# Question
Title: I can't flash a custom rom onto my Galaxy Note N700
I just wiped my data and dalvic cache and formatted `/cache`, `/system` and `/data`. I put philz touch recovery (an enhanced CWM) on my phone and now wanted to install a rom. But when I install OmniROM it always tells me `failed to verify whole-file signaure`, and when I want to use CyanogenMod it tells me `error in tmp/update.zip status 7`.

The problem now, is that I now have no ROM on my phone and only can be in recovery mode. But, when I use `adb sideload filename` in the console I only get `error: closed` also my Windows doesn't show my phone so I can't put another ROM on it to test it.

What could I do ? I have no system on my phone at the moment and can only go into recovery mode.

# Answer
I fixed it! I did it like this: The problem .. ? I don't know it.

In console these commands helped me

```
adb start-server // start the adb
adb usb          // restart the mobile phone with usb mode
adb sideload philzrecovery.zip //
adb reboot recovery
adb sideload custom rom
adb sideload google apps

```

Answering both comments of RossC and Izzy

I didn't have a custom recovery installed. philz touch recovery is a custom recovery that is based on cwm and has a touch interface. U can see it here

MD5 sum was okay and was the same as from the downloaded page. So that would mean there were no corrupt files or downloads. Gladly that it worked. Just seems like you can't flash custom roms with a stock recovery (I don't know if it's true, but seems like it).

So the steps are ( for windows )

1. Install adb driver ( I used these )
2. Navigate to the installation foldler with CMD (next steps are cmd commands)
3. adb start-server
4. adb usb
5. adb start-server
6. In mobile phone "Install zip from ADB"
7. adb sideload (PhilZ Recovery)
8. adb reboot recovery
9. adb start-server
10. In mobile phone "Install zip from ADB"
11. adb sideload (Custom ROM)
12. adb reboot

Done!
> 1 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, custom-roms, samsung-galaxy-note
---


# Question
Title: Why Can I Not Access My Devices Localhost Over Data?
While experimenting with the Bit Web Server app I have noticed that when I attempt to access my device's localhost, the connection seems to be sent somewhere else.

Using the localhost button in the app sends me to `http://localhost:8080`, however this displays a blank page, whilst removing the port number takes me to a page that has the following written on it: `Bytemobile Dummy Web Server`.

When accessing `http://localhost:8080` with no connection (WiFi and Data are turned off) I simply get `Unable to connect to the proxy server`.
I can however connect to my device's localhost fine when connected to WiFi.

Why can I not connect to my device's localhost? Surely it should not need a connection for it to connect to itself. Why does it only work when WiFi is enabled and how do I change this behavior?

# Answer
> 1 votes
The clue is in the error message, which says it can't connect to the **proxy** server. If your device is configured to use a web proxy, then it'll never connect directly to localhost: it connects to the web proxy and asks that for the web page you really want. This won't work with a local web server.

To use a local web server, turn off your web proxy settings. See this related question for more info about that.

---
Tags: web-server
---


# Question
Title: Generally speaking why do tablets have lower quality cameras than phones?
I've done some comparisons looking at the specs on wikipedia and generally speaking tablets that have come out around the same times phones did, have cameras that are a few megapixels fewer than the ones on phones. Is there a technical reason why it's harder to have a camera in a tablet?

# Answer
The manufacturer is trying to help you. Walking around taking photos with a tablet makes you look like a twerp, so they try to discourage you by not putting a good quality camera in there.

That might be a slightly silly answer, but it's not entirely untrue. Taking photos with your phone is really popular these days, because you always have your phone with you. The quality of the phone camera is therefore a big selling point, and manufacturers compete on that.

It's much less common to take photos with a tablet: not just because you look like a twit holding it up, but because people don't take a tablet with them on a night out, or a bike ride. Tablets are mainly for using at home on the couch, or in bed, at the office, or on a long train ride. The cameras on tablets are mainly targeted at scanning QR codes, and maybe doing a little video calling over the Internet. For this reason, the camera quality isn't such a selling point, and it makes more sense for manufacturers to spend the budget on other factors that consumers rate, such as the screen, the RAM, and the processing power.
> 9 votes

---
Tags: tablet, camera
---


# Question
Title: How can I set an alarm on all my Android devices at once for free?
I would like to be able to set an alarm on all my Android devices at once.

The application Timely Alarm Clock has this feature ("*Cloud synchronization enables a seamless experience across phones and tablets.*") but the latter costs $2.5.

Are there any free alternatives?

# Answer
I try to **not** read this as "is there an app...", as that would be off-topic according to our guidelines (see What topics can I ask about here? for details).

~~So apart from looking for a different app to save some peanuts, you could live with the ads (according to its description, the app is available for free with ads; there's no note to the cloud feature being restricted to payment, neither does the related description on the product's webpage, nor the FAQ on How can I synchronize my devices mention that).~~
according to Krampus' comment below, the cloud functionality seems to be restricted to "premium users" indeed, though none of the material cited says so

Alternatively, there is the possibility to utilize a synchronized calendar (like the *Google Calendar*) for that: Create an event, which then is synchronized across your devices. So the alert should trigger on all of them.
> 4 votes

---
Tags: alarm
---


title: Wifi issue on my Nexus 4

text:
# Question
Title: Wifi issue on my Nexus 4
I recently updated android version to 4.4.2 on my Nexus 4. After this update my apps like "watsapp", "LINE", "VIBER" are having connectivity issue when connecting through WiFi, But I could open the browser and could access the web pages. I didn't have this issue with the previous android version. Can anyone suggest how to resolve this issue.

# Answer
As you have mentioned problem seems to be coming after updation to android version to 4.4.2 you may want to refer to android-4-3-no-internet-access-unable-to-connect-to-the-proxy-server-error.

The reason seems to be If you have cleared your Google Service Framework data to recieve the update, it will change your device ID that google uses to recognise your device.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: wi-fi, nexus-4
---


# Question
Title: Which photos get automatically backed up to G+
When using the G+ Auto Backup feature, do only my camera photos get backed up? What about downloaded photos, those that I create, or the ones that I transfer from PC to my phone via USB?

The support page and the Photos app seem to be unclear about this.

# Answer
> 0 votes
From what I have read, the only photos that are backed up are those in the folder named "DCIM/Camera", which should include photos from your camera. If you move other photos there (e.g. downloaded, etc.), they should be backed up.

---
Tags: sync, google-plus, google-plus-photos
---


title: Google Nexus 7 not recognized via USB

text:
# Question
Title: Google Nexus 7 not recognized via USB
I'm trying to connect my Google Nexus 7 to my PC for Android development but so far I've been unsuccessful.

I've tried connecting to my PC using different cables. When I connected the device to my Windows 7 PC, I didn't get any notification on Android or my PC that a device was connected. In "Other devices" my PC shows an Unknown device. I tried using MTP and PTP, as well as disabling and enabling USB debugging. I've used Nexus Root Toolkit, Universal Naked Driver, Nexus 7 toolkit, and I've tried this tutorial and many others and nothing has helped me.

I don't understand why there aren't any notifications on Android. Could it be a hardware problem? How can I check it?

# Answer
Make sure that:

* Your device is in USB Debugging mode
* You have the device drivers installed
* With the device connected, delete any 'Android' devices in the device manager. Do this by highlighting it and pressing the delete key.
* Disconnect then connect the device.
> 2 votes

# Answer
I just opened the Device Manager and updated the driver. It looked for it online, and I just unplugged the Nexus and plugged it back in and it worked.
> 0 votes

# Answer
I turned off my tablet and turned it on!Worked for me
> 0 votes

---
Tags: nexus-7, windows, usb-debugging
---


title: Find when device was activated

text:
# Question
Title: Find when device was activated
I am trying to figure out when my devices (tablet, tv dongle, etc) were activated. Is there a place (in google account settings, device files, anywhere) this data can be obtained?

My devices are rooted, so I can use terminal access to read internal files if needed.

Some suggestions in the net say to find the first day of data usage in the logs, but I want to find an accurate date (preferably a timestamp) of the device activation.

I can't seem t be able to type dialer codes in a tablet, there's no phone app. Also this question is about android devices in general, not only phones.

# Answer
> 12 votes
If the date of activation matches the date of adding your Google account to the device, there's an easy way to check (unless you did a factory-reset in the meantime, and had to re-add the account):

* with your Google account's credentials, log in to the Google Dashboard
* Scroll to the section labeled "Android" and expand it (by clicking its title / the LGM \[little green man\])
* Check the entry for the device you want to know the date for

At this place you should find the date you registered your device. That doesn't reflect the first time a device was added, but the last time the Google account was activated on the device. So if you activate your Google account following a factory-reset, this field is updated and thus reflects this point-in-time.

---
Tags: device-firmware, activation
---


# Question
Title: Is there a valid Android alternative to iTunes U?
iTunes U makes the difference (at least, to me) when it comes to choosing a tablet for study purposes. Does it exist a valid Android alternative to Apple's iTunes U?

For those who don't know iTunes U, it is a service that allows students and teachers to manage, browse and view media (such as videos and pdf files) related to education.

# Answer
There is the Google Play for Education program detailed here and here.
> 2 votes

# Answer
Tunesviewer is an application for Linux or Android that "\[allows\] access iTunes-University media and podcasts." *(From Tunesviewer main page)*.

You may want to check it out. There is an APK installer to run on Android devices. It's also available from F-Droid.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: itunes
---


title: How to backup an Android device?

text:
# Question
Title: How to backup an Android device?
Can anyone recommend a good way to backup Android devices?
Ideally I would like to do this wirelessly and, not only backup my data, but also my user settings. Is it possible to backup an image of an Android device - so that one doesn't even need to reinstall apps?
It would be particularly useful to hear from users that have restored backups, as to how easy, and complete, their processes were. Thanks

# Answer
> 22 votes
The requirement being that you must be ROOTED, you could get Titanium Backup and back up your phone using that.

The reason for using Titanium Backup is so that you can selectively restore parts of your data if you were to install a different version and/or build of Android. NANDROID backup is good for having a safe image to fall back on but it isn't good for restoring data on top of a new OS installation (there are side effects sometimes).

# Answer
> 17 votes
A good way to back up app data if you're not rooted is to used `adb` from the Android SDK. For example, to back up the data for Locale, you'd do something like the following:

`adb pull /data/data/com.twofortyfouram.locale/ C:\backup\locale\`

And to restore, just use `adb push` with the same arguments in reverse order, i.e.:

`adb push C:\backup\locale\ /data/data/com.twofortyfouram.locale/`

You should be able to back up apps from `/data/app/` the same way.

# Answer
> 11 votes
If you want to do what is essentially a 1-to-1 backup of your device, you can use a custom recovery to create a "nandroid" backup. Doing so effectively creates disk images of your NAND partitions (hence "nandroid") that you can restore from at a later point. This is going to vary a bit by device and recovery system, but in general if you want to perform a full backup of your phone's internal memory you would need to:

* Root your device and install a custom recovery. The most popular recovery is probably ClockworkMod. How you install it will vary widely by device, but ROM Manager can do it for you on most popular devices. You simply launch ROM Manager and select "Flash ClockworkMod Recovery" from the main menu.
* If using ClockworkMod, open ROM Manager and select "Backup current ROM". This should do all of the work for you.
* If not using ROM Manager **or** if you use a recovery other than ClockworkMod:

+ Reboot your device into recovery mode. This again varies by device, but ROM Manager has a "Reboot into recovery" option that works *regardless* of what recovery you have installed. Another option is to issue `adb reboot recovery` from a connected PC with ADB configured and set up. There may be other requirements for getting into recovery depending on your device (e.g. the Kindle Fire is very different from others).
    + Navigate to the "Backup/Restore" or "Nandroid" menu (or similar).
    + Select "Backup" and (if needed) select which partitions you would like to back up. Some recoveries will also give you the option to compress the backup.
    + Select "Perform backup" (or similar) and wait for the process to finish.

Once the backup has been performed you should be able to use it to recover from many "soft" bricks. However, the two situations you would not be able to recover from with a backup alone would be:

* Your bootloader is invalid/corrupted/etc
* Your recovery partition is invalid/corrupted/etc

In both of thse scenarios, you would first need to fix the offending partition (bootloader or recovery) before being able to restore the backup. Basically, anything that prevents you from accessing your recovery partition will also prevent you from using your recovery to restore your backup. Such situations are, I would say, fairly rare. You **can** use a backup to recover a bad `/boot` or `/system` partition, so flashing a kernel or ROM should have an extremely small likelihood of permanently bricking your device (unless it modifies your recovery or bootloader, as noted above).

You *may* be able to flash an uncompressed backup from `fastboot` but this would depend on what recovery you are using and how it performs its backups. As I recall, ClockworkMod simply uses `dd` to create the image and they actually will flash correctly on some devices. However, I would **strongly advise researching this before trying** as a bad fastboot write could soft brick you as well. Of course, as long as you don't try to overwite your bootloader you won't lose access to `fastboot`, so in some ways this could be a "nothing ventured, nothing gained" situation.

To actually restore a backup you can:

* In ROM Manager select "Manage and Restore Backups", then select the backup you wish to restore from.
* If not using ROM Manager **or** not using ClockworkMod:

+ Reboot into recovery
    + Select "Backup/Restore" or "Nandroid" (or similar)
    + Select "Restore"
    + Pick the backup you would like to restore from (if more than one)
    + Select the partitions you would like to restore (if givent the option)
    + Select "Restore" and wait for the process to finish

Nandroid backups are, by default, stored on your external storage device in pretty much every situation. Some exceptions may be devices with no separate external storage (e.g. devices like the Galaxy Nexus) where the `/sdcard` directory is actually on the physical internal storage. In any case, though, it will save to your `/sdcard` directory, which is readable from a PC as USB mass storage or `adb`. You can copy a nandroid backup off of your phone and onto a computer for safe-keeping, then copy it back over later if you need to restore.

To do this you can simply plug in your device and look for a path like `/sdcard/nandroid` (or `/sdcard/TWRP` for TeamWin recovery, possibly elsewhere for others). Then you can copy the contents of the folder over to your computer. Alternatively, you can pull it with `adb` by plugging in the device and issuing something akin to:

```
adb pull /path/to/backups

```

...from a PC shell.

# Answer
> 5 votes
There are a number of apps you can use but many will already have the ES File Manager

Note: **Turn off as many apps as you can. Some apps will not backup while running.**

* Launch ES File Manager
(When you open it you are normally in the file manager mode)
* Tap the second icon from the right to switch to Application mode
* Long press on any icon. Select "Select All" from the context menu
* Press Menu. Select "Backup"

While the backup is running, you can watch its progress by opening the notification bar

The applications will be copied into backup/apps

# Answer
> 0 votes
Depending on your phone is the complexity of this task.

HTC Evo (and supported phones) you can use unrEVOked root tool to get root access. Install Titanium Backup and back everything (system included) up onto the memory card (and can copy it to your computer for extra backup).

Otherwise you need to either get something similar to unrEVOked to root and use Titanium.

If not possible, you need to root your phone and do a NANDROID backup. This backs up everything on the phone's memory as an image and can be restored at any point to fully replace anything on the phone with what it was, even if you installed another version of android.

Otherwise... HTC PC Sync? By that is kinda crappy compared to the other tools.

# Answer
> 0 votes
If you ***don't have root***, you can use MyBackup. It can save applications & media (photos, music, videos), and it can save data (contacts, SMS, MMS, alarms, ...).

Unfortunately it requires internet connection (for MyBackup / Rerware account) even for local save and restore (e.g. on SD card), and free version is *single phone only* (you cannot copy backup to other phone).

Note that non-root version is less powerful than e.g. Titanium Backup or MyBackup Root.

---

There is also Helium (formerly Carbon), which also doesn't require root.

---
Tags: backup, restore, remote-control
---


# Question
Title: View older "What's new" for Android apps
Play Store shows "What's New" for the latest version of an app. Is there a way to see it for older versions?

# Answer
> 8 votes
The Changelog Droid app will start building a history of app changes from the date it's installed.

---
Tags: google-play-store
---


# Question
Title: What is the default launcher on the Moto G?
Does the default launcher on Moto G resemble the Holo launcher? I suspect the Motorola Migrate has done a number on my Moto G.

I migrated from an old Samsung Galaxy Y and this ***may have*** caused a lot of the settings to go awry. For instance, I do not have a rooted phone, but I have the Rootbrowser and the SuperUser app on my Moto G.

Similarly I have a launcher which resembles the Holo launcher on my Samsung Galaxy Y. I have not yet familiarized myself with 4.3 Android and I will be getting there soon.

In the meantime, I just wanted to know what does the default launcher on the Moto G look like?

# Answer
The launcher on the Moto G is indeed almost identical to the stock Android Launcher - but not the Google Experience launcher that is seen on Nexus devices running Android 4.4+.
> 6 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-y, motorola-moto-g
---


title: Does rooting wipe the /sdcard?

text:
# Question
Title: Does rooting wipe the /sdcard?
I recently rooted my nexus 5 phone and lost all of my photos :( I was wondering what rooting actually does. Is it like formatting the disk and updating file tables or is it like deleting all the sectors? In the former case is it possible to recover my photos?

I used chainfire for rooting the phone. For that, I turned off the phone and turned it on while pressing +- volume buttons. Then I ran the script contained in http://download.chainfire.eu/363/CF-Root/CF-Auto-Root/CF-Auto-Root-hammerhead-hammerhead-nexus5.zip Later I realized that all of my apps, photos, etc are gone. I don't care about the apps because they were automatically installed after setup. Just need to recover my photos.

# Answer
The Official XDA Discussion for CF Auto-Root (The tool OP linked) includes the following line:

> **Note that if your device had not been unlocked before, this procedure will wipe all your data!**

So to answer your question:

1. Does rooting format the `/sdcard/` partition?

**No**, rooting alone will not format the partition mounted at `/sdcard/`.
2. When I root for the first time, or root using a tool, could this happen?

**Yes**. When using a tool provided by a third party (EG: Not you or Google), then you're following the steps their tool defines.

When you first gain root, one of the steps involves unlocking the bootloader. This is really only necessary once, **Unlocking the bootloader will perform a full factory reset**, erasing everything.
> 4 votes

---
Tags: root-access, data-recovery
---


title: Partition problem in AOSP build

text:
# Question
Title: Partition problem in AOSP build
I am compiling the AOSP rom for Nexus 7 flo. After the build is completed, I always end up at this screen "type password to decrypt storage".

The factory images work correctly, and the device works. Also there has never been any password. I could understand that the problem seemed to be with userdata partition, so I flashed everything from the factory images, and then flashed only my own compiled userdata.img. And it works, so I am left clueless as to where the problem could be?

Any ideas?

Edit1:

So after some searching/asking around, it seems this problem can occur if partitions overwrite each other (any of the img files is too big, particularly boot.img). But how can I verify this? Any thoughts on this?

# Answer
Are you using make -j# otapackage? If so it should result in a ZIP that should flash with no problems. Also fastboot format all partitions to get rid of the decrypt error. If the source is untouched, i.e. the ROM compiled is the same as the stock ROM, the images should flash without any such error.
> 0 votes

# Answer
OK, I kind of fixed it/ worked around it.

The issue was with the fstab file. In case of 4.3 and later it is fstab.device in device/vendor/product. This has by default how the partitions need to be mounted when the system boots up which by the way is mentioned in init.rc included in the same directory and gets packed into ramdisk.img. In my case, this file had a "encrypatable:some path" for userdata partition. I removed that parameter, and it worked. Interesting to see that the stock ramdisk also uses the same parameter and works. Guess, it needs more looking into, but works for me now.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 4.3-jelly-bean, vanilla-android
---


# Question
Title: WiFi Tablet makes Phone activate Hotspot
Is there anyway to make a phone with android 4.3 automatically activate it's wifi hot spot at the request of a nearby android tablet.

For example, the tablet can message the phone via blue tooth to activate the phones WiFi Hotspot.

This is so that the user doesn't need to take the phone out of the pocket to activate the Hotspot before using the Internet on the tablet, for example.

# Answer
Sure. Multiple options, all involving :

* Requires two things: AutoRemote and . With that combination running on your phone, your tablet can request to enable the hotspot via... uh, internet. So this won't work if your tablet has no mobile data.
* So let's substitute *AutoRemote*: if your phone has NFC support, you could stick a NFC tag to your tablet, and use apps like Trigger, NFC ReTAG, again in conjunction with *Tasker*, to trigger the hotspot. Of course this would require NFC to be turned on.
* If BT is turned on on both devices, they are paired, and set to automatically connect: *Tasker* has a "state condition" registering when a BT connection is made (*Bluetooth Connected*). You can specify the device as parameter. So as soon as the two are "close enough", this could turn the Hotspot on. As this only recognizes when the connection is made, to "reverse" (i.e. turn the hotspot off), you'd rather use the *WiFi Connected* trigger (reversed, i.e. when your tablet is no longer connected).
> 2 votes

# Answer
For example, those that are on earlier version of Android (possibility of it not working on Android 4.3)

There is an App called Keep In Pocket: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.momodalo.app.KeepInPocket&hl=en

This lets you tether your tablet to your phone automatically. And as a bonus, you can see any SMS and Calls incoming from your phone, displayed on the Tablet.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: wifi-hotspot, remote-control
---


# Question
Title: What exactly is backed up if I select app data in the sync options?
Here, app data, what exactly is backed up if I check this option?

If I uninstall an app, and re-install it, will its data (like my progress/score of a game app) restored?

# Answer
> 1 votes
AppData on an Android device is all data that is stored locally by an Application except for the binaries of the application. So your saves, progress should be backed up, but not the app itself. It usually depends on the Android operating system but it is generally what I said above.

---
Tags: settings, backup
---


# Question
Title: The link APK Downloader is not working. Is there any other convenient method to download the APK file to my notebook?
The link APK Downloader is not working.

Is there any other convenient method to download the APK file to my notebook ?

# Answer
> 0 votes
I take it that your phone/tablet doesn't have Google Play. To directly download apps why not use Amazon Market to download apps from your phone.

Other than this, I'd recommend you to Google out individual apps by name for their APK or wait for the service to return.

---
Tags: google-play-store
---


# Question
Title: What are the custom roms available in market for android and ios for micromax funbook P 300?
I am working to add custom rom that are available for ios and android,I need to add add custom rom in my android phones, I was using **"androios"** rom that is featured for both ios and android, but its not rebooting properly in

> **`micromax funbook p300`**

Can any one please help me, Regarding Custom Roms that have features of both ios and android, to add in micromax funbook p300.

# Answer
Firstly you can't install iOS on your Funbook. Any ROM(s) that claim in doing so are actually just running Android with a launcher that looks like iOS.

For information about ROMs for the P300 I suggest you read this thread. The number of working ROMs as is seems pretty scarce.

Also, when you root, unlock your bootloader or flash a custom ROM you void any warranty of your device.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: applications
---


# Question
Title: AVD Emulator, "Unfortunately, Browser has stopped"
I'm trying to get started with development. I have just installed the SDK (ADT v22.3.0-887826) on Linux Mint 15 x86-64. I haven't made any configuration changes to the default installation of ADT, and I don't think there's anything unusual about my system configuration. Eclipse seems to be working fine.

I created a virtual device with default settings (Nexus 4, Android 4.4 image). It takes about 4 minutes to boot, then the home screen comes up. I can navigate the home screen and settings menus, and it's a bit sluggish but it works. When I attempt to launch the stock browser, the screen goes white for a few seconds, then black for about 45 seconds, then it says "Unfortunately, Browser has stopped." I tried again with a QVGA 240x320 device and get the same results. I have tried different settings for GPU acceleration, RAM and VM Heap. I have rebooted my system and tried again with no other programs running. Nothing has helped. I've got a Core 2 Duo E4500 @ 2.2GHz, with 3GB RAM, which I would think is sufficient, but I haven't found any minimum hardware requirements.

I checked the system requirements on the ADT Bundle download page, and I noticed that I have OpenJDK-7 installed, not JDK-6. Could that be the problem? Is it not backward compatible?

Is there an error console or some other way to get more information to diagnose problems? This generic error message is pretty useless.

**UPDATE:**

Thanks for the tip on logcat. There were LOTS of errors, warnings and failures in there. So I went ahead and installed Oracle JDK-7 (it is compatible) even though there have been reports of successfully using OpenJDK. I also reinstalled ADT. But I'm still getting the same issue, "Unfortunately, Browser has stopped." I can launch other apps, like Calendar, Calculator, Contacts, Messaging, etc.

...Solved it. See answer below.

# Answer
Digging through the logcat, immediately after the `com.android.browser activity` is launched, I found a "Fatal signal 11 (SIGSEGV)" in `vold`, the volume daemon that handles storage. Lots of other storage related issues in the log too. So I checked the virtual device settings one more time and noticed that the SD Card size was not specified. I had assumed that the default settings should work, but apparently not. I entered 2 GB for the SD Card, restarted the emulator, and the browser works fine now.
> 6 votes

---
Tags: android-sdk, android-emulator
---


# Question
Title: Where does Android store clipboard data?
Where does Android store clipboard data?

I have a rooted Android phone. Where are clipboard files stored? I can find that in a rooted Samsung device at `/data/Clipboard`, but am not able to find in other Android phones (e.g. Sony, HTC). For phones running GingerBread.

I'm able to see the clipboard data using `adb shell service call clipboard 1`, but after Gingerbread this service call command does not show the data.

# Answer
> 3 votes
Pure AOSP version of Android does not save clipboard data to files; the data is stored only in RAM by the ClipboardService, which runs inside the `system_server` process.

Samsung, like many other manufacturers, adds their proprietary modifications to the base AOSP code; one of these modifications is the ability to keep the clipboard history, and this history is stored in files in the `/data/Clipboard` directory. Of course, you won't find this proprietary Samsung code on other devices, or even in third-party ROMs for Samsung devices.

As for accessing the clipboard service using `adb shell service call clipboard ...`, you cannot do it on recent Android versions, because the IClipboard interface now has security checks (it requires specifying the package name, and the calling uid must own the package name). This interface is also an implementation detail and changes between different Android versions.

---
Tags: 2.3-gingerbread, 4.2-jelly-bean, copy-paste
---


# Question
Title: How i can protect my android from Master Key Vulneralability?
When i install apps ,that i take from my friends , it seems quite fishy , so how to check that the apps are trusted or not.

# Answer
You can check whether your device is affected using e.g. Bluebox Security Scanner.

To close the vulnerability, your device needs root access. If that pre-condition is given, there are different fixes available, e.g.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: security
---


# Question
Title: Permission denied when trying to mount USB storage
I'm trying to mount USB storage using the "Terminal Emulator" app with the following commands:

`mount -t vfat -o rw /dev/block/sd* /storage/usb1`

or

`su mount -t vfat -o rw /dev/block/sd* /storage/usb1`

But I get a `permission denied` message.

I've tried different su binaries. One of them is: http://e2e.ti.com/support/embedded/android/f/509/t/279726.aspx

The shell command which I'm using is working in adb, but I have to execute it within an app. Without permissions, I cannot do that.

So:

1. Is it possible to root this Android image (I'm using TI release for Beaglebone Black)?
2. OR, can I give permissions using chmod? If I can, which files should I give permission?
3. OR, is my approach wrong?

# Answer
I finally found the solution. Yes ADB of Beaglebone is rooted but there isn't a SU binary. So I wasn't able to execute this code within my app:

```
Process proc = Runtime.getRuntime().exec("su mount -t vfat -o rw /dev/block/sd* /storage/usb1");

```

But I finally find a program to root Beaglebone Black and install a valid SU binary. You can download it here :

http://www.unlockroot.com/unlockroot.html

**But be careful! It installs bunch of unwanted programs to your computer too.** Once you install the program, connect your Beaglebone via USB. First you need to unroot Beaglebone. So open the program, you downloaded, and click UNROOT. It will take a couple of minutes. Then restart your Beaglebone and click ROOT from program. Then restart your Beaglebone again. And voila :D You have 100% rooted Beaglebone with a valid SU binary.

You can mount and unmount USB storages and copy files within your application . But You should do it like that :

```
Process proc = Runtime.getRuntime().exec("su", null, null);
OutputStream os = proc.getOutputStream();

os.write(("mount -t vfat -o rw /dev/block/sd* /storage/usb1;
           cp -R /myFile /storage/usb1").getBytes("ASCII"));
os.flush();
os.close();
proc.waitFor();

```
> 0 votes

---
Tags: rooting, shell, beaglebone-black
---


# Question
Title: However Outlook is accessible, I can't access to Gmail via Nexus 4
despite I can access to internet network through chrome browser and check my email by using "Outlook" application by Microsoft Corporation, I have not had my "gmail", "google+" since December 17th. I have not succeeded to check update since December 17th. My cellphone is Nexus 4 and its OS is Android 4.4.2. Regards

# Answer
I assume this has happened after a recent update to your nexus 4 to the latest kitkat update? How did you do this update, was it naturally from google or did you manually force the update by clearing your google services framework cache? I have seen this happen before.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: updates, gmail, nexus-4, 4.4-kitkat
---


title: Unable to debug in LG Optimis L7

text:
# Question
Title: Unable to debug in LG Optimis L7
I am unable to enable debugging mode in LG Optimus L7 Dual. I am connecting the mobile to my PC and choose LG Software mode(read this in a blog that had discussion about LG Optimus). The USB Debugging option in Developer Options is greyed out. Once i unplug it, it glows and I enable it but when I connect and try to debug,my eclipse does not identify the device. Any help will be much appreciated.

# Answer
As your computer is running Windows, you need to install the appropriate device driver first. Most manufacturers offer one for download on their resp. websites, specifically tailored for the device in question; but that would also mean you'd need multiple drivers if you had multiple devices.

A good solution reported to work fine with multiple different devices, and also supporting Windows 8 fine, is Koushik Dutta's universal adb driver. This would hence free you from the hazzle of possible driver conflicts, if you one day decide to use a different/additional device.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: debug, lg-optimus-l7-2
---


# Question
Title: How to drop out of airplane/flight mode periodically to check messages
I normally keep my phone in Flight Mode (called "Airplane Mode" under 2.2) in order to save battery power. When I have some time to check messages, I turn off Flight Mode, re-enabling the cellular transceiver. Is there a way I can set up my phone to momentarily drop out of Flight Mode periodically, say every 10 minutes, preferably without using a non-free app?

I don't really need it to be in Flight Mode per se, just to disable power-draining devices, especially the cellular transceiver.

# Answer
There are multiple automation tools which most likely can do this for you. Some of them, especially in connection with your real concern, are listed in my answer to What is *Cell standby* and how can I keep it from eating my battery?.

Aside from that, and you might wish to check helpers like JuiceDefender, Easy Battery Saver, and GO Battery Saver & Widget. Amongs others, they do exactly what you asked for: toggling airplane mode or rather the data part of it, to enable apps to sync only in defined time frames.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: battery-life, airplane-mode
---


# Question
Title: Send/share option goes to sending a new email page in Gmail app by default
Whenever I try to send an application to another android device via bluetooth, when I hit the button "send" it opens a new message in gmail app and the application I wanted to send via bluetooth is attached there. How can I change this so that it asks how I would send that file/app? I have astro installed as a file manager.

# Answer
> 1 votes
There must be a "**Share**" option, which you can use to send via `Bluetooth`, `Whatsapp`, `Wifi direct` etc..

# Answer
> -1 votes
As for Galaxy Nexus 2, one must use a third party application to transfer files via Bluetooth, since it basically doesn't have a file manager and a third party file manager like ASTRO don't let you transfer files via Bluetooth.

---
Tags: applications, 4.2-jelly-bean, samsung-galaxy-nexus, bluetooth
---


# Question
Title: How can I determine Max CPU speed at runtime?
I'd like to know the max cpu speed for the processor on an Android system at runtime. I've seen at least a couple different techniques that result in the current cpu clockrate, but not the max.

Root privileges should not be required.

# Answer
> 5 votes
After digging through the source that roxan mentioned a bit, it looks like the following in /proc can tell you what cpu speeds are available and how much time has been spent in each:

`/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/stats/time_in_state`

However, it does give some other states that aren't appropriate. For example, on my Samsung Vibrant, I get:

```
1400000 0
1300000 0
1200000 0
1000000 214141
800000 40092
400000 25273
200000 6159308
100000 389

```

But the chip's standard clock is 1 GHz. So it looks like it should be fairly trivial to find the highest listed speed that has a non-zero time to it.

For my purposes, this should be very adequate.

**Edit:** I've observed that sometimes the order in which the frequencies is listed can vary, so you'll want to iterate through the whole list and find the fastest (as opposed to stopping at the first non-zero).

**More Edit:** Here's a function that works for me:

```
/**
 * Get max cpu rate.
 *
 * This works by examining the list of CPU frequencies in the pseudo file
 * "/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/stats/time_in_state" and how much time has been spent
 * in each. It finds the highest non-zero time and assumes that is the maximum frequency (note
 * that sometimes frequencies higher than that which was designed can be reported.) So it is not
 * impossible that this method will return an incorrect CPU frequency.
 *
 * Also note that (obviously) this will not reflect different CPU cores with different
 * maximum speeds.
 *
 * @return cpu frequency in MHz
 */
public static int getMaxCPUFreqMHz() {

    int maxFreq = -1;
    try {

        RandomAccessFile reader = new RandomAccessFile( "/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/stats/time_in_state", "r" );

        boolean done = false;
        while ( ! done ) {
            String line = reader.readLine();
            if ( null == line ) {
                done = true;
                break;
            }
            String[] splits = line.split( "\\s+" );
            assert ( splits.length == 2 );
            int timeInState = Integer.parseInt( splits[1] );
            if ( timeInState > 0 ) {
                int freq = Integer.parseInt( splits[0] ) / 1000;
                if ( freq > maxFreq ) {
                    maxFreq = freq;
                }
            }
        }

    } catch ( IOException ex ) {
        ex.printStackTrace();
    }

    return maxFreq;
}

```

# Answer
> 2 votes
To contradict the above

```
/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/stats/time_in_state

```

Does not return the correct values. For example on my own device

```
cat /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/stats/time_in_state
1000000 192
800000 3
600000 12915
300000 20519

# cat /proc/cpuinfo
cat /proc/cpuinfo
Processor       : ARMv7 Processor rev 2 (v7l)
BogoMIPS        : 1197.81
Features        : swp half thumb fastmult vfp edsp thumbee neon vfpv3
CPU implementer : 0x41
CPU architecture: 7
CPU variant     : 0x3
CPU part        : 0xc08
CPU revision    : 2

Hardware        : mapphone_UMTS
Revision        : 0000
Serial          : 0000000000000000
CPU Tier        : 10

```

The frequencies are not correctly reported. As you can see, the clock speed on my device is 1200MHz - but only 1000MHz max shows in `time_in_state`.

However, the following is correct

```
cat /sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/cpuinfo_max_freq
1200000

```

# Answer
> 0 votes
Read this file to get the **Max frequency**:

```
/sys/devices/system/cpu/cpu0/cpufreq/cpuinfo_max

```

---
Tags: hardware
---


# Question
Title: lost apps after backup and restore on Samsung Kies
I downloaded Kies because there is a software issue on the phone. So I backed up the phone to Kies on my laptop then did a factory reset on the phone. Then I restored the phone from the laptop but seem to have lost all the apps. Help!

# Answer
> -1 votes
I say go to play store, when you will open my apps section the backed up apps will be downloaded automatically. Make sure that you are connected to WiFi or 3G .

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-3, samsung-kies, restore
---


# Question
Title: How can I root my Sony Xperia Tipo Dual without a PC?
I need to root my Xperia Tipo Dual, but I can't connect the phone to a PC, Is it possible to get root without connecting it to a computer?

# Answer
> 1 votes
You may want to look at this question: How Can I Root my Sony Ericsson Tipo Dual?

The short answer is **no, you need a computer**.

# Answer
> -1 votes
Actually that would be hard as Google has banned applications which provide rooting for device warranty concerns. So actually you should search a bit on Google and you may get a site providing easy rooting tools. but you will need a pc.

---
Tags: rooting
---


# Question
Title: How can I get a recovery mode on my Xperia device (which has no /recovery/ partition)?
As a developer, I need to flash custom recovery like ClockWorkMod Recovery or TWRP. I have a Sony Xperia L, But I found out that Xperia devices are not supported by these custom recoveries as they don't have a recovery partion. Is this true and if so how can I make it possible to load this custom recovery on my phone.

Is there any alternative way to do so? Besides the way of flashing a custom kernel?

# Answer
Sony Xperia Devices use a recovery-in-boot arrangement. While you can't simply flash a version of TWRP or CWM, you can flash a *kernel* that includes what you need.

For the Xperia L, you can flash the Phanton Kernel, which includes CWM.

There is **no other way** to do get CWM or TWRP without flashing a new kernel.
> 5 votes

---
Tags: clockworkmod-recovery, recovery-mode, sony-xperia-l
---


# Question
Title: Is it possible to return back to jelly bean OS after upgraded to cyanogenmod?
I am using samsung galaxy Star Pro 7260 (rooted). I would like to install cyanogenmod on my phone. But, I want to know is it possible to return back to jelly bean OS after upgraded to cyanogenmod ? If it is possible then tell me what I have to do before installing cyanogenmod on my phone ? Do I have to take any backup (OS) from my phone ?

# Answer
Usually, this is possible the very same way as you put CyanogenMod on your device: by flashing a ROM. So before you start, make sure you either...

In both cases, you can return to stock ROM: either by flashing a stock image (and then start like after a factory-reset), or by restoring the Nandroid backup (and take off at the time you've created it, including all your apps and data).

Two things to consider:

* there *might* be dependencies between (ROM) and . So if installing CyanogenMod (or any custom ROM) goes along with a different radio image, a return might be different (you might need the original radio image as well) or difficult (in case downgrade of the radio is not possible). However, cases where this applies are rare.
* Nandroid backup doesn't take care of your SDCard. So if you have apps installed on SDCard, you need to deal with them separately.
> 2 votes

# Answer
First of you need to be clear that Cyanogenmod is a custom ROM based on Android. So versions of Cyanogenmod are based on versions of Android. e.g. CYANOGENMOD 10.1 is based on Android 4.2

So now straight to your question.

Yes you can basically do that . Once you have downloaded and flashed Clockworkmod or Twrp recovery for your phone, go in recovery by pressing a combination of hardware keys( check Samsung website or search on Google). Go to Backup and Restore option and do a backup of your "Stock ROM" i.e. the original software of your phone. Each and everything will be backed up. But also consider doing a backup in Samsung Kies of your user data.

Now after backup you are set , go to Cyanogenmod website and select the ROM for your device and Install or Flash it as per instructions. ( besides rooting you will also need unlocking your bootloader which will void your warranty)

And anytime when you wish to remove Cyanogenmod and go back to Original ROM go in recovery and select backup and restore and press restore and select the backup file.

Your ROM will be restored as you left it.
> -1 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, 4.1-jelly-bean, rooting, rom-flashing
---


# Question
Title: Why Large RAM use with my Galaxy Nexus verizon while Little RAM use with Galaxy Nexus GSM?
Galaxy Nexus verizon

ROM:10.2-20131017-SKANK-toro

Galaxy Nexus GSM

ROM:CM11

From the picture, you can see that verizon system uses a large amount RAM while GSM not. Why that happend? And recently on my verizon phone I cannot even start a new app because of RAM runs out.

# Answer
As I've already explained in my answer here, on \*nix based systems there's no such thing as "unused RAM". How RAM is utilized, depends on many criteria:

* what apps are running (foreground, background, services...)
* how active they are (program structures, data loaded)
* how much file I/O there is (data from "slower storage" gets cached in RAM for faster access)

are only some of them. Follow up to the other asnwer to find out how to get additional details about caches and buffers used in RAM.
> 2 votes

# Answer
I would suggest you to factory reset your phone or do that from CWM after wiping dalvik, cache and system data.

And consider going to CM11 on your Verizon Gnexus too Android 4.4 has better RAM management and task killing.

I am saying that your system is behaving very differently so may be aome bug but most probably virus or something which cannot be specifically detected so I suggest thoroughly wiping your system.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-nexus, ram
---


# Question
Title: How can I remove the SIM lock from my Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G T-Mobile?
I got an Galaxy S Blaze 4G as a gift from USA. The phone is locked and did not accept any SIM card in my country (just for T-mobile). Instead it ask for a unlock code.

Ts there any software way to unlock the phone (maybe with help of root)?

# Answer
T-Mobile Support page contains a thread that covers your issue:

# SIM Unlock your phone

<sup>*Last updated on: Jul 3, 2013 2:43 PM*</sup>

> If you purchased an eligible device, the device has been programmed with a SIM Subsidy lock that will prevent the device from operating with other compatible wireless telephone carrier’s services.
>
> If you wish to use the device with the service of another wireless telephone carrier, you must enter a numeric SIM Subsidy unlock code to unlock the device.
>
> # Understanding SIM Unlock Requirements
>
> As an active or former T-Mobile customer, you may request a phone unlock. T-Mobile will unlock your phone (as long it is not reported as lost, stolen, or blocked) if:
>
> * You have purchased your device from T-Mobile or an authorized T-Mobile dealer and activated it on T-Mobile service;
> * You have Postpaid service, have not requested an unlock code in the last 90 days;
> * You paid for your device in full;
> * Your account is in good standing;
> * You have a minimum of 40 consecutive days of active Postpaid service since purchase (or for Prepaid service, have used your device within the past 60 days );
> * You are under a 24-month service contract, you have made monthly payments for at least 18 consecutive months on your plan or have paid a migration fee for the device; certain exceptions may apply please call Customer Care for details;
> * You are on a Prepaid plan, you have had more than $50 in total refills on the device;
> * You are a former customer, your account balance is zero and you did not port out a line associated with the device during the buyer’s remorse period;
> * You provide proof of purchase if T-Mobile is unable to verify purchase.
>
> **Note:** Exceptions to some or all requirements may apply in certain circumstances, including for Military Personnel and Business and Government Accounts.

If you qualify for the above list, give them a call and they will help you out!

# Success Case:

A user from XDA Developers forum answered to a problem similar to your own, you can read about it here:

> I just unlocked mine a few days ago. If you meet the requirements you should be fine, http://support.t-mobile.com/docs/DOC-1588
>
> I bought my phone from ebay from a guy in Florida (I'm in NY), I had it on my account for a few months. So I had no reciept or anything, or history of the phone. When I called they asked for my phone number, account passcode, the phones model name and IMEI. Then I gave them my email, and recieved the code via email in about 24hrs. So it was pretty painless and free.

# Alternatives:

There's a XDA Developers Thread with lots of users claiming to have successfully unlocked their devices either by changing their IMEI or by means of truth manipulation:

* Answer #4:

> Yup. I got mine unlocked through T-Mobile for free. Just tell them that your going to travel during soon or something and they'll give you a pin in about 15 days.
* Answer #10:

> FWIW I've successfully sim unlocked my T-Mobile Galaxy Blaze at the cost of ERASING THE IMEI!

The step by step is found here:

> Turn off the phone. Insert a SIM from another provider into your phone.
>
> Click "DISMISS" on the Enter Unlock Code screen after the phone starts up.
>
> Wait a minute for the phone to power on and settle down.
>
> Go to the dialer screen. Enter `*#197328640#`
>
> The screen will change to the hidden menu as soon as you hit the last # key in the dailer
>
> press `1` DEBUG SCREEN
> Press `8` PHONE CONTROL
> Press `5` SIMULATION
> Press `6` NETWORK LOCK
> Press `3` PERSO SHA256 OFF
> Wait exactly 30 seconds
> press the menu key on the phone and select back option. This will take you back to NETWORK LOCK screen.
> Press `4` NW LOCK NV DATA INITIALLIZ
> Wait exactly one minute and reboot the phone.
> Your phone should be unlocked.
> I tried this on T-989 UVLE1 original ROM with root ON.
> I haven't tested it on any other version or ROMs or any other phones.
>
> Disclaimer: I am not responsible for anything you do with your phone.

Read the entire thread here.
> 2 votes

# Answer
I used Ultimate Simlock Code Generator to unlock my phone.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: sim-unlocking
---


# Question
Title: Recovering Twitter Account Created on Android Device?
A friend of mine has created a Twitter account on their phone but now can not remember any of the details they used. They remain logged in on their phone but I've had a look through the app but it doesn't seem to mention anything useful.

Have I missed something? I have a adb backup (and the password) to look through if that helps.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I ended up contacting Twitter support and they verified ownership of the account using a DM.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Take a backup of the same Twitter client on your phone, with a known handle and email, and then search the resulting files (or backup image) for the know handle and email. Then look in the same place on the original image/files.

---
Tags: twitter
---


title: stuck on logo, cwm recovery not showing

text:
# Question
Title: stuck on logo, cwm recovery not showing
I recently tried to install cwm recovery on my qmobile a2 (mtk) phone, according to the method stated in xda forum for my device.

I don't know what I did wrong, but now when I restart my mobile to recovery mode, the logo appears and is just stuck on that. Cwm menu is not showing. I didn't make a backup of the stock recovery.

I tried to install cwm 5, cwm 6, and others with many methods like spflash tool, rom manager, mtk, mobile uncle tools, etc. but still no luck.

Many users have installed cwm in the same mobile that I have why I am stuck.

Is there a manual way that I can delete the system recovery and put my cwm recovery to that directory in which it is located? or please give me a suggestion.

# Answer
> 1 votes
So a new Qmobile User?

Let me explain buddy! The ROMs you get from these developers (INCPak for example) are neither tested nor developed correctly. They just create a ROM and upload it somewhere just to show off there names.

What you are facing is something like a ROM issue, the ROM you installed is not able to access the kernel or firmware or blabla, or is having some other issues.

I would like to advise you to please reinstall the ROM! If you can. Secondly please try to understand that when you install a new ROM, everything from previous ROM is removed, and new are installed (flashed). So, when you install a new ROM CWM is also removed, and Stock Recovery is placed there! So you cannot access CWM now. And unfortunately you know that when you are not able to use CWM you cannot flash new ROMs (without any issues; stock ROMs can also update the firmware or other stuff).

Now what happened to your phone is, that its not bricked! If it was bricked, then it might not even had started as the name suggests "Brick". Its working but accessing the cache, or booloader! You must try to wipe everything!

What you can do will be: Reinstall the ROM but this time try to Wipe out all Data,

1. Wipe Data/ Factory Reset
2. Wipe Cache
3. Advanced --\> Wide dalvik cache
4. Install ROM from SDCard --\> Choose --\> rom\_name.zip

I try this everytime to install the ROM for my Qmobile Noir A8 (yes, I was bit by same snake named INCPak). So this method should work!

You cannot replace the system files, without being Rooted! And you said you are having a new ROM, so this is almost impossible! However, if you manage to remove this CWM, and go back to the basic recovery, you might get lucky to replace the CWM by using the Install zip from SDCard and enter the zip for CWM

And believe me, never ever try to flash a ROM created or shared by them! They are not developers they are kid messing stuff out! Try to spread this message too.

Hope you get something, if not the stock rom, then atleast some ROM to run your phone!

# Answer
> 0 votes
Which method did you use to install CWM Recovery? This guide states that installing from ROM Manager isn't ok.

Personally, I didn't get my MTK device working with CWM recovery. You should probably try some other recoveries (e.g. TWRP) and flash it through spflashtool (as the most stable method).

---
Tags: 2.3-gingerbread, clockworkmod-recovery, unbricking
---


# Question
Title: Control your smartphone using your laptop
I have a sony xperia z and the screen recently smashed. Touch screen capability has also gone. As such I can't even unlock the phone. Does anyone know of an app or a method for connecting it to my laptop and gaining full control of the phone through the laptop? I need to unlock it and access an app that's installed. I've been through the folders on it using the laptop but need access to the app itself to get the data I need.

# Answer
Since your screen is smashed and touch screen capability is gone, you may not be able to use apps like AirDroid, as VarnerBeast14 has suggested. Instead you can use a service like Droid@Screen. Follow the steps below to view your screen.

* Install Java JRE (or JDK), version 6 or later
* Install Android SDK
* Run its SDK Manager and install the Platform Tools
* Set the environment variable ANDROID\_HOME to point to the installation directory of the Android SDK
* Install USB drivers for your own Android device, by getting it from the vendor’s support web page
* **Download and install the latest version of Droid@Screen**
* Configure your device to allow USB Debugging (Settings-\> Developer options -\> USB debugging)
* Plug in the USB cable between your device and PC
* Launch Droid@Screen
> 2 votes

# Answer
If you've got a separate device running the same (or higher) version of Android, there would be an option alongside Sid's answer. You wouldn't need the full SDK, just ADB itself (see: Is there a minimal installation of ADB?). Then you could use `adb backup -f myname.ab -apk <com.app.name>` to backup your app and its data (replace `<com.app.name>` by the app's package name, to be found e.g. in its URL on the Google Play page, following the `id=`), and `adb restore myname.ab` to install it on the other device.

However, some conditions must be met:

* your *Xperia Z* must at least run Android 4.0
* *USB debugging* must already be turned on on your *Xperia Z* (from your description, it sounds like that could be the case: *been through the folders on it using the laptop*)
* the second device also must run Android 4.0+ -- best the same as or a higher version than the source device

That provided, and followed above steps, you then could start the app on the second device and access its data.

**EDIT:** From ott's comment below I just notice I've missed an important point: the entire procedure only works if you've used `adb backup` before, and set up a desktop password for it (e.g. Holo Backup works this way). So this will probably be no solution for you in your current situation -- but you might wish to be prepared this way for (hopefully never happening) future cases.
> 2 votes

# Answer
The Xperia Z supports USB OTG so you can use a computer mouse to access the screen by connecting it to the phone with a 'male micro USB to Female USB OTG' cable. No setup required just connect it up and use the mouse to enter your passcode and do anything else you need to.

Once unlocked you can connect it to your PC to copy everything across or use the mouse to access an app.
> 2 votes

# Answer
I use an app called AirDroid. You install it on your phone, and then also install a Chrome extension (there may be other versions for the computer, the Chrome extension is the most universal for me).

This app lets me see the screen of my phone, receive messages, and operate apps. I don't know the full reliability of it because I still use my phone by itself most of the time since I can, but you can look into it and see all that it really has to offer. I think it could really help you out.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: remote-control, sony-xperia-z
---


# Question
Title: Where should I save images to have them appear in the Gallery app?
Running KitKat, I want to extract a zip file with photos and place them in a folder where the Gallery app will find them. I'm using Android File Manager and Easy Unrar Lite to move files around and extract them. Where in the file systems should I put them?

# Answer
It doesn't matter where you put them. A convenient place usually is the (internal or external) SD card, where you simply could create a `Photos` folder, and extract your photos to.

The gallery app simply checks the devices media database, it doesn't check the directories directly. This database gets fed by the so-called *Media Scanner*, which gets triggered by different system events, such as immediately after a completed boot, or whenever the SD card gets mounted. This is why you don't see the extracted images immediately. See my answer here for how to trigger it "on demand" (hint: for Kitkat, try the SD Scanner app).
> 3 votes

---
Tags: file-system, photos, gallery
---


# Question
Title: Nexus 4 not recognised by Windows 7 machine after KitKat update
I have a Nexus 4, which I used to be able to connect to my Windows machine via USB, to test my code on. When I plugged it in, if I tried to run an application on it from Eclipse, Eclipse would tell me that there were no devices, and ask me if I wanted to start a virtual device, unless of course I waited a bit, until Windows popped up a dialog box asking me if I wanted to treat the Nexus 4 as a directory for photos, or audio, etc.

Now however, Windows never gets to the point of showing me that dialog box, so Eclipse will always tell me there are no connected devices. How do I fix this?

# Answer
Turns out that uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers solves the issue. The strange part is that before I uninstalled the drivers, the name on the driver said it was for a Samsung Galaxy device, which the Nexus 4 clearly is not.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat
---


# Question
Title: Connect android device to server in emulator
**Background**

I've been search AE, SO and Google for many hours and found many examples of people wanting to connect their PC to the emulator. I've also run across some that wish to connect their device to their server on a PC. I want to connect my device, to an emulator running on a PC. I've tried the examples given in the documentation but I still haven't gotten this to work.

I would like to have my device (real device, Nexus 7) create a Hotspot that my PC is connected to. In the PC, an emulator is running that has a socket open on port 40000. I'm getting ECONNREFUSED errors when trying to connect my device to the emulator. Here's what I'm doing:

**Connecting device to emulator (through PC)**

Device tries to create a Socket connection to the emulator through the PC. The IP of my PC is 192.168.43.198 so that is what the device use as destination IP. The connection fails however, with an ECONNREFUSED message.

**Forwarding using ADB and telnet**

On the PC I've tried to forward port 40000 to the emulator using:

`adb forward tcp:40000 tcp:40000`

and

`redir add tcp:40000:40000`

over telnet to the emulator.

When running the adb forward command I get a listening port on the PC as such:

`TCP 127.0.0.1:40000 0.0.0.0:0 LISTENING`.

Notice that the listening IP is 127.0.0.1.

When running the `redir` command, I can see no listening port using netstat.

**Testing connection from device to PC**

To test the connection "parts", I've used `SocketTest` (http://sourceforge.net/projects/sockettest/) on my PC.

If I use it as a server, listening on port 40000. Then my device connects to it just fine using 192.168.43.198:40000.

**Testing connection from PC to emulator**

When using SocketTest as a client to connect to 127.0.0.1:40000 it also connects fine to the emulator.

*However, when using the external IP: 192.168.43.198, SocketTest also gets connection refused!*

**Possible problems**

It seems to me that my PC doesn't realise it should route 192.168.43.198:40000 to 127.0.0.1:40000 although the commands I've entered claim to do so in the docs (http://developer.android.com/tools/devices/emulator.html#redirection and http://developer.android.com/tools/help/adb.html#forwardports)

Firewall is turned off.

# Answer
The problem here is that ADB forwarding attaches itself to the local loopback interface (127.0.0.1), and you have no forwarding from the LAN interface (192.168.43.198) to the loopback interface. The method you can use to achieve this depends on your platform. I don't know what you could use in Windows, but on Linux you can use `rinetd` and on OSX you can use `ipfw`

### LINUX:

Add the following lines to your `/etc/rinetd.conf`:

```
# bindaddress    bindport  connectaddress  connectport
192.168.43.198   40000     127.0.0.1       40000

```

Then restart `rinetd` with `service rinetd restart` or `/etc/init.d/rinetd restart`.

### OSX:

```
ipfw add fwd 127.0.0.1,40000 tcp from any to 192.168.43.198 dst-port 40000

```
> 2 votes

---
Tags: networking, emulators
---


# Question
Title: How to enable drag status bar from lock screen?
I have Hisense AD686G running on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. I can't pull the status bar down in any type of lock screen (slide, pattern, PIN, etc).

I know almost all ICS phones out there have this feature, strangely my phone doesn't.

How do I enable the status bar dragging on the lock screen?

# Answer
I don't know if any setting is available for notification bar dragging, but the notification dragging bar is enabled/working only on screen lock made by slide. Other than this, it won't work like PIN, pattern, password, etc.

If you want working notification bar, go to Settings -\> Security -\> Screen Security -\> Screen Lock -\> change to slide.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, lock-screens, notification-bar
---


title: Google Now ignoring my Other calendars

text:
# Question
Title: Google Now ignoring my Other calendars
When I ask Google Now to tell me my appointments, it tells me appointments from some of my calendars, but not Other ones added from URL. How can I get it to recognise these other calendars?

# Answer
You have to Sync your Google Calender after you add the events to your calender.

> Settings\>Google Account\>Sync Calender

After that refresh Google Now, it should show the calenders.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, google-now, nexus-5
---


# Question
Title: Does the 4.4.1 update improve 3rd-party camera apps or are the enhancements just to the stock camera app?
The new minor update to Kit Kat is apparently all about improvements to the camera on the Nexus 5. The official Nexus G+ page says:

> It improves the camera with faster focusing, especially in low light, faster white balancing, for truer colors, the ability to pinch-zoom the viewfinder in HDR+ mode and less shutter lag.

Will I see these improvements when I use a third-party camera app, or do they only affect the official camera app that Google ships with the OS?

# Answer
Updates of this kind are usually for the camera as a whole and not just app centered. For a detailed analysis I suggest you read this. The update as a whole brought changes to the API the way the auto focus, White balance, etc in pictures taken as a whole. You will notice changes(for the better) in pictures taken from a 3rd party app too.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: camera, 4.4-kitkat, nexus-5
---


title: Profile Question on Android Tablet

text:
# Question
Title: Profile Question on Android Tablet
My background: I'm 30, my mom is 68 and terrified of technology. I gave her her first computer 2 years ago, and she's visibly terrified to use it, so I bought her a tablet for this Christmas.

Personally, I hate tablets, but I bought her a Lenovo 10" tablet running Android Jellybean 4.2.2. Now, I'm an iPhone guy, so I have never played with Android in the least. I am trying to install all the programs she will use so it's ready to go... one situation is I know she and my aunt will both want to use it to access facebook. (As horrible as this sounds,) they don't know how to change accounts; to solve this, I would like to create two profiles on the tablet.

The problem is, I don't have the "users" option in settings to let me create multiple user profiles. Does anyone know how to get around this (without Linux emu hacks)? Thanks!

# Answer
You don't say which Lenovo tablet you bought, but according to this review Lenovo have disabled multiple user profiles on their Yoga 10 tablet in Android 4.2, but *may* be re-enabling the feature when they update to 4.3:

> The Lenovo Yoga Tablet launches on the Android 4.2.2 operating system, which brings most of Jelly Bean's goodness - that candy-based name being the generic term for Android version 4.1 to 4.3, ahead of KitKat 4.4's launch - but there's the notable exception for multiple user profiles. That's coming, but you'll need Android 4.3 and we don't know when the Yoga Tablet will receive this update, which is already available on some smart devices.

So it looks like this isn't possible on the tablet as customized by Lenovo at the moment. Why they've done this I don't know, but one common downside to manufacturer modifications and customizations to the Android OS is that they often make things look flashier but work far worse than stock Android.

One alternative is looking into loading custom ROMs that could give you back the feature, but this is a big step if you haven't done that sort of thing before, so personally I wouldn't recommend it. See these questions for more on that: Where can I find stock or custom ROMs for my Android device? and What are the advantages of a custom ROM over rooted stock?.

Alternatively, you could load a second Facebook app onto the device that has a different Facebook login saved into it. You can only load one copy of the official Facebook app on the tablet, but there are quite a lot of third party Facebook clients out there in the Play Store.
> 4 votes

---
Tags: 4.2-jelly-bean, profiles
---


# Question
Title: Nexus S battery drains after updating to 4.2.2 even if turned off
My Google Nexus S battery drains after updating from 2.3.7 to 4.2.2, even if it is turned off. One night I shut it off at 70% charge, and when I turned it on in the morning it was at 9 or 10%. I bought a new battery but it has the same problem. What should I do?

# Answer
> 2 votes
You should calibrate your battery:

1. Fully discharge your phone
2. Fully charge it when it is turned **off**
3. Disconnect charger and wait a minute
4. Connect it again and turn your phone on
5. Delete your data/system/batterystats.bin file (with battery calibration for instance)
6. Reboot your device and disconnect charger

Also, it is common problem, so try to google it yourself

Hope this will solve it for you

---
Tags: updates, 4.2-jelly-bean, battery
---


# Question
Title: Rooting HP Slate 21 all in one with built in Android Jelly bean 4.2.2
Any ideas on how to root a HP Slate 21 all in one with Android Jelly bean 4.2.2? I am going crazy trying to find a solution for this.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I'm using a to a USB cable that works. Adb works And flash boot There is a adb fingerprint for drivers at hp3 forum.

Unlocking boot loader also no problem. Root don't work with the normal stuff, And the Chinese program's also failed. Wait for a tegra4 like version hope will come soon, Think its hacked until Christmas.

# Answer
> 0 votes
First activate USB debugging by tapping 7 times on Settings → About Tablet → Build Number.

Then connect the tablet to the PC via the side USB port.

For PC:

1. Edit the USB fingerprint for drivers (refer HP help forum and questions such as how-to adb with slate 21). Use PC as Macs won't work unless they get a new kernel update like Linux (since the driver is in Linux kernel 3.9).
2. Install the driver manually through "Update driver" in Device Manager as auto install of drivers doesn't work.

Also you will need the other stuff from the Android SDK, most importantly the new ADB platform-tools (Version 1.0.32).

This device is too new, so there is no driver and it is unsupported by HP.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Give Cydia Impactor a try - it works on the tnote 7 and HP Slate 8.

---
Tags: rooting
---


# Question
Title: Camera light flashes when the phone rings - how do I turn this off?
With Android version 4.3 for my Samsung Galaxy S3 (or perhaps just Verizon's flavor of it) my camera flash has begun to blink **very brightly** when I am receiving an incoming call. How can I turn this off? I've been through the settings and nothing obvious really jumps out at me.

# Answer
> 9 votes
I found the setting, and something interesting as well:

```
Settings > Accessibility > Flash notification

```

When I came into the settings it was already unchecked, yet my phone was exhibiting behavior as if it was. I had to check the setting and exit the menus. Then I went back in to uncheck the setting and exited the menus again. This time the setting took effect - my camera light is no longer flashing.

Hope this helps others in the same situation.

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-3, camera, 4.3-jelly-bean, camera-flash
---


# Question
Title: STUCK on logo after installing cwm recovery ,samsung sl gt-i9003
I am using a **Samsung SL GT-i9003**.

After installing CWM recovery I am stuck on the logo screen, and my external sd card is also not showing in the recovery mode.

But I am able to enter download mode and CWM recovery mode (by amit.bigiria v 5.0.2.8)

How can I get my device back to normal mode?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Flash Stock ROM for Samsung SL GT-i9003 in ODIN.

Here are some Stock ROMs: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1004647

---
Tags: clockworkmod-recovery, 2.3.3-gingerbread
---


# Question
Title: Is there a facebook app that does not read your location?
I've looked at a number of facebook apps, and it seems that they require permission to read my precise location. This includes Stream, Fast, Friendcaster, and the official facebook app. Can anyone recommend a Facebook app that does not require permission to read my location data?

# Answer
These apps read your location for post location tagging, and there no apps that I no of that do not have the location permissions. There are some workarounds however:

**Mobile Site**

You could use http://m.facebook.com, which would only be able to gather IP based location, unless you allow it to access your location via the browser (this is easily denied, and an option will be displayed when it first attempts to access location - you can just select deny. This is in the Android browser).

**Disable Location Services**

Another alternative, is to just disable all location services in your settings menu prior to launching the app - the app can still get your location, but it would be *very* course (to about town level).

**Deny Location Permissions to App(s)**

If you're rooted, you can use an app such as permissions denied (paid app) to deny the apps the permission to access your location - be aware that the app may force close if it tries to do something it doesn't have permission to do.
> 2 votes

# Answer
There is an xda developer who created just such an application after becoming frustrated by facebook's blatant disregard for users privacy.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2049360
> 0 votes

---
Tags: facebook, permissions
---


# Question
Title: Why are so many apps using permissions that take my personal data?
I am again and again noticing that a ton of apps ask for ridiculous permissions, and I'm getting frustrated by searching for apps that don't ask me for too much - and frankly, I would download 3 times as much apps if they would ask for reasonable permissions. The one that I personally don't like to share is my `phone id` and `your accounts`, but there are various apps asking for permissions they don't need. Some examples:

* A game that needs to load itself after boot.
* A game that needs my accounts.
* A game that needs my phone calls.
* A browser that needs my phone calls and accounts.

Why are these permissions requests there? Are most of them doing some data collecting? Are the developers too lazy to check what permissions they really need?

# Answer
> 5 votes
There are a few points to note on this. Not all of them will help you on your issue, but at least explain things or point you to helpful information:

* some devs *explain* in their apps' descriptions what they need those permissions for, others do so at least on the corresponding web sites (e.g. in the FAQ). If they missed that, contact them and ask to have that gap filled.
* phone id + internet is required by most ad modules. To avoid that, check for payed versions. Android apps are not really expensive, and of course devs like to be compensated for their work. The average price of 1 buck should be worth it.
* no real issue with the accounts stuff. For explanations, please take a look at
* I agree that a game rarely has a good reason to access your contacts, calendar, call lists, browser history, and bookmarks. My guess in those cases is, that in ~80% the dev simply made a "bad decision" concerning the ad module chosen (there are some really bordering spyware). Again, contact the dev and ask. According to a study I read a while ago, about 60% of the devs are not even aware of that issue; being approached, they were open for alternatives (unfortunately I don't remember the source currently).
* I also agree concerning phone calls, and even SMS. They might be used for in-app purchases, but I don't think this is a good practice.

Further good sources can be found in our permissions tag-wiki.

---
Tags: permissions, privacy
---


# Question
Title: Getting Trace Keyboard back after Android 4.1.1 update on HTC Desire X
I have a HTC Desire X. It was running 4.0.4. Yesterday I updated OS to 4.1.1. This took away the Trace keyboard - is there a way to get Trace keyboard back after the 4.1.1. update. If not, can I revert back to 4.0.4? I am not rooted?

# Answer
> 0 votes
I installed next 2 OTA updates & got my trace keyboard back. The first one was a small 10MB OS Update which was still Android 4.1.1 but Software Number as 2.22.720.7. This required booting after upgrade. The next was a HTC Sense Update which required no booting and got me my Trace keyboard back. The stupid Power saver notification which came with the Jelly Bean update is still not gone but Trace keyboard back is good enough. Never going to update the OS again on this phone!!!

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, 4.1-jelly-bean, htc-sense, htc, htc-desire-x
---


# Question
Title: How can I send a SMS (Instead of MMS) from a Motorola Atrix 4G?
I was writing a text when suddenly I noticed the message say MMS not SMS. How do I change it back?

# Answer
It automatically changes to MMS when a message's length goes over 160 bytes (160 ASCII characters). You should be able to go back to SMS by starting a new message.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: sms, mms
---


# Question
Title: How to change the home dock icons on TouchWiz?
Similar to How to edit the home dock icons (shortcuts) on TouchWiz 4.0 ICS

I have a Samsung Galaxy S3 GT-I9300 with Android 4.0.4. I can't for the life of me figure out how to edit the home screen dock icons on the default launcher (Touchwiz).

I've tried:

* Long pressing on a home dock icon (nothing happens).
* Long pressing an app in the home screen to drag onto the home dock. (Home dock icons disappear and are replaced by a Delete bar across the bottom of the screen)
* On the home screen, press Menu -\> Edit. (Home dock icons disappear and are replaced by 4 icons: Create folder, Create page, App info, Delete).
* In the Apps list with a Customizable grid view, press Menu -\> Edit. This is the answer to the linked question. (Allows editing of the Apps listing, but doesn't bring the home dock icons onto the screen so I cannot modify them)

Before I updated to 4.0.4 I could change the shortcuts in the home screen dock, and I put Google Chrome there to replace the default browser. After updating I now want to replace it with Firefox.

I am in Australia. I have friends with grey imports of the same phone from Hong Kong that don't exhibit this behaviour on 4.0.4.

# Answer
The way it works on my SGS2 Android 4.0 is

1. Click on applications,
2. Click menu button, select "edit"

Now the screen shows several app icons you can change, but at the bottom are also the home buttons. All home buttons except for the most right one ("start page" or "home page") can be dragged and dropped, and you can move other app icons to the row with the home buttons.

Note that this only works if at step 1 you are in grid view, otherwise change to grid view in the menu first.

If this doesn't work, there may be some additional carrier software that prevents it.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, samsung-galaxy-s-3, samsung-touchwiz
---


title: Connect to internet via proxy

text:
# Question
Title: Connect to internet via proxy
My office network is connected via proxy. While I connect to the internet(via browser) using mobile Wi-Fi, it asks for user name and password. When I enter the user name and password, it connects to the internet. But when I open Google Play store , I see 'Server error' means it could not connect to the internet. How can I fix the issue ?

# Answer
if you are rooted,Use proxy droid. Apps use different settings than the ones u provide in the wifi. so not only will your google play not work but also whatsapp and such apps. for that you would need a global proxy. and for that u need to be rooted. You install proxy droid.install iptables. and then ur done
> -3 votes

---
Tags: google-play-store, wi-fi, internet, proxy
---


# Question
Title: How can I change the app for managing root access from SuperSU to Superuser?
I used a rooting package on my Galaxy S4 which installed SuperSU. Howvever, I preferred to use SuperUser, so I removed SuperSU and installed SuperUser.

Now the apps that normally request root do not seem to do it anymore, and also cease to function correctly.

How can I make my newly installed SuperUser App into the default root manager?

# Answer
1. open settings in Super SU.
2. go to cleanup section.
3. switch Superuser app.
> -1 votes

---
Tags: rooting, superuser
---


title: New Samsung S4 reloading deleted emails

text:
# Question
Title: New Samsung S4 reloading deleted emails
I use verizon.net as my main email address. after reading emails on my Samsung S4 and deleting them several days later they reappear as new messages. How can I stop this from happening?

# Answer
Follow this video tutorial for the Galaxy S4 stock email app, and make sure you activate **Sync Email** option.

Maybe you'll have to remove and re-add your email account. Also you can try with other email account(s) you have, in order to discard an issue of Verizon's own mail servers.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-4, samsung
---


# Question
Title: The name "Alicia Han" appears to be calling!
I think there's a bug in Android where some *Alicia Han* appears to be calling. This happens *some times* if you hang up on someone calling you, or you have a missed call. The name appears in the instant before the correct name of the caller appears on the phone. To be specific: In the interim between the phone screen turns on and the content is loaded on the screen.

All relevant hits I get on the subject is this tweet. So I'm not crazy!

Have any of you seen this, and do you know what happens / who Alicia Han is? This has happened haphazardly since I got my HTC Sensation XE a year ago.

Edit: I think the problem might be that there is a standard Label text for a Person entry (such as the ones in the Persons list) that is set to 'Alicia Han' and the label text is replaced when the Person information is fully loaded.

Edit: The `bug` is reproducible (at least for me) by hanging up an incoming call. The name Alicia Han appears for a few milliseconds before the real name is loaded.

# Answer
> 2 votes
I've been looking for the answer to this question since I read it a year ago. I searched several times and I always find the same question in many forums, but no answers. The only certainty is that it is not a bug of Android as such because it only happens for users of the HTC brand, but I've never found anything productive that comes out of HTC staff in this regard. This question was asked over a year ago and still there is no answer, so I'd like to be the first to give an answer, even if it is a guess.

What I can conclude from the comments on this and other forums is that "Alicia Han" is a placeholder for contact name which the HTC developers put to be replaced for real contact data when you receive a call (in the same way this placeholder could be *"John Doe"* in English or "Fulano de Tal" in Spanish), although it seems feasible according to the comment of @qdoe (being HTC a Chinese corporation), I don't know how random can be that choice of name, it could be even a co-worker's name as suggesteded by @Propeller, or maybe it is only to sound less chinese, given that "Alice" is a western name.

The problem is that, likely due to a **bug** in programming such functionality, the placeholder is shown instead the real data when lockscreen is active, or when hanging up an incoming call. Probably by this time the bug has already been fixed, that's why HTC offers *free "repair"* of the phone, as happened to @Siebe.

---
Tags: missed-calls, htc-sensation-xe
---


title: Unable to move apps to the SD card

text:
# Question
Title: Unable to move apps to the SD card
I have certain apps, like Google Maps, on my phone which I am unable to move to my SD card from the internal memory. I tried moving it from the App management menu in Phone settings, but the move to SD card option isn't enabled. Is moving these apps going to affect the working of the device?

# Answer
> 0 votes
You are very ambiguous regarding which OS is in question. Judging from "Google Maps", I will assume it is an Android device.

**Case 1:** Factory apps which are pre-installed with your system can never be moved to the SD Card, as they are hard wired in the ROM. The only solution in that case is rooting the phone and replacing your ROM software. I will not explain rooting / ROM swapping here since it is an entire subject.

**Case 2:** Most apps installed from Play Store can be moved to the SD Card by navigating to:

**Settings \> Applications \> Manage Applications \> On SD card**

*(Android 2.3.6, menu may slightly vary on other versions)*

You will be able to check / uncheck the apps that you'd like to move to the SD Card. Most apps will allow you to move them, but some apps will not. Once again, rooting resolves this.

*Note:* Pre-installed apps which have been updated through Google Play Store behave like in case 2, because the updated version does not reside in the ROM.

---
Tags: applications, sd-card, app2sd
---


# Question
Title: Samsung Galaxy S2 upgraded to Ice Cream Sandwich now Bluetooth headphones won't pair
I have a Samsung Galaxy S2 which has just received the upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich (I'm on T Mobile in the UK if that matters).

I have a set of bluetooth headphones. They worked fine before the upgrade, they would be detected by the phone and would pair with it without my having to enter a PIN code.

Since the upgrade to ICS, they no longer work. When I turn on Bluetooth, the phone detects the headphones but won't pair with them. When I try to pair them I get an error message that there is an incorrect PIN entered or an unknown PIN.

I know what the PIN is (0000). The problem is, the phone doesn't give me an option anywhere I can see to actually input this to allow the phone to pair with the headphones.

Samsung have advised me to do a factory reset of the phone, which I've done, but the problem remains. ICS is still on the phone and I still have the above problem.

Can anyone help?

# Answer
> 1 votes
@Jules answered his own question:

> (...) There IS a pairing mode to put the headphones in the first time you use them with the phone. I assume I must have done that when I first got the phone, but I have no recollection of it at all! All working fine now, so many thanks.

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, samsung-galaxy-s-2, bluetooth, bluetooth-pairing
---


# Question
Title: Recover contacts from Galaxy S2 when saved to an email
If I saved my contacts to an email on my Samsung Galaxy S2, and my email account was deleted on my phone, is it possible to recover my contacts?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Only if your email was sync'ed before you deleted the account from your phone. Check from a PC in the email account you used has the message in "Sent" folder (or inbox if you sent to yourself).

---
Tags: contacts
---


# Question
Title: What Android parts do these terms describe?
Android users frequently use a lot of words with unclear meanings. In particular, they use these words a lot:

* **Framework** / **framework-res.apk**: What purpose does this structure serve?
* **Flashing**: What does this refer to?
* **ROM**: What does this refer to?
* **Firmware**: What does this refer to?
* **update.zip**: This is an update package replaces files on your filesystem. What parts of the system can **update.zip** change?
* **Kernel**: The kernels they talk about seem to persist across 'flashing' and 'resets' of the device.
* **Android Release**: When someone talks about Android 'KitKat,' or 'Gingerbread' or '4.2.2,' what parts of the whole system are they referring to?
* **Custom ROM**: What parts of the system do 'CyanogenMod' and other 'Custom ROMs' replace?
* **Titanium Backup**: What parts of the system does Titanium Backup back up?
* **Factory Reset**: If I wiped the internal storage (say, `dd if=/dev/null of=<storage device>`), what can it reset to!?

---

Here are some relevant terms that are publicly well-documented and known:

* **BIOS**. When the system is powered on the **BIOS** initializes and does sanity checks on the computer's hardware and peripherals. The **BIOS** is 'firmware' and exists outside of the computer's normal storage. Even if the system was started with no mass storage, the **BIOS** would still be there. The **BIOS** runs a piece of software in the system's storage called the **bootloader**.
* **Bootloader.** The **bootloader** uses and is itself a set of files on the filesystem, sometimes in the /boot directory. The **bootloader** (depending on the case) presents a list of options for how you want to proceed in starting the system.
* Each option (usually) corresponds to starting a **kernel** with specific **boot parameters**. The **kernel** is a binary contained in a package file called **vmlinuz** (or similar) that resides somewhere on the filesystem (like the /boot directory). The **kernel** creates abstractions between hardware and software, like the hardware interfaces, filesystem abstraction, processes and threads.
* Sometimes **vmlinuz** also contains some utilities that are put into folders like /sbin. Things that are in **vmlinuz** cannot be modified without repackaging a new **vmlinuz** file, and replacing the old one.
* The **kernel** loads **kernel modules** which do various things and are sometimes drivers. Some **kernel modules** are built into the **kernel**'s binary file and some are separate files on the filesystem, sometimes in the /usr/lib/modules directory.
* The **kernel** also starts a program called **init** which is in a location that is sometimes specified in the **boot parameters**. **init** mounts mass storage devices to directories and starts a bunch of programs. These programs are on the filesystem and usually have all their files in /usr. They are called the system's **userland**.
* In Android, there is a Java-like virtual machine called **Dalvik** which is started by **init**, which is what most programs run within.
* **Rooting**: Rooting a device allows users to grant themselves root permissions.
* To simplify managing all the software on the system, a system usually has a special program called the **package manager** which can manage, update and install sets of related files as \`packages' corresponding to individual development projects. Android's interface to its package manager is the `Application Manager` in settings. Applications are available for download via the Play Store
* **Home Folder**: Users have a directory in /home where all their files are stored (including local configuration settings for applications).
* **Recovery**: a separate userland which the bootloader launches that only does system related tasks. You get to it by restarting your device while doing a special dance with the buttons.

# Answer
* **Root:** As you understand, "root" in this context refers to the ability to grant a user the privileges of the root user. It's similar to installing `sudo` on a linux box (but Android root uses `su`, so there's that fundamental but small difference). We have a tag-wiki for it which has more information: .
* **Flashing:** In the world of embedded systems, mobile computers, microprocessor-based development, and other technologies that led to modern smartphones, to "flash" something is essentially to copy files to a device. The etymology goes deeper than that, and doesn't seem to have a specific single meaning, but in all practical terms, in the Android world, it's essentially a word that means "Replace system software" (But varies contextually).
* **Firmware:** Firmware is actually a word that, in its original meaning, doesn't seem to apply to Android. However, the word has come to be synonymous with the Android OS when used in this context.
* **OS:** This won't be any different from the term in other computing-related contexts. Android itself is an Operating System - and many other things. (For example, it's also a development platform, etc).
* **Bootloader:** The bootloader standard used for ARM Embedded systems (like most modern smartphones) is indeed quite different from what we're used to on X86 and X86-64. Speaking in a practical sense, the bootloaders used on Android phones have the same job as `grub` or `syslinux`, they just work differently.
* **Recovery:** Many Android devices come with support for a separate extremely basic piece of software, which is called "Recovery". It generally includes its own kernel, separate from the kernel Android runs on, and is limited in functionality. It is used to write to system partitions in order to perform actions like changing/updating the kernel, Android OS, or other modifications that can't be done while the Android system is in memory.
* **update.zip:** OS version updates, patches, and many more things are often saved to a file called "update.zip". When Recovery Mode is started (booting to Recovery), it can be set to automatically load this file and install whatever it contains.
* **Kernel:** The kernel used in Android is the Linux Kernel - Version 3.4 for most modern devices.
* **CyanogenMod:** Cyanogenmod is a fork of Android which purports to maintain the "true" Android Experience. It is actively developed and supports many devices.
* **Titanium Backup:** This is an app, available in the Play Store, which backs up applications and application data. It can, of course, also restore apps and data. It requires root access in order to do this.
* **Factory Reset:** When performing a factory reset, the device does not erase the main filesystem. It restores it to a "factory" state - removing user settings, applications, root, call history, etc. You'll want to check the tag-wiki for for more information here.
> 6 votes

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Tags: rom-flashing, custom-roms, rom, system
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title: Application for randomly deleting files

text:
# Question
Title: Application for randomly deleting files
I like to listen to my music randomly, so I have an application on PC that can upload random part of my music collection to my Android phone.

But sometimes I run out of space while not near the PC, so I would like to delete a random part of the uploaded music. Is there an app for that?

In other words, I'd like to have an app where I can select a folder, tell it how much to delete and it randomly delete files from that folder until it reaches the limit I specified.

# Answer
Assuming you have Windows Media Player, you should be able to do this pretty easily.

In Windows Media Player, click on the "Playlists" selection. Then select "Create Auto Playlist". Click on "Click here to add criteria" under any of the music libraries you see there. A list with a scroll bar will appear. At the bottom of the scroll selection, there should be an item called "more...". Click "more". Next, a new list will appear, and on it will be an item called "Randomize Playback Order". Click that. Then you will be brought back to the previous window. Now click "Click here to add criteria" again. Click "more" again. This time select "Limit total size to". Type in the total size you want. Say, 4GB or so? And lastly, save your playlist.

At this point you can edit your playlist manually if you want.

Now that you have a playlist created, save it and then click "Sync" to sync it to a portable device. Follow the instructions. I usually manually remove the files first using the Android file browser. But Windows Media Player should handle that automatically if you do the "auto sync" feature. I'm not sure if it just deletes everything first on the Android device or whether it just deletes enough to free up space. I think it's probably the former, not the latter.

Hope that helps.
> 1 votes

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Tags: applications, internal-storage, delete
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title: MHL connection not working properly

text:
# Question
Title: MHL connection not working properly
I just bought an MHL adapter for my Nexus 4. I have connected the adapter with a HDMI cable to the TV, plugged the microUSB into my phone and provided power on the other microUSB input as I should.

The TV showed an error message:

> Check signal cable +some small text about possible power and source problems

If I unplugged the power from the adapter, or disconnected the HDMI cable, it said:

> No Signal

So I think I was on the right source. I tried a different HDMI cable, another HDMI port on the TV, and another phone (Samsung S4), but the TV still showed the error message. It seems to me the phone did not give a signal through the microUSB port. Is there something I should turn on?

# Answer
As András' comment says, the Nexus 4 uses Slimport not MHL. I use this Slimport adaptor to connect my N4 to a TV.
> 1 votes

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Tags: nexus-4, mhl
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title: Deleting messages in WhatsApp

text:
# Question
Title: Deleting messages in WhatsApp
I had a lot of private and group conversations over a year through WhatsApp, but all of a sudden the space it takes seems to be on a high. I was able to delete private messages by long-pressing the person's file and deleting the entire conversation, but when I long-press the group chats, I didn't quite find an option to delete the conversation all at once.

Is there any way to delete private messages all at once rather than doing them individually?

# Answer
Go to WhatsApp settings\> Chat Settings\> Delete All conversations
> 1 votes

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Tags: whatsapp-messenger
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