# Question
Title: Samsung Galaxt Tab 8.9 (Wi-Fi) stuck in charging screen, doesn't turn on at all
Recently, I have decided to install a custom ROM on Galaxy Tab 8.9 (Wi-Fi) and messed up everything.

I downloaded some "ICS 4.0.3 or something" .zip file to my root folder. Stupidly didn't install any ROM manager (Play market couldn't download any app in my tablet). Tried to download .apk file, and when failed, I fed up with everything: turned off the tablet, then turned it on with VOLUME UP and POWER buttons pressed. Then in the stock recovery pressed "apply update from sd card" and chose the .zip file...

...the Samsung Galaxy Tab icon was showing up on the screen the whole night. I was thinking that it's being updated and went to sleep. But I was wrong. The next day it was turned off and when I put the charger in, some stupid big charger symbol came up. I can't turn on the device and pressing VOLUME UP and POWER buttons brings me to the recovery menu, where I've tried anything (wipe user data/factory reset, reboot) with no success.

However, when the tablet is in the recovery menu, my PC sees the device through adb when i run "adb devices". I can even push some file to "/data/local/tmp" with "adb push" command. Now I want to know: can I still somehow install some ROM or at least factory reset to my tablet?

"I want to hide under some rock for a couple days until someone helps me"

# Answer
Finally I learned what is Odin used for, a tool all samsung noobs need. I've flashed Android ICS 4.0.4 downloaded from this link with Odin(v1.85) and it looks great!
> 0 votes

# Answer
Well, no points to leave comment, so here is my (unchecked) advice.

Since You can login via adb, remove zip from sdcard, and reboot tablet into recovery mode, and select restart. I don't think flashing anything or selecting 'wipe' is necessary. Probably the patch didn't even apply. If this will not fix it, then I guess You'll need to `adb push` working ROM and repeat update from sdcard procedure in recovery mode.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: rom-flashing, custom-roms, samsung-galaxy-tab-8.9
---


# Question
Title: TWRP boot loop in Samsung Galaxy S3 mini (i8190L)
# Issue

TWRP start and still looping.

After tried to encrypt my device (`Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini` \- `i8190L`) from Settings menu in Cyanogenmod rom. It started to encrypt but in some point it stop and said that encrypt end unexpected and data cannot be accesible anymore until I reset device (factory settings), after that TWRP did not start as is expected, it still restarting in a loop.

I do not know what else say, if you need more details, please ask me!

### Tests

After this error, I have tried:

1. Reflashing the same Cyanogenmod rom.
2. Reflashing TWRP recovery img.
3. Flashing CWM recovery img.

# Answer
> 2 votes
I had the same problem. I solved it by flashing PARAM image. It seems that encryption is not supported yet in our software version. Encrypting the device corrupts the PARAM partition.

I used Heimdall to do it and downloaded the PARAM file here.

I hope it helps you.

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, rom-flashing, twrp, samsung-galaxy-s-3-mini
---


# Question
Title: Why does "adb reboot" shut down my phone so much faster than usual before it reboots? Is it skipping important steps?
I own a Samsung Galaxy S Relay 4G running Android 4.1.2. Also, I have adb installed on a PC.

When I long-press the Power button then tap "Restart", my phone takes about ten seconds to shut down. Then it reboots itself.

When I enter `adb reboot` instead, the phone shuts down much faster: the shutdown takes only a second or so. Then it reboots.

**My questions:**

1. Why is `adb reboot` so much faster?
2. Is it simply skipping the mobile network operator's shutdown animation, or is it skipping some more important procedures as well?
3. Can I use `adb reboot` every single time I want to reboot the phone, or is there some disadvantage to doing so?
4. (Optional) How do you know?

---

**More information (you can skip this)**

I did some research before posting this question. But I am still unenlightened. Let me show you what I *did* discover.

Tetsuyuki Kobayashi of Kyoto Microcomputer Co. explains in slide 8 of this PDF slideshow that adb consists of three parts: a client, a server, and a daemon. The client and the server run on a PC. The daemon runs on a phone. In slide 11, he explains that all three parts are built from one source directory. (It's this directory.)

I tried searching in that source directory for the word `reboot` and reading parts of services.cpp, but I still haven't been able to figure out what `adb reboot` actually does, or what bytes it sends over the wire, or what code the phone runs when it receives those bytes. I also haven't figured out the answer to any of my questions.

---

**Related**: "What's the best way to restart Android via command line (remotely)?"

# Answer
Other Stack Exchange users have already answered this question in posts elsewhere.

t0mm13b writes that, while displaying your carrier's shutdown animation:

> * Android is safely shutting down vital parts of the runtime.
> * The OS is also broadcasting intents to tell apps and services to gracefully close. These, in turn, flush their caches of all data and shared preferences, save what-nots to the sqlite database, et cetera.
>
> In other words, apps and services are given a chance to do their cleanup systematically.
>
> \[Commands such as `adb reboot`\] are harsher. They actually bypass the safety mechanisms for a graceful shutdown.

Elsewhere, Yury offers another explanation of what Android does during a graceful shutdown:

> * It shuts down ActivityManager. I think shutting down ActivityManager means that all activities will pass necessary lifecycle and, thus, the states of activities will be stored. But I'm not sure. I did not check.
> * Then, Android turns off the cellular radio interface.
> * After that, it turns off Bluetooth.
> * Finally, it tries to shut MountService down.

`adb reboot` is faster because it skips some or all of the above.
> 3 votes

# Answer
Based on the `platform/system/core` repository you linked above, I think the key is in `libcutils/android_reboot.c`. And important definitions are in `include/cutils/android_reboot.h`; namely:

```
    /* Commands */
    #define ANDROID_RB_RESTART  0xDEAD0001
    #define ANDROID_RB_POWEROFF 0xDEAD0002
    #define ANDROID_RB_RESTART2 0xDEAD0003

```

Usually in normal reboot mode (using device button, etc.), the process is longer because (I assume) it umount partition, kill all applications, close all fopen nodes, as in shutdown process. The `adb reboot` can be compared with Linux reboot command (from where it comes): it just flushes the disk and enter reboot without first killing processes or unmounting filesystems. I see also a fast remount command issued to put disk (in our case device's storage part of system) in ro mode before reboot.

I also believe the command issued is `kernel_restart()` which is embedded in kernel. See for example http://www.phonesdevelopers.com/1730094/. Also check `machine_restart` calls.
> 8 votes

---
Tags: adb, reboot, shutdown
---


# Question
Title: Which BusyBox is legitimate on Play Store?
BusyBox is a collection of \*nix utilities. I am attempting to install it via the Play Store (I've had a lot of trouble in the past trying to cross-compile BusyBox).

The problem I am having: there are six or eight apps using that name, and I cannot tell which (if any) is legitimate. The desktop search is search?q=busybox, but it only lists about half compared to what's listed on the device using the Play Store app.

I spent some time searching on XDA and Android Enthusiasts, but I could not determine the app.

Would anyone know which (if any) BusyBox is legitimate?

# Answer
Use either of these:

Note this comment in the description:

> Please note I did not write BusyBox! I wrote this installer and cross compiled BusyBox for Android. Please see the about menu option for more details or here: www.BusyBox.net

If you're installing a custom ROM, it might have BusyBox already (but usually not Pro).
> 4 votes

# Answer
The upstream BusyBox maintainer has probably not uploaded anything official to the Google Play store. You may choose one of Stericson's (unofficial) BusyBox installers from the Google Play store, or you may grab an official prebuilt binary from upstream. It's your choice.

Note that if you choose a prebuilt binary from upstream, you won't get automatic BusyBox updates in the future. You'll have to do the updating yourself.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: google-play-store, busybox
---


title: adb doesn't work

text:
# Question
Title: adb doesn't work
I downloaded SDK from the official website. I installed it, but when I try to use it this happens:

What mistake did I make?

I use Ubuntu 14.04.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Did you install additional packages required for adb to work?

According to Google Android's SDK Page

> If you are running a 64-bit distribution on your development machine, you need to install additional packages first. For Ubuntu 13.10 (Saucy Salamander) and above, install the `libncurses5:i386`, `libstdc++6:i386`, and `zlib1g:i386` packages using apt-get:
>
> ```
> sudo dpkg --add-architecture i386
> sudo apt-get update
> sudo apt-get install libncurses5:i386 libstdc++6:i386 zlib1g:i386
>
> ```
>
> For earlier versions of Ubuntu, install the `ia32-libs` package using apt-get:
>
> ```
> apt-get install ia32-libs
>
> ```

You can check all the dependencies an executable needs using `objdump -x ./adb | grep NEEDED`.

Make sure all required packages are present in your system. And finally, as @Firelord said, also make sure that the file is executable.

Also have a look at this and this similar questions.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Why don't you just install adb from Ubuntu official repository. Run:

```
sudo apt-get install android-tools-adb

```

In terminal for adb and

```
sudo apt-get install android-tools-fastboot

```

For fastboot. In this way you can use adb and fastboot in any directory! Make sure your usb debugging is enabled.

---
Tags: adb, usb-debugging
---


title: Help Installing a custom ROM

text:
# Question
Title: Help Installing a custom ROM
Hi I need some help with this,I want to install a custom rom to my Samsung galaxy s4 mini (I9190), I already know what rom is, and how that works, but I don't know how to install it on any device, I don't have custom recovery also. So if some one could guide me step by step, that would be great. Thanks!

# Answer
Installing a custom recovery like CWM or TWRP try this link http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2398143 After you have installed a custom recovery boot into that recovery (usually it's by pressing home, power and volume up buttons simultaneously, leave the volume up button as soon as you see Samsung logo) Make a backup of current Rom for safety. Then choose apply update from sdcard navigate to the custom Rom file and flash it. And wait for some mins. You will be in the new Rom :)
> 0 votes

# Answer
Use apps like **flashify** from play store on your own risk! Flashing custom rom without custom recovery is risky business! Custom recovery helps you to take **nandroid backup**.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: rom-flashing, custom-roms, recovery-mode, clockworkmod-recovery
---


title: Can I factory reset my tablet remotely?

text:
# Question
Title: Can I factory reset my tablet remotely?
I sold my Galaxy Tab 3 Lite on eBay. After I mailed it out to the buyer, I remember that I'd forgotten to erase it first. The problem is *not* about sensitive information. The problem is (still using my Google Password) the buyer might not be able to get into and use the tablet.

# Answer
> 0 votes
You can use Android Device Manager to remotely wipe (or other tasks) with your android.

Just login with your google account (should be same as the account on your device). And then select the `Erase` option.

# Answer
> 0 votes
While Jaskaranbir's answer should work if you've setup device manager to do that (AFAIR it requires you gave it the corresponding permissions on your device), there are other means you can use in case you have not. Order of tasks might be important here, since as soon as your device "lost contact" to its Google account, you can no longer address it remotely:

1. Login to your Google account using your web browser
2. locate Plan B, and hit the *Install* button. Select your device from the popup, which pushes the app to it.

Now you should be able to access the device via the corresponding web interface of the app developer. Another app working in a similar way is Android Lost. You can find additional details in our tag-wiki.

You can still try *ADM* after having pushed one of these apps. Just make sure to not lock out (i.e. "de-authorize" it via device manager) the tablet before you've reset it; once de-authorized, you can no longer access it ;)

---
Tags: factory-reset, google-account, remote-wipe
---


# Question
Title: How do I temporarily disable an app when there is no "Disable" option
There are two memory hungry apps, Facebook and Facebook Messenger, which I want to disable at times but not always. I used:

* settings → apps → downloaded → Facebook → force stop
* settings → apps → running → Facebook → `<weird service name(s)>` → stop
* settings → apps → all → Facebook → force stop

But the app restarts after few minutes, often accompanied by lots of thrashing. Ideally I would like to disable the app and remove it from memory until I decide to use it. What is the best possible solution?

Android version is 4.4.4, almost stock, not rooted.

# Answer
> 4 votes
Manual methods might be tricky here. I'd recommend taking a look at Greenify, which will take care for such apps automatically (after you've told it so – you're the boss after all ;)

*Greenify* (source: Google Play; click images for larger variants)

As the screenshots show, *Greenify* can "hibernate" apps automatically when the screen is off (and it can do the same when configured apps are not in foreground) – which is basically like an "automated freezing/disabling" of the app. Big difference: you no longer have to care for that yourself. App icons and everything remain accessible. From the app's description:

> Greenify help you identify and put the misbehaving apps into hibernation when you are not using them, to stop them from lagging your device and leeching the battery, in an unique way! They can do nothing without explicit launch by you or other apps, while still preserving full functionality when running in foreground, similar to iOS apps!

To point out some details which where misinterpreted1, please take a closer look at the first screenshot. You can see it shows 3 sections:

* **"Not hibernating automatically"** (showing "Lux Lite"): This shows you've got the last word which apps *Greenify* shall deal with. In fact, without you doing so, *Greenify* won't deal with any app.
* **"Will hibernate in minutes after screen is off"** (showing Evernote & Co): This is *one* of the ways *Greenify* can deal with apps: things which do not need to be active while you switched off your screen can be sent to sleep (though the selection in the screenshot seems weird to me: I'd never put my automation app – here IFTTT, in my case Tasker – into this section)
* **"Hibernated"** (showing "Amazon Kindle"): So the apps there *are* put to sleep, though the screen is on (otherwise this section wouldn't make any sense as you'd never be able to see it). These are the apps "put to sleep" whenever they're not running in foreground: why should an eBook reader (here: Kindle) be active when you can't see it (unless it's using TTS to read a book aloud, of course)?

*Greenify* comes for free and doesn't require root to work (see top of second screenshot: "Working Mode: Non-Root") – though it unleashes its full powers with root, its Donation package, and the .

If you want to learn more on this app: there are currently over 70 answers mentioning it, feel free to browse :)

---

**1:** before I complemented my answer with this information; see e.g. comments on this other answer

# Answer
> 1 votes
This is an alternative solution. You could try 3C Toolbox. This is a veritable toolbox that can do a lot of things. For your need, you need to access

*DISCLAIMER*: The non-root validity of this method cannot be verified by me or @beeshyams. This was confirmed to be working without root in an earlier Android version. If someone can verify that this method works on the OP's Android version, please edit out this disclaimer.

App manager → select user apps from menu at bottom → choose manage (last option on right side) → from the drop down → choose crystallize and you get the options → choose option 1 (for both your apps)

Explanation of the options offered by the developer on his thread at XDA (option names are different as in earlier versions but functionality is same) is

1) ***Never Runs in Background*** : the app is not autorized to run while the UI is not visible, ever. Good for standard apps on which no other app relies. App is restarted each time you start its UI.

2) ***Never Runs in Background,keep UI Until Screen Off***: Same as above, but keeps the app running until screen is turned-off.

3) ***May run in Background when Screen is on*** App may run when screen is turned on, but is stopped when it is turned off. Good for apps on which other apps relies. Good for Play Services and similar apps.

You can also create a widget shortcut for app manager module, to be placed on the home screen, for quick accessibility in case you need to change the behaviour. To enable your apps you can choose option 2

---
Tags: applications, 4.4-kitkat, facebook, ram, facebook-messenger
---


title: Extracting contacts from broken phone

text:
# Question
Title: Extracting contacts from broken phone
I've broken the glass of my LG G2. Touch is not working. Although I can still connect the phone via USB and see its contents. I want to extract contacts and copy them to my new Android phone.

The phone is not rooted.

Yes, I had sync with my gmail account, but for some reason many contacts where not synced.

Is there anything I could do?

# Answer
You will not be able to access the contacts data on an unrooted phone using a file explorer.

You may be able to use "**LG PC Suite**" to control and manage the phone from your PC.

As a final option, have you thought of having the phone repaired? Lots of glass replacement businesses out there. Many will fix while you wait.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: contacts
---


title: New Icon after L upgrade

text:
# Question
Title: New Icon after L upgrade
I started seeing the left most icon on my screen a few days ago and I can't find a reference to what this image means. About a week earlier I upgraded my 2nd Gen Moto G to Lollipop.

# Answer
Some techniques to find an image:

* I recommend checking the official list of icons for Lollipop first. The icon depicts that the device is currently in vibration mode.

Other icons, as Jaskaranbir mentioned, in the order left to right, correspond to Network Wi-Fi, Signal Cellular full bar, and Battery partially filled with flash depicting charging.
* If the official list isn't enough, do a reverse image search. Crop the icon and use it in a reverse image search engine (such as Google). See the example query.
* At times, using your analysis of the icon in a web search also works.
* When it comes to icons in right side of the status bar, it is safe to assume that the icon is part of SystemUI app, in which case, simply look into latter's drawables. Often, drawables have name that represents the logic behind the icon, so you can get a very good guess out of them.

+ For that Resource Browser can prove to be a very useful app. It can list all the drawables of an installed app in a single page, so you can view all of them easily.

    <sub>(Click image to enlarge; image source: Google Play Store; no affiliation to app at all)</sub>
    + An alternative is to extract the APK in a folder, then run this command in that directory using a terminal emulator app

    ```
    find ./ -type f -iname *.png -o -iname *.jpg -o -iname *.gif | while read line; do cp "$line" ./; done
    ```

    You may need Busybox app installed. The command would recursively find all the images with PNG, JPG and GIF extension and copy them in the root of your directory. You can later see them using a file explorer app.
> 4 votes

# Answer
From left:

Vibrate, Wifi, Mobile signal, Battery

So yeah, its the `Vibration` symbol means your phone is set on vibration mode.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop
---


title: Accessing my phone whose screen died

text:
# Question
Title: Accessing my phone whose screen died
My Samsung's screen (Samsung S-III mini) seems to be dead (it suffered mechanical damage at the top, mostly the right corner). I can't really tell if the phone boots completely normally or not, tho it does generate the usual little tune that it does at boot, so it seems like maybe it does boot more or less normally.

When I connect it to the charger, it does give me the usual "beep".

I tried to access it via adb but `adb devices` doesn't list anything and `adb shell` says `error: device not found`. I did access it via adb before, and IIRC it required some interaction on the phone to enable incoming access via ADB, so maybe the problem is that I'd need to perform this interaction but without seeing anything it's rather impossible.

So I'm looking for some kind of "secret handshake" I could use to get access to the machine, so as to extract the data it has on the internal flash?

Maybe some tool that can just extract a raw image of whole flash partitions (i.e. the reverse of rom-flashing)?

# Answer
The screen can be replaced.

In the interim, you can install the Android USB driver. The device will show up. After that, you can take screenshots of the screen using Eclipse with ADT plugin or Android Studio. You can also check the Log Cat window.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: adb, rom-flashing, broken-screen
---


title: Forcing higher USB current

text:
# Question
Title: Forcing higher USB current
**The big problem:** Like a lot of people, we are finding that our tablet does not maintain charge when connected to USB (PC or other device, not AC jack, we need data and charging simultaneously).

**What has worked so far:** On two tablets, we have been able to successfully force the tablet to draw a higher current by writing a higher value to the files

* on Acer Iconia Tab 8: `/sys/devices/pci0000:00/0000:00:18.1/i2c-1/1-0035/power_supply/smb34x-usb_charger/`
* on Samsung Galaxy Tab A: `/sys/devices/soc.0/i2c.65/i2c-13/13-0066/max77849-charger/power_supply/max77849-charger/`

on those tablets in the above directories, after setting the appropriate permissions (Acer: `chmod 777 input_cur_limit`, Tab A: `chmod 777 current_now`) we can change the USB charge current by writing to the files with the commands:

* Acer: `echo "1000" > input_cur_limit`
* Tab A: `echo "1000" > current_now`

This works great on these two tablets. An inline meter on the USB shows the current going higher (close to 1000mA, or whatever we specify) and we are not frying anything (PC, OTG device, tablet) and when the battery fills up itself regulates to a lower value. All good.

**The Problem now:** We have a new tablet. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 - 7" (also tried on an 8" with the same results).

We found the file we thought we should modify:

* `current_now` in `sys/devices/platform/3.i2c/i2c-8/8-0049/power_supply/sec-charger`

We changed the permissions and used `echo "1000" > current_now` to try and modify the file and nothing happens. It keeps returning instantly back to 450 and the meter reading does not go up.

**Any ideas?** It worked on the first two devices we tried, but not on these last two (Tab 4 - 7" and 8"). Maybe someone has a completely different method? Maybe there is another file to change (we have tried several other similarly named files). We understand that this breaks the USB 2 spec, but we need to charge the tablets and send data at the same time.

# Answer
This is to point out a possibility of replacing echo option, with a copy paste option

( Before that, here is a similar search Prevent complete charging?. .)

Related efforts and success for AC charging by replacing the file itself, when echo was not possible, (for reasons I still don't know) is my answer for Honor 6 phone here How do I override charging current on Huawei Honor 6?.

On a side note, similar effort for Samsung Note 2 https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/127288/over-ride-charging-current-on-note-2-n-7100 has not yielded a solution. Unconfirmed views are :

1. Kernel alone can do that for this phone (from two kernel chefs who made kernels for this phone)
2. Chipset limitations. This from a developer

Since their views are based on email, cannot quote names

All the best and will be looking to find if there is yet another way
> 2 votes

# Answer
Don't modify anything in the device to change its power settings.

You need to connect it to a port that can provide the desired level current. You don't make the device draw more current.

On a PC, some motherboard USB ports can provide more current. Check your PC motherboard's manual. If you don't have that, then you can try this. From the OS, shut down the PC. Do not cut the mains power supply to the SMPS (motherboard). Now, connect your tablet or any mobile phone to each one of the ports on the PC. The ports that are designated for device charging will charge device. Others will be switched off by software. Sometimes, the device charging USB headers on the motherboard may not be connected to the ports. You may have re-map the cables or add additional ports that connect to them.

http://www.gigabyte.in/MicroSite/185/on-off-charge.htm

The simplest way to charge tablets is to use a wall charger.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: usb, charging
---


# Question
Title: Why voice records are not saved in mp3 format?
This is not particularly an android related question. All the phones I have used so far, don't record voice in mp3 format. Is it a limitation of the phones? Is there any benefit in recording voice in other formats than mp3? I really don't get it.

# Answer
> 1 votes
In short, MP3 is a **Compressed audio file format**, which means some details of Audio will be deleted to reduce the size. If you record your audio in MP3, **the quality will be low than recording in Other formats** such as ogg or aac.

Hardware is not a limitation. Recorded audio can be converted into any other format using simple software. Note: Now-a-days many applications in Playstore which can record directly in MP3.

# Answer
> 0 votes
In addition to the other answers MP3 also requires some CPU, not a lot by today's standards, but enough to make a difference especially when in the background with other applications competing for CPU time.

---
Tags: voice-recording
---


title: How many SIMs does Data Usage remember?

text:
# Question
Title: How many SIMs does Data Usage remember?
The Data Usage screen of Android seems to remember data usage per SIM. What I want to know is how many SIMs does it remember before deleting the old ones or does it not do that?

With my carrier it's cost effective to activate a new SIM (heavily discounted) every month so was wondering how much data the Data Usage screen would take up.

# Answer
Each time you change the sim card and use internet, The data will be added up to the previous data. In lollipop, The Data usage moniter screen will show the entire data. If u want to clear that, You have to **Root the phone or Reset your phone**. There are many third party apps on Play store to Record usage. And u can also customize them for your need.
> -1 votes

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop, data-monitoring
---


# Question
Title: How to do a factory reset on Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4?
I decided to try encryption on my Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 wifi version just for fun. But during encryption process (somewhere at the end) it turned off the screen and hung.

Anyway my tablet was encrypted, but I wasn't asked for setting a password or encryption key. And it's appeared to be hard to do a factory reset on an encrypted device, since I have Cyanogenmod instead of stock ROM and TWRP instead of stock recovery. Any "official" way to hard reset the tablet was unsuccessful - for some of them I was asked for decryption (I don't have a password) and for the other TWRP recovery was unsuitable - it just led to an infinite boot loop.

So how can I do a factory reset?

# Answer
> 1 votes
So the only way I could resolve the issue and reset my tablet was to install CWM recovery (the last working link I found). I believe stock recovery would work as well, but I didn't have or find one.

The second step is to go the Settings → Backup & Reset → Factory data reset and clicking "Reset tablet". It will warn you about unavailability to backup or recover your data since device is encrypted and then will reboot device to recovery and provide factory reset.

Again, it would probably not be a problem if I'd have stock recovery. But in my case this was the only way to provide reset for my device and it took some time to find this out.

I also could try using restoring stock ROM with Kies or Odin, but I didn't have a working copy of Windows...

BTW here a few different ways you could try for other devices:

1. If you know your password or you have a stock recovery it should not be a problem at all - just use the default way to wipe your data (through recovery or android settings).
2. Use `fastboot erase userdata` (it didn't work for me, because Samsung has no fastboot mode, they have their "Download mode", which is a bit different)
3. Probably there is a way to reset/recover your device through some vendor provided tools (like Kies/Odin for Samsung devices).
4. You are so unlucky :(. Try to search about how to do factory reset for your particular device.

---
Tags: samsung, factory-reset, encryption, samsung-galaxy-tab, twrp
---


# Question
Title: Force chrome mobile browser to view mobile websites
I am using chrome browser on a 5.5-inch smartphone. I notice that for phones with big screen, the website defaults to the desktop version. This goes the same for tablets. However, I will prefer to view the mobile website version on these devices. How can this be done?

# Answer
I Think there is *no problem* with your phone. The problem is with the Website. Now a days websites are following '**Responsive web design**' means 'Websites' automatically rescale/resizes(looks bigger or smaller) themselves in respect to **screen sizes** of the viewing device which depends on the website developer. I checked "*www.economist.com*" website.It **only have desktop version** so your phone display that desktop version. **You can't view mobile version because there is no Mobile version of the site .** Be happy :)
> 1 votes

---
Tags: browser, chrome-for-android
---


# Question
Title: If There Is 2 Version In Play Store, How To Download An App's Other Version
If there are 2 version in any App's Play store console (for 2.3 and 4.0), how can I download 2.3 version in my Android 4.0+ device?

# Answer
> 0 votes
**No. You cannot do that directly**. Playstore will automatically detect your Android version and gives your Most suitable version. In your case, You cannot download 2.3 version directly to your phone. However there are otherways to get that

* **Find a device with Android 3.0 or less**. Download & Install the app from Playstore. Use apps like 'ES File manager'(Or similar apps) **to get the apk of your app, Transfer via *Bluetooth* & Install on your Android 4.0 device**
* Download & Install **Android 2.3 Emulator on your Computer** & Follow the same steps above.
* Use **www.4shared.com or Torrents or Third party app stores** To download apk of the specific version of the app.

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


title: Time service / monkey test

text:
# Question
Title: Time service / monkey test
I have "Vonino onyx QS" tablet and "Monkey test , Time service , Guard service" are always open . How uninstal this?

# Answer
> 0 votes
To remove the complete malware, you have to root your phone, as it needs to hectic tools to remove.

By XDA Forums :

* Root your Tablet with root app, or by using Root Software, the complete guide is here: **Root your Phone**

\[Note: USB DEBUGGING MUST BE ENABLED Turn on Usb Debugging by going to settings\> developer options\> Usb debugging\]

* Turn off wifi/3G/4G, and then go to settings\> apps\> all\> disable time service and monkey test. (If already frozen via titanium backup or other app) skip this.
* Open Root explorer go to system/xbin and see if there is any file starting with a dot (eg: .ext.base) also note that every (.) file has diff permission then the rest of other files. So just remember those files with dots because those are the one that you're going to remove in terminal emulator.
* Go back to system and then go to Priv-app folder and look for these two files  cameraupdate.apk \[2\] providerCertificate.apk and also notice permission of these two files are different then the rest of Apks so these two are the base of MT TS virus and needs to be deleted.
* Open Terminal Emulator OR if you have access to your device via adb from a computer.
* **WHAT TO TYPE IN TERMINAL EMULATOR or ADB (CMD Windows)**

> ```
> adb devices (Type this line if you're using adb Windows)
> adb shell
> su
> mount -o remount,rw /system
> cd system/priv-app
> chattr -iaA providerCertificate.apk
> rm providerCertificate.apk
> chattr -aA cameraupdate.apk
> rm cameraupdate.apk
> cd ..
> cd system/xbin
> chattr -iaA .b
> rm .b
> chattr -iaA .ext.base
> rm .ext.base
> chattr -iaA .sys.apk
> rm .sys.apk
>
> ```

\[NOTE: If you are using older version than KK you need not to type priv-app just type cd system/app\]

* Please make sure you type the file name correctly just as providerCertificate C is capital otherwise permission wont change.
* Exit Emulator/ADB

**Taken Source :**

1) http://forum.xda-developers.com/general/general/fix-monkey-test-time-service-virus-t3194907

2) https://akshatshibu.wordpress.com/earn-easy-money-by-sharing-links-on-the-internet/how-to-remove-monkeytest-%EF%BC%88ghost-push%EF%BC%89malware/

---
Tags: malware
---


title: Multiple Music libraries

text:
# Question
Title: Multiple Music libraries
My primary music library is English music (~15 GB) but I have a huge (\>10 GB) of Hindi music too. My problem is:

1. I want to maintain these two libraries (preferably on the same device)
2. I want the songs on the Hindi music library to not show up when I "Shuffle All".

How I managed this until now was that I have been using iPod and I check the "Skip while Shuffling" for the Hindi songs. On Android, I can't figure out a way of doing this.

Any ideas?

# Answer
To hide media in any folder showing up, you need to add `.nomedia` file to it. If you search your device, using file explorer (either stock or your preferred),you are likely to find quite a few of these scattered around. Copy-paste one of these into the folder you want to hide (Hindi in your case) and the contents should not show up in your player

If you can't find `.nomedia` file, you can easily create

If you want an app to do this and offer more functionalities, you could try nomedia app from play store. It offers you the flexibility of choosing folders to hide. App claims to do this (Works on 4.4.2 on Honor 6)

"A tiny tool to hide multimedia files and prevent media scanning. Touch and hold the directory to toggle. Media library will not display the files in red colored folders."

Alternatively, you could use MortPlayer Music, taken from Izzy's list, which takes the approach of choosing which folders you want to play and which folders you want to ignore. It over rides `.nomedia` file presence and provides an easier alternative

Thanks to Izzy for completing the solution and suggesting alternatives
> 2 votes

---
Tags: music, music-player
---


# Question
Title: Move applications to SD card in Samsung Exhibit?
I have just acquired my first Android phone -- a Samsung Galaxy Exhibit (SGH-T599N) running Android version 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean). Because the internal storage is fairly small (only 1.34 GB) I've inserted a 16 GB SD card. I downloaded the program AppMgr III (formerly app2sd) and attempted to move applications to the SD card; however, when I click on the "On SD Card" tab, I see the following message:

> This device doesn't enable users moving apps to the SD card. Usually, it's because of the manufacturer removes \[sic\] the function of moving apps to SD from Android, or a SD card is not inserted.

I see there are many similar threads for other devices, but none explicitly address the Exhibit. Is there a way (preferably without rooting) to override the manufacturer's removal of this function?

# Answer
It's impossible to move apps without root if this function is not supported natively. And 'overriding manufacturer's removal of this function' means you are trying to have extra access apart from native support. And that's possible only when you have root access

If you are willing to root your device, you may check this link: http://androidforums.com/threads/root-t599-t599n-t599v.763393/
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 4.1-jelly-bean, app2sd
---


title: Root Samsung Galaxy S5

text:
# Question
Title: Root Samsung Galaxy S5
I have rooted my Samsung Galaxy S5 using Odin to first download (Philz Touch) Recovery, then downloaded Custom Rom 'Omega'.

My first question is if I unrooted it, would I get my Warranty back? Second, how can I unroot it?

Third, before I rooted my phone it used to lag a lot and the battery used to drain fast. When I used to open my battery settings, it showed me that (Android System) was draining my battery. I did factory format, and still the same thing. I did everything from Force close unwanted apps to turning off unneeded options (GPS, Mobile Data, Bluetooth) and it did not improve. Then I decided to root my phone, and nothing improved. What should I do?

My Phone is SM-G900F, 4.4.2 Kitkat, bought it from overseas and now using it in the US.

# Answer
> 2 votes
No. A warranty is a legal agreement between you and the manufacturer. You can't break a contract and expect to "undo" it as if it were a typing mistake in an email.

# Answer
> 0 votes
if you rooted your phone and want to unroot it now, you can do it. And you still have the warranty. For unrooting, you can search some other free tools for help.

Then, after rooting, you can use some battery life improve apps. This is one of the most benefits for rooting, remember that? The only reason that your device still drains a lot is that you have not exploited the utmost function of your rooted phone.

Plus, I enjoyed my rooted One Plus very much, freely remove the preinstalled apps, and improve my battery life sooo much.

Hope you can solve your problem soon.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I just start by saying that my english is a little bit bad!

First: No! when your warrenty is void, it will be void! To find out if your warrenty is void, just reboot into Download mode, press volume up, read the text in upper left corner. If the line that says something about warrenty looks like 0x0, your warrenty is NOT void. If it's like 0x1, your warrenty is dead!

Second: You can use Kies! Samsung's program for computer to update, backup, restore and get the original software to your phone back ;)

Third: I'm sorry, but I can't help :/

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


# Question
Title: How can I make the system folder writable without rooting?
My device is `Sprint Samsung Galaxy S III`

Model number: `SPH-L710`

I want to do this, because I want to stop the camera shutter sound. And I don't want to root my device.

# Answer
> 5 votes
There is absolutely no way to do this without root, and for a good reason.

If an app was do do this imagine the havok that would ensue?

You will have to root your device, either temporarily or permanently, to do this.

# Answer
> 1 votes
You could physically remove or block the speaker. That would prevent the camera from making a noise (no, plugging in headphones won't prevent the external speaker from making a shutter sound).

Aside from that, you really do have to root your device. Or at least put a custom rom on your device (which usually requires root or an unlocked bootloader, not to mention that almost every custom rom has root enabled by default).

# Answer
> 0 votes
Yes You can change system.files without root through ADB by booting TWRP or CWM temporarily and by mounting system in options .

# Answer
> -1 votes
You could create an updater-script to access the system and mute the shutter sound, without rooting your phone. http://www.freeyourandroid.com/guide/introdution\_to\_edify

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1610121

You should include an update-binary and an empty line at the end of the updater-script.

---
Tags: file-system, system
---


# Question
Title: How to open Play Market via a voice command?
How to open Play Market application on Android via a voice command?

Command "open play market" in Google Now just searches the Web. I suspect this is a problem for any application of composite name.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Google Now has no problem opening apps with composite names. The problem is probably your voice command: the app is no more called Market. The right command is "open Play Store", which is the actual name.

---
Tags: google-now
---


# Question
Title: It is possible to call without sim by adding a number as emergency number...?
It is possible to call anyone without sim card...I mean adding anyones number as emergency call number and call anyone as emergency call?

# Answer
You cant add a number as emergency number. The mobile phone and the SIM card have a preprogrammed list of emergency numbers. When the user tries to set up a call using an emergency number known by a GSM or 3G phone, the special emergency call setup takes place. You can dial emergency numbers without sim card. But the numbers should valid in that country. Here are some emergency numbers 112, 911, 118, 119, 000, 110, 08, 999 etc. However, some GSM networks will not accept emergency calls from phones without a SIM card, or even require a SIM card that has credit. For example, Latin American networks typically do not allow emergency calls without a SIM. Also, GSM phones sold in some countries like USA do not accept 112 as an emergency number even if they have a SIM card inserted.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: calls, emergency-calls
---


title: How to limit bandwidth usage

text:
# Question
Title: How to limit bandwidth usage
Can anyone suggest a suitable way to limit internet bandwidth? I am using 3G mobile data.

I know how to limit the maximum data usage but I need to control the bandwidth so that my mobile data allotment doesn't get consumed too quickly.

What I'd like is a way to control the following situations:

1. Sometimes we don't need the whole body of an webpage, hence it is desired that we can stop loading the page further when we wish. But on a high speed connection you cannot stop loading the page before it gets fully loaded.
2. Some websites with embedded do not have an option to stop loading the video, hence sometimes leave me no option but to close the tab to limit data-consumption.

# Answer
It's not possible to limit the download bandwidth via code running on the device. It's up to the sender how fast to send data. All that such an app could do is to throw away packets once they arrive at the device, which is **after** they've been counted by your carrier. Those packets would then have to be resent, being counted again. The effect would be that websites &c. would take longer to load and use more data to do so.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Opera Mini has options to enable loading images and also to specify the quality of images, if they are loaded.

If you are rooted:

Installing a firewall(like DroidWall) helps to prevent unwanted apps to access the network.

Installing an adblocker(like AdAway) will prevent ads from loading, and in turn reduce network usage.
> 2 votes

# Answer
To limit the bandwidth, switch from 3G to 2G. You will still have internet connectivity but It will be slower, hence taking a longer time to use up your monthly internet traffic. The bonus is that using 2G will probably also increase battery duration as it consumes less power than 3G.

On the other side, you can install a browser that has an option to load media only when you click on their placeholders.

I know that Chrome lets you enable data saver in settings which saves you around 15% of data while surfing (my usual percentage).
> 2 votes

# Answer
If you have root access for your android device, you can use "BradyBound" app. Which is available on playstore for free. You can simply limit the bandwidth using this app. If you doesn't have root access, try "Bandwidth ruler free" (BWR). This free version of the app doesn't have access to all features.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: 3g, mobile-data, bandwidth
---


# Question
Title: Using alsa mixer (root) to boost sound in an intelligent way
I'm looking for a way to boost the headphone output of my Moto X (2013). I have rooted it and installed Alsa Mixer so I should be able to run shell scripts and modify it.

The thing is.. I can't find any good guides for this.

What I'm trying to do: \- Boost the volume using a compressor (like radio stations tend to do) \- Maybe apply a limiter after that just to be sure I don't blow up my headphones.

Can somebody help me plz?

# Answer
> 1 votes
My suggestion is to install Viper4Android. You can increase output by (as I recall) 8dB, and besides that, you will get a lot of options to adapt the sound to get the best output. Using it for a couple of years and still haven't found a better alternative.

---
Tags: volume
---


# Question
Title: Insufficient storage on tablet says it has 12gb used when only used 2
My brother wants to download an app on his tablet yet it says he has insufficient storage so i went to his storage where it has picture then the amount it takes up and downloads and apps and so on yet when you count all these amounts its around 2 gb yet at the bottom it has 12 gb please help!!!!! Thanks in advance

# Answer
That is because the android app storage quota is like 1 GB, What version of android are you running? and what is the exact model of the device?

If its 4 and up you can easily move the apps to usb storage and gain more space, to do that you need to go to applications on your settings, click on the apps and then click move to sd. after you do that, reboot the device and you will have more storage for more apps.

Hope this helps
> 0 votes

# Answer
If you have facing this issue while downloading apps from play store folllow this steps. Settings-\>apps-\>all apps. Clear data of Play store, Play service, If the problem still persists, clear the data of all web browsers in the same way. Try to find app which use memory more than usual.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: insufficient-memory, storage
---


# Question
Title: How do I remove the OneNote Badge from the Android home screen?
I don't mind OneNote itself, but the badge icon stuck on the edge of the screen gets in the way of some controls in other apps. I know it can be moved, but how do I remove it?

# Answer
This microsoft help page describes it quite well.

You might want to remove the notification from the notification tray first, as it's designed to keep the icon there for you.

Simply press and hold the badge, an "X" icon will appear at the bottom of the screen. Drag and drop the badge and you're done.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: microsoft-onenote
---


# Question
Title: Is it safe to Factory Reset my tablet to improve performance? Will I lose the uninstallable apps?
I'm going to reset my Android tab because its internal memory is low.

Is it safe to erase the system data of my android tablet (not rooted)? If I restore the factory setting of my Android, will the uninstallable apps be also removed or only those that can be uninstalled?

# Answer
> 3 votes
> Is it safe to erase the system data of my android tablet (not rooted)?

Yes, it's safe to Factory Reset your tablet.

> If I restore the factory setting of my Android, will the uninstallable apps be also removed or only those that can be uninstalled?

Only those that can be uninstalled will be removed. Doing a Factory Reset is like making your phone brand new. You will lose all your installed apps and all your data, but you will still have the stock / default apps that your phone came with.

Once the phone reboots after a Factory Reset, you start from scratch. You will log-in to your Google account, and have the option of restoring the apps you installed and bought before from Google Play.

**Related questions:**

# Answer
> 1 votes
Your phone will be as good as the day you brought it. Factory resetting your phone only cleans up the apps you installed yourself and not the preinstalled applications. A factory reset really only deals with the Data and the Cache partitions and does not mess with the system.

---
Tags: internal-storage, factory-reset
---


title: Safe to uninstall AOSP keyboard?

text:
# Question
Title: Safe to uninstall AOSP keyboard?
Using XPrivacy, I noticed that the AOSP keyboard is loading once in a while.

The interesting thing is that I don't use the AOSP keyboard on that device. It came preinstalled, but I use a different keyboard.

Is it safe to uninstall the AOSP keyboard, or will that cause problems?

Details for that device: Stock KitKat ROM (rooted)

***Bonus points*** (but certainly not required) if you can explain *why* the AOSP keyboard is still getting called. It's not set to autostart.

# Answer
> 2 votes
Yes it is safe to uninstall AOSP keyboard.

I kinda feel uncomfortable writing a one lined answer... So I'll explain things a bit more in detail.

Basically, you can remove any app from android system as far as its not used by critical system functions. I dont not know of any specific up to date list that contains all apps that can be removed. But consider it this way:

What can a keyboard app be required for? Can it be used by some other app? The answer is pretty simple. The keyboard app only inputs user data. So if you have alternative, its pretty safe to remove. Even if you dont put *any* keyboard app at all, your system will work just fine even then. It will just get a little trickier to input stuff.

Again, **precaution is always better than cure.** So keep that in mind and backup first ;)

**For the second part:**

Correct me if I am mistaken, but thats a general thing in android. If you are not running an application does not mean that *system is not running it*. There could always be background services which can *trigger* some activity from an application. Especially for something as common as input methods, they generally stay in memory so they can used as soon as required.

So to keep an app *dead*, you must make sure that no background service ever calls it.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Maybe.

If your device *requires* the AOSP keyboard for the lockscreen password, device encryption, or other such features (and one or more is enabled), then uninstalling it can lock you out of your device. Many devices will allow any input method to be used (some even let you select it), but not all.

Furthermore, if you uninstall the AOSP keyboard, it is possible that you will lose the spelling check feature in Android. A sure sign of this is if, under *Language and input* (in *Settings*), your device has a *Spelling correction* feature, and the only option within it is **Android Spell Checker (AOSP)**. That feature then requires the AOSP keyboard to be installed.

*Bonus points answer:* If the AOSP keyboard is being called but is not set to autostart, then it is likely being called to perform spell checking functionality.

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, root-access, keyboard, uninstallation
---


title: Disabling the Google App

text:
# Question
Title: Disabling the Google App
A while back, I disabled the **Google App** (com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox).

IIRC, disabling the app caused some problems which I discovered over time. Unfortunately, all my notes on the topic were lost. I am no longer even sure of the version of Android on which I performed the testing.

There are at least two reasons to disable the app:

1. Lack of trust in Google. Desire to have as few Google products in use as possible.
2. The Google App starts running on its own, using valuable memory, CPU resources, and storage space.

For users that have no use for the **Google App**, are there now any consequences or problems with disabling the app?

If there are issues, what about blocking everything it tries to access using XPrivacy (Xposed module)?

# Answer
> 2 votes
Disabling the **Google App** (com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox) may cause the *Voice Input* button on some standard keyboards (including the AOSP keyboard) to not appear or not work.

Some alternate keyboards, such as TouchPal, will allow downloading a separate speech-to-text package from Google. Other keyboards, such as Swype, do not require any Google software to support voice input.

Outside of that issue, I have not found any consequences (outside of having more storage space) of disabling the Google App.

---
Tags: google, privacy, google-apps, bloatware, disable-app
---


# Question
Title: Getting rid of the Google Search bar in home screen? (stock Android 5.1.1)
I've got a Nexus 5, freshly factory reset, with stock Android 5.1.1. When searching around how to disable the Google Search bar on the Home screen, all solutions I find recommend to go Settings→Apps→All, find the 'Google Search' app and disable that. But in my App list, there is no 'Google Search'!

Yet the Google bar is most definitely on my home screen. How do I get rid of it?

# Answer
I would suggest checking out action launcher 3 as a replacement to stock google now launcher, it has this option and you can keep your swipe right to get google now.
> 0 votes

# Answer
You can use any custom launcher app like Nova, Apex or ADW. They will have an option to disable the Google search bar. I suggest Nova.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Lightning Launcher is also a good alternative, very fast and customisable. If you are looking for something closer to stock, try Nova Launcher.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Google Search needs to be disabled. It will not be in the first column where ordinary programs are listed. Scroll the screen sideways to the "All" column (past the "Running column) and you will find Google Search or just Search hiding somewhere. Remember what you are disabling so that you can restore it if it was the wrong app. After stopping a small disabled widget might still be there. You may need to restart the device to see it gone.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: nexus-5, 5.1-lollipop, home-screen, google-search
---


# Question
Title: [re]mount the internal sdcard on the Huawei U8836D (G500 Pro) please?
Good day

re: Huawei U8836D (G500 Pro) ICS

It is an old phone now I realise, however until I \[ignorantly\] ruined it yesterday mine was going strong.

As I understand, it has ~1GB of RAM and a ~4GB in-built SD card....I think. There is the external SD card slot, where I have had an 8GB card in.

The internal card ,as I call it, used to show up in the storage details screen until I stupidly repartitioned it following link2sd article(s), in the hope I could 'expand' the available space.

The internal card does not now show up in the storage details and appears not to be mounted (is that the correct term).

I am not confident on android, but can get around ADB, linux etc reasonably ok. Rather than start to dump extra info right now, please let me know what I need to provide as I/we go along.

Therefore, I would really appreciate if some knowledgeable kind soul will spare some time and guide me through getting each storage area back and working as it should please ? - if that all makes sense.

Thank you.

---

continue after the reply post (my apologies if this is not the correct way to add more details):

Thank you for the reply. I am a bit puzzled.

I have removed the external card - as for one i was getting a 'low space' message which has ceased now it is out and for another reason, to remove its affects on the output to the system tools just leaving the phone and its internal storage however that is.

Now, when I connect phone with USB to linux, I was able to fdisk the device listed in /dev, but the print showed its size at a little over 2Gb. I was then able to format the one primary partition to vfat and reboot successfully.

Yet when using adb shell and running mount and df, there is no info reported on the existence of that 2Gb vfat partition. Under /dev/block on the phone, there is only the mmcblk0 entry and its associated parts 1 to 6 (im not familiar with this structure so sorry for being vague). If I fdisk that mmcblk0 the print displays a size of just under 4GB. I'm not sure what that all means yet (need to try find some articles on how android uses storage).

My question now, is with the phone connected in adb shell, can I safely repartition that mmcblk0 (removing the I presume the boot time setup partitions of type id's 5 and 83) into 2 partitions of types 83 and 0b, reboot and the machine will sort itself out accordingly using those?

If not, how do I get the 2Gb of that 4Gb showing up to use, as 'storage menu option' from the android ics menu doesn't show it, file manager app doesnt show it etc (even link2sd cant see it) ?

I am making progress even if I seem to be wafting about in the air :-)

# Answer
> 0 votes
Since you are okay with Linux and ADB, let me first clarify 2 things:

1. Repartitioning the internal SD for Link2SD specifically as per the guide will partition it with a filesystem like `ext2`/`ext3`/`ext4`, which will cause partition to be recognized as system and not show up in most file managers. Some file managers, like ES File Explorer, may allow you to access it through the `/mnt` namespace, if it was mounted, or as some block device in `/dev` if not. Link2SD on first startup detects this partition by running some variant of the `mount` command and adding a mount-at-boot for this partition to `init.rc` and/or `vold.fstab`, and makes its permissions so that it isn't easily accessible even by the system.
2. This not showing up is intended behaviour, but you will find the partition under Link2SD's partition options as "SD card Partition 2" or some such.

Now, if you want to go back to using that internal storage for something, you would have to repartition the internal SD again, using GParted or some such software or Linux which recognizes an `ext` filesystem.

You will have to:

1. Find the correct partition for Link2SD.
2. Format it to `FAT32`, and set it as `active` and `primary`.
3. On device, mount the partition's block device (mmcblk0p6 in your case) as `/mnt/sdcard0` and add this in `init.rc`and/or `vold.fstab` (Follow this and this answer).

For you the command to enter in `vold.fstab` will be

`dev_mount sdcard /mnt/sdcard auto SDCARD=/dev/mmcblk0p6`

And reboot. It should work. Format this position to FAT32, not VFAT, to avoid useless errors about "read only filesystem".

I'm not providing the commands here as you are familiar with Linux, and in this case on Android it's similar (a root shell through ADB).

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich
---


# Question
Title: How to install a language pack into a now-defunct 3rd-party keyboard?
There's this keyboard I really love called 8pen. I made the mistake of uninstalling it without checking and then later realized that it had been pulled from the app store, and the developer seems to have ceased all activity since 2013 . . . I have the app now (version 2.6.0.1), but it will no longer download language packs from the developer and therefore doesn't have predictive text, which was one of the app's original strong points. Presumably it can't download the language packs because the download servers have been unplugged.

Is there some way to get into the app's file system and install a language pack by hand? I would just want English.

# Answer
Confirmed to work on Android 5.1.1 with 8pen version 2.6.1 and 2.7

Since mid-2014, 8pen ( is only accessible from your purchases in Google Play) language packs no longer install for the keyboard since the servers are no longer operating. Luckily, one of my roomates hasn't updated his phone since he downloaded the English dictionary.

Using Android File Manager I copied the original dictionary file

`Android/data/com.eightpen.android.eightpen`

and loaded it onto my Nexus 7 which has 8pen version 2.7 installed. After clicking to "download" the language pack, it successfully read the new files and the dictionary is operational.

Unfortunately while trying to figure all this out I uninstalled by 2.7 version and can't get it back... but the same method is working on version 2.6 on my Nexus 6.

While this is not the most elegant solution, you can download the file you need from here and copy the folder needed into Android/data. I've included a README with detailed steps. Happy 8penning!

(Now to figure out how to get version 2.7 back.)
> 2 votes

---
Tags: keyboard, languages
---


# Question
Title: Google Play Services uninstalled on my phone
I'm using a Blu Energy X Plus phone and somehow managed to uninstall Google Play Services. It can still be found in Apps, under 'All' although I can't access it. It needs updating but the last 3 digits after the dash of the older version i.e. Version 7.5.71 (1955121-...) are not visible so I'm not sure of the exact version to download.

The only options available now are 'Disable' & 'Force Stop'. Play Store is still on, but behaving erratically.Should I delete what's left? And how?

I don't want to compound the issue but I have no idea what to do. Any ideas?

# Answer
Google play services cannot be openedby the user.and if your system *does* show it in all apps i doubt that its uninstalled! all you can do is update it which is automatically done overtime by the playstore
> 0 votes

---
Tags: google-play-services
---


# Question
Title: Use different lock-screens on htc sensation
Is there a way to use other lock-screens on the htc sensation then the one that is provided by htc sense **without** installing a custom rom? (rooting is fine) I would love to use the standard android lock-screens, is that possible? (I don't care if it is achieved with an app or by modifying the settings)

# Answer
> 3 votes
There are some "lock screens" like Go Locker, but they are not "real" lock screens. Lock screens are just about the only part of the android OS that cannot be replaced by 3rd party applications. These other lock screens attempt to override the real lock screen. Some of them work fairly well, but I always notice some type of lag when turning on the device or unlocking the device.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I googled and found the Best List of Android lock screen apps that will help your productivity,reading ability and get live scores on your lock screens.you'll be really find it useful Android lock screens

---
Tags: lock-screens, htc-sensation
---


title: Smart Phone Flash Tool Remain 0 percent

text:
# Question
Title: Smart Phone Flash Tool Remain 0 percent
I have a Lenovo A3000 tablet and I want to flash it (Reinstalling firmware?). So I download my tablet driver and MT65XX Preloader drivers for Windows. After installing all of them, when I click on `Download` button on in *Smart Phone Flash Tool* it successfully detect the COM port number, but it doesn't start to send data. Why?

P.S: I tried above steps with Win 7 32&64 bit, Win 8.1 64bit and Win XP!

# Answer
> 1 votes
Answer compiled from comments

The SPFT version you are using is probably incompatible with your device or firmware, and it is failing silently. Try downloading the latest version of SPFT and the correct firmware, and it should probably work.

---
Tags: rom-flashing, device-firmware, flashtool, lenovo-a3000
---


# Question
Title: Connectify and Galaxy Grand duos android 4.2.2 hotspot connectivity issue
When using connectify for the first or after a long time, the mobile connects just fine to the hotspot untill 2-3 days pass by and it disconnects and stops displaying the name of the network in the wifi networks list. I tried switching off and then on the network and my mobile's wifi but no good. The mobile does display other networks but not the one it was using for the past 2-3 days.

# Answer
I got the solution finally. It so happens that there are 2 modes i.e the 2GHz and the 5GHz in a wifi adapter and the my mobile works in just one of them i.e. the 2 GHz mode.

All we need to do is change the mode of operation of our system or hotspot host.

For that:

1. Go to Device Manager.
2. Go to Network Adapter.
3. Acc. to my system I right clicked on the adapter by the name of Intel Centrino Advanced N-6235 and went to properties
4. Go to Advanced. For those who want to know how the adapter properties look like by hit and trial here is a snapshot of the advanced tab of properties.

5. Choose "Preferred Band" and change it to 5.2GHz.
6. Click Okay and restart your hotspot the job is done !
> 0 votes

---
Tags: wi-fi, wifi-hotspot, wifi-tethering, connectify
---


# Question
Title: How to fix a boot loop caused by editing build.prop. and formatting /system)?
I by mistake edited my `build.prop` file it boot looped, I then in recovery mode formatted every thing even `/system`.

I downloaded stock ROM of INTEX AQUA POWER HD and tried to install it using sp flash tools but was unsuccessful. Then I used to pull `build.prop` to edit and pulled it It was like a folder `build.prop` in which there was another folder `xbin` in which there was `su` file which wasn't the build.prop

How can I resolve this bootloop issue?

note: I have a mediatek device.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Go to recovery and wipe everything

Install the zip file of the stock rom that you downloaded from within the recovery.

Wipe Dalvik and cache.

Reboot.

Make a backup next time before modifying anything.

---
Tags: boot-loop
---


# Question
Title: My Galaxy Tab S is stuck in boot with no OS
My tablet was not working correctly so i decided to do a factory reset when it booted up it was freezing so I powered it off and entered recovery mode but then I accidentally deleted the OS. This was a huge mistake TWRP was giving me options of booting it into download mode, power off or restarting it. After trying to restart it and powering it offit kept going back to TWRP so I decided to go into download mode it entered without giving me the option off restarting or continuing i had no idea what to do so I opened Odin on my PC and applied a 'cf auto root' because i had done that the last time I seen the download mode. It worked and then it rebooted and now its stuck in the 'Samsung Galaxy Tab S SM-T700 powered by android screen'. The tablet is 11 months old and I still have a warranty I don't know if it is void or not. someone please help me.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Download the stock rom from Samsung or any custom rom from XDA that you like.

Go to recovery.

Wipe /system, /data and cache.

Install the zip file from within the recovery.

Wipe cache and Dalvik.

Reboot.

# Answer
> 0 votes
If you still have warranty use it, that's the easiest way. If not:

> Go to SamMobile Firmwares. Enter T700 in the search box. Click the search icon (the magnifying glass). Choose the country. Download the file. (You'll have to create a free account to download it.) Open Odin as Administrator, http://www.androidofficer.com/2015/01/t700xxu1anl2-android-442-xxu1anl2.html, but add all the files. The APxxx file goes into the AP slot, the BLxxx file goes into the BL slot, etc. (If the PIT button shows a file, there will be only one, so choose it. If not, leave it blank). THEN Start Odin, and it should give you back your tab. (It'll take a while.) The instructions on that site are for updating an existing system, you have to flash the entire system. You're in a bootloop because the file the bootloader runs isn't there any more, and updating doesn't put that file on the phone because it's not one that gets updated.

Credit: http://forums.androidcentral.com/samsung-galaxy-tab-s-8-4/494657-i-deleted-my-samsung-galaxy-tab-s-os-how-can-i-get-back.html

---
Tags: samsung, operating-system
---


# Question
Title: Xposed framework arose a new problem. Help!
I know that the title of this question made you confuse but the question is also strange. I don't think it had happened to anyone before. I've googled my problem but nothing found. Also, no forums here and on xda. The problem is silly but complicated.

I've recently installed xposed for only one reason. To get tinted status bar. Tried flat style colored bars but doesn't worked. Then I downloaded application called tinted status bar which was not available on Google play. After that, as required, rebooted my phone. It worked like a charm. But when I tried to open Google play, it tells me no connection. I double checked my WiFi and it was working. I thought that it can be fixed by clearing cache but nope. Then, I came on a point where I disabled tinted status bar, rebooted and uninstalled it. After that, Google play worked. I don't know what happened. But can you tell me that is there any way to use both the above listed app without any error? Please reply soon.

Device:- Micromax a064 ROM: on stock but rooted Android version:- v4.4.2 (KitKat)

Thanx for your attention and if any other details is required, comment it.

# Answer
Finally, found a complete answer.

**What I've done to fix the problem-** 1. Reinstalled Xposed with newer version and awaited for better network connection. 2. After a day, the problem vanished!

**What you should try if the problem persists-**

> note: These fixes also work for other play store problems.

**1. Stop it, wipe it and clear it-** You can try going to settings\>application\>all\>Play store and wipe it's data, cache after force stopping it. Also, try doing this for Google play services if problem persists.

**2. Switch to a better connection-** A lot of apps won't install of your internet connection is sluggy. Try switching to Wi-Fi else.

**3. Uninstall and reinstall the app-** For those with root access, you can try uninstalling Play store and reinstalling it from another source. (See last of the answer to find some websites.)

**4. Refreshing your Google account-** The problem may occur due to some error in your account. Try removing your Google account and adding it again.

**Other Google Play Store errors and fixes**

1. Error 498: Phone's cache is full. Try wiping it.
2. Error 919: Phone's storage full. Try uninstalling apps.
3. Error 403: You're using two different accounts on your device.
4. Error 927: The play store is updating. Try again later.
5. Error 101: Too many apps installed. Remove a few.
6. Error 919 (second): Your APN settings aren't correct.

An xda thread which will guide you through various error codes-

> forum.xda-developers.com/show thread.php?t=2733038/

Also, if using any VPN app or adblocker, try removing them.

**Why modifying android causes malfunction in Play Store?**

While rooting or doing other things related to it, you are (directly or indirectly) modifying system files. Some alternations to system directory can cause play store to stop functioning. A major cause is flashing custom ROMs.

**There is an app for that** A great app by QuillApps, known as Android error code fixer can solve your problem. Try it and let everything on it.

**If everything else fails**

And, in case everything else fails, try other apps like mobogenie, f-droid, amazon and many more. They also contains apps that are unavailable on Play store.

Some trusted websites for Play Store apk:- Androidpit.com, androidapksfree.com, apkmirror.com and much more. Try googling it.

> Please do not down vote for anything above offtopic. As I'm new to this, I don't know what's offtopic. :p
> Please appreciate the answer if helped. Before editing, please ask me.

```
                      Source- #MakeUseOf

```
> 0 votes

---
Tags: google-play-store, root-access, xposed-framework, micromax, tinted-status-bar
---


# Question
Title: Back-up Contact before Factory Reset didn't go into vCard format but .txt, how to import it
My phone is Lenovo A859.

I did factory reset. Before doing that, they told me to backup my contact and SMS, so I did. After, when I wanted to import my contact, I saw that they saved both as .zip (separated, so I have 2 zips, one for SMS, another for Contact). Meanwhile, later I learnt the Import option on Contact Setting only accepts vCard.

Then I tried to saw the .zip on my desktop. Inside there's a .txt and .mt file. I opened the .txt file. Inside .txt I found a json (AFAIK it's json, CMIIW) formatted like this: (I changed all number to 0)

```
{
  "local_time": 0000000000000,
  "local_number": 000,
  "local_catogary": "contact",
  "ct": [
    {
      "fs": [
        {
          "f": "-1",
          "v": {
            "familyName": "somedude",
            "givenName": "adude"
          },
          "t": "NAME"
        },
        {
          "f": "MOBILE",
          "v": "00000000000",   ---> their phone number
          "t": "PHONE"
        }
      ],
      "op": "add",
      "st": false
    },
    {
      "fs": [
        {
          "f": "-1",
          "v": {
            "middleName": "randude",
            "familyName": "dude",
            "givenName": "dudette"
          },
          "t": "NAME"
        },
        {
          "f": "MOBILE",
          "v": "00000000000",
          "t": "PHONE"
        },
        {
          "f": "HOME",
          "v": "shalalala@dummy.com",
          "t": "EMAIL"
        },
        {
          "f": "YAHOO",
          "v": "yahooId",
          "t": "IM"
        }
      ],
      "op": "add",
      "st": false
    }
  ]
}

```

yah, an array member of `ct` seems to represent a contact: its phone number, email, even yahoo ID is possible. Then inside the `info.mt` file was only this:

```
local_catogary:contact;local_time:0000000000000;local_number:000

```

How do I import these files to my contact? I've tried and my dear phone rejected, saying `"Couldn't import vCard"`, something about `"wrong format"`. Then I tried seeing Wikipedia's entry of vCard. Seeing vCard format, no wonder it's rejected...

Some things I tried:

1. Changing .txt to .vcf (and later understood why it won't work with this file)
2. Using apps from store (app went weird, won't work)

What file is this? **Is there any way to import this file to my Android phone as Contact**? Or should I program something to convert this to vCard format manually...

# Answer
> 1 votes
Usually if there is a way to export or backup contacts, there is a way to import them again through the same tool or application.

Check in the application settings or options to see if there is a way to import the contacts.

---
Tags: contacts
---


title: adb backup finishes without saving data

text:
# Question
Title: adb backup finishes without saving data
I'm using a rooted Google Nexus 4 (mako) with CyanogenMod 11 and adb 1.0.32 on OS X.
I also use disk encryption.

adbd is running as root.
I'm trying to create a full backup using:

```
adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -nosystem

```

However, regardless of the options passed to `adb backup`, it asks me to enter my backup password on the phone and then exists, showing `Backup finished` on the phone.
It only leaves a 549 bytes `backup.ab` file.

Using the wrong or no backup password does the same but leaves a 0 bytes file.

# Answer
I found out the question has been answered at ADB backup creates 0-byte file; prompts for current backup password even though I never set one; "Failed to set password" for Desktop backup password

The solution is to revert to android-platform-tools 19.0.1 which bring adb 1.0.31, backups are working with that version.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, adb, backup, nexus-4, macos
---


# Question
Title: How to set Google Maps Home address accurately?
My home is in a remote location and as Google Maps doesn't have street-specific database for my location, I can't write my address like (House No, Street, Society, etc). I can only set my home to my society and the home on Google maps is around 200 metres away from my actual home (center of the housing society).

Is there a way I can set my home address accurately (e.g. through coordinates)?

# Answer
> 4 votes
Yes, is possible to set the home and work locations using coordinates. In Google Maps app go to menu -\> settings -\> edit home or work -\> edit home address. Now enter the coordinates in the search box and it will be saved. I am inclined to think that this will work, because I tried with random coordinates corresponding to a spot in the sea and Maps let me use them. If it doesn't, consider sending a request to Add a missing place, which you can do from inside the app as follows:

* Search for an address.
* At the bottom, touch the address.
* Touch Add a missing place.

Note, though that:

> Adding places using Google Maps isn't available everywhere, but you might be able to use Google Map Maker to add places that matter to you.

---
Tags: google-maps
---


# Question
Title: HTC One - keeps shutting down when rooting
Im rooting my phone (HTC One Alps) via Kingo Android Root. When i connect my phone to the computer and start rooting then phone shutdown itself.

Is there any partition or disk problem?

# Answer
> 0 votes
**If reboot:** This is just part of the process of rooting on some devices and some devices it won't do this.

**If shut down:** It means the root is installed on your phone and the rooting process is finished.

Hope this helps

---
Tags: rooting, root-access, htc, htc-one, shutdown
---


# Question
Title: How to revert to stock ROM on HTC One M7
My HTC One M7 phone is S-OFF, has the latest firmware 7.19.401.2, and has nicely installed "ViperOne+9.0.0-fix", the recovery is TWRP 2.8.6.0. Everything works very well, except that the proximity sensor seems erratic, and when I have a call the ear seems to press different programs on the touchscreen. I would like to return to complete HTC stock ROM so that I assure myself the proximity sensor works well enough (or does not).

Do I have to downgrade the firmware to be able to install the stock ROM?

I have downloaded the stock ROM `PN07IMG_M7_UL_L50_SENSE60_MR_HTC_Europe_7.19.401.2_Radio_4T.35.3218.16_10.33Q.1718.01L_release_421790_signed.zip` but seem to be unable to install from TWRP.

Or maybe the only way is via fastboot? With the commands:

1. `htc_fastboot oem rebootRUU`
2. `htc_fastboot flash zip RUU.zip`
3. `htc_fastboot reboot-bootloader`

Can someone more experienced give some advice, please?

# Answer
I have One M8 but I think the process should be about the same. You'll want to find the right RUU for your model. I'm not certain which model/carrier you have, so here is an overview list: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2428276.

To relock your bootloader (necessary for RUU), make sure you have ADB installed, connect your phone to your PC. Then type the following commands:

```
adb devices
adb shell
su
echo -ne ‘\x00\x00\x00\x00’ | dd of=/dev/block/mmcblk0p2 bs=1 seek=33796
exit
exit
adb reboot bootloader

```

When that is done, simply run the RUU exe that you downloaded from the first link. If you found the right one, it should restore your phone completely to stock.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop, stock-android, rom, htc
---


# Question
Title: IMAP forwarding show IP address to Google servers?
I use K-9 Mail app on my phone, and sync my gmail via IMAP.

My question is: Do google servers see my IP address when checking/sending mail?

I am pretty sure that if I used the gmail app they would see all my IP address at each sync request. Using a 3rd party app like this, do I avoid that?

# Answer
> 0 votes
No, if you tell K9 to fetch your mail from Google's imap servers, then whenever K9 goes to fetch your mail, it has to contact Google at which point Google will know at which IP they can reach you (to reply to the fetch request). They may not get to know your "internal IP", tho (e.g. if you're behind a NAT router, they'll see the external IP address of the router, rather than the specific intenral IP address of your Android device).

---
Tags: gmail, imap, k9-mail, ip-address
---


# Question
Title: When I block somebody in Viber can he still see my online status?
When I block somebody in Viber can he still see my online status? Or will he still receive "delivered" icon?

# Answer
Yes, blocked contacts can still see your Online status.
> 1 votes

# Answer
From VIBER themselves:

**What happens when I block a contact?**

When you block a contact, you prevent them from contacting you via one-on-one messages or calls to your mobile device on Viber. You also prevent them from adding you to a group conversation.

A few notes about blocking contacts:

1. You will not be able to send messages or make phone calls to contacts you have blocked.
2. Your profile information will be visible to the blocked contact if you were saved in their contact list before the block, but they will not see any changes made to that information. If you were not saved in their contact list at the time of the block, no profile information will be visible.
3. Your online status will not be visible to a blocked contact Unblocking a contact will not restore messages or calls they sent while they were blocked.
4. Calls and push notifications from blocked contacts may still be received on Viber for tablets, Viber for Desktop and Viber for Windows 8.
5. Blocking a contact will not delete previous message and call history. Blocking a contact will not prevent you from seeing messages they send in a group you are both participating in.
6. Blocking a contact will prevent this contact from adding you to a group chat. Blocked users will see a "Sent" message status for the messages they send you. **The message status will never say "Delivered" or "Seen"**
> 5 votes

# Answer
No they can't see you online status. .. I sent an email to viber asking them this. They informed me that I will see theirs but they cant see mine. Messages will sho to them as delivered but thats all.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: viber-messenger, instant-messaging
---


title: Rooting HTC Desire 826W

text:
# Question
Title: Rooting HTC Desire 826W
I tried to root my HTC desire 826W but it's not working . I couldn't get the token. When I boot my phone into bootloader it loads to hboot but when I try to enter fastboot or recovery it enters into a white screen and returns to hboot. When I press the power button again, it reboots. When i press Volume up, I can only navigate using Volume down. This is really frustrating, I would appreciate if anyone could help. The security is on i.e S-ON

# Answer
To Root Your HTC Desire 826 :

* Downloads the following files

Here’s link to download \[TWRP Recovery\] and SuperSu from Below Link.

* Unlock your BootLoader from this tutorial
* Transfer the downloaded SuperSU.zip to root of device memory after downloading and the proceed to next step.
* If device is on press Volume Down and Power Key together for about 10-seconds and device will turn off. At this point leave power key but keep holding volume down and you will enter to fastboot mode.
* Connect Phone to PC using data cable. Extract files from Recovery.rar in one location and simply click on recovery.bat. Press Enter and It will start pushing TWRP to your device and within few seconds it will show as finished.

Note: In case auto flashing script doesn’t work on your PC, open TWRP folder extracted from Recovery.zip file.

* Hold Shift Key and Right Click on Mouse… Then click on Open Command window here….
* Type this command -\> `fastboot flash recovery TWRP_Recovery.img` and hit Enter.
* Disconnect phone and using volume keys select recovery option and reboot to recovery and install SuperSu.zip by selecting Install zip \> and selecting supersu.zip transferred in third step to obtain root privilege.
* After successfully flashing the SuperSU reboot to system and congratulation now you have proper root access on your HTC Desire 826.

**Taken Source :** Guide on How To Root HTC Desire 826 Quick and Easy
> 0 votes

---
Tags: rooting, htc-desire-816-dual
---


title: Galaxy S4 dropped screen is black

text:
# Question
Title: Galaxy S4 dropped screen is black
Situation is this: I took my phone out of my pocket and dropped it from about pocket height on a sort of tiled floor. The screen then became green and had lines. Then the screen just turned off. When I looked for physical damage, all I can see are tiny cracks at the top right of the screen. Everything else works fine (home button, back button, vibration, led, etc.) How would I fix this or do I need to go to a repair shop. Thanks in advance.

Also I have the T-mobile version. I don't know if that matters.

# Answer
> 0 votes
To fix this problem you will need to either purchase and follow instructions on installing a new screen or take your phone to a local repair shop.

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


title: S4 CM 12.1 Problem with GApps

text:
# Question
Title: S4 CM 12.1 Problem with GApps
I've just installed cm-12.1-20151129-NIGHTLY-jfltexx on my S4 (i9505) and Open GApps 5.1 Arm nano 20151129. The setup wizard had few errors (Google play services stopped working) and after setting it up the gapps instead of showing icon and name are showing package name and default icon, when trying to run it, it says "this app is not installed on your phone" or something like this. Every now and then message pops up saying "Google play services has been stopped". Also NFC is not working (idk but it's probably something to do with the ROM)

What am I doing wrong? Wrong GApps / ROM combo?

# Answer
> 1 votes
maybe there is bug in the NIGHTLY edition so you have two options -

1\> download the Latest release 2015-11-17 and install it.
http://download.cyanogenmod.org/get/jfltexx-snapshot.zip

2\> an alternative is to install GApps tk\_gapps-modular-pico-5.1.1-20150920 (which I am using now on my device) using this link https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=24052804347819443

download zip and install.

this may help! good luck..!

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, rooting, samsung-galaxy-s-4, google-apps, nfc
---


# Question
Title: How to run an .APK without installing it on the device with adb?
Is it possible to run a **.apk** on an Android device without installing the app?

I can do something like this:
`adb install com.your.app`
and then:
`adb shell am start -n com.your.app/com.your.app.MainActivity`

This works but it installs the **apk** on the device and I don't want that. I want to run the apk on the device **without installing** the apk on the device. Is this possible?

# Answer
> 6 votes
**Running an APK without installing it?**

No matter if you won't accept the answer, running an APK is **not possible**.

It's **not** an executable, it's an **archive** containing the application and instructions on where all it's resources should be placed so that the app can run.

Android APK File Format

**Asking this question is the same as asking how you run an iso image, or how you run a zip, or rar file.**

If you really don't want to install it, there's no way to 'run' it.

The only alternative is to install it in a sandbox environment or something like that.

You could try to extract the binary from the APK to the device, and using a shell to run it, but I'm **NOT** to be held responsible if the results are unwanted.

If you told us why you want to run, but not install it, then I might get you a better answer.

# Answer
> 5 votes
I am sorry but this is not possible.

During apk installation (even via adb), managed by the android Package Manager on the device, various processes are executed such as:

* Determine the appropriate location of the package installation
* Copying a copy of the apk file to a given directory (usually /data/app/)
* Create the application directory and set permissions to store database and shared preference, native library (usually /data/data//)
* Extraction of dex code to the cache directory

There is no way an apk can run on an android device if it's resources and configuration are not on the same device

---
Tags: applications, adb, installation, apk
---


title: Digit space issue

text:
# Question
Title: Digit space issue
I have my OPPO phone and I have used android device manager and locked my phone through it and had set 8 digit password and I want to delete password. I have used the settings-\>privacy-\>lock screen But it is asking for present password and it is only 4 digit's space so how can I use my 8 digit password as it does not have space? Please suggest?

# Answer
it's most likely asking for the phone's security password, which is different from the screen lock code (it would exist even if you had never set a screen lock PIN or password). If you bought the phone from a cellular provider, it'll be the last 4 digits of your phone number, unless you've changed it; that's likely to be the case even if you bought the phone from an independent seller (if the phone was used, it's likely to be the last 4 of the previous owner's phone).
> 0 votes

---
Tags: lock-screens
---


title: Transmit at the 300 MHZ - 400 MHZ range

text:
# Question
Title: Transmit at the 300 MHZ - 400 MHZ range
Is there any piece of hardware in a modern Android phone (Galaxy S5+) that can transmit at the 300-400 MHZ range?

If so does this require cracking the radio ROM or is there a simple way to do this?

# Answer
A typical device (such as the S5) lacks the hardware support for your frequencies of interest. However, there are some specialty devices such as the Runbo X6 (http://www.runboeurope.com/runbo-x6/) which support UHF communications now, with VHF planned.

If you were to add the appropriate hardware to an S5 as an accessory, the easiest way to interact with it would be from userspace (e.g., via an app or service), not by messing with the radio ROM.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: radio-firmware
---


# Question
Title: What is rootfs? Can I make persistent changes to my device's root filesystem?
When I open up a terminal emulator and run the `mount` command, it indicates that my Android device's root filesystem (`/`) is of filesystem type `rootfs`. What is `rootfs`? Can I write to it? Will my changes persist even after I shut the device down?

---

Note: If you're an Android ROM developer who wants to add files to your ROM's `rootfs`, please see the relevant Unix.SE question instead.

# Answer
# What is `rootfs`?

It's an `initramfs`. Basically, it's a prepopulated RAM drive. It's prepopulated with some content at boot time, usually from a `cpio` archive which has been compiled into the kernel.

# Can I write to it?

* One way to make changes to your `rootfs` is to unpack the `cpio` archive, make your changes, and repack the archive. Your device will almost surely have to be rooted before you can do this. As well, you'll need the necessary tools.
* Alternatively, you can make changes to the `rootfs` copy which is loaded into RAM; but, if you do so, there are four gotchas.

1. You must root your device first.
    2. Then, you must remount the filesystem as read-write.
    3. Don't write too much to the `rootfs`; if you do, you'll take up too much RAM and your device will slow down.
    4. The biggest gotcha is that the files you create will disappear when you shut down or reboot. Please keep on reading.

# Will my changes persist even after I shut the device down?

No. If you create or modify files in `rootfs`, your changes will be undone when you shut down or reboot.

# What should I do instead of writing to the root filesystem?

Store your files somewhere under `/storage` or `/data` or `/system` instead. You can choose any of the three. Somewhere under `/storage` is probably best, since that's the most common choice.

# Why doesn't my device act like a normal Linux device and mount a normal disk-backed filesystem to `/`?

I don't know.

I suspect that the answer is as follows: Android isn't a full Linux distribution. It doesn't include a full glibc, it's probably not fully LSB-compliant, and it doesn't feel obligated to provide the niceties that most Linux distributions provide (e.g. a disk-backed root filesystem).

Elsewhere, Gilles writes:

> Most desktop Linux systems have a small initramfs which contains just enough programs and configuration files to mount the real root filesystem, which is then mounted on `/`, replacing the initramfs. Android, like some embedded Linux systems, keeps the initramfs mounted forever. Android's initramfs contains only `/init`, `adbd` and a few configuration files.

---

References:
> 5 votes

---
Tags: file-system, mount, partitions
---


title: Mount NFS Share in Kodi on Android TV

text:
# Question
Title: Mount NFS Share in Kodi on Android TV
I have a Sony Bravia Android TV. Has anyone managed to mount an NFS share in the Kodi media center app? Any help is greatly appreciated.

# Answer
Figured it out. One needs to add the insecure option on the server side,

`/mnt/MOUNTPOINT IP (ro,no_subtree_check,insecure)`

works on my system.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: android-tv
---


# Question
Title: Missing menu 'About>Software Updates' on Stock HTC One M8 Android 5.0.1
In the 'Settings \> About' there is no 'Software Updates' on my phone. I'm also expecting to receive Android 5.1 OTA update, and nothing comes. Why is there no 'Software Updates' menu on my phone (what did I do to end up here?) and how do I bring it back?

I know now that if I restore both system and data (and boot) then the update menu is there, and I receive an OTA. If I don't restore the data partition (only system+boot) then the update menu is not there and there is no OTA. It is not normal, but how can I modify my Data partition to make the software updates available again?

**Device**

* HTC One M8
* 5.0.1 Stock System - but I have once modified a file on system partition, and then restored original System+Boot, but not restored original Data partition from before time of modifying system.
* TWRP recovery

**History - What did I do?**

I installed stock android on S-ON unlocked phone and OTA'ed to 5.0.1. I then installed TWRP, made backup of all partitions. This is the backup I can now go back to. I then rooted phone, installed my apps with titanium backup, and also applied an sdcard fix editing /etc/permissions. The sdcard fix didn't work, but it was an edit of /system, so might be relevant. I didn't notice when the update menu disappeared. On another phone, HTC One m7, I did the same - except the sdcard fix, and the update menu is still there

When I now revert to stock /system, the update menu+OTA does not reappear, but if I restore /data as well I see the update menu+OTA. If I then root phone and apply sdcard fix the update menu and OTA are still there. Though I suspect that the update-menu might vanish sometime in the future after modifying system, and its just a question of it not having realised that /system is modified (pure speculation).

**Note on TWRP recovery**

I know I wont be able to install the OTA while on TWRP but the OTA should be available, so I see no point reverting to stock recovery before its working again.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Because you have written to the `/system` partition, it has locked due to the way how updates are installed, they just patch files ie. NO full system image and thus, to prevent bootloops, bricking, malfunction etc., they simply remove the OTA option.

Also: This state is saved and never checked again (because if you have tinkered `/system` it is *intentionally* permanent. Restoring `/data` removes this information and allows a check by the system.

It's similar to how Samsung phones detect if they have been modified; it's not instantly after the installation/reboot, but rather after a few checks (file existence, permissions, sizes, dates, hashsums etc.). This may or may not require some time to finish.

Last note: The availability/existence and extent of those checks may vary depending on the ROM's revision, the model and additional modifications by carriers or the manufacturer itself.

---
Tags: stock-android, ota-update, htc-one-m8
---


title: Nexus 5 lock button behaves awkwardly

text:
# Question
Title: Nexus 5 lock button behaves awkwardly
i have a nexus 5 with lolipop v6 in it, for the last day, i've been struggling with the power button, as it acts awkwardly causing the entire phone to crash and restart itself.

Sometimes it fulfills its purpose and locks and unlocks the screen, and sometimes it would appear as the lock mechanism has crashed: it would lock, and then immediately return to the main page(a quick transition from black screen to main menu screen), sometimes it would engage the "power off" menu, as if i pressed the power button for couple of seconds.

Steps i've taken to try and fix the issue:

1. I've removed suspecious programs
2. Engaged the safe mode
3. Reset device factory settings

none of those helped, saying that, each power button press does something, so i'd not say it's a "hardware" issue

# Answer
It is possible that the button itself is damaged.

The button is made of 2 metal foils (one is flat, the other is a bit spherical on top) and if you press it, the sphere bends to the bottom foil and the connection represents a press. On my old Galaxy Nexus, dirt got under and it stopped reacting. Once I opened and cleaned it carefully with a knife it worked as the first day.

Considering you have the opposite problem, it could be the case that the spherical foil is somehow bent to keep sticking to the bottom even when you release the button.

Since this requires you to open up the device, I suggest this as the last resort unless you ran out of other options. (Or send it in for a repair).
> 1 votes

---
Tags: nexus-5, crashes, 6.0-marshmallow
---


# Question
Title: Cyanogenmod 12: How to display calendar events on lock screen?
Seems fairly basic, and this has been working well with CM11, but however, **with CM12 I have not managed to configure the lock screen to show the next couple of events,** without having to unlock.

I have

* A Samsung Galaxy S II (Yeah, still my preferred device)
* Cyanogenmod cm-12.1-20151116
* The pico OpenGapps package
* a PIN to unlock

I really loved the highly customizable lock screen of CM11 and it seems to be gone... Do I really need to install a lock screen app, like chronus (Is it no more packaged by default?)

*Note: my question regards a different OS version than this one.*

# Answer
> 3 votes
The app you are looking for is cLock. Its a widget and its still present in CyanogenMod.

Unfortunatelly, from Lollipop onwards, you can't put any widgets on your lock screen, and by that you are unable to use the described widget as you used it before.

Hovever, you can still place it on your home screen.

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, lock-screens, calendar, lock-screen-widgets
---