title: How to root Samsung S6 using Linux?

text:
# Question
Title: How to root Samsung S6 using Linux?
All the guides that I can find online refer to the Windows-only "Odin" software. I also found an open-source alternative "Heimdall" but the Samsung S6 is not supported (and apparently it's not compatible with the .tar.gz file format).

I have installed WinXP on a VirtualBox virtual machine, and then I installed the Samsung USB drivers and the Windows Odin software. I then made sure to route all Samsung USB devices to this virtual machine, but still neither Windows nor Odin sees the phone - neither in its normal operating mode nor in its "Odin" download mode.

Chainfire's CF-Autoroot also uses Odin, which means I'm still stuck at the above problem. I also tried running Odin in Linux (using `wine`) but again it couldn't see the phone, and I didn't expect it to work anyway).

I have not been able to find a description of how to root the S6 (or any Samsung) directly in Linux, or via virtual machine. Is that simply not possible? Do I really need to install my old WinXP license on a physical computer?

# Answer
There is a cross-platform version of Odin called JOdin. It can run in a web browser, or locally after downloading the JAR file. Either one requires Oracle Java 8 to be installed first.

Web version: https://builds.casual-dev.com/jodin3/
Offline version: https://builds.casual-dev.com/index.php?dir=JOdin3%2F '

The offline version is started with `$ java -jar /path/to/JAR/JOdin3CASUAL-r1035-dist.jar`.

Both versions work well - but now I run into the next problem which is that the PIT file can't be obtained.
> 7 votes

# Answer
I know this is old, but you need to make sure you present the USB device to your VM ;) (at least if you still want to do this from a VM) --- At least for anyone finding this off of the googles
> 0 votes

---
Tags: rooting, linux, odin, samsung-galaxy-s-6, virtualbox
---


# Question
Title: How to change the language of Google Chrome?
I traveled to Japan and bought a phone there. I changed the system language but websites keep showing in Japanese in Google Chrome, twitter.com for example.

Firefox is fine though so it seems like the issue is solely with Chrome. I tried completely removing and reinstalling Chrome but that did not fix the issue.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Usually websites that you visit will be in the language that they were made in.

My guess is that Google results in your browser are showing in Japanese and you're looking to change that.

To do so, go to Google.com then scroll down to the bottom of the page. There, press on "settings" -\> "search settings" -\> "language in Google products" -\> English (or any desired language)

Also change "region for search results, to "current region" as shown in the screenshots below.

---
Tags: chrome-for-android, languages
---


title: CMW and NANDroid backup

text:
# Question
Title: CMW and NANDroid backup
I found a CMW .img file another user used for same model, is that the right one or are there different CMW links?

If it is the right one, or you link a CMW download, the next step is to write adb reboot bootloader fastboot flash recovery cmw.img fastboot reboot

How do I get the Nandroid backup after that? Thank you

# Answer
> 0 votes
1. , and other image files are always specific to a device (brand+model). So if the image you found was for the very same brand and model, it should fit. But keep in mind that some manufacturers have slightly different models going by the same name (e.g. Samsung often does that), so make sure it matches. For TWRP, you can check on officially supported devices here (and also download the images from there)
2. The steps to install it are indeed to boot into and flash the image. But as pre-condition, the of the device must be unlocked (see: bootloader-lock tag-wiki)
3. with the custom recovery (CWM or TWRP) successfully installed, boot to recovery. You'll find the backup menu there – that's the backup.

---
Tags: backup
---


title: External Microphone in Headphone Jack?

text:
# Question
Title: External Microphone in Headphone Jack?
There are some external stereo microphones for IOS that plug into the headphone jack rather than the dock connector. For instance, the IK Multimedia iRig MIC Cast.

They claim that they work on Android as well.

Well, they may work, but do they provide better sound quality than the internal phone microphone, turning it into a decent digital recorder for music, for example? (with the right software, of course).

My question isn't really whether those microphones are better quality than the internal microphones, as I assume they are. But does the headphone jack on Android phones (mine is the Galaxy S4) really provide the input capability for better quality sound, including in stereo?

Of course that jack can transfer sound in both directions, headset and microphone, as it is a phone. For output, the phone provides quality stereo music output to headphones, as modern phones are also music players. However, the microphones on phone stereo headsets are generally low quality monaural microphones only suitable for phone calls, usually not better than the internal microphone, might be worse.

So the question is--is the input function of that jack capable of providing quality stereo input, if one has a quality stereo microphone attached? (No matter how good quality the microphone is, if that jack really cannot transmit that quality sound, but reduces it to a very low resolution and frequency-reduced monaural sound, no point at all in attaching such a microphone.

Anyone know about the input capabilities of the headphone jacks on Android phones. (If it varies from phone to phone, then how about mine, the Galaxy S4?)

# Answer
> 1 votes
I found this video on YouTube: Galaxy Samsung S4 External Mic for mobile phone. and here is the mic quoted on eBay. I plan to test it soon. It seems the vendor has positive feedback.

It is noise-reducing microphone for the 3.5mm jack. I tried to check if the cited video has stereo sound. I believe it does, but I am not sure it did not come from some YouTube stereo enhancement, so I cannot claim it for the microphone. I plan to use it for lectures, so it should serve for the purpose well enough.

# Answer
> 1 votes
A standard, traditional headphone jack has 3 sections, for left, right (outputs), and ground. The ones with the microphone added a 4th section, for **monoaural** input from the mic. There's no way to get stereo input through a single connection.

As far as the quality goes, I don't really know, but I doubt that it is particularly high quality, as it was designed only for non-stereo voice.

# Answer
> 0 votes
stereo is produced with mixing equipment or software you will be hard pressed to find a tru 2 channel mic because of feedback issues i have friends that make beats and record on a laptop mono input and they sound amazing your phone is no different other than the codecs that convert the analog to digital

---
Tags: microphone
---


title: ADB Backup: Will it erase root?

text:
# Question
Title: ADB Backup: Will it erase root?
This may sound like a stupid question, but I have a Honor 5x I'd like to root, and I want to use adb backup to backup all my phone's data so I can restore it after unlocking my bootloader (which erases the phone's data).

My question is: If I backup with `adb backup -all`, when I'll restore my phone's data, will it erase root? Probably not, but I just don't want to risk it.

# Answer
> 0 votes
No. Backing up and restoring won't affect root.

Basically, `adb backup` backups a portion of `/data` partition, while rooting mostly affects `/system` partition and soemtimes `/` (boot ramdisk, for system-less root). You can safely back it up and proceed on rooting it before restoring the backup.

---
Tags: backup, bootloader, root-access, adb
---


title: Bricked my Infocus m320u

text:
# Question
Title: Bricked my Infocus m320u
I am stuck with a logo and my phone doesn't boot. I can get its recovery mode but I couldn't find the suitable file for my phone to flash. Fastboot mode doesn't work.now how can I get fixed my mobile

# Answer
You can try resetting to the factory from the recovery menu. If it doesn't fix the issue, try flashing the ROM from recovery.

Download the file from here, then boot to recovery select `firmware update`. (instructions also available from the download page).

If the above doesn't solve your issue, try flashing the phone using ba computer.

* Go to this page and download the firmware file for your model.
* Go here and download SP Flashtool.
* You may also need USB drivers, grab it in the first link (scroll down the page).
> 0 votes

---
Tags: rom-flashing
---


# Question
Title: Log out from Google account on Android 6.0.1
How can I log out from my Google account on Android 6.0.1 in my Galaxy A5?

I tried the following:

* Settings -\> Accounts -\> No such option anywhere...
* Settings -\> Cloud and Accounts -\> Accounts -\> Google -\> \[three dots top right\] -\> Remove account -\> \[some warning\] -\> Remove account (to confirm) -\> \[hint saying "Account is needed by some apps. You can only remove it by resetting to factory defaults..."\] -\> \[back to square one\]

Which defeats the point because then I'd need to re-install my apps, for which I'd need to re-login.

I'm happy to take unusual routes, i.e., brute force log out by deleting files, tokens or even the entire Android tree in the file system etc. if that's an option.

---

Fun fact: I managed to log out (I'm pretty sure it was via the second option from above) last time I logged in, which was about 2 months ago. Has something changed recently? Did Google become even more adamant in pressing down its surveill^Wservices down its users throats?

# Answer
> 2 votes
Partly answering my own questions:

It appears that you can sign out any (other) device by going to Google's recently used devices list and revoking the device's access. At the very minimum, the Play Store app will whinge with a permanent notification (one of the kind that won't go away, no matter how many times you acknowledge it) that you need to sign in again.

Edit: The notification goes away if turn off notifications for Play Store and turn them back on.

The downside:

Under syncing of app data etc. still happens under Settings -\> Cloud and Accounts -\> Accounts -\> Google if triggered manually. Not sure how that's possible if the device has access revoked...

Man alive, this is an awful user experience... If Google was asking money for this kind of service, they'd be bankrupt tomorrow.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I encountered this problem yesterday and solved it with some hints from Winston's own answer.

1. Revoke phone access to Google. After few minutes a permanent notification will appear on a phone. This notification is by Google Play services not Google Play Store.
2. Disable Google Play services in Settings -\> Apps. There was a notification about Viber malfunction.
3. Remove Google account in Settings -\> Cloud and accounts -\> Accounts.
4. Enable Google Play services in Settings -\> Apps.

Note: Samsung A3 2017, Android 7.0

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, google, samsung-galaxy-a5
---


title: Phone Carrier change

text:
# Question
Title: Phone Carrier change
I have a Samsung Galaxy S6 with Nougat.

I have just changed carrier. I'd like to know if I'll receive Nougat updates from the new carrier or I'll have problems.

This because the new carrier has released 10 updates, instead the previous just 2.

# Answer
> 1 votes
No, updates for your phone can only come from the people you got the phone from; i.e. your old carrier. If you got the phone from the phone manufacturer instead of through the carrier, the updates would come from the manufacturer directly, regardless of which carrier you used.

The reason for this is that updates are nothing to do with the phone network or internet gateway. Updates come from whoever built the ROM image on the phone. Normally, this is the manufacturer, but if you buy the phone from the carrier, they usually install their own customized ROM on the phone. They do their own tests on the ROM, and they include changes such as their logos or bloatware apps. Because the carrier builds the ROM, the carrier also has to builds the updates: nobody else can do this. If you change carrier, it changes whose phone network you connect to, but it doesn't change the fact that the old carrier built the ROM image on the phone, so it's still the old carrier who has to build the updates.

This means that if your carrier is slow to provide updates, switching carrier *but keeping the same phone* won't fix that for you. You either need to get a new phone (direct from the manufacturer, if you want better updates and long-term support), or flash a custom ROM on your phone.

---
Tags: updates
---


# Question
Title: Is there a default "dark" theme (i.e. black background)?
For the majority of its life Android has had a dark UI (color text on black background), then it switched to light background on Android 6.

Android 7 will feature a "night mode" which will permit to restore the black background, having the standard UI in reverse colors.

While waiting for it, is there a "dark" theme for Android 6 that would have the same effect?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Apparently the "night mode" promised for Android 7 hasn't been implemented after all, but there's a High Contrast Theme by Samsung for Android 7 that works in a similar way.

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, themes
---


# Question
Title: Is there a way to disable the right-to-left-stroke-to-delete-gesture in Google handwriting input?
I couldn’t find any option in *settings* to disable the right-to-left-stroke-to-delete-gesture in Google (Japanese) handwriting input. Is there a way to do that?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Sorry bud, but this is Google's new keyboard. In the earlier versions you simply had to tap the backspace key once to erase your previously Swyped word but in the newer versions you have to swipe right to left.

---
Tags: text-input, google-japanese-input
---


# Question
Title: Typing on my Android Device directly from Windows 10
Is there a way where I can type something on Windows 10 and it goes directly to my ZTE Axon 7?

# Answer
> 2 votes
You should try Remote Keyboard, available for Android 2.3+.

That app worked well with my Windows 10 computer and my OnePlus 3T, and you can try this tutorial which shows you how to use the app.

If you don't like this app or if it's not working with your phone, you can try this one : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.volosyukivan

Or, as @A bochur said, you can use an OTG wire.

---
Tags: external-keyboard
---


title: Phone Locked and safe mode disabled

text:
# Question
Title: Phone Locked and safe mode disabled
my dad got a new xiaomi mi note 2 and forgot his pattern.So the phone is locked, I tried recovery but the recovery mode is disabled, the same goes for USB debugging.Do you know any way to perform a factory reset?

I read some articles to enter edl mode but i had no success .

# Answer
> 1 votes
I found the solution.

You have t download the MIFlash Chinese Version

# Answer
> 2 votes
If I understood correctly, your only problem is Lock pattern? Doesn't understand how recovery is locked though - you should be able to simply factory reset device.

I am operating under assumptions that for some unknown reason (not unbelievable in regard to Xiaomi) that you are out of recovery and that bootloader is accessible.

To enter bootloader, press power and volume- buttons simultaneously; a little rabbit with tools and Mao Zedong style hat with communist star should appear.

Before EDL, you should try to enter recovery, after you entered fastboot mode - simply navigate with volume- but confirm with volume+ and do a factory reset.

If this is out of option for you, proceed with entering EDL mode.

First of all, download and install appropriate drivers for Mi Note 2.

Second, acquire MiFlash tool and stock ROM for Mi Note 2 whether it is standard - 4GB/64GB or high - 6GB/128GB edition and extract from archive.

Lobotomized Kenzo && Capricorn models, though eventually restored stock ROM, hence had limited (bad) experience with Xiaomi devices. Extremely frustrating if doing anything outside of box. Had no problems with recent Xiaomi devices, though it's like waiting for rain in London.

If bootloader is accessible and if oem edl or reboot-edl command is present in aboot partition, device can be rebooted to EDL from fastboot with command

```
fastboot oem edl
```

which can be issued on Linux, macOS && Windows platforms (this should be done only on nonVM Windows platform, because you need to flash ROM with MiFlash) or

```
fastboot reboot-edl
```

for which (reboot-edl) you need modified fastboot that can be issued only in Windows (another layer of frustration, because won't work in VM - virtual machine).

If bootloader is unaccessible but oem edl or reboot-edl command is present in aboot partition, you can enter EDL with proper (and timely) button combination for what you need to (exactly in this sequence)

```
Power off device
```

```
Plug USB cable into the station, but without plugging to device
```

```
Press the volume+ and power button while at the same time plugging USB cable to device (timing is critical)
```

```
Device should boot to EDL mode with blinking LED
```

Unfortunately, if none if the above helped you already, you could try with DIY flash cable which is substitute for regular USB cable in case bootloader is inaccessible.

In extreme scenario, there is PCB test point method for entering EDL mode, but we need schematics of mainboard for this device, which we don't have at the moment.

Supposing device entered EDL mode, you should start MiFlash which will automatically detect device.

While in MiFlash, click on Browse button, then select Advanced; navigate to directory where you extracted ROM you previously downloaded and optin flashall.bat (not flashall.sh - it is not for Windows platform). Now click on Flash. If everything is correct, it should be finished in couple of minutes.

Device should boot automatically if flash is finished without errors.

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


# Question
Title: does airplane mode stop phone from pinging towers?
with recent riot's in Iran, there is saying that even with the phone in `airplane-mode`, it's pinging nearby towers, giving away location data and information such as that. this is a really big security risk and may get people into jail.

is that true? if so, how would one fix this problem on the android device? does the phone being `root` or not make any difference?

# Answer
Location is determined using one or more of the following

* Mobile radio (mobile registering itself with nearby towers without mobile data being on)
* Cellular data is on
* GPS
* WiFi

For more details see this Android Tracking by vendor

Coming to your question if device is on Airplane mode (radio disabled) and GPS , WiFi are disabled as well (Note that WiFi can be enabled in Airplane mode ), there is **no way** your location can be determined

(However, there are reports as highlighted in this question that with GPS off also, location data is sent to Google, but that is a different question altogether - How do I stop my device from sending my location to Google every second, even when the location setting is off? )
> 3 votes

# Answer
For the purpose of this answer, let's assume an adversary with state-level resources.

**If the device's transmitters are off (airplane mode without WiFi or Bluetooth), it cannot be located in real-time by the adversary.** It does not matter whether location services are enabled; using GPS (a satellite-based system with one-way transmissions from satellites) does not leak information directly. With this paranoia level, it's best to leave this off, lest any information be stored that can come out later. If you really needed GPS, rebooting before turning off airplane mode might be enough to keep you safe.

If the device has an active transmitter, it can be located. It does not matter whether you have location services enabled.

* Your mobile provider must know what towers/stations you are associated with for you to receive calls or data. For an adversary with state-level resources, you can assume that the adversary also has access to this information.
* You can assume that turning on WiFi will also reveal your location. The adversary likely has your MAC address, and Android is poor at randomizing it , with some exceptions.

If the device is compromised, you are out of luck. There is no practical way to verify that the device is not listening and recording location information for later transmission.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: security, privacy, geolocation, airplane-mode
---


# Question
Title: Send email/notification to device A when receiving a call on a device B
I have a work phone, and I am not always able to answer the calls coming in.

I would like to set up a system where I receive a notification (email or otherwise) on my main device, even if I am away from my work device.

For example:

Notification on Device A: Device B received a call from 555-2345 at 10:38AM.

Does anyone know of any apps that offer this service?

# Answer
> 1 votes
You can achieve this through IFTTT.

Look at this recipe to send email notifications on missed calls. You can find similar ones or create on your own, the learning curve isn't very high.

---
Tags: logging, remote-control
---


# Question
Title: Device freezes after trying to reboot with bootloader
I have been trying to unlock my bootloader as per the instructions found here. I already have installed the drivers from Google USB driver folder that comes in Android SDK "extras" folder. However, when I try to start my device into the fastboot mode with cmd, it freezes.

I type "**adb reboot bootloader**" to the terminal, as instructed. It seems to be trying to restart my phone, yet it freezes before it can actually start up, stuck on the initial HTC screen.

Has anyone ever encountered an issue like this, or may anyone have an idea for a solution to this? I would manually enter bootloader menu and get my phone to fastboot if I could, but holding down the volume down and power buttons (as instructed here) won't help me at all. Pressing volume down and power simultaneously will simply start my device with a regular boot (and I have no means to "deselect Fast boot" - I simply don't have the option in battery settings).

I am on Windows 7 laptop and my phone is HTC Desire 516 using Android 4.3.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Holding the power button + vol up will take you to recovery mode. In recovery, there is an option to reboot to download mode.

Otherwise, try different button combinations. I'm using HTC 626 and this happened when I was trying to boot in recovery mode by holding power + volume up and that was not working, but I was able to boot in recovery by holding all 3 buttons. Make a try.

---
Tags: adb, htc-desire, fastboot, bootloader, htc
---


title: About WhatsApp voice record

text:
# Question
Title: About WhatsApp voice record
Someone sent me a voice record in my WhatsApp, and the problem is I can play it only in my WhatsApp. When I log out from WhatsApp and try to play it from my phone memory it's not playing. And I try to copy it into my external memory but it's not copied. If there is any solution for this, tell me please.

# Answer
> 0 votes
The audio recorded in WhatsApp will be in the format of .opus. It cannot be played by apps. Just change the format to .mp3 by renaming the file in explorer. Now it can be played.

---
Tags: whatsapp-messenger, media-files
---


title: Install Stock Rom on dead screen phone

text:
# Question
Title: Install Stock Rom on dead screen phone
I am using Iball Andi 4.5 K6 (Android 4.4). Well my phone doesn't have OTG support but has root access. While deleting some bloatware apps I deleted some apps which has made the screen disabled(touch is not working). Hence I decided to flash the ROM. I was able to open the recovery but the screen was not working so I was not able to flash the ROM.But then I left the phone for about an year. Now I am not able to go to the recovery since my volume buttons seems to be not working. Hence I tried connecting my phone to laptop and tried to go to recovery or fastboot using adb commands but it didn't worked as my USB Debuging options is turned OFF. Hence,

1. I cannot go to recovery / fastboot manually.
2. I cannot make adb commands work until my USB Debugging is turned ON, and my phone doesn't support OTG so that's not an option.
3. My screen is disabled. Only power on button is working

So is there any way thorugh which I can completely format whole phone and install the Recovery and ROM without using screen.

# Answer
Spflash tool is supported for your device. Thus you won't need to turn on your phone. You'll first have to install the drivers for your device on PC. Then download the stock ROM for your device. Then remove the battery and flash via spflash tool.

This might help you: http://www.gogorapid.com/flash-stock-rom-iball-andi-4-5-k6/
> 1 votes

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, root-access, rom-flashing
---


title: Why are my "Sleep" settings disabled?

text:
# Question
Title: Why are my "Sleep" settings disabled?
Under 'Settings - \> Display', my 'Sleep' option is disabled and locked at 30 seconds (which is terrible). I have a 'Work Profile' on the phone, but this is not happening to others at the company, so this appears to be a local issue.

What could be causing this and how can I re-enable my sleep settings? It seems some other setting is affecting the sleep setting, but I can't find what it would be.

# Answer
> 4 votes
I'd manually activated the 'Battery'-\>'Power Saving' mode, which was overriding the 'Sleep' settings. It would be nice if the 'Sleep' settings had told me this, but there you go.

---
Tags: settings
---


# Question
Title: What is the catch with microSD cards that have NFC support and will my Xiaomi Mi A1 support it?
I recently bought myself a Xiaomi Mi A1. Because it has a microSD card slot I'd like to buy a card. I noticed that some have NFC. Is it worth It? Is this real NFC or just a gimmick feature to buy such cards?

Will my A1 with Oreo recognize it and enable it or do I have to use apps to get this working, if this purchase would make a sense? An example of the card.

# Answer
Mi A1 does not have NFC support. See specs here so it **doesn't make a difference** what card you buy. How you plan to use the card (external storage or ), what you plan to store on it are important factors in deciding which card to buy. See second question linked below for help

I am using a Samsung card and it is recognised. You don't need to use an external app

Related

1. Is it possible to add the NFC to the phone which does not have it?
2. What is the minimum MicroSD speed necessary to extend the storage of an Android phone?
> 1 votes

---
Tags: external-sd, xiaomi, nfc, 8.0-oreo, mi-a1
---


# Question
Title: Moto G5 Plus with Square or PayPal chip reader?
Square doesn't provide any compatibility information for this phone, and PayPal doesn't provide phone-specific compatibility information at all.

Does anyone have evidence that this phone works with a CHIP reader (not interested in swiping)? I suspect that the Square and PayPal Bluetooth (not earphone jack) readers work, but can't find hard evidence.

# Answer
> 0 votes
**Yes, they should work with your phone.**

**Squire:** This device is compatible with the Moto g5 plus according to squire compatibility page

**PayPal:** According to the devices compatibility page, it works with any Bluetooth enabled phone that runs Android 4.0 or higher, and has the PayPal here app.

According to Gsmarena, the Moto G5 Plus is running Android 7.0 and higher, and has Bluetooth access.

Put the two together, and it should work.

Just double check that the PayPal here app is compatible with your phone, by finding it in the play store, and check if it allows you to download it.

Strangely, on the compatibility page it mentions that the phone has to have an earphone jack, even though this is a Bluetooth device. (But that's still not a problem being that your phone has an earphone jack anyway)

---
Tags: motorola-moto-g5
---


# Question
Title: How do I stop my device from sending my location to Google every second, even when the location setting is off?
How do I stop my device from sending my location to Google every second, even when the location setting is off? <sub>*(Which is illegal because I declined Google from taking my location data because I turned it off and they still collect it anyway.)*</sub>

Google was caught collecting location data EVERY second from android phones when the Location setting is turned off. Now I know why my phone battery is so terrible.

If I leave my phone stationary in my house on standby, it lasts 6-8 hours, which is bad as it should last at least 12 hours stationary on standby. If I go outside and move around, 40% of my battery goes in 2 hours so on a 100% charge when outside moving around, my battery lasts 2-3 hours. The battery drains faster when I'm moving around than when the phone is still, and it drains even faster when inside transport than walking. How do I REALLY turn location tracking off?

Before anyone says, "maybe your phone has a virus", it was like that with a terrible battery since I brought the phone with a fresh installation, and I installed every app on my phone from Google Play except for Gab.

I have a Samsung Galaxy S6 and Android 6.0.1

**Update**

I have made the exact same journey with my wifi, mobile data and location off and my battery only drained by 5% in one hour intead of 35% in one hour. As the mobile network tracks my location with all 3 off, the battery drain is not due to the location tracking by my network. It's also not due to any apps, as apps can only track my location when the location is on (of which a window appears asking me if I want to turn location on so the app can use it) and the location icon shows in notifications. Remember that my battery lasts much longer when stationary but abysmal when moving around.

How do I fix this problem?

# Answer
Even I had read that article, but possibly could do nothing to stop Google. Our lives are so very dependent on Google. We use lots of Google apps like Gmail, Gdrive, YouTube, Chrome, Maps and others. It is not always possible to eliminate Google from our daily lives.

As @Izzy has mentioned, you can flash a custom ROM and remove all google apps. That can eliminate the possibility of your location being sent to Google without your permission. But take that route only if you are sure that you can properly flash a custom ROM, otherwise you may end up with a bricked device.

Other than this, you can disable all Google apps, including PlayStore and Play Services. But I can assure you that many apps (even apps other than those by Google) won't work if you disable the latter.

You can prevent all Google apps and services from getting data access, whether WiFi or cellular. There are very good apps like DataEye which can block specific apps from accessing data connection, including system apps and services. I've been using it mainly to prevent apps from showing up ads, and it works great. In this way, you can stop Play Services from getting data access, but the apps based on Play Services will continue to work.

These are a few of the methods that a layman can use. If you can root your phone, then you can remove all Google apps except PlayStore and Play Services (don't remove these two, otherwise many apps won't function). Other than these, I don't think we can specifically do anything else to stop Google from reading our location.
> 2 votes

# Answer
Really interesting conversation. In my case when move a lot and not really using my phone I simply set it to the most battery saving mode, it limits CPU speed, disables any kind of networking communication (except for plain phone calls and sms messages) it also disables available sensors. It pretty much turns your phone into a dummy phone. I know it isn't really the solution if you use your phone the way it was intended. But I thought it would help.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, battery-life, samsung-galaxy-s-6, location-services
---


# Question
Title: How can I update my password in Cisco Jabber without having to reset Jabber?
I have changed my password in Cisco Jabber through some non-Android device. I also use Cisco Jabber on Android though. How can I update my password in Cisco Jabber for Android without having to reset Cisco Jabber?

---

After I changed my password in Cisco Jabber, (amazingly) I can still sign in:

However, instant messaging, phone services and voicemail are not available:

I know I could reset by Cisco Jabber application, but I would rather avoid that, since as its name suggests it resets everything:

Notes:

* after clicking on the sign out button, the user is redirected to screenshot 1, and they can still sign in even without specifying the password. The user isn't asked for the new password, amazingly.
* restarting the Cisco Jabber application or rebooting the phone after signing out doesn't help.

# Answer
I had this same problem and resolved it by going to Accounts -\> Instant Messaging and manually changing my password there. Then reset the program and when you open it again it should work.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: instant-messaging
---


title: Removing adopted storage sdcard

text:
# Question
Title: Removing adopted storage sdcard
My smartphone has ability to use two sim card or one sim card plus sdcard. Generally, I'm using second option (sim+sdcard), sdcard as adopted storage. I want to use second sim card temporarily. But if I will unmount sdcard and pull it out will I be able to use it later without problems?

# Answer
## It works as expected. I successfully unmount adopted storage.

First I moved all apps to internal memory. Then I unmount adopted storage from SD card options.

System starts syncing data that was not written yet and after minute there was intent notification "You can remove sdcard safely". So I removed card. Nothing wrong was happening. Of course, wallpaper disappears but it was predictable.

Another side effect was that I can't save screenshot so I made these photos by another phone.

After some time I inserted same SD card to smartphone and Android mount it automatically. Wallpaper appears again and all my files from SD card was in the same place as before.

Technically adopted storage is separate file system but mounted in a file system, in the specified directory. Not every app can be moveable to adopted storage. It behaves like normal SD card with FAT/exFAT file system but Android merge view of internal memory directory in one "file system". Another difference is that adopted storage is encrypted. Android mounts that encrypted block device, decrypt it and mount in /mnt/expand/. No system data are moved to adopted storage, only apps that developer implement an option to move app data to adopted storage.

Test was made on Android 7.1.1. Smartphone model: Motorola G5S Plus (XT1805)
> 2 votes

# Answer
Once you've adopted your external SD card as internal storage, you no longer can simply remove it without causing massive issues (apps crashing and the likes) – after all, the card is acting as internal storage then, covering everything that goes to `/data/data` (i.e. all the apps' data, configurations etc.).

The only way to take it out *without* causing issues is to convert it back to "portable storage". Which is technical possible – as long as there's sufficient internal storage available. If there is, I'd wonder why you've adopted the card – so that probably won't be done by just pressing a single button: you'd first need to make enough space, i.e. remove data stored in "adoptable storage" so the remains fit into real internal storage again.

**TL;DR:** No, you cannot simply unmount and take the card out to free the shared slot.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: adoptable-storage
---


# Question
Title: How can I sync all folders from an Exchange server (not just the Inbox)?
I am using a Samsung Galaxy S2 (Android 2.3.4) and have set up the native email app to synchronize with an MS Exchange 2007 server. The problem I am noticing is that I'm only notified for a new email if it is sent to my Inbox folder. I have to sync my other folders one-by-one.

Is there any sync all option?

# Answer
Unfortunately the native Android Exchange Client doesn't support automatic sync of sub-folders, as you have seen you can go in to the folder and sync it manually but that isn't much use. This hasn't been improved much in Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. The sub folders now sync but it doesn't notify you of new messages in them which isn't really any better.

I would recommend using a 3rd Party client like Moxier or Touchdown. Both have trials so that you can test them first.
> 3 votes

# Answer
Not sure if you've made any headway on this. I was searching for answers for this today and got it figured out. I've got a Galaxy S4, running 4.2.2 I had to open the native email app.

`Menu > Settings > Exchange Account with sub folders > More Settings > Folder Sync Settings`. From there I think it should be self explanatory.

Not sure what version of Android you're running by now, but thought I'd share.
> 3 votes

# Answer
I am using galaxy S2 with android 4.0.4. I am getting alert for sub-folders. You go to email client and select sub-folders from the menu. After reaching the sub-folder, select menu button and you will find sync option. You can select as automatic push. It gives alert immediately.
> 1 votes

# Answer
As Nuronv states, in Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, the sub folders are synchronized. However, I have found in my case that only a partial list of sub-folders are synchronized.

I have server-side rules set up to sort all of my mail into very specific folders and the client is configured to save replies in the same folder with the email. This allows me to maintain collections of emails and conversations with a specific client, vendor, or project. I literally have hundreds of folders and sub-folders.

In my first experience synchronizing, it only caught 3 sub-folders on the 2nd level (I have about 8), and in each of those folders, it found 3 in one folder that I have over 40, and 8 in another folder where I have about 15. It does not seem aparent why this is happening.

I will take Nuronv's second suggestion and go check out Moxier or Touchdown.
> 0 votes

# Answer
I just got a Note 8 and the sub folders that I use to organize my work emails were nowhere to be found. I went through every setting but no luck. I tried some of the other email apps that were recommended here and at other help sites. In the end, the only one that worked to show my sub folders was the Microsoft Outlook app. No settings to hunt for. It just worked. I was about to return my Note 8 before I found that this app solved my problem. Too bad Samsung can't fix there default app!
> 0 votes

# Answer
There is nothing wrong with the default email app, just have to find the settings.

* Open your Samsung email app.
* Next to the Inbox, click on the 3 line menu bar. At the very top you will find a gear(Settings).
* Choose the account you are trying to sync all folders (Just click on the account) This will open the settings for this email account.
* Scroll halfway down to the Section 'Exchange ActiveSync Settings' then choose Folder Sync
* Be sure to hit the ^ on the Inbox to expand
* Choose the folders you wish to Sync.
* You will be cautioned on the amount of folders syncing as it will slow the sync process down.
* Re-sync your phone and you should see all your folders now.
> 0 votes

# Answer
the best solution is to just replace the exchange server. saves you a lot of headdaches. You can try Zarafa, Zimbra, OpenChange, Communigate etc. Or just Google Apps, which very nicely talks caldav and carddav and imap, instead of the propriatery mapi crap.
> -1 votes

---
Tags: email, samsung-galaxy-s-2, exchange
---


title: problems with SDCard after partitioning

text:
# Question
Title: problems with SDCard after partitioning
I'm using a rooted XPeria Z1c. Recently I got myself a bigger SDCard (128 GB) and I decided to use 2 partitions. I started 'adb shell' then partitioned the card using

```
sm partition disk:<disk_id> mixed 50

```

After disconnecting the phone I formatted the 2nd partion as exFAT. Windows' disk manager is showing me 3 partitions on the SD: one exFAT plus 2 more that obviously aren't recognized. One of those 2 is quite small (16MB in size), the other one has roughly the size I'm expecting it to have. EDIT: formatting was done by the phone itself after I first inserted the freshly partitioned card, and I expected the format to be ext4.

My phone has no problems using both of the main partitions, so that's good.

On my PC I'm running a Linux device driver by Paragon enabling me to access extFS formatted sd cards an pendrives from Windows Explorer. But if I directly connect the card to my windows PC (**using an SD card reader**) only the exFAT partition is accessible. Apparently the other partition is not truly formatted as ext4. I tried various adb / terminal commands to access that special partition and find out what it is but I can't really access it (fdisk, mount, cat, df, ...).

Can anyone give me an idea how to handle this? What file system could be used for my internal SD card if it's not ext4?

EDIT2: (after comment from @Izzy): I just created a new (smaller) SD card with just one partition and formatted as ext4. After inserting it into my phone I had to prepare and format it as internal storage. After that I pulled it off my phone again and examined it using my PC. Result: the ext4 partition is readable in Windows (through the Paragon driver) and it also has an extra 16MB partition. No idea whatsoever what this is used for...

EDIT3: doing some more experiments with my smaller sd card I think that @Izzy pointed into the right direction; might as well close this question

# Answer
As it turned out, your partitioning was due to the fact you wanted to use (and not, as one might assume, to use ). As our adoptable-storage tag-wiki points out, adopted storage will be encrypted – not just the files on it, but the entire partition. That explains two things:

* attaching the card to your PC using a card reader, the PC cannot read the partition without having the encryption details. As you didn't provide them to the PC, it could not "open" it
* attaching the device via MTP however shows the partition fine on your PC, as the Android device has decrypted it

Remains the mystic 3rd partition. The small size suggests it's some "control partition". A good guess as it turns out: if you list the label, you will find it's called `android_meta` (while your adopted partition will be labeled `android_expand`) – which you can find out e.g. by a Google search for `"sm partition disk" 16m`. Quoting from this Oopsmonk article on how adoptable storage creation works:

> It will create two partitions (android\_meta and android\_expand) for adoptable storage, the android\_meta is a reserved space for feature use and android\_expand is the external storage which is encrypted via dm-crypt.

With that last detail, your puzzle should be complete
> 2 votes

---
Tags: root-access, sd-card, sony-xperia, partitions
---


# Question
Title: How can I recover photos from my bricked Google Nexus 5X
My Google Nexus 5X has died on me all of a sudden. Screen went blank, then rebooted and seems to have gone into a "bootloop". That is, it shows "Google" followed by the "android" spinner animation which then goes black and back to the "Google" logo.

Do I understand correctly that the device is likely beyond (affordable) repair? My goal now is to extract from it the photos I've taken over the past couple of months.

Things I've tried so far:

1. When I press the "Power" and "Volume Down" buttons I can get the "Fastboot Mode" menu. But when I choose the "Recovery mode" option I'm shown the "No command" error screen.
2. I've also seen the device go completely black with a red led blinking at its bottom. So I've then connected it to its fast charger and was able to boot it correctly. Unfortunately that only lasts for a minute or two. If I connect it to my PC via cable and try to download the photos, it dies in the middle of copying.

Please let me know if there are other steps I can take to recover my photos.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Android doesn't allow you to access your storage unless you boot into your phone or have your bootloader unlocked. And if you unlock your bootloader, you lose all your stuff in that process. So if you really want your photos, you will have to go through the tedious process of booting your phone and copying images one by one until it reboots, rinse and repeat. If you remember your folder structure, its way faster to use ADB commands to pull all your images than doing copy paste. Use - `adb pull /scard/my_family_photos pc_backup_folder`

> Do I understand correctly that the device is likely beyond (affordable) repair?

Fortunately, there is a fix for this infamous Nexus 5X bootloop issue. You need to disable all high performance a57 cores. Instructions for doing so are in this XDA thread

PS: Did you check photos.google.com? Maybe it has everything backed up on the cloud? Also, try contacting Google/LG regardless of your warranty status. You might just get a replacement device or a refurb.

Edit: One very unsafe and risky way is to let your storage be wiped while unlocking, apply the patch mentioned in the thread and use recovery apps like Undelete or Photo recovery to try to get something back. But this is very risky process and wouldn't work 100%

Another crazy hack is to put your phone in a plastic wrap, put it in freezer with the USB cable dangling out, connect to your laptop and try to copy your photos. It should give you 5-10 minutes before it starts rebooting. You can do this 3-4 times and get everything off your device. Don't let your device get moist though.

---
Tags: data-recovery, unbricking, nexus-5x
---


# Question
Title: Is it possible to transfer an apk from my mac to my android phone via Bluetooth?
I only want to transfer from mac to android, not reverse and also achieve this via Bluetooth. Open to install any app on android

Thanks

# Answer
> 2 votes
Yes, you can send files over Bluetooth. By default, android doesn't allow to receive every file type (many phones don't have this issue) so just rename the apk and add another acceptable extension like .jpg or .mp3 in the end. The Android phone should be able to receive the apk just fine. Now open the bluetooth folder and delete the added extension and you have your apk ready to install.

---
Tags: bluetooth, file-transfer
---


# Question
Title: It's been asked before about .andriod_secure folder and/or file, but why is this file dated 12/31/69 when the andriod system had not been invented?
.android secure folder or file in my memory card for my LG STYLO AND LG STYLO 3 PHONES date of file 12/31/69

# Answer
> 1 votes
Probably just corrupted time stamp on your file system. So Android rewrote it to default Unix Time. Read about Unix time here (Unix Epoch is 1 Jan 1970 00:00:00 UTC)

---
Tags: external-sd
---


# Question
Title: What does it mean when saved WhatsApp voice notes are not starting with "PTT"?
I deleted one of my contacts. I have a WhatsApp voice note, but it's not starting with "PTT". It's an alphanumeric number, and I could not find the mobile number associated. I can play it without any issue.

What does it mean when a WhatsApp voice message is saved other than a name starting with PTT? Why is it not stored with the mobile number details along with it?

# Answer
> 0 votes
It's more likely that voice note **wasn't created as as push to talk** (PTT) message via WhatsApp in which case it normally starts with `PTTxxxxx`, rather this voice note was created with a device recorder hence starts with alphanumeric number.

I noticed my voice recorder names all recorded audios with in a number format to confirm this. Hence its still recognised snd plays well on your device. Perhaps they sent you an audio created by a native voice recorder not via WhatsApp.

---
Tags: whatsapp-messenger
---


# Question
Title: Disable backlight and permanently show ambient display using root?
I own a Rooted Nexus 5x on the Pixel^2 8.0.0 ROM, and when I saw a real Pixel 2 on its charger at night I noticed that it didn't have "backlight" on (black was actually black) and it permanently showed the ambient display.

I don't see a settings option for this, can I turn it on using root?

# Answer
It's called Always On display and you ideally shouldn't be using it on your Nexus 5X because its an LCD screen, not AMOLED like Pixel. You can flash a different ROM which has this feature or if you have Android 8.1, it's already baked in all devices just needs to be manually activated. Follow this XDA article

You need to install Andromeda Substrantum on your phone. Download Pixel Enabler or Always-on-enabler subtrantum theme and install it.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: root-access, 8.0-oreo, backlight
---


# Question
Title: Firefox Focus crashes after uninstalling Google WebView
I uninstall **Android System WebView** with `adb shell` using the following commands.

```
pm uninstall com.google.android.webview
pm uninstall --user 0 com.google.android.webview

```

Now, when I launch Firefox Focus and type any website to visit, it crashes and shows the warning, but the normal Firefox Browser works without any issue.

**Question:** Though Play Store shows "Android WebView is a system component powered by Chrome", does Firefox Focus (FF) depend on that Android WebView? Can FF be run without WebView as normal Firefox?

# Answer
**TL;DR:** As of Oct 2018, FireFox Focus now uses the GeckoView engine for rendering

~~**TL;DR:** Yes FireFox Focus depends on the Android System WebView with plans to switch to GeckoView when its ready. So **NO** you can't remove the Android System WebView and expect the app to work (as of Jan 2018).~~

So Firefox Focus is an open source project:

https://github.com/mozilla-mobile/focus-android

Looking at the project, there isn't much code there but does pull a library called:

`geckoview-latest.arr`

From what I can tell from this mailing list post (after following a few links from the main page README):

https://mail.mozilla.org/pipermail/firefox-focus-public/2017-October/000018.html

and this issue:

https://github.com/mozilla-mobile/focus-android/issues/13

states that the team started the Firefox Focus project using Android's WebView while waiting for GeckoView to reach Minimum Viable Product (MVP).

https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show\_bug.cgi?id=1322573

The fact that not everything in the *Depends On* list is crossed off means that GeckoView is a work in progress.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: webview
---


# Question
Title: What is this icon that looks like a battery with recycle symbol inside it?
I see this battery with recycle symbol icon to the left of the alarm icon for about 3 days.

I'm afraid it's a malware app. I tried to find it but couldn't. Also, Bitdefender anti-virus says your phone is safe.

What is this icon? How can I find what the icons shown in notification bar are for?

# Answer
It is the Power saving mode **active** notification icon on Samsung devices. Find out more at Android Central.

*Answer to **second** question*: Just swipe down from screen-top. You can see notifications, tap on it, it will open that application. This link shows list of major notification icons for Samsung devices.
> 4 votes

# Answer
It is a Power saver icon. If you want to disable it, just go to settings and disable power saver.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: notification-icons
---


# Question
Title: XIAOMI Mi A1 LTE bands - User manual or website is right?
Situation:

Live in Spain, moving to Argentina. Buy a new Xiaomi MI A1, on the website it lists support to LTE B4 (main band in Argentina).

Get the phone, open the box which says GLOBAL Version, but user manual's LTE band support list does not say B4.

I ask XIAOMI, the reply is "ignore the manual" (see screenshot, in spanish but pretty clear)

Any way to know which info to rely on? I will send it back if it does not support B4.

# Answer
As per GSM Arena Website: These are the bands of Xiaomi Mi A1 Global Version.

2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2

3G bands HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100

4G bands LTE band 1(2100), 3(1800), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 20(800), 38(2600), 40(2300)

Also, with GSM Arena's Network Coverage section in Argentina says about these bands:

2G capabilities :GSM 850, GSM 1900

3G capabilities : UMTS 850, UMTS 1900

4G capabilities : LTE 700(28), LTE 1700(4), LTE 2100 (4).

**LTE 2100 is listed as Network coverage and Mi A1's band**
> 1 votes

---
Tags: 4g, mi-a1
---


# Question
Title: I need help recovering vital data from a corrupted sd card formatted as internal memory with the phone off
This will be my first post on a stack exchange site, so please excuse any mistakes I make if possible.

\[This first paragraph is backstory of sorts; not really important\]

My father's phone's SD card recently became corrupted. Neither him nor I know the reason as to why. I did not know what was on the card, so I made no attempt to immediately rescue any data. A while later, his phone began spontaneously rebooting for no obvious reason after being used for a short amount of time -- again, neither of us know why this has happened. I afterwards found out that this SD card contains vital information relating to the medical treatment of a family member.

Assuming it is possible, how would I go about recovering data from a corrupted SD card which was previously formatted for internal storage without having the phone on? In this case, the phone is able to boot into recovery fine, and is able to actually start up for a short period before it appears to crash.

The phone is a Blu Life One X2 64gb internal storage with a now corrupted 64gb SD card formatted as internal storage.

# Answer
> 1 votes
If the SD card was formatted as Adopted (internal) Storage recovery of this data is only possible if the device was rooted prior the SD card being adopted and you have access to the device in a functional state... If you can't satisfy both requirements then your data is not recoverable, at least not in our lifetime, if fifty supercomputers that could check a billion billion (10↑18) AES keys per second (if such a device could ever be made) would, in theory, require about 3×10↑51 years to exhaust the 256-bit key space to brute-force hack the data.

If the devices was rooted and functional, it's easy, and that information is available in multiple other questions here. The key component to these solutions is you must access the encryption key from the device, which requires the device be functional and fully rooted, have a Linux computer with a microSD card reader, and a bit of Linux terminal knowledge.

The rooting must have occurred prior to adopting the SD card as internal storage though, because for most modern devices rooting requires unlocking the bootloader, which also wipes all data in the device including the encryption key.

Without access to the encryption key from the device, the data is not recoverable by any known method. Be aware that even if you happened to get the encryption key somehow and if the data is actually corrupted in the card, recovery of any data will likely be impossible.

Advice for the future: Don't use adopted storage (internal storage) unless it is absolutely required for the device to function as you wish, meaning it would likely have very little internal storage (less than 8GB or possibly 16GB), as adopted storage puts very high read-write usage on the card which can causes it to fail unexpectedly, a situation which is quite common as you have experienced. SD card expansion can still be added and used as Portable Storage (external storage) and can be used to store pictures, documents, music, and other files and data, this usage is not encrypted and can be read in any compatible device.

---
Tags: data-recovery, adoptable-storage
---


# Question
Title: LG K4 K120E Unrooted after an update and won't root again
I have rooted my LG K4 K120E (2016) a long time ago using KingRoot, however after the phone got an update the phone was unrooted and KingRoot just won't work anymore. What would be the safest rooting method for my phone without loosing data?

EDIT: Tried kingroot and kingoroot again and got a ram dump screen (like BSOD) but the phone is ok

# Answer
I have figured it out! The update added an OEM lock to the phone (I think) so I had to disable it in the settings! I've been poking through the settings and randomly discovered an OEM lock there. I looked it up and turns out I had to disable it before rooting the phone. So I have disabled the OEM lock (I don't need it anyway) and I am going to try to root the phone again when I come back!
> 0 votes

---
Tags: rooting, lg
---


# Question
Title: Does disabling mobile data when I'm connected to wi-fi conserve battery?
I always do this out of habit, but it recently occurred to me that Android might be clever enough to automatically turn it off when I've got wi-fi access. Is it?

# Answer
Connecting to WiFi automatically disables mobile data on most phones, so turning it off manually does not save your battery. There are some phones which have a "turbo download" mode, that uses both WiFi and data to download files faster, however most phones don't have it.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: wi-fi, battery-life, mobile-data, nexus-5x
---


title: How can I trust ROMs?

text:
# Question
Title: How can I trust ROMs?
My device is a few years old (it's a Wiko Ridge 4g) and the last official update was Lollipop 5.0.2. This means I can't get security patches anymore, and the recent Meltdown and Spectre attacks made me think about how bad that is.

From what I have read if the manufacturer does not provide updates I have to get a custom ROM, downloaded from somewhere, or give up and get a new device. I am not opposed in principle to flashing a ROM but how can I trust the source (and the tools)?

Background: I am a software developer but know next to nothing about the whole mobile ecosystem.

# Answer
"Trust" is a small world for a large field. You have to look at each variant individually:

## Trust that the custom ROM does not brick your device or destroy smartphone components

The more people use a specific custom ROM, the more likely all serious problems are known and may be even already fixed. For that reason, I personally prefer LineageOS-based ROMs without any modifications (or the minimum to support the specific device).

## Trust that the custom ROM does not contain malware

I assume that purposely infected ROMS are very unlikely. Most custom ROMS are created by experienced developers that are active for years. Publishing an infected ROM would result in a loss of reputation for such people. As a lot of users use their ROMs rooted, the chance is high that the infection would be detected. Therefore (as long as the developer account has not been hacked), infected ROMs are unlikely.

However, I would recommend to check the history of the author and only use popular ROMs from XDA-Developers or better those directly provided by Lineage OS.

## Tust that there are no backdoors or similar

Custom ROMs contain a lot of compiled code. Especially the kernel and other sensitive software running with high privileges is usually compiled by the author. Even if the sources for the kernel used by the ROM are public (and is free of backdoors and so on), it is a common problem to prove that the source code is really the one used to build the kernel. Detecting something malicious in a kernel or a different compiled software is very problematic.

Again, you have to trust the author of the custom ROM...

## Trust that the all security features work as intended

The main factor of security is that some actions are forbidden/denied for certain entities. The usual testing approach of custom ROMs is "it works for me". Therefore, I assume that most of the security features are not well-tested in custom ROMs. If something goes wrong in the build process, it may remain undetected for a long time.

One common problem for example is that custom ROMs are signed with AOSP private key (which is public). Therefore, it is easy for malware developers to sign an app with the system keys to gain special system permissions.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: security
---


title: How can I update Huawei Honor 4C

text:
# Question
Title: How can I update Huawei Honor 4C
I need Android 6.0 Marshmallow Firmware B067 Huawei Honor 4C (CHM-U01)

For this device: Huawei HONOR 4C, Model number: CHM-U01, Build number: CHM-U01 V100R001C185B067, CPU: Octa-core 1.2GHz, RAM: 2.0GB, Internal storage: 8GB, Android version: 4.4.2, Kernel version: 3.10.49-g3a7cb5a android@localhost #1 Wed Apr 15 17:28:55 CST 2015, EMU version: EMUI 3.0.

When I try to update the system I get this message "No updates", but the official website has the updates but it does not compatible with the device.

# Answer
You can find Honor 4C downloads on CarbonTesla's Huawei Honor 4C Firmware & OTA page; according to your build number (C185B067) your device seems to be pakistan or Middle-East region. Follow up the link to the corresponding download section there, where you will find the files to download and a short instruction on how to proceed. According to that page, the firmware offered is Android 6.0 Marshmallow with EMUI v4.0, for the CHM-U01 as specified by you.

good luck..........
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, updates, device-firmware, huawei-u8860
---


# Question
Title: Moto G 2014 without OS or any connection, stuck with fastboot and TWRP
For a few days now, I've been trying to recover my phone. It's a XT1069 (a brazilian dual-SIM Moto G 2014 with 16 GB of storage and DTV). It had a Resurrection Remix ROM with Android 7.1. The battery died, and then whenever I tried to turn it on, it got stuck in Resurrection Remix's loading screen, for whatever reason. That wasn't really a big issue, in fact it was actually good, because it gave me motive to update my ROM, which I was planning to do.

Up until then, everything was working fine (although Resurrection Remix didn't boot). I downloaded Pixel Experience with Android 8.0, then I opened TWRP and transferred it to the phone through USB (TWRP supports it). I wiped the system partition (don't remember why - maybe I had tried to install it before and got an error, maybe out of space, I don't know) and tried to flash it. It gave an error, which basically meant I had to update TWRP.

But uh oh! I can't anymore. My PC won't detect the phone *whatsoever*! I tried using fastboot, ADB in TWRP, MTP in TWRP, but all I can do via USB is charge it (TWRP does display a "+" after the battery percentage, and it does charge). I was using Debian 9.0.0 when I did this, but I accidentally deleted all partitions in my HDD while trying to install Windows 10, managed to recover them, and finally actually installed Windows 10 (for dual boot - I couldn't dislike Windows more). In either Debian or Windows, it doesn't detect it anymore. Previously it would make a sound and display a notification. It doesn't anymore, in the same conditions (in TWRP, with MTP either enabled or disabled). ADB and Fastboot don't work at all, where they previously did. I already installed drivers in both OSes. Actually, before I even installed drivers, it worked. Even the SD card isn't being detected by the phone anymore. It doesn't mount in TWRP (no error, it seems it wasn't even inserted), and I can't access it in the Install menu (says it's 0 MB, and won't access it). It previously worked.

I've searched around a *ton*. Every solution is basically installing drivers, using MTP (can't do), disabling MTP to use ADB (can't do), using ADB Sideload from the Advanced menu in TWRP (can't do), restarting computer and/or phone, updating TWRP (can't do), SD card (can't do), USB OTG (I don't have an adapter, and buying one would require my parents' consent, which is a *bad* thing, and besides, considering the other options, it's not likely that it'll work).

I'm desperated. I don't know what to do anymore. Can somebody help me? What can I do to update TWRP, while my phone is in this state?

(Large question, eh. Well, I'm being as specific as I can. Please read it so you can understand the situation.)

# Answer
> 0 votes
Seems it was a problem with my computer and my cable. I got lucky and had a chance to try with another computer and another cable, and the USB worked. Working fine now.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I have had this exact problem with an XT1039. As you've deleted the system partition you'll need to restore to a factory ROM for the phone, which is on XDA. Boot to recovery (power + volume down), and plug the phone in to your PC and you should have access to a minimal adb. Flash the factory image and it should then boot.

These instructions should help: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2542219

---
Tags: adb, recovery-mode, twrp, fastboot, motorola-moto-g2
---


# Question
Title: On formatting your phone where does all your media go that was previously placed in the vault?
I recently did a factory-reset on my android phone which cleared all the apps and the media files including the ones I had in applock vault. Upon reinstalling the application appLock I could not find the media I uploaded there so I just want to know where these media files from the **vault** go and if there is a way to **recover** them?

Thanks in advance

# Answer
> 0 votes
If this is the app that you used, then according to their FAQ (found in the app details in play store) the images are not stored online, and therefore were deleted during your factory reset. there is no easy way to restore them.

> Are my hidden files stored online? No. Your files are stored only on your device, so please make sure to backup all your hidden files before transferring to new device or factory reset

---
Tags: factory-reset, gallery-vault
---


# Question
Title: Weird display on screen before swipe lock Samsung Galaxy s6 edge plus
Pressed the onscreen button on my s6 edge this afternoon and a strange new display swipe screen is showing up - picture included. I have no idea where this came from and I have to swipe it just to get to my pin lock. I've checked my apps, my settings, my locked screen, I've disabled some of the apps I thought it could've been but to no avail. Does this look familiar to anyone, and if so how do I get rid of it? It's eating up my battery life.

# Answer
Looking around, this reddit comment pointed me in the right direction. Using ES Task Manager I found all apps with a name containing "photo", and all were recently updated.

Photo Collage Editor was the culprit.

So if you don't like random ads forced on you, don't install this app:

I'm sure there's plenty of other apps that do collages, and are made by slightly more polite people.. I'm sure I'll find out when I need to make a collage again, but I'm not using this app ever again.

**EDIT** This app, by the same developer ("Zentertain"), is doing the same thing:
> 2 votes

# Answer
This just happened to me and it was an ab workout app. My advice would be to try to delete the most recent app you downloaded before you noticed it. From the looks of it, multiple apps do this.
> 0 votes

# Answer
It was picsart doing this to my device. Removed app and it's gone. It was annoying.
> -2 votes

---
Tags: samsung, screen
---


# Question
Title: Google Pinyin Input (IME) keeps asking for Google account permission
Google Pinyin Input is an input method (IME) for Chinese.

It keeps asking me for Google account permission.

I deny it all the time, but it always comes back and asks again when I reboot (which is quite often). The IME works perfectly without that permission.

**Question: How to deny the permission once for all?**

* I have a Nexus 5 with Android 7.1.2 / LineageOS 14.1-20170718.
* It always pops up one request for each of the Google accounts I have configured in the Gmail app. I never use pinyin in Gmail.

# Answer
> 14 votes
I had this problem. I'd half installed Pinyin so continual prompting for a login account. Go to Google play store and search for Google Pinyin Input. When that appeared there was an option to uninstall it (because it had already been installed).

---
Tags: google, permissions, lineageos, 7.1-nougat
---


# Question
Title: How to pull files from almost bricked android device? (Common suggestions didn't work)
I'm new to super user, so please be nice.

My mom has an Odys Rise 10 android (lollipop) tablet, which now fails to boot. All it is doing now is to boot into recovery mode. Before I try to do a factory reset I want to pull all her photos from the device (Yes, I told her about regular backups, but... you know.).

I can use the ADB to connect via USB to the tablet, status is 'recovery'. I can send command to reboot, but I can neither start the shell nor pull files from the tablet. The error says no such file / file does not exist. I assume that the USB debugging is disabled. The device is not accessible via fastboot. Installing custom recovery (e.g. CWM) did not work since I couldn't find a build for the Odys tablet.

But: I can push files into the /system/ folder, so an option could be to push in an altered build.prop with debugging enabled. Unfortunately, I have no original build.prop as a template.

Is it possible to write a kind of minimum build.prop from scratch that could do the job? Or could I just use a build.prop from a arbitrary android device?

Any other ideas are also welcome.

Thanks for any suggestion.

**Update 1:** I pulled a build.prop from another android 5 device (actually a Sony Xperia, since the Odys Rise is apparently a rare kind) to get an impression of the content. Much stuff in there. Has anybody an idea which settings are crucial during recovery mode and thus have to be correct for the bricked tablet? And which build.prop entries are not crucial and can be wrong as long as the recovery mode still works? Before I start playing with the build-prop I want be be sure that I don not make things worse.

**Update 2:** I learned that it might be a bad idea to simply replace the build.prop with a random variant, especially when the build number and model number is wrong. But with a lot of searching and begging I got a full update rom file, which should contain a propper build.prop. The problem now is that I cannot access the rom yet. The img-file is not a zip, and cannot be opened via ext4-unpacker or ext2-explorer. Any suggestions on this issue? Anyone?

# Answer
> 0 votes
So. The question was basically whether it is possible to write a new build.prop to enable usb debugging when no original template is available.

The answer is yes.

I found out that the stock recovery of the tablet is able to show the latest log files, and these logs contain all entries of the build.prop. Or perhaps the default.prop. After I was able to get a rom image of the stock firmware and was able to unpack this, I had a genuine build.prop to compare.

However, this (new) build.prop with enabled usb debugging was not solving my problem with accessing the photos of the bricked tablet. I was in fact able to push this build.prop into /system folder, but without any effect. But that is subject of another question / thread.

---
Tags: data-recovery
---


# Question
Title: Are modified boot images for rooting OS specific?
I'm trying to figure out how to root Oreo on Nexus 6P

The guides I was able to find are all Marshmallow (6.0) specific, and include requirements for 3 files: (1) Modified boot image, (2) TWRP recovery and (3) SuperSU

Obviously, the latter two are OS independent and I simply get the latest versions.

**But can I use the same modified boot image for Oreo 8.0/8.1 as I did for Marshmallow 6.0? Or do I need OS specific modified boot image?**

# Answer
> 2 votes
`Boot.img` has the kernel and ramdisk in it (linked answers explain what they do). They are the first components that boot your device and subsequently OS comes into picture

Some reasons *not* to flash the `boot.img` meant for one OS on to another OS:

* **Hardware** is usually different and so are the drivers for it. Which means hardware components may fail to function in the absence of drivers. Worst case, your device may be unusable (say your display drivers don't work)
* **Security** Kernels are updated with latest security patches and flashing older kernel would make you vulnerable
* **Encryption** In the instant case you are talking of Marshmallow and Oreo. They have major differences in the way OS boots and in the way encryption is done. Marshmallow has Full Disk Encryption which has been replaced by File encryption from Nougat onwards. See this for details. So your device likely would **fail boot**

These are few things that are on top of the mind. In short **don't**

---
Tags: rooting, boot, nexus-6p
---


# Question
Title: SD card gets different name at every format
Every time I format the SD card, or install new ROM., or move it to another phone, it comes with a different label

Something like 410E-1D17 or FEA7-1EF1 or BD05-14A1

How do I stop this mess and make it consistent ? Its screws up all apps that rely on the absolute path

Does it happen only on Xperia phones ?

Android M

# Answer
> 1 votes
No you can't stop it from changing.

First you should know it's **not** the "name" for an SD card (technically "volume"). Even worse, "name" is an ambiguous term here. You should either use "product name" (for hardware) or "volume name/label".

This is, in fact, "Volume Serial Number". It's a 32-bit integer so you see it represented with 8 hexadecimal numbers. It is subject to change whenever you format it.

As beeshyams noted, you may be able change it with command line utilities from **rooted** Android (you can always do so in a GNU/Linux system). To obtain the correct utilities, you should download Termux, and install a package named `mtools` in it:

```
apt install mtools tsu

```

Then follow this guide and run

```
tsu
mlabel -i /dev/block/xxx -N XXXXXXXX ::label

```

I haven't tested it but I'm afraid it isn't an easy job to do on Android. Better grab a Linux computer :)

---
Tags: external-sd
---


title: Honor 9 fails to update apps over Wi-Fi

text:
# Question
Title: Honor 9 fails to update apps over Wi-Fi
There is a new Huawei Honor 9 with Google services pre-installed.

When I download/update an app via wi-fi it gets "Downloading..." for a long time and then it finishes as:

> Can't be downloaded. Try again, and if the problem continues, get help troubleshooting. Error 503

Other phones/notebooks consumes the same wi-fi internet without a problem. Honor's Chrome can access internet normally. Google Play app can access wi-fi internet too (loading app info and pictures) except the one thing - downloading/installing an app. There is no such error via *mobile data*.

To make the things yet more complicated I am able to install certain apps but the majority still fails.

I cleared Google Play cache. Also the wi-fi permission is given to every app listed.

Model STF-L09 / Build STF-L09C10B170 / EMUI 5.1 / Android 7.0

# Answer
Resetting my router to the factory state solved that mysterious problem.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: google-play-store, huawei, emui
---


title: Can't mount ISO in Android

text:
# Question
Title: Can't mount ISO in Android
I tried to mount an ISO on Android using `busybox mount`. It always gives me "No such device".

`strace -- busybox mount -t iso9660 /sdcard/some_iso.iso /sdcard/a`:

```
execve("/system/xbin/busybox", ["busybox", "mount", "-t", "iso9660", "/sdcard/Fedora/Fedora-Live-KDE-x"..., "/sdcard/a"], [/* 26 vars */]) = 0
brk(0)                                  = 0x9bae000
brk(0x9bae480)                          = 0x9bae480
set_thread_area({entry_number:-1 -> 12, base_addr:0x9bae010, limit:1048575, seg_32bit:1, contents:0, read_exec_only:0, limit_in_pages:1, seg_not_present:0, useable:1}) = 0
ioctl(0, SNDCTL_TMR_TIMEBASE or TCGETS, {B38400 opost isig icanon echo ...}) = 0
ioctl(1, SNDCTL_TMR_TIMEBASE or TCGETS, 0xffa9657c) = -1 ENOSYS (Function not implemented)
getuid32()                              = 0
brk(0x9baf480)                          = 0x9baf480
brk(0x9bb0000)                          = 0x9bb0000
getuid32()                              = 0
geteuid32()                             = 0
stat64("/sdcard/Fedora/Fedora-Live-KDE-x86_64-23-10.iso", {st_mode=S_IFREG|0660, st_size=1291845632, ...}) = 0
open("/sdcard/Fedora/Fedora-Live-KDE-x86_64-23-10.iso", O_RDWR|O_LARGEFILE) = 4
stat64("/dev/loop0", {st_mode=S_IFBLK|0600, st_rdev=makedev(7, 0), ...}) = 0
open("/dev/loop0", O_RDWR|O_LARGEFILE)  = 5
ioctl(5, 0x4c05, 0xffa962b8)            = -1 ENXIO (No such device or address)
ioctl(5, 0x4c00, 0x4)                   = 0
ioctl(5, 0x4c04, 0xffa962b8)            = 0
close(5)                                = 0
close(4)                                = 0
mount("/dev/loop0", "/sdcard/a", "iso9660", MS_SILENT, NULL) = -1 ENODEV (No such device)
brk(0x9bb1000)                          = 0x9bb1000
vfork()                                 = 2704
waitpid(2704, NULL, 0)                  = 2704
--- {si_signo=SIGCHLD, si_code=CLD_EXITED, si_pid=2704, si_status=111, si_utime=0, si_stime=0} (Child exited) ---
open("/dev/loop0", O_RDONLY|O_LARGEFILE) = 4
ioctl(4, 0x4c01, 0)                     = 0
close(4)                                = 0
write(2, "mount: mounting /dev/loop0 on /s"..., 63mount: mounting /dev/loop0 on /sdcard/a failed: No such device
) = 63
exit_group(-1)                          = ?

```

Also using `losetup /dev/loop0 /sdcard/some_iso.iso` doesn't give out errors, strace:

```
execve("/system/xbin/losetup", ["losetup", "/dev/loop0", "/sdcard/Fedora/Fedora-Live-KDE-x"...], [/* 26 vars */]) = 0
brk(0)                                  = 0x941d000
brk(0x941d480)                          = 0x941d480
set_thread_area({entry_number:-1 -> 12, base_addr:0x941d010, limit:1048575, seg_32bit:1, contents:0, read_exec_only:0, limit_in_pages:1, seg_not_present:0, useable:1}) = 0
ioctl(0, SNDCTL_TMR_TIMEBASE or TCGETS, {B38400 opost isig icanon echo ...}) = 0
ioctl(1, SNDCTL_TMR_TIMEBASE or TCGETS, 0xffe5547c) = -1 ENOSYS (Function not implemented)
getuid32()                              = 0
open("/sdcard/Fedora/Fedora-Live-KDE-x86_64-23-10.iso", O_RDWR|O_LARGEFILE) = 4
stat64("/dev/loop0", {st_mode=S_IFBLK|0600, st_rdev=makedev(7, 0), ...}) = 0
open("/dev/loop0", O_RDWR|O_LARGEFILE)  = 5
ioctl(5, 0x4c05, 0xffe55318)            = -1 ENXIO (No such device or address)
ioctl(5, 0x4c00, 0x4)                   = 0
ioctl(5, 0x4c04, 0xffe55318)            = 0
close(5)                                = 0
close(4)                                = 0
exit_group(0)                           = ?

```

With Android's `mount` linked to `/system/bin/toolbox`:

```
execve("/system/bin/mount", ["mount", "-t", "iso9660", "-o", "loop", "/sdcard/Download/Fedora-Live-Wor"..., "/sdcard/a"], [/* 26 vars */]) = 0
mprotect(0xf7798000, 188416, PROT_READ|PROT_WRITE|PROT_EXEC) = 0
mprotect(0xf7798000, 188416, PROT_READ|PROT_EXEC) = 0
mprotect(0xf77c6000, 4096, PROT_READ)   = 0
getrlimit(RLIMIT_STACK, {rlim_cur=8192*1024, rlim_max=RLIM64_INFINITY}) = 0
gettid()                                = 8755
set_thread_area({entry_number:-1 -> 12, base_addr:0xf77c8280, limit:4096, seg_32bit:1, contents:0, read_exec_only:0, limit_in_pages:1, seg_not_present:0, useable:1}) = 0
mmap2(NULL, 8192, PROT_READ|PROT_WRITE, MAP_PRIVATE|MAP_ANONYMOUS, 0, 0) = 0xf7795000
madvise(0xf7795000, 8192, 0xc /* MADV_??? */) = 0
sigaltstack({ss_sp=0xf7795000, ss_flags=0, ss_size=8192}, NULL) = 0
sigaction(SIGABRT, {0xf779b420, [], SA_RESTART|SA_SIGINFO|SA_ONSTACK}, NULL, 0xf7739348) = 0
sigaction(SIGBUS, {0xf779b420, [], SA_RESTART|SA_SIGINFO|SA_ONSTACK}, NULL, 0xf7739348) = 0
sigaction(SIGFPE, {0xf779b420, [], SA_RESTART|SA_SIGINFO|SA_ONSTACK}, NULL, 0xf7739348) = 0
sigaction(SIGILL, {0xf779b420, [], SA_RESTART|SA_SIGINFO|SA_ONSTACK}, NULL, 0xf7739348) = 0
sigaction(SIGPIPE, {0xf779b420, [], SA_RESTART|SA_SIGINFO|SA_ONSTACK}, NULL, 0xf7739348) = 0
sigaction(SIGSEGV, {0xf779b420, [], SA_RESTART|SA_SIGINFO|SA_ONSTACK}, NULL, 0xf7739348) = 0
sigaction(SIGSTKFLT, {0xf779b420, [], SA_RESTART|SA_SIGINFO|SA_ONSTACK}, NULL, 0xf7739348) = 0
sigaction(SIGTRAP, {0xf779b420, [], SA_RESTART|SA_SIGINFO|SA_ONSTACK}, NULL, 0xf7739348) = 0
mmap2(NULL, 3980, PROT_READ|PROT_WRITE, MAP_PRIVATE|MAP_ANONYMOUS, 0, 0) = 0xf7794000
madvise(0xf7794000, 3980, 0xc /* MADV_??? */) = 0
open("/vendor/lib/libcutils.so", O_RDONLY|O_LARGEFILE) = -1 ENOENT (No such file or directory)
open("/system/lib/libcutils.so", O_RDONLY|O_LARGEFILE) = 4
read(4, "\177ELF\1\1\1\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\3\0\3\0\1\0\0\0\0\0\0\0004\0\0\0"..., 52) = 52
mmap2(NULL, 4096, PROT_READ, MAP_PRIVATE, 4, 0) = 0xf7793000
madvise(0xf7793000, 4096, 0xc /* MADV_??? */) = 0
mmap2(NULL, 98304, PROT_NONE, MAP_PRIVATE|MAP_ANONYMOUS, -1, 0) = 0xf777b000
madvise(0xf777b000, 98304, 0xc /* MADV_??? */) = 0
mmap2(0xf777b000, 86264, PROT_READ|PROT_EXEC, MAP_PRIVATE|MAP_FIXED, 4, 0) = 0xf777b000
madvise(0xf777b000, 86264, 0xc /* MADV_??? */) = 0
mmap2(0xf7791000, 4192, PROT_READ|PROT_WRITE, MAP_PRIVATE|MAP_FIXED, 4, 0x15) = 0xf7791000
madvise(0xf7791000, 4192, 0xc /* MADV_??? */) = 0
close(4)                                = 0
munmap(0xf7793000, 4096)                = 0
open("/vendor/lib/liblog.so", O_RDONLY|O_LARGEFILE) = -1 ENOENT (No such file or directory)
open("/system/lib/liblog.so", O_RDONLY|O_LARGEFILE) = 4
read(4, "\177ELF\1\1\1\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\3\0\3\0\1\0\0\0\0\0\0\0004\0\0\0"..., 52) = 52
mmap2(NULL, 4096, PROT_READ, MAP_PRIVATE, 4, 0) = 0xf7793000
madvise(0xf7793000, 4096, 0xc /* MADV_??? */) = 0
mmap2(NULL, 32768, PROT_NONE, MAP_PRIVATE|MAP_ANONYMOUS, -1, 0) = 0xf7773000
madvise(0xf7773000, 32768, 0xc /* MADV_??? */) = 0
mmap2(0xf7773000, 22216, PROT_READ|PROT_EXEC, MAP_PRIVATE|MAP_FIXED, 4, 0) = 0xf7773000
madvise(0xf7773000, 22216, 0xc /* MADV_??? */) = 0
mmap2(0xf7779000, 4120, PROT_READ|PROT_WRITE, MAP_PRIVATE|MAP_FIXED, 4, 0x5) = 0xf7779000
madvise(0xf7779000, 4120, 0xc /* MADV_??? */) = 0
close(4)                                = 0
munmap(0xf7793000, 4096)                = 0
open("/vendor/lib/libc.so", O_RDONLY|O_LARGEFILE) = -1 ENOENT (No such file or directory)
open("/system/lib/libc.so", O_RDONLY|O_LARGEFILE) = 4
read(4, "\177ELF\1\1\1\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\3\0\3\0\1\0\0\0\0\0\0\0004\0\0\0"..., 52) = 52
mmap2(NULL, 4096, PROT_READ, MAP_PRIVATE, 4, 0) = 0xf7793000
madvise(0xf7793000, 4096, 0xc /* MADV_??? */) = 0
mmap2(NULL, 868352, PROT_NONE, MAP_PRIVATE|MAP_ANONYMOUS, -1, 0) = 0xf769f000
madvise(0xf769f000, 868352, 0xc /* MADV_??? */) = 0
mmap2(0xf769f000, 788240, PROT_READ|PROT_EXEC, MAP_PRIVATE|MAP_FIXED, 4, 0) = 0xf769f000
madvise(0xf769f000, 788240, 0xc /* MADV_??? */) = 0
mmap2(0xf7760000, 13056, PROT_READ|PROT_WRITE, MAP_PRIVATE|MAP_FIXED, 4, 0xc0) = 0xf7760000
madvise(0xf7760000, 13056, 0xc /* MADV_??? */) = 0
mmap2(0xf7764000, 61440, PROT_READ|PROT_WRITE, MAP_PRIVATE|MAP_FIXED|MAP_ANONYMOUS, -1, 0) = 0xf7764000
madvise(0xf7764000, 61440, 0xc /* MADV_??? */) = 0
close(4)                                = 0
munmap(0xf7793000, 4096)                = 0
mprotect(0xf769f000, 790528, PROT_READ|PROT_WRITE|PROT_EXEC) = 0
mprotect(0xf769f000, 790528, PROT_READ|PROT_EXEC) = 0
mprotect(0xf7760000, 4096, PROT_READ)   = 0
open("/vendor/lib/libstdc++.so", O_RDONLY|O_LARGEFILE) = -1 ENOENT (No such file or directory)
open("/system/lib/libstdc++.so", O_RDONLY|O_LARGEFILE) = 4
read(4, "\177ELF\1\1\1\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\3\0\3\0\1\0\0\0\0\0\0\0004\0\0\0"..., 52) = 52
mmap2(NULL, 4096, PROT_READ, MAP_PRIVATE, 4, 0) = 0xf7793000
madvise(0xf7793000, 4096, 0xc /* MADV_??? */) = 0
mmap2(NULL, 16384, PROT_NONE, MAP_PRIVATE|MAP_ANONYMOUS, -1, 0) = 0xf769b000
madvise(0xf769b000, 16384, 0xc /* MADV_??? */) = 0
mmap2(0xf769b000, 4332, PROT_READ|PROT_EXEC, MAP_PRIVATE|MAP_FIXED, 4, 0) = 0xf769b000
madvise(0xf769b000, 4332, 0xc /* MADV_??? */) = 0
mmap2(0xf769d000, 4100, PROT_READ|PROT_WRITE, MAP_PRIVATE|MAP_FIXED, 4, 0x1) = 0xf769d000
madvise(0xf769d000, 4100, 0xc /* MADV_??? */) = 0
close(4)                                = 0
munmap(0xf7793000, 4096)                = 0
mprotect(0xf769d000, 4096, PROT_READ)   = 0
open("/vendor/lib/libm.so", O_RDONLY|O_LARGEFILE) = -1 ENOENT (No such file or directory)
open("/system/lib/libm.so", O_RDONLY|O_LARGEFILE) = 4
read(4, "\177ELF\1\1\1\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\3\0\3\0\1\0\0\0\0\0\0\0004\0\0\0"..., 52) = 52
mmap2(NULL, 4096, PROT_READ, MAP_PRIVATE, 4, 0) = 0xf7793000
madvise(0xf7793000, 4096, 0xc /* MADV_??? */) = 0
mmap2(NULL, 204800, PROT_NONE, MAP_PRIVATE|MAP_ANONYMOUS, -1, 0) = 0xf7669000
madvise(0xf7669000, 204800, 0xc /* MADV_??? */) = 0
mmap2(0xf7669000, 195144, PROT_READ|PROT_EXEC, MAP_PRIVATE|MAP_FIXED, 4, 0) = 0xf7669000
madvise(0xf7669000, 195144, 0xc /* MADV_??? */) = 0
mmap2(0xf7699000, 4156, PROT_READ|PROT_WRITE, MAP_PRIVATE|MAP_FIXED, 4, 0x2f) = 0xf7699000
madvise(0xf7699000, 4156, 0xc /* MADV_??? */) = 0
close(4)                                = 0
munmap(0xf7793000, 4096)                = 0
mprotect(0xf7699000, 4096, PROT_READ)   = 0
mprotect(0xf7779000, 4096, PROT_READ)   = 0
mprotect(0xf777b000, 90112, PROT_READ|PROT_WRITE|PROT_EXEC) = 0
mprotect(0xf777b000, 90112, PROT_READ|PROT_EXEC) = 0
mprotect(0xf7791000, 4096, PROT_READ)   = 0
open("/vendor/lib/libusbhost.so", O_RDONLY|O_LARGEFILE) = -1 ENOENT (No such file or directory)
open("/system/lib/libusbhost.so", O_RDONLY|O_LARGEFILE) = 4
read(4, "\177ELF\1\1\1\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\3\0\3\0\1\0\0\0\0\0\0\0004\0\0\0"..., 52) = 52
mmap2(NULL, 4096, PROT_READ, MAP_PRIVATE, 4, 0) = 0xf7793000
madvise(0xf7793000, 4096, 0xc /* MADV_??? */) = 0
mmap2(NULL, 24576, PROT_NONE, MAP_PRIVATE|MAP_ANONYMOUS, -1, 0) = 0xf7663000
madvise(0xf7663000, 24576, 0xc /* MADV_??? */) = 0
mmap2(0xf7663000, 12664, PROT_READ|PROT_EXEC, MAP_PRIVATE|MAP_FIXED, 4, 0) = 0xf7663000
madvise(0xf7663000, 12664, 0xc /* MADV_??? */) = 0
mmap2(0xf7667000, 4100, PROT_READ|PROT_WRITE, MAP_PRIVATE|MAP_FIXED, 4, 0x3) = 0xf7667000
madvise(0xf7667000, 4100, 0xc /* MADV_??? */) = 0
close(4)                                = 0
munmap(0xf7793000, 4096)                = 0
mprotect(0xf7667000, 4096, PROT_READ)   = 0
open("/vendor/lib/libselinux.so", O_RDONLY|O_LARGEFILE) = -1 ENOENT (No such file or directory)
open("/system/lib/libselinux.so", O_RDONLY|O_LARGEFILE) = 4
read(4, "\177ELF\1\1\1\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\0\3\0\3\0\1\0\0\0\0\0\0\0004\0\0\0"..., 52) = 52
mmap2(NULL, 4096, PROT_READ, MAP_PRIVATE, 4, 0) = 0xf7793000
madvise(0xf7793000, 4096, 0xc /* MADV_??? */) = 0
mmap2(NULL, 98304, PROT_NONE, MAP_PRIVATE|MAP_ANONYMOUS, -1, 0) = 0xf764b000
madvise(0xf764b000, 98304, 0xc /* MADV_??? */) = 0
mmap2(0xf764b000, 86844, PROT_READ|PROT_EXEC, MAP_PRIVATE|MAP_FIXED, 4, 0) = 0xf764b000
madvise(0xf764b000, 86844, 0xc /* MADV_??? */) = 0
mmap2(0xf7661000, 4144, PROT_READ|PROT_WRITE, MAP_PRIVATE|MAP_FIXED, 4, 0x15) = 0xf7661000
madvise(0xf7661000, 4144, 0xc /* MADV_??? */) = 0
close(4)                                = 0
munmap(0xf7793000, 4096)                = 0
mprotect(0xf7661000, 4096, PROT_READ)   = 0
mprotect(0xf77fe000, 4096, PROT_READ)   = 0
open("/dev/__properties__", O_RDONLY|O_LARGEFILE) = 4
fcntl64(4, F_SETFD, FD_CLOEXEC)         = 0
fstat64(4, {st_mode=S_IFREG|0444, st_size=131072, ...}) = 0
mmap2(NULL, 131072, PROT_READ, MAP_SHARED, 4, 0) = 0xf762b000
close(4)                                = 0
futex(0xf7764dec, FUTEX_WAKE_PRIVATE, 2147483647) = 0
mprotect(0xf7794000, 3980, PROT_READ|PROT_WRITE) = 0
mprotect(0xf7794000, 3980, PROT_READ|PROT_WRITE) = 0
mprotect(0xf7794000, 3980, PROT_READ|PROT_WRITE) = 0
mprotect(0xf7794000, 3980, PROT_READ|PROT_WRITE) = 0
mprotect(0xf7794000, 3980, PROT_READ|PROT_WRITE) = 0
clock_gettime(CLOCK_MONOTONIC, {4072, 477037831}) = 0
mprotect(0xf7794000, 3980, PROT_READ|PROT_WRITE) = 0
statfs64("/sys/fs/selinux", 84, {f_type=0xf97cff8c, f_bsize=4096, f_blocks=0, f_bfree=0, f_bavail=0, f_files=0, f_ffree=0, f_fsid={0, 0}, f_namelen=255}) = 0
gettimeofday({1446683072, 836523}, NULL) = 0
brk(0)                                  = 0xf7d84000
brk(0xf7d84000)                         = 0xf7d84000
brk(0xf7d85000)                         = 0xf7d85000
mprotect(0xf7794000, 3980, PROT_READ|PROT_WRITE) = 0
mprotect(0xf7794000, 3980, PROT_READ)   = 0
mmap2(NULL, 4096, PROT_READ|PROT_WRITE, MAP_PRIVATE|MAP_ANONYMOUS, -1, 0) = 0xf7793000
madvise(0xf7793000, 4096, 0xc /* MADV_??? */) = 0
mprotect(0xf7793000, 4096, PROT_READ)   = 0
open("/sdcard/Download/Fedora-Live-Workstation-x86_64-23-10.iso", O_RDWR|O_LARGEFILE) = 4
open("/dev/block/loop0", O_RDWR|O_LARGEFILE) = 5
ioctl(5, 0x4c00, 0x4)                   = 0
close(4)                                = 0
close(5)                                = 0
open("/dev/block/loop0", O_RDONLY|O_LARGEFILE) = 4
ioctl(4, BLKROSET, 0)                   = 0
close(4)                                = 0
mount("/dev/block/loop0", "/sdcard/a", "iso9660", MS_SILENT, NULL) = -1 ENODEV (No such device)
write(2, "mount", 5mount)                    = 5
write(2, ": ", 2: )                       = 2
write(2, "No such device", 14No such device)          = 14
write(2, "\n", 1
)                       = 1
mprotect(0xf7793000, 4096, PROT_READ|PROT_WRITE) = 0
mprotect(0xf7793000, 4096, PROT_READ)   = 0
close(0)                                = 0
close(1)                                = 0
close(2)                                = 0
futex(0xf7764de8, FUTEX_WAKE_PRIVATE, 2147483647) = 0
munmap(0xf7793000, 4096)                = 0
exit_group(255)                         = ?

```

Not sure if my kernel supports loop device (don't know how to tell).

# Answer
A difference in your three attempts is `/dev/loop0` and `/dev/block/loop0`.

Besides manually testing/looking for either exports, mounts, or kernel configs, there is an app called "loop device tester" - but at least for one of my 3 devices, it is unreliable.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: linux, mount
---


title: Wipe system partition

text:
# Question
Title: Wipe system partition
When installing a custom ROM shouldn't we wipe system partition along with data, dalvik, and cache? What are the differences with and without wipe?

# Answer
> 4 votes
You should. That is a "clean flash" and is normally recommended in installation instructions. This ensures that the ROM is written on a clean slate

At times, like in the case of "nightly" ROMs or some mods to ROM, `/system` is not wiped but written over the existing system called "dirty flash" (not even `/data` or cache is wiped)

As a thumb rule, switching over from stock to custom ROM or from one custom ROM to another, clean flash is recommended. ROM chefs clearly mention this in instructions. Also, if you are upgrading to a higher version of ROM by clean flashing it (Thanks to Izzy who pointed this in comments)

---
Tags: twrp, partitions, lineageos
---


# Question
Title: 6.5GB of internal storage is missing, how can I free it
I have a HTC Desire 510, Android version 4.4.3, HTC Sence version 6.0 Software number 1.51.401.7 HTC SDK API level 6.25

When I go to storage I see:

* Apps 3.56GB
* Music 110MB
* Photos & videos 60.82MB
* Other 3.88GB
* Available 400MB

I want to make more internal memory available. When Clicking on more space (or selecting apps from the settings menu) I see:

* 7.59GB / 8.00GB
* Apps 1,21 GB
* Gallery 47.74MB
* Miscellaneous: 107MB

About 6.5 GB of memory use is not listed!

Does any one have an idea what that can be and how I can free it?

Extra information added on 2018-01-21 by request of: Izzy

I understand that the system also uses some internal storage. The frustrating part is that the "missing" memory used to be less.

It seem something beyond my control is eating away internal storage. I've followed the instructions at https://www.xda-developers.com/install-adb-windows-macos-linux to install adb and get the following result:

```
Filesystem            Size   Used   Free   Blksize
/dev                   432M   152K   432M   4096
/sys/fs/cgroup         432M     0K   432M   4096
/sys/fs/cgroup/memory: Permission denied
/mnt/asec              432M     0K   432M   4096
/mnt/obb               432M     0K   432M   4096
/system               2479M  1611M   868M   4096
/data                 4091M  3646M   444M   4096
/cache                 309M   256K   309M   4096
/devlog                 15M     9M     6M   4096
/fataldevlog            15M     8M     7M   4096

```

I'm fine with a system needing 2GB for other stuff. What amazes me is the 3.5GB for data when I only have a few small app's installed. When I want to do an ls for /data I get permission denied.

I've used SD Maid Storage analyzer. It tells me /storage/emulated/0 has 3.6GB used / 3.9 GB capacity. Clicking on it gives me only 534MB used. **More than 3GB is gone!** I really want to have it back because I can hardly update any app let alone install new ones.

With regard to the .data directory: There is one other directory in it with a dozen of files with sizes in KB's (not even in MB's)

# Answer
The usual question. According to GSMArena, your device has 8 GB internal storage *altogether* – which is not only the `/data` partition (where your apps and user data are stored), but also includes the `/system` partition where the OS resides. Depending on manufacturer and device, the latter can consume up to 8 GB of your internal storage chip (usually devices with heavily modified GUIs such as Samsung's TouchWiz are the ones using the biggest sizes for that).

Though on a device with 8 GB altogether 6.5 GB for the `/system` partition sounds a bit much, that's the part excluded from your listings. To check how much is consumed by `/system` you can use a terminal app (or shell) to run the `mount` or `df` commands (the latter gives easier to read output sufficient here).

In addition to the two mentioned partitions, there're also other partitions consuming some space (e.g. `/boot` and `/recovery`), but they're usually rather small (much less than 100M in most cases) while not to be ignored in this context. For a full list, you can e.g. check with this XDA post (which unfortunately does not include sizes).

A more detailed discussion (also on the HTC Desire 510) can also be found at AndroidCentral, and give you additional clues.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: internal-storage, htc-desire
---


title: How to run Android apps on Amazon EC2?

text:
# Question
Title: How to run Android apps on Amazon EC2?
I'm aware of two Android emulators such as BlueStacks (Windows and macOS) and Genymotion (macOS and Linux). They both use virtual images to run Android emulation and they work fine on my MacBook. However they won't work on VPS, as you can't use VM within already virtualized environment (such as VPS or Amazon EC2).

Is there any solution to run Android app with works 24h/7d on Amazon EC2 or on different VPS, either on Linux, macOS or using some special AMI used for Android?

# Answer
> 2 votes
There is a Genymotion on-Demand available in AWS Marketplace to get Android emulated directly using AMI (support for Android 5-7).

> Genymotion on-Demand for AWS, based on industry-leading Genymotion, is Android operating system on EC2.

Check Genymotion on Demand Tutorial for further details.

# Answer
> 4 votes
Thanks to Ravello’s full nested virtualization support, it is possible to run Android emulator with hardware acceleration in any public cloud by following these steps:

1. Create a host VM in Ravello (on AWS) for the Android emulator.

> The easiest way to get a Xubuntu 14.04.1 up and running on Ravello is by installing it from a CD-ROM.

Make sure to enable full virtualization support for the emulator on this Ubuntu VM by loading the KVM module:

```
sudo modprobe kvm_amd
sudo chmod 666 /dev/kvm

```
2. Install the Android Emulator on the newly created VM in AWS.

1. Install OpenJDK

    ```
    sudo apt-get install openjdk-6-jre openjdk-6-jdk icedtea6-plugin

    ```
    2. Download and install the latest Android SDK:

    ```
    wget http://dl.google.com/android/android-sdk_r23.0.2-linux.tgz
    tar -xvzf android-sdk_r23.0.2-linux.tgz
    cd ~/android-sdk-linux/tools
    ./android

    ```
3. Create an AVD (Android Virtual Device) to run on emulator.

```
~/android-sdk-linux/tools/android avd

```
4. Run the android virtual device with a local display (to the ravello console):

```
sudo ./emulator64-x86 -avd [AVD Name] -noaudio -nojni -netfast -no-boot-anim  -qemu -enable-kvm -snapshot

```
5. Enable direct VNC connection to the AVD.

> You would like to be able to allow for direct VNC connection to this AVD, either using a VNC client, or by using a VNC to HTML5 gateway such as Guacamole or NoVNC to enable direct access to the Android device from any web browser.

Source: How to run the Android Emulator (with Hardware Acceleration) on Amazon EC2 and Google Cloud

See also: Getting Started with Ravello - Step-by-Step

# Answer
> 0 votes
There is an available instance of BlueStacks App Player on Windows 2012 R2 on the Amazon Marketplace provided by Cognosys Inc.

> BlueStacks App Player is a great tool for allowing you to run your favorite mobile apps/games in full screen in your browser using a PC or Mac.

It is suggested to use the minimum of `t2-medium` type of the instance which will start the player app and can provide low-color low-action games can be played (slow, but it does work). For more resource-hungry games, higher type of instances needs to be used. For the storage, 32GB should be used or more.

---
Tags: linux, android-emulator, macos, cloud
---


# Question
Title: can i give root access to an app without root my phone?
i have a Wiko wim lite which cannot be rooted for whatever reason, however i wanted to give root access to apps like greenify or flux or even orwall, how can i do please?

# Answer
No you can't.

Some apps like Greenify permit you to gain more functionality using commands (e.g. see this for Greenify). My device is presently not rooted but I use Greenify powered by these commands and it works well

This is not as powerful as root access but much better compared to vanilla version

These `adb` commands are not available for all apps as the developer needs to cater for this. It's better to search for alternative apps that facilitate this and use them instead

Aside, some other apps that have this are Wakelock Detector Lite, Force Doze, Macrodroid (these are the ones I use )
> 1 votes

---
Tags: rooting, root-access, greenify
---