# Question
Title: Should apps take up any internal storage when installed to SD?
I'm running very low on interal phone memory storage - I'm down to 5 MB of the 180 MB available. I understand that not all apps can be installed into SD card, and those will instead use up my internal storage. Luckily, those are rare.

However, I recently installed an app that is listed as being installed *on the SD card,* not internal storage. Even so, after installing it I'm now getting the "low on space" warning. The app takes up 16 MB, and I seem to remember I had a bit over 20 MB internal storage space before... So judging from the space, it looks like it's still taking up space on internal storage.

So my question: **Should an app that's installed onto SD card take up any internal storage?**

What could be causing this? Does the market store the installation files somewhere in internal cache or something as weird? Why on earth do I need to worry about apps consuming space, when I have gigabytes of free space for them on my SD card?

*My device is GT-S5570 running 2.2.1.*

# Answer
> 8 votes
An app consists of dex files, apk files, data files and libraries. When you install apps in SD card, not all of the parts of the apps are kept in SD card. Some of them remains in internal Storage.

However if you have a rooted phone, you can use program like link2sd to move all the pieces of app to SD card.

**EDIT:**

You can use program like app2sd to easily see what program can be moved to SD card. You can manually move shown apps or ignore some of them.

If you go to Settings -\> Applications -\> Manage Applications, the size shown there is the size its taking in the internal storage. This is just my guess based on the calculations performed by noting the free space on internal storage, moving some apps to SD card and subtracting only the reduced space of the apps.

I'm sorry I didn't mention you need second partition for link2sd to work. But if you had given hint in your question that you were willing to root, I'd have talked in more depth about it. Also your main question was whether apps moved to SD card should take internal storage or not. It wasn't about link2sd, the term just came while answering. Anyways, beside second partition you are recommended class 6 SD card. I've written a blog post about using link2sd here, you might find it useful.

# Answer
> 4 votes
You could use the DiskUsage app to see how much space the dalvik cache takes up. My understanding is the cache doesn't move when the app moves to SD. Combining that size with the data size should give a good idea as to how much will remain on the internal memory.

# Answer
> 1 votes
There is no standard size on what gets left on internal memory and what goes to the SD card, however your problem might not be related to what you have downloaded, it might be due to your caches - most of which are on the internal memory.

Have you done anything to clear these out / limit them thereby freeing up space on your internal memory. If you have Astro or Android Assistant these have built in programmes to assist in this (free), or you could get a purpose built app to clear the caches. Alternatively from home page go into Menu - Settings - Applications - Manage Applications. Wait for them all to load. Go to the All tab and then press menu - Sort by Size. Go through them one by one checking cache size and clearing out where necessary - also useful for giving you an idea of whether there might be an app you really don't use and hence want to remove.

# Answer
> 1 votes
A little lateral thinking works for me. I too have limited space on my phone, and certain apps I like to have access to but only use occasionally. I use the Androzip app to back-up those onto the sd card and then delete them off the main phone memory completely. I then quickly re-install the relevant apk file when I need to. Works well.

---
Tags: applications, sd-card, internal-storage
---


# Question
Title: Plug physical keyboard to Samsung Galaxy SII
> **Possible Duplicates:**
> External hardware keyboards
>
> Can I connect an Android phone to an external monitor, keyboard and mouse?
>
> Bluetooth keyboard with Android?

Is there a way to plug a physical keyboard to my Samsung Galaxy SII? Ideally they would connect via Bluetooth.

I wonder if it is possible at all to do some advance text editing, something like programming on the phone, and I clearly feel that the virtual keyboard is a bit limited.

# Answer
> 0 votes
There are free apps that enable Bluetooth connectivity of keyboards like BlueKeyboard JP, Bluetooth Keyboard Easyconnect. There is also a paid app Bluetooth (Null) Keyboard. Try one of these for connecting your keyboard with your phone.

---
Tags: keyboard, samsung-galaxy-s-2
---


# Question
Title: Can't install from market: INSTALL_FAILED_DEXOPT
I have an LG Optimus V with CyanogenMod 7.1. I cannot install/upgrade anything from the Market. I keep getting "Package File Invalid". I think it may have something to do with s2e, though I only have apps and download cache moved to SD-ext.

I tried to install an app from the Market, and it gave me "Package File Invalid". I then ran `adb pull downloadfile.apk` to get the downloaded apk. Running `adb install downloadfile.apk` gave me:

```
Failure [INSTALL_FAILED_DEXOPT]

```

How can I fix this, so I can install apps?

EDIT: Could this be due to not having enough space for my new apps' dalvik cache? I tried to use s2e to copy the dalvik cache to sd-ext, but it's not working. It says "reboot required", and after I reboot, it still says that; I don't think it copied the files at all.

# Answer
> 2 votes
When I rooted my G1 and was using Cyanogen and we had a similar error we didn't need to reflash the rom, but just the gapps package - try reflashing that. Or other wise on AndroidPolice they have the latest market apk file which you could download and trash flashing that and seeing if that will install over the current market.

If that still doesn't work consider reflashing the ROM and GAPPS package again, but make sure you wipe before flashing. I always found that doing a wipe before each flash made for far fewer issues and errors.

Case in point is my wife is using my G1 running Cyanogen's 2.2 version of Android and has been up and running for the last 6 months and we haven't had any crashes or errors yet on it, and I made sure to do a wipe and clean install when loading it.

---
Tags: google-play-store, cyanogenmod, lg-optimus-one
---


# Question
Title: Unable to use Market because of my own mistake
Yesterday I rooted my Phone(Samsung Galaxy Ace), because I wanted to remove stock application Talk and Gmail. But I did something stupid, I went to /system/app and issued the following commands

```
rm *Google*
rm *Mail*
rm *Gmail*
rm *mail*

```

Now I am unable to use the market application, it opens and then just closes itself. I have tried factory reset and it didn't help either. I am stuck because of this blunder. Please help. Thanks

# Answer
> 5 votes
Since you haven't mentioned, I assume you don't have nandroid backup.

> A NANROID backup is basically a backup of your Android operating system from the phone’s NAND memory, saved to the storage card.

If you had that, you could have just restored the backup.

Now the alternative is, if you know the programs that were deleted by the performed command you could try getting the apk files and adding them in /system/app and rebooting the phone.

I thing the best and easy way now would be to get the stock ROM for your phone and flash it.

# Answer
> 3 votes
Please note that the Market requires Talk to run, and you have to be signed into Talk for the market to work. This is your main issue. You will need to add them back via nandroid if you have it, otherwise you will have to reflash your rom.

You need to be really careful about which stock apps you remove as a lot of them are interdependent on one another. Check on XDA and Cyanogen sites for lists of which stock apps you can and can't remove.

---
Tags: google-play-store, root-access
---


# Question
Title: Does disabling mobile data revert from 3G to 2G?
When I disable mobile data in Android 2.2, the 3G symbol disappears. Does this revert my phone's signal to 2G? I don't want to lose my signal when I go to the subway, but I don't want to all my apps consume all my monthly bandwidth.

# Answer
> 4 votes
No. This completely disables all data access. Only calls/messages can be used.

EDIT: You might try looking into something called JuiceDefender. The free version will disable your data access when your screen turns off. Good for both battery saving and data-usage saving!

---
Tags: 2.2-froyo, internet, 3g, 2g
---


# Question
Title: Is it possible to update CyanogenMod from within CyanogenMod?
Is there a way to update CyanogenMod from within CyanogenMod without going though the whole flashing process? I'm looking a for one press update button.

# Answer
> 4 votes
Depending on the version of CyanogenMod ROM you have currently installed, this can be easy or impossible.

If you already have CM7, and simply want to try out the nightly builds, ROM Manager and ROM Manager Premium unlock automate the entire process. With a single button tap, it can download the latest version of the ROM, reboot to Recovery, take a backup of the current system, flash the new version, and reboot back.

If you are on an older version of CM (4/5/6) this cannot be done in one click, because of the drastic differences between the ROMs. A full wipe of the device will be required, which means all of your settings and downloaded apps will be deleted, and will need to be re-installed manually (or in batch via Titanium Backup or AppBrain.)

---
Tags: htc-desire, cyanogenmod, updates
---


title: Spotify/pandora timer

text:
# Question
Title: Spotify/pandora timer
Is there an app that is preferrably free that will shut off (not just mute the phone as I don't want Pandora sucking bandwitdh all night) that will shut off Pandora or spotify after a certain amount of time?

# Answer
Not free, but you probably can use Taskerto do this. I use Pocket Casts to listen to podcasts, and have a Tasker profile set up:

3 Contexts: Shake left-right; app Pocket Cast running; Not Docked Car

2 Tasks: Notify (turn LED on, title "Sleep"); Wait 12 minutes, then Pause *Simulate Media Button*, then Notify Cancel title "Sleep"

Net effect is that I can shake the phone left then right, and Pocket Cast will behave as if the Pause button on a headset were pushed 12 minutes later. I used the notification LED so I could tell whether Sleep had been activated when the screen is off.

I'm guessing Pandora would observe the headphone pause function; if it does, this profile should work for you.
> 3 votes

# Answer
Yes tasker is the key but I prefer llama because its free and its awesome. Actually its location based profile app but it can be used for your condition.

There is a condition called "time between", add that condition and choose "kill application" for its action. Add your desired time and application
> 0 votes

---
Tags: applications, samsung-galaxy-s, music, pandora
---


title: Apps download but do not install

text:
# Question
Title: Apps download but do not install
I'm using a two-week old HTC Sensation. A number of times now, I've tried to download apps (this is happening on multiple apps, not just one) and although they download, they never install. I can see the download happening and getting to 100% in the status dropdown, but it never continues on to install. I don't get any error messages; it just never goes any further.

This happens regardless of whether I download the app from the Market on the phone, market.android.com on my computer, or the Amazon app market.

Android version 2.3.3.

Any ideas?

# Answer
> 4 votes
I also had similar problem on HTC Desire and I've made a blog post about its solution in here.

Basically you have to open "Manage Applications", and clear cache of "Market" and "Download Manager"

---
Tags: applications, installation
---


# Question
Title: How to Ignore the Icons in Camera Album?
> **Possible Duplicate:**
> Unwanted folders showing up in Gallery. Can they be removed?

My Album contains Camera Pics and the icons of other applications. Those icons are there in my SD Card. I took back up of other applications using some Backup applications tool. It stores the icons also. I had to delete them manually to separate the icons and my camera pics.

Is there any way to exclude the icons and include only Camera pics in Album ?

# Answer
> 3 votes
The way to get the Gallery and the Music apps to ignore folders on your phone is to create an empty file in the folder called "`.nomedia`".

The easiest way to create that file is to plug your phone into a PC, explore the phone until you can find the folder that has your unwanted icons in it.

Then if you open Windows Notepad, click **File** -\> **Save As**, navigate your way to the folder on the phone and then make sure that Notepad's **Save As Type** box says **All Files (\*.\*)** and does *not* say "Text Documents (\*.txt)" you can now type `.nomedia` (note the full stop/period at the start of the file name) and click **Save**.

If you've done it right the file should *not* have a Notepad icon in in Explorer, it should just have a default plain white, rectangular icon. Now safely remove the drive, unplug your phone and (after your phone's done a media scan) the icons should disappear from the gallery.

---
Tags: 2.1-eclair, photos, thumbnails
---


# Question
Title: How to Securely Delete Data from Phone and Card
I'm planning on selling my current Android (2.2) device and was wondering what is the best way to remove all of my data from the phone and memory card. Will a factory reset do it? What about formatting the card?

# Answer
> 1 votes
**Erasing your phone internal memory**

I have not tried it but using Android fastboot or an recovery ROM it should be possible to overwrite each partition on your device. Fastboot also supports an *erase* command - I assume that this erase can not be considered a secure erase.

Therefore a secure way would be to overwrite to the two partitions *userdata* and *cache* (and may be others depending on your device). The image used for overwriting should be as large as the partition.

**Erasing the SD-Card**

SD-cards can easily be "undelete" using a card reader and a common PC. Therefore it is strongly recommended to wipe it.

Best way would be to use an **SD-Card reader on your PC** and then use a tool like **WipeDisk**.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Make sure you back up any data you'll want from both the phone and the card beforehand.

A factory reset will clear all user modifications to the stock software (installed apps, files, etc), leaving a clean device. For the card, go to Settings - SD & Phone Storage (or some similar menu), and select "Unmount" and then "Format SD Card" or "Erase SD Card". This will erase all data from the card.

# Answer
> 0 votes
For the internal storage of the phone you can only do a "Factory reset", this will leave your phone with the default factory configuration with no apps installed or any configuration. It's not a "safe method" of deleting the content, but you can't have access to the physical internal storage so this is all you can do.

For the SD card, as @Robert said, the best option is to extract it from the phone and put on a Card reader in your PC and use some "safe erase" software. The one @Robert mentioned, WipeDisk, is free and reasonably good, so it’s a good option.

---
Tags: factory-reset, delete
---


# Question
Title: How can I log the start and stop connection with known WI-FI networks
At the end of a week , I would like to see a log for **each connection with a (known) WI-FI network** I made with my Galaxy phone.

I automatically connect to different networks.

It would be nice to see the **time of start/end connection** for those networks I am connected to. This would give me an indication for hours spend at each place.

Anyone knows if this is possible ?

# Answer
I will answer my own question until someone else shows me another application.

I have found the following one in the market : **Wifi Monitor**.

Time will tell whether it really does what it promises.

Still, if anyone has got some other software which does this, please let me know !

**UPDATE**

After trying this app for a week now, I can confirm that it works. When I enter/leave buildings with a known WiFi connection, the start and end of the connections are logged. This gives me an easy although crude way of hour-logging.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: wi-fi, logging
---


# Question
Title: Is cm7's stable 7.0.3 market limited with apps?
For some reason, the apps available on the marketplace for my nook is extremely limited. Am I doing something wrong? I have very few apps, and I only have 2 things to select. Top paid and Top Free, both with very few apps.

I think I have the old marketplace installed, though, I downloaded the latest gapps.

# Answer
> 1 votes
As noted in the comments, this appears to be the answer:

> The reason is because of pixel density. changing it from 161 to 160 works. – diesel

This is discussed on the CyanogenMod forums here (along with many other threads). It also appears that newer versions of CyanogenMod automatically set the pixel density to 160 for you. Your ROM's density value should be in the `/system/build.prop` file (look for an entry about "LCD density". It can be modified manually or with one of several apps.

# Answer
> -1 votes
It should be because google market thinks the apps are not supported by your device. You can go to Online Android Market and try installing the app that is not displayed. It should say that your device(Nook) is not supported for that app.

---
Tags: applications, google-play-store
---


# Question
Title: Some apps not supported on Samsung Galaxy Player
I've never really used an Android device before about a week ago so I'm not terribly familiar with how this all works, but I've noticed that there are a couple of apps that I am not able to download on my Samsung Galaxy player, but my friends who have Android phones are able to. Any ideas on why this might be or how I could work around it. An example is Go Launcher Ex.

# Answer
> 2 votes
Developers can choose to target specific devices or not. Presumably these apps are either limited to devices that are known to work, or have blacklisted the Galaxy Player due to incompatibility.

Another option is that some apps might be available only while connected to a cell network or a particular cell network. There are some AT&T apps that are only available to those on AT&T, for example, and I imagine this might be more broadly the case.

Here are some workarounds:

1. Get the app via another (legitimate) means, possibly the developer's site or another app market.
2. Use an app like MarketEnabler (requires root) to fake a different network.
3. Edit your `/system/build.prop` file to report your device as a different device. Only edit the device name and versions and so on, not other settings, or your device may stop working! You should be able to Google the various fields for other devices and see what to use if you want to mimic one.

Note that doing 2 or 3 in order to circumvent distribution controls may not be legal in your region. The onus is on you to ensure you are acting legally. I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice. Etc.

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-player
---


# Question
Title: Rationalising the utility of swap in Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830
I am trying to get my hands on the average read/write speed(s) of the RAM bundled on the said phone. Just wondering how this faces off with a Class 10 micro SD. I was thinking if the Class rating was high enough, maybe using swap might be a good idea.

Q1.) Is there a Class rating that is performing almost onpar with the RAM random access timing? Q2.) Is my theoretical basis invalid?

Thank you!

# Answer
According to this discussion on MoDaCo, the RAM throughput of an Acer Liquid is 1.3 GB/s. Even if the Ace's RAM is slower (unlikely) it's got to be way faster than the Class 10 SD card speed (10 MB/s write).

So yes, your theoretical basis is invalid given that Class 10 is the highest rating. Even UHS-II cards with a "theoretical" max speed of over 300 MB/s are slow compared to RAM, and few phones support SDXC cards anyways.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: settings
---


title: Restrict market updates to WiFi network

text:
# Question
Title: Restrict market updates to WiFi network
In order to save some volume on my data plan, I'd like to limit updates from the market to the times when I'm connected to a WiFi. And as every good geek, I want this to be automated, in other words, if I am connected to a WiFi network, check and install updates from the market (for those apps that I allow to automatically update). Is there a way of doing this?

I'm running Android 2.2 on an HTC Desire. If it helps, I have Tasker installed.

Update: I don't want to change the autosync settings.

Update II: I'm not rooted and am looking for a "stock" solution.

# Answer
The new version of the Market app allows you to limit updates to Wi-Fi only, among some other new features, like defaulting all apps to auto-update (if the app supports it).

Android Police has a write-up. (They also have the apk you can download if you don't want to wait.)
> 3 votes

# Answer
This will only work if you're rooted, but DroidWall is a really good front end for Android's iptables. You can filter access to data based on WiFi and 3G to just about anything in your phone (including the Market) that could request it.
> 4 votes

---
Tags: google-play-store, wi-fi, application-autoupdate
---


# Question
Title: Are users always asked to accept application permissions?
Does the Android OS always ask a user to review an application's permissions if it is not downloaded from the Android marketplace directly? For instance, downloading an application from a non-Google Android marketplace or directly from a website or computer. I could not find any information about this If so, please provide a documented occurrence or source.

# Answer
No, or at least not in a way that can't be automated away. Titanium Backup can install apps without the user seeing this prompt, for example. It may require root to do this.

Without root, only the system can access the areas needed to install apps. So barring any bugs, apps can only be installed by the system and the system will show the permissions if the Market has not already. I don't have documentation of this, but the source code is freely available :P

**Edit:** Eldarerathis points out the AOSP security page, which indicates that the permissions dialog will be presented on app install, although `adb install` does not require this (presumably because you have physical access to the device in that case). This is also confirmed by another official resource that sbaskin89 found.
> 4 votes

---
Tags: permissions, side-loading
---


# Question
Title: How much internal memory after updating HTC Desire to official Gingerbread?
I'm very tempted to upgrade my Desire to official 2.3.3, but I was wondering if I'd lose internal memory in doing this. I didn't find any info on the Internet, so I would like to ask that to someone that actually upgraded how much free internal memory there is after the process.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I found a user reporting 123 MB of free internal memory after the upgrade, vs 134 MB on a stock FroYo, so you lose 11 MB when upgrading, although it seems that applications take up less space and app2sd is more efficient. I'd like to hear more stories though.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I am surprised that there isn't more to find on this subject.. I was going to do a factory reset, so I thought I might as well update. After the update I installed almost all the apps that I had before, and instead of 15Mb free (that I used to have), I now have 75Mb free :p

# Answer
> 0 votes
Gingerbread is totally buggy about free space.

I've even used A2SD, and moved that Dalvic Cache to ext partition OK. I got an extra 80MB, but that amount is decreasing each day. I am sad a bit about this.

I would recommend that you root your devices and go back to Froyo. I need to use an application which needs android 2.3 and on Froyo I would not able to install it.

I am sad because I like my HTC Desire. I don't consider it to be so old that it should be replaced by a new device.

What can we do? :-)

---
Tags: htc-desire, 2.3-gingerbread, updates, internal-storage, ram
---


title: Albums are split by artist

text:
# Question
Title: Albums are split by artist
When I had 2.2 on my Desire, the album view of the stock music player would show each of the albums on the device. Now I've upgraded to 2.3 (CM7), albums which have tracks by more than one artist appear multiple times in the list, once for each artist. I'm using the same SD card with the same files -- what do I need to do (preferably to the app, not the files) to have them appear in a similar way to the way they looked under 2.2?

# Answer
It looks like the easiest way to fix this is to add `albumartist` tags to each album.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: music-player
---


# Question
Title: Is there a widget that allows for speed dialing?
Is there a widget that would allow me to have, for instance, 9-10 names so I can call them quickly? Maybe 10 icons associated with 10 names/numbers?

# Answer
In android you can create a shortcut to do that:

1. Long press on home screen, a menu will pop up with title "Add to Home";
2. From there choose "shortcut" -\> "Person";
3. Choose the person you want and then select the default action like call or message. For you it will be call.

You'll see the icon of that person on the home screen upon pressing which will make the call to that person.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: calls, app-widgets, sony-ericsson-xperia-x10
---


# Question
Title: I have multiple Google accounts on my phone. How can I delete some of them?
I have an annoying problem with this Samsung Epic 4G touch. I set up a new Gmail account, which I use for Google Talk and the Android Market. However, I logged in to YouTube under two usernames at various points. I am not logged in and when I click Market it defaults to one of the YouTube accounts instead of my Gmail account. Under accounts, it shows all three. How do I delete the two YouTube accounts? I don't want them to access the Market and it does every time even though I no longer log into YouTube.

# Answer
From the Home screen `Menu | Accounts & sync` should list all of your accounts on the device. Tap the account you want and then tap the "Remove Account" button.
> 3 votes

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


title: How to lock Samsung Galaxy S2?

text:
# Question
Title: How to lock Samsung Galaxy S2?
My Samsung Galaxy S2 locks after some time I don't touch the screen.

How could I lock it immediately, without waiting for this time to pass?

# Answer
On my original SGS you do it by just clicking the power button. I would assume it's the same for the SGS2.
> 6 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-2, lock-screens
---


# Question
Title: Is it possible to record a video as avi or mp4?
I've recently bought a Motorola Milestone 2 (Froyo) and I see that when I record a video it produces a .3gp file.
Is there a way to have it produce an avi or mp4 instead? Would I have to root the phone?

# Answer
Root won't be necessary, the Android API allows Apps to set the output file format to .mp4. So you just need to find an App that makes use of it.

**But,** as with most video file extensions, `.avi` and `.mp4` are just container formats. Therefore the actually used video codec, that is responsible for the quality of the video, isn't changed by changing the container format. The Android API itself recommends to use `.3gp` as container format for better compatibility.

> Using an MPEG-4 container format may confuse some desktop players.

Source

I'm not aware of an Android video recording app that actually saves the video with H.264/AVC compression. I think that this is because of the royalty fee one has to pay to use the codec.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: motorola-milestone, video-recording
---


# Question
Title: Updates for Google Search, and Street View for Google Maps, listed but not able to be downloaded/installed
I have an LG ally that's just about a year old now, running 2.2.2. When I go to Market -\> My Apps, there are two apps listed as "Not Installed" I'm having trouble with:

(I have no interest in updating Facebook for Android, I luckily have an old, working version and I'm sticking with it.)

When I click on Google Search to download / install the update, the only button available is "Open"; there is no "Install" button.

With Street View on Google Maps, there simply aren't any buttons at all!

If I didn't already install whatever these updates are, I'd like to install them. If I did already install them, I want them out of the "Not Installed" queue. How do I figure out which is the case? Is this a problem with my phone, or with the apps?

# Answer
I've had the same problem with the new Market app a couple times now, the only solution I've found is to clear the Market data in `Settings -> Applications -> Manage applications -> Market -> Clear data` (and `Clear cache` if it isn't already 0.00B). Now after you reopen Market, it should show the correct updates.
> 6 votes

# Answer
They are the apps that comes with most of the phones. They must be installed in /system/app partition. You can't uninstall them without root. That's why no "uninstall" button.

The street view works with Google Maps, you can't open it directly. That's why no "open" button.

I don't have answer for why your system apps are not being able to update.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: updates, lg-vs740
---


title: How can I turn off the 3G connection?

text:
# Question
Title: How can I turn off the 3G connection?
I'd like to be able to turn the 3G connection on and off without navigating the "Settings -\> Wireless and networks -\> Mobile Networks" menus each time.

Is there a widget (or some other way) of turning 3G on and off from the home screen or the "Dashboard"?

# Answer
> 2 votes
Instead of widget use apps like data switch. Unlike widget this app doesn't consume resource when idle. There are tons of other apps/widget if you don't like this one or this one doesn't work for you. For eg:

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.aispl.mdsswitch

https://market.android.com/details?id=ru.chernish2

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.m039.tools

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.myreallife.mobiledata

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.datalinkswitch

# Answer
> 4 votes
I use the Power Control Widget. Allows you to toggle Data, wifi and various other settings from your home screen.

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-tab, networking, app-widgets, 3g, 3.1-honeycomb
---


# Question
Title: Phone using mobile data instead of Wi-Fi
I installed Cyanogenmod on my HTC Desire about a month ago and have just received my first mobile bill. Before installing Cyanogenmod, I'd use maybe 200-300MB per month, because most places (home/work) I spend time have Wi-Fi that I can use. I have scheduled downloads of podcasts over Wi-Fi, configured to only use Wi-Fi (BeyondPod)... although I found that this setting had been unset when I changed from having 2 accounts on the phone (one Google Apps and one not) to just having 1 (Google Apps)... so I guess the preferences had been saved under the account I removed.

Have had just received my first bill since I changed to Cyanogenmod and I've apparently used 4GB of data! That's going to cost me over $100 extra, so I'm not best pleased.

Some points/thoughts/questions...

* I have Wi-Fi and mobile data enabled all the time.
* Podcast downloads were scheduled for 4am so, even with the "only use Wi-Fi" option disabled, it should have downloaded over Wi-Fi at that time as I spend nearly every night at home and therefore on Wi-Fi
* Sometimes when I unlock the phone, I see the mobile data symbol on screen briefly as well as the Wi-Fi one.
* Is there a setting somewhere that is turning off Wi-Fi when the phone is locked?
* Is there a way I can prevent the phone from using mobile data when it's connected to Wi-Fi... and how do I make sure it's connected to Wi-Fi as much as possible?
* Anyone got any tips/tricks to share for this scenario?

# Answer
Go into the Wi-Fi settings, press Menu, choose Advanced. You should get options including Wi-Fi Sleep Policy. Sounds like its set to turn off Wi-Fi when the screen is off.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: htc-desire, cyanogenmod
---


title: Can I unroot my phone

text:
# Question
Title: Can I unroot my phone
My GPS is broken, and I want to replace it or have it repaired. Is there a way to unroot a samsung galaxy s 4G t-mobile back to the factory conditions?

# Answer
> 6 votes
As sparx said, depending on how you rooted, you can "unroot" with an app if you only rooted your device and did nothing else.

If you modified android, by say, removing some bloatware, or flashed another rom on your device, then you will need to use something like Kies, ODIN or Heimdall to flash back the stock ROM.

Flashing back the stock ROM can replace all traces of any software modification that you have done to the device. This can include the OS, boot, and kernel.

I have never used Kies so I can't speak about how good that works. Kies is the "official" update tool for the devices.

I have used ODIN in the past. It is a samsung product, but it is basically a leaked software that is used internally.

Heimdall is an open source alternative to ODIN that works on other platforms besides windows. It uses the same protocols that ODIN uses.

If you do go any of the "flashing stock" routes, try to search for someone giving instructions exactly how to do it. The community is very large, and someone has already done it. If you look, you can find their step by step instructions that you can follow.

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s, unrooting
---


title: Very light overlay-ish home screen

text:
# Question
Title: Very light overlay-ish home screen
Is there a homescreen that will basically pop up when I hit home, and I can go right back to what I was doing with the return softkey? It can require root, as I have that.

# Answer
I actually found TaskXP for MultiTasking which someone recommended. It's just what I wanted. It shows my recent apps and any apps that I pin, in an overlay that I can quickly hit back from.
> 1 votes

# Answer
You could just press your home key to go to your home screen - do what you need to there, even open another app. Then just long-press the home key again to pop up the list of recently used apps and select the original app you were in to return to where you were.

Should work.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 2.3-gingerbread, home-screen
---


# Question
Title: Can't start clockwork recovery image lately
"Lately" (like in the last few months), I'm unable to start the Clockwork Mod recovery image on my Nexus S with Oxygen 2.2.1. When I select "boot to recovery mode" (or want to start a ROM backup) in ROM Manager Premium, it reboots and I see the Android icon. The very first line is red and reads:

**FASTBOOT MODE - NO BOOT OR RECOVERY IMG**

I've (supposedly…) reinstalled the recovery image multiple times and ROM Manager tells me, that I'm on the latest version already (5.0.2.0).

Well…

How do I install the Clockwork Mod recovery image? My phone is rooted, if that's important.

Thanks, Alexander

# Answer
> 4 votes
Try flashing the Recovery image manually via fastboot, as described in this guide:

> 1. Download the latest version of the ClockworkMod Recovery from here.
> 2. Place the ClockworkMod Recovery Image in the same folder as fastboot (the /tools folder with the Android SDK folder).
> 3. Power the Nexus S down, and hold Volume Up & the Power button until booted into the bootloader. You should see a white screen with three skating androids.
> 4. Connect the Nexus S to the computer via USB. On the computer, open terminal and run: `fastboot flash recovery recovery-clockwork-5.0.2.0-crespo.img`
>
> The ClockworkMod Recovery should now be installed on the Nexus S.

---
Tags: samsung-nexus-s, clockworkmod-recovery, recovery-mode, rom-manager
---


# Question
Title: Google Calendar on Android opens to old date by default
When I open Google Calendar on my Android phone, it starts up showing October 1 2011. The phone knows the current date; pressing menu and then the today button goes to the correct day. I'd just like it to default to today like it did before 10/1. Any ideas?

This is Calendar 2.3.6, Android 2.3.6 GKR39F, on a Nexus s.

This forum thread seems to describe the same problem, but it's unresolved.

# Answer
> 0 votes
looks like this is a bug caused by agenda view and multi-day calendar entries. if you have one that includes the current day, calendar opens to the first day of that entry. fortunately, i think the bug is fixed upstream: http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=21605

simplest workaround is to delete the multi-day entry. :/

---
Tags: google-calendar
---


# Question
Title: How can I wake up my Nexus One using trackball?
I have Nexus One and the power button stopped working. It's a known issue but I'm not in USA and I can't get it fixed since I got it from there. Is there any way that I could wake it up without using the power button and without rooting the phone?

# Answer
I don't know what ROM you have, but if you're using a Cyanogen based you can tweak that in the Cyanogen specific settings.
> 2 votes

# Answer
You can try using AnyUnlock from the android market. it is free and lets you set any button be the button to turn the device on. It has been tested exclusively for the Nexus One.

Actually, I read further in the description, the trackball can no longer be used as of gingerbread.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: nexus-one, power-on, trackball
---


# Question
Title: why can't I scroll Wikipedia pages horizontally?
I have found that Wikipedia pages with image content larger than my Droid X's screen size cannot be resized or scrolled horizontally, this means that these pictures are only partially visible. obviously this is very frustrating.

I have already tried different browsers (Dolphin, Boat) and have also tried different User Agents (iPhone, iPad, and even Desktop) with no effect.

I should also note that I have the exact same problem when viewing Facebook photos in the Browser.

The only thing that **sometimes** works is rotating the aspect ratio to landscape, and then only if the horizontal size of the photo is less than ~850px. horizontal scrolling and zooming is still disabled.

Strangely - googling this problem returns *no* results! so maybe I'm the only one with this problem???

somehow, I doubt it tho.

does anyone have a solution? or even an explanation?

# Answer
This is probably because you are viewing Wikipedia's mobile site.

On the bottom of every page there should be a link to "View this page on regular Wikipedia." Tap it, and after the page refreshes you should be able to resize/scroll it normally. If you like, you can also tap the "Permanently disable mobile site" link to prevent being redirected to the limited mobile version of Wikipedia.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: browser
---


title: Odin. Unplugged target while flashing

text:
# Question
Title: Odin. Unplugged target while flashing
I assumed something was wrong because I waited about 20 minutes and the process hadn't completed, nor did it look like anything was active. Apparently, something was and now my Samsung Epic Touch 4G will not boot into either odin mode or cwm. The only thing I get is the blue power indicator, which will blink once after a couple seconds and then go steady again.

Have I bricked my phone or is there something I can do? Thanks!

# Answer
> 3 votes
Most often the phone simply recognizes that the flash needs to be completed, and refuses to enter most modes until it is. So, first check and see if Odin will see the phone regardless of what's on the screen. Otherwise:

Remove the battery, then re-insert and try to get into Download Mode again. If that fails, then remove the battery and, while holding the key combo for Download Mode, re-insert the battery.

If that fails, plug into USB and try both of the above.

If that fails, try all 4 of the above with different key combinations. The most common that might trigger something:

1. Home + VolDown + Power
2. Home + VolUp + Power
3. VolDown + VolUp + Power
4. VolDown + Power
5. VolUp + Power

---
Tags: odin, samsung-galaxy-s-2
---


title: How can I fix notification vibration?

text:
# Question
Title: How can I fix notification vibration?
When I receive calls and alarms go off, the phone vibrates. However it won't vibrate for any notifications.

Changing the vibrate setting from vibrate always or vibrate only when in silent mode has no effect.

Does anyone know what can cause this and how to fix it? Is there a separate hidden setting for notification vibrations?

For what it is worth I'm running a HTC Magic with a custom 2.3-Gingerbread ROM installed. This definitely used to work. Not sure what I did to break it though.

---

Update: I've got it working again by playing with the settings.

Under Settings-\>Sound settings-\>Volume 'Use incoming call volume for notifications' was ticked.

When I un-ticked this setting the notification vibration began to work again. This seems really strange to me and if anyone could help me understand what is going on it would be much appreciated.

---

Update 2: Installed an app called AudioManager. It has separate vibrate checkboxes for alerts and ringer. Using this helped too. Not 100% but it seems to indicate separate settings that are not exposed through the regular settings interface.

# Answer
> 3 votes
Install an app called AudioManager. It has separate vibrate checkboxes for alerts and ringer. Setting the checkbox for alerts fixed the issue for me.

# Answer
> 1 votes
You can have app-specific notification settings. Have you gone into the settings of the offending apps to see whether they're set to vibrate on notifications?

---
Tags: notifications, 2.3-gingerbread, vibration
---


# Question
Title: Book library management solutions, that allows adding titles with a upc reader?
What would be a good easy way to catalog my physical book library with a UPC reader on android? Would you have suggestions for a simple individual library management solutions?

# Answer
Have a look at this application Book Catalogue
> 4 votes

# Answer
Goodreads has an app for this that works with their website, which includes book reviews and recommendations as well.

You can sort books by shelves, which can correspond to physical shelves if you choose (e.g. living room, bedroom, lent out to a friend).
> 2 votes

---
Tags: applications, barcode
---


# Question
Title: Every time I plug in my phone via USB it automatically mounts the SD card (Xperia Arc version)
I have almost this question:

Every time I plug in my phone via USB it automatically mounts the SD card

> I have a Motorla Droid running CM6 (essentially Android 2.2). I'm connecting to Windows 7 machines via USB. Every time I plug in my phone via USB it automatically mounts the SD card as external storage.

Except I have a Xperia Arc with version 2.3.4, and have neither Winamp or DoubleTwist installed (given as culprits in the other question).

This behaviour started when I updated to 2.3.4 (I don't know exactly what version I had before).

How can I stop it?

Edit: I've no "Connect to PC" section in the settings, nor can I find this setting in other sections such as "Storage"

# Answer
> 5 votes
Go to `Settings->Sony Ericsson->Connectivity` and un-check `Auto connect in MSC`.

---
Tags: 2.3-gingerbread, sd-card, sony-xperia-arc
---


# Question
Title: How can I turn off Facebook IM permanently?
Since I got a new google phone (G2) the facebook app has been running constantly. I turn it off and it still is running for some reason. Not a problem except that it always looks like I'm screwing around on Facebook and people send me IMs like "go to bed" or "hello? you aren't replying" etc. I don't like that people can just IM me any time they want and that my phone says I'm available on Facebook when I'm asleep or at work or whatever the case may be. (it looks like I'm unproductive)

There doesn't seem to be a way to turn off Facebook IM from my mobile device. Does anyone have any suggestions

# Answer
> 8 votes
The newest version of the Facebook app does not include chat. You can uninstall or disable the Facebook Messenger application to keep IM from running.

---

In the older official Facebook for Android app, you can shut off chat via the following:

1. Start up Facebook
2. Make sure you're in the main menu (press Back if it shows the news feed)
3. Click "Chat"
4. Press the Menu button and hit "Go Offline"

# Answer
> 2 votes
If you have the FB messenger app installed on your Droid, go to the apps and open Messenger (FB blue app next to Messaging). Press the menu button (the 4 small squares on front of Droid) and you should see the option to Log Out on the right. Be careful, once you log out there it says Continue. If you continue, it just logs you back in. So, just leave it at that and go back to the App and Continue when you do want to be logged into FB chat.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Unfortunately, I have noticed that you actually can't do this as well as it's supposed to work.

The **only** solution I have found is to uninstall the app. I know that many providers and manufacturers include Facebook as a "system app". I don't know why they have, but it means it's stuck there until you root or whatever.

You can logout of the Facebook app and either use m.facebook.com in a web browser or download an alternative like FriendCaster for Android. (I do not work for them, look for another if you don't like them).

Joe :)

---
Tags: facebook, instant-messaging
---


# Question
Title: How can I backup all of my data to a PC without rooting?
I am an ex-Nokia user and used to backup the data with their PC Suite which is great and can backup everything easily and is a free application.

How do I do the same with HTC Incredible S?

\[ *I do not plan to get rooted.* \]

# Answer
> 2 votes
You can back up your sd card to a PC by mounting it from the PC or over the network with a number of different syncing tools. This will not backup each application's state unless they specifically have exported configuration to the sd card. This *will* include all your pictures.

You cannot back up application state (to a PC) without root. See the other "possible duplicates" and "related" questions for how and why this is.

There is supposedly a backup API built into android (developer guide) but I have yet to see that actually be used, or see any reports by others of it working.

---
Tags: backup, htc-incredible-s
---


title: Battery usage problem in Android 2.3.6

text:
# Question
Title: Battery usage problem in Android 2.3.6
Since the update to Gingerbread the battery of my phone has the half duration than with the 2.3.4 version.

The "Battery Usage" in settings don't show anything abnormal.

Anybody have the same problem? What can I do?

Edit: My device is an HTC - Nexus One

# Answer
> 1 votes
Check native email app. Sometimes it starts running and never stops, eating the battery to the end. I don't know how to solve it, so I keep checking and killing it when it starts to behave like this.

# Answer
> 1 votes
You can download & install the app BetterBatteryStats from XDA:

> BetterBatteryStats - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1179809

from the app you can see the partial wakelocks and whats the program that use most of them. After using this program and found the app that causes the battery drain, you can uninstall and then re install it or freeze it.

# Answer
> -1 votes
Install some Task Killer (I use Advanced Task Killer), change its settings to see low level/system processes too and see the loads of processes running in background. Terminate the unnecessary ones, if required.

---
Tags: 2.3-gingerbread, battery, battery-life
---


title: Any voice recorder app for Nexus S?

text:
# Question
Title: Any voice recorder app for Nexus S?
> **Possible Duplicate:**
> Is there a way to easily record a phone conversation in-progress?

I've seen Android call recording apps, but they don't support call recording on Nexus S.

Anyone know of an app that will work on the Nexus S? Thanks

# Answer
> 1 votes
"Working call Recorder" works on any android device, outgoing calls only.

It works by calling an intermediately calling service, which calls your other party with your caller-id. The recording is then emailed to your email box. The recording is in high-quality, as it is done on the telephony level, and not through the mic. The application only works for US and Canada.

Disclosure: I am the developer of this application.

---
Tags: samsung-nexus-s, call-recording
---


title: How can I make a 3G-324M video call?

text:
# Question
Title: How can I make a 3G-324M video call?
I tried to place a 3G-324M video call to my Incredible, but the other phone says that mine doesn't support it.

On the web I found someone mentioned that Incredibles do not support video calls in 3G at all. Others mention that this is possible with Skype.

**The question is** \- can I make my phone use 3G video calls without using a mobile Internet (as I think Skype is using Internet rather than native 3G video calls, thus I am paying for mobile Internet with Skype calls and not per rate specified per minute for 3G itself).

Or is Skype the only available option?

# Answer
As of now I don't know of any Android phone capable of establishing 3G-324M Video calls. Android have some parts of 3G-324M implemented in the communications stack, but is far from being complete.

All the android phones that can make “video calls” use Internet.

Given the fact that carriers charge an “extra” for a video call using 3G-324M and that any internet traffic is probably included in your data plan, Android will probably continue to go the way of internet video calls, not 3G-324M.
> 3 votes

# Answer
Vanilla Android does not support Video calls via 3G-324M. But the Galaxy S, Galaxy S2 and maybe other seem to support it (via TouchWiz). At least I have a video call button in the default Galaxy S dialer, that does 3G Video calls.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: 3g, htc-incredible-s, video-calling
---


# Question
Title: How do I remove duplicate contacts from Google+?
I have a problem with my contacts in conjunction with google+. Like most, I had already a lot of people in my contactlist, which is synced with the contacts in google mail. With google-plus, I have added a lot of people to circles. Those people from Google+ are now all individual entries in my contacts, but only on the phone.

After deletion I recognized, that all people are also removed from my circles.

So how to add people to circles, without having them appear as duplicate contacts?

**EDIT:** Thanks anyone, yes, some of you are right - it seems that those people are put in an extra list "Other contacts" (also visible in the web interface). You have to uncheck this group in the settings \> displaysettings. Can someone of those people put this in an answer, so I can accept it, thanks :)

# Answer
> 3 votes
When you Circle someone in Google+, it also adds them in the "Other Contacts" in Google Contacts.

Simply de-select "Other Contacts" in the Contacts app to remove these contacts from your view.

When multiple show up (in Google's New Contact vies), deselect the person's old contact info from ANY circle. That way Google doesn't "hang on" to them, they get integrated into your existing contact for that person.

# Answer
> 2 votes
The best solution I've found is to *join* contacts:

1. Select the duplicate contact
2. Edit the contact
3. Access the menu for the *edit contact* page, and select the *Join* action. You can then select the contact you want to merge with.

---
Tags: contacts, google-plus
---


# Question
Title: Is the Google Nexus S capable of reading the exFAT file format?
If I backup, reformat the internal memory "disk" of my Google Nexus One (running Android 2.3.4) into the exFAT format (for storage of file sizes over 4GB) and restore the contents, will it spasm and die or will it go on as if nothing had changed?

# Answer
> 1 votes
No.

As reported and commented on by various users, there is no exFAT support built in to Android, so the Nexus S will not read the disk.

---
Tags: internal-storage, samsung-nexus-s
---


# Question
Title: HTC Sensation sent screenshot to Google+ Instant Upload?
I got a notification on Google+ this morning showing a screenshot of my HTC Sensation's home screen.

I checked my phone, and in the 'Camera Shots' album, there is the same picture.

I never actioned a screenshot to be taken, and didn't know my phone even took screenshots!

Why and how has this happened?

# Answer
> 3 votes
A lot of the recent HTC phones can take screenshots if you press `Lock` and `Home` at the same time, that may be what you're doing by accident.

As previously stated, the Google+ app by default backs up your pictures to a (private) online album for easier sharing. This can be turned off entirely, or configured to only sync on wifi (to save your data allowance) and give you a chance to delete unwanted pictures before they're uploaded.

# Answer
> 0 votes
You obviously took a screenshot by accident. Since you also have Google+ installed, all pictures that are saved on a special place (in this case the 'Camera Shots' album) are automatically uploaded to your Google+ album, but not published.

You can turn off auto upload of pictures in the settings from the Google+ App.

---
Tags: screenshots, google-plus, htc-sensation
---


# Question
Title: How to upgrade Samsung I5800 Galaxy 3 to Android 2.2?
I have a Samsung I5800 Galaxy 3 with original Android firmware and an official Windows 7 Pro/64-bit machine and a Samsung USB cable that I got with the phone.

I read that Android 2.2 was already out for this phone from Jan-Apr this year, so I thought it would be a very wise thing to upgrade it! OK. Because it looks like Kies can't upgrade the phone, this is "funny".

Here is what I have on the phone:

> Android 2.1-update1

Here is the Kies version on the machine:

> 2.0.3.11082\_152 (up-to-date)

Here is the message from Kies that it cannot update the phone:

>

I tried to reboot the Windows 7 machine, Kies has a troubleshooting part, and I tried it.

**How can I update it officially to a fresher version of Android?** What else is there?

# Answer
You could uninstall Kies and the drivers completely, and then install the UK version of Kies from here. (Make sure to select the UK as your location during install). This should allow you to perform the update, although it might not give you the language you want. This worked for me to get Froyo on my Vibrant before it was released in the US. Alternatively you could try another European country that has had an official update released.

You could also try flashing the latest European firmware via Odin. XDA has a guide on this (see the UPGRADING section). This is risky if you don't follow the instructions closely and will void your warranty just like rooting, but I've used Odin dozens of times on my Vibrant with no issues.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: samsung, updates
---


# Question
Title: Sudden crashes and drops in battery charge
Recently I've experienced random and sudden crashes on my Galaxy S2. There is no warning or shutdown message. Suddenly it's just powered off. What could cause this? Is there any way to see what was going on just before the crash?

I've also noticed odd drops in battery charge in the screenshot below.

I'm running the official Android 2.3.5 ROM from Samsung.

.

# Answer
You might need to reset the battery stats anyways. Drain the phone entirely -- when it shuts off, turn it on again until it shuts off again and repeat until it won't turn on. Then wipe the stats and charge to 100% with the phone off (leave it plugged in for an hour or so after it appears to be fully charged). Turn it on, drain it again, and charge to 100% while off again without wiping the stats this time.

Of course, if you're not rooted you can't wipe the stats, but the drain/recharge cycles should help regardless by providing fresh stats.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-2, battery, crashes
---


title: Using Odin to flash a custom rom

text:
# Question
Title: Using Odin to flash a custom rom
Nearly bricked my Samsung Epic Touch 4G. Managed to boot into Odin Mode with a USB jig. I'm back where I started now and need to re-evaluate what to do next.

The phone is rooted, won't see the SD Card or Internal anything. My only option is using Odin to get a custom ROM back on there. Can someone point me to a step by step? My last attempt at this led me to having to work with the USB jig to get another crack at it.

Thanks!

# Answer
> 2 votes
You'll want to Odin a stock (or nearly stock) ROM after a softbrick. This guide on XDA looks pretty good and includes a pre-rooted but largely stock ROM that should work for you. If step 4 fails, disconnect and reconnect your phone to the PC; if it still fails, reboot the phone and try again.

---
Tags: custom-roms, rom-flashing, odin, samsung-galaxy-s-2
---


# Question
Title: How do I troubleshoot the updgrade process of  my ASUS Transformer to 3.2.1?
I just got a new ASUS Eee Transformer TF101. (Ironically on the day the Prime is officially released/announced. Oh well).

It came with Android 3.1 per the Settings page. I tried Settings: About tablet: System Update and am told there are no updates available.

I read that 3.2 is available on these devices. (I know 4.0/ICS is still a future thing).

How do I get to 3.2 on this device? No obvious downloads on Asustek web page.

I am on my WiFi at home, checking mail, downloading apps, etc.

So how do I troubleshoot why the Over The Air upgrade did not show an available update, when there has been one available since early 2011 (many moons ago).

I am logged in to my Google Account. (I have my Gmail, Google Voice, and Youtube accounts all connecting ok).

What else can I check or look at, to understand why the OTA upgrade is not being made available.

# Answer
> 1 votes
For a manual approach, I found a download link for the Firmware off the Asus site.

I think my mistake earlier was in the download pages OS selector I looked at WinXP, Win7, never considered (or noticed) that Android was an OS option.

Then you download and unzip the 250 meg file.

Then you copy it to an SD card, with ASUS as the folder at the root.

Pop it into the Tranformer, and you get a notification that it is preparing the SD card, and then that there is a Software Update available.

At that point, you are at the same basic functionality as the Over The Air upgrade path. Make sure you are plugged in (or do not run out of power).

However, this is a workaround, as opposed to fixing the core issue, of why the OTA upgrade was not available.

---
Tags: updates, 3.1-honeycomb, asus-eee-pad-transformer, 3.2-honeycomb
---


title: What info does Google backup?

text:
# Question
Title: What info does Google backup?
Does anyone know what exactly does Google backup (and restore) when you enable that option?

Also, are we able to see this list somewhere? (Maybe hidden n-levels deep in Google Account information?)

Reason I ask is I've had the unfortunate experience of my SD Card dying on me, put in a temporary SD Card and allowed Google to do the auto-restore.

Some things that were restored:

* Saved wireless networks
* Background
* Some apps - strangely enough only a subset of my apps were restored (some with data, some without). All previous apps were installed via Android Market.

Then finally got my new SD Card, put that in and the following were restored

* Saved wireless networks
* Some apps - again, same problem... only a subset (different subset, even fewer apps). This time no data seemed to have been restored either.

I think it would be very helpful to be able to view/manage a list of what is backed up, and thus would be restored (but I have yet to find this list... if it even exists).

# Answer
For Honeycomb (Android 3.0+) devices, the official Android 3.0 (aka Honeycomb) user's guide says:

*Page 13*

> **Backing up and restoring your data**
>
> ...
>
> Many kinds of data are backed up, including:
>
> * Your Android settings, such as your Wi-Fi networks and passwords, user dictionary, and so on
> * Many Google application settings, such as your Browser bookmarks
> * The apps you download from Android Market
>
> Some third-party apps also make use of the backup service, so if you reinstall one, its settings and data are restored.

*Page 132*

> **Back up my data** Check to back up some of your personal data to Google servers, with your Google Account. If you replace your tablet, you can restore the data you’ve backed up, the first time you sign in with your Google Account. If you check this option, a wide variety of your personal data is backed up, including your Wi-Fi passwords, Browser bookmarks, a list of the applications you’ve installed from Market, the words you’ve added to the user dictionary used by the onscreen keyboard, and most of the settings that you configure with the Settings application. Some third-party applications may also take advantage of this feature, so you can restore your data if you reinstall an application.

As for your list of apps, you can easily see which ones are linked to your Market account by going to https://market.android.com/mylibrary
> 3 votes

# Answer
Nothing on your sdcard is backed up, unless you have app that syncs data between your sdcard and a "cloud service", like picasa for example which saves images on the sdcard and does "back up" to the picasa service.

Your apps are backed up, I don't know if the data is, but it could be as that would make sense to be something that is backed up. The reason you could see only a subset of apps restored could be issues with not being able to download them all at the point of restore. I have had that happen when I would flash a new ROM after a clean wipe and some apps did not automatically come back.

It also does back up settings like wireless network settings, again, you opt in to back up the data so if it has to be restored, it can be, and this would be something that, i would think, should be backed up.

There is no official (or unofficial) list, that I know of, of what is backed up. If turning on a feature to "back up your device" so it can be restored if needed, you should assume that it is going to back up all settings and app data. But it will not restore any information that is saved on the sdcard.

As eldarerathis mentioned, swapping sdcards should not cause a "device restore" from the "backup service", nor should your network settings or backgrounds or anything like that change. I can see it wanting to restore apps that you previously had installed on the old sdcard to the new sdcard but it shouldn't be restoring anything else on the device or sdcard.
> 1 votes

# Answer
In my experience, the answer is "almost nothing". See http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=17354
> 0 votes

---
Tags: backup, google-backup
---


# Question
Title: Is there a way to view the file size of an image without downloading any apps?
Got a new phone (Nexus S) and having some issues with picture messaging. I want to check the size of the picture I took with the camera, but I can't seem to do this. As I don't have a data plan yet, I can't download any apps to help me with this. Is there a way to find the file size on the device without apps or connecting to a computer (no USB cable)

# Answer
Is there a file manager called "My Files"? Most Samsung phones have that by default now, although I'm unsure if Vanilla Google Android on the Nexus S will have that. Check file size through that.
> 1 votes

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


# Question
Title: Why is the connection between the Android emulator and a PC so slow?
Host OS: Windows 7 x86

Android emulator target: 2.3.3

When I execute 'adb pull' or 'adb push' with emulator - transfer speed is about 70KB/s. When I do this with real device it's normal USB speed. Why is this?

# Answer
Because the emulator is buggy and slow and should be avoided if possible when developing. I'm assuming its because of the general problem with emulators, it is trying to mimic hardware functions on a software level which is extremely inefficient.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: usb, android-emulator, file-transfer
---


title: Wi-Fi connects but can't browse

text:
# Question
Title: Wi-Fi connects but can't browse
I'm opening a virtual router through my laptop, and my Galaxy S2 can see and connect to it fine. However, when I try to do anything that requires the network, it doesn't work (for example, I can't browse). The top bar shows the wireless icon and the connection appears perfect. What is causing this?

# Answer
> 1 votes
What do you mean "do anything that is connected to a network"? Like access //mycomputername?

Connecting to a share on a computer connected to the same network is not part of wifi, it is another protocol called SMB or CIFS. Android does not support connecting to cifs out of the box. There are apps that allow you to browse for files on network shares, like Astro File Manager (with the SMB plugin).

There are Custom ROMs that do have built in support for CIFS, like CyanogenMod for example.

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-2, wi-fi
---


# Question
Title: Is the Eee Pad Transformer able to determine latitude and longitude?
Does the Eee Pad Transformer have a way to determine it's current latitude and longitude (e.g. a GPS chip)? I am writing an application where I need those values to identify, for example, if I am upstairs or downstairs or in the car.

# Answer
> 3 votes
And how do you think you can determinate upstair/downstair location?

Transformer has GPS receiver, but its precision in indoor use is way too low to have a reliable altitude reading.

---
Tags: geolocation, asus-eee-pad-transformer
---


# Question
Title: Reapplying market updates after using "uninstall updates"
I had an issue with an application that couldn't be updated, and solved it by uninstalling the market updates (maybe there was another method, but in my case it worked). Problem is, now I can't find a way to reapply the market updates. Before uninstalling them, the updates were applied automatically, but now half a day has passed and I still have the version that came with the phone.

**Edit**: In case it matters, the phone is a rooted Samsung Galaxy Ace, running the latest official firmware (2.3.4)

# Answer
Finally the market updated itself after force-stopping it, clearing its data and cache, starting the app again, and then exiting it and leaving the phone alone for an hour or two.
> 1 votes

# Answer
If you find the app in the Market and install it, it should update your phone's copy, and update automatically frrom then on.
> 4 votes

---
Tags: google-play-store, updates, uninstallation
---


# Question
Title: What are some Android eBook options & eReader Apps (Kindle, Nook, Google Books, etc.)?
What are my options for reading ebooks on my Android device?

There have been a number of questions about ebooks but I thought I'd pull the basics together into a Community Wiki.

*Quick note on cross platform ebooks. It's possible to read the DRM'd Epub files on several devices, for example the Google books can be viewed by the Nook app. You have to do a couple things like sign up for Adobe Digital Editions... (this needs more explanation).*

---

**Lets try and keep the same formatting. If you come up with a better format then change this template too...**

## App Name:

( link to the app ↑ )

* **Marketplace -** Where can you get books?
* **Format -** What file formats does it support? Does it use DRM?
* **About -** Simple explanation of what it's features, pros and cons are...

---

**You can copy and past this for easy formatting:**

```
##App Name:

 - **Marketplace -**
 - **Format -**
 - **About -**

```

# Answer
## Aldiko:

Only does non-DRM'd ePubs. There are thousands of these books available but you're not going to be getting newly released copyrighted books. Great user interface but the no DRM limitation is a problem. Aldiko also has a paid app that has more features but it still doesn't let you load new DRM'd books from the major retailers.
> 8 votes

# Answer
## Kindle:

* **Marketplace -** Amazon.com
* **Format -** .azw (DRM'd), .txt, .mobi
* **About -** I like this app. It's easy to switch your reading settings (brightness, font size...) on the fly. You can note and lookup text. It automatically syncs with all your devices so you can put one down and pick up reading on another right where you left off. As of v2 you can subscribe to magazines and newspapers via the Kindle store which will be regularly delivered to your Android device. Wikipedia and Dictionary.com word lookup whilst reading.
> 4 votes

# Answer
## Laputa:

* Marketplace = Project Gutenberg, ManyBooks, Avayewn + internal bookshelf
* Format = ePub
* About = Recommendation / Chinese Supported / RSS / Brightness Adjustment / Display Awake Control / Save to SD card / Page Flip Animation / Customizable Fonts / Day Night modes / Search / User defined categories
> 2 votes

# Answer
## Moon+ Reader:

* **Marketplace -** Any 3rd party seller. No dedicated marketplace
* **Format -** Supports txt, html, epub, fb2, umd and zip files.
* **About -** Full visual options: line space, font scale, shadow, alignment, alpha colors, fading edge and more.
    + 10+ themes embedded, includes Day & Night mode switcher.
    + Various types of paging: touch screen, volume keys or even camera, search or back keys.
    + 21 customized operations (screen click, swipe gesture, hardware keys), apply to 15 customized events: search, bookmark, themes, navigation, font size and more.
    + 5 auto-scroll modes: rolling blind mode; by pixel, by line or by page. Real-time speed control.
    + Adjust the brightness by sliding your finger along the left edge of the screen.
    + Intelligent paragraph; trim unwanted blank spaces options.
    + “Keep your eyes health” options for long-time reading.
    + Real page turning effect.
    + My Bookshelf design: Favorites, Downloads, Authors, Tags; self bookcover, search, import supported.
    + Highlight, Annotation, Dictionary, Share functions.

Additional features include:

```
* Analyze chapters list automatically
* Mini reading status bar.
* Management for reading history, bookmarks, notes and highlights.
* Support outside font types.
* Support outside background images.
* Keep screen awake on reading.
* Switch full screen mode.
* 4 flip animations.
* Indent paragraph, trim blank spaces.

```
> 2 votes

# Answer
## Nook:

* **Marketplace -** Barnes & Noble
* **Format -** Epubs (DRM'd), .PDB, PDF
* **About -** This app syncs your books across devices and has the ability to look up words. My only complaint is that it's a pain to change your reading preferences (brightness, font...) on the fly.
> 1 votes

# Answer
## iReader:

* Marketplace = Any 3rd party seller. No dedicated marketplace
* Format = TXT, CHM, PDB(EReader, Mobipocket), UMD(popular Chinese ebook format), HTML and Image files
* About = Real book page flip / Auto-scrolling in cover mode / Support Font file / separate DAY and NIGHT theme sets / customizable action for side volume keys.
> 1 votes

# Answer
## Google Books:

* **Marketplace -** Google Books and 3rd party sellers
* **Format -** Epub (DRM'd),
* **About -** Simple 1st gen app. It automatically syncs with all your devices so you can put one down and pick up reading on another right where you left off. It is easy to change the fonts and font sizes and switch between night and day mode as your read. There is a very cool feature that I have not seen in the other apps where, when you are reading one of the books that Google physically scanned, you can switch from the normal view to viewing the actual scanned in page. My only complaint is the lack of ability to make notes and lookup words. Currently US only.
> 0 votes

# Answer
## aReader:

* **Marketplace -** FeedBooks, ManyBooks, Gutenberg, Smashwords
* **Format -** Epub, PDF (With a pluggin), txt, chm,
* **About -** aReader is a good alternative to other readers, it supports the major formats and is easy to use. You can left a book half-read and when you return the app remembers where you were. It allows you to configure the font size, page orientation, and the other usual stuff for readers.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: applications, ebook-reader, ebooks, kindle-for-android, nook-for-android
---


# Question
Title: Is there a solution for poor Acer Iconia A500 playback of MP4 video?
When playing back MP4 video files my Acer Iconia A500 will drop frames and produce video artifacts. Does it just not support MP4, or is there a better MP4 player I can download?

**Update**: Turns out it was just an issue with 1080p video. 720p video plays back great.

# Answer
This has nothing to do with the file being of type mp4 and everything to do with the video codec being used. If you have video files that are not playing particularly well on the tablet, you should consider looking at Handbrake, a free piece of software that allows you to convert video formats. In-depth instructions are available at How to: Handbrake and A500 on xda-developers.

Basically, you want to use the following settings in the application:

1. Load your video in Handbrake
2. Picture tab - set Anamorphic to Loose and Width to 1280
3. Video tab - Select Constant Quality with a value of 20
4. Audio tab - Audio Codec AAC(faac), Mixdown Dolby Pro Logic II, Samplerate Auto, Bitrate 160, DRC 0.0

There are some settings that can be tweaked in the Advance tab (see the forum post I linked). You can then save this profile in Handbrake and run this for any video files you encounter.

For playback on the Iconia, I use Mobo Player but there are others that work fine.
> 2 votes

# Answer
You could give a try to a pre-alpha version of VLC. Be warned this is not a finalized application and there might be errors, but it's still worth a try.
> 4 votes

# Answer
Have you tried MX Video Player with the MX Video Player CODEC (ARMv7)?
> 2 votes

# Answer
I can't answer the first part of your answer. For the question better MP4 player I'd suggest you Mobo Player and Rock Player.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: video, acer-iconia-a500, mp4
---


# Question
Title: Voice Activation: Send Email: Recipient Name not working
I have disabled Contacts sync with all my Google Accounts and deleted all my contacts. Then I added a simple email contact Type: Phone (as opposed to SIM or Google Account). Name Bob, and a valid address for Bob's company email.

I say "Send Email To Bob (pause) Test" And I get an email form with a blank To and a body that says "To Bob Test".

How can I fix this?

It is a bit odd, because it is obviously expecting a pause in the middle of the whole thing, but it still manages to not realize that "Send Email To Bob,,,, Test" means "Send Email To Bob,, and put Test in the body".

# Answer
It needs to be a Google contact. Your voice request is sent to Google's servers to be parsed and it looks for the information in your Google Contacts. The server can't query your phone.

See this Google Help thread.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: email, voice-command
---


title: Is my ext3 sd partitioning correct?

text:
# Question
Title: Is my ext3 sd partitioning correct?
I've read a bit here on Android Enthusiasts and I've been able to partition my sdcard.
A partition FAT32 and another one ext3, using the AmonRa Recovery for Acer Liquid Metal.
Everything looks fine and if I start titanium backup I see on overview screen:

> Internal: 193 mb (60.2 mb free).
> SD card: 6.87 GB (520 mb free).
> SD card (a2sd): 958 MB (958 MB free)

So it looks like I'm not using that partition, right?
I've tried moving application with app2sd pro and titanium backup to sd card but the ext3 partition does not get filled.

What's wrong?

# Answer
> 7 votes
You would need a custom ROM that supports moving apps to the Ext3 partition. I would recommend searching the development section of xda-developers forums for your handset for such a ROM.

If a ROM does not support apps2ext natively, you can try your luck with a script (example for HTC Dream/Magic here) that can be installed on top of another ROM.

***\[Edit\]**: just adding stuff from my comments to the answer.*
If you are on Android version 2.2 and above, you can use the built-in "Apps-to-SD" functionality to move apps to SD Card. Go to `Menu -> Settings -> Applications -> Manage applications` then tap on any app and under the "Storage" section tap the "Move to SD" button. After a few seconds you will see the button's name change to "Move to Phone" and size of the app decrease significantly.

This method is not without drawbacks. First off, an app needs to be explicitly coded to support this functionality. Second, widgets and apps that run as a service (e-mail, virtual keyboards, weather notifications, etc.) don't work when moved to SD, and must reside on the phone's internal memory. Furthermore, not the entire app moves to the SD Card. A part of it stays on the phone, along with its cache and data/settings. If you have a phone with a small amount of internal app storage, using the built-in Apps-to-SD will just prolong the inevitable "out of memory" errors.

The Apps2ext scripts resolve most of these shortcomings. It "fools" the phone into thinking that the Ext2/3/4 partition is part of the phone's internal memory. This means that widgets and services will work just fine with this method. Also, since you can make your partition as large as you wish (recommended not to exceed 2GB), the space issues disappear. The scripts also provide options for moving caches and data to the Ext partition in order to free up even more internal memory.

The drawback of the Apps2ext method is that it's well, a hack. First off, your phone needs to be rooted. Second, you will no longer be able to un-mount and remove the SD Card from the phone, since ALL of the apps (including system ones) reside on the Ext partition. Third, you are putting a lot more strain on the SD Card from increased writing, which may shorten its lifespan. Finally, as with any hack it may make your phone less stable.

# Answer
> 5 votes
You can also opt for an easier way as described in this answer, if all you're looking for, is to shift apps from your phone's internal memory to SD Card.

A free app called Link2SD will help in this case. It has a decent GUI and makes it easier to move apps between SD Card and internal memory - also fixes the market links so that updates from the market are automatically moved to SD Card if the app was previously on SD Card.

# Answer
> -3 votes
No matter what you try, you are basically stuck with the limitations of your phone. There are other procedures on Android forums to force apps that usually can not be put on your sd card therefore freeing up more internal memory. I only have 200mb of internal memory, over 100 apps and still have 105mb of internal memory. I have room for more apps than I will ever need. Again, you do not have to root your phone, as some you can not due to upgrades in the OS like mine, but there are other workarounds. Good luck !

---
Tags: external-sd, app2sd, partitions, ext3
---


title: HTML Rich Text Emails From Phone

text:
# Question
Title: HTML Rich Text Emails From Phone
I'm a teleworker and can work from anywhere in the world. I want to be able to send email messages from my phone without having them switch to plain text. My clients think I'm not working hard if I'm not glued to my computer and the plain text lets them know that I'm using a mobile device.

Thanks!

# Answer
> 1 votes
Enhanced Email claims to support outgoing HTML emails.

---
Tags: email, html
---


# Question
Title: Simple To-Do widget that syncs between phones
I have tried many widgets for a shopping/task list, but can't find one that fits my criteria. I would like it to:

1. Be SIMPLE - add and delete items right from the widget
2. Sync automatically between my wife's phone and mine
3. Not be date-based - I want to see ALL items until I complete them
4. Each item goes away when marked as complete

Any suggestions? Wunderlist is very close, but only shows "todays tasks".

# Answer
Remember the milk. (RTM)

At least adding a todo from the widget is possible. You can use the widget to open the list of todos the widget is configured to display and then delete / mark as complete tasks.

You can share tasks with other RTM users (i.e. your wife). Tasks don't automatically go away from the widget (unless you configure it explicitly via a smart list).
> 2 votes

# Answer
Have you considered Todo.txt Touch? (While it's $2 in the Market, if you don't care about getting automated updates, you can download it for free from the author's site.)

It expands on the simple philosophy of Todo.txt where your to-do list should just be a simple text file.

While you'll need to use Dropbox and share the file, once it's set up you don't really need to touch it except on your phones.

Here's how you'd set it up (assuming you and your wife share a computer):

1. Set up your todo.txt in a todo directory in Dropbox (basic Dropbox is free and is a great tool)
2. Install Todo.txt Touch on your phone and give it your Dropbox credentials
3. Repeat step 2 for your wife's phone
4. Now you have a shared, as-powerful-or-as-simple-as-you-need To-Do resource

Here's how you'd set it up (if you and your wife *don't* share a computer):

1. Set up your todo.txt in a todo directory in Dropbox
2. Share your todo directory with your wife's Dropbox account
3. Install Todo.txt Touch on your respective phones, using your own Dropbox credentials
4. Now you have a shared, as-powerful-or-as-simple-as-you-need To-Do resource

It seems like it might be a lot of work, but it's not. Further, you only need a simple text editor to work with your todo.txt file while at home.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: app-widgets, to-do-list
---


# Question
Title: How can I make the phone automatically disable mobile connection when calling?
I recently moved from 2G network to 3G.

On 2G when I call somebody - the phone automatically suspends the mobile Internet (since it cannot send data and voice at the same time) and activates back when the call ends.

Now on 3G I just cannot call when the mobile Internet is active (no matter whether it downloads something or not) - the call is reset immediately. At the same time I can receive calls, i.e. if somebody calls me - the phone rings and I can talk.

If I disable the mobile Internet and use WiFi (or do not use any connection) - it works fine.

Changing the network type (auto, 3G, etc...) doesn't help.

Android 2.3.3. Go Launcher + Go Contacts Ex.

Two questions:

1. Is this an issue with the phone?
2. Is there something I can tune inside the phone to make it auto-switch the mobile Internet like it was on 2G (maybe 3rd party application or patch/fix)?

# Answer
> 2 votes
You may want to talk to your carrier about your phone or service because data is separate from voice (if you are not on a CDMA network). Voice is using GSM/UMTS and data is HSPA. Your data network usage should never interrupt your voice call, even if you use CDMA. The voice should take priority and stop the data usage to make the call. There is either an issue with the network you are on, or the phone.

---
Tags: calls, 3g, htc-incredible-s
---


# Question
Title: How can I edit Office documents on an Android tablet and keep compatibility?
In our office, there's a new Eee Pad Transformer. It was supposed to replace a netbook for giving presentations and editing Microsoft Office documents on the go (e.g. Word, PowerPoint, Excel).

There have been some issues:

* The office solutions they currently tried can only *read* Microsoft Office files (like Documents To Go)
* Polaris Office with *write* support produce Microsoft Office files that fail to open in Office 2007 Claim by the owner of the device, I can't try it.

The questions are:

* Is there any way to **produce PDF files from such documents**? This would at least make it possible to just export presentations to PDF in order to share them.
* Is there a (preferably free) office solution that **guarantees compatibility** with Office 2007/2010?
* Any other workarounds?

# Answer
I have MobiSystems OfficeSuite 5 for my Android (phone, not tablet though). But I have never had any problems editing files, saving them and then opening them in Office 2007 & 2010. It does not have a save as PDF, but it does let you save in either .doc or .docx formats for word, xls & xlsx for Excel, and .ppt & pptx for Powerpoint
> 1 votes

# Answer
Have you considered uploading the documents to Google Docs and using the Android Google docs app in the tablet?

We use this system to allow mobile devices to access shared documents and work pretty well. I you combine this with Google Cloud connect you can edit the documents directly from Office when you are at the office or from Google Docs when you are away.
> 0 votes

# Answer
If there's nothing better, Adobe has a free-to-use (except your doc't goes to their site: slight privacy risk) conversion web app; see their main site..
> -1 votes

---
Tags: 3.0-honeycomb, pdf, asus-eee-pad-transformer
---


# Question
Title: What is the difference between swiftkey and swiftkey x?
Using the Amazon Appstore I have "Swiftkey" and "Swiftkey X". When I install one there is an update for the other. It's getting confusing. What is the difference and which one should I install?

# Answer
The SwiftKey website no longer lists anything called "SwiftKey" only "SwiftKey X". I have to assume this means "SwiftKey" was an earlier product, possibly a beta?
> 2 votes

---
Tags: swiftkey
---


# Question
Title: Best Reading App for Personal PDFs which Remembers Last Location on an Android Tablet
I like the Kindle app (it remembers the last location) and the Adobe PDF app (it can view PDFs), but I'm looking for an app for my tablet which remembers the last location and can view PDFs.

# Answer
> 2 votes
I've done a little research myself and Aldiko looks excellent. I'm especially looking forward to using it on a tablet.

# Answer
> 2 votes
ezPDF Reader is also very good, supports bookmarks, and will reopen a file wherever you closed it.

---
Tags: reading
---


# Question
Title: How can I get the official froyo ROM for SGS to use with heimdall?
> **Possible Duplicate:**
> Where can I find stock or custom ROMs for my Android device?

I want to upgrade my SGS to froyo, but have given up on Kies which seems to be the most unreliable piece of software I've ever encountered. I've got heimdall running, and now I want to upgrade to the official ROM for my device (GT-I9000/optus). Is there a way of getting hold of the official ROm from somewhere?

Cheers,

Victor

# Answer
XDA is the best place to look. This thread even has Optus ROMs for the GT-i9000 Galaxy S.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: 2.2-froyo, samsung-galaxy-s, rom, samsung-kies
---


# Question
Title: How does OMS (Open Mobile System) relate to Android?
So I've just read about "OMS" and a bit of googling suggests it's a fork of Android prevalent in China: http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/02/china-mobiles-ophone-platform-goes-2-0-supports-winmo-api-w/

But it's not quite clear if it is also open source, what the differences to a "standard" Android system are, how to distinguish it.

Has anyone ever seen it or better documentation? Does it have any desirable attributes?

(Again I'm mostly wondering, because if it is a fork, could it possilby be the variation required for Dual-SIM support, meaning normal Android wouldn't have that.)

# Answer
> 2 votes
Apparently it's better known as OPhone and started as a fork from the original Android project, before Google bought it. It looks to be mostly developed and supported by China Mobile, although there are rumors they might shut down the project. OPhone 3.0 is expected in Q1 2012.

---
Tags: android-versions, open-source
---


title: Change Launcher without starting it

text:
# Question
Title: Change Launcher without starting it
I have installed GO Launcher and GO Locker. Now, when I updated them, they got an error.

The problem is that, nothing shows up when I press unlock button (I have Nexus S). So, there's nothing I can do with the phone. There's no display at all. I know the phone is running in the background. I get the tone when I get a message.

I tried to call my phone hoping it'd get unlocked for answering that call. It did get unlocked, but when I answered the call, it got locked again. No display again. But, when the phone was still ringing, I got a Force Close dialog for GO Launcher EX ( not for GO Locker ).

I restarted the phone (removed the battery). When the phone started, it was locked (using the default Android locker). When I try to unlock it, the screen doesn't work.

Now, I am unable to use my phone. The first thing that I'd like to do is change the launcher without starting the phone itself. Is that possible?

Or do I have to restore the factory settings? If I can restore factory settings, I must be able to do so without starting the phone? Can we do that? In Nokia, we can do that by pressing some key combination and restarting the phone. Does that apply here too?

# Answer
You can try installing a different launcher app via the Android Market web interface.

1. On your PC go to Play Store and sign in with the same Google account as on your phone.
2. Find any Home replacement app. Click on the `Install` button to send the app directly to your phone (if you have several Android devices you will need to select the phone.)
3. After a few minutes try unlocking your phone. It should ask you to select a launcher app, so pick the one you just installed, or the default one.
> 6 votes

# Answer
If you can connect to the device with adb (Android SDK) you can open a command line and do:

`adb uninstall com.gau.go.launcherex`
`adb uninstall com.jiubang.goscreenlock`

those will remove both Go Launcher EX and GoLocker. If you can't you may have to do a factory reset, which will remove all the apps and data on the device (but to even do that you need to get to the settings application)
> 3 votes

---
Tags: samsung-nexus-s, launcher, go-launcher-ex
---


# Question
Title: What does it mean when the connectivity icons in the status bar go white/gray?
The connectivity icons (Data, Mobile Signal, Wifi) in the status bar on my Nexus S are normally green, but sometimes they go white. I can't seem to figure out what this means, as I still have a signal and can receive phonecalls/texts.

They are always all the same, e.g. either all white or all green. I'm on Android 2.3.4.

# Answer
> 59 votes
It has to do with whether or not you've currently got a good connection to Google's servers for sync services and the like. From page 27 of their Android 2.3 Users Guide:

> Network status icons turn green if you have a Google Account added to your phone and the phone is connected to Google services, for syncing your Gmail, Calendar events, contacts, for backing up your settings, and so on. If you don’t have a Google Account or if, for example, you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network that is not connected to the Internet, the network icons are white.

I'm not really sure why it bounces back and forth between green and white sometimes. I've noticed it on my phone but everything works fine (I run CyanogenMod, though, so perhaps it has to do with that). It could also be that green means it's currently in the act of syncing, but the wording in the document is a little vague, in my opinion.

In the case of Honeycomb or Ice Cream Sandwich, the colors are blue/grey instead of green/white, but they still have the same meaning.

Edit: For the interested, here are links to the user guide in other languages. The above is the English version.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I just had the same problem of the 3G and the bars showing only in white and not green. I just got the phone a week ago and am not too familiar with the Android feature phone yet. However, the latest problem that I had was that my phone was saying that I was low on memory.

I was researching new SD cards, but just realized that I had about 4GB free on the SD card and it was the phone that was full. I moved all the apps that I could onto the SD card and now I have 100MB free on the phone. Now the 3G and the bars are green. I think that the Google Syncing services shut down (hence the white logos) when there is not enough memory on the phone to run them. My email was not syncing either.

Moral of the story: If you do not have green bars, check your phone memory. Delete apps and/or move them to your SD card. It works perfect now.

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Tags: 2.3-gingerbread, data-connection, notification-icons
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# Question
Title: Droid 2 Global - Will switching from Global to CDMA-only improve battery life?
I recently got a DROID 2 Global with Verizon and am looking to maximize my battery life. I am aware of the need to dim my display, disable Wi-Fi and GPS when not using it, increase sync intervals, and all that good stuff.

However, in my continuing effort to maximize my battery life without shutting down stuff I really need, I came across the network mode settings. Since I am not planning to leave the U.S. any time soon, I don't need global so I've switched it to CDMA.

I have heard that this might not make a difference because the phone only searches for the Global network if it can't find CDMA. However, the source didn't seem fully reliable

**Question**: Will switching to CDMA-only use less resources (and power) than Global, or will it make no difference because Global and CDMA-only perform the same in the presence of network?

# Answer
Since Verizon is CDMA-only in the USA, as long as your CDMA reception is strong there will be no reason for the phone to search for GSM. If you find yourself in a very low/no-signal area, however, the phone may hop over to GSM to search, even though it cannot connect to any domestic GSM network. **There's no real downside to switching this setting to CDMA while in the USA, as long as you remember to make the switch back when you travel overseas.**
> 1 votes

# Answer
This saves significant power on my D2G; not normally, but when I go to these areas of SW Wisconsin where there's all these valleys with no phone service at all, the thing just sucks power switching between CDMA and GSM modes looking for service. It waits at least 30 seconds before starting a GSM search though, so if you don't lose CDMA at all (or just in little spots) it won't affect power use at all. The phone has the (so-called) band lock on it (which doesn't really block the bands, but does block US GSM carriers from operating on it at the radio firmware level.)
> 1 votes

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Tags: battery-life, motorola-droid-2
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# Question
Title: Can we connect external Bluetooth Dongle in Android Tablet?
For my survey I want to attach an external USB Bluetooth Dongle to an Android Tablet. Actually I want better range of the bluetooth, so I will use an antenna for the external bluetooth. I want to know :

1. Which Android version supports it?
2. Can an external Bluetooth work if the Tablet already has an internal Bluetooth ?
3. Any suggestion of Android Tablet in the market ?

# Answer
If you are able to connect an external Bluetooth Dongle to the Android device, it ought to work for you, even with an intrnal Bluetooth present.

Android devices with OS v3.1 and above shall support USB host capabilities. So, it is advisable to experiment with devices with the above operating systems. However, it will be on your end to make the dongle work for you; i.e. by creating a separate application for the same.
> 2 votes

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Tags: usb, bluetooth
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# Question
Title: I have lost All my contact on Samsung Galaxy S GT I9000
Yesterday I have lost all the contacts on my GT-I9000. The device was left alone for 5 minutes & when I checked it again for some work, I found that the contact numbers had been lost & I am not able to find them. Is this a common problem with GT-I9000? Is there any way to get the contacts back?

# Answer
I don't know how you lost them or if its a common problem. But you definitely can get back the lost contacts provided they were synced with Google Contacts(not SIM contacts).

First try to sync and see if contacts come back. If we cleared data of "Contact Storage" from Manage Applications, all the synced contacts in phone will disappear until you sync back again.

If that doesn't help, Google Contacts fortunately has restore option. Open Gmail, go to Contacts, Select More and select Restore contacts.
> 2 votes

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Tags: samsung-galaxy-s
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# Question
Title: Does the myTouch 4g Slide require a data plan?
> **Possible Duplicate:**
> Smartphone without the expensive data plan

I was wondering because I was going to get it but I can not afford the data plan and needed to know. Thank you in advance!

# Answer
Is there is nothing special about the myTouch the answer is: **No Android smartphone requires a data plan, but it's no fun without a data plan.**

The phone works perfectly fine without a data plan ( of course, syncs won't happen ). The major disadvantage is that you have carefully check that you don't accidentally transfer any data while connected to your mobile carrier, because this results usually in high fees. But Android has a nice setting to disable mobile data permanently. This should keep you safe.
> 1 votes

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Tags: data-plan
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# Question
Title: Why is my Android phone unable to detect some wireless access points?
I created an unsecured ad-hoc network from my Mac machine and scanned for networks using my LG Optimus 3D, tried Samsung Galaxy Pop also. But unfortunately both the phone doesn't seem to pick up the private access point I have created.

But the network is detectable by other laptops and phones (except Android).

I need this connection to happen via Wi-Fi, but seems I am not able to get out of this problem. I tried Wi-Fi tether to do this the other way round, but it seems to be buggy. The tether works for some time but fails some other time (pretty unstable).

Is there any stable solution to this problem?

# Answer
# If it is an Ad-hoc network

Vanilla Android does not support Ad-hoc Wi-Fi networks. But there is a patch for the wpa\_supplicant, that allows you to connect to Ad-hoc networks *(root required)*:

**But Android 4.0 supports Wi-Fi Direct, which can be seen as a more enhanced version of the Ad-hoc protocol.**

# If you have an soft-AP

This sounds like you **AP is transmitting on a channel that is not avaiable on your Android phones.** Try setting the Wi-Fi channel to something \< 12 e.g. 5.
> 4 votes

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Tags: wi-fi
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