title: Nexus 7 Incredibly Slow

text:
# Question
Title: Nexus 7 Incredibly Slow
Over the past few weeks, my Nexus 7 running 4.2 Jelly Bean has gotten incredibly slow at times. Sometimes I can count off a full five (or more) seconds for an app to open or even for something as simple as scrolling from one home screen to another. I've had the device for three or four months and it just recently started giving me problems. I hadn't installed anything new prior to noticing the problem and everything that I have installed came from the Play store, so it should all be safe. Rebooting the device does not seem to help.

What can I do to diagnose and hopefully fix this problem? This is my first Android device so I don't even really know where to start.

# Answer
I have noticed the same issue on my Nexus 7 running stock Jelly Bean 4.2. I also noticed reboots. Do you happen to have HD Widgets installed? That seemed to be the cause of many of my slow downs, but unfortunately not all. Apps that use location services seem to be the issue with my slowdowns. Are you noticing the same thing?

This article goes into some of the issues seen on 4.2 that I experienced.
> 2 votes

# Answer
To troubleshoot, reboot to safe mode by long pressing the Power Off on the power-off menu.

Screenshot from my N4:
> 2 votes

# Answer
It looks like some of your app is eating your CPU :

* One (extrem) solution would be to do a complete factory reset, and then reinstall the app you need.
* You could check your CPU usage (there are many apps for that : Android System Info, CPU Usage...), who, how long... and find who is too greedy
> 1 votes

# Answer
If your available space gets too low, the Nexus 7 will become laggy.

Go to Settings-\>Storage and check the number next to Available. If it's under 3gb, try moving some data off the device (movies, music, etc.) via USB to get the available space to 3gb or more.

If this corrects the performance problem, then you can restore data a bit at a time to fine tune the threshold where performance drops off.

I don't know of a hard and fast rule for how much free space should be available.

FWIW: My Nexus 7 became very laggy (long pauses for the keyboard to pop up after entering a text field, switching tabs in Chrome was very slow) and I tried uninstalling apps, disabling apps that ran as services to no avail. I checked my free space and it was 750mb. I deleted a movie I had copied to the device and freed up an additional 2gb. As soon as I did that, the lag vanished.
> 1 votes

# Answer
Unfortunately, Nexus 7 2013 has a hardware problem in bad SSD that is dying quite fast. Newest Android helped with this as it was writing to disc more data, so Nexus 7 devices started dying faster. I don't know if this is problem of all 2013 Nexus 7 devices or just the first batch, but mine is unusable now and I just trashed it today.

There are some "workarounds" floating around to enforce TRIM, but this does not really help much (for some time yes, there are technical reasons for that).

More info: http://www.geek.com/android/the-nexus-7-lag-dilemma-and-why-theres-no-real-fix-1560784/
> 1 votes

# Answer
The issue is better explained here, it seems to happen when your device is almost full. If you are rooted then you can check the lagfix app, it did make a difference on my Nexus.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: nexus-7, 4.2-jelly-bean, performance
---


title: Deleting system apps on a rooted phone

text:
# Question
Title: Deleting system apps on a rooted phone
I have a rooted phone that I only want to use as a phone. In other words, I do not want my children to have access to any other apps. I can use an app blocker, but this phone only has a small capacity (Samsung Galaxy Young), so I cannot afford to load too much control software. It would be better to remove as much as possible to make room, otherwise the phone tends to grind to a halt. How do I know which preloaded apps I can safely delete without affecting the working of the phone?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Titanium backup generally does a good job with removing system apps. It is safe with Google apps, and possibly with apps like gallery, or internet. Titanium however does offer you to uninstall core apps too, which could be potentially dangerous.

Some apps (like titanium. However unfortunately only pro) have a freeze function to test if you can remove. Also, non root users can disable system apps. So disabled apps should be safe to remove. Be sure to backup anyway though

---
Tags: custom-roms
---


title: Twitter app not showing any pictures

text:
# Question
Title: Twitter app not showing any pictures
I updated my Nexus 5 to the official Android L factory image yesterday, and Twitter was working fine for a while after that. Now, however, the app won't load any images at all--no tweet images, no profile pictures, nothing. If I tap an image I get an icon like I'm disconnected and it can't load.

I've tried clearing the data and force stopping the app, then uninstalling it entirely, but neither approach worked.

How can I get the app to show pictures again?

# Answer
It turns out that the Twitter app uses data stored at `/sdcard/Android/data/com.twitter.android`. I deleted that directory and reinstalled the app and everything works now.
> 2 votes

# Answer
I had the same problem, turned out my Nand flash storage was full. Deleted one file and restarted twitter, all working.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: nexus-5, images, twitter, 5.0-lollipop
---


# Question
Title: Cross-device consistent symlink for internal storage
## There are many paths to internal storage:

`/sdcard`

`/storage/sdcard0`

`/storage/emulated/0`

`/storage/emulated/legacy`

`/mnt/sdcard`

`/data/media/0`

Several questions:

* ***Which ones are most consistent (present) across devices?***
* ***Which ones are most likely to have Read+Write permissions? Do the symlinks alter this behavior?***
* ***Which one is the true storage location, where the rest of the symlinks point to? Does this also vary across devices?***

# Answer
To answer all of that, one needs to know all (or at least most) of the devices available. So all I can give is an "educated guess".

Permissions should not be altered by symlinks. And yes, what's there varies across devices, Android versions and even ROMs used.

Find the "real one" using `df` or `mount` at the command prompt (either via a terminal app, or using `adb shell`). Starting with around Android 4.2, a few of your listed locations should be pretty much standard:

* `/storage/emulated/0`
* `/storage/emulated/legacy`

The others, as I wrote, may vary between devices, Android versions and ROMs.

Concerning read/write permissions: All of them have. Question is just: for whom? The average app, or root? This changed a lot between Android versions, especially since Kitkat, and again might be handled differently by device, Android version, and ROM. Before Kitkat, an app just needed the `WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE` permission. With Kitkat, on most ROMs it was restricted to its own directory in `Android/data/`, and with Lollipop that changed again.

For a reference, please also see Confused by the many locations of the virtual /sdcard/.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: internal-storage, storage, internal-sd
---


title: Can't play video in gallery

text:
# Question
Title: Can't play video in gallery
The phone I am using is a Samsung galaxy s6 edge with the latest software installed.

One I have recorded a video of some sort, I go to the gallery to check what the video is like. As I click on the video a message comes quoting "Can't play video." I have looked around some say that the file is corrupted, some say it is the video player I am using (Gallery) etc. Pictures are completely fine, my guess is videos are in the wrong format?

Anyone have a guess as to what the problem is?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

# Answer
> -1 votes
I had to uninstall Google+ updates to fix this.

---
Tags: samsung, samsung-galaxy-s-6
---


# Question
Title: Apps constantly disconnecting from the internet
I've got a new phone running Android 4.4.2 and whenever I close an app, it disconnects, i.e whenever I close Messenger, it stops being connected to my WiFi so I get no notifications until I open the app, when it reconnects and everything comes through. All apps are doing this, on WiFi and on data.

I can't find anywhere to manage background internet usage and was just wondering if there's a (probably very simple) way to sort it out?

# Answer
I think your apps are being killed by the System or a task Killer. I solve the same problem yesterday by Downloading this App: Watchdog Task Manager Lite It will prevent the apps you add into its "whitelist" from being killed.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, internet, data-connection
---


# Question
Title: How to disable MTP and PTP file sharing via USB on Android 5?
For privacy and security reasons I'd like to disable MTP and PTP on my phone. I recently plugged my phone into an inflight entertainment system to charge it, and was surprised to see that the status bar showed that the phone was connected as a camera (via PTP). This could happen with basically any USB hub, and you won't know until you connect to it.

Running Android 5.0.2 on a Samsung Galaxy A3 (SM-A300FU).

---

I have tried the following:

1. Enabled USB debugging
2. Plugged in the USB cable
3. Rooted my phone (and verified that it's actually rooted)
4. `adb shell su -c 'setprop persist.sys.usb.config adb'` (thanks @Firelord)
5. Verified in Terminal Emulator:

```
$ su sh -c 'cat /data/property/persist.sys.usb.config'
adb

```
6. Unplugged the USB cable
7. Rebooted
8. Disabled USB debugging
9. Plugged in the USB cable

At this point the device is automatically "Connected as a media device", and the setting is back to the default:

```
$ su sh -c 'cat /data/property/persist.sys.usb.config'
mtp

```

If I leave the USB debugging enabled the value is `mtp,adb` after rebooting.

---

After reporting this as a bug, it turns out it's actually been fixed, and charge-only mode has been reintroduced in Android 6.

---

This is different from Disabling MTP/PTP/all USB stuff except charging because that question is about CyanogenMod, not stock Android, and the accepted answer is not applicable to Android 5.

# Answer
> 2 votes
Thanks to @Firelord, this is the procedure to follow:

1. Root your phone
2. Install Terminal Emulator
3. In Terminal Emulator, run `su sh -c 'echo -n none > /data/property/persist.sys.usb.config'`
4. Restart the phone

Bonus: Now you can get rid of all those horrible vendor apps. Bye Samsung and Three!

Caveat 1: **USB debugging no longer works after doing this**, regardless of whether you left it enabled while following the instructions or disabled and re-enabled it. All you need to do (I just verified it) is to set the value back to `adb` to make it work again, but then of course you have the original problem. If there’s a magic string to make USB debugging work and *simultaneously* disable both MTP and PTP, I don’t know what it is (I tried with `none,adb`).

Caveat 2: **You can’t update Android anymore without completely resetting your device.** Not even de-rooting and a factory reset work - bloody Android still says I’ve made an “unauthorized modification.” Let’s recap: “Freedom 0: The freedom to run the program as you wish, for any purpose.” I had to boot into Windows and use Samsung Smart Switch for PC to upgrade.

---
Tags: 5.0-lollipop, usb-connection-mode
---


title: Phone number listed about this phone

text:
# Question
Title: Phone number listed about this phone
I found a phone that still has the sim card in it but it has been reset to factory settings. Is there any way to find the phone number associated with that phone (I am sure the owner has a new phone and has had the number changed from the lost phone to the new phone) so I can call it and let the owner know I found their old phone?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Settings \> about phone \> status \> sim status

---
Tags: htc
---


# Question
Title: How to move (ICSDroid) Calendars to the Phone section
This questions splits **this** question into smaller parts. *Living without Google*

So first of all I would like to find out, how I can move the 2 **ICSDroid** calendars to the **Phone** section. I think with doing this the read-only issue will be solved, too.

After adding 2 `.ics` files (click image to enlarge)

Feel free to post also alternatives to ICSDroid if there is something better. It does not have to be ICSDroid for the import.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I now solved with installing **ownCloud** on my server. It was not difficult and is easy to setup. Also it gives the possibility to enable even more features.

So in Thunderbird I just add the online calendar URL to the specific calendar. That's it. The only bad thing is that Thunderbird(Lightning) does not get the colors from the server. So you have to set them manually.

And on Android you need a special app like **CalDAV** which is really cheap and as well easy to setup.

Now you can use any calendar app like the of your Android. Planner Plus or aCalendar. This is totally up to you. I really like **Planner Plus** somehow.

For me this is a really good solution. Synching is working perfectly even with different users on it at the same time. You can also manage the rights the users have in your ownCloud which was impossible with the row ics Dropbox solution.

I also use the Tasks app of ownCloud, what is called the app **OpenTasks** under Android, which makes it pretty easy also to use tasks on Android.

---
Tags: applications, sync, calendar
---


# Question
Title: Searching for a way using ICS Calendar files from dropbox
So I currently use Thunderbird with **Lightning** and have imported several **ICS** files there on my **Windows** system (more details on how I did this here). This works great. But for Android there does not seem to be a simple app for this.

To sum up: overall I already have **Dropbox** for syncing. So I would just need a app that let me choose the ICS files and let me use it just like in Thunderbird. I already tested 20 apps. None was able to do my task so far.

I also don't need just an import app for ICS files. Because then the Dropbox wouldn't sync anymore for sure and I would have trouble on my Windows system. So just an **editor** that **accesses ICS** files would be perfect. As I have currently 7 ICS files, it would be great if the app would show them together like Thunderbird does.

By the way I already tried to open an ICS file with the Android Calendar app and it actually showed me an event. But I was not able to show all and the behaviour was very strange.

**Update from the comments**

1. I found ICSDroid which allowed me to add ICS files from Dropbox correctly
2. these Calendars where correctly added to the Calendar system
3. the problem is that they are not added to "My Calendars", instead they are added to an external list, which is **read-only**!
4. also the Sync is kind of broken on these calendars, updates in thunderbird are not shown on my Android calendar apps (I tried the **normal**, **aCalendar**, **Planner Plus**)

# Answer
> 0 votes
I now solved with installing **ownCloud** on my server. It was not difficult and is easy to setup. Also it gives the possibility to enable even more features.

So in Thunderbird I just add the online calendar URL to the specific calendar. That's it. The only bad thing is that Thunderbird(Lightning) does not get the colors from the server. So you have to set them manually.

And on Android you need a special app like **CalDAV** which is really cheap and as well easy to setup.

Now you can use any calendar app like the of your Android. Planner Plus or aCalendar. This is totally up to you. I really like **Planner Plus** somehow.

For me this is a really good solution. Synching is working perfectly even with different users on it at the same time. You can also manage the rights the users have in your ownCloud which was impossible with the row ics Dropbox solution.

I also use the Tasks app of ownCloud, what is called the app **OpenTasks** under Android, which makes it pretty easy also to use tasks on Android.

---
Tags: applications, calendar
---


# Question
Title: why does it say i need to "sign into my google account?"
I use a nook as a tablet and I only have one account and I did sign into my google account but it won't let me update any of my apps and it's always saying "I need to sign into my google account" what do I do?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Try updating Google apps like Google Play Services.

---
Tags: updates
---


# Question
Title: How do I enable haptic feedback in Android 6.0?
I got the OTA Android 6.0 update today for my Nexus 5, but it seems that haptic feedback for the navigation buttons (back, home, app switcher) was disabled by the update. How do I enable it? I can't find anything in the settings for it.

# Answer
The setting for this is, confusingly, Sound & notification → Other sounds → Vibrate on touch:
> 8 votes

# Answer
If you are trying to disable haptic feedback for your Google keyboard, long press on the comma then select the gear icon to open settings. Google Keyboard Settings \> Preferences then toggle Vibrate on Key press to the off setting.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: 6.0-marshmallow, haptic-feedback
---


title: Integrating outlook and android

text:
# Question
Title: Integrating outlook and android
I currently use Outlook on the desktop and I am trying to integrate my outlook data with my android phone. Samsung S5. I don't sync with the cloud with office 365 as I have my own domain. The old days allowed for a USB sync between the desktop and the device. This would appear the best way to do it given my circumstances. There are a couple Microsoft apps but they do not sync all data with the Android system. They keep the data within the app, and not all data is available like contacts. Situations like this make we think about apple products again, which goes against my grain.

# Answer
> 1 votes
You can easily sync your desktop Outlook with your Samsung phone using the Samsung Smart Switch software. You can find the program at http://www.samsung.com/us/smart-switch/.

The only thing I do not like about it is there is no way to just sync your calendar from Outlook to your phone. It insists on syncing in both directions. The contacts can be forced to just update from Outlook to your phone which is what I like.

---
Tags: contacts, sync, email, outlook
---


# Question
Title: Is it possible to make screen videos on a unrooted device? The device is Sony Xperia m2 aqua
Recently I want to record some screen videos like to show when bugs happen and e.t.c.Is it possible on a unrooted Sony xperia m2 aqua?If yes how?

# Answer
Now, as Sony Xperia M2 and M2 Aqua have received Lollipop 5.1.1 update, you can start recording your screen with the help of screen recorder apps such as Screen Recorder by NLL.
> 0 votes

# Answer
I see that your device originally came with Android KitKat. You can try a command line method here. `screenrecord` binary does the screen recording. Its maximum recording duration is 180 seconds. In Kitkat, its usages goes by:

```
Usage: screenrecord [options]

Records the device's display to a .mp4 file.

Options:
--size WIDTHxHEIGHT
    Set the video size, e.g. "1280x720".  Default is the device's main
    display resolution (if supported), 1280x720 if not.  For best results,
    use a size supported by the AVC encoder.
--bit-rate RATE
    Set the video bit rate, in megabits per second.  Default 4Mbps.
--time-limit TIME
    Set the maximum recording time, in seconds.  Default / maximum is 180.
--rotate
    Rotate the output 90 degrees.
--verbose
    Display interesting information on stdout.
--help
    Show this message.
```

In Lollipop, a parameter `bugreport` is also added:

```
--bugreport
    Add additional information, such as a timestamp overlay, that is helpful
    in videos captured to illustrate bugs.
```

An example to record screen using in-built screen recorder (you would need setup in PC and USB debugging enabled in the device),

```
adb shell screenrecord --bit-rate 8000000  /sdcard/test.mp4

```

That command will save the screen recording in a file `test.mp4` located under `/sdcard`. Change the bitrate as per your needs, or try an app for GUI.
> 0 votes

# Answer
In my experience with Sony phones, you can hold the power button and it gives you an option to record the screen/take a screenshot. Otherwise, use AZ Screen Recorder - No Root app.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: sony-xperia
---


# Question
Title: Nexus 9 - How do I change the cellular band?
I've got an international edition 32GB Nexus 9 LTE. It appears to be unable to connect to 3.5G / HSPA+ networks, as a result, I get poor data speeds (3G is pretty slow for my requirements). I've got a Nexus 7, LG G2 and LG G3 all on the same carrier as the N9, and they can all connect to 3.5G / HSPA+ in the areas where the Nexus 9 struggles.

On regular phones, I would overcome this issue by dialling \*#\*#4636#\*#\* and changing the preferred bands, however, since the Nexus 9 doesn't have a dialler, I'm unable to access this menu. Any ideas on alternative ways I could get to this menu? Maybe via a third-party app or a terminal command?

I'm running Android 6.0.1 and have root access.

Thank you.

# Answer
Figured it out. I installed a third-party dialler app (Truedialler), and I was able to dial \*#\*#4636#\*#\* and change the band and preferred network mode.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: connection-issues, mobile-network, data-connection, 4g, nexus-9
---


# Question
Title: Google Now places a notification in my tray for weather and commute times - can I make it do the same for reminders?
I've noticed that Google does a great job of providing me with relevent information depending on where I am and the time of day. I can go to the Google Now page and I can see relevent reminders, information regarding upcoming bills/movies/etc (fetched from my Gmail), traffic and weather information, and much more.

However, I've noticed that only the traffic and weather cards appear in my notification tray - for everything else I have to manually go to the Google Now screen and check the cards that are available at the current time.

To me, this makes a lot of the Google Now features a little useless. As an example, I tell Google Now to "remind me to buy some milk when I arrive at the supermarket." It registers this reminder correctly, but when I arrive a the supermarket I don't actually get a notification of any kind. If I unlock my phone and go to the Google Now screen, I can see the reminder there. But this doesn't help me when I am at the super market.

To make it worse, the reminder **only shows itself when I am at the location**. So, if I don't check Google Now after leaving the supermarket, it won't appear on my Google Now page because - well - I am not at the supermarket. I won't even know that I forgot the milk, because there is nothing on my device to show me that I missed a reminder when I was at the supermarket.

Long story short - I would like to see the reminders (and other Google Now cards - like bill reminders) appear in my notification tray. Is this possible?

This is the notification I see: https://i.stack.imgur.com/whJwC.png

But if I go to Google Now, we can see that there is other, more important things that it could be telling me about. https://i.stack.imgur.com/wUvAT.png

Edit:

Interestingly, if I 'snooze' the reminder for 10 minutes, in 10 minutes time I get an actual notification on my phone telling me to do the thing. Ofcourse this is not much of a solution, because it still means I have to manually look at Google Now to check for reminders.

# Answer
Strangely, after "snoozing" one of the reminders via the Google Now page (essentially forcing it notify me in 10 minutes), the notifications for all other reminders started working again too.

I've tested both location based reminders and time based reminders. Seems like I inadvertantly switched something "on" by forcing one of my existing reminders to snooze for 10 minutes.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: notifications, google-now
---


title: Android Phone ram expander

text:
# Question
Title: Android Phone ram expander
Will this app really can expand an android phone?

# Answer
No piece of software can increase the amount of hardware (which is what RAM is), that your phone has. If you have 512MB of RAM, then you will always have that much. What this app does (as mentioned in the above comments) is create a swap file, similar to a Windows pagefile, which can act as RAM when your normal RAM gets near full. There are a couple issues with this:

1) your internal memory was not meant to undergo the many read/write cycles that RAM must go through. This could cause rapid wear on your internal memory.

2) your internal memory has a much slower read/write than RAM, so any data stored in it will not be accessible as fast.

3) An app like this could wreak all sorts of havoc on your device if it tries to create a swap file larger than the available memory in your device (i.e. if you set the swap file size and then try to use more of your internal memory.).

All in all, the marginal speed in create you *might* receive from an app like this is most likely not worth the risks to your device.
> 7 votes

---
Tags: ram
---


# Question
Title: Screen won't rotate in any apps on my Nexus 6
So, quite some time ago I upgraded my Nexus 6 to Android 6.0.1. At that time, my screen rotation worked fine. A few days ago, I noticed I couldn't rotate the screen in Snapchat or on other social media apps. Even things like YouTube wouldn't rotate automatically. I know the hardware is working fine because there are readings from the gyroscope sensor and the screen breath's when its picked up or moved too much. Any one have any idea?

# Answer
Just download accelerometer monitor app from Google play, and literally slap the back of the phone kinda hard. It has fixed many others! Source : reddit
> 0 votes

---
Tags: auto-rotation
---


# Question
Title: I can't update any apps in Google play store
Why I can't update any apps and it keeps on saying that I have insufficient storage but I think its not the problem because I have storage. So what should I do?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Usually you need at least 10 percent of your whole data storage to install applications.

You should delete some stuff or clean up the cache by going into Settings -\> Storage -\> Cache

If that does not help, clear the data of Google Play Store using Settings -\> Applications (or Settings -\> Storage -\> Apps) and then swiping to the left until you get to `All applications` and then search for Google Play Store and delete the data. Then start Play Store again and try it out if it works.

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat
---


# Question
Title: Boot loop after updating HTC One M8 to Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Couple of days back, I got the notification to download and install official Android 6.0 (build 6.12.401) in my HTC One M8 (not rooted, was running Android 5.0.2). As I downloaded and installed it, from that point it's gone to boot-loop state and showing only HTC logo.

Now I have tried to do Factory reset that ends in the same loop, recovery mode which does nothing and stays on that screen with exclamation sign, installed ADB on a friend's advice, *but the mobile's debugging is not on*.

Any advice or explanation of the issue and the fix?

# Answer
Mine does this occasionally, the temp solution I have found for the time being is to plug it into a charger and then to force a reboot again by holding power and volume up together until it restarts.

This normally gets the phone to boot, no idea why it makes any difference but it seems to work and just went back into the loop each time until I plugged my charger in first.

And no my battery wasn't low, it had 87% when it finally booted up and was at 98% when it decided to go into a loop.

Hope this helps
> 0 votes

# Answer
Download the latest ROM from here and execute the program. You will be able to install the system.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: boot-loop, ota-update, 6.0-marshmallow, htc-one-m8
---


# Question
Title: Bought a new Galaxy S5 New Edition 11 of January 2016,Evening February 05, put in silent mode to sleep,morning of Feb. 6 , phone dead
Bought a new Galaxy S5 New Edition( G903M/DS ) 11 of January 2016,Evening February 05, put in silent mode to sleep,morning of Feb. 6 , phone dead, will not start for Beans, removed Battery several times, took to store Tech. no go, told to contact Samsung ? Any ideas ??

# Answer
> 0 votes
I'm assuming a phone bought and activated in the USA:

For a phone that new, I'd certainly start with the seller or provider. If you're getting that "not our problem" response from the store where you bought it (where you *should* be able to return the phone as defective, for a full refund or exchange to a new -- **not refurbished** phone of the same model), call the tech support line for the provider. They should be your first point of contact if you bought the phone from them.

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-5
---


# Question
Title: PIN forgotten.no option of "forgot password"
Using oneplus one (not rooted). PIN forgotten. no option of "forgot password". Android device manager doesn't locate my device. cellular data is on. doesn't connect to the wifi automatically. din't know whethere USB debugging is on. need to recover 1-2 important apps but locked out. Please HELP!!

# Answer
If you have rooted your phone, boot into recovery and delete following files:

```
/data/system/locksettings.db
/data/system/gesture.key

```

Then reboot.

If not, you would have to find a way to root your device without loosing your data. Maybe `fastboot oem unlock` is the key for that.

And this might be the same question: Forgot Oneplus One pin. How to enable usb debugging?
> -1 votes

---
Tags: password, locked-out
---


# Question
Title: Root a Samsung Galaxy 4 tab 7", Kies isn't working
I am trying to root a Samsung Galaxy 4 tab 7". The box says SM-T230NU with the label "Model: SM-T230NYKMXAR".

I got drivers from here:
http://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/product/SM-T230NYKUXAR
which is a slightly different number (has a U instead of M) but matches (ie. Samsung Galaxy Tab® 4 7.0 8GB, Black). I installed these and the device connected to the PC with no problems.

Using Odin 3.07, it detects the device. I click the PDA button and select `CF-Auto_Root.tar`, then Start and I get this error:

```
<ID:0/005> Firmware update start..
<ID:0/005> recovery.img
<ID:0/005> NAND Write Start!!
<ID:0/005> cache.img.ext4
<ID:0/005> FAIL!
<OSM> All now when I restart I get this message:

```

Now when I restart I get this message:

```
Firmware upgrade encountered an issue.
Please select recovery mode in Kies & try again.threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1)

```

I downloaded and installed Kies 3. When I run it, it says "The connected device is not supported by Kies 3". It should be, this is 4.4 KitKat.

So I tried Kies 2.6, and it doesn't connect either. It doesn't give this error message, just keeps trying to connect but doesn't.

What can I do now?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Flash your stock ROM using Odin whilst your device is in
Download mode  `Power`  \+  `Volume Down`  \+  `Home`

(Put the file in the AP/PDA depending on what version of Odin you have). If this works then your tablet may be back to factory state, but if it fails then you have Hard bricked your tablet. Presuming it isnt bricked, use the latest .apk file of King Root to root your Sm-T230.

Stock Rom Download from XDA forums: ACHERON ROM v2.1.1 and Odin 3 download

---
Tags: rooting, samsung-kies, samsung-galaxy-tab-4
---


# Question
Title: 'Languages and Input' sub-setting crashes Settings, need to enable it to install keyboard
Alright so I try to get into the 'Language and Input' sub-setting on the 'Settings' menu, and when I click on it a message appears saying: "Unfortunately, Settings has stopped working". This only happens with 'Language and Input'.

I have Android 4.2.2 installed, on an Acer V370 (Liquid E2) phone.

So far I've tried clearing data from the 'Settings' app and fixing permissions using ROM manager, both didn't work.

What I'm really trying to do is get a working keyboard on my phone, as for reasons unknown I have no keyboard to type on the phone. So, I don't really care about fixing the 'Languages and Input' setting as long as there's a way to put a keyboard app in my phone again.

# Answer
**Note**: the commands in this solution requires setup in PC and the solution is tested on Android 4.2.1, 5.0.2 and 5.1.1.

---

If you don't have any keyboard app installed in the system, then either use web version of Play Store to remotely install a keyboard app in your system (requires active internet connection in your device) or obtain the APK of your keyboard from somewhere *somehow* and install it in your system. You may either install it:

Once the app is setup, execute this command on PC:

```
adb shell ime list -a

```

It will list all the available (enabled or not) IME (Input Method) services in your system.

Demo output:

```
com.android.inputmethod.latin/.LatinIME:
  mId=**com.android.inputmethod.latin/.LatinIME** mSettingsActivityName=com.android.inputmethod.latin.settings.SettingsActivity
  mIsDefaultResId=0x7f070000
  Service:
    priority=0 preferredOrder=0 match=0x108000 specificIndex=-1 isDefault=false
    ServiceInfo:
      name=com.android.inputmethod.latin.LatinIME
      packageName=com.android.inputmethod.latin
      labelRes=0x7f08003a nonLocalizedLabel=null icon=0x0 banner=0x0
      enabled=true exported=true processName=com.android.inputmethod.latin
      permission=android.permission.BIND_INPUT_METHOD
      flags=0x0
net.zhdev.ctrlvkeyboard/.CtrlVKeyboard:
  mId=**net.zhdev.ctrlvkeyboard/.CtrlVKeyboard** mSettingsActivityName=null
  mIsDefaultResId=0x0
  Service:
    priority=0 preferredOrder=0 match=0x108000 specificIndex=-1 isDefault=false
    ServiceInfo:
      name=net.zhdev.ctrlvkeyboard.CtrlVKeyboard
      packageName=net.zhdev.ctrlvkeyboard
      labelRes=0x7f0b0015 nonLocalizedLabel=null icon=0x0 banner=0x0
      enabled=true exported=true processName=net.zhdev.ctrlvkeyboard
      permission=android.permission.BIND_INPUT_METHOD
      flags=0x0
com.touchtype.swiftkey/com.touchtype.KeyboardService:
  mId=**com.touchtype.swiftkey/com.touchtype.KeyboardService** mSettingsActivityName=com.touchtype.settings.TouchTypeKeyboardSettings
  mIsDefaultResId=0x0
  Service:
    priority=0 preferredOrder=0 match=0x108000 specificIndex=-1 isDefault=false
    ServiceInfo:
      name=com.touchtype.KeyboardService
      packageName=com.touchtype.swiftkey
      enabled=true exported=true processName=com.touchtype.swiftkey
      permission=android.permission.BIND_INPUT_METHOD
      flags=0x0

```

The highlighted strings next to `mId=` are the IDs of the keyboard apps available in my system.

In any ID, the string before `/` is the package name of the keyboard app. Example: for Swiftkey keyboard, the mId is:

```
com.touchtype.swiftkey/com.touchtype.KeyboardService

```

The string `com.touchtype.swiftkey` is the package name of Swiftkey app. **Package name** is what **will help you to find the appropriate mID** that you should use **to enable a particular keyboard app**.

To know the package name of an app, follow View app's full package name?

Once you've the appropriate ID, use it to make your app the default keyboard in your system. Do:

```
# Note that it doesn't matter whether the IME is added into enabled input methods or not. Consider this a direct override.
# Replace ID with mId of your keyboard app

adb shell settings put secure default_input_method "ID"
adb shell content update --uri content://settings/secure --bind value:s:"ID"  --where "name='default_input_method'"  # alternative to above command
adb reboot  # optional

```

Try opening an app which requires input from a keyboard. You would be seeing your keyboard app.

<sub>(Click image to enlarge; courtesy of OP)</sub>
> 1 votes

# Answer
A suggestion could be to install ANY alternate keyboard, and choose that one as the default keyboard temporarily. The earliest technique I learned to do this was to start any app that required a text input field entry (even Internet will do). Hard press on the text field, and select "Input Method" which will allow you to try to set the newly downloaded as the default keyboard.

Once selected, it is possible the Settings \> Language & Input, which failed earlier, will not fail to open when triggered. Use the normal functionality to restore the desired keyboard, if different, then delete the installed one that was a temporary workaround.

UPDATE: I have just found this wiki that demonstrates a similar technique. I have performed this just now on my Samsung Galaxy phone, and tablet, to prove its worth. Essentially, it uses Google Search text input, in concert with the Notification Bar, which now includes a shortcut to Choose Input Method. I got it to work consistently from the second try: Open, tap the text input field, pull down Notification Bar, proceed.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: settings, keyboard, languages
---


title: TTS versus TalkBack

text:
# Question
Title: TTS versus TalkBack
What is the difference between Text-to-Speech and TalkBack and Google Talk? (also, I am unable to open the TalkBack tutorial on my Samsung Galaxy SIII Neo Android 4.4.2 (it just crashes the Settings app)). Any idea where I may find a better tutorial? Thanks.

# Answer
Talkback is essentially a screen reader, though somewhat more feature-rich since it can also access hardware like the vibrator. It's intended to be used system-wide for accessibility purposes. The Play Store listing describes it as "\[...\] an Accessibility Service that helps blind and vision-impaired users interact with their devices".

Google TTS is the voice synthesis engine that actually converts text to speech. If you have Talkback enabled and it wants to read a label aloud, it requests the TTS engine to take the text and generate an audible representation of it on its behalf before then playing the audio. Any app that needs voice synthesis can tap into this engine.

Google Talk is an instant messaging platform. It was succeeded by Hangouts and support was officially dropped in February 2015, though the app may still function. It is not related to Talkback in any way other than being developed by Google.
> 4 votes

---
Tags: google-talk, text-to-speech, talk-back
---


# Question
Title: Samsung Android phone / tablet drivers without using the Samsung Kies
As Samsung Kies require one to be online in order to install but all I need are just Samsung drivers so that the OS (e.g. Windows XP, Windows 7) can recognize the Samsung Android device.

So, how to connect the Samsung Android phone / tablet to the PC without using Samsung Kies so that the OS can recognize that the Samsung Android device?

Similarly, how do one install Samsung Kies without connecting to the Internet? This is because sometime, one need to access the android device on PC which does not have Internet access or in an restricted area.

# Answer
Have you looked into SideSync for Samsung devices? I use it instead of Kies now and love it

http://www.samsung.com/us/sidesync/

Sidesync has a lot of great features:

* Display your phone or table from your PC and control it.
* Send and receive phone calls from your laptop
* Access all of your apps (like sending/reading SMS messages)
* See notifications from your device on your PC
* Access your Phone/Tablet via USB or wireless on the same network
* Drag and drop files to and from device
> 1 votes

# Answer
1wayjonny on XDA has released a Naked Driver for some Samsung devices. The driver itself will let your PC recognize your phone in ADB, FB or APX mode.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung-kies
---


# Question
Title: How can I connect my Logitech "unifying" controller, to my Android device over Bluetooth?
Logitech's Unifying standard seems very similar to Bluetooth(same 5-device limit, similar range, similar specs from what I've read on the Internet).

I'm trying to connect a Logitech F710 wireless controller, to my Android phone over bluetooth.

It works if I plug the "unifying" USB dongle into a USB OTG cable(micro-USB to full-USB converter) and plug said OTG in my phone. It works fine(fiddling on the controller moves things around on-screen. But I need it to work without plugging into the phone's MicroUSB port...

I've got a Samsung/Occulus Gear VR(that connects to the phone's MicroUSB port.

But when I hook up the OTG cable to my Gear VR's charging Micro-USB port, it just doesn't work. I've read on reddit that if you prevent the Occulus app from starting when you plug in your Android device(I'm using a Note 5), then the Gear VR's charging port also registers that stuff.

So any suggestions?

# Answer
> 4 votes
Logitech unifying devices are not compatible with Bluetooth. Your best option is to purchase a Bluetooth-compatible mouse.

---
Tags: usb, bluetooth
---


title: Peel remote on S6

text:
# Question
Title: Peel remote on S6
I saw this thread where this issue was resolved for the S6 Edge. I have the S6, so closing it from the Edge is obviously not an option here. My screen is completely locked up. I can't even answer phone calls. I'm having to use my table to send texts via MightyText, but I can't make calls, take pictures, or even power off the phone. How can I fix this? My current plan is to let the battery die and then reboot it, but I'd really like to be able to fix this sooner.

I can't comment on the other thread because I don't have enough points. I know this isn't worth another new thread, but I was locked out of the other.

I'm running stock Android, whatever the latest release was for the S6. Help!

# Answer
Try holding down power + vol down + home at the same time for about 15 seconds. Let it reboot, if it doesnt start rebooting, simply press power button. You just did a force shutdown

(I have a S6)
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-6
---


# Question
Title: Whatsapp Databases inside android device
Whatsapp is keeping some database files in internal memory, inside the folder `/WhatsApp/Databases` in the format `"msgstore[date].db.crypt8"`.

Will my chat history be gone if I delete those files? Are these files important?

I am using an unrooted Xiaomi phone.

Please give more information about this.

# Answer
> 2 votes
> Whether my chat history is got deleted, if I delete these files?. Is this files are important?

These are important files and If you delete these then your backups are gone.

These files are the **Local backups** of your `WhatsApp` and this local backup is run automatically every day at 2 AM and save your database in a file on the phone itself.

> Your phone will store up to the last 7 days worth of local backup files, hence you are seeing the file names corresponding to the dates of last 7-days.

You can back up your chats and media to Google Drive, so if you switch Android phones or get a new one, your chats and media are safe. To use Google Drive, make sure the following is true:

* Your device must be synced with **Google Drive**.
* Your Google Drive account must have enough space for all of your `WhatsApp` data.
* Your phone must have enough free space to create the backup.

Check FAQ of WhatsApp for more information.

**Additional Note**: If you delete these database files, your backups are gone. But the chat history in `whatsapp` itself remains untouched because the database is in still in use. So any chat data is still available for the user - just the backups are gone.

---
Tags: applications, internal-storage, whatsapp-messenger
---


title: Can't remove stolen phone from account

text:
# Question
Title: Can't remove stolen phone from account
So I had an Android phone stolen - nearly two years ago now. When it was taken, I immediately reset my Google account password (and most others). I have 2-factor auth on my Google account. I have changed my password multiple times since then too.

However, today, I was doing my Google security review, and it's still showing up on my account, and still showing up as logging in - recently!

**What?!!?**

I can't remove the device from my account - it is deselected in Google Play Devices. It also does not show up in Android Device Manager (and never has from the moment it was stolen) - even when I enable it again in Google Play Devices.

What is going on here?

# Answer
> 1 votes
This may explain : from Google Play help forum

Joe Ellet in his post dated 3/18/15 says

> There are two lists. One is your active devices. That one should be up-to-date. The other is the record of all devices you have used to make a purchase on Google Play. That list has nothing to do with your current inventory and cannot be used for any sort of malicious purpose. It is kept because all Play Store purchases are kept as transactions and every transaction includes the device it was made from. That is to protect you so that if you bought something at a reduced price or free you can later download the same content onto a new device without having to pay for it again.
>
> Bottom line, don't worry about the second list.

The distinction between two lists seems to have been eroded, and now you have a single list showing both. Can't find a reference to this though.

I would think that your stolen device (or my sold device) figures on the list for Google Play transaction audit as mentioned above. The fact that you **can't select to delete** this device further adds weight to this

**Edit:** As a normal practice, I changed my Google account password about 10 days ago. I just checked Sign in and Security page of my account and do not see my sold device accessing my account, though Google shows it is connected to my account

As a next step to confirm that my old phone was not accessing my account, I went to the Android Device Manager and saw that only my current phone is registered there. **If my old or stolen phone was able to access my account, surely I should be able to wipe it!** This should put to rest your concern that your stolen phone is accessing your account

An interesting read that explains how Google interacts with devices based on their ID is Will wipe request from Android Device Manager affect replacement device?

---
Tags: google-play-store, security, android-device-manager
---


title: Problem with my thumbnails in gallery

text:
# Question
Title: Problem with my thumbnails in gallery
I have a problem with images in my gallery. The thumbnails of my photos are not the actual images when I view the image. The thumbnails are the photos which I have deleted or my other images in my phone. What might be the problem why the thumbnails are not the actual images? Is it messing with my caches?

# Answer
A comparable issue happened to me twice. The first time my audio files database was empty after a synchronization that went wrong. The second time my pictures application was never able to load the thumbnails. Each time the solution has been the same: clear the multimedia database.

To do so, go in "Settings" -\> "Applications" -\> "Manage applications". Then make sure you set the filter to see all applications. Find "Media Storage" in the list and then press "clear data". After that, you will need to wait a little bit for the database to regenerate, you may even have to reboot the phone to trigger the database generation.

This should correct your issue, and many more issues related to the multimedia database under Android.
> 6 votes

# Answer
Download android photo recovery on PC & launch it. Connect android device with USB & click start. Check box in-front of gallery & click next. Select "deleted thumbnail".& click "recover"
> 0 votes

---
Tags: gallery, samsung-galaxy-5, thumbnails
---


title: Rotate screen on HyperV

text:
# Question
Title: Rotate screen on HyperV
I have Android installed on a HyperV virtual machine, which defaults to a vertically aligned phone/screen.

The standard solution does not work, so how do I turn the screen of my device?

# Answer
> 1 votes
First you need to make sure you install and configure Hyper-V accurately. 1. How to install Hyper-V? 2. How to configure Hyper-V?

After checking that you need to follow these steps. 3.I also encountered this issue here what i did on 1366 x 768 display. This made it hard to use Hyper-V virtual machines, Hyper-V default is 1024 x 768 and its only allow you to configure 4 x 3 resolutions.

Luckily, it is actually possible to setup a Hyper-V virtual machine with a widescreen resolution. Though the process is not that intuitive. What you need to do is:

Right click on the desktop of the virtual machine and select Screen Resolution Select Advanced Settings Click List All Modes Choose the screen resolution that you want and click OK. You can also use this method to set the virtual machine resolution to 800 x 600 or 640 x 480 – which is usually not allowed on recent versions of Windows.

---
Tags: screen, emulators
---


# Question
Title: Restore SMS messages from a rooted phone with a broken screen to an unrooted phone
I'm trying to restore my SMS text messages from my *rooted* Nexus 5 with a broken screen (no display or touch capabilities) to my functioning but *unrooted* Nexus 5X.

I can turn the rooted phone to recovery mode and run any adb command (I managed to pull the mmssms.db file using adb), however, I naturally can't run `adb push mmssms.db /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db` to my unrooted phone.

Is there any way to restore the text messages some other way?

Again, I have full root access using adb to my rooted phone.

# Answer
I managed to restore my text messages using a borrowed 3rd phone that is rooted!

Using:

* The rooted phone with the broken screen that you want to restore *from* (Phone A)
* The rooted phone with the intact screen that you *borrowed* (Phone B)
* The unrooted phone that you want to restore *to* (Phone C)

Do as follows:

1. On *Phone A*:

* Activate recovery mode and pull the mmssms.db file using adb: `adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db mmssms-phone-A.db`
2. On *Phone B*:

* Activate recovery mode and do the same: `adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db mmssms-phone-B.db` (use this later to restore the borrowed phone's text messages. Note the different file name)
    * While still in recovery mode, push the file you pulled from *Phone A* to the *Phone B*: `adb push mmssms-phone-A.db /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db`
    * Change the file owner and permission of the mmssms.db file: `adb shell` then `chown radio:radio /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db` and `chmod 0660 /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db`
    * Restart to regular mode
    * Install any SMS backup app (I used SMS Backup & Restore but any app would do)
    * Run the app to backup the text messages
    * Copy the backup file to some cloud service that you trust or to your desktop/laptop
3. On *Phone C*

* Copy the backup file from the cloud service or desktop/laptop
    * Install the same SMS backups app and use its restore function

Don't forget to restore the original mmssms.db to the 3rd party phone!

4. On *Phone B*

* Restart the phone to recovery mode
    * Push the mmssms.db file you pulled from *Phone B* back to it: `adb push mmssms-phone-B.db /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db`
    * Change the file owner and permission of the mmssms.db file: `adb shell` then `chown radio:radio /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db` and `chmod 0660 /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db`
5. Enjoy your restored text messages and return *Phone B* to the friend you borrowed it from ;)
> 1 votes

# Answer
This is not possible, as you need root to access the /data folder (for unrooted Nexus 5X).

This question is similar: Can adb be used to recover SMS messages while in permanent “Safe Mode”?
> -1 votes

---
Tags: adb, sms, backup, restore, broken-screen
---


# Question
Title: How do I save/lock specific comment bubbles within a text message thread?
Is it possible to make the downloaded SMS application, "Google Messenger" save just part of a thread in a text conversation on my Moto E Android phone?

Example: I'm chatting back and forth with a friend, a long thread, a long conversation. In one comment bubble, my friend gives me an important address that I want to lock and save, but I want to delete the rest of the thread (all the other bubbles).

I used to be able to do this on an older android phone. It had a different sms app. I don't remember what that app was, but I could delete my entire inbox with the exception of specific comments/bubbles on which I had put locks/saves.

My current phone model number is Moto E (2nd Generation) with 4G LTE.

OS is lollipop 5.1 (I think)

# Answer
I think you've answered your own question in your post when you said that you used to be able to do this, but had a different SMS app.

This function, as far as I know, is app specific. I am able to lock messages using ChompSMS on Android 5.0.

Try different SMS apps and see which is best for your needs.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: sms, 5.1-lollipop, motorola-moto-e, google-messages
---


# Question
Title: What does my Samsung Galaxy 5 consider an App?
After a recent phone update (which took too long due to "too many apps") I saw the total apps updated was over 700. I only have 69 apps on my phone. Why the discrepancy? What does my android phone consider an "app"? Can I delete these others?

# Answer
> 0 votes
69 normally visible apps don't account for all the system apps/packages/functions.

If you run an app like CCleaner you can easily see, using the app manager section, what all the apps on your phone are. Most of them will be locked and you can not remove them, as without root you can't generally touch system apps.

---
Tags: applications, updates, samsung-galaxy-s-5
---


title: Remove Linkedin info from contacts

text:
# Question
Title: Remove Linkedin info from contacts
I've recently purchased a Samsung Galaxy S6 and I've noticed that in the contacts there is a section with information taken from Linkedin, even though I haven't let the Linkedin app sync its contacts or download contacts.

It doesn't bother me much to have someone's company and position listed there, but with some contacts I get a list of empty boxes, that keeps growing with time (I guess it has to do with those people's privacy setting in Linkedin):

So, is there any way to remove this info, other than uninstalling the Linkedin app?

# Answer
Try going into your contacts,

under settings -- \> contacts --\> contacts to display

and select your google account instead of All Contacts. You can even setup a custom list of contacts to display that doesn't include LinkedIn.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: contacts, samsung-galaxy-s-6
---


title: Dates changed on the photos

text:
# Question
Title: Dates changed on the photos
Photos were taken in 2011 on Samsung phone GT-B3310 (not a smartphone). This phone was switched off for over 2 years in 2013.

* On 24 January 2015 the phone was switched on and transferred the pictures via Bluetooth onto my Samsung Galaxy S3. The pictures showed dates from 24 to 28 January 2015. Some pictures had 24, some 26, 27 and 28. The `Exif` file also showed the dates from 24 to 28 January 2015. The original dates in 2011 were missing.
* Samsung South Korea said that if a device is switched off for long, and subsequently switched on and connected to a device (phone/computer) the pictures would take the switch off date.
* But the puzzle is, why do dates vary from 24 to 28 January 2015? Can anyone kindly give answer? This has created a *huge* issue/problem for me.

# Answer
> 1 votes
`Exif` dates are stored in your images as strings, including the year. So the fact that the phone was off shouldn't be relevant.

However it's quite common that image transfer programs re-write metadata, unfortunately.

Try emailing yourself one of the images from the phone directly and testing with that on another computer (or find some other way to get a file off the phone for testing.)

Switching the phone off won't wipe any `Exif` data. That's stored inside the files.

---
Tags: samsung, date-and-time, exif
---


title: Can I use the file command on Android?

text:
# Question
Title: Can I use the file command on Android?
The UNIX `file` command, which tells you what is inside a file, is seemingly not available either in Busybox or the system directory of Android.

Is there any way to run `file` on Android? (via Terminal Emulator, etc)

Preferably without having to be rooted...

# Answer
> 1 votes
You really won't find it because it doesn't exist on Android system not even from a third party Busybox installer. But I achieved to find a solution to compile it so that I can use it on my android terminal. Here's the link *http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1612760*

Basically you just have to follow this,

*Originally posted by samveen on XDA*

After wandering around looking for an android build of the file command, I finally went ahead and compiled it myself.

The attached package contains the file binary (v5.11), the libmagic.so shared library, the associated magic files and the build specific files that I needed (over and above the source) to build it. The paths of the files are relative to '/'.

Refs:

Note: Add the location of libmagic.so to LD\_LIBRARY\_PATH to get rid of the "CANNOT LINK EXECUTABLE" error. (I use /data/local/lib)

### Code

```
 $ echo $ LD_LIBRARY_PATH /data/local/lib:/data/local/lib:/data/local/lib:/system/lib:/vendor/lib
 $ file

 Usage: - file  [-bchikLlNnprsvz0] [--apple]
                    [--mime-encoding]
                    [--mime-type] [-e testname]
                    [-F separator] [-f namefile]
                    [-m magicfiles] file ...

  file -C [-m magicfiles]
  file [--help]

  $ getprop | grep device [ro.cm.device]: [jordan] [ro.product.device]: [umts_jordan]

```

Download here: *http://forum.xda-developers.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1022807&d=1335294084*

---
Tags: terminal
---


title: Remote icon disabled my phone!

text:
# Question
Title: Remote icon disabled my phone!
That same icon appeared on my phone and when I clicked on it to see what it was my screen got darker and it wont let me click on anything else or turn off my phone. I have no idea how to remove this peel smart app mentioned if it is not letting me click on anything or turn off the phone, Please help.

# Answer
Press the volume down button and power button at the same time. Options should come up to restart phone. Then disable Peel remote app.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: remote-control, samsung-galaxy-s-6
---


# Question
Title: How do I add a phone number to contacts from the text message app?
I have a text message sent from a phone number that is not yet linked in any other method.

Is there a way to use this message's number to create a new contact or modify an existing one directly from the text messaging application?

If it is relevant, I use Gmail for my contacts and have imported from Facebook.

I have Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich).

**What I've tried**

This question is vaguely similar, but not quite what I'm looking for.

I know I can copy/paste the number if I open the "modify recipients" dialog, click on the number, and click/hold to open the cut/copy/paste tool. I can also simply write down the number on paper. I'm looking for an alternative.

There are no menu options if I select the message at the top-level of the Text app.

The menu options while in the text message thread don't seem relevant:

* Insert smiley
* Delete
* Set priority
* Add subject
* Modify recipients

The menu options if I click and hold on an individual message don't seem relevant:

* Delete message
* Forward message
* Copy message text
* Protect message
* View message details
* Add to task

# Answer
> 5 votes
On my Android 4.0.4 if I click on the picture of the contact, I get option to save it.

# Answer
> 0 votes
To add a contact that you haven't called yet, you can open the "People" app, then click the icon with the + in the bottom middle.

If I recall correctly, Android 4.4 was kind enough to include this option from the phone dialing screen.

Reference: Android Tapp - What’s New in Ice Cream Sandwich Android 4.0 » Android 4.0 People App (Contacts)

# Answer
> 0 votes
Go to your main text screen and in the list of people who have texted you, for example

```
James
Mama
Caroline
555-555-5555

```

(tap and hold this number)

On menu it says *Add to Contacts*

---
Tags: 4.0-ice-cream-sandwich, contacts, sms
---


# Question
Title: Can I set the minimum brightness of auto-brightness?
I have a Samsung Galaxy S2 I9100 and I'm getting frustrated with how dark the screen goes. I do find value in using auto brightness but is it possible to limit the minimum or lowest point that the brightness will go? Is there an app that does it better, and I should just turn off the default auto brightness? I would prefer a solution in which I modify a config file though, over installing an app.

A calibrate option would work too, as the issue is worse when in a dim light situation. It seems to bottom out the brightness as if it's a pitch black room, when in fact the ambient light is quite a bit brighter.

**Update:** I thought maybe my Otterbox case might be interfering, but after some basic tests it doesn't seem to be the case.

# Answer
It looks like this can be done on just about any device with the caveat that your device needs to be rooted and you need to be willing to poke around in your system's `framework-res.apk` file. These instructions come from a post on XDA with a modification intended to *lower* the brightness, but scaling in the opposite direction would make it brighter:

> Here is a guide on how to perform this mod on any framework-res.apk using apk manager (thanks for the guide goes to desean):
>
> 1. Download APK manager and unpack somewhere
> 2. Grab framework-res.apk from your phone under \system\framework\ (e.g. adb pull) and place it in the "place-apk-here-for-modding" folder
> 3. Run Script.bat and select option 9
> 4. Once done, go to projects\framework-res.apk\res\values\arrays.xml and edit your values as per first post.
> 5. Once edited, compile the apk using option 11
> 6. Qn: Is this a system apk. Ans: y
> 7. Qn: Aside from the signatures, would .... least. Ans: y
> 8. Prompt: In the apk manager folder u'll find a keep folder..... done then press enter on this script. Press any key to continue . . . You have to go to "keep" folder and delete resources.arsc because arrays.xml have been changed. After this You can press any key in apk manager window.
> 9. Once done, input 22 in apk manager and select "unsignedframework-res.apk" by entering the number that stands for it. After selecting it You should see in apk main window in the top right corner "Current-App: unsignedframework-res.apk". Now press 5 to zipalign apk. You will find your completed, zipaligned apk under place-apk-here-for-modding\unsignedframework-res.apk. Rename it back to framework-res.apk and adb push the file back to your phone

The arrays.xml file should have a section like the below if your device supports auto-brightness:

```
<integer-array name="config_autoBrightnessLcdBacklightValues">
    <item>32</item>
    <item>69</item>
    <item>118</item>
    <item>177</item>
    <item>255</item>
</integer-array>

```

Basically, the values are ordered based on detected light from the sensor, with the top value being "lowest light" and the bottom value being "highest light". The values correspond to LCD brightness on a scale from 1 to 255, with 255 being full brightness. You could therefore scale up all of the low light values to be brighter if you wanted.
> 11 votes

# Answer
You can dim down the brightness lower than factory limit by alternative way. No root need for this way. Just install "screen filter" apps, such as blue light or other in google.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-2, screen-brightness
---


# Question
Title: Will factory resetting make my rooted device unbootable?
I rooted my Samsung Galaxy Core 3 Plus running Android 4.3 with Kingoroot and now I want to factory reset it. Is it safe to do that?

I am using the stock ROM.

# Answer
> 2 votes
Yes, its safe to do factory reset.

However, I once tried this below approach and **bricked my phone**. So beware.

If you're using a custom recovery like TWRP and choose complete wipe.

> (*Advanced wipe -\> select all options including Internal, system ,etc*)

This **erases the complete phone**. So after erase if you do not install a new custom rom immediately (without reboot), your phone goes into infinite loop.

You'll now be stuck with a phone which keeps restarting as **no ROM's are available on the phone memory either because of the wipe**.

Worst part, My phone didn't have an external SD card so I couldn't copy any other ROM into the phone and to install it later.

> My Suggestion : Just be sure of the options you select during Wipe.

# Answer
> 0 votes
You can do factory reset. You device would not get into a bootloop because rooting is a method that installs the superuser apk in system apps and gives you extra privileges . I didn't think that that it is not safe Still, I performed factory reset 100 times on my Android phone and nothing happened.

---
Tags: factory-reset
---


# Question
Title: Cannot flash phone to install TWRP (One plus One)
I have a one plus one phone and I am looking to install TWRP on it as its built in OS crashed. I have run

```
fastboot oem unlock

```

the result is

> > ... OKAY

command to unlock the phone but when I run

```
fastboot flash recovery c:\recovery.img

```

I get the error message that

> > writing 'recovery' Failed remote: Device not unlocked cannot flash or erase

I have gone over the docs but have not found anything helpful.
**Note:** Before the OS crashed I had not enabled USB debugging (Could this be the issue)?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Have you rebooted the device after "Unlocking bootloader"?

> fastboot reboot

You need to execute this command before flashing custom ROM.
Also, You don't need to turn on USB debugging when unlocking bootloader.

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, rom-flashing, twrp, stock-rom
---


# Question
Title: How much difference does the camera app make for photo's quality?
I have just bought a Moto X Play, which comes with the proprietary Motorola camera app. I am wondering, how much difference does the camera app make for the basic photo quality like:

* automatic determining of exposure
* automatic white balance
* automatic ISO settings
* noise correction for low-light shots

I understand that some 3rd party apps give the users a lot more manual control over the settings, apply some post-processing, make sharing of the photos easier, etc. I am, however, mostly interested in using the phone as a point-and-shoot simple camera, so I would like to get the best quality out of the box in different conditions (especially in low-light).

So the question is, how many of the aspects I listed above and controlled by the hardware/lower level drivers, and how much is controlled by the camera application?

# Answer
Based on my experience with my Samsung Galaxy J7, the best camera app is the built-in camera app. You can adjust any parameter manually (except on Google Pixel phones). Then you can modify your photo by other apps like Photo wonder, etc..

Some selfie apps will take your photo with the small size (960x500), and you cannot adjust any setting.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: camera
---


# Question
Title: whenever I attempt to update or install an app I get and error
I have been trying to update apps and install games for a month. I have looked all over for help. I was told to turn phone off and then back on and go to step two which didn't work.

The problem I'm having is that if I try to download or update any app I get this error message:

```
error retrieving information from server. [RPC:S-7:AEC-7 UTCK-S4PR-HINNC]

```

# Answer
> 0 votes
Just a heads up. I read this little post on XDA and another user's resolution was:

> -Go to Settings-\>Applications-\>Manage Applications-\>All
> -Select "Clear Data" for Google Play Services and Google Service Framework
> -Reboot the device

This would be a good first start. I did some more digging (as I am unable to recreate the fault) and found it also appears necessary to remove your Google Account and re-add it to your device, so this may also be a good shot.

If this is a dire circumstance (and you cannot format your phone or perform a system update), you can enable unknown sources and find the APK you need - this should install.

Lastly, here is a nice little video to help demonstrate what you need to do.

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


# Question
Title: Nexus 5 hangs after few minutes with screen off
So, recently, I've got myself a few broken Nexus 5 phones to try to repair them. One of these, however, eludes my attempts to diagnose/fix the problem.

A few minutes after i press the off button to turn the screen off, the phone ceases to react. Experimentally, I found out it was about two minutes. Before that limit, pressing the button again wakes the phone ok, everything works. After that time, the phone doesn't work anymore, and requires long button press to force restart.

It doesn't happen if the phone is connected via usb to charger/pc, no freeze whatsoever, only hangs on battery.

I've limited the scope of the problem to the mainboard - after transplanting it to different phone, same thing happens.

OS version doesn't matter, tested on KK, Lollipop, and Marshmallow, original ROM's - all the same.

Once when I connected frozen phone to PC, I entered a "DBI Apps Watchdog Reset! DemiGod Crash Handler" screen. (Not reliably reproducible behavior)  Anybody has any idea what's going on and how to fix it? I have some experience with SMD soldering, so if it's something purely hardware related, I can attempt a fix myself. I also have a donor mainboard.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I've experienced something similar, when I put my phone for charge and when I unplug after few minutes, it hangs for some time, the lock screen doesn't respond at all, and the battery icon shows still charging. If the alarm is on, it's unable to switch off the alarm, remember this is for about a minute or 2 then everything goes back to normal

---
Tags: nexus-5, hardware, system-freeze, maintenance
---


# Question
Title: Google play store not working when default install location is SD card
I have a non-rooted Android 5.0 device. The Android installation of my phone provides an option to set the default storage location (analogous to `adb shell pm set-install-location 2`, I think).

After changing the install location, and moving the existing data files to the SD card, the already installed apps are working okay so far. I can install apps from downloaded apk files too, which goes directly to the SD card).

However I can't install any new app or update existing ones via the Google Play store. It simply throws an error stating that the app could not be installed / updated with the error code 963.

I have tried clearing cache, Google play data and resetting Google play to factory state. But the problem persists. How should I proceed next?

# Answer
> 1 votes
The problem has been fixed. I don't know what caused it to fix itself, but here is the list of what I tried -

* Clear application data of *Google Play Services* and *Google Services Framework*.
* Clear application data of *Google Play Store*
* Uninstall updates of *Google Play Store*
* Remove the Google Account from the device and then adding it again.

After Google Play Store is now installing and updating apps on the SD card without any fuss.

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


# Question
Title: how do you properly root galaxy s3 i9300 on mac?
I am trying to root my Galaxy S3 i9300 on a Apple Mac.

I followed the instructions here

But instead of my phone starting up ClockWorkMod recovery, my phone keeps booting up on android recovery.

Any tips on how to go from here?

# Answer
> 0 votes
Try flashing again, while you do tick off the `auto reboot`. Then take the battery out when it’s done flashing. Then enter ClockworkMod Recovery right away.

PS: Just try if you are ready to experiment. I don't give any guarantee.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I would first of all recommend downloading the newest version of heimdall and using the terminal to do it because the app has problems in my personal experience.

First, boot your device into download mode (vol down, home, power on most devices), then vol up to confirm, then plug your device in. Now from the bin directory of heimdall, write:

```
sudo ./heimdall print-pit

```

To see your partition scheme. If you already know your partition scheme, and don't need to check for the name of your recovery partition, skip this.

```
sudo ./heimdall flash --PARTITION ~/Desktop/recovery.img --no-reboot

```

Replace the path on the end with the path to your recovery image, and the `--PARTITION` the name of your recovery partition. It should be `--RECOVERY` but it is still good to check.

**NOTE**:I always put `--no-reboot` on the end because when I don't, the recovery never seems to flash properly. You can then long press power to turn off, or take your battery out and back in. This could also be the reason that the flash fails for you.

---
Tags: rooting, samsung-galaxy-s-3
---


# Question
Title: Why my LG G4 cannot boot or use TWRP custom recovery but cyanogenrecovery without problems?
For several days I am trying to get TWRP custom recovery on my LG G4 h815 International. Currently the phone is unlocked and has Cyanogenmod 13 and cyanogenrecovery but without google gapps. I really want to have google gapps on the ROM but I am unable to flash with cyanogenrecovery Unable to flash gapps via cyanogenrecovery on a LG G4 (LG h815 Int). Therefore I want to replace cyanogenrecovery by TWRP recovery.

When I do **fastboot boot twrp-3.0.0-0-h815.img**, the phone boots normally.

When I do **fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.0.0-0-h815.img** a get no error and successfully flash but I cannot boot into recovery.

When I do **fastboot boot cm-13.0-20160209-NIGHTLY-h815-recovery.img**, the phone boots correctly into cyanogenrecovery but this recovery gives an error 70 when flashing gapps. Flashing cm-13.0-20160209-NIGHTLY-h815-recovery.img is also successful and I can successfully boot into cyanogenrecovery.

For all nightlies of cyanogenrecovery I am able to boot in recovery and/or flash but all of them gives error 70. For all of the 4 versions of TWRP https://dl.twrp.me/h815/ I cannot boot into them by using fastboot. Flashing al of them results to that I am completely unable to boot into recovery (also no cyanogenrecovery anomore).

Also I unchecked update cyanogenrecovery in developer options.

When flashing TWRP with flashify there is no error but also no boot into TWRP. Flasing cyanogenrecovery in flashify gives also no error and booting properly in that recovery.

Does anybody knows why I can boot into cyanogenrecovery without problems but booting into any version of TWRP seems to be impossible. I have the idea that my phone doesn't accept a TWRP recovery because of cyanogenrecovery boots without any problems after flashing.

# Answer
Finally I got TWRP on my LG G4 h815. The problem was that I had to use the TWRP version of the LG h811 instead of h815. The developers of TWRP put recoveries for the h815 under h811 downloads and recoveries for h811 under downloads for h815.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, twrp, lg-g4
---


# Question
Title: Unable to flash TWRP on a LG G4 (LG H815)
I own an international LG G4 LG H815 and running Ubuntu 14.04 LTS. For the whole day I am unable to flash TWRP on the phone. First I unlocked the bootloader with succes. Now I am trying to flash TWRP on the phone, commands that I used are :

```
mark@Mark-PC:~/Bureaublad/LG_G4_unlock/Root$ adb reboot bootloader
@Mark-PC:~/Bureaublad/LG_G4_unlock/Root$ sudo fastboot flash recovery twrp-2.8.6.0-hima.img
target reported max download size of 536870912 bytes
sending 'recovery' (35928 KB)...
OKAY [  1.440s]
writing 'recovery'...
OKAY [  0.353s]
finished. total time: 1.793s

```

After flashing I immidiately turned of the phone by pulling out the battery to prevent normal booting. Every time I boot in the normal stock recovery that offers my to perform a factory reset.

I was reading the question flashing twrp on lg g4 no error, but no twrp but tries were also not succesfull. Chosing yes in the stock recovery wiped the data instead of booting to TWRP. I tried the same with different versions of TWRP for the LG H815 and of them gave the same result. My LG G4 is running Android 5.1 stock ROM without root.

I was also unable to find a file to flash by using fastboot that offers root access to flash a recovery from Android. All of the methods to root requires a working TWRP recovery.

```
mark@Mark-PC:~/Bureaublad/LG_G4_unlock/Root$ sudo fastboot boot twrp-2.8.6.0-hima.img

```

Booting of the image directly did also not work

I will be very happy when I am able to salve this problem.

Now I tried this manual on another Windows laptop : https://techbeasts.com/2015/06/16/install-twrp-recovery-on-lg-g4-root-it/

but after the commands

```
C:\Program Files (x86)\Minimal ADB and Fastboot>fastboot boot recovery.img
downloading 'boot.img'...
OKAY [  0.710s]
booting...
OKAY [  0.400s]
finished. total time: 1.117s

```

unfortunately it boots normal after 20 seconds and stays unaffected.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Finally I found the solution. The developers of TWRP switched the recoveries for the LG h811 and LG h815 model. So I downloaded and flashed a TWRP recovery under h811 downloads and that recovery works properly on my LG h815.

---
Tags: rooting, twrp, lg-g4
---


# Question
Title: Firefox / uBlock Origin only showing camera / image apps when clicking on a file upload button
I'm looking to import my uBlock Origin settings from my desktop PC, which is in a text file, to uBlock Origin in Firefox for Android.

The issue is: When I click on the 'Restore from file...' button on uBlock Origin in Firefox Android, I only get prompted to choose between camera / image apps:

In a Windows PC, clicking on that button will open up an Explorer window allowing you to select a text file to import. I can't import a text file with any of the above apps shown. Is there an app I should install to allow this? How should I configure it?

Details: I have Google Drive and ES File Explorer installed. This is on Android 4.4.2, Firefox for Android 44.0, uBlock Origin 1.5.5.

# Answer
As confirmed by OP this app resolved the problem App Picker Classic. From app description

> If you have app choices that are currently hidden - maybe you chose "Always" by accident once, but you'd like to be able to reinstate the app and choose each time - then reset these by clearing the defaults in the application manager of your phone/tablet.

In addition, this app permits working with some app intents and resolves common URLs. One needs to install the app, reset defaults and enable required app.

**Note**

Despite the app being not updated for last two years, it even works with Marshmallow, as can be seen from @Arlinds answer here \- which was a surprise to me, and the reason for remembering it !
> 2 votes

---
Tags: 4.4-kitkat, firefox-for-android
---


# Question
Title: Missing voice input button on the standard keyboard - Lollipop
Posting and answering this to help others experiencing the same issue as me. This was also asked here.

If only one keyboard is enabled, i.e. Google Keyboard - English (US), the keyboard shown whenever text input is needed sometimes does not have a microphone icon (or any option to select voice typing).

Some things that may not show:

* Microphone icon (in older Android versions, this was beside the space bar on the on-screen keyboard)
* Pressing and holding space bar does not trigger the input selection screen (that normally would have featured voice typing as an option).

Please refer to my own answer below https://android.stackexchange.com/a/104896/198

# Answer
Try installing the Google application from the Play Store.

I disabled the Google App on my phone and the voice commands were gone from the keyboard. When I re-enabled it, the microphone icon was back. Hope that helps.
> 7 votes

# Answer
There are two solutions that I found:

1. Microphone icon
    * This has now been moved to the text correction area of the keyboard. **Text correction may not be enabled on your device.** Enable this by heading to Settings -\> Language & input -\> Google Keyboard -\> Text correction -\> Enable "Show correction suggestions." This was roughly mentioned here.
2. Pressing and holding the space bar
    * I managed to get this option to work by enabling another keyboard in addition to the Google English (US) keyboard and Google voice typing. Like in the previous item, head over to Settings -\> Language & input, then go to Current Keyboard. On the popup screen, select "Choose Keyboards" to select another input method such as Google Korean Input. You should now be able to press and hold the space bar during text input to select voice typing.

Hope this helps!
> 4 votes

# Answer
Additionally I found under language and input \> default there is an "add keyboards" option. In my case "google voice typing" was unchecked for some reason.
> 3 votes

# Answer
While no answer provide's a straight solution, I'd like to add one.

This is for Android 5+

Go to settings \> language and input \> in "keyboards and input methods" submenu click on the keyboard that is active you should now be in a menu with \> preferences, advanced, gesture typing options \> click on preferences \> you'll find a "voice input key" option just select/deselect to activate/deactivate
> 3 votes

# Answer
I was able to press and hold on the settings icon

and the microphone icon appeared along with settings and email icon. I tapped on it and the mic icon was back on the keyboard.
> 1 votes

# Answer
In Android Lollipop (I tried on 5.1.1), if you enable another language input method editor (IME, for example, Japanese IME or Hindi IME) and also have the Google voice typing enabled in the language and input settings, then when you start typing in any app where you can type, you hold down the spacebar and you will get a small menu showing you the option to voice type, then just tap the option and the voice typing input will open.

<sub>(Click image to enlarge)</sub>
> 0 votes

# Answer
I found it for my LG G4

Settings - General - Language & Input - Keyboard Settings - Keyboard Height & Layout - QWERTY Keyboard Layout
> 0 votes

---
Tags: gboard
---


title: SSHelper: SD card Permission denied

text:
# Question
Title: SSHelper: SD card Permission denied
I am unable to write to my sdcard using SSHelper:

```
u0_a264@MSM8974:/storage/sdcard1 $ df /storage/sdcard1
Filesystem               Size     Used     Free   Blksize
/storage/sdcard1       119.1G   625.3M   118.4G   32768

u0_a264@MSM8974:/storage/sdcard1 $ mkdir Test

mkdir failed for Test, Permission denied

```

In the "internal" sdcard there is no problem:

```
u0_a264@MSM8974:/data/data/com.arachnoid.sshelper/home $ mkdir Test
u0_a264@MSM8974:/data/data/com.arachnoid.sshelper/home $ rmdir Test

```

Android 5.1.1 App info Permissions shows:

* modify or delete the content of your sdcard. read the contents of your SD card

What is missing to be able to scp files on my micro SD card using SSHelper ?

# Answer
Take a look at the various ways to get around this issue as explained in the official docs.

Here're some excerpt:

> One solution, not at all easy, is to take the external storage device out of the Android device, write to it elsewhere, and put it back. This is a great pain, and works only if you have access to the device and are a bit of a techie.
>
> There's a more difficult solution that grants permanent write access in place, which I will explain here. But be warned — this is not a normal activity for end users, and without being careful you could brick your device.

The latter solution requires root access and modifying `/system/etc/permissions/platform.xml` to include `<group gid="media_rw" />` permission in the relevant sections as shown below:

```
<permission name="android.permission.READ_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" >
    <group gid="sdcard_r" />
    <group gid="media_rw" />
</permission>

<permission name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" >
    <group gid="sdcard_r" />
    <group gid="sdcard_rw" />
    <group gid="media_rw"/>
</permission>

<permission name="android.permission.ACCESS_ALL_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" >
    <group gid="sdcard_r" />
    <group gid="sdcard_rw" />
    <group gid="sdcard_all" />
    <group gid="media_rw" />
</permission>

```

Also note that your changes to the above file will most likely be lost when you do an OTA (Over-The-Air) update.
> 5 votes

---
Tags: external-sd, sd-card, ssh
---


title: Google Play Games without Google Plus

text:
# Question
Title: Google Play Games without Google Plus
Lots of Android games have some "achievement" features that give you badges for completing some task in the game. This sounds like fun and I'd like to try it.

Apparently, those features are only available once you are signed in to Google Play Games. I don't mind that. I do mind, however, that trying to register to Google Play Games asks me to create a Google+ profile, which I definitely do not want (I don't want another social networking account, and I particularly don't want a potentially public social networking account associated with my personal gaming activities).

Is there are way to use Google Play Games features without a Google+ account?

# Answer
> 2 votes
It **is possible** now. As mentioned here

* Players are prompted to sign-in once per account, rather than once per game
* Players no longer need their account upgraded to Google+ to use Play Games services
* Once players have signed-in for the first time, they will no longer need to sign in to any future games; they will be automatically signed in

Note: Players can turn off auto-sign-in through the Play Games App’s settings

# Answer
> 4 votes
No, it is not possible to use Google Play Games without a Google+ account because much of Google Play Games is social and so it makes sense for it to integrate it with Google+. But if you don't want to use the social side of Google+ but still use Google Play Games, you could create a Google+ account and disable all the social features, make every aspect of your profile private and also disable all social options in Google Play Games too.

---
Tags: google-account, google-play-games
---


title: Android Chrome tab data

text:
# Question
Title: Android Chrome tab data
On desktop Chrome, data about tabs, like their arrangement and the URLs that accessed via the back and forward buttons, are stored in the files "Current Tabs" and "Last Tabs". Since Chrome for Android also has an arrangement of tabs and since I have back and forward buttons in them, this data must also be stored by Chrome somewhere. How can I receive this data? Can it be accessed by another application like Chrome's history can be? Do I need root?

I am not talking about that sync mechanism.

# Answer
*Note: This is a partial answer and addresses the current tabs.*

---

> Do I need root?

Yes, because you won't be able to go beyond the directory (`/data/data/com.android.chrome/app_tabs`). There lies a directory named `0` which can only be accessed by the owner of that directory, which in this case is user ID assigned to Chrome app.

Each tab is represented by a file with name `tab<DIGITS>`, where `<DIGITS>` is natural numbers. E.g. tab199, tab200 and so on. All the URLs accessed in a tab, to-and-fro, are stored in its corresponding tab file.

The file `tab_state` contains the URLs of the resources currently displayed in all the tabs.

**Note** that the said info is an educated guess of mine. Those files are not in plain text but gives enough information to make a good guess.

> Can it be accessed by another application like Chrome's history can be?

I don't know. If Chrome doesn't explicitly provides a mechanism then rest assured that no app can access the info about tabs directly from Chrome's data directory. They may have better luck with accessibility service however.
> 0 votes

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


# Question
Title: Can I login to Whatsapp Web without scanning the QR code?
My camera doesn't work. I already tried downloading different camera applications but none of them worked. Problem is physical not software-related. How can I login to Whatsapp Web without scanning the QR code?

# Answer
You can't, you need to scann with Whatsapp, if you scann the QR code with a normal reader, how a website or similar, you only get a plain text.

Whatsapp send that text to your own server to enable you a session in your browser.
> 5 votes

---
Tags: whatsapp-messenger, camera
---


# Question
Title: How to switch between viewing of two different pages of one PDF file easily
For example, the pdf file could be a research paper or a book and it has a complicated diagram on page 10, and text in page 11, 12, 13 refers to this diagram constantly. Or page 100 has a complicated example and text in page 200 refers to the example in page 100. The example or the diagram is complicated in the sense that I cannot recall its details easily without looking at it. If I were reading this pdf on a desktop computer with a large monitor, I would open two windows side by side, one window displaying page 100, another window displaying page 200, and if the monitor was small, I would have two maximized windows and I would be Alt+Tab-ing between the two.

If I were reading this pdf on my Android smartphone while I was on a bus, what can I do to easily switch between viewing of page 100 and page 200?

A workaround I use for now is to take a snapshot image of page 100, and then switch between an image viewer (for viewing page 100) and pdf reader (for viewing page 200), and I wonder if there are better ways.

# Answer
> 1 votes
The Xodo PDF Reader can do this and I am sure other readers can as well. You can add any number of bookmarks and switch between them easily.

You can download it from here and you can find its website from here.

---
Tags: pdf
---


# Question
Title: If you root your phone should you do OTA update?
I am rooting my xiaomi phone.

I am using instruction here

http://en.miui.com/thread-190889-1-1.html

The truth is I actually prefer to wait till I have an update. Device enscryption for xiaomi doesn't work yet. Some said it will work for miui 7.1

Well, I go ahead and root it anyway.

WHat about if latter miui 7.1 is available?

Should I just do OTA?

# Answer
If you update your rooted phone you will lose your root access and will need to root your phone again which could be a problem because previous method of rooting may not be working on new version. You will need to wait until the same rooting method you used earlier releases a compatible update or you might need to find a compatible method.
> 2 votes

# Answer
I read the instructions and it seems safe. You could run into problems if you OTA while having a custom recovery like TWRP or CWM. However, that method does not seem to require you to change your recovery. Keep in mind that after you apply the OTA there's a good chance that the root will be lost, and you might not be able to re-gain it until a new method is found for the new ROM version.

Good luck!
> 0 votes

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Tags: rooting
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# Question
Title: Nexus 5x connected external HDMI/DP - how?
I want to connect my LG Nexus 5x to an external HDMI or Display Port (in mirror or extended desktop mode).

Is it possible? Which connectors/cables required?

# Answer
It won't work with slimport! The Nexus 5x has a USB type c port. Also google has stated that the 5X will not work with USB type c to HDMI adapters. The only way currently to get the video signal from the 5X or 6P is to use screen mirroring with a supported device (chromecast or Nexus player).
> 5 votes

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Tags: external-display, nexus-5x
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title: Filtering Play Store

text:
# Question
Title: Filtering Play Store
I often look for "best" application among other similar. Of course, what is best for me, is not necessarily best for anyone else.

When I look for "best" application for desktop operating system, I usually use wikipedia comparison pages, where I can clearly see facts in sortable table, then I can copy it to excel and reduce them with my requirements. Depending on amount of software, it takes about 10-20 minutes.

However, I fail to find similar technique for Android applications.

For example, last time I have been searching for softkeyboard, I have installed about 20-30 keyboards, activated each one, then checked for functionality and note it in excel manually. After 4 hours I have make decision, that I am happy with, but it's far too much mindless clicking.

The only way of filtering apps in play store I can see is by category and then by ex. downloads or rating, but thats definitely not what I want. I have found website like appcrawlr.com that allows searching descriptions and opinions, that helps, but I need more explicit constraints.

This question is general, as I would like to avoid such problems in future, but to be more specific, I'll use my current example. I am trying to pick "best" call recording app. I would like it to be able to upload it into cloud of my choice. Nearly every soft like this claims in description, that it can do it. So I have picked bunch of apps and installed them. Then, on closer look I have noticed, that few of them do have option of uploading, but only in pro version (that I do not want, because I do not want google to have my credit card).

On the other side, not every feature of application is noted in description.

tl;dr How can I filter apps in play store, by features they offer? I cannot believe, I am first person that would like feature like ebay or amazon offers in play store. Like, for example, I want to find all applications, that record calls, and upload them by sftp or ftps, or other example, I would like to find pdf readers, that offer page cropping - how can I do it?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Currently this is not possible.

You can view apps by category, and search by keywords, but you cannot see individual features of an app.

When you use Wikipedia, you're comparing software that does the same task, so it is easy to compare. However, if every app listed every feature in a standardised way, there would be literally thousands of options and it would be overwhelming for the majority of users.

I'd recommend reading descriptions, play store reviews as well as reviews from online sites like Android Central and Android Police etc.

Rather than comparing tables of specs, I'd suggest just using an app that looks the best, and sticking with it until you decide it's not right. If you leave a constructive review, the developer will be able to improve it.

PS, you can use PayPal or other payment methods so that Google doesn't have you're card details.

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Tags: google-play-store
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# Question
Title: How to update a text file using both a desktop text editor and an android phone?
I do most of my text edits on my desktop (using a text editor), but sometimes I'd like to edit them on my phone. I know that one alternative is creating a shortcut to my desktop text file, dragging it to the Dropbox folder, opening the Dropbox app on my phone, looking for the file, and editing it with an android editor (Jota, for example). This is a bit cumbersome.

I'm wondering if there is a better way to edit files using a text editor (so, no Google Docs) and keep editing on my phone.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Create an account with Evernote and download that app. on your phone. It will synch whatever you enter on any piece of kit you have it on.

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Tags: sync, text-editor
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