# Question
Title: Is it better to detach a charger when my Android device gets fully charged?
When using my Android device at my desk, is it better to (from a battery health point of view) detach a charger as soon as the device gets fully charged, or is it ok to keep it on the charger? I like to use it at my desk while it is plugged in so that it is fully charged when I walk away, is this ok?

# Answer
> 3 votes
There are a lot of theories and myths about battery life and I haven't seen enough statistically significant data to support any of those 'theories'. I have heard that it is bad to use a phone while it is plugged in but I will tell you why I think this is wrong.

From my own experience as an Android developer, my phone is ALWAYS plugged in when I am at my computer and it is almost always fully charged while I am using it. I have been an Android developer for about 2 years now. I program just about everyday, which means everyday my phone is plugged into my charger while I am programming. I have an old Droid 3 that I use for testing compatibility for Gingerbread (2.3.3). When I got the phone it needed to recharge every other day. Now, unless I use it constantly, it will survive for just over a day. For a 2 year old battery, that is pretty standard degeneration.

If you think about it, everyone pretty much plugs their phone in at night and it will take about an hour to two hours to charge (if the batter is completely dead). That means that the device is sitting on the charger for about 6 hours fully charged every night (if you sleep 8 hours a night). I don't think that a few hours of it on the charger while you are at work will affect your battery's lifespan enough for you to notice.

If anyone has any logical reason or statistically significant data to support the fact that this is a bad idea, then I will eat my words but from my experience I would say that your battery will not experience any significant lifespan decay from you plugging it in at work.

If you want to know more LifeHacker thinks it's a bad idea, but they give no statistical support for their tables

Over at Android Forum it seems the general consensus is that it doesn't matter.

Here at android.stackexchage it seems like the general consensus is that constant charging doesn't really hurt your battery, but you should do maintenance discharges to keep it healthy:

> Although constant charging cannot hurt, it looks like you may want to periodically run the battery all the way down so the digital circuits can correctly calibrate

If you really want to get to the bottom of it you can read this article. Although, Jeff Atwood has done a pretty good summery of the article:

> * Avoid frequent full discharges because this puts additional strain on the battery. Several partial discharges with frequent recharges are better for lithium-ion than one deep one. Recharging a partially charged lithium-ion does not cause harm because there is no memory. (In this respect, lithium-ion differs from nickel-based batteries.) Short battery life in a laptop is mainly cause by heat rather than charge / discharge patterns.
> * Batteries with fuel gauge (laptops) should be calibrated by applying a deliberate full discharge once every 30 charges. Running the pack down in the equipment does this. If ignored, the fuel gauge will become increasingly less accurate and in some cases cut off the device prematurely.
> * Keep the lithium-ion battery cool. Avoid a hot car. For prolonged storage, keep the battery at a 40% charge level.
> * Consider removing the battery from a laptop when running on fixed power. (Some laptop manufacturers are concerned about dust and moisture accumulating inside the battery casing.)
> * Avoid purchasing spare lithium-ion batteries for later use. Observe manufacturing dates. Do not buy old stock, even if sold at clearance prices.
> * If you have a spare lithium-ion battery, use one to the fullest and keep the other cool by placing it in the refrigerator. Do not freeze the battery. For best results, store the battery at 40% state-of-charge.

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


# Question
Title: Cyanogenmod 10.1 becomes unstable with usage?
Does CM 10.1 become more and more unstable with usage? I have a Galaxy Mini S5570 running CM 10.1. After flashing the ROM my phone works fine for one or two weeks. But soon my phone starts crashing more often. The phone starts rebooting every now and then. Apps (especially Camera.apk) start crashing often even though I haven't installed any new apps. This doesn't happen for the for the first few days after flashing the ROM. Is there any fix for this? Any patch available so that my phone can run smoothly even after 2 weeks?

# Answer
I wouldn't run the "Addon Apps" like "RAM Manager" or the "Seeder" script. I am not sure if you are using those, but the RAM manager could cause instability because it forces applications to close to "free ram".

The need to free RAM is a myth, if an application kills other apps, to free up some RAM, the OS will find something else to fill that RAM. Android does not want free RAM, it sees free RAM as wasted RAM.

As for "Seeder", if you are running that, I would either try updating, if you don't have the latest, or fresh install official CM without this script. Even the developer of this is acknowledging that it has been causing instability, like locking and reboots.

The biggest issue, really, that I see is that you are trying CM 10.1 on a device that has not been supported by CM for some time. This device's last official build was CM 7.2. So another reason you are seeing instability is because you are trying to run a version of Android on hardware that really doesn't support it. The CM team usually only drops support for a device when they can no longer get the latest builds to run on the device.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, rom-flashing, crashes, samsung-galaxy-mini
---


title: Why does my screen turn itself ON?

text:
# Question
Title: Why does my screen turn itself ON?
I am having a problem with my phone's screen arbitrarily turning itself on. It has been going on for a while, but I finally got a logcat of it, so here it is. If anyone can find anything in here that looks like it is causing the problem, and how to resolve it, please let me know.

I'm particularly suspicious of the first entry at `10-01 18:25:44.411` and the other entries that say `E/power`, but I don't know what to make of the rest.

```
10-01 18:25:32.079 D/PowerManagerService(  279): Screen__Off : releaseWakeLockLocked flags=0x0 tag=AdControllerWakeLock myUID=1000 myPID=279 myTID=505
10-01 18:25:32.079 I/PowerManagerService(  279): Ulight 7->0|0
10-01 18:25:32.079 D/PowerManagerService(  279): setLightBrightness : mButtonLight : 0
10-01 18:25:32.129 V/MmsProvider(  425): Query uri=content://mms/inbox, match=2
10-01 18:25:32.300 D/dalvikvm(  279): GC_CONCURRENT freed 2041K, 47% free 10031K/18759K, external 11107K/12124K, paused 9ms+8ms
10-01 18:25:32.300 D/StagefrightPlayer(  181): reset
10-01 18:25:32.300 D/StagefrightPlayer(  181): reset over
10-01 18:25:32.300 D/StagefrightPlayer(  181): reset
10-01 18:25:32.300 D/StagefrightPlayer(  181): reset over
10-01 18:25:32.330 D/dalvikvm( 1425): GC_CONCURRENT freed 503K, 47% free 3365K/6279K, external 0K/0K, paused 1ms+3ms
10-01 18:25:32.360 I/APACHE HTTP (thCr=11) - NafHttpAuthStrategyDefault( 2143): (thUse=11) NafHttpAuthStrategyDefault()
10-01 18:25:32.360 I/APACHE HTTP (thCr=11) - GbaSupportIndicatorRequestUpdaterDefault( 2143): (thUse=11) GbaSupportIndicatorRequestUpdaterAbstract() userHeaderPredefined=null
10-01 18:25:32.430 D/dalvikvm( 2143): GC_CONCURRENT freed 378K, 49% free 3115K/6023K, external 0K/0K, paused 3ms+2ms
10-01 18:25:32.440 I/APACHE HTTP (thCr=11) - NafHttpAuthStrategyDefault( 2143): (thUse=11)    cached value : gbaSupportIsPossible=null
10-01 18:25:32.440 I/APACHE HTTP (thCr=11) - NafHttpAuthStrategyDefault( 2143): (thUse=11)    The current context is NOT a context of GBA service.
10-01 18:25:32.440 I/APACHE HTTP (thCr=11) - GbaSupportPermissionRequestCheckerImpl( 2143): (thUse=11) isCurrentProcessRequestedGba()#finished   result=false
10-01 18:25:32.440 I/APACHE HTTP (thCr=11) - GbaSupportPermissionRequestCheckerImpl( 2143): (thUse=11) isCurrentProcessAllowedToUseGba()#started   result=false
10-01 18:25:32.440 I/APACHE HTTP (thCr=11) - NafHttpAuthStrategyDefault( 2143): (thUse=11)    The GBA permission wasn't requested for this process.
10-01 18:25:32.440 I/APACHE HTTP (thCr=11) - NafHttpAuthStrategyDefault( 2143): (thUse=11) It is impossible to support GBA now (many possible reasons: no Android Context, current client is GBA service, etc.), then it will be just usual HTTP.
10-01 18:25:32.440 I/APACHE HTTP (thCr=11) - NafRequestExecutorWrapperRedirectionHandler( 2143): (thUse=11)    It isn't GBA flow, redirection responses are not handled.
10-01 18:25:32.570 V/DATA    (  425): [DCT(0) ] intent received :android.intent.action.SCREEN_ON
10-01 18:25:32.570 D/WallpaperService(  279): ACTION_SCREEN_ON
10-01 18:25:32.580 D/PhoneUtils(  425): updateRAFT() : FactoryMode : false
10-01 18:25:32.740 D/dalvikvm( 2143): GC_FOR_MALLOC freed 300K, 52% free 2928K/6023K, external 0K/0K, paused 34ms
10-01 18:25:32.750 D/DATA    (  425): [DSST(0)] pollstate() : reason = data network state changed
10-01 18:25:32.840 E/power   (  279): *** set_screen_state 0
10-01 18:25:32.840 I/PowerManagerService(  279): Light Animator Finished curIntValue=0
10-01 18:25:32.840 D/PowerManagerService(  279): enableLightSensor false
10-01 18:25:32.850 D/SensorManager(  279): unregisterListener:: disable all sensors for this listener,  name = GP2A Light Sensor listener = com.android.server.PowerManagerService$13@4052ad40
10-01 18:25:32.850 D/KeyguardViewMediator(  279): onScreenTurnedOff(3)
10-01 18:25:32.850 D/KeyguardViewMediator(  279): notifyScreenOffLocked
10-01 18:25:32.850 D/KeyguardViewMediator(  279): resetStateLocked
10-01 18:25:32.850 D/KeyguardViewMediator(  279): handleNotifyScreenOff
10-01 18:25:32.850 I/OrientationDebug(  279): [pwm] in updateOrientationListenerLp()
10-01 18:25:32.850 D/LockPatternKeyguardView(  279): onScreenTurnedOff()
10-01 18:25:32.850 D/KeyguardViewMediator(  279): handleReset
10-01 18:25:32.850 V/OrientationDebug(  279): in updateOrientationListenerLp(), Screen status=false, current orientation=5, SensorEnabled=false
10-01 18:25:32.850 W/PowerManagerService(  279): CurLockF mPS:0 mUS=0
10-01 18:25:32.850 W/PowerManagerService(  279): type=PARTIAL_WAKE_LOCK              'RILJ' active (mS=0)  activeT=20
10-01 18:25:32.850 W/PowerManagerService(  279): type=PARTIAL_WAKE_LOCK              'sleep_broadcast' active (mS=0)  activeT=3
10-01 18:25:32.850 W/PowerManagerService(  279): mPokeLocks.size=0:
10-01 18:25:32.850 D/PowerManagerService(  279): sendNotificationLocked on=false
10-01 18:25:32.850 D/PowerManagerService(  279): mNotificationTask : off
10-01 18:25:32.850 V/WindowManager(  279): Setting event dispatching to false
10-01 18:25:32.870 D/VoldCmdListener(  173): volume shared /mnt/sdcard ums
10-01 18:25:32.870 D/MountService(  279): doGetVolumeShared :: path = /mnt/sdcard, method = ums, result = false
10-01 18:25:32.870 D/VoldCmdListener(  173): volume shared /mnt/sdcard/external_sd ums
10-01 18:25:32.880 D/dalvikvm(  425): GC_EXPLICIT freed 351K, 41% free 4104K/6919K, external 0K/1280K, paused 48ms
10-01 18:25:32.880 D/MountService(  279): doGetVolumeShared :: path = /mnt/sdcard/external_sd, method = ums, result = false
10-01 18:25:32.880 D/MountService(  279):  :::: isUsbMassStorageEnabled :: ret = false
10-01 18:25:32.890 D/StatusBarService(  407): animateCollapse() - updateViewLayout
10-01 18:25:32.910 D/DATA    (  425): [DSST(0)] Poll ServiceState done: oldSS=[0 home null null null  HSPA CSS not supported -1 -1RoamInd: -1DefRoamInd: -1EmergOnly: false] newSS=[0 home null null null  HSPA CSS not supported -1 -1RoamInd: -1DefRoamInd: -1EmergOnly: false]
10-01 18:25:32.910 V/DATA    (  425): [DCT(0) ] intent received :android.intent.action.SCREEN_OFF
10-01 18:25:32.920 D/WallpaperService(  279): ACTION_SCREEN_OFF
10-01 18:25:32.930 D/PhoneUtils(  425): updateRAFT() : FactoryMode : false
10-01 18:25:32.990 D/SurfaceFlinger(  279): About to give-up screen, flinger = 0x88720
10-01 18:25:33.601 D/BatteryService(  279): update start
10-01 18:25:33.601 D/BatteryService(  279): US/CANADA GSM Models
10-01 18:25:33.601 D/BatteryService(  279): updateBattery level:37 scale:100 status:2 health:2 present:true voltage: 3811 temperature: 283 technology: Li-ion AC powered:false USB powered:true icon:17302234
10-01 18:25:33.631 D/PhoneUtils(  425): updateRAFT() : FactoryMode : false
10-01 18:25:34.412 E/AlarmManagerService(  279): android_server_AlarmManagerService_set to type=0, 1349130344.397000000
10-01 18:25:34.412 V/AlarmManager(  279): Adding alarm Alarm{40d4f110 type 0 com.gau.go.launcherex.theme.GalaxySTheme} at 0
10-01 18:25:35.202 E/AlarmManagerService(  279): android_server_AlarmManagerService_set to type=1, 1349130355.212000000
10-01 18:25:35.202 V/AlarmManager(  279): Adding alarm Alarm{411a20e8 type 1 com.tecace.tetheringmanager} at 0
10-01 18:25:35.202 V/AlarmManager(  279): sending alarm Alarm{411a20e8 type 1 com.tecace.tetheringmanager}
10-01 18:25:35.233 I/TetheringManagerService( 1885): Running time = 40 seconds
10-01 18:25:40.297 D/dalvikvm( 2109): GC_EXPLICIT freed 17K, 48% free 3321K/6343K, external 0K/0K, paused 63ms
10-01 18:25:44.391 E/AlarmManagerService(  279): android_server_AlarmManagerService_set to type=0, 1349130387.981000000
10-01 18:25:44.391 V/AlarmManager(  279): sending alarm Alarm{40d4f110 type 0 com.gau.go.launcherex.theme.GalaxySTheme}
10-01 18:25:44.391 V/AlarmManager(  279): pending wakeup alarm com.gau.go.launcherex.theme.GalaxySTheme
10-01 18:25:44.411 E/power   (  279): *** set_screen_state 1
10-01 18:25:44.411 D/PowerManagerService(  279): reactivateScreenLocksLocked mProxIgnoredBecauseScreenTurnedOff=false
10-01 18:25:44.411 D/PowerManagerService(  279): Screen__On : acquireWakeLock flags=0x3000001a tag=AdControllerWakeLock uid=10147 pid=2143   myUID=1000 myPID=279 myTID=279
10-01 18:25:44.411 I/PowerManagerService(  279): Ulight 0->7|0
10-01 18:25:44.411 D/PowerManagerService(  279): setLightBrightness : mButtonLight : 237
10-01 18:25:44.421 D/SensorManager(  279): registerListener :: handle = 3  name= GP2A Light Sensor delay= 200000 Listener= com.android.server.PowerManagerService$13@4052ad40
10-01 18:25:44.421 D/PowerManagerService(  279): enableLightSensor true
10-01 18:25:44.502 D/KeyguardViewMediator(  279): onScreenTurnedOn, seq = 18
10-01 18:25:44.502 D/KeyguardViewMediator(  279): notifyScreenOnLocked
10-01 18:25:44.502 I/OrientationDebug(  279): [pwm] in updateOrientationListenerLp()
10-01 18:25:44.502 V/OrientationDebug(  279): in updateOrientationListenerLp(), Screen status=true, current orientation=5, SensorEnabled=false
10-01 18:25:44.502 I/OrientationDebug(  279): [pwm] needSensorRunningLp(), return false #3
10-01 18:25:44.502 D/KeyguardViewMediator(  279): handleNotifyScreenOn
10-01 18:25:44.502 D/LockPatternKeyguardView(  279): onScreenTurnedOn()
10-01 18:25:44.502 D/UnlockScreen(  279): max failed attempt for device disable :0
10-01 18:25:44.502 D/UnlockScreen(  279): isDeviceDisabledForMaxFailedAttempt return :false
10-01 18:25:44.502 D/PowerManagerService(  279): sendNotificationLocked on=true
10-01 18:25:44.502 D/PowerManagerService(  279): mNotificationTask : on
10-01 18:25:44.502 V/WindowManager(  279): Setting event dispatching to true
10-01 18:25:44.512 D/PowerManagerService(  279): acquireDVFSlock : level : 1,    timeMS : 3000
10-01 18:25:44.602 I/Notification(  784): package = com.gau.golauncherex.notification class = com.gau.golauncherex.notification.service.NotificationService
10-01 18:25:44.802 E/MP-Decision(  744): Error(-22) changing core status to online
10-01 18:25:44.812 I/PowerManagerService(  279): Light Animator Finished curIntValue=237
10-01 18:25:45.002 D/SurfaceFlinger(  279): Screen about to return, flinger = 0x88720
10-01 18:25:47.515 D/PowerManagerService(  279): acquireDVFSlock : level : -1,    timeMS : 100
10-01 18:25:47.595 E/power   (  279): release_cpu_max_lock() return -1

```

**UPDATE**

It looks like the Galaxy S Theme is what was causing the problems. Luckily, it was not a stock app, but one I downloaded, so I uninstalled it. For now, I am reserving my accept for a few days to be sure that it has stopped happening.

# Answer
You already pointed to the correct lines -- the interesting ones are the two immediately before it:

```
10-01 18:25:44.391 V/AlarmManager(  279): sending alarm Alarm{40d4f110 type 0 com.gau.go.launcherex.theme.GalaxySTheme}
10-01 18:25:44.391 V/AlarmManager(  279): pending wakeup alarm com.gau.go.launcherex.theme.GalaxySTheme
10-01 18:25:44.411 E/power   (  279): *** set_screen_state 1

```

So GoLauncher GalaxySTheme had requested a wakeup. I've read about similar issues before on another site with other GoLauncher components (cannot remember which ones it were -- but it were some I don't use myself). In your case, there seems to be something special with the Theme used. I take it you explicitly installed GalaxyS GO Launcher EX Themes (compare the apps package name in this url with the log message quoted above: Yes, this is the one having requested the wakeup). You could try to (temporarily) deactivate/remove this theme and see if this helps.
> 6 votes

# Answer
Check if that happens with different launcher, if it doesn't you can try go launcher again with a different theme.
> 2 votes

# Answer
Did you installed any "Battery widget"? I am wondering would `E/power` refer to some battery widgets. I had the same problem before, after uninstalling all battery widgets and restart the phone, problem solved!
> 0 votes

# Answer
There is a flag `ACQUIRE_CAUSES_WAKEUP` in `PowerManager`, which can be used by third-party apps to turn on the screen. I would suggest an easier way to find the cause by using Wakelock detector app from Google Play. More info about Wakelock
> 0 votes

---
Tags: screen, wakelock
---


# Question
Title: Does GPS signal quality influence battery life?
Does bad/weak GPS signal affect battery life? For instance, when in the city downtown with lots of tall buildings or in the woods or mountains, will running GPS drain the battery faster?

# Answer
No. Bad cellphone coverage decreases battery life because the phone has to transmit with more power to be able to communicate back to the cell tower. It's like when you can barely hear someone hollering at you: you shout louder too to make sure they can hear you. But GPS is a one-way signal: the phone only receives it, it doesn't transmit anything. It doesn't matter how much attenuation there is: either the phone can hear or it can't.

The only way a weak GPS signal would cause more power use is if you leave the screen turned on waiting for an app to get a position fix :-)
> 9 votes

# Answer
GPS generally affects battery life significantly only when used (in standby, its energy consumption is neglible, usually far below 1 mW). But when it tries to aquire a fix (i.e. you want to know your current position), it might reach consumption values comparable to your device's screen (~500 mW).

So in your described situation, it might influence battery life. But the "if" and the "how much" depends on how often apps try to aquire a fix. While this usually is done in foreground (i.e. you actively trigger it), there might well be apps using it in background, such as e.g. Location Reminders.
> 6 votes

# Answer
GPS eat up battery, as described in How much does “GPSing” drain the battery?. *But I have no clue is poor GPS reception decreases battery significantly.* And I also read this somewhere: `GPS only takes up battery life when something uses the fine position permission`.

However, it drains more battery if you allow the GPS to be assisted by your network provider. In the Samsung Galaxy S4, this is found in `System settings > More > Location Services > Use wireless networks`. It will use network information to make GPS location even more accurate based on network cell sites that are found nearby. And if network is poor (e.g. 1-bar signal), the phone works harder and drains more power.
> 1 votes

# Answer
I'll neither say yes or a no to this question. :)

Debateable - if you're acquiring a GPS fix through Wifi, you will not get it in the woods or mountains :)

However, if pulling 3G data across in order to acquire a fix, the question then steps in, *how much battery juice is eaten up when trying to get a good "proper" signal* (in between switching masts to get a better signal threshold) etc. (This ties in with @Dan's answer here)

Don't forget some apps will attempt to get a location as well Facebook is one example of such app.

Depends on what apps installed that have location permission, and as well as for services running in the background, all of these, will inevitably, slurp juice trying to run to obtain a GPS fix. So user bias can come in there as well.

One handset with just Maps will claim its fast, another handset with Facebook, Maps, G+, FourSquared will claim its slow.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: battery-life, gps, network-signal, gps-tracking
---


# Question
Title: Samsung Galaxy S phone USB device recognized by host VirtualBox OS but undefined in guest OS
My phone model is

> Samsung Galaxy
>
> S SGH-T959

When plugged in via USB cable, the phone is well recognized by Windows as below snapshot.

But when I select the `Samsung phone` device from `Device` menu of the VirtualBox guest OS window as below snapshot, the device is not regconized after Windows try to auto update driver for that device :(

# Answer
Is the USB icon on the VirtualBox enabled on the guest OS.

If that's disabled, the USB on the host side will not pass it through the guest, this requires the handset plugged in host side.

It's a small icon on the bottom of the VM window, near the hard disk where it shows blinking activity? Click on that, to enable USB pass-through.

Are you intending to flash the device from within a VM?
> 1 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s, windows, usb-drivers, virtualization
---


title: Hide application from app grid?

text:
# Question
Title: Hide application from app grid?
I want my app grid to be minimized to the app I want only. Some apps are built-in by my phone provider and cannot be uninstalled from the phone via `System - Application` menu.

I saw the old phone Samsung Galaxy S that helps us to hide it from app grid but with my new Android phone the Galaxy Nexus, I cannot find it.

How can I get that?

# Answer
> 2 votes
It depends on the launcher you are using. The stock Samsung Galaxy S4 launcher (TouchWiz) supports it.

If the stock launcher doesn't have it, you can use Nova Launcher. It allows you to hide apps so you don't see them on the app drawer.

**UPDATE #1:** According to Izzy's comments below, the following launchers also have a similar feature:

# Answer
> 1 votes
Use a custom launcher like ADW to freely arrange icons and add/remove them.

If you want to uninstall apps that your firmware will not let you, use adb.

---
Tags: app-drawer
---


title: How to display touch points on screen

text:
# Question
Title: How to display touch points on screen
My Galaxy Note with stock ROM had an option via `Settings > Developer > Show touch points` (or something like that). Now, I updated to CyanogenMod, based on Android 4.3 but I can't find an option similar to that anywhere.

My screen was damaged once. Since then, I needed to see the detected touch points on screen at all times, so I can see when the touchscreen gets stuck.

Is there an option (or even an app) for that? I Googled around and looked at the Play Store, but only found multi-touch tester apps. I need something that shows the touch points at all times and in all apps.

# Answer
Looking a bit further I discovered that I have to click 7 times on Build number on phone details to enable the Developer settings.
> 5 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, samsung-galaxy-note, 4.3-jelly-bean
---


# Question
Title: Do running applications and background processes have any effects on Power Consumption?
I need some help with android applications: Do running applications and background processes have any effects on Power Consumption of the Battery (running down so fast)?

# Answer
I would say "Yes" through my own observations. Apps like live wallpapers do have an effect on battery life. Add to that any active radios like WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, Mobile data and battery life can go down the tubes. I have learned to disable things if I am not able to charge right away or need a bit more battery life. I would also like to mention about running apps and background processes, I would suggest not disabling them unless you know what you are doing.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: 4.1-jelly-bean, battery-life
---


# Question
Title: How can I make files available to a restricted profile?
For example I have an emulator and I want the restricted profile to have access to the ROM directory but it seems like the restricted profile has it's own directory structure separate from admin.

I foresee similar problems with any side loaded media like video, audio, eBooks, etc.

# Answer
Put them on the SD card. App data on the internal storage is completely segregated between users (regardless of whether they're full or restricted users), but there's only one SD card for all users. You can add a fake SD card to an emulator: it's another file on the host system, like the fake internal storage.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: 4.3-jelly-bean, multi-user, file-permissions, restricted-profiles
---


# Question
Title: What does permission "MANAGE_ACCOUNTS" mean?
Once in a while I read that MANAGE\_ACCOUNTS Permission is needed (actually it is called "KONTEN HINZUFÜGEN ODER ENTFERNEN" as I have a German phone. I guess the text below is something like "Add or remove accounts, create accounts and set passwords, use accounts on the device" in English).

I'm asking this question because I wanted to install the GitHub-App.

I think I found a very similar question which I would like to include here:

> 1. What does it mean they can create accounts?
> 2. Why would Amazon (Kindle app) / GitHub even need this?
> 3. Are there any risks?

# Answer
> 18 votes
In short, GitHub is using the internal Account System manager to store your GitHub credentials. This works the exact same was as adding a Google account or an Exchange account. Essentially, you are logging in with your credentials and they are stored in the Account Manager, which prevents you from having to re-enter these credentials again in the future.

This is most useful when the credentials are used across multiple applications as you only have to login once. For example, Google Chrome will access your account via the Account Manager instead of forcing you to login again (the yellow dialog that pops up at the bottom asking if you want to sign in with your locally held Account on your phone when visiting gmail or another Google website on your phone's Google Chrome browser).

> > What does it mean they can create accounts?

They can created local accounts on your phone for their application (and only their application). Here's an example of a list on my phone:

Screenshot (Click image for larger variant)

> > Why would Amazon (Kindle app) / GitHub even need this?

It simplifies credentials in Android. It's the recommended method to do this.

> > Are there any risks?

There shouldn't be. If an app uses the AccountManager and say, wants to use your Google account, then it will have to explicitly ask you for permission as it needs an auth token to use that account. See more info on the SDK documentation.

# Answer
> 8 votes
To manage accounts, Android uses several permissions; some of them are easily misunderstood. A very good explanation on *using* accounts can e.g. be found in Dan's answer on the question What can an app do with the “USE ACCOUNTS ON THE DEVICE” permission?. Let me try to sum up the permissions involved and what they mean:

* **ACCOUNT\_MANAGER**: This permission is reserved for system apps. An account-manager is the service working behind the scenes and taking care everything works as expected.
* **AUTHENTICATE\_ACCOUNTS**: An app using this permission usually provides an interface to deal with a certain account type (which is not known by the pre-installed Android system), such as Dropbox. As shipped, Android does not know how to login to Dropbox and how to deal with a Dropbox account – so the Dropbox app provides the mechanism. Additionally, an "account authenticator" might restrict the actions an app can perform with the account (so it would e.g. be possible to administrate this via some web interface offered by the service).
* **GET\_ACCOUNTS**: Obtain a list of available accounts. This way an app which wants e.g. to use Dropbox for storage can check if a fitting account is available. It must verify this before using it.
* **MANAGE\_ACCOUNTS**: The API documentation is not that clear about this permission. But according to Bryans answer, an app can only delete/modify an account it created itself. Of course it can create any new account, and manage that.
* **USE\_CREDENTIALS**: This app may use the "credentials" to log into an account. In most cases, "credentials" just means the corresponding authenticator creates a fitting token and hands that over (though, how to deal with that is left to the authenticator). When using an account for the first time, the *Account Manager* should make sure the user is asked whether he permits this. Again, Dan's answer explains this part well.

I hope I was able to shed some light. This was something which made me nervous as well, so I took two days to dig into it. If I got something wrong, please point it out in the comments so I can correct it.

---
Tags: permissions
---


title: ADW Launcher crashing on home screen

text:
# Question
Title: ADW Launcher crashing on home screen
I installed the wrong theme for ADW and now it crashes every time the home screen displays.

Since the home screen keeps crashing, I can't seem to reach the settings pannel to disable the stupid theme.

I've also tried "Safe Mode" but so far it doesn't help.

# Answer
> 3 votes
Try installing another launcher. Then press the Home key and it will ask you which launcher to use. Select the "new one". Then try going in to Settings -\> Applications -\> Manage Applications -\> ADW and Clear the data.

You will probably also want to delete the "settings backups" that are stored on the sdcard, if you created them.

Then you should be able to switch back to ADW.

If you can't get to the market to install another launcher, you will probably have to side load i using ADB.

Or as Lie Ryan suggests, use the Market Web interface to install another launcher.

# Answer
> 0 votes
There's a much cleaner solution to this, which will work if you have email notifications in the status bar, and can turn internet access on from the status bar widgets. I found it in this xda-developers thread; many thanks to aps786 for getting me out of a fix.

> Problem already solved but just for others visiting this thread, there is a way to get rid of the issue (which worked for me). when there was crash in ADW Launcher, statusbar still works. This is to key to get back to original theme (as you can't access settings directly to set default theme)
>
> * Opened status bar, start internet.
> * From another device (or desktop machine), send a mail to yourself with google play link for the new theme you just installed
> * Your status bar will now have new mail notification (assume its activated)
> * Now access your mail app and open the link from the mail
> * Now you have browser app opened with google play page
> * You will have uninsatll option for that theme. Just do it.
> * Now as new theme is uninstalled, your default theme will come in picture and everything will be normal.
>
> I hope this will help others fall in similar situation after installing new theme.

I suspect you could also do this using SMS, WhatsApp, or any messaging application that can get to your notification bar.

---
Tags: crashes, adw.launcher, themes
---


# Question
Title: samsung galaxy s2 continually flashes and will not turn on
I hope someone can please help me!! I have had my galaxy s2 for about 1 year with no problems until now. I have never dropped the phone or gotten it wet etc...today I forgot to pay my bill and phone was shut off by ATT. Once I realized, I paid the bill and had it turned back on. When it came back on, I could make and receive calls however I Could not connect to the internet or use facebook without turning on WIFI.

If I tried to use internet with no WIFI it said no internet connection. I then decided to turn the phone off by pressing and holding down the power button. I waited a few seconds then tried to turn the phone back on. It began to boot up by flashing the normal samsung galaxy s2 screen. Instead of fully booting, it continually flashes the samsung galaxy s2 screen over and over. After 10+ minutes of this, I decided to remove the battery and try it that way. I am still having the same issue!

The battery is fully charged and when I try to connect it to my computer, the computer does not reconize any decives. I have a lot of pictures, videos and contacts that I am extremely afraid to lose because I have not copied them to my computer for quite some time....I pray that someone can please help me!!

# Answer
> 1 votes
As far as I can tell this is what you need to do. **NOTE: This information comes from my research and not my experience and while this may make your phone usable you may lose your data. I suggest removing your microSD card as it is most likely where your pictures and video are**:

1. Download ODIN from here
2. Register at Sammobile here
3. Download your firmware here
4. Open ODIN
5. Put your Firmware.tar file in the PDA box and tick PDA (DO NOT TICK OR UNTICK ANYTHING ELSE)
6. Attach your phone to your computer using your USB cable and click Start. Don't do anything else until it is done.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Use @ZnewmaN 's method to backup your data. As for what's wrong with the phone, a similar thing happened to my Nexus One sometime back. It just kept on loading and never actually finished booting. Just go to the boot screen or what ever it is called, (usually when you turn on the phone keep the volume down button pressed and press power button) and do a factory reset and it should be fine.

# Answer
> -1 votes
It's possible that the button is stucked. All you have to do is hold down the power button until it works.

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-2, boot
---


# Question
Title: Outlook.com app cannot be used with data/3G
I have been using the the Hotmail app to check my emails. Recently I downloaded the Outlook.com app since it is advertised for better performance and I preferred it's layout over the Hotmail app.

It works fine with my home and office WiFi. But when I tried to use it with my data (3G) connection, it does not synchronize with the server. My email is on a `.com` domain I own. Also I cannot even download the attachments of the previously synced emails.

Is this a bug of the app or something is wrong with my device?

# Answer
> 0 votes
This is an error with your network setting. *Nothing is wrong with your device or the app*.

1. Goto `Settings` -\> `More Settings` -\> `Mobile Networks`
2. Now go to `Access Point Names`
3. Click your `APN`, (e.g. O2)
4. Delete the Proxy and delete the IP Address within it, so it is "Not set"

This was solved in the Microsoft forums.

---
Tags: 3g, outlook, active-sync
---


# Question
Title: Galaxy Pop Gt-S5570 Is Stuck At Samsung Logo After Installing Cynogenmod 10.1
I tried to install Cyanogenmod 10.1 on my galaxy pop gt-s5570 using clockwork recovery 4.0.0.5...

Installation of cynogenmod 10.1 (cm-10.1.0-RC5-GT-S5570-tass) and Gapps successfully completes but after reboot phone is stuck at samsung logo I tried wipe Data/cache/dalvik cache but still the same problem.. please help me out..

# Answer
A "release candidate" is not a stable release. You should report this error to the Cyanogenmod developers so that it can be investigated and fixed for the final release.
> 0 votes

# Answer
Samnsung Galaxy Pop

http://galaxypophacker.blogspot.com/2013/01/ics-stable-cyanogenmod-101nightly-for.html

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2060605

I am using cm-10.1-20130126-EXPERIMENTAL-tass for 5-6 months

very stable
> 0 votes

---
Tags: cyanogenmod, 4.1-jelly-bean, clockworkmod-recovery, boot, samsung-galaxy-mini
---


title: Samsung s3 Unlock

text:
# Question
Title: Samsung s3 Unlock
I bought a Samsung phone, on the T-Mobile carrier in the US. I went to India last week, and got my unlock code from T-Mobile. My India-Vodafone SIM is working fine, except for the internet. I have called customer care, and have changed all the settings, but it doesn't work.

How can I make internet work?

# Answer
If the SIM card works, and you can get a network signal, then the deice is unlocked and it is a different error that is stopping internet from working.

It could be due to a number of reasons that internet isn't working, I am going to list them:

**Invalid/Wrong APN's**

APN (Access Point Names) allow your device to connect to mobile internet. You nust ensure you have the correct ones installed for your network.

**Device not compatible with internet system**

IIRC, the T-Mobile US network uses a different system... It could be that this system isn't compatible with your Indian network for internet access.

Other than the above, I cannot think of any reason internet wouldn't work when mobile network does. Make sure your network is letting you use the internet (no bars, you have internet with your plan) - otherwise, I do not know.
> 3 votes

# Answer
if your phone is working after inserting the different sim card and working fine your phone is unlocked, and there is no issue in phone unlock, the most likely reason for not working the internet is that your phone APN setting is not configured properly, you must have to configure the correct APN setting for that network,
> 0 votes

---
Tags: connection-issues, sim-unlocking
---


# Question
Title: Checking virus/security status of specific app?
So I let my 8 year old cousins play a game on my tablet for a bit and next thing i knew they had downloaded and installed three new games, some of which acted suspiciously, displaying notifications every second until another app was installed for example. Is there any way I can check if these apps on the market are legitimate, or if my system has been compromised? I use this device to check my primary email and access bank statements etc.

# Answer
Though I know of no definite way, I'd suggest looking them up on AppBrain. Additionally to the "Permissions" tab we had in playstore before their "Win-8 relaunch", that site offers a tab "Permissions & concerns", where some things are pointed out.

It might also be worth taking a look at their search results: Spam apps are "filtered" at AppBrain, so they show up single-line instead of full-heights in the result list.

While all that might only give indicators (and no definite answers), it's one step in the desired direction at least. A second step would be searching the web for reports. Including the app names (with links) in your question might also give you the chance somebody here recognizes the one or other.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: security, antivirus
---


# Question
Title: Fix permission option removed from CWM recovery 6.0.3.6
I updated to latest ClockWorkMode recovery in my **Galaxy S 3(AT&T,d2att)**.
**New version is 6.0.3.6.**
And noticed that Fix Permission option is removed from it.
I used that option when flasing ROMs.
I can't find why they did so. Will it affects flashing new ROMs? Is it not necessary? Anyone knows reason behind that update?

# Answer
> 7 votes
It was removed because

> It's total placebo these days. I wrote it for dealing with the silly things that happen when we used to put apps on SD before Android supported it. Since then, it's been something of a sugar pill that magically fixes all problems without actually doing anything.

(Taken from the commit history, posted by Steve Kondik)

# Answer
> 2 votes
Based on this post from XDA, fix permissions was removed. I haven't seen any reason why. However, somebody made a flashable zip to put it back in.

---
Tags: clockworkmod-recovery, recovery-mode
---


# Question
Title: Where can I find the photos autosynced by Google?
My Android phone autosyncs all the photos I took to my Google account. Where could I find it? I'm using Google cloud services to sync photos.

I tried looking at my Google Drive, but it says that I don't have any back-up files. I also checked in Google+, but there are no photos.

# Answer
> 1 votes
You should be able to find them here. If they are not there then your phone is probably not actually uploading them.

If it's not uploading photos check that in Settings \> Accounts \> Google \> "your account" \> Google Photos is checked. Also check in Google+ \> Settings \> Auto-backup that it is configured to upload, there are also some settings to control when (on wifi/charging etc).

---
Tags: sync, photos
---


title: Android and gTalk

text:
# Question
Title: Android and gTalk
I have three Gmail accounts. All of them are configured on my Samsung Galaxy 5. My phone is on Wi-Fi almost every time so accounts are always active. Gmail has an ability to chat. The problem is when I connect to one of my Gmail accounts using computer, I can only see in gTalk that only one my Gmail account is active, online.

Always one and always the same... though all three accounts are online on my phone and ready to receive mails or talks. Others are always shown as offline. Maybe there is a program which helps to do this, or maybe the idea is that this active account is the first on my phone?

Is it possible to do that all accounts would be shown as active in gTalk? Thank You all in advance.

# Answer
The Talk app has now been replaced with Hangouts. Unlike Talk, Hangouts allows switching from one account to another.

However, like most apps, you can't have two apps that are the same (i.e. a copy of an app) running at the same time. So, it wouldn't be possible to have multiple Hangouts accounts active simultaneously on the same phone.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: accounts, google-talk
---


# Question
Title: How do I find the incremental upgrades direct download links?
Some time ago, I found this page that contains links for incremental upgrades: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=20843237&postcount=1

I'd like to know if there is a way to find such links for myself. If I try to go to http://android.clients.google.com/ I get a 404 error.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Apparently it goes something like this:

* somebody gets the OTA update on their phone
* they use a logcat tool to find the URL in the logs.
* they post the URL on some forum.

Source: http://forums.androidcentral.com/verizon-droid-incredible/31295-how-get-ota-download-location-share.html#post309933

---
Tags: ota-update
---


# Question
Title: Is there an app like Touchwiz Blocking Mode?
I have a Galaxy Nexus and I want the features of Touchwiz Blocking Mode.

I have done lots of googling but can find only spam call and text blockers.

I want this functionality to block all communications while I sleep except from my fiancee. So basically flight mode but with an exception for one contact.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I think Ultimate Call Blocker Free might be what you are looking for.

You could also try some of these:

# Answer
> 0 votes
Using the Llama app, you can set up a “Silent” profile with ring and notification volume set to zero, then add some people to the “noisy” contacts list in the profile to be able to hear rings from them (not sure about SMS). You can either select the needed profile manually, or add rules to switch them automatically (according to the current time or any other events supported by Llama — there are lots of automation possibilities there).

Note that in this case people who call you will just get no answer (although your operator might support some form of call redirection after a timeout). Other call blocking apps may have different behavior (e.g., immediately redirect unwanted calls to voicemail), but Llama cannot do anything with incoming calls except silencing the ring.

---
Tags: call-screening, sms-blocking
---


# Question
Title: Can I stop a WhatsApp message from being delivered?
If I delete a message with a single tick, does that just get deleted from my local device ( Android) or does it no longer get delivered to the recipient?

# Answer
> 9 votes
If you wish to stop a whatapp message from being delivered to a recipient, I have found that after you have sent this (✅) and before this is delivered (✅✅) you add the person temporarily to your block list until they come on line next as you can still see there date stamp. The message then doesn't get delivered. You can then reinstate them and the message will never get delivered and stays in the status of ✅. Hope that helps.

# Answer
> 23 votes
Whatsapp marks messages that have been delivered from the sender to the Whatsapp servers with a single tick, and messages delivered from the Whatsapp servers to the recipient with two ticks. After the single tick has appeared, the message is already on the server and can't be removed/aborted.

If your data connection is slow/unavailable, you can cancel the message by deleting it before the tick appears.

# Answer
> 5 votes
I tried deleting a single ticked message which I sent to another WhatsApp account of mine, but it got delivered even after that as soon as I logged into the other account. So it looks like deleting a message with a single tick only erases your local copy.

# Answer
> 3 votes
If you had internet / mobile data when the message was sent, then there is high possibility that the other person has already received it. So, deleting it from your phone doesn't matter.

More or less, it works the same way as SMS.

Source.

# Answer
> 1 votes
Single tick denotes message delivered at WhatsApp server. Double tick denotes message delivered to destination, i.e., to whom it was addressed.

At single tick status, the message was delivered but not yet delivered to receiver, block the receiver.

Keep him blocked till he opens WhatsApp. Of course you don't know when he will open WhatsApp. So don't unblock immediately.

If he opens WhatsApp while blocked by you then your message will never will be sent to him even if you unblock him.

Try it and confirm.

---
Tags: whatsapp-messenger
---


title: How to switch the GSM/3G module off?

text:
# Question
Title: How to switch the GSM/3G module off?
I only use my smartphone (Samsung Galaxy Chat) as a "pocket computer" (with WiFi) and don't use it to make telephone calls (I use a dual-SIM "dumbphone" for this). All the time it shows a cellular network signal indicator and reports that it can make emergency calls. Can I switch it off to save battery?

Some years ago, when I had a Benefon Esc! GSM+GPS phone, I could independently turn its GSM and GPS modules on/off. I wonder if this is possible in modern day smartphones.

# Answer
> 3 votes
You can switch your phone to Airplane mode - this will shut down ALL radios. After this, turn on ONLY the WiFi and you'll be able to use it as a WiFi only device.

---
Tags: battery, gsm
---


# Question
Title: Why doesn't uninstalling an app free all the space it had used?
I've noticed a problem in my Galaxy Pop today, that after uninstalling an app the actual free space on the device doesn't change. I have downloaded a virtual guitar of size 2.6 MB, but when I went to uninstall this app, then I was shocked to seeing that only 230 KB were freed. My question is, where are th remaining 2.3 MB? I've searched the phone and SD card but couldn't find out it where it went. It also looks like I've been lost some internal space on the phone.

# Answer
> 1 votes
It could be a cache issue. You could try downloading Astro File Manager and open it. Then go to File Manager \> Pref \> Cache from there click on Other Internal Caches. beyond that you will probably need to do a factory restore to retrieve all your memory.

Resources:

# Answer
> 0 votes
I know it sounds smart-ass, but you may need to be a full restart to make the reclaimed space visible again.

# Answer
> 0 votes
I think that maybe the remaining 2.3 MB was data in the app. Your phone may say 'deleting this app will also delete all this data' or likewise, but sometimes it doesn't delete the data. So, if you recorded 2.3 MB of songs, this is probably hiding in your device or SD card (if applicable).

I hope this works for you!

---
Tags: internal-storage
---


title: HTC Desire HD Random Restart

text:
# Question
Title: HTC Desire HD Random Restart
I have a HTC Desire HD phone, I installed "Android Revolution HD" and "BlackOut Rom" to it before, I made same overclock stuff... Now my phone restarts randomly, generally while connecting mobile network, if I make it AirplaneMode and only use for wireless network connection it works (but restart sometimes too), I watched debug strings with ADB but can't find why it keeps restarting... buy the way it is not restarts when in recovery mode...

So how can I understand what is wrong with my phone ? Where should I look ?, should I install a ROM from HTC to see if it is working right...

# Answer
> 3 votes
You could start by not overclocking the device. That's a common cause of system instability even in ROMs that are usually stable. If it's still unstable because of that, it could just be instability caused by (bugs in) the ROM you're using. Try flashing back to the the stock HTC ROM.

If it's still unstable after flashing back to the stock ROM, it could be that your overclocking of the device has caused internal components to overheat, permanently damaging them. One of the functions of the CPU power governor is to slow things down when the device is overheating. Overclocking the device, or using a custom ROM where the governor is replaced by a less cautious or buggy one, defeats that protection, risking that kind of damage. If that's happened, you probably need to replace your phone and be more careful next time.

---
Tags: custom-roms, reboot, htc-desire-hd, overclocking
---


# Question
Title: Play Store (web) doesn't show my device on my default Google Account
So I had three different Google Accounts set up on my Nexus 4:

1. personal google account - personal device
2. personal google apps account
3. company google account - two company devices (both no longer active)

Until 4.3 I had absolutely no problems, with the 4.3 update - some of the apps stopped updating (Error RPC:S-5:AEC-0).

I removed all of my accounts of the device and then re-added only my personal google account.

Now my Nexus 4 won't show up in my personal account's play store on the web but looks to be attached to my company google account, so I can install apps from the play store on the device but not through the web interface, which simply states: "You don't have any devices". Although on my personal google account I can see my wishlist being sync'ed between the two, and apps I install on the device show on the "My apps" screen, I cannot locate my device either through the android device manager.

What could be the cause, and how can it be fixed?

## Extra Info

1. I currently only have my personal google account set up on the device.
2. I've tried setting the default account through the Play Store app, but it still doesn't work
3. Locate my device settings on the device are active, and I'd assume it to work with my personal google account as there aren't any others active.

# Answer
> 0 votes
The problem fixed itself when I removed all google accounts and added a new device (a new nexus 7!) to my account.

# Answer
> 0 votes
Error RPC:S-5:AEC-0 is known issue and many are facing the same issue as you. Check: Google Play Error \[RPC:S-5:AEC-0\]

---
Tags: google-play-store, google-account, nexus-4
---


title: Are there any good firewalls available?

text:
# Question
Title: Are there any good firewalls available?
Does the android platform have any firewall application?

# Answer
I'm pretty sure that Android includes iptables, which is the standard firewall for any Linux. What I have no information about is whether iptables is compiled into the kernel used on all phones, but you might get more information out of this thread in the xda-developers forum.
> 3 votes

# Answer
DroidWall is pretty good, but it requires root, of course.

http://www.appbrain.com/app/com.googlecode.droidwall

It allows you to control on an app-by-app basis which applications can access the network, and has separate permissions for Wifi and 3g.
> 5 votes

# Answer
As per @TREE's answer above - DroidWall is no longer developed nor supported and is forked into a superior version called AFWall found on Github.

For those who do not wish to tinker with the code, here's the direct linky to the Play Store

AFWall works very well with the newer Ice Cream Sandwich and upwards.

And yes it has the same requirement as the old DroidWall, i.e. requiring root.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: security, firewall
---


# Question
Title: Broken screen/glass, turned off, pc-controll? HELP?
I was wondering if there is any ways for me to controll my phone (Sony Xperia V) with my computer? Half of the glass/screen is broken, so i cant write anything on the lower part of the screen! The phone is not rooted, and has also been turned off, so im kinda stuck.

So, my question is: Is there any ways for me to controll my non-rooted, turned off, screenbroken phone with my computer?

Cheers!

# Answer
> 1 votes
If I were you I would try to get control over the device using ADB. From there you can get your files back and root the device if you want. Also as Izzy suggested in the comments, there are several applications for a device with a cracked or unusable screen. Android is Linux based, so Android can do almost anything a Linux based server can do. You can find a lot of great server based applications for android by searching on Google.

Remember, Android is a Linux based operating system, so Android can do almost anything a Linux based server can do. A lot of server applications are going to require root.

It also seems your question can best be answered by: Control android with broken screen from pc

---
Tags: screen, touchscreen, broken-screen
---


# Question
Title: How t o get Google Now fetch info from Calendar?
Google recently announced "Now, just ask Google for your flights, reservations, package delivery info, and more We can instantly fetch this stuff for you if it’s in your Gmail, Google Calendar, Google+, or Google Drive" http://www.google.com/insidesearch/features/myanswers/

However, so far as I can tell, it only looks for this information in gmail, not the calendar, at least for me.

Is there some way to get Google Now to "fetch this stuff" from Google Calendar, or is Google's announcement misleading?

# Answer
Reminders set in the calendar will usually show up in google now. They do for my, I usually have a "notification" type reminder. Is the card enabled in Now?

Also, you can create actual reminders (with voice or text commands) that will create a Now notification. In the voice search, do "reminder: buy milk": you can then set the time period (evening/night/etc).

More info: https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/3122344?hl=en
> 0 votes

---
Tags: google-now
---


# Question
Title: Battery charging indicator and USB has, sort of, stopped working on my Samsung Google Nexus I9250
I know the battery is still being charged because 1) when I power off the phone while the phone is plugged into a USB connector the screen shows the battery symbol with a lightning bolt and then a battery with a animated fill. 2) When I power on the phone the battery charge status screen now displays an expected and much higher value than before the phone was rebooted.

The indicator is now not showing that it's plugged in when I've tried three different chargers and cables which worked just fine in the last few days. The battery percentage slowly drops even though it's still plugged into the USB cable.

This started happening shortly after I installed the Lock Screen app. It has since been uninstalled but the problem persists. I don't quite see how it could've mucked up the settings but the author does have a related Battery Saver app so I suppose there could be some code in there. I tried installing the Battery Saver app which didn't make a difference. I've uninstalled it. I've emailed the author but haven't heard back from them yet.

**Added later:** Further testing shows that after I power cycle the smart phone the USB connection is recognized once per connection cycle. That is the AC USB cord works once indicating that the device is being charged via the AC. And once the AC USB cord is pulled and plugged back in it no longer changes the status. The same thing happens with a USB cable connected to my laptpo for data interchange.

However this doesn't always work. Just most of the time.

# Answer
* Did you try a different battery? Is this one the factory one? It may be faulty and possibly not charging reliably.
* If worst comes to worst, you can try reflashing your GNexus with the default google 4.3 yakju images (after backing up all your data of course) to see if the problem goes away. If it does not then the battery needs to be replaced.

Here is a link: https://developers.google.com/android/nexus/images#yakju and information on how to do it: tutorial You will need to have fastboot and adb installed. There is a way to flash the images without erasing the userdata/sdcard partition if you don't want to backup. (it involves editing the flashall.sh to remove the -w option before running it)
> 1 votes

---
Tags: usb, samsung-galaxy-nexus, battery
---


title: mounting nfs, cifs, etc on android 4.3

text:
# Question
Title: mounting nfs, cifs, etc on android 4.3
On my new Nexus 7 running android 4.3, /proc/filesystems claims to have support for cifs, nfs, and nfs4 built into the kernel.

Unfortunately, also on android 4.3, google has arrange things so that everyone has their own mountpoint namespace, so while I can, in fact, mount an nfs4 directory from my fedora 19 server in a rooted shell, I can't see that mountpoint anywhere outside that shell (which puts a crimp in the usefulness of the mount).

Is there any way to make a newly created mountpoint visible to all apps? (Other than modifying the kernel or something like that).

This android doc page has some cryptic info at the bottom about the namespace issue:

http://source.android.com/devices/tech/storage/index.html

# Answer
> 1 votes
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2107224

Android \>= 4.2 breaks Dalvik-apps that mount file systems to be shared with other apps. The linked page has an explanation of the issue, and patches that can be applied to the kernel source (or the Dalvik source, if you prefer) to make a custom ROM that lets you do this.

---
Tags: mount
---


# Question
Title: How do I stop Spotify trying to play music files from Dropbox?
When trying to play a song from dropbox I think I should have hit media player or something. Instead I think I hit spotify always and now it won't let me play my song. It goes right fo spotify and I cant find my song there. How do I change the the player to like internet or media on my galaxy s4

# Answer
> 5 votes
Settings \> Application Manager \> Spotify \> Clear defaults

This will release the filetype from always being executed with Spotify.

The next execution of this filetype will present the dialog for your preference again.

---
Tags: dropbox, spotify
---


title: Installing Android in Samsun Omnia M

text:
# Question
Title: Installing Android in Samsun Omnia M
Can I install android on samsung omnia m mobile. Currently it is running on windows 7.5 mango. It has 4gb internal space..but no slot for micro sd card. If yes, then which version of android will be suitable for my device?

# Answer
It seems like a very long process and it seems like it is very hard to reverse:

From what I read you need to be pretty tech savvy to get this to work. If you have Ubuntu installed then it is a little bit easier.

You need to know how to partition a hard drive and things like that, if you are not very Linux savvy I would probably give this one a pass. If you are very Linux savvy or you are just dying to have Android then I will help you through it, but it will be a lot of instructions and it will take a very long time. And as with any non-official Android port, there are a couple of weird problems with it, but it seems they can all be fixed with work arounds.

I hope this info helped you, let me know if you decide that you are dead set on getting Android on your device. I will try to give you some pointers to help you along the way.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: installation
---


# Question
Title: Samsung GT-s6312 USB issue connecting to USB
My samsung GT-s6312 phone does not connect to PC. Even after connecting USB cable, it gives an error to download software.

# Answer
> 1 votes
I found that most of the time such type of problem are solved by this **link**.

**STEPS** : (`for Windows specific instructions`):

1. Ensure phone is not connected to PC.
2. Uninstall KIES from PC. Reboot your PC and Reinstall KIES after that. Just for great measure... open KIES, go to `Tools | Troubleshoot connection error`. Follow instructions and wait for it to finish the troubleshooting procedure.
3. Reboot your phone (or turn off and then on your phone again). **`Do not connect it to your PC just yet.`**
4. Once rebooted, go to your phone's dialer, type **`*#7284#`** \- A configuration window will appear. In that window's USB section, if it's default to PDA, tap MODEM, then back to PDA, (if it is MODEM in the beginning, change it to PDA) then press the back key to exit. Most importantly, it must set as PDA when you exit.
5. Turn off USB debugging in your phone.
6. (Optional) Set your phone's screen timeout to a lengthy time. (minimum 1-2 minutes - recommended 5mins to 30mins) its found in Settings | Display. You can change this back later on.
7. Connect the phone to your PC with USB cable and let windows load your drivers... and wait for the drivers to get reinstalled.
8. Once reinstalled, disconnect the phone off USB. Switch USB debugging back on in your phone settings, and reconnect the phone back - you'll see windows load another set of drivers for your phone. Wait until it is completed. (This step is a precautionative measure to ensure your phone is identified with all the necessary drivers)
9. Once complete, unplug your phone, and turn off USB debugging... This is to ensure MTP will initialize. Also, press the phone's home key until your homescreen is displayed. Only after doing all that, reconnect your phone back to PC.
10. Test and see if MTP works using Windows Explorer. You'll see your phone's USB storage and SDCard contents if it does.

Hope it will help you..

---
Tags: usb, connection-issues, system-error
---


title: Unlock Screen with ADB Android 4.1.2

text:
# Question
Title: Unlock Screen with ADB Android 4.1.2
I have a Sprint Galaxy S3 (v4.1.2?) that I've rooted with CWM. Last week the glass and display cracked, so now I can't access it directly.

I'm able to access it with adb so would like to use something like droid@screen or androidscreencast to access it.

The problem I'm having is with the screen display lock. It's set to press-then-tilt-forward to unlock the screen but I can't figure out how to send those events using adb to do it successfully.

Why doesn't droid@screen or androidscreencast do that directly anyway?

I've tried sending various keyevents including 82,83,1,3, among others, and none seem to have any effect. What is the proper keycode to send to disable the screen lock?

Thanks, Alex

# Answer
You could check whether there's a way to disable Keyguard (there must be some intent to use, as many apps like e.g. *Tasker* support that). That would turn any keylock off. One example how to do that I just found at Google Groups. First, that thread says the keycode should be 59 (`keycode.KEYCODE_SHIFT_LEFT`), but then also offers alternatives like:

```
$ adb shell
# cd /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases
# sqlite3 settings.db
sqlite> update system set value="-1" where name="screen_off_timeout";
sqlite> .quit
$

```

Heavy hack :) I'd recomment to check the value beforehand, so you can use the same way to revert things back (i.e. lock the screen again). Also, that rather looks like it would only disable the screen timeout (but not actually disable the lock if the screen is already locked). As a similar trick is used in Cannot unlock tablet as have no internet connection?, that might serve as an alternative:

```
> adb -d shell
# sqlite3 data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db
sqlite> update system set value=0 where name='lock_pattern_autolock';
sqlite> .exit
# exit

```

But this one only applies if you use pattern lock.

As written above, there should also be a way to do that via some intent, but I could not find a clue on which one that might be.
> 2 votes

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


# Question
Title: How can I (permanently) remove an sd card without harming apps on the device
Forgive me if this is already asked, but I couldn't find it anywhere. (Most results involved 1 device and moving data between 2 sd cards. I have two devices and I want to move all data off the sd card to the first device so I can move the sd card to the second device.)

I've upgraded devices (HTC Thunderbolt to Samsung Galaxy Note II) and would like to remove my SD card from the Thunderbolt and use it in the Note II. To get a clean start, I will format the sd card before placing it in the Note, and I know how to do this.

I want to keep my Thunderbolt and use it as a "poor man's tablet". It's already removed from the cell service and I'll just use it on the home WiFi messing around with some odd projects.

I've already uninstalled a bunch of apps, and moved any remaining ones from the sd card back onto the Tablet. What I don't know is how to protect the apps that remain from getting damaged when I separate them from the files they've been storing on the sd card.

For example, there's a lot stored in:

* /sdcard/Android/data/ (such as Google Maps and Swiftkey)
* /sdcard/data/
* /sdcard/.android\_secure/

How do I protect the apps on the Thunderbolt from being harmed from permanently removing the sd card? Do I have to clear all their data, or uninstall/reinstall them after removing the card?

# Answer
As Izzy said in the comments really your best option is to just buy a new card. They are super cheap especially if you buy online. I just looked on Amazon and the cheapest 16 GB SD card I could fine was just over $12.00 US. I'm sure you can go to your local electronics store and pick one up for around $20.00 US if you don't want to deal with buying online and shipping and whatnot.

But, if you are stingy (most of us are, lets be honest!), make sure you have migrated all of your apps back to internal storage with AppMgr III. Once this is done you can shutdown the phone and remove the SD card.

If you want you can create a backup of your SD card just in case you need the data on it in the future. You can just copy and paste all of the files into a folder and then compress it, or you can create a disk image of the drive, whatever is more convenient to you.

Then turn on your old device with the card NOT inside of it. Go through all of your downloaded apps and see if any of them were relying on data on the card. Once you find the apps that need the SD card you can then choose to uninstall and reinstall them, or see if you can transfer the files off of the SD card and then back onto the device and then point the app to the folder. It might take a little bit of screwing around, but perhaps the feeling of having extra cash in your wallet will overcome the frustration of dealing with data migration. Good luck!
> 0 votes

---
Tags: external-sd, data-recovery, data-transfer, multiple-devices
---


# Question
Title: how to transfer contacts from a micro sim to a mini sim if the screen is broken and not getting comands?
how to transfer my contacts from a micro sim to a mini sim if my phone screen is broken and is not getting my commands neither? from a galaxy s 2 to a nexus

# Answer
First, be sure that the contacts from your old phone were actually stored on your SIM card. That's not the default for most Android phones, which store contacts in the device storage, or online in your Google account.

1. Get a SIM card adapter.
2. Take the card out of your old phone.
3. Put the card in the adapter.
4. Put the card+adapter into your new phone.
5. Transfer the contacts from the card onto the phone's memory. You can do this by editing the contacts one by one in the Contacts app, or you can find an app to import contacts from the SIM card in one operation.

Now the contacts are on your new phone, and you can replace the usual SIM card in that phone. If your new phone is SIM-locked to a different carrier, you can ask a friend and borrow their phone.

Alternativaly, you can buy a USB SIM card reader. That way, when you have the SIM card in the adapter, you can plug that into your PC and use the software that comes with the reader to save the contacts onto your PC. You can then import them into your new phone, or into your Google account.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-2, nexus-4
---


title: Low resolution album artwork?

text:
# Question
Title: Low resolution album artwork?
Why does Google Play Music and other music apps display album artwork with such terrible quality? This occurs even when high resolution images are embed into the audio files. How can we fix this?

# Answer
> 2 votes
There is a solution, but unfortunately it is a bit tedious. This issue occurs because Android caches the album art at a low resolution. It also generates file names for the thumbnails in a weird manner (apparently by the value of the system clock the first time the album appears). This means that the fix will be manual unless you employ some computer vision software.

1. Navigate to `Internal Storage\Android\data\com.android.providers.media` and copy the `albumthumbs` folder to some local directory.
2. You'll see files such as `1345139729376`, `1345139731350`, etc in `albumthumbs`. These files have no extension but are actually just jpegs. You can just edit these files if your image editing software supports it, but we could add `.jpg` to make it easier. In Windows this could be done via the command-line with `ren * *.jpg`.
3. Now if you're on Windows you'll probably see image thumbnails instead of the generic file icon and it will be easy to edit the images. I'm sorry if you have a lot of albums, but since the file names are as good as random we need to actually look at each image and replace it with its high resolution counterpart.
4. If you changed the file extension we can change it all back with `ren * *.` (note the period at the end). We can then paste our modified album art back into the original `albumthumbs` folder on the device.

The result:

---
Tags: music, google-play-music, album-art
---


# Question
Title: How to upgrade my samsung galaxy ace plus GT -S7500 from Gingerbread to Jellybean
I would like to know How to upgrade my samsung galaxy ace plus GT-S7500 from Gingerbread to Jellybean.?

Details are as follows

1. Model Number: Samsung GT-S7500
2. Android version: 2.3.6
3. Baseband Version: S7500DDME1
4. Kernel Version: 2.6.38.6 dpi@DELL235#1
5. Build Number: GINGERBREAD.DDMF2

Please help...

# Answer
> 0 votes
Upgrading your phone might be a bit tricky, because you can brick it and leave it unusable. I will advice you to read some tutorials here.
There you will find information regarding different roms, and also the process to update them. I will advice to read carefully before starting.

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-ace-plus
---


# Question
Title: Nexus I9250 - Got stuck with updating android 4.3 update
Am not able to update my nexus i9250 to android 4.3. I have never rooted or tampered with the system earlier. Any system updates, i generally get a notification and then it starts getting updated. But now, under settings\>about phone\>system update, it states that "waiting to download - 139 mb" and is stuck there. There is no other icon for 'checking status updates' or 'download'.

Please let me know how to proceed in downloading the system update to 4.3?

# Answer
Building on Onik's comment, make sure that `Wi-Fi only` is not checked. In the Samsung Galaxy S4, this can be found in: `System settings > More > About device > Software update > Wi-Fi only`. So, check the `About device` section of your phone.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: updates
---


# Question
Title: How to downgrade to Stock Rom [HTC One X 3.20.401.1 CID HTC_203)
I have a rooted HTC One X with JB 4.1.1 (3.20.401.1), I deleted some unnecessary softwares but still using stock ROM.

Yesterday I relocked the bootloader and tried to install original stock rom by using 3.14.x.x RUU file. But it gave me "Bootloader version error".So I'm stuck. I have no Nandroid backup for my CID :( I could not find the 3.20.401.1 RUU file nor related Nandroid backup anywhere on the internet.

Does someone has any suggestions? I would like to revert to Stock rom to be able to get official Sense 5 OTA update which will be released very soon by HTC.

# Answer
Finally, someone from XDA shared his Nandroid backup for Stock Rom, here is the link ;

http://docs.google.com/file/d/0B06FIZEUKDcHUlBVZFZPREtOS0k/edit?usp=sharing

The Original Thread on XDA : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?s=c89f980ba9f35f7e5ec9ae6b6bf11bef&t=1975140&page=139
> 0 votes

# Answer
This guide is marked as "noob-friendly". Haven't tried it myself as I try to stay far away as I can from Sense:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1859714

You were looking for 3.20.401.1? Here you can find the Nandroid Backups:

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1975140
> 1 votes

---
Tags: root-access, htc-one-x, stock-android, downgrade
---


title: Firefox freezes when typing into forms

text:
# Question
Title: Firefox freezes when typing into forms
Experiencing freezes or slowness of Firefox (current and beta version) on a Nexus 4 using Android v.4.3, only when typing into forms. I've read on Mozilla support that it was a known problem and that is could be solved using the Nightly build of the browser.

However, using a *tests only* build is not sastisfacting. I don't know what to do to get a better diagnostic for this issue, any help is welcome, thanks.

# Answer
If it's a known issue, and it's already fixed in the nightly builds, then you shouldn't have long to wait before the fix reaches the stable version. If you can't wait that long, then the Firefox beta offers a middle-ground, and will probably get the fix sooner.

If you know enough programming, you could try and make your own Firefox build that consists of the stable branch with this one bugfix merged into it. (If you don't know how you would do this, you shouldn't attempt it.) But if the fix is non-trivial, your custom build is more likely to have bugs than even the nightly, because your build won't have had even the minimal testing that the nightly gets.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: nexus-4, firefox-for-android
---


# Question
Title: How to get to notifications in settings?
The title sounds misleading... There exists a shortcut under the settings shortcut widget that points to notifications. In this I can see all the notifications that my phone had (even after clearing it in the pulldown notification tray).

I have 2 questions: a) where is it actually located in the settings (I have been looking for it for a while) b) how do I clear this...there seems to be no option (do I reboot?)

Here are the screenshots that may help clarify:

# Answer
There's no way to get at this activity other than through a settings shortcut. The code for it can be found here on Github, and if you search the repository for the `NotificationStation` class you'll find all the entry points for it: in this case, only the shortcut intent filter in the manifest. If you examine the code you'll also see there's no way to remove old notifications from the list: as you can see in the screenshot, the greyed-out notifications are those you've dismissed from the 'normal' notification tray.

However, this class is mainly intended as a demo. Android 4.3 adds support for any application (with the appropriate permission) to access and display the list of notifications. For example, a third-party launcher might want to show them, an app might want to show all notifications in a pop-up window iOS-style, a live wallpaper or daydream could respond to them graphically, or a utility might analyse your phone use from the notifications (something like Tasker could trigger actions based on notifications appearing or being dismissed).

Because this is a new feature, and 4.3 isn't on many devices yet, it'll be a while before third-party developers invest the time needed to offer these features, but you won't have to wait long.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: notifications, settings
---


title: Python with matplotlib

text:
# Question
Title: Python with matplotlib
Is there a way to set up python 2.7.x + matplotlib on a tablet so that you can run simple standard python code? I would like to be able to run the same scripts I run on my Linux desktop,

# Answer
You can run python with SL4A but matplotlib is a graphical package so you are going to run into trouble there.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: python
---


title: get webpages from command line

text:
# Question
Title: get webpages from command line
How can I get the contents of a webpage from the command line? On my mac I use the `curl` command, but there is no such command for the android command line. what command do I use?

# Answer
There is a port for cURL for Android:

But I think that your best bet for this one is the git repo:

* https://github.com/jahrome/curl-android

> ```
>                              _   _ ____  _
>                       ___| | | |  _ \| |
>                      / __| | | | |_) | |
>                     | (__| |_| |  _ <| |___
>                      \___|\___/|_| \_\_____|
>
> ```
>
> README
> Curl is a command line tool for transferring data specified with URL syntax. Find out how to use curl by reading the curl.1 man page or the MANUAL document. Find out how to install Curl by reading the INSTALL document.
> libcurl is the library curl is using to do its job. It is readily available to be used by your software. Read the libcurl.3 man page to learn how!
> 3 votes

---
Tags: internet, command-line
---


# Question
Title: Backup apps on SGS 2 with broken display?
the display of my Samsung Galaxy S2 got broken and I need to backup my apps. Is that possible without the phone's screen? There are no backup apps on the phone and it's not rooted. I don't know the exact OS version. Bought it 24 months ago.

After the crash I was able to connect the phone to Kies via USB and made a backup. Then I gave the phone to the repair shop of the accident insurance. But afterwards I read about that Kies won't backup your apps and as I still have one Bitcoin on the phone and also would like to restore other apps, I now think about getting it back from the repair shop, because if they repair it, all data will be gone.

So is there any way to get my apps back?

Thanks!!!

# Answer
> 0 votes
**Requires CWM:**

from codemink:

> **Backup Your Device**
> Start the phone in recovery mode and make sure that it is recognized by the PC. Open a terminal in the folder where the executable adb (usually C: \ Program Files \ Android \ android-sdk \ platform-tools) is located and execute the following commands:

```
adb backup -f boot.img boot
adb backup -f system.img system
adb backup -f data.img data

```

> **Restore Your Device**
> With the phone in recovery mode, start the terminal with these commands as explained below:

```
 adb shell echo -n boot > /tmp/ro.bu.restore
 adb restore boot.img
 adb shell echo -n system > /tmp/ro.bu.restore
 adb restore system.img
 adb shell echo -n data > /tmp/ro.bu.restore
 adb restore data.img

```

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-s-2, backup, broken-screen
---


# Question
Title: how to move google email acct to new phone
I just got an HTC DNA (old phone is HTC Incredible). I need to move my gmail acct to new phone. I then need to remove a new gmail acct I created in error. Thanks, Jim.

# Answer
As Al Everett said, the best way would be to just sync your new phone with you Google account. But before you do that, make sure you:

* Make sure all contacts in contact book are synced to Google, not backup assistant or internal storage.
* Make sure all bookmarks or other web data are synced (if you use Google Chrome on Android)
* Make sure all of your Pictures and Videos are stored on your SD card, and not on your internal storage.

Optional: you could create a backup of your phone just in case if you need any of your data back. It's better to backup before and not use the backup than do it and need a backup and not have one. Just a thought.

Once you have everything synced to Google, then you are all set to sync your new phone with your Google account and factory reset your old phone.

> Settings -\> Privacy -\> Factory data reset -\> Yes, I'm sure -\> Yes absolutely sure -\> ...

Good luck with the new device!
> 1 votes

---
Tags: gmail
---


# Question
Title: S-voice on Samsung Galaxy S4 "No response from server..."
I saw similar post about this problem from 5 days ago (8/15/13). That is also when S-voice stopped working on my Samsung Galaxy S4, even though it was working perfectly for the past 3 weeks. My internet connection is working.

I spent 1 1/2 hours with AT&T Tech Support and Samsung Tech Support on 8/17/13 and they could find no problems with my phone settings or internet connection. However, Samsung tech suggested doing a master reset on my phone. I did not do this yet because I do not believe it is a problem with the phone, especially since I now see another posting for the problem occurring on the same day.

Is this a problem with an AT&T Server or is it Samsung? How can we get someone to check this out?

**UPDATE 8/22/13:** I spent another 2 hours on phone 8/20/13 with new Samsung tech. He was convinced that it was not my phone after he also checked all the postings about this problem online, so he "elevated" the "ticket" to a "system" problem. Yesterday evening, I found that my S-voice just started working again!

# Answer
> -1 votes
I was having the same issue with S-Voice on my Samsung Galaxy S4 all of a sudden. A Samsung support tech helped me figure it out by telling me to start the phone in Safe Mode to see if S-Voice worked that way. He said if it did, it was most likely a 3rd party app. Turns out he was right. I deleted Music Download Paradise Pro, which was the most recent app I had downloaded and S-Voice has worked since then.

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


# Question
Title: Apps change their positions whenever the phone is rebooted
After rooting my phone, I forced some applications to be transferred to the SD card using *DroidSail*, I wasn't able to transfer them before rooting. However, after moving them, whenever I reboot the phone, these apps change their positions in the apps pages.
For example, *WhatsApp* is one of these applications which after being forced-transferred to the SD card, keeps changing it's location every time I restart the phone. The problem is gone when I moved it back to the phone memory.
My Question is: Is there any way so that these applications remain on the memory card, and yet don't change their positions upon restarting ? 'trying to save some internal memory here'

Android Version : 4.0.4
Model Number : LT18i - "Xperia Arc S"

# Answer
> 0 votes
As you described the app icons are placed at the end of the list, the most likely reason lies in the order of things done during the boot process:

The SDCard is mounted *after* the system broadcasts its `BOOT_COMPLETED` event, so apps moved to the card become visible later than those installed on device storage. With a little unlucky timing, the app drawer is already initialized before mounting of the SDCard is completed, so those apps are added *afterwards*, and thus to the end of the list (as it, btw, is probably done as well with apps you install).

There are multiple solutions to this: Of course, you can move those SDCard-installed apps back to device storage, but that's not always an option (especially with only little device storage available on some devices). Alternatively, you could simply check a different launcher, as not all launchers behave the way described. Many launchers I've tried automatically sort the app drawer, so even when I've just installed a new app it appears normally in alphabetical order.

---
Tags: rooting, app2sd, sony-xperia-arc
---


title: Typing/sending text messages using Kies

text:
# Question
Title: Typing/sending text messages using Kies
Does the Kies software allow one to type and send text messages from the PC?

# Answer
> 3 votes
You can't.

But, on the other hand, you can use the Kies Air application, which you can obtain through Samsung Apps. It allows you to access your mobile on the desktop browser if both PC and phone share the same Wifi network.

Then you would be able to send/recv messages on the desktop, amid many other things like accessing photos, videos, contacts, call logs, music, file system... and so on. It is like a small web interface to your mobile.

# Answer
> 0 votes
No, it does not support sending text messages on PC

# Answer
> 0 votes
Kies Air does support sending of SMS thru PC. You need to connect the PC and your handset with the same network.

# Answer
> 0 votes
**Samsung Kies - USB connection to PC:** doesn't support SMS sending
**Kies Air - Wi-Fi connection with device:** supports SMS sending

# Answer
> -1 votes
Try using MyPhoneExplorer. This allows SMS sending from computer via android machines. I've been using it for years.

---
Tags: sms
---


# Question
Title: Can `Phone Calls` application permission allow developer to read my contact book?
I wonder if other people can read my contact list when the app permission(s) has `Phone Calls` permision like below snapshot.

# Answer
> 3 votes
Not quite: this permission allows the app to read the IMEI of your phone, your phone number, your network operator, and to know whether you are making a call. It does also let the holder of the permission know the number at the other end of the call, but not any of the contact data associated with that number. These uses are described in the developer documentation for `TelephonyManager`.

A good use for this might be to disable some ongoing process while you're in a call, or show an indicator, or to help you report your device as stolen. A bad use for this would be for invasive ads to track your identity across different apps, in order to push targeted advertising at you; or to record your phone number and those you call, to make nuisance calls to you afterwards, maybe claiming to be from your network operator.

Reading your contacts is controlled by the permission called **read your contacts**.

---
Tags: calls, permissions
---


title: Which Android runs which Linux kernel?

text:
# Question
Title: Which Android runs which Linux kernel?
Is there a list of which kernel version comes in each Android AOSP version?

Or lets say, which version /proc/version would spit out.

# Answer
## Linux version in AOSP

| Android Version | API Level | Linux Version in AOSP | Header Version |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1.5 Cupcake | 3 | (2.6.27) |  |
| 1.6 Donut | 4 | (2.6.29) | 2.6.18 |
| 2.0/1 Eclair | 5-7 | (2.6.29) | 2.6.18 |
| 2.2.x Froyo | 8 | (2.6.32) | 2.6.18 |
| 2.3.x Gingerbread | 9, 10 | (2.6.35) | 2.6.18 |
| 3.x.x Honeycomb | 11-13 | (2.6.36) | 2.6.18 |
| 4.0.x Ice Cream San | 14, 15 | (3.0.1) | 2.6.18 |
| 4.1.x Jelly Bean | 16 | (3.0.31) | 2.6.18 |
| 4.2.x Jelly Bean | 17 | (3.4.0) | 2.6.18 |
| 4.3 Jelly Bean | 18 | (3.4.39) | 2.6.18 |
| 4.4 Kit Kat | 19, 20 | (3.10) | 2.6.18 |
| 5.x Lollipop | 21, 22 | (3.16.1) | 3.14.0 |
| 6.0 Marshmallow | 23 | (3.18.10) | 3.18.10 |
| 7.0 Nougat | 24 | 3.18.48 4.4.0 | 4.4.1 |
| 7.1 Nougat | 25 | ? | 4.4.1 |
| 8.0 Oreo | 26 | 3.18.72 4.4.83 4.9.44 | 4.10.0 |
| 8.1 Oreo | 27 | 3.18.70 4.4.88 4.9.56 | 4.10.0 |
| 9.0 Pie | 28 | 4.4.146 4.9.118 4.14.61 | 4.15.0 |
| 10.0 Q | 29 | 4.9.191 4.14.142 4.19.71 | 5.0.3 |

Table compiled from:

Note: other “distributions” of Android might run different kernel versions.

Anyone is welcome to correct and expand this table. Please keep formatting.

## Why Android OS/kernel version mismatches

OEMs tend to ship their major Android updates with a similar kernel to the one the device was initially released with. This is most likely to avoid hardware and driver incompatibility issues with a newer kernel. For example, a device that has been updated to run Android 8.0 Oreo but originally shipped with 6.0 Marshmallow may still be running Linux 3.18.x instead of Linux 4.10.x.

### Vendor Test Suite (VTS) requirements on Linux version

According to a 2017 article on XDA-Developers (shortened):

> One aspect that has been up to the OEM is the Linux kernel version but this is changing with Android Oreo.
>
> As long as the OEM was able to pass the certification tests that Google lays out, then they didn’t care what kernel version was used in a new device. This generally wasn’t an issue as most OEMs would use the same version of the kernel for that generation that other OEMs were using, as it is tied heavily to what the hardware drivers support. However, some had been falling through the cracks and this started to cause security issues. This is something that Google has been taking seriously lately so it makes sense that they would want to start mandating this.
>
> Starting this year with smartphones which ship with Android Oreo, Google is requiring that all SoCs productized in 2017 must launch with kernel 4.4 or newer.
>
> Currently existing devices that are upgraded to Android Oreo are only required to run kernel version 3.18 or newer, and will not have to be upgraded to support Project Treble.

According to https://android.googlesource.com/platform/test/vts-testcase/kernel/, there was a requirement on the Linux version, VtsKernelConfigTest or VtsKernelVersionTest, on 8.0, 8.1, and 9.0, but later removed on 10.0. For 8.0 and 8.1, it requires the version to be either 3.18, 4.4, or 4.9. For 9.0, it requires the version to be at least 4.4.107, 4.9.84, or 4.14.42.

More technical and recent information available directly from the AOSP website: https://source.android.com/devices/architecture/kernel/core-kernel-reqs
> 76 votes

---
Tags: kernel, android-versions
---


# Question
Title: External harddrive case to spin-down drive when idle
I try to make external 2.5 hard drives automatically spin down when idle and connected to android devices. The device I have got in mind is a HDMI TV-Stick with USB connector. I tried a few cases/harddrives and found only one old 3.5 case which will spin down the drive when a `.nomedia` file is present on the drive to prevent indexing. Are there general differences between external drives which can influence their ability to spin down idle drives? Also I would be grateful for hints to android software which can trigger the spin-down and for explanation which requirements to make this work exist in general (for software, disk and case).

# Answer
It's entirely up to the drive and enclosure. The USB mass storage protocol doesn't have disk-specific instructions, e.g. for spinning up and down drives. The only thing you can do from the Android side is make sure the files aren't in use: e.g. by adding a `.nomedia` file as you already found.
> 1 votes

---
Tags: usb, file-system, disk-drive
---


# Question
Title: Is there any way I can delete individual text messages?
I have a Huawei U8850 running Android 2.3.7 and want to manage my text messages more efficiently. At the moment the only delete options I can see are to delete all thread or the current thread.

However, what I want to be able to do is delete individual text messages (both received and sent). The conversation with my wife (say) will include messages that are just acknowledgements of other messages being received or ones that are no longer relevant (shopping lists, say) and I would like to get rid of those, but keep the more important messages (at least for the time being).

Is there any way to do this or am I stuck with either keeping the entire conversation or deleting it all?

# Answer
All you have to do is press and hold the text message you want to delete. You will then be prompted to select more text messages to delete or just delete the one you have selected. If your Android version is too old for this let me know and I will emulate your specific version and figure it out for you.
> 2 votes

---
Tags: sms, huawei-u8850
---


# Question
Title: Would Samsung Galaxy Note II battery work on Samsung Galaxy Note?
Would Samsung Galaxy Note II battery work on Samsung Galaxy Note? Would it fit and would the 3100mAh be a problem because the original of the Note is only 2500mAh?

# Answer
It won't fit, The Note 2 batteries are physically larger than the Note 1's battery slots. Your best bet is finding a good third-party extended battery.
> 4 votes

---
Tags: samsung-galaxy-note, samsung-galaxy-note-2
---


title: Change attachment download folder

text:
# Question
Title: Change attachment download folder
I use the builtin mail app to access a Exchange mail account. I have set it to download all attachments automatically, and it puts them in the Downloads folder. There is only an option to choose between internal and external storage for attachments, but you can't choose the folder. Is there and config file or similar that I can tweak to change this?

# Answer
> 1 votes
Ok so you are wondering if you can change the download folder by changing some sort of config file. This sort of behavior has been sort of deprecated in Android. As an Android Developer, we are supposed to make all of our cache files private so that they cannot be accessed by another person or, more importantly, another program. Letting other programs root around in your files was a big security hole for linux, so it is kind of frowned upon now, so I would be very surprised if you found a config file where you could change the Download folder. If you want to be able to set your download folder, then you could try to find an app on the market that has such functionality.

And yes I know the frustration you are talking about, I used to use my Droid 3 for doing my school email and finding and opening attachments was next to impossible.

---
Tags: email, exchange, file-management, attachments
---


title: Multiple Camera Folders in the Gallery

text:
# Question
Title: Multiple Camera Folders in the Gallery
Ever since I changed the settings in my camera to store the images on my external SD, there have been two folders in my gallery called "camera." One of these is where all of my photos that I take normally with the camera go, and then the other appears to be the one that Android associates with the default camera gallery and only has a few photos in it. The photos that go to the default camera gallery are normally only ones that I take directly from apps such as when I capture a picture and send it all from my text messaging app.

I have tried deleting the default folder to see if it would then associate the other folder as the default camera folder, but that doesn't solve anything. As soon as I take another picture straight from my text messaging app, there are two folders again. Is there a way that I can merge the folders, or change the settings in my camera app to store the pictures on the external SD and still view them as if they were taken by the default camera?

# Answer
> 2 votes
I had the exact same issue. It also caused a related problem. When I tried to browse the Camera folder on my external sd card, it hangs for about 60 seconds. So I went to Terminal (if your phone doesn't have this app then download the Terminal Emulator) and did the following (case-sensitive):

`cd //storage/extSdCard/DCIM`
`mv Camera Recent`

I took me a lot of experimentation to discover the problem and to find a simple fix, but this works just fine for me. I hope it helps you.

# Answer
> 0 votes
You can use URSafe Media Redirector.

> * Get rid of DCIM folder for pictures, videos and much more ...
> * Redirect files to any folder for any application you want.
> * Easy to use !
> * Fast and Lightweight !
>
> Most of Android users, like me, do not like the folder where Pictures and Videos are written by default because they are mixed, so we developed a tool that enable you to redirect each type of file for its correct place, in an automatic way.
>
> For example, you can redirect all 'Image Files' from '/sdcard/DCIM/Camera/' to '/sdcard/MyPictures', and all 'Video Files' to '/sdcard/MyVideos'. Once these redirections were created, you do not need to worry anymore because all Pictures and Videos taken will go to its right place alone and automatically.

---
Tags: external-sd, 4.2-jelly-bean, camera, gallery
---


title: Nexus 4 not getting 4.3 update

text:
# Question
Title: Nexus 4 not getting 4.3 update
I have a Nexus 4 Device. I had got 4.3 update in System updates about 15 days ago. But I didn't update that time.And now I want to update it so if I go and check for updates, its showing that your system is up to date, while I have 4.2.2 in my phone. Can you please tell me what should I do to get 4.3 update? please guide me.

Thanks!

# Answer
You can try clearing the Google Services Framework data. Disconnect from Wifi and mobile data, go to `Settings -> Apps -> All Apps -> Google Services Framework` and tap `Clear data`. After this, restore data connections and go to `Settings -> About phone -> Software Updates` and tap `Check for updates`, and the update should appear. If not, the update is still in rollout for your region.
> 1 votes

# Answer
You can force an actual update check (the "check for update" thing doesn't necessarily do a real check for updates) on some phones by dialing the MMI code *#*#2432546#*#* (the numbers spell "checkin"). Don't push the call button after entering the code, just wait a few seconds. A notification saying "checkin succeeded" should appear.
> 0 votes

---
Tags: updates, nexus-4
---