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I want to install centOS linux distro on my desktop, which does not have a disk drive. Moreover, I posses a 4GB usb stick which is insufficient for installation. I need a usb stick with atleast 8GB to install centOS. However, I've Galaxy Nexus which has lots of space. So I was wondering as to can I use it as a bootable USB stick? | There is currently an application on the Google Play Store called DriveDroid that should be able to handle that task. Please note that it needs a rooted phone. After you install the app, it's a pretty straightforward process. If you need a helpful guide, this How-to by LifeHacker should help. | Is it possible to use Samsung Galaxy Nexus as a bootable USB stick? | android |
I'd like to be able to easily transfer large files wirelessly, fast, between Android devices - preferably without requiring root. As a secondary objetive, it wouldn't hurt if the same solution could be used, to transfer files between the Android devices and a Windows PC. Specifically, I'm trying to exchange files between my Nexus 7 (Android 4.2.2) and Samsung Galaxy S2 (Android 4.0.4). Bluetooth is simply too slow, so that's out of the question Transfer via the Internet is also not an option, hence so is cloud-based solutions Only Nexus 7 supports NFC, so that's out too Fast File Transfer looked promising and very simple, but does not work on "Devices that don't have WiFi Tethering setting, such as the Nexus 7 " Wi-Fi direct ( supported from Android 4.0 and up) seems to be a decent lowest common denominator between my two devices, however... Galaxys S2's native Send via Wi-Fi Direct sees the Nexus, but seems to get stuck in the "Connecting..." most times. When there finally seems to be breakthrough, I get "Waiting..." and a spinning circle. Even if it worked, it would only allow me to send from the Galaxy S2 to the Nexus 7, as a similar option os not present on the Nexus 7. J4velin's WiFi Direct is no longer available in the Play Store, with the following explanation: WiFi Direct drivers are broken on many devices, which led to users leaving negative reviews for this app. As I don't see any sense in keeping a free app published when only getting 1-star-ratings (for an issue which only your device manufacturer can fix), the app is no longer available at the Play Store. Nick Adams' WiFi Direct File Transfer seems flaky at best. Invations from Nexus 7 to Galaxy S2 are never received. Invitations from Galaxy S2 are mostly received, but even when accepting promptly, the peers doesn't always show as connected. When they finally do, usually after quite a long wait, I can select a file to send but it's never transferred - "Transfer failed" it says almost immediately in the notification bar. budius inc's WiFi Shoot is working slightly better, but still very unreliable. I actually managed to (occasionally) send files both ways, but never when attempting connection from the Nexus 7. To send from the Nexus 7 to the Galaxy S2, I had to go through this akward manoeuvre: Share the file on the Nexus 7 via the WiFi Shoot intent Start the Receive WiFi Shoot app on the Galaxy S2 Invite the Nexus 7 from the Galaxy S2 (never the other way around!) Accept the invitation on the Nexus 7 Press the Shoot button on the Galaxy S2 Take the whole switching back and forth between devices, and garnish with random delays or failures in any step of the process... Is there really no easy, reliable, fast way to transfer files directly between different Android devices? Generally, my experience with Wi-Fi Direct is all but positive... A device often won't even see a device lying next to it Sometimes, it will see the other device, only to have it disappear from the list, before I have the chance to connect When I do have a chance, invations are not realiably received (from Galaxy S2 to Nexus 7 mostly reliable, but never worked the other way around) When invitations are received (and accepted), a partnership rarely manages to be setup ("invited" or "connecting") And even when that happens, some apps can't seem to transfer files through it... * Sigh * Maybe J4velin's explanation pretty much sums up the sad state of Wi-Fi Direct on Android, which otherwise seemed as the best solution to my quest? | Rather than sleeping, I spent a few more hours experimenting. I found what works best for my needs is an FTP server app. For casual transfers, when both devices are connected to the same network, I'll just transfer through my Access Point. With the limitations that implies. If I'm not near an AP or just want full speed, I'll deal with the hassle of setting of the Wi-Fi direct partnership and then launch the FTP server. It usually takes 3-5 tries before the devices connect, but once they do, FTP works stable and fast. Furthermore, this solution also satisfies my secondary goal, of being able to use the same method to transfer files between Android device and PC. Now, there are a lot of FTP server apps out there. Most are ad-supported, most are rather big as well. To my surprise, there's also quite a performance difference between them. I thought I'd might as well shared my experience with the four FTP server apps I tested... Required Permissions None of the tested apps required ridiculous permissions. Just the following special permissions: FULL NETWORK ACCESS MODIFY OR DELETE THE CONTENTS OF YOUR USB STORAGE MODIFY OR DELETE THE CONTENTS OF YOUR SD CARD PREVENT TABLET FROM SLEEPING PREVENT PHONE FROM SLEEPING In addition, Andreas Liebig's FTPServer also required: READ PHONE STATUS AND IDENTITY Speed Test Setup The speed test wasn't exactly scientifically performed, but devices were in the exact same spots during tests. FTP server app running on Nexus 7 FileZilla FTP client running on Windows 8 laptop Both connected to the same 802.11n network. Windows reported the link speed as 130 Mbps (I know this is not exact) I downloaded the same 103,4 MiB large file two times through each app Test Results All stats, numbers and other facts are as of March 30th 2013. Apps ordered by measured throughput, fastest on top. Andreas Liebig's FTPServer Price: Free Latest version: 2.4.0 (2013-03-26) Size: 78 kB Install base: 100.000 - 500.000 Avg. rating: 4.6 Android OS requirement: 1.1+ Comments: Initial configuration required, not plug-and-play. Detailed server log on main screen when service is running. No anonymous access possible? Throughput: 103.4 MiB downloaded in 43 seconds @2.4 MiB/sec , 103.4 MiB downloaded in 47 seconds @2.2 MiB/sec Boby Ertanto's My FTP Server Price: Free (ad supported, ad-free version available) Latest version: 2.1 (2013-02-28) Size: 1.2 MB Install base: 50.000-100.000 Avg. rating: 4.1 Android OS requirement: 2.2+ Comments: Simple interface. Very basic settings. Throughput: 103.4 MiB downloaded in 48 seconds @2.2 MiB/sec , 103.4 MiB downloaded in 49 seconds @2.1 MiB/sec The Olive Tree's Ftp Server Price: Free (ad supported, ad-free version available) Latest version: 1.11 (2013-01-14) Size: 1.1 MB Install base: 100.000 - 500.000 Avg. rating: 4.4 Android OS requirement: 2.1+ Comments: Based on Apache ftp server. Simple interface. Configurable port, home dir, username/password, service resillience, energy saving etc. Throughput: 103.4 MiB downloaded in 56 seconds @1.8 MiB/sec , 103.4 MiB downloaded in 56 seconds @1.8 MiB/sec Berserker's FTPDroid Price: Free (ad supported, ad-free version available) Latest version: 1.3.1 (updated 2012-12-28) Size: 2.0 MB Install base: 50.000 - 100.000 Avg. rating: 3.9 Android OS requirement: 2.2+ Comments: Based on Pure-FTPd. Simple interface. Configurable port, home dir, username/password, service resillience, energy saving etc. Troughput: 103,4 MiB downloaded in 135 seconds @0,8 MiB/sec , 103,4 MiB downloaded in 121 seconds @0,9 MiB/sec Conclusion Not only is Andreas Liebig's FTPServer the only completely free of the apps tested, it's incredibly light weight (78 kB!), can run on any Android phone you can find but also has the fastest throughput of the apps tested. Once the initial configuration is done, the main window simply displays your standard FTP server log, whereas other applications pretty much displays nothing but a few buttons and maybe the IP address and port of the server. Thank you, Andreas! | Fast, easy, reliable way to transfer large files between Android devices? (aka. WiFi Direct stories from the field) | android |
Facebook app and the Facebook Messenger app often plays the same sound for new incoming chat message - this is the system notification sound. That makes me confused facebook chat with other notification, especially the calendar reminder, new incoming email, etc. ... How to customize it? | In Facebook, you can change the notification sound from Facebook > Menu > Settings > Notification ringtone. I assume it would be the same for Messenger, never used it though | How to customize Facebook chat notification sound? | android |
I'm pretty new to Android, but I have a bit of linux understanding. Do I need to use adb and do I need to type <code> adb </code> before every command? I have SSHDroid running on my GS3. I open my regular linux terminal and did <code> ssh root@<ip> </code> . When I got in I typed <code> abd logcat </code> , that failed. just <code> logcat </code> worked. I'm happy with the shell I know, is this going to cause an issue? | The answer depends on what you want to do. ADB and SSH serve different purposes, though they have some things in common: you can remotely access your Android device, and execute commands on it. With ADB you can do a lot more -- you will get an idea if you read the stackexchange-url ("ADB tag wiki") and also follow the links contained there. One more thing in common: both can be used interactively. And one more shorty: they do not depend on each other. SSH To use SSH, you will need to install a SSH server on your Android device. If the latter is rooted (as a Linux user, I do not need to explain that "root" is the administrative account, and also known as the "super-user" who has full access to everything), you can set it up to use the default SSH port -- otherwise you need to chose one above 1000, as it is with Linux. Now you can interact with the device: copy files with <code> scp </code> , or log in to the device directly. This way you reach a shell, and can work on the device like on any other Linux machine (almost -- of course there are some restrictions, like e.g. no X-Server being present, and a limited set of commands). ADB With ADB you can also establish such a "terminal mode", by simply executing the command <code> adb shell </code> without any arguments. This directly brings you to the shell prompt. Similar to <code> ssh </code> , you can also directly execute commands by simply pass them as parameters. In this case, as with ssh, you will be returned to your local terminal prompt once the command has been completed. ADB offers additional commands, not only "shell". So you can e.g. use <code> adb push </code> or <code> adb pull </code> to transfer files (comparable to <code> scp </code> ). All the other capabilities go beyond the scope of your question -- but above mentioned tag wiki should get you started here as well. One last word on ADB: similar to SSH, this is a client-server model. Which means, to execute ADB commands from a client, you must have a server running. This is started when you enable "USB Debugging" in the settings of your Android device. | Do I need adb? Whats wrong with terminal? | android |
I have flashed the recovery.tar using odin by following this tutorial http://www.droidiser.com/2012/10/how-to-root-samsung-galaxy-s-duos-install-cwm.html but after this,when I try to boot into recovery mode by pressing <code> volume up+volume down+home+power </code> key simultaneously,it shows samsung logo followed by cwm recovery icon but then it just goes off and boots up normally. what am I doing wrong ? please help... | I had to release the buttons just after samsung logo and not after seeing cwm screen | Samsung s duos not booting into recovery | android |
On my Note 2 I have two accounts configured my.email@gmail.com my.work.email@company.com Usually I have the Play Store configured to buy/install apps under my.email@gmail.com but somehow it got changed to my work email a while back. Before I noticed this, I installed ~20 apps using the my.work.email@company.com Is there a way for me to re-associate those purchases with my.email@gmail.com without manually reinstalling each app? And how will this be different for free vs paid apps that I installed while using my.work.email@company.com? | There's currently no way to do this. Free apps can be re-downloaded under the appropriate account, of course, but Google has no provision for moving paid apps (or free ones, in bulk) from one account to another. The Google Play support page has their official stance on this: At this time, it's not possible to transfer apps from one account to another. Some developers are willing to issue refunds for purchases on old accounts if you repurchase the app(s) using a new account. You can always reach out to the developer of an app, and you can find their contact information by following these steps: Visit Google Play and select the app in question On the app's description page, scroll down to the Developer section Find either an email address, phone number or website listed. | How to transfer installed apps from one account to another | android |
I want to install a working call recording application on Galaxy S3, but I have found problems with a few apps. I have tried Auto Call Recorder but it doesn't allow me selecting more than Mic as audio source. Perhaps I can record only my own voice (I haven't tried further and I obviously haven't bought the full program) I have previously tried Call Recorder Pro but it only recorded my own voice and not the other party's. I have read here that most call recorder apps require root (OK for me) and Requires the kernel with 2-way call recording patch The question is, then How do I make a call recorder fully work on a Galaxy S3 (GT-I9300) with only root for now? Do I need to flash a custom firmware? Or won't it just work at all? | If you don't want to root your phone or flash a custom rom, the only solution is Boldbeast Call Recorder for Android. Just install the app and go. No need to root. No need to "set speaker on" during call recording. Both sides sound in the recorded call are clear and loud. The developer said "optimized for Galaxy phones". Take a look at what their users said ; they all said "great". | Is it possible to record calls on Galaxy S3 | android |
I'm trying to re-install a paid app from the Google Play Store I had previously installed before doing a system update. The installation fails silently after downloading. (Other installs from the Market work fine.) Where can I see a log of what went wrong? My System is a CM10 nightly built, so there might be all kinds of problems. The app doesn't show up as previously installed in any OS app lists, but turns up as 'not installed, no backups' in the Titanium Backup list, so there must be some residues from the former installation left. | To answer myself: Downloaded the <code> .apk </code> of the app on a PC with the help of the APK Downloader tool, and put it onto the phones SD card. Used Terminal application (part of CM10) to switch to root ( <code> su </code> ), then tried to install the downloaded <code> .apk </code> file via <code> pm install com.name.apk </code> Got an error code: <code> INSTALL_FAILED_UID_CHANGED </code> , googled that and found a solution: Removed <code> /data/data/com.name.apk/ </code> folder completely via terminal Tried <code> pm install com.name.apk </code> again -> SUCCESS (Would probably also have worked with normal Play Store install.) Seems that each app gets a unique UID on first install to manage its access rights on files and folders. If the system thinks it's the first install, it assigns a new one, then can't overwrite/delete old settings/data folders previously set with another UID. | Specific App install from Google Play fails, where to see log? | android |
I have noticed on several apps there is a menu button/icon (three vertical dots) but it is unresponsive and I'm wondering if it's just me or the app. I initially assumed it was just the app, but I have noticed it in several apps now. The menu button responds to a tap, in that I hear the "tap" sound and the button highlights momentarily, but nothing happens - there is no menu?! Three apps I have noticed today that have a "do nothing" menu button: Compass (called "Tiny Compass" in the Play store) BBC iPlayer Stack Remote Is this really a "problem" in the app? | This menu button is a backwards compatibility feature. It's displayed on all apps that say they are designed for a version of Android from when Android devices had physical menu buttons. (That's Froyo or earlier.) The Android system can't tell whether such an app needs the menu button or not, so it has to display it to make sure the app is usable on newer devices without the hard button. If the button annoys you, contact the author of the app and ask them to update their "target version". They can do this and still be compatible with older versions of Android. | Unresponsive menu button on several Android apps | android |
Headaches with Android SDK again! I know how to set up the Android SDK. I have done this multiple times over the years. And I had to do some patching of the driver for the ADB every single time! I have done it so many times routinely, I can do it blindfolded! Why is it such a problem for Google to include a working USB driver with the Android SDK? This is the INF file for the USB driver provided by Google. <code> ; ; Android WinUsb driver installation. ; [Version] Signature = "$Windows NT$" Class = AndroidUsbDeviceClass ClassGuid = {3F966BD9-FA04-4ec5-991C-D326973B5128} Provider = %ProviderName% DriverVer = 08/27/2012,7.0.0000.00001 CatalogFile.NTx86 = androidwinusb86.cat CatalogFile.NTamd64 = androidwinusba64.cat [ClassInstall32] Addreg = AndroidWinUsbClassReg [AndroidWinUsbClassReg] HKR,,,0,%ClassName% HKR,,Icon,,-1 [Manufacturer] %ProviderName% = Google, NTx86, NTamd64 [Google.NTx86] ;Google Nexus One %SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_0D02 %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_0D02&MI_01 %SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4E11 %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4E12&MI_01 ;Google Nexus S %SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4E21 %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4E22&MI_01 %SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4E23 %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4E24&MI_01 ;Google Nexus 7 %SingleBootLoaderInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4E40 %SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4E41 %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4E42 %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4E42&MI_01 %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4E44&MI_01 ;Google Nexus Q %SingleBootLoaderInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_2C10 %SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_2C11 ;Google Nexus (generic) %SingleBootLoaderInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4EE0 %SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4EE1 %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4EE2 %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4EE2&MI_01 %SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4EE3 %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4EE4&MI_01 %SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4EE5 %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4EE6&MI_01 [Google.NTamd64] ;Google Nexus One %SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_0D02 %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_0D02&MI_01 %SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4E11 %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4E12&MI_01 ;Google Nexus S %SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4E21 %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4E22&MI_01 %SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4E23 %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4E24&MI_01 ;Google Nexus 7 %SingleBootLoaderInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4E40 %SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4E41 %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4E42 %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4E42&MI_01 %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4E44&MI_01 ;Google Nexus Q %SingleBootLoaderInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_2C10 %SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_2C11 ;Google Nexus (generic) %SingleBootLoaderInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4EE0 %SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4EE1 %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4EE2 %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4EE2&MI_01 %SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4EE3 %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4EE4&MI_01 %SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4EE5 %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4EE6&MI_01 [USB_Install] Include = winusb.inf Needs = WINUSB.NT [USB_Install.Services] Include = winusb.inf AddService = WinUSB,0x00000002,WinUSB_ServiceInstall [WinUSB_ServiceInstall] DisplayName = %WinUSB_SvcDesc% ServiceType = 1 StartType = 3 ErrorControl = 1 ServiceBinary = %12%\WinUSB.sys [USB_Install.Wdf] KmdfService = WINUSB, WinUSB_Install [WinUSB_Install] KmdfLibraryVersion = 1.9 [USB_Install.HW] AddReg = Dev_AddReg [Dev_AddReg] HKR,,DeviceInterfaceGUIDs,0x10000,"{F72FE0D4-CBCB-407d-8814-9ED673D0DD6B}" [USB_Install.CoInstallers] AddReg = CoInstallers_AddReg CopyFiles = CoInstallers_CopyFiles [CoInstallers_AddReg] HKR,,CoInstallers32,0x00010000,"WdfCoInstaller01009.dll,WdfCoInstaller","WinUSBCoInstaller2.dll" [CoInstallers_CopyFiles] WinUSBCoInstaller2.dll WdfCoInstaller01009.dll [DestinationDirs] CoInstallers_CopyFiles=11 [SourceDisksNames] 1 = %DISK_NAME%,,,\i386 2 = %DISK_NAME%,,,\amd64 [SourceDisksFiles.x86] WinUSBCoInstaller2.dll = 1 WdfCoInstaller01009.dll = 1 [SourceDisksFiles.amd64] WinUSBCoInstaller2.dll = 2 WdfCoInstaller01009.dll = 2 [Strings] ProviderName = "Google, Inc." SingleAdbInterface = "Android ADB Interface" CompositeAdbInterface = "Android Composite ADB Interface" SingleBootLoaderInterface = "Android Bootloader Interface" WinUSB_SvcDesc = "Android USB Driver" DISK_NAME = "Android WinUsb installation disk" ClassName = "Android Device" </code> This driver can be obtained through the SDK Manager and that's how I got it. It sits in the installation directory <code> Android\android-sdk\extras\google\usb_driver </code> . Why are there no entries for HTC or Samsung phones? Now this is the INF file for the driver I used in the past (but for the same phone). <code> ; ; Android WinUsb driver installation. ; [Version] Signature = "$Windows NT$" Class = AndroidUsbDeviceClass ClassGuid = {3F966BD9-FA04-4ec5-991C-D326973B5128} Provider = %ProviderName% DriverVer = 08/11/2009,2.0.0010.00002 CatalogFile.NTx86 = androidwinusb86.cat CatalogFile.NTamd64 = androidwinusba64.cat ; ; This section seems to be required for WinUsb driver installation. ; If this section is removed the installer will report an error ; "Required section not found in INF file". ; [ClassInstall32] Addreg = AndroidWinUsbClassReg [AndroidWinUsbClassReg] HKR,,,0,%ClassName% HKR,,Icon,,-1 [Manufacturer] %ProviderName% = Google, NTx86, NTamd64 [Google.NTx86] ; HTC Dream %SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_0BB4&PID_0C01 %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_0BB4&PID_0C02&MI_01 %SingleBootLoaderInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_0BB4&PID_0FFF ; HTC Magic %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_0BB4&PID_0C03&MI_01 ; HTC Desire %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_0bb4&Pid_0c94 ; ;Moto Sholes %SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_22B8&PID_41DB %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_22B8&PID_41DB&MI_01 ; ;Google NexusOne %SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_0D02 %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_0D02&MI_01 %SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4E11 %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4E12&MI_01 [Google.NTamd64] ; HTC Dream %SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_0BB4&PID_0C01 %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_0BB4&PID_0C02&MI_01 %SingleBootLoaderInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_0BB4&PID_0FFF ; HTC Magic %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_0BB4&PID_0C03&MI_01 ; HTC Desire %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_0bb4&Pid_0c94 ; ;Moto Sholes %SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_22B8&PID_41DB %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_22B8&PID_41DB&MI_01 ; ;Google NexusOne %SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_0D02 %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_0D02&MI_01 %SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4E11 %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_18D1&PID_4E12&MI_01 [USB_Install] Include = winusb.inf Needs = WINUSB.NT [USB_Install.Services] Include = winusb.inf AddService = WinUSB,0x00000002,WinUSB_ServiceInstall [WinUSB_ServiceInstall] DisplayName = %WinUSB_SvcDesc% ServiceType = 1 StartType = 3 ErrorControl = 1 ServiceBinary = %12%\WinUSB.sys [USB_Install.Wdf] KmdfService = WINUSB, WinUSB_Install [WinUSB_Install] KmdfLibraryVersion = 1.7 [USB_Install.HW] AddReg = Dev_AddReg [Dev_AddReg] HKR,,DeviceInterfaceGUIDs,0x10000,"{F72FE0D4-CBCB-407d-8814-9ED673D0DD6B}" [USB_Install.CoInstallers] AddReg = CoInstallers_AddReg CopyFiles = CoInstallers_CopyFiles [CoInstallers_AddReg] HKR,,CoInstallers32,0x00010000,"WdfCoInstaller01007.dll,WdfCoInstaller","WinUSBCoInstaller.dll" [CoInstallers_CopyFiles] WinUSBCoInstaller.dll WdfCoInstaller01007.dll [DestinationDirs] CoInstallers_CopyFiles=11 [SourceDisksNames] 1 = %DISK_NAME%,,,\i386 2 = %DISK_NAME%,,,\amd64 [SourceDisksFiles.x86] WinUSBCoInstaller.dll = 1 WdfCoInstaller01007.dll = 1 [SourceDisksFiles.amd64] WinUSBCoInstaller.dll = 2 WdfCoInstaller01007.dll = 2 [Strings] ProviderName = "Google, Inc." SingleAdbInterface = "Android ADB Interface" CompositeAdbInterface = "Android Composite ADB Interface" SingleBootLoaderInterface = "Android Bootloader Interface" WinUSB_SvcDesc = "Android USB Driver" DISK_NAME = "Android WinUsb installation disk" ClassName = "Android Phone" ; HTC Desire %SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_0bb4&Pid_0c94&Rev_0100 %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_0bb4&Pid_0c94 %SingleBootLoaderInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_0BB4&Pid_0c94 </code> This driver was downloaded from XDA Developers forum, from this thread. I have revisited this thread every time I had to install Android SDK. The trick that the author uses is to simply replace the hardware IDs in the INF file to those that actually correspond to the actual hardware device that's being connected. If I am not mistaken I had the same ID as the author describes in the thread, that is <code> USB\VID_0bb4&Pid_0c94 </code> . But now when I check it I have a different one. I recently flashed the phone. But I used the RUU original image, with the same build number as the one that was already on the phone. The RUU was the HTC original ROM Update Utility that was used to flash it. I had to do this to enable the use of Unrevoked to root and then Alpha Rev to set S-OFF. Could it be that, in some way, this changed the hardware ID? I thought hardware IDs were supposed to be permanent and fixed to the hardware?... Using the second driver, with unedited INF file, and trying to update the ADB device in Device Manager, this is what it says. It just simply fails to install it, because the IDs don't match. Now, these are the lines that I used in the edited version of the INF file. These now include the actual IDs of my phone. <code> [Google.NTx86] %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_0BB4&PID_0C87&MI_01 [Google.NTamd64] %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_0BB4&PID_0C87&MI_01 [Strings] %SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_0BB4&PID_0C87&REV_0226 %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_0BB4&PID_0C87 %SingleBootLoaderInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_0BB4&PID_0C87 </code> So now when I try to update the driver again I get to the warning message, you know the usual Windows warning about installing software of unknown source. So I click to install it anyway. And it tries to install it but then halts and says that installation failed and something about ADB Composite. So why does it fail to install? And why was my hardware ID changed in the first place? Is there no "normal" way of installing this stupid driver? You know, without having to hack the damn thing or play tricks with it?... I know that some users suggest that one should obtain the latest sync software from the manufacturer because with that also come some USB drivers that are necessary to have. But I don't want any of the HTC bloatware. And I don't have any problems transferring files between the phone and the computer when in "Disk drive" mode. So I don't need anything else. And isn't this the driver for using the ADB (Android Debug Bridge) which is part of Android SDK? I mean shouldn't Google be the one that provides a working driver then?... Just for the record, the phone in question is HTC Desire, the original one. You know, the first one, not any of its' many siblings that followed. Please have a look at this, and let me know what you think this could be. And also let me know if you know of any alternative ways of doing this, just for future use. I am sick and tiered of having to this every single time I want to install the Android SDK. I normally only do that when I need to reinstall Windows, but once installed and set up I usually don't touch it, but I do reinstall Windows at least two times a year. | I had to change the last part of the INF file. <code> [Strings] %SingleAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_0BB4&PID_0C87&REV_0226&MI_01 %CompositeAdbInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_0BB4&PID_0C87&MI_01 %SingleBootLoaderInterface% = USB_Install, USB\VID_0BB4&PID_0C87&MI_01 </code> It worked perfectly after this change. | How do I patch the Android ADB driver? | android |
I am running 4.5.91 currently on a rooted and unlocked Atrix. Will I brick my phone by updating to 4.5.141 from OTA source? Can I re-lock the boot-loader if that is the issue? | I don't think it's possible to re-lock the bootloader of a Atrix 4G. You should read this too | Atrix 4G update via OTA with unlocked bootloader? | android |
I want to use a Samsung Fascinate (model SCH-I500) in WiFi only mode for development and testing purposes. The device has been factory reset and boots to the Verizon activation screen. How do I bypass activation? Do I need to root the device? | After doing some additional research I finally came across a YouTube video on how to bypass a Samsung Galaxy S Continuum activation screen . The steps outlined in the video are very simple: From the Activation Screen select Emergency call. Enter the following <code> *#83786633 </code> which will disappear when you press the last 3 A toast with the text <code> Softkey is enabled </code> will appear Then press the home button | How do I bypass the Verizon activation on a Samsung Fascinate? | android |
I have a Mythbuntu computer on my home LAN where I store all my music and video files. I'd like to be able to watch video that is stored on my Mythbuntu computer on my Galaxy Tab 10.1. The videos are in a variety of formats and sizes. I understand that some sizes might be too large to stream over the LAN, but I think it should be within the ability of most hardware. The Galaxy tab connects via wifi to the home network. I have tried some apps that claim to be MythTV front ends, but they have proven to be difficult to set up in that they require a lot of MythTV specific settings. I'm looking for a solution that is independent from MythTV, and just plays the video files in an independant player, much like I would open a video file on my desktop computer with VLC. Is that possible, and if so, how? | As MythTV is uPnP compatible, you can use any uPnP client for Android . A great app for this purpose is e.g. BubbleUPnP , which not only serves as a client (so you can access what MythTV provides), but also as a server, so you can use it even the other way around and integrate it as a "media provider" with your MythTV installation. This way you are also able to stream media contents from your Android device to your other uPnP capable home devices. BubbleUPnP: Where to output, what to play (Source: Google Play; click image to enlarge) | How can I play video over my LAN? | android |
When it comes to troubleshooting , I often read recommendations like "Use <code> adb logcat </code> to find some more details". Looking for a good way to backup all my apps including their data, stackexchange-url ("Full Backup of non-rooted devices") refers to <code> adb backup </code> and <code> adb restore </code> . In several places one can find ways to remotely do on an Android device with the use of ADB, such as transferring files using <code> adb push </code> or <code> adb pull </code> , accessing the command-line via <code> adb shell </code> , and more. So ADB seems to be a good thing to have for an Android user. But how to get this "ADB thingy" on my computer? Not being a developer, installing the entire Android SDK seems a bit overkill. Is there a more minimalistic approach available? | In fact, it is not necessary to install the entire SDK if one does not want to use it for development. To be able to run basic ADB commands in the context needed by an average user, a rudimentary installation is completely sufficient. I will try to explain how to do this, and hopefully cover the most used computer systems. Requirements First, you will need the basic binaries. These can be found e.g. on the download page of QtADB. Files have been removed there, but are available at: binaries for Linux (alternative source) binaries for Windows (alternative source) binaries for MacOS Also see stackexchange-url ("Alex' answer") for more alternative sources. Above "minimal downloads" are extracted from there, so from Alex' sources you get them first-hand and just have to extract the binaries yourselves. (Remark: QtADB is an excellent graphical tool to manage your Android device, including a graphical file manager, app manager, and more. Some things require your device to be rooted, though.) Windows users If your computer is running Windows, you will also need the special drivers for your device (no generic solution here, so you need to check this out yourself; usually, those drivers are offered for download on the manufacturer's website). Linux and Mac OS users Linux and Mac OS users might need to make their device known to their operating system. For Linux, you find the necessary steps described in stackexchange-url ("my answer here"). Not being familiar with Mac OS, I can not speak for it. Installation Linux For Linux, this is quite easy: Simply unpack the downloaded binaries into a directory of your choice. At the time I'm writing this, this will only be two files: <code> adb </code> and <code> aapt </code> (the latter being used by QtADB , and not necessarily needed to execute ADB commands directly). Adjust their file permissions to make them executable (e.g. from the command line: <code> chmod 0755 adb aapt </code> ). Finally, it's a good idea to include the chosen directory with your <code> $PATH </code> variable, so you can call <code> adb </code> from wherever you are. A good place for that is at the end of your <code> ~/.profile </code> file to include an additional line like <code> export PATH="~/bin:$PATH" </code> (if you extracted the binaries to <code> ~/bin </code> ). Windows The Windows download holds a couple more files. Also extract them into a directory of your choice. If you want them to be callable from wherever you are, without preceding the complete path, you need to add that path to your environment variables as well. Not being a Windows user, I must leave the "how to do this" to you. What else? You should be done at this point, and can use the full powers of the ADB command line. Further readings Everything about ADB ( A reference for everyone at XDA Developers) ADB for Dummies (again available via XDA Developers. If you miss the guides as I did firstly: The first article is consisting of links only, colorful as they might look :)) Android ADB Quick Guide | Is there a minimal installation of ADB? | android |
When I start my tablet <code> Archos 7 Home tablet </code> it shows this message box: <code> Sorry! The process android.process.acore has stopped unexpectedly. Please try again. Force close </code> The only possibility I have is to press the button <code> Force close </code> and then the message appears again. I tried to reset the tablet with pushing the needle into the <code> reset hole </code> on the back of the tablet, but after starting the tablet the message appears again. Now, I'm trying to solve it inspired by stackexchange-url ("this question") as follows but I have stackexchange-url ("stuck") <code> $ adb shell $ recovery --wipe_data </code> I can only mount the tablet and browse through the directories in it. Can I destroy the files of the application that cause this error message? How would you solve it? | What is a force-close? If an application encounters an unexpected state or some other programming error, it will issue an force close. In most cases you will be presented with a form that allows you to send log files and the cause of the force close to the developer. Doing so will help the developer to fix the bug. First aid if it happens rarely, you might be able to "ignore" it. Contact the app's developer if it repeats from time to time. An extract of the logcat might be helpful to locate the issue. if it persists: a reboot might solve it if it still persists in a loop, preventing you accessing the device otherwise, and the app in question is one you installed yourself, you can boot into safe-mode and remove that app if instead it's a system app, a factory-reset might be needed if your device is rooted, you might boot to recovery-mode and "Wipe Cache" before going to factory-reset. If this works out, you won't lose any data. Helpful questions/answers dealing with force-closes stackexchange-url ("How to fix a force close loop on Android with phone access?") | The process has stopped unexpectedly - recovery | android |
I have a prepaid mobile subscription and I want to know how much I phoned between two payments. There are plenty of applications that can track my phone usage in general, but I am missing the feature to specify which days I paid my bills. Is there any such thing? | Try aPhoneMeTiX completely offline phone usage analyzer. Generates graphs and reports which you can share easily. PS - I'm creator of this application. | How can I monitor my phone usage between two top up | android |
On my laptop I have Ubuntu 12.04. 1) mounting the tablet <code> $ sudo mkdir /media/tb $ sudo chmod 777 /media/tb $ sudo mount /dev/sdc /media/tb </code> 2) downloading and updating Android SDK <code> $ cd ~ $ wget http://dl.google.com/android/adt/adt-bundle-linux-x86-20130219.zip $ cd ~/adt-bundle-linux-x86-20130219/sdk/tools $ ./android update sdk </code> 3) editing rules for my device. Each hardware device has its ID. According to Archos website my vendor ID is <code> e79 </code> . According to this website I should also edit <code> ~/.android/adb_usb.ini </code> . <code> $ sudo vim /etc/udev/rules.d/51-android.rules </code> After editing the file has this content: <code> SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ENV{DEVTYPE}=="usb_device", ENV{PRODUCT}=="e79/*", MODE="0666" SUBSYSTEM=="usb", SYSFS{idVendor}=="e79", MODE="0666" $ sudo chmod a+r /etc/udev/rules.d/51-android.rules $ sudo vim ~/.android/adb_usb.ini </code> after editing the file has this content: <code> 0x0e79 $ sudo chmod a+r ~/.android/adb_usb.ini </code> 4) updating the information <code> $ sudo udevadm control --reload-rules $ cd ~/adt-bundle-linux-x86-20130219/sdk/platform-tools $ ./adb kill-server $ ./adb start-server $ sudo reboot $ sudo mount /dev/sdc /media/tb $ cd ~/adt-bundle-linux-x86-20130219/sdk/platform-tools $ ./adb start-server $ ./adb devices List of devices attached </code> You can see that I have problem with attaching my device. What else would you try to solve it? | For <code> adb devices </code> to list your device (and other ADB commands to be able to work with it), you need to enable USB Debugging in your Android device. This will start the required services (the ADB daemon) on the Android device, which is what then responds to ADB commands issued from your computer. Besides: If you are not going to use all the development stuff from the SDK, but simply wnat to interact with your device using ADB commands, you don't need to install the entire SDK overhead. See stackexchange-url ("Is there a minimal installation of ADB?") for details :) | Problem with attaching Archos device on Ubuntu | android |
I currently use SSHelper to transfer my data to the Android 4.0 device. The app displays the IP address that is currently assigned. Since this IP address changes regularly, I'd like to use a hostname for the device, with all my Linux computers, that works with Avahi/Zeroconf and I have computername.local. How do I get such a hostname for my Android device? | I am leaving my stackexchange-url ("old answer") since the browse and parsing examples may still be useful for some people. Thanks to the developer's version 5.5 update to SSHelper, you can create a user defined name to be the phones Zeroconf instance name. SSHelper will run the SSH server on a non-rooted Android. <code> 1. Update SSHelper to version 5.5 2. Open Android Bluetooth settings and turn on Bluetooth. 3. Now in lower right corner there is settings to "Rename phone". Customize the name. 4. Turn off Bluetooth if you want. 5. Restart SSHelper. </code> It will register the Bluetooth name as the ZeroConf name. Now, as long as the machine you are connecting from has the avahi/bonjour client software, you can ping, ssh, sftp, or rsync to PhoneName.local. If you do not change your Bluetooth name, it will default register with the Device model name. e.g. "Nexus_4" <code> # For example: ping Nexus_4.local SSH Nexus_4.local </code> | Set hostname for SSHelper | android |
On my phone I have a calendar synchronized via CalDAV-sync on a server of mine. On the desktop I edit them with Thunderbird, and since Thunderbird can associate tasks to a calendar, I was wondering, is there a way to see those tasks on Android too, since I can already see (and edit) the calendar itself? | There is work in progress to add support for tasks in CalDAV-Sync. Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3IJC6IcbiQ | How do I manage CalDAV-provided tasks? | android |
Can someone tell me how to change the country preference for Google Play? I have searched high and low but in most of the forums people ask you to go to gmail settings > edit profile and change the country there. But there is no place to change the country in settings! There is a something called place (which can be marked as current) but that has no impact on Google play. I dont want to circumvent country restrictions, I want to permanently change the country. So its NOT a duplicate of this: stackexchange-url ("How can I circumvent regional restrictions in the Android Market?") | What turned out to actually do it in the end, was to make an actual purchase . In Google wallet, I had updated all my information, as well as added a new card with my new address attached to it. This in itself however didn't seem to be enough. Later though, I actually purchased something through Play using the new card, and after that I could access things in Play that previously could not due to regional restrictions. Michael Hoffman mentions that it may be enough to Click to begin a download until you reach the "Accept and buy" screen and thus there is no need to complete the purchase. It's also possible, that there's some kind of caching involved that caused problems. For anyone else finding this information and trying it, please try accessing regionally locked content immediately before and after you've made a purchase, and report back what happens. | How do I change the Google Play country? | android |
I just upgraded Google+ to 3.6.0.44338848 (released late March 2012) and now it won't launch. It says: This app won't run without Google Play services, which are missing from your phone. If I tap "Get Google Play services" I'm brought to Google Play where I tap "install" and "accept and download" but then I get "Error: No connection." (I do have a connection. I can browse the web just fine.) Now, I should mention that Market/Play has been odd the whole time, I've had this phone, a T-Mobile myTouch 4G running Android 2.2.1. Whenever I want to install an app, I have to go into Applications, tap Google Play Store, and tap "Uninstall updates" to restore the Market app. Then I can install applications. Over time, some process upgrades Market to Google Play but I can't install applications until I downgrade to Market to avoid the "Error: no connection" message. The processes is frustrating. On my old LG phone (also running 2.2 Google Play worked just fine). I'm been putting up with all this downgrading because it's not often I install apps and usually there's no problem after installing or upgrading an app. But now the Google+ app is unusable so I'm motivated to do something about the "No connection" problem. I've read through posts such as http://www.teamandroid.com/2013/01/14/fix-google-play-store-no-connection-retry-error-message/ and Google's help page at How to access the Google Play Store app - Google Play Help but I'm stuck. Please help. | I was able to install Google Play Services by browsing to its page at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.gms and then logging in, clicking install, and choosing my phone. Come to think of it, I might start installing more apps this way, from the comfort of a desktop browser. :) Anyway, I'm able to use the Google+ app again. I'm still puzzled by the "No connection" business and having to periodically downgrade Play to Market to install anything from my phone running Android 2.2, but I'm glad I didn't have to root it and install CyanogenMod as suggested by some friends . | Can't install Google Play Services | android |
Is it possible to download an entire state offline map for Google Maps via a 3rd party app? I know that if you download the offline map through Google Maps it allows you to download an area roughly equivalent to a city. Currently I've been stitching the offline maps together but its a very long and tedious process. I'm not concerned about size or bandwidth that it may use. | It should work with Maps (+) (or its ad-financed free version Maps (-) Offline Navigation ). This app was developed for exactly this purpose (even before Google Labs introduced the "pre-caching" feature). I never tried it myself, but the comments look promising as well. Maps (+) (Source: Google Playstore ; click image to enlarge) | Download Region or State for offline Map | android |
Before I bought my Android, I heard that Firefox was its default browser. Upon noticing that this is not the case, I had assumed that the Internet browser on the Android was Google Chrome, but I just installed that today. Was Firefox ever the Android's default browser, and what is it now? | Firefox was never the default Android browser. The actual default browser is based on the open-source WebKit engine, which also powers the Safari browser on desktops, laptops and Apple's iOS-based mobile devices. In the other hand, Chrome is based in Chromium and offers more options and performance than the stock browser. | Was Firefox ever the default browser for Android? | android |
When I hold the Home icon down, several apps appear that I thought I exited - how do I actually close these? | The apps you see when long-pressing the "Home" button (or with newer devices, the "MultiTask" button with the two rectangles) are not the "currently active", but the "recently used" apps. With Android 4.0 and higher, you can simply swipe them out of that list -- which will not only remove them from the list, but also "kindly ask them" to close themselves. For details on what happens with apps swiped out of this list, please see stackexchange-url ("What actually happens when you swipe an app out of the recent apps list?") | Some applications seem to always stay open, even after I exit them. How do I close these? | android |
How much of an effect does it have on the phones battery life to keep applications such as the contacts application open. I ask because that app sometimes takes long to open the first time depending on how many contacts you have I guess. I'm running android 4.1.2 on an galaxy s3 if that makes any difference. But I'm wondering whats the best practice from an user as well as developer perspective with regard to keeping apps open as a posed to the old school conservative thinking of closing everything when it's not needed. | In Linux/Android it is not recommended to close apps or use task killers. Unlike a Windows computer/phone, Linux/Android can keep applications "running" in the background which doesn't use any CPU or networking (unless it's a media player). It has actually been proven that closing apps causes more battery drain, because instead of Android being able to recall the app that was in memory it has to relaunch it, which requires more memory use as well as CPU. You are better to leave apps running. Sources: How To Geek and LifeHacker | Battery usage for keeping apps open | android |
After the regular update of my Samsung Galaxy Note to Android 4.1.2, the font size in the messaging section is quite oversized. By using the volume keys I can indeed reduce the font, but this setting is not saved. My device is not rooted. | You could perhaps download a font from the Google play store? I've seen some fonts packs up there. e.g. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.develop.plugin.font&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS5kZXZlbG9wLnBsdWdpbi5mb250Il0 . Some of these will more than likely require your device be rooted. Or you can change the size of your phone's font. To do that go to settings\display\font, You should be ably to manipulate the font. Wasn't much to go on so I hope this helps. | How can I decrease the font size of incoming messages on the Samsung Galaxy Note permanently? | android |
I've been trying to figure out how Android/CyanogenMod manages RAM internally, and what exactly I can trim down. I'm running CyanogenMod 10.1-M2 right now, but the memory usage has stayed fairly consistent over the updates ever since I installed the CM 10 about a half a year ago. Here are my questions : What could Trebuchet be doing eating away 100M RAM by itself? For that matter, <code> systemui </code> is eating over 70M RAM as well. A rough calculation of the video RAM requirements ( <code> 4 colors x 1200 x 720 </code> ~ 3-4MB) is nowhere near hundreds of megabytes, even if you have, say, 10 layers on your launcher and System UI, each taking the full screen. <code> system_server </code> is taking ~150M, is that normal? I guess if you take into account services shown by <code> dumpsys meminfo </code> it all adds up, but I wanted to check. For info, running <code> dumpsys meminfo </code> shows : <code> Total PSS by OOM adjustment: 118491 kB: System 118491 kB: system (pid 406) 79619 kB: Persistent 50892 kB: com.android.systemui (pid 19167) 23670 kB: com.android.phone (pid 688) 5057 kB: com.android.nfc (pid 697) 112547 kB: Foreground 112547 kB: com.cyanogenmod.trebuchet (pid 25585) 97764 kB: Visible 62079 kB: android.process.acore (pid 23677) 13137 kB: com.google.process.gapps (pid 886) 9092 kB: com.google.android.gsf.login (pid 6452) 8151 kB: com.google.process.location (pid 855) 2753 kB: com.android.nfc:handover (pid 788) 2552 kB: com.android.smspush (pid 811) 8094 kB: Perceptible 5558 kB: com.android.inputmethod.latin (pid 9662) 2536 kB: com.android.location.fused (pid 3493) 67783 kB: A Services 26124 kB: com.facebook.katana (pid 27504) 16481 kB: com.facebook.orca (pid 26218) 12152 kB: com.google.android.apps.maps:GoogleLocationService (pid 24846) 7467 kB: android.process.media (pid 24905) 5559 kB: net.nurik.roman.dashclock (pid 24926) 28482 kB: B Services 10988 kB: com.android.vending (pid 26889) 7018 kB: com.google.android.apps.maps (pid 18348) 5104 kB: com.dropbox.android (pid 25070) 2710 kB: com.bel.android.dspmanager (pid 26346) 2662 kB: com.cyanogenmod.updater.updater.service.UpdateCheckService (pid 25156) 54121 kB: Background 14159 kB: com.google.android.apps.plus (pid 27352) 12993 kB: com.facebook.katana:providers (pid 27538) 8600 kB: com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox (pid 27427) 4848 kB: com.evernote.skitch (pid 27408) 4101 kB: com.google.android.apps.maps:LocationFriendService (pid 27488) 3833 kB: com.google.android.gms (pid 27474) 2890 kB: com.google.android.partnersetup (pid 27445) 2697 kB: com.android.defcontainer (pid 27379) </code> <code> top </code> shows : <code> PID PR CPU% S #THR VSS RSS PCY UID Name 406 1 0% S 101 689020K 138244K fg system system_server 25585 1 0% S 23 581124K 136528K fg u0_a40 com.cyanogenmod.trebuchet 19167 0 0% S 20 507824K 71216K fg u0_a36 com.android.systemui 23677 0 0% S 33 526580K 56076K bg u0_a1 android.process.acore 27504 1 0% S 29 505836K 43828K bg u0_a112 com.facebook.katana 688 0 0% S 44 530180K 33860K fg radio com.android.phone 26218 1 0% S 24 491392K 31792K bg u0_a92 com.facebook.orca 128 0 0% S 10 69020K 27900K fg system /system/bin/surfaceflinger 27754 1 0% S 15 481612K 26892K bg u0_a127 com.google.android.apps.maps:LocationFriendService 26889 0 0% S 29 495588K 26356K bg u0_a55 com.android.vending </code> | These things helped a lot : Looking at which apps drained the most power. Performance improved a lot after uninstalling Facebook and a few other apps I had downloaded over time. Upgrading to CyanogenMod 10.1-M3 helped. They fixed a nasty memory leak , which probably accounted for parts of my issues. A little before the first 10.1-RC candidates, the CM team tweaked memory settings that had changed without warning in one of the releases. If you're running low on storage, you might want to run fstrim /data on a root shell. It seems to be a technical limitation of SSDs when they're low on space. | Android system RAM usage | android |
I uploaded my whole music library on Google Music (through Google Music Manager) in order to have quick access from the web and sync it with my android phone (Galaxy Nexus). The original size was slighly more than 2GB but when I try to sync after a restore on my phone, the new size is nearly 10GB since Google performed the match and is now providing me high quality tracks (originally the quality was quite poor). Since I have overall 16GB on my phone, this is a bit too much to keep my whole library there and I would like to have lower quality (e.g. 256kbps or lower over the google default 320kbps) to save some space. Is this possible configuring any setting? If not, is there any workaround based on additional tools? Thanks in advance, Michele | Unfortunately, I don't think there's a simple solution. Your simple options seem to be: Use Google Music and select a subset of music to keep offline Don't use Google Music for offline tracks; instead sync them yourself Use the "fix incorrect match" button on the web interface to force your low-quality songs to be uploaded (you can use gmusicapi to automate the process) Make enough noise that Google devs take notice (I'm willing to bet their servers support this feature) One last thing: I was under the impression that matching a song didn't automatically get you access to a 320kbs copy. When uploading, the Music Manager actually provides the bitrate of your copy of the song ( here's my code ); I've seen low quality (eg 128kbs) local copies matched and then produce a < 320kbs copy when redownloaded. So, if you've got time to burn, you could conceivably use this to your advantage: re-encoding to poor quality locally and reuploading may result in lower-quality server matches. | Select music quality when syncing Google Music with Android | android |
I have just bought Samsung Galaxy Grand phone featuring android jelly bean. I am trying to download some app using my mobile data. But, it doesn't download application, while I am not connected to wi-fi network. It downloads apps while I am connected to wi-fi without any issue. Can anybody suggest me, what setting is restricting me to download without wi-fi network? | Finally, I got it resolved. The issue was with APN settings provided by my service provider. Fixing that fixed downloading issue. | Play Store not downloading app without wifi | android |
EDIT 3: Someone pointed me in the right direction on another forum. There was a bug with HD Widgets that rolled out yesterday. HD Widgets Bug As of yesterday I am getting a 35%/hour battery drain. I have not installed any new apps that would have caused this, this literally came out of nowhere. I noticed my phone was getting extremely warm in my pocket, pulled it out and say my battery was almost completely discharged and went in to look at what caused the battery to drain so fast. Top app on the stock Android battery usage settings was Flixter. I thought maybe something was wrong with the app, FC'd it and put my phone away. This morning I took my phone off the charger (100%) put it in my pocket on my way to work and again my pocket got nice and warm. Pulled it out and saw that I was already at 81% battery after about 40 minutes of driving. Again I pulled up the battery settings and saw Maps was the number one culprit this time. If I use an app that needs GPS it works fine, can lock on to location quickly, etc, but I am getting a huge battery drain all the time. Using Better Battery Stats under partial wakelocks my top two drainers are "NLP PendingIntent client in com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox" (Maps) and "LocationManagerService". Anyone have any idea what I could try? Been off the charger for an hour and already at 60%. EDIT: I have rebooted the phone several times. EDIT2: Just realized that when my phone is connected to WiFi the drain is much less than on network data. Not sure if it's related, or just the extra battery required to constantly do a location fix over network data. Just more information, if it helps. | Unfortunately there was a rogue update from HD Widgets that caused this: HD Widgets Bug I have emailed the developer and hopefully they can update soon. This was insane how debilitating this was to my phone. | GPS Battery Drain -- LocationManagerService | android |
I just upgraded to Android 4.1 Jellybean (OTA carrier update to my Verizon Droid RAZR MAXX), and my Multipicture Live Wallpaper app is not loading any pictures. Previously, each screen would load pictures from a folder on my SD card. Now, it says "Picture is unavailable. Need to setup or reload". I checked, and the path is still the same in the settings, and the pictures are at those locations. Why did this stop working and how can I fix it? | I solved the error. Instead of selecting pictures from a folder, use the album, and the picture folder will be listed as an album. Deselect all the other albums, and pictures should show up. | Why did my wallpaper stop working? | android |
When I write an email at 2:00 AM or 2:59 AM I don't want to send it at that time (because I want to go to sleep), but instead tell Android/GMail to send this email a few hours later, because of timezone differences. Right now I can only send immediately, not planned email. Are there any GMail apps which can do that, or other apps which can use this concept and send the email via GMail in Android? | check this article out. Using m.boomeranggmail.com you can sign in with your gmail account and schedule delivery times for your emails. As of now there is not a standalone app, only the mobile web app. But it will do what you're wanting! | When I write an email using the Android mail apps, how can I send it 2 hours later? | android |
In the web front end all my apps are still there and I added the google account in my phone. Now how do I get the apps down to the phone? | I installed them all again. While google play knew my apps, it did not automatically install them again. So pressing install on every app brought them back. About backup, I found that the android sdk has a backup function that backups everything, installed apps as well, next them I use that, maybe this makes reinstallation of apps unnecessary. | After phone reset - how to download all my apps from google play store? | android |
Since CM is based on stock Android (AOSP), and the Nexus 7 is a stock device, can I just flash the CM zip without first doing a wipe/factory reset? I just wonder if it's possible to avoid the hassle of backing up and restoring all my apps and settings, widgets, email settings, etc... | What you are describing is what's known as a " dirty flash " which is a no-no! Especially from AOSP to CM and vice-versa, could lead all sorts of force closes etc. Likewise, [a particular custom ROM (insert of your choice)] to another but different [custom ROM (insert of your choice)] and vice-versa. The only time a dirty flash can be performed if going from CM nightly to the latest nightly, or [custom ROM] to a more recent version of same [custom ROM] , theoretically, although no guarantees that everything will work "proper". Occasionally force-closes will be exhibited or some "weirdness" will manifest, hence no guarantees. Really, if going from one ROM to another - best to wipe cache/data completely provided a backup has been done in the first place :) Why not use a backup tool such as Titanium Backup or the basic backup tools found on the Play store in the event you are not rooted ? :) | Wipe before upgrading from stock nexus to CM? | android |
What is the launcher activity of Google Keep called? I thought a short Google search would help, but apparently not. | How to find the activity? Activities are listed in the <code> .apk </code> file's <code> Manifest </code> . This is e.g. explained in Run Android Application from Command Line . The linked page gives a short example: <code> <manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android" package="com.iftitah.android.contact"> <application android:icon="@drawable/icon"> <activity class=".Contact" android:label="@string/app_name"> <intent-filter> <action android:value="android.intent.action.MAIN" /> <category android:value="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" /> </intent-filter> </activity> </application> . . </manifest> </code> The activity is listed in the <code> <activity> </code> element, which also holds the intent to be called (in the contained <code> <action> </code> element). How to investigate the <code> Manifest </code> ? Now for the tricky part, as we are no developers: How to view the <code> Manifest </code> ? Luckily, we can get some help from the Playstore for this -- e.g. in the form of an app called App Detective : App Detective and AppExplore (Source: Google Playstore; click images to enlarge) As you can see in above screenshot, this app allows the user to investigate the <code> Manifest </code> files of installed apps, but does not stop at this. Ressources, libraries, signatures, and more can be looked up. Alternatives worth mentioning are the ManifestViewer and the AppExplore . Pick your choice :) So what is the main activity of Google Keep? Using above "investigation methods", Kevin figured out it is <code> com.google.android.keep.BrowserActivity </code> (see below comment if you don't believe me ;) | What is the main activity of Google Keep called? | android |
It is nothing new that stackexchange-url ("one can use multiple Android devices with a single Google account"). Switching on a new device for the first time asks whether one wants to store one's data with Google, which then would always sync "some stuff" to the Google servers, basically some application data (if the apps support it explicitly) Wi-Fi passwords browser bookmarks a list of the apps installed from Google Play words added to the dictionary used by the onscreen keyboard most of your customized settings Details might be found in the Google Dashboard. Relevant questions here covering those issues include: stackexchange-url ("What info does Google backup?") stackexchange-url ("What exactly is synced with Google?") stackexchange-url ("How does Android sync the WiFi Profiles?") The Developers API on Google Backup gives some further insight on how the backup stuff is supposed to work (and several questions here show how it really works -- that is, sometimes it does, sometimes only partly, and sometimes not at all). Aside from reliability and the fact that not everybody wants his private data in the cloud (and even mentioned API reference 2 warns: Android makes no guarantees about the security of your data while using backup. You should always be cautious about using backup to store sensitive data, such as usernames and passwords. ), my main question is: Having backed up data from multiple devices using the same account: what would happen to a factory-reset device being used that way before? Would it be recognized, and have only those things restored which have been used on it before? (device-identification could e.g. take place e.g. via IMEI (but not via the Android_ID, as that might be stackexchange-url ("gone with a factory reset")) -- and this could be the reason for the behaviour described in stackexchange-url ("Nalum's answer")) what would be restored to a (new/factory-reset) device you just initialize for the first time with this Google account? (if devices would be identified with backups in the Google account used, this could trigger a special action for "new device", e.g. "restore all, device changed!" -- or "restore all from the no longer connected device X, as it was probably replaced!" -- but stick to "restore only what was on that device" in case of a factory-reset) The deal is: If one has multiple devices, they are often used for specific issues, so one does not want everything on all devices. As I've seen no way to chose which data to backup (e.g. to exclude those "sensitive data" we have been warned about: WiFi passwords would belong to that category), I assume there's no choice on restore either? So how is this handled? | Let's talk about sets, baby Android's backup service has a concept called a set : the set of all data backed-up from one device (on one transport , but that's a detail). Each set is identified by a unique string, such as the IMEI on the device. When an app (or the list of installed apps) is backed up, its backup data go into the set associated with the device it's being backed up from. All the sets are still specific to the user's Google account. If you wipe your device and sell it to someone else, he won't be able to access that device's set unless he can log into your Google account. Default behaviour When an app is installed, or a device has its list of apps restored, the backup system first looks in that device's set for backup data for that package. If it doesn't find any (either because it's a completely new device with no backed-up data, or because that package has never been installed on that device), it'll expand the search to other sets. (If there's a choice, it'll use the last set that was used for a full-device restore.) Thus, when you set up a new device, it'll restore the list of apps from an old device's backup, and restore each app from the old device's backup. If you had an app installed on one device and you install it on another device, the app will be restored with its data from the old device. In either case, the data are now backed up into the new device's set, which means that the backup data from the two devices are separate from now on. After you factory-reset a device, it'll restore from that device's last backup if there is one, and failing that, from some other device's backup if there is one, but it will start to create its own set from then on. That's why Nalum's two devices don't see each others' backed-up apps: they're each restoring from their own last backups. Source This mechanism doesn't have any user-facing documentation, since it's supposed to automatically do the right thing, but the code is available. <code> bmgr </code> : basic use As Izzy found, the <code> bmgr </code> tool gives you some control over this process. It's intended as an aid for programmers to help test and debug the backup integration in their apps. You can use this tool in an <code> adb shell </code> to trigger backups and restores of chosen packages, wipe packages' backed-up data, and even a whole-device restore. Don't try to use it in an on-device shell except as root : you need the system-level <code> android.permission.BACKUP </code> to do anything interesting with it. You can make an app update its backed-up data immediately: <code> bmgr backup com.shadowburst.showr bmgr run </code> (or whatever the app's package name is). There's not normally any need to do this, as apps request their own backups whenever their data changes, but this lets you work around a badly-written app. To restore one package from the backed-up data it would choose by default: <code> bmgr restore com.shadowburst.showr </code> but again, this will only do what the device would do on its own, so you shouldn't need to use it. Note also that the device already needs to be installed to make this work. More control Now for the stuff that the backup system won't do on its on. To see what sets of backed-up data are available: <code> bmgr list sets </code> and you'll get some output like this: <code> 3ff7800e963f25c5 : manta 3f0e5c90a412cca7 : manta 3dd65924a70e14c8 : TF101 3baa67e9ce029355 : m0 </code> The 64-bit hex number on the left is a token . You'll need this in a minute. The thing on the right is a (relatively) friendly name for the device that owns the set. For example, manta is the code name for the nexus-10 ; TF-101 refers to the original asus-eee-pad-transformer . Once you've figured out which set you want, you can restore an app from that set using its token: <code> bmgr restore 3ff7800e963f25c5 com.shadowburst.showr </code> You can add more package names to the end of the command to restore several packages at once, or you can specify no package name (just the token) to restore every app with data in that set (that is, it does a full-system restore). Finally, you can wipe an app's data from the current set: <code> bmgr wipe com.shadowburst.showr </code> This will make its next backup operation start from scratch. This might be useful after uninstalling an app, if an error in the app corrupted its backup data and you don't want it restored. You can't make a device start writing into a different set, nor can you wipe a whole set. | Google Backup: Multiple devices using the same account - what happens on Restore? | android |
Using command from http://learnandroid.blogspot.in/2008/01/run-android-application-from-command.html I want to launch keep from shell. | Yay! Thanks to a lot of stackexchange-url ("help from Izzy"), I was able to extract the name of the launcher activity from Keep's <code> manifest </code> . So that means that the console command is: <code> am start -a android.intent.action.MAIN -n com.google.android.keep/.BrowseActivity </code> It goes without saying to make sure to preserve proper capitalization (casing). If you want me to find out the names of any of the other activities (so your command launches that activity instead of the main page), just let me know! | How to launch Google Keep from shell? | android |
My Galaxy S with the Samsung Android built on it offers me the option the run the phone as a W-LAN acess point that connects to the internet via mobile data. I would like to configure the access point to start working immediately after booting the phone. How to do that? Bonus points if the setting can be achieved via adb and/or if I can set the wifi-password from adb as well. | The WiFi password IMHO is only setup once, when you configure your device's hotspot. Lateron, you simply activate/deactivate it. To automate the latter, you could e.g. use Tasker : Profile "AutoHotspot" : Condition: "Device Boot" Task: "WiFi Tether" → set On With this profile activated, your Hotspot would be automatically be enabled as soon as the device has completed booting up. For the "bonus point" you mentioned: There's a free 7-day trial available on the Tasker Homepage . You can download the <code> .apk </code> to your computer, and use ADB to install it on your device ( <code> adb pm install </code> )... | How to automatically launch android Acess Point on startup? | android |
I'm looking to create a shortcut that links straight to the 'My Apps' screen of the Google Play Store? Either that or configure the Google Play Store to always open in the 'My Apps' screen. I've downloaded and installed AnyCut 1.0 but I'm unable to find the activity for opening Play on that screen. AnyCut 1.0 Thanks. | You'll need an app like Tasker than can assign actions with activity launches. Action <code> com.google.android.finsky.VIEW_MY_DOWNLOADS </code> Package <code> com.android.vending </code> Class <code> com.google.android.finsky.activities.MainActivity </code> You can use QCustomShortcut to create this shortcut! I tried several different shortcut creators with no luck, but this one actually works. Use the above information and you'll be set! | How to add a shortcut to the 'My Apps' screen of the Google Play Store? | android |
This is regularly driving me nuts. Every once in a while, my phone freezes for whatever reason. I press and hold the power button to shut if off. Now comes the part that's giving me trouble. If I just press the power button, nothing happens. If I press and hold the power button, at some point a picture of a battery appears. It will disappear again after a while (probably because I'm still holding the power button and shutting the phone back off) If I press and hold the power button and release it when the battery image appears, the image will stay and indicate that the battery is being loaded. If I press and hold the power button for just the right amount of time , the Galaxy S2 logo appears and my phone boots. So, usually I find myself going through this cycle a couple of times until I finally get my phone booted. What am I doing wrong? | I'm assuming you have a power cable plugged in. In that case you'll have to unplug the cable, turn it on and plug it in as soon as something appears on the screen. I've had this problem several times when trying to flash the phone while tethered to a computer and forgot to take out the USB cable when rebooting. | How should I correctly turn on my phone? | android |
Is there a quick (menu / tap) way of viewing the unread emails in your inbox? Or at least showing the unread emails at the top of the list of emails, in other words sorted by unread/read (temporarily)? The only way I have found to do this is to search for <code> is:unread in:inbox </code> which is not ideal on the phone's touch screen IMO. Is there a quicker way? | Doesn't seem to be, the search is the only way as of now, however; if you use the browser there is an option to view only unread emails. | Quick way to show unread emails in inbox in Gmail app? | android |
Is might seem an odd question for some.. But I often find myself wishing that dropbox would wait 5-10 minutes before uploading my newly taken photos. The reason is that sometimes I take a blurry picture and delete it straight away - but dropbox alwas snap it before an upload it to my dropbox. So I have to delete it on my dropbox.. I actually think that what I need would be total sync - so deleting on my phone would delete on dropbox. But I feel that this solution would be too risky.. so would just be happy with a delayed upload that just upload what I have in my camera folder. Any such solution? | As stated already, one solution would be to use an app that lets you synchronize with dropbox. I personally already used Dropsync. It works flawlessly, however, the free version only lets you sync one main folder. So that was not really an option. The solution I just came up with is making good use of the Tasker app yet again. tell Tasker if the camera or gallery apps are running and mobile data is enabled, disable mobile data. then as exit task (to be executed when camera/gallery get closed) re-enable mobile data. Dropbox will then upload all the shots I did not delete right away using the camera/gallery app. | Android: Delay dropbox upload intentionally | android |
I'm facing a very weird problem on my SGS2, using CM9 9.1.0 stable making me crazy. My device go to in deep sleep in 12-24 hrs once when I'm using Siyah kernel while CM9 stock kernel do it once or twice in a day. :'( I have Googled for it and got this thread where the problem is same. Cm9 Phone Shuts Off By Itself , phone actually doesn't switch off it just go to in deep sleep and start to eat battery like a crazy nut, also I can call on my ohone and caller can hear up the ring but there is no life sighn at that moment in my phone. How can I resolve this, I have did a clean install but no success, also battery of my phone is just new. | Well I have got a workaround but not a permanent fix for this problem. I did a clean re-install and then don't restore any backed up data through Go Backup/Titanium Backup app. Then I don't get that suspicious shutdown every time in a day, but after 2-3 days yes you will. :( | CM9 shuts off itself on SGS2? | android |
On my Nexus 7 running Android 4.2.2, I can open Chrome and type <code> file:///sdcard/whatever.html </code> and it opens just fine. The problem comes when I want to bookmark this file. The bookmark gets created, but after tapping it, nothing happens. (Therefore, also adding it to home screen and tapping it does not work - it says that Application is not installed.) However, after long-pressing the bookmark and opening it in new tab, the file loads and I can view it. Does anybody know why it behaves like this and possibly how to make local bookmarks to open directly, without the need to open them in new tab? Thanks | This was originally going to be a comment, as I'm not 100% sure of its accuracy, but here goes: At least with the stock Gingerbread browser, every link that you click makes the browser broadcast an intent to see which apps respond saying that they can handle the link's target themselves (like when you follow a Play Store link and it asks you if you want to open it in the browser ( <code> play.google.com </code> ) or in the Play Store app). Since no apps respond the browser essentially ignores it. When you ask to open it in a new tab, the browser already knows exactly what you wantit to do with the link, so instead of querying your apps, it simply opens the link in the new tab (like opening a new tab and typing in the URL). So that's why it works when you open in a new tab, but not when you simply click the link. As for a solution, you could try HTTP Server , AirDroid or similar apps. Once you setup the server, your target addresses should look something like <code> http://127.0.0.1/whatever </code> . Since this has an <code> http:// </code> protocol the browser recognizes this. EDIT: To my understanding, you can also use other (potentially free) server apps, like AirDroid. When it tells you your IP address is <code> http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:abcd </code> , you use that when you are connecting from another device, like your computer. But when you are using the same phone that you are running the server on, just go to <code> http://127.0.0.1:abcd </code> in your android's browser. | Open bookmarks to local files in Chrome | android |
I have read that each android applications runs on a different Dalvik VM process (all forked from zygote). I also read that these VMs are really lightweight and use copy on write buffers and all that, so far so good. But, I also read that this was not done for security reasons (e.g. isolation) - in fact dalvik vm should not be considered a security boundary, says Google. So my question is this: Why each process has to run on a different VM? | In Android, every application runs as a separate user. In the Linux kernel, each process is owned by a single user, therefore it is not possible to run multiple Dalvik applications on a single Linux process. The overhead of running multiple Dalvik VM instance is lightweight because Linux <code> fork() </code> system call is copy-on-write, a write to a shared COW page will cause a "page fault" and that page will be copied; so even though most of the VM's memory region in the RAM is shared there are no "shared state" between VMs. Forking processes provides only state isolation, but not privilege isolation. dalvik vm should not be considered a security boundary That is because the VM cannot enforce a security boundary. The VM is running on user mode (the same mode as the program it's executing), which means a bug in the VM might allow the application to modify VM state in a way that is not intended; the kernel, however, runs in privileged mode and can enforce security boundary. | Why each android application runs on a different Dalvik VM process? | android |
I know that now Google Play reviews and ratings are connected with my Google+ account and my name. But where exactly I can find list of my own reviews and ratings Google Play apps? | Unfortunately to this moment Google not provide such feature to list all our reviews and ratings from Google Play. But there is method to search all of ours reviews by typing to google.com phrase: <code> inurl:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details +"John Doe" </code> where John Doe is our name we use in Google+, but of course this name should be unique. | Where I can find my own Google+ Play reviews and ratings? | android |
I have a Galaxy Note II and I syncronized my Facebook gallery by mistake. I've tried to disactivate the sync from the Settings (Settings > Account) by unchecking the "Sync gallery" option but the photos still remain in the phone gallery. I can't even remove them from gallery beacuse there's no option shown. Thanks in advance. | Unckecking the <code> Sync gallery </code> will not remove the albums. Just uninstall <code> Facebook </code> application from your phone. This will remove all your Facebook albums from the stock gallery. Upon reinstalling Facebook, don't forget to uncheck <code> Sync gallery </code> . This did the trick for me :) | How to remove syncronized photos from facebook | android |
What is the difference between the free version of OsmAnd and the Plus version? The only info I found seems to be outdated. While using the free edition the only limitation I noticed was the hint that I can only download 10 different maps. | As of 28/03/2013 the difference is that with the free version is limited to a total of 10 downloads (maps, voice packages, etc) and does not support offline Wikipedia content. I know because I tried the free version and then buyed the plus one to be able to download entire european countries. Also I think is a really good application for 7 euros. | Differences between OsmAnd and OsmAnd+ | android |
I would like to find a way to reduce the global number of notification sounds my phone (4.0) plays, setting a maximum number of plays per minute to avoid multiple applications sending a bunch of noisy messages. Is there a way to do this? | Not really, no. It's generally up to each individual app to control how often it checks for updates and raises notifications. Not all apps allow you to control that (except, of course, for turning off notifications for that app altogether.) | Reducing notification frequency | android |
I am using LG optimus E 400 . Recently, I have rooted my Android phone. After rooting, it's not booting up now; just displaying white screen. I have tried go to the boot loader by pressing (Hold POWER + Vol Down) but it's not working in my phone. After some searching in Google, I found that the solution is re-installing the Android OS. How do I do that? Is any other recovery option? Thanks. | Solution as per link provided by OP: Vijesh finally was able to solve his issue using the All-In-One Toolkit , following the instructions from this XDA thread . This toolkit requires Windows. Not explicitly mentioned in the XDA thread, but most likely this means you've also to install the appropriate device drivers for your smartphone. But it looks like the toolkit offers to do that for you as well, see the item I - Install APX drivers in below screenshot: The All-In-One Toolkit (Source: XDA ; click image for larger variant) The tool seems to be pretty self-explaining. For the installation, you simply run the self-extractor, which prompts you for a target directory. Then you start the tool, and select the wanted item (here probably 6 - LG Update Tool ). Again, everything runs almost automatically -- simply follow the instructions given. The <code> .kdz </code> file should be flashed then to the device, and you'll end up with the fresh ROM installed. | Re Install android OS in Mobile Phone | android |
I just deleted ALL my events from Google Calendar (website) by mistake! My calendar events are still intact in my Nexus 7 because I have not synchronized after the mistaken deletion. I would like to know how can I make sure that the events in my tablet will be pushed to the web on my next sync (I fear that syncing will delete my local events) Please help!!! | My first thought is for manual sync. iCal import/export can export your events. The second step would be to import those events to google (in Google Calendar -> other Calendars -> import Calendar). Not tried it myself, but you get the idea. | Deleted all Google Calendar events by mistake (web). How to I push my local android calendar to the web? | android |
Root Instructions I've been following the root instructions above. I'm at this step: Using your custom recovery flash the download you chose above from Step 1 (#3) However, I had forgotten to move the SU/Bootloader zip file to my SDCard (not a removable SD, the system SD). So I connected to my mac, used android file transfer to move the zip file to the SD card root directory (/sdcard/), and rebooted into recovery mode. Now I'm in the samsung recovery mode (3e), with the little android fella and the red triangle, (manual mode), and if I select 'external storage', obviously since I don't have any (no removable SD), I can't seem to get to the file. The first time I had rebooted into recovery I had gotten this screen: TWRP Screen But now I can't seem to get back to that screen to attempt to install the Super SU and Bootloader zip file. Help? | I'll put this here so you can mark your question as answered. Some phones' stock ROMs automatically replace custom recoveries with the stock ones on boot, so when you rebooted to put the ZIP on your phone, TWRP was wiped away. So, simple, reinstall it. As for a good ROMs, I use ParanoidAndroid on my Galaxy Nexus and I love it. | Stuck mid-way through Root process (Samsung Galaxy S3 SCH-1535) | android |
There are numerous apps in the Google Play store claiming to double or triple the battery life. Is it just a myth? Or can they really? If they really do save some power, why doesn't Android do it by default? | Those battery saver apps probably work by killing tasks, lowering brightness, disabling data or internet connection, and several other things. Those little things will definitely save battery one way or another. Why doesn't Android do it by default? I don't know ; you'd have to ask the Android developers that. If Android did what battery saver apps do, they'd be limiting Android. Who wants their screens to always be in low brightness? Or their internet connection off when not in use? Those things are probably better off for people to decide, and battery apps (and other relatated apps or utilities) will help them do that. See also this post on improving battery life: stackexchange-url ("What can I do to increase battery life on my Android device?") | Do battery saver apps really work? Is it possible to save battery programmatically? | android |
I'd like to listen to music with Doggcatcher and record the routes with Endomondo while bicycling. The problem is, when I start Endomondo, after a couple of minutes Android kills Doggcatcher. When I start Doggcatcher, after a couple of minutes Android kills Endomondo. What can I do? I'd rather kill any other application or service than these two, but I've already tried uninstalling almost every other app except the system apps. I have stock Android ICS and Huawei Honor. | I'm answering my own question from what I've gathered. There seems to be no way to prioritize, say, Doggcatcher, if it's playing music in the background. When the operating system runs out of memory, it starts summarily killing background processes. The best I can do is kill dispensable background processes before starting these two apps. First I turn off sync. Then I go to Manage apps and open the Running tab, note which apps are running, open the Downloaded tab, and from there Force stop the apps. Note that if you simply stop the services from the Running tab, the apps will usually restart them. After that I clear the app cache from the All tab. I'm not sure how necessary this step is, as the problem occurs rather nondeterministically. After that I start Doggcatcher and Endomondo. Especially Facebook app just keeps starting all kinds of services that consume a lot of memory, no matter how it's configured, so I uninstalled the app and started using the mobile site with web browser. The mobile site is also more robust, I think it has more features, and I got rid of the annoying notifications. | Can't run Doggcatcher and Endomondo simultaneously | android |
Hi I want to push an APK Expansion file to my phone so I am executing: <code> C:\Users\dogface\AppData\Local\Android\android-sdk\platform-tools>adb.exe push c :\main.1.com.redcricket.Audiobook.obb /mnt/sdcard/Android/obb/com.redcricket.Audiobook\main.1.com.redcricket.Audiobook.obb </code> But that fails with this error: <code> failed to copy 'c:\main.1.com.redcricket.Audiobook.obb' to '/mnt/ sdcard/Android/obb/com.redcricket.Audiobook\main.1.com.redcricket .Audiobook.obb': Invalid argument </code> So what am I doing wrong here? | First, especially for "Newbies": Hovering your mouse over the adb tag will reveal some info. Clicking the stackexchange-url ("info") link there brings you to the tag wiki, providing you some information to get started. The second link there ( Everything about ADB ) contains the answer to your problem: <code> adb push C:\Desktop\TitaniumBackup.apk /sdcard/ </code> For the target, only specify the path , do not include a file name. So your command should look like: <code> adb.exe push c:\main.1.com.redcricket.Audiobook.obb /mnt/sdcard/Android/obb/com.redcricket.Audiobook </code> A special error you included is the backslash ( <code> \ </code> ) which, on Windows systems, is a path separator -- but on Posix systems (Unix/Linux/Android) is an "escape character" (directory separator on these systems is the "forward slash", <code> / </code> ). | error with adb push | android |
I accidentally set a sharing intent to always copy to clipboard. I know that usually to unbind these defaults, you go Settings > Apps > All > [bound app] and hit the 'Clear defaults' button from there, but I've had a look at all the system- or text-related things in there and I can't find anything with such a default set. In my googling, I found this thread on XDA Developers that describes exactly this problem, but it has no responses. If it matters, the action in question is the one the Github app uses to share issues. | There are multiple ways to clear "default actions": Walking through the list of apps in Settings→Apps→Manage Apps , looking at each entry whether it has a "Clear defaults" button, and hit that (not very user-friendly -- and in this special case obviously not applyable, as the action seems not bound to a special app) Using a helper app like e.g. Default App Manager or DefaultApp Reset (much more user-friendly -- but not suitable in this case, for the same reason as the previous point) Installing another app which uses the same intent (in case of a "homescreen launcher" and the "home" key, another launcher, to give an example) -- not always easy to figure out what app might be fitting for this purpose. This is what lead to success in our case here, by installing Andmade Share Note: You do not need to keep that app installed. It's the installation of the app which "drops" the default. This is also the purpose why the next item works: Updating/uninstalling one of the apps currently using this intent (to take above example: that's why you will be asked again when your launcher received an update) -- this point just for completeness :) | How do you clear share actions bound to ‘copy to clipboard’? | android |
So I've just got a Nexus 4 (hooray for me!) and I don't know how I did it, but I've somehow got an analog clock perched over my Google search bar. I don't want it there. It doesn't appear to be a widget - I can't just hold and drag it and remove it, and it's constant across each page. How do I remove it / how did I put it there?? (Click image to enlarge) | Go to settings --> apps --> clear data & cache of launcher(I think it is trebuchet ). | Remove analog clock from home screen | android |
I can't find the keyboard in my Samsung Galaxy S3. I only found "Google Voice Typing": In Settings → Language and Input → Keyboards and Input methods I have only Google Voice Typing . What's wrong with my device? How can I fix that? | While it sounds strange that there should be no keyboard present, and as trivial as it might sound: Simply installing an alternative keyboard from the playstore should fix that. Take e.g. Hacker's Keyboard , which is a very flexible one, and well rated (I'm using it myself on my tablets). Simply install it, and its settings should turn up at the place you've described. Optionally, add the dictionaries for the languages you like to have them (see the keyboard's playstore page, some are directly linked to the app). Do it from a PC/Laptop As you currently have no keyboard available on your device, it might be difficult/impossible to use the playstore app on the device itself to install the above. You can still install it: on your laptop/pc, open a web browser and go to <code> https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.pocketworkstation.pckeyboard </code> log in with the credentials of the Google account you use on your device click the "Install" button, accept the permissions for the app (they are OK) the keyboard will be pushed to your device Once the installation has finished (you can see this in your device's notification area), you can go to the described place ( Settings → Language and Input → Keyboards and Input methods ) and make the new keyboard the default input method. With that final step, you problem should be solved. No Google-Account configured on the device? In this case, installation via the web interface cannot work either, as the app-to-be-installed cannot be pushed to the device. Still, there is something you can do: On your PC/Laptop: Visit the Hacker's keyboard project's download page and download the <code> .apk </code> file to your computer if you don't have any file manager on your Android device: You will need the Android SDK installed, or at least a "Mini variant" (the <code> adb </code> / <code> adb.exe </code> binary and, on Windows, its helper <code> .dll </code> files -- check the adb tag and stackexchange-url ("its wiki") for details, and see QtADB for a simple, user-friendly variant working on Windows, Mac and Linux) When on Windows: Make sure you have the drivers for your Android device installed On your Android-device: Enable unknown-sources to activate side-loading ( Settings→Security: Check "Unknown Sources") if you don't have a file-manager app on your Android device: Enable adb debugging ( Settings→Development: Check USB-Debugging ) Connect your Android device with your PC/Laptop via USB cable to install your <code> .apk </code> ... if you have a file-manager app on your Android device: simply copy the <code> .apk </code> to your device as you usually copy files there use your file-manager app to navigate to the <code> .apk </code> "tapp" the <code> .apk </code> file's entry. After asking your confirmation, the app will be installed. Skip all below -- you're done. if you don't have a file-manager app on your device: use <code> pm install </code> via the ADB command-line to install the <code> .apk </code> on your Android device (see XDA-Developers for more details on this -- usually it should be <code> adb pm install /path/to/download/*.apk </code> , replace the <code> /path/to/download </code> part with the full directory name of where you saved the <code> .apk </code> to). | How can I enable keybord Samsung Galaxy S3 GT-i9300 Android version 4.1.1 | android |
How many cores does the Asus 7" MeMO Pad have? Is it only single core? The specifications only state that the CPU is VIA WM8950. | The tablet with the CPU you mentioned ( Asus Memo Pad ME172V ) is a single-core device. More info on the CPU can be found here . WonderMedia Technologies, a subsidiary of Via Technologies, has unveiled the Prizm WM8950, a single core Cortex A9 processor running up to 800 Mhz with a Mali-400 GPU. | How many cores does the Asus 7" MeMO Pad have? | android |
How would you turn a tablet into a keyboard + easy-to-reach touchscreen (mirror the desktop) (not a touchpad) for a desktop PC? Numerous remote touchpads on Android I asked a question on askubuntu.com (Can you design buttons on a Ubuntu/Android tablet that is to be used as a virtual keyboard for your desktop?), and someone mentioned RemoteDroid. I haven't used it, but from the videos that I see online, your Android tablet becomes a touchpad. In a question on superuser.com (Use a touchscreen as a keyboard and mouse for a desktop), and in the answers here, Bob speaks of the “indirect virtual touchpad”, and Lèse majesté notes that “you can only use the touchscreen as a laptop-style touchpad, not as an actual tablet device”. I want the cursor to move to where I touch. | Use android-vnc-viewer to mirror the desktop PC screen, and control the desktop I had another question on android[dot]stackexchange.com: (In using a VNC to control a computer, is it possible to have the cursor go to where you touch? - android[dot]stackexchange[dot]com/questions/34668/in-using-a-vnc-to-control-a-computer-is-it-possible-to-have-the-cursor-go-to-wh) In the question, I included a video: Remote control of Ubuntu with android-vnc-viewer - www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTKX6QMBgck#t=0m30s android-vnc-viewer “See and control your computer's desktop from your phone, from anywhere. androidVNC is the Open Source (GPL) remote desktop program for Android devices. Connects to most VNC servers: incl TightVNC, RealVNC on Win and Linux, x11vnc, and Apple Remote Desktop on OS/X.”. In the video, I don't know the input mode that is being demonstrated at 0:30, but it looks like the mouse cursor goes to where he touches. http://code.google.com/p/android-vnc-viewer/ I'm guessing that the input mode in the video was either: Touch Mouse Pan and Zoom This is the default input mode and is designed to work like the Android browser. You can both pan the display and control the mouse using the touchscreen and gestures. You pan by dragging or flicking on the touchscreen; you click the mouse by tapping on it. You right-click by double-tapping (or by holding down the camera button while tapping). You drag the mouse by doing a long press on the display, and then dragging. In this mode the trackball or DPad (if your phone has one) can also be used to control the mouse; this may give you finer control. You can zoom the screen size with the +/- buttons, or, if your device supports multi-touch and has Android 2.0+, you can pinch to zoom out and spread to zoom in. or: Mouse Control Mode In this mode, use the touchscreen to control the mouse. Touching the screen generates a mouse click at that point; dragging on the screen creates a mouse drag. Keyboard events are sent as normal. The trackball is used to send arrow-key events to the VNC server. Pressing the trackball toggles between Mouse Pointer Control and Desktop Panning modes. Port forwarding If the PC you're connecting to accesses the internet through a router, this will be the WAN address assigned to the router by your ISP; you'll also need to forward the VNC port (5900) from the router to your PC (exactly how you do this depends on the details of your router, so I can't give more explicit instructions here). Hacker's Keyboard - use a full soft keyboard on Android From what I've read, the stock android keyboard doesn't have buttons such as Ctrl, Alt, Esc, arrow keys, Home, End, and Delete. You can use the free, open source, app call Hacker's Keyboard to gain access to the buttons of a full keyboard: “Are you missing the key layout you're used to from your computer? This keyboard has separate number keys, punctuation in the usual places, and arrow keys. It is based on the AOSP Gingerbread soft keyboard, so it supports multitouch for the modifier keys. This keyboard is especially useful if you use ConnectBot for SSH access. It provides working Tab/Ctrl/Esc keys, and the arrow keys are essential for devices such as the Xoom tablet or Nexus S that don't have a trackball or D-Pad.” http://code[dot]google[dot]com/p/hackerskeyboard/ A patch that allows android-vnc-viewer to recognize all the keys of Hacker's Keyboard In “Frequently Asked Questions” of Hacker's Keyboard, there's a section called “Android VNC Viewer doesn't recognize the extra keys”. It directs you to an issue called “Issue 238: Support additional keys, fix modifier handling” (code[dot]google[dot]com/p/android-vnc-viewer/issues/detail?id=238). The patch there will make it so that Android VNC Viewer recognizes buttons of a full keyboard. Update: bVNC bVNC is a secure, open source VNC client. Tested with Hackerskeyboard. Using it is recommended (get hackers keyboard from Google Play). play[dot]google[dot]com/store/apps/details?id=com.iiordanov.freebVNC&hl=en github[dot]com/iiordanov/bVNC Update 2: Jump Desktop VNC I currently and personally use Jump Desktop VNC because the “bring-out-the-keyboard” is close, and easily reachable. With bVNC, I have to tap near the middle of the screen, and then I press a keyboard button on the right to bring out the keyboard. Jump Desktop VNC also lets you use a Google account, so you don’t have to deal with addresses. | How would you turn a tablet into a keyboard + easy-to-reach touchscreen (mirror the desktop) (not a touchpad) for a desktop PC? | android |
In <code> Settings > Display > Daydream </code> I have - selected one (any one, but right now it's just the standard Clock ) - when to daydream = either docked or charging - "start now" works fine. I've connected my Nexus 4 by USB cable to a wall charger and "Clock" confirms Charging (AC), 45% <code> Settings > Display > Sleep </code> is set to 15 seconds while I try to get daydreaming to work. If/when it works, I'll probably set it to 2 minutes. Despite the above settings, and being on AC power, the phone never daydreams. Why not? This is a Nexus 4 with stock 4.2.2, not rooted, not superuser'ed (yet). | As mentioned in comments, I also have a Nexus 4 (4.2.2) and it daydreams OK when charging (USB to wall charger) when set to sleep after 15 seconds. "Daydreaming" is triggered when the device goes to sleep (or when sleep mode would normally be triggered). It would seem that if the "stay awake" option is checked in "Developer options" then sleep mode is never triggered and the device never daydreams. So, the solution is to uncheck the "stay awake" option. "Daydream" is like a conditional stay-awake option. The screen does not switch off and for this reason a device can only be set to daydream when it is connected to a power source. | Why doesn't my android start daydreaming? | android |
After my phone got wet, all my lower buttons (Home, Back, Options) on my Galaxy S (the first one) are broken and do not work anymore. I already did a factory wipe and re-flashed CM10, but nothing changed, so I think it is a hardware problem. However, recent Android does have this navigation bar on Tablets and newer Phones with those buttons. Is there some way I could enable this bar permanently on my Galaxy S? I can still go into the settings menu, and I have SSH access to the phone. It would also be possible to flash to CM10.1 if that is required. Any help greatly appreciated, as I don't want to buy a new phone! | You can set a NavBar on your device by just adding a single line to your build.prop file. <code> qmenu.hw.maikeys=0 </code> also you can disable you current h/w buttons by give a <code> # </code> symbol before <code> key 172 HOME key 158 BACK key 139 MENU </code> in file <code> /system/usr/keylayout/Generic.kl </code> ES file Exporer will automatically make a backup for those files. You can use that .bak files if you want to revert. you can edit build.prop file using ES file manager app OR You can try flashing zip specified here | Enable navigation bar on CM10/10.1 on Samsung Galaxy S (1) | android |
Today the battery of my HTC One S got completely empty and when trying to reboot it's just stuck on the splash screen. I am rooted and have Trickdroid 8.1 installed. This is an 4.0.4 ICS ROM. I've already wiped cache+dalvik and reflashed the boot.img to no avail... What could be wrong? | Too bad Android SE is not as active as other SE sites, just did a nandroid restore from when I just installed the ROM and so far I haven't set up titanium backup. Well that'll teach me... At least it boots again. | HTC One S won't boot after battery fully drained | android |
As far as I know Android supports Ethernet via USB, right? If yes, since which version of the OS? What are makes of Ethernet USB adapters which are reportedly work with CyanogenMod? What are makes that don't work so well? Maybe one which are "plug and play" in Windows 7 work better on Android too, compared to those which require a driver? Edit: As I'm not that technical I'd like to see an explanation, a drawing an article or something of an example of the most easily done USB Ethernet setup on any Android device (esp. the model name of the USB to Ethernet connector is interesting), if it's on stock Android it's even better than if it's on a modded ROM. | That is dependent: The kernel, along with the appropriate driver Chipset support for USB OTG The general consensus, if the kernel is modded and has support for OTG provided the handset supports it, then it will work alongside with the appropriate OTG cable with power support. It might need custom modifications to Android to make it aware of OTG facilities if running on pre-Honeycomb Android versions. However, since Honeycomb (Android 3.0) and upwards, there is USB facilities integrated into the framework which makes OTG mechanism even easier. | Since which Android version can you use Ethernet through the USB port? Which makes are repotedly work with CyanogenMod? | android |
I have a Samsung Galaxy S2, running the latest CM10.1. I lost the app drawer icon on my Dock; I must have deleted it. The app drawer icon lets you go to the app list, and the widget list. How do I get the app drawer icon back? The icon looks like a circle with 6 dots inside it. | Here are two things you can do: (1) Download the FREE AppDrawer app from Google Play. It gives you a shortcut to the app list. However, it does not give you the widget list. (2) Reset Trebuchet. NOTE: Use the procedure below at your own risk. It clears (or resets) the contents of your home screen. CM10.1 uses the Trebuchet launcher. From your homescreen, press the left menu button, and select <code> Manage apps </code> . Look for Trebuchet, and click it. Press the <code> Clear data </code> button. Alternatively, you may find success (without having to repopulate all of your home screens) via simply selecting "Clear Cache" and then "Force Stop" on the Trebuchet apps menu. | App drawer icon gone from Cyanogenmod dock | android |
My LG Nexus 4 runs stock Android 4.2.2. I use Bluetooth for phone calls with a one-ear headset (Plantronics M100). Sometimes I notice in the power toggles menu that Bluetooth has turned OFF and when I go into the BT settings the slider is indeed set to OFF. When I touch the slider, it moves to ON but after a fraction of a second it quickly moves back to OFF. Sometimes Bluetooth is even reported as ON but it still won't connect to any other BT device. In this state, I can turn BT off and then on again, but it doesn't resolve the problem. Only a device restart seems to resolve this, so that I can turn BT on again. This happens every other day or so. Is this a bug in Android? Is there something else interfering? How can I troubleshoot this? | Seem to be an Android bug. I found this in the Android bug tracker. https://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=42520&q=summary%3Abluetooth%20type%3Adefect&sort=-stars&colspec=ID%20Type%20Status%20Owner%20Summary%20Stars | Nexus 4 won't turn Bluetooth on | android |
Where should I begin the hunt for the cause of crashes / reboots when logging apps do not work anymore? | As can be seen in this video from the Google I/O conference, in Jelly Bean applications can no longer read the system log for other applications, they can only read their own log. This has broken most (all?) system log readers, here's a blog post from a developer of such an application talking about how it has affected his application. The only way to have an app read other apps system log entries when using Jelly Bean is to root the phone. Although other apps can't read the log files it is apparently possible to do it from the PC, try giving LogShark a go. | How to find the app that causes crashes? | android |
I own a Samsung Galaxy S2, running the official ICS OS. I want to use the Llama app (too poor for Tasker!) to tell my phone to update all apps whenever I am connected to certain Wi-Fi networks (but not all - my home Wi-Fi is volume-based). Llama allows you to signal custom intents, but I don't know how intents work. Does the Play Store support an intent to either signal "update all", or to turn on automatic updating? (Essentially, I'm trying to do something like this: stackexchange-url ("How to allow auto-update of apps in Play Store only when plugged in?")) | "to turn on automatic updating?" I highly doubt there is an intent for this - that is a user setting and Android doesn't generally allow apps to change user settings. I think the best solution is to, first, manually turn on the auto-updates feature of the play store, and set it to wifi only, and second, launch the play store when you connect to the desired hotspot. Just launching it will typically cause it to perform any pending updates. I'm not sure how you specify this in tasker or llama, but you can launch the play store by sending an intent that requests that a play store URL be launched (e.g. the URL of a play store app or publisher), e.g. new Intent( Intent.ACTION_VIEW, Uri.parse(" http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id= "+appName) ) More info about that is here . Finally, you should go to the wifi settings and mark your home wifi network as metered. Whoops. I've seen that setting in the API docs here but now I can't find a way for a user to set it. Maybe that is only available for cell networks, or maybe that is coming in future versions of Android (the API was just added recently). | Is there an intent for telling Play Store to update all apps, or turn auto update on? | android |
My Samsung Galaxy S2 wont allow me to make or receive phone calls, messages, or texts. My provider is Vodafone; my Android version is 4.0.4. I have tried my SIM in other phones and it works fine. It is just in this one that it doesn't work. I have preformed a factory data reset and still have the same problem. How do I fix this? | There are several things to check out. Walk the list until your problem is resolved -- then skip all following: make sure the SIM was inserted correctly (it easily happens to insert it the wrong way round) does the same SIM work in other phones? yes: SIM should be OK, phone probably "borked" no: SIM "borked". Ask your provider for a replacement (Done.) do other SIMs which work in other phones work in yours? yes: very strange. Check with your provider to send you a replacement SIM: it's rare, but sometimes there can be incompatibilities (especially with older SIMs and newer phones). no: pretty sure your phone is broken. Hand it in to service. Some indicators to watch during the process, as they might prove helpful to service (and for combinations not covered above): Do you see a signal in the status bar? Are there any SIM errors displayed? These two are pointing to an answer whether a SIM was detected at all. The phone should display a special symbol in the notification error if no SIM is found, and usually asks the user to insert one. | Can't make or receive calls or texts, or connect to the Internet | android |
Is it possible to permanently uninstall the Google Settings application? update Thanks for reply! My device is <code> LG Optimus Me </code> , Android version <code> 2.2.2 </code> , rooted My problem has 2 aspects: 1. Simple technical . Due to quite low internal memory of device I had <code> memory low </code> message after automatically installing <code> Google settings </code> . I solve this problem by moving applications to SD card. I did it before manually, but after installing <code> app2sd </code> I found that I miss some movable applications. 2. Vague psychological . I know, it's quite stupid, but I feel that my device is out of control in some way. Someone can decide what apps to install on my device and I can do nothing with it. I understand that it's part of (eco)system, but I don't feel that I need that <code> settings </code> . Also it's not very lightweight in terms of size. Maybe I'm too paranoid?.. | It's a system service, not a standalone application. It is "Google Play Services". Can't uninstall system services without root privileges. If you do so with root privileges it may cause problems with Google Play. Settings > Apps > All > click on Google Play Services and uninstall updates will work, but it will uninstall only updates. It will update automatically again by Google. | Google settings permanent uninstall | android |
I'm not sure if it's a result of the recent upgrade to ICS 4.0.3, but when I connect my USB cable to my Mac, I no longer see the "Disk Drive" option on the Android. My only choices are: Charge only HTC Sync Media sync Is something broken? How can I transfer non-media files? I installed the HTC Sync app, but the "Files" menu option is disabled. (Yes, I have rebooted both the phone and the Mac and have tried different USB cables.) | When connecting to a Mac, it's no longer a direct option, but there's an easy workaround. From the Mac, download, install and start this app: http://www.android.com/filetransfer/ The Mac app will prompt you to connect your Android. Plug the Android into a USB port. On the Android, select “Media sync” mode. On the Mac, the file transfer app will show a window with file/folder selections. On the Mac, open a Finder window, then drag and drop files back and forth between Finder and the Android File Transfer app. Unlike the old “Disk drive” option, the Android File Transfer app does not provide access via a mounted volume. | Android USB "Disk Drive" disappeared on HTC EVO V 4G (Virgin Mobile) | android |
I have noticed a new Television icon appeared in my Android desktop. I have not clicked the icon thinking it could be a virus or spam. Never installed any Television application and I dont know how it appeared there. I have also Avast mobile antivirus installed. Just saw this thread, it could be the same issue but wanted to be sure before deleting the icon: stackexchange-url ("Who is creating icons?") I looked in installed programs with Link2SD and with Android Task manager, and took a look to all programs and services one by one, but there is nothing installed with that name or icon. Trying to guess what is it, dragged and dropped the icon to the information place in ADW Launcher desktop and it shows: "Android System" running process, which is a core Android process. I remember having run "free GPSFix" some days ago, which is one of the applications which creates spam with red star messages at the top bar, but not sure if it could be also the application which created the icon. This is the picture: *Deleted data and cache, and uninstalled with Link2SD the free applications GPSFix and Dados applications, they could be the reason of spam icons: GPSfix Dados (dices) | The GPSFix app is known for this kind of spam (see its comments on the Playstore), even AntiVirus/AntiMalware apps classify it as adware (taken from those comments, again). Hence, my recommendation is: optionally post a comment on the playstore to warn other users uninstall that app delete that icon (do not "start" it, as you cannot know where it takes you -- it might introduce more problems) These kind of trouble-makers are no unknowns. Please see the questions tagged malware to find similar reports. The playstore has enough replacement apps not offering those "unwanted side-effects" (take e.g. a look at GPS Status & Toolbox ). So no need to shed any crocodile tears over that one app :) | New Television icon appeared in my Android desktop | android |
I had some apps installed on my Galaxy S2 and configured them on screen the way I liked to have them. Today, the firmware got updated (it looks cool) and all my installed apps are gone from my workspaces. They are still available in the application menu. Also, a load of Samsung and Vodafone (my carrier) apps were put in the workspaces. Is there a way to preserve my configurations between updates, and if not... why? I usually use about five apps, so it's not such a big deal for me, but it's annoying. I can imagine some other users freaking out over this. | By workspace you mean homescreen ? You could try a custom launcher, like Apex or Nova, which allow you to backup your homescreens. | Is there a way to preserve my configuration between firmware updates? | android |
I read about being able to revoke permissions on CyanogenMod , but it seems the devs took that ability out. I found some app out on the market for 6$ or so, but it doesn't look like it would be worth its price. It is called Permissions Denied . Any other way to block some permissions for some apps? Thanks. | There are at least two different solutions available for it: LBE Privacy Guard (careful when you're already running JellyBean: do not use the Playstore version then, but rather check with XDA-Developers , as the playstore version causes boot-loops with JellyBean and the dev did not even place a note for it), and PDroid Privacy Protection / PDroid Manager . The latter is more difficult to install, but often preferred: being implemented at OS level, it offers more security. | Is there any way to block permissions on apps? | android |
Triing to use Barnacle Wifi Tether on Samsung Galaxy Note2 GT-N7100. And when I press start wifi tether, got error: <code> could 'not set ad-hoc mode on wlan0. operation not supported on transport endpoint' </code> And then: <code> Could not connect to NAT, will retry later </code> . Using other wifi tethers apps also got troubles. My phone is rooted and got custom firmware android 4.2.2 Barnacle Wifi Tether printscreen: could 'not set ad-hoc mode on wlan0. operation not supported on transport endpoint' (click image to enlarge) | install this wifi tether and configure it according to video . It's working | could not set ad-hoc mode on wlan0. operation not supported on transport endpoint | android |
First of all, I understand that similar questions have been asked trillions of times before. But, as I've come to learn, not this specific one. So, here I go... I recently bought a Karbonn smart tab 7 and upgraded it to android 4.0.3. I've been using it a lot, and it has'nt given me any problems so far[Except the annoying settings reset, which is a question for another day]. I want to root my device and have tried various tutorials and NOTHING worked. Whenever I try to use an application to this, it tells me that the device cannot be found. I have connected it to the computer via the USB cable and Enabled usb debugging and even tried enabling mass storage mode[Only the SD card's file structure showed up in My computer]. I read somewhere that I would need to download some drivers for this to work, but am not able to find any drivers. I have also tried talking to customer care about the drivers, and they just farted on me. P.s. I have posted this question on a few forums before here[I did'nt know Stackexchange hav a site for Android!!!] and they eiter closed the question and voted me down or no one replied. Please help me as soon as possible. | I have succeded in rooting the Karbonn Smart Tab 7 and am apparently the first person on the net to do so. In your face Karbonn Technical Dept.. I have been using it only for a few hours now, and it is working fine (EDIT : I've been using it for 4 months now and it still works fine :) - August '13). Here are the steps for any other wanderer in the same plight as I was: The first step is a warning to all users, please be aware of the consequences of rooting before doing so. It should work perfectly, but just to be on the safe side, back up all you data. Connect the tab to the computer and enable mass storage mode. Also keep in mind that the Karbonn smart tab 7 has internal memory and an internal storage card. The internal one cannot be used for the purpose of rooting. You need to put in an external micro-sd card. When you connect the device in mass storage mode, the internal sd card's name will probably be NOVO7. Download this file and put it in the root of the external micro-sd. Put the tab in recovery mode. For those of you who dont know how to do this, switch off the device and hold the volume down and power buttons till is says "android is upgrading...", and then release the power button but keep holding the volume down button. Click on "Apply update from SD card and select "crystal_root.zip". It should install. Now reboot it and it's done!!! You can check if the rooting process has been successful by downloading the Root Checker app from the Play Store. The app is (obviously...) used to check if the root is accessible. You will also find that the SuperSU app has been installed automatically. Enjoy!!! P.s. Please vote me up (I would love that) and also thanks to @stackexchange-url ("Izzy") for giving me a heads up on how this stuff works. | Rooting the Karbonn smart tab 7 | android |
I am wondering if there is a schedule for Android versions or devices to reach end of life some day? The term end of life refers to a state when developers decide to stop supporting a certain software version with updates. I was reading a related article on androidcentral . So, currently Android 4.x is pretty common and rumors say 5.0 might come out in may, are there any end of life plans for any 2.x versions? I got a HTC Wildfire S with Android 2.3 and a Toshiba AC100 with Android 2.1. (Is the support bound to major version numbers or rather to devices?) Update : I never asked at any point for speculations. I'm a software engineer and used to end-of-life or end-of-support plans. I'm am new to Android and I noticed my devices are equipped with pretty old versions, according to the link in the first comment: 3 years old, which is a pretty long term in a software life cycle (for example normal Ubuntu releases got only 18 months lifetime). Is the support bound to major version numbers or rather to devices? Are there any end-of-life plans for Android or does that just happen if some version or devices does not get enough attention on the mobile markets? My research on this topic was not very effective. That's why I'm asking the community. I've got no intention to seed rumors or speculations. A "no" would be a valid (but poor) answer. | For android devices the answer is: 18 months is the maximum supported lifetime. I found this in the Google Android FAQ . It is said that the 2 year old Galaxy Nexus does not recieve an Update to Android 4.4 "KitKat": Galaxy Nexus, which first launched two years ago, falls outside of the 18-month update window when Google and others traditionally update devices. | Are there "end of life" plans for Android? | android |
I am using Jelly Bean on a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0. I have been trying to download an attachment from the GMail app. All I see is a progress bar which shows 0% progress and an icon added in the notification area. The download does not proceed beyond 0%. I restarted the tablet and the icon is back! But the download stays at 0% and does not progress. Has anyone else faced this problem? How do I remove the icon from the notification area? | Though not the identical issue, the solution provided with the question stackexchange-url ("Download stuck in Gmail") solves it as well: Clear the cache of the Download manager. To do so, go to Settings→Apps→Manage Apps , switch to the "All" Tab, scroll to the "Download Manager". Tap that entry, and hit the button labeled "Clear Cache". Optionally, also tap "Clear Data", if cache-cleaning alone does not solve the issue. | GMail attachment download does not complete | android |
I have a Samsung Galaxy S3, purchased on July 2012. Sometimes, when I press the power button, the screen keeps black. The button LEDs turn on, but nothing else happens, and I have to remove the battery, or hold the power button for 20 seconds to force a reboot. It has happened to me 4 times; the first 2 were quite distant in time, but the last 2 were both this week. Also this week, the phone has started to reboot itself. That has happened three times, two of them while I was using it, and the last one tonight, with the phone being idle (no wifi, no data connections, nothing). It just reboots automatically and then everything works fine. I've never flashed the device, it's not even rooted. It's running Android 4.1.2, as I've installed all the official updates via OTA (base I9300XXELLA, kernel 3.0.31-836582, compilation number JZO54K.I9300XXEMA2). And no, I did not install recently any app which may be causing my problems. So far, I've retired the microSD card (32GB card, manufactured by Samsung), because I've read that this may be the cause of the reboots. I'll try keeping it without the card for a few days. Although I've been using the same card for 5 months, and the reboots didn't start until this week. Edit : OK, we can rule out the SD card as the source of the problems - the phone also reboots itself without the microSD. There are a lot of posts from people with similar problems, and most of the answers say they should try a factory reset. However, in most of the cases that doesn't seem to solve the problem. So, I didn't try it... yet. Maybe I should, but I'm afraid that the problem will be still present, and it's a lot of trouble for nothing. I've already contacted with Samsung customer service, but in the meantime, is there anything else I can do? Can I at least diagnose somehow what's happening? I've read stackexchange-url ("here") about something called logcat , however they say the log is only kept on memory, it's not stored, so it would be of no help to determine what happened after a reboot or a black screen problem... Any ideas? Edit : the phone rebooted itself again, and this time the microSD card was not inserted. That means one suspect ruled out, but I still have to find the culprit. Edit : it seems that the problems were solved after doing a factory reset. At least, the phone hasn't rebooted itself for the last 5 days... | I gave up and did a factory reset. Since then, the phone has been working for 5 days in a row... so it seems like at least the reboots are gone (I hope not to jinx it...). I've also noticed that since the reset, the battery lasts at least twice longer than before. I've fewer installed apps, which should lead to a slight battery life improvement, but this isn't slight, it's the double. Before the reset, at night (no data connections, no WiFi), the phone consumed about 1% of its battery per hour. Now it's consuming less than 1% in the whole night. Obviously there was something wrong before the factory reset. I hope everything is fine now... In case it's helpful for anybody else, this what the Samsung Customer Service told me to do: Start the phone in Secure Mode for a couple of days . That means that only preinstalled apps will work. So if that solves the problems, there is an app causing them. To enable Secure Mode, you have to reboot the phone, and press the options button (the left one) when the Samsung logo appears; it should vibrate, and then you will see "Secure Mode" at the left bottom corner. To disable Secure Mode, turn off the phone and extract the battery for a few seconds. --- For Verizon GSIII phones : after you reboot the phone, press and hold the volume down button when the Samsung logo appears. Directions also state that you may need to hold the button for up to 45 seconds before you will see "Safe Mode" in lower left-hand corner. http://support.verizonwireless.com/support/devices/knowledge_base.html/59242/ Perform a factory reset (if the phone still has problems running in Secure Mode). To perform it, go to Menu > Settings > Backup & reset > Factory data reset. It will revert the phone to its original factory status, therefore, you will lose all the data and applications stored in your phone's memory (it will not affect the SIM card, nor the microSD if you have one). Be sure to backup everything you don't want to lose! You can use Samsung KIES for that backup. If the phone still has problems after the factory reset, it should be checked by Samsung Technical Service. | Samsung Galaxy S3 black screen and automatic reboots | android |
From what it looks like, Facebook is just downloading an update, but it is not downloading anything. Even after multiple reboots and uninstalling Facebook app, it still continues. How to clear this up? Phone is Samsung Galaxy S3 running Android 4.1.2. With default TuchWiz launcher. | Try: -Long pressing the notification. -A small dialog that says "App Info" will appear. -Press "App Info" -Press "Force Stop" . | How to fix download notifications? | android |
I searched it a while and found some articles regarding rooting the Xperia Ray but I couldn't understand them easily. So I want help from you geeks who can give me the lighted way with simple steps to root my phone. I found this article from xda-developers.com but it sais there, that I have to have an "unlocked bootloader" which I probably don't have if I haven't done anything with my phone yet, have I? And it tells me to "wipe the dalvik-cache" which I don't see anywhere (probably after unlocking the bootloader?). I also heard something of "fastboot", but I didn't get what it is :-? I already gct the IMEI by entering <code> *#06# </code> into my phone and got the developer unlock code from unlockbootloader.sonyericsson.com . I have running the actual Ice-Cream 4.0.4 Build-Number 4.1.B.1.13, Kernel 2.6.32.9-perf EDIT: right now I am following the instructions from Sony's Instructions on how to unlock bootloader . Entering the code <code> *#*#7378423#*#* </code> shows, that the unlock is allowed. I am downloading the huge Android SDK right now ... | I followed these instructions for a "one-click ROOT" I downloaded Eroot 1.3.4: Link stopped all applications and started the eroot program clicked on "-Root" waited the 4 steps and there it was. (don't press again the "Root" button, that will remove root again) you can check with the Root Checker App if you have root access, click on "Verify Root Access" If you have root access you can install a CyanogenMod release shown in the following steps (source: mainly the CyanogenMod Wiki Howto starting from step "Obtaining the Bootloader Unlock Code"): . 1. Download CyanogenMod Download the desired CyanogenMod and place it on your SDcard as ZIP file (currently the latest for ST18i is 10.0 which is named just cm-10-2013-NIGHTLY-urushi.zip ) I chose <code> cm-10-20131007-NIGHTLY-urushi.zip </code> This takes some minutes... Download Google Apps * for the CyanogenMod you selected (You have to install a 3rd-party app to get the Google apps, like Gmail, Play Store, and Youtube.) I chose <code> gapps-jb-20121011-signed.zip </code> . 2. enable fastboot : Download Files for Fastboot (the same as the Xperia arc) Extract the file to a new folder naming say Unlock. (Do it neatly as you won't get confused while entering into CMD). Go to unlockbootloader.sonyericsson.com (We will do the unlocking in the official way). Read the instructions carefully and click Continue/Proceed whatever they ask, note down your IMEI (The place where the website asks to paste it, enter in the exactly first 14 digits, not 15 digits ) and after submitting your name, IMEI and email click Submit and note down the code they produce (copy that into a notepad). Enter in fastboot mode (Don't turn on the device, just press Volume up and connect USB cable simultaneously to your PC. A blue light should come up, otherwise something has gone wrong). Install the drivers for your device on your computer (from the unzipped drivers folder you downloaded) Go to the fastboot directory and Ctrl+Shift+Right Click (or on Windows 7 open a CMD shell end go into the fastboot directory) Type in <code> fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce getvar version </code> and hit enter Type in <code> fastboot.exe -i 0x0fce oem unlock 0x<your_code> </code> (use directly by your code that you have already copied in notepad) You are done. When you start your phone you will have fresh factory reset but rooted Android. . 3. install ClockworkMod : Install x-Parts from Google Play. After installation, open the app and select the Installs tab. Select Install CWM and follow on-screen instructions. You can Reboot into the recovery mode from there (press the button in the Tools Tab) . 4. install boot.img : Now you need to install the <code> boot.img </code> from the CyanogenMod Zip you downloaded: Connect your device into fastboot again with Vol-Up While plugging in the USB-Cable <code> fastboot devices </code> (Seeing your serial number means we know all is good.) Now type these commands: <code> fastboot erase system -w </code> <code> fastboot erase boot </code> then copy the boot.img in the same folder as fastboot.exe and type <code> fastboot flash boot boot.img </code> <code> fastboot reboot </code> Now press the Vol-Down Button to enter the Recovery Mode again and install your image . 5. Install CyanogenMod in Recovery Mode: Once the device boots into the ClockworkMod Recovery, use the physical volume buttons to move up and down. On most devices, the power button is used to confirm your selection, although for some devices the power button is used as a "back" button to go up one level, in which case the home button is used to confirm the selection. Optional/Recommended: Select backup and restore to create a backup of the current installation on the Xperia Ray. Select the options to "wipe data/factory reset" and "wipe cache" Select "Install zip from sdcard" Select Choose the CyanogenMod zip from sdcard. Select the CyanogenMod file you placed on the sdcard. You will then need to then confirm that you do wish to flash this file. Install the Google Apps package as well Optional: Install any additional packages you wish using the same method. Once the installation has finished, return back to the main menu, and select the reboot system now option. The Xperia Ray should now boot into CyanogenMod. Whenever you want to re-enter the recovery-mode from now on (after installing ClockworkMod) you can always: press the volume down key a few times when your phone boots up. The sony logo brightens at one point, press during that time At first, I was stuck with an error at the end: I stackexchange-url ("Cannot install any Custom ROMs on Xperia Ray ST18i: assert failed: getprop Status 7") but that is covered here now | How to unlock and root a Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray ST18i with 4.1.B.1.13 | android |
I updated my voicemail and with out thinking I allowed apps that are not from google play to access my phones features causing some things to disappear, on my phone How do i change my settings back to where only things from the play store and so on can be installed? | The primary technique to reject applications other than from Play Store to install is in the Settings for Security. Make sure the setting "Unknown Sources" is unchecked. This setting normally allows 3rd party installation to occur. | Help On Changing Settings | android |
I think this is a pretty straight forward question. I have a Galaxy S2 (i727) and a Galaxy S3 (i747) and I'd like to use Heimdall with both of them, but can't seem to find which version of Heimdall supports them. Working with the 1.3.1, for example, when I boot my S2 into download mode, zadig.exe does not list the Samsung driver everyone mentions. Heimdall Frontend says it detects a device when I click Utilties-> Detect, but I can't seem to interact with anything on the Flash tab. I'm trying to flash recoveries. | I never did find out which version of Heimdall to use with either device, but settled on using ODIN3 v1.85 with my S2 (didn't work with an S3, after all). If you have the AT&T Skyrocket version of the S2, a great place to start looking is: [HOWTO] THE ULTIMATE NEWB GUIDE > | INSTALL CWM/TWRP | ROOT | UNROOT |the SKYROCKET | Which version of Heimdall to use with S2 or S3? | android |
I tried creating an Image with a JellyBean's LatinIME.apk, replacing ICS's LatinIME.apk, in system apps folder of ICS ROM, but it crashed. But when I put it in <code> preInstalledApk </code> folder, it got compiled and ran successfully. But it needs to be selected from "Language and Input" in Settings and also both the keyboards have same name. What I want is to install JellyBean's LatinIME.apk during compile time of Image and also be the default input method. I don't mind if its not a system app. And I will change the ICS's LatinIME.apk-Keyboard name from the code, so that user can selected any of them without scratching their heads. | I literally had to scavenge the code up and down to get to the solution. A xml called defaults.xml contains the default input method node. That needed to be changed to the package name of the JellyBean's LatinIME. This is yet to be tested; will let you all know if it runs okay. | Compile JellyBean's Keyboard for ICS Rom | android |
I have an Android phone running 4.0.4 (ICS) and a Microsoft Wedge Mobile Keyboard . I have paired the keyboard with my phone and it works all right most of the time. However, every so often I will experience the following: after pushing some keys, nothing happens after a few seconds, the characters I have entered show up one of the characters is repeated many times For example, pushing: t e s t Will result in the following being displayed on screen: teeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeest This only happens occasionally, but often enough to be a nuisance. I realize that there will always be unpredictable latency inherent with wireless communications (Bluetooth in this case) but I see no reason why characters are being repeated as if I held down the key (which I didn't). Note that this is not a question about changing the repeat rate for keys being held down. Edit: my device is a Samsung Galaxy Discover . | Based on what I've read so far, this may be a bluetooth issue. Some people have fixed the issue by: using only 1 BT device . If you have connected both a BT keyboard and BT mouse, disable one of them. disabling Wi-Fi . Having both Wi-Fi and BT seems to trigger a repeating key issue. using External Keyboard Helper Pro . It has a <code> do not repeat </code> option. Link to app . At the end of the thread , it mentions that BT was re-engineered in Android 4.2. So if you upgrade to 4.2, that should fix the issues you are having. | How to prevent characters from repeating when entering text with a Bluetooth keyboard? | android |
I bought a basic female to female USB adapter and connected my Galaxy SIII USB cable to the mouse. This didn't work. What am I doing wrong? Do I need an OTG cable? Something about USB hosts? I don't understand how to get this to work. | Yes, you need an OTG cable. The pin layout is different than a regular micro USB to USB cable; essentially, it's equivalent to shorting pins 4 and 5 on a normal cable. This is what causes the phone to know that it needs to be the host rather than the slave . In fact, you can do this yourself if you're handy with electronics and have a cable you don't mind taking apart, though they're also readily available at many online retailers (Amazon, Newegg, Monoprice, etc). | Connecting USB mouse to Galaxy SIII | android |
On Ice Cream Sandwich (CyanogenMod 9), Under <code> Settings > Security </code> there is an option to "Encrypt phone". I understand that this will require me to provide a PIN whenever I start up my phone. But what wasn't explained was if it covers the micro SD data as well? I want to make it so that in case my phone gets stolen, the thief won't be able to simply get my micro SD card and pop it in to a card reader and view its contents, some of which may be sensitive. | Encrypt phone only encrypts the /data partition. Encrypting the SD card is a separate function and isn't implemented in stock android. Some manufacturers (I know Motorola and Samsung do) extend the encryption (optionally. Where you find "encrypt phone", you'll also find an "encrypt SD card" option) to the SD card. I can't determine whether cyanogenmod implements such a function or if it may be device-specific. | What is covered by "Encrypt phone"? | android |
Sometimes I want to share photos my friend right after after we take the shots. I want those photos to appear in my Google+ Instant Upload album immediately, rather than waiting for it automatically do it. How can I force "instant upload" to run? | From the Google+ app, select <code> Settings -> Instant Upload </code> and press the <code> Upload all </code> item, it will just upload any photos that haven't already been uploaded. As noted in the comments, you can also <code> share </code> individual photos in your album via Google+. | How to force Google+ Instant Upload to perform an upload right away? | android |
Settings -> Applications -> All tells me that "Contacts Storage" uses 2.5MB which must be my contact data. Since I had to revert to 4.03 after a faulty update to 4.1 my contacts seem inaccessible although the data seems to be there. Could you please tell me where to find the associated data(base) for Contacts Storage? My phone is rooted. And no, my contact data is not on GMail and I honestly don't know why... | The exact location of the contacts database might depend on your manufacturer's "customization". While "plain Vanilla Android" has them in <code> /data/data/android.providers.contacts/databases </code> , the stock ROM on my Motorola Milestone 2 e.g. uses <code> /data/data/com.motorola.blur.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db </code> instead. A raw mask to check for is <code> /data/data/*.providers.contacts/databases/*.db </code> . The file is in SQLite3 format, and can be browsed on your PC with e.g. SQLiteman , which is available for Linux, Mac, and Windows alike. With this application you can browse the database in a graphical mode. Of course you also can use the command line <code> sqlite3 </code> client if you prefer. Crucial point to directly access this database is that your device must be rooted -- a precondition you already meet, as your question states. So you can either use a file manager to navigate to the database file, and copy it to your computer for investigation -- or directly pull it to your computer via <code> adb pull </code> . A third option would be to investigate it directly on your device, e.g. using the SQLite Manager or aSQLiteManager app. | Where is the data for "Contacts Storage" located? | android |
As this question stackexchange-url ("Why is the SD-card mounted to "/sdcard/external_sd" instead of "/sdcard" (or "/mnt/sdcard")?") points out, newer versions of Android often point the /mnt/sdcard path to internal storage instead of the SD card, and the location for the sd storage is not clearly defined and varies from device to device. Is it possible to modify my phone so that /mnt/sdcard would actually point to the SD card instead of some arbitrary location on internal storage? (would this require rooting the phone?) Since the new specifications are so vague about what the mount point should be for sd cards, many apps do not work properly, or have features (such as backup and restore or export) that are completely useless if the /mnt/sdcard path doesn't actually point to a removable piece of memory that you can move to another device. | As eldarerathis noted in his comment, this will require root. But you don't need to manually edit the <code> vold.fstab </code> file for this, as there are some nice little helpers available: Root External 2 Internal SD can swap your cards (i.e. exchange their mount points): Root External 2 Internal SD (Source: Google Play ) Note that this app requires Android 4.0 or higher. | Change Mount Point for SD Card? | android |
I have a rooted Samsung Galaxy S2 with GB Samsung firmware, I have updated Viber through Google Play and now it won't even start. It gives me a crash error dialog and closes without even starting the UI. I've read the solution for this issue is to reinstall Viber, but it would also mean that all my chat history will be deleted, and I want to that. How do I backup and restore ONLY the chat in Viber? | As your phone is rooted, you could use Titanium Backup to backup app and data. Then uninstall Viber, re-install it, check if it works, and use TB again to restore only the data. Keep in mind that when a mis-configuration is the cause of your problem, after restoring the app's data your problem might be back. In that case, simply repeat the operation, but do not restore the data, if you want the app working again. Of course, in that case your chat history would be lost; but you might be able to manually pick the data from TiBu's backups. | Backing up Viber chat logs | android |
My OS version is 4.1.2. I'm currently using the "Turn off all sound" 2x1 widget on my home screen, but I feel it is too big. I'm looking for a widget that is 1x1 and has the same functionality: mute all (or as many as possible) sounds and leaves vibration notifications on. | You could try Elixir 2 . It lets you add different kinds of toggle widgets, including mute widgets. | Smaller "Turn off all sounds" widget | android |
When I turn off my phone, next time it says <code> SD card is damaged </code> and all data is gone, I can only reformat it. The phone is "gionee iq275" (also known as "Fly" in Russia), Android version is 2.3.4. What can be the source of problem? How can I get rid of it? I know, the phone is crap, but at the moment just throwing it away and buying another is not a solution. | Not sure why that happened, but I got rid of the problem by making 2 things: Performed full format of the SD card, and Safely eject SD card before reboot of poweroff (not sure if it's necessary) After that, I didn't see this problem again for now. Update That crappy phone sometimes damages SD card content regardless of whether the techniques written above are used... it seems to be a device-specific problem. So, my advice (if anyone else reads this) - don't buy "no-name" Chinese phones! :D | SD card "damaged" after every reboot / power off | android |
I understand how partitions work on a harddisk, also how to use programs to create, change, delete these partitions. I am using also Android for quite some time - but never really tried to go very deep regarding the system itself. I would really get some more details regarding how the system works but I feel I cannot find the right source for the deeper knowledge. In this question I would like to focus on the Android partitions only. I found this source: http://wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/Doc:_more_concepts#Partitions_and_directories But I would like to understand a little bit more: Is the concept similar to harddisks? Can these partitions also be changed? Or would it be necessary at all? Are there tools to change the partitons? Can I brick my device forever when working on the partitions? Thank you so much!! | The Android firmware is composed of several image files. These image files are flashed to (device specific) locations on your devices internal memory. Typically these images are for the bootloader, recovery, fastboot, and the system (OS). The remaining memory is mapped to your internal storage. Since each device expects them to be located at different locations depending on the manufacturer, you cannot modify them safely. | Android Device Partitions | android |
I have HTC One X with Sense on it. Sense is a bit slow. So I installed Apex Launcher. It was fast but it required quite a few permissions so I uninstalled it. I looked at other Launchers in Google Play like Nova, Go, etc. but all of them had required some or the other permissions which were giving me goosebumps, like Service that cost you money: Directly call phone numbers Your messages: Access mail information, read your text messages (SMS or MMS) Your personal information: Read call log, read your contacts Your accounts: Find accounts on this device So my question is, is it safe to install Launchers for Android which require permissions like they can read your emails, SMS, call number directly? Also Apex launcher cannot create widget on home screen unless the phone is rooted and shows a message - <code> NOTE: Due to limitations of the Android framework, you won't be able to add widgets from the drawer unless Apex Launcher is installed as a system app (root required). Please read the FAQ for more information. </code> Is this the case with all Launchers? | Those permissions (call, SMS) are in most cases used for "quick-access-widgets/shortcuts" the launcher provides. To create a call widget for a contact, the contacts need to be read, which again might need the account data in some cases to retrieve them. So all those permissions are obviously making sense in context of a launcher. Of course this does not mean they cannot be abused. So I'd either stick with a heavily used / well known app, or have additional protection (PDroid, LBE). You explicitly mentioned Apex , which I use on some of my devices. On others I use GoLauncher EX . I also use LBE to keep watch. None of these two launchers ever misused these permissions (at least I never got a warning) -- though I must admit I did not check all the logs thoroughly all the time. | Is it safe to install Launchers for Android which require quite a few permissions? | android |
I'm using Galaxy Note 2 Nowadays, every link in FB app and in Whatsapp is opened in the native browser I want to make Chrome the defualt browser for all actions including these two apps. How can I do this? | Head to Settings -> Apps -> All -> Internet -> Clear Defaults. Next time you do a search or open a link, you'll be given a choice of which app you want to open it with. Select Chrome and put a tick in the "Make Default" checkbox and that should make Chrome the default browser. | make chrome default browser | android |
I currently have CyanogenMod 10.1 (Android 4.2.1) on my Galaxy SIII. I used ClockworkMod to flash the ROM. Now, after using the ROM for a while, I want to try some other ROMs, so I made a backup of my current ROM (CyanogenMod 10.1) in ClockworkMod recovery and the backup was saved to: <code> /mnt/shell/emulated/clockworkmod/backup </code> . Now, if I use the "wipe data/factory reset" option in ClockworkMod recovery, will that remove the backup I made? | Wipe data will wipe everything on your <code> /data </code> partition (hence the name). A factory reset will wipe the same (additionally also cache and Dalvik cache), and put your device back to a virgin state. Usually, this doesn't touch the (external) SDCard, and AFAIK should not touch the internal SDCard either. I don't know on which partition your mentioned folder resides; but if you want to be on the safe side, back up everything to the external SDCard (or even better off-device, e.g. to your computer). | Will the ''wipe data/factory reset'' in ClockworkMod also remove my backups I have done? | android |
What do the "Sync Internet" and "Sync Instant Upload" options do in Jelly Bean settings? | Instant Upload is a feature of Google+, which uploads the photos you take with your camera to a private photo folder on Google+ for easy sharing. This option allows you to enable/disable this feature, but it can also be controlled from other Google apps like Google+ and Google Settings. More info Sync Internet means syncing your browser history, bookmarks, form input data and other settings on Chrome. This requires that you use the same Google account on all instances of Chrome that you want to sync. I'm not certain if this feature syncs the data also to the stock browser, but it's possible. | What do the "Sync Internet" and "Sync Instant Upload" options do in Jelly Bean settings? | android |
Yesterday I bought a new Android smartphone & performed a factory reset on my previous HTC handset. Naturally (I think) I set up my new phone under the same Google account as was registered for my HTC. If I login to the Google Play Store, I was expecting, and maybe naively assumed to find, a way to delete the HTC handset, but I cannot seem to find a way to achieve this! As this is only my second Android device, I have not encountered this situation before. (Perhaps there were steps I should have taken on my HTC, prior to performing the factory reset.) I am however surprised that Google does not allow you to carry out such a basic task. Did I miss something? Does Google wish you to create a new account every time you change phones/tablets? | You can't delete it, only hide it. Go to the Google Play website . Make sure you're logged in. Click the gear icon in the upper right then click Settings . Your devices should be listed there. Uncheck "Shown in menus" on the device you don't want to see any more. | Deleting a device from the Google Play Store? | android |
I have a 32 GB Verizon Galaxy Nexus (toro). I am running Cyanogenmod 10.1 ROM nightlies and I use CyanDelta Updater to stay up to date. For a period of about 3 weeks, I updated to the latest nightly nearly every day using CyanDelta. Sometimes I'd download the full ROM instead of using CyanDelta. During this time, I never wiped the device (aka factory reset). I just applied the new release on top of the old. Recently, my phone's performance degraded significantly. There were long delays unlocking, long delays switching apps, long delays doing just about everything. The phone would freeze up, and the OS would ask if I wanted to end a process because it wasn't responding. My podcatcher would stutter while playing. Instead of switching to another ROM, I decided to first do a full wipe (factory reset). I used Titanium Backup to back up my user apps and data. In TeamWin Recovery, I did a factory reset, flashed the same CM 10.1 nightly I was running previously, restored my apps using Titanium, signed into accounts, etc. My phone's performance has been completely restored. It's like night and day. My question is: Why did that work? What is it about applying successive ROM versions that could cause a slowdown that a wipe would fix? I love my new level of performance, but I also enjoy keeping up with the latest releases. It would seem I can't have my jelly beans and eat them too. Now I'm reluctant to flash any updates without doing a full wipe. | I've come up with one potential answer myself: TRIM Solid state disks (SSDs) and some flash memory require the operating system to perform a kind of housekeeping task to maintain the efficiency of the device. The operating system command TRIM is explained in this AnandTech article: http://www.anandtech.com/show/2738/10 Its applicability to certain Android devices, including my Samsung Galaxy Nexus and ASUS Nexus 7 is explained in these XDA Developers threads: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2104326 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1971852 An XDA member wrote an app called LagFix which purports to exercise the TRIM maintenance function, thus restoring write performance for the device. Since I recently performed a complete factory reset, I'm no longer having performance problems and thus I can't directly corroborate the purported benefits of LagFix. If I'm in a position where performance is suffering, I may do some benchmarking and see if LagFix improves the situation. Please be aware if you plan to try LagFix that there are some devices that have chips that do NOT play nice with this utility. These chips have what's come to be called a BrickBug, and if you run LagFix on one of these devices, you will irrevocably brick your device. I highly recommend you follow the advice and read the LagFix FAQ. It points to a utility which can tell you if your device contains a chip that may suffer from the BrickBug. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=37029420&postcount=122 | Why does my Android device slow down after successive ROM updates without wiping? | android |
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