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I tried to install Jelly Bean (4.1.1) onto the Nexus S handset following the instructions from here . Later, I noticed that the Nexus should have at least 4.0.3 to upgrade to 4.1.x. So I tried to install 4.0.3 following the instruction from here . But each and every time I'm having the error - E:Error in /sdcard/filename.zip (Status 7) How can I fix that? | The explanation is simple, as I have suspected, there's a verification mis-match in the <code> build.prop </code> , see below, <code> Starting recovery on Fri Jan 4 20:43:32 2013 can't open /dev/tty0: No such file or directory framebuffer: fd 3 (480 x 800) ClockworkMod Recovery v5.0.2.0 recovery filesystem table ========================= 0 /tmp ramdisk (null) (null) 1 /sdcard vfat /dev/block/platform/s3c-sdhci.0/by-name/media (null) 2 /system ext4 /dev/block/platform/s3c-sdhci.0/by-name/system (null) 3 /cache yaffs2 cache (null) 4 /data ext4 /dev/block/platform/s3c-sdhci.0/by-name/userdata (null) 5 /misc mtd misc (null) 6 /boot mtd boot (null) 7 /recovery mtd recovery (null) 8 /bootloader mtd bootloader (null) 9 /radio mtd radio (null) W:Unable to get recovery.fstab info for /sd-ext during fstab generation! I:Completed outputting fstab. I:Processing arguments. Fixing execute permissions for /cache mtd: successfully wrote block at 0 I:Set boot command "boot-recovery" I:Checking arguments. I:device_recovery_start() Command: "/sbin/recovery" ro.secure=0 ro.allow.mock.location=1 ro.debuggable=1 persist.service.adb.enable=1 ro.build.id=GRJ22 ro.build.display.id=GRJ90 ro.build.version.incremental=121341 ro.build.version.sdk=10 ro.build.version.codename=REL ro.build.version.release=2.3.5 ro.build.date=Mon Sep 5 11:04:10 PDT 2011 ro.build.date.utc=0 ro.build.type=eng ro.build.user=koush ro.build.host=Koushik-Lion.local ro.build.tags=test-keys ro.product.model=Nexus S ro.product.brand=google ro.product.name=soju ro.product.device=crespo ro.product.board=herring ro.product.cpu.abi=armeabi-v7a ro.product.cpu.abi2=armeabi ro.product.manufacturer=samsung ro.product.locale.language=en ro.product.locale.region=US ro.wifi.channels= ro.board.platform=s5pc110 ro.build.product=crespo ro.build.description=soju-user 2.3.4 GRJ22 121341 release-keys ro.build.fingerprint=google/soju/crespo:2.3.4/GRJ22/121341:user/release-keys rild.libpath=/vendor/lib/libsec-ril.so rild.libargs=-d /dev/ttyS0 ro.sf.lcd_density=240 keyguard.no_require_sim=true ro.opengles.version=131072 wifi.interface=eth0 wifi.supplicant_scan_interval=15 dalvik.vm.heapsize=32m ro.rommanager.developerid=cyanogenmod ro.url.legal=http://www.google.com/intl/%s/mobile/android/basic/phone-legal.html ro.url.legal.android_privacy=http://www.google.com/intl/%s/mobile/android/basic/privacy.html ro.com.google.clientidbase=android-google ro.com.android.wifi-watchlist=GoogleGuest ro.setupwizard.enterprise_mode=1 ro.com.android.dateformat=MM-dd-yyyy ro.com.android.dataroaming=false ro.config.ringtone=Playa.ogg ro.config.notification_sound=regulus.ogg ro.config.alarm_alert=Alarm_Beep_03.ogg ro.ril.enable.managed.roaming=1 ro.ril.oem.nosim.ecclist=911,112,999,000,08,118,120,122,110,119,995 ro.ril.emc.mode=2 ro.modversion=CyanogenMod-7.1.0-RC1-NS-KANG ro.kernel.android.checkjni=1 ro.setupwizard.mode=OPTIONAL dalvik.vm.dexopt-flags=m=y net.bt.name=Android net.change=net.bt.name dalvik.vm.stack-trace-file=/data/anr/traces.txt ro.factorytest=0 ro.serialno=3334E1630CFF00EC ro.bootmode=unknown ro.baseband=I9020XXKI1 ro.carrier=ATT ro.bootloader=I9020XXKL1 ro.hardware=herring ro.revision=16 init.svc.recovery=running init.svc.adbd=running I:Checking for extendedcommand... I:Skipping execution of extendedcommand, file not found... mtd: successfully wrote block at 0 I:Set boot command "" -- Installing: /sdcard/VQ8PQk_V.zip mtd: successfully wrote block at 0 I:Set boot command "boot-recovery" Finding update package... I:Update location: /sdcard/VQ8PQk_V.zip Opening update package... Installing update... script aborted: assert failed: file_getprop("/system/build.prop", "ro.build.fingerprint") == "google/soju/crespo:2.3.6/GRK39F/189904:user/release-keys" || file_getprop("/system/build.prop", "ro.build.fingerprint") == "google/soju/crespo:4.0.3/IML74K/239410:user/release-keys" assert failed: file_getprop("/system/build.prop", "ro.build.fingerprint") == "google/soju/crespo:2.3.6/GRK39F/189904:user/release-keys" || file_getprop("/system/build.prop", "ro.build.fingerprint") == "google/soju/crespo:4.0.3/IML74K/239410:user/release-keys" E:Error in /sdcard/VQ8PQk_V.zip (Status 7) Installation aborted. mtd: successfully wrote block at 0 I:Set boot command "" </code> The <code> ro.build.fingerprint </code> contains this google/soju/crespo:2.3.4/GRJ22/121341:user/release-keys but the update performed a verification check on the fingerprint which resulted in mis-match and there-by producing <code> Error code 7 </code> . Notice the last few lines of the <code> recovery.log </code> , i.e. the update was expecting the handset to have this version of Gingerbread - google/soju/crespo:2.3.6/GRK39F/189904:user/release-keys OR expecting Ice Cream Sandwich google/soju/crespo:4.0.3/IML74K/239410:user/release-keys This is meaning, that the version of Gingerbread on your handset is too old for the update to work. (Its Gingerbread 2.3.4 that is on it!) am not 100% sure how this recovery is showing the fingerprint as GB 2.3.4 if the OP states in the comments that the handset is running ICS 4.0.1 So to resolve the issue, you need to flash to Gingerbread v 2.3.6 Ice Cream Sandwich v.4.0.3 first, then apply the update and it should work then. Edit It transpires the OP is running ICS v. 4.0.1, the update script was performing a check for either 2.3.6 or 4.0.3 which is something that I have missed inadvertently. | Getting "E:Error in /sdcard/.zip (status 7)" while upgrading Android Nexus 4.0.1 to 4.1.x (Jelly bean) | android |
Where is the bootloader program on an Android phone stored ? | The boot-loader code is stored within the <code> /boot </code> partition. Majority of Android handsets uses the Qualcomm's Boot Loader, called LK (Little Kernel), barring Samsung, which uses their own form of boot-code. LK has the following: Variety of nand devices for bootup USB driver to enable upgrading images over usb during development Keypad driver to enable developers enter ‘fastboot’ mode for image upgrades Display driver for debugging and splash screen Enable Android recovery image and image upgrades This applies to only, Qualcomm chipsets hence the exemption of Samsung based handsets There is a website blog that cites this from source The actual source code, if anyone is curious enough, can be found on CodeAurora site. This is known as CAF, in which a lot of Qualcomm specific code for kernels can be found in. As a side-note : Google releases source to AOSP, CAF, pulls from them, modifies it to make it fit within Qualcomm chipsets, then the Manufacturers pull those down and add their own bits, it is that for the reason there's, AOSP, CAF and CyanogenMod that are the main three flavours of Android. The actual source code to the boot-loader can be found on CAF's git repository, and has not changed much, it can also be found in CyanogenMod's source, specifically in, <code> /bootable/bootloader </code> also. | Where is the code for the Bootloader stored in an Android phone? | android |
I just got an LG Optimus G from my carrier, and was extremely excited for it! I finished recovering my documents and such, and then I went to load my music and pictures... But my Mac isn't recognizing it! I checked my phone, and it was set to just <code> USB Charging </code> . That explains it... I tried the LG Software option, but couldn't find it on their website for Mac OSX. I emailed LG Support, and they said their software does not run on OSX. OK, I got another 3 options to try... USB Tethering wouldn't transfer files... Maybe Media Sync (MTP)? It says that I can transfer files or synchronize with Windows Media Player. I select that, but nothing appears on my computer, and iTunes doesn't read it. Finally, I tried the Camera (PTP) option; this brought up my iPhoto asking me to download pictures. It doesn't let me add files to the phone though. So my question is, how can I transfer files easily (preferably via a sync) between my phone and my OSX 10.6 MacBook Pro? EDIT : I received an email reply back after they told me they do not have their LG software available for a Mac. They told me to try Salling Software to do the sync, along with instructions. However, my phone is not listed (actually, no LG phones are listed) as being compatible with the software. I followed LG's instructions, but it did not help (instructions below) EDIT 2 : A friend suggested Winamp for Mac. I'm just trying to get it to properly import all my media, then I will post the results | I found a few work arounds, although not too elegant. Music I used Winamp for Mac , and the Winamp app to transfer the music from my iTunes library. I loaded Winamp, and told it to import my iTunes media, waited for it to finish, then created playlists. I can then right-click the playlist on the left, and click Send To-> LG Optimus G. The transfer took a while over Wifi, but it moved my library over Other Files I used the Bluetooth Exchange program for my Mac. In hindsight, I learned eventually I could have transferred via Wifi with ES File Explorer 's FTP or SMB sharing. But again, this is how I solved it. Bluetooth was deadly slow, but it did eventually work. | LG Optimus G and Mac OSX | android |
Every time I want to connect my phone to <code> adb </code> via USB I need to turn it off, plug the cable and turn it back on. Is this the right way to go or am I missing something? Documen tation doesn't seem to explicitly state that. Some details: Samsung GT-B5510 Galaxy Y Pro (Android 2.3.6) Android Debug Bridge version 1.0.29 Debian GNU/Linux 7.0 (wheezy) | This is the real issue cYrus had (we tracked it down via interactive chat): The phone has obviously some race condition between plugging USB in and USB ready . Plugging in basically gives 2 events: Power connected event (start charging battery) USB connected event (enumerate devices etc.) If the Host system asks for USB enumeration too quickly (before the power-connected event has settled probably), then that operation fails and the device stays invisible. The workaround is to slowly insert the USB cable. Reason: USB has 4 pins, the 2 outer ones are +/- and protrude longer than the inner 2 data pins. If inserted slowly, there's a time gap between the power-connected event and the data-connected event | Can't connect an already booted device to adb | android |
I read in some tutoriel that for the root to be working, battery needed to be loaded around 70 at at least. Why is it so? Does it endanger the phone, or it just prevent the root to be working for some reason? | It's a safety factor. Depending on the exact method, the rooting process can take a hour or more and if you run out of juice in the middle of the process, your phone can wind up bricked. | Why the battery need to be loaded before to root? | android |
I'm new to the ICS os, coming from Gingerbread from another phone. The phone's quite nice and fast when I first used it, but just this morning it started exhibiting weird actions. Camera360 doesn't open up automatically when I click it, the Camera closes for no reason, Pocket restarts when an article has an image, and TTPod resets the song to the previous song on my widget in the middle of a new song I'm playing. I checked out the ram, and and was surprised to see 500+ mb used, 0 mb available. I looked at the list of programs and I see the usual culprits like Facebook, but the ram they're using doesn't add up to 500+ mb. Yeah, I know that the whole ram indicated isn't usable by the apps, but I don't think I've done anything to warrant the 0 mb. I close my apps. There are times when there's free 4 to 5 mb, but I think that too shouldn't be the case. I tried installing Advance Task Killer, it listed less than 10 apps, killed it, still the ram is what it is above. I did a reboot, and now it reads 300+ mb usage, 200 something free. What can I do? How do I ensure an app's closed on ICS? I installed GoLaucher because it has a handy task killer and I can see the ram freed in an instant, but I would like to know if there's a better way to handle the RAM. | While it's quite unusual to really have 0 byte free, there is no such thing as "unused RAM" on Linux/Unix based systems. RAM that's not used by apps themselves is used to e.g. buffer data from slower media, and caching stuff from the file system. You will see that quite nicely when running the <code> free </code> command on a command line (using a terminal emulator app, or via <code> adb shell </code> ). An example (here from a rooted Android running the Terminal Emulator app) looks like this: Note the high numbers for "buffers" and "cached" -- which are the reason why the RAM used by apps plus the amount of free RAM "doesn't add up" to the total RAM available. Nothing to worry about. As for Task Killers: Kill them, they won't do you much good. True they can be useful -- but not in this context: use them to kill hanging/misbehaving apps e.g. hogging your CPU and won't quit otherwise. But it makes absolutely no sense to use them to "free RAM" or "save battery" -- to the contrary: most "killed" apps will simply re-launch themselves immediately, using the same RAM again -- but needing more battery for the relaunch then they'd used had you not killed them. To close apps, exit them via the back button (not the home button). If the dev designed them well, this should place them on the "exit list" (check for "OOM killer" and "application life cycle" if you want more technical details). Don't worry about handling the RAM -- Android does a good job here already on its own :) | 0 ram free on ICS | android |
Some Android devices can act as a USB host, so that you can use other USB devices attached to them. For instance, browse or import the photos stored on a camera from your phone, or copy files onto a USB memory stick attached to your tablet, plug a full-size USB keyboard or mouse into a tablet, or use an external GPS or wifi device. How can I tell if my device can do this? | To use an attached USB device you need to have: A USB OTG (USB On-The-Go) cable USB Host Mode drivers loaded on your device A version of the Android operating system loaded on that device that supports USB Host Mode An Android device (eg phone or tablet) that has built-in hardware support for USB Host Mode And finally there need to be drivers on your device, for whatever USb device you're plugging in. Operating System USB Host Mode support was introduced in Android version 3.1 (Honeycomb), so if you have Android 3.1, or newer installed on your device then you should have the necessary support for it in your OS, Android 4 also adds additional USB and OTG support. Also, many third-party ROMs add support for USB Host Mode to phones that have the hardware support, but don't have the necessary OS or driver support in the official operating system release. Host Mode Drivers Most devices that have both hardware support and a new enough OS will have the necessary drivers loaded to enable USB Host Mode, but some don't. You can find driver apps on the Play Store for some models that don't have built in drivers. Some models with 3rd party instructions and drivers available are: Nexus One HTC Desire HTC Incredible Cable You can't just use a normal USB cable. As these devices can act as both a USB "slave" device (for instance so that you can plug them into a PC and copy music onto your phone, or copy pictures off the phone) and a USB "host" (for example so that you can plug a USB memory stick into your tablet and copy files on or off it) they need some way to tell which they should act as at a given time. A USB OTG (USB On-The-Go) cable is what is used to tell your device to act as a host, this is like a normal USB cable but it has one of the internal pins connected to Ground at one end to let that device know that it should act as the host (technically pins 4 & 5 are shorted to ground in an OTG cable). Additionally, as most phones have micro-USB sockets, but most USB dongles have "full-size" USB plugs, as below many OTG cables have a male micro-B USB plug at one end, and a female USB-A plug at the other to convert between the different sized connectors. The Motorola Camera Connection kit, which is a USB OTG cable USB OTG cables can be bought fairly cheaply on places like eBay or the Amazon marketplace, as well as many small electronics shops. You may also find that your device's manufacturer sells an official, branded one, often called something like a "Camera Connection Kit" or "USB Memory Stick Connection Cable". If you're brave you can also find various tutorials on the web on how to make your own OTG cable from a standard USB cable. USB device drivers When you plug your USB device into your Android phone or tablet it needs to know what that USB device is and what to do with it. For common devices, like USB memory sticks, or cameras that support PPTP or USB Mass Storage, these will often already be built into the OS. For other USB devices, like Wifi, 3G or Bluetooth dongles there may not be drivers pre-built into the OS, or only drivers for certain specific devices. How to test everything together There are some apps that can help you test whether you have all of the necessary hardware and software to do this, such as USB Host Diagnostics. Using it to test your device's capabilities is very simple Install USB Host Diagnostics from the Play Store Run it Tap the Start Diagnostics link, and following the directions first ensure that you have nothing plugged into USB on your device and then plug a device (such as a USB flash drive) in when prompted If everything works you should end up with a summary screen like this, showing firstly a few details about your device and the running OS, then letting you know whether or not your device says that it supports USB Host Mode, and then the all important final Verdict that lets you know whether testing the Host Mode access worked or not: If everything is working and the app successfully detected your USB device (showing that your USB Host Mode is working) you should have "Yes"s in the ringed sections, and some details showing how much access 3rd party (ie non-built-in) apps have to the device. If not, there should be details there to help you track down where the problem is. Alternatively , Chainfire, the author of USB Host Diagnostics, has a (long) listing of all the reports that people have submitted after running the test on their devices. You can look your device up in the list and see if people with your device and operating system version have passed all of the tests, or not. Have a look for your device here: http://usbhost.chainfire.eu/ | How can I determine if my device has USB Host Mode (OTG) support? | android |
Nexus devices can be unlocked using the fastboot command <code> fastboot oem unlock </code> to install a custom firmware. For security reasons, the phone is wiped when this command is executed. However after this is done, most people leave the boot loader unlocked. Devices that support unlocking the boot loader: SonyEricsson (now Sony), Sony, newer HTC devices, ?? Is there a security problem with an unlocked bootloader? If this is the case, what can be done? | A permanently unlocked boot loader (BL) on a Nexus device is a big security risk . It's only recommended for a pure developer phone. An insecure BL enables all sorts of fastboot commands that can be used for e.g. doing the following: Conduct a cold boot attack to recover the key for Android's full disk encryption Make a copy of the device E.g. by booting a custom image ( adb boot boot.img ), then copying partition dumps Erase data using fastboot erase Flash arbitrary Android firmware, recovery images or radio firmware fastboot flash radio|recovery|boot|... Install a root kit (boot custom recovery, then modify system files) Steal Google/Facebook/whatever accounts stored on the phone etc. In case someone has their device encrypted, full access is not immediately possible. However there exists cracking software to brute force the used encryption PIN/passphrase. Altering the firmware is always possible (i.e. an evil maid attack , aka. installing a rootkit/password logger/etc.) This is the normal process of modding a Nexus device: unlock the bootloader ( fastboot oem unlock ) boot/install insecure/open custom recovery install custom firmware To secure your modded device you should do this afterwards: install a safe recovery image again (custom recoveries like TWRP/CWM are unsafe) use the extracted recovery.img from Google's factory firmware file, available here relock the bootloader ( fastboot oem lock ) This breaks the usual update mechanisms like RomManager. In case you need to upgrade, you can run flash_image recovery recovery.img (as root on the regular Android OS, it bypasses the BL lock) to install a temporary custom recovery again and use this once to upgrade the firmware and then remove the custom recovery again by doing a flash_image recovery stock.img . I know, this is not very user friendly right now, but let's hope the situation improves at the custom recovery front. Some background on what's possible: http://hak5.org/episodes/hak5-1205 and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM2_CpuzQ0o | What's the security implication of having an unlocked boot loader? | android |
My Android device screen got broken and I can't see what I'm doing. That's the only wrong thing with my device, the rest is apparently working OK. Is there any way to send my device screen to my computer? I don't want to work blindly anymore! | You don't have to continue working blindly, you can use Droid@Screen : it shows the screen of a real or emulated Android device on a computer running Windows, Mac OS or Linux. Droid@Screen is a stand-alone Java Swing GUI application that shows the screen of an Android device on a computer. Its author says that its typical usage is showing an app demo or during training, but it also fits your case. In order to use it, you need the following to be installed in your computer: Java 6 (at least) Android SDK , installed and configured. Environment variable <code> ANDROID_HOME </code> (or <code> ANDROID_SDK_HOME </code> ) pointing to the Android SDK installation directory. (Optional) USB driver for the target Android device installed. Note: USB Debugging must be enabled on your device. (Thanks @JasonC for the heads up) I have been using it with my Galaxy Nexus and I must say that despite a little lag between what happens in the phone and what is displayed in the computer screen (2-4 s), it does what it says. You don't even need to be rooted for that! You can download it from the author's site , where you also can watch a complete video and text instructions about its installation and usage. | My screen got broken, how to see on the computer what I'm doing in my device? | android |
After rooting and installing link2sd on my HTC Explorer , I still have low memory issues. On Google Play, I can't download apps larger than 10-15M. This is because the /cache folder is in the internal memory, which is desperately small. In my version, Google Play writes directly in /cache, not in subfolders. Using adb as root, I deleted <code> /cache </code> and created a symlink <code> /cache -> /mnt/sdcard/cache </code> . This is fine, but when I reboot the phone the symlink is replaced by the old folder. Is there a proper way to solve this issue once and for all? Thanks for any hint, A | Alas, that's not possible. At least not without reflashing the HTC's partition table (which happens to be in the bootloader section, aka. hboot). There's seemingly no modded hboot out there for the explorer. I only know of repartitioned hboots for the HTC Desire. Reason: /cache is backed by a separate block device on all Android devices(i.e. mount-point or partition), it's needed to hold firmware update files (e.g. definitely needed for encrypted phones). So if you move it, there's no gain because that partition will still be there and not free up space for the /data partition. In case you shrink the /cache partition, OTA updates will not be possible any more (you'd have to use a custom recovery to do it). | How can I symlink the /cache folder on boot? | android |
You can skip the story part but for better reference, please read it: A Little Story My phone claims it has a battery of 4000 mAh that lasts for 3 days. I got the phone, really psyched because of the battery. When I bought it it has 50% left on the battery. I did some texts and some first time testing on the phone, but no heavy usage. The phone lasted 19 hours before saying it was now low on battery (5%). The next day, I charged it for six hours, turned on the 3G and used the Facebook app, Opera Mini, and Google Play for four hours before I removed the 3G. The battery read 29%. I was disappointed. Most of the people who bought this phone reported that it should last 10 hours with 3G on and heavy usage. Most people even say that with heavy usage their phone lasts 2 days, using the internet, apps that require it, and gaming with the phone. Now I'm on the process of claiming the warranty and I called some service centers to determine where I will take it to. The first service center claimed that all Android phones last for only one day, the second one claimed that even if only a Messaging app is on, if I leave it open even if my screen is off the battery will be drained quickly. The third one basically told me to go to the Play Store and download a Task Killer. The last one I called told me to bring the phone to the service center so they could "observe it". That doesn't sound good to me. Question My question is can technicians actually tell if the battery has the capacity it claims it has and if the battery is healthy? I want to go prepared to that service center if the observation they'll be doing will be to look at my "Battery" setting only and asking me what I've been doing only for them to say that's what been draining my battery. Also can 3G drain a battery within 4 hours if a battery has 4000 mAh? Note: My phone is a rebranded Innos D9, it's a Cloudfone Thrill 430x. | Multiple things with your issue: I would never trust a tech who recommends a Task-Killer for this problem. Disqualified 100%. Same for the one claiming all Android phones last for only one day . That's bogus. It always depends on usage. I have one lasting 7 days (well, no SIM card inserted, not WiFi activated -- it's rather used as a stand-by computing device for some apps -- but it's a phone, and it runs longer than 10h ;), and my "standard phone" ends up at ~75-80% after 14h usage. tech #2 and #4 sound more reasonable: any app (especially if "consuming push services") can be the cause for such a problem (see below), and monitoring battery usage is a generally good idea (that tech I would trust most from the ones you mentioned) Different kind of usage causes different battery drain. Sometimes processes go havoc and drain the battery quite fast. I had that "big surprise" multiple times already, last time yesterday: went down from ~80% to 5% and "emergency shutdown" within ~2h while in my pocket -- I only noticed that by the "beep" on shutdown. But this should not be a regular (daily) issue; I experienced this maybe 4-5 times in a year with my current device. recommendation: Take a look at the battery statistics (usually found in Settings → About Phone ) to determine which app(s) are causing the most battery drain. Maybe you've got some "bad egg" on your device, if this happens regularly. second recommendation: Take a look at stackexchange-url ("How to deal with (orphaned) WakeLocks?") -- maybe that's what affects you. Again, this could be a mal-functioning app. battery only lasting for ~10h is nothing rare with heavy usage. Remember these are no longer "dumb-phones", but rather "pocket-computers which also can make phone calls". Useful resources also include: stackexchange-url ("How can I tell what is really draining my battery?") stackexchange-url ("How to debug a battery issue?") stackexchange-url ("How can I find out what causes “Android OS” to consume battery?") Follow the tag battery-life | Can you actually determine the mAh of a battery? | android |
In Google Maps is there a way to save a route while you're still connected to wifi so that it saves your data plan? Does scrolling through the map while still connected to wifi help because then the points get cached? | You could just cache the route portion of the map using the <code> Make available offline </code> feature. Then, all need afterwards is the GPS, which doesn't use your data plan. | saving route while still connected to wifi | android |
I just purchased a Nexus 4. I'm perplexed, however, in that it thinks that I am in the Central timezone when I'm actually in the Eastern timezone. The Clock application that came with the phone has a "Home Timezone" option. This only puts a secondary clock on the clock app when I'm outside of my Home Timezone, which is always the case, because the phone thinks I'm on the Central timezone. How do I set my phone to the correct timezone? | It should be under your system settings (the Settings "app"), in the "Date & Time" subsection (which is near the bottom). Uncheck the "Automatic time zone" option and then select the correct one manually: | How do I set the correct time zone on my Nexus 4? | android |
I recently bought a rebranded Innos D9 from China. When I tried using the earphones that came with the phone and the Sony earphones I have, the audio is fine. Really awesome too. However, when I use a generic Samsung earphones, I hear garbled audio, like the sound is coming from a cave. When I play a video, the voices / speech of people are distorted. Also, I don't think equalizers would fix this because I know how they work. I also tested Apple's Earpods, to the same effect. I would like to know why this happens. Maybe I could download an app to correct the sound, or at least know what earphones to buy in the future. Note: The phone has a built-in Yamaha music amplifier that boosts AAC or something, if that information would help. Another update: Found a relevant thread on XDA and the fix I did was to push the answer button on the Samsung earphones, and the audio was fixed. Do note that for the audio to stay that way, the button should be pressed always. This is not a good fix. | The pin layout between the working and not working head phones might be different and hence this behaviour. Though it appears to be simple there is no one standard to which all these manufactures seems to stick with. For instance my LG P500's stock ear phones exhibit this issue with Sony Ericsson SK17i, while Sony's head set played well in my LG P500. The same problem exhibits when I use my LGP500 head phones in my desktop computer. While doing so, I just pull out the head phone slightly out to solve this issue. | Why do some earphones work but some have garbled audio on my phone? | android |
Sometimes when I connect my phone to my headset, the Bluetooth device will be listed as: " Connected ( no media ) " When this happens, it uses the "Phone audio" profile. The "Media audio" profile (A2DP) will also have a checkmark, as if it were connected, but all sound is coming from the phone's speaker (see photo below). If I attempt to uncheck it, it will immediately recheck itself. When it is working properly, it will wait two seconds and disconnect. Rebooting the headset, or disconnecting it manually doesn't solve the issue. | Solved: The android system is likely connected to the headset for phone calls, and some other device for A2DP (media). Some other device is still using the audio connection, even though the sound comes from android's speaker! What this means is that if you have any other A2DP devices that you've paired your android with (laptop/stereo/etc) then you will have to disconnect via the other device, not android. However under android's "Paired Devices" list (see image), the other device isn't always listed as connected , even though it is! If you manually try to un-check the "Media audio" profile for the other device, it will not disconnect! You must manually disconnect the other device outside of android. For example: If the other device is a laptop, you must disconnect the audio connection using the laptop. If the other device has no way to manually disconnect (no buttons), just turn it off and use your android to connect to the correct device. | A2DP Bluetooth audio randomly shows "(no media)" | android |
I'm a total n00b with Android, and the boot-loop </code> didn't help me. Apologies if I missed something "obvious"! I've borrowed a used HTC Desire Z from my brother so I can decide whether to switch to Android. The phone was provided with CyanogenMod 7 and worked like a charm for a few days. I rebooted it today to see whether a reboot would clear up stackexchange-url ("this other question") and since then it keeps rebooting itself. By "rebooting" I mean this sequence: The device shows the <code> HTC </code> logo and then the <code> cyanogen(mod)7 </code> logo with the robot on a skateboard. After that, it shows the SIM PIN entry screen while the status bar says that it's loading the SD card. Without me touching the device, the screen goes black and boots again from the <code> HTC </code> logo onwards. It's got the ClocworkMod Recovery v5.0.2.7 and I'm guessing that this is part of the CM7 package. It's (supposed to be) a helpful way to reset and recover the device. Here's what I've tried so far (with reboots in between), without success: I made a backup and then cleared the <code> /cache </code> . I restored the backup. I then reset the phone with the <code> wipe data/factory reset </code> function. I removed the SIM and the SD card, then did another factory reset. I wiped the <code> Dalvik cache </code> , whatever that is. With help, I downloaded a fresh CM7.1 zip file and installed that via the Recovery and SD card. Also wiped all caches again, just to be sure. I downloaded a CM9 rom that was made for this device and installed that. It starts fine and seems to work, but the exact same problem still occurs. The phone now boots to the welcome screen that says "touch the Android to start" and then, as before, goes black and reboots without me touching it. By the way, the battery is about 70% charged so it's not due to an empty battery, and the problem is the same while plugged into the charger or not. How can I get this device to run again? I don't care (much) for the settings I had; I can begin all over if need be. But I need a working device first... Update: I added the steps 6&7 above. Didn't solve the problem but it seems to prove that it's not a ROM issue. Is the device physically defective? | It seems that the HTC Desire models are known to have hardware that easily gets defective... :-/ I've searched far and wide, and the general consensus seems to be that if a restore and/or factory reset doesn't resolve the problem, then it's not a software issue but a hardware defect. The device could probably be repaired, but if the warranty gone then it's probably wiser buying a new device instead. | HTC Desire Z stuck in boot-loop | android |
I've borrowed an Android phone so I can decide whether to buy one. I have a GSM SIM without a data plan, but I am using Wifi that is broadcast from my other smartphone which does have a data plan. The phone's GSM signal icon has a tiny "R" that indicates that I am roaming -- why? My phone is an HTC Desire Z with (I think!) Android 2.3. Under <code> Settings > Mobile Networks </code> I have these settings: Data enabled = unticked International data roaming = unticked National data roaming = unticked Use only 2G networks = ticked The notification list sometimes shows me a message that is too long to be displayed, but some googling tells me that this is the complete text: "You have lost data connectivity because you left your home network with data roaming turned off" The notification list also shows that I am in fact on the correct network: My SIM card is from the provider "bob" and the phone shows that I am on the "bob" network. Am I consuming anything related to roaming? How can I ensure that I will not use roaming? | Maybe this post from XDA will answer your question. This isn't an APN problem, it is a SIM problem. Your provider has one set of numbers on your card, and another set of numbers that actually identify the network, and they don't match. Technically, from the phone's point of view, you are roaming, even if it is the same provider. From the provider's point of view, you aren't roaming. Up until cupcake, we had that same problem here in Canada when using the "Fido" network (which is owned and operated by "Rogers"). The network identified itself as "Rogers", the SIM cards identify themselves as "Fido", the phone think's its roaming. So; you don't need to worry about roaming charges when you are actually connected to the correct network. BUT; You don't have an easy to read display to tell you when you are really roaming, nor can you make configurations that are based on whether you are or are not roaming. | Am I consuming "roaming" services? | android |
I am trying to sign zip packages before flashing them in recovery. By using the test keys by Google, the zip can be verified and flashed successfully. However, when I try to sign using my private keys, the signing process is OK but the verification always fails. First method: Using keytool and jarsigner Generating private keys: <code> keytool -genkey -v -keystore test.keystore alias zippack -keyalg RSA -keysize 2048 -validity 1000 </code> Signing: <code> jarsigner -verbose -sigalg MD5withRSA -digestalg SHA1 -keystore test.keystore test.zip zippack </code> Result: <code> E: signature verification failed </code> Second method (a): Using OpenSSL and SignApk.jar Generating private keys: <code> openssl genrsa -out key.pem 2048 openssl req -new -key key.pem -out request.pem openssl x509 -req -days 9999 -in request.pem -signkey key.pem -out certificate.pem openssl pkcs8 -topk8 -outform DER -in key.pem -inform PEM -out key.pk8 -nocrypt </code> Signing: <code> java -jar -w signapk.jar certificate.pem key.pk8 test.zip test-signed.zip </code> Result: <code> E: failed to verify whole file signature I: verify_file returned 1 E: signature verification failed </code> Second method (b): OpenSSL and SignApk.jar (changes in commands) Generating private keys: <code> Same as above </code> Signing: <code> java -jar signapk.jar certificate.pem key.pk8 test.zip test-signed.zip </code> Result: <code> E: signature verification failed </code> That's about what I did. The methods above works for APKs, but not for zips. Anyone can help on this? Thanks in advanced. P.S. I managed to get a look at the source code for recovery, and found that my errors are generated by this part of the code: https://github.com/CyanogenMod/android_bootable_recovery/blob/jellybean/verifier.c Maybe it might help answering. | From the code comments: <code> // ... Verify it matches one of the given public // keys. </code> You can't just use any old signature, that would defeat the purpose. APKs, on the other hand, are intended to be created and distributed by anyone and the signature is ostensibly to verify the source rather than limit the source. | Private keys cannot be verified in recovery | android |
Is there an easy way to check the firmware version (not Android version)? | You can use either stackexchange-url ("the way geff_chang suggested") or stackexchange-url ("use android service menus") In the service menu, it is located at <code> Software info -> Phone info </code> You can always use third party apps as well. | How can I check the firmware version of my ONDA V712? | android |
Without using a market app, how can I set a custom MP3 file as ringtone? I've tried placing the MP3 in <code> media/audio/ringtones </code> and variations (e.g. <code> media/ringtones </code> ), but the MP3 does not show in Settings-> Sound-> Ringtone. Thank you. | I placed mine in <code> /sdcard/media/audio/ringtones </code> . After that the sound appears in the settings menu. See also: stackexchange-url ("How do I set a custom MP3 as a ringtone for other notifications?") | Set MP3 as ringtone on CyanogenMod 10 | android |
I want to know if tools are the only mean to root an android phone ? can it be done using only a root terminal ? edit: by tools i mean apps to install like https://www.google.be/search?sclient=psy-ab&hl=en&tbo=d&site=&source=hp&q=root+android | Not to say a root terminal, most of such methods are utilising ADB (Android Debugging Bridge) to push root-related files and binaries into your phone to get it "rooted". Sometimes, there are also methods where you are required to boot into recovery to "flash" zip packages that contains those files, but this method is mostly device specific. | Does rooting your phone always involve installing/using tools? | android |
On occasion, my Droid Bionic (4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich) does not react to screen touches when the phone is ringing. The swipe to answer icon appears, but does not respond. After the call goes to voice mail, I can turn the screen off and back on and the phone behaves normally. I believe this has only happened when the phone has been locked with the screen off when the call arrived. I don't receive a large number of calls on this device, so I don't have a very large sample size, but it probably happens less than 1 time in 20. The most recent was within a few hours of rebooting the phone, so I don't think it is due to memory consumption by another app, etc. | This problem is quite known for sometime for touchscreen devices. Most of the times this happens when the screen is under some pressure during touchscreen recalibration after being woken up by the incoming call (maybe being inside pocket, etc.). The only solution for you is to disable the option, power button instantly ends call by going into <code> Settings -> Accessibility -> System </code> If your screen becomes unresponsive to a call, just press the power button (to lock your screen), press it again and unlock the screen (with your pattern or PIN, etc.) Then you will be able to answer the call. This solution is applicable to any situation where the screen is unresponsive. | Why is screen sometimes unresponsive when receiving calls | android |
I have an HTC chacha with a hardware keyboard. A nighttime reading app turned off the keyboard light long ago, but I don't remember which of the hundreds available it was. Is there anything I can do? | You can download this app from the Google Play Store, called Soft Buttons Light . It really works, even on HTC Chacha. | Can I relight my hardware keyboard? | android |
When I try to update my Nexus 7 from 4.1 (Jelly Bean) to 4.2 (also Jelly Bean) it works fine up to a point where the little android (with the rotating shape) lays down and has a red warning triangle with an exclamation point. When I press the power and VolUp buttons simultaneously to see what went wrong, the log shows this: <code> Verifying current system Assert failed: apply_patch_check("EMMC:/dev/block/platform/sdhci- tegra.3/by-name/LNX:5013504:c48f8e86e73fb2c2ba1794f5ec98e27c9e206ed5: 5060608:319331fae14fec8a88063751475fce26bae328e0") </code> I searched for the error message online and couldn't find anyone with the same problem. I even removed the random letters and numbers after "by-name" (I assume these are device-specific), and still found nothing. I also tried factory resetting and still the same problem. I'd like to know what went wrong, and how to fix it. | I don't really know what caused this problem. I had to unlock the bootloader and sideload with adb. This involved completely wiping my tablet. Here are stackexchange-url ("instructions"). Now my tablet updates just fine. | Android 4.2 Nexus 7 Update "Assert failed: apply_patch_check()" | android |
Can the Android 4.2.1 AOKP IceColdJelly ROM that seems to be released for the HTC One X international model be installed on HTC One X subscribed by AT&T? I found the update for HTC One X on following link : Android 4.2.1 AOKP IceColdJelly ROM for HTC One X Does my HTC One X from AT&T support this ? | No you can't flash an international ROM on your device. Because your phone's configuration is different than international version. Details are given below: Chipset: Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon ( AT&T )----- Nvidia Tegra 3 ( International ) CPU: Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait ( AT&T )----- Quad-core 1.5 GHz ( International ) GPU: Adreno 225 ( AT&T )--------- ULP GeForce ( International ) if you flash this , it may brick your phone. See this | Can I install Android 4.2.1 AOKP IceColdJelly ROM on my HTC One X by AT&T? | android |
There is a native method for moving apps to the SD card, by viewing the app info and pressing the "move to SD card" button. (I don't know on which Android version this was introduced). Not all apps can be moved this way. There are other apps that promise moving apps to the SD card, such as Link2SD , App 2 SD , MoveToSD , Move2SD Enabler , and many more. Some require root, some (apparently) don't. Do all these apps work in the same (or similar) ways? Is it the same way of the native method? The native method works the same way as the apps do? Why do some apps require root access and others don't? Is it safe to move apps that have the native method of moving disabled (grayed out)? | Many questions in one, but all connected -- so I'll give it a try: You can device those apps in two categories, basically: those which work "similar" to the native app2sd, and those which don't. There are several rules an app must obey to be "allowed" for installation on SD card. Apps installed on SD card can e.g. not automatically start at boot time (as the <code> boot_completed </code> event is broadcast before the card is mounted). They also may not offer widgets, services, alarms, and some other things -- as those functionalities would break when the sd card gets "removed" (e.g. when mounted to the PC). All these rules are obeyed by the native method. Those "advanced app2sd" helpers which "move more apps" mostly ignore some of these rules. The app will work nevertheless, but maybe some of its features are broken. And then there's at least one app working completely different: Link2SD . This app simply creates "symbolic links" to the sdcard (after copying the app/data over there), and thus fool the system which still thinks they're on internal storage. By using a separate partition on the card (which will be "invisible" when connected to the PC, and thus not mounted) it works around some of the caveats -- a trick some of the above mentioned "advanced app2sd apps" also play. This variant obviously requires root, as it handles apps and their data itself -- which is not possible for a non-root app. Same applies to some of the above tools when they offer to move app data / Dalvik cache to the card, which is also not possible without root. | Different methods of moving apps to SD card | android |
A few days ago I accepted Windows Update's Samsung drivers for Galaxy S3 running rooted Jelly Bean. It worked fine as USB MTP device until then. Now, every time I connect the USB cable I get the error "Hardware ID missing. Contact manufacturer..." and I can't see my device's file system. Switching to PTP or enabling Debug doesn't work. How to fix it? | Make sure your device is connected. Open <code> Device Manager </code> . In <code> USB Devices </code> , find a <code> SAMSUNG </code> composite device (can't capture a screenshot because it goes away). Right click, choose <code> Uninstall </code> and make sure to check "get rid of that sheet of driver software"... Well... I mean "delete driver software too". Disconnect and reconnect USB, or clik Detect Devices button Windows detects the phone and installs the plain old MTP driver. Optional step: report to Samsung Optional step 2: upvote :) | Hardware ID missing on Galaxy S3 after Windows update | android |
I was wondering if Android has any panorama-like feature like how iOS does? | This depends entirely on the OEM and what features they decide to put in their devices. However, I've used a panorama feature since the beginning (2.3 Gingerbread) on my Nexus S, and have had it all the way till my 4.2 Galaxy Nexus, so I can say that the stock Android camera app has panorama, at least 2.3 onwards. Beyond that, device specific panorama is dependent on the OEM. You could always use third party apps, like this one, which supports Android 2.1 and above. | Does stock Android have a panorama camera feature? | android |
Just noticed HTC one X AT&T and HTC one XL has got same configuration. Are those mobile same ? HTC one X AT&T vs HTC one XL (GSM Arena) Actually, I read a article on which it was mentioned like " Android 4.2.1 ROM is cooked up for the HTC One XL (the AT&T One X) ". This tend to think me whether these two are same. Android 4.2.1 AOKP Custom ROM for the AT&T HTC One X | The short answer is: No, they are not the same. The long answer is as follows: At least for dimensions, they are not exactly the same (HTC One XL, to the right, is a bit smaller) Also, from the comparison table you talk about: HTC One X AT&T wouldn't support HSDPA 900, while HTC One XL does. HTC One X AT&T supports 4G network with LTE 700 MHz Class 17 / 1700 / 2100, while HTC One XL does it with LTE 1800 / 2600. HTC One X AT&T supports Mini-SIM, while HTC One XL supports Micro-SIM. HTC One XL has Stereo FM radio with RDS, while HTC One X AT&T does not. HTC One XL has 32 GB internal storage, HTC One X AT&T has 16 GB internal storage. Sources: Left image: HTC One AT&T at HTC US website Right image: HTC One XL at HTC Australian website | Is HTC one X AT&T and HTC one XL same? | android |
I am learning tasker and reading up tutorial on http://tasker.dinglisch.net/tour.html . If you look at the picture, you can see the two same tasks "Set Widget Icon". Is that a typo, or something I do not understand? Also, what is the benefit of toggle? Why is the property ternary, not just off and on? Can you please help with a practical example? Thanks much. | Yes, that seems to be a typo: the conditions should be <code> If %WIFI ~ on </code> and <code> If %WIFI !~ on </code> (or <code> If %WIFI ~ off </code> ). The %WIFI variable can only be <code> on </code> or <code> off </code> , not <code> toggle </code> . But the Wifi action can be used to enable, disable or toggle Wifi, i.e. if Wifi is enabled, it will be disabled, and if Wifi is disabled, it will be enabled. The example (minus the typo) talks about creating a "Toggle Wifi" widget: if Wifi is on and you click the icon, Wifi will be disabled and the icon will be changed to a "Wifi is off" icon. And if Wifi is off and you click the icon, Wifi will be enabled and the icon will be changed to a "Wifi is on" icon. | Tasker Newbie Question | android |
I have flashed my samsung android phone(GT-I5510) to CM7 and everything is fine with it exept that kies has stopped working with it..i.e when I connect my phone to laptop, it doesn't show the option for kies mode. Please help me with how to enable it. | Samsung's Kies software only works with Samsung phones running official Samsung ROMs. The only way to get Kies working with your phone would be to put an official Samsung released OS version onto it again. | Kies is not working after flashing cyanogenmod on my Samsung Android phone | android |
Are there any generic troubleshooting steps and tips to be followed before I search for problem specific troubleshooting options? Then what are they? I only have a general knowledge on Android and not familiar with flashing, shell commands, etc. | There are several steps/things you can do before you do advanced troubleshooting. Most of the problems can be solved following these steps. Backup your data. Backup your data first (of course, if possible). You don't need to risk it. Keep it somewhere else. It is better to have backups for personal data and app data separately. Try rebooting your device. You can use your power key or a third party reboot app Keep your device switched off for a while. Make sure you remove your SIM card (and the battery and SD card as well, if they are detachable) and wait about 30 minutes. Try freeing some space. You must always have some free space. It is better to have more than 50MB free so that the apps can work smoothly. (Some say it should be 2% of total memory) Try re-installing apps. If you believe your problem is caused by a specific app, try uninstalling and re-installing that app. Also you can try clearing the app cache. It will give you some more space. No hardware fixes. Do not attempt to quick hardware fixes unless you have clear understanding of what you're doing. And keep in mind that you'll lose your manufacturer's warranty by doing such fixes. Update your OS. Make sure that the relevant updates are compatible with your device, referring to your manufacturer's website. If you are still in the problem, you can try searching help for your problem or contacting your manufacturer's customer support personnel. Remember to do this before you go to factory resets . | What should I do before I try advanced troubleshooting | android |
I have had a Nexus 7 since September and today something strange happened. I plugged it in, as usual, to recharge the battery. It charged up to 36% and now it still says it's charging but it never moves from that percentage. How can I fix my device? | I solved my issue using a 2A charger instead of my phone 1A charger or the USB port that provides only 0.5A. I am sure I have been able to charge my nexus with all the power sources, but maybe I left it on charge all night long. | Nexus 7 says it's charging but it isn't | android |
I have a SGS2 with ICS. The phone is rooted. I use Titanium Backup Pro for backup, but that only backups to the phone itself, so if the phone is stolen or lost those backups are gone as well. I have SSHDroid installed, and yesterday I made a backup of the sdcard folder to my home server using rsync. Now I would like to know if there are other folders that have data in them that I miss. I don't necessarily need a full backup of the phone, don't know if that's useful. I just want all user data safe. So is there something that I'm missing? If so, what folders should I backup as well? | Your SD card contains pretty much all the data you need. In addition to app backup, you can also use SMS Backup+ to backup your texts to the SD card (and then to the home server). Titanium Backup Pro version has an option to backup files to your Dropbox folder, so you can use that instead of rsync if you like. Also, try to move as much data to the cloud as you can - including contacts, settings, photos etc - you get peace of mind knowing that most things are already backed up even if your phone gets damaged or stolen. | What folders should I backup to my computer | android |
I forgot the password for my Google account and I want to recover it. This Google account happens to be the main Google account linked to my Android device. When I try to use the Recovery options : A password reset link can only be sent if you haven't signed in for 4 days. Your security question can only be answered if you haven't signed in for 5 days. A third option where "I no longer have access to those above", it implies a very long password recovery process and MAY get the password again. If I don't unlink this Google account from Android device, the device will continue to sign in to Google services. So, recovery options can't be used. I don't want to reset my phone to unlink/delete the main Google account, wait 4-5 days and then get the password. This means I can't use my phone for this amount of time and may lose data. How to get it without unlinking or deleting the Google account of my Google Nexus with Android 4.2.1 (Jelly Bean)? | I am able to receive reset links despite having logged in today, yesterday and pretty much every day. However you should be able to access your account on your phone (as it will use your login details to sign in to chrome) then use that to add your phone number to your account. Then pick reset my password with my phone which will send an SMS to your phone. | Recover Google account password without unlinking/deleting the main account from android device | android |
I am trying to turn off the backlight on the soft keys (home, menu, back and search). My phone is a HTC Evo 3D running Ice Cream Sandwich. Before, I had Gingerbread installed and I could use "Screen Filter" app to turn the lights off. After the upgrade, "Screen Filter" no longer works. On one forum it says that if you edit the file <code> max_brightness </code> in folder <code> /sys/class/leds/button-backlight </code> from <code> 255 </code> to <code> 0 </code> and then switch the screen off and on again then the key lights stay off. However, the file is read-only. I want to make the file writable. Do I need to root my phone to do this? | Yes, your phone must be rooted because to access that file the <code> /system </code> needs to be mounted as write-able Once you obtain root you can run this command inside a shell: <code> su </code> <code> chmod 777 /sys/class/leds/button-backlight/max_brightness </code> Then just navigate to that file and edit it using a file browser. What the <code> chmod 777 </code> command does is change the permissions on that file so that you can edit it. After you finish I would suggest changing the permissions back to what they were. The original permissions were probably <code> 0666 </code> . So it would be like this: <code> chmod 0666 /sys/class/leds/button-backlight/max_brightness </code> To encompass t0mm13b's remark below, go stackexchange-url ("here") for information on how to make the file write-able at boot, instead of having a script be run at each boot that makes it write-able. | Change permission on file in /sys folder | android |
I flashed my Samsung Galaxy I5510 with CM7. Everything was fine until I found that the Play Store was missing in the app drawer. I am unable to find it anywhere on the device. I even tried installing an apk for Play Store but that didn't work. Any help would be appreciated. | You need to flash this Google Apps (GApps) from this site here . Installing just one apk for Play store will not suffice and will fail as it has dependencies on other components that makes up GApps. | Unable to locate play store after flashing my android phone to CM7 | android |
I'm using Jelly Bean on my Samsung Galaxy Note. Plus I'm running Ultimate Rom v5.1 as mu ROM. The problem is minimum In-Call Volume is too high even though I have reduced it. How can I reduce that in call volume than the minimum level? | It's due to noise cancellation was on during a call. I turn noise cancellation off now it works fine. | Reduce in call volume | android |
Often after a reboot, crash or USB usage, icons of apps go missing. Both in the "Home" screens and "Applications". Currently I have four screens of apps, three in Home. Some of the icons understandably vanish when the SD is taken by eg. USB Storage to PC mode (because they are in part stored there), but often refuse to reappear even after restarting the phone. Is there config file stored somewhere in my rooted Android 2.2 responsible for the current desktop layout of shortcuts? Or way to back it up & restore (even the stale shortcuts), or force refresh based on existing apps in internal or external memory? | App specific settings are usually stored in the internal storage folder accessible only to that app. While apps do have the ability to write to external storage and lose access to that data when you mount it, I doubt that is the case here. When you install and move an app to the SD Card, you are not moving the entire app. Some core content of the app still stays on the internal storage. However, moving an app to the external storage has some interesting side effects. The app is completely disabled when you connect your device to the computer, on pre honeycomb devices. Android 3.0 onwards, the USB storage was switched to MTP, which allows the device and the computer to access the storage simultaneously. In your case, when you connect to the computer, the apps on the SD Card are disabled, causing them to disappear temporarily. As for them not reappearing when you disconnect and restart your phone suggests that there is a bug in the launcher you're using. Try using a different third party launcher instead. | Where are displayed shortcuts stored? | android |
I have an HTC One V and I backed up my SMS using the phone's messaging application (which is a part of the ICS stock ROM) to the SD card. The resulting backup is a file called SD_20121221_448193_0 and stored in the SD card in /sms_backup After that, I updated to an unofficial Cyanogenmod 10 and I don't see any options in the messaging app that comes with CM10 to backup or restore SMS. How do I restore my backed up messages? Alternatively, how do I extract them from that backup file or convert them into another format? (I tried opening the file using a text editor and it seems like a binary file, I also tried opening it using SQLite Browser but it says that it isn't a SQLite database. So, to be honest, I don't know the format of the file and it would be great if someone can at least tell me what format is this file supposed to be...) | As we checked out on chat, the file was not (as originally expected) some compressed XML in any known format -- so there seems to be no easy way to read the contents of that file. Which leaves you with a few options: re-flash the stock image to your device, import the backup, then use a good backup app like SMS Backup & Restore to back up your SMS. After that, flash back your current ROM, and import with the same app. This should always work (and did in the OP's case), but means a bit of effort as one has to flash the device at least two more times (to stock, and back to current). Before doing this, consider making a backup if you already put some customization/configuration work into your current ROM. Similar: Use an Android Emulator (the one from the SDK, or Jar of Beans ), load the same Android version you had on your device before, import the backup, and use one of the mentioned apps to export it from the Emulator, as well as to import it on your device. Note: this might only work for "Plain Vanilla Android", as the emulator will most likely not support device-specific (or manufactur-specific) stuff. Unless there's an emulator around supporting device-specific images, of course. In the OP's case it did not work, as the app in question was bound to HTC's Sense stuff. Unfortunately we've been unable to determine the file format used. For completeness, one other thing we tried: If a complete Nandroid backup is available, the SMS database can be found in <code> /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/mmssms.db </code> and explored using any SQLite frontend (recommendation for a graphical one: SQLiteman ). Unfortunately, in this case the database was empty due to the wipe occuring when unlocking the device. | How to extract SMS from an HTC One ICS SMS backup file? | android |
I am on Android 4.2.1 (Galaxy Nexus), when using Lockscreen widgets, they are always quite small until once drags them down, then they get maximized. Any way to maximize them by default? Thanks :-) | I am on a custom ROM using Android 4.2.2 and I can change exactly that behaviour in <code> system settings > lock screen > maximize widgets </code> (translated naming from german version) (I am using NovaLauncher if that matters) | Maximize Lockscreen widget? | android |
For Remote Desktop functionality there is Droid VNC Server , other current better options? Android Screencast (Seems like something that was promising)? I used to "Wi-Fi keyboards", but now with VNC its not so interesting, as I have to set the input-method on the phone. (i think "Remote Keyboard" app could be interesting if there are situations when VNC are difficult. What about options for working directly with the phone, like desktop SMS applications? I am thinking of any way of connecting (Bluetooth, USB, Wi-Fi....) with a rooted phone? Primarily Windows Desktop (But many possibilities is always better) | You can hae a look at AirDroid for desktop SMS. It works as a kind of web server on your phone, which means you have to access it from a secure web page (downside: works only inside the same WiFi network). But next to smses you can do a lot more with it, but I recommend you have a look at it yourself. | Options for operating phone remotely | android |
I have bought a used Motorola Defy (MB525), rooted, running CyanogenMod 9 (ICS 4.0.4). It is locked to work with only a specific carrier. I bought an unlock code, and unaware to this the previous owner got an unlock code from the carrier. Both are the same, so I suppose the code is correct. When I insert a GSM SIM card from another carrier and turn on the phone, I get a message that roughly translates to "insert SIM network unlock PIN" (see image below). When I insert the unlock code, it blinks a message VERY fast, I can't even read it, then it says "failed on requesting network unlock", or something like that. I have performed this more than 3 times, does it mean my phone is locked forever? I have also been told to remove CM9 and reinstall the stock ROM in order for the unlock to work, but (1) I have no idea if this would actually help, and (2) I have never changed a ROM before and, althouh I used CM9 to create a nandroid backup, I have no idea how to reinstall CM9 and then restore the backup. | I have followed this guide and my phone is now unlocked. I wouldn't recommend it for a beginner user, because it involves pretty advanced commands and procedures, and uses ROMs and tools from untrusted sources. Proceed at your own risk! The performed steps were basically: Create a complete nandroid backup on the SD card. Google for a stock ROM for the specific phone model I owned, and the specific carrier that it is locked to. I found one on a random forum. This is not recommended for obvious security reasons, but I was desperate. If your carrier provides an official stock ROM, I definitely recommend you prefer using it. Googled for the ADB drivers for my phone model. In this case, the Motorola drivers worked fine. Connected the phone to my computer and flashed the stock ROM. In my case, this actually downgraded my phone from android 4.0.4 to 2.3.3 and unrooted it. Performed the unlock procedure using the unlock code I had. Rooted my phone again, and installed a new recovery menu Applied the nandroid backup from the recovery menu. Result: Phone is back as it was before, but unlocked. | Network unlock code not working | android |
There's a control that looks like a drop of water. What does it do? | It is the blur tool. You can apply linear or radial blur with this tool. (More details in the Instagram Help Center ) This tool is mostly used to simulate tilt-shift effect (used by photographers to highlight a plane or exaggerate a minimal depth-of-field). | What is the drop control on Instagram? | android |
I was thinking I could completely backup apps to the SD card, and then restore them when needed. This for saving system resources. Is there some efficient way to do this? | There are numerous options available to you: Titanium Backup For ICS upwards, Settings > Backup & Reset > Backup my data/Backup account For GB, Settings > Privacy Settings > Backup my data Last but not least, <code> adb backup </code> In that order of "user-friendliness", from a android application that requires rooted access, in reference to Titanium Backup, to the least, using the command line <code> adb backup </code> . | Application backup/restore - for saving resources | android |
Since YouTube on my Android device has nowhere to input the URL, I cannot jump to a specific time to view it. How to do that easily? Dragging the player carrot is very hard to make a accurate jump especially for long clip | YouTube now has updated their player and to jump to small area, there is now a popup slider for us to pick the point. | How to go to a specific time of a video clip quickly in Youtube? | android |
My Galaxy S1 (Gingerbread) has a context menu button below the lower left of the screen which brings up various extra soft-buttons. For example, in the Twitter app, I use this to pop-up an additional menu which includes a <code> switch user </code> soft-button. I have recently acquired a Nexus 7 which is lovely. However, the three screen buttons are <code> Back </code> , <code> Home </code> , and <code> Multitask[I think?] </code> and I can't work out how to bring up the same context menus which I use to use. When I press the <code> Multitask </code> button in any app, I just get a list of running apps. Have I missed something? Is there no context menu option in Jellybean? How do I get to the Twitter App <code> switch user </code> soft-button (etc)? | Since Android 4, devices no longer need to have hardware soft buttons for menu, back, home etc. They are now part of the screen, provided by the OS. The menu button has now been replaced by 3 dots in the top corner of the program - if these 3 dots on top of each other are not visible, then the app hasn't been updated for ICS+, and you will not be able to access the menu items (unless you are rooted). If you are rooted, you can download the button savior app that will overlay buttons onto the screen - you can set one to the menu button, to then access the apps menu. Here is a screenshot of the button you have to press to access the app menu: (See the thing in the yellow square) | Show an app's context menu on Nexus 7 | android |
I just got a Samsung Galaxy S3 that runs Android ICS 4.0.8. When I connect the Galaxy S3 to my Mac laptop and use PDAnet to tether, I often get this popup on the Galaxy S3 screen: Tethering via PDAnet works great, but the popup can get annoying. I can close the popup, but it comes back a few seconds later. How can I get rid of this popup permanently? | This to me looks like something your provider has added in to stop you getting free tethering on your data plan. If you are rooted (which I assume you are as you are using a tethering app), then you can attempt to freeze the app that is responsible for this, using an app freezer such as App Quarantine ROOT . If it isn't an app, then it may be part of the ROM directly, in which case you would have to install a custom ROM such as CyanogenMod. You should look at forums such as XDA-Developers to find a ROM for your device. Using a custom ROM will definitely remove the message. | Getting rid of "Tethering Detected" popup on Android ICS 4.0? | android |
The title is pretty much self-explanatory: is Android a 32- or 64- bit OS? I assume that it is one or another and not both, as that would force both 32- and 64-bit binaries to be hosted on Google Play. I know that this is a simple question, and that other people have been asking it, but for the life of me I have not been able to find an answer on the web, and there is certainly not one on this SE. | In the realm of the ARM chipsets which is the common factor, the entire Android stack, from the near-identical kernel based on Linux, are in fact, 32bit, cross-compiled from usually either a 32bit/64bit host environment, the host environment is usually one of the distributions of Linux. Recommended distribution, by Google, for building and cross-compiling Android is Ubuntu . The Android run-time library (media, graphics, filesystem, to name but a few) are also 32bit, but as we reach the layer of the dalvikvm, then the number of bits becomes irrelevant as it is at this point, the apks coming from the Google Play Store are native bytecode (A "by-product" of generated Java code compiled into a portable bytecode) which targets the DalvikVM (Virtual Machine) which in turn interprets and translates the bytecode targetting the raw ARM instruction set. Froyo was the last Android that enabled compilation under a 32bit hosted environment in which it was cross-compiled targetting the ARM chipset. Gingerbread was the first of "future" Android, back then circa, three years ago, that introduced a requirement to use a 64bit hosted environment in which it was built. There was many hacks to get Gingerbread to be built under 32bit hosted environment. ICS and JB, and upwards now definitely requires a 64bit environment to speed up compilation and to reduce turn-around time in building. So to sum up, what you see on the Play Store has no bearing on whether 32bit or 64bit are used and thus irrelevant. Side note: Typical 16GB RAM/Quad core/64bit Linux distribution, the time it takes to build ICS from scratch, takes 30minutes maximum, had this being a 32bit Linux distribution, it would have taken longer, in fact, may cause a CPU meltdown as there is simply, not enough processing power to churn and crank out cross-compiled code, which is a very demanding and taxing process! Proof of this. Pull in any native ARM binary found in <code> /system/bin </code> or <code> /system/xbin </code> , for example, <code> /system/bin/dalvikvm </code> , this is the Dalvik VM binary that is responsible for the upper layers of Java and APKs. Now, examine the binary by issuing this command: <code> file dalvikvm </code> which gives a summary of the type of file it is, the expected output would be this: dalvikvm: ELF 32-bit LSB executable, ARM, version 1 (SYSV), dynamically linked (uses shared libs), stripped Notice the reference to 32-bit ELF, and is cross-compiled to ARM and is a binary executable. Right, moving on, let's inspect a native shared library found in <code> /system/lib </code> , for example, <code> /system/lib/libandroid_runtime.so </code> , now issue <code> file libandroid_runtime.so </code> , the expected output would be this: libandroid_runtime.so: ELF 32-bit LSB shared object, ARM, version 1 (SYSV), dynamically linked, stripped Again, notice, its 32-bit ELF, cross-compiled to ARM and is a shared library. The key to the host's cross-compilation can be found in the AOSP source, i.e., Gingerbread build originally had a requirement to be built on a 64bit host system, here's the newsgroup linky referring to how to patch the scripts to get it to build on 32bit host which has two patches, found here, for <code> build/core.mk </code> and <code> build/main.mk </code> (combined) on AOSP's Gerrit review. As a subsequent result, this patch had made its way to ICS's build scripts in which I did have the privilege of compiling ICS on a 32bit platform which took 3 days to build ( it was a port of ICS for the Zte Blade ). Now, the requirements are ramped up, you do definitely need 64bit host to enable cross-compilation of building AOSP from ICS upwards :) | Is Android a 32-bit or 64-bit OS? | android |
This is a pretty simple question, but one that I have not been able to find the answer to. How much disk/storage space does an installation of Jelly Bean (bonus points for other versions) take up? I am not looking for a super-accurate answer, as installation size varies from device to device, but more of a ballpark answer in the gigabyte/gibibyte range, such as 1.7 GB. Or does Android's size vary drastically from device to device? | Well, to put this another way: For Gingerbread, storage space weighs around 95Mb, give or take, including Google Apps, source code 6.5GB, compilation taking up approx 14GB space. Android's storage space for ICS, weighs around 160Mb, give or take, including Google Apps, source code 9.5GB, compilation - takes up approx 20GB space. As to JB, have not yet built it, but source code is 12.5GB, compilation takes up around 25GB space, various official JB images hovers around 200Mb mark. The above ball-park figures above, reflects from GB, ICS and JB. As for the future versions of Android, only time will tell how much more space will be taken up, it will increase, no doubt! As for the final image build output, this would be dependent on handset, as ROM developers/manufacturers love to add their own bits, hence the inclusion of the " give or take " in the above sentences, not to mention carrier bloat-ware so the mileage will vary. | What is the installation size of a clean build of 4.2? | android |
In the People app (i.e. Google Contacts), the "Accounts" area has an option for adding Facebook contacts, which I've checked. In <code> Settings->Accounts->Faceboo </code> k, I've checked "Sync Contacts," yet it doesn't look like my Facebook contacts are being synced. I have the Facebook app installed and logged in. Is there something I'm doing wrong? This is on a Nexus 4 running Jelly Bean (4.2.1). Ideally, I'd like to import/sync Facebook contacts into Google Contacts without using third-party apps, and without installing an address book replacement. | That feature was removed in the 4.x versions of Android. I use UberSync for my contact syncing and it works great. Haven't had any problems with it and it also has a setting to import high res contact photos. I would recommend that. Set it up once and forget about it. | How can I get Facebook and Google contacts to sync in 4.2? | android |
Unfortunately, the power button doesn't work and I'm not able to power off the device. The only way, is physically pull out the battery, but if I'll do so, I wont be able to power it on again. The cellular network doesn't work , and the Wi-Fi seems to, too. The device is up for 53:21:59 hours!! (and seems to count..) I must force somehow a reboot. Is there shell command (and if so - how to access it?) , or application that forcing reboot? Thanks. | If you can connect using adb (usb debugging), you can simply use the command "reboot". If you're rooted and have a terminal emulator installed, "su reboot" will do the same thing. The reboot command will also accept arguments of "recovery" or "bootloader", which will reboot you into the recovery or bootloader respectively. | How to reboot an android device? | android |
On my Google Nexus 7, I want to stream music from the Google cloud to a wireless speaker or airplay. I have found lots of apps that can stream to airplay, but none of them can see my Google music which I have uploaded to the cloud. | I found a solution to stream your Google Music to any device that is DLNA enabled. It's an android app called BubbleUPNP . What it does is it accesses your Google Music account, adds the titles to your local library (only the titles, think of them as links to the Google Music library) and then starts a DLNA server on your phone. This means that any device that can access DLNA servers can play this music, thus it now also has access to your Google Music tracks. How to do this: Download the BubbleUPNP app. Buy the BubbleUPNP license (~$4) - well worth the money! Start the app, go to library and select Google Music. Give permission to the app and wait for the scanning process to finish. With the server started on your Android device, access it from any DLNA capable device (TV, PC, Smartphone, Tablet, etc.). In the Music section you should now also see your Google Music tracks. Downside is the fact that you can't "send" a track from Google Music (from your Android device) to be played on the DLNA device but you have to play it from the DLNA device directly. Hope this helps! | Streaming from Google music cloud to wireless speaker or airplay | android |
I want audio from my Nexus 7 to play through my amplifier (without replacing it). I think this would be possible with the iPad/AppleTV combo. I don't want to be locked to a specific app that only plays certain files etc, but more like being able to select another Audio Out destination. Also, I'd rather not use Bluetooth, since it needs to compress the audio. You could probably say I want Miracast , but for audio. Sorry, lots of demands. Is there a device/protocol to make this happen? | I can think of 2 ways you could do this. Bluetooth audio adapter, like the Antec BXR100 . These are generally used for headphones, but should be able to simply connect into your amp. -Pros : Simple, cheap -Cons : Bluetooth, limited range, A2DP appears to have issues on Android 4.2 , possibly non-optimal audio quality DLNA renderer (mini computer (raspberry pi ( Raspbmc maybe. There's a topic on the use of raspbmc as a DLAN renderer here on their forums.) or similar perhaps), specialized unit (Like the (discontinued, though still findable if you don't mind buying used) Netgear MP100 series ), or maybe a cheap Android device) attached to your amp, getting your audio pushed from one of the several DLNA server apps available for Android . This is essentially the same as Apple's Airplay system, only a different, more open standard which will work with more manufacturers' devices. -Pros : Almost as simple, will work anywhere you can get a wifi signal, possibly better audio quality than the bluetooth, could potentially be used to move video if you wanted to in the future if your chosen receiver has that capability. -Cons : More complex, possibly expensive, new audio-only DLNA renderers seem to be rare nowadays. | Replace audio cable with wireless solution | android |
So I've recently rooted my phone and tried a ROM or two. I find it really handy that you can use TWRP recovery to install another ROM from the SD card, you don't need to have it connected to a PC. However, on my device (HTC One S) I need to flash a different boot.img file for every ROM as well, so I still need to hook my phone up to my PC to switch ROMs. If I don't do this, it just gets stuck on the loading screen. Then I must use the command <code> fastboot flash boot boot.img </code> from the folder where boot.img is located. Is it possible to flash this boot image with TWRP or any other way without using fastboot over USB? | What needs to be done is to bundle the boot.img and construct a new zip file suitable for flashing via ClockworkMod or TWRP. Pre-requisites : a Linux environment that has the usual development packages, such as Java installed. ( It can also apply to other platforms, just be careful that the instructions here indicating the path used below, uses a forward slash <code> / </code> , so flip that around to be a back slash <code> \ </code> for Windows environment especially! ) adb command line tool installed. `testsign.jar' tool , for signing the zip file so that the recovery can authenticate and verify it is a valid archive otherwise recovery will report corrupt archive or similar. <code> update-binary </code> command line application , that is internal for usage with the flashable script. (This can be found with any flashable zip, the important thing is to extract that binary and deposited in the structure of the directory as shown) zip command line tool. Assuming your directory is called workdir , for discussion, lets call this the working directory, copy the <code> boot.img </code> into that directory, and create the following directory structure - <code> META-INF/com/google/android </code> , this is important! And within the <code> META-INF/com/google/android </code> , copy the binary application called <code> update-binary </code> into that directory. So the directory structure should be like this: <code> + workdir/ + | +--+ boot.img | | +--+ META-INF/ + | +--+ com/ + | +--+ google/ + | +--+ android/ + | +--> update-binary | +--> updater-script </code> As for the <code> updater-script </code> , copy the contents of the following below: <code> ui_print("Please wait, boot.img being flashed..."); show_progress(0.1, 0); assert(package_extract_file("boot.img", "/tmp/boot.img"), write_raw_image("/tmp/boot.img", "boot"), delete("/tmp/boot.img")); show_progress(0.1, 10); ui_print("It is now safe to reboot! :)"); </code> Remember: Do not get confused here, the updater-script as shown, should be left alone and as-is, so do not try flip the forward-slash to a back slash if doing this under Windows environment. Go back to the parent of the directory structure, i.e. outside of workdir and do the following, we're going to create a zip file from this: <code> zip -r my_custom_flashable_boot_unsigned.zip workdir/ </code> which is a recursive function, this will zip up everything into the file called my_custom_flashable_boot_unsigned.zip . Finally, to sign the zip file, issue this: <code> java -classpath testsign.jar testsign my_custom_flashable_boot_unsigned.zip my_custom_flashable_boot_signed.zip </code> Then its a matter of pushing that across the SDCard as in <code> adb push my_custom_flashable_boot_signed.zip /sdcard/ </code> and manually go into recovery and specify that zip archive (i.e. my_custom_flashable_boot_signed.zip ) in which it will perform the flashing for you. | Flash boot.img without using fastboot USB | android |
There is a pretty severe, widespread Android Jellybean bug that causes Google Now voice search to not work over bluetooth audio (it gets stuck saying "Initializing"). I've personally dealt with this on a Galaxy S3 and a Galaxy Note 2, both running 4.1.1. I'm curious whether the Razr Maxx HD has this bug - is there any credible information on which phones are affected by this bug? Or can anyone vouch from experience whether this is a bug on the Razr Maxx HD as well? | Verified that this bug does indeed exist on the Razr Maxx HD (running 4.1.1) | Does the Bluetooth/Google Now "Initializing" bug exist on Razr Maxx HD? | android |
What is "Detach from Market" in Titanium Backup? What does it do? | As Titanium Backup Technical FAQ states: This option tells the Market that you do not want to update a specific app. This option is especially useful if you need to unlink wrongly linked Android apps from Play Store, as this article explains. | What is "Detach from Market"? What does it do? | android |
For some context, I am downloading Dragon Mobile Assistant which is a 40+ mb apk from the Google Play Store. I have an unreliable connection to Verizon Wireless' 3G mobile data network. If I am a few inches too far to the right of a sweet spot, the signal quality will degrade and I will be passed off to 1X. If I am in the middle of a download, it'll just pass me over with no interruption. However, it will not pass me back to 3G during the transfer once quality to that network is "good enough." This is highly annoying, because if I am downloading a big file, it basically comes to a screeching halt on the horrible 1X network. Sometimes it is even better to cancel the download, wait to be passed back to 3G and restart the download. Is there anyway on a Droid 3, rooted stock android 2.3.4, to have my phone continue to poll the 3G network and switch to it even while it's transferring data on 1X? It already allows me to go down during a transfer, why can't I go up? | I hate when that happens. It happened to me more times than I could count while I was traveling through western Maryland (and it's even worse when the phone mysteriously switches from 4G to 1X and refuses to go back to 4G or even 3G)... Anyway, there are three things you can try. The first, obvious one is to relocate the phone to somewhere that you get a better signal. This may not help much at all if you're in a fringe coverage area and in a residence, but it's definitely something you should attempt. Next, to force the phone to reconnect to the network, just toggle airplane mode on and off. (BTW, don't bother with any of those so-called "network signal booster" apps. All they do is toggle airplane mode on and off, hiding the notification bar so you can't see what it's doing.) This is probably your best bet. In my experience this will get your high speed connection back most of the time, but you still aren't guaranteed to keep it long enough to finish your download. Your phone also has a secret menu which can be accessed by entering <code> *#*#4636#*#* </code> into the dialer. In this menu you can view various statistics about the mobile data connection, as well as change which network types the device will try to connect to. (The exact types vary by device and firmware revision, and I don't have a Droid 3 on hand, so you'll just have to look and see for yourself.) In my experience, though, this didn't help much; the phone would just give me no data service instead of 1X, or refuse to connect to 3G/4G, or to any network at all. Also, be careful in this menu; if you change a setting and don't know what to change it back to, you could completely kill your ability to connect to the network, requiring a factory reset. | How to force phone to switch to faster mobile data network during file transfer | android |
I am going for a trip for 3 weeks and I want to record all the places I visited using my Android mobile. I most likely I won't have data connectivity - only GPS. If I don't find anything else I will use Endomondo , but I'm open to other solutions, including third-party apps (preferably free). I am using an HTC One XL running CyanogenMod 10. | The best option is Google's My Tracks Follow the link and see the features yourself. Everyhing you want is there. And the best part is it's free!! Hope this helps | How to 'record' a trip - places I visited? | android |
Today I have received my first Android device, to be more precise a GOClever Tab A102.2 tablet. I have noticed that it runs as operating system Android 4.0.4 so I though why not update it since the latest one is 4.2? I went to Settings > About > System Update however it asks for a update.zip file which I have to place in NAND or SD card. Searching through the internet I have found that some devices connect to the internet and check for updates when prompted while others need to be updated with vendor specific versions (I guess that's the case for me). Now I wonder, why do some devices need to be updated with vendor specific versions? The way I see it, Android is just an Operating System and thus not tied to the device so theoretically if I wanted I could ditch it in favor of some other operating system (say a linux distro) so whether the update comes from the vendor or not should be irrelevant. Also, can vendor specific versions of Android be updated (through some other means) even though the vendor didn't release an update for it? | Most vendors/manufacturers modify the Android source code to ensure full compatibility with the devices hardware - if you were to update to a clean version of Android, it just wouldn't work properly (and it it even booted, most things wouldn't work at all). Some manufacturers implement an OTA update feature - whereas some don't. Those that don't sometimes make you connect your phone/tablet to the computer and use their 'helper' program to do the update. Even the devices that do connect to the internet and download the update are vendor specific - device specific even, it is just that the manufacturer let you do it that way. As to your final question: Yes, through a custom ROM. Custom ROM's are versions of Android that have been modified by the Android community, based on the stock Android code, to work on your device. You should search google, or look at forums such as XDA-Developers for more info about ROM's, or to look for a ROM for your device. Remember: All the hardware in phones are different. Only the manufacturer knows how to code for it, so that is why default Android code won't work with it - it would need propriety drivers. | How exactly does operating system update work on Android devices? | android |
I have folder on my sd card called podcasts. It contains subfolders of podcasts. My problem is the media players I have tried only display some of the podcast files as being available to play. There doesn't seem to be any reason why the displayed files should be playable and the others not. I have tried clearing the data of the "media storage" app as well as running a "rescan sd card" app, to no avail. So, any ideas as to how I can get all of my podcasts to be playable in a media player? UPDATE: The problem seemed be caused by Winamp not playing wma format files, even though it's meant to support them. Have converted them to mp3 and they now appear in Winamp and can be played | The problem seemed be caused by Winamp not playing wma format files, even though it's meant to support them. Have converted them to mp3 and they now appear in Winamp and can be played. | Not all media files discovered by media apps | android |
I have two wi-fi networks at home and one of them I just cannot connect to with my Galaxy Nexus. (It works fine with several laptops.) It shows up but when I try to connect after "Connecting..." it just goes to the state "Saved, secured with WPA2". I also tried connecting using WPS but it just times out. I am looking for ways to get additional information to debug this. What I have tried (as suggested in many other places) is changing the frequency band from Auto to 5 or 2.4 GHz but that didn't help. EDIT: By now I have also tried resetting the phone but that didn't help either. | In the end I fixed it using the old "have you tried turning it off and on again?" on one of the APs. Make sure to try that first. ;) So here is my little checklist, least annoying first: (If you have other suggestions or things that worked for you let me know and I'll add them!) Recheck the password it is almost always the problem! (Hint to the Android devs: A more descriptive error for this case would be great. ;) ) Reboot all devices. Yes, even if it works for other computers and if it will cut their network connection. Try adding the network manually and entering all the data manually. Try restricting all devices to specific channels and bands instead of using automatic discovery. If you use multiple devices make sure they don't interfere by setting them to different channels or selectively turning them off. Try using "adb logcat" to get more information. Try resetting your phone. | How do I debug my wi-fi connection? | android |
I have a few day old Nexus 7 tablet, unrooted, bootloader still locked, and otherwise in factory condition. This morning, it ran its charge out. When I plugged in it, this happens: Google Logo appears. Nexus Logo appears. Lock screen which shows charging: 0%. White screen, device powers off. Repeat. What is happening? Thanks! | Some devices (I don't know about the Nexus 7, but I think it will be about the same) only charge when they have still a little charge left on their battery, because - believe it or not - charging happens electronically. So it can be that your device has absolutely no juice left to run. An example of such a device is the BlackBerry PlayBook (not Android) where this trick works when your tablet doesn't want to boot. But there is a simple solution for that, which can take some time. Try to keep your device awake for as long as possible, even if that means you have to restart it a couple of times. Of course you do this while your charger is connected. After you have restarted it a couple of times, it should normally boot up. I expect it will take about 7 or 8 boots for the battery to be charged at minimum level again. After that, make sure you keep the device connected long enough so the battery is fully charged (have a look in your user manual how long it is recommended, most tablets need about 8 hours). Another option is that your device just needs a little more juice to start. In that case you should leave it plugged in for some time (I recommend at least an hour) before booting. tl;dr: Two options you could try: 1) Just keep restarting it, after a while it will start as normal. Recharge the battery for a long time (probably around 8 hours). 2) Leave it plugged in for a long time before restarting | Nexus 7 is stuck in reboot loop after full discharge | android |
I could use Nokia PC suite to receive and send SMS messages on my computer. But I could not find this feature in Samsung Kies. How can I send and receive text messages on a PC using my Galaxy SII? | This feature isn't built into Android, but there is an app - DeskSMS , that allows you to do what you are asking. It does, however, require the use of a browser plugin. | Send and receive text messages on computer using galaxy s2 | android |
My S2 stops at the Samsung logo screen during boot. When I restart it, the same thing happens. My phone is using Android 4.0.4 (ICS), and it is not rooted. Please help me with this. Thanks in advance. | Sometimes android goes into Fubar mode and the only way to get past it is to make a hard reset. This unfortunately deletes any data stored on the device but anything stored on the memory card will remain. Luckily there is a hardware hard reset mode. A hard reset can be accomplished by doing the following things: Turn the power off. If your Samsung Galaxy S II is frozen, pull the battery out and reinsert it Hold the Volume Down button Press and release the Power button You are now presented with a menu that allows for Fastbook, Recovery, Clear Storage, and Simlock Select Clear Storage by pressing the Volume Down button Press and release the Power button Now simply confirm your decision: Volume Up for YES and Volume Down for NO Some versions of samsung galaxy s2 require that you need to hold down volume down AND volume up to get into the menu. Youtube video showing how it's done | Samsung Galaxy S2 stops during boot | android |
Last week, I decided to flash a custom ROM to my 2 year old Desire HD. I used the hack kit (AAHK) and flashed Jellytime R30. Everything is great... except for the non-existent GPS. After looking around, I've managed to tracked the issue down to an incompatible/outdated radio on my device. My current baseband version is 12.56.60.25U_26.10.04.03_M . According to the ticket, people were able to make the GPS work by flashing a new radio version 12.69.60.29_26.17.14.11_M . To aid me in flashing a new radio, I read a lot and figured out that I would need to do the following steps : Requirements: S-OFF Download the radio file Rename it to PD98IMG.zip (this is important!) Move the file to your SD-card root (not in any folder) Download MD5 Checksum Checker Make sure that the MD5 provided with the download link matches with your downloaded file! ^ If not performed, you might risk bricking your device! If they match, you are ready to go! Power off your device. Hold the volume-down and powerbutton simultaneously ^ This will boot you into Fastboot/Bootloader You should see a screen with options Navigate to Bootloader (if not already in it) and press the powerbutton Wait for the flashing process to begin (it does automatically!). Reboot your phone and you are done! So here are my questions: Are the steps I've laid out above correct? Will radio version 12.69.60.29_26.17.14.11_M work for my device? It's HTC Desire HD bought in the Philippines on May 2010. (According to the thread, this is from an Inspire device) Will this radio work in the Philippines? (I've read that radios are "region" specific. If they are, where can I download a radio for our region?) According to a user , "flash ENG S-OFF and your device was shipped with Gingerbread you will mess your bootloader and radio won't be the main concern then". I'm currently on S-OFF (via AAHK) and my device was shipped with Froyo (I think). Will this be a problem? (I don't understand what he is saying). That's all. Thank you in advance. | You've done your research right, bro. Another recommended way is using the commandline fastboot which can be easily followed-through here . I'm using the same custom ROM as you are, though, I can't utilize the bootloader interface on the phone as I already cut off the flex of its volume rockers(yields nonbooting issues for me already). It'll work just like it did on mine. Not an official WWE(international) radio, though. The latest WWE applicable is 12.65.xxxx but GPS will not function already when using JellyTime R30(which is based on the latest pull from CM10). Since you already have flashed a custom ROM I believe it's safe to say you don't have to deal with issues regarding S-OFF | Flashing new radio to my Desire HD | android |
Is it possible to have the radio switch between WCDMA Preferred mode, GSM mode, and WCDMA only, for example, without the radio switching off and on again? The radio completely loses signal during the, which isn't ideal. It seems like it must be possible theoretically, as the phone doesn't lose signal when in WCDMA preferred mode, when it downgrades to GSM because of poor signal. If it matters, I'm using an HTC Desire Z running Cyanogen 10.1 (Android 4.2 based). This problem also occurred on all previous versions of CM that I've tried, and on stock JellyBean 4.2. This also occurs on a Nexus 4 on JellyBean 4.2. | You are right in that it theoretically should be possible to make the switch without dropping the signal, but unfortunately we users and even CM developers can do very little to change that. The only thing the ROM does is tell the radio to switch from one mode to another, it's up to the radio's firmware to decide how to make the change. These firmwares are not something you can change, since giving the users the power to change how the radio works is just asking for trouble. The reason why the firmwares lose the signal probably has to do with the fact that when you change the mode, you actually turn off part of the radio that handles the now unused network mode. But when the switch happens because of bad reception the radio that lost signal stays on and continues to search for a signal (so you can get 3G back after you return to civilization). | Is there a way to switch between radio modes without the phone radio completely shutting down? | android |
Is there a way I can have unused apps not take up resources? Especially Internal memory and other resources not on Sd card. I am already using Link2SD to move what I can to SD. I know you can back them up and re install, I was hoping for something easier, like avoiding autostart. | I am using a third party app called ES Task Manager , which allows me to manually enable and disable autostarting for the most apps as I can see so far. You didn't say if your Samsung is rooted or not so I need to mention that you need a rooted device to perform this via the Task Manager. It might also be possible to transfer not only user installed apps but system apps as well with Link2SD while beeing on a rooted device. At least these system apps are shown by Link2SD, but I never really tried that out. | How to have unused apps not take up resources | android |
So last week, I decided to flash a custom ROM to my 2 year old Desire HD. I used the all in one, one-step, "rooting" tool called AAHK (It doesn't just root the phone, it does a whole lot like S-OFF, Goldcard, etc). My DHD is now running Jellytime R30. Everything is good. Now, I would like to try other ROMS. I did a backup of my current system via Clockworkmod in Recovery. Question: Is this a full "image" snapshot? I mean, will I be able to restore the entire system including the ROM when I restore this backup? Or do I have to flash the ROM in the snapshot before I restore the backup? PS: I'm new to this custom ROM thing but I've done my fair amount of research. :) | CWM backups are full system backups, so they restore it to exactly how it was when you took a backup. Everything including apps, settings, preferences, even call log is saved. You don't have to flash the ROM before restoring a backup. The backup files contain a boot.img and system.img that have the ROM, kernel etc in it. When moving to another ROM, you might also want to take a backup of all your apps and app data with Titanium backup, this is helpful to restore them on the new ROM. If you flashed a new ROM without using Titanium Backup, don't panic, App Extractor can extract apps and data from a CWM backup. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.handyandy.appextractor My usual flash routine is: backup with Titanium, sync all data on wifi, backup sms, reboot to recovery, do CWM backup and then wipe, flash new ROM, reboot and restore apps, and sync. Hope it helps! | Clockworkmod Backup/Restore Feature | android |
I am using a cloud service (Dropbox) when I am using internet for file transfer. But how can I transfer files between my PC and my Android device without going via the Internet? and of course without using data cable. | There are multiple solutions available: Using an USB Cable If you connect your device to your PC via an USB cable, it shares (parts of) its storage to the PC. With versions prior to Android 4.x your device usually identifies as USB storage (like any external disk/USB-stick attached), never Android versions might use MTP instead, which might require special drivers on your PC to be used. Once connected, you can transfer files easily between PC and Android device. Using a card reader If your device features a slot for sd cards, you could simply remove the sd card from your device (remember to unmount it first via the device's setup menu), put it into a card reader, and attach it to the PC. It should then pop-up on your PC as "USB storage" as described above. Wireless solutions (Browser-based) There are a bunch of wireless solutions available -- and this is not the place to list them all. Principially, you can install any FTP/Web server, and configure it to offer the directories you wish to access. As this might be too complicated for many users, there are quite easy solutions. The probably most well-known is AirDroid , which offers a nice interface to manage almost your entire device from your PC: As the example screenshot shows, a file browser is included -- and permits you to upload and download files to/from your device. A second example for an easy-to-use app would be WiFi File Transfer , which -- as the name suggests -- is specialized to transfer files via WiFi: There are many more possibilities, just check the playstore. A good starting point are the playstore pages of the mentioned two examples, then lookup related apps. Other Wireless Solutions There are many more wireless solutions available. As Logos mentioned it in his comment, I will add some examples here for completeness: Samba You can use apps like Samba Filesharing to turn your Android device into a Samba server. In short, Samba (or SMB, or CIFS ) is the protocol used by Windows shares. Linux also understands this protocol. Using Samba, one thus can access the Android device's file system (without root, this will be restricted to the internal/external sd card) like any Samba-/Windows share. WebDAV Several apps like e.g. DavDrive can share the Android device's storage via the WebDAV protocol. This works via HTTP, but can also be accessed like a "shared drive" using the appropriate software on the PC. Bluetooth Don't forget that we also have this available -- at least on our Android devices. But also keep in mind this is much slower than WiFi. Nevertheless, it can be facilitated using apps like Bluetooth File Transfer . FTP The File Transfer Protocol also is an option. There are several apps available turning an Android device into an FTPServer ... Other solutions For completeness, let's just name them in short: SSH Server, Web server, File Synchronization tools (like e.g. FolderSync ), and probably several other options I'm currently unaware of... | How can I transfer files from PC to Phone or vice versa without internet | android |
I have flashed my phone with Odin loading hardcore's Kernel with the ClockworkMod Recovery 2.5. How can I know which is the latest version of ClockworkMod and how can it be updated, please? I saw there is a Play Store app for ClockworkMod but I am unsure of how it differs from the one installed using Odin. Thank you. | Download the latest CWM recovery available for your phone from here , put it in the root of your sd card, reboot into recovery (power off and press and hold some key combo, that depends on your phone; Google for instructions) and flash it. You can also try TWRP , another popular custom recovery. Let me know if you need any clarification! | Update ClockWorkMod | android |
Device: Motorola Defy (MB525), running Android ICS (4.0.4), CyanogenMod 9-20121116-NIGHTLY-jordan Issue: Whenever I'm listening to songs on any song app, If I press either volume up or down keys when the screen is on, it works fine. However, if the screen is turned off and I press volume keys, it either returns to the beginning of the song (on vol down) or skips to the next song (on vol up). Apps affected: This behaviour is verified on Google Play Music, Doods Music Streamer, and pretty much any app that has support for skipping songs while the screen is locked. | This is a feature of CyanogenMod. Pressing and briefly holding one of the volume buttons when the screen is off will cause the music player to skip forward (volume up) or backward (volume down). The intention is that this allows you to skip tracks and whatnot without having to unlock the device. If you find it annoying then you can disable it completely in your settings: simply uncheck the option at <code> Settings -> Sound -> Volume rocker music controls </code> . Alternatively, try to use short presses of the volume buttons when the screen is off and it should adjust the volume rather than skipping. | Pressing volume keys causes songs to skip | android |
Is they a way to send a text message to multiple recipients but include details taken from their contact card and have them automatically inserted into the text when it's sent? Something like the following: Merry Xmas <code> [contact name] </code> ! Where the name of the contact is filled in automatically. I'm aware that there are apps that allow mail merging of e-mails but I couldn't find any similar functionality for texts. | I am not aware of any stock messaging apps amongst any of the ROMs that will do that, but it looks like there are a bunch of apps in the market that will (Like SMeSsaggia bulk customized SMS or Group SMS , or Group SMS and Scheduler .) | How to send a text to multiple recipients with personalised details filled in from their contact information? | android |
I am starting to get some strange behaviour with my Nexus 4 running the latest JB os. I get a notification such as an email or sms, so I unlock the screen before dragging the notification bar down and selecting it. Upon selecting the notification the lock screen pops back up asking me for my pin before sending me to the relevant app. Any ideas? | In my case the problem appears to have been caused by the "manage locking" section of JuiceDefender. Turning that off solved the problem. | Lock screen shown when notification selected | android |
I'm currently on vacation and used my Samsung Galaxy S 2 to take a couple hundred photographs. I'm running the stable CyanogenMod 9 and have the Store Location option enabled in the Camera app. I also kept the GPS activated at all times. Yet, most of my photographs were stored without location information which is somewhat disappointing. I kept mobile data deactivated for long periods of time (to conserve battery power) and am wondering if that may have had an impact. | GPS has nothing to do with your mobile network (or Wi-Fi where applicable). GPS basically record the coordinates of the location (precise location) and time information. See the stackexchange-url ("GPS") tag or Wikipedia for more info. About you question, the reason that there is no location information for some photos is that the camera did not have time to contact the satellites. It takes some time (maybe 15secs or so) to establish a connection with the satellites and locate you. Did you suddenly opened the camera, took the photo? There is no time to establish a satellite connection. (I'm sure you did this to preserve the battery power). This is also the reason some photos in a row have their location recorded. Another possible reason would be that You might have been in a place where satellites couldn't locate you. (Indoors, thick forests, etc.) If you really need the locations to be tagged for your photos, you can do it manually with your stock album app or third party app as well. The reason some apps like maps use data connection or Wi-Fi is that they need it to download map data (road names, traffic info, etc.) So no need to worry about your data, GPS or camera. Hope this helps | Why are my photographs not stored with GPS location? | android |
Is is possible to change / modify the custom ROM you're about to install on your rooted Galaxy S2 (9100)? Usually, I would install CyanogenMod 10 Nightly build . Then, I'd install GAPPS (google apps) . Lastly, I'd restart and it would work. Now, what I want to do is to replace a default CM (CyanogenMod) apps (SMS, Contact manager/Call manager) with those included in JB 4.1.2 (leaked version) . Is there any way to achieve it? Thanks in advance for any info and suggestions. UPDATED POST Here is a pic of apps difference in icons (on left CM10, onright JB) And here is a snapshot of apps in <code> system/app/ </code> of those versions | Since you're rooted within CM, its a matter of doing the following, provided you have read the following: Caveat Emptor: The Jellybean leaked apks are signed with the signature key used to generate the signed leaked ROM of JB, however, it may clash with CM's own signature key which is, and I'll guarantee, different, so may not work at all! You are on your own from there onwards. ------------------------------------- remounting the <code> /system </code> rewriteable as in <code> adb remount </code> to make it writeable replace the apk's concerned within <code> /system/app </code> by adb pushing the appropriate apks taken from JB, as in <code> adb push name_of_jb_apk.apk /system/app </code> (Repeat for each apk concerned) - this will overwrite the apk's already residing in <code> /system/app </code> remount the <code> /system </code> as read-only as in <code> adb remount </code> Reboot, and go into clockworkmod recovery and clear the data/cache, the reason being is to remove the old cached data that was in use by the old apk's, and thus, minimize the chances of force closes within the relevant apks in question. I will list the actual filenames for the apk's concerned: Sms, the filename is <code> Mms.apk </code> Contacts, there's two apks involved, <code> ContactsProvider.apk </code> and <code> Contacts.apk </code> Dialler, name is <code> Phone.apk </code> , now, beware, this may have a dependency on <code> TelephonyProvider.apk </code> also. Whilst I have mentioned the actual apk's, I am therefore disclaiming any responsibility for anything that may happen on your handset as a result of replacing system apps. | SGS2 Replace preinstalled apps in Custom ROM | android |
I got a new phone and I signed in with my existing google gmail account. To my surprise, the phone started redownloading all of the apps I had on my other phone over my cellular data connection. Conveniently enough it was the exact same versions of the older apps I had on my old phone, and in some cases the same data preferences. I cancelled the auto downloading, and now I can't figure out how to resume it. On the play store under <code> My Apps </code> under <code> all </code> it shows me the apps I have downloaded under that account at one point in time, but no way to mass resume downloading them. It seems to only have options for individually installing the apps | Switching the primary account on Google Play seems to continue the auto-update process | How can I resume cancelled app dowloads after attaching a Google account? | android |
Is it possible to customize how numbers are displayed when dialing a number? For example: Instead of grouping them with spaces like <code> 555 123 123 </code> , I'd like it to have no grouping: <code> 555123123 </code> . On 2.3 you could do that from the locale, US had spaces and UK did not. On 4.1 it seems that both US and UK have the same spaces. Can it be changed? Thank you. | To the date, there is no functionality to disable this feature. Actually this was implemented to make it easier for the user to recognize and remeber the number easily. I did some search and found out that other people have the same problem as well. What I suggest is to move on to a custom dialer app which suit you the best , if this grouping feature really annoys you. | Customize number display on dial pad on Android 4 | android |
Is there are way to reveal the notification bar in a full-screen app? I have been using Smart Statusbar , which is a great little tool that reveals the bar with a gesture. Unfortunately, the app has a bug that renders some part of my phone's (Xperia Neo V) screen unresponsive. I have already emailed the developer but it seems he's no longer interested in the project. I'm now on the lookout for a perfect substitute. Any help? I have Android 2.3. | Try Bird Bar. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mikedg.android.bar.lite And now, for the rest of my 30 characters... | Looking for an alternative to Smart Statusbar | android |
I'm trying to use Banshee Remote with my Samsung Galaxy S3, but everytime I try to add a new server, it says <code> Can't connect to server. Check your settings </code> . There are only two settings: IP Adress, which I got from whatismyip.org Port, which I got from Banshee (Edit-> Preferences-> Remote Control-> Banshee remote port Is there anything I can try to do to fix this? Notes: I am using Banshee 2.4.1 on Ubuntu 12.04 LTS | Ensure your phone is connected to the same WiFi network as your computer, and remember to use the internal IP. To do this through 3G you would need to forward ports and use your external IP. | Why can't Banshee Remote connect to server? | android |
I tried connecting my Samsung Galaxy SII(ICS) to Samsung Kies 2.0.2 through USB. But whenever i connect the cable, Kies asks me to switch the phone to Kies Studio mode. But I could not find this mode in USB connection. How do I connect my phone to Kies? | Setting USB Debugging didn't resolve my issue. I upgraded Kies to the latest version. And it worked well. | Connecting Galaxy S2 ICS to Kies | android |
I switched from iOS to Android, and wish to transfer my pictures. Where on the filesystem should I put the pictures? I first thought <code> /DCIM/camera </code> , but that's the directory for pictures shot with the phone. <code> /media </code> and <code> /Pictures </code> seem to be appropriate, too. I just want to set up everything in the best possibly way. I also want the pictures to be in different folders e.g. holidays, work, etc... I have a Nexus 4 phone, if you need that to help me. | Please feel free to use a folder structure which suits you. It's better if you create a seperate folder for pictures, inside media folder or on the primary folder itself. (where the folders such as DCIM and media are located.) As your title asks, there are no hard and fast methods to transfer data to your phone. Standard file transfer safety measures apply. About keeping seperate folders, do NOT use too many folders which might result in slowing down the phone. No matter where you put the images, the album app finds them. (Just make sure that you don't copy them in to folders that you do not know of) Have fun with android. | Best Practice for transferring images to an Android phone? | android |
I got this message on my phone: Message Memory full Incoming message rejected I have deleted a lot of messages, and I have also run the memory cleaners I have on my phone. What should I do? Exactly which memory is used? Are there alternate apps that will let me store the messages in a different location? | According to several sources (including a.o. TechniPages and AndroidCentral ) the cause of this problem is lacking space in your device's internal memory , which must have at least 25MB free space left. T-Mobile's support pages have a detailed instruction on how to solve the issue. Though for some steps it was not clear to me what Android version (and what menu option) they were referring to, as a basic abstract the most important points include: Remove apps you no longer need This is the fastest solution, as it will certainly reclaim larger amounts of space per single step. To do so, you can e.g. use Androids default app manager: Go to Settings → Applications → Manage Applications , select the Downloaded tab (you only can remove apps you downloaded yourself), check which apps you no longer need, tap their entry, and hit the Uninstall (or Remove ) button. In case this is grayed out, you might need to Force Stop the app first. Move apps to your sd card This option is available with Android 2.2 and higher, but doesn't work with all apps. In short, apps must actively support this -- and must not provide widgets and some other things in order to be moved to sd card. The built-in "mover" only permits you to move apps applying to these rules. Cleaning up caches You can do so manually going to Settings → Applications → Manage Applications , select "All" (not just "Downloaded" ), tap each app, and select the Clear Cache button. Clear history This is for your call-logs etc. I doubt this reclaims lots of space. Having followed these essential steps (which I placed in the order of "most effective first"), your problem should be gone. | Message Memory Full, Incoming message rejected | android |
Even when I silence the device the camera shutter continues to making sound. I know that using rooting alternative we can move or delete the correspondent ogg file*. But i'm looking for a less invasive/complex alternative. (*) stackexchange-url ("How do I disable the 'click' sound on the camera app?") | While I 100% agree with stackexchange-url ("Liam's answer"), there are still solutions for countries where that law doesn't apply (and to tell you a big secret: those solutions even work when the law is in effect -- but then you run the risk of punishment yourselves if you use such a solution where you shouldn't). Searching the playstore for "shutter sound off" yields more than 100 results. As usual, not all of them are really hits: Most of the "spy cams" surely will disable the sound, but most likely you want to use your own camera app, and not one of those. If you are rooted, you can simply delete the sound file for the camera shutter sound. Aside from this, an article on AndroidAdvices offers 3 different solutions: Put your phone in Silent Mode By keeping the incoming calls ring volume to zero you can keep your phone in silent and thereby there will be no sound when you take a snap or record a video. This is the easiest way by which you can turn off the shutter sound. But mind you that you will not be notified of any incoming calls or any SMS or email that you receive. i.e., to stop shutter sound you need to put your phone in silent mode. Use Uva Silent Widget Camera Android App (well, or one of the others from above search results) Install CyanogenMod Once the CyanogenMod 7.1.0 up and installed on your rooted phone, you need to go through the Settings > CyanogenMod settings > Sound and then select Mute camera shutter . On some devices with ICS, the camera app itself offers a feature to disable the shutter sound: | How can I mute the camera shutter on Motorola RAZR i (ICS, without rooting) | android |
I've been planning to root my HTC One S for a while now, because the HTC software is so unstable. Sometimes it crashes every day for a certain period, sometimes even multiple times a day, I did a factory reset and the problem was gone for weeks but it recently came back. It has been going clean for 3 days now so it may be another period where it keeps stable, but I cannot trust it for too long. Now consider these facts: I will follow every instruction that I found on this forum, Phandroid . I have experience with linux. Not too much, but I know how the file system works and I can work with bash. I have quite a bit of programming experience and I'm generally pretty good with computers. The latter two may not be so relevant to the story of rooting, but all is to say that I'm an advanced user at least, if not expert. I know how to troubleshoot and I know when I should doubt an instruction or not. That said, taking these things into account, and considering the fact that I've never rooted a smartphone, what is the approximate real chance of me making my phone unrecoverably damaged/bricked/whatever..., If I'm careful? I'm just asking because this thing has cost enough money and it would be quite depressing to turn it into a worthless lump of plastic and metal. | If you're careful - risk is minimal. I do say minimal because there is no 0 risk! Let's split this in parts. Installing custom recovery: Higher risk because now you're overwriting the recovery partition of the phone. If you're in the process of overwriting and your phone shuts off, the recovery part may get corrupted. Will your phone brick though? Maybe, depending if the boot partition may also be affected. But, since your phone uses fastboot, the risk decreases. Rooting: Usually the least risk operation of all, since you're pushing files to the device. If it messes up, chances are factory resetting will let you start again. Now you've got custom recovery set up and want to try out a custom ROM Risk - Less than installing recovery if you choose a ROM for your device. Custom ROMS usually just copy the OS onto the phone. This should not touch the recovery partition. This means that should it fail and the phone does not boot into an OS, you can still use the recovery partition to restore a backup, retry the install or try another ROM. This may change though, if you install a non One S ROM, as most ROM zips have a hardcoded partition when they modify. So remember to read the instructions thoroughly, make sure your battery is fully charged when doing this, back up your current OS after you install custom recovery and make sure you install the ROM that is made for your device. | What is the actual risk of bricking when rooting for new ROM | android |
I own a MICROMAX A100. I want to install the latest version of a different ROM (Samsung or Nexus). Is it possible? If so, can you tell me how? If not, can I install a different ROM of the same manufacturer, I mean MicroMax A110, which is the successor of A100? While trying to backup the current ROM I am not getting the Back up Option. The image below is not readable, here is what it says. reboot system now apply update from external storage wipe data/factory reset wipe cache partition apply update from cache How to backup current ROM? . | Short answer: You can only install ROMs compatible with your device Longer version Different Android devices use different hardware, which requires special drivers (e.g. the camera). Those drivers are sometimes/often proprietary (take e.g. Sony, which almost made it into the AOSP project -- but had difficulties due to those proprietary parts and thus had to back-out again : AOSP only allows for non-proprietary, Open Source code, like its name suggests: Android Open Source Project). Installing an incompatible ROM, in the best case, makes components of your device unavailable (they are simply not working). In the worst case, you might "brick" it (it won't even start up). You might want to check the question stackexchange-url ("Where can I find stock or custom ROMs for my Android device?") to find ROMs compatible with your device. Most times, there are several choices available to meet the user's requirements: Less "bloatware" but more performance, more fancy stuff, custom enhancements... So you still can make your pick. Other recommended readings on this topic: stackexchange-url ("Are the custom ROM different for different phones?") stackexchange-url ("Is there an official Android “Google” ROM?") | Can I install any ROM for my Android device? | android |
Google Maps is not showing my actual location. It shows me as being nearby (almost a kilometer away). What can the problem? | There are a number of possible reasons for an inaccurate location, mostly relating to the lack of a good GPS fix. If the phone cannot get an accurate GPS fix, it will use more approximate methods of deriving its location - such as cell tower locations and wifi hotspot locations. Possible reasons for no good GPS fix, in vague descending order of likliness: You are indoors, or the sky is otherwise obstructed (trees can have quite an impact) GPS is turned off or disabled on your phone, or you are using Google Maps on a device that does not have a GPS receiver. You haven't used the GPS for a day or more, or you have moved a long way since you last used it, and it is taking a while to get a fix - this can take a minute or more in some circumstances, especially if you don't have a data signal. The GPS isn't working properly. Some phones have GPS trouble occasionally and require a restart. There is interference with the GPS - e.g. naval forces sometimes conduct exercises with GPS jamming, and I've had... variable results trying to use it near a large naval base before. Normally if Google Maps can only give an approximate fix it will show a circle around your position, showing uncertainty. It might help with diagnosis to know whether you are seeing this circle, as that will indicate whether Maps knows that it has an approximate location or whether it thinks that it has an accurate one and is wrong. | Google Maps not showing actual location | android |
Just the question in the title. If I have my phone plugged in and charging, will it take any longer to get up to 100% charge if I'm using it or will this make no difference? (I'm using a galaxy nexus) | Yes. The Galaxy Nexus will accept no more than 4.5W of power (0.9A @ 5V) from a charger, regardless of what the charger is capable of supplying. This isn't a whole lot, so doing stuff will cut down on the amount of power available to charge the battery and it's actually possible to run down the battery while you're plugged in. Testing by a guy on reddit showed peak power draws from the battery of over 5W when using google maps, so you'd end up using the entire charger supply to power the hardware, and another 0.5W drawn from the battery. | Will using my phone whilst charging make it charge slower? | android |
I haven't played around with custom ROMs since my G1 back in 2008, so when I put Cyanogen 10 on Galaxy S3 last night I wasn't surprised that things have changed a bit. I rooted the phone first, then put on CM touch, then C10 and the appropriate gapps. My problem is that I can't see the ext sd that worked fine under the stock ROM. These are the specifics: recovery-cwm-touch-6.0.1.2-i9300 cm-10.1-20121220-NIGHTLY-i9300 gapps-jb-20121212-signed I'm trying to mount via the CWM menu but get this response: Error mounting /external_sd! I've also tried to use ICS SD Binder, but with no success. Any help would be grand. | finally found the solution. You have to fix the card first (which also means you can get back any data on the card). On a Windows box I ran chkdsk. Start -> cmd -> chkdsk e: /f Then set the partition up as fat32, a 32GB partition. I did this on an Ubuntu box, for no other reason than that is my normal OS. After popping the card back in the phone it was picked up and is being reported as 59.43GB I tried a few things before I found the solution: http://exceptionallyexceptionalexceptions.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/s3-mod.html | GT I9300 clockworkmod Cyanogen 10 nightly external SD not mounting | android |
Having never owned an Android Tablet I am thinking of purchasing one at some point during 2013. From what I gather in terms of connectivity, they either come as: Wi-Fi Only 3G & Wi-Fi Is it true that most tablets are Wi-Fi only enabled ? - Those people who purchase them can therefore connect where ever there is Wi-Fi or a Wi-Fi Hotspot ? 3G/Wi-Fi tablets might be less common (or perhaps more appropriate to say popular) because they require a SIM card to be purchased and inserted (which leads to greater monthly expense....I assume), however they can therefore use the tablet anywhere they like because they are connected to a mobile, cellular network.(In the same manner that a SmartPhone is 3G/Wifi Enabled I guess) Anyone who can comment on the above, would be much appreciated... | Most newer Android tablets provide both WiFi and WiFi+3G variants. If a tablet is WiFi only - then yes, the tablet can only access the internet via a WiFi hotspot/network. If a tablet has 3G capability as well, then yes - a SIM and data plan would be needed to use the 3G functionality, but not required to use the tablet. The benefits of using a 3G model would be that you always have an internet connection, even if there isn't a WiFi network available (as long as your mobile network has coverage where you are). The 3G system in tablets is the same as in phones - except that most 3G enabled tablets don't have the ability to make voice calls, or send SMS's - they are limited to using only the internet through the 3G network. 3G tablets are more expensive than the WiFi only models - mostly costing in the region of ~£100 more, however the benefits can be rather useful - especially if you would be using the tablet out and about alot. However, if you possess an Android device as well, then you could just purchase a WiFi only model, and use the Portable Hotspot feature of your Android phone to create a WiFi network that the tablet can connect to, to use the 3G internet of your phone. So, in conclusion: 3G tablets can be connected to the internet practically everywhere 3G tablets can cost around £100 more than WiFi only varients WiFi only varients can only access the internet when a connectible WiFi network is present A SIM and data plan are needed to use 3G data on a 3G capable tablet - this will cost extra 3G tablets are ideal for those that will be taking them out and about with them, and would need an internet connection while they are out and about with their tablet WiFi only tablets are ideal for those that would only be using the tablet indoors that has a WiFi network available, or for those that wish to to the WiFi Hotspot feature of their Android phone. | 3G/Wi-Fi Vs Wi-Fi Only Enabled Android Tablets: Pros & Cons to the Consumer? | android |
I am a very organized person, and thus also in the case of my emails. I have taken the time to set various filters and labels to keep my emails organized, some of these filters automatically archive messages, i.e. labels are applied to emails, and they get archived (hence these messages skip the inbox). These days I am receiving some emails that belong to a specific label, about topics in which I'm working currently, but since they are not reaching the inbox, my smartphone does not notify me when they arrive. However, when I expand the list of recent labels, I find that there are unread messages in the label in which I am interested. When I open the folder (label), I find the new unread email message. What do I have to configure in order to get notified of these automatically archived emails in Gmail? | The steps you have to take are the following ones: Expand the list of recent labels, but this time tap the option Show all labels . This will take you to the list of all your labels, in whose bottom you'll see the option Manage labels : tap there. In the list of labels, tap the one you want to be notified about. By default that label has Label sync and notify disabled. Tap the option Sync messages It will open a popup dialog with sync options. Choose and tap one different to Sync: None . The above will enable the notifications, now you can choose its options according the way you want to be notified. Exit the label options for changes to be applied. From now on, you'll receive notifications about unread messages for that label too (in Jelly Bean, you'll see the extended notification, as with inbox emails). You'll be able to open the email message tapping on that notification. | How to get notified of new automatically archived emails in Gmail? | android |
I just rooted my phone (Android 2.3.6) and partitioned the sd card using <code> CWM recovery </code> . While partitioning, I noticed about <code> swap size </code> and while searching about it, different blogs ( xda developers ) recommended using <code> 0M </code> as <code> swap size </code> . What is the use of it? Why is it recommended to be <code> 0M </code> ? | Primary reasons for the no swap recommendations are the basic uselessness of swap for most devices, performance reasons, and device longevity. As Liam mentions, modern devices have no shortage of RAM (Even my old underpowered Wildfire S has as much RAM as my previous desktop .) and that RAM is managed fairly well by the modern Android system, making a swap largely pointless. Also, even though flash is far better than platters of spinning rust, it's still orders of magnitude slower than RAM is, hence for performance reasons, you don't want to tier down to flash if you can at all avoid it. Furthermore, flash memory has a limit on how many times you can erase and rewrite it. While this cycle limit is typically in the thousands or tens of thousands, which combined with modern wear leveling systems, means you're unlikely to hit the limit within the useful lifespan of the device, but if you're using it as swap, with loads and loads of itty-bity writes, you will chew through those cycles needlessly and might actually bump against those limits in time. | Use of swap size while partitioning? | android |
While on Wifi, Whatsapp won't work on my Galaxy Note 2 due to my work proxy. I have found no proxying application that will work, yet. (My work is using an HTTP Proxy). Is there an application that will route certain phone apps (such as Whatsapp) through mobile data, while still allowing other apps to use Wifi access? | By default, as soon as WiFi gets connected, the mobile network shuts down -- so you cannot use both simultaneously. Which means: no, even a proxy allowing for exceptions would not do, as the other network simply is no longer available. Quoting from CyanogenMod Tracker : Each time you activate WiFi you'll lose 3g connection. That's normal behaviour of Android network manager. There were attempts on "hacking" that, as you can e.g. find here . This source from the Stanford university also makes clear on the standard behaviour: Given WiFI is connected, then turn on 3G data connection. 3G connection will be automatically torn down by Connectivity Service. Given 3G is connected, then turn on WiFi connection. Connectivity Service will tear down the existing 3G connection. Except from "hacking attempts" as described by the Stanford example, I know of no solution to the issue. | Route Application through Mobile Data when on Wifi | android |
I have an Android device which is running Android 4.0.3 (or something like that). My little brother decided to try and guess my lock screen pattern the other day, and ended up locking me out. I have since been unable to log back in to the tablet using my Google Account details. I provided the correct login details, however it says they are incorrect. Could this be connected to the fact I have no internet connection? I have no internet connection as the device is WiFi only, and the WiFi is currently turned off. I cannot turn it on, as I am locked out. How can I log back into my tablet without wiping the user data? | There are several ways even in this stage. I'll try to sum up as many of them as I remember/find. Also, I don't keep it restricted to a single device -- but try to cover as many as possible, so it will be helpful to as many readers as possible. As you kept the device-tag from your question, all of them should find it :) All devices: if your credentials are not accepted, though they are correct Sometimes this part seems to be buggy, so this page lists a few work-arounds. Amongst others, these include: try entering null as password. (together with your google username; according to this page it should be the literal term <code> null </code> ) try entering your username without @gmail.com Combine 1 and 2 Try the normal recover password routine from GMail.com and start over from 1. All devices: Bypass screenlock using a special app According to TheUnlockr, the problem should be very easy to resolve: Go to the web version of Google Play. Login with the Google account associated with your Android device. Install Screen Lock Bypass (unfortunately a paid app now). Reboot your device. Another source mentioning this is UltraTechy.Com, which contains a few more explanations. According to that, the app will circumvent the "too many attempts" block, so you can directly access your device again (to e.g. make a complete backup before resetting it). As soon as this app is uninstalled, the "too many attempts" will be in effect again immediately. Hence, they add a few more steps: Go to Settings → Accounts & Sync Under Manage Accounts, remove all accounts except your Google account. (this should enable your Google username and password) Go to Settings → Applications → Manage Applications . Find Screen Lock Bypass and uninstall the app. (this will trigger the “too many pattern attempts” screen immediately) Use your original Google username and password to finally unlock your phone properly Enter your new security pattern twice to finish All devices: Unlock via web If you still know your pattern (and it only was your little brother who played with your device), and have your Google Account login/password ready, UltraTechy.Com offers another approach: Using your computer, log into your Google account Go to this link directly – https://accounts.google.com/IssuedAuthSubTokens OR click your e-mail on the top right corner, select Account settings , then hit “Visit the previous version of the Google accounts screen” towards the bottom, click “Authorizing applications & sites” under your Personal Settings → Security . Under “Connected Sites, Apps & Services” – “Revoke Access” of your Google Account with Android. You will see the screen showing “You have successfully revoked access to Full Account Access” [Alternate for step 3 - If you have already signed up for 2-Step Authorization previously and are able to generate a new application-specific password at the bottom, go ahead and generate a new password and use that password to unlock your device] Enter Gmail login and password on your device. It will now accept your login details and will show a pattern screen. Enter the “correct” pattern and you can see the home screen. All devices: Disable Pattern Lock via ADB According to this source, there's a way to disable the pattern lock via ADB. A few requirements for this, though: Your device probably must be rooted (not mentioned there, but the database we need to update is owned by system/system, and nobody else has read or even write access to it. Also removing files from <code> /data/system </code> is unlikely to be permitted without) USB Debugging must be enabled on the device (rooted users: alternatively you can boot into recovery, where USB Debugging is not required -- but you might need to manually mount the <code> /data </code> partition) the Android SDK must be installed on your computer device must be plugged-in and connected via USB you need a command line on the computer On the command line, enter the following: <code> > adb -d shell # sqlite3 data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/settings.db sqlite> update system set value=0 where name='lock_pattern_autolock'; sqlite> .exit # exit </code> (According to a stackexchange-url ("comment from Kay"), on Android 2.3.7 the SQL-Statement should read <code> update secure set value=0 where name='lock_pattern_autolock'; </code> -- at least with CM7 on a HTC Desire) Now disconnect and power off your phone, and turn it back on and the pattern lock should be gone. According to Geeknizer, there are a few additional useful steps to follow: After the reboot, use your ADB shell again and... <code> adb shell rm /data/system/gesture.key </code> Then reboot again. When device reboots, you will still see a pattern lock screen. But here’s the catch: just try any random pattern and it may unlock then remove the pattern from settings. Some additional notes from stackexchange-url ("this comment") by stackexchange-url ("krlmlr"): Mounting <code> /data </code> will be necessary. This can be done using <code> mount /data </code> via <code> adb -d shell </code> If the <code> sqlite </code> binary is not available on the device, you can use <code> adb pull </code> to copy the database file to your computer, edit it there (e.g. using SQLiteMan, and finally use <code> adb push </code> to replace it on the device On his Android 2.x device, the SQL command had to be <code> update secure set value=0 where name='lockscreen.lockedoutpermanently'; </code> All devices: Similar thing without ADB For those not having USB Debug activated on their device, there might be a work-around using a flashable zip, as described here. This procedure requires the zip file (to be found at the linked page), an editor, busybox and root on the device, plus the device needs to be rooted. Extensive procedure -- too long to be included here. And as it is no help without the zip either, you have to follow the link for this one. Phones: Use a hole to disable your lock If it is a phone -- i.e. if you can give it a voice call -- you might be able to use a "security hole", as described here: Call yourself from another phone, answer, hang-up, directly after hanging up start pressing your buttons like a madman for <30-60 seconds ending with your home button (might take a while to get the timing right). Go into settings and disable pattern-lock. However, I guess that might leave you without protection afterwards, as you need to verify with the old method before being able to reset it to a new. But still, I didn't try: it might as well be it ignores the "failed attempts" at this place. Phones: Use a hole to create a new account For phones there's a bad work-around according to this post: call the device from another phone (or have a friend calling it) answer the call, do not hang up use the back key ( not the home key) over and over. This should eventually bring you to your home screen go to Settings → Google Accounts and add a new Google account. Sign in with this new account after it accepts the new account credentials, and logs you in, hang up the phone, and go back to the lock screen. Now, use the new Google Account's data to bypass the lock screen (via the "forgot" button). Samsung users with Windows PC There's a One-Click-Solution to be found at GSMHosting.com which claims to be able to solve the issue. According to the many thanks the poster received, it seems to work. You can download the Windows executable there, connect your phone to your computer, and click... Forensics Oh yeah. Those guys who work for courts, police, secret services, corporate security... They've got ways as well. Example needed? ViaForensic's viaExtract can even decode pattern locks! So don't think you're unbreakable. Though: this is only mentioned here for completeness -- I don't think you easily get your hands on that :) More There might be more alternatives to that. If I happen to stumble upon them, I hope I remember to update my answer again ;) | Can not unlock my Android device as have no internet connection? | android |
So I just downloaded the nightly version of Firefox (ARMv6) apk and when I install, I get the following error message:- This, isn't a very friendly message.. what could be the cause? How do I find out? Logcat for this particular problem says:- <code> W/PackageParser( 137): Exception reading libxul.so in /data/app/vmdl70897.tmp W/PackageParser( 137): java.io.IOException W/PackageParser( 137): at java.util.zip.InflaterInputStream.read(Inflat erInputStream.java:207) W/PackageParser( 137): at java.util.zip.ZipFile$ZipInflaterInputStream. read(ZipFile.java:432) W/PackageParser( 137): at java.io.FilterInputStream.read(FilterInputStr eam.java:154) W/PackageParser( 137): at java.util.jar.JarFile$JarFileInputStream.read (JarFile.java:109) W/PackageParser( 137): at android.content.pm.PackageParser.loadCertific ates(PackageParser.java:338) W/PackageParser( 137): at android.content.pm.PackageParser.collectCerti ficates(PackageParser.java:508) W/PackageParser( 137): at com.android.server.PackageManagerService.inst allPackageLI(PackageManagerService.java:5906) W/PackageParser( 137): at com.android.server.PackageManagerService.acce ss$2100(PackageManagerService.java:134) W/PackageParser( 137): at com.android.server.PackageManagerService$5.ru n(PackageManagerService.java:4764) W/PackageParser( 137): at android.os.Handler.handleCallback(Handler.jav a:587) W/PackageParser( 137): at android.os.Handler.dispatchMessage(Handler.ja va:92) W/PackageParser( 137): at android.os.Looper.loop(Looper.java:123) W/PackageParser( 137): at android.os.HandlerThread.run(HandlerThread.ja va:60) W/PackageParser( 137): Caused by: java.util.zip.DataFormatException: data error W/PackageParser( 137): at java.util.zip.Inflater.inflateImpl(Native Met hod) W/PackageParser( 137): at java.util.zip.Inflater.inflate(Inflater.java: 255) W/PackageParser( 137): at java.util.zip.InflaterInputStream.read(Inflat erInputStream.java:188) W/PackageParser( 137): ... 12 more E/PackageParser( 137): Package org.mozilla.fennec has no certificates at entry libxul.so; ignoring! </code> Although I've encountered this on the Firefox APK, I'd prefer a more general answer on how to fix or know the cause of such "Application not installed" problem. | The exceptions coming from zip (in the log extract) indicate that the package is corrupt. This error could have been introduced by the download, or when the package file was generated. You could check for download errors by verifying the APK file's SHA-1 or MD5 checksum against a checksum provided by the download site. Obviously each site will have a different way of telling you the checksum. Also, the method of verifying it is different depending on what OS your PC runs: on Linux it's as simple as running <code> md5sum file </code> or <code> sha1sum file </code> . Note that this won't always be the case from the "Application not installed" error message. As others have indicated, that message usually results from trying to install a package that already exists on the system, unless the new package has a newer version number and is signed by the same key. | What's the cause of "Application not installed" error? | android |
If I have installed N number of applications including big games, and I would like to back up them, so I could restore the games as soon as I factory reset my mobile, how can it be done ? Any free apps ? | You can use Titanium Backup , but your phone needs to have root. It has a FREE and a PAID version. | How to back up applications in Android? | android |
While there are plenty of apps to switch profiles based on various triggers (time, position, ...), Llama being an excellent one for instance -- I did not manage to find any which would from time to time switch a network device on (Wifi, Bluetooth) and check whether a previously configured network is available, then connect if it is available. Should the network not be available, or not be available anymore, the device would be switched off. Until the next check. This would be extremely useful for someone who is neither very much "time organized" (ie. I do not know what I will be doing a Tuesday at 10:00), nor "place organized" (I spend some time in the neighborhood of my WiFi access point, without the access point being close enough to be connected to, but close enough for cell/GPS based location to think I am in its direct vicinity). Would someone know of such an application (or a combo - one for WiFi, one for Bluetooth)? Thank you! | As usual: try with Tasker . Tasker can react on "network near" (check for WiFi SSID), you also can check signal levels and react depending on that. This way you could not even check whether a certain WiFi network is in reach , but also how strong its signal is -- which might prove helpful e.g. in an office building with multiple WiFi networks to determine which room you are in. | Switching profiles based on networks availability | android |
I have an MyTouch 4G from TMobile. It's running android 2.3.4. How do I put put a file and delete files from the phone itself, not just the SD card? | You could install the Android SDK on your computer. This would give you the possibility to access your device's storage via the command line using e.g. <code> adb push </code> and <code> adb pull </code> . If that's not the level of comfort you want, there are also graphical tools utilizing ADB: ADB FileExplorer is a minimalistic frontend to copy files from/to the device. It's freely available from the XDA developers (simply follow the link). It is written in Java, and thus should run on nearly all operating systems used on desktop computers. If you want a little more comfort, then there's also ADBBrowser . Available for Linux and Windows (32-bit and 64-bit), it offers also an app-browser. And last but not least, there's QtADB available for Linux, Mac and Windows (again 32-bit and 64-bit), full of useful features like file manager, app manager, device information, SMS, shell, screenshots, logcat, backup/restore... Take a pick. Of course, there are many more possibilities. If your device is rooted, there are several apps available on the Playstore which permit full access to the local file system remotely. | How do I access my phone (not my SD card) from my computer? | android |
I have a Samsung galaxy 10.1 tablet (GT-P7500) with android version 3.1. I upgraded the android to 4.0.4 (the latest one available). It was rooted but I guess I've modified something since it always used to show "permission denied" for superuser requests. So I rooted the tablet. When I did, the tablet didn't reboot by itself. Someone suggested that I wipe all data. So I did it and now the tablet reboots well, but it isn't showing the mobile networks options when I go to <code> Settings > About device > Wireless & Networks </code> . I am not getting the 3G network either. I want my tablet to get the mobile network again and I want to upgrade it to android version 4.0.4. | There are two versions of the tablet, one with mobile network and one without. Make sure you have the right firmware installed so that you get the right options. | Mobile network not displayed after I rooted my samsung galaxy 10.1 tablet | android |
I have a problem with my Galaxy Note II (Android 4.1.1) when synchronizing the contacts I have on the phone via Bluetooth with my car. I believe this is some limitation of the number of contacts (or groups of contacts) I have on my phone. The same problem is present on my wife's Galaxy S3. I therefore would like to understand how the Galaxy Note II synchronizes its contacts with Google. I keep all my contacts in Google (I have nothing locally) and would like to just get the "My Contacts" group (with the hope it will fix the Bluetooth synchronization problem). I tried to limit the accounts stackexchange-url ("as explained in another post") but even though the title of the post is the same as mine, the solutions seem to only limit the number of displayed contacts. What I did was to: stop the synchronization for the google account (for contacts) forcefully delete all contacts from my phone (with Mass Contacts Delete , Delete All Contacts and Delete Contacts choose only "My Contacts" in <code> Contacts | Menu | Display Options | Choose contacts to display (account) </code> restart the synchronization I end up with all google contacts synchronized again ( "My Contacts" , the groups within and the "Other Contacts" one). I know this because when running the batch contact delete apps they inform me that 500+ contacts will be deleted (while I should have only 30 or so synchronized). This is why I suspect the solution given in the post I mentioned (and which I basically run in the points 2-4 above) just helps to limit the display (and not the whole synchronization). I would be grateful for some general information about how the Google accounts are synchronized with Android (specifically Samsung Galaxy) possibly a way to limit the "visible" accounts, as presented by the phone via Bluetooth (the idea being that even if the phone has all the contacts synchronized, maybe there is a way to set it up so that it "presents" (makes visible to other devices) only a subset). Note: the inferior alternative OS :) (iOS) worked as expected out of the box -- so I guess this is something which is manageable in Android as well. | 4.2.2 and 4.3 customized ROMs ( CyanogenMod in my case) fix the issue ... and bring in other ones, less important (the mp3 tags are not streamed with the musioc for instance = the name of the song is not displayed). | How to limit the synchronized contacts to "My Contacts" on a Galaxy Note? | android |
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