title: adb can find device but fastboot cannot

text:
# Question
Title: adb can find device but fastboot cannot
## Context

I can run adb commands on my Nexus 4 and they work fine but when my device is in the bootloader and I try to list the device with,

```
fastboot devices

```

my device is not listed. I was having problems with adb on my Windows 7 VM due to driver issues, so I switched to OSX because it does not require any drivers.

I think I may have corrupted my bootloader and recovery in my previous attempts to root my phone with a toolkit(I know I should have done it manually).

## Question

Is it possible to reinstall my bootloader or a recovery using just adb i.e. without using fastboot?

# Answer
The problem with my device not showing up with the `fastboot devices` command resolved itself. I was then able to flash a custom recovery.

The only thing I did different was, I rebooted my computer and symlinked the `adb` and `fastboot` commands in my bin folder.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: rooting, nexus-4, fastboot, 4.3-jelly-bean
---


# Question
Title: Is there any way to know the cause I cannot install app from Google Play
I'm using Sony Xperia S (also I have old SE Xperia X10 Mini) and want to install mytaxi app. But Google Play says that I'm not eligible to do this and I do not understand why! I've found an apk in the internets and it works fine, but I want to know the reason and have updates.

# Answer
> 1 votes
This problem is rather frequent and only the developers can fix it.

Reason is probably that the app wants features like GPS, certain screen sizes or a minimum Android version. One of those requirements is not met although it runs just fine.

So the obvious way to get this fixed is to contact the developers and have them relax that declaration..

---
Tags: google-play-store, sony-xperia-s, sony-xperia-x10-mini
---


# Question
Title: Motorola Defy stuck in animation loop with CynogenMod7
I have installed CynogenMod7 (Jordan) on my Motorola Defy using ClockworkMod Recovery.

The phone boots up, first with a screen saying "Google" and then an animation of the Android mascot skateboarding into a cyan circle with "Cyanogen7(mod)" appearing at the bottom.

The phone then goes into a loop of this animation - the mascot skateboards in, the circle and name appears - repeat.

I have been unable to enter "fastboot" mode (by pressing power button along with volume up+down keys). I did do a back-up of my previous ROM onto my SDCard.

What should I do to fix this?

# Answer
Thank you for your answers everyone. Unfortunately I was unable to boot into Clockworkmod Recovery.

Fortunately I found the following solution:

1. Downloaded and installed RSD Lite (on Windows 8 Professional x64)
2. Downloaded and installed the Motorola USB Drivers
3. Downloaded a SBF image from here: http://sbf.droid-developers.org/umts\_jordan/list.php
4. Started RSD Lite
5. Booted the Defy with Power and Volume Up buttons
6. Plugged the Defy into my computer via a USB cable (my USB3.0 hub seemed to cause problems so I plugged it directly into a USB2.0 on my laptop)
7. Inside RSD Lite I selected the SBF image file on my computer.
8. Selected "Uncompress and Start Flashing" in RSD
9. Waited for phone ROM to get flashed.
10. Enjoy working phone

Just as a note - if you run into any annoying Motoblur authentication issues you may have to do a factory reset on the phone. This will clear all your user data and can be done in the follow way:

1. Boot the Defy with Power and Volume Down buttons
2. The Android mascot with the triangle/exclamation mark should appear
3. Press both the Volume Up and Volume Down buttons at the same time
4. You should enter the standard "Recovery Mode"
5. Use the Volume Up/Down buttons to navigate the menu items
6. Select "wipe data/ factory reset" with the Power button
7. Confirm
> 4 votes

# Answer
That is a boot loop. You will have to re-install your CyanogenMod again.

You have to hold volume down and power for about 5 seconds to enter clockwork.

You have to keep trying, I sometimes have the same problem. Just try and may by you will get in recovery, so you can reinstall the rom again. Also when you are in recovery make a full wipe of your phone to.

I usually do it: pull battery out and at the same time as putting it back in hold volume down and power for about 5 secconds.
> 1 votes

# Answer
1) Power off phone by taking out battery
2) while phone is off (and battery is in) hold power AND volume down buttons at the same time. This should put you into bootloader. Scroll to recovery and select so you can boot into recovery.
Next, factory reset, clear cache, wipe davlik cache, and try re-flashing CM7
> 0 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, boot-loop, motorola-defy
---


# Question
Title: Possible to estimate the number of users for an Android app?
Are there any statistics that indicate how many users an Android app has based on the number of reviews for it? Are there other ways to tell how many users are using an app?

# Answer
On AppBrain, you can find the number of installs right at the beginning of the page for the app:

On Google Play, you will have to scroll a little further down, as with the relaunch the summary has moved to a less ideal position:

It's just a raw number of installs done via *Google Play*, and does not include other sources (such as *AndroidPIT*, *Pdassi*, or *Amazon*). I don't know how is dealt with users who installed an app and later uninstalled it, but that number should at least give you a raw idea.
> 4 votes

# Answer
I use many services for tracking the data related to my apps, for example: How many current active users and much more.

For checking the performance of a **specific app**:

If you want to track from your android phone you can use apps like this: App Stats for Android (beta) (Phandroid review).

And a very great performance online monitoring tool is **New Relic**. It can help you track down the realtime data just by including their small SDK in your app (if you are a developer).
> 0 votes

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


title: Lookout security not working

text:
# Question
Title: Lookout security not working
I successfully installed Lookout but when I try to open it it says "Unfortunately Lookout, has stopped. I tried reinstalling it. I can see it running in the notification bar e.g. it says it has finished scanning apps What can I do to use it?

# Answer
> 1 votes
I contacted the makers and they said it's a known problem and they were working on it. The latest update fixed this.

---
Tags: force-close, lookout
---


# Question
Title: How can I replace the "gallery" app? (On rooted bluestacks app player)
I am using BlueStacks app player with a rooted Android system installed. I use it for WhatsApp and Kik messengers. I like to send pictures to my contacts but the shared folder is not visible in pictures, so I downloaded QuickPic which works Awesome! but one drawback: Some applications still launch the gallery app, and **ignore** the fact that QuickPic is my default gallery app. I cannot uninstall "gallery" from the apps.. so how do I replace it? Gallery app is limited and unusable for me, I like to browse the directories myself on the SDcard. I also have a terminal available if that's of any help (Android Terminal Emulator). How can I permanently replace the gallery with QuickPic? I cannot choose my own wallpapers because Gallery is launched instead of QuickPic.

# Answer
> 4 votes
Most apps, when they want to choose an image, use an *implicit intent*, which just says what they want to do, and doesn't specifically name the Gallery app. This means that any app that can perform that action can be started, and if you have more than one, you get the *chooser* to choose which to launch. This is the normal behaviour.

You won't get a chooser if you've previously clicked **Always** in the chooser to set one app as the default, or if the calling app uses an *explicit* intent, naming the Gallery app specifically.

It's best to check the first case. In the device settings, go to the list of all apps, and find the Gallery. Click it to go into that app's info page, then click **Clear defaults**. If **Clear defaults** is greyed out, then it's not set as the default for anything.

If you still don't get a chooser, then it's the second case: the calling app is specifically asking for the Gallery, not just for any app that can choose an image. Only the author of the calling app can fix this.

---
Tags: root-access, gallery, bluestacks
---


title: Setting Defaults for Links

text:
# Question
Title: Setting Defaults for Links
I've been confused about how this works for quote some time now-- when I click a link, say in a browser (Chrome for example) and get the "open with" dialog if you will, if I chose to save a default for a Google maps link, will that set the default to ALL Google maps links, that particular link, or am I missing something?

I'm often afraid to set defaults because I'm not clear on what it is I'm actually setting a default for-- is it the domain name?

I'd appreciate any tips, links to documentation, or app suggestions to make this clearer to me. Thanks!

# Answer
Short answer: yes, it's for all Google Maps links.

The long answer is that Android's *intent* mechanism (which is the way Android decides what app to start) can use different parts of the URL to match the app. The app can register itself with Android to handle:

* a particular URI scheme, such as `market://`
* a particular domain, such as `youtube.com`
* paths within the domain matching a particular filter, such as `/users/*`

Apps can also filter on other things not relevant to clicking a link, such as different actions (e.g. share) or different MIME types. One app can have more than one filter, and one filter can match any combination of the above things. For example, a YouTube app might have one filter that matches when all these conditions are met:

* the scheme is `http://` or `https://`
* the domain is `youtube.com`
* the path matches `watch?v=*`

and another that matches when all these conditions are met:

* the scheme is `http://` or `https://`
* the domain is `youtu.be` (the domain for short URLs)

In this case, there are two different defaults to set: the first time you click a link `http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJRFaR71HfY` it will set the default for that kind of link. Then, if you later click a `http://youtu.be/DJRFaR71HfY`, it'll ask a second time, because that counts as a different kind of link.

In the case of Google Maps, there are several different kinds of link it can handle (as well as other intent filters not relevant to links):-

* `geo://*`
* `latitude://*`
* `http://maps.google.tld/` or `https://maps.google.tld/` (with nothing after the `/`), for every TLD that Google has (google.com, google.fr, etc.)
* `http://maps.google.tld/maps*` or `https://maps.google.tld/maps*`
* `http://mapy.google.pl/` or `https://mapy.google.pl/` ("mapy" being Polish for "maps")
* `http://mapy.google.pl/maps*` or `https://mapy.googl.pl/maps*`
* `http://local.google.com/` or `https://local.google.com/`
* `http://local.google.com/maps*` or `https://local.google.com/maps*`
* `http://m.google.com/latitude` or `https://m.google.com/latitude`
* `http://www.google.com/latitude` or `https://www.google.com/latitude`
* `http://m.google.com/u/m/*` or `https://m.google.com/u/m/*`

Each one of those lines counts as a different kind of link, so Android will ask again. In addition, all but the first of those have two separate entries: one for opening or browsing a link in the usual way, and another for scanning an NFC tag (or receiving by Android Beam) a matching link. Again, those two things count as different links for the purposes of setting defaults.

---

To get this information from the Google Maps app, I used the app PackageExplorer. The information it gives you takes some knowledge to interpret: you may find the Android intent API guide for developers useful.
> 4 votes

---
Tags: chrome-for-android, default-applications
---


# Question
Title: Does Android have a formal release cycle?
I have been tasked with documenting Google/Android's release plan so that our company has a policy of advanced testing our software on new mobile operating systems.

It seems like Apple/iOS has a fairly routine plan where several rounds of betas are available to developers.

The most detailed report I found was this: http://reecewagner.com/post/21956240240 but it is a little lacking in official sources, and is less relevant for application developers.

I would like to know when they offer the SDK/emulator with new OS image compared to when phones ship/platform updates roll out.

# Answer
> 2 votes
This quotes Andy Rubin in saying that they will move from a twice a year release schedule to a yearly cycle. But I don't know of an actual "official" publication. Also, this "yearly" cycle probably only means "major" releases, but there will still probably be "minor" updates through out the year like they have done in the past.

The Quote:

> So we launched it, and from our internal 0.8, we got to 1.0 pretty quickly, and we went through this iteration cycle. You’ve noticed, probably, that that’s slowed down a little bit. Our product cycle is now, basically twice a year, and it will probably end up being once a year when things start settling down, because a platform that’s moving — it’s hard for developers to keep up. I want developers to basically leverage the innovation. I don’t want developers to have to predict the innovation.
>
> * **ANDY RUBIN** *VP of Engineering for Android at Google*

# Answer
> 0 votes
No, there's no officially published plan. The only people who get advance access to new versions before they're released are certain big-name developers (and tier 1 hardware vendors, of course) under NDA, so they can be ready take advantage of new features. The rest of us get it when the updates get pushed out. (Usually, the new SDK and emulator images appear a little *after* the new devices ship.)

Unless you want to take advantage of not-yet-announced features, there's no need to change your app for new OS versions, because of the backwards-compatibility features present in Android.

---
Tags: android-versions, android-sdk
---


title: Using Google voice number without data

text:
# Question
Title: Using Google voice number without data
So I know similar questions have been asked, but I feel my situation is a bit unique to everything I've read. So I transferred my old number that everyone knows to Google voice, then I got a new phone with a new number that only has calling and texting. I took the SIM card out of that phone and put it into my android phone, effectively giving me an android that has calling and texting, but no data plan. I set up google voice to recognize my new number and call forward and everything seems to work while I'm on wifi, but I don't seem to receive text messages when I am not on wifi.

Is there a way to tell google voice to send all text messages it receives on my gv number to my carriers text plan with my new number (even if I don't have access to data)? Also can replying to these messages without being near wifi show my gv number instead of my new phones number? I can call Google voice and have it call the number I want to have my old number always show up, but with texting I haven't seemed to find a way yet. Anyone in a similar situation have a good solution?

# Answer
> 2 votes
I figured it out. If you navigate to this page, and tick the *receive text messages on this phone* box all texts to Google voice will be forwarded to your phone via SMS. This generates a new number for each of your contacts that will travel between Google voice before delivery, making it so you will always show as your Google voice number to friends, even if you are outside of wifi. So just need to save the new number for each contact and be sure to text that instead of their actual number and it works perfect. More info here.

---
Tags: sms, google-voice
---


# Question
Title: Wifi access point login page everytime I open the browser via an intent
This one is driving me mad :)

A few days ago, I connected to a free WiFi AP at a store. The network requires a logon and showed the logon page when I opened the browser. The terms and conditions included me giving them permission to send me marketing SMSs so I just ignored the logon. Chrome was my default browser.

Now, every time my browser opens via an intent other than the launcher, e.g. from Flipboard, it displays this logon page. This happens whether or not WiFi is enabled.

I've cleared all data and defaults for both my browsers (I only have stock Google browser and Chrome), rebooted my phone and "forgotten" the WiFi AP but still it shows up.

I'm running stock 4.1.2, rooted, on a Galaxy S3 GT9300.

Any ideas before I have to do a factory reset?

Thanks.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Found it. When I say "e.g. Flipboard", it is **only** Flipboard that has the problem.

If I clear data on Flipboard, it stops happening. I went back to the same store and repeated the process of accessing the AP but not completing the logon, and it came right back. Cleared Flipboard data and all good.

I've bugged it with them.

---
Tags: wi-fi, browser
---


# Question
Title: SuperOneClick freezes at "Running psneuter" while rooting. What can I do?
I tried to root my new Samsung Galaxy S II today using the instructions in the CF-Root thread and in the videos provided by this guy on YouTube.

I was nearly across the finish line, but when I click the big "Root" button on SuperOneClick, it freezes at "Running psneuter" and won't go any further or shut down (without Task Manager intervention).

I've tried leaving it for \> 10 mins, turning off all antivirus and I've tried 2 different SuperOneClick versions (1.9.1 and 1.7) to no avail.

Because of this, I'm pretty sure my root isn't going through properly. Mainly because when I check if my phone is rooted properly I can't get `su` access in shell.

Any ideas/thoughts about what to do?

# Answer
> 1 votes
According to an answer I got a thread I made at XDA Developers, it looks like the phone actually is rooted because the whole idea with the CF-Root Kernel I used is that it comes pre rooted (which makes me feel slightly sheepish!).

# Answer
> 0 votes
disable antivirus in your system before extracting superoneclick and while running it

---
Tags: rooting, samsung-galaxy-s-2
---


# Question
Title: Silencing notification of scheduled quiet mode (LG G2)
I have quiet mode scheduled and it works exactly as I want. The problem is there is a notification every morning that my scheduled quiet mode occurred. I'm starting to hate seeing this notification and I don't need to see it.

# Answer
> 1 votes
What application do you use to enable quiet mode? Is it standalone application or a system app?

If it's a standalone application then you could try turning off notifications for that app however note that this will disable all notifications coming from the app, not just the silent one.

---
Tags: notifications
---


# Question
Title: How can I pick the correct replacement usb charger for my phone?
My phone has a wall charger with outputs 5vdc and 850mA, which just broke (I saved the USB-microB cable which I've been using to charge from laptops). Unfortunately, OEM chargers of that particular model are not readily available in our area. So, I have to resort to generic/replacement chargers or adapters. Now, when I got to an electronics store, they don't have a charger with the exact specs. It's either a 700mA or an iPhone adapter that has 1A output current. Which should be somehow better/safe for my phone which has Li-Ion 1320 mAh battery? I've seen other threads which suggest getting higher outputs while some say otherwise.

# Answer
Using a higher current charger will not be a problem. The phone "pulls" current, rather than having the current "pushed" to it by the charger, so it will only take as much current as it wants, regardless of how much the charger is capable of supplying.

By relation, there's no point in getting a charger with a current rating higher than your phone will accept. It's just a waste of money, as your phone won't make use of the extra capability. Exactly how much current your phone will accept is usually unspecified and is generally only determinable by direct measurement (i.e. put a multimeter in the circuit), and thus generally isn't practical to exactly determine for an everyday user.

1A chargers are fairly standard and would be completely adequate for almost any phone. Chargers with more current than that are generally intended for tablets/phablets which have much larger batteries and will accept more current (e.g. 10" tablets generally charge at around 2.5A). Your phone will charge off those fine, but as I said above, just won't take advantage of the extra current capability you paid for.
> 3 votes

# Answer
The 700mA is safer bet but will result in longer charging period than the 1A/850mA. The 1A charger would be charging faster but might not be preferable (check your battery for the details Voltage & Current).

PS: Incompatible chargers tend to cause weird *ghost touches* in the touch screen.
> 1 votes

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Tags: usb, charging
---


title: How do I find my Nexus 7 model number

text:
# Question
Title: How do I find my Nexus 7 model number
I am building an adhoc network using Asus Nexus 7. I've managed to root using CyanogenMod and ClockworkMod recovery and establish the adhoc after installing Thinktube image-file. However, i need to buy similar tablets so that i can test the network for real.

I am now trying to find out my Nexus 7 model number. But when i go to ***Settings--\>About Tablet--\>Model Number***, All I can see is ***Nexus 7***.

how can I find the Model of my Tablet ?

# Answer
The XDA Wiki entry of the Nexus 7 only mentions two models:

* Wifi Model: ME370T
* Cellular Model: ME370TG

So if you have a functional SIM card slot then you have the cellular Model, otherwise the wifi-only one.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod
---


# Question
Title: Galaxy Tab Multi Device App Installation
I am planning on having a few labs of Galaxy Tabs (60+ tabs), and I need a way to manage all of these. Primarily I need a way to automatically install apps on all of these at once. I know there is a solution called Meraki but it won't install the apps for you it just sends a notification and the user has to install individually install the app which is kinda useless.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Mobile Device Manager might be a solution for you. You can find an introduction with screenshots and more on AndroidTapp. Quoting:

> 3CX Mobile Device Manager is a flexible and easy to implement service that allows a user to remotely manage, locate and administrate mobile devices. From the comfort of a web browser you can control multiple devices in a variety of ways. It’s a great option for network administrators who, in addition to swathes of desktop PCs and laptops to worry about, now also has to ensure the company’s smartphones and tablets are secure and up to date.

---
Tags: applications, samsung-galaxy-tab, installation, automation, multiple-devices
---


# Question
Title: Is there any difference between Samsung Galaxy S 3 GT-I9300 and I9300?
I've been looking into flashing a custom ROM on my Galaxy S 3, and most of custom ROM are only supported by the I9300 model of the Galaxy S 3.

When I went into my phone's settings, it said GT-I9300, so my question is: Are these two are the same and the HTC part is just being omitted, or these are two different models of the device?

Thank you for the attention, I.

# Answer
> 2 votes
I9300 is just a shortened form of GT-I9300. They both mean the same device.

Just don't mix it up with the I9305, which is a different device, specifically the international LTE version.

Wikipedia has a useful chart of the different models and how they differ. Minor models (e.g. I9300/I9300T or I747/I747m) are inter-compatible for ROM purposes.

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


# Question
Title: Can open an HTML file with Browser but not HTMLViewer
I have an HTML file on my SD card. Opening it with "Browser" works as expected. However, if I try to open it with the built-in app "HTMLViewer", I receive the following error message:

> Web page not available
>
> The Web page at *File URI* could not be loaded:
>
> The requested file was not found.

Obviously the file is there since I can open it with Browser. This was not a problem on Android 2.2.1.

Why can't HTMLViewer open an HTML file?

# Answer
> 1 votes
The HTMLViewer mentioned does not like spaces in the file name. Rename the file with underscore or throw them out.

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Tags: motorola-droid-x, file-system, html, 3.2-honeycomb
---


title: short battery life

text:
# Question
Title: short battery life
I have a gs3 running slim bean, and the battery life seems horrible to me. I woke up this morning at 8:00am with 100% battery life and by 1:30pm it has gone down to 23% I have been I barely use the phone throughout the day too. The entire time the phone is probably being used for 30 min to an hour the rest of the time the screen is off.

What causes this?

# Answer
You have to remember that GS3 has a quad core processor which uses quite a bit of power. Also you have 4 radios (GPS, Bluetooth, WiFi and Mobile data. If you are leaving all the radios on during the work day, you are consuming battery power. Did you listen to music sometimes during the day....? Did check Facebook or take pictures? Which apps to do you have running? All these features consume power. You might need to adjust your features - turn off bluetooth and/or GPS and WiFi if you are not using them or close some of the apps. If I am away from a charging station and am listening to music and don't need my GPS or WiFi, I usually turn those features off to conserve battery poweer.
> 0 votes

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Tags: battery-life, battery
---


# Question
Title: Why does a SyncMe shortcut run only "once"?
I'm trying to run SyncMe only when computer is pingable. Since the app currently is not able to work this way, I'm using Tasker and its AutoShortcut plugin. SyncMe exposes an intent/shortcut which allows to run all sync jobs for a given computer. Tasker was then configured to run such shortcut under certain conditions and every two minutes.

The problem is that the shortcut will only run "once", any subsequent calls to the shortcut will not run the sync. This happens not only from within Tasker but also when adding the shortcut to home screen. When tapping the icon for the first time, UI shows up and the sync runs correctly. But if I press home button and tap it again, it will only return focus to the UI without any action being taken.

The only way I could figure out to make the shortcut run again was somehow "closing" the app, for example going to home screen with the back button or removing SyncMe from recent apps, none of which seems possible from within Tasker, I think it requires rooting.

# Answer
# Home screen shortcut

We believe it's an Android bug. In fact, as I could confirm on a custom build, adding `FLAG_ACTIVITY_SINGLE_TOP` fixed the problem for home screen shortcuts, despite its documentation indicating pretty the opposite, as below. We find those docs very poorly written, at least. According to the developer, this fix is going to work as long as main app activity stays on top (that is, editing a sync job then pressing home button for tapping icon again is not going to work).

> *If set, the activity will not be launched if it is already running at the top of the history stack.*

# Tasker and AutoShortcut

For some reason, the above fix does not work in AutoShortcut. I don't know how different the intent sent by this plugin is from that of the home screen shortcuts. Either way, I have reported the problem to the developer. Regardless, I also just have set up a direct intent configuration in Tasker, instead of using AutoShortcut, as follows:

* Action: *`com.bv.wifisync.run`*
* Extra: *`itemId:<id>`*
* Package: *`com.bv.wifisync`*
* Class: *`com.bv.wifisync.Hosts`*
* Target: *`Activity`*
> 0 votes

# Answer
Android gives activities a setting called `launchMode`, which allows them to control how and when they're launched. With some values of `launchMode`, starting the same activity again with an intent won't start a new activity: instead, it'll deliver the new intent to the existing activity. This might happen only if the activity is the foreground activity, or if it is anywhere in the current *task* (that is, if you can get to that activity just by pressing *back* repeatedly).

It's quite common for app authors to set `launchMode` to solve some kinds of programming or user interface problem, such as concurrency issues that arise from having two instances of the same activity running at once, one in the foreground and one in the background. When they do this, they don't always remember to write the code to handle the new intent the activity is sent by Android: the activity receives the intent a different way to when it's first launched.

It's hard to tell without knowing more about this app, but from the behaviour you describe, it sounds like SyncMe has fallen into this trap. You should tell the developer what you're trying to achieve, and ask them to fix it.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: sync, tasker, intents
---


title: Android OS without Google Services?

text:
# Question
Title: Android OS without Google Services?
I have a Sony Xperia Z with version 4.1.2 running.

My question is about removing all of the Google baggage from the phone.

I have no Google account tied to my phone and would really like to get rid of all traces of Google from my phone for a few reasons:

* Battery performance: Google services ranks in the top 3 of what uses up my battery
* Privacy: I try to minimize what Google siphons from my phone with the exception of Google maps
* Less Dependency: I don't want to be dependent on one company for all my needs.

So are there any Android versions out there that are minimalistic and do not invade your privacy?

# Answer
Most after-market ROMs ship without Google Apps by default. Take a look at e.g. CyanogenMod, which is available for many devices. So if you can install custom ROMs, that's one way to go.

A different approach would be disabling all Google apps, or even remove them (on a rooted device). This might be a little more tricky as you would have to figure out all dependencies yourself.
> 8 votes

# Answer
Another thing you need to consider if you have no Google account is what to do about your contacts and calendar.

Since you are not going to synchronize your phone contacts and calendar with Google, you need another solution. A good option is to keep your data in Outlook on your computer and use Akruto Sync to synchronize it with your phone.

Akruto Sync runs on your computer, allowing your Android phone to connect directly to your computer across the Internet, the same way it connects to Google, except that you are not sharing your information with anyone. Your Outlook contacts and calendar are always up-to-date on your phone and they stay private.
> 0 votes

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Tags: uninstallation, operating-system
---


# Question
Title: Improve barcode scanning on a low resolution camera (3.2MP) without auto focus
I have two phones, one has a 3.2MP camera, and the other has an 8MP camera. I downloaded the 'Barcode Scanner' app on both phones, it works on the 8MP phone but the 3.2MP phone sometimes doesn't pick up any barcodes at all.

Update: from the discussion in the comment thread, it seems the phone doesn't pick up barcodes because it doesn't have Auto Focus. Is there a way I can get around this?

# Answer
> 3 votes
(I'll address your 2nd edit below...)

Some cheap camera modules don't include an auto focus feature, i.e. they are fix-focus'ed to infinity.

Barcode scanners need a near focus though and cannot (or hardly) scan the resulting blurry images that result from infinity-focused fix-focus cameras.

The only way around this would be to attach a *macro lens* specifically designed for smartphone cameras (also works with fix focus). Search for smartphone macro lens to see some samples.

I already tried that once with an older (also fix-focus) Sony-Ericsson Xperia X8 and it worked back then.

# Answer
> 4 votes
FREE solution:

I've had success with a fraction of a drop of water or oil over the lens of the camera on my ZTE Score. It causes bar codes close to the camera to be in focus, and they read reliably. Enough to form a convex surface, but not so much that it drops off.

The ZTE Score has a smooth back; I dip my finger in oil and, with the lens aimed up, touch the back of the phone where the lens to put a droplet of oil on it. Then I can turn the phone face up (lens down) and I can scan bar codes. If the outer surface of your camera lens isn't flat, this likely won't work, but it's worked with my ZTE score and should work with most low-end (fixed focus) phones.

A clear convex on one side, flat and sticky on the other side piece of plastic would do the trick too; I recall seeing stick-on rubber feet that would have served well, but haven't seen 'em and haven't tried that.

I got tired of doing this every time I wanted to scan a barcode, and just ordered a macro lens.

If the codes don't fit on the screen when in focus, your drop is too big; use less.

# Answer
> -1 votes
As I know, if you put a distance between the phone and the barcode far enough so there's no need for auto-focus, the phone should recognize it. But in some cases, the barcode distance may be far from the specific rectangle by the app, so it will not be recognized. In this case, this situation will differ from one phone to another, and btw I had this case in the past, and it never worked for me.

---
Tags: camera, 2.2-froyo, barcode
---


# Question
Title: Error installing Android 4.3 using adb sideload
Situation : My phone battery drains out completely one day and even after charging it fully the phone is still stuck in boot-loop with Nexus 'X' logo.

What I did : Tried factory reset from recovery mode multiple times but no luck. I tried to install factory 4.3 as well as 4.2.2 using adb sideload but constantly get the error.. "Signature verification failed". I checked the md5 checksum for my downloaded file and it seems fine.

What am I doing wrong here ? Amongst the images downloaded in a .tgz file what is the the file I should be using for sideload ?

Note : I am using xubuntu to run the adb command

# Answer
> 2 votes
You can't install a ROM using `adb install`, just like you can't install a fresh Ubuntu system with `apt-get`. You use `fastboot` to install new ROMs, when the device is in fastboot mode. Instructions are different for each device, and the ROM you downloaded should come with them.

Regardless, from the symptoms you describe, it doesn't sound like installing a new ROM will help with the problem. Before trying anything so drastic, check the tag wiki to see some more triage/debugging steps you can try.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Updates : I did fastboot all the images and the 4.3 image using adb. No errors but was still stuck at the 'X' logo after while booting. Next I tried to flash the twrp recovery and clockwork recovery image so that i could sideload the image.zip. But was still getting the verification failed error. On closer look at the logs of clockwork i found these :

"cant partition non-vfat: datamedia
cant format unknown volume: /external\_sd
cant format unknown voume: /emmc"

Have I done any damage to the memory ?

---
Tags: adb, side-loading
---


# Question
Title: How do I install apps (.apk files) that are placed in my Xperia U's internal memory?
I have Xperia U. I copied 2-3 games, their .apk files to be precise, to my internal storage. How can I run them? I have not installed them yet.

# Answer
## 1. Updating the firmware

Sony Xperia U has official firmware upgrade to ICS (4.0.4, I believe). Connect you phone to your PC and run Sony PC Companion. From there you can update your phone to ICS.

Warning: Always take a backup in PC companion before updating firmware.

## 2. Installing APKs which are not from market

To enable installation of applications which are not from market, please follow the steps

> * go to **Menu** \> **Settings** \> **Applications** and make sure “**Unknown sources**” is checked.
> * Open a file manager and click on the APK which want to install and in the dialog box click install.
> * Open the application from application drawer.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Connect your phone to your PC and run Sony PC suit. and update your firmware

take backup of contacts, messages, notes etc.

just go to your file explorer and run then select verify and install or package installer.

if it says enable unknown app installation

```
    go to Menu -> Settings -> Security -> Applications and check “Unknown sources”.

```
> 0 votes

---
Tags: installation
---


title: Does rooting erase anything?

text:
# Question
Title: Does rooting erase anything?
If I root my android phone (just so I can get access to Wifi Tethering, etc.) will that erase anything on the phone (apps, data, etc.)?

Will it change anything other than the ability to run app(s) as rooted?

# Answer
> will that erase anything on the phone

Rooting itself should not erase anything (except for, maybe, temporary files created during the process). However, on some devices rooting requires to first unlock the bootloader -- and *that* usually includes a (which means: *all* data and user-installed apps are gone -- which you can work around on Android 4.0+ performing an `adb backup –apk –shared –all –f /path/to/backup.ab` *before* performing the unlock, and `adb restore /path/to/backup.ab` afterwards, as Compro01 pointed out in below comment).

> Will it change anything other than the ability to run app(s) as rooted?

Yes.¹ As the necessary binaries (usually `su`, `SuperUser.apk`/`SuperSU.apk`, and `busybox` with all its symlinks) are pushed to the `/system` partition (which otherwise is mounted read-only), it will change that partition. Might sound trivial now, but the thing is: some s (and other updates shipping directly from the manufacturer/provider) first compare the partitions checksum. If that doesn't match (and it won't after rooting), updates might be refused/failing.

On the other hand: if those updates wouldn't fail, you might lose when they are applied. If they include a full `/system` image, that is.

---

¹ <sub>**Update:** With Magisk the changes described here are not applied to the system partition.</sub>
> 27 votes

# Answer
It "shouldn't" change anything other than adding permission to `su`, and perhaps adding Superuser permissions app and busybox. It really depends on what method you use, though, there could be glitches that might delete something.
> 1 votes

# Answer
I have rooted before and it doesn't erase anything.
> 0 votes

# Answer
No Rooting does not erase anything in most of the cases, it instead provides you with extraordinary backup capabilities.

When you're rooted, you can backup almost anything (user apps, system apps, all app data, call logs, SMS, game progress, Wi-Fi access points and more) that can be easily and seamlessly restored in case of a factory reset or otherwise so loss of the data.
> 0 votes

# Answer
I root devices often. Rooting does not erase anything but if the rooting method does not apply properly, your motherboard can get locked or damaged.

It's always preferred to take backup before doing anything.

You can get your contacts from your email account but notes and tasks are stored in phone memory by default.

Also, after rooting you can install Clockworkmod recovery but do not wipe anything.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: rooting
---


# Question
Title: How can I update my Samsung Galaxy Gio without a PC/Kies?
I have a Samsung Galaxy Gio and at home we do not have a computer. Is there anyway I can update or upgrade my software without using a computer? It will be fine if I have to download a few apps for the update.

# Answer
I'm afraid not. There is an official 2.3.6 upgrade available, but it's not available using Android's over-the-air (OTA) update system, so you have to use Samsung Kies on a PC to flash it to the phone. There are also unofficial 4.1.2 upgrades available, but similarly, you need Kies to flash the phone.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: updates, samsung-galaxy-gio
---


# Question
Title: How do you close apps in Android so they aren't taking up resources?
This may sound silly but it's a good point. In apps such as web browsers pressing the back key only navigates the browser back to the previous page. Pressing the home key makes an app disappear, but isn't it still running in the back ground? So for apps like web browsers where pressing the back key doesn't close them how do you close them when you want to change applications and not have an unused one taking resources?

Isn't it a bit rediculous that there's no built in way in android to exit an app?

# Answer
Advanced task killer is very simple, light(\< 300kb), and can be placed as an widget to kill all the running process in a single touch.

Also if you have developers options enabled in your phone you can select the number of background process limit or what to do when user leaves a process.
> 1 votes

# Answer
you can use any task killer or task manager for it.

Or simply you can go to

System -\>Application -\> Running -\> select app and click on stop.

if android v 3.0 + then

just long press Home key On lenovo long press menu key and just left or right slide you app it will get killed...

ok...
> 0 votes

---
Tags: task-management, resource-monitoring, home-button
---


title: How do I sync with DropBox?

text:
# Question
Title: How do I sync with DropBox?
I want to sync DropBox with Android, so I can use the files on Android. So I installed DropBox on Android, but it won't download any files! (or at least I don't see them under `sdcard/Android/com.dropbox.android`. So I can't use the the files on Android. Did I get it wrong somehow?

I tried `Folder downloader`, but I lose the sync feature of DropBox this way. The files modified on my Android won't be synced with my laptop.

I was expecting to see `Dropbox folder` option on Android, same as on the laptop. But there's no such option.

# Answer
> 5 votes
DropSpace has some limitations according to it's description on the Play store:

```
*** current limitation:
Only files existing on the sdcard are synced.
That is, it's not a full 2-way sync.

```

I've been using DropSync. It does sync in both directions and I've had no cause for complaint.

# Answer
> 4 votes
Oh -- I found it DropSpace allows one to select a folder on Android -- and keep it fully synced with any (but not the root) Dropbox folder.

# Answer
> 4 votes
To download, you need to open the DropBox app, and select the file you want to download.

To upload, you need to open the DropBox app, and select `Upload here` from the DropBox menu.

The files you see on the DropBox app are not the actual files. They are only links that are in the DropBox server, which you must download. The DropBox app for Android does not work the same way as the DropBox app for the PC. The PC version automatically downloads / syncs the file on your PC.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Note Dropbox has their own implementation of this, but it's not at all the same (I recommend Dropsync instead). You can mark individual files as a favorite, then they sync normally:

Downloading (favoriting) files to your phone or tablet
The mobile app shows you the list of your files, but it only downloads the actual files as needed, such as when you tap on a file to view it. To ensure that a file is always on your device and up to date, mark it as favorite. This will also make it available when your device is offline.

# Answer
> 1 votes
FolderSync is also able to sync folders with DropBox and it supports Tasker automation as well.

This way you can configure - for instance - Tasker so to trigger a sync whenever you connect to your home wifi.

The only drawback is that FolderSync is not getting updates since quite a while, unfortunately.

---
Tags: dropbox
---


# Question
Title: Water Damage to Droid 4 Non Removable Battery
I dropped my Droid 4 in a clean toilet. The battery is not removable so I am concerned that waiting 2 or 3 days while it "drys out" in rice is a complete waste of time. I am hoping someone can tell me if there is any hope that it may function normally again or should I buy a new one.

I'm not a patient person so waiting for it to dry out is sort of annoying.

# Answer
If you have warranty then give it to the service centre and tell them to clear the water logs, if you don't have then you can do it by yourself and there are lots of tutorials available for dismantling and assembling. Keeping the phone with battery and water could cause some short circuit and there are possibilties that you battery will be dead completely. So act fast
> 1 votes

---
Tags: motorola-droid-4, water-damage
---


title: Languages in Nexus 4 from Germany

text:
# Question
Title: Languages in Nexus 4 from Germany
I hope my question is not too strange. I would like to buy the current Google Nexus 4 16GB in Germany from Google Play. But I am interested if anyone can confirm that it has English language installed in in the system languages. I am concerned that it only has German.

Thank you very much.

# Answer
> 1 votes
It will indeed have English. The default language may be German, but it can be changed in the settings.

---
Tags: google-play-store, nexus-4, languages
---


# Question
Title: How to change /system/fonts directory permission to writable in switch off mode?
I have Micromax A57 android 2.3.5 rooted phone, I have installed font using "Font Installer Root" application , after installing successfully I realize that font is not good, then after I delete that font from /system/fonts directory, and I install DroidSans.ttf font from that application, while installing process device get hanged, so I remove battery and place it again and start the device , Now my phone is not started,

when I attach cable with device I can see in Eclipse that in /system/fonts folder DroidSans.ttf has o bytes that means by mistake that font has been deleted, now wants to copy that font in /system/fonts directory, i have tried with Eclipse but it has read only permission so I am failed, If I can copy that file then issue can be solved,

Please help me to change permission of /system/fonts directory so that I can copy that fonts and get my device data back

# Answer
As it seems you can access your device via ADB, you should be able to remount `/system` read/write to repair that file, using

```
adb remount

```

After that, you can copy the intact `DroidSans.ttf` to `/system/fonts`, overwriting the 0-byte-file. Following a reboot, `/system` will be mounted read-only again, and everything should be working.

---

In case that `adb remount` should fail with a "permission denied", you might wish to read How to remount /system as read-write in Android, which explains the manual remount process step-by-step. That would basically be:

1. get a shell on the Android device using either `adb shell` or a terminal app
2. become root using `su`
3. find out how and where `/system` is mounted, using `mount | grep system`
4. mount `/system` read/write using the information obtained, e.g. `mount -o rw,remount /dev/block/<device> /system` (make sure to use the device obtained in the previous step instead of `/dev/block/<device>`)
5. verify whether your remount was successful, again using `mount | grep system`
6. now copy your `DroidSans.ttf` to `/system/fonts`
7. either reboot, or simply remount `/system` read-only using the parameters obtained in step 3, e.g. `/dev/block/<device> /system ext4 rw,relatime,barrier=1,data=ordered 0 0`

Always make sure to use the device and parameters obtained from step 3, or you might completely mess up.
> 4 votes

---
Tags: root-access, fonts
---


title: HTC One recommended Cyanogenmod ROM?

text:
# Question
Title: HTC One recommended Cyanogenmod ROM?
I have HTC One (model PN07100 - 801n) which I've unlocked and rooted. However I'm having an issue with booting Cyanogenmod, and the boot screen seems to loop endlessly. At my last attempt I left for half an hour. I'm using TWRP to install the ROMs, and doing a cache/dalvik cache clean before attempting a reboot.

The Cyanogenmod website lists many roms (not sure which ones apply to my model) and I've tried two;

m7tmo & m7ul.

cm-10.1.3-RC2-m7tmo cm-10.1.3-RC2-m7ul

NB: I'm on T-mobile but T-mobile in the UK.

# Answer
> 2 votes
Go here and follow the steps: Official CyanogenMod thread for HTC One

Download latest version from here: Official CyanogenMod downloads for HTC One

Regarding your problem, getting stuck in a bootloop may mean that you forgot to flash the kernel(boot.img) or didn't flash it properly. Do that again.

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, rom, twrp
---


# Question
Title: Disable window animations when the menu option is missing?
How do I set *Window animation scale* and *Transition animation scale* to *Animation off* when the option to do so is not available on my ROM (though it ought to be). Specifically it should be under *Developer options* in *Settings* but all of the *User interface* options are missing.

# Answer
If you have root, you can edit the Settings database through adb:

```
adb shell
# sqlite3 /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db
sqlite> update system set value=0 where name='window_animation_scale';
sqlite> update system set value=0 where name='transition_animation_scale';
sqlite> .exit
# exit
adb reboot

```

I first attempted to edit the field with the SQLite Editor app from the Play Store: `Settings Storage (com.android.providers.settings) → settings.db → system → window_animation_scale` but it unfortunately gave me `Update failed - error code 5: database is locked`. Whereas updating the database from adb worked fine. (Perhaps a different app would also work.)

Other settings are also editable this way.

If sqlite3 says permission denied you may need to chmod it to allow execution. You also may need to find the right path to use above for the settings.db file, here's an example:

```
# find / -name sqlite3
/system/xbin/sqlite3
# chmod 755 /system/xbin/sqlite3
# find / -name settings.db
/dbdata/databases/com.android.providers.settings/settings.db

```
> 2 votes

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich
---


title: Are GPS-tracking apps data dependent?

text:
# Question
Title: Are GPS-tracking apps data dependent?
Are GPS-tracking apps data dependent or will devices use GPS signals alone, to notify their locations?

I am looking for a GPS-tracking app to track family members on a trip where we gonna have limited network coverage, and in some areas no coverage at all.

I am not sure if these apps need data connection to send the location to another device, or they would only use GPS signals.

# Answer
> 3 votes
It's not entirely clear from your question what exactly you mean by "tracking". If you only wish to record a log of where the device has been (so you can look at it later, or retrace your own steps), then you don't need any internet access for that. The device just receives the GPS signal, calculates its position, and saves that position to a file every so often. There are *many* apps that can do this: some of them are intended for sports, and offer features like finding your top speed, or comparing your time over a certain route with your friends; others are designed for making your own maps, or geotagging photos made on a real camera.

However, it sounds like you might want different devices to tell each other their positions, using something like Google Maps "location sharing", so that you can find where family members are right now. Obviously that would require internet access (whether that's 3G or Wi-Fi) so the devices can communicate with each other. The GPS *receiver* is exactly that: it receives signals from satellites to determine its position, without transmitting anything. GPS only tells you where you are, not where anyone else is.

# Answer
> 6 votes
While a data connection might prove helpful for a faster fix (see: AGPS), it's not strictly necessary to have one. There a a lot of "Offline GPS Apps" available. I personally e.g. used Locus Maps successfully for that in the past, but there are plenty of similar apps available.

Tracks can be stored on the device, of course, and do not need to be sent to a server for the tracking process itself. Most apps allow to export them later in GPX or KML formats.

If, however, you want to now the position from a "remote device" (as your updated question shows, to e.g. know where your kids are at the moment), that cannot work via GPS alone, as GPS signals are only *received* by our devices, not sent. So this requires at least some kind of coverage: solutions are available to exchange data by different means, e.g. via internet (requires mobile data) or by SMS (still requires a network signal).

---
Tags: gps, data-connection, gps-tracking, glonass
---


# Question
Title: Can I add metadata to a jpeg in Android?
Does anyone know of a way to take `jpeg`s imported from my camera onto my Android tablet then add the metadata properties that Windows calls Title, Tags (I assume, possibly wrong, that this is Keywords in `EXIF` terms) and possibly Subject so that they are there when I eventually transfer the photos to Windows PC?

Any help appreciated.

# Answer
> 0 votes
There are several exif editors in Google Play. One of them is EXIF Tag Editor (Photo).

As suggested by Izzy, there are also gallery apps that can do this:

Note that the latter two apps are no longer available on Play Store.

---
Tags: photos
---


# Question
Title: Can a MM download, being sent to one phone, also go to a third party who is concurrently sending the mutual receiver a text message?
I got a MM download that was being sent to someone to whom I was in the process of sending a text message; is this actually possible? We both ended up with the MM download; the mutual receiver of both of our messages couldn't believe I ended up with the MM download that was only intended for him, and the sender of the download didn't intend for me to receive the download either.

# Answer
Yes, this was possible on Android 2.2 owing to an error in Android. On versions with the bug, if you *receive* an SMS (or MMS) message while *composing* another, the message being composed has its recipient replaced with the sender of the message you received.

It was fixed in Gingerbread, as well as with an update to Froyo, but not all manufacturers or carriers may have passed the fix onto end users.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: security
---


title: Call Recorder Issue in HTC Devices?

text:
# Question
Title: Call Recorder Issue in HTC Devices?
I am unable to record calls on my HTC device, and also there is not any app to record the calls. So I tried with the Third party apps from Play store, but then to I am just able to Listen my voice not the other person with whom I am in call with? So is this the issue with software or just with my device?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Some devices don't use the Android system to process the audio that comes from the other end in a phone call: the audio goes straight from the phone hardware to the sound hardware. On such devices, there's no way to record that audio using software on the device.

It sounds like your HTC phone is such a device.

---
Tags: htc
---


title: How do I reinstall MediaScannerService?

text:
# Question
Title: How do I reinstall MediaScannerService?
I recently rooted my Samsung Exhibit II. and was going through and deleting some bloatware and accidentally fat fingered and deleted the MediaScannerService not realizing what I was deleting. Does anyone no how to reinstall the service? I have tried downloading applications but they are just accessing the service and restarting it. Since the service has been deleted the applications essentially do nothing.

# Answer
> 1 votes
There are only two ways to get it back:

1. Flash a (new) ROM. This could be the same you are currently using, or any other one fitting for your device. To find a matching one, please see Where can I find stock or custom ROMs for my Android device?
2. Find the exact ROM you are currently using, and extract the corresponding files from it. Then copy the extracted files to your device.

For the future, keep in mind to always make a good before tampering with system files. A backup is a very good idea, as with that you are always able to get back to the state *before* you started with any changes.

See also the comments on your question for other details.

---
Tags: media-scanner
---


# Question
Title: How to flash CyanogenMod with external SD card?
I messed up with the OS and now my phone can only boot to Clockworkmod and download mode.

How to flash the phone since Clockworkmod "install from zip" option can't read the external SD card?

My device is a Samsung Galaxy S.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Summing up from the comments:

There are multiple possibilities. While not all of them might work, you still might give them a try:

1. Narayanan writes: Some device can be flashed by booting through Goldcard. Read many questions that are related and find with Google how you can prepare a GoldCard for your device.
According to Lie Ryan, this will not be feasible for you, as it only applies to some HTC devices.
2. Recommendation from ce4: `adb shell mount -t tmpfs none /sdcard` then `adb push update.zip /sdcard/`. After that you can install the update regularly (Maybe you need to enable adb first in the settings. This procedure creates a temporary tmpfs filesystem at `/sdcard`. You use it to just-in-time upload your update to it via adb, CWM won't notice that it's not the regular sdcard which is mounted and will be fine)
This should work fine for you, provided you have *USB debugging* active or are at least able to activate it.

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, rom-flashing, clockworkmod-recovery
---


title: Touch enabled monitors and Android

text:
# Question
Title: Touch enabled monitors and Android
I need to buy new monitor for my PC and I'm thinking about touch enabled monitors like DELL ST2220T or IIYAMA T2250MTS. I recently bought Gooseberry Board with Android on it and it would be great if I could connect it by HDMI cable to one of these monitors and use touch screen like i would on a tablet. Does anybody know if Android can work with such touch enabled monitors? Maybe someone have touch enabled monitor and could check it somehow?

# Answer
The touch-screen part of a touch-screen monitor doesn't work over HDMI, but with a separate USB interface. It requires drivers specific to that monitor. To make it work with the Gooseberry Board under Android you'd have to find or write drivers for that monitor.
> 4 votes

---
Tags: touchscreen, external-display
---


# Question
Title: android tablet locked after too many unlocking pattern attempts
After too many unlocking pattern attempts, my android tablet have locked me out..

How do i fix this? Is there a manually direction on how to unlock my tablet?

# Answer
Try resetting the tablet by using reset button, usually this button is not very visible and would need a pointed object to press it, check manual to find location.
> -1 votes

---
Tags: system-error
---


# Question
Title: Convenient way to retain accounts/settings/icons/logins between installs?
I like installing the latest CyanogenMod nightly now and then. I do so by putting the zip on the SD card and installing it through ClockworkMod Recovery. But every time I do that, I have to do a lot of manual backup and recovery to get the system back to where I started:

* Email accounts
* Text messages
* Home screen icons and widgets
* Login settings for apps such as DropBox and Remember the Milk.
* Wifi settings

My contacts and installed apps are carried over automatically as soon as I've connected the phone/install to my Google account.

Is there a convenient way to get the above points carried over automatically?

# Answer
> 2 votes
As a (partly) automated backup/restore process seems a welcome option, I might point you to Titanium Backup. At least in its payed version (I bought it long ago, so I don't remember the differences to the free version), it offers you automated/scheduled backups as well as restores. You can define "labels" (effectively grouping apps) and operate based on those, e.g. just backing up/restoring apps with a certain label. TiBu let's you diffentiate what you want to backup/restore also in terms of "app, data or both", so you've got a bunch of possibilities.

This app also has the possibility to keep a copy of its configuration on your SDCard. Starting for the first time (e.g. on a fresh ROM), it would check for that copy and use it, so its settings survive even a wipe.

You still might need to take care with "system data", as structures (e.g. in the SQLite databases) might have changed. But TiBu can even take care of that if you enable its "migration mode".

Summing up, while this isn't a nice one-click solution, it still might ease your upgrades. Even across different ROMs or even devices (I used it a lot for things like that, and got my apps & data from my old *HTC Wildfire* via *Motorola Milestone²* to my *LG Optimus 4X* that way).

# Answer
> 1 votes
Are you doing a wipe? Back when I still had CM on my S2 (I am on S4, with stock ROM now), I never had to wipe when updating to a minor update (via zip with CWM recover). I retained my data.

However, if you're updating to a major CM update, a wipe is sometimes necessary (esp if it's a major Android update).

---
Tags: applications, cyanogenmod, backup, installation, google-account
---


title: Why a phone gets slower as time passes?

text:
# Question
Title: Why a phone gets slower as time passes?
I did a hard-reset, wiped everything everywhere, reinstalled firmware and changed SD card. However, the phone still works extremely slowly, not as when it was bought. What can wear out in phone? Inner flash memory or something else?

# Answer
This is likely to be caused by one (or both) of two things.

1: Your phone does not have TRIM support - something that was only recently added in 4.3. This makes some devices slow down significantly over time - notably the 2012 Nexus 7 - and they stay slow even after a factory reset.

2: Aging flash. Depending on the quality, type and age of your device's flash memory, it may be deteriorating and you could be losing performance because of this. Note that you won't usually lose any noticeable speed or storage over the life of most flash products, but that depends on a lot of factors.

These are two likely culprits, but it really could be other things as well. We would need to know more about your device, more about the software you're running, things like the brand and model of your SD Card, phone, etc. Your question gives almost no information about any of this.
> 4 votes

---
Tags: performance
---


# Question
Title: How to get rid of this orange highlighter
Recently I've noticed a really annoying orange highlighting feature that I can't find a way to get rid of. It usually appears in the default browser and apps that use webview (websites that act like apps). So I was hoping someone would know of a way to get rid of it.

Some info about my devices:

* Archos Platinum 50
* Runs a vanilla flavored stock ROM (android 4.1.2)
* Rooted

I've attached a sample image with it.

# Answer
`Settings > Accessibility > Enhanced Web Accessibility > Don't Allow`.
> 4 votes

---
Tags: browser, webview
---


# Question
Title: Problem upgrading Samsung S5302 from 2.3.6 to 4.0
Device: Samsung S5302

Somebody gave me a link to upgrade my Gingerbread phone - from 2.3.6 to 4.0. I heard that some features won't work in my phone like GPS, dual SIM, and camera.

How do I upgrade this phone?

# Answer
There no official upgrade of 4.x.x for samsung S5302. However you can install custom ROMs like Cyanogenmods to upgrade your phone. but you need to ROOT your phone before installing custom ROM.

Check this out Custom Rom For Galaxy Y Duos Lite GT S5302

also this : CyanogenMOD 9.0 \[ICS 4.0.4\] for Galaxy Pocket
> 2 votes

---
Tags: updates, 2.3-gingerbread, samsung-galaxy-pocket
---


# Question
Title: How to change device name for Kindle in Nexus 7 2nd Generation (2013)
I just got a Nexus 7 2nd Generation (2013) with Android 4.3.

I installed Kindle, and the device shows up named `[my-name]'s Android Tablet`.

In earlier versions of Android, I can go to the About screen and there's a "Device Name" option. It's not on my About screen.

# Answer
You can rename from the Amazon website itself:

1. Manage Your Kindle
2. Manage Your Devices
3. Edit (blue link under Edit Kindle Information dialog) \> Edit Kindle Information
> 3 votes

# Answer
That setting was moved to the (hidden) developer options entry.

At first, you need to activate veveloper settings here, then change your hostname in the debugging section (2nd option group, line 5 in Android 4.3)
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 4.3-jelly-bean, kindle-for-android
---


# Question
Title: nlpwakelock and "Use wireless networks" option
Under "Location services" there is a "Use wireless networks" setting - whenever the setting is on, I get constant "nlpwakelocks" and the battery drains a lot faster.

However, I see that this was supposidely fixed by Google: http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/05/29/download-latest-google-play-store-4-1-10/ (my version is 4.3.11) but I still get the wakelocks on my SGSIII.

Is the device constantly requesting my location with this option on, or is my network connectivity changing and the wakelock is triggered each time (e.g. wifi networks and cell towers coming in and out of range)?

It would be good to be able to use the option, as apps such as Google Now can know where I am but the battery drain means that I have to toggle each time and remember to turn it off.

**Update**

## LogCat Output (filtered to strings containing "location")

```
09-04 14:54:40.605 I/XPrivacy/XRuntime(10598): get 10240/su shell=false *
09-04 14:54:48.080 I/dalvikvm-heap(15987): Grow heap (frag case) to 16.758MB for 2359312-byte allocation
09-04 14:54:52.325 I/dalvikvm-heap(15987): Grow heap (frag case) to 19.454MB for 2391216-byte allocation
09-04 14:54:53.020 I/dalvikvm-heap(15987): Grow heap (frag case) to 19.845MB for 2240016-byte allocation
09-04 14:54:54.365 I/XPrivacy/XTelephonyManager( 5110): get 10018/getCellLocation location=false 11 ms
09-04 14:54:54.425 I/XPrivacy/XTelephonyManager( 4958): get 10018/getCellLocation location=false 60 ms
09-04 14:54:54.440 I/XPrivacy/XTelephonyManager( 5110): get 10018/getNeighboringCellInfo location=false 7 ms
09-04 14:54:54.470 I/XPrivacy/XTelephonyManager( 4958): get 10018/getNeighboringCellInfo location=false 12 ms
09-04 14:54:57.635 I/dalvikvm-heap( 4772): Grow heap (frag case) to 17.766MB for 1244176-byte allocation
09-04 14:54:58.630 I/dalvikvm-heap( 4772): Grow heap (frag case) to 17.708MB for 1244176-byte allocation
09-04 14:55:02.110 I/XPrivacy/XLocationManager( 5110): get 10018/isProviderEnabled location=false 7 ms
09-04 14:55:02.115 I/XPrivacy/XTelephonyManager( 5110): get 10018/getCellLocation location=false *
09-04 14:55:02.125 I/XPrivacy/XTelephonyManager( 5110): get 10018/getNeighboringCellInfo location=false *
09-04 14:55:06.100 I/XPrivacy/XWifiManager( 4958): get 10018/getScanResults location=false 12 ms
09-04 14:55:06.120 I/XPrivacy/XWifiManager( 5110): get 10018/getScanResults location=false 32 ms
09-04 14:55:06.375 I/GCoreUlr( 5110): Successfully inserted location
09-04 14:55:06.400 I/GCoreUlr( 5110): Not calling LocationReportingService, hasMoved: false, elapsed millis: 725934, request: Phone
09-04 14:55:25.375 I/XPrivacy/XTelephonyManager( 5110): get 10018/getCellLocation location=false 11 ms
09-04 14:55:25.380 I/XPrivacy/XTelephonyManager( 4958): get 10018/getCellLocation location=false 16 ms
09-04 14:55:25.445 I/XPrivacy/XTelephonyManager( 5110): get 10018/getNeighboringCellInfo location=false 11 ms
09-04 14:55:25.455 I/XPrivacy/XTelephonyManager( 4958): get 10018/getNeighboringCellInfo location=false 9 ms
09-04 14:55:47.510 I/XPrivacy/XLocationManager( 5110): get 10018/isProviderEnabled location=false 12 ms
09-04 14:55:49.525 I/XPrivacy/XLocationManager( 5110): get 10018/isProviderEnabled location=false *
09-04 14:56:02.700 I/XPrivacy/XLocationManager( 5110): get 10018/isProviderEnabled location=false 167 ms
09-04 14:56:02.790 I/XPrivacy/XTelephonyManager( 5110): get 10018/getCellLocation location=false 8 ms
09-04 14:56:02.985 I/XPrivacy/XTelephonyManager( 5110): get 10018/getNeighboringCellInfo location=false 11 ms
09-04 14:56:06.875 I/XPrivacy/XWifiManager( 5110): get 10018/getScanResults location=false 128 ms
09-04 14:56:07.225 I/XPrivacy/XWifiManager( 4958): get 10018/getScanResults location=false 475 ms
09-04 14:56:07.400 I/GCoreUlr( 5110): Successfully inserted location
09-04 14:56:07.445 I/GCoreUlr( 5110): Not calling LocationReportingService, hasMoved: false, elapsed millis: 786963, request: Phone
09-04 14:56:09.455 I/XPrivacy/XLocationManager( 5110): get 10018/isProviderEnabled location=false *
09-04 14:57:03.255 I/XPrivacy/XLocationManager( 5110): get 10018/isProviderEnabled location=false 194 ms
09-04 14:57:03.795 I/XPrivacy/XTelephonyManager( 5110): get 10018/getCellLocation location=false 10 ms
09-04 14:57:03.850 I/XPrivacy/XTelephonyManager( 5110): get 10018/getNeighboringCellInfo location=false 7 ms
09-04 14:57:07.940 I/XPrivacy/XWifiManager( 4958): get 10018/getScanResults location=false 39 ms
09-04 14:57:07.950 I/XPrivacy/XWifiManager( 5110): get 10018/getScanResults location=false 57 ms
09-04 14:57:08.400 I/GCoreUlr( 5110): Successfully inserted location
09-04 14:57:08.450 I/GCoreUlr( 5110): Not calling LocationReportingService, hasMoved: false, elapsed millis: 847966, request: Phone
09-04 14:57:27.490 I/XPrivacy/XLocationManager( 5110): get 10018/isProviderEnabled location=false 28 ms
09-04 14:57:34.450 I/XPrivacy/XLocationManager( 5110): get 10018/isProviderEnabled location=false *
09-04 14:58:02.735 I/XPrivacy/XLocationManager( 5110): get 10018/isProviderEnabled location=false 17 ms
09-04 14:58:03.100 I/dalvikvm-heap( 5110): Grow heap (frag case) to 14.625MB for 30998-byte allocation
09-04 14:58:03.810 I/XPrivacy/XTelephonyManager( 5110): get 10018/getCellLocation location=false 10 ms
09-04 14:58:03.890 I/XPrivacy/XTelephonyManager( 5110): get 10018/getNeighboringCellInfo location=false 17 ms
09-04 14:58:07.910 I/XPrivacy/XWifiManager( 5110): get 10018/getScanResults location=false 44 ms
09-04 14:58:07.920 I/XPrivacy/XWifiManager( 4958): get 10018/getScanResults location=false 48 ms
09-04 14:58:19.625 I/XPrivacy/XLocationManager( 5110): get 10018/isProviderEnabled location=false 28 ms
09-04 14:58:19.820 I/GCoreUlr( 5110): Successfully inserted location
09-04 14:58:19.875 I/GCoreUlr( 5110): Not calling LocationReportingService, hasMoved: false, elapsed millis: 919382, request: Phone
09-04 14:58:46.625 I/XPrivacy/XLocationManager( 5110): get 10018/isProviderEnabled location=false 17 ms
09-04 14:58:51.720 I/XPrivacy/XLocationManager( 5110): get 10018/isProviderEnabled location=false *
09-04 14:59:03.820 I/XPrivacy/XLocationManager( 5110): get 10018/isProviderEnabled location=false 143 ms
09-04 14:59:04.060 I/XPrivacy/XTelephonyManager( 5110): get 10018/getCellLocation location=false 11 ms
09-04 14:59:04.130 I/XPrivacy/XTelephonyManager( 5110): get 10018/getNeighboringCellInfo location=false 14 ms
09-04 14:59:08.115 I/XPrivacy/XWifiManager( 5110): get 10018/getScanResults location=false 86 ms
09-04 14:59:08.360 I/XPrivacy/XWifiManager( 4958): get 10018/getScanResults location=false 325 ms
09-04 14:59:08.885 I/GCoreUlr( 5110): Successfully inserted location
09-04 14:59:08.940 I/GCoreUlr( 5110): Not calling LocationReportingService, hasMoved: false, elapsed millis: 968451, request: Phone
09-04 14:59:18.535 I/XPrivacy/XLocationManager( 5110): get 10018/isProviderEnabled location=false *
09-04 14:59:24.500 I/XPrivacy/XLocationManager( 5110): get 10018/isProviderEnabled location=false 50 ms
09-04 14:59:26.435 I/XPrivacy/XLocationManager( 5110): get 10018/isProviderEnabled location=false *
09-04 14:59:30.550 I/XPrivacy/XLocationManager( 5110): get 10018/isProviderEnabled location=false *
09-04 15:00:03.550 I/XPrivacy/XLocationManager( 5110): get 10018/isProviderEnabled location=false 21 ms
09-04 15:00:04.130 I/XPrivacy/XTelephonyManager( 5110): get 10018/getCellLocation location=false 14 ms
09-04 15:00:04.210 I/XPrivacy/XTelephonyManager( 5110): get 10018/getNeighboringCellInfo location=false 15 ms
09-04 15:00:08.205 I/XPrivacy/XWifiManager( 5110): get 10018/getScanResults location=false 75 ms
09-04 15:00:08.205 I/XPrivacy/XWifiManager( 4958): get 10018/getScanResults location=false 68 ms
09-04 15:00:08.985 I/GCoreUlr( 5110): Successfully inserted location
09-04 15:00:09.040 I/GCoreUlr( 5110): Not calling LocationReportingService, hasMoved: false, elapsed millis: 1028547, request: Phone
09-04 15:00:14.707 I/XPrivacy/XLocationManager( 5110): get 10018/isProviderEnabled location=false *
09-04 15:00:34.720 I/XPrivacy/XTelephonyManager( 4958): get 10018/getCellLocation location=false 11 ms
09-04 15:00:35.195 I/XPrivacy/XLocationManager( 5110): get 10018/isProviderEnabled location=false 432 ms
09-04 15:00:35.375 I/XPrivacy/XTelephonyManager( 5110): get 10018/getCellLocation location=false 27 ms
09-04 15:00:35.420 I/XPrivacy/XTelephonyManager( 4958): get 10018/getNeighboringCellInfo location=false 58 ms
09-04 15:00:35.495 I/XPrivacy/XTelephonyManager( 5110): get 10018/getNeighboringCellInfo location=false 9 ms
09-04 15:00:35.525 I/XPrivacy/XLocationManager( 5110): get 10018/isProviderEnabled location=false *
09-04 15:00:41.550 I/dalvikvm-heap(12643): Grow heap (frag case) to 14.987MB for 13792-byte allocation
09-04 15:00:42.950 I/Wakelock(12643): Substraction Wakelock [m_wakeType=0, m_name=WakefulIntentService[GCoreUlr-LocationReportingService], m_duration=3106] from Wakelock [m_wakeType=0, m_name=WakefulIntentService[GCoreUlr-LocationReportingService], m_duration=3159]
09-04 15:00:42.950 I/Wakelock(12643): Result: Wakelock [m_wakeType=0, m_name=WakefulIntentService[GCoreUlr-LocationReportingService], m_duration=53]
09-04 15:00:43.600 I/StatsAdapter(12643): Values: NlpLocationReceiverService18 m 23 s  (1103 s)
09-04 15:00:45.290 I/XPrivacy/XTelephonyManager( 5110): get 10018/getCellLocation location=false *
09-04 15:00:45.295 I/XPrivacy/XTelephonyManager( 4958): get 10018/getCellLocation location=false *
09-04 15:00:45.315 I/XPrivacy/XTelephonyManager( 5110): get 10018/getNeighboringCellInfo location=false *
09-04 15:00:45.315 I/XPrivacy/XTelephonyManager( 4958): get 10018/getNeighboringCellInfo location=false *
09-04 15:00:48.590 I/dalvikvm-heap(12643): Grow heap (frag case) to 14.603MB for 172252-byte allocation
09-04 15:00:48.690 I/Wakelock(12643): Substraction Wakelock [m_wakeType=0, m_name=WakefulIntentService[GCoreUlr-LocationReceiverService], m_duration=2081] from Wakelock [m_wakeType=0, m_name=WakefulIntentService[GCoreUlr-LocationReceiverService], m_duration=3527]
09-04 15:00:48.690 I/Wakelock(12643): Result: Wakelock [m_wakeType=0, m_name=WakefulIntentService[GCoreUlr-LocationReceiverService], m_duration=1446]
09-04 15:00:48.695 I/Wakelock(12643): Substraction Wakelock [m_wakeType=0, m_name=WakefulIntentService[GCoreUlr-LocationReportingService], m_duration=3137] from Wakelock [m_wakeType=0, m_name=WakefulIntentService[GCoreUlr-LocationReportingService], m_duration=3159]
09-04 15:00:48.695 I/Wakelock(12643): Result: Wakelock [m_wakeType=0, m_name=WakefulIntentService[GCoreUlr-LocationReportingService], m_duration=22]
09-04 15:00:48.850 I/StatsAdapter(12643): Values: NlpLocationReceiverService18 m 23 s  (1103 s)

```

---

**Update 2**

More info here: http://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/mobile/kZkk3E3YVTc

# Answer
> 2 votes
I too suffered this issue (several times on different roms). Nlpwakelocks appeared in an insanely high abundance (several thousand wakelocks in a single day).

My first fix consisted of uninstalling all updates of google play, google services framework and google play services, clearing caches and deleting the data of the before mentioned in Appmanager, then do a reboot and re-install the updates again. Magically, the number of wakelocks dropped to a quite acceptable level. It still was the major cause of wakelocks, but it didn't drain the battery nearly as much as before. Since then, I had the "Use wireless networks" setting enabled without heavy battery drain. I could happily live with this result.

However, since I updated to 4.3 (CM 10.2), there's no longer a button to uninstall updates of those services in AppManager. Luckily though, clearing caches and data then reboot seems to suffice now. The only caveeat seems to be google maps. Since the update, you need to be logged in to your google account to see your favorite places in google maps. Unfortunately, maps then begins to poll your location every few minutes, thus raising nlpwakelocks to an alarming level again.

Since I've not found a workaround for this yet, I always logout of google maps after use and login again when needed. Not very comfortable, but this way I'm still able to use Google Now while experiencing an acceptable battery life.

Additionally, if you're not using Google Talk/Hangouts at all, log out and uninstall (with something like Titanium Backup). If you've got a real autostart killer (e.g. Autostart Manager), try to stop every service running with '**gtalk**' in its name (in Autorun Manager, there's a very convenient search field for that). This last pararaph has nothing to do with nlpwakelocks, but it should reduce the google services framework drain considerably.

Hope this helps!

# Answer
> 0 votes
Looking at your LogCat it appears you have installed the XPrivacy app. This seems to be requesting your location constantly. Try removing this app and see if that helps.

This post on XDA appears to confirm the problem. Looking through that thread a bit more it appears that there were changes to reduce this but it could be an issue with apps that request your location not liking the data it gets.

You could also try installing Wakelock Detector and see if that sheds any light on the issue.

---
Tags: battery-life, location-services, wakelock
---


title: Log off from GMail on Android 2.3

text:
# Question
Title: Log off from GMail on Android 2.3
I have a Samsung Ace, with Android 2.3.6. I logged in with GMail and now I cant log off. I searched a lot of forums etc., but no answer.

I need your help, because it consumes a lot of battery juice and internet traffic.

# Answer
> 4 votes
Can you disable gmail sync in Settings \> Accounts \> \[Your gmail account\]?

I don't have a Gingerbread device to hand to test this out but it's available in ICS +

# Answer
> 2 votes
Go to *Settings*, select *Accounts & Sync*, select *Gmail Sync*, Select account, and tap *Remove Account* in the bottom...

# Answer
> 0 votes
If the email ID was given when you purchased it, then it can't be removed in Gingerbread. The only way is to restore it. Don't worry; just back up yur favorite app or share it with a friend. Then, format it. You can clear the GMail account and sent back or back-up the apps. Now, your phone will be smoother and faster.

---
Tags: 2.3-gingerbread, gmail
---


# Question
Title: Is there a Ghostery equivalent for Firefox on Android?
I use Firefox on a smartphone with limited RAM, where Ghostery would be most useful (removing useless content). Plus I don't like being tracked anyways.

So is there an equivalent to Ghostery that supports the Android version of Firefox?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Ghostery for Firefox has been reworked to enable it to work with Firefox for Android. Click the link, install and enjoy not broadcasting everything you do to everybody.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Ghostery for Firefox has not been officially released yet, you have to wait a bit until its out.

---
Tags: security, firefox-for-android
---


# Question
Title: Samsung Galaxy S 2 Kies update problem: "does not support initialising"
I've been fruitlessly trying to get the new Android OS update for my s2 for quite some time now and I finally thought my troubles were over when I saw an update for Samsung Kies pop up earlier today but now I'm just even more confused. Before there just wasn't an option to update (the update button was greyed out) but now the firmware update and initialisation button is no longer grey but comes up with the error notice:

> GT-I9100 does not support initialising

What does this mean? I've spent quite a long time trawling through internet forums trying to find my answer to no avail; it seems no one out there has my problem. What does this error mean? Am I unable to update at all?

# Answer
Yesterday I had the "firmware upgrade" button available and working (begins to download upgrade components etc) but my internet was playing up, so I tried again today and all of a sudden Kies was telling me "'GT-I9100T' does not support initialisation" (and upgrade component downloading window did not appear).

As suggested by Sparx, I checked my debugging setting. It was already unchecked, BUT I found that when I checked it, then unchecked it (the phone will prompt you to remove USB cable before you can toggle this option) it restored the "firmware upgrade" button.

Frustrations which remain:

1. The process began again but stopped half way through, telling me that "phone battery is low, charge phone battery" (phone was plugged in via USB and charging already from computer). When I clicked OK, the process aborted and I am back at the Kies screen without a "firmware upgrade" button again (so will have to toggle the debugging option again - annoying, but faster than rebooting computer and/or phone).
2. Kies doesn't tell you the download size - I have dialup broadband with a small bandwidth allowance and cannot afford to be downloading excessive amounts. It would be really helpful if we could discover the sizes of these upgrade downloads.
3. Kies re-downloads firmware update process files (the ones before it starts downloading the actual upgrade files) each time I attempt to upgrade firmware - even if this was done 1 minute ago. I would think Samsung would have the programming prowess by now to cache these files rather than re-download them (for me, this also relates to issue #2).

I hope this helps others.
> 1 votes

# Answer
For comparison I set up a VM of windows xp 32 bit and installed kies, it recognized the firmware without issue (both an ACE2 and a Galaxy S3), kies on win 8 64 bit tells me both phones do not support initialization and the firmware cannot be upgraded (despite repeated re-installs and troubleshooting) !?!

My feeling from reading other posts and the above is KIES has problems with 64 bit environments
> 1 votes

# Answer
Also, make sure USB debugging is set to off. Find it in settings \> Applications \> Development
> 0 votes

# Answer
I was having the same issue, download the latest version of Kies (from the Samung website) and then retry.

This worked for me
> 0 votes

# Answer
This is the same situation as my own S2, I think that option becoming available is simply a bug in the latest Kies update. In all probability the Android 4.0 update (I assume) you are waiting on has not been released for you version of the handset yet.
> 0 votes

# Answer
On the same day you were having the problem mentioned on your question, a CNET article was being published covering the reason as to why you have the update option available but can't just wet perform the update.

Essentially, you'll be getting that message while operators are finishing tests to the update package, in order to make sure everything will work properly, as mentioned by Simon Stanford, VP of Samsung Telecommunications and Networks for Samsung UK and Ireland, speaking exclusively to CNET UK:

Galaxy S2 SIM-free owners last to get ICS, Samsung admits

---

Additionally, this is covered at Vodafone forums, and linked on page 15.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: updates, samsung-galaxy-s-2, samsung-kies
---


title: Record phone calls

text:
# Question
Title: Record phone calls
Is there a way to record phone calls? I tried some apps that appeared to work but it seems these only record thru the mic, ideally it should work with headset and earphones too but it doesn't and the sound quality is really poor and buggy. Is there a market leader for this purpose? I want to automatically record all calls and preferably automatically save them to Dropbox, Skydrive or Google Drive. I have Samsung Galaxy S.

## Update

I tried all the phone recording apps and none work.

## Update

Why is something simple so difficult? I tried all the phone recording apps and none work. They don't even look good. This feature lacks support and it is important. We are many users who need to record phone calls. Why can't we?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Have you tried Galaxy Call Recorder yet?
Features list:
\- **Recording calls, ability to enable/disable recording service in the settings**
\- Showing grouped records extended with contact information such as name and icon.
\- Settings to disable recording when headphones on or Bluetooth device connected
\- Settings to disable recording for incoming, outgoing call and for some contacts.
\- **Ability to specify different audio sources for headphones and Bluetooth devices.**
\- Calling, sending SMS, creating an event from the app.
\- Ability to stop recording from a notification.
\- Ability to play, delete the recent record from a notification.
\- Ability to specify a recording delay, a minimal length of records.
\- Ability to enable/disable the detailed notifications in the program.
\- Ability to record a conversation into a small set of files.
\- Deleting a record or many records at once.
\- Locking/Unlocking records to prevent unwanted deleting.
\- Ability to automatically deleting records.
\- **Ability to send records to DropBox, Google Drive, and SkyDrive etc.**
\- Integration with Google+.
\- Flexible UI settings to change a font size and a background.
\- Screen Lock.
\- Saving records to MicroSD card, DropBox disk.

If you already tried this, you should mention which apps you tried already.

# Answer
> 1 votes
In some (most) jurisdictions, this is legally not allowed and may fall under wiretapping laws. It would also allow easy covert surveillance by 3rd party apps and would scare most users while only a minority would benefit from it and ise it in the *intended* way.

Think of rogue apps (blackmailing the owner), cheated wifes/husbands wiretapping their SO, the scandal when reporters from the News of the World wiretapped Royals and celebrities, etc.

This is an anti feature that opens a can of worms.

From the technical side: The Android kernel/API do not expose a way to do that. This is why it doesn't work unless you install a hacked 3rd party firmware that allows that. Searching XDA developers for modded firmware for your model will probably yield some.

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s, audio, call-recording
---


title: Problem opening VCF files on tf300

text:
# Question
Title: Problem opening VCF files on tf300
I am trying to help my Father debug an issue he has on the TF300 since it upgraded to Jelly Bean. We are both unable to open a vCard file from email or from Astro file explorer. It appears to the user that nothing happens when he hits view in Gmail. He receives vCard emails all of the time from his work. I can save it, open "people" and then import it, but I cannot import it from Gmail view it. We can open it from Gmail on Jelly Bean on both my Galaxy Nexus and my Nexus 7.

This sounds like a file association issue, but there are no defaults under Contacts. Does anyone have any ideas on how to debug this? Is there an easy way without USB debugging to determine what program gets called?

Edit: What is the easiest way to log every process opened after a file is clicked on? I am happy to use USB debugging at this point.

# Answer
> 1 votes
In this case an OS upgrade solved the issue.

For someone in a similar situation without an OS upgrade (or other fix) in sight, it might be worth taking a look at VCard Manager (which claims to be able to open all types of VCards) or Contacts VCF, which says to open any `.vcf` file:

<sup>*VCard Manager* and *Contacts VCF* (source: Google Play; click images for larger variants)</sup>

---
Tags: vcard
---


# Question
Title: Can Anti-virus affect device performance?
I have installed some anti-viruses on my device, and since then I am feeling that the performance of the device is quite slow, and when I uninstall them the device works fine, and the device starts heating so quickely. So is this because of Apps from the Market or this issue is with my device.

# Answer
> 7 votes
All antivirus applications on all platforms will impact the performance of the device. This is because they intercept your actions and check them for unwanted effects.

You say you have installed anti-viruses - plural. If you install more than one such application on any device they will start to check upon each other. This will have a significant cumulative affect which will be immediately noticeable. If you have installed more than one, then uninstall in the reverse order of installation.

---
Tags: performance, antivirus
---


# Question
Title: Can I lock desktop icons on X10 Mini Pro?
Is it possible to lock the icons & widgets (i.e. disable the long-press-to-move function) on the Sony Ericsson X10 mini pro?

I saw this question - Lock widgets in place \- but it seems i may need to root the phone, and besides this issue, i am quite happy with the standard user interface.

# Answer
> 0 votes
It would seem as the only solution is to install ADW Launcher, as suggested in the other question. And no, you don't need root to install ADW Launcher.

If you do decide to change launcher to ADW Launcher, Here's a link on how to lock the screen on the Complete guide to ADW.Launcher

# Answer
> 0 votes
You can use Nova Launcher. In Nova Settings, `Desktop > Lock Desktop`.

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Tags: app-widgets, home-screen, sony-xperia-x10-mini-pro
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# Question
Title: Can't delete app because it is suddenly uncompatible
I downloaded SoftkeyEnabler, but it turned out it wasn't nice for my smaller Samsung Galaxy Mini 2 (CyanogenMod 10.1). So I deleted the app, but the softkeys keep showing up! I tried all kinds of things, but when I look in superuser, active apps etc. It says there is nothing running. When I look at the app in the play store it says that it is not compitable with my device. What could I do?

Thanks in advance!

# Answer
> 0 votes
This is due to the fact that you have given admin rights to the app. reinstall the app and then do this:

Go to SETTINGS-\>Location and Security-\> Device Administrator and deselect the admin.

After this is done, Uninstall the app.

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Tags: root-access, uninstallation, samsung-galaxy-mini
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# Question
Title: Which phones ship with manufacturer-provided root?
I'd like to buy a phone that either ships with factory-installed `su`, or where the manufacturer provides official instructions/downloads for installing one. Do such phones exist?

# Answer
If you buy a nexus phone, You get official instructions from Google on how to root the phone. I'd recommend you hold on a couple of months for the phone that will replace the nexus 4. I have had a nexus 4 for half a year and it's pretty good for the money I paid for it.
> 3 votes

# Answer
**NO**. Most phones come with "stock" ROMS, possibly stock Android or stock manufacturer-modified ROMs. Most manufacturers, if not all, will not give you root access because they don't want you to play around with your phone, which may give them headaches (a metaphor) in case you go to them to fix it. Some may not even fix phones that are rooted.
> 0 votes

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Tags: root-access
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# Question
Title: How do I open a text file of any extension in Android?
I have several types of file on my Google Drive and on my SD card (.C, .ASM, .H, .INC, .LOG) which are all just text files. But I just can't view them on my Android phone because it says that there are no programs assigned to that file type. Dropbox would do fine if I could just assign it to open these extensions. So, my questions are:

1. Is there a way to assign any extension I want to Dropbox?
2. Is there a text viewer that will let me do that?

I tried so many, but none seem to do it. Only this HEX editor https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tuba.tools seem to do it, but it won't allow me to view as a text file. Only in a split HEX/TEXT screen.

# Answer
> 10 votes
A programming editor might solve your issue. Take a look at e.g. 920 Text Editor or DroidEdit:

<sup>*920 Text Editor* and *DroidEdit* (Source: Google Play; click images for larger variants)</sup>

Both support at least syntax highlighting for several programming languages, and from the screenshot at least *DroidEdit* seems to be able to directly work with Dropbox (see the headline).

# Answer
> 2 votes
How about using a third party file explorer, such as ES File Explorer?

It allows you to select a way to open a file. If it finds an unknown extension, it asks you to open the file as text/audio/video.

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Tags: dropbox, text-editor
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# Question
Title: Where can I configure SELinux in Cyanogenmod 10.1.3?
Cyanogenmod released the stable version 10.1.3 yesterday and it apparently includes SELinux enhancements running in permissive mode per default.

I thought that you could change the mode in the settings, but so far I have not found anything.

Is this possible at all using the graphical touch interface?

# Answer
> 4 votes
Go to `Settings -> About phone` menu and scroll all the way to the bottom:

Tap the "SELinux status" menu 3 times in a row in a quick succession. This will bring up a prompt asking you to confirm enabling the other modes:

Be aware that currently this feature is still under heavy development, and isn't supported on all devices yet.

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Tags: cyanogenmod, security, kernel, selinux
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# Question
Title: Determining how particular SwiftKey suggestions are generated
Is there a way to determine how a particular SwiftKey suggestion got added to SwiftKey's dictionary of words? I'm seeing some weird suggestions pop up, and I'm pretty sure they're not words I've ever used in email or SMS.

Specifically, I wrote "Saturday," and then just started picking the strangest-looking suggestions I saw, and ended up with the following:

> Saturday, Konigsburg 45Ira Sleeps Over 157Nature's Children #Mike's Mystry 145BxcrChldrn #9Mntn Top 63Paddington

It's conceivable that I used the word "Konigsburg" at some point, and of course I've used "sleeps," "over," and "children," but I'm pretty sure I never misspelled "mystery" like that, and the others are just bizarre. I also find it strange that all of them are capitalized. Any ideas?

EDIT: To clarify, I'm not asking why these words popped up *at this particular time*; i.e., I don't want details regarding how SwiftKey selects the "best" words to display at any given time. I just want to know how these words got added as dictionary candidates at all.

# Answer
> 0 votes
An answer to this question is very implementation specific, and can in fact only be answered for sure by a SwiftKey developer, eventually. In general, word suggestions are based on algorithms that are fed by n-gram dictionaries that predict possibilities for the next word you're likely to type.

See Wikipedia's n-gram entry to get more insight.

2-gram or 3-gram dictionaries are likely to be used with SwiftKey, amongst other techniques.

Regarding the strange sentence you *auto-typed* in: This reflects common use of probable 2/3-grams, so blame your fellow users on the poor spelling, it's just what they actually use.

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Tags: swiftkey
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# Question
Title: Google music player is missing some settings options
In my Nexus 7 in the Google Play Music when I open the app and choose settings from the menu, only 2 things will show:

1. source licenses
2. music version

Where are the other settings?

According to the help menu, you should be able to change things like "automatically cache" or hide "unavailable music"

# Answer
You should see them. This is what I see. The first picture if the menu you should be clocking:
> 1 votes

# Answer
I had a similar, if not exactly the same, situation.

In my case, in the limited settings menu there was an item labelled "Google Account" which listed multiple accounts. As soon as I chose one of those accounts all of the normal settings menu items appeared.
> 1 votes

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Tags: google-play-music
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# Question
Title: How to synchronize Google Play after a ROM change
After flashing a new ROM I recovered some of my installed application from a backup (it was also an opportunity to clean up). Unfortunately the view Google Play has is the one from the old ROM (all apps installed before the flash).

Is there a way to synchronize (one way) the view so that what is visible in "My Apps" on Google Play corresponds to what is actually currently installed in my phone?

# Answer
Titanium Backup has an option to re-link apps to the Play Store.
> 1 votes

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Tags: applications, google-play-store, sync
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