# Question
Title: To have Google Calendar Location links point to other Map application?
Currently, the links point to Google Maps which I cannot use during offline modes, for instance. I would like to have Here Maps as my default Maps application generally, but primarily I need them for my Calendar links.

I found several threads 2015 for the change which methods do not work anymore in the current Android.

OS: Android 7.1.1 (not supported, verified), now Oreo 8.0

Phone: OnePlus 3T

Other Map application: Here We Go (Here maps, past)

# Answer
> 1 votes
You can try an of the following to open the links in other gps applications (Here Wego in this case);

1. **Editing links opened by default with Google Maps**

* To adjust this behaviour, go to Settings ➡ Apps ➡ Maps ➡ Open by default ➡Open supported links ➡ Here you can select the appropriate choice e.g (Ask every time)

In this way location links are not automatically opened by Maps app rather you can select the one you wish to use e.g Here WeGo

(*Note remember to clear the defaults first*)

2. **Using Send to GPS app**

> With this application you can send your position, or any other POI, using Google maps to your GPS program

This in turn allows once to open the links directly from the target application. *Although not listed some users have be reported its compatibility with Here WeGo.*

---
Tags: google-calendar, 8.0-oreo, maps
---


# Question
Title: Whatsapp not installing after factory reset
I have done factory reset on my phone Samsung (galaxy Y duos) android version 2.3.6 and after that Whats-app is not installing. Its showing your device is not compatible . But, how can be that, when factory reset is done updates are removed totally so it must be , but it is not so.

Anyone can help ?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Here is the newest version of WhatsApp I found that is compatible with Android 2.3.3+ (WhatsApp Messenger 2.16.382)

https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/whatsapp-inc/whatsapp/whatsapp-2-16-382-release/whatsapp-messenger-2-16-382-android-apk-download/

I suspect since your phone is old, you will need the x86 arch variant.

---
Tags: google-play-store, whatsapp-messenger
---


# Question
Title: I am getting the notification: Disable harmful app. On disabling it, I am still getting back the notification. What do I do?
From the past few weeks, I am getting the notification:

> Disable harmful app
>
> "System Notification Service" can damage your device.

On tapping on the notification, I am getting two options:

> Keep Anyway (Unsafe)
>
> Ok

After pressing Ok, a few minutes later, I am getting back the notification again.

In google play store app, in the play protect section, it has this detail:

> This app can download potentially harmful apps.

My mom too has phone from the same brand; it too has started getting same notification.

Is there a problem? What do I do?

Edit: Model Number: Gionee P5L; Android Version: 5.1; Android security patch level: 2017-03-05; Kernel Version: 3.10.65+; Build Number: \[SW VERSION\] P5L\_0301\_V5557 \[HW VERSION\] P5L\_Mainboard\_P3; System Version: amigo3.1

# Answer
> 1 votes
You can disable the security popup by Settings -\> Google -\> Security -\> (Play Protect) And uncheck “Scan Device for Security threats”

If there are more details under that tab, then comment below.

For safer app installation, you can disable Unknown Sources in Settings -\> Security -\> Disable "Allow installation of apps from unknown source"

For safer browsing, you can install firefox for Android, and add ublock origin as an adblocker extension when browsing the web.

---
Tags: google-play-store, notifications
---


# Question
Title: What are the radio band present in the hidden phone menu?
Not locked to it or anything (plenty of efs backups) just wondering what differences there are between say, the US band and the Cellular 800 band.

# Answer
The difference is in the **range of frequencies** that each carrier use. The usage of these frequencies is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

---

> The usage of the different frequency bands varies around the globe although there is a large degree of standardisation. The GSM frequencies available depend upon the regulatory requirements for the particular country and the ITU (International Telecommunications Union) region in which the country is located.

For instance, in North America the USA uses both **850** and **1900 MHz** bands, the actual band used is determined by the regulatory authorities and is dependent upon the area.

Since spectrum is a finite resource, the FCC distributes spectrum licenses geographically into a number of areas, and mobile operators must bid on each area individually. A license owner **can use any technology within the licensed area and frequency range** subject only to the band rules defining the limits.

*Here are the charts that includes the 3G, 4G (LTE) network technologies, bands, and frequencies of all five major U.S. carriers:*

*NB: bandwidth — refer to the range of frequencies that can be contained within a signal.*

For more information read here and here

Acknowledgements
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 4g
---


title: water damaged Tmobile Revvl

text:
# Question
Title: water damaged Tmobile Revvl
I dropped my android in the toilet last Thursday November 9, 2017 and it turned off and it kept going to the powered by android screen, on and off. It came back on that Saturday and I have been using it since with no problems. Today I got to work and was talking to my sister on it and it turned back off and has been doing the same thing it did the day I dropped it in the toilet with the exception of it will turn completely back on, but when I go to text someone or do anything with it, it turns right back off.

# Answer
# You have to take it to a repair shop that has an ultrasonic cleaner.

You can't put it in rice or any other ridiculous mythical magical fix.

There is one option for you. ultrasonic cleaner.

# Why does rice and those other methods not work?

CLICK HERE FOR CITATION

Water is not harmful to electronics, it's the impurities in the water that hurt the electronics and cause corrosion.

Tell me what rice is going to do? Nothing. Don't use rice. Don't buy kits at the 95cent store. Don't do anything you read online. Don't follow YouTube videos. It's all fake stupid advice that doesn't work and can cause more harm than good.

If you don't have access to a repair shop and you just want to try to fix it yourself you can try to take apart the whole phone. Get to the circuit board and painstakingly clean every single part of the phone with high grade alcohol and a toothbrush. This is not as effective as an ultrasonic cleaner.

Also keep in mind an ultrasonic cleaner is not a guarantee. Water damage is the worst possible thing you could do to your phone. You are 99% screwed. Even if you take it to a repair shop keep in mind they will have NO GUARANTEE for water damage. That means that if they don't feel like cleaning it they don't have to. They can just take your money and do nothing because there is no guarantee with water damage. Even if they clean and fix it afterwards the problem could come back. BE CAREFUL PICKING YOUR REPAIR SHOP. GOOD LUCK!
> 1 votes

---
Tags: water-damage
---


# Question
Title: Deleted Sec. Google Account. Now I'm stuck
So basically, I wanted to make an inapp purchase, but my secondary useless account would always be the default account and it was unchangeable. After days of struggling I decided to simply completely delete the account, since I didnt use it anyway. Now however, I found out my phone is linked to this google account. Then I stumbled upon a thousand loopholes.

My phone asks me to verify my account in the notification bar. It can't be removed, so I decided to click on it. It brings me to a window where I have to login to my account to continue. I can't change whatever email is in the textbox, because there is simply nothing to type. I can't edit it. All it says is "can't find google account" and leaves me hanging. The problem is that that account doesn't even exist anymore. At all. So its constantly asking me to log in, and its bugging me.

So I decided to ignore the message. I went to settings/accounts and obviously all synchronisation failed, since the account was deleted. However, I can't remove the account from my phone *BECAUSE I HAVE TO LOGIN.* But there is no way to login because the account doesn't bloody exist.

So now Im stuck with an account linked to my phone that I dont even bloody use. I can't make inapp purchase because I constantly am forced to login to that same account that doesnt exist.

The app I'm trying to purchase is also simply showing errors and not allowing me to do anything. I can do all the standard stuff, but the verification notification is still there.

I can't install the app anymore on the playstore either. The playstore asks for verification whenever I try to install the app, and yeah, then it softlocks, because all I can click is "try again", which does nothing since it simply shows the same screen again.

I've been trying for so bloody long now. I'm completely done. There's so many goddamn issues the very simple problem being changing the standard account on my phone, which is practically impossible, since for anything I want to do I have to login to the deleted account.

Any help?

(I tried restarting my phone, btw)

# Answer
> 0 votes
So I'm understanding that the account is still on the phone but you deleted the account from Google.com In that case go into settings\>accounts\>Google, press on the account and in the menu select 'remove'

You can then go ahead and add new accounts, by pressing add account.

---
Tags: google-play-store, google-account, delete, in-app-purchase, 2-step-verification
---


# Question
Title: How does Wi-Fi sharing in Samsung Galaxy S7 work?
Starting from Galaxy S7, Samsung added a new cool feature called Wi-Fi sharing, by which you can connect to an Access Point and turn on your hotspot at the same time. That means, you can now turn on your Wi-Fi and hotspot at the same time, something that was not possible in any other phones till date. So, how do they do it? Is it something possible to do in code, or you have to have a special hardware?

# Answer
# Software, not hardware

Thanks to the brilliant research of xavier\_fakerat

If you look here, What is the functionality concept behind Wi-Fi sharing (aka Wi-Fi Profile share)?

You will see that software can accomplish this. So it's not just a special hardware thing.

You can use https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=kha.prog.mikrotik&hl=en To get similar results that the S7 produces
> 2 votes

---
Tags: wi-fi
---


# Question
Title: Why do QR scanner apps want to access my contact list?
I want an app to scan the occasional QR code which usually should contain an URL.

The other day, I meant to download an app for that and searched the market for one that does *not* want access to all my contacts, my granny's underpants, and whatever else it could get its grubby hands on — to no avail.

How is it that they all want to dig into my pants contacts? Am I missing something or is that really just data mining on the app writers' part?

# Answer
Let me add: I am using Barcode Scanner by ZXing Team from F-Droid. The F-Droid folks build the apps themselves, from the sources, removing ad-libs if necessary. I generally trust them way more than what you find at the Play Store.

(That said, I seem to remember that this app is also available at the Play Store. There, however, it's uploaded by the creator, and you don't know if he did upload exactly the version that's open-sourced.)
> 0 votes

# Answer
Here is QR Droid Private. It does not access your contact information.

Usually, the reason they want contact access is because you can store contact information in a QR code. So when scanned, it sees that it is a contact and adds it to your contacts. Without access to your contacts, it would not be able to do this. Another reason is that some of the apps allow you to create QR codes from your contacts. It would need read permission to do this.

Here is an example of a vCard stored in a QR code:

>

Here is the data that is stored in there:

```
BEGIN:VCARD
N:John Q. Public
ORG:Acme
TITLE:CEO
TEL:3125555555
URL:http://example.com
EMAIL:john.q.public@email.com
ADR:1234 any street suite 300 Someville\, ST 00000
END:VCARD

```
> 9 votes

---
Tags: applications, contacts, privacy, qr-code
---


title: Getting absolute path with "ls" command

text:
# Question
Title: Getting absolute path with "ls" command
Is it possible to output the absolute file path when executing `ls -l` on Android (e.g. via `adb shell` or in a terminal app)?

Here is the output I get from `ls -l /etc/` (I have root access):

```
E:\Dropbox\Droid Explorer\src\main\resources\com\droid\explorer\adb>adb shell su root ls -l /etc/
-rw-r--r-- root     root        16656 2009-01-01 03:00 CHANGELOG-CM.txt
-rw-r--r-- root     root         9944 2009-01-01 03:00 CHANGES.txt
-rw-r--r-- root     root       154482 2009-01-01 03:00 NOTICE.html.gz
drwxr-xr-x root     root              2009-01-01 03:00 acdbdata
-rw-r--r-- root     root       598006 2009-01-01 03:00 apns-conf.xml
-rw-r--r-- root     root         5491 2009-01-01 03:00 audio_effects.conf
-rw-r--r-- root     root         6198 2009-01-01 03:00 audio_policy.conf
drwxr-xr-x root     root              2009-01-01 03:00 bash
drwxr-xr-x root     root              2009-01-01 03:00 bluetooth
-rw-r--r-- root     root       101774 2009-01-01 03:00 build-manifest.xml
-rw-r--r-- root     root         1045 2009-01-01 03:00 clatd.conf
drwxr-xr-x root     root              2009-01-01 03:00 dhcpcd
-rw-r--r-- root     root         1362 2009-01-01 03:00 ethertypes
-rw-r--r-- root     root        18300 2009-01-01 03:00 event-log-tags
-rw-r--r-- root     root        14309 2009-01-01 03:00 fallback_fonts.xml

```

What I would like to get is the absolute path, ex:

```
E:\Dropbox\Droid Explorer\src\main\resources\com\droid\explorer\adb>adb shell su root ls -l /etc/
-rw-r--r-- root     root        16656 2009-01-01 03:00 /etc/CHANGELOG-CM.txt
-rw-r--r-- root     root         9944 2009-01-01 03:00 /etc/CHANGES.txt
-rw-r--r-- root     root       154482 2009-01-01 03:00 /etc/NOTICE.html.gz
drwxr-xr-x root     root              2009-01-01 03:00 /etc/acdbdata
-rw-r--r-- root     root       598006 2009-01-01 03:00 /etc/apns-conf.xml
-rw-r--r-- root     root         5491 2009-01-01 03:00 /etc/audio_effects.conf
-rw-r--r-- root     root         6198 2009-01-01 03:00 /etc/audio_policy.conf
drwxr-xr-x root     root              2009-01-01 03:00 /etc/bash
drwxr-xr-x root     root              2009-01-01 03:00 /etc/bluetooth
-rw-r--r-- root     root       101774 2009-01-01 03:00 /etc/build-manifest.xml
-rw-r--r-- root     root         1045 2009-01-01 03:00 /etc/clatd.conf
drwxr-xr-x root     root              2009-01-01 03:00 /etc/dhcpcd
-rw-r--r-- root     root         1362 2009-01-01 03:00 /etc/ethertypes
-rw-r--r-- root     root        18300 2009-01-01 03:00 /etc/event-log-tags
-rw-r--r-- root     root        14309 2009-01-01 03:00 /etc/fallback_fonts.xml

```

# Answer
`ls` by default list everything supplied via argument. From `man ls`:

> -d, --directory list directories themselves, not their contents
>
> -l use a long listing format

So you can simly supply everything inside your targer directory, and give the option `-d`.

```
[adb shell] [su -c] ls -dl /etc/*
^ optional, depending on your shell environment

```

Which gives

```
rwxr--r-- 1 root root 1024 Jun 4 22:32 /etc/hosts
...
(and a lone list)

```
> 1 votes

# Answer
Since the Android is rooted, you can use any of the following commands:

```
# Replace DIR with the directory's path; prefix **adb shell** wherever appropriate.

su -c 'busybox ls -ld DIR*'
su -c 'toybox ls -ld DIR*'
su -c 'ls -d DIR*'  # this does not work with long list format available through -l

```

<sub>(Courtesy of the answer here from An̲̳̳drew for listing the argument *-d*).</sub>

Android Marshmallow comes with Toybox. For any other Android version, you would need to setup BusyBox or Toybox.

Example:
> 0 votes

# Answer
You can also write a recursive list function in `sh` \- this function can be copy-pasted in `adb shell`, without root permissions:

```
function rcrls() { ls -d $1/* | while read f; do echo "$f"; if [ -d "$f" ]; then rcrls "$f"; fi; done }

```

Then, use it as:

```
shell@myphone:/ $ rcrls /

```

Unfortunately, it will persist only for the current `adb shell` session, once you're out of it, you'll have to paste it again; or you can use it like this:

```
$ adb shell 'function rcrls() { ls -d $1/* | while read f; do echo "$f"; if [ -d "$f" ]; then rcrls "$f"; fi; done } ; rcrls /' | less

```

Then you can see files listed as:

```
...
//acct/uid/1000
//acct/uid/1000/cgroup.clone_children
//acct/uid/1000/cgroup.event_control
//acct/uid/1000/cgroup.procs
//acct/uid/1000/cpuacct.stat
//acct/uid/1000/cpuacct.usage
...

```

To get a listing with `-l` info, it's a bit tricky, since there's no working `sed` on `adb shell`; however, we can use string variable shell expansion and truncating to remove the basename from the listing, and then we can append the full path:

```
function rcrls() {
  ls -d $1/* | while read f; do
    if [ -d "$f" ]; then
       fl="$(ls -ld $f/)";
       echo "${fl%\ *}" "$f";
       rcrls "$f";
    else
       fl="$(ls -l $f)";
       echo "${fl%\ *}" "$f";
    fi;
  done
} ;
rcrls /

```

Or, as one liner:

```
adb shell 'function rcrls() { ls -d $1/* | while read f; do if [ -d "$f" ]; then fl="$(ls -ld $f/)"; echo "${fl%\ *}" "$f"; rcrls "$f"; else fl="$(ls -l $f)"; echo "${fl%\ *}" "$f"; fi; done } ; rcrls /' | less

```

... and then you get a listing as:

```
drwxr-xr-x root     root              2017-11-15 02:29 //acct
-rw-r--r-- root     root            0 2017-11-15 02:29 //acct/cgroup.clone_children
--w--w--w- root     root            0 2017-11-15 02:29 //acct/cgroup.event_control
-rw-r--r-- root     root            0 2017-11-15 02:29 //acct/cgroup.procs
-r--r--r-- root     root            0 2017-11-15 02:29 //acct/cpuacct.stat
...

```
> 0 votes

---
Tags: shell, files
---


# Question
Title: How to get Feitian MultiPass FIDO U2F working with OnePlus 3T?
Feitian MultiPass FIDO has 3 ways to work as a hardware token: BLE, NFC and USB. I'd like to use it either with NFC or BLE because the USB input can be occupied, and I have a feeling anyway that the USB usage would require some udev rule modifications (https://github.com/Yubico/libu2f-host/blob/master/70-u2f.rules) just like it did with my other token for my Linux desktop.

1. NFC: simply didn't work. I held the key to the back of the phone, moving it around a little (not sure where is the NFC sensor exactly). Since I read somewhere that the NFC is very weak in the key (which can be an advantage for security because an attacker would have a harder time to pick the signal up from distance), I even stripped my phone of it's thin OnePlus carbon protective cover, but didn't help either.
2. BLE: I press the button long and the BLE pairing icon starts to blink on the key. The Google U2F BLE setup page shows the device. Here you'd click on the device and you'd need to enter the 6 digits on it. When I select the device from the list though, the app errors out with the very descriptive "Something went wrong" error message. (That's what the Linux desktop Chrome did as well, extremely descriptive error message for sure).

So how can I get this to work? Here is some logcat: https://pastebin.com/X6HLK7a0

Two errors I see:

1. Not sure how related it is:

E WCNSS\_FILTER: do\_ioctl,tty\_clock\_flag=USERIAL\_OP\_CLK\_OFF,clock=USERIAL\_OP\_CLK\_ON
2. Related for sure:

E BluetoothEventManager: Got bonding state changed for 78:8C:EB:56:23:F1, but we have no record of that device.

D StatusBarManagerService: manageDisableList userId=0 what=0x0 pkg=Window{3d9a72b u0 Something went wrong} token=android.os.Binder@20e9287 which=1

E BluetoothEventManager: Got bonding state changed for 78:8C:EB:56:23:F1, but we have no record of that device.

The debug entry wedged in between the two errors might be accidental. I don't see it always. Any help is appreciated, I'd like to transition to hardware tokens to be protected against SIM hijacks.

One more thing: my `OxygenOS` is rooted because I had to use a hack to be able to run DayDream apps. Because of that I cannot use Google Pay. I hope rooting is not the reason why I cannot pair the key.

# Answer
> 0 votes
The "Something went wrong" error message was an indirect result of the fact that the device was rooted (+ I have custom bootloader (`TWRP`), although I'm using stock ROM). I also couldn't use Android Pay in the past because of the rooting although I tried SU Hide techniques for `SuperSU`. Tonight I reflashed and this time I used the latest beta 14.3 `Magisk`, which has auto hide feature.

This `Magisk` could successfully cloak the custom boot loader and the rooting from `SafetyNet`, which framework+API is used by Android Pay to see if the device is stock. I assume that the U2F key addition uses the same library as well, because now I could get the BLE part working. NFC is still no bueno. Also, after many tries it become clear that I had to add the MultiPass key first on my desktop using a Chrome browser, and only after that I could complete the rest of the procedure (BLE pairing, ...) on the phone.

The workflow on the phone is weird, because at some point the Bluetooth pairing view got into the background abruptly. I thought something failed again and kept retrying, until I realized that the view is there in the background.

Overall it wasn't an easy ride, but now I removed the phones from my 2FA configuration, and I only have the security keys and the Google authenticator app. You cannot remove that latter one, it's needed for 2FA.

I assume other devices than OnePlus 3T would experience the same thing: if you don't hide the custom bootloader and rooting adequately, software which query `SafetyNet` will be trippin'.

---
Tags: nfc, oneplus-3, bluetooth-le, fido-u2f
---


# Question
Title: Where do Android apps store data that survives uninstall?
**TL;DR On non-rooted devices, where do Android apps store data that survives uninstall?**

Backstory: I installed an Android app a couple months ago and configured it to my liking. After a couple weeks, I no longer needed it, so I uninstalled it. After the uninstall, I didn't see any files left behind in Internal Storage, and the device had no microSD card installed, so no files were stored there either.

To my surprise, when I reinstalled the app, it remembered all of it's configurations. I use a firewall, so it didn't download the configurations from the cloud.

Thus, the question: On non-rooted devices, where do Android apps store data that survives an uninstall?

# Answer
> 6 votes
Apps are supposed to store their data and related files either in `/sdcard/Android/data/com.app.id` or `/data/data/com.app.id`; however, many apps (especially ones from China) don't abide by this guideline and create folders in storage individually, that store various information.

For example, apps using Aliyun SDK will generate `.DataStorage`, `.SystemConfig` and `.UTSystemConfig` directories under the root of the internal storage, primarily for storing device ID info. Such info can be used to identify users even if they haven't registered an account of respective apps.

As for what you described - fully-locally-stored data (no access to cloud) - it also is possible. I have one such example on my phone which is a 3rd-party app to a forum (I prefer not to disclose what exact app it is), with several features like signatures, custom ID flairs to enhance the original app. It stores all settings related to those enhancements under `.db` files in a folder under the root of internal storage. When the user changes device, he can just copy the folder over to the new device, and upon opening these customizations will be read and appear intact. Below shows one of the pages of its main `.db` file, storing key setting values (sensitive info redacted):

# Answer
> 0 votes
Some applications **may** leave the application residues in `/data` partition specifically, `/data/data/com.packagename` where package name represents the particular application package.

In these directories that's where you usually find app's databases, configs as well as preferences files, which are normally preserved during reinstalling or updating etc (which is the reason I suspect they might be preserved even during uninstalls)

In any case, you can actually scan these **residual** or "corpse" files with 3rd party applications such as sd maid to have a clear breakdown.

I tested on **Android 4.3** perhaps things have changed since then, but at in basing my answer on that

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


title: Application incompatibility

text:
# Question
Title: Application incompatibility
I recently tried to install microsoft groove but the play store said, this app is incompatible with your device which is strange because. Im using Android 5.0.1 with all the latest updates.

Is there a way around this.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I have the same problem.

I did some digging, you can download the app from Aptoide or you can use a better app called CloudPlayer.

---
Tags: music-player
---


# Question
Title: Are there a way to scan Android smartphone from outside the phone?
My friend's phone got a virus that he can't open his lock screen(every time he wants to do that, it says try 60minutes later again!). So I am looking for a way like online virus scanner or any other ways to kill this virus?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Try to reset the device, hopefully it should work. If not, then try doing hard reset by clearing emmc cache. To hard reset the device press the volume down and power button at once - this works on most devices.

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


# Question
Title: How to automatically repeatedly dial a number and automatically press numbers each time?
I'm trying to get through to the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) and their lines are constantly busy. In order to get into the queue, one needs to call them, then press 1 twice. This would be fine, except typically you get a voice telling you that all lines are busy and to call back later. The migration agency then cuts the call. One such cycle takes roughly 30 seconds.

In order to get through, one simply needs to repeat this process repeatedly until there happens to be an available line and one is placed in queue. This can take anything from 5 to 20 minutes of manual calling and pressing depending on chance.

So one needs to call them, wait to be connected, then press 1 twice. Then, when all lines are busy, hang up (or wait for them to cut the call, which takes a few seconds longer), then repeat the process until a line is available and one is placed in queue. I would prefer to spend my time and attention doing something else.

How can I automate this process?

# Answer
> 7 votes
There's an app called Auto Redial that you can configure to keep calling the same number over and over.

I configured it like this:

<sup>(click screenshot to enlarge)</sup>

Note that I added `,1,1` after the number. This makes the phone automatically dial 1 twice, once the call is connected. This works even outside of the app, while dialing a number manually or from the contact list.

I've set the hangup time to maximum because this particular service hangs up automatically when you don't get through. In that case, I can listen to the phone once in a while to check whether I got through yet.

You may need to tweak these settings a bit depending on the service you're calling.

**Disclaimer:** I have no connection to this app whatsoever. The problem described in the question was a real problem I was facing, and when I found the solution I decided to share it with Android Enthusiasts. I have no other motive with this post, and I'm not involved in app development in any way.

---
Tags: calls, automation, phone-app, dialer-codes
---


# Question
Title: My Android device has been splashed/soaked by (sea)water
My Acer Liquid got wet with seawater. I didn't notice that right the moment, but after an hour it made a couple of vibrations and the screen doesn't turn on. Connected to power and nothing happens, no LED lights and it does just nothing. Trying to turn it on doesn't give any result.

Is it gone forever? Can I try anything? Can I make it repair?

# Answer
> 18 votes
The information below will help, but there is now additional information on rice baths and using water vs. alcohol to clean electronics. Please read more from iFixit for more detailed information.

# **DON'T ATTEMPT TO APPLY ANY POWER**

* Separate the phone into as many parts as you can (i.e. **take the battery out**, back cover off) without taking screws out.
* Cover the device fully with dry rice. Try three days, this gives the water time to evaporate, hopefully, aided by the rice.
* Reassemble and try the device again.

If this doesn't work, there are a few more things to try, but chances are you're out of luck :/

**IF YOU WISH TO BE EXTREME, or have spilled corrosive material (soda, juice, etc.)**

Note, I have a friend that has done this successfully several times, and even though it sounds scary, it has worked for many people:

* First, **take out the battery**
* Second, check to make sure you **took out the battery**
* Next, submerge the phone (*without the battery*) completely in **deionized** water (distilled should be fine). Leave it there for **24 hours**.
* **ALTERNATIVELY:** washing the internals with 90% or higher isopropyl alcohol will clean the device just as well, and evaporate much quicker, without the need for a rice soak.
* After waiting such a time, remove the phone, scrub the board with alcohol to remove any corrosion, **still, do not replace the battery** and cover it *completely* in dry rice for **three times (or a week, to be safe)** the amount of time you had it in the water

This process should clean the inside of your phone and hopefully remove any salinity, and should not harm the phone **as long as there is no power applied to the device, i.e. the battery**

# Answer
> 10 votes
It sounds like you're screwed at this point.

However, this is what you should do if you happen to drop an electronic device in salt-water:

1. Immediately remove all battery and power sources and do ***not*** reconnect them for several days and after following the steps below.
2. If the exposure is quite high. (ie submerged in salt water for several seconds), then you will want to flush the device with distilled water. OR if possible, disassemble and clean all electric surfaces with alcohol.
3. Dry the device by surrounding it in dry rice for 2-3 days. (And maybe put it near something with ambient heat)
4. Only when confident the device is dry, should you reapply power.

* The hope here is that when it shorted out the first time, it didn't damage anything.
    * Attempting to apply the power while device is still wet will certainly cause damage.
    * Salt water is known to cause damage, and therefore it might be best to try to flush the salt out with distilled water Or disassembly if possible. (Water itself will not cause much damage unless electricity is applied during the process.)

# Answer
> 8 votes
# Rice does not solve water damage.

(Source: iFixit)

> When we put a phone in rice, it is the same thing as doing nothing. It just FEELS like we're actively trying something. Corrosion is instant when a phone hits water. Sometimes the corrosion hits important components, sometimes not. If we resist turning the phone on until it dries on the counter, in the rice bag, or anywhere else, sometimes we get lucky. If we had the phone in the rice bag, we think the rice saved the phone. But it didn't! Even if the phone seems to be working, it will have oxidized solder joints that are weakened and brittle. Corrosion will continue to spread inside the phone. We have done nothing but experienced temporary luck.

You have to take it to a repair shop that has an ultrasonic cleaner or follow the advice from iFixit.

> What you want to do is first displace the water—or more specifically, all the conductive stuff in the water. You can do this best by using 90%+ isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and a toothbrush. Open your device as soon as you can, take out the battery, and get scrubbing. Submerge the whole motherboard in alcohol, and scrub away. Only then, dry it and see where you stand. This is your best strategy for liquid damage.

-

> You'd be hard pressed to find any experienced professional in the repair industry that doesn't roll their eyes when they hear the word "rice." We see the sad result of phones/devices that have been carefully placed in the Mahatma bag with fingers crossed.

How is rice supposed to remove this damage? Imagine even rubbing the rice on the circuit board. Would that do anything? NO. So that's why putting your phone in a bag of rice would NOT help.

Chip after rice cure (click to enlarge)

---
Tags: water-damage
---


# Question
Title: How can I export a list of currently installed applications to a file?
When switching between ROMs, I've found it helpful to have a list of the applications that I had installed before wiping and flashing the new ROM.

Is there a way to export such a list to a file so I don't have to create one manually?

# Answer
With a Terminal Emulator app (or via adb shell), you can use the following command to get a list of installed applications:

```
pm list packages

```

There are some optional switches for this command that will give you more information, such as the location and name of the APK file as well. Keep in mind that this command lists both 3rd-party app as well as system ones that came pre-installed on your device.

If you are generating the list for the purpose of re-installing the apps on the new ROM, you might want to look into the AppBrain App Market app. Once you are signed in with your Google account and synced up, it will save the installed apps as a list that you can view and manage online. After installing a new ROM, you simply download the AppBrain app from the Market first and use it to re-install other apps from the saved list by doing the following:

1. Launch AppBrain app.
2. Select the `Manage And Sync` option.
3. Sign in with the same Google account as you did before.
4. Tap the `My lists...` button and select the list you've created previously.
5. Tap the `Add all apps` button. This will queue up all of the applications you had installed on the previous ROM for installation.
6. Go back to the previous screen and tap the `Execute changes` button which will automatically bring you to the Market page for installing the apps.
> 16 votes

# Answer
I would suggest the open-source app "List my apps". This app displays a list of installed apps and lets you:

* different output formats (txt, html, ...)
* Share with other apps, such as a text editor
* Copy text to paste somewhere
* Define format for output (version, datadir, ...)

https://f-droid.org/packages/de.onyxbits.listmyapps/
> 7 votes

# Answer
> `packages.xml` located in `/data/system/` contains it

Some interesting links that might answer your question:
> 3 votes

---
Tags: applications
---


title: What is "FQC" test app in Nokia 6?

text:
# Question
Title: What is "FQC" test app in Nokia 6?
There are some dialer codes in Nokia 6, e.g: `*#*#4636#*#*`,`*#*#2486#*#*`, `*#*#372733#*#*`. The last one starts an application named "FQC". In this app, there is a menu containing "Receiver test", "LED test", etc.

I think this is for factory testing, but after starting this test mode, did my device change to a test device? If yes, how can I stop and exit this test mode? Do I need to factory reset?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Just quit the app and it's ok.

If you change some settings (e.g in `*#*#4636#*#*`, setting priority to "Only GSM" or "WCDMA"), this will be set on your device. But if you only run it without changing the settings, quitting is enough.

To get your phone on "running test mode" you have to do it on "fbootloader" screen and set it to "factory mode", but restarting the device will get out of that.

---
Tags: dialer-codes, nokia-6
---


# Question
Title: Chinese phones auto start app (notifications)
I have a question maybe some of you have dialed with this in your past. Android based phones with Chinese launchers such as Xiaomi, Huawei, Meizu has 1 strange thing in common… If you install on them not very famous app such as Signal for example, by default this app will not receive notifications - the only way to make the phone accept notifications is (in xiaomi for example) is to go to settings, security, auto start… But there are apps like messenger, google allo, telegram that are white listed and receive notifications by default… Attaching link with short explanation about it So my question is how to enter list of those white listed apps that receive notifications by default, or are there any life hacks that you can do in order to receive notifications by default…

http://nine-faq.9folders.com/articles/8772-how-to-manage-autostart-service-on-the-xiaomi-devices

Signal app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.thoughtcrime.securesms&hl=en

So after making a research I’ve found that this feature is developed to block wakeups and notifications and make the battery last longer and there is not a way to bypass it. If there is, it's hard.

but how famous apps bypass it ? or how to enter a white list?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Chinese phone manufacturer tend to place very strict restriction on app autostart due to the lack of google in China causing all sort of apps to start by themselves and no universal push notification channel also mean they have to use other service within apps themselves or other apps which would be detrimental to user experience and thus they all opt to limit them.

Perhaps manufacturer whitelisted some specific famous apps?

---
Tags: notifications, huawei, xiaomi
---


# Question
Title: How can I install an app from GitHub on Android without a PC or root?
I would like to install this fork of Phonograph. How can I install it on Android without any PC or Rooting? Also, is there any way that I could compile the data into an APK file?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Probably there is no way to do it, if you do not have the Android SDK on your PC, necessary to compile, you can not get the apk. I do not understand the reason for your question, because the application is in the Play Store, but you can download it on your phone and follow this: https://www.androidpit.com/how-to-download-apk-file-from- google- play and get the apk. That is probably the best and only way to get this apk. Greetings

---
Tags: applications, stock-android, apk
---


# Question
Title: Is "Display size" option not present on tablets?
I recently bought Lenovo Tab4 8 plus. It runs Andoird Naugat. I have Nexus 6. I love content dense screen. So on my Nexus 6, I always keep font size and display size to the least. (More on this here). I can find font size option in my tablet, but I cannot find the display size option on tablet, as can be seen in below screen shot: It can be found below Font size option in Nexus 6 Naugat.

Is this lenovo made customization / screw-up thing, or there is some reason for it? and way to enable it? Any third party app to achieve the same?

# Answer
Does both of them have same Android OS? Like AOSP or else? My suspect is the setting based on Official ROM. In this case the Nexus 6 use 'Display Size' to adjust DPI, it adjust font size to match DPI means larger DPI smaller font or as you wish. In Lenovo you get fixed DPI but you can adjust only font size. Hope it helps
> 0 votes

---
Tags: settings, 7.1-nougat
---


# Question
Title: What is system/bin and system/xbin in android M?
I have few noob questions about the `system/bin` and `system/xbin` directory in Android M.

First, what is the file inside this two directories?

Next, in `system/bin`, the is some file looks like

```
-rwxr-xr-x root     shell      117136 2008-12-31 11:30 test-platform
lrwxr-xr-x root     shell             2008-12-31 11:30 time -> toybox
lrwxr-xr-x root     shell             2008-12-31 11:30 timeout -> toybox
lrwxr-xr-x root     shell             2008-12-31 11:30 umount -> toybox

```

I know toybox is the app like busybox, a collection of unix command, but what does the `->` means here?

Third, I am getting the error `/system/bin/sh: busybox: not found`, is this shows that busybox is not installed? I thought toybox already serving the same function as busybox?

Appreciate if anyone could clarify my questions, thanks!

# Answer
> 1 votes
1. the `->` indicates this is a symbolic link. That's how Busybox (and similar apps) work, so other processes can refer to them by the "full fledged name" of the component they need to call.
2. There are different "busyboxes". The original Busybox has a binary called `busybox` – yours has a binary called `toybox`. That won't matter if one of those symlinks is addressed – but if some process tries to call `busybox` directly, it of course cannot find it if it's not there. To work around that, you could create another symlink to `toybox`: `ln -s /system/bin/toybox /system/bin/busybox` (in order to do that you need root and mount the `/system` partition read/write).

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, shell
---


# Question
Title: Why any app installed via apk file immediately quits after me starting it?
I noticed on my Google Pixel 2 XL, any app installed via apk file as opposed to Google Play store will immediately quit after I start it. Any idea wjy this is happening and how to fix it?

# Answer
> 0 votes
It's depending on which app you are installing.. whether they are giving support to Android Oreo 8.0 or not. You can realize that other standard apps like WhatsApp or Facebook from another market will work fine by installing manual apk.

# Answer
> 0 votes
May be the Google's certification authentication. to fix it, try to force stop google play store on settings and install the apps again.

I hope it get useful to you.

---
Tags: applications, crashes, google-pixel
---


# Question
Title: So if Draw Over Other Apps is a bad thing, why are so many people wanting to enable the process?
I'm trying to keep my storage down because the apps I move to my SD card won't stay there, so whether it has any bearing on storage or not, I disabled it wherever I could. If I notice that an app doesn't look right shouldn't I just enable it for that app instead of having it on all my apps? And what about Background Data? I haven't googled that yet but sounds kind of the same.

# Answer
There's a few issues going on here.

## Permissions and storage use

The "Draw over other apps" permission and "Allow background data" permissions have nothing to do with storage. If you're only changing these settings because you want to reduce storage use, you're doomed to fail.

## What is "Draw over other apps" for?

This permission allows an app to draw an overlay on the screen, through which you can see whichever app you're trying to use. There are two main reasons an app might want this.

One is for screen dimmer apps like Twilight. To change the colours of the whole screen, they draw an overlay across the whole screen, all of the time, in front of the app you're using.

The second reason is for a "chat bubbles" feature, where an app can display a floating button or picture that pops out into a bigger window you can interact with. It's possible to do some "chat bubbles" features without this permission, but that limits what the app can do.

## So what's the problem?

When an app is drawing over other apps, it's not just displaying stuff: it's also receiving your input events (touch and keyboard). This is how the chat-bubbles-type feature can tell when you've clicked on it. Normally, the overlay app will just pass all the touch events through to the app underneath, but this means it can monitor everything you can do and even fake touch events. The overlay app is literally in between you and the app you're trying to use, controlling all your interaction with it.

This makes the overlay quite powerful. An overlay app can see all the passwords you type, and it can click "accept" buttons for you. To protect this, Android has a feature for developers to mark some controls as *sensitive*. Controls marked in this way can't be touched or used by an overlay.

One of the sensitive controls is the "Allow" button in the permission dialog. This stops the overlay app from silently giving itself more permissions by just bringing up the dialog and clicking "allow" for you. Another one is the "Install" button in the package installer. Making this sensitive stops the overlay app from silently downloading and installing more apps. Third-party apps with buttons that spend money (e.g. in-app purchases) or perform sensitive actions on your behalf (banking apps) should also use the same "sensitive" setting.

The downside of this protection is that you can't grant permissions to an app, or install a new app, or any other action like this, while you're using a screen overlay. It looks like you're clicking on the "Allow" button, but you're only clicking on the overlay, and the overlay isn't allowed to click on the "Allow" button for you. To do this, you need to turn off the overlay app (or this permission).

## What about background data?

That just lets apps use the internet while they're in the background (that is, while they're not shown on the screen). Normally, this should be on. For example, an email app might sync your email folders while it's in the background, so that when you start the app it already shows the right information without making you wait. A music app might download your new album in the background so it's ready to listen as soon as you start it, even if you don't have an internet connection when you want to listen.

Most apps should have settings inside the app to let you control this. They might let you control what or how much to download, and choose whether to download over Wi-Fi or mobile data. For those apps, you don't need to change the "Background data" setting, because the settings inside the app are more specific.

But some apps are written or designed badly. They might download too much stuff, without giving you any control inside the app. If you have limited data on your cellphone plan, or if you have to pay per megabyte of data, bad apps like this might cost you money. Even if you don't, they might be using your battery unnecessarily.

So you don't have to uninstall these apps completely, you can turn off the "Allow background data" setting. While the app is shown on the screen, it'll work as normal. But as soon as you switch away from that app or turn the screen off, Android will pretend that the internet connection stopped. The app won't be able to use the internet while it's in the background. (Play Store can still download new updates for the app, though.)
> 8 votes

---
Tags: permissions, background-data, overlay
---


# Question
Title: I installed the Android WhatsApp app on my Blackberry but some features don't work
I downloaded an android version of WhatsApp Messenger on my Blackberry Z 10 but I am unable to send any audio or video files. Why? What can I do about it?

# Answer
WhatsApp announced their decision that the WhatsApp application will no longer support BlackBerry OS and BlackBerry 10 devices, among other devices, by the end of 2016 June 30th, now updated to December 31, 2017. BlackBerry devices powered by Android such as BlackBerry PRIV and BlackBerry DTEK50 will continue to be supported.

> Note: Because we will no longer actively develop for these platforms, some features may stop functioning at any time.

So let's assume that sending media files is no longer supported.

If you would like more specific information on what specific WhatsApp functionality will remain on BlackBerry OS and BlackBerry 10 devices, as well as other devices for which WhatsApp has decided to end support, please contact WhatsApp here.

Further reading here.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Now Whatsapp for android is working fine in BB10 devices, to fix these problems you need to install 'WhatsFixer' available in BBWorld. After installing, you have to execute and follow instructions

https://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/60005088/?lang=en
> 0 votes

---
Tags: whatsapp-messenger, blackberry
---


# Question
Title: Chrome getfileattachment download failed due to missing sd card
I am running Android 7.0 on a Huawei P8 lite 2017 (brand new) Every time I try to download a file from Google Chrome I get the error message: "getfileattachment download failed due to missing sd card".

What I know right now: 1) The SD card works (Pictures from the camera are saved there) 2) I tried the workarounds consisting in force stopping chrome, denying and reenabling permission, and clearing cache as shown on several youtube videos such as this and this 3) Gmail can download attachments (it stores them on the internal memory, though). 4) When I first inserted my SD card, I received a warning that the card is old and this might result in suboptimal performances.

Can someone help me?

# Answer
Try clearing data of the chrome app

Go into your phone settings\>application manager (or apps)\>chrome\>storage\>manage space\>clear data

Have in mind that clearing data in chrome will delete all your history in the app, unless you were signed into your Google account, in that case it will all come back as soon as you sign back in
> 1 votes

# Answer
Try ERASING (reformatting) the SD Card while inserted in the phone.

1. Back up your data
2. Go to device “Settings”, then select “Storage”.
3. Select your "SD Card", then tap the “three-dot menu“ (top-right), now select “Settings” from in there.
4. Now select “Format as internal”, and then “Erase & Format”.
5. Your SD Card will now be formatted as internal storage.
6. Reboot your phone.

Reference: http://www.tomsguide.com/forum/id-3325411/download-due-card-missing.html
> 1 votes

---
Tags: chrome-for-android
---


# Question
Title: Android 6.0 Firefox Change Default App for media type?
I pressed in Firefox "Open torrent file download in LibreTorrent" but I can not download torrent cuz I need be looged in. Now I don't know how to change it? I want Android Firefox download it with its Downloads option.

# Answer
> 0 votes
If you're looking to change the default downloading option, do the following:

Go into your phone settings\>apps\>LibreTorrent\>set as default\>clear defaults.

Now when you try to download again, Firefox should ask you which app to use for that action.

---
Tags: firefox-for-android
---


# Question
Title: Google Play store showing updates after several weeks?
Se the screenshot above. When I check for updates, Play store shows some updates that has been available for a few days, or even a few weeks. However when I was checking a few hours/days earlier, it did not show up. This means Play is postponing some updates. Why does this happen? Is there any way I can always get the latest updates as soon as they're published?

# Answer
When it says under Gboard "Updated 4 weeks ago", it means that the last time you updated the app was 4 weeks ago, and not that a new update was available 4 weeks ago.

My proof? The Chinese app that appears under Gboard was never updated by you. It should have also ben said "Updated x days ago".

And look at Google app under that, you updated it 3 min ago and not that Google pushed out an update 3 min ago.
> 3 votes

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


# Question
Title: S5 required to enter Google pw for factory reset. Only allowing me to input 15 characters. Pw is 32 char
I am attempting to do a factory reset on a Galaxy S5. On the confirmation screen, it is requiring me to input my Google password. I am only able to enter 15 characters on this screen. My Google password is 32 characters.

How do I bypass this?

# Answer
> 0 votes
If you are sure it's asking for Google password, then you can change your Google password online for now to something shorter.

But, i believe that it doesn't ask for Google password, rather it wants your lock screen password or a special password, that you have set up under settings\>security\>factory reset data password.

Another option is to do a factory reset using hard keys but if you do decide to go with that option, then don't change your Google password before doing it, otherwise you might be locked out of your device.

---
Tags: factory-reset, google-account
---


# Question
Title: I want to buy game items on my deceased husbands Galaxy Tab 2 , I dont know his password. Is it possible?
When my husband became ill I promised him I would keep his game going until he could, unfortunately he died. I am still playing his game on his Galaxy Tab 2 and wanted to buy him some game items. When I tried I was asked for his google password which I don't know. Is there anyway I can buy him game items using my PayPal account?

# Answer
# You CAN get full access to his gmail and recover his password!!!

Google has a way of recover the password for deceased people.

https://support.google.com/accounts/troubleshooter/6357590?hl=en

Click and fill out the forum that says,

### "Obtain data from a deceased user's account"

# Don't log out of his account and log in with yours!!!!!!

People have suggested in comments above to do so. **DON'T** Some (not all) apps will detect fraud if you remove the account the game was purchased from!!!
> 2 votes

---
Tags: password, samsung-galaxy-tab-2-10.1, in-app-purchase
---


# Question
Title: Is it possible to set the default volume per application?
Some of the apps I use have very different output levels. One is only comfortable with volume set to the minimal and another is inaudible at that level, so I am constantly raising and lower volume between apps. Just like there is a separate ringer and media volume.
Is it possible to have some level set at a different level in every application? Some would have a default level until specified.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Would it be too cliché if I said “There’s an app for that.”? Here’s the link:

App Volume Control

---
Tags: applications, settings, audio
---


title: No Vibrate During Calls

text:
# Question
Title: No Vibrate During Calls
Is there a way to get my phone to not vibrate during calls? I want it to vibrate for various notifications when I'm not in a call, but it's a bit startling with my phone up to my ear.

I've found a few SMS apps that can do it, but I'm hoping for something general, across all notifications.

EDIT: Upon further testing, it seems that my phone (Moto G, Andriod version 5.1) doesn't vibrate during a call by default, but sometimes it messes up and allows the notification vibrate to go through.

# Answer
> 0 votes
It might be different on other devices, but in a Samsung this is how you do it:

In the dialer app go to menu\>settings\>call settings\>call alerts\>notify during calls. Turn that off.

---
Tags: notifications, calls
---


# Question
Title: Turning on Android device with motion detector (external device?)
*Problem*

I'm looking for a motion detector that can be set up to wake a rooted Android (4.3) tablet and turn the screen on when someone passes by it in a radius of maybe 2-3m.

*Ideas*

I'm definitely willing to get an external device for this and invest a (reasonable) amount of money, it would just have to be one that I can somehow connect to the tablet.

Are there maybe any proximity detectors from the home automation field with a decent detection quality (good angle and configurable distance) that can send Android push notifications? I'm able to write some code from scratch if necessary, but I'm very clueless and unexperienced in the hardware field, so I wouldn't know how to hold a soldering iron, for example. ;)

*Background*

The idea here is to transform an old tablet into some kind of stationary dashboard screen, so I'm not particularly worried about battery wear (it's end-of-life now and will from now on be used with the power cable plugged in until it dies) or intense usage (unless we're talking about 100% CPU 24/7, which would probably kill it in a few days).

*Previous research*

I investigated a little bit whether this could be done with the existing sensors in the device and I believe that is not possible.

The problem with using the proximity sensor is that it really only returns whether something (assumed to be your ear while in a call) is right next to it (a few centimeteres away). But I'm looking for something in the 2-3m area.

The other idea would be the front-facing camera, but the problem seems to be that a) the camera in many devices automatically shuts off when the screen is off and b) only foreground apps can access the camera, but I want the tablet to show another app on detection.

I had a quick look regarding waking up the screen in response to push notifications and that doesn't seem too hard using the PowerManager API. Not sure how quickly the device would respond to a push when in deep sleep, but that's a secondary problem.

# Answer
Just to let you know I have some up with a simple solution it combines an app from the app store called Motion Detector by jastrzab: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.motion.detector Then install a plugin called Turn Screen: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.jastrzab.plugin.screen

1. Install both apps.
2. Open the Motion Detector app and turn on "Send" at the bottom of settings. Click on motion detector (at the top) and then scroll down to "camera" and select "front".
3. Open the Turn Screen app. click the only button to make it active.
4. Open android settings, Turn off the lock screen or select "none".
5. Change the sleep settings to time out in the desired time.
6. Turn off Daydream.
7. Open the app (or home screen) you want to have displayed on the screen when the tablet wakes, and you're all set! Wait for the screen to go to sleep and walk by or wave at your camera and it will wake it up.

Works great during the day or with the lights on. I'm currently working on an external PIR motion sensor that will allow the tablet to wake in darkness. Simple design so far just uses a cheap PIR sensor and a small led light mounted below the camera. When I walk by the PIR triggers the LED light allowing the camera to see, which triggers motion. Hoping to figure out how to eliminate the LED and just run the PIR directly into the tablet using the headphone jack or USB on the tablet. Suggestions welcomed.
> 7 votes

# Answer
As mentioned by *Dallas Partin* here, there is a free app called Motion Detector. I've been using it for a while, and can tell you it will work with other apps in the foreground and with the screen locked. This will detect motion using the built-in camera, so it's free. Also, you don't have to root your device for this.

You said that you didn't know how to solder, but there is a very simple way of making your own external sensor for this. Out of two methods that I'm aware of, I've mentioned one below:

### Method #1. Using built-in camera

1. Download Motion Detector.
2. Download Tasker.
3. Download AutoStart
4. Launch **Tasker** app and tap the three dots in the top right corner.
5. Tap **Preferences****UI** (at the top), uncheck **Beginner Mode**.
6. Exit out of that, and tap the **Vars** tab at the top.
7. Tap `+` and name it **%DISPLAYSTATE**.
8. Go to the **Profiles** tab, and tap `+` → select **Event****Display****Display On**.
9. Tap `Back` key/button. Tap **New Task**, name it `Display On`.
10. Tap `+`**Variables****Variable Set**. Tap the pencil icon next to **Name**.
11. Tap **%DISPLAYSTATE** and where it says **To**, make it `1`.
12. Repeat "step 11" except that change everything to **Display Off** and change where we put `1` to `0`.
13. Go to the **Scenes** tab at the top.
14. Tap `+` and name it something.
15. Hold down and drag on the dashed line and make it the size of your screen.
16. Tap the gear icon in the upper left corner to go back.
17. Tap on **Profiles**, and create a new one by using the `+` button.
18. Tap on **Event****System****Intent Received**.
19. You can ignore everything except where it says **Action**. Here you need to enter `org.jastrzab.move.ACTION_GLOBAL_BROADCAST` (caps are important). If this doesn't work for you try the following instead `org.motion.detector.ACTION_GLOBAL_BROADCAST`.
20. Tap the gear icon (back) in the top left corner. It will pop up with a menu.
21. Tap **New task** and name it something.
22. Within that task, tap the `+` again and hit **Scene****Show Scene**.
23. Where it says **Name**, tap the magnifying glass icon (not the pencil) and tap on your *scenes name*.
24. Now where it says **Display As**, "Activity, Full Display, No Bar".
25. Scroll to the bottom and it will say **if**. Tap the pencil icon and select **%DISPLAYSTATE**.
26. Tap the button in the middle and change it to Equals. On the right box, type `0`.
27. Tap `+` and do **Task****Wait**.
28. Change **MS** to somewhere between 25 to 100.
29. Tap `+`**Scene****Destroy Scene** and hit the magnifying glass icon on **Name**. Select your scene.
30. Now go back to the main screen of Tasker app.
31. Go into the Motion Detector app, and make sure it is turned off. If not, tap the blue circle.
32. Go to the bottom and where it says **Send**, make sure it is **On**.
33. Go back to the top and tap the blue circle again to make it turn on.
34. Open Auto Start and make sure it says **On**.
35. Tap **Add****Show all applications****Motion Detector**.
36. Check "go to home screen after auto start" and change "start delay" to `5`.

**This has been working flawlessly for me!**

Also, do note that in **Motion Detector** there are settings you can change when Motion Detector is *off*. One of the most important is Camera. If you are experiencing problems, please make sure that **Camera** is set to **Front**.

You did say you wanted an external sensor that could sense distance within 2-3cm, but if your fine settling for a farther sensing solution, this is very reliable and relatively easy to set up! But if you still have your heart set on a external sensor, I would be more than happy to give you some instructions for that as well!

Good luck, and I hope this helps you!
> 5 votes

# Answer
I don't know if this suits you but what about a power plug with a movement sensor? When it detects movement, the tablet will get the power connected and the screen will turn on. Plus with Tasker you can configure much more things to do when it detects movement.
> 1 votes

# Answer
I hate to say it guys but all I did was attach my feed from my PIR in the ceiling (which already controls leds in the shower) to my android. When someone comes in the power switches on the phone and bob's your uncle.
> 1 votes

# Answer
I have been looking for a way to have the tablet screen on when I get close to the Tablet which is mounted on the wall to monitor my home. Just like the Nest thermostat. I recently purchased the Konnected alarm system board and the wifi module from Nate Clark He suggested me to use www.ozerov.de/fully-kiosk-browser/ There is a small licence fee. It works well for the intended purpose. I am using Actiontiles integrated with my Smartthings. My tablet is wall mounted with continuous power supply.

```
           Nate Clark <nate@konnected.io>

```
> 1 votes

# Answer
You might want to check out Wimoto. They are small, and cheap, bluetooth sensors that come in a few flavours (temperature, motion sensing, liquid detection etc). They say that there is an Android app incoming, and that there is going to be an SDK released in the near future for it.

Then again, if you want something more simple (and your tablet has a front facing camera) you could simply use an app. For example (just after a quick search so haven't used it) Camera Trigger.

Hope this helps.
> 0 votes

# Answer
The only affordable and reasonably accessible motion sensor I could find is the Belkin WeMo Motion.

Ian McCracken created an inofficial SDK for the WeMo called Ouimeaux (docs, PyPi).

My current plan is to write a tiny application running on a Raspberry Pi that uses Ouimeaux to respond to a signal from the WeMo Motion and send a push notification to the Android device. And then an even simpler Android app that responds to the push notification and wakes up the device and turns on the screen. (The latter might also be doable with Tasker instead.)

As a second step, the relevant parts of Ouimeaux could be rewritten in Java and then it would be possible to connect straight from the app to the WeMo, making the Raspberry Pi superfluous.

Improvement suggestions welcome, of course. In particular if you know an existing way to wake up an Android screen from a Python/shell script/otherwise trigger push notification. That sounds too trivial to require writing a new app.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: sensors
---


title: Drag to change route in Google Maps

text:
# Question
Title: Drag to change route in Google Maps
In the web version of Google Maps, we can use "drag and drop" to get a custom route:

How can we do this on Google Maps for Android? I tried to drag, but it doesn't work. It provides several alternative routes, but none of them is what I want.

# Answer
You can't drag in-route points of a given Google Maps for Android route, you can instead drag departure and arrival spots 'A/B' spots. Drag in-route points is indeed a very interesting feature, but not available in Google Maps for Android yet.

**You can drag the markers by doing:**

<sup>(click images for larger variant when needed)</sup>

1. Open Google Maps and tap "Direction" icon:
2. Select either "My location" or a point in the map:
3. In the example, I selected a point in the map:
4. Same step with destination:
5. You touch wherever you want the point in the map:
6. Tap the button to get the route:
7. When you see the departure/arrival green markers in the screen, you can just tap and hold to drag them to other locations. The route will get auto-updated to new locations.
> 6 votes

# Answer
I figured out that the only way to get around not being able to drag and change your route on the Google Maps app for Android, is to add multiple destinations. This is how you do it (according to Google support, with my CORRECTIONS added in)! ;)

Add multiple destinations: Open the Google Maps app maps. Search for your destination or tap it on the map. In the bottom right, tap the blue circle. It'll show a car, bus, bike, taxi, or person walking. Start the navigation. In the bottom right, tap the little icon with the three dots in a column, and "search along route". Then "search for more places." The search bar will appear at the top, and you will have to type in the intersection where you want to stop or "detour" to. You can also add a specific place, like a restaurant, for example. Touch the location on the map when it pops up, and then "add stop" at the bottom right. Now it will alter your route to include that stop along the way! PRESTO! :)

Notes:

You can (EDIT: are SUPPOSED to be able to) add up to 9 stops (but I haven't figured this out yet because it won't let me add any more than ONE STOP)! Directions to multiple destinations, or waypoints, aren’t available for public transit or rides. To change the order of your stops, find the destination you want to move and then touch and hold Reorder and then drag the destination. You can search for places along your route.

I HOPE THIS HELPS! "HAPPY MAPPING!!" :D
> 9 votes

# Answer
If you use browsers that support "request desktop site" (e.g. FireFox), open Google Maps and request it. All the normal PC controls including drag route will appear.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Update your Google Maps android app it has now got add stops option. You can add as many stops as you want. After that press direction button, then you also have alternate route options black-gray color roads where you can tap and select. Made easy. :-)
> 1 votes

# Answer
An option would be to make a route on your desktop and then share it to yourself via email, and then open the link when you were ready to use it.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Well, I've never answered an online question before, but here goes nothing. Pretty much all you have to do is start from your location then press the three vertical dots next to where it says "Your location" and click "Add stops". After that, you will be able to add the stops where ever you need them. I believe you can add up to 9 stops (the most I've ever needed was 4, so don't quote me on that). This feature is one I find very helpful if you are kinda sure where you're going but not 100% sure, like myself when going to any place over 30 mins away. I really hope this helps!! :)
> 0 votes

# Answer
U cant drag the travelling blue line into desired route if in Lite Mode. Switch to full google maps mode.

https://support.google.com/maps/answer/3031966?p=litemode&hl=en&visit\_id=1-636428057481232693-2574483336&rd=1
> 0 votes

# Answer
Recently have the situation, when Google Maps route wasn't optimal, but I want to change it and save on the phone. Actually the only way I could do that via Google apps was only via My Maps https://www.lifewire.com/make-custom-route-on-google-maps-4126536 then open Android app My Maps, and my custom map. Not a quite easy way :)
> 0 votes

# Answer
You can drag and change the route. Simply right click on the white circle and choose "Add Desitnation". After this these white circles become movable. Now getting used to these changes takes time but one tip is if you want to choose a straighter route than a route with twists and turns then simple drag a circle on the twisty route to the straight route but remember to drop it on straighter path rather than on junctions. In this way it will have no other way but to align it with the straight route alone.

I hope this is helpful.
> -2 votes

---
Tags: google-maps
---


# Question
Title: Can screen dimming apps damage the screen?
With recent research suggesting melatonin levels linked to blue wavelengths of light via the melanopsin, a plethora of phone screen dimming apps have been released.

My sister claims they can damage the screen: they flicker the LEDs more than the manufacturers brightness controls. Is such a claim true? Can they really damage the screen?

# Answer
The short answer is NO. Unless you try to go over default brightness (which could potentially burn the LED), your screen leds are desgined for changing brightness and colors.

Leds work differently than most lightbulbs and flicker has much smaller effect on them.

---

**Longer version of explanation**

First of all, leds do not "flicker" the way fluorescent light bulbs do when they glow. LEDs glow by steadily releasing energy (photons) from electrons whereas most other light bulbs rely on heat to release light.

* Incandecent - These bulbs are literally a wire that's being heated and the light from that same wire.
* Fluorescent tubes - A bit too complex to explain in once answer, but in short, they rely on electricity to heat (basically) a wire that heats gas which in turn activates phosphor emitting the light.

A point to note here that both lamps heavily rely on **heat** to shine and in turn, breaking current could result in heating elements getting damaged

* LEDs light is emitted a little differently. Diode (the glowing bit of LED) consists of positive charged and a negative charged plates. When affected by electricity the charges are forced to mix, which causes electrons to release energy (light).

**Flicker on most heating light bulbs damages their components**

Now the reason I say LEDs don't flicker the way other light bulbs do is because other light bulbs mostly heat-up and cool rapidly during each flash. In addition to that additional heat may be inflicted on the heating component during a short reverse of phase occasionally happens on power breaks. To summarize, flickering causes the heating component to crack or burn out on standard light bulbs.

LED light emission doesn't rely on heat, also, if current is reversed (like it unusually gets on power cuts or breaking current) on LED it doesn't simply shine the way most other lights do - as in fact it pulls the positive/negative charge away from each other preventing a glow.

**Flicker on LEDs**

As far as i know LEDs can only flicker when electric current is too low to maintain constant mix of charges between the 2 semiconductors, which would result in burst exchanges every time diode is "charged" with enough electricity.

Flickering as well as dimming by itself is known to reduce the lifespan of an standard (room-lighting and small) LEDs by 30-60% (according to various sources).

Anyways, phone screens are designed to last while being dimmed and under changing current, so even if your screen suffers it will probably outlast the phone.

---

**Summary**

With that in mind an led with lower current might glow dimmer or change color, but the light-stream should remain steady - at least on screens.

If they DO flicker (I could not produce the flicker on 3 of my android devices), they are technically getting their lifespan reduced, but still not enough to matter.

LED screens (with everything they contain) are designed to be dimmable and most apps you see on the market are most likely just exploiting device settings.

**Side Notes** If you can perceive a flicker it will reflect on your health more than it will on the phone. Be wary of **unusual** headaches or dry/tired eyes.

Easiest way I found to detect display changes on screen is filming the screen as you're changing the settings. If flickering DOES occur you should see it quite clearly in the video.
> 5 votes

# Answer
Please note that screen dimming apps apply a filter over the phone's screen. It's an overlay, so I don't think it will cause any damage the screen. But it will decrease the brightness just by applying a filter over your LED brightness (just like applying sun protection in a car window). Some screen dimming apps provide different colors while applying filters like blue, black, yellow etc.

On a side note, do remember that these filter apps does not allow installation of `.apk` files. So you have to disable the screen dimmer app and then install the app.
> 3 votes

# Answer
As developer of a popular non-profit Bluelight Filter app, we can assure you that you can safely use screen dimming and filter apps without any worries that it will affect your LCD/LED display.

Screen dimming apps work in two ways. One, they allow you to change the screen brightness, just as in your display settings. Brighter screens do burn your screen more, but it should not be a problem as the LCD/LED displays generally far outlive the phone. A bigger concern would be that bright light is not good for your eyes or that brighter screens drain your battery faster.

The second way is to apply a semi-transparent color layer on top of your screen. This has no effect on the LCD display. The reason is that, the video display processor calculates the effective pixel color before setting each pixels color. So if you have multiple semi-transparent layers, it just mathematically works out the color and brightness to be applied to the pixel on screen before passing it on to the hardware pixels. So there is absolutely no extra flicker associated with the screen filter other than what would be associated with the normal refresh cycle of the display.
> 3 votes

# Answer
The answer is **YES** but this happens only with some phones.

I have a Samsung S5 I used twilight App for a while, and after I uninstalled it I got my screen damaged, a random rectangulars with random colors appears in the screen when I reduce the brightness to the minimum.

The same happened to the phone of my friend after using the same App.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Perhaps, they can. My sister ran a f.lux like app (Twilight) for a while, now her screen flickers green, shows scan lines, and shuts off randomly while dimming the screen.

However my friend ran it for over a year and had no issue. Proceed with caution.

I have chosen to use twilight most nights, as my eyes are worth more than my phone screen.

Edit: I wrote this in 2015 -- it's now 2017 and I chose to use screen dimming apps every day since. Well, still no problem, phone runs fine. Not sure why my sister's phone had issues. Out of caution I did delete twilight and started using the built in android blue-light filter.

EditEdit: It's now 2019 and screen dimming apps are ubiquitous on all OS's and platforms, I think it's safe to say they do not damage screens. My sisters phone must have been anomalous.
> -1 votes

---
Tags: screen, physical-damage
---


# Question
Title: How can I patch Stagefright on an Elephone P6000 Pro?
According to this xda post the Elephone P6000 Pro stock ROM is vulnerable to Stagefright. A Stagefright detector app confirmed this on my phone.

The Post links to this patch, but also mentions that the partitions do not match this phone.

I tried both flashing the linked modified version, and moving the files manually into the system.

However, the Stagefright detector app still shows that my phone is vulnerable to CVE-2015-6602.

What else can I do to fix Stagefright vulnerability?

---

**ls -l /dev/block/platform/\*/by-name:**

```
lrwxrwxrwx root     root              2016-05-30 00:59 boot -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p7
lrwxrwxrwx root     root              2016-05-30 00:59 cache -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p22
lrwxrwxrwx root     root              2016-05-30 00:59 custom -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p17
lrwxrwxrwx root     root              2016-05-30 00:59 expdb -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p10
lrwxrwxrwx root     root              2016-05-30 00:59 flashinfo -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p24
lrwxrwxrwx root     root              2016-05-30 00:59 frp -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p18
lrwxrwxrwx root     root              2016-05-30 00:59 keystore -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p14
lrwxrwxrwx root     root              2016-05-30 00:59 lk -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p5
lrwxrwxrwx root     root              2016-05-30 00:59 logo -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p9
lrwxrwxrwx root     root              2016-05-30 00:59 metadata -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p20
lrwxrwxrwx root     root              2016-05-30 00:59 nvdata -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p19
lrwxrwxrwx root     root              2016-05-30 00:59 nvram -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p2
lrwxrwxrwx root     root              2016-05-30 00:59 oemkeystore -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p12
lrwxrwxrwx root     root              2016-05-30 00:59 para -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p6
lrwxrwxrwx root     root              2016-05-30 00:59 proinfo -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p1
lrwxrwxrwx root     root              2016-05-30 00:59 protect1 -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p3
lrwxrwxrwx root     root              2016-05-30 00:59 protect2 -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p4
lrwxrwxrwx root     root              2016-05-30 00:59 recovery -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p8
lrwxrwxrwx root     root              2016-05-30 00:59 seccfg -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p11
lrwxrwxrwx root     root              2016-05-30 00:59 secro -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p13
lrwxrwxrwx root     root              2016-05-30 00:59 system -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p21
lrwxrwxrwx root     root              2016-05-30 00:59 tee1 -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p15
lrwxrwxrwx root     root              2016-05-30 00:59 tee2 -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p16
lrwxrwxrwx root     root              2016-05-30 00:59 userdata -> /dev/block/mmcblk0p23

```

---

**Steps taken to move the files:**

* Copy/paste using FX File Explorer with root addon
* Checked Permissions (were already rw-r--r--)

# Answer
If you are **rooted** you can do the following things. However your status will still show as vulnerable, stagefright can't be executed. We will disable the stagefright module.

**Method 1:** Use a root explorer app and navigate to the system directory. Open the file called "build.prop" and add the following code completely at the bottom of the file:

media.stagefright.enable-player=false media.stagefright.enable-meta=false media.stagefright.enable-scan=false media.stagefright.enable-http=false media.stagefright.enable-rtsp=false media.stagefright.enable-record=false

This will completely disable the stagefright module on your device. This won't have a huge impact on your device performance.

**Method 2**: Use a build.prop editor app like this one: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jrummy.apps.build.prop.editor&hl=en

Choose to add a line and type: media.stagefright.enable-player

and type false as value. Repeat that for all stagefright modules.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: stock-rom, stagefright
---


# Question
Title: Google assistant is not playing my daily breafing
I am using google assistant on my **Moto e4 plus** running on **Android 7.1.1**. I found some cool tricks to do with google assistant in this video, and I found that when I say `How's my day look like` to google assistant, it starts playing my daily briefing.

But the problem is that there is no sound, just the text. For other commands and questions, it works fine.
What could be the problem, and how can I fix it to make google assistant work properly?

Please tell me if any more information required.
Thanks in advance.

# Answer
I had the same problem as you.
This happens because of the phone's language, that doesn't support google assistant properly.

Change your device language to **English United State** by navigating to `Settings > Languages & Input > Languages > Add a language` and then search for English United State or English US and add that language. Also, make it default language for your phone by dragging it to top from languages menu back in `Settings > Languages & Input > Languages`. Then close google assistant and open again. It will work. You will find some change in its voice.

Hope it helps. :)

Source: Google forum
> 1 votes

---
Tags: 7.1-nougat, google-assistant
---


# Question
Title: How to delete photos ONLY from google photos backup?
I backed up some photos in my android device to Google Photos. I want to un-backup them. I want them to stay only internally on my device. But if I delete photos from the app it deletes them also from my device. Is there a way to delete individual photos from the backup and let them stay on my device?

I can of course download them from Google Photos, then delete them from Google Photos, and then transfer them to my device. But I need them to be in the same directories they were in in the beginning.

# Answer
You can uninstall the "Google Photos Backup" from your device or simply sign out from the account in the Photos app. Then go to the web-version of Google Photos (photos.google.com) and delete the photos.

* Go to photos.google.com and login using the Google account you're using on your device.
* Place your cursor over items you want to move to trash. At the top
left corner of each item, click the select icon . (Or hold down SHIFT to select a range.)
* At the top right, click the trash icon.

I tried it personally (after signing out in the Google Photos app) and I'm sure it won't delete the photos from your phone.
> 5 votes

# Answer
The Google Photos app is a bit tricky, because even disabling sync it still keeps deleting pictures. What I recommend you is to uninstall the app from your phone, and if it's not possible then disable it from Settings. Newest versions of android allow you to do that.

I personally use FolderSync to sync pictures from my device to the cloud.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Simply go to **Settings** \- **Apps** \- **Google Photos** \- **Permissions** and uncheck the **Storage** button. That's it.
> 0 votes

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


# Question
Title: Gboard not switching back to previous language
I have three languages (Hebrew, Russian, and English) that I use regularly. I also have two others (Arabic and Esperanto) that I use occasionally and have installed.

Usually, whenever I hit the language button, it switches back to my most recent language (which is very convenient for typing in two languages- one tap to switch to Hebrew and one tap to switch back to English).

However, since yesterday, I've had to cycle through all my installed languages to get to the one I need. I tried restarting my phone, but it didn't help. Is there some setting I'm missing or something an app could have done to change why this is occurring?

# Answer
> 2 votes
Apparently fixed as of the most recent update (6.7.15.175732024) on November 15th.

---
Tags: keyboard
---


# Question
Title: How can I prevent my device from automatically converting SMS to MMS?
The Galaxy S I9000 messaging app automatically converts long SMS messages to MMS. How can I disable this?

# Answer
You can't do so with your samsung official messaging application, all of what you can get is a pop notification that you are now in the MMS zone (Converting to multimedia message...).

I would recommend Handcent SMS application, available at the market, and has an option for **not** converting texts (SMS) into MMS
> 18 votes

# Answer
You need to change the Creation Mode in the messaging app's settings to "Restricted". I tried it on my Galaxy S II and it worked.
> 3 votes

# Answer
I have found this feature request with a long discussion in Android issue tracker.

From what I understand this issue was fixed long ago in stock Android starting from Froyo (2.2). But manufacturers don't tend to include this fix in their devices because it will prevent them to make money. Here is one of the relevant comments from the issue:

> http://dailymobile.se/2012/02/10/the-top-5-android-anti-features/ interesting article that features this problem.
>
> Listen, this ISN'T a bug in Android. Google fixed this years ago, manufacturers/networks don't want to include it, don't you get it? As the article I included above says, who benefits converting your FREE SMS to a PAID MMS? Not Google, the networks and manufacturers. They don't want to include it, it makes them money not too. So you're left with two options if you want to avoid it, root your phone or install an app like BigSMS.

The author of the comment recommends BigSMS as an alternative to preinstalled SMS application, but I installed Android Messages by Google and it solved the issue: my long SMS was split on 4 parts and sent without converting to MMS. See also this relevant question: "Converting to multimedia message" when forwarding large SMS.
> 2 votes

# Answer
You need to open the text application, then menu then settings. In settings click creation mode and then change to "free". Your problems are now over.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: sms, mms
---


# Question
Title: Google Keyboard (gboard) adds word fragments on backspace
I have a strange behavior with my Google Keyboard on a Motorola Moto E (2nd Generation, LTE) with Android 6.0. Occasionally pressing the backspace key will result in adding word fragments. In the following GIF I only press the backspace button from frame to frame. This is really annoying because I try to just delete the last word and then have to cycle through this.

Is there somewhere I could file this bug? Is there *any* hope that this would be eventually fixed for my phone?

# Answer
Gboard keyboard settings-\> text correction-\> disable auto correction.
> -2 votes

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, gboard
---


# Question
Title: What is this S-shaped icon that appear on top of samsung screen/indicator bar?
What is this S-shaped icon that appear on top of samsung screen/indicator bar?

# Answer
> 1 votes
The icon appears to belong to 360 Security by Qihoo.

---
Tags: applications
---


# Question
Title: Where does LineageOs store stock browser bookmarks?
How could I export or backup my bookmarks in the LineageOS 14.1 default browser?

* Several apps failed to retrieve bookmarks
* The name of the browser doesn't appear anywhere in the browser itself
* `find /data/data | grep browser` through adb doesn't give anything interesting
* `find /data/fata | grep "db$"` does neither
* Google doesn't help

It's a shame there isn't an "Export" option in the settings

# Answer
The stock browser is named Jelly and its bookmarks are stored in: `/data/data/org.lineageos.jelly/databases/FavoriteDatabase`

The bookmarks can then be exported to CSV with SQLite parsers like this one.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: backup, lineageos, stock-browser, bookmarks
---


# Question
Title: Transferring a specific app from one Android device to another
I use an application called time card for Android every time I switch to a new phone I never seem to be able to transfer that app and the data on it which is extremely important to me can anyone help me figure out how to do this as I need to send the old device back as it was a warranty situation

# Answer
> 1 votes
You'll need to do a full backup of that app, i.e. including its data. That usually requires root, but there are some solutions for this specific case to make it work without root – see Full Backup of non-rooted devices. The two candidates you should look at:

* `adb backup -f <appname>.backup -apk <package_name>`
* Helium Backup (an app which does this on-device, but will need to be initialized via ADB)

Basically, there's no way around for this. For details, see the linked question with its answers, and our adb tag-wiki.

**Note:** As Death Mask Salesman correctly pointed out, apps can opt out of ADB backups (developers can include a flag in their apps' Manifests advising the system to *not* permit ADB to back it up). So if your app falls into that category: bad luck without root.

# Answer
> -2 votes
All your Apps are collected in your account at play store just sign in and you will be able to download it to any device.

---
Tags: applications
---


# Question
Title: prevent apps from changing status bar color
never cared much for this one way or another, until Firefox last update changed the status bar to white, of all colours.

now it really bothers me. my Firefox theme have darker navbar, like the branding on the desktop. they used white navbar on android now for the misguided reason of stealing chrome's look. I think the older darker navbar differentiates the browser UI from the page, and thats good from a usability point of view.

the correct fix for this will be for themes to select what Firefox paint the status bar too, so it doesn't look too weird with status bar in white with address bar in black.

but until then, is there any option to disable apps setting the status bar colour? (doesn't matter if per app or globally. consistency is good UX)

# Answer
Yes, there are apps that allow you to override the status bar completely. I had the same issue with Firefox's horrid new UI choice and was able to solve it with the Status app. I can't say if it's the best app for the job, it's just the first one I tried. So far it seems fine although it took some time to get it set up how I wanted. If that doesn't do it for you there are plenty of other apps on the store that seem to do the same thing.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: tinted-status-bar
---


# Question
Title: How to Turn off App Suggestions From Launcher on Moto E4 Plus
This is my first question on this community. I was wondering is there a way to disable App Suggestion(Recently used) from the Launcher on Moto E4 Plus Running on Android 7.1.1

Also I wanna disable the google now which appears on the home screen when we swipe from left.

I have disabled them until Marshmallow. But I don't see any option to disable these 2 on Nougat 7.1.1

# Answer
Solution for Question 2:

* While on the Home Screen do a LONG PRESS/TOUCH and HOLD (Brings up the Background, Widgets, and Settings Menu)
* Select **SETTINGS** (Bottom Right)
* Select **SWIPE LEFT**
* Select option **NOTHING**
> 0 votes

---
Tags: settings, 7.1-nougat
---