# Question
Title: Recovery of deleted whatsapp photos on samsung galaxy s4
I had recently went to Europe so i captured all of my photos from my mom mobile through which i had sent to myself. My mom mobile got lost and i mistakenly deleted all photos by going to to miscellaneous files and deleting all of them. I also forget to save my photos on somewhere or backup my whatsapp account. Those photos were very precious for me. I had tried many things but cannot get those photos. Pls help me to get my photos if theres any way.

# Answer
I dunno if I like the first answer to this. Seems to not explain anything.

First did you have the setting enabled to sync device photos to Google, Dropbox, or Google Drive automatically as they were take? Check Google Drive, Picasa (that has the ability to also sync device photos to it), Dropbox, etc.

Also Whats App Recovery Info (there are several possibilities which can work even after you have uninstalled the app): http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/how-to/How-to-recover-deleted-WhatsApp-texts-photos-videos/articleshow/19525440.cms

Last, but not least, you can connect your device as USB storage (NOT MPT) on a computer. You need to Google your android version and USB mode as it changes depending on the version of Android you are using. I usually just connect the USB cable from my phone to the computer and you should get a notification that says connected as Camera MPT or Charge Only. If you tap this notification it should take you to the list of modes. You want USB Storage mode.

Some info on changing USB connection mode (again if using lollipop or marshmallow should be able to plug the USB cable in to a computer and to your device and tap the USB connection notification and change the mode that way. This even works with the older Android OS versions as well): http://www.howtogeek.com/192732/android-usb-connections-explained-mtp-ptp-and-usb-mass-storage/

Basically you want your Android storage to have Drive letters (in windows) or actual mount point (\*nix and OSX) you can not do the following if you have to open the MPT folder and then double click internal and/or external (if you have microsd installed)).

Once the storage has a drive letter you can use any storage recovery software made for the File System your storage is formatted for (MOST LIKELY FAT32 or exFAT). This will take a good amount of time to scan your storage as it is doing a THOROUGH low level scan. This can recover files even after they are deleted (think of storage as a book and the list of files as an index. When I delete something I am removing the index entry to it I am not actually removing the data in full). NOW this will only remain as long as your device does not write NEW data to the spot in the storage where the data you wish to recover is on the disk or it will be overwritten and no longer there. SO DO NOT USE THE STORAGE if you can help it until you run the recovery scan.
> 0 votes

# Answer
**Case 1:Photo recovery from phone’s memory card**

Many phones contain a memory card which is often used to store various data for example, songs, photos, videos. Thus if lost photos were saved on memory card you need to perform the recovery from it. A data recovery program will help you fix the issue.

**Case 2:Recover photos from internal memory storage**

IF this phone does not contain a memory card, thus you need to recover data from the internal storage. This process requires root privileges on your phone. Please do not add new data to your phone.

Recovery process

Step 1: Connect your phone to computer via USB cable.

Step 2: Download Android Data Recovery to your computer. Install and launch it and you’ll see the interface below. Click “Refresh Device” and the software will recognize storages on your phone.

Step 3: Select the storage device where deleted photos were stored and click “Next” button to start scanning.

Step 4: Preview and recover deleted photos. Select photos you want to recover and click “Recover” button to save deleted photos on computer.

http://www.eassos.com/how-to/recover-deleted-photos-from-memory-cards-and-Android-phones.php
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-4
---


# Question
Title: How do I determine exactly which process is draining my battery?
Every since installing Android 6.0.1, my phone runs very hot and my battery drains crazy fast.

With a little trial and error, I eventually determined that at least one process called *AtFwdService* was sucking the life out of my battery. However, even after killing that process, I still have periods of time where my battery drains rapidly.

I saw this question, though it seems targeted at Cyanogenmod phones, or maybe rooted phones. I have a stock, unrooted rom. In any case, I went with the accepted solution, to install an app called Watchdog, but it has revealed literally nothing. Maybe it needs root access to run properly.

I also installed Gsamm Battery Monitor Pro, and it tells me how hot my battery is running, what my battery drain projection is, and has nice graphs. But it also fails to tell me exactly what is draining my battery. For example, under "App Usage" it shows "Android System" as using 52%(!) of my battery. Clearly the problem is in there somewhere.

But, if I click on Android System, I see a huge list of installed packages. There's a "Manage" button which lets me act on specific packages, but none of the lists give me any indication of what package is the one draining my battery.

The default Battery Usage in Settings also tells me that the problem is somewhere in Android System, but says nothing more specific. In Developer Options, under Running Services, I see a list of running services, but these are not processes necessarily, and the list is not as complete as what's shown in the Gsamm app, so it seems I'm not getting the full picture.

Is there a way to find out *exactly* what process is murdering my battery?

# Answer
Try the following:

* Is the battery drain exclusive to your phone model? Some phones are innately more prone to excessive drain. Find someone with the same phone and do a cross comparison.
* Battery capacity degrades over time. From experience, phones over a year do show a significantly lower overall battery life. The battery could be faulty as well.
* Check external media. I have seen cases where an external SD card trips the `Mediascanner`, causing it to run excessively.
* Check your running apps. My go to app when dealing with battery drain is BetterBatteryStats. BBS has extremely extensive features to tackle problems such as wakelocks.
* Are your running a custom firmware? There are occasions where custom firmwares drain more battery then firmwares issued by the OEMs.
* Utilize the `granular permissions` to forcefully control rogue apps. Certain apps can silently access location or NFC functionalities.
* Try a `clean reinstall with stock apps` and have it on standby for a full day. Check remaining battery percentage left afterwards. Use it as a control test to check if its the system or user app which is draining the battery.
* `Enable root and freeze system apps`. Google applications and services, while often necessary, takes a good chunk of battery. Identify what you do not need and freeze them. Be warned, certain dependencies might stop your phone from booting.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: battery
---


# Question
Title: How to mute phone completely but keep watch's notifications vibrate?
I have and android phone and an android wear watch (specifically, LG G3 and sony swr50).

If I get all the notifications on the watch, I prefer my phone to be completely muted - not ring, nor vibrate.

BUT, when trying to mute everything on the phone, the watch gets muted as well - everything gets into `no interruption mode`.

**Is there a way to mute the phone completely (sound and vibration) but still have vibrations on the watch?**

# Answer
There is an option in the Android Wear app to mute your phone when the watch is connected. This will mute your phone (even stop it from vibrating) but your watch will vibrate (for all notifs that would normally vibrate on your phone).

BUT: there has been a bug since forever where the watch suddenly starts buzzing again. It works *most* of the time though..
> 2 votes

# Answer
Found a way. Use an empty ringtone and notification mp3 sound file.

Also, set the phone to not vibrate on calls and notifications.

This way the phone plays the sound but it just plays the empty ringtone and the watch vibrates - Singe point of indication!!!
> 0 votes

---
Tags: notifications, audio, vibration, android-wear
---


# Question
Title: Unable to download Google Allo from Google Play Store - Pre-register/Unregister
So Google Allo was officially released just a few days ago as per this Google Blog:

> **Today**, we’re releasing Google Allo, a new smart messaging app **for Android and iOS** that helps you say more and do more right in your chats.

*Today* being Sept. 20, 2016 as per the blog's post date, while in our country, it's already Sept. 22nd.

I followed the link up to it's Google Play Store page, but still only see it as *Coming Soon* and the `Pre-register`/`Unregister` button.

Is this an expected delay since it is still being *deployed*? Or was there an unexpected delay in the release or is it just that my phone is not compatible with it?

I'm using Asus Zenfone 2 ZE551ML with Android L and the Google Play Services is up-to-date. However, there is the behavior of Google Play Store to not show the app to non-compatible (*blacklisted*) devices for searches, and a label of

> Device not compatible

if you were still able to find the page, pretty much rules out the device compatibility issue.

# Answer
> 3 votes
> We’re beginning to roll out Google Allo for Android and iOS, and the app will be available worldwide in the next few days.

(Taken from the end of the blog post)

Google roll out app releases in stages. Initially it will be available to a small percentage of devices and countries. Over a few days (or weeks even) it will roll out to more devices and countries.

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


# Question
Title: How to downgrade from Marshmallow to Lollipop? Please help
So I've tried everything and it's not working, I cannot uninstall Marshmallow from my settings. I don't know what to do. Btw i have Lenovo A70000.

# Answer
> 2 votes
The **official** status is that you **can not** downgrade.

But if *you* take the risk you can do the downgrade via `SP Flash Tool`, just follow this steps:

Preparing

* download an official stock ROM (MM stock ROM, LP stock ROM)
* download and install phone drivers
* unpack downloaded stock ROM on your PC
* enable USB debugging option on your phone: like this
    + Go to Settings \> About \> Build number \> tap it 7 times to unlock Developer options \> then return to Settings \> Developer options \> tick the USB Debugging option

Flashing via `SP Flash Tool`

* Charge your phone up to 80% and disable all those firewalls or antivirus on your PC.
* Run as Administrator the flash\_tool.exe, that you will find in the stock rom package.
* Click on `Scatter-loading` and browse the scatter file `MT6752_Android_scatter.txt`
* In the menu `Option` tab, go to `Download`, and put `ticks` in the `DA DL All with Checksum` both USB and Storage Checksum.
* Now choose the `Download only` option
* Now hit the green `Download` button
* Now turn off the phone and remove the battery for at least 5 seconds, then put the battery back.
* Connect your Phone to PC via USB, this will start the flashing process.
* Once the process has completed, we will see a huge green check box.
* Now we can disconnect the phone from the cable. Now switch on your phone, it will take 6-10 minutes for first boot.
* You have successfully installed the stock ROM or Official ROM on Lenovo A7000 ROW version

Source

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow
---


# Question
Title: network issue in cyanogenmod 13 in Redmi 1s
I have installed cyanogen-mod 13 as custom Rom in my android phone. Now, I found a problem in network connectivity. While connecting data(3G), after sometimes, 3G data automatically shifting to 2G data. I have set APN settings based on service provider(automatically set).

# Answer
> 0 votes
Open dialer, and type `*#*#4636#*#*`.

It will enter into `Testing mode`.

Inside that, tap on Phone Information, look for `Set preferred network type`, and set it as `WCDMA only`.

This `Setting` will be lost after a reboot.

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, mobile-network, xiaomi
---


# Question
Title: Got an ad about YouTube Red, how to bypass this to download music?
I just downloaded a free YouTube app to my Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 (Android) that was supposed to let me download their music videos. But when trying to use it, all I get is a big ad for YouTube Red, which I don't need.

How do I get past this ad so that I can download music?

# Answer
> 0 votes
First, If you wan't to block Youtube's ads in the app, you will need a rooted device and a new framework for your phone.

Xposed is the ultimate app for making modifications to your android phone. If you can get Xposed installed and have it working, download an app called "Youtube Adaway".

Youtube Adaway is an Xposed module that works like a charm.

If you wan't to download music off of Youtube, you will need to use a website like mp3fiber.com.

Simply copy and paste the URL of the video/song you want to download, and it will get your mp3.

---
Tags: youtube
---


# Question
Title: How can I disable notification for a specific gmail account during certain hours?
My work and personal emails are attached to my phone. I'd like to avoid getting any notifications of work emails after hours.

If this can be done with Tasker, I can't figure out how. I can disable notifications in the gmail settings manually, but not sure how to affect this setting with Tasker.

* I still want to receive notifications to my personal email
* I still want to receive notifications in general
* I still want my work email to sync (so I can check if I need you)

# Answer
> 6 votes
Toggling the syncing of Gmail for the account is the best option. Turning of Gmail sync on a Google account in Android does not prevent you from fetching mail for that account via a method such as "pull to refresh" when you are viewing that account in the Gmail app.

I use Synker to integrate with Tasker, though I know there are other apps that expose Tasker control of specific sync settings on an account by account basis.

The basic outline I have is as follows:

* A profile named "Work" whose conditions are a combination of a time, 9am-5pm, and a Date, Mon-Fri. It has the same entry and exit task.
* A task named "Work" that has two items: one to set the sync options of my work Google account to have Gmail sync on that is conditional on `if %PACTIVE ~ *Work*`, one to set the sync options of my work Google account to /not/ sync Gmail `if %PACTIVE !~ *Work*`

If I want to read work email when sync is not on for that account, I just open Gmail, switch to that account, and swipe down ("pull to refresh"), fetching the messages from the server.

# Answer
> 6 votes
Try the app **Quiet for Gmail** from here https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sgarcia.quiet\_for\_gmail

It toggles the sync of your email accounts on a schedule you can define. In addition to that, you can also override your schedule for special occasions, like a bank holiday.

---
Tags: gmail, tasker
---


# Question
Title: Keyboard shortcut to switch languages with a Logitech K480 or MK270?
**Backstory:** For years I've been using android devices to type in multiple languages. At first I had to use an app like AnySoftKeyboard or fiddle with android settings every time I wanted to switch languages, which was quite annoying. At some point, possibly soon after I acquired a Logitech Android Keyboard, I accidentally pressed Ctrl+Space and was immediately presented with a popup Toast message: Hebrew.

So I discovered that I could switch languages with Ctrl+Space. At first I thought it had been a CyanogenMod update, but later that conclusion appeared to have been a mistake...

Now that keyboard is in its last life, so I got two new ones, both from Logitech: The K480 and the MK270.

**Problem:**

The K480 is a Bluetooth Multi-Device keyboard. That feature works well, but Ctrl+Space does nothing. The keyboard does have a built-in language switching button, but it only works on iOS and MAC. Other options such as Shift+Alt and several other permutations do not work either.

The MK270 is a wireless Keyboard/Mouse combo officially for Windows PCs. It comes with a tiny USB wireless receiver, which I plugged into my phone with a micro to normal OTG USB cable, and the keyboard and mouse work just as expected... But again, Ctrl+Space and other combinations do nothing.

**More Details:**

I should mention that I'm using an LG G2 running a custom build of CyanogenMod based on Android 6.0.1. I'm using the SwiftKey app for the keyboard in lieu of any of these, but I don't think that should make a difference.

If I connect all three keyboards to the G2, the android keyboard can switch the language for itself, but the K480 and MK270 still type in English even when the Android Keyboard is typing in Hebrew.

I also paired the keyboard with a friend's Galaxy S5, and it immediately prompted him to choose a keyboard layout for it. He can choose Hebrew and then it works on his phone in Hebrew, but again none of the keyboard shortcuts will change that.

**Question:**

How can I switch betweeen keyboard languages on the G2 from either keyboard?

# Answer
Android keeps track of the language settings for each keyboard separately. Therefore, you need to enable the additional language for the second keyboard, and then you'll be able to switch languages with android's default Ctrl+Space.

You can add languages for any currently connected keyboards by selecting the keyboard in Settings -\> Language and Input and then selecting the appropriate language from the languages menu.
> 2 votes

# Answer
on K480 try holding "right shift" and use "right ctrl" to toggle languages
> 1 votes

# Answer
Hold right shift and then press spacebar
> -1 votes

---
Tags: languages, external-keyboard, keyboard-shortcuts
---


# Question
Title: Disable gmail notifications for certain labels during certain hours
I want to shut off gmail notifications (not SMS or calls) for specific labels (not all labels) from 11 pm to 8:30 am every day.

Turning off sync (or turning off all notifications) during those hours will not work, because I still need to get notifications for certain emails at all times.

Is there a way to do this? I don't see a way to do it in IFTT. Don't want to purchase a paid app unless I have confirmation that it will work.

My phone is encrypted and not rooted, if that makes any difference.

# Answer
> 1 votes
You can use the app **Quiet for Gmail**, it will enable/disable the synchronization based on your schedule. And you set it up to disable synchronization just for your work email account and leave your personal email always on.

You can find the app here:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sgarcia.quiet\_for\_gmail

---
Tags: gmail, 4.3-jelly-bean
---


# Question
Title: How do I know if it's safe to opt out of the Android Beta program without wiping my data?
I recently joined the Android Beta program so I could update my Nexus 5x to the latest public release without having to wait for the staged roll-out.

Now I want to opt back out because I don't want to install a beta version. When I go to the opt-out page, I see a warning that my user data will be wiped if I'm running a beta version:

> Unenroll device
>
> You are about to unenroll this device from the Android Beta Program. **If your device is running a beta version of Android, it will be sent an OTA update that will wipe all data on the device and install the latest stable public version of Android.**
>
> We strongly recommended that you back up all data before proceeding. You will lose all data that you have not backed up.

How do I confirm that I am running a public release? And am I reading the language correctly that my user data will NOT be wiped, as long as I'm running a public release?

# Answer
> 2 votes
You aren't running a Public Release, or ? In the first sentence you said you opted in to the Beta and are running "the latest public release"...You would first need to determine what Build you are running by going into Settings - About phone - under Build Number.

From the Android Beta site you linked in your post, under "How do I verify that I'm running a beta version of Android?":

*1. Navigate to Settings \> About \> Build number. If the build number starts with NP, you are running a beta version of Android N.*

*2. Reboot your device. You will see a message informing you that your device is running a beta version of Android.*

I would assume that if you are running a current Public Release that you would not have to worry about data loss, but as always, backup any files/docs/photos/music you would like to keep in case that happens before opting out of the Beta Program.

The lastest Public Release for Android 7.0 is NRD90S, and Android 6.0.1 is MTC20K according to what Google has posted here: Google Nexus Factory Images

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Tags: android-beta-program
---


title: Setting the CPU governor in CM13?

text:
# Question
Title: Setting the CPU governor in CM13?
Anyone know what happened to this setting? I can't seem to find it any more. Has it been removed?

# Answer
Well, regardless if it was removed you can alway use apps like kernel adiutor: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.grarak.kerneladiutor&hl=en This app and similar ones will let you control CPU/GPU governors and much more, presumably you have root access and have compatible SoC that can be controlled by the app.
> 2 votes

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Tags: cyanogenmod, overclocking
---


# Question
Title: Samsung Note 3 Phone - Clicking camera button fails to take picture
Frequently, I see x1.0 in the middle of my camera preview screen, to the left of a small white box. I'd like to know what exactly that means, but it seems like when it is there, I cannot take a picture. Absolutely nothing happens when I click the camera button.

I have taken lots of photos with the phone, but sometimes I fall into the above scenario, and it seems like the only thing I can do is to back out and restart the default camera app.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I knew why you have x1.0 appeared on the screen and can't take photo. I had the same problem and found out the answer. If two fingers touch the mon, it will appear x1.0 in order to zoom, and if there is still one finger on the mon and haven't move away, you can't press the camera button until all the fingers have moved away from the mon, the camera button will function again!

---
Tags: camera, samsung
---


title: Is NFC required for reading RFID?

text:
# Question
Title: Is NFC required for reading RFID?
Can we read RFID like QR-bar code without NFC in Android? I am confused because we can read QR-Barcode with simple apps like Bar Code Scanner. After searching 2-3 hours I found NFC with every detail where RFID is defined.

So I have to consider that it is impossible to read RFID without NFC.

# Answer
> 6 votes
Can you read RFID without NFC? No you cannot.

Can you read QR-Code without a camera?

You need the right hardware to read codes. For reading QR-code you need an image of the QR-Code therefore a camera. Without a camera you cannot read QR-Code.

To read RFID you need hardware to read the code. The hardware needed is NFC, so without NFC you cannot read RFID.

# Answer
> 1 votes
**RFID** states for Radio Frequency Identification, and this kind of technology use Radio Waves for identification purposes, now when we know RFID is nothing else than radio wave (electromagnetic field with specific frequency), we know we need transmitter (source of signal) and trans-coder (signal reading device) eg radio in your car and signal broadcasting antenna.

**NFC** \- Near Field Communication is a specific kind of RFID technology and reading device can only read the signal from certain distance, all depends on the transmitter signal strenght and on the trans-coder operating field eg like a CB radio equipment, the bigger antenna you have the bigger operating field you got.

---
Tags: nfc
---


title: WhatsApp apk download

text:
# Question
Title: WhatsApp apk download
I have a new phone, want WhatsApp, but don't want to share data with Facebook.

I am hoping i might be able to get an old apk (Trojan and virus free) that I could install in the hope of being given the option to opt out when I upgrade it.

Does anyone know if any of the many apk sites online are legit?

# Answer
apkmirror.com is legit. It's run by Android police
> 0 votes

---
Tags: whatsapp-messenger
---


# Question
Title: Should you delete apps moved to SD card with new ROM?
Say you move a bunch of apps to the SD card. Then you do something big, like factory reset your phone or install a new ROM. What happens to the apps that have been moved to the SD card? Are they still there taking up space but no longer accessible? Does this mean that apps moved to the SD card should be uninstalled before rewriting the system?

# Answer
> 1 votes
**Yes. You need to uninstall or move the app to internal storage**

When an app is moved to SD ( in versions before Marshmallow or *portable* storage of Marshmallow ) it does not move the complete app to SD card. A portion of the app remains on internal storage - that's why when you upgrade to a later version of app it again reverts to internal storage and you need to move it to external SD

When you install a new ROM or only that portion of what is on your internal storage is being overwritten. The portion of app on external SD occupies space, though it cannot be used. So to reclaim that space you would need to uninstall the app first or move the app completely to internal storage

If you are using the feature, then you are treating the external SD as internal storage anyway, so you needn't bother doing this

See Appendix 2 and 3 of this reddit for additional reading

---
Tags: sd-card, rom, link2sd
---


# Question
Title: Where to find downloaded firmware update package?
I have been using rooted Lenovo K3 Note k50a40 ( Android version 5.0 firmware S117 ROM) , system shows a notification for a firmware update I have downloaded it but I am unable to locate the package so that I can flash it manually.
I've looked at `/cache` partition(as suggested in this post did not find any OTA file but it has an empty directory called **OTA**)

Finding - On another forum somebody suggested that the file can be found at /lenovoota folder but I can not locate the folder itself let alone the package file.

# Answer
I found the OTA package in following location

```
/data/data/com.lenovo.ota/app_otapackages/

```

Hope this helps you
> 1 votes

---
Tags: ota-update, device-firmware
---


title: Contact app with selective sync?

text:
# Question
Title: Contact app with selective sync?
I am using a Xiaomi Mi5 and the default Contact app sync ALL contacts with Google which creates a huge redundant list of any person I ever emailed. There is no option to select which Group/Folder to sync.

I thought I would find a better Contacts app that sync only the 'My Contacts' folder from Google to my Phone to alleviate this issue but that's a very specific criteria and I'm not sure how to look it up.

Please help, Thanks.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I downloaded the App Contacts+ from Play store which, eventhough it has ads which are a bit annyoing, did allow me to select the 'sources' of contacts from both my personal and professional Google accounts. You can research articles on the best Android contacts apps, in my case this one suited me. Still have my eyes open for a better solution though...

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Tags: contacts, sync, google
---


# Question
Title: Why Do I have multiple dirs in /data/app
I noticed that I was short on space so I checked with a disk analyser app.

I noticed that I have 8 instances of `com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox-1` in `/data/app` and each dir is about 130 MB.

The number at the end increments.

Is this 1 app or 8 versions of the same one?

Can I delete all but one? Which do I keep?

# Answer
> 1 votes
This is the package name of *Google App* as explained here What is the APK (and package) name of the Google App?

I am not sure why there should be multiple entries unless the app has been frequently updated and older versions have incremented numbers at end

In any case, you can check which is the latest using any root explorer (I use Solid explorer) to check properties of `base.apk` retaining the newest one ( which should correspond to the one having `-1` at end, that being the package name )

---
Tags: internal-storage
---


title: Not able to forward GIF as GIF

text:
# Question
Title: Not able to forward GIF as GIF
I am using OnePlus 3. I am able to receive GIF Images but when I forward it to others on WhatsApp they are forwarded either as Still Images or Videos.

My friend is using Samsung A8, she can receive GIF on WhatsApp and forward it as GIF.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I'm not sure if whatsapp support for GIF is official or whether it's only made available in Beta channel.

Please check `/sdcard/whatsApp/Media/WhatsApp Animated Gifs/` directory and see if you have .gif or .mp4 Since there is a feature in whatsapp where in you may convert short mp4 videos into gifs.

You will find more information on how to share videos as a gif here

> 1. Tap the attachment icon in any WhatsApp conversation
> 2. Choose Camera, then Record video
> 3. Record the video and select OK
> 4. In WhatsApp's interface for trimming the video, tap the upper right corner camcorder icon, it'll switch to a GIF icon Send.

---
Tags: oneplus-3
---


# Question
Title: How to disable pop-ups and notifications?
I have Android 5.1. I use my phone as navigation when I\`m driving and I need to disable all notifications and pop-ups. I know I can block notifications from settings, but this takes too much time to disable all apps and enable them again after driving. Also, Facebook and other apps have those pop-ups ("Chat heads" ), which are really disturbing.

Is there any app that can prevent them to appear on my screen ?

# Answer
> 0 votes
If you are looking to disable the heads up notification, you can try HeadsOff app on the Play store which effectively removes any "pop up" notifications from the top.

For something more granular, try Tasker which allows you to control notifications for indivdual applications.

---
Tags: notifications, notification-bar, navigation, popup, mute
---


title: Galaxy s5 adoptable storage

text:
# Question
Title: Galaxy s5 adoptable storage
So I am trying to make my galaxy s5 take my new sd card as internal. I Followed the instructions from Unable to adopt SD card as internal storage using Marshmallow. But I can't comment to ask about my error (Too New here) so I made a new question.

Every time I get the partition part I get this

The SD card is a 128gb 90MB/s SanDisk Extreme.

Samsung-SM-G900A, (AT&T btw) running 6.0.1

# Answer
> 1 votes
You need to include the full line returned from the sm list-disks command. disk:179,64

Therefore the command to partition the SD card would be:

```
sm partition disk:179,64 private

```

You dropped the `disk:` from the command shown in your screen shot.

If you get a timeout error, then try reformatting the SD card.

---
Tags: adb, 6.0-marshmallow, external-sd, adoptable-storage
---


title: Moto Z Force unlocked?

text:
# Question
Title: Moto Z Force unlocked?
Next week I'm going to us and I will buy a new phone. I was thinking of buying a Moto Z Force. But I heard it is only available for Verizon. I'm from Brazil and would like to know if even if the version from the Motorola site is locked for Verizon and if I would have any problems in using this phone here in Brazil.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Verizon uses LTE bands 2, 4, and 13.

Brazilian carriers appear to use 3, 7, 28, and 38. As such, you should by default expect US Verizon phones not to work with LTE in Brazil since there are no overlapping bands.

**However**, the Verizon Z Force supports bands 2-5, 7, and 13. So it's quite possible that it would work on some Brazilian carriers using bands 3 and 7.

(The same basic process of finding overlap applies for 3G bands, GSM voice, etc. if you don't care about LTE specifically.)

You should contact Motorola directly to find out whether the version they sell is locked, and (if so) whether it can be easily unlocked.

# Answer
> -2 votes
Yes , **US VZ** Telephony has a different **4G** protocol . You will not be able to use **4G** in Brazil.

---
Tags: motorola, carriers
---


title: My Samsung Galaxy S4 was stolen

text:
# Question
Title: My Samsung Galaxy S4 was stolen
My Samsung Galaxy S4 was stolen and doesn't have a lock. It was deactivated but I'm worried about the fact that whoever has the phone has access to everything from pictures, videos, my Facebook, contacts, etc. The phone's been deactivated but what can I do about the pictures on the phone? I have a 4 year old daughter and I'm afraid of the pictures on there falling into the wrong hands...I have no other accounts set up to help with privacy but would really like the phone tracked or wiped out...Is that possible?

# Answer
You can try to erase the device from Andriod Device manager at

http://www.android.com/devicemanager

Note that this will work only if:

1. The phone has your account still logged in
2. The phone is connected to the internet at the time of sending the erase request or after. \[Wifi or Mobile Network\]
3. the new user hasn't reset the device.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-4
---


title: Display battery usage

text:
# Question
Title: Display battery usage
Is this okay, or is it too much for screen to use this much battery? Screen brightness is on minimum (not on auto) and screen timeout is 30 seconds. In this example screen was awake for 3h 20m.

# Answer
Yes, this is normal behavior. The display is still the most power hungry component of any smartphone.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: 4.2-jelly-bean, screen
---


# Question
Title: Receiving animated image in WhatsApp, what is this?
Recently my friend send me this animated image on WhatsApp.

Link to the animated image

I was shocked to see an animated GIF in WhatsApp. When I shared to Facebook, it was shared just like a static image, and when I save it to my Mac via http://web.whatsapp.com, it was saved with extension of MP4.

When I shared a GIF from the web, it doesn't animate in WhatsApp. Also, when I shared a video, it also doesn't play like this image.

I am not able to figure it out what's unique with this.

# Answer
> 1 votes
**Update**: All WhatsApp versions now have GIF support.

---

The latest version of WhatsApp supports GIF images.

If you're on Android and Play Store shows that your WhatsApp is up-to-date, then download the beta version by joining the official WhatsApp beta program.

---
Tags: whatsapp-messenger, images
---


# Question
Title: Sony Xperia M2 black screen when turned on
Yesterday, after having my phone in my pocket for the whole day, not checking it for hours, it just had a black screen in the end. At first i thought the battery had run out, so as soon as I was home, I plugged the phone in. It did not load at all, though, and there was no light telling me the phone was loading. I let the phone just lie around over night, thinking the charger cable was just damaged, and used another one the next day. It charged without problems, as normal. When it reached 66%, I decided to turn the phone on. Holding the power button resulted in a light vibration, as always, and the screen just going black (it showed the battery with the amount charged in it before) The lamp that showed me it was charging went off, too.

I had similar problems in the past, but those could be resolved without a problem with holding the volume down + power button for some time, which rebooted the device. This does not seem to work now, though.

As my PC won't recognise the handy beeing plugged in, I can't tell you what version my handy is on exaactly, but I can tell you that I only some days ago received notification about a software update, which I had not yet installed. Before that, the software was on the latest version.

Is this a known problem? All I could find where instances where this problem was fixed with holding the volume and power button.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I had a similar problem in Xperia E3 and couldn't wake the device So i just used custom Rom and it worked .This happened again and i had to flash stock firmware and erased user data during flash. This may happen as a result of kernel bug . ps; If you go service center they you ask to change new chip-set worth 6000 rupees.

---
Tags: reboot, sony-xperia
---


title: The process of Reskining the Apps

text:
# Question
Title: The process of Reskining the Apps
Want to reskin some apps and want to know from where I learn this method with working on some projects.

# Answer
You should first make sure that the app you're working with has a licence permitting you to edit it. You can then use `apktool` to decompile it's apk and modify its resources. You should then compile the edited source and sign it before you can install it on your phone.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: google-apps
---


title: Which application is switching on wifi?

text:
# Question
Title: Which application is switching on wifi?
I am running Android 4.3 on a Samsung Galaxy S3, switching on or off WiFi on a need-to-use basis. A few days back, I realized that WiFi would spontaneously be switched on. I switched it off, but it would be switched on again.

I probably have downloaded an app or an update that is the reason for that behaviour. After trying to uninstall a number of these apps (no result up to now), I am wondering whether there is a possibility to log which app does what on the wifi connection, so as to identify the culprit.

I tried WIFi Fixer and saw a log line (among many others) that said:

> Failover set to: www.baidu.com

This makes me thinks the culprit tries to go to baidu (I have never connected to baidu). Avast scan does not detect a virus, so I am stuck.

# Answer
In china GCM (and many other Google services) are blocked by government. In order to send push notification to app in China there are multiple local service providers. One of them is Baidu, the link you are seeing in the logs. Possible that some app is using that, instead of GCM.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: wi-fi, samsung-galaxy-s-3, logging
---


title: How to revive my android phone?

text:
# Question
Title: How to revive my android phone?
So my phone is dead or whatever it is. It just show the logo screen showing that it will boot into recovery but after all it just turned off. The boot loader is locked so I had nothing to do. I removed the battery for 1 hour and insert it again then press the power button but nothing happens. Connected this to my laptop but still can not be recognized. I also connected it to my laptop without battery but it just shows up the logo then shuts down.
So this is what happens before all of this. I root then flash cwm using Flashify and reboots into recovery and it all started here. Stuck in a logo screen for infinite time. I tried to repair it to a phone repair centers but they can not do it.
Now for the last time before I will consult it to the manufacturer,
is there any solutions that I can do ?
Well I have the stock ROM for this phone which is 5.0.1
**Can I flash the ROM in this situation ?
Can I access the internal storage in this time ?
Or any other suggestions, easy or very difficult steps ?**
Hoping for your help, Thanks !

# Answer
You can try installing fastboot drivers on your computer, then try unlocking the boot loader and flashing a new recovery. But all data will be lost.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop, boot-loop
---


title: How to install android on blank Phone?

text:
# Question
Title: How to install android on blank Phone?
So let me consider my phone **blank** after some of messy things I did on it. I flash CWM that is not for my model but for MTK. Well I have the stock ROM downloaded and all I need is to boot to recovery but the problem is It wont boot into. Is there anything that I can do to restore back my recovery. I already know how to flash ROM, I just need the recovery.
Thanks in advance !

# Answer
You could try using a pc and going into Fastboot on the phone and flashing a new recovery.
> -2 votes

---
Tags: recovery-mode
---


# Question
Title: Hacker's keyboard v1.38.2 doesn't show any suggestions other than "Android"
I downloaded and installed Hacker's keyboard v1.37 some months ago. It was functioning as expected and the experience was great. Then, I upgraded it to v1.38.2 and set the settings to the same for what I had for the old version.

The problem with he new version is that it doesn't show any suggestions. The only suggestion that I see when typing is "Android" and nothing else.

What do I need to do in order to fix it?

# Answer
It seems that the dev has decided to seperate the keyboard and the completion dictionary. Download and install the completion dictionary by searching `pub:"Klaus Weidner"` in the Google play store and then, the suggestions will appear.

Quote from the Hacker's keyboard app description:

> Completion dictionaries are provided by plug-in packages, see the "other applications by this developer" section for the currently available list. The keyboard also supports use of dictionaries (but not keyboard layouts) provided by AnySoftKeyboard language packs.

Quote from the English completion dictionary description:

> In the future, the English dictionary will no longer be included in the Hacker's Keyboard package. Use this external dictionary to provide English completion suggestions.
>
> An English completion dictionary for use with Hacker's Keyboard. Needed for future versions, release 1.29 still has it built in but I plan to unbundle it to save space.
> 6 votes

---
Tags: keyboard
---


# Question
Title: How to install 6.0.1OTA update on a rooted nexus 5
My Nexus 5 is rooted. I received the 6.0.1 OTA update but when I try to install the update (I just clicked install link when the update finished downloading), the device restarts and goes to the TWRP screen and doesn't install the update.

Can anyone tell me how I can get the update to install?

# Answer
> 4 votes
You cannot install an OTA update on rooted device because SuperSU changes some statement in install-recovery.sh to run itself on boot.

To install OTA you need to install factory image available at https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images?hl=en

If you dont want to loose your apps and data. Simply edit the script **flash-all.bat** and remove

```
-w

```

From

```
fastboot -w update image-hammerhead-*.zip

```

Installation script file name will differ according to your OS.

You will loose root access and TWRP after going through above method as there's no other way to install OTA because all system files should be intact for successful installation of OTA.

# Answer
> 1 votes
If your phone is rooted by flashing normal SuperSu, then the SuperSu app and binaries would have been pushed into the /system partition of your phone. OTAs normally verify the checksum of your current system partition with that of untouched stock system partition's before the update. By rooting your device, which modifies the system, the MD5 sum would definitely not match, so you won't be able to install the OTA.

If you had rooted it by using systemless root (by SuperSu), then you can flash the OTA with no issues, since system partition will not be modified by that method. It seems you have TWRP installed now. It is better to flash the stock ROM (6.0) and don't root it. Then install the (6.0.1) OTA through the stock recovery.

There's no way other than this.

# Answer
> 0 votes
You can using app: \[root\] FlashFire that can downloaded in PlayStore.

Then, download the latest factory images package for Nexus 5 from here

After the file is downloaded and saved in your phone, open FlashFire app. The app will grant root access and if it found update\[OTA\] file, choose 'delete'.

Next, click "plus" icon \> choose "Flash firmware package" \> browse to the location that you saved the downloaded factory image.

Then the app will scanning the firmware file and after that you can select some options.

\*If you want to keep TWRP as recovery, just uncheck "Recovery".

\*Be careful, if you want to keep your data in phone, make sure that "Data" unchecked.

Last, just click "FLASH" then your phone will reboot and install the update.

\*Note: I've tried this for my Nexus 5 and it is successfull. Hope it works for you too :)

---
Tags: rooting, ota-update, unrooting
---


# Question
Title: "USB DEVICE NOT RECOGNIZED" appears in taskbar after connecting smartphone
We are connecting Android Smartphone to my laptop, may see "USB Device Not Recognized" in taskbar, but data cable for smartphone is good. Please help! I am use smartphone GT-I8262 and Jelly Bean Version 4.1.2.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Try to install Kies as Samsung sets need PC suit to connect or if it not works then download adb installer and execute it while connecting your device

# Answer
> -1 votes
Try change USB cable and connect to computer to make sure connection works properly. If you doesn't work well, you can buy USB cable at cellphone store.

---
Tags: 4.1-jelly-bean, usb
---


# Question
Title: Can I disable MTP mode and just have a regular USB connection?
I have a Galaxy Tab 10.1, and it's been rooted.

Whenever I try to connect it by USB, it goes into MTP mode, which isn't working for me when connecting to my Ubuntu Linux computer.

I'd really rather not have to deal with some software to make transfers. I'd rather just have it show up as a USB exernal drive like my phone does.

Is there a way I can disable MTP and make my tablet just show up as a USB external drive?

# Answer
I'm not 100% sure. But IIRC, the problem with normal USB storage is Android has to partition your phone for internal storage and USB storage. Your computer can then umount the USB storage from phone and mount it in your computer. So in many phones without MTP, even though the internal storage had capacity like 16GB, only 1 or 2 GB was available for app installation. While some phone gave up to 8GB for app, that space was wasted for people who didn't need that much for app but needed space for music and photos.

With MTP mode, there isn't separate partition but a whole single partition. So if you have 16GB internal storage in your phone, you can use whole 16GB for apps, music and photos.

MTP mode is available from Honeycomb and I don't think it's an optional component. I mean I don't think you can say I don't want MTP mode, I want USB storage mode.
> 9 votes

# Answer
No other way for disabling MTP Mode, except you have Android generic smartphone such as local manufacturer smartphone.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-tab, usb-connection-mode
---


# Question
Title: How to extract audio from a web page on Android?
I'm trying to extract the source audio from a podcast so I don't constantly have to go to the website and find the exact point I was at. It is directly from a web player which is embedded on a webpage that I visit.

As far as I'm aware it's not possible with any extensions because they are not compatible with the chrome browser on android (which I am using on my Nexus 5X).

Has anyone been successful in downloading an MP3 file from a webpage using their Android phone?

If any clarification is needed please let me know in the comments. Thanks!

# Answer
Try Mp3fy.

Long hold the link to the podcast and copy the URL. Insert the compied URL to Mp3fy and let it work its magic.

If you could provide a link to the particular podcast so that we can check, that would be great too.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: audio, nexus
---


# Question
Title: Is there a way to remove all other USB options except charging?
Is there a way to disable *MTP/PTP* and all *other* USB options except *Charging* option from the Android system?

I'm using LG G4 beat, Android 5.1.1 and i want to **remove** it for my new ROM that i working on

Rooted device

Thanks!

# Answer
> 0 votes
There no action to disabling MTP mode, but you'll make remove all USB option is: connecting to electrical plug, not the PC.

---
Tags: usb, usb-connection-mode
---


# Question
Title: Connect Android phone to PC network via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi
I use a USB dongle to use the internet, which I connect to my laptop. Then, I share the internet via Adhoc Wi-Fi network, but the network is not searchable on my pone.

I searched Google and found some software like Connectify. With this software, the network appears on my phone, but it keeps on scanning and never gets connected. Also, the network which I have created does not share it with other laptops.

Is there a free software through which I can connect with the laptop internet through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi? I don't like the internet pass through because I was unable to move my phone on my apartment with that option.

# Answer
You can give this a try:

1. If you are on a Windows machine, download MyPublicWiFi and install
2. Set desired network name (SSID) and Network key i.e password. Let Enable Internet sharing check box be checked in, and select the appropriate network connection from which you are accessing the internet on your PC or laptop.
3. Press “Set up and Start Hotspot“, this makes your PC a hotspot.
4. Now try connecting from your Android device
> 0 votes

# Answer
You can follow this steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click Tethering and Portable hotspot.
3. Configure as desired.
4. Switch on the portable hotspot.
5. Follow steps for connecting to PC with Wi-Fi. NOTE: You cannot use Wi-Fi client and Wi-Fi hotspot simultaneous or use USB tethering method, follow steps:
6. Connect Android phone to computer using USB cable,
7. Open settings, then click Tethering and Portable Hotspot.
8. Click USB Tethering.
9. Activate Wi-Fi client (for USB tethering only).
10. Open the browser and type www.google.com to make connection.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: internet
---


# Question
Title: Android smartphone battery suddenly drained twice as fast than usual
I own an Android smartphone that I'm very little using (even to phone!), so since I got it (about one year) I use to be notified for charging it only once every other day.
(the only notable service permanently active is probably the wi-fi scanning)

But suddenly, four days ago, I was notified of low level battery about 24 hours after its previous complete charge. The next day I was notified after only 23 hours... and today after only 19 hours!

I'm pretty surprised, not only because this happens suddenly, without having changed anything in my way of using it, but also because looking at the Settings \> Battery usage I find something like this:

* Screen: 15%
* Android system: 13%
* Android OS: 7%
* Idle phone: 3%

...and nothing else, so the total is only `38%`!
I'm pretty surprised because in my mind, depending on how to understand the list meaning:

* If the list presents the consumed parts compared to the whole battery power the total should be equal to `100% - the reported battery state`; in the current example, battery state was 13% so the total should be `87%`
* Or the total should merely be `100%` if the list presents the part of each component compared to the *current* consumption.

So here are two indissociable questions:

* **What might be the cause of the sudden increase of consumption?**
* **What is the correct interpretation of the battery usage information?**

If it'd be helpful: my smartphone is an Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3.
It was recently updated from Lollipop to Marsmallow (6.0.1), but this happened about 2 months before I suddenly face the issue related above.

# Answer
**Next day, seems that all works fine again, apparently due to one of these two simple actions** (but I don't know which one, or both, are the real remedy!):

1. Just after the most recent charge **I *temporarily (see below)* turned the device into *Economy mode*** (using Settings \> Battery | Top right menu \> Economy mode).
2. Having looked at several related questions here in AE, I wanted to try clearing the system cache, but inadvertently missed the double press power+volume so **I ended merely turning the device off then on**, instead of processing clear cache; then I gave up for the moment.

The unexpected (but fortunate!) result was that **the battery level remained \> 90% during the next 12 hours**, so I decided to deactivate the Economy mode and wait to see what happens.

Now, about 24 hours later, the battery level is still 62%, and the chart shows a prevision of 4 days availability before to be empty: **four times better than when I noticed the issue**, and even **twice better than it used before the issue appears**!

---

EDIT: 10 days later, I can confirm that the improvement is real and persists. But there is more.

A very interesting (although unexplained!) point is that not only the battery stopped emptying in less than a day, but now it takes about 4-5 days before reaching 10%: in other words **now the battery life cycle is more than 2x better than ever** since I got the device!
> 0 votes

---
Tags: battery-life
---


title: About Android versions and naming

text:
# Question
Title: About Android versions and naming
Android 4.1 was jellybean. Also 4.2 and 4.3. And then, 4.4 emerged - as KitKat. After that, it bounced right up to 5.0 Lollipop! How does this 'versioning' system work? What makes a 'new version with the same name' like 4.1 and 4.2, and what makes a 'new version with a new name' like KitKat?

# Answer
The names and numbers are decided by Google's marketing department. It's got nothing to do with the developers, who don't even know the name or number until shortly before it's announced: they use an internal name to talk about the release while they're working on it.

The numbers aren't real "major" and "minor" numbers like you get on most software. You'd expect minor releases to be compatible, but in fact they often introduce new features (for example, Bluetooth LE support was introduced in 4.3). Google supplies security updates on a monthly schedule, much more frequently than the marketing version changes.

Application compatibility is dealt with in an entirely different way: every time the Android API is changed, the *API level* changes. Each Android version (whether it's a new name or not; whether it's a new "major version" or not) has an API level. The Android developer site has some information on API level numbers and how they relate to the marketing names/numbers. It's not intended for end-users but it's quite readable.
> 2 votes

# Answer
The first digit denotes a major, milestone release. Typically this indicates new features or rewrites to filesystems, system applications, security/performance etc.

Minor releases, the digit behind the period, are patches to the major versions where things like bugfixes and security loopholes are fixed.

The Android versioning page on wikipedia has the full monty on the changes between each iteration.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: android-versions
---


title: Color saturation cm 13

text:
# Question
Title: Color saturation cm 13
I have the nvidia shield k1 tablet. It's running cyanogenmod 13 nightly release. On the stock os there was options for color management. Is there any options for this on cm 13?

# Answer
You can manage color temperature under Settings - Display - LiveDisplay. Other than that there's no built-in option.

If the kernel supports it, some kernel management apps can also fine-tune color, although that's not universal across devices.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, root-access, screen, color, nvidia-shield
---


# Question
Title: Cannot root Mototola Moto 3G with Android 6.0.1
I am trying to root my Android device (the one in title) without success and I would really need it because of work reasons (in order to access app Caravel data and recover them in case the app does not start anymore).

I have followed many tutorial like the this and they all say the same thing. I have tried with many SuperSU BETA versions which I installed by flash from TWRP, as the tutorial say. The one which seems to work is 2.65; in fact, beta versions seem to block and freeze the device at boot. It just shows the logo and block. Instead, with 2.65 this does not happen. Then, superSU asks to be fully installed from play store but at the end I am not root. I checked with Root Browser and root checker and it seems that nothing worked.

What am I missing? Which is the correct procedure?

# Answer
Try referring to this guide -

http://forum.xda-developers.com/2015-moto-g/general/guide-install-twrp-root-xposed-t3294588

It should work for your device.

1) Unlock your bootloader . for complete unlocking process go here.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sw675i...ature=youtu.be

IT WILL RESET ALL YOUR DATA.

2) Turn on USB debugging on

3) Boot your device into bootloader mode

4) flash TWRP recovery v2.8.7 r5. http://forum.xda-developers.com/devd...1051#downloads

5) Boot into TWRP recovery

6) Flash supersu zip v2.62-3. http://download.chainfire.eu/751/Sup...1211162651.zip

7) After succsesfull flashing wipe cache/dalvik cache . reboot system. If it asks to install Root. DO NOT INSTALL ROOT AT THIS STAGE.

8) wait till Boot finishes.

9) If you want to install Xposed Boot into TWRP recovery.

10) Flash Xposed installer xposed-v79-sdk23-arm.zip. http://forum.xda-developers.com/show....php?t=3034811.
> 1 votes

# Answer
This guide covers ALL Moto G 2015 models (including the G Turbo) that can be bootloader unlocked, are running stock Marshmallow, and have TWRP available, it doesn't matter if it is the XT1540, XT1541, XT1543, etc., the method is identical. In fact, this method will work on all 2015 and 2016 series Moto phones running Marshmallow, including the Moto E, X, G3, G4, and Z.

Please read completely and make sure you understand each step and how to do it, if you don't get something search the thread or ask an open question.

tl;dr version for advanced users: Skip to "**How to do it**" section

I wrote this tutorial because there are still lots of failed root attempts using older "standard" methods that do not work on this device. I also do not like the "one click" root methods, because they can and do fail (KingoRoot will brick a Moto G3, regardless of what it's web page says), and when they do people have no idea how to fix it. The manual way is not difficult, and it teaches you how to work on, fix, and use your device on a level above that of the average smartphone user.

I will only cover the details of rooting, the prerequisites are covered elsewhere in detail and I will link to reliable sources for the information. Specifics of the prerequisites are outside of the scope of this tutorial, but are open for discussion in this thread.

**Prerequisites:**

1) Device must have an unlocked bootloader. See Moto - Unlocking the Bootloader for more info.
**NOTE:** *Performing this prerequisite will give you all the tools (fastboot) and drivers needed to continue, and wipe your device, meaning erase all your information and programs. Make sure to backup any important data first. This step will also permanently void your warranty once an unlock code has been issued by Moto, it doesn't matter if you even use it, your warranty is done.*

2) You need to have TWRP installed or one-time booted via fastboot. CWM and other recoveries will NOT work at this time. See TWRP for the Moto G 2015 or TWRP for Moto G Turbo.

3) You need a copy of the latest **STABLE** SuperSU ZIP from Chainfire's site on the internal storage or SD card of your device. As of this posting UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.76-20160630161323.zip is the current stable version. **NOTE:** *Version 2.77 BETA is intended specifically for the Note 7 and should not be used for rooting Moto devices, in testing it doesn't brick or stop boot, it just doesn't show up or work. Stable version are even numbered.*

4) Reboot and start TWRP recovery, the method you use to do this doesn't matter (boot or flash).

**How to do it:**

Now, the procedure is the same whether you are trying to root the first time, or you did it the old way just flashing SuperSU and are now not able to boot...

In TWRP, go to Advanced and open the Terminal, in the terminal type this EXACTLY as shown:

`echo SYSTEMLESS=true>>/data/.supersu`

Now press enter (there is no confirmation returned), then exit and press the Home key. Go to Install and select the SuperSU zip file you downloaded from Prerequisite #3 and swipe to flash it and reboot. No need to clear caches or anything else but you are welcome to if you wish. You can install SuperSU updates normally through the app going forward (as of this posting).

**Why do I have to do this???**

For whatever reason, the install script for SuperSU does not recognize that this device (like many others) requires a systemless root installation. By creating /data/.supersu in the TWRP recovery environment, the SuperSU install script parses the file and sees `SYSTEMLESS=true` and ignores what it auto-detects and forces a systemless root installation.

Hope this is helpful to someone!

As always, if this is the first time you have booted TWRP or attempted root... **BACKUP IN TWRP FIRST**!!! Once the system is modified, it cannot be undone (easily) and you will always have a known good starting place if the worst happens.

**DISCLAIMER**: I am not responsible for anything that happens... Your device, your responsibility, no matter what happens... Although all the information here has been tested and is known to work with no issues except where noted, things occasionally can and do go wrong and we cannot foresee every possible scenario or circumstance.

My original article
> 2 votes

---
Tags: rooting, root-access, 6.0-marshmallow, motorola-moto-g, twrp
---


# Question
Title: Where is the chart that shows device model popularity?
There is a box-chart that showed the list of android devices out in use, and the relative popularity of each.

I'm not sure if this is Google Developer provided, or by some 3rd party, but I'd like to relocate this chart of hardware popularity.

Does anyone know the chart I'm referring to?

# Answer
Many third-parties do this statistical work. Here's one I can find that's relatively new (Aug. 2015) and in English (Chinese groups do it too but I'd not bother looking for it because people here likely can't read). It's also interactive.
> 2 votes

# Answer
Antutu, the popular benchmarking software records the make and model of each phone it benchmarks, and releases a quarterly list of top 10 most popular smartphone by relative percentage.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Here are some Android phone model charts:

Unity mobile Android hardware stats (include Chinese manufacturers)

AppBrain Top Android phones
> 1 votes

---
Tags: hardware, android-versions
---


# Question
Title: Which one is the 4G sim slot in Redmi 3s prime?
I have acquired an Jio sim and I am using a Redmi 3s prime. But I don’t know which one is the primary 4G sim slot in the phone. Is it the nano one or the micro one? Or can i choose any one of them? Please help. Thanks

# Answer
The **Redmi 3S Prime** uses a **hybrid SIM slot** which means it accepts *one Micro-SIM* and *another Nano-SIM or microSD card for storage*.

Unfortunately, this means that users will have to choose between a second SIM and a microSD card.

***Coming to your question*** : Use any slot for 4G. It is recommended from my side, use the micro-sim slot for the primary sim.
> 2 votes

# Answer
The Redmi 3S Prime supports hybrid dual-SIM (Micro-SIM + Nano-SIM) slot with the second SIM slot also capable of functioning as a microSD slot. However either slot can be used for 4G.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 4g, xiaomi
---


# Question
Title: How to modify possible values screen timeout on rooted devices?
I've managed to root my device. I wanted to keep my screen awake forever. However when I looked around the Settings, the maximum value is 1 hour in the Display settings. There's a 'never' in Developer settings, but only when device is being charged. I used Tasker to set the timeout to Never, but it gets changed back when I click the Display Settings. I used Android wakelocks but they stop working when they're removed from the memory.

I know those settings are practical enough, but as a geek I would like to know how to get 'Never' appear in my Display Settings.

EDIT: To repeat again, I **DO NOT** want to use an app or a wakelock to accomplish this. I just would like to have my ROM (/system partition) modifed so that 'Screen timeout: Never' appears in my Settings.

# Answer
In order to keep screen awake forever:

1. Download No Screen Off app and install it.
2. (**Ignore this PLEASE**) If you know android programming, you can use this snippet in your app:

`getWindow().addFlags(WindowManager.LayoutParams.FLAG_KEEP_SCREEN_ON);`

3. Some phones have **"Keep screen turned on" option** in Screen timeout settings.
4. (**Requires Root**) You can use **PerApp for** making **change** in Screen timeout settings **and add your own value**.(customize)
5. There is a **stay awake option in "Developer Options"** to Stay awake **while USB debugging and charging**.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: settings, screen
---


title: How do I start saving on SD card

text:
# Question
Title: How do I start saving on SD card
My phone kept saying device out of space so I bought an SD card and inserted it into the phone but my phone is still saying the same thing. How do I start using SD card please, thank you.

# Answer
> 0 votes
The storage is still calculated separately (internal VS. external), so internal is still low on space, hence the alert.

At this moment, use a file explorer to go through your internal storage and see what's hogging space (music? video? installation files you forgot to delete?), and move anything necessary to the SD card. For some phones you can also go to Settings-Apps to move some installed apps to the card.

If the problem persists, please post screenshots of your storage details both in Settings-Storage and under Settings-Apps.

---
Tags: internal-sd
---


# Question
Title: Whatsapp doesn't work over 3G,everything else works fine
A friend has a factory fresh, unrooted Samsung Galaxy S Duos, and except for Whatsapp every other internet accessing app works fine on a 3G or EDGE connection.

She has un/reinstalled Whatsapp several times. It works fine over Wifi. She's no power user, so any solution involving rooting the phone is not an option.

To clarify - there is nothing wrong with 3G or EDGE on her phone, since she can browse the internet and use other such apps perfectly fine.

**Update** \- She's on Vodafone, as I and thousands of people in India are, and no, Vodafone is not blocking Whatsapp for any reason.

Searching for solutions on Google only leads to 'No shit, Sherlock!' type answers with genius level solutions like 'check whether your 3G connection is working' or 'get the latest version of Whatsapp'.

So is there a workaround?

# Answer
> 4 votes
i also had the same issue. Incase you are on vodafone network, try and select vodafone gprs as ur default settings.

It worked for me the same way.

Hope this suggestion helps

# Answer
> 5 votes
I faced similar problem until recently I found the fix. I use Vodafone 3G Pack.

* If you are an android user, check the network and `settings` -\> `Access Point names`
* In that check if APN is set to Vodafone Live.
* If yes, change it to default settings and it should be changed to vodafone Mobile connect.
* Also, then check the value of MCC and MNC. It should be as per country code and mobile operator.

I didnt understand, why this changed on its own, but after making this change and rebooting phone, it worked for me.

I hope this works for you too..

# Answer
> 0 votes
Good morning..Here are the solution-options for your mobile, if "What'sApp" NOT working on mobile-data pack.

# Answer
> -1 votes
I had a similar problem. Reset the APN settings to their defaults and it will start working.

---
Tags: 3g, whatsapp-messenger, samsung-galaxy-s-duos
---


# Question
Title: How to enable the SD card to be written on by all apps [Mrashmallow]
Is there any way without rooting the device? My device is a Sony Xperia C4.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Yes, you can use adaptable storage to do this. This means that your SD card with merge with your internal storage and display itself as one big SD card. This is really nice if you need extra storage, but things can go crazy if you pull your SD card out of your phone as it's used as internal storage.

Just make sure NOT to pull out your SD card from your phone if you decide to enable this.

You can enable it in 2 ways:

**ADB**:

```
adb shell sm set-force-adoptable true

```

**From Settings**

Go to Settings -\> Storage -\> SD Card -\> Format as internal

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, sd-card
---


title: Google play store not working

text:
# Question
Title: Google play store not working
I have rooted my LYK-4503 from kingroot and then I uninstall the app and now I am not able to open google play store and I am not able to download or update any app... Please help me

# Answer
Instead of Restoring the Stock rom, Just download the Latest version of the Play Store from the web and then move it to the System/app folder. Also, I recommend you don't use KingRoot. Instead, get a custom recovery and Flash SuperSu.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Kingroot really is a pain to work with. Only use it if nothing else works.

To fix your problem you should find the suitable version of gapps at opengapps.org. Make sure to select the correct architecture and android version and use a Gapps package `micro` or higher.

Once you download the zip, copy it to your phone and install it with a recovery.
> 0 votes

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


# Question
Title: Recovering a single fille from Nandroid backup?
I used TWRP to backup whole system and copy the backup to my computer. I would like to gain access to a single file. Is there a way I can do this without flashing the whole image? I'm not sure which backup it was in exactly so this could be a very lengthy process and was wondering any tips?

# Answer
> 0 votes
use Titanium backup pro to extract the single app or data, through extract from nandroid backup(your backup must be in sdcard/twrp/backups)

# Answer
> 0 votes
Nandroid Manager does exactly what you want for free, but it also has a pro version with additional features.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Usually these nandroid backups are in some wrapper format of zip or tar.gz

use your archiver application in computer to extract that backup or use Titanium backup to restore a particular app from a backup

---
Tags: rom-flashing, data-recovery, twrp
---


# Question
Title: How do I prevent apps from blocking a second screen?
I used Google cast to cast my phone's screen. That worked. But all4, the Channel 4 catch-up app, wouldn't display on the second screen. A message popped up saying "all 4 doesn't work on secondary screens". How can i stop the app from detecting this? I'm rooted and xposed, s5 touchwiz lollipop

# Answer
> 1 votes
Try xPrivacy.

You might be able to limit the permissions of the all4 application you mentioned in such a way that it cannot tell if Google cast is running.

The Github page has the full options on what is available.

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop, root-access, xposed-framework, samsung-touchwiz, chromecast
---


# Question
Title: How to enter recovery mode in BlueStacks?
I have downloaded and installed BlueStacks rooted version with ClockworkMod Recovery installed through Rom Manager. Now I want to install a custom ROM, and I need to enter the recovery mode.

How to access recovery mode in BlueStacks?

# Answer
> 1 votes
No, you cannot enter recovery mode with BlueStacks.

The recovery needs a partition for the recovery as mb, but I think BlueStacks remove that partition. So when you reboot into the recovery, it will be blank.

You can only install Xposed for modding BlueStacks, like display, setting, etc.

---
Tags: recovery-mode, custom-roms, clockworkmod-recovery, bluestacks
---


# Question
Title: How to disable text message notifications when sleeping?
Text message notifications like WhatsApp sometimes wake me up during nighttime. Turning off my phone isn't an option since I need the alarm, and turning off notification volume (or silent mode) just sets me up for trouble since I will forget to bring it back up, missing important texts.

Is there a way to disable text messages between 10 PM and 8 AM?

# Answer
In Android 5.0 and up there's a Do Not Disturb mode which you can set for a specific time frame/days of week/and select exceptions too. It is under Settings - Sound & notification (on my N6), or Settings - Sounds and vibration (on my Galaxy S7 Edge)
> 3 votes

# Answer
Try Tasker

It lets you modify notifcations and alarms based on a selection of conditions - in your case, you can set the notification volume based on current time.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: notifications
---


# Question
Title: Limit apps to only work if connected to WiFi
My son is exceeding his data limit by downloading files when off the WiFi. I do not want to turn off all mobile data as he still needs to access his email, etc, however, he does not need to be watching YouTube videos and Netflix movies when not connected to the WiFi.

Is there a way for me to restrict data usage for specific apps to WiFi only? For example, if he opens up Google Chrome and is not connected to the WiFi, he cannot use this app. Essentially he gets a "connection not found" message.

Previous posts (Limit YouTube to Wi-Fi only) referred to the apps Onavo Count and Avast Mobile Security but when I checked them out in Google Play neither app mentioned the ability to do this.

I have restricted background data for these apps, but my understanding is that he still can use these apps over a mobile network if he opens them up.

Suggestions anyone? He has a HTC Evo. I own a Note 2.

# Answer
Check NoRoot Firewall screenshot below in playstore

Screenshot (click to enlarge)

As you can see from the screenshot, you can add custom filters to allow specific websites to work on Mobile data and also to restrict in WiFi too. You can restrict youtube and other data hungry apps not to work under mobile data.
> 2 votes

# Answer
Not sure if you'd want to root but a for sure solution would be an app like Macrodroid (like tasker) and AFWall (firewall) to automate this using profiles and wouldn't end up blocking when unwanted. These are all paid apps tho, rely on something like SuperSU, and they all run as device administrator with password protection to prevent changes to settings or removal. https://i.stack.imgur.com/1Zlww.jpg
> 0 votes

# Answer
On my Sprint plan, even if you use WiFi, if the data is concurrently enabled (updown arrows in status bar highlighted), then Sprint will count is as data used. The central service cannot distinguish whether you are actually using WiFi, or cellular data if the mobile data setting is enabled. It counts it as data passing into the phone regardless of source with the mobile data on.

So even if you stream Youtube or HD video through your home wifi, They do not tell you this, and some store clerks or IT help (customer service reps) don't even know it. My brother got snagged on this while streaming spotify at work.

Call them out on it and get your money back for the months you went over. They never explain this to customers and it's a big ripoff.

Be sure to turn off mobile data while connected to Wifi if so that you don't accumulate data use.

PS On a different note. Streaming music didn't work for me because I turned off background data enabled for the streaming app. The settings say turn off background data for mobile data only, but it seems to also disrupt wifi.

The distinction by apps or by carrier seems to be difficult in both cases.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Their is an app available in google play store which do the same as you need called watchDogs Application, However, This feature is available in android phones which operating System is updated to Lollipop version 5.1.
> -1 votes

---
Tags: mobile-data
---


# Question
Title: Galaxy On5 not compatible with Adoptable Storage
Samsung Galaxy On5 (MetroPCS)

> * Android OS: 6.0.1 Marshmallow
> * Status: Rooted
> * Recovery: TWRP
> * Framework: Xposed v85.1 (Wanam build)
> * Model: SM-G550T1 (on5ltemtr)

I had installed Root Essentials a couple weeks back, and while fumbling through it, I came across "Adoptable Storage".

***In a nutshell, that's when you format your External SD Card & combine it with your Internal Memory for more space***

After hours upon hours of research, forum trolling, YouTube videos, contacting Samsung, etc..., I've found no working method to allow Adoptable Storage to work on my On5.

Samsung made all their newly released phone's running MM "incapable" of this feature, while all other company device's running MM have full access to it.

There's a loophole for Samsung phone's to obtain Adoptable Storage by way of ADB and Fastboot commands. I've tried that method and followed it step by step, down to the final period. FAILURE. Galaxy S7 & S7 Edges can obtain it by way of ADB/FB along with other Samsung device's, except the On5.

My question after a short-story rundown: is there a 100% working method for the On5 to obtain Adoptable Storage or should I stop searching & close this book?

# Answer
Great to read you gave Root Essentials a try! We have just updated Root Essentials with a renewed approach to handle those difficult phones just like yours. Version 2.3.1, released on Google Play / XDA / APKMirror, contains this new code.

Feel free to try and do let us know the results! Thomas, dev. Root Essentials.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, adoptable-storage, samsung-galaxy-on5
---


# Question
Title: What does this notification icon mean? Samsung s7
I just bought an galaxy s7 edge, and this weird icon is on my notifcation bar. I cannot seem to figure it out. Does anyone know what it does or means? Thanks.

# Answer
> 1 votes
This seems to be related to the joyn service. (This link goes to the german Wikipedia page, as the logo is not visible on the english version).

Joyn (or RCS - Rich Communication Services) is meant to be a new messaging standard, created by service providers as a response to messaging services like WhatsApp.

---
Tags: google-play-store, 5.0-lollipop, samsung, 6.0-marshmallow, samsung-galaxy-s7
---


title: Mobile data is turn on itself

text:
# Question
Title: Mobile data is turn on itself
I am using android, it started a week ago. It automatically turns on mobile data. I switched it off but after a couple of minutes it again gets switched on. Please suggest me to solve this problem. its koreaios8

# Answer
One of your apps is controlling your data connection. Find it and remove it. You can try clearing app cash. And last you can try factory reset.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: data-connection
---


title: Run a particular app on boot

text:
# Question
Title: Run a particular app on boot
I have a phone running Android 4.0 and I wish to know if it is possible to turn this phone into a dedicated calculator? When I say dedicated I mean - once the phone is turned on, it boots directly to a calculator GUI? Whereby the user can immediately starting using the calculator, just like any stock standard Android calculator app would look like.

I do not wish it to boot to a home screen in between, but directly to the calculator itself. I am using a very simple example here, in anycase, would this be possible?

# Answer
> 0 votes
First, I'd like to point out that turning on is different than booting. That said, I have a suggestion that will work if you are talking about turning the device on and off:

Use the *Pin Screen* feature of Android 5.0 (Lollipop). To do this, screen pinning must be enabled in *Settings-\>Security*. Once enabled, start Calculator (or any app) and then hit the "app switcher" button. This is done differently depending on what phone you have and tweaks you may have applied. On my device, it's done by double-tapping the home key. When you are in app switcher view, touch the push pin icon on whatever app you want pinned.

Once pinned, Calculator will be the only app that can be used. If you turn the device off and on again, you will be right back at Calculator.

Note that the pin will not persist across reboots, hence the caveat.

# Answer
> 0 votes
It is very much possible to turn an Android phone into a dedicated device, or kiosk, and allow access to only one application, e.g. a Calculator. There are many commercial applications available on google play like SureLock which provides lockdown solution. Such a lockdown will ensure that the user cannot access any other applications, device settings, and even the hardware keys can be disabled. Whenever the phone is turned on or restarted, it will boot directly to a calculator rather than the regular device home screen.

---
Tags: applications, boot, automation
---


# Question
Title: How can I know which apps are currently connecting to the Internet?
I have a Samsung Spica running Eclair (rooted). I've noticed on a number of occasions that inspite of the Autosync option **turned off**, the sync icon appears in the notification bar. By default, Gmail, Calendar & Contacts are set to sync whenever the Autosync option is turned on.

I don't use any scheduler app like Locale or Tasker.

Is there an app or some way to see which app is connecting to the Internet at any given time? Or can someone verify if this sort of behaviour of the sync icon appearing is normal?

# Answer
> 8 votes
OS Monitor does that. Shows the name of the app, and the IP address of the connection (including a WHOIS with a map when you click on it).

EDIT: I should mention that the sync icon TYPICALLY indicates a system-level sync. Do you have every item (GMail, Contacts, Calendar, Facebook) explicitly turned off in the settings?

# Answer
> 4 votes
PhoneUsage keeps track of how much data you use each day, and gives a nice display of which apps used how much data.

Here is an example of what mine looked like this month:

Click to enlarge the Image

NOTE: It only starts tracking after installation.

# Answer
> 2 votes
Check out SPB Wireless Monitor. It can give you reports by date range of which apps have used data, how much data they've used, and breaks it down so you can see wifi data vs. data-plan data.

There's a new app, My Data Manager, which costs a fraction.

You can check that out as well. It does basically the same thing, though will also show you roaming data. Also, this one allows you to enter a monthly start date so you can align its data tracking with your billing cycle.

# Answer
> 2 votes
I'm surprised that no one has mentioned Onavo! It works great! And a quite intuitive interface too!

**UPDATE:** Seems Onavo pulled data manager app from app store and created a VPN + Data Manager app. You can find it here. I haven't used it so don't know how helpful it is.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Use Netlive. It'll give you stats of data usage by apps in real-time.

# Answer
> 0 votes
There is an app called Network Connections on Google Play also with Live Capture for example.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Cm data manager

Is the best apps shows you wish apps are connected even system maybe viros to detect

And can block any apps data use

# Answer
> -1 votes
Yes, I use this application from Google Play called AndroidBooster from NetQuin. This app gives you with a list of apps that maybe using you internet.

Once installed, go to Utilities Tab \> Network Manager and there you will see list of applications that maybe using the internet. It will on tell you if an app can use internet. It does not tell how much data each app uses or have used.
Good luck

---
Tags: sync
---


# Question
Title: Why can't I access my files on my SD card after marshmallow update?
I have a AT&T galaxy note 4 which recently updated to 6.0.1 Marshmallow.

My phone reads that the SD card is in there, and all the file directories are there but when I try to open or view them it'll tell me I can't open/view the file. My music player still reads all the music just can't play them, ("could not play this track") or my gallery still has all the photos but can't display them

All photos show as:

The phone is not rooted but is encrypted along with the SD card. I tried decrypting it but it didn't do anything, along with taking out the SD card, cleaning it, ect.

It seems though I can add data to the card and it will save new data to the card.

What can I do to fix or recover my data? thanks.

Also, my problem is very similar to the one below, except under different circumstances.

Why can't I access the files on my SD card?

# Answer
> -2 votes
You have to provide run time permission for that.

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, external-sd, data-recovery
---


title: android 4.2.2 out of space

text:
# Question
Title: android 4.2.2 out of space
My nexus4 2G RAM and 16G ROM, android 4.2.2. Got the root privileges afte bought it last year.

The situation puzzled me these days. Each time I tried to install app from google play or somewhere esle. **Out of space error** came out and suggested me *Free up some sapce and try again*, *Cancel* or *Manage apps*.

In fact 8.9Gb is available, Apps(app data & media content) occupies 733m. And this **Out of space error** doesn't come out when I updating apps.

I did some seach, uninstalled some apps, cleared app cache(one by one), even entered **recovery mode** and cleared **dalvik cache**, but it doesn't work.

Any help is greatly appreciated. thanks!

# Answer
> 1 votes
(from an Android 4.4.4 user)

I began to have this problem after installing the Xposed module "**XInstaller**". I uninstalled that module and everything went back to normal.

Important: It can get easy to confuse all of these X words. It wasn't "Xposed Installer" that was the issue. The issue was the module for Xposed called "**XInstaller**". This module lets you change some of Android's default app installation/uninstallation behaviors. For now, I'm leaving that module alone.

# Answer
> 0 votes
The only answer is a factory reset and even that doesn't work as it is supposed to. Shows formatting but nothing is removed when you boot up again.

I imagine the problem comes from Google servers restoring everything. I don't know how to get around that.

---
Tags: 4.2-jelly-bean, installation, insufficient-memory
---


# Question
Title: Can't install apps!! OUT OF SPACE error!! HTC DESIRE 626
I'm using HTC Desire 626. I have more than 2 GB space left on Phone Storage. But I can't install any more apps or games. It's saying that my phone is out of space.

I've tried cleaning up all kind of cache files. But no luck!

Please help me out! This problem is driving me mad.

# Answer
(from an Android 4.4.4 user on a Nexus 7 2013)

I began to have this problem after installing the Xposed module "XInstaller". I uninstalled that module and everything went back to normal.

Important: It can get easy to confuse all of these X words. It wasn't "Xposed Installer" that was the issue. The issue was the module for Xposed called "XInstaller". This module lets you change some of Android's default app installation/uninstallation behaviors. For now, I'm leaving that module alone.
> 1 votes

# Answer
I had faced same issue with my micromax mobile. Issue in my case was only 890 mb was available for installing apps. Even though there was around 4.5 Gb free space in phone memory. Your issue seems to be same as mine. What you have to do is to reparation the phone memory so as to allocate more space for installing the apps. Downside is whatever memory allocated for apps can only be used for installing apps. You cannot store photos or music in it . further your phone should be routed. Repartitioning procedure for your phone may be available in net. Check if your phone has separate internal SD card. I had repartitioned to increase app memory to 2.5 GB. I am attaching link with similar issue.

Micromax Unite 2 A106, app installation error
> 0 votes

# Answer
Maybe the problem is not the lack of space but the google Play app that doesn't work properly. If you really have free space in your phone, try to download any APK and install it (You might need to activate the option "Unknown Sources" from security settings)....if that doesn't work either.....Try to clear Cache/Data for Google Play app and see if that works.
> -1 votes

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, rooting, htc-desire, htc, cache
---


# Question
Title: How much power can Android output via OTG?
I'm trying to use my 250GB external USB SSD on my S5. But unfortunately my powered hub broke... So my only choice is direct connection. The SSD uses 0.9A @ 5V, and I have no clue about how much power my phone can pump out - Please help

# Answer
> OTG devices can provide up to 500mA, but in realistic terms, handheld portable electronics don't have 500mA to spare for external loads. 100mA is a commonly accepted realistic maximum.

Source

So basically, don't expect any device that draws over 500ma to work at all without an external power source of some kind, but depending on your device that maximum may be closer to 100ma in reality.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: usb-on-the-go
---


# Question
Title: Are there any background data limits on Android API < 21?
As I know Android has two ways to stop the background networking:

* Restrict background data - user can turn off the background data on any application
* Power Saver Mode - stops the background data on all processes

As I know Android API 21 introduced a Power Saving Mode and access to a PowerManager from the code to check if it's on or off.

**I have two questions:**

1. Is there something else that can stop the background networking in Android? Any feature that user can enable?
2. How does background data work before the API 21 when there isn't any Power Saver? Does it have any limits?

# Answer
> 1 votes
From my experience, Battery Saver works in a pretty simple fashion. Its for background data was to simply disable any application that uses background data when the battery falls below a certain level.

In such a scenario, applications such as email, social networking applications will not sync in the background unless they are brought into the foreground i.e. explicitly opened.

1. *Is there something else that can stop the background networking in Android? Any feature that user can enable?*

Before Android 6.0, Marshmallow, there was not a clear way for stock users looking to set per app profiles for data control.

The only way to enable the granular permissions were through enabling root for the device. And then with an app like App Ops, users can define permissions for individual applications - e.g. disabling background networking for Instagram.

Other apps such as Tasker, work on conditional logic - e.g. disabling background data for certain apps when the screen is off.

2. *How does background data work before the API 21 when there isn't any Power Saver? Does it have any limits?*

Android before Lollipop, before API 21, had no inherent mechanism to limit background data.

There is a thread on Reddit which query the very same question.

The main reasons I managed to gather were:

*\- Hardware Compliance.*

Older models might not have the ability to introduce such a feature without a) impacting performance b) causing software issues.

*\- Android is built on Linux.*

With Linux kernels, there is very little benefit to incorporate power saving features due to the method in which the kernel and system was designed. Linux, after all, was not a mainstream operating system. To many, Linux was only deployed in environments such as server configurations or mainframes where power was plentiful.

*\- OEM Inbuilt Power Saving.*

With most Android devices being pushed out by other OEMs and not by Google, the OEM firmware often comes coupled with a power saving feature. Google might not have seen the need to come out with an inhouse solution then.

---
Tags: battery
---


# Question
Title: Terminal emulator in android just hangs when I type su?
I'm fairly new to Linux so sorry for my noobiness. Anyways I just wanted to check that my phone was rooted since I need an app that requires it to be rooted, but nothing happens in the app. I wanted to double check that it was rooted so I typed su in the terminal emulator but nothing happens. I still type but the next terminal line doesn't appear even after 10 minutes. No error or permission denied, it just skips to the next line and does nothing. If it helps, I rooted using Kingo.

# Answer
KingROOT will root your phone successfully. Remove KINGO and install KingRoot apk.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: rooting, root-access, terminal, troubleshooting
---


# Question
Title: Why is fingerprint lock considered less secure than pattern lock on Nexus 5X?
My Nexus 5X highly recommends to set up pattern lock in addition to fingerprint lock, and the pattern is asked upon every reboot. And my password manager (KP2A) recommends to use fingerprint unlock only to "quick unlock" after a short period of inactivity, but to require full password for the DB after every reboot.

Hence two questions:

1. Why does Google considers the fingerprint lock as less secure than pattern lock?

> Using your fingerprint to unlock your device may be less secure than a strong password, PIN, or pattern.
2. For my password manager on Android, is it really much safer to re-enter password upon every reboot rather than to use fingerprint lock? How many bits my password should have to be more secure than fingerprint lock?

Please note that I'm asking specifically on fingerprint scanner implementation in 5X, not for a general theory on an average abstract fingerprint scanner solution.

# Answer
> 17 votes
The weakness is actually in the fingerprints themselves and not the way Nexus 5x implements it.

Fingerprints are less secure because they cannot be changed like a password and cannot be revoked if compromised.

Fingerprints are also left everywhere such as, at a glass. They can then be captured and reproduced. Think about this: Android uses a touch screen. The fingerprints are left on the screen after device's usage.

With a fingerprint it's almost good then it is good enough. Because the way it is touched or if you have a cut. Making fingerprints not hashable. Compared to a pin which has to be perfect every time.

They can be taken without permission. Not only from being left behind but also legally without consent. If a password is in your head it must be given, thereby, also leaving your right to privacy and your right to remain silent.

In the United States a person is also protected from testifying against themselves by the 5th amendment. Legally, fingerprints are considered as physical objects because they exist in the physical world. So they are not protected by the 5th amendment.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Certain fingerprint sensors are not very secure compared to patterns.

**Why?**

Because **people have been able to hijack the fingerprint sensors**! How? When you touch the fingerprint scanner, chances are you will usually touch it with the front of your finger. This leaves a fingerprint. A few hours later, say, you get a text, so you put your finger to it again to unlock it. This process repeats, and although you don't notice it, you have put several angles of your fingerprint on the sensor, because it is impossible to get your finger in the *exact* same spot every time. If a hacker stole your phone, he could use a high-resolution camera or *even a scanner, for that matter*, to read what is on the sensor. It will sense all the different angles and how they are aligned. Now, the hacker can print these patterns on a paper, and using one of the many established ways, make the ink conductive. He touches it to the fingerprint sensor and **BOOM! Your phone has been hacked. And since there are fewer orientations of where your finger could be than possible pattern combinations, he could just try anther one if the previous didn't work.** The worst part is, once he has this copy, **He can hack any other device you purchase, as long as it has a fingerprint scanner.** A pattern however is more secure. According to *my* calculations, there are 1000000000 (one billion) different possible patterns.

There is a grid, 3x3, and therefore there are 9 dots. Each dot could be the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth, or not be touched at all. That's ten different options for 1. But we have 9, so number of combinations is 10 to the ninth, which is 1000000000.

Hope this helps.

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Tags: security, pattern-lock, password-protection, nexus-5x, fingerprint
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# Question
Title: Google Play store versus Amazon app store
What is the difference between the Google Play store and the Amazon app store?

# Answer
> 2 votes
If you are targeting Kindle Fire tablets and the Kindle phones, you should release your app through Amazon app store because it is the default app store on those devices and will give you exposure when users search apps. If you are only targeting Android devices, Amazon app store is not a must-do. It is just another distribution channel. It has some promotional features that you may want to take advantage of such as the Free app of the day/week etc. Some white label Android tablets also uses Amazon app store as their default app store.

# Answer
> 3 votes
Google Play Store is the official app distribution method on Android devices with Google ecosystem. It is not provided for installation on devices that did not come with it pre-installed. This app store is restricted to authorized partners that have passed Google's GMS certification.

Amazon Appstore is the official app distribution method on Amazon's own devices such as Fire tablets and Fire TV. This app store is also provided by Amazon for free so that it can be installed and used on other non-Amazon devices running Android.

Both these app stores allow you to install and apps, and keep them up-to-date.

# Answer
> 2 votes
Basically Google Play is your 'default' app store, and Amazon is just a 3rd party store. Google Play can install apps automatically, and gets the benefits of Google Play Services while Amazon can't - But Amazon has the famous 'free app of the day'(Amazon Underground) - So... My opinion is to just keep both :D

# Answer
> 0 votes
Actually, the Amazon App store is NOT a third-party app store. It comes as a system app for tablets. The most common devices that the Amazon App store is installed as the main app store is the Kindle Fire devices. Either one can be a FIRST party app store but with phones, it is usually the play store.

I recommend you use the Google Play Store because there are way more apps than the Amazon App store.

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Tags: google-play-store, amazon-appstore
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