# Question
Title: What is this icon that looks like a headphone cable?
My phone got unlocked in my pocket and appears to have changed some things in the Google Now app (although I'm not sure this icon is related to that). I have never seen this icon anywhere before. I am using LG G4 stock android 6.0.

What is this icon and how can I revert whatever change caused it to be displayed?

# Answer
> 2 votes
The icon looks like an aux cable which suggests that your phone thinks that you have plugged in some headphones.

Assuming you haven't, you can try peering into the headphone socket (use a bright light) to see if anything is trapped in there. If there is you can try blowing into the port to see if that will dislodge/remove it, or turn if so the port is at the bottom and tap gently to see if that helps.

# Answer
> -1 votes
I had the same problem with my LG v10. So I plugged my earpiece and twisted the jack end till the symbol disappeared. I then unplugged the earpiece and voila, it was gone.

---
Tags: notification-icons
---


# Question
Title: Why do partitions get unmounted automatically after some time?
I have an Android phone running Oreo 8.1.0. I have two partitions in sdcard. One partition is ext4 formatted. I mount it using:

```
mount -t ext4 -o rw /dev/block/mmcblk1p2 /data/sdext2

```

But after some time, the partition gets unmounted automatically and I have to mount it again.

Even when it is mounted, the contents are not visible in file explorer apps like MiXplorer and ES Explorer, and are only visible in terminal.

So, what is the best way to mount ext4 partition in Android persistently and what is the reason of such behavior?

# Answer
> 9 votes
## SHORT ANSWER

Go to Magisk Settings and set ***`Mount Namespace Mode`*** to ***`Global`*** once for all. In SuperSU app, disable ***`Mount Namespace Separation`***.
OR
For one time solution, use this command instead:

```
~$ su -mm -c 'mount <device> <mountpoint>'

```

## LONG ANSWER

> but after some time, the partition gets unmounted automatically and I have to mount it again.

**ANDROID NAMESPACES**
This behavior is due to Mount Namespace implemented by Android since Android-6 for the purpose of apps sandboxing / isolation. In order to control app's access to system resources and filesystems - particularly SDCards - every app (Dalvik or ART VM which processes Java bytcode to executable .dex binary) is started by zygote (an Android init process) in a new mount namespace where it can independently unmount any filesystem (except rootfs) or remount, not affecting other namespaces. Every process the app starts, lives in the same (or further) isolated namespace.
Usually `mnt` (mount) and `net` (network) namespaces are enabled on Android kernel by default. Other namespaces `pid`, `user` and `uts` can be enabled by rebuilding kernel.

**GLOBAL NAMESPACE**
Very first process started by kernel at boot: init along with all kernel processes (kworkers etc.) and other init daemon processes (such as ueventd, logd, servicemanager, vndbinder, mediaserver, netd etc.) live in **Global / Root Namespace**. When we install mods (such as Magisk, Xposed etc.), they also start as a process in root namespace, usually at initial stage of boot process.
Android filesystems (real or pseudo; /system, /data, /proc etc.) are also initially mounted in global namespace. An app's namespace has all mounts (including rootfs) set to `slave`, so that any new mount inside them in root namespace, propagates to the app's namespace but not vice versa. See mount propagation.

**NAMESPACE TOOLS**
Linux command `lsns` can be used to view all namespaces. Mount namespace can be created by `unshare -m`. To enter a namespace, `nsenter` is an easily available SETNS wrapper. In most cases these commands don't work without root privileges.

**SUPER USER AND MOUNT NS**
When we execute `su` command in a Terminal emulator app, a new process (shell) is started with elevated capabilities. This process lives in the same mount namespace as that of Terminal app. So the `mount` command is also executed in the same namespace and thus filesystem is only visible within that namespace. Once we `exit` that shell, mountpoint won't show filesystem contents. If there is no running process in a namespace, it's automatically cleaned.
*Please note that* an app is completely killed when its Dalvik process is killed by Force Stop or by Android's memory management.
If the Terminal app wasn't completely killed, `su` may enter the same namespace, only when `Inherited Namespace` option is enabled in Magisk. `Isolated Namespace` will always create a new mount namespace.

**Now coming to your question:**

> Even when it is mounted, the contents are not visible in file explorer apps like MiXplorer and ES Explorer, and are only visible in terminal.

This is because Explorers (apps) are running in their own mount namespaces. Run this command as root to get an overview:

```
~# ps f -p2 --ppid 2 --deselect -o mntns,pid,cmd --sort=mntns

```

You may use Termux for a full version of `ps`.

> When I set this command to execute on boot by placing inside init.d directory in /etc, then it works normally and ext4 partition does not unmount itself automatically.

This is because that init.d script is executed by `init` in global namespace.

> So, what is the best way to mount ext4 partition in Android persistently and what is the reason of such behavior?

To escape the whole enigma, always mount your frequently accessed filesystems in Global Mount Namespace *(though it's vulnerable to security breaches)* unless necessary otherwise. A simple check if we are in global namespace:

```
~# [ "$(readlink /proc/self/ns/mnt)" = "$(readlink /proc/1/ns/mnt)" ] && echo 'In Global NS.' || echo 'Not in Global NS.'

```

NOTE: This test works only in initial PID NS.

Another possibility is to create namespace with `unshare -m --propagation shared`. Now any new mounts in this namespace will propagate to all namespaces. But this isn't applicable to already created apps' namespaces. `mount --make-rshared /` doesn't work (at least for me) if namespace was originally created with `slave` or `private` propagation.

See this thread post for more details.

---
Tags: sd-card, mount, partitions, ext4
---


# Question
Title: How to prioritize a 802.11ac over 802.11n?
I have (at the office and at home) WiFi APs which serve 802.11n and 802.11ac over the same SSID.

My Galaxy S9+ never connects to the 5 GHz network on these SSIDs. I thought that this may be because the signal strength which is too low on the 5 GHz network and the 2 GHz looks more promising.

I created a 802.11ac-only SSID and connected my phone and tested for bandwidth which was ~90 Mbps, even in the most remote part of my home.

This probably means that the algorithm which selects the standard to use is less than optimal and I would like to help it by prioritizing the 802.11ac signal on a dual-standard SSID. **Is this something which is configurable a way or another on Android (specifically Oreo on an S9+)?**

# Answer
When the SSID is shared, the access point is responsible for band steering.

> Dual band operation with Band Steering detects clients capable of 5 GHz operation and steers them to that frequency which leaves the more crowded 2.4 GHz band available for legacy clients. *Source*

Enable band steering in your WiFi controller.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: wi-fi, samsung-galaxy-s-9
---


# Question
Title: What do the 2 triangles beside the WiFi icon mean?
I'm running Oreo 8.1.0 on a Xiaomi A1. In the status bar, I see the following three similar icons beside the WiFi icon, never more than one of them at a time:

* One of them is a solid equilateral triangle, with a vertex at the top, occupying the top half of the status bar.
* One is a solid equilateral triangle, with a vertex at the bottom, occupying the bottom half of the status bar.
* And the third is the combination of the other two.

I can't find any info about all of them by searching online, nor at Material Design's Icons.

What do they mean?

# Answer
> 2 votes
I guess you think on up/down arrows next to the WiFi signal indicator. They are called network activity arrows/indicators.

Those arrows are showing when there is network activity. Arrow pointing up means you are uploading data (doesn't necessarily mean that you are uploading a file but rather that there is network activity, when you search something on Google you need to send data first - request to be able to receive) and an arrow pointing down means that phone is receiving data via the internet. They can appear separately or both at the same time.

They also appear next to cellular signal strength if cellular data is active. Sometimes arrows are inside of WiFi/cellular icon, it really depends on the device manufacturer.

---
Tags: notification-icons
---


# Question
Title: Allow an app to override Do Not Disturb in Oreo
In Nougat, there used to be a per-app option to control which apps could override Do Not Disturb. In Oreo, I only see the Low/Medium/High/Urgent options, none of which say that they override Do Not Disturb. Is there still a way to do this for Oreo apps? If so, how?

# Answer
> 3 votes
On stock Oreo 8.0 (MiA1)

Settings → Apps and notifications →App Info → Choose app (not all apps have this permission) →App Notification → Enable override

---
Tags: applications, notifications, settings, 8.1-oreo, do-not-disturb
---


# Question
Title: Is there any benefit to wiping Dalvik Cache after rooting my phone?
Every time I do an OS update, it removes the root so I need to re-root my phone using TWRP. TWRP gives me the option to wipe the Dalvik Cache after flashing any sort of item. I understand that there is a good reason to wipe Dalvik after flashing a ROM. However, if all I did was an OTA update to my OS and flashed Magisk to root my phone, is there any benefit to wiping Dalvik cache?

# Answer
> 6 votes
As you mentioned you're using Magisk for root, I'm assuming you're running on Android 5 or up.

The answer would be no. You can safely ignore the "Wipe Dalvik Cache" after OTA updating and re-rooting.

Dalvik cache is compiled binary code (optimized DEX) for your installed applications, so it usually makes sense to wipe them if you removed/replaced your apps in recovery, or modified the ART runtime (like installing Xposed Framework). The odex files for system apps usually come with the system image and does not reside in the user dalvik-cache directory. Therefore there's no need to wipe cache if you root your phone or flash a new recovery, but recommended if anything related to application runtime has changed (e.g. Xposed).

---
Tags: rooting, twrp, cache, dalvik
---


# Question
Title: Is there a way to stop Android from creating folders on the SD card such as "Android" and "Download"?
In the SD card of an Android device, some folders such as "Android" and "Download" are always automatically created.

Is there any to stop it?

# Answer
Without tricks, the answer is No.

These "Shell Directories" are hard-coded into Android and get created automatically if any of them is found missing. You cannot prevent this behavior from happening, but there are workarounds that makes the directory creation fail, by putting a file with the same name in the same place.

See Why do Android create "Shell Folders" automatically? Can I change the shell folders?
> 3 votes

---
Tags: sd-card, file-management, folders
---


# Question
Title: What triggers Always On Display's display of seconds?
I'm using a Samsung A320F/DS with AOD in "show always" mode. Android is 8.0.0, AOD has only a single page (without the player). Clock style is set up as

```
  22:59
TUE 3 JULY
  84%

```

But one day, when I extracted my phone from the pocket, I found it displaying time as `12:00:41`, changing seconds every second. I didn't pay attention at first, and hid the phone back into the pocket. After some time, when I extracted it again to use, the seconds appeared to have gone.

But now I wonder: what triggered this display of seconds? How do I reproduce this? I've tried tapping everywhere, pressing sensor buttons at the bottom, holding them, pressing/holding menu button, volume buttons, but the phone didn't react.

EDIT: I've found that on the Lock Screen, I can get seconds by tapping the clock area. Then the screen dims a bit, and the clock begins to display seconds — until the screen turns off. I still wonder how I triggered this in the Always On Display.

# Answer
Apparently, what I saw was not the Always On Display. I suppose the sequence of events was something like follows:

1. While the phone was in the pocket, power button got pressed
2. Due to hot weather the touchscreen was activated by the side of the pocket (wetted due to sweat), thus tapping OK in the warning dialog to "continue using the phone"
3. The same activation mechanism resulted in a tap on the clock area on the Lock Screen
4. Lock Screen presented its "extended clock" or whatever it's called, which shows seconds — on a very dimmed out background.

The dimmed background is likely what made me think it's completely black and assume that it's the Always On Display.

And indeed, this agrees with my observation that after several seconds the extended clock format changes back to the MM:SS — this is simply the display going to sleep, turning on the real AOD.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: samsung, screen, clock
---


# Question
Title: Google Photos backs up only cover photo from burst mode photos
When I take picture on my Moto G5 Plus, I long press in my Camera app to get multiple photos. From what I have read, it is called burst mode. The photos are stored in the `/storage/emulated/0/DCIM/Camera` folder. The naming convention of the image files goes something like this.

Cover photo - `IMG_YYYYMMDD_<SOME NUMBER>_BURST000_COVER.jpg`

Other photos - `IMG_YYYYMMDD_<SOME NUMBER>_BURST011.jpg`

But when the photos are backed up by Google Photos, only the cover photo gets backed up. I lost quite a few photos this way because I thought the auto backup will backup everything.

I cannot find any setting that can backup all the photos along with cover photo also. Is there any setting for this?

**Update 1:**

I have auto backup enabled.

**Update 2:**

Added details for image file naming convention and folder details.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Follow below step

1. Open the Google Photos app.
2. On top left side click three line button.
3. Goto Setting.
4. Tap on Backup & Sync.
5. Now tap on Back up device folders.

Select the folders you want a backup.

---
Tags: backup, 7.0-nougat, google-photos, google-backup, motorola-moto-g5
---


title: My Samsung tablel 1 is not restarting?

text:
# Question
Title: My Samsung tablel 1 is not restarting?
It stop working in process of restarting where android symbol is coming. So what should I have to do for resolve this issue?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Ugh...I have been researching this problem too my friends. I have the galaxy tab 7.0 and it has that stupid market instead of play store. While reading, i noticed this happens quite a bit. From what i have seen a hard reset doesn't always do the trick, good luck, sorry i couldnt be more help. I am interested in this solution myself.

---
Tags: applications, boot, reboot
---


# Question
Title: how to recover password android with permission denied?
I get the following message:

```
adb: error: failed to copy '/data/misc/wifi/wpa_supplicant.conf' to '.\wpa_suppl
icant.conf': remote Permission denied

```

I can not copy nothing from my android to recover my password of mi wifi

# Answer
> 2 votes
You would need root access to access that sensitive file. If you don't have root access, then all efforts with adb would be futile. That file and the directory is owned by user wifi and group wifi, and because adb (user 2000) is neither a member of group wifi, nor that file has read permission for *others (users)*, you're at loss here.

---
Tags: wi-fi
---


title: Re-install system Google Play store

text:
# Question
Title: Re-install system Google Play store
I tried installing a modded Play store using Lucky Patcher, but in the process it deleted the system app and didn't install the modded one. I have tried installing it manually but it just can't work and crashes every time I want to download or update apps.

Can anyone help me out in installing the official Play store?

# Answer
> 1 votes
The "Install Modded Play Store" dialog in Lucky Patcher also supports installing the unmodded Google Play store. To do this, open Lucky Patcher \> Tools \> Install modded Play Store \> Original Play Store (select version). Make sure to uncheck "Install as a User App" before installing. Then reboot.

If it doesn't install right (or doesn't appear after reboot), you could try it manually. Go to Rebuild & Install \> LuckyPatcher \> Download, select PlayStore.apk (which was downloaded by installing the unmodded Play Store above), press "Install as a System App", and then reboot.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Just flash a GAPPS package available on xda. You can choose from a variety of packages, available on multiple versions of Android. See here for more information.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Install the Play Store. Then convert it to the system app then reboot. That's all.

To convert, you can simply use ES File Explorer. With this option, first, uninstall the Play Store. Enable root explorer in the app dashboard. Still, in the dashboard, tap local and select device. Look for system, app, and there paste the Play Store APK file there that you have copied (so you first copy the Play Store APK before going to root explorer). Next reboot.

Or you can convert to a system app using any root app like Link2SD. Here you need to install the Play Store app, next you open Link2SD and select Play Store. Tap the more options button and tap convert to system app. After it is complete, reboot.

# Answer
> 0 votes
1. Install Lucky Patcher
2. Delete files from Lucky Patcher folder
3. Click on Tools
4. Click on Install Modded Play Store
5. Click on original, not on modded; this process takes time of 5 minutes.

Now you have your own Play Store.

---
Tags: google-play-store, lucky-patcher
---


# Question
Title: How do I stop a specific WiFi network from turning on WiFi automatically in Oreo
## Background:

With my Samsung Galaxy S7 finally updated to Android Oreo recently, I got the option to turn on WiFi automatically when in places where I frequently am. This is a great feature, which I used to achieve using Llama, and which I very much want to use.

However, there doesn't seem to be any control for the locations or networks that trigger it. I also have no idea how big the range is of what it counts as a distinct location.

The issue is that there is this WiFi network throughout the city which I use at one specific location frequently. I pass through the vicinity of that location several times a day, which unfortunately means WiFi is turned on every time. Which in turn means my phone is continuously trying to connect to that network and failing, because I'm just biking through. All the while it prevents a stable connection with my mobile network, because it's trying to connect to the WiFi.

## Question:

Is there any way to prevent a specific location from triggering WiFi to turn on automatically?

Or, for that matter, is anything known about how the option precisely works? I'm assuming it looks at location, but how big is the range, how does it work if I connect to the same network in different locations, etc.?

# Answer
So, if the WiFi turned on automatically and is connecting to the network, you need to turn the WiFi off. When I did that, I got the following notification:

> **Turn on Wi-Fi automatically**
> "\[*SSID*\]" has been removed from your frequently used Wi-Fi networks. It will be added again if you use it more often.

Apparently that is enough to remove it temporarily at least. No idea how long it takes until it is added again.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: wi-fi, 8.0-oreo, samsung-galaxy-s7
---


title: Dodgy App ripping me off?

text:
# Question
Title: Dodgy App ripping me off?
I am suspicious about the following:

* My data usage tripled last month.
* I have found an app which I don't recognize.
* I have received multimedia messages from someone who denies sending any.

Is it possible that I could have been sent some sort of virus in a multimedia message which has installed the app (BestDeals), which then uses my data allowance to rip me off?

I have uninstalled other apps, but it doesn't seem to be possible for apps like this. How might I uninstall it?

# Answer
Most shady apps pull you into setting them as a device administrator. Device admin apps have additional access to your device and cannot be removed *unless* you remove them from the Device Admin list.

**To manage device administrators**: Go to Settings \> Security \> Device admin apps (or a similar entry) and remove admin access from all the apps. *Or at least from apps which you do not recognize.*

Once an app is off device admin list, it can be removed off just like any other app.

You can also check for the amount of data consumed by an app by checking the data usage stats. That'll help you better understand the culprit app.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: virus
---


# Question
Title: Is there a way to remove everything in my Android phone Contacts and then transfer everything in Gmail contacts into the phone contacts?
I make extensive use of GROUPS in my Gmail account. For example, all medical contacts are stored in MEDICAL, restaurants in RESTAURANTS, etc. When doing this I specifically do not have the group entry appear in MY CONTACTS. This removes clutter from MY CONTACTS. I have 97 entries in MY CONTACTS, and 300 entries among the groups that do not appear in MY CONTACTS. Somewhere I COPIED my Gmail to my phone contacts and to my surprise all the group entries from Gmail now also appear in MY CONTACTS on the phone which results in 397 phone contacts (97 + 300). I would like the phone contacts to be exactly as they appear in the Gmail contacts.

I have tried Settings \> More \> Applications \> Go right to all apps \> scroll down to "Contacts Storage" Then clicked on contacts storage \> Click Clear Data but that did not do the job.

# Answer
> 1 votes
If you only want a particular contact group to appear in the contacts app on your phone, then you can achieve it pretty easily by using the Contacts to display option in your Contacts app.

1. Open Contacts app.
2. Tap on the 3 dots at top right, choose Settings.
3. Select *Contacts to display* \> customize.
4. Expand your Google account and uncheck all the other groups and keep only *My Contacts*.

Do note that when performing a search within contacts, it will still search within all the available contacts. But under normal display it will only show your 97 contacts stored under *My Contacts* group.

# Answer
> 0 votes
It depend on your device model. You should check the setting of contact application. You can disable google contact to show in contact application. By the way, Go to Google Contacts. Export contact list to a csv file. Import this file on your device and check the groups.

---
Tags: sync, google-contacts
---


# Question
Title: Why is my Galaxy S4 still not appearing as a device in Mac OS X
I am trying to solve the problem of having an empty list of devices when running `adb devices`. Why is it not appearing?

I have tried the following to no avail:

* Installed Kies and ran Tools \> Install driver; then restarted
* Turned off the Mac OS X firewall in
* run `sudo adb devices` instead of just `adb devices`
* Read the user manual from Samsung, which simply refers me to use Kies
* Attach S4 to a different macbook in case the USB input is faulty
* Try both different USB inputs in my Macbook Pro

The output I see after doing a fresh restart and plugging in the S4:

```
./adb devices
* daemon not running. starting it now on port 5037 *
* daemon started successfully *
List of devices attached

```

(with nothing more shown underneath)

Also, even after installing the drivers using Kies, the device does not appear there.

I am running OS X 10.9 on a Macbook Pro. The phone lights up and does start to charge when it is plugged in to any of the 2 USB ports on my Macbook.

What else can I try to have my brand new S4 appear in this device list?

**EDIT** It seems according to this thread (http://forums.androidcentral.com/samsung-galaxy-s4/282817-pc-cant-detect-galaxy-s4.html) that it may just be a faulty cable. I'm currently using the cable that came with the S4. I'll try other cables.

# Answer
> 4 votes
Answer: I was using the cable that Samsung provided with the phone

Solution: Go get a USB\<\>MiniUSB cable that was provided with a digital SLR a few years back and use that instead. The S4 now appears in the adb output and in Kies just fine.

\<sarcasm\>Thankyou Samsung\</sarcasm\>

# Answer
> 4 votes
If using a better cable doesn't work be sure to enable the **USB debugging** feature under **Developer options \> Debugging**

# Answer
> 1 votes
This worked for me: try unlock screen after phone is connected. Screen lock seems to block access to the device from USB as well it seems.

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


title: Can't update Uber app

text:
# Question
Title: Can't update Uber app
I installed uber app from play store. But when i try to update it then it cant update and it shows error.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Follow below Step:

1. Go to Setting
2. Tap on Applications
3. Find the Uber app on a downloaded app
4. Tap on Uber app
5. Clear caches files and clear data storage.
6. Now open Play Store
7. Find Uber app, let see UPDATE button is visible

---
Tags: updates, application-autoupdate, uber
---


# Question
Title: Google Maps' location history is not accurate. Can High Accuracy option cause it?
My Samsung Galaxy S8's location services is set to "High Accuracy". When I look at the "History" in Google Maps, it doesn't show some stops I made from point A to B, but it claims that the car is moving. However, I also have a GPS tracking device which is always accurate.

Can enabling "High Accuracy" which mixes GPS and Wi-Fi hotspots indeed cause inaccuracy?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Missing out places like that is nothing to do with location accuracy and everything to do with battery life. Every time the phone has to start up a process, get a location fix, and record that position in some database or send it to the cloud, it's running your battery down a teensy bit. This might be OK for an app like Strava where users run it deliberately, and are willing to spend some battery life on getting accurate results, but it's not OK for something that's always running in the background.

For this reason, your location history doesn't actually update very often, so it's very common for arrival or departure times to be inaccurate, or even for it to miss a short visit entirely.

Changing location mode won't affect this. One solution if it's really important to have a good GPS log is to use an app specifically for this purpose. It will run down your battery if you run it for a long period. Another option is to use a dedicated handheld GPS. As a purpose-specific device, it's optimized for just this task, and doesn't have to wake up your whole phone just to record a position.

---
Tags: google-maps, location-services
---


title: Launcher 3 and it Purpose

text:
# Question
Title: Launcher 3 and it Purpose
What does a launcher3 do? and why would you want to Launch another one on your phone?

and what does it mean that on Google when it states that you have used launcher 3?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Launcher3 is a home screen app that allows you to launch apps. You always use it. You may want to use another launcher if you hate the default layout of your home screen

---
Tags: launcher
---


# Question
Title: "Webpage not available" for some webpages but not all
I can not access all webpages on my phone. While some are working fine, others simply show "Webpage not available". This appears to be independent of the webbrowser. It's always the same webpages that won't work and they won't work with neither *mBrowser* nor *Tint Browser* and I have also experienced this on my mother's smartphone with the default browser. This is not a matter of misspelling or being temporarily not available: I have been experiencing this for months now (not always - there were times when I was able to access those pages) and the webpages are reliably accessible from a computer. This happens both when I am entering the URL manually as well as when clicking on a link from google.

Removing the battery or clearing Tint Browser's cache did not help.

some pages that are *not* accessible:

some pages that *are* accessible:

* google
* leo.org
* wikipedia.org

I am using Android 4.0.4 (CyanogenMod 9.1.0), mBrowser 12.0, Tint Browser 1.8 (10). My mother's phone was a Sony Experia with the preinstalled OS but I can't check the Android version because it got lost.

# Answer
> 3 votes
Let's check the supported HTTPS protocol versions of the sites you mentioned.

Do you see the pattern? From my perspective I would assume that the used browsers use the old outdated web engine of your OS which does not support TLS 1.2.

My suggestion would be to install the Chrome app and use it (and may be even set it as default browser engine - was this already possible on Android 4.0?). Chrome includes the latest SSL/TLS libraries with TLS 1.2 support furthermore it is not affected by dozens of security vulnerabilities which your outdated integrated web engine suffers from.

---
Tags: browser
---


# Question
Title: How to format an SD card as adoptable storage on Android 5?
I have ZTE phone:

> Model z828
>
> Fcc id srq-z828 IC 5200E-Z828
>
> H/W U06A
>
> DATE 03/2017

and have inserted and mounted a 32 GB SD storage chip. However, cannot seem to get an option to use adoptable storage.

In settings, storage I see options to unmount or format the SD card -- but no option to adopt.

**Operating System version number: 5.1.1**

# Answer
> 1 votes
Your model ships originally with Android 5.1. Adoptable storage was introduced in Android 6.0 .

So even if you update to Android 6, is probably that you wont have the option.

Also some manufacturers, dont allow this option, so if the option doesnt appear, or the option to move apps to the sd card doesnt appear, the option is not available. It happened to me on a Galaxy J5 2015 with Android 5.1 that got the Android 6.0 update, and still doesnt work.

Hope it helps.

---
Tags: google-play-store, internal-storage, external-sd, storage, adoptable-storage
---


# Question
Title: Overwritten Recovery Partition on Moto G Falcon
My 2013 Moto G (falcon) was running Lineage fine, but I decided to 'fix it'!

OK - I wanted to try another build, but in flashing I've overwritten TWRP on the recovery partition, so I can't do anything now. I've got ADB installed on my Linux laptop.

I'd be grateful for any ideas, please.

Jim

# Answer
You have two options to restore TWRP to the recovery partition.

The first option, and probably the most common, is to reflash it with fastboot.

First, make sure you have fastboot installed (adb does nothing here), and then download the latest TWRP image file for your device from the official site: https://twrp.me/motorola/motorolamotog2013.html

The file you are looking for is `twrp-3.2.3-0-falcon.img` and place it in a known location.

Now shutdown the device completely, and hold POWER and VOL DN to start the bootloader, then a USB cable from your phone to the computer.

Open a terminal window, and navigate to the directory containing the TWRP image file, and enter the following command:

`sudo fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.2.3-0-falcon.img`

Enter your password, then wait for the process to complete, and use the volume keys to select Start Recovery, and press Power to start TWRP.

The other option if you have a bootable, rooted device, is to install the official TWRP app, and install it from there.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: adb
---


title: WinSCP for android equivalent

text:
# Question
Title: WinSCP for android equivalent
Is there a drag/drop ssh client for android so I can connect to my home server via ssh and easily transfer files from server to android phone? something like winSCP for Windows?

# Answer
> 7 votes
ES File Explorer is one that can use the secure FTP protocol over ssh protocol.

To get the settings, from ES File Explorer:

* Hit menu key, **Show Tabs**, *Local*, *LAN*, *FTP*, *NET* appears
* Tap on *FTP*
* Then tap on *New* that appears underneath, a dialog box will appear prompting the different FTP types, tap on *SFTP*

* Enter the details of the ssh server that hosts the secure FTP protocol

* ES File Explorer will remember the next time, so tap on the server, and then you can browse the file system of the remote server and upload/download files

# Answer
> 1 votes
Ghost Commander If you want to go to an opensource client you'll have to add the SFTP Plugin AndFTP is another client is another alternative but with publicities

---
Tags: file-transfer, ssh
---


title: How to run GNU utilities without root?

text:
# Question
Title: How to run GNU utilities without root?
Is there any way to use GNU utilities like GNU's sed, find, bash, and awk WITHOUT root? Android's utilities that are provided by toolbox and the BusyBox applets provided by one particular application I have installed lack the kind of features necessary for them to be fully functional.

One problem I have in particular is that I have no way of converting characters that hinder processing data in a Unix environment (such as linefeeds and nulls) into their respective escape codes (i.e., a linefeed becomes `\n`, a null becomes `\x00` or `\0`, etc.).

I am running Android 4.4.

# Answer
Try out Termux! (Note: I'm not affliated with it or its author)

Termux provides a full set of common Linux CLI tools like GNU coreutils, binutils, and popular software like imagemagick, ffmpeg, as well as development environment like Clang, Python and Ruby. Other nice gadgets also include Vim, Emacs, tmux, htop, etc.

All available without root.

Image from Google Play details page
> 0 votes

---
Tags: command-line
---


# Question
Title: Cast Chrome desktop browser tab to Android device
I want to mirror the content from a Chrome desktop tab on my Android device.

Is it possible to cast a Chrome browser tab *from desktop* to an Android (OS 8.1) device?

# Answer
You can install WebRTC Desktop Sharing extension on your Chrome browser for Desktop. Click on its icon → Chrome tab + Speakers → choose your tab to share → wait for the extension to give you a URL.

Use that URL into your Android device's browser. It will take few seconds to initialize everything and then you can have a real-time Chrome tab sharing from Desktop to anywhere.

Alternatively, if you are using Windows, enable Remote Desktop Sharing in it, setup a Remote Desktop connection and use Chrome Remote Desktop app to share the whole screen with Android. I haven't tested this one though.
> 3 votes

# Answer
As far as "Cast" goes, you can only cast to Chromecast devices or Android TV devices from cast-enabled devices. Not from other devices to your phone.

What you can do is use apps like Splashtop or TeamViewer, to "handle" or use your computer from the mobile device.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: screen-mirroring
---


# Question
Title: After Pie upgrade, lock screen is not hiding all sensitive content
I recently upgraded my Pixel 2 from Android Oreo to Pie. I have "Security & location" -\> "Lock screen preferences" set to "Hide sensitive content".

Ever since the upgrade, when I receive an email while my phone is locked, in addition to the email notification icon, it also displays my email address under it for a short while (Maybe 60 seconds.) Even after it goes away, if I double tap the screen or press the power button, it shows my email address again on the screen; note the phone is still locked at this point. (I'm fairly certain that) prior to the upgrade only the email icon was shown without also displaying my email address while the phone is locked.

I am using the standard Gmail app with multiple email addresses configured. I consider my email address(es) to be sensitive information and don't want them to be displayed on my locked phone.

Is this a new bug (or strange feature), or is it configurable? Or am I completely mistaken and it's always been this way?

# Answer
> 1 votes
It is not a bug, your email address is showing due to multiple email configurations u have made. However your point is valid that your email address is a sensitive information, u can try sending feedback to google by reviewing Gmail on Playstore.

---
Tags: lock-screens, 9.0-pie
---


# Question
Title: apps close automatically while using and back button stops to work meanwhile
I have a problem with *Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime Plus* that apps are automatically close while using and back button stops to work meanwhile

# Answer
Try finding out, how many apps currently running when this problem occurs, as this problem can occur when an application is taking too much processing or your temporary memory is full. Try clearing apps from background by hitting the left most button below the screen.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: applications
---


# Question
Title: which version of blustacks have instance?
i want to run 5 number of bluestacks on **VPS**
which version of bluestacks have **instance** feature and run in VPS and no graphics required to run?

# Answer
BlueStacks 3 supports multiple instances, you can follow the below link to see steps:

https://support.bluestacks.com/hc/en-us/articles/115003172406-Introducing-BlueStacks-3-multiple-instances
> 0 votes

---
Tags: applications, bluestacks
---


# Question
Title: Use of the -i argument in fastboot command-line?
I was planning to flash a custom recovery in my Yu Yuphoria. So I searched for it on Google, and found a download link along with a written tutorial. I'm acquainted with the fastboot commands, so I avoided reading it, but somehow came across something different. Instead of commands like:

```
fastboot oem unlock
fastboot reboot

```

I came across commands like:

```
fastboot -i 0x2A96 reboot

```

What's the use of the `-i 0x2A96`? Is it specific for different devices? Why is it necessary to add this to the command?

# Answer
`-i <vendor id>` is used to specify a custom USB vendor id

according to the `fastboot --help` page

```
usage: fastboot [ <option> ] <command>

commands:
  update <filename>                        reflash device from update.zip
  flashall                                 flash boot, system, vendor and if found,
                                           recovery
  flash <partition> [ <filename> ]         write a file to a flash partition
  erase <partition>                        erase a flash partition
  format[:[<fs type>][:[<size>]] <partition> format a flash partition.
                                           Can override the fs type and/or
                                           size the bootloader reports.
  getvar <variable>                        display a bootloader variable
  boot <kernel> [ <ramdisk> [ <second> ] ] download and boot kernel
  flash:raw boot <kernel> [ <ramdisk> [ <second> ] ] create bootimage and
                                           flash it
  devices                                  list all connected devices
  continue                                 continue with autoboot
  reboot                                   reboot device normally
  reboot-bootloader                        reboot device into bootloader
  help                                     show this help message

options:
  -w                                       erase userdata and cache (and format
                                           if supported by partition type)
  -u                                       do not first erase partition before
                                           formatting
  -s <specific device>                     specify device serial number
                                           or path to device port
  -l                                       with "devices", lists device paths
  -p <product>                             specify product name
  -c <cmdline>                             override kernel commandline
  -i <vendor id>                           specify a custom USB vendor id
  -b <base_addr>                           specify a custom kernel base address.
                                           default: 0x10000000
  -n <page size>                           specify the nand page size.
                                           default: 2048
  -S <size>[K|M|G]                         automatically sparse files greater
                                           than size.  0 to disable

```

As for usage, I've never had to use it, but this suggests that it's for getting fastboot to work with unrecognized devices:

> As you've already know, you can force `fastboot` to work with a device, even if the vendor ID is unknown by fastboot binary, by `-i` parameter: `-i <vendor id>` specify a custom USB vendor id
> 5 votes

# Answer
I just had the case that indeed I HAD to specify my Android device ID.

My intention was to unlock the bootloader of my Android device. But Ubuntu just did not find the device when in "Download mode" - as displayed on the device screen.
When using like:

```
fastboot devices

```

Had no output, just prompt.
As soon as I used just

```
fastboot -i 0x2e04 devices

```

it listed the device.
For all my predecessor Androids on the same Ubuntu host optin "-i" wasn't necessary.

2e04 resp. 0x2e04 is the ID for Nokia. In my case Nokia 6.1 or 6 (2018).

Could be found with "lsusb" or "dmesg" like:

```
saeufer@eckkneipe:~$ lsusb
Bus 002 Device 002: ID 17ef:7214 Lenovo
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 014: ID 2e04:c026

```

Also mind "fastboot" might need sudo/root permission on default Ubuntu settings.

**EDIT/Update** Reason was I had an older Ubuntu (32Bit) and package-manager did not update ADB tools (including also fastboot) to more resent version. I later used a newer Ubuntu (virtual machine) and ADB tolls were a bit more current - no need to use `"-i"` option any longer. So if you struggle consider update ADB. Newer 64Bit versions can also be downloaded at Google (I just miss the link). 32Bit ADB tools are deprecated by Google.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: fastboot, command-line
---


# Question
Title: Toast message: Failed to init Google DNS, switch to host IP method
Recently, after unlocking my phone screen (Samsung J7 Pro - J730, stock ROM, Android 7 Nougat), I usually receive a toast notification saying: **"Failed to init Google DNS, switch to host IP method"**. I can guess that the toast is made after a network change (from WiFi to 3G and vice versa) because that's how it usually happens, like when I go home and the phone catches the WiFi signal. Maybe the "Google DNS" refers to the 8.8.8.8 public DNS server owned by Google.

Problem is: (1) I don't modify the network configuration at all. My IP is set to DHCP, not static and not manually configurated. And (2) it even happens on 3G network, which I cannot configure the DNS in anyway.

I have looked for the toast message everywhere and I could not find any reference at all.

My questions are:

* What is the source of this toast? Have any of you encountered this as well?
* Is this a security concern (location tracking, hacking attempts, surveillance, etc.)? Should I be worried about this at all?

Thank you!

# Answer
> 0 votes
Thanks to beeshyams' suggestion, I downloaded the app Notification History and found out that the toast comes from a forum's app. It looks like there are no security concerns for now.

---
Tags: samsung, security, 7.0-nougat, networking, toast-notifications
---


# Question
Title: How to make root-created files accessible to normal users?
My device is running Android 8.0, rooted using Magisk as the `su` manager. I log into it using SimpleSSHD.

I'm trying to do some actions which require root access, and in the process I'm creating some files to be later used by normal users. But for some reason what I'm used to in "classical" Linux distributions doesn't appear to work: root-created files can't be read by normal users, whatever `chown`/`chgrp`/`chmod` actions I try. See the following session:

```
$ su -c "echo hello > file.txt; chown $(whoami) file.txt; chgrp $(whoami) file.txt; chmod a+r file.txt"
$ cat file.txt
cat: file.txt: Permission denied
$ echo readable > my.txt
$ su -c 'cp -a my.txt my-copy.txt'
$ cat my-copy.txt
cat: my-copy.txt: Permission denied
$ ls -l *.txt
-rw-r--r-- 1 u0_a182 u0_a182 6 2018-08-20 15:21 file.txt
-rw------- 1 u0_a182 u0_a182 9 2018-08-20 15:23 my-copy.txt
-rw------- 1 u0_a182 u0_a182 9 2018-08-20 15:22 my.txt
$ whoami
u0_a182

```

What's happening here? Why are permission bits, owner and group ignored for files I created as root? How to properly change owner to normal user?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Android uses SELinux to manage file access. The files created by root and non-root users differ by SELinux context:

```
$ ls -lZ *.txt
-rw-r--r-- 1 u0_a182 u0_a182 u:object_r:app_data_file:s0           6 2018-08-20 16:01 file.txt
-rw------- 1 u0_a182 u0_a182 u:object_r:app_data_file:s0           9 2018-08-20 16:01 my-copy.txt
-rw------- 1 u0_a182 u0_a182 u:object_r:app_data_file:s0:c512,c768 9 2018-08-20 16:01 my.txt

```

To make the file really belong to the non-root user, one has to set the correct SELinux context:

```
$ su -c 'chcon u:object_r:app_data_file:s0:c512,c768 file.txt'
$ cat file.txt
hello

```

---
Tags: root-access, file-permissions
---


# Question
Title: How can I set up canned response in Android Messages app?
Is there a way to configure Android Messages with a list of custom templates? For instance:

* "I'm away right now."
* "Thank you for contacting us. We will get back to you soon"
* ...

In the Android Messages app, I could then select one of these custom messages when responding to someone, or when contacting someone by SMS for the first time.

# Answer
> 2 votes
There isn't a way to set up templates in the Google messaging app. Closest is *Smart reply* which suggests replies based over time but no where close to templates

You will need to use apps that do this, as claimed (not tested by me) or consider other alternatives

---
Tags: sms
---


# Question
Title: How can I get IP connectivity on my non calling tablet without using WiFi?
Actually my issue is that I want to use my tablet as a second display over USB. I have used team-viewer over WiFi and it works fine, but since it is over WiFi, there is significant lag which defeats the purpose of a second monitor.

So, I wanted to know whether I can get IP (Layer 3) connectivity with a USB cable and some app (maybe) on my WiFi only tablet. I don't have a USB tethering option in my settings. I also have enabled USB debugging mode.

I can easily do this on my phone which has "USB tethering option".

# Answer
If your device supports USB OTG, then you should look into a wired Ethernet adapter. Depending on the specifics of your tablet, if it works, this is the best solution. Android SE, example how-to, XDA, example cable to let you charge and Ethernet (eBay).

If you're not rooted, or don't have USB OTG, the next best option is to buy another WAP of the fastest type of WiFi that your table support and put it near the tablet. If you normally use 2.4Ghz Wifi, then get one that's only 5Ghz, assuming your tablet supports 5Ghz. A different band will reduce interference and let the tablet and WAP use their full speed.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: usb-debugging, tethering, reverse-tether, teamviewer
---


# Question
Title: How google home and our smartphone get connected together to send WiFi password to google home?
As you all know in order to connect our google home devices we use a special google home app on our smartphone. But the questions is , suppose that app know the current WiFi password, how that password gets sent to google home itself when google home has not been connected to any WiFi yet? is it via Bluetooth or something else?

# Answer
Google home's initial setup is likely similar to the initial setup on a Chromecast device. The Chromecast acts as an access point (i.e. something a WiFi-enabled device can connect too, just like your router). The Google Home app is programmed to search for and connect to this access point. Once connected, the two devices can communicate information between eachother. In fact, when setting up a Chromecast device, a message is displayed in the Google Home app stating that "you may be disconnected from WiFi for a moment".

Google Home probably works in the same way - it acts as an access point, gets paired with the phone and they exchanged information/passwords and then Google Home connects to the WiFi.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: wi-fi, bluetooth, password
---


# Question
Title: Can I keep all of my Dropbox data on SD card?
Is there any way to configure the Dropbox app so that all Dropbox files, now and future, are available offline on the SD card?

# Answer
> 0 votes
**Yes, you can**

* Specifically, making a file available offline:
* Adds the file to your Offline view for easy access (like a bookmark)
* Saves the file to your Android device for offline viewing within
Dropbox
* Attempts to keep the file as up-to-date as possible and gives you the option to update the file manually
* Ensures that any changes you make to the file while offline will be
synced to your Dropbox account once you have a connection again

---
Tags: applications, dropbox
---


title: Android 9 issues with Pixel

text:
# Question
Title: Android 9 issues with Pixel
My Pixel phone is upgraded to Android 9. I am having two different issues.

1. Voice to Text is not working
2. Callers cannot hear me on voice calls (callers can hear me on Bluetooth devices)

Anyone else experience this or know how to resolve?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Seems surely the problem of hardware i.e. microphone. I have Pixel XL, and there are no software compatibility issues that i found yet. Still if u are very much sure, then you can factory reset the phone(it clears all the phone data and fresh start the Android) by going to **Settings -\> System -\> Reset Options -\> Erase All Data**.

Note: It is recommended by many tech experts to Factory Reset the phone after installing an Android Version update as it clear unused previous OS caches.

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


# Question
Title: How to stop uploading pictures on Google Photos on Pixel 2?
I've been using Android for 7+ years and now got a Google phone. There are several things I like but one I didn't is that any picture I take on my phone, it is uploaded to my Google Photos account. In the past, I used to create Picasa web albums to share with family.

It is a nice feature in some ways but I've set up albums in Google Photos in the past and now every random picture I take with my phone is uploaded there. I also get a lot of pictures from WhatsApp etc. which I don't want to be merged with Google Photos.

How can I separate phone pictures/albums from Google Photos?

# Answer
Google Photos shows you a prompt when you first open the app. If you press confirm, it will automatically start uploading your photos to the cloud.

You can manage the setting in your Google Photos app. Open the app and go to *Settings \> Back up & sync* and turn it off.
> 1 votes

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


title: Xiaomi Mi 5C - Horrible Speed

text:
# Question
Title: Xiaomi Mi 5C - Horrible Speed
I have a new Xiaomi Mi 5C ordered from AliExpress. When connected to the data network in Denmark, the internet is horribly sluggish. It seems to only be able to connect via Edge. Anybody knows a solution?

Note 1: that the same sim card in another phone provides 3G connectivity.

Note 2: all the settings are such that it should be using 3G when possible (e.g. Preferred Network Type = 3G)

Android Version: 7.1.2.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Oki, what solved it for me were the following steps for enabling 4G on Xiaomi Mi5C:

1. dial \*#\*#1#\*#\*
2. in the menu select 'TEL\_Assistant'
3. select 'Telephony' and then 'Radio Access Tec'
4. choose the '5 MODE' and then 'Save'
5. reboot/restart the device

# Answer
> 0 votes
did you try changing the network model...is it stuck on edge..after changing the network model go to your network details and make shure your are on the selected network mode

---
Tags: xiaomi
---


title: Why do I have to uninstall apps twice?

text:
# Question
Title: Why do I have to uninstall apps twice?
On my LG Aristo, I uninstall an app by dragging it to the uninstall interface at the top.

But then when I go on Google Play I find that the app isn't uninstalled, only disabled. What gives?

I'm not talking about system apps at all. I download an app from the play store and uninstall it.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I believe you are running into a situation where the launcher doesn't know what constitutes a system app. System apps are those that are pre-installed, or bundled with your particular OS. These are apps like Clock, Calculator, and whatever else OEMs like LG has decided to install on the device.

When you drag an icon to the "uninstall interface" at the top of your screen, this is your device's launcher app providing a convenient way to call the Action Uninstall Package Intent

Since you can't uninstall system apps normally, the launcher instead issues an intent that essentially "disables" the app - the next best thing the system can do besides actually uninstall.

---
Tags: uninstallation
---


# Question
Title: What is the scope of Google Play Protect's scanning?
Even though I don't recommend relying on it (because it is not very effective), I know quite a few people who only use Google Play Protect.

1. Does Google Play Protect only scan apps installed via the Google Play Store or does it scan all installed apps?
2. Does it scan APK files on the device that are not installed?

# Answer
From experience

> Does Google Play Protect only scan apps installed via the Google Play Store or does it scan all installed apps?

It checks for all apps installed on the device irrespective of source (barring systemless installs using Magisk). For instance V4A (Viper for Android) flashed through TWRP triggered this warning

> Does it scan APK files on the device that are not installed?

No, it does not scan APKs. I was transferring APKs of old versions of apps which I prefer over current version and inadvertently copied Lucky Patcher APK. Since I didn't install it, it passed checks
> 3 votes

---
Tags: google-play-store, google, malware, google-play-protect
---


# Question
Title: How do I add Android user (linux level) to a group?
groupadd and useradd aren't available, so how I can add a user (app's assigned user) to a group?

Also, the file /etc/group does not exist and I couldn't find where Android saves this information. (googling/greping).

# Answer
> 0 votes
I don't have an android phone in front of me, but I imagine you could just edit `/etc/group` and add the user to a group. Find the group you want to add them to and insert a comma, then the user name.

Example :

```
sambashare:x:115:sam,sally,yourNewUser

```

Where the first column is the group name, then the second column is group passwd (leave it an x), groupID and then the users.

---
Tags: linux, accounts
---


# Question
Title: How do I sync Exchange contacts & calendar in Oreo?
I'd like to sync my work contacts and calendar to my phone, but the option to add an Exchange account appears to have been removed in the version of Android I'm using (Nexus 5X running 8.0.0).

How can I do this? I'm not looking for a standalone app, I want something that will sync with the built-in dialer & calendar, like CalDAV-Sync does for a CalDAV account.

I've tried installing Exchange Services from APK Mirror but that didn't change anything.

# Answer
Microsoft Outlook now has the capability of syncing contacts. It's a heavyweight solution for just that feature.

I haven't found a way of doing calendars directly. If this is a cloud based exchange server that supports sharing calendars via iCal, it's possible to add that to a third-party calendar provider, then sync that to Android.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 8.0-oreo
---


# Question
Title: Files and folders in USB drive lost after connecting to Android phone!
I have been using a Kingston 32GB OTG USB device (pic-1) on my Samsung J1 Ace, for some time now. Today I plugged it to the phone and moved several folders to the USB drive. Then I plugged it to my laptop. But all the old files and folders in the USB were lost, except for those folders that were moved from the phone.

I have posted a screenshot (pic-2) of how the folder looks like when the USB pen drive is opened from the laptop (it’s the same when opened from the phone as well).

Can someone please explain what happened and how to recover the folders (hopefully)?

pic-1

---

pic-2

# Answer
> 2 votes
All your data seem lost or corrupted. Improper removal of drives could cause data corruption, or in worse cases, put the integrity of your drive at risk.

We need to consider three different protocols your drive may use when connecting to your computer. Two of them don’t need to be ejected at all: **MTP protocol** and **PTP protocol**.

But If your drive connects using the **USB Mass Storage protocol** then it should ideally be ejected, this applies even if you’re not actually using the device at the time.

The reason is because operating systems use a process called ***write caching*** . The operating system doesn’t always write a file to a drive immediately, but instead caches it and waits until it has multiple write operations to complete. Doing these all at once improves performance, but if the cache is still full when you remove the drive, your data will become corrupted. Clicking the Eject button causes the cache to be emptied and any remaining data to be written to the drive.

That’s the reason why there’s often a delay of several seconds between ejecting the drive and being notified that it’s safe to remove it.

Your data can be recovered partially or in integrity using file recovery softwares. Try Recuva, Puran File Recovery, File Scavenger or get a complete non-exhaustive list from here.

Good luck.

# Answer
> 0 votes
this problem accure when you connect a flash to android device. android phone partitionized your usb device and format it. then your usb is proper for working in phone. but problem is your perevious data lost due to formating. you should recover it by recover software if possible.

---
Tags: data-recovery, usb-on-the-go
---


# Question
Title: Gmail app not displaying status bar notifications
I recently got an Samsung Galaxy S3, and I prefer the GMail app than the default mail client (the one with the red seal).

The default mail client seems to autocheck for email and displays a notification in the top left corner, but I can't get the native GMail client to do the same. Any suggestions on doing so?

# Answer
Open GMail, and open its `Settings`. Click your `username@gmail.com`, and make sure `Notifications` is checked. Then, click `Inbox sound & vibrate` and click `Turn Gmail sync on`. Configure the `Notifications` at the bottom as you like.

In `Settings`, make sure `Sync Gmail` is also checked.

With regards to GMail sync frequency, see this question: How to set gmail sync frequency?
> 5 votes

# Answer
I had the same problem with my HTC oneM9. My Gmail would only receive emails when I manually entered the app and refreshed the screen. I googled how to fix and everything said sync Gmail, turn on notifications, delete cache and data, restart but nothing worked. Turns out my Battery optimization that's on constantly was preventing the push notifications. You can go into the power optimization and under the Gmail app you can turn off. This will allow your phone to remain is power saving whilst still getting your Gmail notifications. You can also set which apps you want i.e. Instagram, youtube etc.

Hope this helps!
> 0 votes

# Answer
After activating every `Sync` and `Notification` setting (per **geffchang**'s answer), check if every label has notifications turned on:

1. Gmail `Settings`
2. *`your.account@gmail.com`*
3. `Manage labels`
4. For each label, click it and check both `Label notifications` and `Notify for every message`
> 0 votes

---
Tags: sync, gmail, notification-bar
---


title: WhatsApp Archive Issue

text:
# Question
Title: WhatsApp Archive Issue
I'm running WhatsApp on Android 8.

I've archived all my chats on WhatsApp , and I have continuous automatic backups switched on. Will the archives and their media also be backed up on WhatsApp along with all other chats and all other media ? Is there anything specific I should know ? This is the first time that I've archived anything on WhatsApp.

Any help and shedding some light on the question and related issues would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Yes. **All** contents of WhatsApp including archived chats media , messages, audio notes will be backed up to Google Drive

I have done backing up and restoring multiple times so can absolutely confirm

---
Tags: backup, whatsapp-messenger
---


# Question
Title: My android phone is not displaying apps in the sd card
I open my settings and go to application manager. Then i move some apps to sd card. After that, i insert the sd card into another phone. But the apps doesn't appear. Help me pls.

# Answer
It does not work this way. The native of Android does never move the entire app to the card – parts of it always remain in , as do the apps data.

There are advanced versions of the "App2SD principle" like , where you can move the entire app including its data to the card (those will require ). But still, it wouldn't work to simply move the card to a different phone and have the apps there. On installation, apps have to be "registered with the system" to be used on the device, to e.g. deal with app permissions and more.

So in short: There is no way to simply "move an app to SD card" in order to use it on a different device. If you need to transfer an app, you will have to chose a different approach (e.g. create an and restore that on the other device, or use an app doing that for you "on-the-fly", like Helium - App Sync and Backup).

For more details, please take a look at our app2sd tag-wiki.
> 1 votes

# Answer
That's because not all app data has been moved to sd card. If you look at App info(Settings-\>Apps-\>App that you moved to sd card) with your sd card in your first phone you will see that not all storage of an app has been transfered to sd card app. For example I have Firefox on my sd card but Storage shows how much MB does it take on phone or sd card:
Total: 48.11 MB, App: 6.53 MB (on phone), SD card app 37.59 MB, Data: 3.74MB, Sdcard data 256 kB.
> 0 votes

# Answer
You can not simply move apps from phone memory to sd from one phone to another. You have only moved the storage data of app, not the actual app data. If you want to move the apps from one phone to another. Try thisapp2sd. This is a cool app which moves the backup of apps to sd card from phone memory. And these apps can be installed in any other phones.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Here are some solution
1. Restart your phone
2. Go to settings \> apps and clear the data of app that causes problem.
3. Head to settings \> storage \> unmount SD card, then click on mount SD card.
4. Just go to task manager and on the RAM tab, click to select and buttons and press clear button, your sd card shortcuts are now displayed.

Source
> 0 votes

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


# Question
Title: Lenovo Tablet 2 1050L boot failure after attempted root
I hope someone can help me. I have a LTE enabled Lenovo Tablet 2 1050L which I attempted to root using the instructions given here ... https://forum.xda-developers.com/thi...let-2-t3251571 ... but I have managed to brick my device. I successfully installed SuperSU but then read that Magisk was better and tried the same procedure with that but it didn't work. Now when the tablet starts up, I get a message which says ... "EFILINUX ERROR \[android\_image\_start\_buffer:737\] boot image digital signature verification failed : 0000001A" which appears over the initial Lenovo splash screen. I then get to the Android system recovery menu but I can't get the table any further than this. I have tried wiping data / factory resetting but this does not work.

I can boot the tablet into recovery mode using CWM or TWRP but I have no idea what to do now. I guess I shouldn't have messed. I hope someone can help.

Kind regards

# Answer
Install latest ADB drivers http://download.clockworkmod.com/test/UniversalAdbDriverSetup.msi

install intel android drivers on pc Intel\_Android\_Driver\_1.10.0 https://androiddatahost.com/wp-content/uploads/Intel\_Android\_Driver\_1.10.0.zip

download restore-kitkat-bios-830-1050-v2.exe http://lenovo-forums.ru/applications/core/interface/file/attachment.php?id=53522

power off tab, start tab by pressing vol+,vol-,power buttons simulteneously and after a short vibrate, leave power button. Tab should now be in boot mode

start restore-kitkat-bios-830-1050-v2.exe and finish process as per instructions in the app

download android version kitkat 4.4 Lenovo\_Yoga\_Tablet\_2\_1050L\_USR\_S000215\_1503241130\_WW21\_ROW https://androidfilehost.com/?fid=385035244224392223

install via intel platform flash lite tool http://www.mediafire.com/file/d4be3zrf189k28n/PhoneFlashToolLite\_5.5.2.0\_win32.zip

and YOU ARE DONE.. NJOY
> 1 votes

---
Tags: unbricking, lenovo
---


# Question
Title: Run Android app on PC but outside of Emulator screen
I know we can Android apps on PC using emulator like Andy or Bluestack.

What I really want to know if there's a way to run the app using the emulator but outside of Emulator screen.

For example - I use fooview app which floats on screen and I want to run that on PC. Using the emulators, I'm able to run it but only inside the emulator's screen not PC GUI.

# Answer
> 0 votes
The fooview app appear to be using a combination of Android Accessibility and SYSTEM\_ALERT\_WINDOW (system overlay) permission. Unfortunately such features are Android only an have no knowledge of what is going on outside of the emulator.

You should look for a Windows app which provides similar features for your version of Windows. Asking for such recommendation is off-topic for this site.

---
Tags: windows, android-emulator, emulators
---


title: Uninstalling 360 Security

text:
# Question
Title: Uninstalling 360 Security
I'm trying to delete 360 Security from my phone ( Samsung J 6 3 ), and it is activated as my device Administrator, when I go to deactivate the device administrative permission it shuts down my settings. How can i get rid of this app?

# Answer
Try to repeat this step in safe mode. You can access safe mode by these steps.

> Power off your device by holding down the Power button and then tapping on Power off. Power on your device by holding down the Power button. As soon as the Samsung Logo pops up, press and hold down the Volume Down key until your device as rebooted. You will now be able to see Safe Mode down the near the bottom left of the screen. To exit safe mode just reboot the device.

Hope it helped.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Funny things happen .I updated the 360 security app and then went back and the device administrator was deactivated .don't ask me why but it seemed to help .Thanks everyone for you answers.
> -1 votes

---
Tags: uninstallation
---


# Question
Title: I have 2 s7 from market but systems are messed up
Can someone link me where I can download the Android latest system os file to download to SD card so I can reinstall phone os system from phone update boot screen thanks I got 2 x s7 but there got some dodgy apps installed to system that can't be uninstalled cheers

# Answer
Well, there's 2 things to consider:

* it would be simpler to uninstall those troublesome apps. I believe you tried uninstalling those apps as a "regular user." If those apps have been marked as "system apps," you will need "root privileges" to uninstall them. First you will need to "root" your phone, and there are different ways to do that. Once that's done, you can find an app that uninstalls "bloatware" and/or "system apps." That route has always worked for me.
* if you really want to reinstall Android to have a clean slate, what you are looking for is called a ROM. There are many out there, and it needs to have been made specifically for your phone. Some are just plain Android, some have a "design philosophy" or a "purpose." Once you figure out how to flash a new ROM, you can go and try different ones until you find one you like.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: system
---


# Question
Title: Import 300 vCard files into LG v35 thinq
Is there an easy way to import 250+ vCard (vcf) files into my **LGv35 thinq** phone running **Android 8.0.0**, **Kernel version 4.9.65** and **Security patch level July 1, 2018**?

Firstly, the contacts app on my phone has no option to import contacts. Most examples I found online show how to use this "import contacts" that appears when you press the three dots on the top right after launching the Contacts app. The app, however, lets me browse through google contacts. Again, I don't see any options to import these into my phone.

```
A related question: Is there a way to import multiple .vcf files into gmail at once?
The browser only lets me choose one file at a time.

```

The Phone app has a settings field and it too, doesn't have any options to import contacts.

I downloaded **Coolmuster Android assistant** and the option to import contacts requires me to buy the software.

I've successfully managed to download all the .vcf files into a folder on my phone. Is there a way to import all of them, at once, into my phone's memory?

# Answer
You can simply merge all .vcf files into one file. On Linux just use `cat *.vcf > all.vcf`.

Common software should support this all-in-one vcf file (e.g. GMail import). Just import it and all your contacts should be added.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: contacts
---


# Question
Title: Is there a way to grant myself MANAGE_USERS permission while inside the adb shell?
The thing is that I'm fed up of some stock adware apps on my Micromax phone and want to disable them for good. So, as per this answer, I used adb shell to disable the app, but I'm getting the following error:

```
shell@Q4260:/ $ pm hide com.micromax.trendingapps
Error: java.lang.SecurityException: Neither user 2000 nor current process has android.permission.MANAGE_USERS.
1|shell@Q4260:/ $

```

The error message indicates that I need `android.permission.MANAGE_USERS` to achieve that. So I even tried granting that permission to the shell app, but no use!

```
shell@Q4260:/ $ pm grant com.android.shell android.permission.MANAGE_USERS
Operation not allowed: java.lang.SecurityException: Package com.android.shell has not requested permission android.permission.MANAGE_USERS
1|shell@Q4260:/ $

```

Is there any other way to get myself that permission?

Finally, the smart-phone is Micromax Q4260 running Marshmallow if that matters. This could probably be solved by rooting, but I don't have any intention of rooting as it could be risky on this little known model.

# Answer
I solved my problem with a little help from Google and XDA Forums. Though this doesn't answer the exact title question, I found an alternative way to disable OEM bloatware on Android M+ without requiring `MANAGE_USERS` permission or root:

```
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.micromax.trendingapps

```

(you may use or not the `-k` option, which is to keep the data and cache directories)
> 1 votes

---
Tags: adb, permissions, shell
---


# Question
Title: Is there a way to bookmark all tabs in Chrome for Android?
I have lots of open tabs in Chrome for Android. How can I bookmark/export all of them?

# Answer
Follow these steps:

1. Sync the opened tabs in Chrome for Android **with** **Chrome for PC**.
2. Once the sync is completed you would see the opened tabs of your Android under History section (click Tabs from Other Devices in left panel) in your Chrome for PC.
3. Thereafter, click the three dots line in the upper right panel, choose *Open all*. Make sure to close other tabs in your Chrome for PC.
4. Once all of them have loaded, right click on any tab and choose *Bookmark all tabs* (as reported by Ed Rhee on CNET).

That's it. Since the two devices are now synced you can access those bookmarks on any device.
> 1 votes

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


# Question
Title: Manually trigger MediaScanner to scan files on Internal Storage on Nougat/Oreo
I often manage my files in Termux with scripts that use the `mv` command to move or rename them. I want to manually trigger MediaProvider to scan my internal stroage (`/storage/emulated/0`) or a given directory in it with command line, on a phone running Nougat or Oreo.

When I use a GUI file manager application, all moves/renames are immediately reflected in other MediaScanner-dependent apps like Gallery, but changes done in a terminal don't, until a reboot. So I have to manually call MediaScanner to update my changes in the filesystem.

Before KitKat, this worked well on `/storage/sdcard0` (a separate partition named `glow`):

```
am broadcast -a android.intent.action.MEDIA_MOUNTED -d file:///sdcard

```

The above command doesn't work now (`/storage/emulated/0`), obviously.

I also tried this, but it doesn't seem to be working, either.

```
am broadcast -a android.intent.action.MEDIA_SCANNER_SCAN_FILE -d file:///sdcard

```

Just tested the commands again, they seem to be working on removable storage like `/storage/sdcard1`, `/storage/usba` or `/storage/{volume id}` (it gets re-scanned), but not my phone's internal (where `/sdcard` points to, or `/storage/emulated/0`).

Anyone have some insights? Rebooting my phone always causes a rescan but that's inconvenient in some cases.

Note: the commands are run as root, so no concerns about permissions.

# Answer
**Note**: It is possible the following commands do not work out for you with just USB debugging / shell (uID 2000) user. In that case, you must **have root access to make them work**.

---

> Before KitKat, this worked well:
>
> ```
> am broadcast -a android.intent.action.MEDIA_MOUNTED -d file:///sdcard
>
> ```
>
> The above command doesn't work now, obviously.

This works perfectly well on my stock Android 7.1.1 (Nexus 6) having only Internal Storage. But **starting since Oreo implicit broadcasts are not allowed**, so you have to **send an explicit broadcast to Media Storage**. This can be done using the argument `-n` followed by component name or simply by `-p` followed by package name. In Android 9.0 (OnePlus 6), here's what worked for me:

```
am broadcast -a android.intent.action.MEDIA_MOUNTED -d file:///sdcard/ -p com.android.providers.media

```

I believe the above command would work for Android Oreo as well.

**Note:** shell (user 2000) cannot run that command, so you must elevate privilege to system (1000) or root (0). In short, run the command as root or it won't work.

---

> I also tried this, but it doesn't seem to be working, either.
>
> ```
> am broadcast -a android.intent.action.MEDIA_SCANNER_SCAN_FILE -d file:///sdcard
>
> ```

Because that intent expects a FILE as data, not a directory (I understand everything is a file in Linux, but that's not the case for an intent). Provide the full path of a file and it would work. Furthermore, as stated above, **for Oreo and above, make the broadcast explicit**.

If you have multiple files and you intend to use this intent only, you need to get all the file names and pass them on to the intent recursively (per Aritra Roy on Stack Overflow). It may be possible to pass an array but I don't know how to do it with adb.

Furthermore, my Android behaved rather erratically for file names containing `[]`.
> 4 votes

---
Tags: 7.1-nougat, command-line, 8.1-oreo, media-scanner
---


# Question
Title: Android x86 in VirtualBox: “FATAL: NO BOOTABLE MEDIUM FOUND. SYSTEM HALTED” directly after installation
“FATAL: NO BOOTABLE MEDIUM FOUND. SYSTEM HALTED” appears on Android x86 6.0 rc3, **but not on Linux Mint or Windows XP,** immediately after installation.

The boot order is correct.
What might be wrong?

# Answer
That was likely a flaw in Android x86 Marshmallow, which has already been patched in Android x86 Nougat, according to my tests.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: android-x86, virtualbox
---


# Question
Title: How to store 'adb devices -l' output to a text file?
Is there any way to store the output of `adb devices -l` command to a text file?

Note: output of `adb devices -l` command is

```
List of devices attached
1101530abd5a234b       device product:j1pop3hjv model:SM_J110H device:j1pop3h

```

# Answer
> 6 votes
You can use `>` after *any* command followed by file name or file path where you want to save the file. It would look like this:

```
adb devices -l > FILE_NAME

```

---
Tags: adb, logging, command-line
---


# Question
Title: built in command line pager/viewer like less? Without busybox or root access
Sometimes i investigate foreign phones, where i can't root or install any Apps.

But i want to examine the filesystem via adb shell, and view some text-files. Like i usually do with a \*nix-shell: with the `less` or the `more` command.

Both are absent in the shell, that i can access with `adb shell`.

My workaround until now is using the linux tool `screen` in conjunction with the adb-shell-command `cat`. (`C-a Esc` to scroll, '`/`' to search, `Esc Esc` to quit Copy-mode)

# Answer
> 3 votes
I know this question is a bit old. But I run into exactly the same problem and would like to share my solutions.

# 1st solution

Check if **toybox** is installed. If you are lucky, `ls | toybox more` may work.

# 2nd solution

However, I am not satisfied with the first solution, since **more** does not support going backwards. It turns out that **vim** is installed. In this case, you can run `ls | vim -`.

# 3rd solution

If you use **emacs**, calling **adb shell** in **shell** or **eshell** solves the problem. This is more or less the same as your **screen** workaround.

---
Tags: shell, busybox
---


# Question
Title: How to add a new button to the button bar in Total Commander for Android?
I got Total Commander on my Android phone.

I need to check the directory size for a folder and the solution is:

Add a new button to the button bar, and then..

I understand that but my question is how to add a new button to the button bar?

# Answer
Tap on icon (arrow). You get a **+**, add details as per link - you can see the button with KB, on the first line
> 3 votes

---
Tags: file-management
---


# Question
Title: Can I send / retrieve MMS messages via WiFi?
Is it possible to send / retrieve MMS messages via WiFi or is it mandatory to be connected to my provider via the mobile data connection?

If a user has an active WiFi connection, what happens when there's an incoming MMS?

# Answer
> 13 votes
It could be done technically. AFAIK all communication between MMS enabled components is done via standard TCP/IP. But in a regular provider setup the MMS store and forward server(s) (MMSC) are only reachable via the providers network. That's why you can not send and receive MMS via WiFi.

It's also the reason why you can not make a call and send/receive an MMS simultaneously when you have only 2G (GPRS/EDGE) connectivity.

Normally android will drop the GSM data connection if there is WiFi connectivity and all data will be routed through the WiFi interface, **but there is one exception**: The MMS traffic will still go through the mobile data connection.

# Answer
> 7 votes
I dont think it's possible, since the data is sent through the cell network and not through a traditional Wi-Fi style Internet connection.

# Answer
> 3 votes
Your network probably uses a separate MMS APN for multimedia messaging, and these are restricted to the operator's own network, so the messages can't be received via WiFi. Also, the messages are directed to your phone number so this could be compared to using SIP/VoIP through your regular phone number.

If there is an active WiFi connection, it is ignored and packet data is used instead (if enabled).

# Answer
> 3 votes
This is dependent on the Carrier. UMA is the form of radio that allows the sending of traditional texts and mms over Wifi. T-Mobile in the US is the carrier who has it, as for where you are, I would check with your provider.

# Answer
> 1 votes
As others have mentioned, the only way to receive a MMS directed toward the number serviced by your carrier is for you to be connected to their service. However, you might consider a service such as Google Voice. Google Voice provides an alternative number that is then routed to your phone. Currently Google Voice only supports SMS, but there may be other services that offer MMS support. A SMS message sent to your Google Voice number would then be visible in the Google Voice app, even if you only have a WiFi connection.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I think that most (smart) phones do not know how to create a separate IP socket to send/receive MMS over wifi. So they revert by default to the data socket provided by the carrier. Or they may not have the ability to switch between two different sockets automatically. If you do root your phone and change the default MMS IP socket, you may lose all MMS connectivity depending on the phone.

# Answer
> 0 votes
This is an old thread, I know, but I wanted to add that the Nokia N900 multimedia messaging app could receive notification of a MMS via the cellular network and retrieve the MMS, itself, via the Internet, at least on Wind (now Freedom Mobile) in Canada. This avoided roaming data charges and is the one feature that I miss most from my N900, now that I am using an Android phone.

---
Tags: wi-fi, data-connection, mms
---


# Question
Title: How to install core GMS packages on Huawei 7 Plus?
I have a Chinese phone and I don't know what to do with that. I have Huawei 7 Plus (Android 7, EMUI 5.1.1 B223).

How to install core GMS packages on it?

# Answer
> -1 votes
There's no legal way to do this. Google only offers Google Play Services for phones that are approved by the Open Handset Alliance. Manufacturers pay money and the phone model has to pass a conformance test suite to be approved.

Some manufacturers cheap out by not paying the fee or passing the conformance test, and then mislead customers by selling the phone as an "Android phone" even though it doesn't have access to most of Android's software ecosystem.

In March this year, Google added an anti-piracy feature to Google Play Services. Even if you obtain it and illegally install it on an uncertified phone, it will block you when you try to add a Google account.

---
Tags: huawei, google-play-services, emui
---


# Question
Title: How do I get Android-x86 (32-bit or 64-bit) non-UEFI to boot in VirtualBox?
**EDIT**: I'm getting similar results in both 32-bit and 64-bit.

# Summary

I am installing Android-x86 version 7.1 32-bit or 64-bit in VirtualBox.

If I install it using UEFI (64-bit only), it works, but I cannot resize the screen, a problem to which I have been unable to find an answer.

Therefore, I need to install it without UEFI, so that I can resize the screen.

# Problem

The Android installation runs smoothly. But, no matter what I have tried, once installed, the non-UEFI Android system won't boot.

If I use a GPT hard disk, I get this error message when booting the newly-installed Android, whether 32-bit or 64-bit:

```
FATAL: No bootable medium found! System halted.

```

If I use an MBR hard disk, I get this error message when booting the newly-installed Android 64-bit:

```
  Trusted GRUB now booting command list

  Progress:
Error 15: File not found

tGRUB: ******************************************
tGRUB: * An error occured which might result in *
tGRUB: * an unverifiable or insecure system     *
tGRUB: * state. !!! BOOTING WILL BE STOPPED !!! *
tGRUB: ******************************************

```

And the 32-bit starts with 100% CPU and goes nowhere (very fast!).

# More information

## Host

* Linux Ubuntu version 16.04 64-bit
* VirtualBox version 5.1.28

## Guest

* Type Linux, Version "Linux 2.6 / 3.x / 4.x" (32-bit or 64-bit as appropriate)
* System Base Memory 2,048 Mb
* System EFI turned off
* Storage
    + Controller: IDE for the optical drive to hold the Android-86 ISO
    + Controller: SATA for a 40 Gb hard disk

# Question

How can I get Android-x86 to boot on a non-UEFI system on VirtualBox, please?

# Answer
> -1 votes
When you try to install Android x86 on pc HDD, try to provide a boot partition through Create/modify partition and make it bootable. Followed by that create a new partition as Linux. write both the partition and after that install the android x86 on the linux partition (formatting as ext4).

It will work, after allocating a bootable partition. I tried and it worked.

---
Tags: virtualbox
---


# Question
Title: Why doesn't my screen turn off after 30 seconds?
Two days back I had to do a factory reset on my android (v2.3.6). After that, I noticed that my phone display won't turn off after 30 secs idle time, even though the settings has been done appropriately. After 30 secs, the brightness decreases, but the screen won't turn off. Is there any other setting which needs to be changed here?

# Answer
You can try the wakelock detector app which will tell you the application which is restricting the phone from going to sleep and lock mode.

Unfortunately it did not work for me since my kitkat version required the ROOT permission.

I fixed it by going to "Settings \> Apps \> Running tab". I closed all suspicious application in "Cached" and "running' mode.

It was one of my recent ip-camera phone app or the Alexa app which was restricting the phone going to auto sleep after 15 seconds and then to lock state.

The phone is working fine now after closing those 2 apps, I can run them when required.

Hope it helps.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Maybe the setting that keeps Screen On while Charging got Switched On. Try switching it off.
> 0 votes

# Answer
I had the same problem and it turned out that one of my apps had permissions to my camera and was accessing it all the time. Turning off that permission resolved it.
> -1 votes

# Answer
I had the same problem, I cleared my apps, by holding the home button and making them all disappear and it worked. Not sure what exactly the problem was :P
> -2 votes

---
Tags: 2.3-gingerbread, settings, screen
---


# Question
Title: Android still uses old ip when resolving hostname
I have a weird problem here.

I use ftp to exchange files between my smartphone (Xperia Z5 compact) and my pc. A while back the pc had a static ip address but now it's assigned one via dhcp. When I try to connect to the pc from the phone by way of the pc's hostname it still uses the old static ip the pc once had.

Any ideas as to what I can do about this?

# Answer
You can clear `arp cache` using this command in terminal:

```
ip -s -s neigh flush all

```

(or simply `ip neigh flush 192.168.xx.0/yy` if you know the network range)

While not necessary, you may need to reboot the device, ping the hostname again and see if its resolved to new IP.

Looking from the other side, you can try resetting winsock entries and TCP/IP stack for the PC and see if it solves the issue.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: networking, ip-address
---


# Question
Title: How to backup WhatsApp chats (not media) to save my phone memory?
This answer explains how to save your chat on google drive and recently I got that option on WhatsApp. It says the backup will be stored on Drive as well as on my sd card, ok fine.

When I started my Google drive backup even it showed `Backing up 110MB` but I don't want to backup the whatsapp media (I just want to backup the text messages). Even if I backup entire 110MB to Drive and delete all my media and text messages (to clear up the space consumed by whatsapp), what will happen on next backup? Will it overwrite the last backup and substitute a new backup consisting of nothing?

I got to know that there is some third party apps like Helium which can do this work. But is there something I can do without consuming more of my phone memory?

# Answer
> 2 votes
WhatsApp automatically makes backups every day at 3 AM and stores them in the WhatsApp folder of your Android phone. This folder is either located in your device's internal memory or external SD card. You can set the automatic backup in WhatsApp or manually use the "Back up chats" option in Whatsapp Settings,

```
  Whatsapp > Settings > Chats and calls > Backup up chats

```

This will store a backup file(usually named `msgstore.db.crypt8`) in your `Main storage > Whatsapp > Databases` directory which includes only the text messages in an encrypted format.

For individual export of chat messages without including media, as mentioned in the Whatsapp FAQ:

> To export a copy of the history of an individual chat or group, use the Email chat feature:
>
> 1. Tap and hold on the conversation or group.
> 2. Select Email chat.
> 3. Choose whether to Attach Media or not.
>
> An email will be composed with your chat history attached as a .txt document.
>
> Note:
>
> * If you choose to attach media, the most recent media sent will be added as attachments.
> * When sending with media, you can send up to 10,000 latest messages. Without media, you can send 40,000 messages. These constraints are due to maximum email sizes.

You can now keep this backup in your mail or download it to your phone for later use. If you want to restore the messages, read this article, How do I restore my messages? for more information.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Simple rename Whatsapp\>Media folder to any other name. After backup rename it back. You may lose the media files, which whatsapp get until back renaming. Therefore look in new Media folder created in Whatsapp folder, and move they into old folder.

---
Tags: backup, whatsapp-messenger, google-drive, 6.0-marshmallow
---


# Question
Title: Is it possible to factory reset without losing my google play movies?
I have a few movies downloaded from the google play movies app, and I don't want to re-download all of them. My wi-fi is slow. It would take DAYS to re-download.

# Answer
> 0 votes
If you reset you phone, you lose all google data unless you had a back and restore activated. However if you had offline videos from google play movies then you won't lose this videos since they are saved to your google account and not directly to your device...

---
Tags: factory-reset, hard-reset
---


# Question
Title: Cannot boot Android-x86 on PC - Emergency remount
I have a 10.1 inch notebook with Linux, but would like to dualboot with Android x86. The ISO file works perfectly in VirtualBox, VMware, and on Live USB. I have tried both install from the Install program and copying the .img files onto a partition, then adding the boot entry to `/etc/grub.d/40_custom`. I get the following displayed on my screen when I select the boot entry.

```
Detecting Android-x86... found at /dev/sda2
[     3.697517] sysrq: SysRq: Emergency remount R/0

```

Then it reboots to the GRUB menu.

How do I fix this, and boot Android-x86?

I have an HP-e010nr with an AMD A4 dual core@1.0Ghz, 2GB ram, and I am trying to start Android-x86\_64 7.1 on a 32GB partition (no fake sdcard).

I have stored everything in the parition in an "Android" directory.

My boot code is:

```
set root = (hd0,2) #/dev/sda2 in the partition where Android-x86 is located
kernel /Android/kernel quiet root=/dev/ram0 androidboot.selinux=permissive buildvariant=userdebug SRC=/Android/
initrd /Android/initrd.img

```

# Answer
(I ended up installing LineageOS x86 14.1 instead of Android x86, however, these instructions should still work for Android x86)

After trying to find my answer, I ended up removing my partition for Android-x86 and installing the LineageOS 14.1 .rpm. On Debian Linux (or Debian-based, like Ubuntu) install it with:

```
sudo alien -ci cm-x86_14.1.rpm

```

where cm-x86\_14.1.rpm is your Android x86 package. If you are told alien is not installed, type `sudo apt install alien` before repeating.

After a while, it will convert into a .deb and then install. However, you will get the following messages:

```
/boot/grub/custom.cfg: No such file or directory
/boot/grub/custom.cfg: No such file or directory

```

In order to add the boot code that failed to be added, put the following in `/etc/grub.d/40_custom`:

```
menuentry "Android-x86 14.1-r2" {
    search --set=root --file /cm-x86-14.1-r2/kernel
    linux /cm-x86-14.1-r2/kernel quiet root=/dev/ram0 androidboot.selinux=permissive buildvariant=userdebug
    initrd /cm-x86-14.1-r2/initrd.img
}
menuentry "Android-x86 14.1-r2 (DEBUG mode)" {
    search --set=root --file /cm-x86-14.1-r2/kernel
    linux /cm-x86-14.1-r2/kernel root=/dev/ram0 androidboot.selinux=permissive buildvariant=userdebug DEBUG=2
    initrd /cm-x86-14.1-r2/initrd.img
}

```

(I got the boot code from the cm-x86 postinit script)

Replace `cm-x86-14.1-r2` with the location of Android-x86 (for example: `android-x86-7.1-r1`), and replace the 14.1 in `Android-x86 14.1-r2` with your Android version number (like 7.1 or 8.1).

Then, reboot and select `Android-x86 14.1-r2` to boot Android.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: boot, reboot, mount, system-error, android-x86
---


title: How to change the font of Whatsapp

text:
# Question
Title: How to change the font of Whatsapp
I was looking for a way to add custom emoticons to Whatsapp, and since this method simply replaces existing emoticons with new ones I thought about replacing characters from a language I won't use (for example Tangut, the language this iOS app used) with the desired emoticons

I wanted to know how to replace some (or all) of the characters of said language in Whatsapp using a changed font that could be installed on other phones as well

# Answer
Just go to settings in your phone and change the font style. It will change the font style in whatsapp but not the message font. You can also try installing other keyboards from Google play store with different font styles, emoticon and other languages.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: whatsapp-messenger, fonts
---


# Question
Title: How to get data (text and pictures) from server via http get request using a NFC Tag (NFC tools)?
On my Android phone I use NFC Tools pro and I want to do following:

* get text from my server (i.e. to show it in a popup or text-to-speech)
* get picture from my server and show it

I found the "HTTP GET" request task but couldn't find out, how to use it. (It is similar to following post/request: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?s=21b5d890966b165096d73b83bd07cd9a&p=57083540&postcount=41).

I also can show pictures, but only those which are located on the local phone.

So the question is, how can I set up the tasks in the Android app "NFC Tools" (or maybe another app), to realize the above mentioned points?

# Answer
You can do it with the following setting: Trigger (free) + Tasker (2.99$, if memory serves). The basic idea is:

* Trigger will read an NFC tag which will launch a Tasker's task;

Tasker will use Net -\> HTTP Get to, either:

* get html from your server and parse it to extract text data (mime type = text/xml) and save it in a variable and show it with Alert -\> Flash

or:

* get your picture (mime type = image/jpeg) and save it, then show it with another task.

If you want to change the image you get each time, use a first HTTP Get task to get the picture location on your server, and a second to get the actual pic. Depending on how your server is set up, you will have to fill the fields of the tasks with the right data (this is why my answer is so general, if needed I can try to go some more deeper with my explanation). Here you can find a basic guide to the use of HTTP Get and in this comment on the Tasker forum the use of the two phases request to get a picture from a server.
> 0 votes

# Answer
```
server:port

```

Server is HTTPS
Port is the site address like //www.google.com
Path - starts without the forward slash "/"

Example for image downloads

```
Server - https:
Port - api-assets.clashofclans.com
Path - badges/200/NVwKVgJpNPNfeRvB7imM_nD5kD3RVzy1kkoXwT_wrx0.png
Mime type - image/png
Output file - download/test.png

```

Example to download any type of file

```
This is excel sheet
Server:port - https://www.clashleaders.com
Path- request-n-leave-yyclqyjl.xlsx
Mime type - xlsx
output file - download/excel.xlsx

```

Create a test task and run it where Tasker and file manager in split screen view
> 0 votes

---
Tags: nfc
---


# Question
Title: What does "Keep wifi on during sleep" mean?
I couldn't find an authoritative reference that explains what this setting does in my Android phone: Wi-Fi -\> Advanced -\> **Keep Wi-Fi on during sleep**.

What does this setting do, exactly?

# Answer
> 17 votes
The device *goes to sleep* when the screen is off and no background services are doing anything (such as checking for mail). When this happens, the Wi-Fi chip in the phone can go into a low-power state. This saves power while the device is asleep, but has some costs:-

1. Next time the device *wakes up* it'll take an extra fraction of a second to turn the Wi-Fi back on, making the tablet less response when you turn the screen on.
2. If the device wakes up to perform a background task (such as checking for mail), that'll take slightly longer too, and use more power. That is, the device uses less power while asleep, but waking it up costs slightly more: like the trade-off between keeping the engine in your car running, or stopping it and using more fuel/battery to restart it later.
3. Any apps with "push" features (using Google Cloud Messaging or similar) won't work while the device is asleep. That is, you won't get Google Hangouts messages, or notifications from Gmail, while the device is asleep.

If those costs are fine for you, leave the setting **off** to allow the Wi-Fi chip to go to sleep when the rest of your phone does. Otherwise, turn the setting **on** to keep the Wi-Fi on all the time.

# Answer
> 2 votes
Allowing WiFi to switch off during sleep saves some battery, but there are some apps that require a constant WiFi connection such as WiFi calling apps (VOIP) that will not receive calls without an active WiFi connection.

If you have apps that auto download new videos or podcasts, etc only over WiFi then again the apps won't work without that constant connection. Uploading new photos to Google photos is another example. For these apps setting WiFi on during sleep while plugged into power only should suffice.

# Answer
> 0 votes
to preserve energy, 'keep WiFi on during sleep' set to ALWAYS

as WiFi connection uses less energy than 3g/4g data, and of course you are not using data from your data plan.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Keep Wi-Fi on during sleep = WiFi is always ON. To save battery turn it to "No Wifi when sleep". This only saves battery, if you don't turn on your smartphone often per 24h cycle. The less you turn it on, the less it turns on the wifi chip.

---
Tags: wi-fi
---