# Question
Title: Flashing Stock Android ROM from another country
I purchased my SM-A520F from UAE. I am currently using the phone in India.

All Samsung Mobiles sold in UAE have VOLTE disabled by default, and hence my phone do not have it. However, majority of the 4G carriers in India use VOLTE and this causes problems that are not minor.

Rooting the phone will probably void warranty. I was told that I can flash stock firmware for this device released for India without having to root.

1. Will this void warranty? I contacted customer support of Samsung UAE and they told me it would. But I dont believe them since sources on the internet say otherwise and I won't be rooting the phone.
2. If I were to go ahead with this, where can I get the official firmware? Is there any option to download this from Samsung website?
3. What is knox counter? Will I be able to do this without "tripping" knox?
4. Once I download and install stock firmware from a different country from a website like Sammobile.com can I still receive OTA updates?
5. After flashing a firmware downloaded from a third party website, how safely can I use applications that use sensitive data like S Pay and mobile banking applications?

Thanks a ton in advance.

# Answer
> 1 votes
1. Yes, it will void the warranty;
2. Hard to say, some Samsung firmwares are available "officially", some are leaked, and some are not available at all. XDA forums for you device are the best place to look;
3. KNOX counter is a way of checking if you phone is or has been modified, in theory flashing a stock ROM will NOT trip the Knox counter;
4. Probably;
5. If you are stock, you are stock, the source of the image isn't relevant since the image will be digitally signed....

The real issue here is the hardware/radio differences that cannot be edited or flashed, it likely will not function right, that information is protected and tied to the device, flashing a ROM does not change bands or network connectivity of the hardware, but it does change the radio firmware which can cause a mismatch of hardware capability to radio firmware preventing connectivity.

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Tags: device-firmware
---


# Question
Title: TeamWin “No OS Installed” Android Nexus 5
I lost my phone in Peru and had to downgrade to my old Nexus 5. It was rooted so I couldn't update the OS. In trying to unroot it, I \[somehow\] deleted the OS, and now the phone won't boot. I get to the TeamWin recovery options and it will say "No OS Installed, are you sure you want to..." How can I fix this?

Note: nexus 5 does not allow for external SDs to transfer files, etc.

# Answer
You need to reflash the stock Google Factory Firmware image for your device with fastboot.

Instructions and images are available here. Make sure to use a quality USB cable... we have had several bricking issues flashing firmware on Nexus 5 devices because of defective or poor quality USB cables.
> 1 votes

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Tags: rooting, root-access, twrp, unrooting, operating-system
---


title: Samsung S5 doesn't show USB icon

text:
# Question
Title: Samsung S5 doesn't show USB icon
Whenever I plug a USB cable into my Samsung Galaxy S5 device, it won't show the USB icon, I don't see anything happening on my computer either, all that shows is that it's charging.

I tried plugging another android device into the same usb cable, and that works, so I conclude that there is a problem with my device.

I tried rebooting my device into download mode and then plugged the usb cable in, and suddenly my computer reacts!

Is there some setting that I've made that could block the device? I've set and unset USB debugging (I have been able to load apps from Eclipse earlier) but that didn't make any difference.

I heard that someone with similar problems solved it by reflashing the device, is this necessary? I would like to avoid that if possible.

# Answer
Type in your dialer \*#0808# and choose MTP+ADB and save it.
> 4 votes

# Answer
I was having the same issue so I attempted the Settings \> Storage \> Settings but there was no 2nd settings listed under Storage. Instead, I found the MTP someone mentioned by doing the following: Apps \> Settings \> Developer options \> (Scroll down to the Networking section) \> USB configuration \> (select MTP(Media Transfer Protocol)). You will get a pop up on your phone that says: "Allow access to phone data. An MTP connection will be established to access the data on the connected device." Just hit Allow. After doing this I got a pop up on my desktop for the usual options of a media device and this time when I clicked on "Open device to view files" it actually worked. I was able to access sound clips, videos, photos, you name it.

Another thing to note is after I disconnected my phone from the computer and tried again I had to go through the menus again and set it from Charging to MTP.

Also, if you don't have Developer options go to: Apps \> Settings \> About phone \> (tap on Build Number several times until it unlocks the Developer options). Now the Developer options should be right above About phone.
> 2 votes

# Answer
Go to *Settings › Storage › again settings (on action bar).* There should be "USB Computer connection" option. Tap on it and choose "mtp mode". That should make your phone visible to your pc.

If it won't help - let me know!

Screenshot (click to enlarge)
> 0 votes

# Answer
Reflashing the device is overkill for this me thinks - When you plug your device in, can you see it in your device list in Windows? (Search for "Devices and Printers", or go to Control Panel \> Devices and Printers)

If Yes: Try a different USB cable. I've owned several Samsung devices and they're picky about USB cables. Try to use the one that came with the device, if possible. If several cables don't work, or you don't have an extra (and it has worked before), try the No steps below.

If No: Make sure you have the SAMSUNG USB Driver for Mobile Phones installed, it should be in your Programs list in Programs and Features (Search for "Programs and Features", or go to Control Panel \> Programs and Features). When your computer reacts to the device in Download mode but not while it's running tells me you may only have the Android ADB drivers installed. You can obtain the drivers here. If the driver is there, try re-installing it (and make sure you use the newest version, such as the download from the Samsung website that is linked).
> 0 votes

# Answer
This is a fix if you are having trouble transferring pictures and video to you computer from a Samsung Galaxy S7...it might work on a S5 too. First go to Settings, then System, then click on developer tools, turn on developer tools, scroll down to USB configuration...click on it and select MTP. Mine was stuck on "charging". Took several times of going in and out to select MTP. Then reboot device. I then could transfer pictures to PC again. Be sure to turn back off developer tools when finished selecting MTP.
> 0 votes

# Answer
I have search my phone high & low and discovered that Developer option no longer appears on my Galaxy s5. I finally got the USB screen to appear only when I used the original Samsung cable.
> 0 votes

# Answer
I have a few things I tried to get to see the photos AND videos on a Samsung Galaxy S5 when connecting by USB to a Windows 10 PC:

1. Plug in the USB cable
2. If you are lucky a window will pop up on your pc. If things are normal (i.e. poor) it will not show any of your images or even folders.
3. Swipe down from the top and there may (if you are lucky) be an option for USB behaviour: set it to "File Transfer"
4. That should work but normally doesn't
5. Go to Settings
6. Select Developer Options (near the end)
7. Turn on Developer Options
8. About halfway down in the Networking section, there is an option "USB configuration" - set this to MTP. Most times it doesn't change from "Charging" but be persistent. Untested, but this might relate to setting in item 3
9. Go back to Settings main screen
10. Use the search at the top for "USB"
11. Select USB configuration and if you are lucky, you will get a list of options from which you will choose MTP. If you are less lucky, it will dump you into Developer Options, which you have set in 8 above.

Jeeeeez
> 0 votes

# Answer
Okay had exactly the same issue changed the USB cable and the option appears it seems that not all USB cables are the same some must be USB 2 or 3.
> 0 votes

# Answer
To get the USB icon, go to SETTINGS → Developer Options → Debugging and then select USB Debugging.
> -1 votes

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Tags: usb, samsung, samsung-galaxy-s-5
---


title: Tasker to run scripts in terminal shell

text:
# Question
Title: Tasker to run scripts in terminal shell
I have searched for this but till now I have not found any tasker that would be able to do this, so I decided to ask here.

Till now I have been using Trigger Pro as my favorite tasker but it lacks in advance usage, like run certain scripts over shell when triggered. I have been just able to run one script over Terminal app, by running a command when it launches that app, but through this I am just able to launch one script =/.

So any of you knows way to do this?

# Answer
> 1 votes
This can be easily achieved by using Tasker.

Instructions:

* Create a named task.
* A1: Code \>\> Run Shell \[Command: (insert any code you wish to run) Store Output: (insert any variable which will retain the value of ouput - `stdout`) Store errors in : (insert a variable which stores errors - `stderr`)\]
* Tap back to exit
* Link your task to your profile.

Note: for shell commands that require root you have to the tick the 'use root' option

---
Tags: tasker, shell, terminal, scripts
---


# Question
Title: Why does my browser think that it's Chrome?
While browsing the web from my phone, I currently use the stock browser. However, I've encountered a curious problem.

If I go to a page, and then switch to another tab, it will often take the tab that I was on and turn it into this:

It puts `data:text/html,chromewebdata` into the URL, so it shows a page with `chromewebdata`.

In addition, for a while, every time I Googled something, it would show me 'We've detected that you're using an older version of Chrome' blah blah blah. It also switched itself to the desktop view. (When going to get a screenshot for this question, however, that magically fixed itself, so...)

Why was this happening?

# Answer
> 2 votes
As Andy commented, some Android stock browsers are based on chromium.

The issue you explained is kind of a bug where Android WebView built on chromium fails to loads the page in question due unmapped ssl error.

As explained here: https://bugs.chromium.org/p/chromium/issues/detail?id=395638;

> Android Kit kat WebView component built on chromium is unable to open web page due to an unmapped ssl error! It is usually occurring on secure login pages presented by captive portals.

Here is their extracted log entries

```
04-09 12:49:49.215: W/chromium(24516): [WARNING:ssl_client_socket_openssl.cc(182)] Unmapped error reason: 261
04-09 12:49:49.215: E/chromium(24516): [ERROR:ssl_client_socket_openssl.cc(870)] handshake failed; returned -1, SSL error code 1, net_error -2
04-09 12:49:49.245: E/WiFiWebLogin(24516): ExtWebViewClient - ExtWebBrowser-veiw-1 - onReceivedError: errorCode=-1, failingUrl=https://1.1.1.1/login.html?redirect=syslynxservices.com/ description=net::ERR_FAILED
04-09 12:49:49.265: I/chromium(24516): [INFO:CONSOLE(12)] "Not allowed to load local resource: file:///android_asset/webkit/android-weberror.png", source: data:text/html,chromewebdata (12)

```

Had the same issue, and what stuck me is that they sugested it usually occurs on secure login pages by captive portals which is right where I saw that funny message telling me "we have detected a you are using an older version of chrome".

Could'nt come up with a solution but had to switch browsers but like you noted the issue vanished away eventually.

---
Tags: stock-browser
---


title: No MTP with BLU Studio C

text:
# Question
Title: No MTP with BLU Studio C
Unable to transfer files as notification status has no MTP when connected to my Dell PC. I have changed USB cables and ports. Also the device is not listed in my device manager nor is any ABD listed in device manager. I have also done a hard reset on the android per BLU customer service without any change.

# Answer
You should install USB drivers for BLU devices that will make your computer recognise the phone.

Download here
> 0 votes

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Tags: 5.0-lollipop
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# Question
Title: Reset the request permission dialog on Marshmallow
I am testing my Android application and trying to make sure all permissions (whether granted or denied) are handled correctly. I mistakenly clicked "Never ask again" on a permission and now it never asks me.

I have tried **Settings - Apps - Reset App Preferences**, but that didn't work.

How can I reset this so that the request permission dialog box comes up again for the permission?

# Answer
You need to manually allow the permission on that specific app to reset the request permission dialog.

1. Open the **App info** (either by dragging from app launcher, or **Settings - Apps - \[app name\]**)
2. Select **Permissions**
3. Enable the permission you denied with "never ask again"
4. (Optional) Disable it again from here; note that by this time, your app will request the permission again when needed.
> 8 votes

# Answer
You can also uninstall and reinstall.

The accepted answer is of course correct, but as an Android developer, you probably know how to `adb uninstall <package>` / `adb install <apk>` faster than navigating through settings.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: permissions, 6.0-marshmallow
---


# Question
Title: How to connect soft bricked tablet to pc without USB debugging enabled
I tried rooting my Galaxy tab a 9.7 using Odin and soft bricked it. I went into system recovery mode and clicked wipe data/factory reset thinking it would reset back to stock. My tablet is still bricked and usb debugging got turned off so now I can't connect to pc to install the original firmware. Is there anything I can do to connect my tablet to my PC so I can reset my device? Can I use ADB to turn USB debugging back on? I can still get to Odin mode and recovery mode on my tablet. My main problem is connecting my tablet to my PC. Thank you.

# Answer
These firmwares are for the Galaxy Tab A 9.7 Wifi and are mirrored for faster download speeds. This is also an pit file collection incase of any person who has messed up their partitions.

What Do These UnBrick Firmwares Do? Basically, if you ever have an soft-brick or any sort, these firmwares will help get out of that. What makes these different from the rest for say like sammobile or samsung-updates is that these are separated into different tars which the SamFirm Tool provides an option to include binary nature aka PIT and separate tars like Bootloader, AP, CSC and so on. These should help you unbrick your Tab A in most cases and even somewhat worst ones. IF you are in an minor bootloop and just need to get back to stock, use sammobile and download the firmwares from there. Those are the regular ones. You can still use these if your doing the same also but these can help in desperate situations.

How To Use/Flash These Firmwares?! Simply just download the one for your Tab A model and in the zip it contains different tars. Place the tars in the appropriate sections in odin. Example: Put the AP bla bla bla Tar in the AP Tab Of Odin and the BL tar in the BL tab in odin. In most cases for say like you flashed a bad rom or in a bootloop, you will only need to flash the AP and BL Tars Only. Most times you dont need to flash CSC. Flash the CSC Tar if your Tab A is not booting up after flashing BL and AP Tars. Make SURE YOU GIVE IT 30 Minutes after flashing in odin if it doesnt seem to boot.

Firmware Downloads (Fast Servers): SM-T550 Tab A 9.7 Inch Version: T550XXU1AOF5/T550XAR1AOF5/T550XXU1AOF5/T550XXU1AOF5 Region: XAR \[USA\] Download: https://mega.nz/#!usxzTJTI!r9vhUbTO\_...dhqSanCI00sZOU

ODIN DOWNLOAD: Odin 3.09 Download: https://www.dropbox.com/s/028kidvc9q...v3.09.zip?dl=0

Source: xda-developers.com
> 0 votes

# Answer
No you cannot use adb but most phones do have a com port open where you can push factory OTA images through.
> -3 votes

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Tags: adb, samsung, unbricking, connection-issues, usb-debugging
---


title: moto g5 plus - male to female usb cable

text:
# Question
Title: moto g5 plus - male to female usb cable
I am in the process of planning out the 3d print of a custom phone stand for my MG5+. I am planning that the phone, in its protective case, will slide down onto the stand and plug into the usb port, to charge and access my wifi.

Examination of the phone vs what is on the Internet suggests that the usb port is a micro standard type B.

Ideally the phone will slide onto the male plug. That is corrected out the back of the phone stand to a female plug. My normal MG5% charger will plug into that.

So far Google-fu hasn't turned up any cables like this. I see lots with the correct gender that carry power, but no data. There are lots of OTG type cables that are power only.

So apparently no one sells a micro usb type b male to micro usb type b female cable that carries power and data. I am not keen on making one. The last time, I soldered two fingers together :(

**What other options are available?**

# Answer
> 1 votes
My google fu improved today.

**micro usb standard type b data cable extender** yields multiple options.

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Tags: usb
---


title: How to I find and kill a DnD?

text:
# Question
Title: How to I find and kill a DnD?
On my Nexus 6P, Android 7.1.2, I once entered a Do Not Disturb setting which started at 0450 local time. I deleted that, but since the 7.1.2 upgrade, it has returned. It even occurs in Safe mode. How do I find it, and kill it, dead, with a stake through its ID?

# Answer
> 1 votes
DND is not a cron job... It's "embedded" in the OS databases. Unless someone knows exactly what file and where, assuming it's ASCII editable file, a factory reset might be your only option.

# Answer
> 0 votes
If you rooted great if not that's okay. Download terminal emulator and type `top` you will see a list of of processes find the one you are looking for and follow the on screen instructions on how to kill it.

---
Tags: 7.1-nougat, do-not-disturb
---


title: Nougat - Remove Google Account

text:
# Question
Title: Nougat - Remove Google Account
My Galaxy S7 recently updated to Android 7.0.

I've got two Google accounts on my phone, personal and work.

I recently left my job and my work Google account has had its password reset.

Since then I'm getting the "Account Action Required" notification to sign back into the account.

This isn't possible as the account will be deleted soon.

For the life of me I can't find where to remove the account from my phone.

This used to be very straightforward. There's a strong possibility that I'm being blind. Can someone please point me in the right direction?

Thanks!

# Answer
> 1 votes
Thanks for the reply. I tried those instructions before but there is no Personal option. I did find it though. For anyone interested, it's Settings \> Cloud and Accounts \> Accounts \> Google \> Tap Account \> \[Menu\] \> Remove Account. For some reason it wouldn't open up the option to remove the account without having to "cancel sync" first in my case.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Yes, this should be simple. Select Settings -\> (Personal) Accounts -\> Google -\> \[Account to remove\]

Then select the menu (hamburger) and select "Remove account".

The trouble is that the menus sometimes vary with each manufacturer's OS customizations.

---
Tags: google-account, 7.0-nougat, samsung-galaxy-s7
---


title: How to setup 6in4 tunnel?

text:
# Question
Title: How to setup 6in4 tunnel?
Say my Android device is on an IPv4-only network and I have a 6in4 tunnel (e.g. from HE/tunnelbroker.net) - how can I configure my device such that IPv6 traffic goes through that tunnel?

Background: on a stock Linux system you can connect to the 6in4 tunnel via issuing 5 iproute2 commands or so.

# Answer
> 0 votes
For that, I suggest you look at this application,isatapd (requires root). It seems to match your description;

> ISATAP is a IPv6 in IPv4 tunnel mechanism that allows clients to get a global routeable IPv6 address over an IPv4 only network. The isatapd tool for Linux helps with the automatic configuration of the tunnel and the client endpoint and is shipped in this app and run as root.

Alternatively the same developer has a similar app IPv6Config (root required). From description;

> IPv6Config allows to configure some of the IPv6 kernel settings. Currently, it allows to automatically enable the "Privacy Extensions for Stateless Address Autoconfiguration in IPv6" as specified in IETF RFC4941 and implemented by the standard Linux kernel and to establish 6to4 tunnels for IPv6 connectivity with providers that only provide IPv4 addresses so far.

Hope this helps

---
Tags: ipv6
---


# Question
Title: Spoof WiFi settings as 'On' but use Cellular Data (for specific apps or in total)
*Alternatively*, can android force an app to use Cellular data?

**The app in question:** Amazon Video \[Version 3.0.57.30110 "Prime Video for Android Software"\]

\**Device in use:\**Samsung Galaxy Note 4 - Android Version: 5.0.1 Build LRX22C.N910TUVU1COG2 (USA TMobile Completely Stock, No Root etc)

**Issue:** AV doesn't allow 'download for offline viewing' of media larger than 50mb in size. The app wants to see the device is connected to a WiFi network to allow downloads.

**Why this is an issue:** When travelling, I use my unlimited network to download media for offline use when leaving network coverage areas (wilderness, trains/planes etc) - with an unlimited cellular plan, I don't care about what size file I'm downloading; Amazon is undoubtedly attempting to help users from inadvertently maxing out their data plans and blaming Amazon in the process (yes, those users exist)...

Interestingly, a cellular hotspot will allow download - as the app see's the device as being on a WiFi Network.

**Restating the Question:** Is there a way to either, force the app into using cellular data, or, spoof the phone's wifi state as 'on' but use cellular data anyway?

Research: Reading other threads, this problem is unique in the sense that wifi is not an option to use - assume i only have cellular data; how can i use apps that request wifi for their functions?

# Answer
In order to simulate a wifi connection on 3g/4g (assuming you are rooted), you additionally need **Xposed framework** installed and install Hack connectivity service tool.

You then choose wifi and activate traces

See below:

This module forces the Connectivity manager to return Wi-Fi networking info as active.

An alternative tool (if Hack connectivity service module is not working) is Fake Wi-Fi Connection module try v1.9 (beta) for lollipop+. Sometimes some applications won't work when no Wi-Fi is detected so it simulates an active Wi-Fi connection in order for apps to get internet. It uses the same concept as the above tool.

Edit:

Another suggested option is to decompile the apk file and make

> network connectivity check always return true.

Hope this helps
> 1 votes

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop, samsung-galaxy-note-4
---


title: How to find out which app uses mdnsd

text:
# Question
Title: How to find out which app uses mdnsd
My battery life has dropped massively recently and there's an unrecognised app 'mdnsd' that's using a fair percentage of it.

AFAIK mdnsd broadcasts info about services running to a local network, but I can't think what APIs would need that. How can I find out which app is using this?

# Answer
> 1 votes
This is a bug associated with firefox. From this source: https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show\_bug.cgi?id=1215012.

It is also suspected to be caused by the patch **Support Multicast DNS** (mDNS)

Further tests showed these results:

```
 Actual results:

Excessive battery usage when using Firefox beta.
Phone Power setting shows MSNSD with increasing usage.

```

This issue was mainly noted in beta version of firefox and version 42.

Several users have complained about the issue and this how they resolved it:

> Install this new version, run it once, and the mdnsd process starts busily running your battery life down. It took my S5 from 17 or 20 hours before the battery would run out to 4 hours. This is true whether or not Firefox is running in the background. All the complaints on the web about this start around November 2014 time frame with complaints about the two other random apps, but only a couple, and a comment on the Mozilla Bugzilla platform that there was a report of extreme battery usage sometime in July of 2015

*Source: What is MDNSD and how do I get rid of it?*

Uninstalling firefox proved to be the solution:

> So by uninstalling Firefox, the mdnsd process stopped draining the battery for the rest of the day. After recharging the battery overnight and beginning to use the phone the following day, the Battery usage report no longer shows the mdnsd process!

*Source: Mdnsd killing battery?*

Probably the issue was subsequently fixed with newer versions of the browser.

---
Tags: 5.1-lollipop
---


# Question
Title: Sony Xperia M4: is the Sony bloatware installed on the system partition or the data partition?
As detailed in my previous question (How to upgrade a phone with only 8Gb. internal memory), a relative of mine has a Sony Xperia M4 with Android 5.0 and only 8 Gb. of internal memory; after installing the few apps he uses, he has now only 320 Mb. of internal memory left.

Of course, the phone comes by default with all the Google bloatware **AND** all the Sony bloatware, and they can't be uninstalled by default. I'm considering rooting the phone to delete the unwanted apps, but this lead me to think: and what if all of the Sony bloatware is installed in `/system`, and deleting them doesn't free space in `/data`, which is where the space is needed?

So... does anyone know where are the Sony apps installed by default?

# Answer
"can't be uninstalled by default" is a very obvious indicator that they're in `/system`.

You are correct about that deleting them won't free space for `/data` \- unless you somehow find a way to repartition the storage and allocate more space for it, which is beyond normal users.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: insufficient-memory, sony-xperia
---


# Question
Title: lollipop how to get music & photos on sd
I have Note 3 running android lollipop 5.0 How do I get my music and photos on to the 32Gb sd card? Note I do not want to move the apps just the data.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I haven't used the *Note 3* but all the Galaxys I have used had the *My files* app preinstalled. So:

1. go to that *Files* app
2. navigate to your music
3. longpress on one of your songs, then click the menu in the corner
4. select "move file" or select all then "move files"
5. navigate to your sd card and hit "paste" from the menu or diplayed botton that says "paste".

If you do not have the *My files* app then download a file manager app. I would recommended *Root explorer* – but if you don't have that either, check with the list of file managers by Izzy and you should find it (and additional candidates) relatively easy.

//thanks to Izzy for making your list of file managers//

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop, sd-card, photos, music
---


# Question
Title: Playing music over Bluetooth in Android car unit that only accepts Bluetooth phone call
I have Android car unit on Peugeot 307 SW (2007). It has Bluetooth, but it's only for making calls. I want to play music on it, and I don't want to buy any adapters.

Google Maps can tell the directions over the car's Bluetooth as Bluetooth phone call, so it should be possible for other apps to do so.

Is there a way to play music over Bluetooth as Bluetooth phone call? Alternatively, are there music apps that can play music as Bluetooth phone call?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Really, the best method is to just get a Bluetooth adapter from Amazon or something.

More apps can be integrated with regular Bluetooth and you will still be able to use the Bluetooth thing built into the car for calls. On Android, there is an option to choose what a certain bluetooth device is used for.

This would also be better than any hack or workaround because it will always be in a 'call' and will probably drain more battery. Also, an app cannot intercept all audio (which would be needed to send everything to the speakers) unless your phone is rooted.

---
Tags: bluetooth, music, automotive-head-unit
---


# Question
Title: Is there a way to get a history of Facebook profiles that I've visited?
I have visited a profile on Facebook recently but now I've forgotten the name of person. Is there a way that I can get a history of the profiles which I have already visited?

I am currently using Android Facebook application

# Answer
> 2 votes
From Facebook help center,

> To view your activity log on the Android app, first go to your timeline. Under your cover photo, you should see a group of tiles (ex: About, Photos, Friends). Swipe the tiles left until you see the Activity Log tile, then tap on the tile to view your activity log.

Then,

> * Tap **Activity Log** \> **Filter**
> * Scroll down and tap **Search**

---

For the desktop version, click on the little down arrow at the top left of the screen, then Activity Log, then MORE then scroll down to Select.

# Answer
> 0 votes
You can see your earlier visited pages if only you have done any comments or likes like that. Otherwise you cannot .

# Answer
> -1 votes
I don't think you're going to be able to do this in the Android app. At least if you were in the desktop version you might be able to look through your web browser history...

---
Tags: facebook
---


# Question
Title: Can't download from Play Store - need new ideas to try
I've had this Moto X (1st ed) for a few years. For the last 3 weeks or so I've been unable to use the Play Store to update any of my apps or to download any new ones. The store otherwise works just fine: I get notification of updates, I can browse the store...

Problem is, once I hit `Update` or `Accept` to update or install, the status shown is stuck at `Downloading...` indefinitely with no progress; even if I let it sit for hours, there is never any error message. Here's what I've already tried:

1. Made sure there is enough space to install/update apps
2. Cleared the cache for Play Store and Play Services apps, and restarted the phone.
3. Uninstalled Play Store updates `Settings >> Apps >> Google Play Store >> Uninstall Updates` and restarted the phone. Even the old version of the store wouldn't download anything.
4. Used a mirror site to download and update Google App, Google Play Store, and Google Play Services to the most recent version (more recent than what I had before `#3`). I think these APKs were genuine since the signatures must have matched what was already installed or the update would have been blocked
5. Switched from WiFi to Cell data.

I've gone through the similar questions from the troubleshooting FAQ but didn't come across something else to try. Any help would be welcome.

* Moto X on Android 5.1
* Google Play Services 10.5.53
* Google Play Store 7.7.09.N-all

# Answer
The issue is usually caused by some kind of corruption in the download manager (`com.android.providers.downloads`).

Sometimes the issue also occurs when download manager was previously frozen. ( I have experienced this issue due to this)

**However as OP suggested the issue was fixed by clearing the cache and data of the download manager and rebooting the device**
> 1 votes

# Answer
* ***Reboot your device*** and open it again
* If above steps fails, please do clear data and cache in applications settings , and open it again for ***Google play store and play services***
* Or go for **\*Third party store for android *** like ***Mobogenie***

**EDIT :**

This step will stop the Play Store and clear data stored in a temporary area of device memory. This gives the app a fresh start and can help payments process properly. It won't delete any permanent files.

**First, Force the Play Store to stop:**

* Open your device's Settings Settings. Scroll down and tap Apps or Application manager (depending on your device, this may be different).
* Tap the Google Play Store Play Store. Tap Force stop.

**Second, clear the cache and data for the Play Store:**

* Open your device's Settings Settings.
* Tap Apps or Application manager.
* Tap Google Play Store Play Store. Tap Storage. Tap Clear cache. Tap Clear data.

**Next, reopen the Play Store:**

* Open the Google Play Store app Play Store.Try your download again.

I have found these steps from this link , i hope it will help you Click here
> 1 votes

---
Tags: google-play-store, downloading
---


# Question
Title: How to go back to stable rom from beta rom in Redmi Note 4?
I have Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (Snapdragon 625) smartphone. I had updated it to Nougat Developer ROM Version: 7.3.23 (MIUI8) few days ago. But this update led me to some bugs, so now I am deciding to go back to Marshmallow Stable ROM Version: V8.2.2.0.MCFMIDL (MIUI8). I know I can not simply revert back to it via using phone's in-built updater app. So please help me how can I achieve it?

My phone is NOT ROOTED. It's bootloader is LOCKED. How can I once again install stable global ROM which was factory installed by the company when I bought it? I don't want to unlock my phone's bootloader because in order to do so I will have to request to the Xiaomi and I don't know whether it will be accepted or not and who knows how many days I will have to wait for the result.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I would suggest to apply for the unlock. The possibility of not being accepted is rather low. it takes around two days to get accepted but do not forget to go into the developer mode and pair the phone with the account because that needs to be done 3 days prior to attempting an unlock.

Now to the main question. You can download the zip for the version of the ROM you want to go back to and from here Throw it in the `downloaded_rom` folder, go in the updater app, click dots on upper right corner, choose update package.

Now... there is a slight possibility that it might not work, failing when it tries to verify the package. If that happens then unlocking the bootloader is your only option.

---
Tags: rom, miui
---


title: SD Card not working after partition

text:
# Question
Title: SD Card not working after partition
I was falling short of memory on my Samsung Galaxy S5 16 GB running on Android Marshmallow 6.0.1 rooted and TWRP recovery so I bought a new 32 GB Micro SD Card and made partition with this Command a month ago :-

```
adb shell
sm partition disk:179,64 mixed 50

```

and the partition completed successfully. Now from past few days it is not working. when I open settings it says Checking. when I checked `adb shell` `sm list-volumes` it outputs this

```
shell@klte:/ $ sm list-volumes
private:179,67 checking 9d457504-6aea-4eaf-8514-3d25c9ed5846
private mounted null
public:179,65 HiddenMount D27B-3E68
emulated mounted null
privatemode unmounted null

```

I dont know what went wrong. please help me to resolve this.

# Answer
> 0 votes
It was a mistake to do partitioning by yourself. Android don't very like third-party partitioning tools.

I recommend you to format SD-card via standard Android menu. If it fails then use PC card-reader or even specialized software recovery tools.

# Answer
> -1 votes
Since your on android m you can go to setting amd set the sd card as internal ternal storage if that helps you any

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, internal-storage, external-sd, samsung-galaxy-s-5, partitions
---


# Question
Title: Android 4.0.4 Where to Download su or sudo Binary?
I have a Huawei Android 4.0.4 phone and I've recently downloaded a Terminal Emulator app. This app allows me to run a Linux shell from inside Android; it runs `/system/bin/sh`. I started to navigate around the OS and I've found that `/system/xbin` only has `DisableLoopTest`, `EnableLoopTest`, `dexdump`, and `hciutils_test` in it. `/system/bin` has many files; I believe that all of the installed commands are in it. However, I noticed that `su` and `sudo` where not in `/system/bin` or `/system/xbin`. Where can I download this file or some other file to root my Android device?

# Answer
> 1 votes
As it was correctly stated by the GiantTree, adding `su` binaries won't help you much as you do not have root. After rooting they more than likely will be added by default.

What concerns adding missing commands to Andorid shell, then you'd better not to do that one by one, bur rather install Busybox. It contains a big set of predefined commands.

---
Tags: rooting, root-access, shell, terminal
---


# Question
Title: GT-I9082 - Unable to enter download mode through ADB
I have a really old Samsung Galaxy Grand Duos from 5 years back.

I want to boot into download mode using ADB. I am using the following command

```
adb -s <deviceid> reboot download

```

What this does is just reboot my phone and does not take me to recovery. I can boot into recovery though using

```
adb reboot recovery

```

I have tried the commands

```
adb reboot bootloader

```

also has no effect other than booting my phone.

I can enter into recovery the manual way using `volume down + power + home` button, but why can't I enter it using ADB ?

What am I doing wrong ?

My phone is running Jellybean Samsung Stock ROM and does not have the fastboot/bootloader mode.

# Answer
Luckily I have Grand Duos too and I can confirm it is **perfectly** bootable into Odin Mode (aka Download) by

```
adb reboot download

```

Tried it just now.

What I can propose to you:

1. Try to get rid of all other emulated/physical devices by restarting ADB-server and/or ejecting non-necessary ones.

```
adb kill-server

```

I can guess you have them as you use `-s` clause.

2. Learn the difference between Odin Mode, recovery mode and bootloader mode. Maybe you are confusing them?

I have custom recovery but this doesn't prevent me from booting into all this modes.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: adb, recovery-mode, samsung-galaxy-grand
---


title: unable to boot into recovery mode

text:
# Question
Title: unable to boot into recovery mode
I have unlocked bootloader of my moto g3 6.0.1 and have installed the twrp recovery too but unable to boot into recovery mode. every time I make an attempt to open the twrp it shows no command on my device. I have tried many tWRP files... but can't complete the process.

# Answer
To successfully flash the TWRP you must enter it **at the first time boot** after flashing. Otherwise it will be overwritten by the standard recovery and all your efforts will be wasted. Also check this question.

Only first time matters.
> 1 votes

# Answer
To properly flash TWRP on a Moto G 2015:

1) Unlock the bootloader via Moto's official process
2) Copy the latest TWRP image from official TWRP.me site to your platform-tools directory if in Windows, or to your home directory if in Linux
3) Open a terminal window with administration/root privileges and navigate to the location of your twrp image file
4) In the terminal enter `fastboot flash recovery twrp.img` (replace twrp.img with the actual filename from twrp.me)
5) DO NOT REBOOT - Immediately start Recovery, TWRP should start
6) When TWRP starts, it will prompt you "Keep System Read Only" then Swipe to Allow Modification
7) Select `Reboot` then `Recovery` then `Do Not Install`
8) The device will reboot and TWRP should load and will be "set" as your recovery from now on.

Note, although it is not essential, I do recommend performing a complete backup BEFORE flashing TWRP... TWRP can be booted without modifying the existing recovery or filesystem. Use the command `fastboot boot twrp.img` and select 'Do Not Modify\` then perform a full backup to the SD card and archive it for future use if needed.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: rooting
---


# Question
Title: Do frozen/disabled apps get triggered by broadcast receivers?
If an app is frozen/disabled, does it still get executed if triggered by a broadcast receiver?

# Answer
> 1 votes
If the application is truly disabled, it won't get executed even if it receives broadcasts intents.

I have a disabled application, which if it was enabled, is woken up by various intents such as;

`android.provider.Telephony.WAP_PUSH_RECEIVED
 android.intent.action.BOOT_COMPLETED
 android.net.conn.CONNECTIVITY_CHANGE`

Even though if it receives these intents it is still disabled, until I manually enable it.

However there are some applications which can filter intents of a partially disabled application.

For example Greenify, it can disable an application such that other broadcast intents are ignored, except for a few e.g GCM receiver or Telephony intents. So in this case it is woken up **only** by specific broadcast intents

---
Tags: applications, disable-app
---


title: How to use speech-to-text offline?

text:
# Question
Title: How to use speech-to-text offline?
**When online**

When I am connected to Wi-Fi, I am able to say "Okay Google" from any screen and it will automatically start a voice search for me and look up whatever I say. I am also able to manually start a voice search by tapping the microphone button at the top of my homescreen on the right side of the Google search bar, and my phone will search for anything I say. Lastly, when I am using the on-screen keyboard to type I can hit the small microphone button in the corner and speak whatever I want to type (which it will instantly change to text, but I have to hit the "x" with my finger to make it stop).

**When offline**

When I go offline (not connected to Wi-Fi or data), however, things start getting weird. I can bring down the white pull-down menu for voice search by saying "Okay Google," but after I am finished talking it will stay stuck loading on "Recognizing" for a while, until finally it will say "Can't Reach Google at the moment" (see image 2).

After messing around with things for a while, I finally got it so that when I am offline and hit the microphone button on the keyboard, I can speak my sentence and then after an absurdly long wait it will translate it into text (I don't know if this is normal or just my phone).

**What I've tried/what my specs are**

I have a Moto-X (second gen.). My OS is fully updated (as far as I'm aware – Android 5.1.1), and I have the most recent version of the Google app (version 5.7), the most recent Google Now Launcher app (version 1.3.large), and the most recent version of the Google+ app in case that matters (version 6.9).

In my Settings\>Language & input\>Google Keyboard, it is set to "English (US)."

Settings\>Language & input\>Google voice typing, it is set to "Automatic" and inside that the "Languages" is set to "Default language: English (US)."

Settings\>Language & input\>Google voice typing\>Offline speech recognition, I have "English (US)" installed.

**My Question**

Why do the Google offline voice commands not work when I am offline and how do I make it work?

\*Answers as to why the keyboard text-to-type takes forever when offline are appreciated to but they're not my main concern for this question. Thanks! :)

Screenshots - Click to enlarge

**EDIT:** As of October 2016, I got a new phone (the Moto G4 Plus) and it has the exact same problem. All the symptoms are identical and I cannot use the voice commands unless I have Internet connection, and the offline voice-to-text is really slow (still not my main concern). It has the most recent version of Marshmallow (Android 6) installed.

**EDIT 2:** Occurs on Android 7 now as well. But I found out it was the Google App, not the phone or OS specifically. (see answer below)

# Answer
> 1 votes
Okay, over a year later I have finally figured out what is going on. My carrier apparently uses "MQTT protocol," which means they need the Cellular Data option on to send texts (however, they have their own app set up to make sure that sending texts doesn't count toward your monthly data allotment).

**The problem is that when the Cellular Data option is turned on, the Google app thinks that it should have Internet connection even when it doesn't.** In my case, I don't pay for any data but I have to keep the "Cellular Data" option always on, as previously mentioned. But this makes the Google app not recognize that the phone is offline, and so internally it doesn't switch over to its "offline mode" and that's why the Offline Commands don't work and it doesn't recognize speech. I tried turning off my Cellular Data (while not connected to wifi) and the offline features worked as expected.

This means that I am not able to use Google's offline features, though, unless I turn off Cellular Data. And when I turn that off I won't be able to receive texts. So I can't have both :(

# Answer
> 2 votes
There are two apps involved in this case. First one is Voice-To-Text engine app. Other one is Google app.

The app you start by hitting the mic on keyboard is the former one. It normally relies on Internet to work, however, can be made to work offline too. I can't explain the reason of the long wait though. Maybe it tries to connect to internet first and then, when it fails, it switches back to working offline method.

The app that you start by saying *Ok Google* is the latter one in this case. It also uses Voice-To-Text engine in the background, however, it uses the input it receives from your microphone, directly to start a Google search. Which is impossible to perform when offline, and therefore, it fails.

---
Tags: voice-command, moto-x, google-voice-actions
---


title: Google Messenger - Cannot search thread

text:
# Question
Title: Google Messenger - Cannot search thread
My Google Messenger app will no longer let me search threads. One of the suggestions I found was to reinstall the app, but then I will lose the messages that I wanted to search.

Any recommendations?

# Answer
> 1 votes
I finally figured this out. Tldr: turn on permissions for services and google app.

Had to enable permission to contacts and sms for google services. Also would not work unless Google App had sms permission, but could turn this off after.

---
Tags: google-messages
---


# Question
Title: Issue a command to the camera from command line via SSH
If I have an SSH app like SSH Droid, is it possible to issue a command to the camera to take a picture from the command line of a remote SSH client? If so, would you have an example of such a command?

**SSH Droid info**

> SSHDroid is a SSH server implementation for Android. This application will let you connect to your device from a PC and execute commands (like "terminal" and "adb shell") or edit files (through SFTP, WinSCP, Cyberduck, etc...).

The device I'm looking to use it on is ver 2.3.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I don't have experience with sshdroid. Termux does have an option to record pictures from the command line.

---
Tags: camera, command-line
---


# Question
Title: My mom has an iPhone and I have android and I'd like to us my moms hotspot
Can I use my moms iPhone hot spot for my android

# Answer
> 0 votes
If the iPhone have feature to WLAN Tethering (Wifi Tethering or Hotspot). The answer is yes, you can. I think it will not depend to operating system what you have. Except if the Hotspot have feature to filter any Operating System that can connected to the Hotspot.

# Answer
> 0 votes
It will work normally, just make hotspot (wifi) . And you will be able to connect your phone or your PC, whatever operating system they use.

---
Tags: wifi-hotspot, shell
---


# Question
Title: Where is the camera button in the Google Image Search webpage on my Android?
Device: Samsung Galaxy S3
OS: 4.1.1

I want to do a reverse image search on my S3 phone. When I open up the Google Image Search homepage, the "camera" button is nowhere to be found. So, I cannot upload a photo. I opened the page in Chrome, and the stock browser but I still don't see it.

How can I do a reverse image search from my phone?

# Answer
Best option is to request the desktop website on your Google Chrome browser.

1. Tap the menu button of your browser.
2. Tick the check box next to `Desktop Site`.
3. Now go to the Google Images website (google.com/imghp).

And you have the look and feel of the website like you'd expect it on your computer.
> 8 votes

# Answer
Have you tried using Google Goggles instead? This is Google's app for doing a reverse image search using a camera. Make sure to enable `Search from Camera`.

You can also use an existing picture in your gallery. Open settings (circle button at lower right), then click the icon that looks like a mountain with an arrow (2nd button from left).
> 7 votes

# Answer
Google seems to block some webbrowsers/versions from search with image.

if you change useragent string in your browser settings to Firefox/4 (or anything more than 3) google show you the camera-icon so you can search with a image again like was possible before.

(firefox have this setting under general.useragent.extra.firefox in about:config your phones browser might have it somewhere else)
> 1 votes

# Answer
I just found the alternative solution using Search by image app. This app lets me search by image on my smartphone. I can upload my photos to search via Google easily. You can also share images from any website to social media in one click.
> 0 votes

# Answer
You need to enable Desktop Mode in your browser, in order to see the camera icon.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Just open Google Chrome on your phone. Then select 3 dots on top right corner and put a tick mark at " **Desktop Mode** ". Then go to Google Images as usual, there will be a camera button
> 0 votes

---
Tags: camera, google-search
---


# Question
Title: Phone app shows all contacts even when contacts app is set to show only gmail contacts
I have two source of contacts in my phone(Lineage 14.1), gmail and whatsapp.

In the contacts app, I have set the option to only show gmail contacts. It works properly (first screenshot). But in the phone app, all contacts are shown, thus getting most contacts twice (once from gmail, and once from whatsapp; second screenshot):

I tried using different phone app, but the result is same. I tried merging the contacts using the mergings apps on play store, but somehow the contacts reappear after using whatsapp.

Is there any solution? A similar question was asked years ago How to show only gmail's contacts in the Contacts app? , but it doesn't have an working answer.

# Answer
> -1 votes
The sync might be on. And all of your contacts are synced with Gmail. Thus it's displaying them.

---
Tags: lineageos, 7.1-nougat
---


# Question
Title: Is this the right way to use dd for a full backup?
Sadly my device (sm-g3185) isn't supported by either CWM or NANDbackup, so I am trying to do a backup manually. I found this thread which tells me to open a terminal (I'm on Arch Linux) and run:

```
adb forward tcp:5555 tcp:5555
adb shell
su
/system/xbin/busybox nc -l -p 5555 -e /system/xbin/busybox dd if=/dev/block/mmcblk0

```

And then open another terminal and run:

```
adb forward tcp:5555 tcp:5555
cd /path/to/store/the/backup
nc 127.0.0.1 5555 | pv -i 0.5 > mmcblk0.raw

```

I did all this and it seems to be working. However, there was a delay of a few seconds between launching the `dd` command in terminal1 and the `nc` command in terminal2.

Can I trust the backup I created in this way? Doesn't this mean that I've lost some of the output of `dd`? Shouldn't these be run concurrently or, at least, shouldn't the `nc` command be started *before* the `dd` one?

# Answer
> *Can I trust the backup I created in this way?*

Yes, of course! This is the most accurate backup method.

Data integrity can be verified by comparing the outputs of running `md5sum(1)` on both the `/dev/block/mmcblk0` volume on your device and the `mmcblk0.raw` disk image on your computer.

Additionally, you can use `parted(8)` to list all the partitions on the backup file:

```
parted /path/backup/mmcblk0.raw print

```

There you will find your `system` and `userdata` partitions, among many others containing bootloaders, firmware and recovery images.

> *There was a delay of a few seconds between launching the `dd` command on the device and the `nc` on the host computer. Doesn't this mean that I've lost some of the output of `dd`?* *Shouldn't these be run concurrently or, at least, shouldn't the `nc` command be started before the `dd` one?*

Don't worry! When you run `nc -l`, it will listen for an inbound connection, blocking the pipe and keeping `dd` from sending data until you establish the connection from your computer.

---

*Note: you don't need to run `adb forward tcp:5555 tcp:5555` twice.*

### Warning

**Most of the modern devices encrypt all your data. Make sure that you can decrypt the backup file and access your data before erasing the phone.**
> 4 votes

# Answer
I let it run and after it finished, `dd` reported:

```
7818182656 bytes (7.3GB) copied, 1245.237601 seconds, 6.0MB/s

```

And `ls -l mmcblk0.raw` on my computer shows:

```
-rw-r--r-- 1 terdon terdon 7818182656 Nov 10 14:45 mmcblk0.raw

```

Since the file is the right size, presumably the backup was successful.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Here's the output of `busybox nc -h` from the Kindle Fire HDX I'm working on:

```
BusyBox v1.20.2 (2013-01-21 11:34:41 CET) multi-call binary.

Usage: nc [-iN] [-wN] [-l] [-p PORT] [-f FILE|IPADDR PORT] [-e PROG]

Open a pipe to IP:PORT or FILE

        -e PROG Run PROG after connect
        -l      Listen mode, for inbound connects
                (use -l twice with -e for persistent server)
        -p PORT Local port
        -w SEC  Timeout for connect
        -i SEC  Delay interval for lines sent
        -f FILE Use file (ala /dev/ttyS0) instead of network

```

So, the entire image is received because netcat waits for the connection to be established before running `busybox dd if=/dev/block/mmcblk0`, that connection being established by `nc 127.0.0.1 5555` in the second terminal window.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: adb, backup
---


# Question
Title: Whatsapp: could it be that messages from some contacts are received but not from others?
"My mum and her phone are driving me crazy" must probably be an entry in many personal diaries by now...

The thing is: my mum claims that she sends whatsapp messages to some of her contacts (there's a double blue tick and everything, so they've read them) and she doesn't get any replies. However, she does get replies from some other contacts. And I just tried myself: messaged her and the message arrived instantly.

Could there be a reason for whatsapp not getting messages from specific contacts only? (I just checked her phone settings and no contacts are blocked).

# Answer
The double-check indicates that the message received. So, it might be possible that the recipient simply chose not to reply.

You mentioned that your mom hasn't blocked anyone. How about if your mom has been blocked? You can check for these indicators:

```
- You can no longer see a contact's last seen or online in the chat window.
- You do not see updates to a contact's profile photo.
- Any messages sent to a contact who has blocked you will always show one check mark (message sent), and never show a second check mark (message delivered).
- Any calls you attempt to place will not go through.

```
> 0 votes

---
Tags: whatsapp-messenger
---


# Question
Title: WiFi has no internet access, but it does
I'm on Android 6.0.1. I'm writing this question while connected to a friend's WiFi, with mobile data turned off. But my phone says "connected, no internet access", and there's a ! by the WiFi indicator on the bar along the top of the screen.

I think Android thinking there's no internet is stopping certain apps from working, whereas others don't seem to care (and work).

Why is Android thinking there's no internet when there is? Can I assure it that there is internet?

# Answer
"Connected, no internet access" means that the test that Android uses to check if there is Internet access is failing. The url or method used to test if Internet is working varies by Android version and on 6.0 it uses `connectivitycheck.gstatic.com/generate_204` as the test. - Reference

"Internet" is just a network, if the routing, access, DNS resolution, etc. pieces are all there, the "Internet" is going to work... regardless if the test Android does to see if it is working fails or not, although you may have to specifically tell your device (via a pop-up toast prompt or setting in WiFi - Advanced) to stay connected to that WiFi network.

Why the test fails? Hard to say, but something in your friends network or their ISP is blocking the check your device makes to test if the Internet is working.
> 2 votes

# Answer
Does the friend's Wi-Fi have internet connection? It's possible that you may be connected to your friend's router, but there's no internet connection. You may need to have the router restarted.

It's also possible that some other device connected to the router is hogging all the bandwidth, leaving nothing for your device.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: internet
---


# Question
Title: How to prevent Android from automatically downloading System Updates from the cellular network?
I've had Verizon's Samsung Note 5 for about 1.5 years. I don't have (and don't really want to pay for) an unlimited data plan so I use cellular data sparingly and use my home WiFi when downloading apps, updates, etc.

This morning I discovered my phone had, on its own, downloaded the Android 7 system update using my Verizon cellular data. Previously, the phone would only check for system updates and then notify me that an update was available for download (at which point I would use my WiFi to download the update)

How can one prevent Android from using the cellular network to download system (Android) updates without permission?

(I tagged this as Marshmallow since that was the version that had the auto-download bug in it, but I want to know how to prevent auto-downloading of system updates in Android 7.0 also)

# Answer
On the settings of the system update, there is the option for the ability to automatically download or not, and there is a check for download mode (WiFi or data).
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, 7.0-nougat, ota-update, verizon, samsung-galaxy-note-5
---


# Question
Title: Is it possible to boot an Android phone from a USB drive?
Is there any way to boot an Android phone\* from a bus-powered USB drive\**? If so, what are the steps to achieve this?

** E.g. one with USB OTG functionality.*

*\** E.g. a flash drive.*

# Answer
*Please clarify what is the intended goal and why?*

Android phones have their own boot-loaders and cannot be overridden by other means.

It is not like a PC's BIOS where you can switch the ordering of boot to boot from certain devices such as Network PXE, USB, Primary/Secondary H.D.D...

## Edit:

After the comments below, and in relation to the OP's question

> Is there any way to boot an Android phone (E.g. one with USB OTG functionality.) via way of a bus-powered USB drive

The generic boot-loader (\*which resides on the chip-set) has no knowledge of USB etc, as the lk (Little Kernel) is more concerned about trapping keystrokes in order to chain-load into recovery or to boot directly into Android environment (When holding Vol+Down key in this instance) - in pseudo-code (*this is from the context/aspect of lk, and also, the memory addresses pertaining to how to read the partitions are hard-coded into this lk so it will know how to process the logic!*)

The lk kernel is the de-facto standard by Qualcomm for MSM chipsets (Snapdragon) and adopted by manufacturers such as Sony, Motorola, LG, Samsung and can be found in the AOSP source under `bootable/bootloader`.

**if** (*Is Volume Down key pressed?*) **then**

* chain-load kernel from `/recovery` partition into particular address in memory and jump to it and start execution, in bringing up the recovery environment

**else**

* chain-load kernel from `/system` partition into particular address in memory and jump to it and start execution in bringing up the Android environment.

**end if.**

As the kernel within lk is pretty limited, considering that the binary image of the kernel is burned into the chip and *therefore no way of modifying it*. And also should be mentioned that lk contains the `fastboot` protocol in preparation for flashing `/boot`, `/recovery`, `/system` and `/data` partitions. There are two sequences to boot, primary boot and secondary boot as it is:

* Primary Boot -\> lk (depending on outcome of logic)
* Go into Secondary Boot -\> `/boot` or `/recovery`

**Side note:** Samsung is fond of the PBL/SBL (Which is Primary Boot Loader and Secondary Boot Loader respectively) in their jargon when it comes to modding. Thing about Samsung, is that, in some handsets, PBL and SBL may be encrypted (Samsung Wave GT-S8500 is one such example, where porting Android to it was nearly impossible to do because of the DRM within the boot loaders which was a nightmare to deal with and made modding it *extremely* difficult, nonetheless, it is sort of working via an exploit in the FOTA code!)

This is why there are no extra facilities such as OTG functionality or anything else such as serial communications, reading from SDCard, graphics etc as it would make the lk kernel bigger than is intended. In other words, it is the smallest possible size of kernel that is designated to do just the above pseudo-code happen.

Also, another way of looking at it is this, and this is dependent on the Android version - the USB OTG functionality is fully *brought* up within the Android environment, i.e when the familiar home screen appears, **then** OTG's functionality is enabled. Unfortunately not the case when looking at it from lk's perspective.

If you're curious, here's the Qualcomm entry on the above lk which is a part of the tiny C source that has ARM assembly included and found in JellyBean's AOSP source in `bootable/bootloader/legacy/usbloader/main.c`

```
int boot_linux_from_flash(void)
{
    boot_img_hdr *hdr = (void*) raw_header;
    unsigned n;
    ptentry *p;
    unsigned offset = 0;
    const char *cmdline;

    if((p = flash_find_ptn("boot")) == 0) {
        cprintf("NO BOOT PARTITION\n");
        return -1;
    }

    if(flash_read(p, offset, raw_header, 2048)) {
        cprintf("CANNOT READ BOOT IMAGE HEADER\n");
        return -1;
    }
    offset += 2048;

    if(memcmp(hdr->magic, BOOT_MAGIC, BOOT_MAGIC_SIZE)) {
        cprintf("INVALID BOOT IMAGE HEADER\n");
        return -1;
    }

    n = (hdr->kernel_size + (FLASH_PAGE_SIZE - 1)) & (~(FLASH_PAGE_SIZE - 1));
    if(flash_read(p, offset, (void*) hdr->kernel_addr, n)) {
        cprintf("CANNOT READ KERNEL IMAGE\n");
        return -1;
    }
    offset += n;

    n = (hdr->ramdisk_size + (FLASH_PAGE_SIZE - 1)) & (~(FLASH_PAGE_SIZE - 1));
    if(flash_read(p, offset, (void*) hdr->ramdisk_addr, n)) {
        cprintf("CANNOT READ RAMDISK IMAGE\n");
        return -1;
    }
    offset += n;

    dprintf("\nkernel  @ %x (%d bytes)\n", hdr->kernel_addr, hdr->kernel_size);
    dprintf("ramdisk @ %x (%d bytes)\n\n\n", hdr->ramdisk_addr, hdr->ramdisk_size);

    if(hdr->cmdline[0]) {
        cmdline = (char*) hdr->cmdline;
    } else {
        cmdline = board_cmdline();
        if(cmdline == 0) {
            cmdline = "mem=50M console=null";
        }
    }
    cprintf("cmdline = '%s'\n", cmdline);

    cprintf("\nBooting Linux\n");

    create_atags(ADDR_TAGS, cmdline,
                 hdr->ramdisk_addr, hdr->ramdisk_size);

    boot_linux(hdr->kernel_addr);
    return 0;
}

```
> 26 votes

# Answer
It is possible in a sense, however. Given the limitations mentioned in @t0mm13b 's answer, it makes sense that the mentioned boot loader (lk) is incapable of doing this. So, we boot a custom kernel from `fastboot` (for testing), which boots, enables OTG functionality and once a valid kernel is found on the OTG device which is connected, chainloads that into memory and passes control to it. This could probably even be integrated into modern custom recoveries like TWRP which have both OTG and (in some cases) MultiROM support.

This has actually been used to boot Ubuntu on a Nexus 9 tablet, using the method:

1. `fastboot boot <otg_chainloader_kernel>`
2. `<otg_chainloader_kernel>` boots and enables OTG and waits for OTG device to be connected.
3. Device is disconnected from PC and USB flash drive having bootable Ubuntu image is connected to it via OTG.
4. `<otg_chainloader_kernel>` detects a valid Linux kernel on the OTG device and passes control to it after chainloading it into memory.

Now, if you wanted to, you could boot a compatible Android ROM image in a similar way, but remember that the OTG drive would have to be kept connected to the device until you decide to return to the native OS (since all apps would load from, and all data would be written to the USB flash drive, unless the entire Android ROM could be configured as a ramdisk (ever heard of Puppy Linux?), which, given the current memory capacities of common Android devices and the size of the ROM itself is currently impractical). That precludes charging while booted to OTG OS, too, on most devices with unified data/charger ports.

Source: XDA-Developers Nexus 9 subforum
> 9 votes

# Answer
its posible and i did it on my acer iconia tablet!!!!

connect a flash drive to your pc and format to fat32 use rufus to port the iso/dd to your flash drive

connect it to otg and into your phone/tablet.. hold the power key and tap volume down if it doesnt boot try holding the power key and tap the volume up

then using volume keys move over to UDisk (your flash drive brand) or SATA; UDISK (it doesnt have to be your usb brand, it can say usb storage) and click the power key to confirm

well, i had sevior trouble with booting into the menu, so i somehow managed to avoid the kernel to boot and by that stop the android to boot

i think it was like this : i connected to the pc, then deleted all the assects from the tablet, but copying Android folder

kernel was removed and after boot connected back to the pc with a usb hub

well hope i helped :)
> 0 votes

---
Tags: usb, boot, bootloader, usb-host-mode, usb-peripherals
---


# Question
Title: Termux give user write access to usb pen
I have a android box that has termux and I would like to add permission for my user to write to a plugged in usb pen drive.
For what I believe I only have to add that user to *sdcard\_r* group, I'm not really sure if this is the way. How can I achieve this? I can't find `useradd` command.

I also have tried using the `termux-setup-storage` command but this command doesn't seem to create a folder for my usb pen drive.

My android version is 5.1.1

# Answer
I have followed the tutorial in http://www.cnx-software.com/2012/08/26/how-to-allow-apps-to-write-files-to-usb-mass-storage-devices-in-android/ and now I can write to my usb :)
> 1 votes

---
Tags: usb, external-sd
---


# Question
Title: How can I disable Google's offer to post personal photos for businesses?
The Android Google Maps app observed that I have taken some photos in a toy store. The following day, Google Maps is offering me to post these pictures along with Google's photos for that business.

I have no desire to associate these family photos with the business, or to post personal photos publicly.

Along the offer to post, there was an option to "turn off", but after choosing neither, the option disappeared entirely and I do not see it in Google Maps \ Settings.

I may be on tenuous legal grounds. It may be that if I take a picture inside a toy store or at a restaurant, the rights to the picture belong to the business. Regardless, I'm alarmed by the invasion of privacy with respect to photos on my Android device.

How do I set my Google account or the Android Google Maps app to never offer to post personal pictures on a business's Google Maps page? How do I confirm that I have not inadvertently posted any such pictures in the past?

As an aside, I'm also curious whether Apple blocks iOS apps (in general, not just Google's) from this behavior?

I do wish to continue the automatic backing up of my Android phone photos to Google Drive.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Google Play Maps contains a bunch of activities. The activity that monitors when you take a picture is "com.google.android.apps.gmm.ugc.clientnotification.phototaken.PhotoTakenObserverService"

Look up on how to disable activities on rooted Android because I usually don't disable activities or look for a ROOT app that can perform that function.

Disabling application activities requires ROOT access because your making modifications.

Hope this helps! :)

---
Tags: photos, privacy, google-maps
---


title: Stuck at Erasing

text:
# Question
Title: Stuck at Erasing
I tried doing a factory reset on my Nexus 6 and the device got stuck in "Erasing". All I am able to do now is enter fastboot flash mode but none of the options work as the boot loader is locked.

Tried flashing with a factory image from here but that too failed because the device is locked.

```
--------------------------------------------
Bootloader Version...: moto-apq8084-72.01
Baseband Version.....: D4.01-9625-05.42+FSG-9625-02.113
Serial Number........: ZX1G524DKM
--------------------------------------------
checking product...
OKAY [  0.002s]
checking version-bootloader...
OKAY [  0.002s]
checking version-baseband...
OKAY [  0.003s]
sending 'boot' (8485 KB)...
OKAY [  0.268s]
writing 'boot'...
(bootloader) Not allowed in LOCKED state!
FAILED (remote failure)
finished. total time: 0.287s

```

# Answer
> 0 votes
I left it out on charge overnight and it resolved itself. When I did the initial reset, the battery was on full charge so it never occurred to me that it could be a problem.

---
Tags: unbricking, bootloader, bootloader-lock, nexus-6, motorola-nexus-6
---


# Question
Title: Last seen time for Whatsapp contact not showing anymore
Is there any reason - other than being blocked - that I wouldn't be able to see a WhatsApp contact's "last seen" time any more?

# Answer
> 2 votes
There are a few apps for Android that allow you to hide your Last Seen status. The iOS version also gives users the option directly in the app.

# Answer
> 0 votes
There is no possible way of hiding status from your contacts on Whatsapp. Therefore if you are unable to see any messages on the status bar then chances are that the person has probably deleted his/her account or the person has blocked you. For further information regarding this you can read the FAQ section of Whatsapp. http://www.whatsapp.com/faq/en/android/23225461

Edit: it is possible for people to hide their last seen status if they are iPhone users. So Android users beware, any of your friends using iPhones can hide theirs. Its nothing they've done just to you, its a global setting for them.

# Answer
> 0 votes
iPhone users have the option to turn this Timestamp off in the Settings. Source.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Android users can install a 3rd party app that would allow users to hide last seen status. Apparently its a paid app.

WhatsHide Last Seen WhatsApp

# Answer
> 0 votes
try Secret WhatsApp

Secret WhatsApp allows you to get in WhatsApp without a trace of you! Do not ever be online. The data on your last visit will not be 'more' up to date. Simply clicking on the icon will open 'WhatsApp mode' Secret. When you close or quit WhatsApp, your messages will be sent and you will not leave a trace!

# Answer
> 0 votes
There is an app in google play to hide whatsapp status:

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

# Answer
> 0 votes
I faced the same issue but after a few days, I received a text from my friend that his handset was damaged and all applications, including Whatsapp were uninstalled when repairing. So, keep this possibility in mind before jumping to the worst case scenario.

# Answer
> 0 votes
You must make use of " Hide Last Seen Time " feature. There are two ways to make it possible. One is Using an application and another is doing it manually. You can find complete guide here : **Hide WhatsApp Last Seen Time**.

# Answer
> 0 votes
WhatsApp's privacy settings allow to hide *last seen*. So it is possible to hide *last seen* without blocking the contact. But this will apply for all contacts; i.e. you can't hide *last seen* for specific user.

---
Tags: whatsapp-messenger
---


# Question
Title: How format nexus 4 before flashing new ROM
I have a Google Nexus 4 (mako) and I had installed cyanogen mode which accidentally showed a loop error message like "... has unfortunately closed" telling that several google apps and wizards had been closed.

**What I tried to DO:**

Now I want to re-install cyanogen. Because cyanogen is outdated I decided to flash the latest lineage ROM. My recovery (CWM version 6) is still unlocked, so I decided to do the fallowing:

1. Turn off the device
2. Go into boot loader mode by pressing Volume down and power and selecting to start recovery mode.
3. Wipe Data / Factory Reset
4. Enter side load mode and install lineage: adb sideload lineage-\*.zip
5. Reboot.

After that lineage os booted and showed the same errors than my old cyanogen ROM. There are even error messages regarding some google apps, although they are not installed.

**Possible solution:**

It seems that the wipe data / factory reset did not delete the whole cyanogen mod. It seems just to delete user data. I think I need to format the whole device. Last time this maybe was done while unlocking the boot loader.

**Question:**

How to format Nexus 4 before flashing a new ROM.

# Answer
CWM is long dead, let it stay that way.

You are advised to use the latest TWRP recovery, which has an interactive graphic interface, has a more powerful and thorough wipe function, and has an inbuilt file explorer so that you could just look inside `/system` to see if the wipe indeed worked (don't forget to mount `/system` before looking in, though).

After installing TWRP, select Advanced wipe: `/data`, `/cache` and `/system`. Actually it shouldn't be necessary to wipe `/system`, since newer Android ROMs overwrite the whole `/system` partition, but since you claim you need a full wipe, this will do.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, rom, formatting, lineageos
---


# Question
Title: "Restrict background data" keeps turning off after a while
I have Android 6.0.1, original Samsung version on my Galaxy S5 Neo. Since I'm not on any mobile data plan and have to pay every MB I use, I'd like to restrict background data - once and forever! However, it keeps turning itself off after a while. (I don't know after what time - I often only notice it a few hours later.) So quite often, I don't notice that it's disabled again, then go online, and tons of stuff are downloaded, every single bit of which I have to pay...

What might be the cause of this? (It's not rebooting - it happens without any reboots in between.) How can I make sure background data is simply ***always*** disabled?

*(I know there are some firewall apps that might help, but they either need the phone to be rooted, or they route your data through some VPN. I don't like either solution.)*

# Answer
I have the same problem but I know what causes it. When I display current active tasks I accidentally touch "Background data restricted" which causes it to be cancelled - but I don't notice I have done it at the time.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: mobile-data, data-connection
---


# Question
Title: What cable and charger do I need to get the fastest charge speed on my Samsung Galaxy S8?
The Samsung Galaxy S8 comes with the USB Type-C connector. I noticed that the USB-A Male to USB Type-C Male cables that are being sold often have a USB Specification associated with them. The Amazon Basics cables, for example, come in 2.0 and 3.1. Is the 3.1 specification cable required to get the fastest charging speed? Or will the 2.0 cable provide the same speed?

Also, there have been many fast charging specifications like QuickCharge 2.0, 3.0, 4.0. Which quick charge specification and version does the Galaxy S8 actually use for the fastest charge? And is it compatible with older specifications like QC2.0?

# Answer
Which Galaxy S8 do you have?

The version with a Qualcomm Snapdragon supports QuickCharge 4, which is backwards compatible.

For the cable choice, QuickCharge 3 used 2.5A on 5V to charge. So your cable and charged need to support that amperage. What QuickCharge 4 uses is unknown so far.

In order to achieve the maximum you need usb 3 with a type C connector (specified for 3A). However many manufacturers sell usb 2 charger with 2A or even more, including Samsung with their fastcharge. The cable itself does not really matter, however, to be save buy a 3 or 3.1 cable, since those were built for 3A of power.
> 1 votes

# Answer
I think USB 2 or 3 shoud nog affect charging speed, as you are not tranferring data.. But i do not know what type of fast charge the S8 uses..
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung, usb, charging, samsung-galaxy-s-8
---


# Question
Title: Forgot lock pattern in One plus one phone
My girlfriend set a pattern lock for One plus one phone and she cannot remember the pattern now. I have a very sensitive data and also many valued pics. kindly help me recover the data or remove the lock.

Please please please please help me. I am in big trouble without the data.

I spoke to One plus customer service rep, they said reset is the only option. But i will loose the data and I can't afford to loose the data.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Firstly, you will need for this method.

Because Android does not allow adb connection if the device was not unlocked, you can't access adb from the system itself in your situation. Instead, you will need some recovery that gives you adb access. (Team Win Recovery Project)'s recovery gives you adb access. What you want to do is install TWRP on the OnePlus One (bacon) device; you can download the img file from here.

Next, you want to make sure that you unlocked the . If you didn't beforehand then you're out of luck¹ – but if the device is unlocked, boot into (hold `volume up` \+ `power` until the "fastboot" screen appears). You then could install TWRP by typing this command:

option 1 (*installing* TWRP to the device):

```
fastboot flash recovery [TWRP.img on your computer]

```

or option 2 (just booting it once without installing):

```
fastboot boot [TWRP.img on your computer]

```

then reboot to recovery (only option 1 – option 2 does that automatically).

Now, to remove the pattern lock, run `adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key`, and reboot the device.

---

¹ If you havn't unlocked the device yet, unlocking it will wipe everything (including the pattern lock) so adb wont matter. If you do want to unlock the device (your own risk):

1. reboot to bootloader
2. type in `fastboot oem unlock`.

that's it. hope it helped you.

---
Tags: lock-screens, data-recovery, locked-out, oneplus-one
---


# Question
Title: Why is my internal storage full if I dont even have any apps that is big im usibg a Huawei GT3
As shown in the picture below:

Storage (click for larger image)

# Answer
I recommend you to reset your phone from **FACTORY DATA REST** To reset your phone from factory data reset

> Go to settings\>Backup and reset\>factory data reset\>RESET PHONE

I have also experienced this problem in my **Lenovo A2010** Probably I had used only 500mb out of 4GB but then also only 200mb was available. After factory data reset the problem was solved and 2.5GB was available...

**NOTE:-Before resetting you should backup your data on SD card and remove SD card and sims from your device before resetting.**
> 0 votes

---
Tags: storage
---


# Question
Title: What can I do to fix the volume button back onto my Moto M?
Heres a set of pictures depicting the problem.

***Any form of help will be much appreciated !!!***

# Answer
Your best option is to **take the phone to an** **Authorised Motorola Service Center** to get it repaired, but it may be possible to *attempt it yourself.*

As there are no iFixIt guides available currently, your only other option would be to refer to videos a video on YouTube, where the screws on the bottom of the phone are removed to access the internals (and volume button)

**https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CmvQPpTgfc**
> 1 votes

# Answer
I suggest you don't try to fix user self-take it to the service center and make it be fixed because if you fix it won't be the longer best way is to take it to the customer service center.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: hardware, volume-control, buttons
---


title: Cloning file system without touchscreen

text:
# Question
Title: Cloning file system without touchscreen
I dropped my Samsung S4mini from great height and now my display and touchscreen are completely destroyed (I can see some colors and pixels, and could probably touch something in the upper part, but have no chance to see what I am doing). USB connection works though.

When looking for display replacement, I noticed that it is probably cheaper (and more reliable since I do not know if there was any damage e.g. to the camera) to just buy a used identical phone and clone the data.

The question is: How do I do it?

I am using CyanogenMod 13 using the SD card as internal storage (so it is encrypted). I also have TWRP 3.0 and was successfully able to `adb pull /sdcard` the run an `adb twrp backup` and pull it to my Linux machine. The files look too small to contain all data though. Booting into Odin/Heimdall mode should work as well. This kind of backup looks promising too, but I cannot use the touchscreen to do it.

Is there any way to mirror the whole system including all configs and data (even those that are missing from TWRP's Nandroid backup) to the new phone? If so, how? I am particularly worried about:

1. Can the data on the (encrypted) sd card be transferred? (Or is the encryption key based on some serial number of the hardware)
2. Will encrypted Signal chats still be readable?
3. Can the whole system be mirrored or do I need to find out exact builds?
4. I assume the "real" internal storage of old and new device is likely too small to contain the data from the sd card. Will the apps/data be split correctly afterwards? What if the internal storage of the "new phone" is different?

# Answer
TL;DR **No, unless you have root**, which you do not have, I assume.

1. No
2. No
3. The whole system, no need for individual packages.
4. No

If you have root, you can pull the whole block-device by this command

```
adb pull /dev/block/mmcblk0

```

**UPDATE:** Make sure you specified all the switches for your ADB backup command:

```
adb backup -f <filename> --twrp --compress cache system data boot

```

You can/should append all partitions your device have, list of partitions may vary by device.

And make sure you have the latest version of TWRP, as these switches were released in March of 2017.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, adb, backup, twrp, data-transfer
---


title: VMware View and Workstation 8?

text:
# Question
Title: VMware View and Workstation 8?
I was wondering how you can use VMware View on my Nexus 7 to access Shared VMs on Workstation 8.

Do you need to go via Vsphere or is there a way of just accessing it across the wifi network?

Anyone any tips or ideas how it can be done?

# Answer
I think the best way to access your VMs in this situation is to use VNC, which VMWare supports out of the box. There are plenty of VNC clients for android.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Logmein also works as well as vnc. However what I think you are asking is their a native Virtual machine client for android. The long and short of it is no and you but you can use remote access on your vms to access them on mobile devices. The other side of the question I think you are asking is the difference between workstation and vsphere. Vsphere is specifically designed to run servers on server hardware such as server 2003 2008 R2 2012 and s016 server. where as workstation is designed to run end user operating systems and softwares such as windows xp 7 8 10 and the apps installed on those operating systems. I also can say you can share vmx and virtual machine files over a network and or on the sd card of your nexus using esfile explorer if you are looking to transport your machines from one network to another and access them on machines say at home or work that have VMware on them. I hope this helps clarify what each product is used for and how to share vms across networks.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: remote-access, vmware
---


# Question
Title: Port-forwarding on Android 2.3.6 wifi-tether using Port Forwarder app
I'm having trouble port-forwarding connections from outside my network when tethering with my phone. I have a bad understanding of routers and networking in general, so please bear with me.

My Android device is the one directly connected to the Internet. To enable access to my computer from the outer world via the Android device, I'm currently using the free app called Port Forwarder and my phone is rooted so I have the authorization I need. The port on which I handle connections on the server is 80. Accessing the Server's IP address (inside the network) with `<local_ip.addr.ess.here>:80` I can access it, so that works.

The problem is when I'm trying to access it from outside the network, the app tells me to set the source to 80, and the destination whatever it is (their example is 8080); of course I set it to 80 since that's what the server is listening to. So I try to access the server from outside using `<phone.public_ip.adr.ess>:80` but it doesn't work.

As you have noticed, I've got no clue what I'm doing and finding guides has been difficult, even for standard routers. Has anyone successfully used this app and maybe could help me out? I probably left out important info because of ignorance, if so, let me know and I will update the question.

# Answer
> 2 votes
I am not sure which version you're running, here is my advice. The cause you're probably blocked, is due Android's firewall and strong Se-Linux policy.

Since you have a full root access, you can get a shell with ADB, and check that. Type `su -` and it will get you into root. I am using TerminalEmulator, but you can use native one, if it is shipped with OS.

If I've understood you correctly, your phone acts like router in tethering mode. So this is needed to forward packets: `echo 1 > /proc/sys/net/ipv4/ip_forward`

See if that helps. Most likely, you'll need to play with iptables, allow port 80,443 on the tethering port. This is not complete answer, but it is too long to post as a comment.

# Answer
> 1 votes
The answer is your provider blocks port 80, however if you switch to port 443 they can not block it because port 443 has to have two way communication unblocked for https to send and receive responses. Thus changing from http to https:// should most likely resolve your issue.

---
Tags: networking, wifi-tethering
---


title: LG G5 Slowing down the house internet

text:
# Question
Title: LG G5 Slowing down the house internet
The story started about a month and a half ago. At random times the internet speed went down drastically, changing between 0MB/s to 75MB/s (which is my maximum).

I have called countless times to my internet provider/supplier. They claimed they supply the maximum amount I paid for. In 3 weeks we replaced about 3 different routers and the issue did not disappear.

I have heard that video games, videos and some programs on the computer can cause those issues. In my house there are 5 computers, and this issue never occured until now. I ran virus scans on every PC, checked for torrent programs, but everything was completely fine with the computers.

In one of the calls with the internet provider, one of the workers told us about a special case where his phone did the same thing we described.

My family and I started investigating more into it and we found out the LG G5 my sister owns is affecting the internet as long as it's connected to our WiFi.

The internet "slow-down" happens at random times, but it always happend when the phone was in the house and connected to the WiFi. Each time it happened as soon as we disconnected it from the WiFi the internet speed jumped straight up to 75MB/s. I can verify that it is indeed the phone and not a PC or any other device that is connected to the internet.

We have tried "factory resetting" but the issue kept occuring.

I'll list the applications and phone information down below:

**Hardware Info**

Model Number: LG-H850

**Software Info**

Android Version: 6.0.1

Android Security Patch Level: 2016-04-01

Build Number: MMB29M

Software Version: V10d-ISR-XX

**Applications**

Best phone ringtones

ai.type Emoji Plugin

ai.type Electric Glass Theme

ai.type Keyboard Plus

ai.type Hebrew Dictionary

Instagram

Tiny Flashlight + LED

To-do list & Agenda by Any.do

The rest of the applications came with the phone.

Now... I am desperate, very very desperate. I have been digging the internet to try and find a connection between a mere phone to the internet. This issue didn't not occur at the moment we brought the phone into the house, which makes it even harder to find a solution.

My question is: Is there any solution to fixing that internet slow-down other than throwing the phone out of the window?

Thank you in advance.

# Answer
Try disabling the background apps and auto sync. This might resolve the issue
> 1 votes

# Answer
Setting up another wireless network from your router could work. The process involves creating a network with its own password and security but which ultimately makes use of the same external connection. I have a friend who did this; 2 distinct networks running through the same router. There are numerous tutorials online.

It is possible that connecting the LG G5 to this new network could cause the problem to occur on the new network and not on your original one, as the problem is clearly not with the connection coming into your router.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: wi-fi, lg, lagging
---


# Question
Title: install MySQL or any other lite weight database?
I have a android mobile with version 4.1 Installed. for my practices I am thinking that it would be nice if I have a database in that.

If it is MySQL I would love that. could somebody tell me how can I install MySQL in android ?

Thank you.

# Answer
Android comes with SQLite. That should be adequate for most applications.
> 3 votes

# Answer
There are some packages on *Google Play* you might wish to check:

As the names suggest, all these are web servers bundled with *MySQL* and some scripting support (PHP). A search for mysql might reveal additional candidates.
> 2 votes

# Answer
* Bit Web Server, Ulti Servers, and ksweb is not free
* Palapa Web Server is free but I can not connect to their Mysql Server on Android x86 CPU.

Well, there is a Free and very lite Mysql Server for Android that support all cpus (armv6, armv7, armv8/aarch64, and x86).
> 0 votes

---
Tags: applications
---


# Question
Title: How can I install MySQL on my Android device(s)?
There are good and bad choices available for the design of my system and MySQL seems to be the best available. I need it to run client/server and support stored procedures & triggers and a host of other features. But I also need a database that will run single-user on mobile devices when off-line, then synchronize with the on-line server when reconnected to the Internet. The only database provided with Android is SQLite - which doesn't even come close to providing the features required. Also, installing MySQL on Android devices would mean that I wouldn't have to support any incompatibilities between two different databases. I do not need other features installed (HTML server, PHP, etc)... just MySQL. How can I get that installed (and with my apps(s)) and have it work easily and efficiently (and not have to root or install a new ROM on the device)?

# Answer
A search for "mysql" on the stores can answer this: there are several packages available, usually together with a web server and PHP. Best candidates are probably AndroPHP and Palapa.

My list of web servers with scripting support also have some of them (e.g. the two I mentioned), together with links to reviews, video demos, etc – which might make your decision easier.
> 2 votes

# Answer
This is a Free and very lite Mysql Server for Android that

* support all cpus (armv6, armv7, armv8/aarch64, and x86).
* no root needed
* support Innodb
> 0 votes

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Tags: applications, installation, internet, offline, app-data
---


# Question
Title: Bootanimation can't be changed anymore for unknown reason
I recently tried to add a custom boot animation to a Galaxy Note 3 by adding a custom `bootanimation.zip` to `/system/media` and then flashing a custom binary for the boot animation made by a user on XDA. That worked, the phone booted with my animation instead of the stock animation.

Though I noticed that it was rotated by 90°, so I replaced the `bootanimation.zip` with a fixed one, though after doing that the animation didn't change. Flashing the binary again didn't change anything either, neither did formatting the cache. I tried it with a totally different animation from XDA but that didn't work either so its not fault of the zip file.

The strange thing is I can flash the original `.qmg` animation from Samsung but then flashing the binary again just gives me my old rotated boot animation.

Now I wonder why is that happening? Does the system copy the animation to a different place and that's why replacing the original zip doesn't change anything? It sounds like something Android specific, I somewhat doubt the binary is doing that.

# Answer
I had a similar problem on CyanogenMod and it turned out to be broken permissions. I tried the following which worked in the shell only for whatever reason. You need to be rooted and have ADB installed. The following commands mount the system partition for reading and writing, copy stock bootanimation zip (change location, or skip), copy custom bootanimation zip to data/local, and (re)applies correct permissions to media folder and zip files, and finally reboot (if you want).

```
adb shell
su
mount -o remount,rw /system
cp /sdcard/download/cm/bootanimation.zip /system/media
cp /sdcard/download/bootanimation.zip /data/local
chmod 775 /system/media
chmod 644 /system/media/bootanimation.zip
chmod 644 /data/local/bootanimation.zip
reboot

```

If you want to restore to stock, simply delete the data/local version. If you want a new one, replace it while keeping the system/media version intact. You can also create your own bootanimation using this guide from XDA.
> 5 votes

# Answer
This saves my butt after 3 days of trying everything.

-Install adb driver & tools first
-Connect via usb
-Open command prompt

Note: Assuming you have the original as bootanimation.zip1 in the same location or use new one that might work (in this case you must add another line after mount to push the new file first in the same location - google how to "push file")

While bootanimation.zip keeps playing, paste below(quickly each line):

```
adb root
adb shell mount -o rw,remount /system
adb shell cp -f /system/media/bootanimation.zip1 /system/media/bootanimation.zip

```
> 0 votes

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Tags: boot-animation
---


# Question
Title: Can't set static IP for WiFi correctly in Android device
I'm using a static IP configuration for accessing college WiFi on my Windows laptop. For that, I'm using the following batch file (.bat) to configure the settings with one click. The file contains the following information:

```
netsh interface ip set address name="Wireless Network Connection" source=static addr=10.2.29.69 mask=255.255.0.0 gateway=10.2.19.27 gwmetric=1
netsh interface ip set DNS     name="Wireless Network Connection" source=static addr=10.2.19.28 primary
netsh interface ip add DNS     name="Wireless Network Connection" addr=4.2.2.2 index=2

```

The problem in configuring this in Android is that the above file contains two static addresses (10.2.29.69 and 10.2.19.28) whereas in Android, there is only one option to enter static IP address and there are two fields for DNS, but here in the file only one DNS is given.

So, which IP should I enter in the IP address field of my phone. And what about 2nd DNS address?

# Answer
> 0 votes
It would be best to choose your static IP address from the main gateway. In this case `10.2.19.27` . So IP address is anything from 10.2.19.xx where xx is any number from 1 to 255 (depends on network prefix) apart from 27.

It is also okay to put the gateway address as the first DNS entry and as for the second either put a public DNS like Google DNS e.g 8.8.4.4 or Open DNS like configured in your settings 4.2.2.2

After that ping and see if the address is reachable

---
Tags: wi-fi, 6.0-marshmallow, xiaomi-redmi-note-4g
---


title: Got stuck with signing in

text:
# Question
Title: Got stuck with signing in
So i factory reset my J1 phone since it kept on turning itself on and off and then "The process com.google.process.gapps has stopped" "Google play services has stopped" kept on appearing, and when I was about to sign in with my existing g-mail account, it got stuck with Signing in...This can take a few minutes. I just don't know what to do with it anymore. I tried everything i saw on the net and none of them worked. I can't even use my phone. :(Your response will be highly appreciated. Thank you in advancse

# Answer
> 0 votes
You can just skip the SetupWizard if you want by tapping each of the 4 corners of the screen in the next order:

1.`top-left`

2.`top-right`

3.`bottom-right`

4.`bottom-left`.

---
Tags: samsung
---


# Question
Title: What app is this? Looks to be related to Google Navigation?
My wife and I got ourselves a couple of Pixel XL phones last week. I noticed an icon on her phone that wasn't in mine named 'Driving' and it looks like this. Opening the app takes me straight to Google Navigation - screenshot here.

icon and screenshot (click image for larger variant)

So what app is this? It looks to be a legit Google app but poking around in the Play Store didn't help much.

# Answer
Its a quick access widget, these were implemented in android 7.1 and a lot of google apps have them. just long press a google app in the Pixel Launcher or Google Now Launcher.
> 1 votes

# Answer
It's a Google Maps widget to go straight into the driving activity. You can see it when adding widgets to the home screen.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: applications, 7.1-nougat
---