# Question
Title: How to back up user data from recovery mode?
My micromax canvas nitro A311 is stuck in boot loop.I have tried to solve the boot loop problem but couldn't succeed.The only solution seems to me is to format my phone.I am able to go to the recovery mode.It shows the following options:-

1. reboot system now
2. apply update from ADB
3. apply update from sdcard
4. apply update from cache
5. wipe data/factory reset
6. wipe cache partition
7. backup user data
8. restore user data

When i select the "backup user data" option ,it shows "SD card did not have enough free space".It is reading my internal sdcard but not the external one.Is there any way I can back up data on an external sdcard or on my PC?My android phone is rooted.

# Answer
With the option for update via ADB, you can likely use ADB commands while the phone is in recovery and connected to a computer.

1. First, you will need the ADB files: found here
2. Unzip the contents to the computer. I recommend root of drive i.e. `C:\adb`
3. Next, you will need USB drivers to connect the phone to the computer and be able to execute commands: found here
4. Install drivers via usual Windows methods
5. Go to the folder where you extracted ADB files
6. Hold the Left Shift key and right-click mouse
7. Select "Open command window here"
8. Connect the phone to the computer and boot to recovery. Test connect:

```
adb devices

```
9. You should get the output for the server starting and a line showing the phone's serial number if the connection is possible
10. Providing all is well:

```
adb pull /sdcard/.

```

This should pull all contents on the internal SD card to the current directory

This will NOT retrieve data stored elsewhere such as phone logs or text messages or contacts. Unfortunately, those will be lost without the option to recover from the boot loop. It will only recover data saved on the data partition in phones, such as photos, music, and other misc info saved by apps.
11. Try wipe cache partition to see if that gets past boot loop. The only option I can think of. Or simply flash a custom recovery like TWRP that allows access to an external SD card: https://forum.xda-developers.com/a310/orig-development/twrp-recovery-micromax-canvas-nitro-a311-t3066387
> 1 votes

# Answer
You can backup and restore with TWRP via:

```
adb backup --twrp

adb restore --twrp

```

Source: https://nerdschalk.com/twrp-backup-pc-adb/
> 0 votes

---
Tags: backup, recovery-mode, boot-loop, data-recovery
---


# Question
Title: WiFi stopped working (dhcpd times out) after enabling device encryption
On my Samsung Galaxy Nexus running AOKP 4.2 JellyBean, WiFi has worked without issue before on this exact same hotspot, and it is currently working for other devices, so I'm assuming the error is in the phone. After trying another hotspot, I could see that the WiFi is definitely dead. But after enabling encryption on my device, it gets stuck in a loop. It detects the actual network, but it goes like this:

Saved with X authentication \> Authenticating\> Obtaining IP address \> (Repeat)

I also tried deleting the network and adding it again without success, thinking it had something to do with the cached WPA key.

Is there anything I can do to troubleshoot before I just wipe and reinstall? Is this some kind of known issue?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Might be some interoperability issue with a particular hotspot. If it is a DHCP time-out, you can try assigning a manual IP address to the particular network.

Or if it is a rooted device, you can try the below command inside `adb shell`:

```
dhcpcd wlan0

```

# Answer
> 0 votes
From the 4th revision of the OP's question,

> Re-locked and unlocked bootloader, flashed recovery via Galaxy Nexus Toolkit and pushed a new AOKP via ADB, installed it and everything is working fine now. No idea what caused it, but I'm pretty sure the full device encryption screwed something up. However, since CWM doesn't even support full device encryption, it feels like a bug relating to it is kind of low priority since people shouldn't encrypt their devices with customs ROMs anyway and expect a smooth ride.

---
Tags: wi-fi, samsung-galaxy-nexus, 4.2-jelly-bean, encryption, aokp
---


title: My Music Won't Appear on my OnePlus One

text:
# Question
Title: My Music Won't Appear on my OnePlus One
On my OnePlus One, which is currently running Android version 5.1.1 and Cyanogen OS version 12.1, isn't finding music on my device. I got the music onto my phone with my Chromebook, a HP 14, and simply moving the files to my phones "Music" folder. Once disconnected from my laptop, the music won't appear in the "Play Music" app. I know the files are on my phone, since they appear when I look in my file manager.

I've tried hitting the "refresh" button on both the music app and file manager, in addition to clearing the cache on both the applications. I've also rebooted my phone numerous times, and tried using a SD re-scanner with no avail.

This problem has happened on my phone before, and I solved it by clearing all the music data and putting it all back on my device. Still, I would really prefer not to do this, since it is kind of a pain.

Thank you so much!

# Answer
> 0 votes
An Android Central thread discusses this issue and has several things to try:

1. Force stop Google Play Music and clear its data before reopening it. This may lose some data such as playlists but hopefully not the music itself.
2. Uninstall and reinstall all the updates to Google Play Music.
3. Ensure that the folder that the music is stored in or any parent folders don't have .nomedia files in them. You may need to enable hidden files in your file manager to see these files.

Unfortunately, some of these solutions seem temporary but it may be worth a try.

# Answer
> 0 votes
From OP's (now deleted) comment,

> In the end, I didn't need to replace all my music. I merely connected my phone via USB cord to my laptop and browsed through my music files. I think that it rescanned my files, and the songs reappeared on the device.

---
Tags: music
---


# Question
Title: Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro (Begonia) stuck in a boot loop
Today, after trying to go back from RevengeOS to MIUI, I used TWRP to wipe System, Data, Internal Storage, Vendor, and Dalvik/ART + cache, then flashed stock MIUI, forgetting that it has problems, and it needs to be flashed through PC with those 6GB stock images.

So I'm stuck in a boot loop. Nothing special except for the fact that when I try to connect the phone to the laptop and reflash the correct thing through fastboot, the phone is not visible to fastboot (waiting for any device), and the laptop itself is making a constant USB-disconnect sound around 10-15 seconds repeatedly.

Is there any way to fix this without having to send it to the repair services, or throwing away the phone? I am unable to boot into recovery with Power + Vol+, nor use the fastboot, nor boot into the system and use adc from there (obviously).

Sometimes it goes from fastboot to boot looping again on itself but 1 time it seemed to die, so I waited for an hour, and then tried. Nothing changed. Everything about SDK tools is fine on my PC, as I am not a newbie in flashing - given that I have been doing that for around 3 years now.

# Answer
> 0 votes
From the 2nd revision of OP's question,

> Fixed by downloading second latest miflash version (the last one that needs to be installed, not just unzipped) stopped the disconnecting, and allowed to use flash\_all.bat (I'm confused)

---
Tags: root-access, fastboot, unbricking, miui
---


# Question
Title: Lower the minimum brightness without third party apps
My default lowest brightness value is around `33`. I can't go lower than that from the brightness slider. `33` is too bright for me. I want to take it even lower near `15`. Although I can lower it to `15` by modifying the `brightness` file located in `sys/class/backlight/` it is temporary. So I want an permanent solution like changing some values here and there. I don't want to use an third party app as they're inconvenient and create issues oftentimes.

I'm using Pocophone with a custom ROM Android 11. And I have Root access with Magisk 24. So I can do pretty much anything.

# Answer
A Magisk module BrightHack OP7T would help you.

> A simple Magisk module for lowering the minimum brightness

I'm assuming you know the basics.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: root-access, xiaomi, screen-brightness
---


# Question
Title: there is a built-in feature that limits apps from background processing, where is it?
So one night I got crazy and installed tons of apps that have background processing on my galaxy tab 8.0, they were draining its battery really fast. Android itself suggested to limit some of them to improve my battery life on the notifications tab, I tapped on that notification and limited some of them.

Now 2 weeks later I've found that my individual alarm app that I use doesn't ring anymore, I need to get access to that limiting feature again to see if I have limited my alarm app or not, but I don't seem to find it anywhere in the settings. Googling doesn't help either because it only finds those articles that are advertising some background process limiting app indirectly.

I know uninstalling and reinstalling my alarm app or some other usual routines can fix the problem, but I need to know what exactly is causing its alarms to not go off to prevent it in the future, I can lose my job if I oversleep again.

Update : I've found out that it's a Samsung feature called "App optimisation", I'm guessing tab 8.0 isn't supposed to have that feature, so they have removed its shortcut from the settings, but not the actual feature from the os, and they forgot to disable the notification alert whenever there are a lot of apps with background processing, so that's why I had access to this feature earlier. Now my question is, are there any other ways to access "app optimisation" other than through settings under the battery tab? Because it's not there for me.

Update #2:It alerted me again so I took a screenshot before closing it.I haven't found any other way to get access to this feature yet.

# Answer
This is an option under Developer Options. To enable it:

1. *Settings*
2. *About Device* (may be under *More* tab)
3. Tap the *Build Number* 7 times

Once enabled, you can find Developer Options in Settings. If you scroll down near the bottom there should be an option for *Limit Background Processes*. Usually, there is no limit, but this might be your answer.
> 0 votes

# Answer
I have Android 10 now, and when my battery & data was being eaten up faster, I googled what to do about it & this is what worked. ( It works also for abndroid 9, however not certain about previous versions)

1. You must turn off phone optimisation... ie. just dont use it because each time it resets apps. First go to settings & type in "adaptive battery: there you will find you can open your list of all apps including system apps by clicking on the 3 dots to the right. There you can turn off backround for every app, except "phone" & " messages" isnt an option. ( Cannot be turned off). There, under adaptive battery, you will also find an option for "power saving exclusions";
2. You will see "Battery Saver"; turn it off if it is on.
3. You will see " Power Saving Exclusions: open it & DO NOT turn any on to exclude ( yes, seems strange!) You will notice some apps in the list are turned on and whited out, which means theh are necessary to run the phone. ... (The problem with using " battery optimization" or " exclusion" is that it automatically resets all apps back to using background data.) Now, over time, some apps wont work correctly, and I found I had to turn "on" background data because it is used for that app. P. S. I used to go the way of " developer options" and it messed up every time. However, it may help for previous android editions. The second way on Android 9 & 10 at least is to got settings and open up each app... there, click on " data usage, turn off "background data". Then click on "battery usage, and turn ON "restrict data in the background".

* Note... whenever you have to reset network settings for any reason, these background settings reset, so you do have to check adaptive battery settings. This is the same reason I was given and found true, that using " battery optimization isnt good: it resets background settings!! * Also note to check these settings when installing new apps. I often forget! Thanks for listening. HOPE IT HELPS!!
> 0 votes

---
Tags: applications, background-process, optimization
---


# Question
Title: Where in the Play Store can I see reaction from an app developer
I recently sent private feedback to the developers of *Microsoft Launcher (Beta)*, using the app's Feedback option (Options \> Help and Feedback \> Send feedback).

Now, a few days later, I got a notification from the Play Store that the developer responded, but I can't find the response anywhere. What I do see is this:

* Open Play Store
* Click on my profile picture, and select *Offers and Notifications*
* Select the *Notifications* tab. There's one entry that says: *Reaction from the developer on your review: View the response, and update your review for Microsoft Launcher*:
* Clicking on this entry opens the app's information page in the Play Store, but not my message, nor the developer's response.

Where can I find the developer's response? It seems to be integrated in Play Store?

This old question suggests that an email is sent, but I can't find anything (not in the spam folder either)

If it makes a difference, this is an old phone with Android 8.1

# Answer
I found my own answer already. When using a newer phone with Android 11, I do see my own feedback *and* the developer's response.

Not even having Microsoft Launcher installed on that phone, I can search the Play Store for it, and on the app's information page (2nd screenshot in my question) I see the information I was looking for.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: google-play-store, feedback
---


# Question
Title: How can I open the power menu in Android without pressing the power button?
The power button on my Android phone is dodgy and doesn't always work. I think it's on its last legs so I want to avoid pressing it if possible to extend its lifespan!

I know nothing about coding or how Android works. But I was wondering if it is possible to send the button press event to the system using this sort of code somehow: KeyEvent#KEYCODE\_POWER.

Is there a way I can open the power menu via the screen only? Is there something I can type into a terminal (how do you get a terminal in Android?) that would open the power menu?

# Answer
> 2 votes
1. Go to Settings -\> Accessibility -\> Set Accessibility Menu to On.
2. Press the Accessibility Menu icon, you should see among the icons, one dedicated to Power.
3. Press it to show the Power menu.

---
Tags: automation, terminal, power-options
---


title: ADB - bypass lock screen

text:
# Question
Title: ADB - bypass lock screen
I am using Lineageos 17.1 on the FP3 (the phone is not rooted).

I do know my screen pattern code (it is a 6x6 pattern), but I am not able to enter it correctly, because I disabled that the pattern is shown and that the sequence is visible.

In the recovery mode I can enable adb and I tried to delete the file

```
adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key

```

which worked in the past, but now this file does not exist anymore on Lineageos 17.1. ADB unfortunately does not work when the screen is locked.

Is there another way to bypass the screen pattern? Doing a factory reset is the last option I want to do. Making the pattern visible should be enough in principle.

# Answer
> 2 votes
I've had success removing a lock screen with the following sequence of commands:

```
adb shell settings put secure lockscreen.disabled 1
adb shell mv /data/system/locksettings.db /data/system/locksettings.db.old
adb reboot

```

Following the device restarting, the lock screen should be gone, with the device booting directly to the home screen.

---
Tags: adb, security, lock-screens, lineageos, pattern-lock
---


# Question
Title: How can I transfer files between this phone and my laptop?
I connect my Moto G Pure phone to my laptop (running NixOS) using the charging cable of the phone, with the phone turned on and with it turned off. In both cases, the phone doesn't show up in the output of `lsblk` in my laptop, so I can't `mount` it. (In contrast, when I connect another Kyocera Android phone to my laptop, it is shown up in `lsblk` output.) How can I transfer files between the phone and my laptop, using USB connection?

When the phone is on, upon connecting it to my laptop, the phone notifies me "USB debugging connected: Tap to turn off USB debugging", and when I tap the notification, it says "Please enable developer options first". What does the phone mean by the two messages, and how shall I follow them?

Thanks.

---

Update:

I run SimpleSSHD app on the phone and connect to it from my laptop. I wonder where I can find the "Download" directory? It seems that I can only access directories and files within the working directory for SimpleSSHD.

```
$ ssh -p 2222 192.168.1.53
The authenticity of host '[192.168.1.53]:2222 ([192.168.1.53]:2222)' can't be established.
ED25519 key fingerprint is SHA256:/DnSdeb9tCgbi2sUD2M57HgZc8R0IDvRs8mWCG7ou/A.
This key is not known by any other names
Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no/[fingerprint])? yes
Warning: Permanently added '[192.168.1.53]:2222' (ED25519) to the list of known hosts.
t@192.168.1.53's password:
:/data/user/0/org.galexander.sshd/files $ ls
dropbear.err  dropbear.pid  dropbear_ed25519_host_key
:/data/user/0/org.galexander.sshd/files $ cd ../
:/data/user/0/org.galexander.sshd $ cd ..
:/data/user/0 $ cd ..
:/data/user $ ls
ls: .: Permission denied
1|:/data/user $ sudo ls
sh: sudo: inaccessible or not found
127|:/data/user $ cd ..
:/data $ ls
ls: .: Permission denied
1|:/data $ ls /
ls: /: Permission denied
1|:/data $ su root
sh: su: inaccessible or not found
127|:/data $ cd user
:/data/user $ ls
ls: .: Permission denied
1|:/data/user $ cd 0
:/data/user/0 $ ls
ls: .: Permission denied
1|:/data/user/0 $ cd org.gal*
sh: cd: /data/user/0/org.gal*: No such file or directory
2|:/data/user/0 $ cd org.galexander.sshd                                                       :/data/user/0/org.galexander.sshd $ ls
cache  code_cache  files  lib  shared_prefs
:/data/user/0/org.galexander.sshd $ ls *
cache:

code_cache:

files:
dropbear.err  dropbear.pid  dropbear_ed25519_host_key

lib:
libbuffersu.so  librsync.so  libscp.so  libsftp-server.so  libsimplesshd-jni.so

shared_prefs:
org.galexander.sshd_preferences.xml

```

---

I also have permission problem to access the working directory of the sshd app using a terminal emulator on the phone

```
:/ $ cd /data/user/0/org.galexander.sshd/files
/system/bin/sh: cd: /data/user/0/org.galexander.sshd/files: Permission denied
2|:/ $ cd /data
:/data $ cd user
:/data/user $ ls
ls: .: Permission denied
1|:/data/user $ cd 0
:/data/user/0 $ ls
ls: .: Permission denied
1|:/data/user/0 $ cd org.galexander.sshd
/system/bin/sh: cd: /data/user/0/org.galexander.sshd: Permission denied
2|:/data/user/0 $

```

# Answer
This is an answer to the Title (problem X), not the Body (problem Y), of the question.

You might consider installing SSHelper on your device. This allows the usual `scp` and `rsync` commands to work, as well as providing a handy `ssh` console session.

It also allows you to do it all via wi-fi, without the physical USB connection.

See How to rsync to android - Ask Ubuntu.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: usb, linux, file-transfer
---


# Question
Title: How to periodically switch on and switch off flashlight with 1kHz rate on rooted Redmi Note 5 Oro?
My objective is to write a shell script to periodically turn off and on my phone's flashlight (about 1 kHz or 500Hz). My phone is rooted. So I gained superuser shell access (#)

These are the files under my `sys/class/leds/flashlight`

```
whyred:/sys/class/leds/flashlight # ls
brightness device max_brightness power subsystem trigger uevent

```

(Original screenshot of the terminal)

I was able to modify the content of the `brightness` file and was able to manually switch off and on my flashlight. However, I want to periodically switch on and off with a delay and for that, I need a timer trigger. But within the `trigger` file above, there is no delay section indicated. There was just some contents within the file (no numbers)

```
whyred:/sys/class/leds/flashlight # cat trigger
[none] bkl-trigger switch0_trigger flash0_trigger flash1_trigger torch0_trigger torch1_trigger switch1_trigger flash2_trigger torch2_trigger dc-online usb-online main-online pc_port-online battery-charging-or-full battery-charging battery-full battery-charging-blink-full-solid rfkill0 mmc0 mmc1 bms-online parallel-online rfkill1

```

(Original screenshot of the terminal)

I was able to clock into a period of about 1-3ms by writing a bash script, that echoes brightness 100 followed by sleep and then echoes 0 brightness

Script:

```
while [ 1 le 100]
do
echo "100" > ~/sys/class/leds/brightness
sleep(0.001)
echo "100" > ~/sys/class/leds/brightness)
sleep(0.001)
done  # end

```

But I want at least a 1 kHz frequency, so a timer is the one, sleep function is not advisable.

How can I about attaining my objective?

# Answer
There is Termux and Termux:API.

Termux:

> Android terminal emulator and Linux environment application that works directly with no rooting or setup required. A minimal base system is installed automatically, additional packages are available using the package manager.

Termux:API:

> This addon exposes device functionality as API to command line programs in Termux.

Install both of them from the F-droid website.

Then open up Termux and run `pkg install termux-api nano`

Make a shell script with `nano` using `nano torch.sh`

Use `termux-torch on` and `termux-torch off` to switch on and off the torch.

Also make other edits to fulfill your needs. If you want to do it periodically, use a while loop.

Save and exit the file with Ctrl + X, then type "Y" and enter.

Run `cat torch.sh` to make sure the shell script is edited successfully.

Make sure the shell script is executable by running `chmod +x torch.sh`

Finally, run `./torch.sh`

P.S. You don't even need root to do that lol
> 0 votes

---
Tags: automation, scripts, flashlight
---


# Question
Title: Where is the folder that Termux defaults to?
The Termux app is a terminal emulator. If I create a file or a folder there, and then use another file explorer app to browse my device, where can I find these files?

# Answer
> 70 votes
You don't need to root your device. All you need to do is run the following command on a non-rooted (or rooted) device to allow termux to access your existing directories, particularly `/storage/emulated/0`:

```
termux-setup-storage

```

this creates a new directory in termux, `~/storage`, which contains simlinks to `/storage/emulated/0` and can be accessed by a standard gui file manager.

You will need to grant file access to termux when prompted after you run the command.

See here.

# Answer
> 10 votes
The default directory is: `/data/data/com.termux/files/home`.

Since Termux supports bash commands, user can run `pwd` to print current working directory.

Note: `pwd` is an acronym of **p**rint **w**orking **d**irectory.

---

Reference: Unix.SE - How to get current working directory?

# Answer
> 8 votes
Provided that you don't want to root your phone, it is possible to change permission for Termux (Settings-\>Applications-\>Termux-\>Permissions) and enable the Storage permission.

This way you are granted access to phone and sdcard storage and you can use it as superuser (mv, ls and other commands work as intended) in the application.

So, you can move or copy the files you need into internal storage.

# Answer
> 3 votes
You can query the `$HOME` variable to find the "default folder" regardless of the terminal app you're using:

```
$ echo $HOME
/data/data/com.termux/files/home

```

# Answer
> 3 votes
You can access the files inside the termux folder by simply doing this. (Without using any third-party app/rooting your device)

Step 1: Go to Downloads on your Device

Step 2: Go to the Appbar

Step 3: Scroll down till you find Termux

Step 4: Click on Termux and you can see your files

# Answer
> 3 votes
Termux has its default directory that's inaccessible to newbies. To verify this, on the CLI, type

```
$ pwd

```

and `data/data/com.termux/files/home` should appear.

To be able to manipulate your Android directory from Termux, on your Android device, go to Settings - Apps - Termux - Permissions - tap "Storage" on.

Now on the CLI, in Termux, type

```
$ cd /storage/emulated/0
$ pwd

```

and `/storage/emulated/0` should appear.

You can as well create a new file in your local storage, type

```
$ echo hello world > MyFirstTermuxFile.txt

```

That's it. You can now play with your local device storage.

# Answer
> 1 votes
You can touch it on `data/data/com.termux/files/home`. That's the default main directory of Termux.

It's impossible to find the file that you've created on Termux main directory as I mentioned above on your phone because it's not rooted on any device.

It works as sort of a server. By thereon `data/data/com.texmux/files/home`, which is the default main directory of Termux, you can already browse files, create files, manipulating them the same sort you're using your file manager

# Answer
> 1 votes
You can view it easily with Material file manager. https://www.learntermux.tech/2020/10/Termux-File-Manager.html Here is a guide I found useful to me.

---
Tags: applications, storage, termux
---


# Question
Title: How do I get from a Google AMP page to that actual webpage in Chrome?
I don't want to disable AMP completely, but if I'm on an AMP page sometimes I want to get to the original webpage. There used to be a link to get there but that seems to be gone now. How do I get to the original web page?

# Answer
* Some AMP pages show the link to go the original source (example) , while others don't. I am not sure why this happens.
* I couldn't find any flags (`chrome://flags/`) that forces AMP pages to show the link (on a PC, this seems to do the trick) . But Chrome in *desktop* worked for me :

+ If the AMP page appears in a Google search, changing to desktop mode removes the AMP pages as you can see by the missing lightning bolt icons that represent AMP pages. See this search in mobile and desktop modes.
    + If you are already on the AMP page change it to desktop mode. You can test with the link in first bullet point.

I read about this in some blog, which I can't find now to link. It attributed to desktop mode overriding AMP, since AMP is basically for mobile version (Accelerated *Mobile* Page).
> 1 votes

# Answer
Click on this link icon to get to the original webpage:
> 1 votes

---
Tags: chrome-for-android
---


# Question
Title: flash tool for Huawei HiSilicon hi6250 Kirin 650 (locked)
Unable to access my phone after a factory reset, because the Gboard doesn't work and I can't type my email and such, I've tried every possible solution I could find to no avail is there a flash tool for Huawei HiSilicon hi6250 Kirin 650 I could use?

some info : fastboot mode **says** "Phone Unlocked" and "FRP LOCK" and
*fastboot boot twrp.img* **says** *FAILED (remote: Command not allowed)* and **Device model is VNS-L31** (Huawei p9 Lite)

past post with some information I can't access my phone after a factory reset, because the Gboard doesn't work!

# Answer
> 0 votes
not a sufficient answer but based on comments the best option so far is flashing via test point method in VCOM\_DOWNLOAD mode.

I leave link only here in good faith that xda-developers never takes it offline

https://www.xda-developers.com/huawei-honor-bootloader-unlock-potatonv

---
Tags: fastboot, huawei, gboard
---


title: Chat between two Android smartphones

text:
# Question
Title: Chat between two Android smartphones
Suppose two people are on a plane, a few meters apart, with Android smartphones without internet access, and would like to communicate by text messages and if possible also by audio call, using Wifi or Bluetooth (both allowed on this plane).

How can this be achieved?

So far I have only been able to think of very complicated solutions, like using XMPP clients on the two phones, or Mumble clients on the two phones, setting up an XMPP server or a Mumble server on one of the phones, and communicating by Wifi, the main problem being that I haven't been able to find any XMPP or Mumble server for Android, so the only way out I have devised would be to install a Linux distro on one of the Android phones and inside of it, a standard XMPP or Mumble server. This is very heavy. Surely there must be easier solutions. Many thanks in advance.

# Answer
I finally found, used and enjoyed Briar, which exactly did the job for text messages and pictures (communicates over wifi or over bluetooth, in p2p fashion), though not for audio or video messages or calls.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: chat
---


title: DNS over internal VPN?

text:
# Question
Title: DNS over internal VPN?
I'm currently renting a server where I installed PiHole and PiVPN. PiHole is a DNS sinkhole that I use for blocking ads, and the PiVPN allows all my devices thanks to OpenVPN to get all my traffic through a personal VPN to reach my PiHole.

On PC it's great, even for laptops, because battery life is enough to support the "keepalive packets" that allow OpenVPN to stay connected to my server even if I'm not using the internet directly.

However, on Android, it's the main problem, since I'm using a VPN 24/7, and my battery is melting like snow in the sun. So the question is the following: How can I set up an internal VPN that redirects DNS queries to my PiHole (my server got an IP address that corresponds to my personal DNS-PiHole)?

I know some applications can work like "that", like AdAway (for non-root smartphones) or NetGuard.

I'm by the way rooted, and already using AdAway which is making the job, but it's more for technical challenge battery management.

# Answer
From the OP's (now deleted) comment (with copyedit),

> I finally find what I need, "DNS Change" or "DNS Override" are making the job. My problem is solved I guess, even if I don't like using apps which aren't open source.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: battery-life, 9.0-pie, vpn, dns
---


title: Facebook whitehat settings

text:
# Question
Title: Facebook whitehat settings
I am trying to enable Facebook whitehat to test the Facebook Android app. I went here:

https://facebook.com/whitehat/researcher-settings

I click "Enable the Whitehat Settings menu for your Facebook account". Then I click "Facebook Lite for Android". Then I go here:

https://facebook.com/whitehat/researcher-settings/help

Under "Enable setting from Facebook on Android", it says go to the "Bookmark menu". I don't know what that is, so I just click on the menu button on the top right corner. Then I click Settings, then Privacy. On the next screen, I don't see anything for Whitehat.

# Answer
It seems the "Whitehat settings" option does not show up immediately, but after about one day upon enabling the option.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: settings, privacy, facebook, menu
---


# Question
Title: How to fix Kali NetHunter app crashing every time?
Kali NetHunter app is crashing on a *rooted* Android. Root installed with **Magisk** and Kali NetHunter installed with **nethunter-generic-arm64**.

Phone details: Redmi Note 11 (MIUI 13 - Android version 11)

I'm opening the NetHunter app - it opens for first time - takes **location** & **storage permission** \- it *exits* (**closes app**) *automatically* \- till here is fine, everything goes as per many tutorials show - then after reopening, it **asks for root permission** \- *after giving root permission it **again closes*** \- then for the last time when we open the **Kali NetHunter App** *(latest version - tested with both the APKs - one which gets per-installed while installing from Magisk and generic zip file *&* one downloaded and installed from NetHunter store)* \- it shows black screen and then exits after few seconds.

Someone have solution for this?

Here is a issue related to it, that I can relate or is same as mine a bit: Gitlab issues

(another issue - not so relatable but could help : not so helpful issue)

***Update***
OLD version (specifically v2019.1, Github repo) the NetHunter app is working - means not crashing (but not able to download chroot- says some Javax...SSl... error) - I haven't got any version from 2020 but after v2021.4 nothing is working.

**Download Log**

# Answer
> 0 votes
The issue was of permissions - to solve the issue, run the following commands in **AndroidSU**

```
pm grant com.offsec.nethunter android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION

pm grant com.offsec.nethunter android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION

pm grant com.offsec.nethunter android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE

pm grant com.offsec.nethunter android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE

pm grant com.offsec.nethunter com.offsec.nhterm.permission.RUN_SCRIPT

pm grant com.offsec.nethunter com.offsec.nhterm.permission.RUN_SCRIPT_SU

pm grant com.offsec.nethunter com.offsec.nhterm.permission.RUN_SCRIPT_NH

pm grant com.offsec.nethunter com.offsec.nhterm.permission.RUN_SCRIPT_NH_LOGIN

```

*The above commands are given by developer of NetHunter App, @yesimxev. You can check the discussion on GitLab.*

You can also check this video, Gdrive link, to see what was the problem.

---
Tags: applications, root-access, stock-android, crashes, magisk
---


# Question
Title: What is meant by "proportional" and "smearing" in batterystats
I want to analyze battery consumption of an app and ran:

```
> adb shell dumpsys batterystats > dump.txt

```

Within the filedump I found the section I am interested in:

```
  Estimated power use (mAh):
    Capacity: 3020, Typical: 3100, Computed drain: 1395, actual drain: 1510-1570
    Screen: 770 Excluded from smearing
    Uid u0a387: 364 ( wake=5.23 radio=0.0425 wifi=4.51 gps=349 sensor=4.88 ) Including smearing: 402 ( proportional=38.6 )
    Cell standby: 128 ( radio=128 ) Excluded from smearing
    Unaccounted: 115 ( ) Including smearing: 0 ( ) Excluded from smearing
    Uid u0a382: 40.6 ( wake=5.00 radio=1.40 wifi=34.2 ) Including smearing: 801 ( screen=684 proportional=76.9 )
    Idle: 27.4 Excluded from smearing
    Uid u0a83: 17.7 ( wake=0.240 radio=0.202 wifi=5.84 gps=2.33 sensor=9.06 ) Including smearing: 19.6 ( proportional=1.88 )
    Wifi: 10.0 ( wifi=10.0 ) Including smearing: 11.1 ( proportional=1.07 )
    ...

```

Each line contains info on "smearing", and if smearing is included part of this seems to be something called "proportional". These terms are not explained at all in the documentation.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Thanks to @Andrew.T for pointing out the source code:

* Smearing: Battery consumption which is shared with other components/processes is spread among apps. IFAIU there are two categories: "screen" and "proportional":
    + Screen: Smeared power from screen usage. Screen usage power is split and smeared among apps, based on activity time.
    + Proportional: Smeared power using proportional method. Power usage from hidden sippers is smeared to all apps proportionally (except for screen usage).

A "hidden sipper" is a source of battery usage which is one of IDLE, CELL, SCREEN, AMBIENT\_DISPLAY, UNACCOUNTED, OVERCOUNTED or if it is a service or system app.

Proportional is then computed according to the following:

proportional power = hidden power * app power ratio

where "hidden power" is the power usage by hidden components(sippers), app power ratio the estimated power usage of a non-hidden sipper compared to the overall non-hidden sipper power usage.

---
Tags: adb, battery, battery-history, dumpsys
---


# Question
Title: Android-x86 not streaming videos in apps
I have installed Android for PC from android-x86.org. The Android version is Pie. It is working fine, but videos are not being streamed. YouTube is working fine when opened in Chrome but no app is streaming the videos.

Android native libraries are also downloaded using settings. The OS is connected to VirtWiFi and LAN and even the YouTube ads also work in the YouTube app but only audio, no video.

Is there a different network route for Chrome and for apps? I can build a custom Android app also to troubleshoot the issue but not sure what to start from?

# Answer
I solved it by disabling the FFmpeg codec in the preferences.

Weird, but it fixed the issue when I was using an old HP Probook 4520s with integrated graphics.
> 1 votes

# Answer
I was using my old 1st gen i7 HP PC (and its iGPU).

What I have done in order to fix this is to install an old AMD card (because Nvidia cards aren't supported), and now it works.

EDIT: This was happening because the iGPU dodn't support HW video decoding, and so it failed and required the external AMD gpu
> 0 votes

---
Tags: applications, video, youtube, android-x86
---


title: Editing partition image

text:
# Question
Title: Editing partition image
My Samsung phone lost its IMEI number. As far as i know it stored in /efs/sec\_efs/SVC és !SVC files.

These files cannot be edited during running. My idea is that i "dd"-ed the efs partition to an image file, then i would edit these two text files, then restore the efs partition from the image with ODIN (It's similar to fastboot mode on other brands).

How can i edit the partition image file?

1. I wanted to mount the image file on the phone with ADB as a normal writeable partition, then edit the SVC files. But how can i mount it?
2. Mount the image file on Windows like CD/DVD/etc image files, then edit the text files. But how can i mount or edit the image file? Is there a working application for this?
3. There are lots of IMEI editor apps, but i can not trust these random apps from the net.
4. Any other idea to restore the IMEI?

(I know it's illegal to change IMEI. I don't want to change it, i want to restore the factory assigned IMEI.)

# Answer
> 0 votes
PowerIso can open the Android image files. https://www.poweriso.com/

---
Tags: partitions, mount, images, imei
---


# Question
Title: Setting Default applications through ADB
I have an android device (Android 4.4) with two launchers. One comes with the device and the other one is home made. I have the following questions regarding this scenario:

1. How can I set the default launcher via ADB? (same as selecting one and pressing **Always**)
2. How can I clear the default launcher selection via ADB? (same as entering to Default Applications and clearing Defaults)

Please do not submit answers or comments that do not consider the use of ADB. I'm not interested in any of those.

Also, I already know about disabling one of the launchers via ADB (`pm disable app_package_name`) and then re-enabling it, but this is not the same as setting the default launcher or setting the preferred activity. You can see the difference in the next image:

# Answer
> 6 votes
It is not necessary to uninstall the default launcher, you must know it's package name before of doing so, which if you don't know you must get with `adb shell cmd shortcut get-default-launcher`.

In order to set your launcher as default you just have to call the following

```
adb shell cmd package set-home-activity "your.package/.YourLauncherActivity"

```

# Answer
> 2 votes
I know this is not the answer of the asked question, anyways this may helps someone regarding setting default app links (deep-links):

## Android 12+ (since API 31)

```
adb shell pm set-app-links --package [PACKAGE_NAME] 1 [URL_HOST]

```

e.g. `adb shell pm set-app-links --package com.company.myapp 1 myapp.company.com`

## Android 11- (API 30 and below)

```
adb shell pm set-app-link [PACKAGE_NAME] always

```

# Answer
> 1 votes
you can remove (Uninstall) the default program you set using **ADB** by doing this :

```
adb uninstall app.package  ..... //for example (com.example.homeapp)

```

If you don't want to remove the app .. here is a quick hack to do it:

* adb shell
* am start -a android.intent.action.MAIN

That way you will have a picker with all apps on your devices that listens to *Main* Action

* Choose any home screen app you want . then go to settings and set it as default.

**Copied from this answer**

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, adb, launcher, default-applications
---


# Question
Title: How to unlock non owner account after reboot?
I've an Android 9 Samsung tablet. I've set up normal (I.e. not limited) accounts for my children. When the tablet reboot, the only account which is usable is mine. The others are greyed out. When I've logged in once, the other accounts are unlocked.

I'd like my children to be able to use the tablet after a reboot without me needing to log in. How can I achieve that?

I found this question which seems similar but it has no answers.

# Answer
> 8 votes
It seems like by the primary user (here called "user 0") has to log in by definition as the first user. The documentation on the File Based Encryption (FBE) does not give many details on the question why:

> Each user in a multi-user environment gets a separate encryption key. Every user gets two keys: a DE and a CE key. User 0 must log into the device first as it is a special user. This is pertinent for Device Administration uses.

Source: https://source.android.com/security/encryption/file-based#supporting-multiple-users

Hence I don't see a chance to change this behavior, you can only teach your children not to reboot the tablet and not to switch it off. In air plane mode with really disabled Wifi the battery loss should be minimal so that the tablet can stay on even when it is not used for some days.

# Answer
> 2 votes
Disabling FBE will get you what you want, though it seriously reduces the security of the device.

File Based Encryption (FBE) is called "Strong Protection" in the settings. On my tablet, you can disable it in Settings \> Security \> Other Security Settings \> Strong Protection. (My tablet is a Samsung Galaxy running Android 11.) On some other devices it is under Biometrics And Security \> Other Security settings.

I'm okay with disabling FBE, because the tablet is for my kids, who don't have much confidential information. But even in my case the tablet has all our Google passwords, because it's almost impossible to use an Android tablet without storing your Google password in a few apps.

(I deserve no credit for this answer, since it just combines information from comments. But I thought it would be nice to put the pieces together for someone who actually wants to change the setting.)

---
Tags: multi-user, accounts
---


# Question
Title: GPT weird partitions, ROM dump problem, MTK phone
I used WWR MTK Tool and SP Flash Tool v5 to dump and analyze preloader and GPT from a new Oukitel K15 Pro phone with Android 11. Oukitel haven't posted the ROM for this model for some reason. Managed to read back the ROM with SP Flash tool, but resulting partitions have weird sizes, Boot.img being only 4 MB in size, Super partition only above 512 MB in size, UserData was almost 15 GB in size. Magisk doesn't recognize extracted/dumped boot.img as a legit file, throws error. This is one weirdo ROM if those values are correct. Super partition should contain system, product, and vendor, no? How could it be so small, and not 3-4 GB? Any help appreciated. Would want to root that sucker,maybe install a GSI, but it baffles me.\]\]

# Answer
Must have been readback failure in SP Flash Tool. Thanks Alecxs for advice on using mtkclient. Worked perfectly. All partitions normal. Super is 4 GB, as expected, boot also normal. Rooting worked. Thanks for help, both of you.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: root-access, backup, boot, rom, partitions
---


title: Prevent app from seeing installed apps

text:
# Question
Title: Prevent app from seeing installed apps
Is there any way, through settings or ADB, to prevent an app (that I installed) from knowing what other apps are installed?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Android 13 Tiramisu (API Level 29) Will finally support this.

In the meantime I use multiple Android users or the Island / Knox apps.

Source: https://developer.android.com/reference/android/content/pm/PackageManager#getInstalledApplications(android.content.pm.PackageManager.ApplicationInfoFlags)

---
Tags: applications, adb, 8.1-oreo
---


# Question
Title: What version of Kiwi Browser can be installed on Android 5?
I have a Samsung SM-P905V tablet that is running Android 5.1.1. Nothing newer is available, and no one has figured out unlocking the bootloader to allow a custom ROM. I want to load Kiwi Browser and have tried to find an older version that will work.

From APKMirror I found `com.kiwibrowser.browser_96.0.4664.46-466404611_minAPI21(x86)(nodpi)_apkmirror.com.apk`. The page title is "Kiwi Browser - Fast & Quiet 96.0.4664.46 (x86) (Android 5.0+) Kiwi Browser - Fast & Quiet 96.0.4664.46 (x86) **(Android 5.0+)**". This fails installation - the message is "there was a problem parsing the package". I also tried to install `kiwi-browser-99-0-4844-94.apk` and get a similar error.

Is there any specific version that will work with Android 5.1.1?

# Answer
> 3 votes
Your main problem why you can't install the version `com.kiwibrowser.browser_96.0.4664.46-466404611_minAPI21(x86)(nodpi)_apkmirror.com.apk` is that this version is only for devices with x86 CPU.

But your tablet is an Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 that uses an Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 / Krait 400 CPU (ARMv7). Therefore when downloading an APK file from ApkMirror.com you have to select the `armeabi-v7a` variant (all the other variants like `x86`, `x86_64` or `arm64-v8a` will not work on your device).

Note that using an outdated web browser is invitation for malicious sites to hack and infect your device. You should be really careful about which web site you look at when using such an outdated version.

So my recommendation would be to switch to a web browser that still supports Android 5.0 like Mozilla Firefox.

# Answer
> 0 votes
This version would work on your device

https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/geometry-ou/kiwi-browser-fast-quiet/kiwi-browser-fast-quiet-voavanga-release/kiwi-browser-fast-quiet-voavanga-android-apk-download/download/

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop, compatibility, kiwi-browser
---


# Question
Title: Format SD card to be internal storage, restart phone, missing SD card?
I am running on Android 8.0.0 on a Motorola E5 Cruise, I tried to use my Motorola to format my SD card as internal storage, then I restart my phone and it says the SD card is missing when I have not removed it, and if I try to do any in phone troubleshooting that I know how to do the only option is to reformat the device again which then would defeat the purpose of why I'm trying to format it as internal storage, is there anything I can do?

I have access to a Linux PC to use for the purposes of reformatting should that be beneficial for this, but I would like to know a step-by-step, please.

I have no need to recover the data. I just want to use it as an internal SD, or if I need to get another SD to replace it but would want to know the exact parameters of any SD I would need to get so I don't waste my money.

The first image I expected before the restart, but the rest of the images are what happened afterwards.

# Answer
> 1 votes
It seems like the issue ended up being the fact that the SD card had previously been used on a different device? When I bought a brand new SD card, same specs but different brand, I had absolutely no issue.

Must be UHS-1.

---
Tags: reboot, internal-sd, adoptable-storage, motorola, formatting
---


# Question
Title: How can I make two concurrent phone calls?
I use a Google Pixel 6 with Android 11. How can I make two concurrent phone calls? Goal: calling 2 different numbers in 2 separate calls.

# Answer
> 1 votes
You can't from the same number atleast.

A workaround would be this

Install a virtual number provider eg TextNow, 2ndLine
Now you can make two phone calls simultaneously
One from your regular SIM and phone app, another one from the virual number provider : BOTH CALLS WOULD BE SEPARATE AND CONCURRENT

Ending note: Though this works, I'm not sure how the microphone permission is gonna be handled

---
Tags: calls, android-11, google-pixel-6
---


# Question
Title: How do I turn on Carrier Location Services?
I have found a similar question about this, and it kind of makes me wonder what this service is. In the description it says you can turn it on and off in the apps if you look for Carrier Location Services. Now I had the request pop up after I updated to android 12. And after I denied the request on reflex I changed my mind and it seems like the app doesn't exist. Not even in the app store. What is that all about? https://youtu.be/SLKc2DLNi4k Not my video, but it shows the pop up and the text if you click on it.

# Answer
> And after I denied the request on reflex I changed my mind and it seems like the app doesn't exist. Not even in the app store.

It is actually `com.coloros.locationproxy`. Now i do not know what it does but it is a system app found in Color OS,Realme UI, Funtouch OS, Oxygen OS (Color OS based versions), etc (basically OSs of brands under BBK Electronics)

Now if you want to re-enable it, go to settings\> apps\> list\> check system apps\> then search "carrier location services" or if not shown, use this app
> 0 votes

---
Tags: geolocation, services, carriers
---


title: What is "Carrier Location Service"?

text:
# Question
Title: What is "Carrier Location Service"?
What is Carrier Location Service in Android?

If I try to allow it, there are 3 options:

1. Allow all the time
2. Allow only when using the app
3. Deny

What are the effects?

# Answer
> 0 votes
It is `com.coloros.locationproxy`.

It is actually a system app found in Color OS,Realme UI, Funtouch OS, Oxygen OS (Color OS based versions), etc (basically OSs of brands under BBK Electronics)

---
Tags: location-services
---


# Question
Title: How to restore purchases in an app that is no longer available on Google Play
A good friend of mine played a game called "Cordy" years back. The first three levels in Cordy could be played for free, the ones after that you had to unlock via In-App purchase. Back then, she decided to buy premium. Fast forward to today: Her childhood game is no longer available on the Play Store, and when you install the APK provided by a third party, it comes without the stuff unlocked. Attempting to restore previous purchases doesn't do anything.

Is there anything I can do to get it to work so that she can play the full game again?

If I have to mess around with the APK file, that would be fine too.

# Answer
Patching the app with a tool called Lucky Patcher achieved the desired results.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: google-play-store, restore, in-app-purchase
---


title: Error 64 when flashing OpenGapps

text:
# Question
Title: Error 64 when flashing OpenGapps
One Gapps (pico and nano) errors with 64 when I try to install using twrp-3.3.1.4. I know I'm using the right version. I'm on a brand new One Plus 7 Pro.

```
##############################
  _____   _____   ___   ____
 /  _  \ |  __ \ / _ \ |  _ \
|  / \  || |__) | |_| || | \ \
| |   | ||  ___/|  __/ | | | |
|  \ /  || |    \ |__  | | | |
 \_/ \_/ |_|     \___| |_| |_|
       ___   _   ___ ___  ___
      / __| /_\ | _ \ _ \/ __|
     | (_ |/ _ \|  _/  _/\__ \
      \___/_/ \_\_| |_|  |___/
##############################

Open GApps nano 9.0 - 20191017

- Mounting  /vendor

find: /system/system: No such file or directory
ls: /system/system: No such file or directory
- Gathering device & ROM information

***** Incompatible Device Detected *****

This Open GApps package cannot be
installed on this device's architecture.
Please download the correct version for
your device: arm

******* GApps Installation failed *******

- Copying Log to /sdcard

- NO changes were made to your device

Installer will now exit...

Error Code: 64
cp: can't stat '': No such file or directory
ls: /system/system: No such file or directory
cp: can't stat '/system/system/etc/g.prop': No such file or directory
cp: can't stat '/system/system/default.prop': No such file or directory
cp: can't stat '/system/system/build.prop': No such file or directory
cp: can't stat '/vendor/vendor/build.prop': No such file or directory
cp: can't stat '/data/local.prop': No such file or directory
cp: can't stat '/build.prop': No such file or directory
cp: can't stat '/system/system/addon.d/70-gapps.sh': No such file or directory
cp: can't stat '/cache/recovery/log': No such file or directory
__bionic_open_tzdata: couldn't find any tzdata when looking for CST6CDT,M3.2.0,M11.1.0!
__bionic_open_tzdata: couldn't find any tzdata when looking for posixrules!
- Unmounting  /vendor

Updater process ended with ERROR: 64
I:Install took 9 second(s).
Error installing zip file '/sdcard/open_gapps-arm64-9.0-nano-20191017.zip'
Updating partition details...
I:Data backup size is 0MB, free: 227550MB.
I:Unable to mount '/usbstorage'
I:Actual block device: '', current file system: 'vfat'
...done
I:Set page: 'flash_done'
I:operation_end - status=1
I:TWFunc::Set_Brightness: Setting brightness control to 5
I:TWFunc::Set_Brightness: Setting brightness control to 0

```

# Answer
> 2 votes
I found that if upon receiving this error, before booting into LineageOS I can

* Boot into the bootloader from TWRP,
    + Click on Reboot
    + Click on Bootloader
* Boot into a new TWRP from the bootloader
    + Run `twrp boot ./twrp.*.img`
* I can then install the gapps.

---

What cause this? Well my theory now is that the instructions on the Lineage OS suggest Wiping the System partition

> * Now tap **Wipe**.
> * Now tap **Format Data** and continue with the formatting process. This will remove encryption and delete all files stored in the internal storage.
> * Return to the previous menu and tap **Advanced Wipe**, then select the **System** partition and then Swipe to **Wipe**.

I was doing that and it was working for the purposes of installing LineageOS, but I believe after the **Advanced Wipe** on the System Partition something wasn't working. It's as if the wipe was complete and LineageOS could be installed, but mounting the partition after the install of LineageOS required rebooting into the recovery again. If you allow LineageOS to boot up before you flash GApps all bets are off. Worse this was the only way for it to work because if I rebooted into the recovery I would get the LineageOS recovery -- LineageOS now replaces TWRP entirely. I may have been able to install GApps from the LineageOS recovery's ADB Sideload option, but rebooting into TWPR recovery by proxy of the bootloader worked too.

# Answer
> 1 votes
There are numerous reasons of why this could happen.

* Have you **mounted /system** partition?
* Try an **older version** of TWRP
* Try **SAR (System-as-root)** version of recovery.

# Answer
> 0 votes
not the TWRP is the problem. I also had to search a long time. Although the processor is arm64 Architecture only the image Lineage OS is based on Android arm. Please try 11 arm Pico7 or Micro on Lineage OS 18.1 ??? or see this???

https://wiki.lineageos.org/gapps

cu SMorphin

---
Tags: twrp, lineageos, gapps, oneplus-7-pro
---


# Question
Title: How to lock screen and continue playing video?
My cats love to watch videos with insects, mice, etc. The problem is they touch the screen and sometimes close YouTube.

Is there a way to keep playing the video but lock the screen?

# Answer
> 1 votes
You can use your preferred media player that has a lock function (personally, I use MX Player Pro) in combination with the App Pinning feature, which (on my Android 11 device) is found under `Settings > Security & Lock Screen` here:

The lock function should prevent all app UI touches while app pinning should prevent notification as well as navigation bar touches.

The only caveat would be the random chance of them touching the unlock button, but **for MX Player specifically** there is a setting you can enable called "Kids Lock", which disables the unlock key while implementing a 4-touch (corners, starting from top left, in clockwise order) unlock procedure with no visible queues.

Of course, bear in mind that there's still the ***significantly*** less likely scenario of even this being activated by pure random chance. If you're the type that doesn't want to leave *anything* to chance, you may want to look at, e.g., this type of solution, *or* look at applications like Touch Blocker.

---
Tags: kiosk-mode
---


title: GT-P5100 boot loop - nothing helps

text:
# Question
Title: GT-P5100 boot loop - nothing helps
OK. I have tried nearly everything recommended on this site and on xda-developers to fix this boot loop issue, and nothing works. This is a standard unlocked GT-P5100 running 4.0.3. It was running fine and then one day it started to boot loop. It was never used much, and it basically spasmed sometime around a year ago. I have tried:

Deleting cache and factory reset from various mechanisms. They generally say that they work, but don't actually delete anything.

Using ODIN to install TWRP said it had succeeded, but nothing actually changed.

Using ODIN to install CWM said it had succeeded, but nothing actually changed.

I tried various rooters, Kingoroot being the last. It said it had worked, but I see no evidence of that . I successfully (apparently) rooted it via ODIN, but again, there's no evidence of that.

Flashing a new version with ODIN gives me the message: "Complete(Write) operation failed. All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1)"

I tried to re-flash the same version but nothing changed. I managed to get an actual upgrade to a later version of Android flashed once, according to ODIN, but when I checked I was still on 4.0.3.

Some issues that make it more difficult:

The re-boot cycle can be as short as 10 seconds, so I often have no time to do much. In upload mode it seems to last for as like as I like.

Changes I make don't stick. I can set the USB debugging switch on, but after the next re-boot it's gone. I have tried deleting apps, e.g. Chrome, to free up space, I shouldn't need to, of course, as I have about 8Gb free. I never succeed in deleting anything, although I get an Application Deleted message, and then an immediate re-boot.

So it looks to me as though something is smelly in my RAM.

There is nothing I need to keep, my wife just uses the toy to google the news while we are travelling, so if there's anything radidal I can do, by, for example running something brutal from the SD card, I would be happy to do it.

So. Any ideas, please?

# Answer
> 0 votes
You seem to have tried everything using various flashing methods, so possibly your problem lies elsewhere (hardware). If your problem is rebooting loop, then it has to do with your power button being messed up... Try taking the phone apart carefully (if you know how) Then hold the power panel down for some seconds (like 15-20seconds). Note: Do this when the phone switch off before it restart.

But if your problem is the phone being stuck on boot loop, then flash using sp flash tool with your phone firmware. Hope it helps

# Answer
> 0 votes
News. Eventually, after all of the various tricks, I transplanted a new Mobo in, and it works, thus demonstrating that the RAM was forked.

---
Tags: boot-loop
---


# Question
Title: Google search bar widget closes keyboard after typing one letter
Using s21, most recent update 01/04/2022. This has been happening for a while.

When I use the Google search bar widget (not the chrome app), the first time I type something into the search bar, it'll either quick close and reopen the keyboard and then I can continue typing, or it'll just close my keyboard and I'll have to hit the search bar again to continue typing. This usually alternates between being fixed with one software update then re-broken in the next, but not always, and it only happens in google. Nothing I've done has fixed this, and it only happens on the first search when I open google, it won't do it again until I close and reopen it.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I have the same issue on my Samsung S22 Ultra but found a possible work-around online.

I wish I could acknowledge the individual who posted the work-around, but I'll have to find him or her back.

The work-around - simply change your Android display to Dark Mode. (Settings / Display / Dark)

I also switched back to Light mode and the issue returned. So far, this Dark mode work-around seems to work.

Just passing this on.

Dave Horne - The Netherlands

# Answer
> 0 votes
You need to disable show recent pages to stop this happening in the general settings

# Answer
> 0 votes
I have exactly the same issue. No, it isn't because of keyboard (Samsung or GBoard or anything similar). No, it's not because "show recent pages" being enabled.

I have tried many different settings, but no avail, until I found this page with suggestion from Dave Horne above. Yes, it's very ridiculous that dark mode fixes this jumping issue.

To someone who doesn't understand the issue, let me explain:

Android 12, Samsung Galaxy S10+, latest software and all apps updated as of now (4/28/2022). Google Search Widget on home screen.

Tap on the Google Search widget, the widget opens the search screen, keyboard automatically appears allowing me to type.

However, immediately after typing the first character, the keyboard disappears, the page refreshes itself. It seems the Google Search is being replaced by Chrome or whatever right after the first character. It happens very quickly, but quick enough to make the keyboard disappear, so it is very annoying because then I have to click on the search bar again to continue typing.

After that, as long as the search isn't being closed by the system (or being forced to close by user), it won't happen again.

I have another Samsung S10+ which surprisingly doesn't have this issue with dark mode DISABLED. I also have other Galaxy phones with Google Search widget but none has this issue. On the Samsung Galaxy S10+ that has this issue, previously (maybe a month ago),it worked just fine. I did reset app defaults on this phone about a month ago. So that might have caused the issue. I have yet to find out which specific setting for this.

---
Tags: keyboard, google, app-widgets, google-search, samsung-galaxy-s-21
---


# Question
Title: Where in a smartphone with Android are deleted and cleaned the files that are visible when testing with "root integrity check"?
Where in a smartphone with Android are deleted and cleaned the files that are visible when testing with "root integrity check" ?? Clearing the cache and user settings do not help, obviously something else needs to be deleted in memory ?? Where do I delete the files I see from in root integrity check? How does this work?

# Answer
Android System Recovery "root integrity check" will check your read-only system partition for modifications. If anything is reported, flash memory is either corrupt or something (or someone) had root access and modified stock ROM intentionally. Your device is therefore compromised/corrupted.

Flash stock ROM from fastboot. In case you want to modify/delete reported files, read back system.img from SP Flash Tool and loop-mount ext4 partition image on linux PC
> 0 votes

---
Tags: applications, adb, windows, motorola, adblock-plus
---


# Question
Title: Huawei MediaPad T5 (AGS2-L09) stuck at TWRP
I unlocked bootloader on Huawei MediaPad T5 (AGS2-L09).

Then I put TWRP on it and everything was fine until I installed UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.46.zip using TWRP. After that the tablet stuck at Huawei welcome screen.

Then I found UPDATE-unSU.zip on xda-developers forum. Its author promised that it will revert changes of UPDATE-SuperSU.

Now the tablet goes scrictly into TWRP and doesn't want to do anything else. How to recover it?

P.S. Before to install SuperSU-v2.46.zip for the first time I noticed that many folder names in the tablet internal storage were encrypted.

# Answer
Suddenly the problem got a solution.

When the tablet was powered off (USB cable should be unplugged for that, otherwise TWRP powers the tablet always on), I held Volume Up and Volume Down and pressed the power button.

In this case not the TWRP, but the standard Huawei downloader comes up, with an error message that system upgrade could not be performed (of course! I didn't put anything to the SD card). It had the only reboot button.

After tapping this button the system boots normally.

Because all the data was wiped out, it needed some time to initialize, but then worked normally.

I had to configure Wi-Fi, and the system found an update from my current version ... to the same version, with the wording that it was a system restore:

> Restore system to latest official version.

After downloading the system asked for a restart, rebooted and landed again in TWRP.

I repeated the trick with three buttons, let the system to download the update, held Volume Up and Volume Down physical buttons and only then tapped on the "Instll now" screen button.

It caused the stock recovery screen to appear. I tapped the reboot button there, and the update rolled out.

After the update was complete, the system boots normally (except for the unlocked bootloader warning) and if volume+ button is held while powering on, the default recovery dialog appears. No traces of TWRP remained.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: recovery-mode, twrp, bootloader, stock-rom, supersu
---


# Question
Title: Difference between adb shell [command] and interactive adb shell
I am wondering if the interactive shell `adb shell` runs in a different context then when invoking a command via `adb shell [command]`?

The background to this question is, that I am running `dinit` on an Android powered board. `dinit` is started in user mode just for service management. When I run `dinitctl -u list` from the interactive shell I get the expected output (enabled services and their current state), but when I run it via `adb shell dinitctl -u list` I just get an error about the socket not being found (as if `dinit` itself was not running).

# Answer
> 2 votes
It turns out that running `adb shell [command]` does not source `/etc/mkshrc`. Setting the required env variables before the command solves my issue.

---
Tags: adb, mksh
---


# Question
Title: How to install TWRP or any custom recovery for a device that's not listed?
My phone is Tecno Camon 15 Pro, and I cannot find any custom recovery for my device. (e.g. TWRP, OrangeFox, Pitch Black, or others). How do I install a custom recovery on this or any such device for which it's not available?

There are tutorials like https://kitikus.com/how-to-install-twrp-custom-recovery-on-tecno-camon-15-pro/, but I am too afraid to try as I have bricked my device once before. Or do I have to accept the fact that it's not possible for devices not listed there?

# Answer
You have to extract the stock ROM first and then port TWRP for your device.

You can follow this or this guide.
> -1 votes

---
Tags: rom-flashing, recovery-mode, twrp
---


# Question
Title: TWRP doesn't offer the usual option to protect itself, and is replaced by stock recovery on first reboot to system
I'm very familiar with installing TWRP on a new Samsung phone. But this time it's not working, and I don't know why.

The phone is a Samsung S9+ (SM-G965F). Bootloader unlocked, data wiped and reformatted. All confirmed. Odin is working. I can flash lastest TWRP with odin, and reboot into it at first reboot. So far everything is as normal.

It should offer an option to prevent the stock rom from replacing it with the default recovery, or automatically do so. But whatever I do, it doesn't happen. First reboot to system, and I go back to default recovery. Things tried:

* flash TWRP -\> reboot directly to TWRP -\> select "allow mods" -\> reboot to system. (This has always been all that's needed, before now)
* flash TWRP -\> reboot directly to TWRP -\> select "allow mods" -\> flash multidisabler (never had to use that before) -\> reboot to system

What am I missing? Why isn't it working? What else should I do?

Thanks!

# Answer
> 0 votes
> What am I missing?

You probably took a gap modding Android and meantime lot of things changed

> Why isn't it working?

I dont remember since when was this implemented, but since a few years (1-3), stock ROMs replace custom recovery

> What else should I do?

Try (any of the first 3) at your own risk

1. I have heard that deleting /system/recovery-from-boot.p helps but haven't tried myself so can't guarantee anything
2. I am aware of a magisk module that keeps twrp installed even after reboot, maybe try Googling to find it.
3. Maybe install a GSI or a custom ROM instead of stock, since they don't replace custom recoveries
4. Give up

---
Tags: samsung, twrp, samsung-galaxy-s-9
---


# Question
Title: Recovering Phone Data after Hardware Failure
I have a Pixel 2 phone running Android which appears to have a hardware failure. The screen only shows a multi-color static and is non-responsive. Occasionally I briefly see my normal lock screen, but the screen is non-responsive and goes back to static soon.

I need to get data from the device. Connecting via USB, running `adb devices` shows that no devices are detected.

How can I copy the storage from my phone to my computer, so that I can extract the desired data?

# Answer
> 3 votes
Copying data from a phone which is not detected by adb and has no screen info to tell what is happening is not going to take you very far from where you are. Either try to get it to show on system somehow or get a working display to know what is happening on phone.

---
Tags: data-recovery, broken-screen, google-pixel-2
---


# Question
Title: How do I access a remote mail directory from my Android?
The directory is on a remote server. I can read the mail using mutt in a shell but I want to use an app on my Android that can render HTML.

Any suggestions?

MailDir format

# Answer
> 0 votes
The standard method for remotely accessing Maildir inboxes is IMAP.

Set up an IMAP server on your remote machine (e.g. Dovecot/Cyrus/Courier), then install an IMAP-capable Android mail app (e.g. K-9 or Gmail).

Practically all such mail apps support HTML body parts.

---
Tags: email
---


# Question
Title: Samsung Dex compatibility with DELL docks
I have a Samsung S10 phone with Samsung Dex. Dex is fun and can (sometimes) be quite useful. With it, I can use a desktop environment on my phone, like I would on a computer.

My workplace is equipped with a wide range of Dell docking stations. For some reason, some get recognized by Dex. And some do not. For instance, Dex works immediately with the WD19, but not with the TB16 or the WD15.

My questions: is there a (good) reason why not? How can I fix it?

# Answer
USB C, along with data, has what are known as Alternate Modes where the devices can change the functionality of the pins at the connector to support different outputs.

For example some laptops can switch the port to Thunderbolt mode which supports some display modes but can also be used to carry PCIe data (encapsulated in the Thunderbolt protocol) which can allow the connection of external GPUs which are more powerful than the built in GPU. Thunderbolt implies a more

There is also an HDMI Alternate Mode, where a device with appropriate GPU hardware can output signals understood by monitors and TVs.

These Alternate Modes come with a price though: the device on either sides must negotiate or support the use of particular modes.

A phone is unlikely to support Thunderbolt mode. It is a locked down device with limited access to install custom drivers for PCIe devices such as graphics cards and other related things.

I would expect your phone to support HDMI Alternate Mode only. As a result you will only be able to use docking stations that also support HDMI mode. A docking station might support multiple modes and I suspect that the WD19 you listed might support HDMI/DisplayPort along with Thunderbolt, while the other devices may only support one particular mode such as Thunderbolt.

The WD15 and TB15 datasheet explicitly states it is a Thunderbolt Dock, most likely incompatible with your phone.

The WD19 on the other hand calls itself a "Dell Docking Station" rather than a "Thunderbolt docking station". And may well support HDMI mode amongst others.

The only thing you can do is ask the manufacturers which "modes" their stations support and use only ones that work for your device. You cannot easily convert one into the other.
> 4 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-10, docking-station, samsung-dex
---


# Question
Title: Is it possible to delete images from the wallpaper folder on android?
I downloaded a photo from facebook, and set it as the wallpaper on my phone, then decided I wanted to remove it again. The problem is, I have not yet been able to find a way to delete photos from the wallpaper and lock screen selection. I can understand that they might not want me deleting the stock ones, but it seems there is also no way to delete the ones I loaded.

I am on the Oneplus 3T, if that makes any difference. Also, I deleted the photo from the downloads folder, but it still remains there as an option for a wallpaper or lock screen.

# Answer
Normally, it is the home launcher app which changes the wallpaper in the device, both for home screen and lock screen. For default stock home launcher in OxygenOS, the custom image wallpapers are saved inside `/data/user/0/net.oneplus.launcher/files/` with prefix *wallpaper*.

So, **without root access**, all you can do is bear that entry, or, clear data for your launcher app (which would remove all the settings and changes you've ever made in that launcher). To clear data, go into Settings app → Apps → choose Show system apps → locate your home launcher app → Storage → Clear data.

## For rooted devices only

If you want to prevent that image to reappear in wallpaper selection view, you have to edit the database inside which its entry is stored and then delete that entry. Simply removing the wallpaper file from data directory doesn't always work.

The database you're looking for is named `saved_wallpaper_images.db` located inside `/data/user/0/net.oneplus.launcher/databases`. You'd need tools to edit that database.

You can pull it into your PC, edit it using a compatible software, push it back and then fix permissions. This is a messy solution.

You can use sqlite3 inary compiled for your device's architecture and then use it within your device to edit out that database. You'd need to search on web some commands (common enough) to load a database, locate a table, and delete a row. This is again messy.

There are some apps which claim to both read and write an app's database, such as SQLite Editor. It didn't work in my case though. I have My Android Tools (Pro) (not available in Play Store anymore) and I used it to remove the entries for wallpapers from the aforesaid database. It is quite easy to use. Select the app, select the database, select the table, then row and tap on delete icon.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Under Settings \> Device care \> Storage \> User date \> Files check the wallpaper file you want to delete. At bottom of screen is the trash barrel symbol. Press it then reboot the Android device. The wallpaper file is gone.
> 0 votes

# Answer
I believe you should be able to just tap & hold the undesired picture in the selection screen, and then tap the trash icon that appears on the top right of the screen.

Note this is on Android 11 on a Pixel phone
> 0 votes

# Answer
Cussed out Samsung for not making this easy. If you have selected one or more image(s) to use as either lock screen or homepage images the solution is to move just one of the images to another location other than PICTURES then reboot. If you don't reboot the system will just complain that you have to select another image but you can't. Just reboot and that apparently clears the image list. Now it's just a matter of running the wallpaper tool, selecting the image(s) you want to use and the list is rebuilt. Pain in the wazoo but works.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: lock-screens, wallpaper, oneplus-3
---


# Question
Title: Checking on Android OS for unauthorized access and the last connection of the charging cable to the phone
The question arises, how can I view the last attempt to connect the charger to the phone and also track the last attempt to select passwords and attempts of unauthorized access and authorization on Android 5.0 and older? If yes, how can I implement the receipt of this information in the form of an application.

# Answer
I agree too @Robert 's comment. However, AccuBattery does exactly what you want; show timestamps of all charging and discharging activities; it works from Android 5 all the way up to Android 13 Developer Preview (older than 5, I dont really think if there's any)
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop, usb
---


# Question
Title: "This app is compatible with all your devices", but the Install button is greyed out on the web version of the Play Store
On the web version of the Play Store, the "Install" button is greyed out even though the message says: "This app is compatible with all of your devices."

What is the possible reason, and how to fix this?

# Answer
> 8 votes
Just saw this workaround posted by a Stefan Brunnauer on Google Play Help, and it worked perfectly for me

"Had the same problem - I removed the missmatching &gl=US query parameter at the end of the browser URL and it worked. Maybe this helps."

# Answer
> 2 votes
It turns out that even if the app is compatible, it might be blocked in your country.

As mentioned here, removing the country parameter on your url will help.

For example, if the URL is
`https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dubox.drive&hl=en_AU&gl=US`

removing the `&gl=US` like so:
`https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dubox.drive&hl=en_AU`

This solved the problem for me.

Hope this helps.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I used an incognito window to sign in and it worked. So maybe something to do with browser cache.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I solved the greyed install application on Android emulator :

1. Choose an emulator configured with Google Apis **AND Google Play Store**.
2. Launch the Play Store application to install your desired application.
With these settings I can install my chosen apps.
*Hope this will aid someone!*

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


# Question
Title: Does disabling and removing Knox solve RMM OEM missing in developer options?
I bought this Samsung Galaxy M12 (SM-M127G/DS, Exynos 850, 6000 mAh battery, India version) about 11 days ago. Since then I have been dealing with this RMM state issue, struggled to find a way for OEM unlock to show in developer options, and then root the device but no luck, no fix, or whatever.

Things I have tried:

* Waited 7 days (+168 hours) after signing in to my Google and Samsung accounts.
* Factory reset 3 times so far.
* Tried the change date and time trick.
* Tried the update trick.

After all of these, nothing worked, so then I thought that maybe removing Knox via ADB will solve this issue.

Is it possible? Will it damage the device? Will it solve this issue?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Finally it has happened

What i did was connect to wifi and the oem toggle came up. So i think it all comes down to region or your isp which you use to connect to the rmm servers. Yeah it appeared with 4 hrs uptime, which means the date change tricks dont work anymore on android 11.

The steps im recommending to use although not exactly tested:

After factory reset, connect to a vpn with the server of where your phone was launched(or try switching ISPs), check for updates to register the phone and pray that the next time you connect to your wifi your rmm status would have changed. If the server you tried doesnt work also, try a different server after a factory reset.

I hope this procedure helps someone.

---
Tags: samsung, rooting, bootloader-lock, samsung-knox
---


# Question
Title: pixel 3a how to fix washed out purple screen
I have a pixel 3a that has a purple washed out screen. Poor contrast I can hardly see icons. This is worse than just "red hue" it's weird. I've tried rebooting, resetting phone. What can I do?

# Answer
I think it's a hardware issue.

With android 11 I was able to "mostly see" icons using an app called "screen filter".

Now with 12, that doesn't work, but by turning night light on (intensity full), extra dim on, and dark theme on, I can see OK.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: google-pixel
---


# Question
Title: How can I allow USB debugging from a new computer when I have a broken screen?
I am able to access my Android phone via "USB debugging" from one computer. I'd like to allow a second computer the same privilege, but when I plug it in there it says "device unauthorized".

How can I allow USB debugging from a new computer when I have a broken screen?

# Answer
Turns out if you use scrcpy "tcp ip" mode to connect to it, then connect via USB to the "other computer" you can use the first device to click "allow access" on the phone, then it can connect to the second device USB.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Alternatively, you can...

* Use an external keyboard and `Tab` to the `Allow` button then accept.
* Mirror your screen to a working display, e.g., via MHL cable, QGeeM hub, Samsung SideSync, etc.
* On phones with independent touch and stylus digitizers (namely the Samsung Note series), even if one is broken the other may still be functional (often the touch digitizer breaks more easily than the stylus one).
> 1 votes

---
Tags: usb-debugging, broken-screen
---


# Question
Title: Can I unlock my phone with voice command?
I have a Samsung Galaxy Edge with Android 7.0. I want to rule my phone with my voice without touching it even if it's locked. I mean some basic functions, like unlocking the phone. So whenever I say my secret word my phone will unlock, or if I say "how many notifications" it will say "no new notifications" for example (without unlocking the phone). Is this possible or is there an app for this?

# Answer
I think if you search about it you may find application to do this, but i don't recommend it. because application like that need to turn on mic and process voices coming from it whole the time which shortens battery life.
> 2 votes

# Answer
The unlocking can be done via Voice Access. Refer to this answer, at worst you may need to apply screen grid to input touches by screen coordinate. As for the custom commands, I would go about that using a PC to deliver ADB commands, but the caveat obviously being the hardware dependency. Actually, I've made similar scripts in the past except for RainMeter (one-click unlock, etc.).
> 1 votes

---
Tags: voice-recognition, voice-command
---


title: Android OS documentation

text:
# Question
Title: Android OS documentation
Is there documentation that explains all OS processes, file systems, and other folders (for instance `/dev` and related file device) in Android OS? I’m interested to discover all this information regarding Pixel 3a XL with Android 8.

# Answer
https://source.android.com/docs would be great start, but you need to invest time to look for what you need.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: documentation
---


# Question
Title: Calls go through even when notifications disabled
I disable all notifications in app notifications menu and text notifications do not show, as intended, but calls go through... no notification is shown when someone calls, but the call sound rings. So it is impossible to fully silence specific apps.

System details are:

# Answer
> 1 votes
Deny/Remove the phone, messaging, etc permissions of that app

---
Tags: notifications, calls, silent-mode
---


# Question
Title: How can I remove an app if it doesn't exist in the Play Store anymore?
I have the **ES File Explorer** and the **DU Recorder** apps installed on my phone, but they cannot be found in the Play Store anymore. So, how can I uninstall those apps?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Google Play Store is not necessary for installation or uninstallation of apps.

All your installed apps are shown in the app list in Android settings. There you can also uninstall apps.

On most Android versions you can also make a long-touch on an app icon on the launcher and then open the App info page where you can uninstall/disable an app.

# Answer
> 0 votes
You should try using adb, I recommend using it on a Linux environment since (for me at least) It's easier to configure.

```
sudo apt install adb

```

Then connect your tablet, be sure that you have your device with USB Debugging enabled. then, type.

```
adb shell

```

It should connect without a problem, then you have to identify the package you want to delete with.

```
pm packages list <the name of your app or a good hint without the arrows>

```

You should see a result or a list of names that will look something like these

```
com.android.app.calendar

```

Once you are sure about the package name of the app that you wnat to uninstall you have to tun these command.

```
pm uninstall --user-0 <the package name without the arrows>

```

On the other hand, you should be able to uninstall any app you installed just drag and drop... unless is a deprecated google app like google+, and even with this method yo won't be really uninstalling anything, but for your eyes the app is going to disappear.

---
Tags: applications, google-play-store, es-file-explorer
---


# Question
Title: Android Automotive media Player Application
how does the Media app know/ displayed once we add media files to local storage?

TIA.

# Answer
With the help of storage permissions and file scanning in n intervals
> 0 votes

---
Tags: media-player
---


# Question
Title: How to install microg after LineageOS 18 upgrade
I understand the title sounds very basic. But I could not think of a way to describe my question in a short title. My question sort of comes in two parts. 1. Do I actually need to install microg and 2. Now that I have upgraded from LineageOS 17 with microg to LineageOS 18 without microg (by mistake), are there any gotchya's and clarify some instructions from microg's official instructions.

Device is OnePlus 7 Pro, in case it matters. My particular case is, I recently upgraded from LOS 17 with microg to LOS 18 without microg by mistake. What I mean by that is, I'm still very green when it comes to flashing ROM's and other android development. I was more nervous about bricking my phone, I was following Lineage's upgrade instructions to the tee. **Here is my mistake**. I used Lineage's upgrade instructions link to the img to download and flash, and not microg's img download like I should have.

At first, I honestly didn't notice the difference at all. Microg's settings app was still installed, most apps seemed to work. They popped up a warning or notification about not being able to work without google play services, but allowed me to hit "**Ok**" and continue to use the app.

Just the other day, Lineage pushed out an OTA update, and I updated, then that changed. Now I can't use those apps at all anymore at all. They instantly close. So I went to searching for my issue, and basically it lead me to realize, I installed the LOS without microg. So I read their instructions to get an idea of what I should have done. Now I have questions.

**Question 1**: The symptoms I'm describing, I do actually need to re-flash the microg img even though I have the microg settings app installed. Correct? I think the answer is "**Yes**". I just want to see if anyone can confirm this or tell me maybe another or better way, since I'm dealing with a non-typical issue.

**Question 2**: If question 1 is "Yes" and I do need to re-flash with the microg lineage img. Then it's really a series of questions clarifying microg's installation instructions. Because I'm a newbie and don't understand everything as a more experienced android dev would.

* Do I or should I uninstall the microg settings app first?
* Since I just OTA updated, I think according to microg's install instructions, I need to wait for another release before trying to flash the microg lineage img, correct? Or would rolling back a version be a better option?
* In their *"Migration from LineageOS"* section, I noticed that they mentioned *"...you can't directely flash our ROM on top of the official LineageOS while keeping your data..."*. So I can't keep my personal data, or installed apps, pictures, music, etc? Is this correct? If so, is there any way to back it up, and re-install after I re-flash the microg img?
* In their install docs, they also say *"If you have installed unofficial builds of"*, and in that list, I think I have almost all of them. But I don't think they are *"unofficial"*. F-Droid should be from their github, and all the rest I think were installed from my last microg installation prior to the upgrade I just made. I honestly don't know if they technically still installed or not given my apps crashing which need google play services. As I mentioned the microg settings app is still there. I don't even know how to verify this. I will say, after having these troubles and poking around, I have noticed that they mention in the *"Post-install"* section that by default MozillaNlpBackend and NominatimNlpBackend are both plugins which are installed by default. And *"If you want to use these plugins, go to microG Settings -\> UnifiedNlp Settings, configure and enable both"*. Even though I have the mocroG settings app installed. That *"UnifiedNlp Settings"* is just not there in mine.

So what do you guys think? Does it sound like this is my issue? That I don't have microg installed even though the settings app is there? And are there any special things I need to do before trying to re-flash the microg lineage img?

# Answer
I just fixed/solved my problem/question(s). I wanted to follow up and answer my question in case it helps anyone else who comes across a similar situation. I will answer it in the manner I asked it. Then describe my exact steps.

1. Do I actually need to install microg? Yes
2. Now that I have upgraded from LineageOS 17 with microg to LineageOS 18 without microg (by mistake), are there any gotchya's and clarify some instructions from microg's official instructions? No

* Do I or should I uninstall the microg settings app first? No
* Do I need to wait for another release before trying to flash the microg lineage img? I'm not sure, but I did, and things worked flawlessly.
* Do I need to backup my personal data? No
* The NominatedNLP, I am still able to turn on, but I still seem to not be able to turn on the Mozilla Location Service. I might have to keep tinkering with this.

What I ended up doing?

* Waited for a new microG of LineageOS release. (Don't know if this is needed, it's just what I did)
* Connected my Android with `adb` and sideloaded the zip, just as official instructions outline.

Once it rebooted, all things that required Google services are now working, and as far as I can tell, all apps are working just as expected, I'm able to make phone calls, no personal data is lost.

I hope this helps someone else.
> 1 votes

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Tags: lineageos, micro-g
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# Question
Title: How to connect to WiFi router without internet?
I've just set up a WiFi router to use with an audio device which is controllable by Android devices through LAN. This router is expected to not have an internet connection - its sole purpose for me is to route the local network and enable the controlling via my Android phone.

However, my phone (a Moto G5S, with Android 7.1.1 installed) simply refuses to connect to this router - even though I can perfectly connect to it from a laptop. I even removed my other routers from my phone, to prevent it from jumping to WiFi connections that have internet, but it still doesn't connect to this "offline router".

Now, a bit of a plot twist: I did see a notification about the WiFi connection not having access to the internet, but I simply swiped it off. I tried connecting with my wife's Android, and, instead of swiping off the notification on her phone, I clicked it and I saw that it offered the option to stay connected even without internet. However, I can't do this on my Android anymore, since I got rid of that notification. Yeah, I feel stupid, but, in my defense, I had no idea that ability would be only available there. I even tried "forgetting" the WiFi connection and re-entering the password, but it just won't show me that notification anymore.

So, any ideas of how to fix this, guys? How can I force the connection to my internet-less router, or, alternatively, how can I force my Android to show me the notification about "WiFi offline" again?

# Answer
> 0 votes
As per request, here's my solution as a self-answer:

Somehow, after a series of deletions, restarts, and retries to connect, the notification popped up again. I have no idea why it happened this way, but at least now I can stay connected to that router, which is what I needed.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Try deleting the connection. You can do this by Settings -\> Wifi -\> hit the : on the top right, Saved Networks, select your router's name, then FORGET.

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Tags: wi-fi, settings, connection-issues, lan
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# Question
Title: How can I keep an app running when Extreme Battery Saver is on?
I'm using a Google Pixel 5 with Android 13 Beta. It has an Extreme Battery Saver mode which the system will ask me to turn on if the battery level goes under 10%. After it is enabled, most apps will be paused, except for a few essential apps: Messages, Phone, Clock, etc.

When I tap on a paused app's icon, for example, YouTube Music, it will show the prompt:

> **App paused by Extreme Battery Saver**
>
> Keeping \[app's name\] paused extends your device's battery life.
>
> You can unpause it temporarily or set essential apps to always work in Settings.
>
> `Unpause temporarily` `OK`

I tried to change the option to Unrestricted in Settings \> Apps \> All Apps \> YouTube Music \> Battery \> Optimized, but it doesn't give the desired effect.

What is the right thing to do to allow custom apps to always work in Settings?

# Answer
> 4 votes
Instead, use the path Settings\> Battery Saver\> Extreme Battery Saver\> Essential Apps and check the box next to the app you want unrestricted.

To use an app while Extreme Battery Saver is on, tap the app that is paused, on the message that shows, tap Unpause temporarily. After a few minutes, you’ll get a notification to pause. To let the app pause again, do nothing or swipe away the notification. To stay unpaused longer, tap Wait until. You can also go into Extreme Battery Saver, tap essential apps, and select that app to be unrestricted when the battery saver is on.

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Tags: applications, settings, battery-saver
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# Question
Title: Cannot move individual contacts among storage locations
I am on Samsung S10e, Android 12. In my older phone/OS, I used to be able to move individual contacts among the various storage locations. E.g., I could move a contact from my phone to my Google account (exception: once a contact was in Google, I couldn't move it elsewhere, but I guess that was normal). Now I can't see that option anymore. The closest I found is with
*Contacts* -\> *Three bars* -\> *Manage contacts* -\> *Move contacts*
but that seems to move all contacts in one location to another.

Can I recover the previous behavior?

Note: I don't want to sync contacts, but move among storage locations.

# Answer
I was only missing one step... entering *Move contacts*.

Still, I wonder why Samsung removed the capability for moving a contact from within the view of that contact, as it used to be possible, given it is a useful feature.
> 1 votes

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Tags: contacts
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# Question
Title: What is the difference between "Corning Gorilla Glass Victus" and "Corning Gorilla Glass Victus Plus"?
What is the difference between "Gorilla Glass Victus" and "Gorilla Glass Victus+"?

Samsung claims their S22 and S22+ and S22U phones have something called

> Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus®+

The problem is, even on Corning.com I can't find any information on Gorilla Glass Victus+, I can only find information about Victus.

# Answer
> 2 votes
From what I have read, Gorilla Glass Victus+ is a stronger, more scratch-resistant, and more durable version of Gorilla Glass Victus. It was the first time that Corning has collaborated with Samsung, getting the new glass, only for those Samsung devices.
The plus version of the glass would start to scratch at the level of 7 on Moh's Hardness Scale, while the plus version would be closer to ceramic, with an 8.

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Tags: samsung, screen
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# Question
Title: Samsung Galaxy Ace GT-S5830 can't receive incoming calls
After updating to version 2.3.7 of Android the device can't receive calls. Although it can call. The caller to my device is said to line was busy always, it happens from any kind of callers. Need to note, that incoming calls are saved to log, but without any notifications.

I played with Profiles, WIFI settings, but it didn't help. baseband version: S5830XWKS2

# Answer
Under "Settings" then "call settings" in gingerbread there are two settings that might be doing this. 1 call forwarding. this might be referring incoming calls to a dead number. 2 Call rejection. This could be rejecting your calls - just adjust the options set.

If you have a new phones but amended its 'birth' number to the original number you used on the old network this might have something to do with it too. I did once have a phone which in certain situations remembered its original number which was by then not live on any network- just a thought.
> 0 votes

# Answer
According to the OP's own comments (, ) on a deleted answer:

> So, I solved: clearing all possible kind of caches (Dalvik cache including) in root mode (enter it by pressing menu + power buttons until menu appears) helps me.
>
> I installed OS from http://download.cyanogenmod.com/?device=cooper&type=stable
> 0 votes

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Tags: 2.3-gingerbread, samsung-galaxy-s, calls
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