# Question
Title: Restrict access to safe mode in the Android 6.0+ devices without rooting
I locked down my device (running `Android 6.0`+) so that only my application can run on it. I have to give these devices to the employees in my firm. Now I have implemented an Enterprise Mobility Management(EMM) solution to run only one application. But I'm afraid the employees still have access to Safe Mode through which they can uninstall my company app and get access to the entire device.

So I have come across various third party Kiosk Applications like Mobilock Pro who gives the functionality to restrict safe mode without rooting. The link to their Blog is here. Android has itself posted here that this restriction is possible with Marshmallow.

I have searched for similar questions but None of them used Marshmallow APIs.

So my question is how can I implement this restricted access of safe mode on my own? Any Help would be appreciated!

# Answer
My solution which I applied is to simply deactivate the volume down & so they will be unable to go into the safe mode, this is very practical and you will be saving money.
> 0 votes

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


# Question
Title: I cannot backup the data between PC and ES file in bluestacks, windows folder shows question mark , not sure what that is
I can go to the sharefolder on my PC, but not in the ESfile of bluestacks

# Answer
> 1 votes
I finally found the solution on another site. In Bluestacks under My Apps click on Settings, then Storage then Explore and from there you can access all the folders.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Check whether the actual shared folder exists on Windows. Either this folder is missing or corrupted, recreating the folder may solve this issue.

* Navigate to this path: `(Drive):\ProgramData\BlueStacks\Engine\UserData\SharedFolder` (Enable "view hidden files" in folder options).
* This shared folder normally has following files Data.vdi and SDcard.vdi (and another folder which typically appears on android device as the shared folder)
* IF you have the above files only, then simply create another folder, which will be the shared folder - give it any name.
* When done use the file explorer and navigate to `/storage/sdcard/bstsharedfolder/BstSharedFolder` (its automatically created) open this folder and you will see the new sharedfolder that you created earlier.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Shared folders between Windows 10 and Bluestacks 3N

BLUESTACKS :

/storage/sdcard/windows/BstSharedFolder/

WINDOWS 10 :

C:\ProgramData\BlueStacks\Engine\UserData\SharedFolder

To look for files in windows, use Voidtools Everything. I use it for years and there's nothing that comes close to its efficiency. Even with terabytes of small files. Cheers.

---
Tags: windows, es-file-explorer
---


title: fastboot: usage: no command

text:
# Question
Title: fastboot: usage: no command
Basic information: Windows - Android SDK - fastboot.exe

As the title says.. fastboot won't work in my cmd and fails with the output: `fastboot: usage: no command`. The android-sdk is located in the root directory (`C:\`). I also add the pathvariables in the system environment. I don’t try it with an android device, I only test if the command responds, but yeah it did not...! So I actually do everything like it's described in the tutorials, but can't find my mistake. Did anyone have this problem or does know a solution?

# Answer
Use `fastboot --help` instead. This is a kinda standard way to get usage help in Linux world. However sometimes writing only the command name also works as you expect.

Reference:

```
if (argc == 0) {
    usage();
    return 0;
}

```
> 4 votes

---
Tags: rooting, fastboot, android-sdk
---


# Question
Title: How to define a preferred Mobile Network?
Here is the situation: I live close to a border between to countries, one being under EU laws, the other being neutral, except when it comes to economical wars.

I have a phone contract in the EU, but I get billed high prices when roaming in the other country. However, in most places where I use my phone, I have access to the EU network where I should not be billed extra at all.

I **know** how to select manually the **Operator's Network** GSM network I want from the settings (*Select a Network Operator*), and this is the degraded solution I normally use. Problem is this takes too much time when it detects a bunch of useless operators networks around.

---

So I would like to know if there is a way (app, probably), that would make this easy, like "try to use the **Operator's Network** I know is provided in his very location".

Making it a "quick setting" would be a must, but probably already addressed somewhere else here.

---

### edit:

My phone is not "rooted", so I may not use `Xposed` features. Using a Macro looks cool, but it would be enough if there was a known shell command to do this. Then I just have to map the command to the macro. Maybe an answer to this?

# Answer
> 2 votes
TL;DR: you cannot do that, at least not without root.

---

The reason for this is, due to security concerns, there are no public APIs to do that software-wise.

The preferred network list is defined by the operator (see Preferred Roaming List), so you cannot influence it.

You can, however, enable/disable network roaming in the menu, or if you have root, do it programmatically with Xposed: Roaming Control.

You can also use the hidden Android menu `*#*#4636#*#*` where you can control how your phone will determine which network type (not operator type) to prefer, still this is in regards to the networks in the preferred list set by the operator.

You still have the option to ask your operator to disable roaming for you, which might be a solution. However, that would require you to ask them to enable it again if you travel elsewhere.

And finally, you can try the macro route via AutoInput.

---
Tags: settings, mobile-network, roaming
---


# Question
Title: Bluetooth keyboards is not switching languages properly
I just bought a cheap bluetooth keyboard to use it with my Huawei MediaPad M3 lite (Android 7.0). It works pretty fine but when I tried to change the language it does not work, i.e. it stay on English (US) (and I have Bulgarian too in the virtual keyboard). Here is how the settings for it looks like:  The problem is that I cannot add additional layout/language to the Gboard. It only allows me to select just one.

Strangely enough, the BT keyboard have a shortcut for switching layout (blue Fn + space) and when pressed the virtual keyboard switches the layout but the BT keyboard still uses English. I want to be able to add Bulgarian language to physical keyboard. How to do it? Is this problem solvable in Android 7.0?

# Answer
I haven't seen that built-in any Android version so far but you can achieve it easily with a 3rd party software "External Keyboard Helper":

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.apedroid.hwkeyboardhelper&hl=en\_US

It includes support for Bulgarian typewriter and Phonetic layouts.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: bluetooth, external-keyboard
---


title: Record setting changes as script?

text:
# Question
Title: Record setting changes as script?
I am looking for a way to record the setting changes I do manually, in order to be able to repeat them later by running the same script.

I tried the MacroDroid app, but it doesn't look it has a "record macro" feature.

Any suggestion welcome.

# Answer
> 0 votes
On a non-rooted device changing the settings automatically is not that simple. However if you have multiple identical devices you might be successful by preparing one device with all the settings you want and then create a backup of just the settings. For doing so you need however first activate the development mode and the Android Debug Bridge (adb) on every device.

```
adb backup -f settings.ab -noapk com.android.providers.settings

```

Check that the created file `settings.ab` has at least 10 KB of size.

Then you can restore the settings to any other device (with activate adb) via

```
adb restore settings.ab

```

An alternative way that however also requires adb would be to use the different settings via `adb shell settings put ...`. But I am not sure if all settings can be accessed this way and you have to find out all the different option names you want to set.

---
Tags: settings, scripts
---


# Question
Title: How to flash Android 9 on Huawei Mate 9?
Can I flash Android 9 built from source to Huawe Mate 9? Will it work? After build, there are these .img files:

* cache.img
* system.img
* userdata.img
* vbmeta.img
* vendor-qemu.img
* ramdisk.img
* system-qemu.img
* userdata-qemu.img
* vendor.img

Do I have to flash them all, or just system.img and userdata.img?

# Answer
I am afraid it will not work. Android system must be build for specific device which include modifications of code to meet hardware requirements of device. Such act require great knowledge of both hardware and software including low-level programming. However, if you really want to destroy your phone, I'll tell you how. Just have to say that what you get if you try it is called "Bricked Phone"

First of all, you need Scatter file. You can create one by following steps of this article. But before doing so...
...You need to download and install USB drivers. Pick them from this site
To flash files into phone is used SmartPhone Flash Tool. Go ahead and download it.
Now open SP flash tool and load and click on "Scatter-loading" button and select your scatter file. Keep on mind that you need to have all images in same folder as scatter file. From drop-down select "Download only". On your phone enable developer settings and enable USB debugging. Click "Download" button and connect phone to computer via. usb cable. Use this method only with professionally made roms. These roms came with own scatter file so you can skip first step.
**I'M NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR DESTRUCTION YOU DO TO YOUR PHONE, TRY IT AT OWN RISK. IF YOU TRY IT WITH IMAGES YOU BUILD, YOU WILL DESTROY YOUR PHONE, EVEN IF YOU TRY, I'M NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR IT**
> 1 votes

---
Tags: rom-flashing, builds, 9.0-pie
---


# Question
Title: How to really completely disable automated mail syncs?
My **Huawei P8** should only ever sync mails whenever I open the mail app and **manually** ask for it. This is for mental hygiene to keep my spare time free of any unwanted distractions.

So I've disabled any sync schedule in the account settings of the mail app:

I have to keep the "Sync email" switch on as otherwhise sync wouldn't work at all anymore.

I'd expect that there's no automatic sync at all anymore. But still it happens every 1 or 2 weeks that I get a notification on my home screen even though I did not touch the mail app:

That's quite annoying. How can I really disable automated sync and make it only check for new mails when **I** want it?

It shouldn't be related but I've "secured" the mail app with the built in "App lock" feature with a PIN.

* Phone model: HUAWEI GRA-L09
* Build number GRA-L09C432B520
* EMUI version: 4.0.3
* Android version: 6.0
* Mail account: IMAP on custom server

# Answer
I ran into the exactly same problem years ago. I "fixed" it by ignoring the default mail app and using a third party mail app (AquaMail).

Anyway the default mail app is usually no longer included on new devices (Google stopped development). Therefore earlier or later you have to move to a different mail app.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: sync, email, huawei
---


title: Pastel Colors in Phone/Dialer

text:
# Question
Title: Pastel Colors in Phone/Dialer
I've got a Pixel 2 running Android 9 (Pie). The other day the colors for the contacts on the Phone/Dialer Favorites screen switched to what I can only describe as 'pastel'. They don't match the contact colors in the Messages App (though the used to). Switching a contact color in the Messages App has no effect on the new pastel color for the contact in the Phone/Dialer.

I don't think I fatfingered anything to cause this but I'm not going to swear to it. When I noticed it I had just picked up the phone and unlocked it to make a call.

Color Inversion (Accessibility) is not enabled. Dark Mode is not enabled. Phone is totally stock.

What caused this and how do I revert it?

**Update 1**

Co-worker with a Pixel 2 that recently upgraded to Pie noticed the same thing. It's quite possible the change happened at the same time for both of us (not at time of upgrade but a few days after). Is this something Google did? Something about Material Theming with the new Material Design they rolled out, pulled and rolled out again? Also, I've restarted and done a power off, so I don't think this is a transient glitch.

**Update 2**

Co-worker's Messages app has gone Pastel, mine has not so far, despite force stopping the Contacts App, the Phone/Dialer and Messages and doing a restart and power off. Phone is 23.0.208561757, Contacts is 3.0.6.209518734, Messages is 3.4.048 (Yehu\_RC26\_xxhdpi.arm64-v8a.phone).

**Update 3**

Yet another co-worker (Pixel 2 / Pie) has the same symptoms as me (Pastel Colors for contacts in Phone/Dialer only). So it seems this is definitely something to do with some kind of rollout of something by Google.

# Answer
Went to Settings-\>Apps & notifications-\>Phone-\>Settings-\>Uninstall updates (three dots) and ended up with 20.1.197612390. Colors are back to normal. Will see how long they stay this way and if they change the next time the Phone app is updated.

**Update 1**

The phone app was updated and the pastel colors returned. Downgraded again to get rid of them. It looks like this intentional on the part of Google.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: google-pixel-2, 9.0-pie
---


title: Google Play Support

text:
# Question
Title: Google Play Support
When installing a game from Google Play I am asked to login to Google play services to update. Unfortunately the email account linked to this is one I had at school which no longer exists. How do I access Google Play services to update it without this email. I have tried uninstalling but this is not possible.

# Answer
> 0 votes
You can manually install it by downloading the corresponding play services on this page

https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/google-play-services/

---
Tags: google-play-services
---


# Question
Title: VNC viewer shows only black screen, but sends events to droidVNC
I am using a VNC server on my Android device (droidVNC it is called.) I have tried using multiple VNC viewers and each one has the same results:

* the viewer window is a black screen (sometimes a blue screen.)
* clicking on the viewer correctly sends the events to the phone (I can see the screen change, etc.) but it is just blind clicking and pretty unusable.

I think that since this is the same problem on multiple different viewers (TightVNC Viewr, RealVNC Viewer) that it is a problem with droidVNC server.

Do you think the problem is actually with the VNC Viewer?

Has anybody experienced something like this before, and are there any tips you can give to make the droidVNC server run faster/better?

# Answer
I think the problem is with droid VNC server. I have faced the same issue recently and the project seems to be abandoned (app last updated on June 11, 2012).

Then I tried different options under `Settings->Display Access Method`. The default option is `auto-detect`. I changed it to `Framebuffer`. Restarted the server and I could see the display on my viewer software. You should try all options till it works.

Tested on my ancient phone GT-S5360 running Android 2.3.5 (Better options available for recent android versions but they don't work on 2.3.5. So, I needed to find a solution by any means)
> 0 votes

# Answer
This was quite a bump, but I've also searched for ages for a good and reliable way to get the display and send events to android phones, and never had too much success. Pretty much every solution relied on an app on the phone, and they were quite laggy (like VNC usually is).

This all changed when I met scrcpy.

As the developer, puts it:

> scrcpy provides display and control of Android devices connected on USB (or over TCP/IP). It does not require any root access. It works on GNU/Linux, Windows and MacOS.

All that's required is ADB debugging enabled, and you're basically good to go. You can set the bitrate, the scaling, everything. But most importantly, *the latency is ridiculously low*.

If you're looking for a similar solution to this problem, I'd give it a go. I know I'll be never fiddling with remote desktop servers and clients anymore!
> 0 votes

---
Tags: vnc
---


# Question
Title: Can I ensure an installed application only runs when I open it?
That is, I want to ensure it consumes no system resources (data, RAM and CPU) unless I open it.

Intuitively, if I block all notifications from an app, this might happen. But then again, it might not.

Does it? If not, is there a way to achieve that?

# Answer
So you want to ensure that certain apps do not start themselves automatically. There are several apps available to control auto-start behavior. The currently best ranked app is **Brevent** – available in the Playstore as well as in my F-Droid repo. Other than most other apps, this app does not require root to do its job.

Ensuring the app doesn't start unless you tell it to also makes sure it does not consume any resources (except for space on storage) unless you explicitly run it.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: settings, background-process
---


# Question
Title: Updating system app without root and apk install in custom ROM
*Custom ROM in Redmi 3S* I have installed Gapps(from opengapps) using TWRP recovery. Recently, I got an update from play store for dialer app, but not for messages which released recently. Why message app doesn't received update? Do I need to flash latest Gapps to get this?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Google distributes updates in waves (based on geographical location etc.) to balance load so that may be a reason for you not getting an update right away. Additionally updates depend on your phone android version, architecture (arm vs x86, 32-bit or 64-bit) and screen resolution so that may also be a factor in getting or not getting an app update. As of now you can see all released versions of the messaging app from google on the APKMirror website:

https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/messenger-google-inc/#description

and manually sideload the appropriate version based on your phone's specs.

---
Tags: updates, custom-roms, system-apps
---


# Question
Title: When Flashing Firmware, Do you need correct PDA, Etc
Please Help, I had a FPR lock and I removed it with a custom rom, I was following a tutorial and I needed a stock rom firmware for my model. I was reading something about you can get any Firmware but just need the right model, is that true . I'm not that good at phones and stuff so just look at this. On my custom rom this it what it comes up with Model : SM-G930F PDA : G930FXXU1APL3 Phone : G930FXXU1APJ1 H/W : MP.0700

# Answer
you can download the firmware from its official website

https://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/galaxy-s7-edge/SM-G935F/
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung, device-firmware
---


# Question
Title: How to remove a single client certificate?
Isn't it possible to remove a single client certificate from a device?

On a Galaxy S6 running 5.0.2 I can remove all client certificates using:

```
System settings
  Lock screen and security
    Other security settings
      Clear credentials

```

Or I can delete a single trusted CA certificate from:

```
System settings
  Lock screen and security
    Other security settings
      View security certificates
        User

```

However there seems to be no option to remove a single client (non-CA) certificate.

# Answer
> -1 votes
Just forget the wireless SSID the cert is for and it will delete the cert. I've verified this on Galaxy S7 running 8.0.0 and Note 8 running 8.0.0 as well.

---
Tags: certificates
---


# Question
Title: How may I use apps without installing it?
Is there any way to copy and paste some files and directories and install an app without using package installer from one tab to other. Android Version 6.0.1 Tablet Lenovo Tab x103f

# Answer
> 0 votes
Instant application can be used without installation check this out

---
Tags: applications, installation
---


title: Can't create new folders on SD card?

text:
# Question
Title: Can't create new folders on SD card?
I'm using Lenovo A7000 with Lollipop and I can't create new folders on SD Card. Attempt to create folder on SD card always end with error, however, android phone is not going to tell me what error it is. Attempt to use ADB from ubuntu terminal ended with lines below:

```
#Attempt 1
garrom@GarromMachine:~$ adb shell mkdir /storage/sdcard0/test_folder
mkdir failed for /storage/sdcard0/test_folder, Out of memory
#Attempt 2 with alternative folder path
garrom@GarromMachine:~$ adb shell mkdir mnt/sdcard/test_folder
mkdir failed for mnt/sdcard/test_folder, Out of memory

```

However, obtained error message is not somehow helpful because I have exactly 12362047488 bytes of free space. That is more than enough of space for empty folder. Even stranger, I can create or manipulate files just fine. I already tried formatting from phone itself, which is useless because phone format my SD card to fat16 which is obviously not good for 16Gb big SD card. I tried to format from Windows using Mini tool partition wizard and from Ubuntu using GParted, always same result,except formatting from phone but fat16 is too small and I had using Fat32 before without problems. I was using same SD card in same phone with same format before OTA update bricked my phone and I was forced to wipe out everything and flash in stock rom. Does someone know, how to be able to create folders once again ?
After further research i noticed it sometimes let me create folder and sometimes not ... Thinking about it, it looks almost like writing from Ubuntu(XFce, Thunar) temporarily disable ability to create new folders. I have two partitions on my sd card. one is named DATA(fat32,11.5Gib) and is meant to be my personal storage, second one is named APPS(ext4.9Gib) and is meant to work with App2SD app. I had same setup before without any problems, except, I was windows user before, I was writing files to sd card via usb cable from Windows before I started using Ubuntu....... but I was writing files from ubuntu as well before OTA update bricked my phone and I had to flash in stock rom.
This whole problem is generally weird...

# Answer
> 0 votes
Is possible to destroy SD Card by repeatedly flashing stock ROM and repeatedly rooting ? Yeah, apparently yes. It looks like my SD card was destroyed. Next time, if you are going to flash or root something, remove your SD card first..... yeah, I'm stupid, it is obvious step to do. Problem solved by buying new SD Card.

---
Tags: external-sd, file-system, linux, file-permissions
---


# Question
Title: How to remove unwanted ads notifications from Chrome?
So I visited a torrent site (not sure if it's the cause 100% though) on my Samsung Galaxy S8 last night & since then have been getting the notifications ads from Chrome.

I downloaded & ran Malwarebytes, firewall & antivirus after the popup situation but all 3 apps say my phone is fine with nothing showing in the scan results.

How do I remove the notification ads in the Samsung Galaxy S8? Also, my Chrome browser freezes a lot now too.

# Answer
> 2 votes
It appears that you enabled notifications for the website `tx8t.invictioner.club`.

To turn these off, open Chrome \> Site settings \> Notifications. Tap `tx8t.invictioner.club`, tap the bell icon, and choose Block (if similar sites under the filter `*.invictioner.club` have notification access, block them too).

SOURCE: Turn off notification from websites in Chrome on Android - CNET

---
Tags: notifications, chrome-for-android, malware
---


title: How to recover gmail address

text:
# Question
Title: How to recover gmail address
So, Awhile back I got a new phone and my number changed. I went to My Google Account page but It would not let me sign in to change my number. Been 5 months now..but It is still logged onto an older phone (LG Pheonix). I did account recovery, Google emailed me back they could not confirm it was me. What now?

# Answer
> 1 votes
This also happened to me. What I did was, I told them my basic information stored in that google account, including on how it was used (for games, payments etc.)

---
Tags: gmail, google-account, data-recovery
---


# Question
Title: Huawei p9 lite usb working but not working
(trying to root the phone but haven't got any because of the USB problem) so i have had this device for a while and through the couple of years its gotten pretty beat up but still works.

so the problem im having is every time i connect it to my computer the only thing that happens is the phone charging the computer nor the phone reacts at all (beside's charging) but i have found a trick if i leave the phone alone for a minuet when i plug the cable in it works the computer reads it and i get access but when i turn the phone off the problem appears again. its realy frustrating because im trying to access the fast boot or boot loader but because of the problem it dose not work i think. nothing pops up besides the charging icon. it almost work once when i held down the volume down button then put in the USB cable the computer reconized it for a split second but still did not work. ive tried many things used different cables factory reset it oem unlocked enabled tried leaving the cable in when the computer reconized it then powered it down still dint work i need help with this please. model number vns-l31 \[ps sorry if you cant understand my writing im pretty bad at it\]

# Answer
I encountered the same problem and all I did was to change the usb cord or the usb-port. Hope this helps.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: root-access, usb, huawei
---


# Question
Title: How to clear Android browser's localStorage?
I've got an HTC Evo Design 4G (Android 2.3.4), and I can't figure out how to clear localStorage in the browser. Clearing the cache, history, form data and everything else doesn't do it. Resetting the browser to default settings doesn't do it. The website (served from the local network) doesn't show up in Website settings either.

The only thing that does work is deleting ALL data from the phone by resetting it to factory defaults.

Is there an easier option, and how come this isn't done as part of clearing cache which should "clear locally cached content and databases"?

# Answer
Try: `Settings``Applications``Manage Applications` → Select `Browser` ("`All apps`" tab) → `Clear Data`. This would delete all the data belonging to the app. Quite like a factory reset, but just for that app.

Be careful while using this. Make sure you select the correct application (Its called '`Browser`' some phones and '`Internet`' on some) in the `All apps` list.

**You can accidentally delete your contacts and other important stuff if you are not careful**
> 10 votes

# Answer
I noticed this when Browser had way too many megabytes of data.

If you're root you can remove the localstore files *without* clearing all browser data (bookmarks etc.) by using Ghost Commander or similar app, or adb shell, to remove the localstore files from /data/data/com.android.browser/app\_databases.
> 1 votes

# Answer
This question came up in Google search for a generic Android/Chrome local storage removal/reset question so here's an answer for how it is done in..

**Chrome 68**

* With browser open tap 3 dots 'menu icon' (top right)
* tap 'settings'
* tap 'site settings'
* tap 'storage'

*to clear individual site storage*

* tap 'search icon' find the domain you want cleared
* tap on domain
* tap 'delete icon' (garbage can) to remove 'stored data'
* confirm by tapping 'clear all'

*to clear local storage on all sites*

* tap 'clear site storage'
* confirm by tapping 'clear all'
> 1 votes

---
Tags: browser, htc-evo
---


# Question
Title: Unroot Galaxy Note 5 SM-N902i (XSA Australia) with Heimdall - "System UI has stopped"
I am running a linux machine and trying to unroot my Galaxy Note 5. I've downloaded the lastest firmware from sammobile: N920IDVU4CRG1\_N920IXSA4CRG1\_XSA.zip which extracts to: `boot.img
cache.img
cm.bin
hidden.img
modem.bin
recovery.img
sboot.bin
system.img`

Then I've been trying to use heimdall like so:

`heimdall flash --verbose --BOOTLOADER sboot.bin --CM cm.bin --BOOT boot.img --RECOVERY recovery.img --RADIO modem.bin --SYSTEM system.img --CACHE cache.img --HIDDEN hidden.img`

The process finishes successfully but then when the phone reboots it hangs with an error: "**System UI has stopped**"

I've previously executed heimdall print-pit to check the pit list. I noticed that there are more pit entries than the 8 provided in the firmware. I don't know if that's normal. I also tried using the pit file found on the forum with the same negative result: NOBLELTE\_AUS\_XSA.pit

`heimdall flash --pit NOBLELTE_AUS_XSA.pit --verbose --BOOTLOADER sboot.bin --CM cm.bin --BOOT boot.img --RECOVERY recovery.img --RADIO modem.bin --SYSTEM system.img --CACHE cache.img --HIDDEN hidden.img`

Same error.

Is there something that I've been missing or done wrong?

Many thanks :)

# Answer
The problems exists in the system.img. It might have been comiled with a corrupted systemUI.apk. Try other flashable files.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: rom-flashing, linux, unrooting, heimdall, samsung-galaxy-note-5
---


title: How to manually remove an app?

text:
# Question
Title: How to manually remove an app?
I lack proper keywords to google efficiently to know how to manually remove an app. Basically I want to uninstall Chrome, but I also want to know deeper about Android system rather than rely on a third-party app like NoBloat. I suspect one just need to delete `/data/app/com.android.chrome-2` folder, but I'm not sure if there is more to be removed too.

How to manually remove an app?

# Answer
To manually remove an app, you'll need to (manually) delete all of the following items:

* The app's package, usually in `/data/app/<package name>`. For system apps, delete `/system/app/<something>`, `/system/priv-app/<something>` or `/vendor/app/<something>` instead, depending on where it resides. The folder and file name are not necessarily the same as package name for system/vendor apps, though.
* The app's installation information, `/data/system/packages.xml`. This is very complicated as an app may define resources that can be used by other apps. Be sure to remove all related keys and leave unrelated keys intact, or you can mess the files up.

Additionally, these items may be removed, but they'll be pruned if some or all items listed above are manually removed or found missing. The automatic pruning usually happens during system booting.

* The app's Dalvik cache, in `/data/dalvik-cache`, usually `.odex` or `.oat` files
* The app's data, in `/data/data/<package_name>`
* The app's data in external storage, in `/sdcard/Android/data/<package_name>`
* The app's "simplified information" in `/data/system/packages.list`, which will be pruned if the app is gone from `packages.xml`

Sometimes you'll see some log in `/data/system/uid_error.log` if the above items are pruned by Android.
> 6 votes

# Answer
Root your phone to uninstall system apps. Those are pre-installed apps, it is integrated to the android system, so rooting is necessary if you want to remove them.
> -2 votes

---
Tags: applications, root-access, uninstallation
---


title: Replacing Ubuntu OS with Android OS

text:
# Question
Title: Replacing Ubuntu OS with Android OS
Is there a straightforward step-by-step instruction to replace Ubuntu OS with Google OS on a BQ Aquaris M10 HD tablet.

I know nothing about computer code and nothing can be assumed. These instructions need to be precise. I.e. do I need another computer to perform this operation If so, what kind? If it can be done entirely on the tablet, then exactly how is this done?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Short answer: No

I don't know your tablet, but a straightforward instruction will not be available. Your tablet is also provided with Android, so there exist the working android port. Normally the producer of the tablet don't provide the needed files to re-flash the device. Normally the image is build on a development computer and the image is flashed on the device. To replace your OS another computer will be needed (if you have the needed files) Technically it's possible to create a USB memory stick that update your OS without interaction, but that's normally not provided by the producer of a "consumer tablet"

(sorry for my bad english, hope you understand my message)

---
Tags: google
---


title: How to wipe OS partition in TWRP?

text:
# Question
Title: How to wipe OS partition in TWRP?
Operating system partition can be wiped in order to reinstall a broken ROM installation for example, personal files will be left intact. What is the correct partition to wipe?
Partitions for OnePlus One in TWRP (excluding cache and USB OTG):

* system
* data
* internal storage

# Answer
> Let’s start with a list of standard internal memory partitions on Android phones and tablets. These are:
>
> ```
> /boot
> /system
> /recovery
> /data
> /cache
> /misc
>
> ```
>
> In addition, there are the SD card partitions.
>
> ```
> /sdcard
> /sd-ext
>
> ```
>
> Note that only /sdcard is found in all Android devices and the rest are present only in selected devices.
>
> Let’s now take a look at the purpose and contents of each of these partitions.
>
> `/boot`
>
> This is the partition that enables the phone to boot, as the name suggests. It includes the kernel and the ramdisk. Without this partition, the device will simply not be able to boot. Wiping this partition from recovery should only be done if absolutely required and once done, the device must NOT be rebooted before installing a new one, which can be done by installing a ROM that includes a /boot partition.
>
> `/system`
>
> This partition basically contains the entire operating system, other than the kernel and the ramdisk. This includes the Android user interface as well as all the system applications that come pre-installed on the device. Wiping this partition will remove Android from the device without rendering it unbootable, and you will still be able to put the phone into recovery or bootloader mode to install a new ROM.
>
> `/recovery`
>
> The recovery partition can be considered as an alternative boot partition that lets you boot the device into a recovery console for performing advanced recovery and maintenance operations on it. Example:Clockwork Mod, TWRP etc.
>
> `/data`
>
> Also called user data, the data partition contains the user’s data – this is where your contacts, messages, settings and apps that you have installed go. Wiping this partition essentially performs a factory reset on your device, restoring it to the way it was when you first booted it, or the way it was after the last official or custom ROM installation. When you perform a wipe data/factory reset from recovery, it is this partition that you are wiping.
>
> `/cache`
>
> This is the partition where Android stores frequently accessed data and app components. Wiping the cache doesn’t effect your personal data but simply gets rid of the existing data there, which gets automatically rebuilt as you continue using the device.
>
> `/misc`
>
> This partition contains miscellaneous system settings in form of on/off switches. These settings may include CID (Carrier or Region ID), USB configuration and certain hardware settings etc. This is an important partition and if it is corrupt or missing, several of the device’s features will not function normally.
>
> `/sdcard`
>
> This is not a partition on the internal memory of the device but rather the SD card. In terms of usage, this is your storage space to use as you see fit, to store your media, documents, ROMs etc. on it. Wiping it is perfectly safe as long as you backup all the data you require from it, to your computer first. Though several user-installed apps save their data and settings on the SD card and wiping this partition will make you lose all that data.
>
> On devices with both an internal and an external SD card – devices like the Samsung Galaxy S and several tablets – the /sdcard partition is always used to refer to the internal SD card. For the external SD card – if present – an alternative partition is used, which differs from device to device. In case of Samsung Galaxy S series devices, it is /sdcard/sd while in many other devices, it is /sdcard2. Unlike /sdcard, no system or app data whatsoever is stored automatically on this external SD card and everything present on it has been added there by the user. You can safely wipe it after backing up any data from it that you need to save.
>
> `/sd-ext`
>
> This is not a standard Android partition, but has become popular in the custom ROM scene. It is basically an additional partition on your SD card that acts as the /data partition when used with certain ROMs that have special features called APP2SD+ or data2ext enabled. It is especially useful on devices with little internal memory allotted to the /data partition. Thus, users who want to install more programs than the internal memory allows can make this partition and use it with a custom ROM that supports this feature, to get additional storage for installing their apps. Wiping this partition is essentially the same as wiping the /data partition – you lose your contacts, SMS, market apps and settings.

Source

Note: Wiping /system means removing the android installation(ROM), and /data removes all apps (app+data), wiping internal storage means deletes every thing. If you want to install ROM only by wiping /system, then, the new ROM should be with same android version as that of old. Otherwise, it will crash.
> 7 votes

# Answer
You should go for advanced wipe and choose:
-DalviK/ART Cache
-System
-Data
-Cache
And don\`t format:
-Internal Memory
-Sdcard
> 0 votes

---
Tags: twrp, partitions
---


# Question
Title: How to do GREP text searching without root?
There is busybox and there are terminal emulators that include *grep*, but they require root to run. It would be better if they could also run without root but with limited access. I only need to grep (read-only access) files in the user data storage.

### Is there a way to do *grep* text searching on Android without root?

There are many text editors already, but they only support ordinary text searching by jumping to the text position, which is not nearly as convenient as *grep*, where one gets the desired results in a list at one place.

# Answer
You are mixing up two things:

1. Installing a binary like busybox system wide from within an app (which includes grep)
2. Running a binary

The default app based installers for busybox require root access to install busybox system-wide. This is true, however this is just because it is an app. Once the binary is installed you don't need root access.

Additionally even without root you can also install a busybox (or whatever) binary on your device:

1. You need to activate Android Debug Bridge (adb)
2. Copy the binary onto your phone (if it is not already there): `adb push busybox /sdcard/`
3. Copy the binary from the sdcard section (where it can't be executed) to different directory like `/data/local` or `/data/local/tmp`: `adb shell "cat /sdcard/busybox > /data/local/busybox`".
4. Then make it executable using `adb shell chmod 0555 /data/local/busybox`

Now you can execute it using its full path from within a terminal app or inside `adb shell`:

`/data/local/busybox grep ...`.
> 5 votes

# Answer
If you are using Android Lollipop or above, install Termux, install grep (if not already installed) by typing `apt install grep`, give Storage permission to Termux from Settings app so that Internal Storage can be accessed. And that's it. Enjoy your grep. You can also install busybox the same way in Termux (it appears to come installed with Termux per user iBug) and use its utilities. Installation and usage doesn't require elevated privileges.

If you are using Android version before Lollipop, Robert's answer suggests a good way but some steps can be eliminated. Simply fetch the Android binary compatible with your processor from here, rename it to busybox and push it into Android using as:

```
adb push busybox /data/local/tmp/   # don't push it into /sdcard/ as it is both unnecessary and removes executable bit from the binary which you cannot add without having busybox's or toybox'x chmod utility.

```

You can now use busybox. You would want to setup an alias or change ENVIRONMENT variable of your shell accordingly to map that file.

Alternatiely, while I have not tried them, some grep based apps are available in Play Store and can be found here.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: linux, terminal, command-line
---


# Question
Title: Dismissing alarm with buttons on Galaxy S9+
On older android phones I could dismiss clock alarm by pressing any button. On the new galaxy s9+ I have to use the screen, which is highly inconvenient if the alarm goes off when I'm driving. Therefore I'd like to configure the clock app to dismiss the alarm on button press.

Online search led to advice that was irrelevant to the current clock app, for example to use the triple dot menu of the clock app. The current clock app has nothing useful on the triple dot menu, just the About and one other item. I couldn't find the settings for that elsewhere either.

Could you suggest a solution?

# Answer
> 1 votes
You can use AutoInput with Tasker to do this.

**Note:** tested on stock Android with stock Clock app only.

1. Install AutoInput.
2. Enable Intercept Keys in it. Disable Doze if it asks for.
3. Install and setup Tasker.
4. Create a profile under Event → Plugin → AutoInput → Key → setup the configuration for a single key only, say a Volume rocker.
5. Create a task for that profile named "Dismiss Alarm on keypress" and set the action to System → Cancel Alarm → Disable Current.
6. Since Autoinput intercepts the key, you would find the key failing to perform its default functions. As a remedy, you would want to add an another action within that same task, depending upon the key you chose in Profile. I suggest you limit the keys to Volume rockers because Power key functionality may be hard to imitate through Tasker.

The benefit of using AutoInput is that it works both for Screen Off and Screen On states.

---

If you want to avoid this hassle, but can compromise with having functionality only when Screen is One and limited to few keys, than consider MacroDroid.

1. Install it
2. Setup Trigger to any Volume Button Pressed → Monitor Volume Changes → choose your key → Update Volume.
3. Setup Action to Alarm Clock → Dismiss Active Alarm.

This should work within limited aforementioned constraints.

---
Tags: clock
---


# Question
Title: Phone is locked with an impossible to enter password
As it appeared, the on-screen keyboard for entering the unlock password is missing English layout, although it for sure was present when the password has been created. Now the situation appears really bad:

* the phone (TP-LINK Neffos C9A, Android 8.1 NFUI 8.0) is locked,
* the password is not possible to enter because of missing keyboard layout,
* option for adding keyboard languages is not available,
* there is no option "Forgotten password" and
* Android Device Manager responds "Can't reach device" with either WiFi or 3G connection.

How to unlock the phone in such situation?

# Answer
> 4 votes
In case there is a problem with the on-screen keyboard most devices support to use an USB keyboard connected via USB On-The-Go (OTG) adapter to the phone - if the phone supports USB OTG at all.

The simpler an USB keyboard is the more likely it will work - keyboards with integrated USB hub and/or readers for smartcard or sd-card often cause problems and may not work.

Note that the USB keyboard works like a regular keyboard (not like the on-screen keyboard): key combinations like have be pressed at the same time, not one after another.

# Answer
> 0 votes
For people seeking for other answers, there is a flashable Zip file which deletes any lock screens. However you'd need a device with a custom recovery such as TWRP. Just flash the Zip and your lock screen will be gone on next restart.

---
Tags: lock-screens, keyboard, password
---


# Question
Title: Sync _all_ music in Google Play Music to local storage
This might sound a little crazy, but I'd like to sync my entire Google Play Music collection to my external SD card on my Galaxy S5. Is there a setting in Google Play Music which will sync *everything*? I know I can specify where I'd like things to go, but is there a global sync all setting?

# Answer
> 1 votes
If I have well understood your question, I will recommend you to have a look at this question where I have explained how to do what you want : sync your music on your local storage.

# Answer
> 0 votes
There is an auto playlist called "Recently added", if you sync that it will contain your entire library.

# Answer
> 0 votes
* Step 1: Go to the play music desktop site
* Step 2: click the 3 bar menue on the top left
* Step 3: Scroll down until you find "Download Library"
* Step 4: click download
* Step 5: save the files wherever you want them.

# Answer
> 0 votes
This is not correct answer, as it is *not* *sync* and it could be hard work. But probably best what man can do.

You can download for offline use every playlist available on the device (Download in context menu of the playlist). Problem is that playlist is limited to size of thousand songs. So what you can do:

* if having 500 songs or less =\> download `Last added` songs playlist
* if having 1000 songs or less =\> `Shuffle all` songs and then save that queue as playlist =\> download the playlist
* if having more, more work is needed:

+ Use web UI of Play Music, switch to all songs and create one playlist for every ~1000 songs. You can choose one song by click, and last by shift+click. Then right click "Add to playlist/new".
    + On phone, download playlists.
    + Also choose of download for Last added playlist, so new (up to 500 new) added songs are downloaded automatically.
    + Periodically add songs of `Last added` playlist into other non-full playlist selected for download. You have to do this at least every 500 new songs – so probably not so often. ;)

# Answer
> -1 votes
I just found a solution that is not so clean but works. Using the web interface, in the tag where there are all your songs you can select packs of them using shift-click an add them to a play list.(you have to do groups of 1000 songs because is the maximum) then you have a free play list containing all your library is easy to sync in your phone.

---
Tags: google-play-music
---


# Question
Title: Is there an advantage to powering-off the device "properly"?
There's something I've always wondered about Androids, which may or may not be causing issues for me...

What is the advantage to "properly" shutting down the device, as opposed to just yanking the battery out?

I'm well aware of various issues that can be caused on a Windows PC if I just pull the power plug... unsaved system files, data loss, even hard drive damage... but none of this seems to be at risk with an Android.

If a battery runs too low the phone can suddenly lose power (in my case, using the camera flash under 15% can do this).

The device(s) always seem to operate just fine when power is restored.

I have a theory that the startup process is faster when shutdown properly, but I'm not sure.

What's Android doing for the 10-ish seconds that it takes to "properly" shut down the device... and does it matter?

# Answer
Shutting down an Android device isn't that much different than shutting down a computer — it gives any apps that want it notice the device is being shut down (allowing them to save data, cleanly shutdown network connections, etc.), shuts down networking (e.g., chance to release a DHCP lease) gives the radios a chance to shut down (e.g., to sign off from the cell network & WiFi network), and cleanly unmounts all the filesystems.

Everyone knows, however, that phones aren't always cleanly shut down. Batteries die, users do things like rip out the batteries, etc. So the software is all designed to recover from this — though it's surely less-tested than the orderly shutdown. (Desktop and laptop computer software makes quite a few more assumptions about not having the plug pulled, hence the greater damage there.)

Almost certainly, it'll take longer for various things to realize your phone has gone offline. For example, a chat app may still show you as online for a while after you pull the battery, but on a clean shutdown you'd show as offline immediately. (Or, similarly, it may take a wile for another device to take over). Not sure how much the cell network cares, but maybe it'd take a little bit longer for a call soon after battery pull to forward or go to voicemail.

Recently-changed data might be lost or rendered inconsistent. What that means depends on the apps involved. E.g., for an email app, if you pull the battery immediately after sending an email, maybe it won't actually be sent. Or maybe it will be but will be missing from your Sent folder. Or maybe it'll be sent but the "it was sent" data didn't get saved, so it'll be sent a second time after booting.

There's probably a tiny bit of additional wear on power components & very tiny bit on battery connectors, but I doubt that matters unless you're doing this tens or hundreds of times per day.

But yeah, if your phone had been basically idle for a bit, and then you pull the battery, probably no real bad effects.

After an unclean shutdown, various filesystem & database journals will need replaying, so boot is probably a bit slower. Only a stopwatch & some experimentation could say how much.

PS: When the battery is low, the phone is supposed to do a clean shutdown, not just drop power. Sounds like your battery is at the end of its useful life and has built up an unacceptable amount of internal resistance causing voltage drop when high current is suddenly needed.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: boot, reboot, power-on, shutdown
---


# Question
Title: Possible to patch the Android kernel with root?
Basically there's a boot rom exploit on Tegra X1 chips, specifically the Nintendo Switch that allows you send payloads while it is in Recovery Mode and basically run unsigned code (homebrew, custom firmware, and even launch Linux distros). The payload launcher works on PC, Mac, and Linux, and has been ported to Android, however for it to work on Linux it requires a kernel patch for the EHCI (USB 2.0) driver. Devices that support xHCI (3.0) can execute it without any problems. On Android it is done using a USB-OTG adapter by the way and works without root access. I suspect that the only way to patch the kernel is with root access or a custom ROM/kernel with the patch. Here is one hacking team's (fail0verflow) patch without any instructions: https://github.com/fail0verflow/shofel2/blob/master/linux-ehci-enable-large-ctl-xfers.patch

Someone also wrote a Python script for Linux that patches the kernel memory here: https://gist.github.com/DavidBuchanan314/41b12362cc4d8c539dc441d75155f2e9

I tried to run it using Termux with the python package installed however it results with this error:

```
0x0
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "ehci_patch.py", line 70, in <module>
" " ".replace("PLACEHOLDER", hex(ksyms["ehci_urb_enqueue"])).replace("PLACE2" hex(ksyms["lookup_address"]))
KeyError: 'lookup_address'

```

Tried to also run it with su first but it says sh: python: not found Anyway, I don't think that "hotpatch" script could even properly work on Android as it is meant for desktop Linux systems.

I would appreciate any leads or information on a way to patch the kernel either with root access or perhaps a way to get the python script working. I forked the Android app with hopes to improve it and translate it to different languages and I want to be able to provide a solution with instructions to get it to work on EHCI devices (if it's possible at all on Android). It would be amazing if it's possible with a Magisk module as well.

# Answer
> 0 votes
That Python script appears to work by generating the source code for, then compiling a custom kernel module, then loading that module to do the actual patch. It expects, among other things, a working C compiler, `make` program, and kernel sources (at least headers) for the kernel you're running at `/lib/modules/$(uname -r)/build`.

So, no, that's not going to work on Android. Typically you have none of those things. With a cross-compile environment (on a PC) set up to build your phone's kernel, you could likely build that module, copy it over, then (as root on the Android device) load it. But building it directly on the phone would be quite an undertaking.

---
Tags: root-access, custom-roms, kernel, usb-drivers
---


# Question
Title: How do I move the clock back to the right in Android Pie?
I have just installed Android Pie and the clock has moved from the right of the status bar to the left. Is there a setting to move it back?

# Answer
This is a problem encountered by many that has upgraded into Android Pie or bought a new one with Android Pie. Luckily, this could be fixed but rooting the phone is necessary. Someone I know tried this and it worked. May this also help you, https://www.xda-developers.com/status-bar-clock-tweaks-android-p-root/
> 5 votes

---
Tags: settings, clock, 9.0-pie
---


# Question
Title: Apps stay in background even after turning the phone off
I generally see this in all the Android phones I ever had. I have certain apps in the background and then turn off the phone. If I turn it on again the next day these apps seem to still be in the background. It could be any app, Google Maps, Candy Crash etc.

Why does this happen? Don't Android phones turn off completely? Do these app really stay in the background?

# Answer
> 2 votes
That is the default behavior of Android from Lollipop onwards. See this blog which talks of that ( Recents (or Overview)). It is only a *list* of apps that you used is shown and it *doesn't* mean that these are running after reboot, so it shouldn't be a concern (unless you want to hide some app or web page that you visited). You can check running apps from settings and you would see that these are fewer than what you see in the overview

Only on earlier versions they would be cleared on reboot

---
Tags: 7.0-nougat, shutdown
---


title: DD fails beyond 2GB seek

text:
# Question
Title: DD fails beyond 2GB seek
When I try to use dd to flash images I see some issues when the seek value exceeds 2GB.(i.e. **bs * seek \>= 2GB**).

```
dd bs=512 count=8 if=sample.img of=/dev/block/mmcblk0 seek=4194304
dd: /dev/block/mmcblk0: Invalid argument

```

When I try with a value (2GB-1), the dd command succeeds. Can anyone point out why exactly the 2GB limit for the seek value exists? Is it related to filesystem (FAT limit?)? Is there any easy workaround to get dd work past the seek limit?

```
dd bs=512 count=8 if=sample.img  of=/dev/block/mmcblk0 seek=4194303                         <
8+0 records in
8+0 records out
4096 bytes transferred in 0.001 secs (4096000 bytes/sec)

```

Apparently, the issue is seen only for seek values in the range (2GB-4GB). The dd succeeds beyond 4GB - very strange.

# Answer
Don't use busybox dd (compiled with bionic libc). Instead you may use static dd binary from gnu coreutils compiled with glibc or musl. On my device all binaries work well; Android's toolbox dd, meefik's busybox dd and statically built dd.

Bionic is confirmed to be buggy with large files.

**PS:** Playing with eMMC is dangerous, particularly when testing buggy dd. dd is a killer, in my opinion. You can accidentally overwrite initial few bytes of mmcblk0 rendering your device useless.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: rom-flashing, sd-card, file-system, rom
---


# Question
Title: Cannot share calendars with out having both email accts on Android phone
I am trying to have a shared calendar with my wife. It works great on the PC. but not on our android phones. The only way I have been able to share calendars is by putting her email address in the my google mail app. But then I get her mail!

Just want to share calendars - not emails

Or, is there a way to have her gmail acct on my phone but somehow block her emails from my phone?

# Answer
First there's this, from the Help page at https://support.google.com/calendar/answer/37082?hl=en

Emphasis is mine.

> You can share the main calendar for your account, or another calendar you created.
>
> 1. On your computer, open Google Calendar. ***You can't share calendars from the Google Calendar app.***
> 2. On the left, find the "My calendars" section. You might need to click it to expand it.
> 3. Hover over the calendar you want to share, click More More and then Settings and sharing.
> 4. To share with individuals: Under "Share with specific people," add the person or the email address of the person you want to share with.
> 5. To change wider sharing settings: Under "Access permissions," choose an option in the drop-down menu. Learn more about these options below.
> 6. If someone isn't already added, click Add people.
> 7. Add people and click Send.
>
> If you shared your calendar with an individual email address, they'll see your calendar in their "Other calendars" list. If you shared your calendar with an email group , they'll see the calendar in their "Other calendars" list once they click on the link in the email invitation from Google Calendar.

Then there's this: https://support.google.com/calendar/answer/37100?co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid&hl=en

> Add using Email Address
>
> Ask to see a calendar
>
> 1. On your computer, open Google Calendar. You can only edit Google Calendar sharing settings from a computer, not the app.
> 2. On the left side, click Other calendars.
> 3. In the Add a friend's calendar or Add a coworker's calendar box, enter the other person's email address.
> 4. Press Enter.
> 5. Depending on how their calendar is shared, one of the following will happen:
>     * If the calendar isn't shared with you, you'll see a form to request access.
>     * If the calendar is already shared with you, their calendar will be added on the left side under "Other calendars."
>     * If the other person doesn't have a Google Calendar, you'll see the option to invite them to use Google Calendar.
>
> Approval by the other person
>
> If their calendar isn't shared with you, the other person will get an email requesting access.
>
> To accept your request, the other person should:
>
> 1. On your computer, open the email you sent requesting access.
> 2. Click the link in the email.
> 3. In the Settings page that opens, choose a permission setting and select Add Person.
> 4. Click Save.
>
> After the other person has accepted your request, their calendar will appear on the left side under "Other calendars." If you don't see it, try refreshing the page.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: applications, calendar
---


# Question
Title: Simple way to toggle between 2G and 3G connection
## TL;DR

Usually, I have my device locked to "2G only" for multiple reasons:

* saving
* no need for "high-speed" to simply be informed about new mail or doing the little contacts/calendar syncs (not much changes, either)

But from time to time, I could use 3G:

* some area that has bad 2G coverage (data-wise)
* the occasional "internet use" e.g. with a navigation app, looking up "a little more" on the web, or installing something from

For those occasions, I find it impractical to navigate to the settings page and change that manually -- even when done via some "shortcut" placed on a . Preferably, I want to be able to automate this via , to e.g. automatically switch when entering/leaving the "bad coverage area" or when one of those apps is in foreground (both conditions are covered by tasker, just the "action" is missing). I checked thoroughly on our site here, on the , and even did an extensive Google search -- but all that turned up was either a shortcut or a kernel patch for specific ROMs, both no-gos for me.

Hence my...

## Question:

Is there any easy way to switch between 2G/3G mode? As said, shortcuts to the settings page do not count (so Can anyone reccomend a 2g / 3g switching widget? is no option). Wanted criteria include:

* not requiring more than one tap (preferably no tap to trigger the action, see below)
* a big plus (and favorite wish): ability to be triggered via
* not depending on specific ROMs (should work with )
* preferably not involving -- but options requiring root would still be fine with me
* hacks are fine with me as well :)

# Answer
> 2 votes
With Xposed module and Gravity Box installed, the pull down status bar can be customised even on stock ROM (of course it has to be rooted).

I have a Nexus 5 running stock 4.4.4 and following is how it looks:

With these installed, one can swipe down with two fingers from top and just tap the last tile shown as "3G" in the image. Though this nearly misses the first requirement of using no more than one tap, technically it still does as you have swipe down and use one tap.

That tile toggles between 3G, 2G, 2G3G states. There is a minor lag to see the signal strength tile to reflect the status as "H+" or "E".

*By installing the Gravity Box, I was also able to bring in the additional tiles like "Torch On/Off", "Auto Rotate Lock" etc which were not available in the stock ROM.*

**Update:** Thanks to `jsen` who was kind enough to share an `intent` to switch between 2G and 3G using Tasker and Gravity Box (that implies Xposed framework and rooting).

To avoid a dead link in future, the content of that Tasker hack is as below:

```
Send Intent [
Action: gravitybox.intent.action.CHANGE_NETWORK_TYPE
Cat: None
Mime Type:
Data:
Extra: networkType:1
Extra:
Package:
Class:
Target: Broadcast Receiver]

networkType enum values are:
0: WCDMA Preferred
1: GSM only <-- This would be "2G" on GSM networks
2: WCDMA only <--WCDMA is "3G" on GSM networks. You may know it as HSPA
3: GSM auto (PRL)
4: CDMA auto (PRL)
5: CDMA only <-- This would be "2G" on CDMA networks
6: EvDo only <-- EvDo is "3G" on CDMA networks
7: GSM/CDMA auto (PRL)
8: LTE/CDMA auto (PRL)
9: LTE/GSM auto (PRL)
10: LTE/GSM/CDMA auto (PRL)
11: LTE only
12: "unknown"

```

In my office, I have very bad 2G signal which drops my call very frequently. Hence I used to switch to 3G when I reach office. I created an entry task named "Enable 3G" and an exit task named "Enable 2G" which just sends intent as above. With Tasker's "Cell Near" state I can ask Tasker to enable 3G when I am near office and switch back to 2G while leaving.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I've been looking for automated network switching for years, and I had always thought that this kind of behaviour was only possible using Cyanogen (or similar) ROMs. Anyway, I recently found some threads on XDA that suggest that this might not be true.

First, it seems that in Sony Devices it's possible to tweak the system to show a 2G/3G toggle:

http://www.xda-developers.com/android/serajr-power-toggles-brings-settings-to-the-small-app-world/

And there's also this other thread that shows you how to "open" any ROM (even stock) so 2G/3G switching is possible. I don't fully understand the process, but as far as I see it should even work with Tasker:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1731187

All methods require rooting the phone, though, which I think is unavoidable.

# Answer
> 0 votes
The hassle free and simple way is to install a launcher which lets you launch "tasks" like Holo Launcher. Just long press Desktop -\> Shortcuts -\> Activities -\> Settings. Once under Settings you might have to dig in to grab the right one. It's a bit tricky but once done, you are all set. I haven't tried it on my new Android but works great on my older GB device.

# Answer
> -1 votes
In Nova launcher you can add a widget -\> Activities -\> Phone services -\> Network settings.

---
Tags: settings, data-connection, 3g, 2g
---


# Question
Title: How to prevent Google Play Books from uploading ebooks?
Even with `Enable PDF uploading` disabled on `Google Play Books` application every book I add gets added to the cloud.

Is there any way to disable this behaviour?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Google assumes that you would be using at least two devices to read a book at some point of time, so it only provides a feature to upload the ebook and then read it, or optionally download it to read without internet. There is no option to directly read the ebook without uploading it.

When you tap an Ebook in your file manager or in Downloads app, and provided that you have other ebook reader apps installed with none selected as default, Google Play Books offers the option to open it with heading "Upload to Google Play Books" which overrides the setting anyway.

So the solution is to compromise with the functionality or switch to an alternative.

---
Tags: applications, google-play-store, google-play-services, google-play-books
---


# Question
Title: Fail when pull system files in twrp recovery
My phone is Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, bootloader is already unlocked, haven't rooted yet. I boot to TWRP with the command `fastboot boot twrp-3.2.3-0-whyred.img`. Then

```
.\adb remount
.\adb pull /system/fonts

```

but it said `adb: error: failed to stat remote object '/system/fonts': No such file or directory`

I also can't list `/system` folder in `adb shell`:

```
.\adb shell
~ # ls /system
(output nothing)

~ # mount -o remount,rw /system
mount: can't find /system in /proc/mounts

```

# Answer
> 2 votes
TWRP automatically does not mount system partition. It has to be mounted manually via its UI (under Mount option) or via command line. The fact that `ls /system` showed you nothing gives us the evidence that the partition indeed is not mounted. It can further be confirmed using `mount` command.

If you must insist on mounting system partition using command line, you must get the block device ID for that partition first. There are myriad ways to do that and some are listed here by Izzy. I think the easiest may be the command `blkid` as mentioned here by Ryan. In my device it outputs:

```
~ # blkid
/dev/block/mmcblk0p42: UUID="57f8f4bc-abf4-655f-bf67-946fc0f9f25b" TYPE="ext4"
**/dev/block/mmcblk0p41**: LABEL="**system**" UUID="da594c53-9beb-f85c-85c5-cedf76546f7a" TYPE="**ext4**"
/dev/block/mmcblk0p38: UUID="57f8f4bc-abf4-655f-bf67-946fc0f9f25b" TYPE="ext4"
/dev/block/mmcblk0p26: UUID="57f8f4bc-abf4-655f-bf67-946fc0f9f25b" TYPE="ext4"
/dev/block/mmcblk0p21: LABEL="FSG" UUID="e4a4f807-109f-5459-8138-e744bc88c397" TYPE="ext4"
/dev/block/mmcblk0p1: LABEL="NONHLOS" UUID="75d3199b-b965-b45f-9298-59c724d8a58d" TYPE="ext4"

```

Once you have the block device ID and the filesystem type (ext4 default) you issue the command:

```
mount -t ext4 BLOCK_DEV_ID MOUNT_POINT
mount -t ext4 /dev/block/mmcblkop41 /system   # this is as an example only

```

You can now pull the files.

---
Tags: adb, recovery-mode, twrp
---


# Question
Title: Keyboard keeps vibrating, even though "vibrate on tap" is off?
I recently factory reset my phone, I have Android 7.1.1. I want to disable the vibrations when typing. I go to Settings, Sound, Other sounds, and all options are OFF there, including "Vibrate on tap".

However, my default keyboard keeps vibrating :(

How do I completely silence my keyboard?

Device: LG Nexus 5X

# Answer
It depends on your version of Android.

Samsung Touchwiz-based phones and many others have the ability to control key press vibration intensity. Some more pure ASOP phone do not, such as official Google phones, or LineageOS.

One answer is to change keyboard. Both SwiftKey and GBoard offer the option to override the system sound and vibration settings.
> 1 votes

# Answer
You can try Setting, Trigger: application launched \> keyboard; Action \> vibrate enable / disable \>
> -2 votes

---
Tags: keyboard, vibration
---


# Question
Title: How to gain access to /data directory through ADB shell
Despite the fact that I have root access, nevertheless I can not work with this directory. But why?

Info about my phone:

* Android version - 6.0.1
* Android security patch level - 2016-11-01
* Kernel version - 3.18.19+

# Answer
Try setting SELinux to permissive then access `/data` again:

```
ibug@android:/ # setenforce 0
ibug@android:/ # ls -l /data
(output)

```
> 1 votes

---
Tags: adb, root-access, shell
---


title: URL Scheme for Google Gmail?

text:
# Question
Title: URL Scheme for Google Gmail?
WhatsApp and many other services offer *URL Schemes* (they work like direct links or deep links) for their apps. An example is **whatsapp://**. Is there one available for Google Gmail? I tried these and they are not working for the latest Gmail release on Android 8.1:

```
googlegmail:///co?subject=<subject text>&body=<body text>
googlegmail://
gmail://

```

# Answer
The URL schema does not necessarily begin with a unique protocol. For example, if you click this link https://www.youtube.com/ with the YouTube app installed, you'll be prompted to open it in the app.

AFAIK the Gmail app doesn't have a "supported links" defined, so you have no chance to make a link open in Gmail.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: 8.1-oreo, hyperlinks, url
---


# Question
Title: Notification icon that looks like "S" inside a square
I am talking to my kid thru WeChat, so I am familiar with the WeChat logo message notification. But I don't know what that S in a square logo is.

What application is that?

# Answer
I do not know. But you can swipe down the notifications bar to see what app is showing that icon. It will also have a notification in the tray.
> 0 votes

# Answer
The icon is a Screenshot (Screen grab) app notification icon. So I guess there is nothing to worry about.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: notification-icons
---


# Question
Title: Can I bypass TWRP asking for password to decrypt storage?
I have Xiaomi Redmi Note Plus. I wanted to install TWRP and root my device in order to flash mods. Well, the 1st time I enter TWRP after flashing it with adb, it demands the password. In steps, they mention that the password is the same as the one you had in the previous ROM. But actually, it didn't work.

Trying a different password/PIN without 0, still nothing, the problem that I lost all my data during the process.

So how can I disable or pass this password permanently to decrypt my storage and be able to flash mods?

# Answer
That TWRP requires a password is because your `/data` is encrypted, which is default since Android 6.

To permanently decrypt the filesystem, you need to **format `/data`** and flash a "disable force encryption" package. **Be aware that formatting `/data` will delete all your files, including photos, music, etc. in your internal storage**.

Also be careful when flashing other ROMs or applying OTAs, as most of them will make your `/data` encrypted again and you'll have to format it again. You need to flash the "force encryption disabler" every time you flash another ROM/OTA.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: twrp, password, xiaomi
---


# Question
Title: How can I run a Python script in terminal emulator?
I tried running a Python script in a terminal emulator (app) with `./script.py` and I get an error saying "permission denied". It is to run a Twitter bot even if I close the app.

So, I googled how to do this and it said I have to download a file called `python.sh`, but their link is down so I can't download it. When I google the file, I only get results for how to load `.sh` files in Python.

How I can do this?

# Answer
You could use UserLAnd, GNURoot Debian, or Termux. Termux is probably the most lightweight, and also has Swipe keyboard support (have to swipe the entire input to the side to access it), and you can enable an extended keyboard that pops up over whatever keyboard you use to access arrows, Tab, Ctrl, etc. UserLAnd also has the extended keyboard and the same Swipe support, and runs a full version of Linux in a chroot environment so you can have root access using sudo or the root user.

Using Termux & UserLAnd on an unrootable Android and both are amazing. rsync is the greatest thing ever to keep project changes up to date because AFAIK it's not possible to edit the data stored in either of their filesystems directly using an Android app, but can be done using vi/vim/nano/etc inside of Termux or in UserLAnd's session (have to connect to it through SSH or VNC).

Just make sure to follow the suggestions during UserLAnd setup and grab ConnectBot and/or bVNC -- those are currently the only supported apps to connect to it. Also, while it claims to be able to setup for a single app I have not seen any directions for that, and have no idea how it would be possible as the UI doesn't seem to have anyway to do so.
> 2 votes

# Answer
Your file permissions are not appropriate. Change it using `chmod +x path_to_file` and then run it using `file_name.py`.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: terminal, python
---


# Question
Title: Should I update Android OS on 1.5 yrs old phone?
Will it make it slower or faster?

My phone: Moto G Play (XT1607)

Not rooted.

# Answer
Yes you should go for it. Software update always optimises phone performance improvement in Security , Bug Fixes and may other things. I hope this will help
> 0 votes

---
Tags: updates
---


# Question
Title: What does the Storage Manager setting actually do?
I'm trying to understand what the Storage Manager option in the Storage settings is supposed to do. The text says "Remove photos & videos" and I chose the option "Over 90 days old". So far, it hasn't done anything. My phone is an HTC 10.

I've found some articles introducing the feature that seem to imply that ALL backed up photos will be removed every 30/60/90 days.

In Photos, the "Free up space" option removes anything that's already backed up, regardless of age.

So does the storage manager option do what it says it does? When or how often does it run? Does it instead clear all backed up photos every X days?

# Answer
According to this blog (though I don't find *Smart storage* on my device now on 8.1 but did see that in some earlier version)

> Smart Storage is the Android Storage Manager which allows you to automatically delete the files in your device memory that has been backed up in Google Drive. The feature can be specified by a time period of deletion to take place, options range from 30, 60 or 90.
>
> This indicates the time by which the photos & videos on your device will be deleted **after being uploaded** to Google Photos

(Emphasis supplied)

I haven't used it so can't confirm that but is reasonable since "Free Storage" clears downloads and unused apps *instantly*

**Edit:** This doesn't work. Answer retained on OP's suggestions. Please see comments
> 1 votes

---
Tags: settings, storage, photos, google-plus-photos
---


title: Media scanner running constantly

text:
# Question
Title: Media scanner running constantly
I recently bought one new Samsung Galaxy S 2. (Ice Cream Sandwich)

I am getting "media scanner running" message each time I try to open the camera.

How can I get rid of this issue? Do I need to replace the phone?

# Answer
> 3 votes
The message means that your internal and/or external SD card are being scanned for media files. If you have recently added a lot of files, this can take some time.

If this is not the case, the indexing might be broken. I'd suggest backing up your data from the phone's internal storage and your SD card, formatting both and trying again. If the problem persists, do a full factory reset. Otherwise, try adding the data from the backups to the phone and see if the camera still works.

If i remember correctly, you can find the setting to format the internal memory in `Settings -> Storage -> Internal memory -> Format` and the full factory reset in `Settings -> Security -> Factory reset`, but these depend on your Android version and might be relocated somewhere else.

# Answer
> 5 votes
Go to the Settings app, select the "All" tab, find Media Storage or Media and force stop it. Then reboot and the problem should be fixed.

# Answer
> 2 votes
I've had same problem. I wrote about it and it's solution in this document which I shared here.

All you need to reset is that media scanner: `Settings > Applications > Manage applications > All > Media Storage: Force stop & Clear data`. Then, reboot.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Go to `Settings > Applications, Manage application, All, Media storage > Clear data`. Most of the times, it helps solve the problem.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Initially i cannot even open camera application on my LG G2 . it keep saying "try again after scanning media files"

Use Media Library Repair Scanner

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.azend.refreshmusic

You do not need to root phone just click on refresh button and let media scanner start scanning and finished.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Was having same problem and read somewhere that problem was solved by deleting corrupt picture file. I deleted a few recent pics and still had problem. Remembered that I recently backed up phone for 1st time and had that file stored on external SD card. Deleted file, no more constant media scanning. Apologies if similar posted.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I had a continuing issue with my SD Card, wherein I would open up my SD files for access to the Audio/Video files that I had saved, only to be told "Scanning Files, try again later." So frustrating... but I soon realized that the data files that I was trying to open were not recognized or supported by my device!!?! Well, after a few choice words and some deep thought, I realized that the files were not supported without accessing them through the associated apps that downloaded the files. Even my Google Play Music files, which are straight-up MP-3 files, could not be opened without directing the data through the installed app, i.e. Exo. Files for YouTube Files. Hope this is relative and helpful.

# Answer
> -1 votes
I had the same problem and none of these fixes worked. It turns it that my Spotify was the problem. It had crashed and could not find the media files i had downloaded. I uninstalled Spotify and that solved the problem.

---
Tags: media-scanner
---


# Question
Title: Not able to install app using adb command
I have a broken screen in my device due to that i am not able to take back of contact and other data.

I am trying to use vysor chrome plugin which installs an app and cast the screen in to web browser.

When i try to use vysor application, i am not able to install the app in device. I am always getting below error

```
adb install com.koushikdutta.vysor.apk

2660 KB/s (2958940 bytes in 1.086s)
Please select on your phone whether can install the app by The ADB command?

```

refused to install the app by The ADB command !

I tried to install the app using pm command as well but observed the same issue.

Note : - Same issue is observed for all the apks. Device details : - LeTv Le 2

# Answer
For LeTv Le 2, Go to Settings \> Fingerprint & Password \> Other Security Options \> Install apps in background , Set this options to Yes.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: adb, installation, apk, broken-screen
---


# Question
Title: How to change contact colors with Messages 3.5?
I used to be able to change my contact/conversation color in Android Messages. With that latest update I can't find this feature. Where should I be looking?

# Answer
> 2 votes
You can't change it. There is an ongoing discussion in Google product forums. You can give a feedback there as also from the app

OR

uninstall this and find the previous version apk and install that / change the SMS app

---
Tags: sms, color
---


# Question
Title: A way of doing secure data exchange in Android?
To my knowledge, all current Android apps with internet permission enabled are prone to apps stealing data. For example, if you have a messaging app, all your messages are readable by the company which provides the app and in turn, whoever can hack/bribe the company. The company could use end-to-end encryption, but that's not verifiable unless the app is open source. Even if it is, every app release has to be audited separately which is not realistic.

Is there a way(3rd party or native), or any plans to implement **secure data exchange** for Android?

The way I'd expect it to work is either by using a specific permission which would only allow data encrypted by the OS to be sent over the network or some kind of state-sharing via file-system + 3rd party app doing the encryption and sharing only.

# Answer
> 0 votes
The closest you'd get to such a thing is a VPN. The VPN provider can apply any encryption you like to the data. You could even set up a VPN server with a built-in IP address filter (like an adblock system), which doesn't allow the app to talk to its developer's servers.

That all sounds good, but that wouldn't stop Facebook reading your WhatsApp messages. Most messaging apps are designed to communicate via their own servers, instead of directly from your phone to your friend's. This is important for a couple of reasons:

1. Most cellular providers block incoming connections from the Internet to a phone, possibly combined with NAT making several phones share a single IP address. Most Wi-Fi networks use NAT too. To pass messages back and forth, you need some fixed endpoint to connect to, and that's the server that runs the app.
2. Servers are also used to store the uploaded messages and keep them in sync between all your devices (phone, tablet, web interface, and whatever else). They also allow offline messages, just like how voicemail is on the cellular provider's server, not on your phone.

So if you want your mainstream chat apps to work at all, you need them to talk to their servers. Your best alternative for just chat is an app where you can host your own server and be in charge of your own security. **Jabber** (aka XMPP) is one such chat system, and there are several open-source clients for Android. You can either verify that the client you like isn't talking to anything but your Jabber server, or put it behind a firewall that only lets it talk to that one server.

Self-hosting is the only trust-free option for other similar services, such as email or cloud storage.

---
Tags: security, networking, data-transfer
---


# Question
Title: Do I need ARM or ARM64 Gapps for an asus zenfone 2 laser ZE500KL?
I was wondering if there is significant difference regarding compatibility and readiness when it comes to ARM or ARM64 Gapps?

According to the qualcomm website, the chipset I have supports both 32 and 64bit. I was wondering which one to choose for more stability.

UPDATE: http://www.devicespecifications.com/en/model/d8d3356c \<----it looks like it is ARM, but on the website of the chipset it say ARM64. Confusing.

# Answer
Rather than wasting time checking your SoC architecture, why not check your ROM's build architecture instead? The following methods are available for you.

1. The existence of `/system/bin/linker64` indicates that your ROM is built for ARM64 (or more formally, AArch64), as well as these things

```
File: /system/bin/linker64
      /system/bin/app_process64
Directory: /system/lib64/
           /system/vendor/lib64

```

If these things don't exist, it means that you're running a ARM 32-bit ROM.

2. Open `/system/build.prop` in any text editor and look for `ro.product.cpu.abi`. If its value is `arm64-v8a` then your ROM is ARM64. If its value is 'armeabi-v7a' or something else, safely believe it's an ARM ROM.

I suggest checking your ROM architecture instead of CPU architecture, as it sometimes occurs that an ARM ROM is installed on an ARM64 device.

FYI, your SoC, Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 is in fact ARM64 as its core architecture is ARM Cortex-A53, the very first 64-bit core architecture from ARM.
> 7 votes

# Answer
Qualcomm website says "CPU Bit Architecture: 64-bit" therefore I would flash opengapps arm64, if you get an error during install (it won't affect your system), use the arm version instead.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Checking your phones hardware is easy. Open a terminal and $ cat /proc/cpuinfo

The os being 32bit or 64bit is a different question. And ibug answers it well. Which answers my question. Are arm64 soc's compatible with 32 bit apps. That is down to the os being 32bit or 64bit & multi-arch.
> 0 votes

# Answer
the trick to check the BUILD.PROP file is pretty neat.

Open /system/build.prop in any text editor and look for ro.product.cpu.abi. If its value is arm64-v8a then your ROM is ARM64. If its value is 'armeabi-v7a' or something else, safely believe it's an ARM ROM.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: applications, arm-processors
---


# Question
Title: Is there any limitation on the number of times I install a custom-ROM to my android device?
How many times can I install a custom ROM to my android device? Can I do this an infinite number of times? The word ROM (Read-Only-Memory) makes me think that there must be some limitation to the number of times one can do this.

# Answer
> 2 votes
ROM refers to two things

* The memory (non volatile) in the phone
* The software or Operating System (OS) that is run on the phone and resides or is "flashed" on the memory portion referred above

In common Android usage when you say ROM, you are usually referring to the second such as stock ROM (one that came with the phone), custom ROM (one that is developed) which you flash

You can flash or install a ROM as many times but certainly not *infinite* number of times- something in the hardware / memory is bound to break at some point of time ! But yes, theoretically you can

Related What is the difference between: Rooting, Jailbreak, ROM, Mod, etc.?

---
Tags: custom-roms, rom
---


# Question
Title: What is the difference between MiraCast, MirrorShare, Google Cast and Chromecast?
I am a bit confused by my Android TV:

* There is an app called Mirroring. When I start it, it asks me to use a thing called Miracast.
* On my phone (Huawei) there is an app called MirrorShare. It was the only mirroring-related app, so I decided to try it.
* After starting it, with my surprise, my TV got displayed as a compatible device. I connected to it and it seemed to work: my phone's screen (with **A LOT** of delay) got mirrored on my TV.
* In the TV settings there is also an entry called "Google Cast". So why is it now Google Cast and not "Miracast" or whatever it's called?
* I searched for Google Cast on Play Store and I found the official app by Google.
* I installed it. Even this time, the TV got detected, but when I tried connecting, I noticed the delay of the screen was **A LOT LESS**, for example, Asphalt 8 was pretty playable.
* I searched on the Internet for all these terms, and another word I saw everywhere was "Chromecast".

What is the difference between these technologies? Are some of these different ways to call the same thing? Wasn't Chromecast that little item you stick behind your non-smart TV to see Netflix or YouTube on it?

# Answer
> 6 votes
Google Cast and Miracast are 2 different technologies and protocols.

Miracast primarily allows wireless screen mirroring, and support is usually built-in in the OS in modern Android devices and Windows 8.1+.

Google Cast additionally allows transferring external multimedia stream to the remote screen without decoding it on the mobile device, but support for this depends on the application.

Miracast is often branded with proprietary label, most probably, in your case MirrorShare is Miracast.

Chromecast may refer to either the Google Cast protocol or a dongle which allows to use Google Cast on the TV without built-in support.

# Answer
> 0 votes
If you play a movie in your phone and use Miracast, the TV will get sound and image as if you plug in a HDMI cable on it, but your phone have to play the movie as well. But if you choose Chromecast, you can lock your phone but still having the movie played in the TV.

Miracast can work without Wi-Fi, but Chromecast can't.

---
Tags: android-tv, chromecast, screencast, miracast
---


title: How do I install nethunter?

text:
# Question
Title: How do I install nethunter?
My device is Motorola G3(2015) \[XT-1550\] android version 6.0.1(osprey-apac-cust) and I want to install nethunter but I am confused with which .zip should I flash? Different different tutorial saying different different file. One+ One cm 12.0 or Nexus 5/6/7/9 marshmallow. Even as well confused with method also some tutorial saying flash zip file and some are saying with root file explorer replace couple of file.

Please guide me toward right direction. Thanks in advance.

# Answer
You should not flash any ROM image that does not claim to support your exact device.

**Therefore you should not flash any of the ROMs you mentioned!**

See the full list of supported devices including Android version : https://github.com/offensive-security/kali-nethunter/wiki

Android is a bit different than common OS like Windows or Linux - it is not a generic OS that supports multiple devices types, instead it supports only a very small subset of devices. Therefore you have to use the correct ROM image or just don't do it.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: root-access
---


title: Deleting a Whatsapp group chat

text:
# Question
Title: Deleting a Whatsapp group chat
As an admin, I deleted first all the members of the group, left it and then deleted the group. Can the other members still see the messages?

# Answer
Yes they can see all those messages, you can see the example here: Example Conversation for those who has been removed from the WhatsApp group. So removing people from the group is not the best way to hide messages.
> 1 votes

# Answer
It is possible for them to read the messages of the group if they were using the previous version of WhatsApp. With the latest update of WhatsApp, if you delete all messages you send with option `delete for everyone`, your messages will not be visible anymore to any member.

But as you are asking that on first removing each member of the group, then delete the group will not show anyone anyhow the existence of the group.

For more information, check this post out.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Yes, in your case the members of the group will still see the messages.

Removing someone from a group will not delete the messages off of their phone.

Deleting a group on your phone after exiting it, will only delete the message off of your phone and no-one else's.

The only thing you could have done before deleting the group was, delete the messages that you have posted in the past 7 min. (Or 5-6 days) off of the participants phone, by long pressing on the messages\>delete\>'delete for everyone'.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: whatsapp-messenger, chat
---


title: LG VS980 Bricked

text:
# Question
Title: LG VS980 Bricked
I got a LG VS980, don't know what version exactly I only managed to get to the home screen for a short while. Everytime I start the phone it's stuck on the LG screen, I boot into factory reset (it doesn't work and shows a dead android) and open system recovery and get this:

```
[Recovery.cpp][main()] ############### factory reset sart ##################, Thu Jan 1 00:22:18 1970

E:failed to mount /system (No such file or directory)
[recovery.cpp] system partition mount failed!!
E:failed to mount /cache (No such file or directory)
E:Can't mount /cache/recovery/log
E:Can't open /cache/recovery/log

```

Continues with many more lines of can't open and mount. The recovery thing gives me a few options:

```
reboot system now <-- Just boots into the infinite LG screen
apply update from ABD
wipe data/factory reset <-- Tried this, doesn't work
wipe cache partition <-- Also doesn't work
reboot to bootloader <-- Just boots into the infinite LG screen
power down
view recovery logs
apply update from sdcard <-- This phone doesn't have an SD card slot (atleast I couldn't find it)

```

I think booting from ABD would work only problem is I can't access my phones internal storage...

Just so it's clear: I got this phone about a week ago from Verizon, I got this error not even a day after getting the phone. I go back to the store the next day and they are unwilling to replace it or help me (apparently what I did, which was nothing, voided warranty). This is my last hope to save this crap before I buy a new one from else where.

Any suggestions?

**EDIT:** I've gotten ADB to work to an extent. I got the OTA file and the program ready to go, now ADB can't find the phone to send it the files. I have the Android SDK which I got from the android studio, it still will not find it. I know you usually have to set it to debugging mode and what not, but remember I can't access the phone's home screen. I'm still digging, so I'll update if I make any progress.

Second edit: I'm thinking this thing is toast, I've gotten the computer to recognize the phone but now the phone is saying this:

```
E:failed to mount /cache (No such file or directory)
E:failed to mount /cache
E:failed to set up expected mounts for install; aborting
Installation aborted.

```

Third edit: I don't know why this happens, but if I leave the phone off for a bit, it will boot to the main screen. I am able to access the things I would need to flash the damn thing.

# Answer
> 0 votes
You may want to try flashing a new OS. I have personally never done it before. But, I strongly recommend sticking with the same OS version, as there will most probably be compatability issues

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Tags: lg
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