# Question
Title: Is there a way to manually install Google Play store on a factory reset Xperia Play?
I factory reset my Sony Xperia Play because unfortunately it had become unusable. I factory reset it again and cleared the data after leaving the Market app to update itself didn't work. The Xperia Play is connected to wifi and I'm using an app password set via my Google account but the Market app crashes and a network error message pop-ups. Has anyone managed to get the Google Play store back after a factory reset?

Edit: Android version 2.3.4

# Answer
Assuming you are using a stock (non-rooted) Sony Xperia Play (Android 2.3 Gingerbread), this Reddit thread on How to use Android 2.3 Gingerbread in 2017 after a factory reset is informative.

The summary is don't factory reset. And if you do, the latest versions of the Google Services will overflow the limited storage capacity of the older device. GMS (Google Mobile Services) appears to be the culprit.

From the author:

> In the days of GMS-everywhere the trick helps only so much: you do get some free internal space back, but lose the ability to use the phone beyond such complex activities as sending SMS or switching its screen on & off.
>
> ...
>
> GMS contains \> 300 services inside. On \[author's phone\] it oft aborts & fills /data/system/dropbox & /data/tombstones dirs w/ lengthy stack traces. The battery goes down the toilet, the phone frequently hangs (sometimes even reboots itself) & in general feels rather sluggish.
>
> ...
>
> The only remedy seems to be to uninstall GMS. The device will indeed return to its normal state; Google Play will still work perfectly well, GMail & Google Maps will continue to work too, although Youtube won't, but at this point you don't care about Youtube any more.
>
> ...
>
> So this is what I've ended up w/: there is no GMS or Google Play on the device & SystemUpdateService is disabled. The ancient phone feels slick & fast again! I don't use any fancy messengers thus I can't tell if any of them require GMS. My most used apps are:
>
> * Gesture Search
> * Contacts
> * LDOCE
> * Opera Mini
> * GMail
> * Google Maps
> * Calendar

Author goes on to mention that new apps needs to be side-loaded or installed through other third-party store type apps.
> 0 votes

# Answer
1. See here, you will find all APKs versions of Google Play store.
2. Go to your phone Settings and see what's your android version.
3. Download the APK that can work on your phone and install it manually.

**Note:**

> Remember that since APKMirror is an alternate app source, you must have the setting enabled: "Install Unknown Apps" (or similar), which you will find under security. – @wbogacz
> 2 votes

---
Tags: factory-reset, sony-ericsson-xperia-play
---


# Question
Title: How to stop checking for mail and asking for backups?
My mom is using Android 6.0.1. The problem she was having last week was that her phone was checking and downloading her email, and she did not want that. So I signed her out of her Google account, which fixed the email problem but created a new one. Now the phone is spawning messages that her phone is not being backed up (presumably because she is now signed out of her Google account). She does not like those messages either.

What is the best solution to this problem? I.e. stop the emails without disabling other phone features. Thanks.

Galaxy J3 Luna Pro

# Answer
Disabling the email app solved my problem without introducing new problems.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: backup, gmail, samsung-galaxy-j3
---


# Question
Title: Can video recording be auto activated when camera app is started?
In Nougat, the camera app can be started by double pressing the physical middle button on the phone. Many times I forget to press the video recording button and keep holding the phone up, thinking video recording is going on and much later realize it wasnt started.

Is there a way to start the video recording without having to explicitly press the record button? Ideally, I'd want to take my phone out of my pocket, press just one button and that should be enough to start the video recording. I shouldn't have to spend time typing my pin to unlock the screen or searching for the brightness slider when running from an indoor location to an outdoor location and then start the camera app and press the record button.

If it would be possible to program a patch for it, I should be able to do so, but I need to know what would be an efficient way to get the one-button-press-video-record functionality.

# Answer
> -1 votes
A custom widget ( start recording ) on your homescreen would work, but you still need to enter the PIN...

Maybe a custom lock screen with a record video button and unlock button, or maybe use the stock lock screen shortcuts to open the camera, manually switch to video and start ( no PIN entry )

The best way to do what you want might be to use key overrides and designate a volume key to camera key...

Your main limitation is the lock screen PIN, you could hypothetically use a shortcut to the record video intent, placed on a custom lockscreen, but not sure.

---
Tags: camera, 7.1-nougat
---


# Question
Title: Why can I enable a hotspot on Android 5 but not Android 9 with same sim card?
I have two phones, an old Nexus 5 running Android 6 and my new-ish Pixel 2 running Android 9. I have only one sim card (Cricket). I can enable a hotspot on my Nexus but not my Pixel 2, which says "To enable, go to att.com/mywireless or dial 611". Obviously, I didn't expect to lose hotspot services when I upgraded.

From these observations, I infer that Android 9 (but not 6) enables carriers to implement policies regarding mobile hotspots. Is that correct? Is there a difference in behavior between Pixel 2 phones bought though a carrier and those bought directly from Google?

And, if Android does facilitate device limitations, does anyone have backstory about why Google enables policies that are counter to anti-net neutrality?

Excellent relevant background: How can phone companies detect tethering (incl. Wifi hotspot)

# Answer
> From these observations, I infer that Android 9 (but not 6) enables carriers to implement policies regarding mobile hotspots. Is that correct?

1. Yes

> Is there a difference in behavior between Pixel 2 phones bought though a carrier and those bought directly from Google ( Device Manufacturer )?

2. Yes

> If Android does facilitate device limitations, does anyone have backstory about why Google enables policies that are counter to anti-net neutrality?

3. Yes

---

1. Many Carriers wanted control over tethering so Android just did what was wanted in that aspect, some carriers wanted to charge extra for tethering and even offer tethering specific deals that allowed you to get all your devices online for the cost of a single connection, some carriers offered unlimited data connections with mobile internet, thinking that it would only be used for everyday things like YouTube and Facebook, not expecting people to run WiFi hotspots off of a single device and effectively give internet access to anyone in range for free... Theirs many reasons to restrict network sharing, for example... let's say you purchased a few WiFi boosters ( repeater's ) and boosted that small business up the roads Free WiFi to half the city, half the city would have free internet ( it's a far fetched idea, however still concerning for internet providers )
2. Yes the difference is exactly as you stated.
One device is directly from the manufacturer and most likely a world-wide edition, meaning more language support and network band support in some case's.
However carrier released editions usually come prepackaged with all the providers software, these are usually limited to certain bands and require unlocking by the carrier to allow the other network bands... This includes any extra features they'd like to implement, like stopping WiFi hotspot and tethering.
3. The story isn't much,
Carriers got scared by the simplicity of sharing Internet access to people that haven't payed for Internet... While Android made a normal business decision to allow carrier's more control over their releases of the device.

It's all pretty straight forward and easily circumvented with additional software.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, wifi-hotspot, 9.0-pie
---


# Question
Title: Read every file stored on device or SD card?
Flash storage devices (NAND cells) are nutorious for slowly losing charge over time.

Many USB sticks have automatic data retention when idle, but I doubt that MicroSD has automatic data retention.

How do I read every single file saved on the mSD card?

# Answer
> 2 votes
One possible way is installing an Android terminal emulator such as *Termux* or *jackpal.androidterm* (which I have).

```
cd /storage/extSdCard/
cp -R -v . /dev/null

```

*-v* adds verbosity and shows which file is being read momentarily.
*“extSdCard”* might be ####-#### (hexadecimal characters such as 0612-2FA5).

*/dev/null* is a *black hole* in Unix/Linux based operating systems. Everything put in there is gone. But what the command does is **copying** all the files into *nothing*, hence the source files stay the same, just getting read.

---

### Alternatives:

```
grep -R "Any Text" #if working directory is already selected using the “cd” command.

```

Or `grep -R "Any Text" /storage/`*\[path to MicroSD card\]*

This will quickly search every file recrusively for text, causing all data to get read.

You can also redirect the output of the command to *\>\>/dev/null* or *\>\>/dev/zero*.

---

Another alternative is using a hashsum generating command (`md5sum` needs the lowest processing ressources for the same amount of data), but that's less efficient because it needs to generate a hashsum. This process requires additional system ressources.

# Answer
> 2 votes
Open /sdcard/
/sdcard/ will link you to the correct directory of the sdCard, this is for compatibility i believe.

To really make sure you have every sectors data,

* Switch Off your Device.
* Remove the SD Card from your device.
* Place the SD Card in an adapter ( microSD to SupportedSlot )
* Place the adapter into your computer.
* Clone the Disk to a .img file

---

* Don't choose compression with cloning, or else unused sectors ( marked as replaceable ) will be ignored and not cloned into the image file or partition. **bad for data recovery purposes**

---
Tags: external-sd, storage, files
---


# Question
Title: How to merge text conversations from multiple numbers into a single one?
I have a handful of people who have more than two numbers they contact me from, and I find it annoying to have so many different conversations for one person. I'm looking for a way (preferably, an app) that would let me just have one 'conversation' and just change the number.

I had a phone that did this automatically. I'm 99% sure it was a dual-sim phone, so I'm pretty sure it's possible to do.

# Answer
> 0 votes
**To answer your question**

* Open Contacts
* Find Contact A's Name.
* Click Edit and add an addition number to contact A, number Two.
* Click Mobile, Home or Work phone.
* Save the contact with multiple Numbers.

---

**It's all pretty straight forward for an experienced human being... :)**

* Reloading messages should attach the two conversations as one, if not, future conversations will be marked as the same contact.

---
Tags: sms
---


# Question
Title: How to make an app behave the same way with screen off, as with screen on?
Maybe the question should be - "how to keep the CPU awake with screen off", but I'm not sure yet, here's why:

I'm trying to use my android device as a DLNA player, that streams music to a DLNA renderer. The problem is that the playback keeps stopping with the screen off, using apps like n7player and doubleTwist music player. Logically, these apps should keep the CPU awake when the music is playing, but if they don't, I have tried the following to keep the CPU awake:

* Disabling battery optimizations on these apps;
* an Automate script without the "keep screen on" option;
* This command \- echo mylockname \>/sys/power/wake\_lock;

But these solutions didn't solve my problem, the playback keeps stopping after awhile, when the screen turns off. If the screen is kept on, by using the caffeine function for example, there are no issues, but I would like to keep the screen off to save some battery and maybe prolong the life of the device.

So if the solutions I have mentioned really keep the CPU awake, maybe there is something else that these players need to keep the playback going.

Update: Screen backlight off app - this seems like the most promising approach and maybe works on some devices as expected, but not on mine (Samsung SM-T585 tablet). It should turn off the screen backlight and it does so by setting the brightness level to 0. Maybe some devices completely turn off the backlight in this case, but my tablet keeps emmiting very low light. So if anyone knows a way to completely turn off the backlight - please let me know.

# Answer
> 2 votes
So, the only way I have found yet, to stream music to a DLNA device with screen off, using these apps, is to disable Doze mode by using this command in terminal:

```
dumpsys deviceidle disable

```

followed by `dumpsys deviceidle enable` when I no longer need streaming.

Now just need to find the way to automate this with tasker.

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


title: Can't unlock bootloader Moto G5 XT1672

text:
# Question
Title: Can't unlock bootloader Moto G5 XT1672
I'm trying to unlock the bootloader on my Moto G5, the adb commands works, but I can't find my device in the command prompt when it is in fastboot mode.

I was following the instructions on this tutorial, but when running the `adb device` command to get my serial number, the PC can't find the device. I checked the USB cable and the connection between the device and the computer and everything is ok.

To enter the fastboot mode I was using the `adb reboot bootloader`command on Windows.

Android 8.1.0
Security patch: October 1, 2018

# Answer
> 1 votes
As acejavelin said, I was missing the fastboot driver, for some reason it wasn't finding my phone. Installing the right driver solved the problem.

---
Tags: bootloader, motorola, motorola-moto-g5
---


# Question
Title: How to uninstall an app when "Uninstall" dialog is not shown?
How to uninstall this app where after clicking uninstall, only the picture of the app shows up and there's no "OK, cancel" prompt?

My device is Asus Zenfone 2 Laser 5.5 (ZE550KL).

# Answer
> 2 votes
Boot into , go into Settings → Applications/Apps → find your app and uninstall it. This would work unless your device is a system app.

If it is a system app, disable it from Settings app. If you don't get the option to disable it, and you're certain that disabling it would not affect the stability of your Android (think of boot loops and crashes), then enable , setup , and issue either of these commands:

```
adb shell pm disable-user PACKAGE_NAME         # disables the app
adb shell pm uninstall --user 0 PACKAGE_NAME   # uninstalls the app for primary user account

```

Replace PACKAGE\_NAME with the package name of the troublesome app. To get help in finding it, see my answer here.

---
Tags: applications, uninstallation
---


title: Can I remove FRP with Heimdall/Odin?

text:
# Question
Title: Can I remove FRP with Heimdall/Odin?
I have a Samsung Galaxy S7 with FRP-locked, USB Debug is off and I am trying to disable FRP and enable USB Debug. Is there any way to do this with Odin or Heimdall?

I also have the stock ROMs for the phone, and no, the previous owner does not remember the gmail account she used for the phone. The Model number is G930P, and the carrier is Boost Mobile (Sprint, USA).

# Answer
The answer to your question is no.

Without a Samsung Engineering firmware load that has adb and USB debugging enabled in the setup wizard this is not possible, and I have never seen one leaked out for any Snapdragon based S7, so the answer is simply no.

Remember, FRP is DESIGNED not to be able to be bypassed or defeated, every time a exploit comes out, it get's patched, and this device just got another security update this month.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: samsung, samsung-galaxy-s7
---


title: How to update a Google Chrome password?

text:
# Question
Title: How to update a Google Chrome password?
Here at work we use a Wi-Fi connection that requires the user's sign-in before it can be used, with a username and a password. This password is changed every few days. After connecting, Chrome starts and directs me to the login page, auto-filled, with the stored credentials. On my laptop, as soon as I enter a password that's different than the stored, I'm prompted to update it, therefore being able to auto-fill the form until it's changed again. However, on my Android Phone, Google never prompts me to apply that update. I can't seem to find a way of updating the password auto-fill, other than deleting the credentials and then signing in again, at which point Chrome prompts me to save the credentials with the "fresh" password. Is there any easier way to this? Thank you all in advance.

# Answer
> 1 votes
You can head to https://passwords.google.com/ to manage your passwords, including updating and deleting them, as well as changing password-related settings.

---
Tags: chrome-for-android, password
---


# Question
Title: How to fix incorrect GPS time in Summer time (Daylight saving time)?
I live in the south of Brazil. At this time of year is in daylight saving time, where the time zone goes from -03 GMT to -02 GMT. The hour of my MOTO C PLUS (Android 7.0) has changed automatically to the right time without any problem, but the GPS time continues in -03 GMT Time zone.

I use an application that uses GPS time and errors are generated because of this difference. This problem is not in the application, as other users use the same version of the app without any problems and I also checked with app support.

I used GPS Status app to check that difference. I already tried do reset cached A-GPS data, but without any success.

Is there any way to change the timezone of the GPS clock?

Uninstalling and re-installing applications does not help. This affects all applications tested below:

# Answer
# This is a workaround not a permanent solution

(OP is looking for a permanent solution as mentioned in comment but I am posting this workaround that may possibly benefit future visitors)

This problem appears to be a persistent issue as OP saw with multiple apps they tried and also reported in the Strava app forum Incorrect Activity Time with daylight savings and unsolved for last two years. Reasons for this are unknown but I guess it is an OS issue since multiple apps have faced this. Surprisingly, it has not been reported on Google Product Forums AFAIK.

There are two solutions mentioned in the support forum, both are temporary:

* Changing the phone time zone to non-DST zone.
* Modifying the `.gpx` file of the app to force it report correct time.

I have not attempted second solution.

**Changing the phone time zone to non-DST zone**

Daylight Savings Time (DST) seems to be related or in some way causing this. As a solution, one is required to change the time zone of phone to a time zone with the *same time* as yours but that *doesn't use Daylight Savings Time*.

**How**: Andrew T has provided an excellent answer here (How do I disable Daylight Saving Time (DST)?. It shows how a corresponding time zone can be chosen without DST while maintaining the correct time both with GPS and local time.

Based on that answer, following time zones were suggested - Cayenne /America, Recife, Montevideo (Interestingly, only some portions of OP's country Brazil follow DST , while Recife doesn't follow DST and hence included). None of these helped but OP tried South Georgia Time which doesn't follow DST and the *GPS time was synced with local time*

This spadework may help as a temporary fix (till DST changes are revoked) or in providing a permanent solution.
> 1 votes

# Answer
The GPS Status application has a setting to use UTC time.

Settings-\>Units & Formatting-\>Show UTC time

From a development point of view, it's usually simplest to using UTC time to perform all calculations, then you adjust to local time when displaying.

It's difficult for me to understand exactly how you are using this time reading, for example, whether you are automatically or manually checking.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: gps, time-zones, motorola-moto-c-plus
---


title: simcard not found emergency calls only

text:
# Question
Title: simcard not found emergency calls only
I am using samsung galaxy fame. When I flashed cm12 my phone is unable to detect simcard when i dialed *#*#4636#*#* i cannot even turn on radio there. When I chose option of preferred network it shows unknown. The main problem is my phone shows imei number but unable to detect sim card .please help me and give me solutions over it .its my request.

# Answer
> 5 votes
1. Make sure your flashed it without getting erros and with compatible custom rom.
2. How can you turn of radio anyhow if it doesn't have any connectivity(radio off) ? 3.Same, how can you even search networks if there is "no sim found" message?

Solution is flash it again and check that you are flashing with compatible rom. Enjoy! This

---
Tags: cyanogenmod
---


# Question
Title: How to resolve Get Google Play services error
I have an LG H440 (Spirit) and I have restored it to factory settings because it was in a "bootloop".

Upon restarting the device there is an error message that is titled "Get Google Play services" the body of the text then says "Hangouts won't run without Google Play services,which are missing from your phone".

The phone still reboots from time to time when I open a couple apps and my playstore still will not open. I'm not an advanced user and my attempts of rooting the phone have failed mostly because the phone restarts before the process is complete.

Please advise on a resolution.

# Answer
Simply click this link below it will redirect you to "google play services" in play store. There can be options:

1. To update(you need to update in this case), or
2. To deactive(nothing needed, it is already up-to-date).

Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.gms&showAllReviews=true

Enjoy!
> 8 votes

# Answer
After factory reset the core Google Play Services application needs to be updated, which is most probably you are getting the "Google Play Services missing error"

Try this to resolve the problem:

* Go to Settings → Applications → Google Play Services → Clear cache/data.
* Go to Settings → Applications → Google play store → Clear cache/data.
* Go to Settings → Applications → Google Services Framework → Clear cache /data.

The next step needs an active internet connection..

* Now open any Google application (e.g Gmail, Google+ or Google maps) this prompts to update Google Play Services and be sure to update.
* You also need to update Google playstore

Reboot device.

Alternatively if you can't update with your device, then I suggest you get the .apk file from apkmirror or webinterface (via apkleecher.com / evozi.com) , and install it.
> 4 votes

---
Tags: google-play-store, lg
---


# Question
Title: Disable VoLTE, while still using LTE - To force Jio4gVoice to work
I have a Nexus 5X running an unofficial Pie build (https://forum.xda-developers.com/nexus-5x/development/rom-android-source-project-t3827122)

VoLTE does not work (no incoming or outgoing calls), but data over LTE works. So the Jio4gVoice app should be able to receive calls (over data, meant for non-VoLTE phones). But the problem is that this app detects that the phone is VoLTE compatible and simply refuses to connect.

PS: The phone supports VoLTE, I've used it before, but this particular ROM doesn't.

I'm looking for a way to disable VoLTE so that the app can work.

Any ideas?

# Answer
The answer is wait in case nexus annouces its support for android pie then upgrade. As of now degrade to previous version of android.

Note: You can try some more ROMs, so that you can enjoy VoLTE.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: 4g, nexus-5x, 9.0-pie
---


# Question
Title: How to know what is causing a weird lock screen with ads to show up?
I have a Samsung Galaxy J7 that just started displaying this as the lock screen. Sometimes, it displays my regular lock screen, but if I let my phone sit long enough, it will display this screen. It **always** pops up, not just when my phone is charging.

I don't know what it is, and the other questions I've found have suggested apps could be the culprit, but I don't have any of the problematic apps. I just want this thing gone, as it blocks my notifications.

# Answer
> 3 votes
1. Before downloading any third party app, do check if there is adds placed by devs.
2. Check if you installed any new app for lock your screen or for new wallpapers, these usually gives adds.

Most important: If you didn't find any of above case, then this is an internal app update which must be placed by company itself. Now you have to check every app by going to "Apps" section then "System apps" and look for any new app or apps related to wallpaper or lock screen and disable it.

Enjoy! It will surely work.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Per Maddie Field who answered it in the question itself here:

> It seems to have been caused by the game Cube Escape: The Lake. I deleted the app and so far so good.

---
Tags: lock-screens, malware
---


# Question
Title: Nexus 7 boot loop overnight - fix without wiping data?
I have a Nexus 7 (2013), 32GB, WiFi-only, that won't boot. I had been using it daily, until I woke up one morning to a boot loop. It was plugged in all night, but was at about half battery when I woke up (after turning it off). After what feels like a longer than normal boot animation, it goes to the "optimizing apps" window. It completes that and goes to "starting apps", but then restarts.

It is running 6.0.1, unmodified with locked bootloader. USB debugging is on

I am able to boot into recovery and tried clearing the cache.

Is there any way to recover without wiping my data?

`fastboot getvar all`:

```
(bootloader)  version-bootloader: FLO-04.08
(bootloader)  version-baseband: none
(bootloader)  version-hardware: rev_e
(bootloader)  version-cdma: N/A
(bootloader)  variant: flo 32G
(bootloader)  serialno: 09ace413
(bootloader)  product: flo
(bootloader)  secure_boot: enabled
(bootloader)  lock_state: locked
(bootloader)  project: flo
(bootloader)  off-mode-charge: yes
(bootloader)  uart-on: no
(bootloader)  partition-type:bootloader: emmc
(bootloader)  partition-size:bootloader: 0x0000000000aee000
(bootloader)  partition-type:recovery: emmc
(bootloader)  partition-size:recovery: 0x0000000000a00000
(bootloader)  partition-type:boot: emmc
(bootloader)  partition-size:boot: 0x0000000001000000
(bootloader)  partition-type:system: ext4
(bootloader)  partition-size:system: 0x0000000034800000
(bootloader)  partition-type:cache: ext4
(bootloader)  partition-size:cache: 0x0000000023000000
(bootloader)  partition-type:userdata: ext4
(bootloader)  partition-size:userdata: 0x00000006b7ffbe00
all:
finished. total time: 0.114s

```

`fastboot oem gpt-info`:

```
...
(bootloader)    partition[1].name = radio
(bootloader)    partition[1].first_lba = 131072
(bootloader)    partition[1].last_lba = 306143
(bootloader)    partition[1].size 87536 KB
(bootloader)    partition[2].name = modemst1
(bootloader)    partition[2].first_lba = 393216
(bootloader)    partition[2].last_lba = 399359
(bootloader)    partition[2].size 3072 KB
(bootloader)    partition[3].name = modemst2
(bootloader)    partition[3].first_lba = 399360
(bootloader)    partition[3].last_lba = 405503
(bootloader)    partition[3].size 3072 KB
(bootloader)    partition[4].name = persist
(bootloader)    partition[4].first_lba = 524288
(bootloader)    partition[4].last_lba = 554287
(bootloader)    partition[4].size 15000 KB
(bootloader)    partition[5].name = m9kefs1
(bootloader)    partition[5].first_lba = 655360
(bootloader)    partition[5].last_lba = 656919
(bootloader)    partition[5].size 780 KB
(bootloader)    partition[6].name = m9kefs2
(bootloader)    partition[6].first_lba = 656920
(bootloader)    partition[6].last_lba = 658479
(bootloader)    partition[6].size 780 KB
(bootloader)    partition[7].name = m9kefs3
(bootloader)    partition[7].first_lba = 786432
(bootloader)    partition[7].last_lba = 787991
(bootloader)    partition[7].size 780 KB
(bootloader)    partition[8].name = fsg
(bootloader)    partition[8].first_lba = 787992
(bootloader)    partition[8].last_lba = 794135
(bootloader)    partition[8].size 3072 KB
(bootloader)    partition[9].name = sbl1
(bootloader)    partition[9].first_lba = 917504
(bootloader)    partition[9].last_lba = 920503
(bootloader)    partition[9].size 1500 KB
(bootloader)    partition[10].name = sbl2
(bootloader)    partition[10].first_lba = 920504
(bootloader)    partition[10].last_lba = 923503
(bootloader)    partition[10].size 1500 KB
(bootloader)    partition[11].name = sbl3
(bootloader)    partition[11].first_lba = 923504
(bootloader)    partition[11].last_lba = 927599
(bootloader)    partition[11].size 2048 KB
(bootloader)    partition[12].name = aboot
(bootloader)    partition[12].first_lba = 927600
(bootloader)    partition[12].last_lba = 937839
(bootloader)    partition[12].size 5120 KB
(bootloader)    partition[13].name = rpm
(bootloader)    partition[13].first_lba = 937840
(bootloader)    partition[13].last_lba = 938863
(bootloader)    partition[13].size 512 KB
(bootloader)    partition[14].name = boot
(bootloader)    partition[14].first_lba = 1048576
(bootloader)    partition[14].last_lba = 1081343
(bootloader)    partition[14].size 16384 KB
(bootloader)    partition[15].name = tz
(bootloader)    partition[15].first_lba = 1179648
(bootloader)    partition[15].last_lba = 1180671
(bootloader)    partition[15].size 512 KB
(bootloader)    partition[16].name = pad
(bootloader)    partition[16].first_lba = 1180672
(bootloader)    partition[16].last_lba = 1180673
(bootloader)    partition[16].size 1 KB
(bootloader)    partition[17].name = sbl2b
(bootloader)    partition[17].first_lba = 1180674
(bootloader)    partition[17].last_lba = 1183673
(bootloader)    partition[17].size 1500 KB
(bootloader)    partition[18].name = sbl3b
(bootloader)    partition[18].first_lba = 1183674
(bootloader)    partition[18].last_lba = 1187769
(bootloader)    partition[18].size 2048 KB
(bootloader)    partition[19].name = abootb
(bootloader)    partition[19].first_lba = 1187770
(bootloader)    partition[19].last_lba = 1198009
(bootloader)    partition[19].size 5120 KB
(bootloader)    partition[20].name = rpmb
(bootloader)    partition[20].first_lba = 1198010
(bootloader)    partition[20].last_lba = 1199033
(bootloader)    partition[20].size 512 KB
(bootloader)    partition[21].name = tzb
(bootloader)    partition[21].first_lba = 1199034
(bootloader)    partition[21].last_lba = 1200057
(bootloader)    partition[21].size 512 KB
(bootloader)    partition[22].name = system
(bootloader)    partition[22].first_lba = 1310720
(bootloader)    partition[22].last_lba = 3031039
(bootloader)    partition[22].size 860160 KB
(bootloader)    partition[23].name = cache
(bootloader)    partition[23].first_lba = 3031040
(bootloader)    partition[23].last_lba = 4177919
(bootloader)    partition[23].size 573440 KB
(bootloader)    partition[24].name = misc
(bootloader)    partition[24].first_lba = 4194304
(bootloader)    partition[24].last_lba = 4196351
(bootloader)    partition[24].size 1024 KB
(bootloader)    partition[25].name = recovery
(bootloader)    partition[25].first_lba = 4325376
(bootloader)    partition[25].last_lba = 4345855
(bootloader)    partition[25].size 10240 KB
(bootloader)    partition[26].name = DDR
(bootloader)    partition[26].first_lba = 4456448
(bootloader)    partition[26].last_lba = 4456463
(bootloader)    partition[26].size 8 KB
(bootloader)    partition[27].name = ssd
(bootloader)    partition[27].first_lba = 4456464
(bootloader)    partition[27].last_lba = 4456479
(bootloader)    partition[27].size 8 KB
(bootloader)    partition[28].name = m9kefsc
(bootloader)    partition[28].first_lba = 4456480
(bootloader)    partition[28].last_lba = 4456481
(bootloader)    partition[28].size 1 KB
(bootloader)    partition[29].name = metadata
(bootloader)    partition[29].first_lba = 4587520
(bootloader)    partition[29].last_lba = 4587583
(bootloader)    partition[29].size 32 KB
(bootloader)    partition[30].name = userdata
(bootloader)    partition[30].first_lba = 4718592
(bootloader)    partition[30].last_lba = 61079518
(bootloader)    partition[30].size 28180463 KB
(bootloader)    partition[31].name =
(bootloader)    partition[31].first_lba = 0
(bootloader)    partition[31].last_lba = 0
(bootloader)    partition[31].size 0 KB
(bootloader)    partition[32].name =
(bootloader)    partition[32].first_lba = 0
(bootloader)    partition[32].last_lba = 0
(bootloader)    partition[32].size 0 KB
(bootloader)    partition[33].name =
(bootloader)    partition[33].first_lba = 0
(bootloader)    partition[33].last_lba = 0
(bootloader)    partition[33].size 0 KB
(bootloader)    partition[34].name =
(bootloader)    partition[34].first_lba = 0
(bootloader)    partition[34].last_lba = 0
(bootloader)    partition[34].size 0 KB
(bootloader)    partition[35].name =
(bootloader)    partition[35].first_lba = 0
(bootloader)    partition[35].last_lba = 0
(bootloader)    partition[35].size 0 KB
(bootloader)    partition[36].name =
(bootloader)    partition[36].first_lba = 0
(bootloader)    partition[36].last_lba = 0
(bootloader)    partition[36].size 0 KB
(bootloader)    partition[37].name =
(bootloader)    partition[37].first_lba = 0
(bootloader)    partition[37].last_lba = 0
(bootloader)    partition[37].size 0 KB
OKAY [  0.627s]
finished. total time: 0.628s

```

`fastboot format cache`:

```
Creating filesystem with parameters:
    Size: 587202560
    Block size: 4096
    Blocks per group: 32768
    Inodes per group: 7168
    Inode size: 256
    Journal blocks: 2240
    Label:
    Blocks: 143360
    Block groups: 5
    Reserved block group size: 39
Created filesystem with 11/35840 inodes and 4616/143360 blocks
erasing 'cache'...
OKAY [  0.403s]
sending 'cache' (10984 KB)...
FAILED (remote: Bootloader is locked.)

```

# Answer
This is the strangest coincidence. I had exactly the same thing 2 days ago with exactly the same tablet (nexus 7 2013 wifi, running android 6.0.1 build MOB30X, unrooted, bootloader locked, USB debugging probably on): plugged in all night, was turned off in the morning, tried to boot but only 5 flashes of the led light (aka battery empty), charged it during the day, booted in the evening, took a long time with the four coloured dots (2 minutes at least, up to 10 and more on other reboots), then "optimizing apps" followed by "starting apps", and then a reboot... Exactly the same, I let it run for an hour, only the time with the "four coloured dots" varied...

Fastboot/recovery accessible. I tried wiping the cache, reboot with or without power supply, even opened the thing to check for lose contacts - didn't work. I tried this https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bz6x7k-VkpUJQWFtYzFHNTFzUEE/view (can't remember where I found it), did the whole procedure but still the same "bootloop". If it is an app that causes the issue: I did not find a way to boot in safe mode or any other way to start without apps. I also downloaded Nexus Root Toolkit 2.1.9 - didn't work.

I just did a factory reset...took several minutes to boot after wiping data, but I have a clean tablet now. Boots in less than 30 seconds. Hooray? Only lost too many hours of game progress, photos were backed up recently, otherwise no other important data.

I hope you find a way to recover your data, but I just spend a whole day looking for a solution and found none. Too late now. Good luck!
> 1 votes

---
Tags: boot-loop, nexus-7
---


# Question
Title: how to succesfully boot into bootloader/fastboot mode on alcatel 5049z smartphone
I am having issues( i am a "novice" when it comes to unlocking a30 android bootloader with a PC...) with booting into bootloader/fastboot mode on my stock rom--android 7--Alcatel a30(non rooted 5049z?)smartphone;i have tried the power button/volume button sequence method...no luck there,and have tried the adb method using:adb reboot bootloader/fastboot..again no luck!!!

I would like to know if any forum members know how i may unlock my a30 bootloader without(if possible?)rebooting to the aforementioned bootloader modes or is this phones bootloader unlockable without removing FRP(Factory Reset Protection)????

Thanks in advance for any helpful replies!

# Answer
You have several questions,
To answer the last one, yes... and no

On device's that use MTK CPU's, you don't need to unlock the bootloader as the bootloader on MTK's is not Fastboot . .MTK is famous for being UNBRICKABLE !!! Meaning you don't need to unlock the Fastboot at all...

The reason your having trouble is because it isn't necessary to unlock the bootloader ...

I'm not sure why Andy### thinks that being a MediaTek would make it harder, because that's just not the case... it usually means easier...

Let me explain why the Fastboot is useless..

On MediTek Device's, you dont flash new images via Fastboot because there is size limitations to each image, if you tried to flash a massive 3 GB system, it wouldn't allow you to, because of maximum flash size in Fastboot.... Instead MediaTek uses a Pre-Boot that is prior to the bootloader, it doesn't even have a GUI... This is called the Preloader on MTK Devices, and you do all your flashing using the Preloader... Usually you use a tool called SP Flash Tool for doing flashes....

Unlocking your bootloader isn't necessary, and disabling FRP is not going to make any changes to your bootloader unlocking... You flash a recovery image via the Preloader in SP Flash Tool, and then wipe the partition called FRP, and factory reset... it isn't like other Android ( HTC for example ) Htc devices need to be unlocked in order to install custom recoveries etc... this is not even a problem with MTK Device's because the Preloader gives you factory level flashing abilities.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: adb, usb, fastboot, bootloader
---


title: What exactly is framework-res.apk

text:
# Question
Title: What exactly is framework-res.apk
As far as I understand it, it is a big system file that apparently controls a big part of the phone. I am interested because I wanted to do some themeing and so far I had edited SystemUI.apk, but if I ever ran into any problems (and being a beginner that was bound to happen) nothing seemed to happen other than the fact that I lost my notification bar.

Problem is, I have heard of some people who touched framework-res.apk and they wound up not being able to even boot their phone. I decided before carelessly poking around with something that could potentially soft brick my phone, I would like to learn a bit more about it.

So what exactly is framework-res.apk? What is it used for? What does it control? Where do we visually see its use? What could potentially happen to my phone should something go amiss with framework-res? Anything else I should know before poking my nose where it shouldn't be?

# Answer
> 8 votes
`Framework-res.apk` basically contains the elements of the Graphical User Interface for the phone. This file is available at `/system/framework/framework-res.apk`.

Poking in this file would mean changing the complete look and feel of your device. Since it is the main element of your screen, replacing it directly by pushing it through ADB would lead to soft-brick. Therefore, this apk should carefully be modified and replaced using the recovery module of the phone.

Check this link for details on the same: Modifying the framework-res.apk (Theming the UI)

# Answer
> 3 votes
From my coding experience, I can say the following as my understanding:

If you are familiar with application development terminologies, this framework-res.apk is just a resource library. Continuing with that assumption, other modules, libraries depend on this file to get images, sound etc. For example the boot animation sound is embedded in this file. Every resource will generally be given an identifier through with the other modules load and they will just assume or take it for granted that such resource will be available in this file.

Generally there will be a manifest file which will index all the resources (images, sounds etc) against its identifier. The code segments that maps the resources against its identifier and that fetches the requested resource will be compiled against one platform/version/library and hence tweaking and recompiling if not done carefully will make the framework-res.apk incompatible with its consuming modules. Depending on how things are implemented, you would get away with an error, but developers can't expect to verify everything and they have to take certain things for granted (like presence of a resource as it is they who had planted it). Hence usually the consuming module freezes and hence the whole phone appears to be frozen as system modules as well depends on this apk.

# Answer
> 0 votes
If you want to change the AndroidManifest.xml file of framework-res.apk i think you must sign all system apks with your own key to avoid bootloop. If you want to change other things in framework-res.apk: "than drag meta-inf folder and androidmanifest.xml from original apk to modded apk using 7zip or winrar"

In the framework-res.apk you can change some thinks like protectionlevel etc. its interesting: https://www.reddit.com/r/LineageOS/comments/9z728h/how\_to\_change\_frameworkresapk\_without\_bootloop/

My errors when i sign all system-apps with my key: Can not re-sign Android system app without app crashing (using LineageOS)

Can not re-sign Android system app without app crashing (using LineageOS)

He has similar problems and he created an update.zip: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/9475576/resigning-system-img-on-a-device

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, file-system
---


# Question
Title: Searching in a specific folder of Google Drive on Android
Since 2018 Google allows one to search within specific folders of Google drive.

e.g. The answer here:

In Google Drive, is there a way to search files located in a particular folder?

But can I do this on the Google Drive app on my Android Phone as well?

# Answer
> 0 votes
No, searching by folder is not currently allowed in the mobile versions of Google Drive. It's unclear if Google is planning on adding it to the mobile versions.

---
Tags: google-drive
---


title: LG V30 - Flash ROM using download mode?

text:
# Question
Title: LG V30 - Flash ROM using download mode?
My V30 is soft-bricked because of power-loss during a system update.
Verizon would charge me a deductible for fixing it under warranty.

I can:
\- Access recovery
\- Access factory reset mode
\- Access download / firmware update mode

I can not:
\- Boot the device (shows a security warning, see my other question)
\- Go into fastboot (I hold vol- while plugging in the cable, does the above thing)

I tried:
\- Factory data reset (from recovery)
\- Factory reset (from factory reset mode)
\- Asking verizon nicely to help a broke guy under full warranty out

These all failed.

I am very familiar with adb and quite familiar with fastboot. I unlocked bootloaders before, installed custom recoveries, rooted phones, etc. - But the only time I used download mode was in combination with ODIN many years ago.

I found this ROM for my model (VS996) online, but is there any way for me to flash it without a custom recovery or fastboot?

The phone is brand new. I've never used it. It's not unlocked or tampered with or anything like that.

# My direct question:

How can I flash a stock ROM on my V30 **using Linux** when nothing but stock recovery and download mode works? I found this but apart from it looking kinda sketchy, I need something that runs on Linux.

# Answer
* For linux use this link it's a tool called SALT. If you're good with Linux there are tools to use with Python such as ESPTools or LGLAF.
* For Windows look up FWUL, it's "Forget Windows Use Linux", it's a variant of Linux build for this purpose but they were built for the older models.

The easiest is to use LG Bridge or LG Mobile Support tool if windows or linux recognizes the phone when you plug it in as an LGE Android Net USB Serial device with a com port. Below is the option for more tech savvy people.

If you can get your hands on windows try LGUP. You can google it or go the link to download LGUP installation files (you can find them on the same forum) . It consists of 3 MSI the LGUP Store version 1.4, the LGUP Frame and DLL.

* If you need the stock rom for your phone go to lg-firmware.com Once it's installed, download this patched dev version from this XDA post.

It has 2 files `LGUP.exe` and `LGUPCommon.dll`. Replace the `LGUPcommon.dll` and overwrite the one on your `C:\program files X86\LG Electronics\LGUP\model\common\` (if common folder doesn't exist create it). Then put the `LGUP.exe` 2 level up from the Common folder.

Basically, put your phone in download mode first then launch `LGUP.exe`. This will give you a few options to flash.

1.Refurbished will flash then wipe your data meaning pictures and personal files will be gone.

2. Upgrade option will upgrade and keep files.If you want to flash different variant/carrier chose the DL Partitions and select all do this with extreme caution because it will brick your phone.
3. If you want to cross flash to unlock go on the forum you found LGFLashtool, XDADeveloper, and search for Frankenstein that's the method to root and unlock your phone.

Oh and if you chose the Refurbish or DL Parition you might lose your IMEI and serial number so either back it up first or write it down to do it later.
> 3 votes

---
Tags: rom-flashing, recovery-mode, fastboot, unbricking, lg
---


# Question
Title: I keep getting error 911 when downloading large apps
When I download anything over 70 mb onto my phone, the download gets about ~95% then it stops and a pop up saying something along the lines of, this app cannot be downloaded due to error (911) appears.

Does anyone know how I can fix this?

# Answer
> 3 votes
I have never encountered this specific error before, but you can find it among a list of common Play Store errors compiled by enthusiasts\* on XDA.

They have 4 recommendations for the 911 error:

* Method 1: Clear the google play store data
* Method 2: If you are using a wifi connection that requires a webpage login, then your authentication has probably expired. Log in to the apn again via your android browser. Open google play store and run the app update again . If that didn’t work the problem is with the wifi network itself.
* Method 3: Simply switch to another wifi network and run the update. The error 911 should disappear for the new wifi network.
* Method 4: Use your mobile network data services instead of wifi. Turn wifi off and then turn your data on and now open your google play store and download/update your apps or games. However, this method is only suited for apps and games that are small sized. For larger updates you should use your wifi network to save data charge.

\*Keep in mind that this list of errors and recommendations is not endorsed by Google, and may or may not be valid in your situation.

\*This list is taken verbatim from the linked site, all credit goes to the list of users quoted on top of the linked page for compiling the list

# Answer
> 0 votes
I have had this same issue before with the Sim City Buildit game/app. I run android 4.1.2 on a rooted LG Optimus f3 (vm720). In my case, none of the standard solutions (as was posted by Raghd Hamzeh) have ever fixed any problems with my phone, but they do work for some.

I'm still not sure exactly *why* it errors at the 95%, but it appears as if it downloaded the entire OBB file without finishing the task completely. I only noticed this because the "disk space is limited" notification popped up. I check the data folder, and there are about 7 different OBB files all named temp.appname.whatever (with a corresponding number following it as they're all duplicated files). So in my case, I just deleted the excess temp obbs, renamed "temp." away from the downloaded obb, and it worked immediately after - allowing me to download the new APK without a problem.

# Answer
> 0 votes
It worked for my Asus Zenfone V live (A009) I don't know if it works for other phones but I clear up as much space as possible on the internal storage and it works everytime. Don't use a junk cleaner though, they don't help.

---
Tags: google-play-store, system-error
---


# Question
Title: Performance troubles with Motorola Moto X Force (Android 7.0)
Since quite some time I am having some peculiar performance problems on my Motorola Moto X Force. Sometimes any interaction (like just opening Chrome for example) takes incredibly long until it responds. This also happens after clearing all apps in the task switcher and it can also happen pretty soon after rebooting the phone.

Imho a phone with a 4x 2.00GHz Cortex-A57 + 4x 1.50GHz Cortex-A53 (Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810, 64bit) and 3 GiB RAM should not have such problems.

Thinking some app might hog the CPU in the background (though I do not have any battery problems - it can go for over 48 hours without charging) I installed some system monitoring apps in order to get to the bottom of this.

One app, System Monitor Lite has the ability to log in the background, when enabled. I wanted to check if I can correlate CPU or RAM usage with the periods where the phone runs slow.

*However* once the background logging of that app is active, the phone immediately runs noticeably smoother! And it runs smooth as long as the background logging is active. Once I turn it off, the phone will get slow again after some time.

This makes me think now that this phone (or Android 7.0) has a power management problem. i.e. letting the CPU(s) run in a low performance state, when it should not.

Has anyone else ever experienced something like that or any ideas how to combat this?

# Answer
> 0 votes
> Imho a phone with a 4x 2.00GHz Cortex-A57 + 4x 1.50GHz Cortex-A53 (Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810, 64bit) and 3 GiB RAM should not have such problems.

No, it should have such problems. SD810 is known to have bad thermal performance (it is essentially a SD410 when under load because all a57 cores shut down). The only thing you can do is do factory reset and remove all junk from your device or install a custom ROM (or a custom Kernel) which has thermal profile that suites your usage pattern.

(I use a Oneplus 2 with same SD810 btw)

# Answer
> 0 votes
I'm having the same bug but it's mainly disk I/O which drastically slows down (or even freezes) the phone. I've installed Simple System Monitor and you can check disk I/O (and even test read/write speed), and it's absolutely awful (test file size 200 MB) :

* read speed : 44.45 MB/s
* write speed : **2,91** MB/s

I'll go for a factory reset as my internal storage is more than 75% full but I fear this might be a material issu with the internal storage...

---
Tags: 7.0-nougat, performance, cpu
---


title: What are "minuhome.Black.[...]" apps?

text:
# Question
Title: What are "minuhome.Black.[...]" apps?
I've downloaded an app locker on my Samsung Galaxy Note 8, and as I was trying to import apps to the locker, on category "M" of the app list comes out a lot of Android icons with the file name of `minuhome.Black.[...]`.

What are these apps? Am I being hacked?

# Answer
Minu is one of the themers who makes Samsung themes. Those are all the overlays for every package that the theme themes. If you want to removee them you'll have to remove the theme, but they're all small and they don't contain any code at all, just resources (XMLs, PNGs, voctors, etc.)
> 1 votes

---
Tags: security
---


# Question
Title: How to fix S7 edge performance degrade after Oreo update?
My S7 edge (G9350) upgraded to Oreo for a month and the performance really degraded. I did factory reset to my S7 but nothing improved.

I want to flash my S7 edge G9350 from Oreo to Nougat/Marshmallow but did not succeed because of FRP .I don't understand why I got locked by FRP even when I entered correct Google account ( now my S7 working is functional except the performance )

Are there any possible ways to flash my ROM to Marshmallow ?

# Answer
There is no way to downgrade as bootlader is now on revision 7 (if I recall correctly) and Marshmallow/Nougat uses way older ones. So an official update won't be an option.

The other method is to use a custom ROM from XDA (you'll find many there), but be advised that that'll void your warranty and could brick your device (tho unlikely).

If you want to use a custom ROM, you can either go for an old TouchWiz ROM or (like I did on my S7) use an AOSP-based ROM. Presonaly I use LineageOS 16.0(9.0), but 15.1 (8.1) is preferred for stability as 16.0 is still beta. I'd recommend you use a custom AOSP ROM over an old TouchWiz ROM as those old ROMs don't have security patches and using an old Android version is never a good idea, not only because of security, but also you're just downgrading your phone in terms of features.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: samsung, downgrade, samsung-galaxy-s-7-edge
---


# Question
Title: How can I figure out Android browser version?
Our company is developing a web application and I have tested it with different browsers. I have noticed that the application does not work on the default internet browser on my Samsung Galaxy S4 phone. However, our developer is unable to find compatibility information, because I cannot tell him the name and version of the browser. It was already installed when I got the phone and it's called "Internet".

I suspect it might be Samsung Internet for Android (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsung\_Internet\_for\_Android), but I have been unable to confirm it or find any version information.

My question is: How can I figure out, what browser this actually is and if it is Samsung Internet for Android as I suspect, what is the exact version that I have installed. (I don't have Google Play installed on my phone.)

# Answer
> 0 votes
1. Open Settings
2. Open Apps ( or similar )
3. Swipe across to System Apps, or Enable them in the drop down menu
4. Find Internet and open the app
5. It should show you the Version Number & Package Name,

4.3 - Example Version

com.example.company.app

If you can't find it that way, you need to get the package name by opening the APK file like a ZIP file, open manifest as a text file and find the package name statement...

You can also list the packages with another software, this'll show the package names and icon's for easier package identification.

I'm sure you could list all packages on the phone using a terminal emulator, but it's hard to identify the package if you can only see an icon and name.

---

\**Once you have the package name, \**

```
com.example.package.name

```

Search it on a reputable search engine like Google, considering it automatically links you to the app on the PlayStore, it should show relevant information as to what the package is.

---

***EDIT***

Check Browser UA

Here's a link to a simple PHP Browser checker....

Recommended to use User Agent String in Comments by Morrison Chang.

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-4, browser
---


# Question
Title: What does "staged" mean in the context of dictionary download?
Google search can't answer my question What does staged mean? Sorry I'm a pretty new to the tech thing

# Answer
My *guess* is that it refers to a staged rollout, which means that it is available only to a few users not all. Since you are unable to download, you are being told that the dictionary is available but not yet for you (or people in your region)
> 0 votes

---
Tags: google-play-store, gboard, dictionary
---


title: Calendar read aloud feature

text:
# Question
Title: Calendar read aloud feature
How can I make the Calendar read out its notifications and reminders out-loud? 3rd-party apps would be acceptable too.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Talking Calendar Reminder App, Hongi Apps claims to do that.

> Speaks aloud calendar event reminders and alarms

I haven't used it, but a search in the play store turned that up.

---
Tags: notifications, calendar
---


# Question
Title: Unable to copy certain backed-up folders from PC to new microSD card
I bought a bigger microSD card for my Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. I took out the old card and copied its content to a folder on my PC, via a card reader. Then I put the new card in the reader, formatted it and started copying the data back onto it. One rather irrelevant .jpg file was signalled as damaged, so I skipped it, then some folder required admin rights to be copied, so I clicked the "continue as root" button. So far so good. But finally a folder named "cache" couldn't be copied *or* skipped, and the only option I was left with was to abandon the whole copying process. I searched my backup folder for "cache" subfolders and there are quite a few of them, but all are buried deep in the recesses of the directory tree, so none of them is THE Android cache that I hear a lot about when googling for a clue. Any ideas what it is I'm up against, and how to solve it? My PC is running Windows 10. TIA!

# Answer
> 2 votes
If your Windows ask you for admin permissions something is wrong - this should never happen as you just copied it from the other SD card.

Anyway copying and SD card file by files is IMHO not a good idea because the Windows Explorer does usually hide certain files.

Therefore I recommend to use a backup tool or alternatively use a compression program like 7Zip/WinZip/WinRAR and zip the whole source SD card to one file on your hard disk.

Then switch to the new SD-Card and restore the backup respectively decompress the created archive to the new SD card.

Edit: Note that a lot of SD cards on the market are "**fake SD cards**": Their controller has been manipulated to make the SD card look larger than it is (e.g. the card has 16GB flash memory but tells the Smartphone/PC it has 128GB). Writing to such a card will earlier or later end in a total disaster. Therefore I strongly recommend you to test any new SD card before using it. One of the best tools I know for doing so is a small Windows tool named h2testw (Language German and English). It writes files with a special pattern to the SD card until it is full and then reads it and tests if the pattern of every file is correct.

---
Tags: backup, sd-card, windows, files
---


title: App exporting to SD card

text:
# Question
Title: App exporting to SD card
I remember android has disabled app exporting to SD card since i dont remember which version, but a person has showed me his 7.0 or 7.4 LG which actually is able to move apps to SD card. Why is this happening and how can i do the same at 7.0 androd? Preferably, without having to format SD card as internal storage

# Answer
> -1 votes
I'm not sure about formatting as internal storage, if your device can read it, it's already formatted for Android, and can be used as either internal or external... just switch it.

Also, some applications don't allow moving the app for compatibility and security reasons, it's not always device dependent.

Try scrolling through the apps and see if you can move any of them across.

---
Tags: applications
---


# Question
Title: Xiaomi Swipe up brings Browser, how to change behavior?
After updating to the new MIUI 10, swiping up from the home screen now brings the stock browser rather than the former default (Google search).. and there is no option to change that behavior.. how would you restore the original search app??

# Answer
after *lots* of research... I have come to realize that you should remove the stock browser completely in order to restore Google search app as the default... removing the browser requires a computer and an app called "Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools by Saki\_EU" that can be found here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Xiaomi/wiki/tools
> 3 votes

---
Tags: browser, xiaomi, search
---


# Question
Title: I can't enable notifications icons badge on Moto E5 Play
I have a Moto E5 Play with Oreo 8.1(Android Go) and I can't enable notification icons badge, I mean those little dots over the application icons on home.

When I go to Configuration-\> Apps Notifications there's no option to enable it.

If I go to application configuration is there an option to enable it individually but is grayed out.

I search on the web but nothing solve this.

# Answer
As discussed in comments, OP's device runs Android Go and has Android Go apps.

Android Go doesn't support notification icons as explained in Lenovo forums Notification Dot missing on UK phone

> ....Android Go does not support notification access to apps,....
> 1 votes

---
Tags: notifications, 8.1-oreo, android-go
---


# Question
Title: How can I make my phone require a password to open Google Play Store?
I want my phone to require a password to enter the Google Play app, so if I let someone else, such as a friend, use my phone they can't go into the app and snoop around.

I have a Samsung Galaxy S9 with Android 8.0.

# Answer
You can try AppLock.

On its Play Store page, it is stated that:

> AppLock can lock Facebook, Whatsapp, Gallery, Messenger, Snapchat, Instagram, SMS, Contacts, Gmail, Settings, incoming calls and any app you choose. Prevent unauthorized access and guard privacy. Ensure security.

Below are the steps to configure the app:

1. Install the app. After the installation is completed, open it.
2. You will be prompted to create a pattern that will be used to unlock the app (I advise you use a different pattern than the one used to unlock your phone).
3. The next windows will ask to enter an email address for security purpose.
4. Next, a dialog box will appear asking to grant the app usage access. Click permit, then on the list select APPLock and switch on usage access permission.
5. Go back to the app, click on the Play Store. It will now be locked.
6. When you or anyone else try to open the Play Store, he/she be prompted to enter the pattern you created.

**Disclaimer:** I have no relation with those who develop the app.
> 2 votes

# Answer
Mostly samsung devices have app lock by default if your device doesn't have just downlaod an app lock from play store and set it up and lock the app you wanna lock
> 0 votes

---
Tags: google-play-store, privacy, application-locker
---


title: Home screen icon for terminal program?

text:
# Question
Title: Home screen icon for terminal program?
I'm using terminal-ide http://code.google.com/p/terminal-ide/ which is basically a terminal for android with all sorts of utilities. One is able to create bash scripts for example. Is there a way to create an icon on the home screen that will launch one of these scripts?

# Answer
> 3 votes
> Is there a way to create an icon on the home screen that will launch one of these scripts?

There is another way (other than this one) if you happen to use Terminal Emulator for Android app. It allows a widget which can be used to execute a script.

1. Install that app, choose **Term Shortcut** widget in your current launcher.
2. Corresponding to **Arguments** enter:

```
sh <FILEPATH>

```

In my case, the query was:

```
sh  /sdcard/airdroid/dd.sh

```

As for the root access, you can either provide `su` access from inside the script and use the aforesaid command for execution, or do:

```
su -c "sh  /sdcard/airdroid/dd.sh"

```

Choice is yours!

Choose icon or shortcut label as per your needs, tap **OK** and an icon would be placed on the home screen.
3. Tap the icon, the **Terminal Emulator** app window would open and the script would execute, just like in Desktop GNU/Linux.

We're good to go!

# Answer
> 0 votes
Terminal-ide doesn't appear to have that feature yet, but it does have an issue tracker where you could request it. As it's an open-source program, you might even be able to add the feature yourself if you know (or are willing to teach yourself) a little about how Android apps are written.

# Answer
> 0 votes
If the script isn't dependent on Terminal IDE but on shell only, then you can use Tasker to create a home screen shortcut which would execute the script.

Brief instructions:

1. Choose **Task Shortcut** widget in your current launcher.
2. Create a task name and tap `+`**Code → Run Shell**. Enter the details there as per your need.
3. Save the task, choose the icon, and a shortcut (icon) would be placed at home screen.
4. The shortcut would work as long as Tasker's service keeps running in background.

# Answer
> 0 votes
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=os.tools.scriptmanager

worked for me , I made a favorite script and with add-on create a luncher to mount my ext4 USB pens (with root) .

---
Tags: home-screen, terminal, scripts, bash
---


# Question
Title: How to mount (or auto mount) a USB stick formatted with ext4 and be visible or working with apps on Android 5 Marshmallow and later versions?
The question appears in variant forms1 just to say it is ridiculous on Android that ext4 is the default file system that doesn't recognize USB pen drive formatted with ext4 (but Android 4.4 recognizes it without any problem). As a Linux user, this is a big regression, and I still have not found a way for a USB to be detected as a USB, like pens with FAT32 or NTFS. I have root on my device.

---

1 Related questions:

# Answer
> 1 votes
We still need root. First I need to make a dir in `/data/media/0/` (`/sdcard`)

```
mkdir /data/media/0/usb1/

```

which means USB is not detected as USB ever, but I can read data from apps that it is what I want.

After I made a script with:

```
su -mm -c "mount -t ext4 /dev/block/sda1 /data/media/0/usb1/";
su -mm -c "mount -t ext4 /dev/block/sda1 /storage/emulated/0/usb1/"

```

and using Script Manager - SManager, I made a favorite script and with the add-on to create a launcher, I made an icon on the home screen (I preferred shortcut instead of the widget), and on clicking it, it mount my ext4 USB pens.

---
Tags: usb, ext4
---


# Question
Title: Stock camera app missing and front camera reported as rear camera in XOLO Q1000s
I bought a new XOLO Q1000s recently, and I made sure to test the back camera before buying it. After four or five days, when I tried to use the camera for the first time, it shows only the front camera; there is no option anywhere to shift to the back camera.

I tried installing other camera apps to get the back camera, but that didn't work. I then did a factory reset, but after that, the camera app itself went missing.

My phone is not rooted, but I no longer have a built-in camera app. I can install other camera apps, but they only show the front camera. When I tried to shift the camera in the camera app, it said you have no front camera! And yet it shows the front camera and doesn't use the back one. Similarly, when trying a flashlight app, it says I have no flashlight, even though my mobile has one.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Actually, I think it is a hardware issue. I have had issues like that and never knew what the problem was until one day I had a broken screen and took the phone to the repairer. After changing the screen, I realised that the rear camera wasn't working (I've never had a problem with the camera on that device). I took the phone back to him and he just re-adjusted the camera cords or something else (I don't know the technical term for cables) and it was working just fine.

---
Tags: camera
---


title: Flash USB drive on S9

text:
# Question
Title: Flash USB drive on S9
How to read an USB flashdrive on a Samsung S9? I saw online that some OTG adapter is required. I want to know if there are other options requiring only an app or something.

# Answer
An OTG adapter should be included with the Galaxy S9. If you insert the male connector into your device's USB port, and a flash drive into the adapter's female connector, the drive should be automatically mounted. You may not get any clear indication that this happened, however if you check storage settings, it should be there. It should also be visible and browsable in whatever filemanager you're using.

Don't forget to unmount the drive before physically disconnecting it. This is done in storage settings. Unmounting makes sure all cached transactions are flushed. Technically this should be done every time, but it's especially important if you've written anything to the drive. If you don't do this, you may lose data, as it's only written to cache, and never flushed to the drive.
> 2 votes

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


# Question
Title: No home button (ViperOS for Motorola Moto G5)
I just installed ViperOS on my Moto G5 – and I **cannot** find the bottom bar with home, back and the other button. It is just not displayed. And I have not found **anything** on the Internet on how to solve this issue.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Problem solved. I installed a more recent version of ViperOS which does not cause any problems.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Bottom bar with Home(Circular), Back(Triangular) and Recents(Square) are called Navigation buttons. They are used to move to home page, Back from activity/opened app, and switch to currently running apps.

* AOSP builds by google implements software buttons(on screen) for navigation.
* Older devices contains capacitive buttons on bottom below the screen, which performs these activities. So, the custom ROM developers may skip enabling Navigation bar(software buttons) of AOSP build, which may not be required as there is hardware button present.
* But, modern devices with full view display(example: 18:9), doesn't contains capacitive buttons. Software buttons(on screen) performs this task.
* Motorola devices are purely stock devices which have only software buttons. so, custom ROM builds have software navigation buttons by default.

Note: Please install Official custom ROM builds.

---
Tags: 7.1-nougat, home-button, motorola-moto-g5
---


title: Bluetooth constantly trying to pair

text:
# Question
Title: Bluetooth constantly trying to pair
I have a moto Z running android 8. I have run into a problem where it is constantly trying to pair with a device that isn't present. Like every 30 seconds or so I get a message that "pairing with *device mac* failed." The only way I have found to stop it is to turn off bluetooth on the phone, which kinda defeats the purpose. Doesn't matter where I am, home, work, in a park miles from the car, if bluetooth is turned on I am getting the popup. Symptoms are similar to this question, but not location sensitive...

I have tried reboots, powering down for an extended period, forgetting all of my paired devices, and resetting network settings. Still getting the popup. I have had to clear it about 12 times in the course of typing this post...

Anyone have any idea what might be causing this to happen?

# Answer
So it looks like this was being caused by an app. Doing a MAC look up on the device it kept trying to pair with indicated that it was manufactured by Weber-Stanley. I have a bluetooth grill thermometer that they made, but it has been shut off and in a cabinet for a month or more, and definitely has not followed me to all the places where this has popped up.

Uninstalling the Weber app that works with it seems to have cleared up the issue.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: bluetooth, 8.0-oreo
---


# Question
Title: Would the TWRP for Trend Lite work on Trend 2 Lite?
I obtained a secondhand Samsung Galaxy Trend 2 Lite and I am not sure whether this TWRP recovery for Trend Lite is compatible with Trend 2 Lite.

It mentions it is for Samsung Galaxy Trend Device, but I do not know when it mentions Trend also includesTrend 2 as well. Can you help me with that?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Unfortunately, no.

TWRP, despite it being called a "recovery", actually contains a full kernel to allow other components to run on a specific device, similar to a full ROM.

Due to this, many smallest differences (usually except storage size) can make a certain recovery don't run on another model.

In your case, they run on different, incompatible SoCs, so the TWRP for Trend Lite will **not** work on Trend 2 Lite.

---
Tags: twrp
---


# Question
Title: Google Photos and Files Apps on Google Pixel 2 is giving the following error "android.process.media has stopped"
I have read quite a bit about this issue from "clearing caches" to "formatting your phone".... it works for some people and it doesn't for others. Well formatting your phone will work but you lose quite a bit of data and most importantly time!

I have been bugged by this problem for almost over 2 weeks and today I stumbled upon the solution. So I am sharing with you all so you can resolve a long lasting issue.

This is actually a SOLUTION for all experiencing the same problem as the subject header.

Good news: no formatting needed.

1a. Go into File Explorer \> Phone Storage (internal) \> Downloads \> find a file called something like "goo.google.com..." 1b. Deleting everything in your download folder would be ideal but depends on how many files you got in there. There could be multiple files called goo.google.com or something like this. 2. Delete the file or files 3. Close all apps 4. Restart your phone 5. Check

This solution worked for me like a charm and I don't have to format my phone anymore.

Cause: I maybe was downloading a file from chrome which I may have stopped in the middle or something on these lines, i guess.

Maybe more people can shed light on this problem and solution!

Thank you, Muhammad

# Answer
Thanks for this suggestion, I tried several onces that suggested stopping some processes and removing cache but they did not work.

I want to downloads as you suggested, removed some files I recently downloaded, checking the date when the problem started (I did not find goo.google.com files). Reboot and problem seems to be solved for now!
> 0 votes

---
Tags: internal-storage, files, google-photos
---


# Question
Title: How can there be two separate Android System under "Running services"?
My Verizon LG V20 (Android 8.0) appears to be running two Android Systems at the same time, but, I'm pretty sure that isn't possible.

Am I wrong on this or am I seeing things? Also, the timing between the two appears off by about 4 seconds. Just seems pretty odd to me.

# Answer
Technically, there is only one Android System running in your device. The other one is deceptively named by Verizon.

If you check the process name, it starts with com.vzw.\*. That package name convention can also be found in this app from Verizon.

I'm speculating this based on the process name that it gathers data (can't say what and why) and sends it to Verizon.

If you're concerned about that process or the corresponding package, you can disable it using .

```
adb shell pm disable-user com.vzw.qualitydatalog

```

**Note** that this may destabilize your system with factory reset left as the only fix, so proceed at your own risk and with backups already taken and stored outside the phone.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: system, 8.0-oreo, verizon, processes, lg-v20
---


title: How to change user account with Tasker?

text:
# Question
Title: How to change user account with Tasker?
Is there way to change user account with tasker?

# Answer
You need root access for this answer to work.

Setup this action in a task:

Code → Run Shell → Command: `am switch-user USER_ID`, tick Use Root

To know the USER\_ID of a user account, see my answer here.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: tasker
---


# Question
Title: Does Android provide auto-switching of network mode when mobile data is toggled?
Whenever I want to turn on the mobile data, I have to go to "Preferred network type" menu and Switch to 3G/4G/Prefer LTE manually which requires many steps.

So does Android OS provide auto switching to 3G/4G/Prefer LTE mode when network turns on and auto switching to 2G mode when I turn off the mobile data?

Note: I'm using MI note 4 mobile with Android 7.0.

If there is no such option, how can I send this as a suggestion to Google or Android developers?

# Answer
> 2 votes
> So does Android OS provide auto switching to 3G/4G/Prefer LTE mode when network turns on and auto switching to 2G mode when I turn off the mobile data?

**No**, it doesn't

> If there is no such option, how can I send this as a suggestion to Google or Android developers?

Yes. You can, as mentioned here

> You can help improve Android by reporting issues and feature requests in the Android Issue Tracker.

IMO, this would fall in the Networking section.

I wouldn't cross my fingers hoping something will come out of the bug report but it's your call.

If you root your device and install Xposed framework, you can install Gravity Box and select *Smart Radio* option (Note: As of today, Xposed framework has not been ported to Pie; Gravity Box module & Xposed framework vary as per Android version). Also, Gravity Box works best on AOSP ROMs so it's better to check out in your device forums if it works well or not.

Using this feature you can switch to 2G when you are not using the data network and switch to selected network automatically when using data. I use it and snapshots below show the choices of network when connected / not connected to data (power saving and normal mode). In addition you can fine tune switching and create a Quick Settings tile for it.

(Tap to enlarge)

---
Tags: settings, mobile-data, system
---


# Question
Title: are whatsapp chats stored in my phone or PC?
I need to print my chats with my fiance for her visa but its taking FOREVER to scroll up to the very beginning. is there somewhere whatsapp stores the chats in eithr thre PC or phone that i can just print it?

# Answer
> 2 votes
Whatsapp chats are stored on your phone, which can backed up to Google Drive if you enable it. To print conversation you can email the chat conversation. To export a copy of the history of an individual chat or group, use the Export chat feature:

Open the chat for the individual or group.

* Tap the Menu Button.
* Tap More.
* Tap Export chat.
* Choose whether to Include Media or not.

An email will be composed with your chat history attached as a .txt document.

---
Tags: whatsapp-messenger
---


title: How many mmcblk devices is normal?

text:
# Question
Title: How many mmcblk devices is normal?
Why so many mmcblk devices?

```
/dev/block/mmcblk0
/dev/block/mmcblk0boot0
/dev/block/mmcblk0boot1
/dev/block/mmcblk0p1
/dev/block/mmcblk0p10
/dev/block/mmcblk0p11
/dev/block/mmcblk0p12
/dev/block/mmcblk0p13
/dev/block/mmcblk0p14
/dev/block/mmcblk0p15
/dev/block/mmcblk0p16
/dev/block/mmcblk0p17
/dev/block/mmcblk0p18
/dev/block/mmcblk0p19
/dev/block/mmcblk0p2
/dev/block/mmcblk0p20
/dev/block/mmcblk0p21
/dev/block/mmcblk0p3
/dev/block/mmcblk0p4
/dev/block/mmcblk0p5
/dev/block/mmcblk0p6
/dev/block/mmcblk0p7
/dev/block/mmcblk0p8
/dev/block/mmcblk0p9
/dev/block/mmcblk0rpmb

```

What is the normal amount of `mmcblk` devices? I'm having problems booting and I'm wondering if this kind of formatting is normal or not?

When I boot up under TWRP, and adb in. After I run `mount -a`, I get

```
/dev/block/mmcblk0p19 on /cache type ext4 (rw,seclabel,relatime,data=ordered)
/dev/block/mmcblk0p21 on /data type ext4 (rw,seclabel,relatime,data=ordered)
/dev/block/mmcblk0p20 on /system type ext4 (rw,seclabel,relatime)
/dev/block/mmcblk0p16 on /preload type ext4 (rw,seclabel,relatime,data=ordered)

```

That only explains four of them though.

# Answer
There is nothing abnormal in this case. They is only one device in the first preformatted text, which is /dev/block/mmcblk0 (just like /dev/sda in Linux distros). The rest are the partitions within that device (akin to /dev/sda1, /dev/sda2 and so on).

There is no normal limit, not that I came across, for how many partitions a device can have. It depends upon how developers want to design and provide a functionality. E.g. earlier, there used to be one system and boot partition. But recent Android versions started a new normal of setting up additional boot and system partitions for fail-safe measures.

Also, mount command only shows the partition which are mounted under /. Some partitions are never needed to be mounted, such as ones concerning bootloader, so you won't see them in mount's output.
> 7 votes

---
Tags: samsung, partitions
---


# Question
Title: What is this icon with a messaging icon enclosed by a SIM card's icon in status bar?
Can anyone tell me what the chat icon on the status bar is and how I can access it. This showed itself after a recent security update. I'm not sure if it's a message that I have not opened yet. I have checked all my messages and found none. Also, received messages are usually on the left side of the status bar.

# Answer
It's a SIM icon.

To change it, go to Settings → Connections →SIM card manager → choose SIM1/SIM2 icon.

(Tap to enlarge)
> 9 votes

---
Tags: notification-icons, samsung-galaxy-s-9
---


# Question
Title: App killed from task manager is called foreground state or background state
If I close app from task manager by doing-- Press home-button for a long time -\> see all running apps -\> swipe my app aside -\> All app killed.

Now those apps I have removed from task manager is in background or foreground? If app open in task manager is called background?

Thank you.

# Answer
> 4 votes
Apps foreground/background process depends on memory management of your device.

Let's say in your task manager you're running 8 apps and out of 8 you're currently using 3 apps via continuous switching among these 3 apps then your device will see your usage and it could trigger rest 5 apps to run in background for a while but if you don't use those 5 apps for much time then those apps could be triggered to sleep to **save power and CPU consumption** until you open them again.

---
Tags: applications, task-management, processes
---


# Question
Title: How to transfer files between BlueStacks and Windows PC?
I'm using BlueStacks App Player. Sometimes I need to transfer files between BlueStacks (SD card) from/to my Windows.

I seem to find the file that stores the data in the SD card on `<BLUESTACKS_DATA>/Android/SDCard.sparsefs/Store`, but I cannot see the content & modify it easily from my PC.

Are there any ways to transfer files between them?

# Answer
> 25 votes
**For BlueStacks App Player for Windows v 0.9.0.4049 and higher**

There is a shared folder between BlueStacks and Windows:

* BlueStacks: `/sdcard/windows/BstSharedFolder` (you may need to install a file explorer app such as "ES File Explorer" to access this folder)
* Windows: `<BLUESTACKS_DATA>/UserData/SharedFolder` (by default, `<BLUESTACKS_DATA>` is `C:/ProgramData/BlueStacks`. This is set on BlueStacks installation).

On a Windows 10 device, it was found at the location `C:/BlueStacks/Engine/UserData/SharedFolder` or `C:/ProgramData/BlueStacks/Engine/UserData/SharedFolder`or `C:/BlueStacksData/Bluestacks/UserData/SharedFolder`.

**Manual method (BlueStacks ↔ PC)**

Copy/put any files you want to transfer to one folder (using "ES File Explorer" on BlueStacks, or "Windows Explorer" on PC), and those files will be shown on another folder.

**Simple method (PC → BlueStacks only)**

From BlueStacks, open "BlueStacks Settings", click "Import Windows Files" and click `Proceed`. A file chooser dialog will appear where you can select the file you want to import (tips: you can select multiple files by holding `Ctrl` and clicking other files). Finally, click `Open`. BlueStacks will copy the files to the same shared folders mentioned above.

Reference: How to Access Files on your PC from BlueStacks?

# Answer
> 8 votes
# **BlueStacks Media Manager**

Bluestacks now has a Media Manager that you can use to easily import/export files.

# Answer
> 3 votes
use import windows file app that come along with bluestacks.

# Answer
> 3 votes
BlueStacks only provide a way to access a subfolder of the sdcard `/storage/sdcard/windows/BstSharedFolder` which in Windows has the path `C:\ProgramData\BlueStacks\Engine\UserData\SharedFolder`. The easiest way is thus to place some files there, and then use an Android file manager app (eg, TotalCommander, which can move whole folders) to move the files around where you need them on your sd card.

---

/EDIT: the rest of this answer seems to not be working anymore. I leave it here if you want to try it with an older version of BlueStacks.

It is also possible to get full access to the sd card with some more complex manipulations.

BlueStacks stores the sd card as a kind of virtual image disk, on Windows it's at `C:\Program Data\BlueStacks\Android\SDCard.sparsefs` or at `C:\ProgramData\BlueStacks\Engine\Android\SDCard.vdi` depending on the version. Essentially, what you can do is that you can create a new virtual image disk, but formatted in `FAT`, which will allow both the mounting inside Android and Windows! Then, you will see the virtual image disk as a drive in "My Computer".

To go down this route, you will need two softwares:

1. A virtual disk creator (eg, DATA.IMG Maker).
2. An image mounter (eg, OSFMount).

Then you can format in `FAT` using your OS formatting tool.

And lastly, you need to kill all BlueStacks processes (ie, they start with "HD-\*") and change the path to the sdcard image via regedit at `HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\BlueStacks\Guests\Android\BlockDevice\2\Path`.

For a step-by-step tutorial on this approach, have a look at the 7labs.io tutorial.

# Answer
> 2 votes
**Using ES Explorer**

1 - Download Es from App-store and Enable and Connect WiFi

2- Open ES Menu Go to LAN, On your computer share the folder (Read/write Access/Everyone) on network and enable network discovery

3- Scan or add IP of Windows Computer and use windows user/pass

4- You can now copy paste files between two devices easily

**It Will Work 100%**

# Answer
> 2 votes
If you want to transfer a relatively big file (i.e. 1GB):

1. Download Droid Splitter on your Blue Stack and split the big file into smaller chunks using Droid Splitter.
2. Transfer the smaller files to shared folder one by one (if you get stuck, you may have to restart Blue Stack or your laptop).
3. After you transferred the files, join the smaller files using Droid Splitter. If you can't join the smaller files, then you might have to transfer the files in an android phone and use Droid Splitter to join the smaller files.

I tried this and it certainly worked. Good Luck :-)

# Answer
> 2 votes
You can install *Total Commander* app in BlueStacks along with FTP and SCP/SFTP (SSH) plugins and transfer the files over the network to your local PC. On Mac SSH can be enabled and transferred to your `localhost` via SSH. On Windows you can install FTP server on your PC, so the app can connect to your IP via FTP protocol.

# Answer
> 1 votes
When I installed bluestacks I had an app called Root Explorer. A file cabinet with a R on it.

Simply Open, Storage, SDcard, \[File Location\], "Hold Click", Send, To Windows. (I had couple seconds wait after that for the Save box to pop up)

---
Tags: sd-card, windows, file-transfer, bluestacks
---


# Question
Title: Get N on screen when trying to access developer options
Cannot access Developer Options on Asus Zenphone 3 (Android 7.1.1):

* Settings
* About
* Tap 6 times on Android Version

All I get is an 'N' on the screen:

# Answer
You are hitting the wrong area to get developers options. Within setting/about phone/software/build number you need to hit `Build number` 7 times to enable the developers options. Hitting Android Version multiple times enables a google cookie for the android version.
> 9 votes

# Answer
* This screen shows your current android version status and further tapping on it will enable Android Easter egg. The N means you're using Android Nougat (7.1) on your device.
* to enable developer options, go to settings-\>about phone, tap on build number multiple times (about 7 times), on completes it shows a message that you have enabled developer options.

Features:

* At the top of the Developer options screen, you can toggle the options on and off.
* Next option is USB debugging. This allows Android Studio and other SDK tools to recognize your device when connected via USB, so you can use the debugger and other tools.
* Also contains several options to set audio, networking, display, media, monitoring, apps tweaks for your device.

N.B : please be careful on this option 'OEM unlocking' in developer options. If got enabled unexpectedly, your device will continue in boot loop. This option is often used to root device.

Source
> 4 votes

---
Tags: developer-options
---


title: Unable to set Contact Picture

text:
# Question
Title: Unable to set Contact Picture
I am trying to set a picture for a contact that is saved on my SIM - I had originally emailed the .jpg to myself from my PC, then downloaded it from the Gmail app. When I go either into Gallery or through My Files and select the picture, select 'More' and then select 'Set as contact picture', the list of contacts comes up but the one I want to associate the picture with is not there - they show up when I use the phone app and look at my normal contact list.

I've got a Galaxy S7 Edge SM-G935F, running Android 6.0.1, kernal version 3.18.14-7538748 dpi@SWDD6418 #1, build MMB29K.G935FXXU1APD1, baseband version G935.FXXU1APD1.

Thanks in advance!

# Answer
Copy the number by editing that contact. Now create a new contact and choose your existing Google account or Samsung account (if you have a Samsung account logged in, it can be found under drop down menu as pointed in the picture below). Now, as you can see there is **Add picture** option in the picture below, so, add image. :)

Note: SIM card doesn't support any additional options.
> 2 votes

# Answer
SIM contacts do not support additional fields such as a contact photo. You will need to add the contact to Gmail or the phone itself in order to add an image.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: contacts, 6.0-marshmallow, images
---


title: How do I lock my bootloader with adb

text:
# Question
Title: How do I lock my bootloader with adb
I tried to unlock my bootloader with fastboot but that didn't work

```
>fastboot oem relock XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
FAILED (remote: 'root type is risk')
Finished. Total time: 0.014s

```

So I thought that adb would work (if it's possible)

# Answer
If your android device is modified in anyway such as a custom recovery, binary, or any other way. Trying to re-lock the bootloader should (should instead of would not all OEM follow protocol) usually cause the bootloader to issue a fatal exception like:`FAILED (remote: 'root type is risk')`. This happens due to device custom modifications. It is a safety thing if you lock your bootloader with a modified device you will most likey Brick your device.

Technical snippets about verification from Android Developers:

> AOSP Secure Features Verifying Boot Verified boot requires cryptographically verifying all executable code and data that is part of the Android version being booted before it is used. This includes the kernel (loaded from the boot partition), the device tree (loaded from the dtbo partition), system partition, vendor partition, and so on.
>
> Small partitions, such as boot and dtbo, that are read only once are typically verified by loading the entire contents into memory and then calculating its hash. This calculated hash value is then compared to the expected hash value. If the value doesn't match, Android won't load. For more details,
>
> Larger partitions that won't fit into memory (such as, file systems) may use a hash tree where verification is a continuous process happening as data is loaded into memory. In this case, the root hash of the hash tree is calculated during run time and is checked against the expected root hash value. Android includes the dm-verity driver to verify larger partitions. If at some point the calculated root hash doesn't match the expected root hash value, the data is not used and Android enters an error state.
>
> The expected hashes are typically stored at either the end or beginning of each verified partition, in a dedicated partition, or both. Crucially, these hashes are signed (either directly or indirectly) by the root of trust. As an example, the AVB implementation supports both approaches.
>
> Verification can fail either at boot time (such as, if the calculated hash on boot partition doesn't match the expected hash) or at run time (such as, if dm-verity encounters a verification error on the system partition). If verification fails at boot time, the device cannot boot and the end user needs to go through steps to recover the device.
>
> If verification fails at run-time the flow is a bit more complicated. If the device uses dm-verity, it should be configured in restart mode. In restart mode, if a verification error is encountered, the device is immediately restarted with a specific flag set to indicate the reason. The boot loader should notice this flag and switch dm-verity over to use I/O Error (eio) mode and stay in this mode until a new update has been installed.
>
> When booting in eio mode, the device shows an error screen informing the user that corruption has been detected and the device may not function correctly. The screen shows until the user dismisses it. In eio mode the dm-verity driver will not restart the device if a verification error is encountered, instead an EIO error is returned and the application needs to deal with the error.
>
> The intent is that either the system updater will run (so a new OS without corruption errors can be installed) or the user can get as much of their data off the device as possible. Once the new OS has been installed, the boot loader notices the newly installed OS and switches back to restart mode."

Without knowing which device you have or what Android version your running. I will not be able to give a detailed conclusion tailored to your device but instead a simple generic one. Also be wary of anti-roll back if applicable.

That being the case obtain and download signed factory firmware. Use fastboot, download mode, or whatever your mode your device uses to erase and flash partitions. Depending on protocol erase and then flash the factory signed firmware thus returning completely to stock. Reboot the bootloader and re-issue the `fastboot oem relock XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX` and you should be good to go.

> To prevent unauthorized access to your personal data, locking the bootloader will also delete all personal data on your phone.

Keep's it simple no need to jump through a checklist of hoops to avoid flashing firmware to preserve User Data unless you cannot find signed factory firmware but that would be another question.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: rooting, bootloader
---


title: PC no longer recognizing Android Device

text:
# Question
Title: PC no longer recognizing Android Device
While I never had problems before with my Android phone, suddenly one day when I was connecting my phone to the PC via USB it stopped working. Both my PC and my phone didn't detect each other. Strangely enough, it can still charge with the USB cable connected.

I tried the following with no results:

* I supposed the cable was wrong so I bought a brand new one, but still both the PC and the Android phone refused to detect each other.
* Checked in every port of my PC (I tested the functionality of the ports with a normal USB stick, and they work perfectly).
* Enabled USB debugging option in the phone.
* Tried to update USB drivers through Device Manager. The problem here is that it doesn't even show any Android device or at least an unknown device connected to the USB port, so I can't even force the search for new drivers.

* I also tested both cables with two other Android phones I have (suspecting it was the fault of the phone), but still no results.

I'm using Windows 7 64-bit, and my phone has Android 5.0. I tested with a Samsung, and LG, and a Huawei but neither worked.

Do you have any idea or advice on how to solve this?

# Answer
> 1 votes
At the end, the problem suddenly faded away before even trying one of the previous solutions. This discards a problem with the USB connection, the phone, or the USB drivers from the PC.

My best guess is that a hidden update or a background program (of which I'm unaware of) was causing the problem, so if anyone has a similar issue, by best advice is to follow the advices of updating the drivers, restoring to a previous state, or just switch ports until finding one that works.

# Answer
> 1 votes
That must be a USB Driver problem. Download the files in here and follow the instructions.

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop, usb
---


# Question
Title: How to access Local PC drives in Bluestacks
I have installed BS 4 on my windows 10 laptop. Now i have installed ES File Explorer on it through Google Play Store. After that when i am trying to access my local drives i am unable to access it or you can say unable to find path of local drives.

Secondly, i observe my windows icon has QUESTION MARK why it is like that.

Thanks Adeel Imtiaz

# Answer
You can easily share files between BlueStacks and Windows using shared folders. Just place your file inside it and you can access it from both Windows and BlueStacks.

Let's understand it:

The default shared folder in Windows is located in **C:\ ProgramData\ BlueStacks\ UserData\ SharedFolder** *(assuming C:\ is your Windows installation drive).* In BlueStacks, the same folder is located in **(Root)/ sdcard/ bstfolder/ BstSharedFolder.**

> BstsharedFolder is bluestacks shared folder with your pc contents and vice versa.
>
> You have to put files into the above folder to make accessible from pc as well as from bluestacks itself.

Additionally, the default Windows Library folders are accessible from BlueStacks. They are located in **/sdcard/bstfolder/** as Pictures, Documents, etc.

A file manager app is required to navigate folders inside BlueStacks. In this answer, i'm using OI File Manager. To share a file, follow the steps below:

> 1.Download and install OI File Manager in BlueStacks.
>
> 2.On Windows, navigate to BlueStacks Shared Folder **\[C:\ ProgramData\ BlueStacks\ UserData\ SharedFolder\]** and place the files you want to use in BlueStacks (like photos, videos, downloaded APK files, etc.). You can also use the Windows Library Folders for this purpose.
>
> 3.In BlueStacks, launch OI File Manager and navigate to BlueStacks shared folder **\[(Root)/ sdcard/ bstfolder/ BstSharedFolder\].** If you have placed files in your Windows Library, locate the respective folder from bstfolder directory in BlueStacks.

Similarly if you want to access BlueStacks files from your computer, copy the particular file to BstSharedFolder using OI File Manager and the same file will be available in Windows SharedFolder location.

Note: This article is originally written by David. Source
> 4 votes

---
Tags: bluestacks
---