# Question
Title: PHone and Messaging icons do not show unread message notification or missed call in 4.04
I get the sound notification and it shows up in the notification bar, but nothing shows up on the Icon itself for new unread emails or missed phone calls or unread messages. They do show up on the voicemail icon for unheard voice mails. Is there a setting for this. Phone is a ZTE Force from Boost running 4.04.

Thanks

# Answer
I got the same problem a week ago and I found the solution myself by using "trial and error method" for my Samsung S3 mobile (Android 4.3).

1. Go to *Settings \> Application manager*. There you will see turned off application which is named as `BadgeProvider` (in Android 4.3 it is in "turned off" application list but some version hasn't that "turned off" application list and in that situation you will see that application in bottom part of "ALL" application list.
2. So after you got that application you have to tap it and turn it on.

Now your problem should be solved. (Sometimes you have to restart your mobile after this process).
> 1 votes

---
Tags: notifications
---


title: How does Location based Wi-Fi work?

text:
# Question
Title: How does Location based Wi-Fi work?
I have turned on Location based Wi-Fi Setting, I have followed the steps to enable this feature for a Wi-Fi Network at Home and at College, so, whenever I am at either of these two Locations Wi-Fi automatically turns on, But I wish to know how this happen, because the Wi-Fi automatically turns on when near the saved Wi-Fi, it happens even when Mobile Data is switched off. I want to further add that I had kept the GPS off during the entire process mentioned above. I don't understand how can it know that the device is near a Saved Wi-Fi region.

# Answer
Location based Wifi apps such as Wi-Fi Matic will remember the cell tower ids of your mobile network operator and link it with the connected wifi network. The cell tower id is area dependent, and wifi network in most cases is area dependent. So, it works.

These apps or services constantly monitor the cell tower id of your phone's connected network. And if they find the matched cell tower ids, they know that phone is in/around known wifi network and turn the wifi on.

Similarly, when the cell tower id doesn't match the ones linked with remembered wifi's, it just turns off wifi.
And monitoring tower ids doesn't require data connection. There is no reverse lookup of location here. Just known cell tower ids linked to known wifi networks.

In recent versions of android, there is an option in Wifi advanced settings, called `Scanning always available`. If you turn on this setting, background scanning always happens even when wifi is off, knowing the access point names of detected wifi networks. Such apps can also use this data to turn on/off wifi based on saved networks.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: wi-fi
---


# Question
Title: Alcatel One Touch S'Pop remap power button
How can I remap the camera button to work as a power button?
I have a rooted Alcatel One Touch S'Pop.
I edited system/usr/keylayout/Generic.kl by copy-pasting POWER WAKE string from the power button to the camera button, turned off the phone and reinserted the battery. Nothing happened. The camera button still activates camera. Now I restored the old file.
In system/usr/keylayout folder, I have these files:

* ACCDET.kl
* AVRCP.kl
* Generic.kl
* hid-keyboard.kl
* mhl-keyboard.kl
* mtk-kpd.kl
* qwerty.kl
* Vendor\_05ac\_Product\_0239.kl
* Vendor\_22b8\_Product\_093d.kl
* Vendor\_045e\_Product\_028e.kl
* Vendor\_046d\_Product\_c216.kl
* Vendor\_046d\_Product\_c294.kl
* Vendor\_046d\_Product\_c299.kl
* Vendor\_046d\_Product\_c532.kl
* Vendor\_054c\_Product\_0268.kl

Which one should I edit? Thank you for your help and time.

# Answer
Try with the file `mtk-kpd.kl` and change these values. First, make a backup of that file.

```
key 116 GRAVE
key 212 POWER      WAKE
Key 211 POWER      WAKE
```
> 0 votes

---
Tags: root-access, keyboard, buttons
---


title: Import .vcf files from old Nokia fails

text:
# Question
Title: Import .vcf files from old Nokia fails
I have to transfer 50 contacts from an old Nokia phone to a Motorola running Android 5. I managed to Export an nbf backup from the Nokia and Export all contacts vcf files from that nbf file. But now every time I try to import those vcf files from the default contacts App, Theres a notification "will import 1.vcf soon" and then "finished importing 1.vcf". But the imprted contacts wont show up in the App. Further more I can only import single contacts as when I select more than one it will say importing but never finish Thank you for your help :)

Edit: Just tested the import on my note 4 with stock Samsung OS and it worked just fine

# Answer
> 2 votes
Got it to work with the app Tranfer Contacts by Maine Avenue Technologies SL. It's pretty much self-explanatory and easy to use but works only with Bluetooth devices.

---
Tags: applications, contacts, sd-card, import
---


# Question
Title: Is Snowden snowing us with his "Smurfs Suite" interview?
I hope this is not too off-topic. This morning when I read news it was full of articles quoting Snowden in his most recent interviews. Apparently the UK's GCHQ and the USA's NSA can (1) turn your phone on and off at will (2) turn your mic on and off at will, listening (3) take pics at will, watching etc. all by sending an encrypted text which we will never actually see.

Check me if I'm wrong, but this seems hopelessly conspiracy-theorish when I consider it from a technical perspective.

(1) When my phone is off, what signal exactly are they going to send to wake it up? When my phone is off my battery goes for months with a barely perceptible drain - is the idea that this barely perceptible drain is intentional and being used by the security agencies? Or that they have a special battery in each and every handset ever made which somehow (magically) has never been discovered in any of the thousands of tear-downs that have been done?!

(2) I have tried some of the apps that are out there to work with my phone remotely. Inevitably they work great on the phone that the developer used in his original testing and they work like crap on most other phones. Are we saying that the NSA/GCHQ has developers dedicated to this on every single platform available? And they do it in advance of every single release so it can be part of the ROM? And they do this regardless of what country the handset maker is in?!

(3) And isn't android open source after all? Doesn't that basically completely rule out the possibility of some huge gaping hole like this?! Surely some 13-year-old would have run across it and once it's discovered how can it not be publicized with internet 2.0 the way it is today?!

I've got friends who were already convinced they needed to take their battery out of their phone when having a conversation (like the NSA cares who won the latest football match?!) - this is just going to throw gas on that fire. I'd like some technical responses to this question...

(No need to just quote the articles or tell us how much Snowden knows - I'm interested in the technical side of things as to whether something like this is remotely feasible.)

To make the question more focused: Is it technically possible that someone could turn on your phone remotely when it was completely turned off (but with battery still in)? Is it possible that spyware could be of sufficient quality to be useful (listen/pic and then send somewhere, presumably) and still buried so deeply that nobody was aware of it? So the question is strictly limited to the technical viability - could it theoretically be done?

# Answer
Yes, the government can perform nefarious acts on your phone to listen in on what your are doing.

1. If you phone is truly off, there is no signal you can send to wake it up. But:

1. You can spoof the phone turning off.
    2. In some older feature phones, turning your phone off was not good enough because some things on the phone stay awake, and the FBI used this to eavesdrop on mobster phones.

One of the best ways you can ensure your phone is truly off is to remove the battery.
2. This is something they do to particular people. It's not technically feasible to do this to every possible phone, but the government doesn't have to because any given mobster or other target has a particular phone.
3. This is why there is a market for undiscovered software exploits. Once you get root access, you can basically rewrite software to do what you want.

In conclusion, this is technically possible. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't buy your friends some tin foil hats as a gag gift.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: security, malware, easter-egg
---


# Question
Title: How to use existing Whatsapp account on new mobile with new SIM?
I could not use my existing whatsapp account because My mobile have been stolen. I bought new mobile and new SIM as well, now I want to configure my existing whatsapp account on new Mobile with another SIM number. Can anyone please help me?

# Answer
> 1 votes
You cannot use your old Whatsapp account with new sim when you don't have access to your old number.

All you can do is to contact your network provider and explain the situation, submit documents and request a new sim with the old number. Once you get your old number back, you can either choose to use whatsapp account with it or shift the account to new number.

Shifting Whatsapp account to new number maintains the old account's whatsapp groups, account info, settings. You still have to share your new number with your contacts so they know its you and update their address list.

To shift the WhatsApp account from old number to new number, login whatsapp with old number and open `Settings` \>\> `Account` \>\> `Change number` .

---
Tags: whatsapp-messenger
---


# Question
Title: How do I cleanup all information backed up from my phone?
i.e. I want to remove all information, that was backed up from my phone to the Google servers (sync data, etc). How can I do that?

# Answer
> 5 votes
Go to Google Dashboard and sign in with the same Google account you used on your phone. Click the arrow next to **Android** to see a list of all your devices with backup data. At the bottom is a button, **Delete backup data**. This button deletes the backed-up data from **all** devices. There's no way to delete the data from a specific device.

If you want to delete not only the data backed up using the "Back up my data to Google servers" option, but also other synced data like Gmail, contacts, calendars, Google Docs documents, you'll find them listed in their own sections on the same dashboard page.

# Answer
> 4 votes
## Delete Device History

To delete the stuff backed up under **Settings** -\> **Backup & reset** like saved contacts, the list of installed apps, saved WiFi networks, etc. go to Device History and select and delete the backups you want to remove. Or you can use the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner to view more **Delete options** to delete all backups.

## Delete Saved App Data

Some apps will save data to your Google Drive account. To remove these, go to Google Drive and click the settings gear icon in the upper-right. Select **Settings** and then **Manage Apps**. From there you can view the list of connected apps, including ones installed on your phone and disconnect them and/or delete any data stored by them.

---
Tags: google-backup
---


# Question
Title: Why I can't follow more than 600 users on Instagram from Android device?
I can't follow more than 600 users on Instagram from Android device, but Instagram's web interface allows me to follow more than 600; I followed 10 more users from web interface.

On mobile, when I tap "Follow", it says "Following", but then it immediately goes back to "Follow".

I have Instagram version 7.3 on Android Lollipop 5.0

My mobile's WiFi is working fine and I did not exceed their follow/unfollow or like/unlike limit per hour. I tried these solutions but none of them worked:

* Waited 1 week with no activity on Instagram, just viewed the feed
* Logged out \> uninstalled app \> restarted Android device \> installed
app \> logged in

# Answer
> 1 votes
Instagram lifted the restriction on my account and now I'm able to follow more people from android. I did not contact them though but the restriction was auto lifted after few weeks.

There was a temporary restriction on the account for some unknown reason that is most probably only known to instagram tech team because I did not exceed their follow/unfollow or like/unlike limit.

During this period I found same complaints from other instagram users on internet.

---
Tags: instagram
---


# Question
Title: Google.proccess.gapps has stopped working
I have a Lenovo tablet and I updated the system. Now I keep getting the annoying messages, such as

> Google.process.gapps has stopped working

and

> Google play services are not working

I tried getting into the apps to uninstall Play Store and to clean the cache. It won't let me uninstall or clean the cache.

I don't have the regular settings like on a computer so I'm lost.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Go to into settings/ application manager/scroll to left until you reach the all applications screen/ touch menu screen left of the home button/ reset app preferences.

---
Tags: crashes
---


title: Galaxy S4 back button pressing itself

text:
# Question
Title: Galaxy S4 back button pressing itself
After replacing the digitizer, the back (and sometimes menu) button randomly presses itself. I feel the phone vibrate as if the button was actually pressed but it was not. Sometimes there are a number of presses in a quick succession.

I did a factory reset but problem remains. Everything seems to be connected OK, I even put some electric tape between the back & menu ribbon cables to prevent shorting.

Does anyone have any ideas how to fix this?

# Answer
It appears to be a strictly mechanical issue. If the phone is bent in any way, it can put pressure on the digitizer without any involvement from you. If you take the phone apart again (but don't disconnect the cables), does the digitizer behave the same or was the pressure from the frame causing the issue? This is obviously not a specific answer to your question, but answers to these questions would help you understand the next steps to take. Issues like this are usually either a faulty digitizer or faulty (or badly installed) connectors.
> 1 votes

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


title: How to bring back the Google Now card?

text:
# Question
Title: How to bring back the Google Now card?
I've accidentally swiped off the Google Now calendar card on my Nexus 4 with Google Now launcher, and I missed the "undo" button. How to bring it back?

# Answer
Do either:

* Go to the Google Now \> Menu \> Refresh, or
* You could try clearing the cache for Google search.

Hope that helps.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: google-now
---


# Question
Title: Boot loop after flashing Android 6.0 Marshmallow on my Nexus 5
I had Android Lollipop installed on my Nexus 5 (Was Rooted, had TWRP and MultiROM installed) and wanted to simply start fresh with new clean install of Marshmallow.

So I followed the instructions (step 1 to 6): https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images?hl=en

After running the flash-all script the device rebooted I see the Marshmallow boot animation but it has been running for 45 minutes. Is this normal?

Is there any suggestions beside reflashing because I've tried 3 times with the same results (45 minutes is the longest I've waited).

Many thanks for your time and help.

# Answer
> 1 votes
OK the problem was that I used the wrong version of fastboot. It was already installed on my Mac so when I was running the flash-all script it was actually running the system version.

So I modified the script to make sure the path to fastboot was actually pointing to the good version.

And voilà, it took about 7 minutes after reboot.

---
Tags: rom-flashing, nexus-5, installation, flashtool, 6.0-marshmallow
---


# Question
Title: How can i disable android permission manager notification?
I have an android 4.4.2 device and permission manager app enabled.

I have facebook messenger installed for example and i deny it permission to read my sms or phone contacts.

It works, but keeps displaying "Messenger is denied " in the center bottom lower screen for ages. Sometimes i need to reboot my device to make it go away.

*absolutely annoying*

# Answer
"Toasts" are implemented in an app's java programming, so that needs to be modified in some way, assuming the app doesn't give you the option to configure toasts. The following assumes you're rooted.

**The easy way:** Use Xposed. There are many modules available to block all toasts, block toasts for a specific app, or even customize toasts, e.g. EnhancedToast and UnToaster Xposed. Xposed supports Android 2.2(Froyo) and up, with increasing support for 5.0+(Lollipop). If your Android is bootloader locked, aka no TWRP/CWM recovery, you can see if your device can run FlashFire to install Xposed. **Note:** To use Xposed modules on an app, it needs to be deodexed, e.g. data apps, apps you download from the Play Store are deodexed.

**The hard way:** You can usually decompile an app into smali code, edit the smali code to disable toasts, and then recompile the app. Without smali modification, this process is known as deodexing. If you're interested, check out this Lollipop compatible deodexing guide for decompiling an app's java code, and this smali code editing guide to learn how to edit smali code.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, notifications, permissions
---


# Question
Title: Can I charge my android cell phone with another usb chager?
I have an Android phone and a Tablet. Sometimes, when traveling, I just want to take one of the chargers. Is this ok?

Can I just use any usb based charger in any android phone or tablet or can there be differences leading to issues in battery life?

Although there are several questions about this here, I didn't see the situation where one uses a charger with a lower intensity to charge an equipment that is supplied with a charger with higher intensity.

Another thing that may happen (I ask) is if there are some flavors of Android refuse to charge when the wrong intensity is given?

# Answer
The basic answer is that any charger with the right connector should work, so basically you should be able to use either charger with either device.

But note that in order to charge the battery, the charger has to provide power to both the device and its battery. For this reason, some devices will need a more powerful charger (e.g 2A or more) in order to be able to charge the battery. Furthermore there are ways for the charger (and cable) to indicate to the device how much power it can provide (since, according to the USB spec, a device is not allowed to consume more than 0.5A, and even for that it first needs to negotiate it), so some devices will not use up all the power provided by a charger simply because it lacks the indication (from the charger and/or cable) that it can consume more.

This is a fairly murky area, in my experience, but the rule of thumb is that the charger of your more power-hungry device will usually work for a more frugal device, while the reverse is not necessarily true.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: charging
---


# Question
Title: How to control additional tethering settings on android phones?
I want to use my phone and data plan as a temporary solution for providing Internet for my whole home network.

I have plugged it into my OpenWRT router via USB and it's network device *usb0* is so far member of the bridge br0 so that all my network can use it. All is working fine except for one thing:

The phone now acts as DHCP Server and the subnet (192.168.42.0) is *not controllable and different to the previous subnet* in my home network (192.168.2.0). I have a few fixed IPs that I don't want to change.

It would be great if I can change the phone's tethering subnet to be 192.168.2.\*. Is this possible?

# Answer
Instead of changing the IP of the phone's network, you might simply change your router's config so usb0 is not in the brige any more but is configured more like a "WAN" port, complete with the usual NAT. In this configuration, the phone's DHCP server will only serve an address to your router (to use for the usb0 interface), and all the router's clients will get their IP from your router instead.

The advantage also is that if/when you want to get your internet access from elsewhere (e.g. DSL/cable/younameit), you'll only need to change this part, but all the local network config will stay the same.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: networking, usb-tethering
---


# Question
Title: Boot loop after flashing Android 6.0 Marshmallow on Nexus 5
This question follows up on Boot loop after flashing Android 6.0 Marshmallow on my Nexus 5 (but there are many other posts about this topic on the web, see this Reddit post and this XDA Developers post).

I just want to approach this problem in a more structured way as opposed to just saying how something worked by coincidence.

## Problem definition

Like everyone else, I simply followed the official instructions from Google developers. To expand a bit (because this could be the cause of the problem), following this part of the instruction from the above link:

> To flash a device using one of the system images below (or one of your own), you need the fastboot tool. You can get the fastboot tool either:
>
> * From a compiled version of the Android Open Source Project.
> * Or, from the platform-tools/ directory in the Android SDK. Be sure that you have the latest version of the Android SDK Platform-tools from the SDK Manager.

So I simply downloaded the entire Android Studio application (I know that's a bit of overkill but I just wanted to make sure I got the latest and greatest).

From the below Android Studio screenshot, you can see that I have Android SDK Platform-Tools 23.0.1.

**Question:** I'm updating my phone from Android 5.0.x (not sure what the exact version is). Could it be that this Android version mismatches the Android platform-tools that I have?

I've ensured that my `fastboot` is added to my `PATH` environment:

```
$ which fastboot
/Users/abdullahbakhach/Library/Android/sdk/platform-tools/fastboot

```

I've downloaded the flash file (specifically the hammerhead for Android 6.0.0 (MRA58K)), then I started the device in fastboot mode by the key combination, and ran the `flash-all` script.

What happened was that the script ran with the following logs:

```
$ ./flash-all.sh
sending 'bootloader' (3120 KB)...
OKAY [  0.207s]
writing 'bootloader'...
OKAY [  0.524s]
finished. total time: 0.731s
rebooting into bootloader...
OKAY [  0.001s]
finished. total time: 0.001s
sending 'radio' (45425 KB)...
OKAY [  1.536s]
writing 'radio'...
OKAY [  3.145s]
finished. total time: 4.681s
rebooting into bootloader...
OKAY [  0.001s]
finished. total time: 0.001s
archive does not contain 'boot.sig'
archive does not contain 'recovery.sig'
archive does not contain 'system.sig'
--------------------------------------------
Bootloader Version...: HHZ12k
Baseband Version.....: M8974A-2.0.50.2.27
Serial Number........: 03a3d66d0a4e64bd
--------------------------------------------
checking product...
OKAY [  0.100s]
checking version-bootloader...
OKAY [  0.100s]
checking version-baseband...
OKAY [  0.100s]
sending 'boot' (9156 KB)...
OKAY [  0.500s]
writing 'boot'...
OKAY [  0.798s]
sending 'recovery' (10016 KB)...
OKAY [  0.562s]
writing 'recovery'...
OKAY [  0.850s]
sending 'system' (1019261 KB)...
OKAY [ 32.164s]
writing 'system'...
OKAY [ 70.421s]
erasing 'userdata'...
OKAY [ 15.854s]
erasing 'cache'...
OKAY [  0.630s]
rebooting...

finished. total time: 122.480s

```

**Question:** should I be concerned about this part?

```
archive does not contain 'boot.sig'
archive does not contain 'recovery.sig'
archive does not contain 'system.sig'

```

Anyways after all is done, the phone reboots and gets stuck on the boot screen (forever).

## What I've tried

I've tried running these commands as suggested by this post

```
adb shell
e2fsck /dev/block/platform/msm_sdcc.1/by-name/persist

```

and

```
make_ext4fs /dev/block/platform/msm_sdcc.1/by-name/persist

```

but nothing changed.

I've also tried performing a wipe using TWRP as suggested by this post:

* I downloaded the twrp-2.8.7.1-hammerhead.dmg file from the twrp site

and then ran

```
fastboot flash recovery twrp-2.8.7.1-hammerhead.dmg

```

then performed a wipe two different ways:

* performing a normal wipe pretty much made things worse. The phone would show the Google logo then reboot, show the Google logo and so on.
* simply deleting the cache also didn't make any difference at all.

I'm stuck. Any suggestions?

# Answer
> 8 votes
I too faced this issue and issuing the fastboot commands manually (instead of relying on `flash-all`) and it worked well.

These are the commands to use (just forget everything and make sure these commands are executed in this order with the appropriate .img file available):

```
fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
fastboot flash boot boot.img
fastboot flash cache cache.img
fastboot flash userdata userdata.img
fastboot flash system system.img
fastboot reboot

```

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, rom-flashing, boot-loop, nexus-5
---


# Question
Title: Tried to root android tab 4 10.1 with Supersu and odin, now i think it's soft bricked
so my android tab 4 10.1 with 5.0.2 android lollipop only wifi is so wrong atm.

What did i do? Try rooting with odin-supersu. Failed over 10 times it didn't work. I wanted to start it all over with a clean tablet, so i did a hard recovery with volume up, home and close button. Pressed boot and its stuck at SAMSUNG word. Can't turn off totally only by letting it out of battery. I can charget it, it shows that it is loading (by the big green bar).

What i want? Well obviously it to work like a new (or at least work).

I will probably try to root it after i manage to make it work again, do you know any reliable root?

Thank you guys in advance. Have a good day.

# Answer
> 1 votes
You might want to reinstall the stock firmware. That should make your device bring back to life. To do that, please download one of the available firmware images from sammobile.

**Please note**: I'm assuming your model number is "SM-T530NU". Check that again. If this is not your device model number, please don't try these steps without the correct files for your device. Use the latest available firmware and download it. To flash it, simply follow the instructions on the download site.

1. Extract (unzip) the firmware file
2. Download Odin v3.10.7
3. Extract Odin ZIP file
4. Open Odin v3.10.7
5. Reboot Phone in Download Mode (press and hold Home + Power + Volume Down buttons)
6. Connect phone and wait until you get a blue sign in Odin
7. Add the firmware file to AP / PDA
8. Make sure re-partition is NOT ticked
9. Click the start button, sit back and wait few minutes

Afterwards, you may want to try to root your tablet again. Please refer to this thread: How to root a 10.1 Tab 4 (T530/NU, T531, T535), also links for 8.0, 7.0. Thanks to user thisisapoorusernamechoice on XDA for providing such a detailed answer.

> Preparation: Read everything and make sure you understand. I attached Odin v3.09 and v3.10.6. I've always used 3.09 successfully but other users have had problems with it and used 3.10.6 successfully instead. Download the one you want and extract the zip to PC desktop. Also on the tablet enable usb debugging and mock locations in developer settings. Make sure you have the proper USB drivers for your PC. A quick note on file names: development code names for the Tab 4 series are as follows: matisse = 10.1, millet = 8.0, degas = 7.0
>
> 1. Download the openrecovery-twrp-2.8.6.0-matisse\_wifi\_3g\_lte.tar file and save to PC. Download the superSU zip file and save to tablet storage. Obviously save the files somewhere easy to remember, and easy to navigate to.
> 2. Power off tablet. Boot into download mode (hold vol-, home, and power all at once in that order), then hit vol+ to continue
> 3. Run Odin. Disable the "Auto-Reboot" and "Re-Partition" options, this is critical to success
> 4. Connect tablet via USB. Hit AP button in Odin, select the TWRP tar file
> 5. Flash (click start). When it's done, the progress bar will be full and Odin should say something like "RESET!"
> 6. Hold the power button to power down the tablet. Then immediately hold vol+, home, and power (all at once, in that order) to boot into recovery. \[**This must be done before rebooting normally!**\]
> 7. Install the SuperSU zip file that is saved to your tablet (tap the install option in TWRP, navigate to the zip file)
> 8. Reboot system (normal reboot). When android is booted, run the superSU app and follow the prompts; i.e. update the binary if it asks you to, choose normal install, be patient while it installs (takes a while) and reboot if it tells you to

If you have followed the steps correctly, your device should run a rooted Lollipop ROM.

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop, samsung, tablet, unbricking
---


# Question
Title: Why are my call settings disabled (and which settings require operator support and which settings are normally included in service plans)?
As shown in the screenshot below, on my Samsung Galaxy SIII, when I go to `Phone -> Call Settings`, almost everything is disabled/grayed out. I have a SIM card inside my phone but have not topped up my mobile phone subscription this month. I wonder whether that is the reason why these features are disabled, or whether the reason is that my network provider doesn't support them (after all I am still able to receive incoming calls and SMSs). Is this the case?

I would like to use features such as:

* placing a call on hold, retrieving a held call, and dialling second (or other) calls
* make multipary/conference calls by merging calls
* set call diverting (including diverting calls to the voicemail server)
* set call barring
* set call waiting
* set call forwarding
* set fixed dialling numbers (FDNs)

I wonder which of these features require support for these features from the network operator. I also would like to know whether, and if not then which of these, features are nowadays provided free of charge with a subscription plan from the network operator, and which features normally would not be included and cost extra. Receiving phone calls and SMS messages does not require the account associated with the SIM card to be topped-up (hence is totally free of charge). I know this could vary from network operator to network operator, but due to network operator competitiveness, I would expect most network operator to provide more or less the same features for free as others, and charge for features in case the other operators also do.

Thanks.

---

EDIT:

I've topped up my phone with my pay-as-you-go plan and as a result all of the entries in the above screenshot have become enabled.

---

EDIT:

Just for the record, I've contacted my network operator. The monthly 10€ pay-as-you-go plan I'm subscribed to happens to include 400 phone hours within the same country, 400 SMS to phone numbers within the same country, 1GB fast Internet followed by unlimited slow Internet. However calls abroad as well as calls to the provider's answering machine service are charged separately/extra. Also, while Caller ID and Call Forwarding/Diverting services are free of charge, Call Waiting will soon incur charges with my provider. I guess other service providers would offer similar service and features at roughly the same price. Regards.

# Answer
> 2 votes
The reason for this is because airplane mode is on.

Turn off airplane mode, and all those settings will be available.

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-3, settings, calls, mobile-network, call-waiting
---


# Question
Title: How do I provide internet access only to a single Android app?
* I am currently using Android Smartphone.
* I am currently having internet access for my Android Smartphone.
* I would like to provide internet access to only a single android application, for example: WhatsApp.
* I do understand that I need to provide internet access to some essential default system apps for the functioning of the phone.
* Is it possible to selectively provide internet access to few apps and not for other apps?

# Answer
> 2 votes
Try Opera Max to restrict per app data access to mobile and Wi-Fi networks. The PlayStore description says it,

> * **Block apps & prevent data leakage:**
> *Control your apps’ internet usage by blocking apps from running in the background that are using mobile data or Wi-Fi without permission.Blocking apps running in the background conserves battery and minimises your battery usage.*

If you want to restrict only a particular app follow the steps,

* Open Settings menu \> Data Usage
* Select the app you want to restrict the data.
* And select "Restrict background data"

If you are on a Wi-Fi network and you want to restrict the app accessing data in the background using your wi-fi connection, do the above steps in the Wi-Fi Tab to restrict the app access to Wi-Fi network too.

---
Tags: applications, internet
---


# Question
Title: Prevent browser automatically launched when join to open wifi
How to prevent browser to automatically launched when I join to a wifi network with captive portal? i.e. with note 3

# Answer
> 1 votes
Follow the below steps for prevent the auto launch browser.

1. Go to Settings \> WiFi settings
2. Long-press on Connection
3. Select "Modify network config"
4. Check the "Show advanced options" box.
5. Select proxy settings to Manual
6. Proxy host name , input the value from `192.168.1.1` to `192.168.1.225`
7. Proxy port = input one of them "8080" , "3128" , "80"
8. Press the "Save".
9. Turn wifi off and the On, you will not see the Popup browser.
10. Now repeat the steps from 1 ~ 4
11. And revert back the proxy settings to "None".

It's Done. You will be fine with this network.

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, samsung-galaxy-note-3, captive-portal
---


# Question
Title: How do I fully back up an Xperia Z2 phone?
I'm thinking about moving onto a custom ROM, but I don't want to permanently lose any DRM keys. How do I go about fully backing up the contents of the phone before mucking around with it?

# Answer
> 1 votes
I figured it out eventually. It's not easy, because you need to get root before wiping anything (or unlocking the bootloader, which would wipe everything).

* Download a copy of the old firmware, which you can find at the XDA forums. You will need to downgrade to this old firmware so that you can take advantage of an old root exploit (vulnerability). I used version 17.1.2.A.0.314 from the UK, but anything from 4.4.2 should work.
* Obtain root and install a custom recovery so that we can use it upgrade the firmware. XZDualRecovery is popular. I used Z2-lockeddualrecovery2.8.21-RELEASE.installer.zip. This includes a root exploit so that it can install the recovery.
* You can use the custom recovery (TWRP) to create a backup of the TA partition that includes the DRM keys.
* Use the recovery to upgrade back to an up-to-date official firmware version. You need a pre-rooted firmware (PRF) zip file. The best place to look for one is on XDA's Xperia forums. Here's an example for version 23.4.A.1.232. Don't forget to clear the Dalvik cache.

This process does not require you to unlock the bootloader, so the DRM keys are never wiped.

# Answer
> 0 votes
To backup your phone, first you have to root it. Depends on your Android version, root method is different. After you root your device, you can backup your DRM keys in TA partition with this app. After you backup your TA partition, you are good to unlock BL. If you want to use your DRM keys again, relock BL and restore TA partition. (Unlocking BL delete ALL data on your device internal storage. Remeber to backup your data first)

---
Tags: rom-flashing, backup, sony-xperia-z2, drm
---


# Question
Title: How to choose where to install an app either to sd card or device?
I have a samsung galaxy tab 4, i have already changed the download location to sd card, but i want to download an app and it says it can't be downloaded on the sd card, that it must be on the device. how can i revert it to download on the device, without taking the sd card out? Help its annoying to take out the otter box cover out, everytime.

# Answer
You can unmount the SD card from the settings. To do this: Go to Settings -\> Storage -\> Unmount SD card.

Removing the card *physically* is not needed.

You can later remount the SD card whenever you need it back by using the settings again, still without actually removing and inserting the SD card.
> 1 votes

# Answer
In the same settings menu where you changed the download location to sd card set the download location to device.
> 0 votes

# Answer
You probably have just changed the *preferred* install location (I'm not aware of a setting that *enforces* a location for app install). So IMHO you don't need worry, simply install that app.

### Background:

Developers must declare their app's preferred install location in the `Manifest` of the app. There they basically have 3 choices: internal storage, external storage, let-the-OS-decide. On the OS side, again there's a corresponding setting: internal, external, default (usually internal). You altered the latter to "external" I assume.

Now what happens when you've set the OS side to "external"? Depends on what the `Manifest` of the app-to-be-installed says: if it says "let-the-OS-decide", things are clear: the app goes there (in your case, the external storage AKA SD card). Everything else overrides the OS-side setting: If an app offers services/widgets, it *must* go to internal storage, hence the developer will declare such – and the OS will obey.

So: No need to change anything. If the app *must* be installed to internal storage, the dev should have taken care for that in the app's `Manifest`. If you're still running into trouble, see my answer here on how to change the default.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Some apps need to be installed on non-unmountable device-memory because they depend on an app-s service that must run continuously without beeing stopped if sd is unmounted/ejected.

The developper of the app can declare that the app must be installed on device memory.

You can try to install the app in device-s memory and later move it to sd-card via settings/app/move to sd.

If the developper does not want the app to be installed on sd this option is not available.

You can also try to use the android app app2sd for this.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-tab-4
---


title: update xnph44s to xnph05q

text:
# Question
Title: update xnph44s to xnph05q
the problem:

I am using a OnePlus One. Current CM version - 11.0 XNPH44S. I got the update notification to XNPH05Q and when i click "download update" it downloads the update(i dont know where). And when i click "install update" it reboots and automatically goes to CM recovery mode(i dont need to press the power and volume down button).

As most of the forums suggested, I do the following:

Apply update \> choose from internal Storage \> 0/

but i dont find the correct file to select. And so I simply reboot the system and download the file cm-bacon-5fa8c79c0b-to-5229c4ef56-signed.zip and put it in the internal storage.. then i do the following:

reboot (automatically goes to cm recovery) apply update choose from internal storage 0/ select the zip file

the installation starts...

Same problem has been posted here at xda-developers forums but no solution is given... also, i tried the instructions from the forum of oneplus one.

Note: i dont have much idea on flashing twrp, etc.... you can consider me a noob.

HELP!

**My solution:**

The problem lied in the ROM installed in my phone. So, I rooted the phone, installed TWRP recovery, flashed SU binary and then flashed the updated ROM.

The most easiest way to root is given here. After following the video tutorial, download the ROM you want to install then flash it using the TWRP recovery.

# Answer
Go to Recovery mode, select Install, look for the ZIP file and select Install zip.
> -1 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, updates, oneplus-one
---


# Question
Title: How to connect an external hard-drive to a tablet
Is there a cable which connects my (normal/usual) external hard drive (which I use with my PC) to my Samsung Galaxy Tab S with a Lollipop Android operating system? If so, should it have an external power supply?

How about a memory stick?

Are tablets basically constructed NOT to connect to external hard drives?

# Answer
To my knowledge, (testing this myself now), it depends how the drive is formatted. According to my research: A drive you've been using for storage with Windows, formatted to NTSF default, won't be seen and Android most of the time won't see the external hard drive if it isn't formatted in exFAT. It depends on your tablet's manufacturer whether or not it is capable of viewing exFAT formatted storage devices.

Whether you use a power source cord of any kind for the external hard drive all depends on if the device normally requires one to function. Unless provided with the external storage device by the manufacturer or stated by the manufacturer to use something for power, the USB hard drive should not require outside power source to function. Small laptop hard drives or external small sized USB hard drives require only the power of the USB port to function. Most external USB hard drives are like this. Some larger 2-in-1 tablets come with a standard USB port and you may not need a "converter-OTG-cable" A.K.A. USB standard female to micro USB male cable.

My tablet is the RCA Maven pro 11.6 2-in-1 tablet, which has standard, as well as mini USB ports, so I'm experimenting now with a laptop platter style external HD to see if it can be read, and written to formatted in exFAT. From what I have read, if exFAT formatting the external hard drive with Windows doesn't work, then try FAT32 (backup, or remove everything on the drive before reformatting, because a reformat will erase all files).

Like I said I'm not an expert, but I read a lot, I love Android devices, and - If your tablet has both standard and micro USB ports like my RCA Maven Pro has (large tablets like Chromebook, MacBook, etc, usually have both standard and micro USB ports, if your device does as well, try using one or the other, so try using the micro USB port if the standard doesn't work, by using an OTG connection cable. If your system sees the drive, but says it needs to be reformatted, then make your tablet reformat the drive, and then it's bound to be able to read it.

If neither of those USB storage drive formats work, then your manufacturer did not include their capabilities. If it reads it but won't mount the USB device. or checks for errors, give it time (from what I've read) depending on the size of the drive, is how much time it will take to read it.

BTW if your device has a standard USB port, note that most tablets with one are usually USB 2.0, with tablets. If your external hard drive is over a certain size then USB standard 2.0 won't be able to see it, or all of it. Then you'd need a USB standard to micro USB conversion cable to be used plugged into your tablets micro USB port, in order to see the external's higher capacity. Make sure your micro USB port isn't just for charging, and will read outside devices. Some versions of Android require you to switch it in settings.

The only other alternative for an external hard drive being seen and utilized by Android (that I can think of) is to purchase a wireless USB storage hub to plug the hard drive into, to then wirelessly transmit files from the hard drive plugged in to your Android device.

Anyway that's what I know. I'm going to try this right now too with a 500GB, and see what happens. Good luck.
> 2 votes

# Answer
What you would need is an OTG cable...its not very pricey...one end of it acts an USB port for your external hard-disk, while the other end is micro-USB compatible, so can be easily connected to your smartphone or tablet
> 1 votes

# Answer
The feature you are looking for is called USB On The Go.

Your smart-phone or tablet has to support it otherwise your device won't be able to talk to the USB device.

There are ways to find out whether your device supports it. If it doesn't support it, rooting your device may make it possible.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: networking, tablet
---


# Question
Title: How can I find the name of the Kernel and its version that is running in my phone?
I had flashed Android 6.0 Marshmallow in My Nexus 5. As a part of a rooting process, I had to flash the kernel to allow SU binary to work.

All is fine and root works well.

Kernel is a intangible software component. How can I know the name and version of the kernel that I am using on my phone after installing it? I mean if I do not remember from where I downloaded the kernel or do not have the its ZIP file, are there any means with which I can find the kernel's name and its version?

# Answer
Do one thing, download an app called “terminal emulator” and open that terminal and invoke this command:

```
      $ uname  -a

```

It will show you your kernel version, and its name and other details.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Unless Marshmallow has some unnecessary native changes, you should be able to see the kernel version in many Android releases from **Settings → About phone**.

<sub>(Click image to enlarge)</sub>

---

A command line way other than `uname -a` can be:

```
cat /proc/version

```

Output in my case is:

```
Linux version 3.4.107~AK.236.OPO.CM12.1 (ak@kernel) (gcc version 4.9.3 20150424 (prerelease) (UBERTC-4.9.3) ) #1 SMP PREEMPT Thu Apr 30 08:37:49 CEST 2015

```

where,

* `Linux` -- Kernel name
* `3.4.107~AK.236.OPO.CM12.1` -- Kernel release
* `#1 SMP PREEMPT Thu Apr 30 08:37:49 CEST 2015` -- Kernel version (I know it's odd)
* the rest is homework :)

Provided that you've root access or command executed using `dumpstate` can also show you what you want, but the rest of the output would be overwhelming.

---

Another alternative can be an app which can show system details, such as Elixir 2 or Droid Hardware Info.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: nexus-5, kernel, 6.0-marshmallow, z4root
---


# Question
Title: Unusually high data usage by Google Play Store
I've just noticed that my data usage for Google Play Store this month is \>350MB. I've got it set to update over WiFi only and background data is restricted, so I don't know where this has come from. I haven't been downloading any apps either. Does anyone know what could have caused this and more importantly how do I stop it? It's a Sony Xperia Z3 running 5.0.2. Thanks!

# Answer
> 1 votes
I recently had problems with my phone eating up an extra 4GB of my data plan in one month. Not fun.

First try, Settings -\> Apps -\> All, and reset cache for each Google Play Services, Google Play Store, and Google Services Framework. Restart the phone, and watch.

If that doesn't do the trick, try resetting the cache AND data for each of the three. Again, restart.

---
Tags: google-play-store, 5.0-lollipop, sony-xperia-z3
---


title: Sound architecture in android

text:
# Question
Title: Sound architecture in android
What is the sound architecture in Android. Is it the same as in Linux? I mean virtually every linux distributions use ALSA, so do android also use ALSA as sound driver?

# Answer
> 6 votes
Ok, so, I did a little bit of search and this is what I found.

Android, on the **kernel level**, uses **ALSA** or its alternative **OSS** (Open Sound System) to speak to the Hardware.

**HAL** (Hardware Abstraction Layer) sits on the top of Kernel which is a purely android implementation that communicates with the Kernel. Apparently, apps can't directly talk to ALSA/OSS as they do in Linux. Only HAL provides interfaces that audio services can call and work with.

And then there are few more frameworks and abstraction layer between HAL and the interface that the actual code of applications use. This layer is called **Application framework.**

This page has good illustration of the these layers.

---
Tags: audio
---


# Question
Title: Huawei Ascend P7 locks out after months of usage
I have been using my Huawei Ascend P7 for months. It was acquired unlocked, I've been using the same SIM card from a prepaid carrier since the very beginning.

Today, without any action taken on my side, no application installed, OS not upgraded recently, the phone locked.

The device prompts me to enter a code, with the following message:

> Please unlock your phone first

I've been looking it up online and stumbled upon some websites that offer release codes for money (or other dubious favors), but it just doesn't make any sense:

* The device was never rooted
* I haven't upgraded my OS lately
* It's not about a SIM card lock
* I talked to my carrier, they haven't been able to help
* The phone worked for **months**, unlocked, exactly the way it was purchased from an authorized Huawei seller in Germany

Does anybody have any idea what could cause this? What could possibly lock an originally unlocked device without any action by the user?

I should note that I don't wish to root my P7.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Turns out it wasn't a hard-lock on the device, it was just a code that apparently I set when I started the phone for the very first time. Sorry for alarming whoever spent time pondering with me about this issue!

---
Tags: locked-out, huawei, huawei-ascend-p7
---


# Question
Title: How can Android Device Manager (ADM) help to locate Android phone if Google account's password has been changed?
I lost my Samsung Android phone. It was connected with Google account, but I changed my Google account password. Now I am not able to trace it through Android Device Manager (ADM). When I tried, it shows

> No active devices
>
> Before you can use Android Device Manager, you must have an active Android device.

# Answer
Did you activate ADM with device administrators in the phone? If you do so, you could lock your device and no need to change the password.

But if someone is using your phone, they can reset your mobile with recovery mode. If they do so, you can't locate your mobile.

I think you should inform the police and they will looking for your mobile with the IMEI number of your mobile.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: google-account, password, lost-phone, device-administrator
---


# Question
Title: Facebook Messenger crashing after update, persists after force stop and clearing data
I updated Facebook Messenger to the latest version (44.0.0.2.51) via the Google Play Store and now I keep getting the following message on my screen:

> Unfortunately, Messenger has stopped.

I get that message, even though I did a Force Stop and cleared data via the App Info settings. I then reached out to Facebook Android Beta and their answer for any issue is same:

> Try reinstalling the app and if you still experience the issue, report it within the app. -Kevin

I'm not sure how reinstalling the app would solve coding issues, but just to be fair, I went ahead and reinstalled it anyways. Needless to say that did *NOT* solve anything and I cannot report the issue within the app as it keeps crashing and I can't even launch it.

Is there anything else I can do besides uninstall it?

# Answer
I took following steps to resolve my issue:

I followed first link and opt-out from beta tester, and then later that day I opt-in back as Facebook resolved issue that caused for Messenger to crash.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Uninstall it for now, I have also gotten this last week and again today. It appears to be an update with the app that causes this. I uninstalled it today as well because it was constantly popping up.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: facebook-messenger
---


# Question
Title: Why don't see notifications on 5.0.2 Android update for Sony Z3 Compact
Just updated to latest 5.0.2 Android on my Z3 compact, but noticed I cannot see any notifications for any apps on the lock screen. I have tried all settings (show all, not show sensitive etc.) for "when device is locked" setting, but nothing shows up. Could someone help provide a step-by-step guide on getting notifications to show on the lock screen? This is extremely frustrating for me, especially if I have to enter my PIN to get the home screen just to look at notifications... Thanks.

# Answer
I think the problem is that you are using the PIN lock screen. Try changing to something else and hopefully it will work.

I also faced this problem and it disappeared when I changed the lock screen type.
> 1 votes

# Answer
XDA found a workaround. It's your exchange account. http://forum.xda-developers.com/z3-compact/help/notifications-lollipop-lockscreen-help-t3084398
> 0 votes

# Answer
Go to settings - apps - choose messaging - than tick the box with show notification.

It took me ages to find this.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop, notifications, lock-screens, sony-xperia-z3
---


# Question
Title: Is there a way to change the cover photo in Gmail app's menu?
Gmail/G+ allows you to change the cover photo along with the profile photo. **I already changed both**. The profile photo will also be used in the Gmail app on most (every?) Android. But what about the cover photo? I don't want the Google default cover photo on my Gmail app.

I'm on a Samsung using Android 5.0. Gmail app is currently on 5.6.103338659.release.

Is there a way to change this?

# Answer
Today, as a matter of fact, the image suddenly appeared. I did not do anything special that I hadn't tried before: Switching on and off the phone, reconnecting gmail, disabling and enabling the respective settings.

So it's obviously just a matter of time until all the picture changes take effect in the app.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: gmail, google-apps
---


# Question
Title: How do I decrypt files on my SD card that I encrypted using the Settings?
I have files that I used to copy from my SD card to my PC using the USB Mass Storage option under the "USB connection" pop-up. I checked the flag under Settings-\>Location & Security-\>Data encryption-\>Storage encryption and now I can't read new files of these types (e.g., .jpg and .txt files). I tried unchecking the box -- a message appeared saying that future files will be decrypted, but existing files will remain encrypted.

How do I access the files that are currently encrypted and/or decrypt them?

# Answer
> 6 votes
I sent this question into Verizon Wireless as well. Here is their reply:

> Thank you for contacting Verizon Wireless through our website...I understand that you've been having an issue trying to decrypt files on your handset. At this time Motorola hasn't provided an update for your phone to be able to do this. Without that, we're unable to assist you because this is a phone issue and not a network issue.

So it looks like Ryan was correct in his comment that this is an issue with a Motorola OS add-on, not vanilla Android.

Since originally asking my question, I experimented some more with my phone. My phone has 2 check-boxes for setting encryption: one to encrypt the SD card (that I mentioned in my original question) and one to encrypt the main phone memory. When I unchecked *both* boxes, my phone decrypted all files, both on the phone and on the SD card. So, that is my solution for now.

Thank you Ryan for your comments -- they helped lead me to this answer.

# Answer
> 2 votes
I'm using Samsung Galaxy Note, ICS 4.0.3. There's a Decrypt option. Go to Settings → Security → Encryption, there's a "Decrypt Device" and "Decrypt SD Card" option.

After you select "Decrypt SD Card", just uncheck all the boxes on the next screen (see screenshot below).

(Click image to enlarge)

# Answer
> 1 votes
Summary: With a Motorola Droid series phone using encryption, you have to **click to use the phone as a "Media Device", not as Mass Storage,** in order to decrypt files for transfer or viewing on a USB connected PC.

OP has stated he is using a Droid Bionic with encryption enabled.

To view or transfer the encrypted files to his PC -- but in a decrypted state -- while the phone is plugged into his PC by USB connection, he should:

1. Plug in Droid phone via USB to PC. Make sure phone is unlocked by entering passcode, etc.
2. When symbol appears in notification bar at the top showing a USB connection of phone to PC, he should drag down from the top of the screen, and click on "Connected as a mass storage: touch for other USB options".
3. He should then click on "Connect as: Media device (MTP) -- Lets you transfer media files on Windows, or using Android File Transfer on Mac". (He may be prompted to install Motorola connection software, which he should allow.)
4. In Windows, he should then access My Computer, and, under Portable Devices, click on Droid Bionic. Within there, he will have access to "Interal storage" and "SD Card" (if any), and he can begin viewing or transferring the files in a decrypted state. (Note: the decryption process can take a noticeable amount of time, say, 1-2 seconds on each folder viewed.)

Source: I have a Droid phone with encryption enabled, and did this procedure to transfer files in a decrypted state.

(Click image to enlarge)

---
Tags: sd-card, security, settings, encryption
---


# Question
Title: Will restoring WhatsApp chats from a backup also restore blocked contacts' chats?
If I want to restore my conversations on WhatsApp and I'm reinstalling it from the latest backup, will the conversations with the blocked contacts appear? Will the blocked contacts continue to be blocked?

# Answer
Yes, restoring from backup (like with Titanium Backup) will restore all conversations. App settings will be restored as well, so blocked contacts should stay blocked.
> 1 votes

# Answer
The blocked numbers don't have any relation with restoring backup or not. They're stored online. So, even if you don't restore the backup, the numbers will be there in the blocked list.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: whatsapp-messenger, restore
---


title: How to root Samsung Young S6312?

text:
# Question
Title: How to root Samsung Young S6312?
I tried multiple ways to root my Samsung Galaxy Young S6312, but it still remains unrooted.

I want to know if there are any ways to at least get the "Move to SD Card" option. My main motive for rooting my device is to move my apps to SD card. I tried the following:

1. Kingo Android Root
2. Kingo Android Root for Windows
3. App2SD (doesn't show move to SD option)
4. Some free apps

# Answer
Try Root Genius for PC.

Connect your Device with PC and enable USB Debugging.

Open Root Genius tools and Start Root.

It will take time to root but at last your device will be rooted and you will see kinguser app will be installed on your device.

For Download : http://www.shuame.com/en/root/
> 0 votes

---
Tags: rooting, 4.1-jelly-bean
---


# Question
Title: Configure apps to store data on external SD?
I have a S5 with Cyanogenmod v12. I've gone through every setting screen I could find but was unable to locate where to tell the default Camera app to store pics/vids on SD instead of internal memory. I realize I could move them over, but that's an added step and inconvenience.

Is there a way to configure the default Camera app to save to SD? If not, is there a camera app that comes with this ability?

# Answer
In cynogenmod's camera app there are no further settings it must have .I think you should try this app- google camera .
> 0 votes

# Answer
You can root your phone and then you can use Picture 2 SD app in that way your requirement can be fulfilled.

Check this XDA Developer Source :

http://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed/modules/mod-pictures2sd-v1-0-6-makes-camera-t2408880
> 0 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, settings, external-sd, camera, storage
---


# Question
Title: speaker option enabled by default when answering the calls
Can any of the applications change the call settings? All of a sudden have observed that when an incoming call is answered, Speaker is enabled by default.

After uninstalling some of the applications related to calls, it became normal. But I would like to know what/which caused the change in settings. Apps I deleted are TrueCaller, Call Recorder.

Any information related to this is helpful. Thanks in advance.

Samsung Galaxy Note 2 running 4.1.2 JellyBean.

# Answer
I know for certain that some apps do have the option of changing the setting (e.g. InDrive allows you to switch to speakerphone when driving)

As for the second question, I believe that CallRecorder is the culprit, because:
a) I have tried TrueCaller once, and did not experience anything like you are mentioning,
b) Call recorder apps generally can't work on unrooted Android (as far as I know) unless you are using the speakerphone, so that they can record your voice, and the voice coming from the speakerphone.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Wear Speaker is another culprit.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: calls, speakerphone
---


# Question
Title: Internet Connection disabled automatically on Samsung Galaxy Ace
I am using Internet on my phone using packet data connection since many months. From few days I am facing a very weird problem. My phone stops showing the Edge symbol after sometime. When I switch Off my phone and then switch it on, it runs fine for few minutes. But after that it again stops working.

I have an unlimited connection , so In settings - \> "Use Packet Data" is always checked mark. I never unchecked it. But not getting the reason for the problem and how to fix this. Please help me out!

# Answer
> 0 votes
Go to Settings ==\> Wireless & network settings ==\> Mobile networks ==\> Network Mode Its going to open another window with title as Preferred network mode.

Now try to Select WCDMA only option. Wait for 10 sec. We can see the network is getting reset and try to find the 3G signal. Now open the same pop up again and select GSM(Edge or 2G) connection. Now again networking related stuff gets reset again.

---
Tags: internet, samsung-galaxy-ace
---


# Question
Title: multiple android devices using same email address question/
I work for a company which uses many android devices (tablets). Same level of users share same email address. When an email is sent to a group,they all get the emails but only one of them is receiving the email alert from the tablet. Is there any way to configure the tablets to have all of them alert when new email is received? We use Samsung Galaxy tablets with Android. Thank You.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I think other tablets didnt turn on the notifications of New arriving emails. Go to email -\> settings -\> 1.tick the EMAIL NOTIFICATIONS. And also check you have tick the SYNC EMAIL.

---
Tags: email
---


# Question
Title: Is it possible to connect Nexus 4 to Windows Server 2012 R2?
I'm trying to connect Nexus 4 (Android 4.4.4) to Windows Server 2012 R2 DataCenter for purpose of debugging from Xamarin Studio.

What I did:

1. Activated Developer Settings
2. Checked USB Debugging
3. Installed Google USB driver from Android SDK Manager

But Windows doesn't see it when I connect by USB cable.

Maybe it isn't possible with Windows Server?

PS. But it's charging and I see connected as MTP in USB computer connection.

**UPDATE:** I tried to connected it to Windows 7 and it's working. But I still have problem with Windows Server 2012 R2.

So question is: should I change some settings in Windows Server 2012 R2 or it is not available to connect Nexus 4 at all to Windows Server?

# Answer
Actually Windows Experience Feature is the answer!

I had the same problem and could not install usb drivers for a MotoG on a win2012 Server, but when I installed Desktop Experience feature, all runs flawlessly, drivers auto-installed and all!

BUT it is a little weird to find it...

Go to:

Server Manager -\> Open Add Roles and Features Wizard -\> Features -\> User Interfaces and Infrastructure -\> Desktop Experience
> 4 votes

# Answer
We just found out that you need to install Windows Media Player through Desktop Experience to get MTP functionality on Windows Server.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: usb, nexus-4, connection-issues, windows, usb-debugging
---


# Question
Title: switch phone to data when wifi signal is weak
I am using Tasker. How do i get my phone to turn wifi off when signal is low and turn data back on. I also want it to check occasionally for a stronger signal.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I am afraid that's not possible. When the data is on and when the device gets connected to Internet via WiFi, the data is stopped.

In Tasker, the `WiFi near` state has "Min. Activate Signal Level" with which you may monitor a WiFi for detecting the level. But if it falls below a point you cannot switch it off to connect to data.

---
Tags: wi-fi
---


# Question
Title: Why do applications update when I have declined the Google Play terms of service?
On my Samsung Note 3 I have declined the Google Play terms of service. Despite this, the system has connected to Google Play to download updates for all the bloatware preinstalled on the system, and a few other third-party applications such as JuiceSSH that I've installed.

**By whose authority are these updates being made, after I've explicitly denied their terms?**

# Answer
Samsung has its own appstore: Galaxy Apps. The bloatware on my Galaxy S6 is installed and updated through that instead of through Google Play. Could that be going on on your Note 3? I don't know if Galaxy Apps updates apps installed through Google Play, but perhaps it does.
> 2 votes

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


title: Keyboard stuck on screen

text:
# Question
Title: Keyboard stuck on screen
I'm having keyboard issues on my nexus 4. If my phone locks with the keyboard on screen, then when I unlock, the qwerty keyboard shows over the pad to enter my code. I can work around by clicking the emergency call, then using the back arrow to get the lock screen and number pad. It's super frustrating. It also stays on if I am typing and swipe notifications down. The problem just began, and persists even I change the keyboard. Would love some help!

# Answer
After a little more digging, I may have come to an answer. I did notice that my problems started after I added the handwriting recognition functionality to my phone. I found one forum that suggests that turning it off will fix the issue. I shut mine off and will use it that way to see if it helps. I suggest you try that too.

To shut it off go to settings -\> Language & Input, then uncheck the Google Handwriting input.

Hope this helps :-)
> 0 votes

---
Tags: lock-screens, keyboard, nexus-4
---


title: How to eject bot from Telegram group

text:
# Question
Title: How to eject bot from Telegram group
I've a bot in a Telegram group and I want to eject it.

The way I would use with a user does not work.

How to eject the bot from the group?

# Answer
Its working the same as removing a regular user, just long press the bots name and a popup will come up to remove the user...
> 2 votes

---
Tags: telegram
---


# Question
Title: changing cyanogenmod dialer behavior: screen goes blank
I updated my Samsung Galaxy S4 with Cyanogenmod 12. Phone is Sprint SPH-L720 dual band.

When I make or receive a call, when I put the phone to my ear the screen correctly becomes blank. When I move it away from my face, however, it stays dark. This thwarts any attempt to hit buttons, such as speaker phone or "press 1" for a menu option. The screen returns once the call completes.

As I recall, on the stock ROM with the phone, this sort of behavior could be configured with options, but being new to cyanogenmod, I have not found such options.

Regrettably, "cyanogenmod dialer" searches only find things to install new dialers. So I must rely on your expertise. Are there options I can change? Do I just not know the trick to get the screen back? Any advice?

Thank you

# Answer
The answer is hitting the power button. If the phone still does not wake up, a second press wakes it up.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod
---


# Question
Title: CM 10.2 with Google Apps version 20130813 won't download from Play Store
I have a Galaxy S3 I9300 from Telcel, Mexico running CyanogenMod 10.2.0, upgraded from 10.1.3 with the upgrade feature and using TWRP for this purpose. I am unable to download anything from the Play Store, the store loads but the apps won't download. I have flashed the gapps-20130813 package, cleared data and uninstalled updates from Play Store and Google Play Services, and it won't download yet. After googling around, I already cleared data on Google Play, Google Framework and Google Play Services, every single cache with Titanium Backup, cleaned up Dalvik cache, and removed and re-added my Google account. Still no luck.

I also noticed the download notification briefly appearing for a split second when I tap Download on Google Play.

Is there anything I can't do? I don't want to go through the hassle of backing everything up, deleting the entire data partition and restoring everything.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Sorry buddy. Factory reset does the trick... usually this is required when switching between ROM versions, and the Gapps XDA page mentions also that to flash a new Gapps you need to format the /system partition, data, and dalvik.

# Answer
> 0 votes
> I don't want to go through the hassle of backing everything up, deleting the entire data partition and restoring everything.

That might appear as a very long process to do, but what if that actually is all what you might need to do?

Well, I guess the problem you are facing might be similar to what I've experienced some time ago, and below are the steps I took:

* Sign out of all Google Accounts on device
* Boot Into Recovery (cwm/twrp, whichever)
* Wipe Cache/Dalvik
* Reinstall/Flash CyanogenMod (a nightly known to work)
* Reinstall/Flash GApps (a correct version for your CM)
* Reboot
* Sign into Google account (log into default google account first, assuming you've got multiple accounts you log into)
* Open Google Search
* Enter Google Play Services
* Click on the link to the app in Play Store
* If need be, Update it (if it doesn't update, do below)
* Open Play Store
* Important: Still connected to internet, leave Play Store open for sometime (depending on internet connection). Sometimes, Play Store prevents any download of apps, UNTIL the Play Store app is up to latest version. Any attempt to install something during that period will be futile)
* Confirm Play Store app is up to latest. Check the version number and compare to latest play store apk on, say, APKmirror.com
* If app version is latest, go ahead to update Google Play Services following steps above
* If that works, go ahead to try downloading an app.
* Are you on a Good internet connection?
* If all doesn't work, then, how about you clean install your CM again?

You might not like my last point, but if that's what will get your phone working smoothly again, why the hesitation?

---
Tags: google-play-store, cyanogenmod, samsung-galaxy-s-3, 4.3-jelly-bean
---


# Question
Title: How to switch between scrolling and static wallpapers?
Two days ago I was a happy scroller, but the all of a sudden its just static, it switched into portrait mode. I've read over the internet that there are some apps to scroll, but I was wondering that, since my phone natively supports scrolling, is there a possible way to switch between scrolling and static?

My cropping square is displayed but the dots are on the center rectangle only, I dont know how to change that.

I'm using an *Inco Flex* if that matters, in case you dont know the brand its ok, its quite unknown.

# Answer
My scrolling wallpaper went static when I changed the number of desktop screens down to 1. Increase the number of desktop screens for more icon/widget real estate and that scrolling you want.

Oh, make sure your wallpaper is wider than it is tall, too.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: wallpaper
---


title: How do I unlearn words?

text:
# Question
Title: How do I unlearn words?
I just got the new Samsung Galaxy S5 and I was texting and I accidentally held down one of the words that pops up when I start texting and this box popped up saying that whatever word will be removed from learned words. So now every time I type the word "the" it changes it to their or them or anything similar and its really annoying. Because this is a new phone I have no idea where to go or what to look for. Please help!

# Answer
Click on the right-arrow "\>" at the top of the keyboard. This will pull up a list of words. Long press on a word and it will say "\___ will be removed from learned words". Then press OK and it's gone!

Unless you are trying to remove an email address; then it doesn't disappear! :( Really annoying. Anyone know how to fix that?

On a Samsung Galaxy Note 4.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Well you just have to go to settings then to keyboard and open the keyboard configuration and erase the keyboard history. However if that does not work you can try erasing your cache memory in the section of memory in the configuration app.
> 0 votes

# Answer
On my S5 I can hold down the offending word and it will ask if I want to remove it from the learned list.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-5
---


# Question
Title: Fast charging a Samsung S4/S5 with an Apple charger
Does anyone know if it's possible to achieve fast charging (1300mA+) a S4/S5/S6 with an iPhone (5/6) charger? The data pins have a circuit, but I believe Apple uses a different voltage divider to Samsung.

Thanks

# Answer
> 1 votes
I haven't ever heard of a way to adapt iphone cord to a Samsung, and Apple is particularly exclusive to themselves, they don't play well with others. But anything is achievable. The S4 has the standard usb 2.o cord, and isn't as fast as the laters. The S5 & S6 come with the usb 3.0 cord and the wall adapter that is a fast charging set up, it'll be as fast as the iphone cord. The usb 3.o and apple lighting cord are basically the same thing (charging/data transfer), the only difference is that the lighting cord's advantage is that it can plug in to the phone in either direction, meaning it cannot be upside down. Also the S5/6's factory 3.0 usb cord charging performance is regulated by the wall adapter. Wall adapters' have output ratings, for example, if the one that comes with the phone is lost and then an old used one that has an one amp output is used, then the phone will not charge as fast as the stock setup.

---
Tags: samsung, samsung-galaxy-s-4, charging, samsung-galaxy-s-5
---


# Question
Title: Android M Preview 2: "Error: Cannot Load System.img"
I am trying to update my Nexus 9 to the M developer preview 2, and when I try to run the command `fastboot flash system system.img`, I get the error

> error: cannot load 'system.img'

I've tried re-downloading the image from Google and reflashing many times, but it gives the same error. I am able to flash other system images from Google, but not this one. I didn't see this listed as a known issue on Google. Anyone else see this issue or have any suggestions?

# Answer
I faced the same error. Error cannot load `system.img`. I figured it out after few attempts and a few images. It turns out I had an older version of ADB and I could only install old factory images.

If you want to install Android Marshmallow, make sure to install the latest ADB version.
> 3 votes

# Answer
Of course, it's not guaranteed that the reason for your "cannot load" error is the same as the one I experienced (fastboot's error reporting isn't very detailed, so I wouldn't know), but if it is, applying the adjustment described below should solve your problem.

---

For whatever `fastboot` flashing command is giving you a "cannot load" error, use fastboot's `-S` file-sparsing option (along with a size argument to that option that is smaller than the size of the largest image being flashed).

So, using your example, I would suggest trying the following:

```
fastboot -S 512M flash system system.img

```

*The size I chose (512M) equates to roughly half the size of the image you attempted to flash.*
> 3 votes

# Answer
To be honest, this is a bit of a mystery! Here are a couple of things to try from around the web:

* Run 'adb kill server' and then 'adb start server' and try again.
* Make sure you're using the latest version of adb and fastboot and try again.

Someone over on XDA also mentioned that this issue is to do with device encryption and that erasing and formatting the data partition would help (this will wipe all your data). This doesn't quite seem to link up but you never know...
> 0 votes

# Answer
> Note: If you don’t have either one of the bootloader or radio .img files, don’t worry, not all devices need them \**You must go in this exact order
>
> 1) type fastboot flash bootloader \[name of your file\].img
>
> 2) type fastboot flash radio \[name of your file\].img
>
> 3) type fastboot reboot-bootloader
>
> 4) type fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
>
> 5) type fastboot flash boot boot.img
>
> 6) type fastboot flash system system.img

Source : http://www.talkandroid.com/guides/beginner/how-to-install-the-lollipop-factory-image-on-your-nexus-device/

Works fine on Marshmallow too!
> 0 votes

---
Tags: rom-flashing, 6.0-marshmallow, developer-preview
---


# Question
Title: Call recording for Galaxy S2 with kitkat ROM
I'm looking for a call recording app \ mod that works on Galaxy S2 with android 4.4 ROM.

I used several apps with previous versions (mainly on stock ROM's) but none of the apps I tried worked on KitKat ROM

Currently I use Resurrection Remix ROM but I don't mind changing to a different ROM (I understand that CM based ROMs don't have call recording support)

# Answer
> 0 votes
My suggestion is to go for Call Recorder - ACR, it works fine with my CM11

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, samsung-galaxy-s-2, 4.4-kitkat, call-recording
---


title: My Nexus 5 won't update

text:
# Question
Title: My Nexus 5 won't update
So my phone was doing random shutdowns. I thought maybe rooting it would solve the problem. And it did.. but now I can't do any updates.

There is this 10.1 MB Update that keeps prompting to install ever since March 2015. I have tried unrooting it back but still no luck.

The major problem is I want to download the new Marshmallow software update but well I can't. My nexus 5 always says it's up-to-date. I decided to manually download and install it. So I restarted phone and went to recovery mode for TWRP and I initiated the install. And I got this error `error executing updater binary in zip` etc.

How can I get Marshmallow on my Nexus 5?

Click image for larger version

*Sorry for the bad res image, had to use my laptop for that.*

P.S: I have Lollipop 5.1.1

# Answer
From what I can read on the image you posted it looks like your device has 4.4.4 not 5.1.1, and possibly a custom rom rather than the stock one (it looks like `omni_hammerhead/hammerhead: 4.4.4` in the screenshot).

If you have a custom ROM you will not be able to apply an OTA update as they will only work for the stock ROM.

Your best bet might be to flash a factory image (see my instructions here \- you'll need to modify the file names but the process should be the same). You should note that unless you've already unlocked your bootloader this **will** wipe your device, and even if you have if you don't follow the steps correctly it still might (so you'll have to set everything up from scratch again unless you have a backup).
> 2 votes

---
Tags: nexus-5, 5.1-lollipop, operating-system
---


title: WhatsApp won't send messages

text:
# Question
Title: WhatsApp won't send messages
I hope this is the right place to ask. when I click on send button in WhatsApp it is not responding. I tried:

* restarting the device.
* reinstalling WhatsApp.
* delete WhatsApp cache

I'm using nexus 4 with android 5.11

# Answer
problem solved. I did SMS authentication again
> -1 votes

---
Tags: whatsapp-messenger
---


# Question
Title: Trying to flash a system.img I took with dd - failing
Long-time UNIX guy here, but relatively new to the world of Android. Read on.

**EPISODE 1: A New Backup (I hoped)**

I have recently purchased an Asus MemoPAD (ME103K) ; I then became root, and took a `dd` image of the read-only `system` partition to the external SD card:

```
$ su
# dd if=/dev/block/platform/msm_sdcc.1/by-name/system \
         of=/storage/MicroSD/system.img bs=1M
# ls -l /storage/MicroSD/system.img
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 2147483648 Sep 27 13:15 system.img

```

The size (exactly 2GiB) was a bit suspicious - could it be that this was because of the FAT32 partition on the SD card?

No, it was not - `tune2fs -l` revealed that this was indeed, a valid EXT4 image, exactly sized at 2GiB, which passed `fsck -f` with no errors at all. And `fastboot` (from the linux machine attached to the tablet) concurred, after an `adb reboot bootloader`:

```
linuxbox# fastboot getvar all
(bootloader)  version-bootloader: 3.03
(bootloader)  version-hardware: rev_c
(bootloader)  variant: LEOPARDCAT 16G
(bootloader)  version-baseband: H00_0.16.F_0521
(bootloader)  serialno: 0a3dXXXX
...
(bootloader)  partition-type:system: ext4
(bootloader)  partition-size:system: 0x0000000080000000

```

That size, is indeed 2GB:

```
linuxbox# python2 -c 'print 0x0000000080000000'
2147483648

```

So, all is good - I have a backup of the image. Now to test restoring it.

I try to flash the system.img back to the tablet - to make sure I can recover from anything, the sort of bullet-proof backup we do in the Unix world (*e.g. restore contents of a drive via `dd if=backup.image of=/dev/sdXXX`*).

Everything related to `adb` and `fastboot` work flawlessly - so I try...

```
linux_box# fastboot devices
0a3dXXXX     fastboot

linux_box# mount /dev/sdcard /mnt/sdcard
linux_box# cp /mnt/sdcard/system.img .
linux_box# fastboot flash system system.img
error: cannot load 'system.img'

```

Hmm. I download and build the `android-tools-5.1.1` of my distribution from sources, adding debug information - and step in the debugger, to see this failure:

```
linuxbox# gdb --args fastboot flash system system.img
...

```

Interesting - even though I am in a 64bit machine, apparently there are issues that turn the file size "negative" (in a 32bit world, the file size of my image, 2^31, is indeed considered negative - to be exact, `-2147483648`.

OK, fine - how do they flash large image files in Android?

Googling, searching - turns out they use this `make_ext4fs` tool, that creates flashable images. In fact it is part of what I just compiled, so I might as well use it:

```
linuxbox# mkdir /system
linuxbox# mount -o loop,ro system.img /system
linuxbox# ls -l /system
total 208
drwxr-xr-x 106 root root   8192 Sep 17 22:24 app
drwxr-xr-x   3 root 2000   8192 Sep 26 21:08 bin
-rw-r--r--   1 root root   6847 Sep 12 16:59 build.prop
drwxr-xr-x  19 root root   4096 Sep 26 21:08 etc
drwxr-xr-x   2 root root   4096 Aug 11 22:27 fonts
drwxr-xr-x   4 root root   4096 Sep 12 16:56 framework
drwxr-xr-x  10 root root  16384 Sep 12 16:59 lib
drwxr-xr-x   2 root root   4096 Jan  1  1970 lost+found
drwxr-xr-x   3 root root   4096 Aug 11 22:18 media
drwxr-xr-x  59 root root   4096 Aug 11 22:29 priv-app
-rw-r--r--   1 root root 126951 Aug  1  2008 recovery-from-boot.p
drwxr-xr-x   3 root root   4096 Aug 11 21:02 scripts
drwxr-xr-x   3 root root   4096 Aug 11 21:02 tts
drwxr-xr-x  11 root root   4096 Sep 26 21:08 usr
drwxr-xr-x   8 root 2000   4096 Aug 11 22:29 vendor
drwxr-xr-x   2 root 2000   4096 Sep 26 21:09 xbin

linuxbox# ../extras/source/extras/ext4_utils/make_ext4fs \
      -l 2048M new_system.img /system
Creating filesystem with parameters:
    Size: 2147483648
    Block size: 4096
    Blocks per group: 32768
    Inodes per group: 8192
    Inode size: 256
    Journal blocks: 8192
    Label:
    Blocks: 524288
    Block groups: 16
    Reserved block group size: 127
Created filesystem with 2666/131072 inodes and 375014/524288 blocks

```

Cool - so I can apparently build system images from plain old folders. The sky will be my limit - I'll be able to add anything I want to this image.

Let's burn it...

```
linuxbox# fastboot flash system new_system.img
erasing 'system'...
OKAY [  0.064s]
sending 'system' (2088960 KB)...
^C

```

I waited for 1h before hitting that Ctrl-C. And had to power-cycle the tablet, which booted back in fastboot mode.

This is not looking good.

What if I build a smaller image? Maybe the 2GB are somehow an issue, and this partition is not used to full capacity - it has free space:

```
linuxbox# ../extras/source/extras/ext4_utils/make_ext4fs \
      -l 1536M new_system.img /system

linuxbox#  ./fastboot flash system system.img
erasing 'system'...
OKAY [  0.065s]
sending 'system' (1572864 KB)...
OKAY [ 51.039s]
writing 'system'...
OKAY [235.080s]
finished. total time: 286.183s

```

OK, this looks very promising (and only took 5 min). I guess I can now reboot back and everything should be normal, yes?

No :-)

I don't mind a temporarily bricked device, as long as I **do** get to control it in the end (machines that I am not a master of, are machines I don't care to operate ;-)

Any ideas on what I did wrong and what I can do to fix this?

Thanks in advance.

P.S. I checked the Asus support page for my tablet - they only provide the sources for the kernel, and the Over-the-air .zip file. That in turn contains a file-system level backup from the root - i.e. the `system` folder exists in there as just a folder, not an image, not a `system.img` that I can flash - so that doesn't really help me.

**EPISODE 2: Attack of the Custom Boots**

In the absense of any sort of `recovery.img` from Asus (why would a manufacturer bother to publish a fastboot-flashable `recovery.img`? Why indeed...) and a similar absence on recovery images from the CWM and TWRP sites... I am left to battle all alone.

Thankfully, the Over-the-air update file from Asus includes inside it...

```
linuxbox# unzip -l /opt/Asus/firmware/UL-K01E-WW-12.16.1.12-user.zip |\
     grep boot.img$
7368704  2011-03-22 11:21   boot.img

```

...my tablet's boot image. Now maybe - just maybe - I can do something with this.

```
linuxbox$ mkdir rootfs
linuxbox$ cd rootfs
linuxbox$ abootimg -x /path/to/boot.img
linuxbox$ ls -l
bootimg.cfg
initrd.img
zImage

```

Expanding the ramdisk...

```
linuxbox$ mkdir initrd
linuxbox$ cd initrd
linuxbox$ gzip -cd ../initrd.img | cpio -ivd
...
linuxbox$ vi default.prop

```

I set up `default.prop` to be root when the kernel boots:

```
ro.secure=0
ro.debuggable=1
ro.adb.secure=0
androidboot.selinux=disabled

```

I also copied `/system/bin/sh` (*from the over-the-air Asus .zip file*) into `/sbin/sh`. I did the same with busybox \- quite handy tool.

And repacked the boot.img...

```
busybox$ find . | cpio --create --format='newc' | gzip -9 > ../initrd.custom.gz
busybox$ cd ..
busybox$ abootimg --create ../new_boot_busybox.img \
    -f bootimg.cfg -k zImage -r initrd.custom.gz

```

`abootimg` actually failed the first time I run this, since `bootimg.cfg` had to be updated - the `bootsize` parameter had to be changed, since the package is bigger now. `abootimg` reports what it needs, so that's easy enough.

And now, I boot my custom image...

```
linuxbox# fastboot boot new_boot_busybox.img

```

...and witness the following...

```
linuxbox# adb logcat
- exec '/system/bin/sh' failed: Permission denied (13) -

linuxbox# adb shell
- exec '/system/bin/sh' failed: Permission denied (13) -

```

Hmm... Maybe adbd is not run as root?

```
linuxbox# adb root
restarting adbd as root

linuxbox# adb shell
- exec '/system/bin/sh' failed: Permission denied (13) -

```

Fine... I hexedit adbd, and patch /system/bin/sh to be /sbin/sh (I copied the /system/bin/sh from the OTA image to the rootfs of the initrd): Reboot, fastboot...

```
linuxbox# adb shell
- exec '/sbin/sh' failed: Permission denied (13) -

```

Darn. Is this thing able to do anything?

```
linuxbox# adb pull /proc/partitions
15 KB/s (1272 bytes in 0.079s)

```

It is... let's see:

```
linuxbox# adb pull /proc/mounts
16 KB/s (1358 bytes in 0.079s)

linuxbox# grep system mounts
/dev/block/platform/msm_sdcc.1/by-name/system /system ext4 rw,seclabel,relatime,data=ordered 0 0

```

OK, so /system *is* mounted. Can I see what's inside?

```
linuxbox# adb pull /system
remote object '/system' does not exist

```

What the... Maybe I can check what /proc/kmsg contains (what "dmesg" would output)

```
linuxbox# adb pull /proc/kmsg
failed to copy '/proc/kmsg' to './kmsg': Operation not permitted

```

Nah, I need to be root to do that.

```
linuxbox# adb push /sbin/sh /system/bin/sh
failed to copy '/sbin/sh' to '/system/bin/sh': Permission denied

```

And that, too.

This is turning out to be quite a puzzle...

# Answer
**Episode 3: Return of the Shell.**

If I ever had any chance of solving this, I first had to figure out why the shell wasn't working. `adbd` itself was responding, so it was started on the tablet side - but it could not execute the shell, even when I hack-patched it to invoke a file (`/sbin/sh`) that I myself placed in the boot image - being 100% sure that it had the proper permissions and was accessible from the `shell` (id=2000) account that `adbd` uses.

Which left only one explanation - SELinux "cages".

So I checked how `adbd` was started from my boot image's `init.rc`:

```
# adbd is controlled via property triggers in init.<platform>.usb.rc
service adbd /sbin/adbd --root_seclabel=u:r:su:s0
    class core
    socket adbd stream 660 system system
    disabled
    seclabel u:r:adbd:s0

```

...and tried an obvious change:

```
service adbd /sbin/adbd
    class core
    socket adbd stream 660 system system

```

I re-packed, and to my intense satisfaction, saw ...

```
linuxbox# adb shell
$

```

I finally got access to the tablet - from "inside".

Checking the mounted /system, it became clear that the flashing process - even though `fastboot flash system ...` reported that all was Ok - had failed *spectacularly*. It was a wonder that the partition was mounted in the first place.

That explained why the tablet was not booting, and gave me the final idea that solved the issue.

I needed to boot the tablet so that it used my pristine copy of the /system partition, but at this point, even though I had shell access, I was not root - (*the changes I did in `default.prop` are apparently ignored by the Asus kernel - I'll have to recompile it soon...*) so I could not mount the external sdcard and `dd` over my good copy.

But I did have my own boot image - which meant I could edit the `/fstab.qcom` inside it, and do this:

*Original line that told the tablet how to mount /system*

```
/dev/block/platform/msm_sdcc.1/by-name/system  /system  ext4 ro,barrier=1 wait

```

*My edit*

```
/dev/block/mmcblk1p2  /system ext4  rw,barrier=1 wait

```

...and back in my linux box, I `dd`-ed the pristine backup of the tablet's system partition to my external SD card's 2nd partition - which I created via `gparted` to be exactly 2GB.

That did it - the tablet booted from my external SD card.

**EDIT**: The journey continued - I eventually patched and compiled my own kernel and became root.
> 8 votes

# Answer
It seems you've already found some kind of solution to your problem (there's a lot of text to read on this page), but it seems this *probably* could have been resolved much more simply.

```
linuxbox# fastboot getvar all
(bootloader)  version-bootloader: 3.03
(bootloader)  version-hardware: rev_c
(bootloader)  variant: LEOPARDCAT 16G
(bootloader)  version-baseband: H00_0.16.F_0521
(bootloader)  serialno: 0a3dXXXX
...
(bootloader)  partition-type:system: ext4
(bootloader)  partition-size:system: 0x0000000080000000

```

Among these variables, did your tablet return a `max-download-size` variable? If so, that might have provided a warning, outright, that the flashing process might have some issues with such a large image. The current fastboot code is made to work around a `max-download-size` that is too small, but I've experienced your same error even when the image is smaller than what the device says it can handle, so actually the point is kind of moot, I guess.

```
linux_box# fastboot flash system system.img
error: cannot load 'system.img'

```

So, anyway, it seems here, that for whatever reason, you are unable to flash. If you and I are right, and it's about size (your tablet does only have 1 GB of RAM, and supposedly most devices try to read the whole image into RAM before flashing), this is where I think the mere adjustment of adding the `-S` option to fastboot might have fixed your flash as it has for me:

```
fastboot -S 512M flash system system.img

```

Instead, however, it seems you tried to force your 2 GB image into a size that (1) might not be possible for it to be stuffed into and (2) is not the size that your device's system partition is supposed to be.

* Regarding point #1, in my experience, I would not count on the brittle Android build tools to complain if you ask them to do something they will fail at, and it's possible that they might have here.
* Regarding point #2, I don't believe you can't just do that; additional steps would be required to use a different system partition size.

Assuming your tablet expects sparse image files, I believe the command you wanted to try instead of `make_ext4fs -l 1536M new_system.img /system` was `make_ext4fs -l 2048M -s new_system.img /system`. The adjusted command would make an image that inflates to the correct size, but is stored temporarily stripped of any excess fat like big pockets of empty data: a "**sparse** image file" (see the page I linked to earlier for more info on them; I don't have enough reputation on this site to repeat the link).

This old readme someone wrote for a collection of the tools should help understand how the process goes.

Cheers.
> 4 votes

# Answer
With my Moto G I created a back up using dd like you did. I needed to restore my system partition the other day, so I booted TWRP (I didn't flash it, I just booted the image to RAM). I then used adb to connect while TWRP was running and I just pushed the img I made with dd to my SD card and then used dd to write the image to the system partition.

Check out the videos I've made about this here: https://youtu.be/BHCamV-sHx0?list=PLcUid3OP\_4OVI1Rtuwxk1RjABh1PxXXQq
> 2 votes

---
Tags: boot-loop, unbricking, fastboot
---


title: How to restore contacts in android 6

text:
# Question
Title: How to restore contacts in android 6
Today I flash android 6 on my nexus 5. It is really not ready to use the system. I have many problems. For example, all my SMS have been deleted. It is OK. But I lost my contacts too. How to restore them?

Of course, I logged into my account. Of course, I have WIFI. Usually, contacts restore from Cloud backup, but not now.

# Answer
Contact means your Phone contact or gmail contact ?? Well if you are asking for gmail contact then go to your gmail account and check out your contacts are visible or not ? Go to this link - - http://www.google.com/contacts , if the contacts are there then you can easily access that on your phone via google sync.

Try this software - -\> Android Data Recovery

1) Download the software from the below link, install the software in your PC

2) Connect your Mobile with PC .

3) Turn on USB Debugging by going to - -\> Settings - -\> Application --\> Development- -\> USB Debugging.

4) When your Phone get connect with PC, you have to press Start button to start the scan, it will take 20-30 min to scan.

5) When scan get complete, you will see your contacts and other options like SMS on the left pane. Select the relevant option that you want to restore and Press - -\> Restore.

6) Disconnect your phone and check out your contacts in the phone.

**Taken Reference:**

http://www.androidphonesoft.com/resources/recover-deleted-contacts-from-samsung-galaxy-s4.html
> 0 votes

# Answer
Same happened to me. It helped when i opened recent calls tab in dialer and loaded full recent history. It managed to get most of the lost numbers from there or anyways it helped. Worth of trying.
> -1 votes

---
Tags: contacts, nexus-5, restore, 6.0-marshmallow
---


# Question
Title: Getting mount's usage suggestion when attempting /system remount
I'm trying to remount system on a rooted Samsung GT-S6102 running Android 2.3.6:

```
# mount -o rw,remount,rw /system

Usage: mount [-r] [-w] [-o options] [-t type] device directory
```

This is exactly like in this other answer, so I'm not sure why I'm getting this usage error.

# Answer
> 2 votes
So apparently the problem was that I needed to specify the target as per the answer to this other question:

`mount -o remount,rw /system /system`

---
Tags: mount, command-line
---


title: Network storage application

text:
# Question
Title: Network storage application
I have android device eGreat U9 with attached external HDD. I'd like to use this device also as a NAS and mount it's drive as a network disk on my linux desktop. Here is what I've already tried:

* SMB/CIFS server - transfer rates low and significant delay when mounted
* SSHFS - even worse than the previous one (probably because of encryption overhead)
* FTP - transfer rate over 8-10MB/s, so problem is not in my network at all, but when I tried to use ftp mount, it was really unusable

Is there any other way I can use it as a network storage? I tried more than one app for every solution above, but if you know about some certain application, that works for you, I would appreciate your advice.

On the device is rooted Android 4.2.

# Answer
Maybe you could try webdav with apache, and davfs2 on the client side. This should be about the same speed as FTP.

NFS is also an option, if your kernel supports it. However, if you want some security (neither of these options has encryption (ok, webdav can run over http), but at least authentication), nfs authentication is pretty hard to set up compared to webdav.

If you want some *real* security, you can use SFTP/sshfs, and fiddle with the SFTP's encryption settings, namely the set the Ciphers and MACs options (you have to set these client-side). There is probably a combination that is significantly faster, and any is still much more secure than nothing.

And for any of these, I would use some chroot-ed linux with native code, e.g. debian (it's quite easy to install with Lil'debi).
> 0 votes

---
Tags: linux, networking, file-sharing, cifs
---