# Question
Title: Remove downloaded system update from Huawei
Due to unfortunate circumstances I need to use my old phone again (Huawei P8 Lite 2017 Emui 5.0.1). I did a factory reset a few days ago, and am now trying to install my most important apps.

Unfortunately I keep running into space constraints. It seems there is a **2.4GB** file downloaded for a system update, but even before installing any apps my phone did not have enough free space to execute it.

I am willing to accept being stuck on a lower version till I switch my phone, but I need to remove the huge file as the 2.4GB is blocking me from installing critical apps.

I have already blocked new updates from being downloaded automatically, but am now stuck with the one that is already there.

So hence my question:

# How can I remove the downloaded system update from my Huawei phone?

What I tried so far: \- Install a file browser and look for an OTA dir, I don't seem to have access to that \- Go to the update and storage cleaning apps, but I did not see any way to clear this download

I imagine I could do a factory reset and block automatic downloads before connecting to wifi, but as I just installed and configured 80% of my apps, I really don't want to do that.

# Answer
It happened the same to me in a Huawei Honor view 20. I managed do delete the file. What happens is that the system creates a ghost file to lock the required space for the update (in my case it was 4.27gb) before the update is actually downloaded. As a previous comment says, I went to settings \> apps and Clear Data for the Software Update app, but the 4.27gb were still being used even after confirming the delete option there. What I did was disabling the auto download for system updates over wifi and actually accepting the download and installation in system \> software update. When the download just starts, pause it. In this way the size of the update file will be actual downloaded size, which was interrupted and it's not going to be resumed. In my case I passed from a 4.27gb file to a 71mb file.
> 2 votes

# Answer
Go to settings \> apps and Clear Data for the Software Update app. Seems to work as the app takes up 3GB with an update downloaded.
> 2 votes

# Answer
I found that the update was actually not (fully?) downloaded on my phone yet.

Perhaps this contributes to not finding a way to delete it, though I doubt that.

The way you can validate this is by turning on the airplane mode and going to the upgrade. If you are in my situation, you should get an error message about downloading.

---

This still leaves the mystery of why my 16GB phone with 6GB firmware and 1~2GB apps, content, cache etc. Complains about being 90% full, but that may be a separate question.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: updates, insufficient-memory, huawei
---


# Question
Title: I factory reset my hudl2, and now it "can't connect to the Internet"
I was given an old Tesco Hudl2 recently (Model No. HTFA4B), and the one of the first things I did - perhaps unwisely - was to do a factory reset on it.

Now, after choosing my WiFi connection, it tells me:

> **Couldn't access internet**
>
> An internet connection is needed to setup your hudl. Please check your WiFi settings or connect to a different network.

This page suggests the update server (rather than the "internet") is probably down.

A packet capture seems to suggest it's connecting to https://device.mobile.tesco.com/, but the certificate there expired on 26 June.

A thread at Modaco may have more information, but the forums have been down for at least the last couple of days.

# Answer
I've managed to work around this for a Hudl 1 by setting the date to before 26 June. I had to escape the set-up wizard and then find a way to get into the settings app. I don't know if a similar set of steps will work for the Hudl 2?

My write up is here
> 7 votes

---
Tags: factory-reset
---


# Question
Title: How can i modify the boot.img files so that when the power button and volume + is pressed during startup it doesnt start recovery but fastboot instead
How can i modify the boot.img files so that when the power button and volume + is pressed during startup it doesnt start recovery but instead starts fastboot?

P.S I can unpack the boot.img

# Answer
The preloader is fetching from `hrawork10/hra_huangxj/mt8788_v9.0_G26/P08765_git/vendor/mediatek/proprietary/bootable/bootloader/preloader/platform/mt6771/src/core/main.c` as shown in your screenshot which is holding the variable which decides as to whether it should boot factory mode when you hold the power and volume up buttons or not.

Do not try to rebuild your preloader and flash it otherwise you may end up with a nice brick.
> -2 votes

---
Tags: boot
---


# Question
Title: How to reset a kid's forgotten phone lock-screen password?
My 6-year-old grandson has now made two (ancient) phones useless by changing his password, and then forgetting it. He only uses phones in my house every few weeks.

On my Windows 10 LAPTOP, he has a "Standard" account. I'm the Administrator. Using that configuration, If he forgets his password, I simply reset it and then tell him the value.

Is it possible to do the same thing on an Android phone?

I think there are apps to prevent him downloading stuff, but I haven't found any app that would allow an Administrator to reset a forgotten password.

Thanks.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Download find my device and make it device administrator(which is enabled by default i think..).. And if the kid changes password then you can reset it from the find my device website using your laptop.. Just ensure that the phone has internet connection while trying to reset it..

WEBSITE

APP

DON'T FORGET TO DO A TEST RUN..

If anything goes wrong just comment here.. I'll help

---
Tags: lock-screens
---


title: How to sideload LineageOS?

text:
# Question
Title: How to sideload LineageOS?
I think I updated `twrp` and `adb` seems to be working:

```
thufir@doge:~/android$
thufir@doge:~/android$ adb shell getprop | grep twrp
thufir@doge:~/android$
thufir@doge:~/android$ adb shell
shell@htc_m8:/ $
shell@htc_m8:/ $ exit
thufir@doge:~/android$
thufir@doge:~/android$ adb shell getprop | grep make
thufir@doge:~/android$
thufir@doge:~/android$ adb shell getprop | grep model
[ro.aa.modelid]: [0P6B16000]
[ro.chipset.model]: [MSM8974]
[ro.product.model]: [HTC One_M8]
thufir@doge:~/android$
thufir@doge:~/android$ adb shell getprop | grep manufacturer
[ro.product.manufacturer]: [HTC]
thufir@doge:~/android$

```

and am, I think, read to proceed with installing `lineageOS` but want to make sure I have the right files and am following the right sequence:

```
thufir@doge:~/android$ adb reboot bootloader
thufir@doge:~/android$
thufir@doge:~/android$ fastboot devices
SH4AYWM01306    fastboot
thufir@doge:~/android$
thufir@doge:~/android$ fastboot oem get_identifier_token
...
(bootloader)
(bootloader) < Please cut following message >
(bootloader) <<<< Identifier Token Start >>>>
(bootloader) 8638E3FC990E8996590950FC43B2597A
(bootloader) D3E768DE94AE44F0545422F4F610A2B1
(bootloader) 0D743BEB9D61A214A14203E5DEF9D3A7
(bootloader) 5E519C96B5DA53C4C2C3DA97A3CA584E
(bootloader) B2A07292DD46C6BD13C1F957106DCAF2
(bootloader) 8E9B3C1E660A93B2824622FEB9786109
(bootloader) EAE5E4C7F87D0F2CF41711CC713CAC69
(bootloader) 49ED4E9D2313AB7B8BC7DDF918067039
(bootloader) 448DD51FFD6CA2BEA7F2E03B9E4706F9
(bootloader) 377CE2210B1BCB3E8960B02A970C5430
(bootloader) B404427005C52B6A07A989CC2378C93E
(bootloader) 23D134B3CC30BD33B24B03BBD4C5CE93
(bootloader) 198734886FC83C5DC56044EE0C477786
(bootloader) 037C2393B758EDA5D03B968564561374
(bootloader) 159EA7D89F97C7E8631C5A5E7C1EF967
(bootloader) E64F871FF21B09A0120A302E8B8F6C89
(bootloader) <<<<< Identifier Token End >>>>>
OKAY [  0.069s]
finished. total time: 0.069s
thufir@doge:~/android$
thufir@doge:~/android$ fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
target reported max download size of 1830612992 bytes
sending 'recovery' (21956 KB)...
OKAY [  1.755s]
writing 'recovery'...
OKAY [  0.626s]
finished. total time: 2.382s
thufir@doge:~/android$
thufir@doge:~/android$
thufir@doge:~/android$ fastboot boot twrp.img
downloading 'boot.img'...
OKAY [  1.741s]
booting...
OKAY [  0.524s]
finished. total time: 2.265s
thufir@doge:~/android$

```

but what does this mean:

> Sideload the LineageOS .zip package:
>
> ```
> On the device, select “Advanced”, “ADB Sideload”, then swipe to begin sideload.
> On the host machine, sideload the package using: adb sideload filename.zip
>
> ```
>
> (Optionally): If you want to install any additional add-ons, repeat the sideload steps above for those packages in sequence. info\_outline

I should copy the `zip` file to the phone, then reboot the the phone while pressing the above keys?

# Answer
> 3 votes
First of all... MAKE SURE YOU HAVE DOWNLOADED THE CORRECT ROM FOR YOUR DEVICE..

Steps:

1. Backup important files
2. Connect usb
3. Go to recovery and select wipe
4. select advance
5. select the things you wanna wipe.. except the usb-otg thing
6. After wiping.. go to advance(from home page of twrp)
7. select adb sideload
8. Make sure adb is installed on your pc
9. in cmd(admin) type `adb devices` and check that your phone there
10. Type `adb sideload LineageOS.zip` replace LineageOS.zip with your rom
11. Enjoy LineageOS!!

I'd recommend you to download eelo.. a fork of LineageOS.. It has MicroG which is really awesome.. I'm currently using the same..

---
Tags: adb, rooting, twrp, fastboot, lineageos
---


# Question
Title: YouTube update enforcement bypass? +Reasons why the old YouTube app is superior
The time bomb of YouTube's legacy versions has exploded:
**The *“later”* button to postpone the update has disappeared.** YouTube is copying WhatsApp's update mesh.

I really wish to keep using a legacy version of YouTube's Android application, but now, YouTube has pulled the plugs by **hiding the “update later” button.**

### Why have they disabled it in first place?

The application would probably still work technically.

## Advantages of YouTube's legacy versions:

* **Unlimited search history.**
* Exiting search does not require to reload the results of the previous search or viewed channel/playlist/feed/etc., which saves time and occasionally mobile data.
* I still had search terms from 2015 because I never updated. Search history with capitalization saved.
* Profile pictures with the shape of a square. Superior field of view.
* Less minimalism, more border lines. (I personally dislike minimalism.)
    + Free from material design. (I do not hate material design, but the rounded corners look loose. Windows 10's flat design is OK becaubecause it looks still very angular. Although, I like the ripple animation of mterial design.).
* Full numbers instead of rounded numbers (YouTube calls them “abbreviated numbers”. Toxic minimalism) for ratings, view counts and suscriber counts. **Rounded numbers** are too shallow. (*“2M”* looks shallow, while e.g. the number “*2.021.435*” looks vibrant and ultimately *sexier* than a digit with one letter behind it. Additionally, “2B” can be confused with 28 on the first sight, while a a long number such as 2.039.721.486 looks truly unmistakenably immersive.).
* Ability to pre-open videos from loaded search results before Internet connection has been established, so that I do not need to open it **when** the connection has established.
* Ability to pre-open search pages too. Pre-opening searches saves the search query into the search history, so that I do not forget searching it the next time I open YouTube's app. Like a tiny sticky note.

### How do I keep using the legacy versions of YouTube?

I know MixerBox, but MixerBox has no search history and multi/pop-up window support.

# Answer
Google services framework does this. if you disable it, you get YouTube back, but google play can't load.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: applications, youtube, downgrade, search, material-design
---


title: How to force a smartphone to update?

text:
# Question
Title: How to force a smartphone to update?
How come two Nokia 9 phones have the same model, phone service provider and location, but one of them insists there were no updates (neither security nor Android itself which should be 10, not 9, by now) after 2019?

You can see Nokia had many security updates after 2019.

Neither taking out the sim card nor a factory reset helped with this.

P.S. This phone is part of the Android One program, so it's even more concerning.

# Answer
```
Neither taking out the sim card nor a factory reset helped

```

The following was suggested by Nokia itself. But turns out they didn't think to suggest doing both **at the same time**.

Although it can be far easier - just **turn off Mobile Data**, then check for updates. If it's not enough, also restart the phone while keeping Mobile Data off. Suddenly you get updates.

I'd chalk it off as a bug that lets the phone provider save bandwidth for itself even though you actually use WiFi for updates.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: security, ota-update, nokia-9
---


# Question
Title: How to stop Whatsapp messages coming in lock screen
I am using a mobile which is having Android Marshmallow. Whenever someone is sending a Whatsapp message to me when the phone is locked. The message is showing up in lock-screen as plain text.

So anyone can just pick up my phone and press the unlock button and they can see what someone texted me without unlocking the phone.

How to stop this from happening?

# Answer
After the update.. the location of the lockscreen notification settings changed..

MIUI 10: It is located in Lockscreen \> Advanced settings
MIUI 11: It's located in Settings \> Notifications

If you're still stuck.. search for "notifications" from the search bar in the settings..

Hope it helps..
> 1 votes

# Answer
In settings, you can choose your notification settings when your device is locked. If you don't want to see anything at all, you can choose to do so (Don't show notifications at all). If you want to see just the notification but not content, you can use "Hide all sensitive data" or similar. You will see it pop up, but no one will be able to read content.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, lock-screens, whatsapp-messenger, miui
---


# Question
Title: How to replace Android's Download Manager by an other default app?
I got enough of the poor functionality of *com.android.providers.downloads*

So I decided for a better alternative download manger.

But how can I choose the alternative as preferred download manager? My alternative download manager is listening to my clipboard. But this does not help me, because not all addresses to online files can be easily copied into Android's clipboard.

# Answer
If you happen to have Android version above 5.1 and familiar with command line interfaces, then you could use termux. It has a built in binary wget to basically download anything. Just put `wget https://whateverlink.exe` and it will start downloading it. All you'll be needing is the link to download the file you want to download. The built in download manager being a system app, is actually a system wide download manager for all the gui interfaces on the device. If you happen to have root privilege, and try doing `pm -k uninstall 0 com.android.providers.download` and `pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.providers.download.ui`(you can also do this with `adb`). What this will do is, uninstall download manager, but will be availbale like before if phone is disabled, (also if you like to play it safe and have root, better to perform `pm disable com.android.providers.download`, in this way you can enable it anytime with `pm enable com.android.providers.download`).Now with uninstalled/disabled, if you try downloading something on your browser, you'll see that download fails. Even with a third party download manager, because everything downloadable on gui apps uses the built in Download manager. However, termux uses binaries `wget` to download stuffs, hence doesn't need a download manager becuase it has its own libraries and binaries writen to download. Yep, there you go. You can find termux on Google Play Store. To download `wget`, just type in `pkg install wget` on the command line, and it'll download wget for you. From then on you could use `wget https://pastelinktodownload` to download. Although termux is way more than just a simple download manager. Enjoy! Hope this helps (:
> 1 votes

# Answer
you can use your alternative download manager to select which storage should be used and you can't change download process to the alternate.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: stock-android, downloading, default-applications, download-manager
---


# Question
Title: Android x86 on VirtualBox - Apps cannot access internet
I recently installed Android x86 through VirtualBox onto my PC. It runs mostly fine (except for some weirdness with the mouse, which isn't really an issue) but for the fact that apps cannot detect the internet connection. I can access the internet through the included browser just fine, so I know that the connection is actually getting to the VM, but apps cannot access it.

From Android on Virtualbox - Internet connection isn't available to all apps, I read that it's because I am using NAT or virtual ethernet that some apps detect that there is no WiFi or cellular and refuse to work. Is there a way to fix and/or get around this?

If it helps, my host OS is Windows 10 Educational and I will do my best to provide hardware specs if that would help solve the issue.

# Answer
The solution is to change network adapter settings (VirtualBox or VMware) from NAT type to Bridge type, that's it.

If you don't want to change the network type, there is another solution if your Android VM is rooted. I guess you can install the Xposed framework and install the Fake Wifi Connection module that works on Android 4.4 up to 5.1. If you have another version such as Marshmallow (6.0+), then you need to install an APK from here: https://www.mediafire.com/download/cbsu84p9496n70o. After installing it, you will be advised to install the hack module from Xposed so that it can make the APK work well.

---

For the mouse issue, you need to disable Mouse integration.
> 1 votes

# Answer
What worked for me was selecting in Settings -\> Network -\> Attached To: NAT -\> Advanced -\> Network Type: Paravirtualized

I could connect to internet, I even did log in in my Google Account in the Virtual Machine.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: connection-issues, internet, android-x86, virtualbox
---


# Question
Title: Completely disable Nexus 5 Power Button and Remap to Volume Button
I have a 1.5 year old Nexus 5 and its power button is somehow broken from the inside. The thing goes in a reboot loop whenever I either try to turn the phone on or put it on charging. Upon giving it a good smack, it somehow works and boots but it's only good for about a few minutes as whenever even a bit of pressure is applied on the power button, it goes in the reboot loop again.

So, I've been trying to completely remap the power button to Vol UP button and somehow completely disable that broke power button so the OS doesn't even consider its inputs. Here are some helpful links I came across, except the issue is the inability to push the changed keymap files back to /system without root.

1. https://nattster.wordpress.com/2015/09/22/use-volume-button-to-wake-up-nexus-5/
2. Remapping power and volume keys

I tried installing twrp but by doing going to bootloader via adb but then after I flash twrp and try to switch to newly installed recovery, the broke power button takes over and puts it into a reboot loop. If I try to get to recovery via `adb`, it goes to stock recovery as it is somehow overwriting twrp during the boot process.

I wouldn't mind getting the stock Android source code and somehow disabling all those mappings and reflash the new ROM on the device but I have no idea what files I need to go to, for disabling the power button.

So, I'm kinda stuck right now. Any help or pointers would be appreciated! Thank you!

# Answer
> 1 votes
As a hardware solution,

> Your power button is not broken, but getting stuck from residue or soft rubbers.

You can massage the key to help remove any sticky parts from the key and to help rejuvenate the rubber bounce.

* Press the power button in reasonably hard and hold it in for a few seconds, then slowly decrease the pressure until you have removed your finger. ( This can help to crush any dust or move any residue out of the buttons path )
* Press the button in slowly until you feel it just make contact & quickly release it.. ( Repeatedly doing this will help to dry any sticky residue from something like a fizzy drink )
* Blow air into the button, press a few times and blow again ! ( This can help to remove any sand or grit that might be holding the button down )
* Massage the button, press the button in slowly and then with moderate pressure, push up on the power button ( applying the most pressure on the top part of the button ) and slowly keeping moderate pressure, drag your finger ( or roll it ) to apply more pressure on the bottom of the button ...

Repeatedly Roll your finger ( or slide it up and down ) to distribute the pressure throughout the entire button... You will be Rocking the button while maintaining moderate pressure.

( This can help to rejuvenate the rubber that returns the button back to it's position )

I believe the issue can be fixed by massaging the button.

# Answer
> 0 votes
To fix the issue with the Stock recovery flashing over TWRP on the boot of the device I recommend trying the `fastboot boot "pathtorecoveryimage"` command. I have used this and haven't experienced any issues. So try the following:

1. `fastboot flash recovery "pathtorecoveryimage"`
2. `fastboot boot "pathtorecoveryimage"`

2.5 It may look like the device isn't doing anything but if you have your volume on audible feedback will be noted

Source: I have messed around with fastboot and ADB too much for my own good... (OnePlus One device tested and verified to work)

# Answer
> 0 votes
There's no way to remap the power key during recovery..

If you can control everything from pc without the power keys then I'd recommend you to open the back-cover and disconnect the power and volume keys from the motherboard.. Its not that hard just be careful while disconnecting..

Follow any simple tutorial on YouTube for reference (I searched.. there are manyyy)..

---
Tags: rooting, rom-flashing, recovery-mode, nexus-5, hardware
---


# Question
Title: How do you sort your chats by contact name in WhatsApp?
How can one alphabetically sort the contacts on the WhatsApp chat list? Right now, the list is completely random, making it difficult to locate a specific chat by its author (contact name)

# Answer
There doesn't seem to be any way to sort them alphabetically in the chat list. Currently the Whatsapp chat list is by chat date, meaning the most recent ones will come up.

If you click on the bottom right green button you can access the contacts list, and those contacts are sorted alphabetically.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Whatsapp doesn't officially added this feature.. but if you really want to sort them then download Whatsapp business. You can use label to organize things..
Just like this.. (items are the people actually)

I too use whatsapp business and really love its auto reply function..
> 0 votes

---
Tags: whatsapp-messenger
---


# Question
Title: How to lock phone without pressing power button?
Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question, but how can I turn off the display without hitting the physical power button on Android 10 (Pixel 4a)? On my old phone I could customize long-press home or double-tap within launcher to do this. I enabled 3-button style but can't seem to find the settings for customization or for the Pixel launcher behaviour. I also couldn't figure out how to do this with gesture / swipe control.

Thanks!

# Answer
> 0 votes
If you're okay with apps doing this for you, then you could try this app. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lsc.lock You tap on it and it'll lock your phone and turn off your screen as well.

---
Tags: android-10
---


# Question
Title: Unable to see system navigation gesture setting
It appears that I don't have all the setting for gestures on my Android tablet.

So that's how it looks on my tablet: https://i.stack.imgur.com/lhKMc.jpg

That's how it should look like I believe: https://icdn3.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/android-10-gestures-how-to-turn-on-2-1080x2160.jpg

When I was setting device up it proposed to choose between 3 button navigation and gesture navigation.

The tablet is Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab.

Thanks for any help.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Gesture navigation is available starting in Android 10 (API version 29).

Your phone is setup with gesture navigation because it is running Android 10+, but your tablet might be running Android 9 (based on your question tags).

Check to see if there's a system update for your tablet, otherwise you'll either have to;

1. Wait until Android 10 becomes available for your Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab.
2. Find an alternative launcher app you can install that contains gesture navigation.

---
Tags: settings, tablet, 9.0-pie, navigation-bar, gestures
---


# Question
Title: Telegram does not recognise account after being offline for almost a week due to battery failure
On Sunday, 13th September 2020, the battery of my Motorola Moto G5 broke down and I ordered a new one. Today, on Friday, 18th September 2020, it finally arrived and it works just fine. Several errors, however, occurred:

1. I have lost some of my contacts and only had the chance to recover some of them by importing an old VCF file that was not very up to date anymore. This, at least, brought back some contacts in WhatsApp. (Does anyone know why many of my contacts were lost after such an incident and some were not?)
2. But when I opened Telegram, I was asked to set up a new account. Even when I reinstalled Telegram, I am still asked to do this. I am, however, able to log on the Telegram web app. (Telegram sends me an SMS instead of an in-app text message.) There, I am able to see all the chats that are stored on Telegram’s cloud servers and also the contact names of people who are now not in my address book anymore, are displayed correctly. (Why is that? Is there a way to recover my address book via Telegram?)

What shall I do? **Can I just “re-register” at the Telegram app with my phone number and see my cloud chats again on my phone?** What error occurred there?

---

**Edit:** One thing just came to my mind. Can I just log off my phone via the web app and then just try to “register”/log on to my Telegram account via the Telegram app on my phone? Would this work and prevent data loss?

# Answer
Ok, I think I was able to solve the problem. Telegram just logged me off the phone app. I was able to log back in and now I can use Telegram as before.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: contacts, battery, sim-card, telegram, motorola-moto-g5
---


title: Block non-contact callers

text:
# Question
Title: Block non-contact callers
I was wondering if there was a way to block all non-contact callers on my Samsung Galaxy A20 operating system Android 10. I have been through the settings and the only option I have is block contacts or block unknown callers I'm not sure if that just means private calls or non-contact collars. I'm unable to find a solution on YouTube so I'm hoping somebody on here can help.

# Answer
One way that I know how to do this is though Android's Do Not Disturb feature.

You basically keep your phone in "do not disturb" mode always, then manually set who is allowed to interrupt you.

Some of the options for who can interrupt you are:

* **Conversations:**

+ All conversations
    + Priority conversations. To choose which conversations are priority conversations, tap Settings.
    + None
* **Calls:**

+ Anyone, contacts or starred contacts
    + Repeat callers. To let a call through if the same person calls twice in 15 minutes, turn on Allow repeat callers.
* **Messages:**

+ Anyone, contacts or starred contacts
    + None
    + Reminders
    + Events

---

Basically, this is essentially a white-list approach as opposed to a black-list approach.

There may be third-party apps that can accomplish what you are asking, but the above is a stock built-in to Android option for you.
> 1 votes

# Answer
I use an Android app called Calls Blacklist. Settings - Blocking - Unknown Numbers (Block all numbers except Contacts)
> -1 votes

---
Tags: call-screening
---


# Question
Title: How to share as image from the Wikipedia App?
The Wikipedia app supposedly allows sharing selected text as an image, as seen on diff.wikipedia.org.

At the moment, at least on my phone (Nokia 7.2 TA-1196, Android 10), only “standard sharing” is available, which shares plain text.

Does the feature still exist? How can one share as image?

# Answer
Just tried it on Wikipedia app (2.7.5033+2020-08-04) on a Samsung S9 running Android 10. And I was not able to have text over image via the share button as described. That feature was from 2015 and based on the comments in your linked post, they was some concern about image rights issues.

Regardless, I was able tap on an article image for normal sharing.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: applications
---


# Question
Title: Stock Android 10 device is offline for ADB commands on Linux, can't use USB Debugging
Trying to use `adb` tool `1.0.29` on a PC running Linux `Ubuntu 20.04` to debug my `Motorola Moto G7 Plus` running stock `Android 10` (hence not rooted) connected via USB. Previously it was working OK, I've granted USB Debugging permissions to my PC. But today `adb devices` shows it as an `offline` device, so I can't do anything.

Here's a list of actions I tried:

* `Revoke USB Debugging Authorization` \- it doesn't work, nothing happens, Android doesn't prompt for new permissions
* Delete `/data/misc/adb/adb_keys` on the phone - Can't, no root, `adb root` and `adb shell` return `error: device offline`
* Rebooting, disabling USB Debugging and Developer Options and disconnecting in any order didn't help
* `adb kill-server` and `adb start-server` didn't do the trick as well

What else could you recommend?

# Answer
Solved by:

1. Deleting `adbkey` and `adbkey.pub` files from `~/.android/` directory on my Linux PC.
2. Using newer Android Debug Bridge (in my case, it's current `1.0.41`/`30.0.4` from here).

Also thanks to Robert for helpful comments.

---

# Update 2020-12-29

Another solution could be in using ADB over Wi-Fi
> 1 votes

---
Tags: adb, linux, stock-android, android-10, motorola
---


# Question
Title: Mobile Data blocked while getting/sending phone call and message
I have 2 sim cards in my phone Samsung J7 Pro. Whenever I used the packet data for internet using sim 2 and there's phone call or message coming in my internet got blocked. I used packet data because it's the only reliable internet connection I have right now. How to totally block all incoming call or messages to avoid my packet data blocked while using the internet?, Thanks in advance.

# Answer
This all depend on your network provider. And also android operating system. Generally in 2G network when you get call, mobile data turn off. while in 3g you can use call and data simultaneously. This also depend on network strength and hardware. while in 4G LTE, you can connect internet and make call. So choose network which support data + voice. kindly provide what is written near your network signal strength at the top of the screen E or 4G Volte.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: samsung, mobile-data, 9.0-pie
---


# Question
Title: Where does memu android simulator save applications files?
I know that most Android phones save apk files and applications in the `android/data` folder but when I enter there is none of my already installed applications. Is there anywhere can I find them?

# Answer
C:\User Name\Download\MEmu Download\
> 0 votes

---
Tags: emulators
---


# Question
Title: Is there a RAM test for Android devices?
I need to fix a friend's phone this evening that has suddenly produced loads of android.process.media and com.google.process.gapps errors. I am going to reinstall the OS as it's an older ROM but it got me wondering: there is `memtest` for x86 based devices that will test the RAM of a PC, is there a similar app that can be loaded in place of an OS on Android that will do the same thing?

# Answer
> 1 votes
This tests RAM, storage and well many other device features: Phone Check (and Test)

# Answer
> 0 votes
Like to point out that Apps most definitely can test hardware without root access. Bad memory can be traced via stress tests even within OS limitations, although not pinpointed but to know if its bad or not its quite useful.

---
Tags: hardware, ram, system
---


# Question
Title: Need to enable ICMP Ping response from phone
I'm trying to enable ICMP ping response from my Android 4.2.2 Phone (Galaxy S4). I am only considering ping over LAN via Wi-Fi, not the cellular network. WLAN Network connectivity is not the problem: I can connect to an FTP server running on the phone from another machine on the LAN. Pinging the phone from the same host of the FTP client results in timeouts. The phone is not asleep because the FTP session can be active, but ping still times out. I can also ping an Android 4.4 tablet just fine, so it is not something specific with Android.

In the phone, I examined /system/etc/sysctl.conf and found the line:

```
sysctl -w net.ipv4.icmp_echo_ignore_all=1;

```

which I commented out as (editing with ES File Explorer Root Explorer, FS set to RW)

```
#sysctl -w net.ipv4.icmp_echo_ignore_all=1;

```

After rebooting the phone, there is still no ping response. What other settings could inhibit ICMP ping response?

Edit: I also tried the form

```
sysctl -w net.ipv4.icmp_echo_ignore_all=0;

```

That did not make a difference.

I can ping any other host on the LAN, including the router, from the phone using the Net Ping app.

I also discovered that I can ping the phone at its IPv6 link-local address (fe80::xxxx) It will respond to pings while the phone is awake, but as soon as the screen goes dark, ping responses stop. But I do not get any IPv4 ping response under any circumstances, so some setting is blocking it. I do not have any add-on firewall like DroidWall running.

# Answer
The simplest (and, of course, tricky) way is to use nping. For example:

> `nping -c <ping_count> --tcp -p <your_ftp_port_number> <ip_address_of_your_phone_hosting_ftp_service>`

Achieve same goal without modification of Android.
> 1 votes

# Answer
I know this question is quite old now, but I came across this looking to for an answer and managed to work it out myself.

What I did was download a root file explorer (I used Root Browser from JRummy Apps) and navigate to **/proc/sys/net/ipv4** edit **icmp\_echo\_ignore\_all** so that it is a 1-line, 1-character file that simply says **0** (when I opened the file, it was set to 1)

No reboot, ICMP requests started working upon saving. Hope that helps someone else!
> 0 votes

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


title: How can I delete duplicated SMS?

text:
# Question
Title: How can I delete duplicated SMS?
I have a lot of duplicated SMS on my Android 7.1.2 Phone, because of the app "SMS Backup & Restore". I would like to delete redundant SMSs. How can I do that? Before actually doing it, I would like to inspect the would-be result.

What I tried:

# Answer
just found that on "SMS Backup + Restore" the option to not restore duplicates is present when you actually go to restore, under "advanced options" it's actually down as "disable duplicate check (faster restore) and is by default set to "off" so it will check. Having just run it myself, I can confirm it does work (or at least has for me)
> 1 votes

---
Tags: sms
---


# Question
Title: How to force a time/date update in my phone?
I recently changed the battery of my phone, but in doing so, kept it without battery for some time. After placing the new battery, I discovered that the date and time had gone back to default.

I tried to set them both to update from the network but neither is updating. I tried turning the option off and on again but nothing happens.

I can, of course, set the date manually, but I am wondering why it's not updating by itself. The time zone is correct.

I'm using a Samsung Galaxy Pocket, Android 2.3 (Gingerbread).

# Answer
try this:

1. uncheck "update from network"
2. set it to a wrong time (something that's clearly not right)
3. close settings (not sure if this is actually needed)
4. check "update from network" again (which should correct the time)
> 11 votes

# Answer
Try rebooting your device (shut down and restart)

If that doesn't work, try manually setting the date back one month, exit settings, check update from network and reboot your device.

On restart Android should check the network date, see it's wrong and reset the clock.

My tv box's suspend mode screws up the time every time that it's invoked because it either has no realtime clock chip or it doesn't have a capacitor or battery to keep it going. Usually rebooting fixes this)
> 2 votes

# Answer
Just set the time wrongly (manually), then turn on automatic date and time and go back to ...internet. I just tried it (now)
> 1 votes

# Answer
please try this method: set it to "update from the network". Then connect the device to data(internet). Then it will update time automatically. I tried this once.
> 0 votes

# Answer
It's possible for the Automatic date and time to be turned off while changing a battery or switching between power-saving-modes. To turn it back on, go to settings --\> Date and time --\> then make sure Automatic-date-and-time is turned on.
> 0 votes

# Answer
**TL;DR: If you get an error about NET:ERR\_CERT\_DATE\_INVALID that make your tablet stop working, try to set manually DATE and TIME (both) to current one of your timezone.**

---

I was trying to fix my step-parents tablet (old Samsung one, SM-T2.0NU, Android 5.0.2) that stopped working suddenly I was told while on YouTube.

Problems noticed, actions taken, etc. (you can skip to solution):

* I had NET:ERR\_CERT\_DATE\_INVALID error in Chrome. Noticed that some website worked (non-https ones and some others it seems). Most of the things was not working, like accessing Play Store. Without any meaningful error message, just an option to "retry".
* I thought it was the internet, etc. So I rebooted router, tablet, removed everything Wifi, disconnect/reconnect, tried to set internet to manually (but it did have an IP automatically), etc.
* Cleared Chrome history, cache, etc.
* Automatic date and time option was not showing, but I could see the option by using the search, but when I tried to tick it, it bring me to date and time and was not applying any solution.
* I tried multiple time to put the time myself...

Solution:

* Only after an hour trying to apply gazillion of solutions did I try to put the date in the past to notice the date was already 3 months behind (why? no clue). Then I set it to today's date and everything started working again.

I don't know if this will trigger the automatic management of date and time (I still cannot check the box even through search in settings), but I might not be the only one falling here to try to fix that issue that was preventing us using the tablet normally (I believe security settings verified that date and time were correct and I saw a lot of people having the same issues without a fix).
> 0 votes

---
Tags: date-and-time
---


# Question
Title: Method to monitor home electricity supply interruptions
I am looking for a way to find out, in a day at what timings electricity supply was interrupted. I guess if we keep our android device on charging all day we should be able to find power interruption by just knowing the current charging status of the device. So is there any app or method which can help ?

# Answer
**Battery history:** https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.psw.batteryToast&hl=en

This app may help, you can access the ‘unplugged/plugged log’ through the ‘charging’ button, which is on the top left of the app interface. It should be able to tell you when its ‘unplugged’ when it stops charging.

It’s ad and purchase free, but the downside is that the interface seems to be quite confusing and messy. The below image is one of the app’s image preview on the play store.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: power-on
---


title: How to kill dhcpcd?

text:
# Question
Title: How to kill dhcpcd?
The following command works perfectly to start DHCP:

```
# dhcpcd -p eth0

```

DHCP cannot be stopped once it is started. The following command does not work:

```
# dhcpcd -k eth0

```

It returns the following:

```
dhcpcd[4700]: sending signal 1 to pid 4086
dhcpcd[4700]: dhcpcd not running
dhcpcd[4700]: kill: Bad file number

```

Could anyone offer a tip on how to kill DHCP?

# Answer
A way to dynamically get the PID of the **dhcp** process, and kill it altogether, would be to run:

```
su
var=$(ps | grep dhcp)
kill $(echo -n $var | cut -d " " -f 0)

```

Specifically:

* line 1 asks for root permissions;
* line 2 assigns the output of `ps` (which lists the active processes), filtered by `grep` with the keyword **dhcp**, to the variable `var`;
* line 3 calls `kill` to terminate the value contained in the first field (`-f 0`) of the variable `var`, by telling `cut` to separate the fields with a whitespace (`-d " "`). Not coincidentally, the mentioned value corresponds to the PID of the process **dhcpcd**.
> 7 votes

# Answer
This could be done with `awk` as well. The commands would be;

`su`

`kill -9 $(ps -e | grep dhcp | awk '{ print $1 }')`

**Details**

`su` to jump to root shell, `kill -9` to force kill `ps -e` lists all the processes in details, we pipe it through `grep dhcp` which only outputs anything from `ps -e` output to dhcp, then we pipe it through awk, the print $1 only prints the contents of the first field, which is the process id of dhcp. And kill will kill the process matching that process id.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: networking, shell
---


# Question
Title: Cannot ping Android devices on same wifi network
I have a Nexus 7 running CyanogenMod 10.1. For some reason I cannot reach it from my laptop on the same wifi network. I cannot ping in either direction. In the past i have been only able to ping one way.

Just tried out on my HTC Sensation and haven't the same issue. Also the Nexus and HTC cant reach each other either.

I have had similar problems with other Android devices. In the past I was developing an app and I could not establish a socket connection from the Android device to my computer. Once I was able to successfully ping the laptop from my device everything worked.

Don't know if it is clear this isn't persistent. In the past I fiddled around and they eventually talked but there was no consistent solution.

I have observed this on 2 different wifi networks.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I know this question is quite old now, but I came across this looking to for an answer and managed to work it out myself.

What I did was download a root file explorer (I used Root Browser from JRummy Apps) and navigate to **/proc/sys/net/ipv4** edit **icmp\_echo\_ignore\_all** so that it is a 1-line, 1-character file that simply says **0** (when I opened the file, it was set to 1)

No reboot, ICMP requests started working upon saving. Hope that helps someone else!

# Answer
> 0 votes
In wireless Networks settings- check the following:

* Make Sure "Guest Policy" is disabled or Unchecked and
* In Advanced Option: WPA Mode is selected "WPA2 Only and Encryption is selected "AES/CCMP" only

---
Tags: wi-fi, networking, nexus-7
---


# Question
Title: Will any new apps or data installed or added to android phone after encryption also be encrypted?
if an android phone is encrypted, will any new apps or data installed or added to phone after encryption also be encrypted?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Android 6 used Android Open Source Project: Full Disk Encryption

> Full-disk encryption uses a single key—protected with the user’s device password—to protect the whole of a device’s userdata partition. Upon boot, the user must provide their credentials before any part of the disk is accessible.

So all apps & data installed on the userdata disk partition would be secured by that key. One way to think of `Full Disk Encryption` is like a exterior door house key, once you can get into the house, the contents are accessible.

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, encryption
---


# Question
Title: How do I turn my Android into a USB Webcam?
I can turn it into an IP Webcam fairly easily using a myriad of apps + iSpy on the desktop.

However, even with 2 gigabit wifi, framerate seems unreasonably poor. Therefore, I would like to plug in my USB cable and stream it (DisplayLink can stream 4k over USB, so it must be possible in theory)

This would save me from spending hundreds of dollars on yet another camera. 4k video is supported by my Samsung S6, and that would be amazing to be able to use as a webcam.

# Answer
> 6 votes
I finally found a way using USB debugging support on the Android. The steps are quite involved, but here they are: http://www.dev47apps.com/droidcam/connect/

Careful, your phone can overheat when doing this for awhile. Also keep in mind that 4k is not supported, just 1080p. Both on Wifi & on USB the framerate alternates between super fast (\>30fps), and super slow (\<4fps) in both OBS & iSpy. Not sure why. I think it's the app since native video recording works.

I'm going to do native recording and use a clapping trick to sync audio between an external mic and the internal one from here on out.

# Answer
> 2 votes
You can use Iriun 4K Webcam for PC and Mac (gratis for basic features) to use your Android phone's camera as a wireless or USB webcam in Microsoft Windows, macOS 10.12+ and Ubuntu 18.04+.

It supports resolutions up to 4K. (Max resolution depends on the phone).

---

Samsung Galaxy S9 with Android 10:

Windows 7 SP1 x64 Ultimate (go to https://iriun.com/ to get the program):

The instructions are straightforward:

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


# Question
Title: How can I switch from WiFi to mobile data without interrupting my current download in Chrome?
I am currently downloading a roughly 50 GB file in Chrome for Android (10). I am on my home WiFi. Given the speed of my network it should take roughly 8 hours. It is a regular file download which is being handled in the default way, just like when you download any file in Chrome.

I will have to take the device out of my house (thus outside of the WiFi range) later, and I do not wish to interrupt the download.

I have 1000 GB mobile data plan so I could just continue the download over 4G/LTE as I go out. But, as my internet connection switches to mobile data, will that interrupt the download, forcing me to start over again?

If so would it help to pause the download? I could then either resume it when I get back home (on the same WiFi network) or even if it would work to resume it once I am on mobile data?

# Answer
> 1 votes
If you switch from Wifi to cell phone network your public IP changes and therefore seemless handover without interrupting a download is not yet possible.

There is a standard that is designed to allow such a seamless handover between e.g. Wifi and cell phone, it is called "Mobile IP". Effectively it works a bit like a VPN. No matter what internet connection you use your public IP remains the same and changing between Wifi and cell phone network is covered by the Mobile IP system.

Unfortunately at the moment such Mobile IP providers are not yet well established.

Besides that even with the current situation a number of web servers should allow to handle download interruptions: Well configured web servers allow to resume downloads, hence if the download stops (because of a network switch) and you continue it, it skips the bytes already downloaded and continues where you stopped. Of course this also has to be supported by the downloading app.

---
Tags: chrome-for-android, downloading, android-10
---


# Question
Title: The emulator process for AVD Pixel_2_API_30_2 was killed
I have just installed Android Studio on Windows 10. I am having all sorts of issues. The first, of many, is that I cannot get the emulator to work. I have tried the following:

1. Clicked software instead of hardware.
2. Restarted computer.
3. Uninstalled and reinstalled the emulator.
4. Clicked on all updates.
5. Googled troubleshooting answers, nothing.

It always comes up with the same error: "The emulator process for AVD Pixel\_2\_API\_30\_2 was killed."

Any ideas?

# Answer
"emulator \___ process was killed" can be multiple reasons.

1. check if your machine having enough RAM support as starting emulator consumes too much memory.
2. You don't to select "hardware" or "software", select for automatic option in graphics options.

Work around can be, just create a light weighted emulator 1st and try to use, then use Pixel 2 with latest os. This will help to narrow down your issue in analysis.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: installation, android-emulator
---


# Question
Title: How to turn off ringer when connected to particular wifi network
Is it possible (in built or via an app) to silence the phone when it's connected to a particular wireless network, and then unsilence it when the network is out of range.

Use case : When I'm in the office on the company's wifi I want my phone to be quiet, but when I'm back home (or not connected to a wifi, e.g. outside) I want the ringer volume back.

# Answer
> 8 votes
This isn't built-in functionality, but it's something you could achieve with a trigger/event app such as Tasker. This kind of app runs in the background, and lets you configure certain actions to take (such as turning off the ringer) when certain events occur (such as seeing a particular Wi-Fi network). Tasker's not the only such app, but it's very complete and has some users who contribute to this site, which means that if you have questions setting it up you can probably get them answered here. See .

# Answer
> 3 votes
The Llama - Location Profiles application should help too. This application uses phone masts around you to determine your location and switch profiles.

> Llama uses phone masts to determine your location, so that you can change your ringer, vibrate and ringtones depending on where you are as well as the time of day. Llama provides you with sound profiles so you can quickly switch between quiet, loud, silent and normal sound settings. You can set your family, wife and children to ring even if your phone is set to silent! You can create events and home screen shortcuts to manage your sound profiles and more:
> -Silence your phone at work
> -Turn your Bluetooth on ready to connect your headset for a morning run
> -Set your phone quiet when it's late at night and you haven't gone out
> -Start the music player when a headset is connected

# Answer
> 3 votes
User rules in Android 11 - System, Rules.

# Answer
> 2 votes
I personally recommend AutomateIt. Not only can it achieve what you are wishing for, but it can also save you some battery life too. The app lets you scan surrounding cell towers in order to determine location. So in this manner you can silence your phone as soon as it connects to a nearby cell tower at your workplace. This way you save some juice by not having to keep your wifi on to determine location.

Give it a try, and if you love it enough, upgrade to the Pro version to make fancier rules that can better suit your needs.

# Answer
> 2 votes
I wrote an app that might be able to help you - Free Busy Silent Mode.

You can use the location feature in your office, and it shall auto silent/vibrate your phone when you are inside the radius

---
Tags: wi-fi, automation, silent-mode, volume
---


title: How to avoid black screen on call?

text:
# Question
Title: How to avoid black screen on call?
I have an Xiaomi Mi Max which for some reason stopped the proximity sensor at 0 and this means I get black screen on every call (Whatsapp calls in particular) and I cannot do anything but restart. The phone is rooted and I wish to find a way to use my phone otherwise I have to probably throw it away as the sensor itself cannot be found in my country.

Is there any trick or application which can help me disable or otherwise set the proximity sensor to a number that it doesn't bug me?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Download and install xposed framework then download sensor disabler..
Sensor Disabler (previously known as Disable Proximity) allows you to disable and modify the values for all the sensors available in your phone, including the proximity sensor!
Simple as that!!

Hope it helps (^-^)

---
Tags: xiaomi, proximity-sensor
---


title: Soft Bricked Nexus 6P

text:
# Question
Title: Soft Bricked Nexus 6P
Back in 2015, I rooted my HTC One M7. It was an adventure; I messed up along the way, soft-bricking my phone. Eventually, though, I managed to get it working again. That was five years ago. So, I might as well have never tried to root a phone, because I've now soft bricked my Nexus 6P—and I don't know how to bring it back to working order. I seem to only ever know just enough to be dangerous.

On the Nexus 6P, the problem is that the phone hangs on the Google logo screen. However, I can boot into the bootloader and get into recovery. I've got TWRP 3.4.0.0 already flashed.

ADB does not recognize the device in the bootloader. It only recognizes the device when it is in TWRP. I am using PowerShell in Windows 10 as my terminal.

Everything went bad when tried to flash SuperSU-v2.82-201705271822. While I *had* done a factory reset before attempting this, the phone only reset to Android 8.1.0, the earliest build of which was 12-2018. Since the SuperSU I attempted to flash looks to have been from 05-2017 ... well ... my bad. Clearly. Rookie mistake.

This seems fixable, though. I just don't know how to fix it.

My error appears to have blitzed my OS entirely. In TWRP, if I look at the 'sdcard' partition, the only directory is TWRP. None of the Android file folders are there (Downloads, Pictures, etc.). Yet, at the level where 'sdcard' is listed, all the system directories seem to be intact.

Further, if I run 'adb shell su' in PowerShell, I get "su: not found", so my root attempt obviously failed.

In sum:

* I have an unlocked bootloader
* Device unrecognized by ADB except in TWRP recovery
* I am not root
* I seem to have no OS (but the directory structure above the 'sdcard' level seems intact)

I tried sideloading a factory \*.zip from Google, but I can't do it from PowerShell with the phone unrecognized by ADB. I then tried using the TWRP ADB sideload option, but was told that my \*.zip was invalid when I tried it (should I not have tried flashing the whole angler-\[etc\].zip?).

On XDA, I'm finding a lot of information, but it's not been helpful to me. This seems like a simple issue with a simple solution, but it's one of those "clear only if learned" scenarios, and I haven't learned.

As such, I just need some hand-holding for how to get back to a working OS. It seems that, for things being bad, they're not really that bad. If I just knew what to do and how to do it, I could get out of this pickle. If someone could teach me how to get out of this mess, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I don't have a full answer for you Ican only help with the issue of your device not being recognized. But since I can't comment I will answer instead.

For your problem with your PC not recognizing your device. When your device is in fastboot mode, and connected to your PC. Goto device manager, there should be an item that matches your device that has a yellow mark showing it needs attention. Update the driver for that item and select the adb driver this should make your PC recognize your device. This assumes you have the adb drivers installed on tour PC.

---
Tags: adb, rooting, rom-flashing, fastboot, unbricking
---


# Question
Title: How do I manipulate the filesystem of my Android smartphone from PC without restrictions? Can I do it on an non-rooted phone?
I want to be able to copy/move/erase/modify files on my phone and transfer them back and forth on my Windows 10 PC. Without limitations hopefully.

My phone ( Meizu Note 8 ) is not rooted, and I'm not sure if I can root it. It doesn't seem to be very popular.

I got the vague impression that I need ADB drivers which I also couldn't get, and I don't know what software to use after. This is the best I found, but it's far from official and also doesn't work: no installer, and the .inf doesn't have the install option in the context menu, which usually means the driver is not compatible.

# Answer
> 0 votes
To access app data you must be rooted.

When rooted you can access the /data folder with adb. You do adb shell. Then su to access superuser rights and then you can access /data.

---
Tags: usb-debugging, file-transfer, usb-connection-mode, file-management, usb-drivers
---


# Question
Title: Why does ADB sideload always stop at 47%?
When I sideload stuff (like Google Apps) or LineageOS through LineageOS Recovery, it always stops at 47% with the `adb sideload` command. Why is that?

# Answer
> 0 votes
The answer can be found on Reddit

> If I remember correctly (from a discussion long ago), Google's ROMs are transferred about 2.2 times across the sideload. To make the progress bar add up to 100%, they said "2.2 times the file size equals 100%". Our ZIPs are transferred just once, so the final progress is at about 47% with a success. The xfer seems to show the transferred data compared to the file size. Ours clocks in at x1.00 or x1.01, while Google's is about x2.something.

---
Tags: lineageos, side-loading
---


# Question
Title: How can I customize order of navigation buttons on Android 5 (or 6 if not possible)?
I saw a lot of tutorials where people talk about software called "Customize Navigation Bar" that requires at least Android 7.0. I wonder if it's possible to do it on Sony Xperia M5 that has only Android 5 and 6 available.

# Answer
I happen to have a spare Android device 5.1.1. I remember using an app called keymapper to arrange/customize my navigation bar. You could give it a try. This app is a part of opensource project.

Here's the link to Key Mapper

https://f-droid.org/en/packages/io.github.sds100.keymapper/

***N.B. Although you can try downloading from the link directly, I wouldn't advice that since Android versions could be mismatched. I suggest you download fdroid and then try downloading from there. Hopefully this helps.***
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, 5.0-lollipop, navigation-bar
---


# Question
Title: Reverse a wipe request for a stolen phone
My phone was stolen two days ago and magically found its way back to me today. I had activated the wipe function for when the phone is turned on. I'm being told that it hasn't been switched on yet, so I'd like to reverse the request to wipe the phone.

How would I do this?

# Answer
You have device management linked with your online account. Check the list of devices, remove the one you set up remote wipe.

Example: I can access mine on https://security.google.com/settings/security/activity after logging in with a Google account from a computer or other phone. Then on https://google.com/android/devicemanager, even if you set up an erase operation, the device should not appear anymore.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Log in to Account, then turn off Find My Device. If it's done with Gmail, then log in with a Google account and turn off the feature. Samsung and iPhone have their own login page to turn off Find My Device.

The best way is to remove the SIM and turn off the internet and all connections. This will stop communication.

Turn on airplane mode on mobile. Then disable ADM under the security tab.

Try to take backup.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: remote-wipe
---


# Question
Title: How can we remove the Work tab from the Samsung all-apps screen after the Profile is removed?
I have a Samsung SN9600 (international Note 10).

I recently left a job that pushed a Work Profile to the phone.

The Work Profile was locked by the employer, as it should be. I found the settings to Delete the Profile, and also did my best to Delete or Disable any Work Profile apps.

* Now I want to remove the Work tab in the screen of all apps.
.
.
.

.
.
.
\- **Any ideas about how to remove this Work tab?**

# Answer
> 2 votes
Turn on the Work Profile. Next select Accounts and remove your old work account. (May not be needed) Next select Uninstall Work Profile.

I did it so fast but I believe that was all the steps I took.

---
Tags: samsung
---


# Question
Title: Unable to make phone calls or send text message because of "call barring"
There is nothing wrong with my sim card nor the providers of it. However I am unable to call anyone or send text messages to anyone but I am able to receive calls and text messages from anyone.

Whenever I try to call someone I get the following message "Can't make outgoing calls while call barrng is on"

What I have tried: entered phone app -\> Settings -\> Supplementary services -\> Call barring -\> Voice call. Everything is unchecked! If I check everything, nothing changes about my situation I am still unable to call people

I am on Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus

# Answer
> 0 votes
Back up all your important files and start a new. Create a Smart switch back up and factory reset. Smart switch could possibly be backing up the file that's giving you fits. Maybe don't backup anything phone related too.

---
Tags: sms, calls, samsung-galaxy-s-10
---


# Question
Title: Scale entire display down a couple pixels due to replacement screen?
I'm not familiar with Android Stack Exchange so apologies in advance if I am asking this in the wrong place or word something wrong.

Recently I replaced a damaged screen with a new one on my Samsung A8 2018. I noticed pretty quickly that the screen digitizer seems to go over the display itself by a couple pixels on both the top and the bottom. This is pretty annoying as it cuts off some of the information I need to read that is located there (such as notification bar).

I think that the solution to this would be to scale the screen down vertically just by a couple pixels on either end but do not know how to do this. I have tried this , but the scaling starts underneath the notification bar which does not help me. The phone is not rooted (but I do plan to root it in the near future so any solutions that involve rooting are still helpful) and I do use adb for super basic things once in a while.

Does anyone know of any apps or of an adb command that could scale down the entire length of the display and leaving the empty areas of the screen black?

# Answer
> 0 votes
There's a command called `wm` window manager, which can basically set the screen density, size and overlay. Now, to make sure if you have `wm` binary on your device, try opening a shell(android terminal or an adb shell) and then try typing `wm`. If it shows a bunch of helpful stuffs, then good news, you have that and probably can use it. Now, in your case, since things go out of screen limits, it's probably the screen size that needs to be customized here. Now before jumping into the main command, try seeing the screen ratio of your device first. Type `wm size` and it'll show your screen resolution. Now, for eg, if it says 800x480. You need to shrink the size a bit and adjust until you find the correct ratio, for eg to decrease, type in `wm size 790x450`, to resize the window resolution.

Now, just before applying all of these, if you're planning to do this from your Android terminal, you'll need root privillege, since for the moment you have no root privillege, adb shell could most definitely work. Hopefully this helps (: If you don't happen to have `wm` binary by any chance, maybe installing busybox would be a better idea.

***This post might be helpful as well***

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/18500611/android-how-to-use-adb-shell-wm-to-simulate-other-devices

---
Tags: samsung, screen
---


# Question
Title: MicroSD card not recognized anymore by Android phone
Recently, I purchased a 32Gb Kingston MicroSD card for my Alcatel Onetouch Pixi running Android 5.1 with all the latest available updates.

When I first inserted the card, everything worked as expected and the phone detected the card. The only odd thing was that, on starup, the phone would display "Optimizing apps" and spend a long time going through 100 or so apps, and this occured at every reboot. Nevertheless, I had access to the storage, so I tried moving a couple apps to the MicroSD. This seemed to work but I eventually got some errors while trying to move apps, even when trying to move them back to internal storage. I had to reinstall a couple of apps, but everything else seemed to work fine.

A bit later, I noticed that the "optimizing apps" screen didn't appear anymore, so I checked and the SD card was not detected anymore. There was no difference between having the SD card in the phone or not. However, my computer could detect the card just fine. Other android devices also detect it normally. I have tried another MicroSD card and got the same result.

I tried cleaning the card gently, reformating it, and resetting my phone, but nothing worked. The MicroSD card should be compatible with the phone according to the infos I found online, which would be logical since it worked at first.

Is it possible to make the card functional again?

# Answer
> 0 votes
1. Is there an overheating issue in the phone/card combination, maybe? Some other compatibility issues (timings/delays) might play into here. (I had a similar issue with a 128 GB SD card on a Samsung s5mini, the card disengaged during use) My solution was to exchange the card for a different (well known) manufacturer/type. You could try doing this temporarily at first with a card from somebody you know.
2. You could try testing your SD card for hardware errors on PC with H2testw (download source with high reputation) app, no formatting needed. Just reformatting the card doesn't force the storage controller to actually access higher sectors on the card, so this doesn't give information about the card being physically ok.

# Answer
> -1 votes
I had an issue like this with the S4 (LTE), and in the end it was the actual tray.

But when it comes to external media in android there isn't much I can think of what could be a software issue.

Have you installed anything lately? - If so remove it

If you have updated, try resetting the phone (do not update it) and then try and put the card in, if you want a step-by-step guide of backing up apps (photos backup automatically if you attached your google account).

Sorry if I couldn't be of assistance!

Hope you resolve the issue and have a great day

---
Tags: sd-card
---


# Question
Title: Can't use mobile data on non-default sim, even if inactive when the second sim is open call
I'm using OnePlus 7T with dual sim. Sim #1 is my default sim, and Sim #2 is a data sim which I'm using only for mobile data. Obviously, I've defined Sim #1 to be the default sim for calls and sms, and Sim #2 to be the default sim for data.

When I'm in an active call on Sim #1, Sim #2 is automatically blocked. However, instead of using Sim #1 for data, the phone is simply not getting any mobile data at all.

Any ideas on tackling this problem? Thanks.

# Answer
> 0 votes
It all depend on your network strength and ability to handle voice + data. Like 4G VoLTE has no issue about this. It can handle voice and mobile data simultaneously. If you have other network, then make sure in your area network strength is high and your sim provider can handle both voice and data simultaneously. Also mobile hardware and android os has features to handle voice + data.

---
Tags: mobile-data, sim-card, data-connection, dual-sim
---


# Question
Title: S10 draining over 10% battery per hour while idling
My phone is less then a year old and I had my Screen replaced by Samsung about 2 months ago.(they also changed the battery and aluminium body).So the battery is almost new. About a week ago something happened to my phone while i was using google maps and and it started daring battery at extremely high rate. it's was using almost 20% battery per hour with no use at all and it was getting hot while idling. Since like 4 days ago phone wouldn't even charge to 100%, it would get stuck at 70-80% because it was discharging faster then it could charge.(maybe it was getting too hot and stop charging). I had to revoke alot of location related permissions to slow the discharge to get battery to 100%. It's not as bad as before but it's still completely discharging from 100% to 0% is less then 10 hours with no use at all. It used to last almost 2 days with quite high usage before this bug.

here's what I tried so far.

* restarted the phone,
* put every app to sleep and deep-sleep,
* disabled allow location to apps even when location is turned off (same for Bluetooth and wifi)
* turned off Bluetooth and wifi scanning even when they are turned off
* disable the google app and google play services app.
* did a settings reset.
* factory(data) reset the phone.

non of this fixed the issue. Even put the phone on medium and maximum power saving and the did nothing, discharge rate is still exact same about 10% per hour while idling.

I took a few bugreports and viewed them in battery historian (online version). I don't know what I should be looking for. Is it safe to post bugreport file here, i don't know what kind of info is in it.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Sent it to Samsung for repair and they changed the whole motherboard. it took over two weeks for repair because they didn't had the motherboards at the repair center. The issue was mostly due to the bad repair they did when they changed the screen battery and the body.

---
Tags: charging, battery-life, battery-history
---


# Question
Title: Debug APK with Android Studio without breakpoints
I'm trying to reverse engineer a newspaper app. I've decompiled it with apktool v2.4.1 `apktool d APK_NAME`added to `android:debuggable=true` in AndroidManifest.xml and changed one boolean method's return value to always true.

Then I recompile it `apktool b APK_FOLDER -o APK_NAME` I don't know if it signs it and if the signing issue causes the problem. Then I go to Android Studio -\> debug or profile an apk and USB debug it with my mobile device connected. After the app runs un my mobile i using it's UI when I go to the section I changed and press to read an article it suddenly loops and jams. I don't know what causes that loop so I don't know where to put the breakpoint(s)

What I need is to see the running code while the app runs or better to see the stack trace while the loop occurs. is that possible?

I'm running the whole thing under Kubuntu Linux 20.04 x64

Thank you

# Answer
> 3 votes
Android Studio is not designed to work on APKs you don't have the Java source code of.

When it comes to debugging apps without sources I recommend to check out the tool Frida. It allows to manipulate apps at run-time.

Using `frida-trace` you may be able to identify what methods are called when the app "loops and jams".

For advanced manipulation you can also checkout the tool "Objection" which bases on Frida.

On a non-rooted device you may have to include the frida-gadget (a special native library) into the app to be able to connect to the app: https://fadeevab.com/frida-gadget-injection-on-android-no-root-2-methods/

Alternatively Objection provides an "APK patcher" that does this injection for you: https://github.com/sensepost/objection/wiki/Patching-Android-Applications

---
Tags: linux, usb-debugging, android-studio
---


# Question
Title: my mobile data is not working after i reseted my sumsung galaxy note 3
I wanted to format and reset my Samsung galaxy note 3 and I did a factory reset but after that my phone is having a hard time to identify the network provider(took a very long time to sign into the network automatically) and the mobile data is not working. I tried making it on airplane mode and then restarting it multiple times but it is still the same. please let me know if you have any suggestions and thanks in advance.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Reset network setting again. Manually enter APN setting. For that Go to setting / connection / mobile network / Access point name. Manually enter apn details.

Turn off data saver. Go to setting / connection / data usage / data saver. Make sure you have good network signal. Other wise reinsert sim.

Update mobile software.

Make sure data roaming is off. setting /connections mobile network / data roaming.

Temporary remove from network and again reconnect to network.

---
Tags: factory-reset, mobile-data
---


# Question
Title: Display full screen screenshot/photo preview?
I am looking for a method that can be used to select screenshots, but when displaying them it does in full screen, so we just slide to see the next one.

By "selector" I mean, other app wants some image chosen, and these 3 options below are shown to me.

Currently I have:

* gallery (default android) it shows tiny previews and wont help
* quickpick it shows tiny previews too
* photos, I cant find the latest screenshots at all (but it is tiny previews too).

I need full screen to be SURE I am selecting the correct screenshot...
No search I do on play store will help.
It is a too specific requirement.
So if you know an app or any way that can be used to select photos or screenshots but shows them ON FULL SCREEN or at least half the screen size, it will be much better than other options we have.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I found an app "simple gallery"
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.simplemobiletools.gallery
it has an option to lower the number of shown columns, and that will make all screenshots bigger!

---
Tags: samsung, 6.0-marshmallow, photos, screenshots
---


title: Keeping Gboard open while multitasking

text:
# Question
Title: Keeping Gboard open while multitasking
I'm using an Android 10 Samsung device that supports multitasking using pop-up windows. I'm trying to type on the main window with a YouTube window in the foreground. The keyboard keeps closing whenever I use the YouTube pop-up. Is there any way to keep it open?

# Answer
> 3 votes
Well there is a way.. but even if you have your keyboard always open, you'll have to press on the text box of the other app after using youtube to bring it in focus.

If you still want to have it opened always then you can use "Automate" app..
Just set a gesture(quick tiles or button combination) to trigger the "always on keyboard" and set the action..
Comment if you have any doubt..

---
Tags: gboard, popup, multitasking, multi-window
---


# Question
Title: Android Emulator on MacOS 10.14 has internet only after restarting machine
I've search the internet far and wide for this issue but didn't seem to have success so far. What I am experiencing:

I've set up the following environment:

1. Android Studio
2. Android Emulator using API 28
3. My OS is MacOS 10.14.3
4. Using it to build a React Native app

At the beginning I didn't have any internet, so I've added DNS of 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 to my System Preferences / Network / DNS. Also I start my avd and tell it to use those dns settings.

After I start my OS fresh and load up the avd I do have internet, loading pages via the Chrome browser. After a little while, though, maybe a minute or two the internet is dropping. Device shows I'm connected to Wi-Fi but no internet. Also Chrome stops loading pages.

Did someone experience the same problem? I've looked through logs and ran avd with `-verbose` option but nothing legitimate shows up.

What I'm suspecting:

* Either the number of internet connections is maxed out (read of such a bug somewhere)
* or file descriptors of the MacOS are maxed out

Nevertheless I don't know how to find out which is it, or how to fix it.

I'd be very happy if someone might be able to help.

Thanks in advance.

# Answer
It's most likely a bug with IPv6 name resolution, removing any IPv6 nameserver in `/etc/resolv.confg` fixes the issue, see https://issuetracker.google.com/issues/155686508#comment3
> 0 votes

---
Tags: android-emulator
---


# Question
Title: PIN screen and PIN have changed on Huawei P8 Lite with Android 7
When I accessed my phone yesterday, the PIN screen had changed (presumably through an automatic software update). I put in my pin and it didn't recognize it. I have not changed my pin. Luckily, I have fingerprint control set up so I can use my phone. My worry is that sometimes the fingerprint recognition doesn't work. If this happens, I have lost my phone!

I have searched for info on the PIN changing by itself but Android/Huawei are not admitting to this happening. It is suspicious that the PIN screen has changed at the same time as the PIN changed. Does anyone have any information on this please?

# Answer
> 1 votes
PIN does not change automatically. And to remove pin, you need old pin.

You are able to access phone. So first take backup of the phone and restore phone. This will remove pin from phone. After that you can set pin. If you are not able to access phone then you may loss data.

Some application and software can recover lost pin.

---
Tags: lock-screens
---


# Question
Title: How do I verify that the USB debugging key fingerprint is correct?
When I try to enable USB debugging on my Android device, I am prompted with this message:

> The computer's RSA key fingerprint is:
> FE:35:23:34:...

I see the public key in `~/.android/adbkey.pub`

How can I verify that this RSA key fingerprint is correct on the computer's commandline?

Can I use `adb`?

# Answer
> 6 votes
Per this answer:

```
awk '{print $1}' < ~/.android/adbkey.pub | base64 --decode | md5sum

```

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


# Question
Title: Change default Chrome built-in dictionary
I have Samsung Galaxy S7 on Android 8.0 Oreo. I have recently noticed that once I select a word in Chrome, I get an option "Dictionary" that would take me to this app. This is the icon of the app:

I can't uninstall this app, thus this means that this is an app by default/built-in.

I want to change the dictionary. By this, I mean when you select one word in a webpage, there is this popup that comes up with the last option dictionary. The built-in dictionary is quite poor for certain languages, and I'm using dictionaries quite a lot.

Ideally, I'd like to use GoldenDict, but any other dictionary would be fine.

Is there any way of using another dictionary from the contextual menu of a web page in Chrome?

# Answer
I also do not like this built in dictionary. I don't think you can get rid of it, but you can add a better dictionary with pop up functionality, like OnTouch (cheap but good) or Oxford English Dictionary (more expensive)
> 0 votes

# Answer
Download this.. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=livio.pack.lang.en\_US&hl=en\_IN
And in default apps section check if there's any option of default dictionary(there usually isn't)
In chrome check if there's another option of dictionary..

Comment if you're have any doubt
> 0 votes

---
Tags: chrome-for-android, dictionary
---


title: Samsung phones bootloader unlock

text:
# Question
Title: Samsung phones bootloader unlock
I have a samsung tablet gt-n8000 and I want to flash a custom rom . Should I first unlock the bootloader? if yes , how to do that ? fastboot commands does not work anyway on my tablet so I can not use fastboot oem unlock.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Under developer option, Enable OEM unlock.

First find custom rom as per your mobile model. Connect mobile to computer having developer kit. Root the mobile and flash rom.

---
Tags: samsung, bootloader, rom, sim-unlocking
---


# Question
Title: How can I see only phone contacts, not SIM contacts?
I have a Dell XCD35.

My phone book was showing phone contacts as well as SIM contacts.

So when I see the list it shows some contacts twice. I don't want that, so in `display option` of contacts I just unchecked SIM contacts, which solves the problem in the Contacts app.

But I face the same problem when I am composing a SMS message. When searching for contacts it shows both Phone and SIM contacts.

Is there any way to disable SIM Contacts everywhere?

# Answer
I solved this by erasing all contacts on the SIM. Here's how:

1. Contacts app -\> Menu -\> View. Uncheck all but SIM, press OK.
2. Menu -\> Delete.
3. Menu -\> Select All.
4. Press Delete.

After a while all SIM contacts are gone. Now re-enable showing the Phone and/or Google contacts and you're good to go!

(My phone uses Swedish so maybe the menu items/buttons above have other similar names)
> 7 votes

# Answer
Go to contacts -\> press menu button and choose more -\> then display options -\> there you can choose either SIM or Phone. And say DONE
> 4 votes

# Answer
Try this SIM Contacts Manager application from Android Market. It is going to manage all your contacts which are in SIM card.

There is one more possibility of having duplicates in your contacts list. If you are importing/synchronizing the Contacts from Facebook/Gmail/Twitter then it will show the contacts twice or more. In this case use this Contacts Merger which merges the duplicate contacts.
> 2 votes

# Answer
In case this helps anyone:

The above instructions did not work for me, on my Sony Xperia L15, Android 2.3.3

I think this is because of my ancient Android OS. :-)

I manually see which contacts are phone-only, by:

* Open contacts
* Menu
* Delete contacts

The Delete window has a little status line beside each contact, to tell you where the contact is stored:

* Google
* Phone contact
* Joined contact (think this means the contact was originally 2 or more contacts)

Hope this helps!
> 0 votes

# Answer
Some old phones have options hidden in the "square" button of the phone i.e. there's no "..." button in the app, you have to press the "square" button of your phone
> 0 votes

---
Tags: contacts, sms, sim-card, zte-blade
---


# Question
Title: Document file names automatically change during Share
I'm using a Huawei Y7 Android 8.1.0. Everytime I select share for a PDF or DOCX file and select whatsapp or viber, the file gets renamed to a longer file name. In Whatsapp it shows 'NULL' in the thread. When opened within Whatsapp it shows long file name. Does anyone know how to stop this. It happens for file names less than 8 characters. My issue is I want to share the file with the name I have given but not a long meaningless code. All software including android and apps are updated. App caches cleared. Can anyone help?

# Answer
Mine does the same when I share a file from the location in which it resides (like a pdf in "files"). But when I share it through WhatsApp (click on the attachment button in the chat) then it shows the correct name. Hope it helps for you too.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: attachments
---


# Question
Title: Understanding why an app-supported link opens in the browser first
This is primarily an attempt at understanding what's going on (and whose fault the shitty UX is ). I don't think there's anything I can do to fix it and that's fine, I'm okay with that.

### The situation

I have a subscription to the New York Times. I have their app installed, and I'm subscribed to their email newsletter. When I open one of these emails, they contain a link to the article at the end, which looks like `https://nl.nytimes.com/f/newsletter/[id]`. This obviously contains an article reference, as well as probably some tracking code for my subscription.

When I click that link in Gmail...

### What I would love to happen is:

Android's app selector dialog pops up and asks me whether I'd like to open this in the NYT app, or one of my browsers.

The app is fine, but sometimes I might want to have it in the browser instead for various reasons.

### What I would expect to happen is:

That it just jumps directly to the NYT app.

Not my prefered solution, but I think my use case is bit unusual and just going to the app is probably what most users would expect after installing the app.

### What actually happens:

Android's app selector dialog pops up and asks me to select one of my browsers (but *not* the NYT app!). After selecting one, the browser pops up for a split second, then makes way for the NYT app.

### What... the hell!?

That makes no sense, is a bad experience and provides no benefits!

Whose fault is this? Does the app not register the correct URL intent? If so, any theories as to why they didn't?
Or is this a flaw in Android's intent system and the app did the best it could?
Or do the browsers do anything they're not supposed to? (I have Chrome and Flynx installed, btw. With intentionally none of them selected as a 'default' -- I want to get the selector modal each time.)

# Answer
I guess the NYT app registers itself as URL handler for `https://nytimes.com` URLs, but not for `https://nl.nytimes.com`. This is why only the browsers can be selected.

Then `nl.nytimes.com page` redirects to the main `nytimes.com` page, and the NYT app can take over.

---

And all this probably happens in the name of tracking, so that the NYT newsletter people see what content people like most.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: intents
---


# Question
Title: Ads appearing on my lock screen, cannot identify the culprit app
This little treat appeared on my lock screen this morning. It seems to be intermittent, only replacing the real lock screen about one in three times. Has anyone else seen it?

# Answer
It is probably and App launcher or user installed file manager. If you use something like ES explorer, buying pro version will probably fix it. Check if the ads go away by disabling any "feature" app.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Ok.. lemme guess.. you have a Samsung device. Right?
It's not an app.. **IT'S SAMSUNG!!**

Go to settings --\> Advanced --\> Quick Charging and then turn it off or something..

Hope it helps!
> 0 votes

---
Tags: lock-screens, ads
---


# Question
Title: Forgotten parental controls password for Fire HD10
We have forgotton the parental control password for our Amazon Fire HD10. I entered the incorrect parental controls password more than 5 times but was never given any other options to try to reset. So I went with the option to deregister the device from our Amazon account. this was successful however the next step was to re sync the device but to do this I need wifi to be on and to turn on I'm still being asked for the parental control password. I have also tried to reset to factory default settings on the device but that also seems to require the parental controls password. I don't know what to do next, any suggestions?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Hard reset your Fire HD10

1. Power off
2. Press vol up and power key at the same time for around 5-6 seconds
3. Reset it..

Follow this video if you're stuck somewhere.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayvWAyftosw
Comment if you're still stuck

---
Tags: factory-reset
---


# Question
Title: Copy and paste string to Excel (android app)
auto detect character class or formula class, I tried to copy and paste text to Googlesheet (android app) and excel (android app), googleapp (image on the right) will auto detect as character class, but excel (image on the left) in formula class shows an error.

\[\]\[\]

# Answer
> 1 votes
If you are not typing a formula, then you should not use `=` as the first character in Excel. If you are typing a formula, then make sure that you have typed it correctly. As stated here:

> The #NAME? error signifies that something needs to be corrected in the syntax, so when you see the error in your formula, resolve it. Do not use any error-handling functions such as IFERROR to mask the error

To solve your issue, type a single quote `'` before `=`, or replace the equal sign with a single quote. Excel will recognizes that you are not typing a formula and will show the value you entered.

---
Tags: applications, microsoft-excel
---


# Question
Title: Create link to custom URI-scheme on home-screen (eg. zoomus://zoom.us/...) to start app
Is there a way to create an app-icon-link to a non HTTP-url and place it on the home screen? I'm trying to add an icon to auto-join a zoom-meeting.

https://marketplace.zoom.us/docs/guides/guides/client-url-schemes

The idea are to pass parameters like meeting id and password to the app Zoom, that uses the URI: zoomus:// Eg. zoomus://zoom.us/join?confno=123456789&pwd=xxxx

I have done similar on iOS / iPadOS using the Shortcut app.

UPDATE: Maybe it can be done with Google Action Blocks (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.accessibility.maui.actionblocks)

Or this: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kebab.UrlShortcut

Thanks for advice!

# Answer
The App URL Shortcut (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kebab.UrlShortcut) works excellent!
> 0 votes

---
Tags: home-screen-shortcuts
---


# Question
Title: Reliability of Type C vs. micro-USB vs. SD card
I don't use cloud services. I just manually backup my phone using a rotation of a few SD cards I own, and when I have access to a family computer, I transfer what's in those cards to the computer, in order to "double" backup.

*(Not the best approach but works fine for me.)*

A few years ago (pre-type-C being the norm), I tried to depart from SD cards (just for convenience, so that I wouldn't have to remove and insert them to/from my SIM tray all the time) and gave some flash drives and external HD's (via an OTG micro-USB cable) a chance, as they're more "plug and play".

Me being careful in general with my equipment and their cables, and always mindful about properly ejecting flash/hard drives, it's safe to say I've almost never experienced corrupted files on a computer.

But that wasn't the case on my phone. I tried both flash and hard drives (even with an **externally** powered OTG cable) and I'd encounter some corrupted files after moving them back and forth.

So I just figured micro-USB might be unreliable for this purpose and I went back to using SD cards.

Has type C been any different? Other than transfer speed (which is not my biggest concern) is it more reliable than micro-USB?

In terms of reliability alone where does it rank between micro-USB and SD cards? Am I better off with my SD cards as it is, or type C is reliable enough, for me to quit SD cards and start using it instead?

Like I said, type C's transfer speed is less important than reliability, but it's tempting nonetheless.

# Answer
USB-C has multiple advantages, however speed is usually not one of it. Unless you buy a high-end smartphone the USB-C port usually operates with USB 2.0 speed. But that is device specific, hence check it out what USB transfer speed is supported by your device.

However from my USB-C has from my perspective the following advantages:

1. Easier handling (easier to plug-in, reversability)
2. Because of the easier plug-in the chance to break the USB-port soldering is lower - broken USB-ports because of inserted too often too much force is a common problem
3. I am not 100% sure but I would assume that the durability of an USB-C port is higher than micro-USB when it comes to plug cycles
4. For USB-C- USB sticks you don't need an adapter (however considering 2. an adapter cable also has advantages compared to a large USB-C stick - the smaller the stick/plug the lower the force that can be applied orthogonally to the USB-plug (because of the leverage).

On the other had you have to consider that micro-SD card slots are usually not designed for may insert/eject cycles. Therefore I would be carefully when regularly use if for inserting an card for backup purposes. An Micro-USB or USB-C port is usually designed for way more plug cycles.

### Production quality of Micro-USB plugs and connectors

I don't know if this is a problem of cheap devices only but it seems to me like the quality for Micro-USB plugs and connectors is often terrible. At the moment I have devices and cables that are all "Micro-USB" but some Micro USB connectors are so tight that not all of my cables fit (e.g. a Nokia 2.2 phone) and on other devices the standard Micro USB cables are so loose that the plug pops out if I move the device a few centimetre (not that we are talking about brand new devices, not old device that has been plugged/unplugged hundred of times, an example: TP-Link TL-WR902AC AC750 mini router). Therefore I even got to a point where I categorize my Micro USB devices and cables into three sub-categories: thin, normal and wide.

Another problem of Micro-USB pugs is that not every plug fits regarding it's length.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: backup, sd-card, file-transfer, usb-on-the-go
---


# Question
Title: Break SQLcipher by modifying libsqlcipher.so?
I was trying to extract data from an Android app which uses SQLcipher. SQLcipher is an extension of SQLite that encrypts database files with 256-bit AES.

Most of the application code is compressed and protected with some sort of anti-reverse-engineering stuff, so no source code and no debuggers. However, the SQLcipher binary lies in `lib/libsqlcipher.so`. I'm curious if I can extract the encryption key simply by swapping `libsqlcipher.so`(e.g. modify `sqlite3_key` function so that it logs the encryption key to file). The plan is to compile my own version of `libsqlcipher.so`, repack APK, and run it on a device.

Will this method work as expected? It sounds too easy to be true:)

# Answer
I ended up using Frida to hook `sqlite3_key` dynamically and got the encryption key. Simple enough.

---

Brief steps I took:

1. Setup Frida to connect to your Android device
2. On the Python end, attach to target app and load JavaScript.

```
import frida

# Attach to target app
session = frida.get_usb_device().attach("cn.com.company_name.app_name")

# Load Javascript from a separate file.
with open("script.js", "r") as file:
  script = session.create_script(file.read())
  script.load()

# Print any messages that Javascript send back
script.on("message", print)

```
3. On the Javascript end, hook into `sqlite3_key` and read encryption key from memory:

```
// Locate the SQLCipher library
var sqlcipher = Process.findModuleByName("libsqlcipher.so");

// Locate the `sqlite3_key` function call
var func = sqlcipher.findExportByName("sqlite3_key");

// Hook into it
Interceptor.attach(func, {
    onEnter: function (args) {
        // The encryption key is the second argument to `sqlite3_key`
        var key_ptr = args[1];

        // read 32 bytes worth of data(256-bit key)
        var key = key_ptr.readByteArray(32);

        // And send it back to Python
        send("Got key", key);
    }
});

```
> 2 votes

---
Tags: encryption
---


# Question
Title: cannot access phone directories using adb shell after upgrading to android 11
I recently upgraded to android 11. Ever since I did that I cannot adb shell into any of the directories inside the `/mnt` directory:

```
adb shell
taimen:/ $ cd mnt
taimen:/mnt $ ls
androidwritable  appfuse  asec  expand  installer  media_rw  obb  pass_through  product  runtime  sdcard  secure  user  vendor
taimen:/mnt $ cd sdcard
/system/bin/sh: cd: /mnt/sdcard: Permission denied

```

What do I do to regain my access?

# Answer
> 4 votes
On Android 11 sdcard path seem to have changed. The path `/mnt/sdcard` still exists but via adb you don't the permissions to access this path.

But there are alternatives. On the an emulator running Android 11 I can see for example path `/sdcard`. This path however is a soft link to `/storage/self/primary` which again is a soft-link to `/storage/emulated/0`.

Hence you have the following alternatives:

* `/sdcard`
* `/storage/self/primary`
* `/storage/emulated/0`

---
Tags: adb, shell, android-11
---


# Question
Title: Where are the download images for Android?
I'm attempting to update my older Samsung 10.1 to a newer version of Android (7.1) which has been confirmed on a few sites that it's working.

However, the only download links I've found are on sites I'm not so sure I trust to download Android. I want to get it directly from Google/Android.

Does anyone know how to get the OS APKs?

# Answer
It seems like for Samsung devices the image download servers are available but there is no user interface to select an image for download. According to XDA blog there is a new Python based command-line tool that allows to search and download Samsung factory images:

https://github.com/nlscc/samloader

As the download information and the firmware images are original downloads from Samsung servers they can be considered trustworthy.

The original article from XDA: https://www.xda-developers.com/samloader-download-updates-samsung-galaxy/
> 2 votes

---
Tags: updates, apk, downloading, operating-system
---