looking for ways to get additional information to debug this.

What I have tried (as suggested in many other places) is changing the frequency band from Auto to 5 or 2.4 GHz but that didn't help. EDIT: By now I have also tried resetting the phone but that didn't help either.

# Answer
In the end I fixed it using the old "have you tried turning it off and on again?" on one of the APs. Make sure to try that first. ;)

So here is my little checklist, least annoying first:

(If you have other suggestions or things that worked for you let me know and I'll add them!)

1. Recheck the password it is almost always the problem! (Hint to the Android devs: A more descriptive error for this case would be great. ;) )
2. Reboot all devices. Yes, even if it works for other computers and if it will cut their network connection.
3. Try adding the network manually and entering all the data manually.
4. Try restricting all devices to specific channels and bands instead of using automatic discovery.
5. If you use multiple devices make sure they don't interfere by setting them to different channels or selectively turning them off.
6. Try using "adb logcat" to get more information.
7. Try resetting your phone.
> 5 votes

# Answer
I have experienced this also with my phone (Galaxy Nexus). The main reason that I see causing this is a miss-typed password as i believe someone mentioned above. Another thing that has happened to me is a really low connection. Check to see how strong the wifi signal is in the spot where you are trying to connect. Sometimes if the connection is really weak it will keep the phone from connecting so try moving around your house also. I know this is pretty obvious but you said you had two networks so make sure your phone is not connected to the first one when you are trying connect to the second. If all of this does not solve the problem there is a workaround that I have found works most of the time: go to settings-\>wifi(make sure it is turned on so you can see all the available networks.). Click on the plus button at the bottom (right above the home button in the center). Enter your network's SSID (name that appears in the list of available networks) and select the security and password. Hit save and see if that works (you might have to than click on it in the list and hit connect but it should connect when you hit save.) Hope this helps!
> 0 votes

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Tags: wi-fi
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