title: Factory Apps for HTC First

text:
# Question
Title: Factory Apps for HTC First
I recently received a HTC First that I'd like to use, and without rooting the phone I'd like to simply disable all the unnecessary apps that come with the phone. I don't really know where to find these kinds of resources, but I am looking to use it for testing in App Development as well so I'd prefer more detailed rather than a wimpy general user sort of list if possible.

# Answer
Normally, **`Uninstalling`** of pre-installed apps are not possible on **`unrooted`** phones.

But you can **`Disable`** some of the pre-installed apps.

Go to **`Settings->Apps-><your app name>`** and check whether you have **`Disable`** option.

**EDIT:**

If you can't find the **`Disable`** option, that means that you shouldn't disable it.

**Example:**

You **can Disable Alarm App**. But you **can't Disable Android System App**.
> 0 votes

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Tags: system-apps
---


# Question
Title: How are the gallery application edits applied to images?
I noticed today that if you apply filters or modify an image using the gallery application, it applies the changes to the image, rather than creating a new image with the changes. My first thought was that it was not a good idea. Sometimes you want to keep the original, untouched image, as well as the modified image, maybe for comparison purposes, or to try different filters or settings. In my case I was playing with the curves, and then I saved the image. I wanted to compare the new image with the original, but the original was gone. I decided to go back to the curves settings, and saw that the curves were still as I had set them, which means I can just restore the curve for each channel and that will give me back the original image.

I decided to do a test with another image. I opened a new image, applied a filter from the preset filters, and saved the image. Then I went back to the image, and edited it again, but this time I removed the filter, and the image was back to normal.

My first thought was that the gallery image applied non-destructive edits. Something similar to what some editing software does. The one that comes to mind is Shotwell, although this is more of a viewer than and editor, but it has some limited functionality to play around with the saturation, levels, and other settings. It didn't seem likely that the gallery application in adroid was doing that because other image viewing applications showed the image with the filter applied to it.

I decided to connect the device to the computer using a USB cable. I navigated to the camera folder, and opened the image in the computer, and it showed the modified image. This means that the image is being modified. While the devices was still connected to the computer, I decided to remove the filter, and open the image again in the computer. The image was back to original.

How is android able to modify the image file directly, and then restore it to original. Is it saving the original file somewhere else?

> How to reproduce:
>
> 1. Open the Gallery application (the default one)
> 2. Chose an image to edit, and touch the little pencil on the lower left corner of the screen.
> 3. Edit your image, touch the save button, or just press the back button. It will ask if you want to save the image. Save it.
> 4. Touch the pencil again, remove the filter.
> 5. Your image is back to original.

Device: Nexus 7

OS: Android 4.4.2

# Answer
You can find the source for this app in the Gallery2 package in AOSP. All the code for the photo editor is in `src/com/android/gallery3d/filtershow`. The saving is handled by `tools/ImageSave.java`, which has this comment explaining the behaviour (which I've formatted):-

> In order to support the new edit-save behavior such that user won't see the edited image together with the original image, we are adding a new auxiliary directory for the edited image. Basically, the original image will be hidden in that directory after edit and user will see the edited image only.
>
> Note that deletion on the edited image will also cause the deletion of the original image under auxiliary directory.
>
> There are several situations we need to consider:
>
> 1. User edit local image `local01.jpg`. A `local02.jpg` will be created in the same directory, and original image will be moved to auxiliary directory as `./.aux/local02.jpg`. If user edit the `local02.jpg`, `local03.jpg` will be created in the local directory and `./.aux/local02.jpg` will be renamed to `./.aux/local03.jpg`
> 2. User edit remote image `remote01.jpg` from picassa or other server. `remoteSavedLocal01.jpg` will be saved under proper local directory. In `remoteSavedLocal01.jpg`, there will be a reference pointing to the `remote01.jpg`. There will be no local copy of `remote01.jpg`. If user edit `remoteSavedLocal01.jpg`, then a new `remoteSavedLocal02.jpg` will be generated and still pointing to the `remote01.jpg`
> 3. User delete any local image `local.jpg`. Since the filenames are kept consistent in auxiliary directory, every time a `local.jpg` get deleted, the files in auxiliary directory whose names starting with "`local.`" will be deleted. This pattern will facilitate the multiple images deletion in the auxiliary directory.

In short: **yes**, it saves edited images in a `.aux` directory, inside the directory the image came from.

It also stores the filter chain you used to create the image in XMP metadata inside the new image (the filtered one), in the namespace `http://ns.google.com/photos/1.0/filter/`. This information consists of:

* `SourceFileUri`: the URI where it has saved the unmodified file
* `filterstack`: a serialized representation of the stack of filters it used (in the same format it saves presets to its private database)
> 5 votes

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Tags: 4.4-kitkat, gallery
---


# Question
Title: Instant read/write sync with iCal calendars avoiding the use of google calendars
After using iphone/mac for a lot of time, I got a new android phone. I use on my macbook only ical calendars, and wonder what is the best app for syncing ical with my android phone. I have read something that you can sync first ical to google calendars and so on, but I Wonder if we can avoid this workaround.

# Answer
If you want to sync with a calendar using the iCal format, there are apps available on the Playstore doing exactly that, like iCalSync or iCalSync2, and there's also The Missing Sync (requiring a paid desktop component) or SyncMate (specifically tailored for Mac, but again requiring a desktop component).

Most likely there are plenty of additional alternatives (take a look e.g. at these search results). Unfortunately, I don't know of any native solution not involving 3rd party tools.
> 1 votes

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Tags: sync, calendar
---


# Question
Title: How to keep phone powered down while charging with ClockworkMod Touch Recovery?
In the course of setting up CyanogenMod 7.2 on my T-Mobile G2 (also known as the HTC Desire Z), I installed ClockworkMod Touch Recovery. My usual practice before that was to power off my phone and plug it in to a USB cable, attached to a wall socket, for recharging. However, with ClockworkMod Touch, trying to do this results in the phone always booting to the recovery mode, whether I plug in the cable before or after shutting off the phone.

This is a nuisance; in effect, I have to leave my phone powered on at all times, and turn off the sound when I'm sleeping. I suppose I could just leave it at the Recovery menu, but leaving the phone at a menu where two accidental touches to the screen could wipe the phone seems like a bad idea.

If I recall correctly, I initially had an earlier version of ClockworkMod Recovery installed, which had a menu option for powering off the phone. I only had that version installed briefly.

# Answer
> 1 votes
You are stuck with this. This is the way ClockworkMod Recovery works. I did a search and the devs on xda say if you dont like it unroot your phone.

It is indeed a nuisance since powered off chargin charges faster. Though, oh well!

# Answer
> -1 votes
Put your phone into airplane mode before going to sleep.

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Tags: charging, clockworkmod-recovery, power-on
---


# Question
Title: Is there a way to sort apps by popularity (number of 'downloads') in the Google Play Store, or otherwise?
Google's Play Store does not sort its 'Top' apps by number of downloads. This prevents you from discovering the true order of which apps people are downloading the most, making you often not know about useful apps whose numbers of downloads speak for themselves - yet are not promoted in the 'Top' lists on the Play Store.

It's as if Google is deliberately not allowing us to see which apps are actually used the most by people.

Is there some way I'm not noticing, nifty trick, or external site - whether on Android or the Desktop - to see rankings of Android apps by sheer download numbers?

# Answer
> 10 votes
There's not, and there are several reasons why this list would be bad for Android users:-

1. Every new app starts at zero downloads. Focusing on the number of downloads alone would keep old apps at the top of the list, even if they've stopped being updated, while making it much harder for new apps to take off. Even among apps that are all as popular as each other, the older one would always be higher in the list.
2. If a million people downloaded an app but uninstalled it right away, that means it's *less* likely to be good, not *more* likely. Using only number of downloads would give you the wrong information.
3. Free apps get more downloads than paid apps, because there's less risk: if it doesn't do what you want, or it doesn't work, or you just don't like it, you can uninstall it again. There's already a widespread feeling in the industry that only free apps can survive in the market, for this reason. This is what's led to the growth of apps with ads (and no option to pay to remove them), and microtransaction-based games. Making a list based on only downloads would further depress the sales of paid apps, driving the industry towards making more microtransaction-based games and apps.
4. Google Play already has a big problem with fake downloads, ratings, and reviews. Unscrupulous developers pay (say) $1 a time for a download with a five-star rating. The download might be performed by a user in an affiliate scheme (so he gets paid, or some other reward, for downloading the app) or using devices with malware. It's an arms race between Google finding these scams, and the unscrupulous agencies performing them. The fact that Google keeps the exact method it uses to decide which apps to show secret is its main tool in making the system hard-to-game. Having a list based on downloads alone would make fake-downloads more effective, which in turn makes the list even less useful, and would increase the value to hackers of compromised Android devices and Google accounts.

It seems you've already realised a little about these differences: in one part of your question, you ask about "number of downloads", then about "which apps people **are downloading** the most" (i.e. recently, not total number of downloads ever), and then later you want to know "which apps are actually used the most". These are all different quantities.

To come up with the right answer to all your questions, you need a number that's based on the number of downloads *over time*, weighted to take more recent popularity into account more, along with the "bounce rate" (how many users uninstall the app right away or after a single use), and users' ratings, also considering the statistical difference between free and paid apps. On top of this, it needs to discourage people gaming the system by not giving too much weight to any one parameter.

This is exactly what Google Play already does.

# Answer
> 5 votes
This answer cheats a little, by suggesting a competitor site for downloads. I use Appbrain AppMarket, because its recommendations are broader, and collected over a variety of dimensions - Hot Today, Hot This Week, All-Time Popular, Highest Rated, Latest, Popular by Country, Demographics (Men, Women, Age (young, 20s, 30s, and older)). This is more data than Google's Play Store carries or reports.

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Tags: google-play-store
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# Question
Title: Flashing Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 (Verizon branded)
We are attempting to flash a Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 (Verizon branded) with a cutom ROM. We get to the following screen:

Followed by

First, where is it looking to download?

Second, why is it hanging?

Stuck and looking for some guidance here.

***Edit***

I found this post that points to a locked bootloader: Root and Unlock Bootloader on Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 (Verizon)

***Edit 2***

Following the aforementioned post:

I get this error on the Odin console..

```
<ID:0/006> Added!!
<OSM> Enter CS for MD5..
<OSM> Check MD5.. Do not unplug the cable..
<OSM> Please wait..
<OSM> CF-Auto-Root-espressorf-espressorfxx-gtp3100.tar.md5 is valid.
<OSM> Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully..
<OSM> Leave CS..
<ID:0/006> Odin v.3 engine (ID:6)..
<ID:0/006> File analysis..
<ID:0/006> SetupConnection..
<ID:0/006> Initialzation..
<ID:0/006> Get PIT for mapping..
<ID:0/006> Firmware update start..
<ID:0/006> recovery.img
<ID:0/006> NAND Write Start!!
<ID:0/006> FAIL! (Auth)
<OSM> All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1)

```

# Answer
> 0 votes
You are trying to root/flash a custom ROM to a Verizon GT2 but I see GT2 3100 in the code. You are not using the correct ODIN files. I'm no expert but I know the Verizon Tab is different from the WiFi Tab. Luckily you didn't lock it up.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Galaxy Tab 2 is not bootloader-locked. You can directly flash the images. Just write the partition name and drag the file in command-line using Heimdall.

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Tags: rom-flashing, downloading
---


# Question
Title: Is the Android desktop screen (on any version) a Dalvik executable?
I know that all Android apps, as far as I know, are compiled to Java bytecode, turned into dex code (for the Dalvik Virtual Machine), and then executed with respect to whatever ABI is compatible between the VM and its linking/exposure.

However, after booting Android, I always wondered if the desktop itself was also a Dalvik executable, or if it's not running on the virtual machine as all other apps do?

What do I mean by "desktop"? I mean the home screen:

Could anyone clarify this/does anyone know this? Not the widgets, backgrounds, etc., but the essence of the whole GUI/home screen/desktop. Is it an "app" that runs on Dalvik, like all others supposedly do, or is it a system process/separate process running outside of the virtual machine?

# Answer
What you describe as "desktop", and the screenshot shows, is called by different names. Mostly it listens on the names Launcher and Homescreen, depending on the aspect referred to. And yes, it's an app that ships with its own `.apk` file, as all its "replacements" (e.g. *Apex Launcher*, *GoLauncher*, or *Holo Launcher* – to name some) do.
> 2 votes

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Tags: home-screen, dalvik
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# Question
Title: Fresh Cyanogenmod install, location doesn't work
Yesterday I installed Cyanogenmod using the one click install on my Nexus 4.

There is a little problem though: when using location in the battery saving mode, when it only uses cell and wifi signals to guess your position, it simply can't locate. Using GPS is fine, it locks position within seconds, but it's too battery hungry, kills my phone in a few hours.

Is this a known thing? Can it be fixed?

EDIT: After 2 days, location in power saving mode comes and goes.

# Answer
If your using cyanogenmod 11, then the issues your having are very common. Its still under development so there are things that don't work. Some of the times something works, but then is broken again in the next release. Right now your best option would be to either flash cyanogenmod 10.2 or just bear with it and wait for a release that fixes the issue.
> 0 votes

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Tags: cyanogenmod, geolocation
---


title: How to remove app from wishlist?

text:
# Question
Title: How to remove app from wishlist?
How can I remove an app from wishlist? I clicked the add to wishlist button by mistake.. I'm looking for this but i can't find, is there a way?

I tried to unistall the app, search in the app page and others places like the wishlist itself.

# Answer
Well, i couldn't resolve my problem but after contacting Google's support here some potencial answers for some users.

**Clean Google Play and Download Manager Cache**

For Google Play:

1. Visit `Menu > Settings > Applications > Manage applications`
2. Tab over to "All"
3. Select the Play Store app, and then tap "Clear cache" and "Clear data"

For the Download manager:

1. Visit `Menu > Settings > Applications > Manage applications`
2. Tab over to "All"
3. Select "Download manager," and then tap "Clear data" and "Clear cache"

**Uninstall updates from Google play**

1. Go to "Home" \> "Menu" \> "Settings" \> "Applications" \> "Manage applications"
2. Touch the "All" tab
3. Scroll down and select the Play Store app
4. Touch "Uninstall updates"

This will revert Google Play to the original version that came with your device. Google Play should automatically self-update to the current version within a few days - there's no way to permanently uninstall updates. However, you can perform the following steps to ensure the latest version of Google Play is updated properly:

1. Launch Google Play
2. Switch to the Home screen
3. Wait 5-10 minutes for the app to self-update
4. Re-launch the Google Play Store app

After that the support couldn't help me anymore..

I believe my problem is a bug, so maybe in future versions it'll be fixed, anyway when I accomplish this, I'll post here.

**EDIT:** Google Play Store updated to 3.10.9 and now each wishlist item has like a remove icon besides it, so you click there and it's removed! Nice and easy.
> 0 votes

# Answer
If you go into the play store item that you added to your wishlist and click the same icon that you used to add it to the wishlist it should remove it.
> 4 votes

# Answer
I have tried many things (clearing Play data, clearing cache, uninstall, force stop restarting the device) and finally found a solution:

Use Google Chrome and open two tabs.

1. In the first tab open the new Apps and click **Add to Wishlist**
2. In the second tab open the app that cannot be removed from the wishlist
3. Right click at second tab then click **Inspect element**
4. In **Elements** right click and click **Edit attribute** at **data-docid** and **data-server-cookie**, copy the value in **Notepad** An example **data-docid** is com.noodlecake.blockheads and **data-server-cookie** is CAIaIwohEh8KGWNvxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
5. Goto 1st page right click at button **Added to Wishlist** and click **Inspect element**
6. In 1st page **Elements**, use **Edit attribute** replace all the **data-docid** and **data-server-cookie** values with the 2nd page **data-docid** and **data-server-cookie** values
7. Now you can click **Remove** wishlist on the first Chrome tab.
> 3 votes

# Answer
Go to Google play. Search for the application you're trying to remove. When the page loads, you should see a ribbon-shaped icon in the upper right-hand corner. There should be a check mark. Click it. The icon should change into a plus ("+") symbol. Check the wishlist. The item should be gone.
> 2 votes

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Tags: google-play-store, google-play-wishlist
---


# Question
Title: Mute Emergency alert in Google Now (without removing it)
Google Now has a neat feature (at least I think it's from Google Now) where it warns you for emergency events. The problem is it's just warned me twice in half an hour with an extremely loud tone about a snowstorm I've known about for days.

Is there some way I can make the phone vibrate or change the ringtone? I only see an option to disable these alerts entirely. It's not my default notification/alarm ringtone; it's a special LOUD warning tone. Good at attracting attention but major overkill. I would like to still get them, but I would like them to be much quieter (yes, even though they're "emergencies") as my phone blaring loud warning tones at work is quite distracting.

# Answer
> 2 votes
Unfortunately I don't have a working phone on hand at the moment to test this, but if you can identify the specific audio file used as the alert sound, you could simply edit it with a piece of software like Audacity and make it as quiet as you'd like. (Excuse the shoddy answer, I'll edit it as soon as I can test the method or delete it straight away if it's unsatisfactory)

# Answer
> 2 votes
If you go to google now, and then go to settings (the three dot menu button if its a soft key) theres a section that says notifications. That section has a part titled Urgent Updates and has the option to set a ringtone or turn on vibrate. As far as I know this should change the sound for the alert since it says urgent updates include public alerts. Just note, I am using KitKat so if you don't have the latest version of google now it could be different. EDIT: I just realized this question was asked a year ago so the answer details a newer version

# Answer
> -1 votes
I ran into the exact same issue (same storm too, no doubt). In Android 4.2, you can disable these alerts by going to *Settings → Wireless Networks (More...) → Cell broadcasts*. The alerts cannot be muted, but can be disabled in this screen.

# Answer
> -2 votes
On my phone, which runs Android Gingerbread, this setting is under Sound\Emergency\Emergency Tone. I have set it to OFF, as opposed to Alert or Vibrate.

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Tags: 4.2-jelly-bean, google-now, alerts
---


# Question
Title: Add new Locale on android 2.2 HTC Wildfire phone
I entered a competition and won an HTC Wildfire. However it's branded french. i've changed the language to English, but under 'Select Language' it says 'English (France)'. Several apps also tend to think i'm in france some of the time.

How can i add/change the locale to be whatever english is normally for a United Kingdom phone?

# Answer
> 0 votes
The easiest method is probably to install a UK ROM. If you don't want to root or use a custom ROM, you can probably find a stock one. I recommend searching XDA.

# Answer
> -1 votes
Install Set Locale and Language, Locale selector, or other related apps from Google Play!

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Tags: languages, htc-wildfire, localization
---


title: is evolution app available for android

text:
# Question
Title: is evolution app available for android
I was trying to find android evolution app (originally gnome personal manager application). The only result google gave me was the *monkey-\>man evolution*. Does anybody know whether somebody has ported evolution to android?

# Answer
> 4 votes
Never heard it was, and I'm pretty sure if it were I had heard. (Originally "Ximian Evolution", by the way ;) Neither have I heard of something comparable. Mail, Calendar, Todo etc. are available as separate apps, sometimes also in combinations, but then mostly only combinations of calendar + todo, not with mail.

Closest coming is probably Pocket Informant (USD 10), joining calendar, tasks, and contacts:

<sup>*Pocket Informant 3* (source: Google Play; click image for larger variant)</sup>

I personally favour a combination of Business Calendar (bought the Pro), Business Tasks (integrates neatly into their calendar app), and K-9 Mail instead on my Android devices (and yes, on my Computer I use Evolution).

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Tags: applications
---


# Question
Title: S3 (i9300/i9305) Is it possible to install CM10 after installing the 4.3 OTA update?
I heard you cannot downgrade to 4.3 to 4.1.2.
**But**, is it possible to change it down altogether to CM10?

**Reason**: The new 4.3 update runs terrible on my phone. I sent it back to Samsung and my carrier both and tried to update with KIES, but it's not getting any better. Some minor lag disappeared after they performed a full reset and flash, but nothing huge change. It's still crap. The lock screen (which I see at least 50 times a day) is absolutely horrible. The battery life also gone crap, since the update, Google+ loves to eat battery. Deleted the updates, disabled the app, signed out, none of those helped. Google of course won't care since I'm just one sucker from the many people.

**Sidenote**: I know I won't be able to use Triangle Away (since KNOX) and such. But the phone is not usable anymore, it's a brick with a few hours of battery life. It's useless.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Yes, the reason you can't downgrade official ROMs is not a technical one; it's just a decision Samsung have taken.

There's no reason at all why you can't go backwards and forwards between versions of Cyanogenmod as long as you have the appropriate recovery. And CM10.1.3 and CM10.2 are currently much more stable than CM11 on the i9300.

Consult the Cyanogenmod site (http://www.cyanogenmod.org/) or XDA-Developers (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2382573) for full details before actually flashing a new recovery. (Personally I'm staying with CM10.1.3 (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2035141) as I found the camera unstable on CM10.2)

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


title: Bluetooth auto connect to headset

text:
# Question
Title: Bluetooth auto connect to headset
I am using Android 2.2 on my samsung. One problem that I hate is that when I turn on bluetooth then turn on my handsfree headset it doesn't auto connect. It's paired and works, but each time I have to go to system settings, then wireless, then bluetooth and finally select the headset to connect.

This is very annoying. My old Nokia N95 would auto connect, why can't Android.

Is there a setting I am missing for auto connect?

# Answer
Android surely can do that as well. Unfortunately, you've been a bit vague on the devices used: Samsung is a manufacturer having brought out plenty of smartphones, and there are also plenty of Bluetooth headsets; maybe there's something with that specific combination.

Nevertheless, there are some generic solutions available on the Playstore, like Bluetooth Auto Connect: *It automatically tries to connect to your Bluetooth devices when Bluetooth has been turned on or when your device screen goes on.* Unfortunately, this only works with Android 3.0+, so it's not really a solution for you – but a search for "bluetooth auto connect" will give you additional alternatives, one of those hopefully works with your Android version:

There's e.g. Shake To Connect working with Android 2.2+, which at least should save you from the "long walk through the menus".

Note however that I didn't try any of those solutions, so no guarantees :)
> 0 votes

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Tags: bluetooth
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# Question
Title: How can I prevent Android from auto-installing all of my apps?
I usually install different ROMs regularly...

When I set up my account on a fresh ROM, I don't want my phone to start loading all of the apps that I had installed with the same account on previous ROM. I want to choose what I want reinstalled on a new version.

Can I control this behaviour or is there a another way around this?

# Answer
> 2 votes
Make sure to disable the auto-restore under `Menu -> Settings -> Privacy -> Automatic restore` before installing a different ROM.

# Answer
> 0 votes
On most ROMs (if not all) there's a checkbox after logging in to your Google account in the initial setup wizard which allows you to enable backup/restore for the device. If you deselect this checkbox, your apps will not be automatically installed.

# Answer
> 0 votes
After you flash a new ROM, you are usually asked to log-in to your Google account. If I remember correctly, one of the (wizard) steps has a checkbox that will ask if you want to sync your account, or re-install the apps that you installed previously.

Is it possible that you missed this step and just moved to the `Next` screen?

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Tags: google-play-store, sync
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# Question
Title: Installing apps from desktop site "play.google.com/store" not working/slow
When i am signed with the same account as my phone on my desktop, i can choose to install apps from my desktop. I can simply click on install button and choose the device op my preference. I remember when i did this a few years ago, it worked great. But now if it doesn't really seem to work properly. I am waiting 15 minutes for the app to shop up on my phone, but it just doesn't.

Am i doing something wrong or is it a known issue?

Thanks!

# Answer
Have you checked that your device is recognized correctly? To do this, go to the Settings page and check the Last Used date. You may have multiple entries for the same device if you have switched ROMs or formatted the phone, and if you're trying to contact an old version of the phone, the install requests won't get to the device. If you have unnecessary entries here, you can hide them by unchecking the "Show in menus" checkbox.
> 1 votes

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Tags: google-play-store
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# Question
Title: Locked Nexus 7 - no forgotten password option
My girlfriend forgot her password on her Nexus 7 and can't remember it. It's written everywhere on the web that you can use the gmail login after 5 wrong passwords but it doesn't seem to work anymore! It doesn't ask for the gmail account and never shows the forgotten password option.

I have tried to repeat the process on my Galaxy Nexus and there is no forgotten option either....

After 5 attempts it blocks for 30 seconds and I actually tried 30 times to see if after a while the gmail option appears but it's not the case...

How to use the gmail account to unlock the latest android devices (4.2.2)?

P.S. my phone isn't locked! I just try to redo her steps

# Answer
Well, I just tried it on my own device (Nexus 4, Android 4.4.2) and indeed you are right: There is no restoring option when using a password or PIN. It only shows up for me when using a pattern.

There is still a method I just figured out.

1. Log in to your Google Account.
2. Go to https://www.google.com/android/devicemanager
3. Accept the device manager pop up and click on your device on "Lock".
4. Enter a new password.

I just tried it and it works very well here :)

Best regards! visi0nary

*Edit: I just figured out that you need to have "Remote Wipe and Lock" enabled in Android Device Manager on your device. I hope your GF has enabled that option.*

*Edit: This only works for the original (admin) account on a Nexus 7. Device Manager is not available for other accounts.*
> 4 votes

# Answer
The problem may be that the Android device in question has no Google account registered to it. Can you install apps to it from the Google Play web store?
> -1 votes

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Tags: lock-screens, locked-out
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title: MTS N790 APN setting for GSM Network

text:
# Question
Title: MTS N790 APN setting for GSM Network
I have MTS N790, it is a dual sim mobile one is CDMA and other is GSM .Now I have one mts CDMA sim and one Aircel GSM sim .Here I can not set access point setting for GSM sim. I can add new apn for CDMA but for GSM there is no option to set ApN. Anyone can help?

when I select 1St option

and When I select 2nd option

# Answer
> 2 votes
I just found the phone specs on MTS India, and seems like the second SIM supports only 2G voice + SMS, not data. This is because the phone is Dual SIM Dual Standby (DSDS), not Dual SIM Dual Active (DSDA or DSA), and there isn't a 3G GSM radio.

DSDS means that if you have a data connection or a call open, the other SIM is disabled. This would prevent the use of the primary SIM if there was an open data connection on the secondary SIM.

I'm not an expert on dual-SIM phones since they are not popular in my region, so there may be a way to get a 2G data connection over the GSM card, but it's not supported by the manufacturer.

---
Tags: settings, apn
---


# Question
Title: Given that every application runs as a separate user, what happens when you want to add a new user account?
According to this, every application in Android runs as a separate kernel-level user, with a unique user ID and group ID.

So, what happens under the hood when you **add a new user** (e.g. to your shared tablet)?

# Answer
> 18 votes
The *Linux user IDs* that Android uses to isolate apps from each other are completely unrelated to *user profiles* on Android 4.2 tablets.

In Android, each app gets its own directory for saving data. The Linux user ID system is used to make sure apps can't read each others' data. But all these data directories are inside one directory on the filesystem, `/data/user/0`. Let's say the first user is called Abulurd, and he installs the app Showr. It might be given user ID 1004, and the directory `/data/user/0/com.shadowburst.showr`.

Now, let's say you create a new user profile for Beatrice. She gets a fresh directory, `/data/user/1`, which starts off empty. When she logs into the device, and installs Showr, it doesn't download the app again (because the Android app installer knows the APK file is already on the device), but it does create a new user ID 1007 (for example), and a new directory `/data/user/1/com.shadowburst.showr`.

Android uses Linux filesystem permissions, and the different Linux user IDs, not only to make sure that Abulurd's Showr can't read the data of Abulurd's other apps, but also that Abulurd's Showr can't read the data of Beatrice's Showr. The two instances of Showr run in different processes, with different user IDs.

If you're familiar with Linux terminology, making a new user profile is similar to using `chroot` on the device to get an isolated part of the filesystem to run apps in.

What I've described is the usual process, but just as apps can be written to share a data directory with other apps by the same developer (signed with the same key), Android gives apps the opportunity to say they work with multiple users. This way, an app can be written to have one process for all the user profiles, to let them share data or perform some special function. The lock screen has to work this way, for instance, because all user profiles share one lock screen app, which has to read all users' lock-screen settings.

# Answer
> 2 votes
What happens when you add a new user account is that a new **account** (or "User Profile") is created. This has nothing at all to do with the user/group management on OS-Level. You will notice that most how-tos (e.g. this one on HowToGeek) speak about *accounts*, as the term "user" would be rather misleading.

I'm not an Android dev, so I cannot give you a deeper technical explanation. But as far as I know, the multi-user feature is realized on-top of the Linux core (i.e. in Java/Dalvik). **EDIT:** Dan posted his answer at the same time as I mine, so see there for the technical background :)

---
Tags: applications, linux, tablet, kernel, multi-user
---


# Question
Title: Execution problem with secondary user on nexus 7 2013
I have created 2 more users on my Nexus 2013. The problem with these 2 non-administrator users is, I can not run a lot of apps which work fine on admin user (ex ilmeteo.it - "Baby bus" children games......).

These applications start and close automatically with the report "....the applicationname closed unexpectedly..."

How can give the correct permissions on the secondary users to excute all the applications?

# Answer
> 0 votes
If you can add an app to a restricted profile, but it won't work in a restricted profile, that's a bug in the app. Only the developer of the app can fix it: you should report the problem to them through their official support channel so that they can fix it.

---
Tags: multi-user
---


# Question
Title: How to get rid of Sprint's notifications for ad-supported voicemail
On my Galaxy S4 (Sprint), I regularly get a voicemail icon in my notification bar with the message:

> With this update, you will be able to enjoy premium Ad-supported features such as inline playback and auto forward to email.

I have no interest in "enjoying" these features, and I cannot figure out how to make it go away.

* "Allow automatic updating" is not not checked.
* I have no messages that haven't been listened to.
* I do not want to disable all notifications from the voicemail application, as I would like to be notified when I have messages.
* Clearing the notification makes it go away for anywhere from 5 minutes to a day, but it always comes back.

Is there any way that I can disable this specific message?

# Answer
Accept the update, it doesn't charge you unless you subscribe to the premium package. Aside from that, you could decompile the apk and remove the push notification for updates.
> 3 votes

# Answer
I was able to remove the ads from my Sprint voicemail without root. On the Android device, go to **Voice mail \> Menu \> Settings \> Uncheck Display Ads**.

Hope this works for you.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Please try the following:

1. *Android Settings*
2. *Application Manager*
3. *All Apps* (drag page to the left)
4. search your app and tap on it
5. make shure, the box *show notifications* is unchecked
6. Problem solved?
> -1 votes

---
Tags: notifications, notification-bar, voicemail, sprint
---


# Question
Title: Get rid of google market localization limitation to install an app
I'd like to test last HBO GO android application to see how they implemented chromecast, but I'm in Canada and my devices are registered to play store Canada so I'm not able to install it. I have been looking for the single .apk on the web but I'm not sure if I could trust those I found. Does any body has an idea how I could get it or how to get rid of the localization limitations ? Thanks

# Answer
> 2 votes
Try this - http://apps.evozi.com/apk-downloader/#guide

This site allows you to copy the url fromm the official app from Google Play and download it without a hassle. Enjoy.

---
Tags: google-play-store, localization, chromecast
---


# Question
Title: Galaxy S3 stuck on Samsung logo, is there anyway i can backup my data in recovery mode without rooting?
i have the original Firmware, no rooting. Recently, i got this issue where my s3 doesn't startup, it just keeps flashing the logo over and over again until the battery drains. I've already tried pulling the battery, wiping cache partition several times but no luck.

So is it possible to root my device without losing any data or at least can i backup from the recovery mode?

I'm an Android newbie, so i have zero background on this stuff. What am i suppose to do ?

Edit: i'm specifically asking about backing up my data, is it possible?

# Answer
Boot into odin mode, plug into laptop, get custom recovery and root via odin (this doesn't wipe data) then in the custom recovery do a nandroid backup then clear dalvik cache and try to boot. If this doesn't work then sorry you're gonna need to flash a custom rom or stock rom again
> 1 votes

---
Tags: backup, root-access, recovery-mode
---


# Question
Title: "invalid download uri" from Play Store on a Huawei phone
I have a g350-u00 device that was shipped with JB 4.1.2 but without Gapps. To add Google account, I rooted the device and copied .apk files to /system/apk from gapps package http://goo.im/gapps/gapps-jb-20121011-signed.zip. After a couple of hard resets I have a working system with Gmail and Play Store. The latter fails to install any app with toast "invalid download uri". How can I cure the system?

# Answer
> -1 votes
Try "all apps in play store" xposed mod

---
Tags: google-play-store, google-account, huawei
---


title: How to change alarm sound to an MP3

text:
# Question
Title: How to change alarm sound to an MP3
I've tried creating an "alarms" folder on the root of my SD card on my Galaxy Note 3 (Jelly Bean 4.3) then unmounting and mounting it again. Didn't work. Tried an application (Tone Picker) to let me put the song as an alarm but still the song doesn't show up. When I select the song from Clock JB+, I can easily select the song with the File Manager app but the song won't be found when the alarm sounds then it will just sound the regular "beep" alarm

# Answer
> -3 votes
Get Alarm Clock Xtreme Free. There is also a paid version which removes the ads.

---
Tags: alarm
---


# Question
Title: "Incompatible with other applications(s) using the same shared user ID" when installing Google Play service?
I need to run Google Plus, and Google Plus needs the Google Play service.

Every time I install `google play service` from the Google Play store it fails to install with this error:

> Incompatible with other applications(s) using the same shared user ID

What could be the issue? How can I fix this?

<sup>**UPDATE**: I know almost nothing about android, so I dont know what ROM is, or such thing, I get my phone from local production and I guess, yes, it uses custom `system`, so I just know that I'm using Android Version 4.0.4. any help would be greatly appreciated.</sup>

# Answer
> 6 votes
What is *get my phone from local production*?

Since you mentioned about *custom `system`* are you referring to a modded ROM like Cyanogenmod, Paranoid Android etc?

You have custom recovery in place? If so, grab the latest Google Apps from here appropriately for Android 4.0.4 aka ICS, more than likely, this version of gapps.

Reboot into Recovery, select:

* Wipe Cache
* Install from zip, select the gapps you downloaded
* Then when install is done, reboot.

# Answer
> 2 votes
Google Play services is used to update Google apps and apps from Google Play. This component gives you access to Google Settings and helps apps speed up offline searches, provide more immerse maps, and improve performance.

If you think there is an error of your OS, you can always go for a factory reset. You shall backup your data before you proceed. This should re-install the Google Play service. And if you are *NOT* asked to install Google Play Services, you don't have to. It is bundled with your OS. You must simply be able to download Google+ and use it on your phone.

You can find your device info from `Settings` =\> `About Phone`

# Answer
> 2 votes
What worked for me was the suggestion I found here:

> http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1219029

In a nutshell:

1. Figure out the exact formal fully-qualified package name or \*.apk name for the app you're trying to install. For Google Play Services, it's `com.google.android.gsf` or `GoogleServicesFramework.apk`.
2. Pull the `/data/system/packages.xml` file from the phone using adb
3. Open the xml file in a text editor and look for the `<package>` xml element that describes your app, using the names from step 1.
4. Get the value of the `sharedUserId` attribute for that element.
5. Remove the entire `<shared-user>` xml element with the userId attribute that matches the id you found for the package.
6. Push the modified `packages.xml` file back to same location on the phone using adb
7. Wipe the dalvik cache and reboot.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I had the same problem. I uninstalled all app updates and this fixed the issue

# Answer
> -1 votes
You should know this first that Google play service is required by some apps which had implemented functionality provided by google play services. Like multi player, real time multi player, leader-boards, achievements in some games ans apps.

If you are having problem in downloading it there are many possible solutions there. \- Go to the application manager, remove all updates from google+ related apps. Then start play service after installing all the apps updates. This might get solved ur problem.

---
Tags: google-plus, google-play-services
---


# Question
Title: Need custom recovery that supports Kit Kat for Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7"
I really want to flash CyanogenMod 11 on my tablet. I have the file in CM Updater, but I can't find a custom recovery that will support KitKat for my device.

# Answer
> 2 votes
You should be able to use the latest CWM or TWRP custom recovery with your device.

Source: Install Android 4.4 KitKat on Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 Using CM11 Custom Build

**UPDATE #1:** XDA has a thread for custom recoveries for the P3110. It says that only CWM supports KitKat for that tablet.

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, 4.4-kitkat, samsung-galaxy-tab-2-7
---


# Question
Title: High frequency noise from headphones when connected to cellphone
I am having a problem with my phone... when i connect headphones(any headphones) to the 3,5mm jack and play audio, there is a tiny high frequency noise in the background. However, this is only present when there is sound playing.. if i stop playing sound the high frequency noise stops after a few secconds... I am thinking that it must be the processor of the phone generating the noise, and the sound card is not filtering it out...

The cellphone is an LG Optimus 4X HD

# Answer
> 0 votes
Attempting to Force Stop MediaServer might help if the problem exists within videos too.

---
Tags: headphones
---


# Question
Title: Can I download whole folders in Dropbox app?
Is it possible to sync whole folders in Dropbox app? I currently download file by file a slow process

# Answer
> 5 votes
**Sync isn't possible and the "download folder" function is also missing on Android.**

You can support this feature request: https://www.dropbox.com/votebox/2133/android-download-upload-folders

# Answer
> 2 votes
As answered here, you can use file explorers such as ES file explorer to achieve this functionality.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I use the dropsync (comp.ttxapps.dropsync) app to keep full synchronization on my big dropbox which I have shared on several computers and several android devices. I've rarely had problems getting large volumes of files per directory trees in my dropbox handled. The only issue I've encountered is when the particular device had a default bandwidth limit applied, which I generally reset to unlimited.

---
Tags: dropbox
---


title: S4 doesn't detect any WiFi

text:
# Question
Title: S4 doesn't detect any WiFi
I helped my fried to convert from Iphone to S4. I helped him with initial setup and gave some quick crash course. I visited him after a week and answered a few of his questions. I again visited him today after a week. But his Galaxy S4 GT-I9500 has developed a problem.

* The WiFi would stuck on "Turning on" if Bluetooth is switched off.
* The phone won't detect any WiFi. I tried with multiple AP with different settings and even without security.
* It detected the APs for few seconds once during this troubleshooting time of three to four hours.
* Resetting didn't help.

The phone is currently running Android 4.2.2. Any idea on how to make it detect the AP? I'll be trying to flash Android 4.3 via Odin tomorrow. I couldn't do it via Kies as it would say an unknown error occurred.

UPDATE: So I've pushed WiFi Analyzer and playing randomly with WiFi Settings and WiFi analyzer brings WiFi back for good. But same problem after factory reset. And again repeating above actions fixes it.

# Answer
> 0 votes
The problem was hardware related. WiFi chip was changed in the service center. Now it is working OK.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Is it using a custom ROM or a modified stock ROM?

Flashing DjeMBeY's pre-rooted S4 ROMs has issues with Wi-Fi, esp. for those higher than `MGA`. They have a Wi-Fi fix, but I still encountered issues (e.g. intermittent mobile data, loss of audio / sound). So, I downgraded back to MGA.

Hopefully reading the thread in XDA might give you some ideas. Do share your answer if you find something useful, or a solution.

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


# Question
Title: Galaxy Tab2 fails to see functioning Netgear router
We have a Samsung Galaxy Tab2 10.1. It previously connected fine via Wi-Fi to our Netgear router from anywhere in the house. Last night, it stopped connecting and no longer displays the router in the `available routers` list, even though many neighbour's routers are visible (but password protected, of course).

I have rebooted the router. We have four Mac laptops and two iPhones, and all connect wirelessly to the router without problems. I have entered the SSID and password manually (and correctly) several times, but no joy. The Galaxy simply states `Out of range` under the SSID of our router. Not so surprising as the machine fails to "see" our router at all, even though the router is broadcasting its existence to the Macs just fine.

One last thing: the Galaxy sees fewer of the neighbour's routers than the Macs, and shows a weaker signal strength for those it does see - but I have tried it right next to our router without any recognition. The Macs see our router as full strength from most of the house. Suggestions?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Check the MAC address on your tablet, and compare it to the MAC address listed for the tablet on your hot spot in the configuration window. If the two MAC addresses are not the same, your hot spot will not connect and an IP address will not be assigned.

I am currently experiencing this problem where something keeps changing the MAC address in my tablet . I have not been able to resolve it, including performing a full factory reset. I am certainly open to any advice or suggestions on this issue. Thanks

---
Tags: wi-fi, samsung-galaxy-tab-10, router
---


title: Bad LCD, Reset to Factory

text:
# Question
Title: Bad LCD, Reset to Factory
I have a galaxy sII (i9200m) updated to the latest firmware and would like to do a factory reset. I have no idea how as the LCD is completely shot (solid black).

Hope you can help.

Thank you

# Answer
Since you have no access to the UI, the option would be using the adb shell.

Note: the adb shell will Only work if USB debugging was Previously enabled!

Connect your device with the USB cable. (install drivers if needed) Use a terminal (or cmd if in windows) Change to your adb location directory. Run the following to do a recovery wipe:

```
adb shell
> recovery --wipe_data

```
> 0 votes

---
Tags: factory-reset
---


# Question
Title: Impact of overclocking Cpu on battery life
I want to know if overclocking the cpu will reduce the battery life.I know overclocking drains battery but will it affect the device battery in harmful way?

# Answer
Overclocking shouldn't actually damage your battery but it will make it drain quicker and as a side effect of that have a shorter overall life. Overvolting (giving the CPU more volts) could however damage your battery (overvolting can be common practise when applying a generous overclock) but of course this all depends on what device you're on and what processor it has in, some processors that are understood by devs better can be overclocked more safely.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: overclocking
---


# Question
Title: How does the HTC-Dev bootloader unlock process work?
I've been trying to root a phone. For my purposes, at least for the moment, I think the HTC-Dev way is enough - that it will give me a way to root and that I don't need S-OFF.

I have looked at the HTC-Dev site and XDA Developers. They have some information, but some details were not apparent - at least to me. **To my surprise I haven't really found anything that explains what's 'behind the door', or any discussion about the process itself.** Maybe HTC's TOS includes an NDA, maybe I am blind, maybe I'm asking about details nobody else cares about.

Anyway, I'd like to know *in detail* exactly what the process is (and, ideally, how and why things are done, if possible). For example:

Do I need to register with the HTC-Dev site? (What's required? Can it fail? Does it still fail regularly? Is there an offline or registration-free version, or any alternative?)

What then? (What are the 10 steps?)

I understand (I think) that it will make the bootloader accept non-signed software (recovery, new ROMs) - how?

Does registering lead me to a new bootloader that I can flash with fastboot (that no one has posted)? **No. Well, maybe, kinda - still don't really know what the code is/does.**

I thought I saw a reference to a code - is it an online tool that takes a serial number and gives a code I enter somewhere (would explain why no one 'just posts it')? It is a binary generated by an online tool; it is basically unique to each phone.

**Edit:**

Clarified, because haters got to hate. Started a self-Answer. Thanks, SE.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Lacking a better Answer ...

From what I've seen so far on HTC-Dev and XDA:

* HTC-Dev provides an online tool. You 'normally' can register an account there (with an e-mail address). The registration process had problems. Maybe they were resolved, or identified. Maybe you need to get help by moaning at them on their Twitter account.
Failing that, you might be able to get someone on the XDA forums to do it for you. They (3rd parties / XDA folk) are still using the HTC site, just with an account that works.
* There is a 10 step process. Presumably, they guide you through using things like ADB and Fastboot to extract a "token", submit that token to HTC's online widget, and receive a "code".
* The code is not something you enter, it's a binary that you .. put somewhere on the phone. It then gets run by ... some kinda process, I guess. Then some magic happens.
* The "code" is derived from the "token". The "token" has a relation to the phone's ... model number and IMEI. Maybe it is simply a concatenation of the two, maybe not. Each "code" is unique to a "token", which is theoretically unique to a phone. Submitting a token will register it (and hence the constituent IMEI and .. \[phone-hardware-ID\]) to your account.
The HTC-Dev widget will generate invalid codes if you give it bad info. That might not break your phone.
(All of this jeopardizes/voids your warranty, of course)
* There might be phones that need an (OTA/stock/signed'sealed'delivered) update before they can do any of this. They are pre-magic phones, locked with anti-magic bootloaders, lo.

---
Tags: bootloader, htc, bootloader-lock
---


# Question
Title: My custom ringtone plays with stuttering, what may be the problem?
After some time (may be it's related to the update to 4.4.x) my custom call ringtone (a .flac file) started to stutter permanently and always.

I can hear it even while choosing it in a system settings. But playing the file with another player works fine.

What can be the problem?

---

Model: Nexus 4
Version: 4.4.2

# Answer
There is a bug in Android 4.4 which causes flac files to pop and stutter.

AndroidPolice has an article on it, there is a fix that has been committed (but not released) according to this bug report. It should be fixed in the next release (although when that'll be is anyone's guess)

> Since the problem exists in Android's native flac codec, which is used by most of the music players available, finding an alternative app with its own custom implementation will easily solve the issue.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: ringtone
---


title: Send blind calls to voicemail?

text:
# Question
Title: Send blind calls to voicemail?
I'm getting more and more blind calls on my cellphone from telemarketers.

Is there an application that can send all incoming blind calls to voicemail?

FWIW, I'm running Cyanogenmod on a Galaxy Nexus.

Thank you.

# Answer
I just saw that you don't want to block the calls, but send to voicemail.
My mistake.

---

As easy as one, two, three :)

Call settings -\> Blacklist -\> Small icon at the bottom corner -\> Private numbers

That is for cm-10.2.0

Might be a little different if you have another version, but you get the idea.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, call-screening
---


# Question
Title: Is there any highlighting or annotating software for ODT -format: LibreOffice or OpenOffice?
I read my LibreOffice/OpenOffice documents with tablets and smartphones. Is there any software for the ODT -format which allows me to edit such files. I often find things which I should fix and would like to note that to the file.

# Answer
Currently there is no such software. However, the LibreOffice team is working on an app. A prototype was reviewed e.g. here, if you want to take a look. No release date so far, but it will hopefully hit the market soon -- it is really strongly needed, as there is not a single Office app capable of working with OpenDocument formats (aside from AndrOffice, which is a spreadsheet-only app and obviously discontinued, as it is no longer listed on the playstore).

Until then: There's a Viewer app available at least, OpenOffice Document Reader...

---

**UPDATE:** Meanwhile, things have changed, and you have the choice between AndrOpen Office and TextMaker Mobile for read/write access, as well as Coffice and the already mentioned OpenDocument Reader for read-only access.
> 3 votes

# Answer
TextMaker Mobile is the only word processor that lets you open / save `.odt` \- plus plenty of other formats, and you may convert one into another.

This app is full of features, e.g., including a very good on-the-fly spell checker, footnotes, endnotes, comments, track changes, embedding of any font, access to several file hosting services etc., all TrueType and openType fonts can be embedded, it has a broad range of formatting and layout options, access and so much more.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: openoffice
---


title: How to manually replace ones RIL

text:
# Question
Title: How to manually replace ones RIL
Is it possible to manually replace the RIL on a Samsung Galaxy S2?

I had previously flashed my device with CyanogenMod but lost my stock RIL due to careless use of the GetRIL app, so currently have no carrier network.

I have the details for the RIL (`md5sum 163ecafa01912637fe344ec1f8264d70` for baseband `I9100XXKE7`) but it is not in the GetRIL database so I can't get it back.

I was wondering if it is possible to get the RIL that comes with CyanogenMod and install that on my phone to avoid having to reflash it.

See my related question: Samsung Galaxy S2 drops carrier network

# Answer
> 1 votes
This question depends on the firmware you've got installed. If you've got CyanogenMod installed, then you should also have ClockWorkMod (CWM) installed, which is a utility for flashing your phone, among other things.

First you'll need to download the RIL to your phone as a zip file. They should come packaged this way. Save it to an sdcard, preferably in the root directory for easy access.

This page lists the different ways to access CWM depending on your phone model. For the SGS2, turn the device off, then hold Vol+, Home and Power buttons until the screen flashes, then release them and wait for CWM to display. From there, use the volume buttons to scroll and the power button to select, as touchscreen is disabled.

Select "install zip from sdcard", then navigate to the zip file and select it. (Protip: scroll up to skip the huge list of folders) Wait for the installation to finish, then select "reboot system now" and you're done. Enjoy your new RIL.

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, radio-firmware
---


# Question
Title: What is the setting in xprivacy to access the microphone?
I use xprivacy to set all permissions on my phone, but I accidently forbid the tuner app to access my microphone.

Which setting do I have to enable?

# Answer
> 2 votes
I found out via xPrivacy itself:

I run the tuner app and after I saw in the privacy settings for the app, that it tried to access

"Medien (Audio,Fotos,Videos)" -\> "**startRecording**" (one minute ago)

I allowed that and now it works ;)

---
Tags: security, audio, privacy, xposed-framework
---


title: Google Account with limited permissions

text:
# Question
Title: Google Account with limited permissions
I am trying to assess feasibility of an internal initiative at my company.

Management would like to:

* Distribute Nexus 7/10s which can have primarily calendar and contacts synced by a single Gmail account
* Disable ability to send email from this account, although not from employee's account

This is an effort to keep calendar and contacts in sync.

**Is the second requirement possible?**

# Answer
It isn't possible to limit an account to not send emails. The only solution I can think of is to sync the main account (the one for calendar and contacts) and a second account for email. In the gmail application, you have to set it to default to the second account when the application is open. In the calendar, you have to set the application to open the calendar of the main account.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: multiple-devices
---


# Question
Title: Flash Galaxy S3 with Broken Screen and Debug Mode Not On
I have a completely broken screen/lcd/digitizer on my Samsung Galaxy S3. Debug mode was not on. The phone works as it will still vibrate when turned on and the LED / Menu / Back buttons light up during a boot. USB connector works as well. The phone was not previously rooted.

I had most important data on the sd card and I've already wrote off any other data on the phone as I've since moved on to a GN2. I would like to make use of the S3 (not necessarily as a phone but a server, security camera, etc.). I've read several posts here about my options and looked at numerous google articles, all seem to require debug mode being on; however, all also seem to assume the data/OS must remain as this is what the user is trying to recover.

Am I out of luck if debug mode was not enabled or can I flash through adb or fastboot via some obscure mechanism?

Thanks in advance for any help and/or suggestions.

# Answer
> 1 votes
The answer came thanks to @hnkotnis at xda-developers.com and his info (and experience) on how to get into "Download Mode" without seeing the screen.

My review of what I did to get Heimdall connected without root, debug mode, and a screen/lcd to see:

First, I am on linux (debian) so no Odin, I used Heimdall and Heimdall Frontend: * disconnect USB * pull battery * let set for a minute * Press HOME+Power+VolDown for 2 seconds beyond the vibrate (total of about 5 seconds) * wait 3-4 seconds * press the VolUp button * plug usb in * press "Detect" in Heimdall Frontend

You should get a "Device detected" in heimdall frontend. I also noticed a difference when connecting the usb cable with in "Download Mode" versus not in Download Mode.

Normal USB Connection

```
Jan 28 10:29:13 xia kernel: [1119572.140189] usb 5-8.3: new high-speed USB device number 31 using ehci-pci
Jan 28 10:29:13 xia kernel: [1119572.233321] usb 5-8.3: New USB device found, idVendor=04e8, idProduct=6865
Jan 28 10:29:13 xia kernel: [1119572.233332] usb 5-8.3: New USB device strings: Mfr=2, Product=3, SerialNumber=4
Jan 28 10:29:13 xia kernel: [1119572.233338] usb 5-8.3: Product: SAMSUNG_Android_SGH-T999
Jan 28 10:29:13 xia kernel: [1119572.233343] usb 5-8.3: Manufacturer: SAMSUNG
Jan 28 10:29:13 xia kernel: [1119572.233349] usb 5-8.3: SerialNumber: e70a909e

```

USB Connection when in "Download Mode"

```
Jan 28 10:30:18 xia kernel: [1119637.932207] usb 5-8.3: new high-speed USB device number 32 using ehci-pci
Jan 28 10:30:18 xia kernel: [1119638.024825] usb 5-8.3: New USB device found, idVendor=04e8, idProduct=685d
Jan 28 10:30:18 xia kernel: [1119638.024834] usb 5-8.3: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=0
Jan 28 10:30:18 xia kernel: [1119638.024840] usb 5-8.3: Product: MSM8960
Jan 28 10:30:18 xia kernel: [1119638.024845] usb 5-8.3: Manufacturer: Sasmsung
Jan 28 10:30:19 xia kernel: [1119638.113455] cdc_acm 5-8.3:1.0: This device cannot do calls on its own. It is not a modem.
Jan 28 10:30:19 xia kernel: [1119638.113598] cdc_acm 5-8.3:1.0: ttyACM0: USB ACM device
Jan 28 10:30:19 xia kernel: [1119638.114388] usbcore: registered new interface driver cdc_acm
Jan 28 10:30:19 xia kernel: [1119638.114391] cdc_acm: USB Abstract Control Model driver for USB modems and ISDN adapters

```

You can see the thread on the xda forum here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=49840347

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-3, rom-flashing, broken-screen
---


# Question
Title: Can an app make phone calls in the background
I saw a number of apps that require "Services that cost you money" permissions, my question is if I install such an app and that app will make a phone call, is that call visible to the user or the app can make the call in the background without the user knowing ?

I usually don't install apps that require extending permissions and I haven’t found anything googling, I prefer not to install it unless I'm sure I won't have a surprise when my phone bill comes.

Specifically I was invited to join a conference via GoToMeeting and their Android app is requesting the above permission.

# Answer
> 6 votes
I am an Android Application developer. I had a requirement to make phone verification. In that case we had to make a telephony call to our server. But we could't achieve that as Android system does not allow us to make a phone call without users interaction. The best we can do is populate the phone number in the default dialer app. In any case user has to press call button. So I would say No app can make a phone call without your permission.

But

We can send SMS in from background and it will cost you money. For this you will see something like this before installing app:

---
Tags: 2.3-gingerbread, calls, permissions
---


title: Paragon app won't mount

text:
# Question
Title: Paragon app won't mount
I have a Galaxy Note 2014 edition. I rooted the device in order to use a NTFS partitioned external HD. I followed all the instructions, used the root checker and everything is fine. When I connect the external drive it is recognized by Paragon but when I click "mount" it just flashes back to the initial screen of the app. Does anybody have a clue of what is possibly going wrong? (I've tried other apps such as stickmount, ntfs mounter and none of them worked.

Thanks.

# Answer
> 0 votes
In paragon mount, try changing the mount point when you tap mount. Just make a new folder in the root of your storage space.

---
Tags: usb-drivers
---


title: Galaxy S3 won't turn on

text:
# Question
Title: Galaxy S3 won't turn on
I have a Galaxy S3 and if my screen won't turn on but it vibrates when I press the power button does that mean I have a dead screen? Or is there someway that I can fix it? I've tried it over and over and over again but it won't do anything but vibrate when turning on. The first few times the LED light would turn on but now that won't even work. I even tried the rebooting process and the screen still won't turn on. Anytime I plug it in to a USB or charger it just vibrates 4 times.

# Answer
Usually when this happens to me, my battery is dead and has really zero power to even turn on. Give it some time in the charger.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Hold `Power` and `V-` for 10+ seconds.
Release.
Press the `Power` and `Home` buttons for several seconds, you should see a Samsung Logo, entering your device into recovery mode.

If you can get to this point, the Display is function properly.

If issues persist, plug in the device and let it charge completely, and then remove the batter, giving it time to discharge completely.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung
---


# Question
Title: My Gmail is signed in through the app on ex-boyfriend's phone
I had my email signed in on the Gmail app on my boyfriend's phone who is now on the other side of the country. I've asked him a couple times to disconnect it but recently checked out Google Play and there's a bunch of new apps connected to my account. (I don't have a smart phone.) Is there a way to disconnect it remotely without access to his phone?

Second, I've recently been flooded with spam mail, which is unusual for me. Could this be because of that connection?

# Answer
Go to:

https://accounts.google.com/b/0/EditPasswd

and change your password, then go to:

https://security.google.com/settings/security/permissions

and revoke access to everything.
> 100 votes

# Answer
If Android Device Manager was enabled, and you HATE your ex, you can Lock and/or Erase that phone. Refer to the official guide for more details.

* **Lock.** Lock your device with a new password.
* **Erase.** Permanently delete all of your data.

Of course, as others suggested, changing your password is sufficient.
> 34 votes

# Answer
Login to Gmail on a browser. At the end of the page, in the bottom right-hand corner, you have a small hyperlink to see the sessions where your account is being used called "Details". Click that link, and then click on the "Sign Out" for all the sessions. Voila! All of your logged in sessions (except the current browser login) will be logged out.
> 33 votes

# Answer
I also recommend going to the account security activity : https://security.google.com/settings/security/activity
It will show you when and where your account is used.
For example : if you boyfriend is loggued on some other device
> 8 votes

# Answer
Change your password. That will log out everywhere else and prevent people installing apps on your account.
> 2 votes

# Answer
You could just change your Google password? That way when his phone does the regular check, authentication will fail and the phone will effectively be cut off from your account.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: security, google-account
---


# Question
Title: Nexus 7 refuses to pair with in car audio?
I have a Nexus 7 running Android 4.4 and an in car stereo unit (Alpine CDE-178BT). I have enabled bluetooth on both devices but they refuse to pair with each other.

If I attempt to initiate the pairing using the Nexus 7, it starts connecting, I am prompted to allow the device to pair on the Alpine unit, but upon allowing the pairing to take place on the Alpine unit, the device drops into the "paired" list on the Nexus 7 but doesn't connect. Subsequent attempts to connect by tapping on the car stereo in the bluetooth paired devices list on the Nexus 7 resumes in a momentary attempt to connect and then the entry resetting back to its "paired but not doing anything" state.

If I attempt to initiate the pairing using the Alpine CDE-178BT, after making the Nexus 7 temporarily visible and searching for bluetooth devices using the Alpine unit, I see an entry for the Nexus 7 but any attempt to pair with it just results in a generic "Failed" message on the car stereo.

The car stereo works fine for connecting to an iPhone/iPad/other iOS device and older (pre version 4) Android devices, it is just Android devices running a more recent version of Android that it experiences issues with.

What steps can I take to attempt to resolve this issue?

# Answer
I dont know which nexus 7 Gen you are using, but IMO there must be an incompatibility between the tablet's and car's bluetooth technology.
> -1 votes

---
Tags: nexus-7, 4.4-kitkat, bluetooth-audio
---


title: Sony Xperia Ray Superuser?

text:
# Question
Title: Sony Xperia Ray Superuser?
I have managed to unlock the bootloader and flash the phone with a custom ROM (3.0) I can now disable the many app's I don't want but I can't delete them...How do I go about getting access/permissions to do so?

# Answer
> 0 votes
If your device is rooted now you may use titanium backup. It has freeze feature beside uninstall system apps (freeze is similar with uninstall but it is reversable)

---
Tags: bloatware, system-apps
---


title: Remotely controlling Windows 8 apps

text:
# Question
Title: Remotely controlling Windows 8 apps
I am looking for a way to control my Windows 8 machine from my Android device.

I have seen there are some server/clients around, but I'm not sure if they fit my needs. To be clear: I am not looking to session into my RDP, I want to remote control some of my Windows 8 apps.

# Answer
> 2 votes
Unified remote has worked very well for me in the past.

Website

Android app

# Answer
> 0 votes
Have you tried TeamViewer? You can use it to control all OS.

---
Tags: windows, remote-control
---


# Question
Title: How can I monitor bandwidth capacity over time?
I know that I can use some applications such as Speedtest to check my current bandwidth capacity. However, I would like to monitor bandwidth capacity over time as I would like to assess the quality of the wifi connection around me throughout the day. Is there anyway to do so on Android?

I use Samsung Galaxy S3 with Android 4.1.2 and Nexus 7 with Android 4.4.2.

# Answer
> 2 votes
That's a pre-destined case for apps like OpenSignal, which are designed for mapping signals around you. Network Signal Info offers it as well. Both tools can be used to get a coverage map for WiFi and mobile signal, and also offer you to log signal strength.

---
Tags: wi-fi, bandwidth
---


# Question
Title: How can I fix this Heimdall Control transfer failed (result -9) for flashing a recovery?
I am getting a "WARNING: Control transfer #1 failed. Result: -9" problem that looks like it might be causing a failure for heimdall to flash a recovery to my Samsung Galaxy S Duos GT-S7562 phone.

I am running Ubuntu 13.04 (raring ringtail) and Heimdall v1.4 RC1.

I have the phone unplugged and off. Then I turn it on to "download mode" and then press the up key to accept the download mode option. Then I plug it into the usb cable to the computer. Then I run the heimdall detect program and find that the device is detected. Then I run the following to install the custom recovery.

I obtained the "recovery.img" file from a "recovery.tar" file that I got from a root kit zip file.

Is there a way to get around this error? What does "-9" mean as an error code?

```
~$ sudo heimdall flash --RECOVERY /tmp/recovery.img --verbose
\ Heimdall v1.4 RC1

Copyright (c) 2010-2012, Benjamin Dobell, Glass Echidna
http://www.glassechidna.com.au/

This software is provided free of charge. Copying and redistribution is encouraged.

If you appreciate this software and you would like to support future development please consider donating:
http://www.glassechidna.com.au/donate/

Initialising connection...
Detecting device...
      Manufacturer: "Sasmsung"
           Product: "MSM7x27"

            length: 18
      device class: 2
               S/N: 0
           VID:PID: 04E8:685D
         bcdDevice: 0100
   iMan:iProd:iSer: 1:2:0
          nb confs: 1

interface[0].altsetting[0]: num endpoints = 1
   Class.SubClass.Protocol: 02.02.01
       endpoint[0].address: 82
           max packet size: 0010
          polling interval: 09

interface[1].altsetting[0]: num endpoints = 2
   Class.SubClass.Protocol: 0A.00.00
       endpoint[0].address: 81
           max packet size: 0200
          polling interval: 00
       endpoint[1].address: 01
           max packet size: 0200
          polling interval: 00
Claiming interface...
Setting up interface...

Checking if protocol is initialised...
Protocol is not initialised.
Initialising protocol...
WARNING: Control transfer #1 failed. Result: -9
WARNING: Control transfer #2 failed. Result: -9
WARNING: Control transfer #3 failed. Result: -9
WARNING: Control transfer #4 failed. Result: -9
WARNING: Control transfer #5 failed. Result: -9
WARNING: Control transfer #6 failed. Result: -9
ERROR: Failed to send data: "ODIN"
Releasing device interface...

```

# Answer
> 1 votes
Second update (success):

One or more of the following ended up solving my problem (I tried all at once instead of trying each sequentially, sorry!):

* Connect the **usb cable** directly to computer, not through a hub.
* Use the Heimdall command line option "**--RECOVERY**" (instead of "--recovery").
* Use the **newer Heimdall**1.4 final.

Thanks to Evan Carroll for the info borrowed from other questions!

---
Tags: rom-flashing, samsung-galaxy-s-duos, heimdall
---


# Question
Title: why my Gyroscope/accelerometer work only in portrait mode?
I have a Galaxy S Advance Gt I1970, running under Android 4.1.2 (official update). the problem is when i try to play games that require the phone sensors, for example Angry Birds Go or Frisbee Forever, the player always go to the left, but then i tried "Ridiculous Fishing" which is also a game that require sensors and it works perfectly but this game doesn't rotate the phone to the landscape mode, then i tried an application called "accelerometer test" and the result was as expected, i can control the ball when am holding the phone in portrait position bust when it's in landscape, everything is missed up. Any advice please ?

thank you

# Answer
Fixed by downgrading to "Ginger Bread", re-calibrate horizontal accelerometer and then re-update to Jelly Bean
> 0 votes

# Answer
Your device's interface will rotate whether the app you are using was designed to (e.g. Modern combat, Dead Trigger, Browsers, etc) , apps that were not to intended to change between portrait or landscape won't rotate the interface of your device (e.g RealCalc, instagram, etc).
> 0 votes

---
Tags: sensors, samsung-galaxy-s-advance
---


# Question
Title: Grabbing a part of the screen as an image
I am reading a pdf file and I need to select a specific area in the file and paste it into my note in Papyrus. How to grab a specific area in a pdf file? Pdf reader iannotate does not allow me to do that. Is there a customizable screenshot command or some other app? This is w.r.t. Samsung Note 10.1.

# Answer
Check out Screenshot Ultimate.

What I would do is enable the Folder Listener trigger, and make sure the settings points to the correct screenshot folder. After this is enabled, I'd take a screenshot normally. Then, the app will ask me what to do with it. I'd click Edit, and Crop it.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: applications, pdf, screenshots
---


title: Samsung note 3 keyboard shortcuts

text:
# Question
Title: Samsung note 3 keyboard shortcuts
Any keyboard shortcuts comparable to their windows counterparts on the note 3? Ex. Copy and paste ctrl-c and ctrl-p. Looking for a alternate way despite pressing and holding a field of text.

Any assistance appreciated.

# Answer
There is keyboard app in the Google Play Store called Swype which has many handy shortcuts - such as copy, paste, select all, etc. The shortcuts involve swiping certain keys. When I use Swype I find these shortcuts to be incredibly efficient and helpful.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: keyboard, samsung-galaxy-note-3, keyboard-shortcuts
---


# Question
Title: Hardware backed Credentials Storage on Galaxy Nexus
First, I hope I choose the right stackexchange for that question.

Android 4.3 introduces a "Hardware-backed" Credential Storage. If I go to Settings-\>Security under the "Credentials-Storage" Header there is a (non-clickable) option "Storage-Type" which is set to "only Software". How to set it to "Hardware-Backed"?

I already removed/reseted the credentials storage and tried it with different LockScreen-Options (Pin, Password, Pattern), but I can't get that option to change to "Hardware-Backed". Isn't the Galaxy Nexus capable of enabling it?

# Answer
> 6 votes
The "Hardware Backed Credential Storage" aka "Android Key Store" is only hardware backed when the hardware on the device has the necessary hardware components in it. When there isn't the necessary hardware available it falls back to software storage.

> Android also now supports hardware-backed storage for your KeyChain credentials, providing more security by making the keys unavailable for extraction. That is, once keys are in a hardware-backed key store (Secure Element, TPM, or TrustZone), they can be used for cryptographic operations but the private key material cannot be exported. Even the OS kernel cannot access this key material. **While not all Android-powered devices support storage on hardware**, you can check at runtime if hardware-backed storage is available

From Android 4.3 APIs - hardware credential storage. My emphasis.

> Finally, there is an API and even a system settings field that lets you check whether the credential store is hardware-backed (Nexus 4, Nexus 7) or software only (Galaxy Nexus)

From Credential storage enhancements in Android 4.3

This a new feature and so it's likely that only newer, higher end devices have the hardware in them. According to that, the Galaxy Nexus doesn't have the necessary hardware. The Nexus 4 does have full hardware support for this;

> As you may now *(sic),* the Nexus 4 is based on Qualcomm's Snapdragon S4 Pro APQ8064 SoC. Like most recent ARM SoC's it is TrustZone-enabled and Qualcomm implement their Secure Execution Environment (QSEE) on top of it.

From Credential storage enhancements in Android 4.3

The ARM TrustZone technology is analogous to the TPM hardware used on Intel x86 PC compatible hardware to provide a hardware secure credential storage area. And just like TPM when it was first introduced is taking a while to trickle into all new phones.

> So, in the case of the Nexus 4, the 'hardware' is simply the ARM SoC. Are other implementations possible? Theoretically, a hardware-backed keymaster implementation does not need to be based on TrustZone. Any dedicated device that can generate and store keys securely can be used, the usual suspects being embedded secure elements (SE) and TPMs. However, there are no mainstream Android devices with dedicated TPMs and recent flagship devices have began shipping without embedded SEs

From Credential storage enhancements in Android 4.3

So, no, the Galaxy Nexus is not capable of enabling hardware backed credential storage, because it doesn't have the necessary hardware in it.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Actually the Galaxy Nexus has had a hardware-backed credential storage since 4.1. It just isn't enabled in production builds.

Read this for details: http://nelenkov.blogspot.com/2012/07/jelly-bean-hardware-backed-credential.html

As this is not officially supported it might take some work to get it running on recent Android versions. The reason the driver is not used is that the driver has a power usage bug which cannot be fixed without updating the baseband. So use with caution. Cf. this commit message:

https://android.googlesource.com/device/samsung/tuna/+/b74801dc22bb4945ddf79b2e12e6328a862d68c3

---
Tags: security, hardware, storage, operating-system
---


# Question
Title: How the name of a song can be displayed when listening to local FM channel in MyRadio?
In MyRadio app, when I listen to local FM channel the name of the song playing is displayed near the channel name. How do they do it? Does the broadcaster do some effort to display it?

# Answer
The broadcast channel is surely using **Radio Data System** (RDS), also called **Radio Broadcast Data System** (RBDS) in the United States. It is now common practice (at least in my country) to transmit informations like Channel's name, programme's name or song's name with this system.

Your app simply receives and *parses* these data to display it, like a compatible radio set or car's radio would do.
> 2 votes

# Answer
One imagines they have built in something like Shazam; an app which fingerprints audio then looks it up in a database (http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023\_3-57617885-93/more-countries-can-shazam-songs-and-listen-on-rdio). I doubt the broadcaster has anything to do with it.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: apk
---


# Question
Title: How to disable battery full notification sound?
When battery has been charged full, my Galaxy S phone gives the same notification sound that is used when I receive SMS. Is there a way to disable the sound without also disabling sound from SMS? It usually charge the phone during night and wake up easily to the "Battery fully charged. Unplug charger" notification sound :(

# Answer
> 27 votes
From what I can find, there is no way to turn it off:

no solution in the samsung galaxy s forum

no solution in the vodafone forum

Tasker can't suppress it

However, one commenter notes

```
Some custom ROMs rebuild the framework and rip the notification out entirely.
Check out the XDA forums if you'd like to try that stuff.
Typically requires root and a good working knowledge of how to use
Clockwork Recovery, Odin, etc... not for the faint of heart.

```

# Answer
> 17 votes
1. Set the global notifications to silent.
2. Set the notification on messaging to any ringtone (not default).
3. Repeat (2) for any other app you want notifications for.

You'll still have a tone when you 1st plug the phone in to the charger, but no tone when it's fully charged. Of course, this isn't a perfect solution since you need to manually set every other app, and presumably some won't have individual notification settings.

# Answer
> 9 votes
I stumbled upon this question because I want to recharge my phone at night next to my bed. Therefore, I do not want it to wake me, but setting the phone to silent does not solve it, as I want to be reachable for emergency calls.

My solution (which isn't strictly a correct answer to the question, but might solve the problem for most people) was using the app "Night Ringer Free", which enables me to enter a whitelist for calls/sms, however, all other sounds are silenced.

# Answer
> 5 votes
From the XDA Developers Forum, I have implemented this solution successfully on my Samsung Galaxy S Epic 4G (with GingerBread.EI22 and also GingerBread.EL30), which has eliminated the "Battery fully charged. Unplug charger" notifications from my phone. The solution offers the following three features:

1. Stops the vibration.
2. Silences the sound.
3. Prevents the screen from turning on in the middle of the night.

Best of all, you may choose to implement any (or ALL) of the three features above. Good Luck!

# Answer
> 3 votes
Try Sound Manager. Schedule volumes of types of sounds with it (6 categories). Switch off notification (Battery full, e-mail notification etc.) volume from 12 to 7 while leaving untouched ring and media volumes and you're all set. Works on my brandnew Samsung Galaxy s2.

Slept well last night without a disturbance! I used to swich to buzz only before going to sleep and to remember to switch it back to ring in the morning.

Sleep well!

# Answer
> 3 votes
Since updating my SGS from 2.2 to 2.3, I no longer get the charged notification sound, so I'm assuming they fixed the issue.

# Answer
> 3 votes
You could use:

* '**GravityBox**' Xposed module (available separately for Lollipop, Kitkat and Jelly Bean) that has an option for exactly that (Under `Power tweaks -> Battery Charge sound tick`).
* Or an even more dedicated module Disable Battery Full Alert module.

For information on how to install 'xposed' modules, view a similar stack exchange post.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I have a Samsung Charge, and was able to disable the annoying "Battery Full" notification by using Tasker. As others have stated, the Tasker solution I used is not specific to disabling only the BatteryFull notification when reached, but it *does* limit the amount of time notifications are disabled and when. What I did with Tasker:

1. Contexts-Power, Time between 11p-6a, Battery between 99-100% ...Task - disable notification
2. Contexts - Power, Time between 11p-6a, Battery Full ... Task - enable notification.

This should limit the amount of time notifications are disabled to only a few minutes, since it only takes that long to charge the battery from 99 to 100%.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I found something in these forums that involves rooting your phone to accomplish this task. Keep in mind this is specifically for the Droid Charge. However, you may be able to apply it your phone. The basic principle involves rooting your phone and changing some system sound files with Root Explorer. There was another answer that involved rooting your phone and installing a custom ROM, but I would wager that this is possible without the custom ROM. Installing the custom ROM is the much more difficult step in my opinion (although I've personally done it).

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s, notifications, battery, audio
---


title: Corrupt album art

text:
# Question
Title: Corrupt album art
One of my albums has a corrupt album art and I can do nothing to fix it. The cover is stored as a file named folder.jpg in the audio files' folder. The picture looks fine when I open it with any picture viewer on my computer. But on my Android device it looks like a plain gray box with only a small part of the upper-left corner showing the actual picture.

I've deleted this picture and replaced it with a higher res one I found on the Internet (totally different source). The album art is still corrupt. I've deleted the album (audio + jpg files), rebooted the device, and copied it back. The album art is still corrupt. I've deleted any embedded album art in the MP3 files' tags using foobar2000 and MP3Tag. The album art is still corrupt. I've cleared the data of the "Media storage" app and rebooted the device. The album art is still corrupt. I don't know what I still can do.

The audio playing apps I've been using include Winamp, Songbird, Google Play Music and Shuttle Music Player. Each of them showed the corrupt album art the same way.

I'm using Android ICS on an HTC One V.

# Answer
The problem might not be with your album art, but with your mp3 file. You can try replacing the current album art if any, using a software like Windows Media Player ("WMP") through your computer. All you have to do is to locate the mp3 from your WMP, right click on the current album art and paste a picture. (More info)

Also you can make your stock music app to update music data as well. More info is available on HTC support website.

Then you can paste the audio file using a different name and a in different location. This might do the trick. Or you can use another apps to update your album info.
> 2 votes

# Answer
I had a similar problem, the solution was to use a file explorer to remove the cached image from:

```
/Android/data/com.android.providers.media/albumthumbs/

```
> 2 votes

---
Tags: music-player, id3-tag, album-art
---


title: 22MB backup on new nexus 5 - too small?

text:
# Question
Title: 22MB backup on new nexus 5 - too small?
Trying for the first time to root my device, using a Nexus 5 that I just got yesterday.

I'm naturally trying to back things up before doing anything that can wipe memory, but the size of the .ab files that backup programs (Nexus Root Toolkit, Holo Backup etc.) produce without root access are around the ~22MB area.

I've googled around and the consensus seems to be that it's far too small - BUT, I've only just got the device, and thrown a handful of apps (Twitter, 8SMS, etc.) onto it, no music or anything. Has this backup been performed correctly?

Also - when unlocking the bootloader and rooting the device, do I need to put the stock ROM back onto it, or does it remain there naturally?

Apologies if that last part was a bit oblivious but the places I've looked haven't been exactly clear, seeing as most of them go for custom ROMs.

Thank you in advance!

# Answer
ADB backup archives are a "all or nothing" solution when it comes to restore – which is what the "unsafe warning" is about. Considering your circumstances, here are a few points to consider:

* do one "full backup" excluding your system apps cannot hurt, so you could restore that as-is. Note, hoever, that this most likely also excludes data of system apps, which might include APNs, contacts, calendars, etc.
* use e.g. Helium Backup (no root required) to create ADB compatible backups of all your apps separately, so you can restore them separately. This can of course also be done on the command line (specifying the package names), but this app makes it much more comfortable.
* Create a full ADB backup nevertheless, including everything (except `-shared`, as data from your (internal) SDCard can be copied on file-level using any file manager). Though you probably might not wish to directly restore it, you might still have use for it

Considering you're after rooting in the first place, here's the background for my recommendations:

* If you succeed rooting your device, and have no side effects, all the above backups just gave you a "good feeling", and you have no current need for them. But hey, it didn't hurt; could well be one of the following things happened:
* If you succeeded rooting, but had to factory-reset the device due to some side-effects, you could either use *Helium* (or `adb restore`) to restore selected apps from their separate archives, or use `adb restore` to restore all of your user-space-apps in one run. But you could also use Titanium Backup to extract selected apps/data from the complete backup, and also restore some system data that way.
* If rooting failed, and you have to factory-reset your device, you at least can restore your user-space-apps and their data from that archive, or chose to only restore selected apps as described above.

As for the size of 22 MB: That could be fine, or could be too small – depending on what apps you've installed, and how much data they have; there are no absolutes for "user-apps-only" backups (except of course for 0 byte files when you have at least 1 app installed).
> 2 votes

---
Tags: adb, backup, 4.4-kitkat, nexus-5
---


title: Backup paid app from Google Play

text:
# Question
Title: Backup paid app from Google Play
How can I backup an app I bought from Google Play so that I can install it on my phone later?

I tried to copy `/mnt/asec/[appId]-1/pkg.apk` but it doesn't work.

Can someone help?

# Answer
You don't need to back up apps bought on Google Play to install later. So long as the device has your Google account registered on it, you can download and install it from Google Play at any time.
> 2 votes

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Tags: applications, backup
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title: SD card is damaged

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# Question
Title: SD card is damaged
I have a 2gb sd card and from yesterday whenever I was putting my Android 4.0.4 phone on standby it was showing a notification that Sd card is removed unexpectedly and after a few seconds sd card inserted. and now its showing that your sd card is damaged and asking if to format it or not. please suggest something.

# Answer
I think formatting is your last resort. SD cards do have a limited life, and only can perform so many read/writes before they give up the ghost.

Try to backup your SD card on your PC if you can. You could use an SD card reader.

Try your SD on another phone and see if it works. If it does, you know something with your phone is not right. Use this opportunity to back up the SD!

Try a different SD on your phone and see how that works.

Lastly, you could format the SD card and see if that helps, but you will permanently lose all data on it. If your ROM has an `sd-ext` partition, your OS will not boot. (Unlikely in this specific case, but worth noting for others.)
> 3 votes

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Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich
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title: Setup Tor server on my Android

text:
# Question
Title: Setup Tor server on my Android
How do I setup a Tor server on my Android tablet?

I can install the Orbot client, but how do I contribute to the tor network?

I have my tablet on a WiFi the most of the day so it would be nice to contribute to the bandwidh of the Tor network.

# Answer
Select the Settings button () on the top-right corner. In the Settings screen, scroll down to the "Relays" section and tick the box next to "Relaying - Enable your device to be a non-exit relay". The relay will listen to port 9001 by default, but you can adjust that by changing the relay port.
> 4 votes

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Tags: security, tor
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# Question
Title: How to reply to an ics invitiation without using googlemail
I'm using the htc mail widget/app with an email account other than googlemail.com.
When an .ics invitation is attached to an email I can import the event into the phone's calendar but apparently I cannot confirm or reject the appointment.
Is there e.g. an app that you can recommend to send such repsonses - and maybe even display the list of participants (minor issue)?

# Answer
It looks like this is a known issue. I'm using K9 mail and, while I would swear I've replied to meeting invites in the past,but I just tried sending my non-gmail IMAP self an invite from my google calendar and I get an ICS attachment and K9 Mail complains that it is "Unable to find a viewer for application/ics"

It looks like there are a couple of apps in the market that will handle this, though. Take a look at iscer and ICS Bot -- I haven't tried either but both profess do to do what you need.
> 2 votes

# Answer
Try Invitation Processor Free.
> -2 votes

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Tags: email, calendar
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# Question
Title: Unlock Motorola Droid Razr Maxx (Verizon)
I have a Motorola Droid Razr Maxx on Verizon in the US. I want to take it to Straight Talk, a MVNO that uses Verizon's network. I bought the Straight Talk SIM card, but I get an error that the phone needs to be unlocked.

How can I unlock the phone to use it with another provider (same CDMA network type)?

# Answer
Provided you bought the correct SIM card (StraightTalk provides its service using all 4 major US mobile networks - ATT, TMO, Verizon and Sprint)

from How to Convert Verizon Wireless Phones to Straight Talk:

> Contact Verizon Wireless. Verify your account information and explain to the representative that you would like to unlock your phone for use with another service. Pay your outstanding balance due and the early termination fee, if applicable. Obtain an unlock code from the representative.
> 1 votes

# Answer
If this is the new Droid Maxx (2013 model, MOTXT1080M), then it is already unlocked out of the box. Just pop your Sim card in and it will work. Just be aware that the data will be HSPA+ and not LTE.
> 0 votes

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Tags: sim-unlocking, motorola-droid-razr, verizon
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# Question
Title: Does Google Nexus 7 LTE has the integrated Portable Wi-Fi hotspot?
The unlocked Google Nexus phones famously have the **Portable Wi-Fi hotspot** feature integrated right within the phone, and available for anyone's use, per my understanding, regardless of carrier support.

What about the tablets? Would the 2013 Nexus 7 LTE tablet have a similar feature, similarly not being tied up to any carrier?

# Answer
> 3 votes
Disclaimer: I do not own a Nexus. So the answer does come from internet sources (XDA).

As per this thread these are some of the responses from the owners which indicates that the **Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot** settings is indeed present in the settings.

1. *The option for hotspot tether is there both before and after the system update.*
2. *Nexus 7 FHD LTE with T-Mobile sim has Tethering & Hotspot available but not with newly activated AT&T data plan sim. The Tethering feature disappeared in setting. When I re-insert T-Mobile sim that comes with the tablet, the mobile hotspot is available again in the settings.*

So, it is safe to assume, only if your carrier allows tethering or you have a tethering plan the option will appear in the settings menu.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I have a brand new Google Nexus 7 (2013) LTE tablet, bought directly at a computer shop (no carrier-related) and I can confirm, that it comes with *Tethering & Hotspot* option available by the default.

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Tags: nexus-7, wifi-hotspot
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