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Encryption precautions on android
So I want to encrypt my phone and my SD card. What are the precautions should I have?
What if my phone doesn't work anymore. Can I restore the data again? What should I do in order to make sure that if the phone doesn't work or anything goes wrong I can decrypt the data and not lose it?
I have samsung galaxy note 3.
Thank you.

Before encrypting you should:

Ensure all your contacts are associated with, and synced to, your Google account. This can be verified by viewing your contacts online at https://www.google.com/contacts.
Your photos and other media are backed up. Photos and videos can be automatically saved with the Google+ app. Any other files/data can be saved to your computer by connecting the Android device via USB and copying them over.
Make note of all installed apps.

You can’t reverse encryption on Android devices. If you decide you want a decrypted device you will have to perform a factory reset at which time all your data will be removed and lost. In addition, if the encryption fails or doesn't complete partial or full data loss will occur (the most common reason for this is power loss during the encryption process).

Thanks for the response! So there's no way I could use a key to decrypt the SD Card, for example? Isn't this crazy?

@TheQuantumPhysicist It is crazy from a practical standpoint, but the encryption alters the data and phone process flow in such a way that it makes it hard to simply roll back. It is also an additional security measure to not allow total decryption. As for a key; you would have one that needs to be entered every time you use your device (an annoyance for me personally).

Entering the password every time for the SD card is not a problem. But the problem is if I would like to decrypt the SD card in some other device... You're saying that is impossible... This is just crazy... For example, in Linux, you get a key that you can use to decrypt your HDD from any other device ... I wonder why Android doesn't do the same!!!!!

Actually you probably can do that; I will make it clearer my answer. Most devices now have two options for encryption (internal and external). The external can be turned off for moving to another device

Actually turning off encryption doesn't provide a universal solution. What if my phone broke and it doesn't work anymore? A decryption code, like linux does, solves this problem. But the way Android does it is so stupid! Don't you think?

It certainly has its challenges!

Based on the comments from the accepted answer, it looks like you're wanting to backup the key used to encrypt the internal and/or external storage. It is likely possible that you can backup both of the encryption key(s) if you can get root using dmsetup. If you have backups of the encrypted block devices and have the key, you can access the decrypted files on a linux system supporting dm-crypt.
In order to do a backup of the internal storage block device, you'll need to have the bootloader unlocked to use TWRP or be rooted. If you relock the bootloader, userdata will be wiped, and I suspect a new encryption key generated, so be careful of that.
There's also an alternative method for getting the encryption key for the external storage, root needed as well.


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HDMI output from tablet
My generic tablet (EZPad) has android v. 4.2.2; kernel 3.4.39+; build wing_k70-eng 4.2.2 JDQ 39.  The tablet has a HDMI port, but no apparent way of sending output.  Settings, Display shows no TVout toggle.  Any suggestions on using the HDMI port would be appreciated.

So plugging an HDMI cable into it doesn't do anything? Many devices have no specific settings, but will output automatically when a cable is plugged in.

Thanks for the reply.  As you say, plugging an HDMI cable into it doesn't do anything.  I have a second EZPad: android 4.2.2; kernel 3.4.0+ jlingzhang@srv-fw-compile3; build full_g3702c-userdebug 4.2.2 JDQ39.  This connects through HDMI via TVout no problem.

From the table below it seems that android v 4.2.2 should not have kernel 3.4.39+.  Probably the reason that the HDMI output does not show up:

The table is shown in http://android.stackexchange.com/questions/51651/which-android-runs-which-linux-kernel

source: Stack Exchange

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

sort: votes


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Prevent zooming when clicking a link on Chrome
I'm pretty good at clicking the link I want to click. Most of the time it magnifies and makes me tap again when the first tap was sufficiently centered. I want it to just assume I got close enough and go to the link closest to the center of the area I tapped. Is it possible?

all_licenses: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/


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Low Quality Contact Photos on "Card" in Android Wear
I own a Moto360. I use Google Hangouts as my default messaging app on my Nexus 5. When the "card" shows up on my smartwatch, the contact image on it is low resolution. It is noticeably blurry.
When someone calls my phone, the photo looks fine. It looks crisp and as high-res as could be. I'm guessing it's the specific apps that cause the low resolution.
Google Hangouts and Instagram both have low quality contact images showing up on my watch.
Is there some kind of solution to this? Am I the only one who has this problem?

If you don't have a solution can you at least comment if you have the same problem? If I'm the only one I will probably return it. Let me know!

I notice the same using Hangouts for SMS


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Need help with choosing the Rom for ZebPad 7t100
Without my knowledge my father bought a ZebPad 7t100 which is a Chinese sorta tablet imported re-branded and sold in India. The tablet one day stopped from booting and the repair man put some generic rom onto it. But now the problem is the Wifi is not working, so i am thinking about flashing my own Rom. But it seems that i need to know the chip set which i am unable to find.  so can some one provide me some insight. I am very much looking forward to flash cyanogen mod onto it.

Use

To locate firmware for Zebpad. Post #4
Manual from Zebronics, steps needed for upgrade. Viewable or downloadable .PDF

source:
https://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&source=android-browser&q=zebpad+7t100#q=zebpad+7t100+firmware+download

Here is an extra link for Zebpad 7t100 - http://zebronics.com/download-drivers/
As of this moment, I haven't found out the WiFi chipset. Will edit when I do.

Thank you very much for the effort. it has been a while and i got the job done by a localite techy.

authors: จตุพล ศรีโยธา


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Completely Full /system on CM11?
I installed CM11 from this thread on my old Nexus S 4g, thinking I could use it as a tiny server or something. However, it seems that the /system mountpoint, where things like /etc live, is ~100% full:
Filesystem               Size     Used     Free   Blksize
/dev                   193.1M   136.0K   193.0M   4096
/sys/fs/cgroup         193.1M     0.0K   193.1M   4096
/mnt/asec              193.1M     0.0K   193.1M   4096
/mnt/obb               193.1M     0.0K   193.1M   4096
/mnt/fuse              193.1M     0.0K   193.1M   4096
/efs                     6.8M     1.6M     5.2M   4096
/cache                 469.5M     2.3M   467.2M   4096
/system                503.9M   503.9M     8.0K   4096
/data                 1007.9M   351.4M   656.5M   4096
/mnt/media_rw/sdcard0    13.3G     6.8G     6.5G   4096
/mnt/secure/asec        13.3G     6.8G     6.5G   4096
/storage/sdcard0        13.3G     6.8G     6.5G   4096

Is this normal, or a strange feature of the particular rom I have flashed?
Is there any way to expand /system without wiping my device?
Can I do an overlay mount and have files in some other directory automatically appear in /system?
Can I take the rom zip I have and modify its install scripts somehow, so that when I flash it I get a bigger /system?
Is there something I can safely delete to free up space on /system?
How do I effectively administer a Linux system where no files can be created under /etc?


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Installing GCC For Free?
I have a rooted android device I want to use as a toy server. I need to install GCC, so I can ssh in and compile other software.
How do I install GCC and whatever libs/headers I need to compile command-line binaries, without buying one of the commercial solutions like C4droid?

What GCC has to do with a rooted device? Plus, GCC is freeware. There is also a Debian chroot for Android, Lil Debi.

Can you deploy GCC binaries on an unrooted device? Wouldn't they then be restricted to executing in the context of the app that installed them? I don't really know.
The GCC install instructions require a number of things (for example, a working C++ compiler) that preclude me building it on my device. And I'm not sure what cross-compiling options I would pass to the GCC build system to induce it to create an Android ARM build--hence my asking the question.
I'd like to install just GCC, without an entire Debian system. The Debian chroot would get GCC, though.


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my stored contacts that have the country code prepended doNOT get matched to existing calling contacts
due to travelling frequently I tend to store every contact in my phones (current and the ones I had in the past) along with the country code in which it resides. so I can still call them when I'm away.
The problem is that with my latest android phone a Samsung GT-S6310 with android OS 4.1.2 when someone calls me from the same country I'm in right now, the number that shows up on my screen does not have the country code prepended. As a result, the number is not matched to one of my existing contacts and I see just a 10digit number calling instead X calling.
Now this is not the 1st android phone I have owned and I know this was not a problem with the old one. Is there any way to avert that?

In what format did you enter the country code? 0041 or +41? (which stands for Switzerland btw.)

I tend to use the +, but there must exist a few 00 as well. if it makes a difference, I'd prioritise fixing the former first.

If you want a quick answer (two in reality) here is what I would do:
1) Go to Settings > Accounts > remove the Google account > add it back.
   I tried it once and it worked...
2) Go to Gmail on a desktop > Go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right) > Under General, go to 'Phone Numbers' and select your default country code from the dropdown list.
   This way your device should automatically recognize incoming call from your country...
I'm not sure if one of these is the solution to your issue, but I know that many people solved the same issue using them. Just try and tell me if they work. If not, we'll look for another solution ;)

nope unfortunately none of the 2 answers worked :(

I know this is not a perfect solution, but it is just an workaround - you can try Truecaller app. However, this requires an Internet connection active during the time of receiving the call.


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My samsung note 1 can't find the Play store and service after a factory reset
For a week I have been having issues with Google play store not working along with most my Google apps. Tonight I factory reset my phone to see if that would fix the issue but I made it worse.  Now my Google play services,and Google play store are gone and there is no market app either!
How do I reinstall Google play so I can start reinstalling all my other apps!

Try restarting your phone, most problems go away that way.

I have numerous times! I've tried just powering down, rebooting, I've even taken the battery out for15mins and nothing! Thank you though for trying to help me!

@KimberlySacchetti: Try flashing the firware from sammobile.com it should solve the problem.

@Kimberly please include some more details, such : custom or stock rom & version, whether or not you disabled/uninstalled any apps, and any other information that would pertinent.

Hi, I know my phone is rooted, (whatever that means) , something about custom os, its a second hand phone, I seem to have uninstalled Google play, market, therefore I cannot seem to really do much.I cannot download any apps, ALL OF MY APPS ARE GONE!!

The version of Note 1 thst my phone is , SGH-I7I7M. Also I don't know what it means or know how to flash the firmware. I need specific, exact step by step instructions please!!!


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A lack of sim card in my android device crashing my apps? Why?
A weird problem I observed with my Micromax A116, android version 4.2.1.
From the day I bought it, 8 months back, I have used both the sim slots.
But the internal earphones were damaged & I couldn't listen to calls, so I bought a low-end Nokia phone & removed both sim cards from the Micromax phone.
I was using the android phone just for internet through a wifi connection. For 2 days, it was fine ie apps worked as usual. Then on the 3rd day, Twitter app started crashing while in use, often. Then the next day, Pocket stared crashing & relaunching. I updated both the apps, but the
problem persisted. Then the inbuilt Galary app, facebook followed.
I guessed it may be a sim card issue. So reinserted one sim. The phone was back to
normal with no more crashes. After a few days , I again removed the sim card & used the apps, the same problem returned.
So the question is, was my guess correct that a lack of sim card was crashing my apps? If yes, then why is that so?


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Sony Xperia L won't turn on but it works well when I removed the SD card
Help! My phone was recently repaired for water damage. It works fine but when I put my SD card in, it won't turn on (on the pick-up day). I went back to the shop and told them; they tried to put in their own SD card and it worked and they said that I needed to format my SD card. I formatted the SD card and still my phone won't turn on. The SD card works with other devices,e.g. Samsung Galaxy fit s5670, samsung slide phone, laptop. So, it's just my phone that doesn't work. Any idea why?

Try this formatter https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter_4/
The standard formatter integrated in windows isn't that great. Give it a shot. You can also try to set your phone back to factory settings after you did the format.


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Control your smartphone using your laptop please answer!
I have a sony xperia zr and the lower screen recently smashed. Touch screen capability has also gone. Does anyone know of an app or a method for connecting it to my laptop and gaining full control of the phone through the laptop?
PS: I reformat my phone!

Sony ZR supports OTG, so im sure this will work. What you have to do is Buy an OTG cable and connect USB Mouse via USB cable and try using the mouse pointer. Also Keyboard should work.
But if your screen doesnt show at all, then im sorry.


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Security, keylogging and accounts
An in-app purchase requests password verification before the transaction. Thus, all the following input into the onscreen keyboard is the user's password.
Is handling keyboard events prevented at this stage so the app developer can't log individual strokes? Does it need to be a rooted device to log them?
Can't this then be matched with GET_ACCOUNTS or a similar function?
Thanks

In-app purchases with Google Play don't take place in the app you're purchasing in. The dialog to confirm your password and make your purchase is part of the Play Store app. There's no way for the calling app to see or intercept what you type into it. It's no different to any other app in that respect.
Be careful to only input your password into the real Play Store dialog. As always, the soft keyboard can see anything you type in any app, so you have to trust it not to abuse your password and other sensitive information.


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I want to dispaly internal and external memory seperately instead of mobile name directly on my computer
I have Samsung grand mobile. When I connect it to my computer, it displays the mobile name.
When I click on the name, it displays internal and external memory.
But I want my computer to directly display internal and external memory, not mobile name.

I'm not sure what you're asking here. Can you add some more details or perhaps attach a screenshot of the problem?

Okay I understood the question and I think that is impossible as far as I know.

The internal & external memory won't show normally because their is a hierarchy that is being followed. When you click on My Computer, it shows every device attached to the PC. In order for you to see just one device, you would click on which device you wanted, then continuing till you get to your location.
So the only possible solution to show them first would be to create a shortcut on your desktop, that you would use when your phone is plugged into the PC. Clicking the shortcut when your device isn't plugged in will return a invalid reference error.


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MP3 player, that remembers current possition in all playlists or folders
Is there any MP3 player out there, that would remember current file and position in that file, not only for currently played playlist / folder, but also in all playlists / folders, that are added to it?
I know, that remembering file and position in an active playlist, which is essential for listening to audiobooks, is offered by many MP3 players available for Android. But, that's not enough for me.
I'm looking for a player that will:

support multiple playlists at once (with optional easy switch between them),
remember file and position for all playlists and restore / rest it on each switch.

I tried system player, Winamp and Simple Music Player. All of them lack second option. Once user switches to a new playlist, player begins to play it from the very first file and from its beginning.
I need this feature, because I'm listening to more than one audiobook simultaneously.
I know, that software recommendations are not much welcome to this site (or to any in SE network). But, I'm asking about very specific feature of an MP3 player. So, I treat this question not like recommend me a software, but rather as tell me, if there is anyone out there, that has this feature, or should I code it myself?

Yes, there is.
MortPlayer Audio Books and Smart AudioBook Player have both been verified by me to have asked feature implemented.
Some details:

MortPlayer Audio Books is completely free (it displays ads, but these can be... disabled in settings), but offers an enormous number of options, settings and preferences, which can overwhelm many of fresh users; it is also based on skins, with many skins having... well... not to good UI, look & feel,
Smart AudioBook Player is much simplier and offers more clean, standard UI, but it is not free. It comes with 30-days trial offering all options, after which it must be purchased for $2 or will block most extra options and features.

Both players have the most desired option. You can jump between folders or around media library and every time you open up a folder (book), that was opened by you before, you will always start listening from the position, you left it, not from the beginning.
There are probably many more audio players for Android, that supports these feature. Only, to find them,  one must search for audiobook player, not for MP3 player, as I did previously.

Free ones:
MortPlayer ( I use this )
Poweramp player
DoubleTwist
Smart Audiobook Player 2
NRG Player

Your list is longer than mine, but to have your answer accepted you must extend it with a similar programs descriptions as I did. Say something about pros, cons etc.

Please note that Poweramp is not a free app. You must pay US$3.99 after the 14-day trial expires.


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How to have a custom table of contents in Google Play Books?
I uploaded a big PDF book to my Google Play and I was wondering if there was a way to make my own table of contents for it ? Right now, the only item in the table is the beginning of the book...
Thanks !

You could edit the pdf changing the table of contents, either using adobe acrobat or some other, free, software.

Forgot to mention, the table of contents in the pdf file on my laptop is fine, there's one entry for each big part of the book, but the version uploaded on my google play has no entry


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How to root my Nokia XL (updated version)?
An error message is appearing when I'm trying to root my phone by the app frameroot .  I was suggested to use Gandhalf but as my XL is already updated I'm receiving an error message . What do I do ? I wanna update it to the latest android version . But which exploiter should I use ?

you can use the "kingo rot" software for rooting your phone.i have a Nokia XL and use this software for rot

Welcome to the Android Enthusiasts! Mind to [edit] your post and explain how exactly this can be achieved – including a link where to find it? Also, as we've got many reports of side-effects caused by Kingoroot (note the double-O, besides ;) it would be welcome if you could point out whether you had any. Thanks in advance!

I downvoted this answer, but I actually wish I could undo it. If you edit it, I will.


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How to install Regional fonts in Sony Xperia Dual M
How can I install punjabi fonts in my andriod phone? I have a Sony Xperia Dual M.

At least related: How to make an Android device to display complex rendering of Indic characters? / How can I install custom fonts on Android? / How can install a Hindi font in Android 2.1? / and many more. You can find such questions e.g. by hitting the tag you've used: fonts. Good luck!

Disclaimer:
You have to root your phone. I'm not responsible for any damage done to your phone.
Step 1: Root your phone
Step 2: Download SansFallBack.zip
Step 3: Install any Root File manager.
Step 4: Open File manager and the zip file to /System/Fonts, (Also backup the original file)
(Optional) Step 5: Change the permissions of corresponding folder and files, If any error occurs during installation


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Where does LINE store profile pictures?
Similar to: Where does the LINE app store pictures and video files? , but in that folder I can't see any profile picture

Possible duplicate of Where does Line app stores the pictures and video files?

Profile pictures are cached in the following directory:
/sdcard/Android/data/jp.naver.line.android/storage/p

Rename the extension of files to .jpg to view them.


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how can you turn off instagram notifications?
I have a galaxy gio and i was asking myself if it was possible to shut up the notifications coming up continuosly in the upper bar of the display. Is it possible and if so, how do you do it?

If you long press on the notification and select app info then you can untick the show notifications box.


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Uninstalling inbuilt call recorder
I have iBall Andi 3.5 KKe winner, Android 4.2.2. It records every call and there is a logo "REC" on calling screen, showing recording time. There is no option of turning call recording off. In apps there is nothing like "auto call recording". I have rooted my phone. How to remove/uninstall auto call recording?

Have you gone into phone call settings in the phone dialer app?

You can easily stop Automatic Call recoding by following steps:

Go To Phone Dialer
Press Option Button { At Left side of your home(middle) button}
Go to Settings
Go to Other Settings
Turn Off Auto Recording

Thats It :)
Note: This option may not apply to all phones.

Install an app that can handle uninstalling with root privileges for instance SD Maid, Titanium Backup, Rom Toolbox... When you enter any of these apps you can find something like an app manager and find Call app you want to uninstall. I highly recommend you backup the app before uninstalling just in case and then uninstall it. Also download a replacement app for calling. Contacts+ has a phone dial but chose what you like.

As the app is System app, you can't uninstall the app without root privileges, Once you done with root you can uninstall system app using super user app that will create when phone get rooted.
For rooting your phone :
1) Farmaroot app
2) If incase above app not work,you can use Root Genius Software for PC.

Install Root Genius on PC and Run it.
Connect your Phone with PC using USB Debugging.
In root genius Press Root, It will take some time to root your phone, and when it get completed you will see " Kinguser app" on your phone .
Start Kinguser , GO to- -> King tool tab - -> Uninstall app you can uninstall from there.

Even if you cant uninstall the app from kinguser than there is one other app in play store.

Link2SD

It will surely uninstall your Phone apk, but before you have to back up that app.


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How to deal with sporadic WiFi
As I zip down Broadway in a bus in Vancouver, I pick up a ShawOpen WiFi signal every few hundred feet.
Sometimes, at a stop, or during slow moving traffic, this is enough signal to start a page load or download.
But, when leaving the range of the signal, and dropping back to cellular data, whatever what was going on hangs.
Is there a no-effort way to avoid this? I would prefer to not have to turn off my WiFi when I'm on a bus and then reactivate it when I'm off of the bus. I'd prefer to use the WiFi when it is stable, but if not, it should just stop attempting to use this fleeting signal for a while.
Things I've thought of:

NFC triggers (but don't think there is any NFC on TransLink busses)
multipath TCP (but I can't tell that this is ready for compilation into a custom ROM)

Maybe there is another option I haven't thought of.
I am on CyanogenMod latest for the Note 3.

How about disabling auto-connect for ShawOpen networks?

Couldn't you decide to do the simplest thing that can be done?!
Just go to Settings -> Wi-Fi -> Advanced and tick the "Avoid poor Internet connection" voice...
This way your device will stop using weak WiFi connections ;)

I've found that feature to be unreliable for the use-case the asker described. Once Android sees an AP with a "good" signal, it will try to stay connected to that network even if you move out of range. Android also has problems if an access point's signal strength fluctuates  between "poor" and "good". I look forward to the Android "L" release, which claims to offer "seamless network switching".

Unfortunately most mobile clients are not the greatest at WiFi roaming. Don't get me wrong, they will roam but given the conditions you are describing WiFi will not be stable. This is why your phone will connect intermittently but still try to hang onto the connection despite you on the bus moving away from it. If there is no better access point for your phone to connect to it will most likely hang onto the bad connection until its physically not possible for your phone to transmit and receive data from the original access point. Unfortunately there is no built in WiFi auto on/off. You are on the right track with NFC triggers.
My advice:
Use tasker or some other profile setting control application to turn your wifi off automatically when signal is low.
Use an NFC tag to turn on your WiFi with a simple tap.
You may be able to have WiFi turned off based off of your location change but that may defeat the purpose as your location will have to be on the whole time which will sap your battery. However if battery is not a concern this may be the closest thing. So if you get on a bus, your location service on the phone will recognize you are on not stationary, which will then turn off your WiFi. Not sure about turning on.
As far as I know this is probably the closest you can get to a no-effort wifi automation.
Personally I just turn my WiFi off unless I know there is something stable to connect to. Any voip or streaming application will just suffer without a stable connection so I rely on my network at that point.

authors: ارب ستى مبرك


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Can one add email contacts to the Kitkat Email app? (as in iOS7)
As a newbie to Android with a shiny new phone (Prestigio 5508 Duo) I have begun setting it up ready for use. I have added my BT Mail account details and the system hooked up and displayed mails straight away.  Excellent!  However, there seems to be no option within the email account to include the details of where the Contacts file associated with my email are kept by BT. Is there some way to do this?

What contacts file associated with your mail? You might have to describe this in more detail for those of us who don't use BT.

Alternatively, if you describe what you did in iOS, that would help us understand exactly what settings you're looking for.

Android tends to work better with Google's mail (Gmail). I don't have any knowledge specifically of BT as I am a Yank, so I can't address that. I just read up on the BT/Yahoo split and looked around for a couple of minutes for a solution for you, but it didn't look good.
I would recommend Gmail and then grit your teeth and make the switch.

Having now used my phone for a bit longer it appears that the on board email client that I have looking to BT, will use the Android address book.  The same seems to be true for a Yahoo webmail account I have set up.
Thus the answer to my original question is to export the address book as a file, upload it to the phone and import it into Google Mail contacts.


text:
Restore disappeared apps on SD linked with Link2SD?
At some point Link2SD told me that it needed to regenerate the mount script, did it and offered a fast reboot option. This caused an endless boot loop which I escaped by

checking the SD card (partitions: fat32, ext4, swap) in gparted on a PC. It turned out, it had some severe error which could be fixed. This is probably the reason for the need to regenerate the mount script. And by
moving the folder dalvik-cache on the second partition temporarily to the PC, booting the Android device, shutting it down, moving dalvik-cache on the device again (otherwise it wouldn't break out of the boot loop)

After rebooting > 70 % of my apps were gone from the app menu. Their icons are still on the five main screens. The content of the SD card didn't change, so I believe there's high change to restore the apps by fixing Link2SD. I'd like to know how to do that.
I'm running a 4.0.4 no-name device.

Here is the answer:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1208459
It worked for my HTC Desire HD with custom 2.3.5 Android


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Is there an app that blocks certain search words on kindle fire?
http://bucknacktssordidtawdryblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/dont-filter-me-from-aclu-15feb11.html?m=1I  want to block certain words like "pornographic" on search engines like Yahoo, Google, Bing, etc without blocking my whole search engines. Is there anything on the kindle fire HD that can do that or apps. Is there any apps that I can download to my silk browser as I do not want to install other browsers to block words and sites and videos. Any downloadable content at all? I have an obsession which my self-control of it is spiraling so if I can just find an app, software,  etc. Anything at all to block playlist,  videos, search words, anything related to thr obsession like this:
 It would gladly be appreciated.

See
 http://www.google.com/goodtoknow/familysafety/tools/
http://m.internet-safety.yoursphere.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Finternet-safety.yoursphere.com%2F2012%2F12%2Fhow-to-make-the-kindle-fire-safe-and-age-appropriate-for-your-child%2F#2941
Google search:   safe search kindle fire

If you really want to use an APP here are a couple of apps, separate search engines, and a search at the Play store to find others.  I don't think any provide for you selecting your words. Have attempted to eliminate those that are "Free Trial" and want money afterwards, but that is not always successful.  Check out ratings, descriptions and comments on each app.

Safe Search - Android Apps on Google Play
Worried about what you or your kids might see on the web? Safe Search is an app that leverages Google's "safe search" feature that filters out inappropri...
Parental Control and Dashboard - Android Apps on Google Play
Best Android Parental Control Apps Lock and Launcher for Smartphones, Tablets! Comes Bundled with Kids Safe Browser, Kids Video Player (with educationalists selected f...
Kids Safe Search Engine - Android Apps on Google Play
Shop Google Play on the web. Purchase and enjoy instantly on your Android phone or tablet without the hassle of syncing.
site:play.google.com/store/apps free -"free trial" "safe search" OR "parental control" - Google Search

What about a kindle fire HD? Were is this at on the kindle fire HD?

Google Safe search is set in Google Preferences: --
https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/510?hl=en  --
https://support.google.com/preferences

Have modified my answer to include selecting an APP,  though the Google safe search should provide much of the same protection.

It looks like I cannot download these apps. I have apps on my kindle, but it doesn't look like any are up to my expectations.

There is an installation called userscript that can block youtube but it does not work on silk browser. Any apps or downloads specific to silk browser.


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Samsung S3 - Device Memory Damaged
I have a Samsung S3 GT-i9300 which has an error on booting up. It goes through the Samsung splash screen then displays the following:

Device Memory Damaged
The data partition has been corrupted. You need to reset your device to factory defaults. This will erase all your
data.

I really don't want to delete the data and am looking to recover the media from the device. I'm not bothered about getting the phone working again really.
I can boot into download (ODIN) mode, but this doesnt really assist (or does it?). I can also boot into recovery mode but I get the following errors also:
E:failed to mount /data (Invalid argument)
can't mount '/data'(Invalid argument)
E:failed to mount /data (Invalid argument)
E:Can't mount /data/log/recovery_log.txt

The device shows in Nautilus on my Ubuntu system but fails to mount. I can select the option to 'Apply update from ADB' and running adb devices shows as:
$ ./adb devices
List of devices attached
4df74280146d3071    sideload

Is this of any use to me? Is there a way I can get into the storage to salvage what's there. Can I load a custom rom without deleting everything, or if I do delete everything is there a way to recover the deleted files?

You could get the same version of your operating system as flashable zip-file for the recovery mode and flash it, or use Odin to flash a kdz-file of it. If the files you'd like to get back are not in the system folder (like music or images) there is a chance they will still be there with the flashed system. Just don't do any formatting prior to flashing!

What worked for me was to restart the phone and the damaged message went away!

Restart won't help much if the device isn't booting up, as the OP indicates. He's obviously tried that already.


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How to convert Samsung Backups
I backed up my calendar and contacts with Samsung Kies and switched then to cyanogen mod.
The problem is now that I can't transfer the data back via Kies.
Is there a converter for the samsung calendar format? (ssc)
I do also have a full adb backup of the phone, maybe the internal data of the phone is more useful?
I don't want to install old android again just to get my calendar back.


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How to enable TalkBack without accessibility navigation?
I have all the Google text-to-speech software installed, but the "Read Aloud" option is not enabled in Google Play Books for a book I bought from Google Play.
If I turn on the TalkBack feature then the "Read Aloud" option appears, but it is painful navigating the device since all the other accessibility options are now on.
Is there any way to enable the "Read Aloud" menu option without enabling all the other accessibility features that go along with it.

"Read Aloud unavailable" can appear if the book publisher has decided to not allow that feature.

authors: Константин Андреев


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Samsung Galaxy S I900 Bootloop in Recovery after flashing custom ROM
My friend gave me his old rooted Galaxy S running android 4.0.x (or 4.1.x probably) asking me to restore its official ROM on it.
Context

Downloaded and installed Odin
Downloaded Galaxy S stock ROM
Downloaded and installed Samsung USB drivers
Removed SIM and MicroSD cards from phone
Cleared cache and data
Put the phone in download mode using the Vol down/up + Home + Power key and connected it to PC
Although the phone had "Download" option in it's "shut down popup" (The phone was already rooted and had some sort of recovery installed, CWM probably?) but Odin won't recognize the phone while in _that_ download mode.
Flashed the ROM having only "Auto Reboot" and "F. Reset time" options checked
It apparently went OK, phone rebooted a couple times and finally I could see the OS configuration screen

The problem

Right after I started configuring the phone, a "com.android.acore" (or similar) error appeared which I "force closed".
I restarted the phone (just for a fresh start in configuration)
After the phone started I got "com.android.phone" error which I force closed.
At this point I felt that something was wrong with the phone, so I turned the phone off with intentions of clearing the cache
Then I booted into recovery (Vol up/down + Home + Power), navigated to "wipe cache..." option and pressed OK, but noting would happen. No matter what key I pressed, it was not the "OK" key.

Now

The phone only starts in recovery mode, no matter if I press power button alone or any key combination
There is no key that performs the "OK" function in recovery mode
I cannot reflash the stock ROM because Odin requires the phone to be in download mode (but my phone only starts in recovery mode)
If i connect the phone (running in recovery mode) with my PC, windows displays two removable devices in "My Computer" which show "please insert disk.." error on double click

It is a kind of deadlock situation which I've been unable to resolve. I would like to get to the bottom of this issue
Questions

What is this problem called in android dev. circles? (soft bricked?)
How can I resolve the problem?
Are there ways other than Odin to flash a ROM on Samsung Galaxy S?

I've tried to search through xda and other famous android forums but all solutions to similar problems I could find require the phone to be in download mode.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
P.S. I'm not a regular android rooting guy so I'm not versed in its jargon but I can read instructions and am waiting anxiously for help.

Step 7: Don't have auto-reboot checked. (unless it says otherwise somewhere that I'm not aware of)
Can you get into download mode with power + volume down ?
power + volume up should go to recovery and if there is no OS to boot it likely defaults to recovery.
If you can get into download mode, try finding a different compatible recovery like TWRP. I find it preferable to CWM personally. There is an ODIN flashable file: http://teamw.in/project/twrp2/117 (I'm not sure if this is the exact right recovery - definitely verify yourself) If you can provide additional model details, I can help narrow it down. The worst that will happen if it isn't the correct recovery is that flashing roms will not work and you will have to find a working one and reflash with ODIN.

The soft-bricked term applies to a wide range of conditions but yes this does fall under that category since you cannot actually use your device as intended.
There's several ways to resolve this problem. First try some of what I mentioned already.
You should be able to flash new roms with TWRP. In your state, I would highly advise trying it as you have nothing to lose. (I'm not a fan of Samsung/ODIN myself but have worked with them before. While I can personally confirm that backup/restore works in TWRP, I can only say I would be very surprised to hear that installing a custom rom does not. That is to say that TWRP absolutely should by all accounts work just fine for installing custom roms on Samsung devices yet I have not personally done this.)

thanks for the answer. I will try to apply your suggested methods and will get back to you.


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Installing SuperSU -- I found a binary problem
Hi I am following Android Central's guide to root my HTC One Mini.
I got to this part:

After installing the Custom Recovery, Your phone is now ready to get root access!
Step 1: Connect your Phone to PC and Copy the SuperSU zip package to your phone SD Card.
Step 2: Next, Reboot your HTC One Mini into Recovery Mode, Here is how to boot it:

Power off your phone
Now Press and Hold the Volume Down+Power buttons simultaneously for a few seconds.
Using the Volume Up/Down and Power button, Select the Recovery option from the menu.

Step 3: Once booted into the Recovery Mode, Select the Install option and browse and select SuperSU zip file from the location where you’ve placed it.
Step 4: Swipe the button which says, "Swipe to Confirm Flash".
Step 5: Once it is done, Using the Reboot option, Reboot your phone.

The SuperSU zip file is in my internal memory but when I use "install" in TWRP and click on the zip file, it shows as empty in the folder (I know it's not empty).
Can I just unzip it on my PC and place the files in the right location on my phone?
I have downloaded the app SuperSU from the play store, tried running it only to get the message "there is no SU binary installed, and SuperSU cannot install it, this is a problem. If you just upgraded to android 4.3 , you need to manually re-root — consult the relevant forums for your device."
Could there be a problem with the way I unlocked the bootloader or would I not been able to have installed TWRP if I had screwed that up too?
Only my third root and I am no pro keyboard jockey so please, an idiots guide, if you would be so kind!

Following the two suggested solutions, could you please update the question and title to be specific, at the moment it is bit generic. I think you will get much more help in this way. :)

There are many questions here, so the actual problem is somewhat unclear. Getting root app from Playstore (on an unrooted device) will not work. Therefore, I suspect it all relates to problematic/corrupt SuperSU zip - without it, you can't get root functionality. It is not recommended to tamper with SuperSU zip file!
I suggest re-download SuperSU here and install it from recovery. If you can't install it, there could be other problems related to unsuccessful previous steps. Follow the rest of the steps from your guide and also seek help where the guide was originally posted. Good luck.

I know , many possible issues, the problem is, many guides seem to lack noob details in certain areas, so i have had to pick and chose bits of guides. Which is why i doubt i have the previous steps. The facts are: it is boot unlocked and TWRP is installed, i'm just not convinced to a professional degree. Maybe that is why the su zip in twrp is empty (apparently).

I understand. However, I think the problem is related to corrupted zip. TWRP (or any other recovery) neither has nor know about su zip, or any other zip, it will flash whatever you provide. That's why I suggest you re-download the actual sup zip from the link i shared, flash and see if it makes any difference. You can also update the original question with new information so others can better help you. :)

Everything in the guide is right (although a little vague)...
So the only solution is that the zip file does not contain valid files.
Try to search a new zip (specific for your device) and do again all the steps for the installation of supersu.
I had a HTC One Mini too giving me the same problem. Found out the archive file was the problem.
;)

by archive you mean the zip file? I have looked at it on my pc and it holds a host of info, it just seems TRWP can't see any of the files. Could it be the zip folder or should i just bin TWRP and try the CW method? Its been a week now and the money i have lost jailbreaking could have earned me a gold plated samsung note (god knows the ugly bugger needs it :)

Try downloading a different zip for your device ;)


text:
Wifi activity shows it's always on even though it's not on
check out this screenshot i just made:

Why is the Wi-fi activity bar blue for the last 25 minutes, when my wi-fi was off for 23 minutes?
i have tasker which is set to turn off wi-fi when the phone's screen is locked. I know for sure it works because if I press the power button to turn on screen (but leave it locked) there's no wifi status icon

A credible source: AndroidPolice
tl;dr:
Google brought in an option (by default enabled!), which is a checkbox reading "Scanning always available" in WiFi -> Advanced.
The general purpose: "To improve location accuracy and for other purposes, Google and other apps may scan for nearby networks, even when Wi-Fi is off."

To improve location accuracy

by geolocating your IP, matching it with GPS, probably seeing if you use a proxy

for other purposes

IDK, peeking into your data maybe?

even when Wi-Fi is off

why is there a Wi-Fi switch then?
Given, that Google has not a reputation for invading the privacy of users a bit too much, that is/was the general motive.
As said; you can turn this somewhat useless feature off (hopefully); and get some more battery life on your phone.
P.S. The fact that this option is not explicitly stated to the user when he/she begins to use the phone, and that this option is significantly hidden, concerns me.

yep that was it :(

Check whether these options as below:
Go to Settings->Wifi->Advance Settings
1)Keep WI-Fi on during sleep - Never.
2)Scanning always available  - Unchecked.
3)Wi-Fi optimization - Checked.
And then try...if that doesn't solve it can be a problem with ROM/Kernel.

authors: Б. Амирланбаатар


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Does Android 4.4 KitKat come with a stock file manager?
I was playing around with the Google SDK and realised that I could not browse the filesystem/external storage, etc. I feel extremely silly asking this, but how do I browse the SD card?

No, there isn't a stock file manager. Viewing the SD card's directory layout is a very desktop-PC, old-fashioned way to do things, and most phone users don't have a need for it, so there isn't a default file manager in vanilla Android. Media files on the SD card are automatically scanned by the OS so they can be found by the apps that support them, so just use whatever app you would use to open the file.
For example, if you're looking for image files, go into the Gallery, where all images (whether they're files on the SD card, automatically synced from the web, or come from somewhere else) can be found in one place.
If you're desperate to see the directory layout itself, you can find many file manager apps on Google Play.

I know this is late, but you actually can navigate your files from your web browser. Enter file:///sdcard as your URL and you should be able to navigate and access your files.
Source: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2231949

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/


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Remove on screen menu bar gpe 4.4.4
I have an htc one
Its rooted/s-off
I've installed a Google Play Edition 4.4.4 rom
(http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2788150)
I now get the ugly on screen menu bar for some apps (for example doodle jump)
I think this is generally referred to as the 'three dots menu'
I have tried to remove it by installing the teaMseven kernel, and mapping logo2menu and using the option to remove the three dot menu.
(http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2307371)
Upon reboot I have the logo2menu enabled, but I still have the onscreen menu/nav bar at the bottom
This method used to work on GPE 4.4.2
Does anyone know any other way to remove it?
Given that I do have a menu button mapped it is completely redundant!
(This is a screen print of what I mean:
https://plus.google.com/u/0/105735777895163400841/posts/5hXhAv53DMH?pid=6064198061488324082&oid=105735777895163400841)
thanks


text:
Text multiple people on Nexus 5 - KitKat / Hangouts 2.3
I have been unable to figure this out. I have seen multiple instructions online but none of them describe what I see on my phone. I am running the latest KitKat and Hangouts and I want to create a new SMS and add multiple recipients from my address book.
I start by typing a name, for example "Bob", and then choose Bobs number from the list that pops up as I'm typing. It then jumps to the current SMS conversation I am having with Bob. There is literally no where for me add another person to send the text to. I don't seem to be able to start a fresh SMS conversation with multiple people.
So basically how can I send a text message to several people?
EDITED: Added some screen grabs below to show y'all what I'm seeing. Yellow marks are me tapping that area and the next image is what happens after the tap.

Same problem here! How can this not be intuitive?

I see that some of my friends have this option in their hangouts. It's not showing up for me, but the question is why?

What's available if you open the action menu (3 dots, top right) on your third screenshot? I think I've seen a menu item there at times that's named something like "Group MMS".

People & options - Archive - Delete - Un-Merge SMS(this isn't always here, depends on the contact) - Help & Feedback.... "People & Options" Just lets me set the ringtone, message tone, remove from circles etc... The others do what thier title suggests

I can't answer due to rep so I'll comment. So, this happens because of your SIM card. When you go to Settings -> about phone -> status, you'll see that your phone number is undefined or wrong. Because of this, the hangout app can't send group MMS/SMS (yeah, that's STUPID). You have to edit the phone number on your sim. To do this, you either have to root your Nexus 5 and use an app to edit the sim, or use another phone with the ability to edit the sim (like the iPhone 4S or older android phones). Once your phone number is good, the group MMS/SMS options will appear in hangout.

@Kethryweryn See the accepted answer below for the actual reason.

Once you got the options, two things : first, you have to enable the group messaging to be able to create a conversation with multiple people. Once it's done you can indeed add people in sms conversations... but it'll create MMS. But you can then uncheck the box, go back to the conversation, and then you'll have the option to select SMS instead of MMS.

Screenshot here

Granted, this is bad behavior and you should use another app... But you can do it.

@Kethryweryn - Thanks bud. I found these 2 links and installed it on my rooted s3. Number on sim changed and group sms works on my note 4 now. Here's the links: http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s3/themes-apps/app-sim-changer-change-registered-sim-t2106490 and http://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed/xposed-installer-versions-changelog-t2714053

It seems like google is now focusing in Google Messenger - it has support for group SMS https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.messaging

According to Google, this functionality is no longer available unless you enable group MMS. Unfortunately, MMSs are much more expensive for me and aren't displayed correctly on some older feature phones.
Once again, Google doesn't care about non-Google communication protocols, possibly in an attempt to force people onto Google products or out of sheer ignorance. They did the same with the mail client in Kitkat which is unusable to me because of severe IMAP bugs, so I switched to K9. Seems like I have to find an alternative SMS app as well.
Edit: Google now offers an SMS app called Messenger (yeah, like the Facebook app) that supports group SMS. It looks similar to Textra which I used before, but now this is my default SMS app.
Edit: This feature has been reintroduced in Hangouts version 3.

Thanks for the link, just read the whole thread. This makes no sense, sending a single SMS to multiple numbers is like the 3rd most basic thing to do with a mobile phone, just behind calling people and sending individual SMS's. Plus the feature was there on the very last version of hangouts, why go to the trouble of removing it!?! Guess I'll start reading the reviews of 3rd party SMS apps...

I just looked at my version of Hangouts. It's not the exact same situation as you, as I'm running CM 11S on my OnePlus, but I am running hangouts 2.3 so it should be the same.

In the left tab, choose a text number. Alternatively, in the right tab, hit the plus button in the top right of the screen.
Choose one of the individuals you would like to text.
At the top of the screen, there should be a gray "Anyone Else?" box. Touch that.
The screen's title will no be "New group MMS". Add the next contact.
Repeat.

There have been situations where the option to add members to a group MMS has not shown up. I'd try adding an individual both ways I mentioned. Let me know how your device is behaving and I'll try to help further.

Thanks for this, unfortunately these are the same instructions I have seen elsewhere. I do not see a grey "Anyone Else?" box. When I choose an individual to text it simply goes straight to the current SMS conversation I am having with that individual. I'll take some screen grabs and add to my question.

@superphonic Do you have a Google Voice number set up on Hangouts, by chance?

@eldarerathis No.

Updated question with screen grabs...

The important thing is, the contact you start with has to be a Google+ profile.


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Change pre-installed Skype.apk with a newer on on a Rooted device
Manipulation made with Device :

Rooted and Remounted the system.
Removed old Skype version 4.0.xxxx (it is obsolete and can't connect even with internet connection).
Deleted old APK and put another APK inside 5.0.0.xxxx system/app.
chmod Skype.apk with 644.
Factory Reset the device and try to launch the new APK.

Problem

The Skype.APK present in the appdrawer but does not start at all.
logcat shows a loop the apk tries to start the the process die.

I think you forgot to put libs in system/lib you can extract them from the apk.

It should work. Did you try to use more permissions like 755 instead of 644? You could also try to just adb install youtube.apk. Why do you want it to be inside system/app?

@user3387542: even with 777 or 755 it did not work.


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Any work around to sophos
Sophos is an app that let's you put passwords on apps (among other things). Is there a work around to access the apps?
Thanks!

Yeah! By uninstalling the app (here Sophos) provided that the app is not set to Device Administrator. You should know the password anyways if the app is acting like Device Administrator.

Well my dad put sophos on my phone so I don't know the password.


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cant download my sysstem app
I tried using  'PowerAMP', I converted it to a system app and then used lucky patcher rebuild and install. When I opened the application it failed to work, after uninstalling I am unable to install it from the play store and this is the error message I get,

Can't install app with the same system user I.d

What should I do ?

Uninstall the one in system app again.
Adb shell
Mount -o remount,rw /system
Cd /system/app
Cp appname backuppath
Rm appname

Just uninstall the app and reinstall from playstore after a reboot. Then you can  start your adventure all over again. But this time don't rebuild a system app. Consider patching


text:
YouTube videos all choppy
Has anyone seen this behavior when playing videos in the YouTube app?
I've tried clearing both the cache and data for the app, but it did not help.
Note in the screenshot how the video is all choppy and blocks that are all mixed up.
It is happening on ALMOST all videos, but every rare one will work fine.
Running on a stock Verizon Galaxy S3.

Just for sake of trouble shooting, could you try another app other than Google's official app? For instance you may try "TubeMate".

Have you tried lowering the quality? Does this happen on both wifi and mobile data? Are there other programs running at the time?

I'll have to check some of those once I'm back on their phone. Will report back when I have answers.

Why don't you Disable the app once by clearing all the updates of YouTube and re-enabling (and updating) it again!

I had exactly the same problem. The only way I found to 'fix' it was to uninstall all updates back to factory defaults. So far that seems to have done the trick.

Tried this, uninstalling all the updates... and then reinstalled them, and then it worked perfectly. Played through a whole bunch of videos to make sure, and no issues on any of them. Woo! :)


text:
Outgoing Voice problem
I have bought Micromax AI few days back. my voice to the caller is not heard. it happened initially and it was ok after I turned off the phone, now same problem has come up, I did all switch off change sim but of no help.

The usual list of suspect could be:

The microphone on your phone;
Carrier signal quality and finally
The phone's software.

Hence first rule out the problem in that order and isolate the issue.  For ruling out the first microphone issue, you could try a hands free kit (either wired or a Bluetooth one). For the second, from a fixed position you can call and try with some other operator's SIM and try receiving a call and check and try the same from a different area. With these combinations, enable only 3G mode and try all these again.
It would be a very very rare phenomenon for a phone's software to be an issue. In that case you'd not be alone. If you are a person who can mend with patching software components of your phone you can search Internet for patching radio related files. Else, best option would be to either return it or visit the service centre.

Thanks Narayanan, I could work on ear phone, but how do i fix it

Do you mean to say that you are able to call satisfactorily if you are using external mic but no so when using the phone's internal mic? If that is so, then I am afraid that it is a hardware issue. It could be simply a block in mic hole or defective mic or poor phone design.


text:
How do I edit Minuum's custom dictionary?
I've noticed that every time you tap on a "new" word, Minuum adds it to its custom dictionary verbatim, i.e. if it happened to have a capital letter, it will gets saved with the capital letter.
How can I edit its dictionary?
I'd like to both edit some words, such as these incorrectly capitalised, and add new ones, such as aa'bbbb that unless I add them manually won't be automatically saved.
Yes there is an "import android dictionary" feature, but while this may work for adding new ones, it will most definitely won't work for editing existing ones.

I finally managed to find the relative entry in their support site (I did search for it but failed).

http://support.minuum.com/forums/210127-minuum-support/suggestions/4099381-options-to-view-edit-remove-dictionary:

We've now added support for backing up (importing/exporting) your data
  by going to Minuum settings and choosing "Backup your data", which
  will save a file to your Downloads folder.
You can still remove words from the dictionary by long-pressing on
  them when they appear in the word suggestions bar at the top of the
  keyboard.
We're still working on making it easy for you to directly edit your
  dictionary on your device.

– The Minuum Team (Admin, Whirlscape) commented  ·  August 15, 2013 20:59
So, since I can both delete words and add new ones, and as long as this feature is not properly implemented, I'd say that's it.

Bonus: http://support.minuum.com/forums/210127-minuum-support/suggestions/6498372-an-editable-backup-file


text:
How to list apps, which have a permission to access the camera?
I am experiencing the problem with the mm-qcamera-daemon on a Nexus 5 with 4.4.4, as described in this question. I would like to know if there is a way to see which apps have a permission to access the camera, so I can decide which app is causing the problem.

See How can I find which apps/packages reference a given permission using command line?

There are several apps in the Play Store that can list which applications use specific permissions.  One that I use is Permission Friendly Apps by androidsoft.org
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.androidsoft.app.permission
It requires no permissions itself so it's safe to use.  Once you install it, you can look through the built in views or filter down to a specific permission.  The one you  want to start with for this issue is "Take Pictures and Videos".  This will narrow down the list of installed apps to just those that can access your camera.


text:
Contacts recognized in one app, but not the other?
Since the update from yesterday, it seems that the contacts from my Sim card aren't recognized any more in the Phone and SMS app. I double checked the sim card's content with the SIM Card Manager app and they are all there.
So why doesn't the SMS and Phone app recognize them? When I choose 'Show contacts > Sim Card' it shows 0 contacts, which should be more, because as mentioned earlier they are still on the sim card.
I'm using a Medion P4013, which is using Android 4.0.4

Import the contacts from SIM card to the phone memory. My phone also does not support viewing SIM contacts directly. Importing is a simple process. Just tap Contacts>Menu>Import contacts>SIM card>Select all>Import.That's it.

I tried, but when I import from card it only shows 2 named and 5 unnamed contact cards. The app just doesn't seem to find the rest.

Use phone's inbuilt Contacts app instead of third-party apps.

I am... I'm using the contacts app MEDION shipped with it. Maybe using a third party app might work though. I'll give that a try.

Hmmmm... I'm just going for the easier problem/solution: have you imported your contacts?!
 - Go to your contacts
 - Tap the menu button
 - Select the import option
 - Select import contacts from sim card

I tried, but when I import from card it only shows 2 named and 5 unnamed contact cards. The app just doesn't seem to find the rest.


text:
problem with maclaw CM11, constantly restarts
I have a problem with a custom rom, i have a galaxy s advance, which isn't supported by cyanogen mod. Maclaw has created kitkat roms for some devices which aren't suported by cyanogen.
I now have his kitkat 4.4.4 rom running. Unfortunately maclaw hasn't got a forum.
(they are setting up one but it isn't launched yet) So i decided to ask here, since you guys have knowledge about pretty much everything, regarding this subject.
Maybe anyone else could point out what the possible cause of this problem could be.
In my case, the phone restarts after a while, but only when the device is on battery, and when the screen is locked.
Everything works perfectly when it's on charger and/or unlocked.
Is this a common problem or does it have a well known cause?
Thanks in advance for all your efforts.

Okay, with a little help i found an answer myself.this is for ppl struggling with the same problem:
To prevent those random restarts, you only have to experiment with your energy profile and your minimum clockspeed. change your CPU.(at least this worked for me)
By default, min. clock is set at 100MHz and energyprofile is balanced. you've got to change either ONE of these. (or both if you like) I had to bump clockspeed up to 200MHz(still pretty big underclock) or change profile to powersaver. Never got the restart problem after this change, nor a problem with the dialer or the youtube app. Maybe cpu governor could be a solution too, but this did the trick for me. To unlock those options, if you can't find'em, google "cm11 developer options." then head to 'performance'.


text:
KitKat - How to identify the REAL size of apps (app + datas + ...) to be able to install other ones
I had an iPhone for 4 years and I now have a Samsung Galaxy S5 running KitKat 4.4.2.
I've started the migration from the one to the other downloading my prefered apps.
I've just downloaded 40 little standard apps, half of the work, and my S5 already tells me that it cannot donwload any more apps from the Playstore, not enough space on the phone. What ??? But... I still have gigs of space... and I already moved out all possible apps from internal memory.
I've seen that I could bypass this by rooting the phone, but I can't deal with that. That's not a solution.
So I've started to search which are tha apps that take the more space.
On the iPhone, when I wanted to know the exact size that an app, I could see this onto the settings or into iTunes, giving the size of the app + its datas.
On KitKat, I don't see this information anywhere. As an example, I have "Maps with Me" installed, from which I have donwloaded around 1 gig of maps. It should be the one and largest app I have. But the best I can see about its space see is into the Application settings panel the following informations :
Total : 60,41 Mo
Application : 5,11 Mo
Stock on phone app : 55,09 Mo
Datas : 116 Ko
Stock on phone datas : 96,00 Ko
Cache : 64,00 Ko
Where are my gig of maps ? How can I sort my apps by their real space usage ?
And more, how can I install more than 40 littles apps on such a phone ? That seems incredible... There must be a standard way of doing that ?
EDIT 1
Clean Master tells me that "Maps With Me" is 656 Mb large. Well, OK, but isn't the default marvelous system able to do that ? Because I don't want such apps on my phone, just to do what the basic OS should do and bore me with other functionalities I don't want.
Clean Master also tells me that I have 64 apps occupying 2,5 Gb.
And that My free system space is 120,32 Mb.
After a clean with this app...
I only have my phone since 1 week, and I've nearly done nothing yet with it.
FYI, I've made a factory reset at the first use, and deleted any possible unwanted apps.

I've just added the 'insufficient-memory' tag to your question. You might wish to check its tag-wiki for some first aid, especially follow the link to What can I do to manage my phone's internal storage?

I think you are finding trouble to sort apps according to their size,name,date etc with the stock App manager. So I recommend you to install third-party app like Clean Master which does all the things you need. It is a small application so hopefully it won't give any no space error.

CleanMaster tells me that Maps With me is 656 Mb large. Well, ok, isn't the default system able to do that ?? I don't want such apps on my phone. It also tells me that I have 64 apps occupying 2,5 Gb. And that My free system space is 120,32 Mb. I only have my phone since 1 week, and nearly done nothing with it.

Well there are several things you can do to solve this problem (or, at least, to understand WHERE it is).
The simplest I can think of are:
1) Go to Settings -> Storage and see how the space is being used. Chances are you have one or more apps that use to download a lot of contents so you should find that the major part of your storage is occupied by "Miscellaneous" files. In this case you just have to tap on the related voice and you'll see a list of app and their data;
2) Reboot your device into recovery mode and clear cache;
3) Long press on Play Store -> Settings and clear its cache;
The last two ideas come from the fact that sometime Play Store and similar apps (Settings app too) give problems messages only because the cache is full of data (most of which is merely made up by useless things)...
Just try and tell me if one of these three things works ;)

/cache usually resides on a separate partition, and thus shouldn't have to do with it (though I agree clearing cache doesn't hurt and often solves "strange errors"). But resetting the Playstore app definitely hasn't to do with this IMHO.

Didn't meant to say "reset play store". I just wanted to say "clear its cache" xD

You know you always can [edit] your post to fix that up? ;) Still: If there's not enough space left on internal storage, that won't help anyhow. Oliver needs to get the storage of his device straight.

Then he needs to check the first point I've written :P

Still he said that he has GBs of free space so I don't think he needs it xD
BTW he asked multiple things and I tried to answer to each of them. If he's going to give us more details then we'll help him further. Till then I think I covered the entire question :)

Users are often not aware about what the "insufficient storage" error refers to. 'Even with terrabytes free on SD, it would still be thrown when internal storage gets low. Hence my hint to the tag-wiki. // Thanks for updating your answer!

I accidentally deleted my last comment. BTW thank you to letting me know that I wrote something totally different from what I was thinking to write (paranormal cerebral activity xD). Guess we have to wait for his news now

I've answered you for this into my edit1. 2) Nope, I've never done such a crazy thing with my iPhone in 4 years of use, I would prefer send my new S5 to trash if I have to, really have to do this on a phone just after a week of no use. There should be any other way of getting out of there. 3) No effect

@Izzy:It's just the phone out of the box, without any SD card added.

@Izzy:OK, I've read the tagged questions/answers and the thing that I have understood is that when you buy an 16 Gig Android phone, in fact you only buy a 1, perhaps 2 gig one to put apps and their stuffs. So if you don't take photos, or look at videaos or such things, you just have 6-10 Gig useless, here for nothing. That cannot be the answer, there would be nothing smart in such a phone... I can't believe that. In fact I think it would be just stupid to make an OS like this, so I may have had a bad understanding of what I've read. Is it ?

@Oliver not exactly. For one, that out of the 16 GB are max 9 GB avail to the user is manufacturer specific (Android system doesn't need that much space reserved). Secondly, matching the remaining space is up to the manufacturer again (internal storage versus internal SD). Third, there's always App2SD – which unfortunately some manufacturers prefer to block again. You cannot blame the OS for what's the manufacturers fault.

@Izzy:That's not correct. Talking about two writable and storage places, the fact that an app is allowed to be moved or not, the fact that datas have to be stored here and not there, the fact that almost any manufacturer has this nearly standard 1-2/8 gig free inner partition, the fact that a widget may not be ran from the internal solded memory component, or the fact that a said mature OS is not able or do not want to show a real app size for some reason, is not a manufacturer logic but the OS one. And plus, a manufacturer cannot build a phone that goes counter the OS way of working.

Again: go into Settings -> Storage and there is everything you'd like to know. And this is a service given to you by the OS, not by some third party apps (like Clean Master). Just go there and analyze which app is using more storage. And, BTW, cleaning cash is not (even using a lot of fantasy) comparable to a hard reset. You don't have to do paranormal things: just press two buttons, enter the stock recovery (you DON'T have to root your phone) and clean cache. Also keep in mind that we're trying to help you: if you know everything then don't ask...

@LeonGuerrero:As explained into the question, I don't see the downloaded maps size into the Settings -> Storage page. So I can't do any real analysis about apps occupation. And for sure, I don't know everything, but I'm suprised, from my experience, about how simple things seems to be so complicated (hoping not impossible) on a such a known OS from a known company.

@LeonGuerrero:Why do you say "if you know everything then don't ask" ? Where in my asking did you feel I was knowing everything ?

I've rebooted my device into recovery mode and cleared cache. Near no effect. I have now 90 MB free as stated by Cache Cleaner. So I still can't install the second half of my 80 apps I used to use. Even GoogleMaps crashes new at launch because of low space (if I remove some little MB, it runs fine).

For the specific case of WhatsApp, I found that there is a directory under which all its media, etc., are stored.
I then used Total Commander to obtain the total size of that directory.
I expect it to represent very well the total storage size related to WhatsApp (though I have no references to back this up).
See related question How to compute all space taken up by an app and its associated files.
For a generic app, if

it "encapsulates" all its related files (except perhaps for a little amount of information related to system/configuration) under a given directory, and
one can identify such directory,

you could use Total Commander or a similar app, as I did for WhatsApp.
If the app spreads files of significant size across the filesystem, I wouldn't know...


text:
S5 automatic notifications
My S5 device is automatically connecting to the wifi in range, receiving notifications (such as what's up, facebook etc...) then turning wifi off.
Wifi timer is always disabled.
Any solution please?

This is not normal behavior, so it is probably related to this Wifi Timer app of yours. Try uninstalling the app and see if the problem goes away.

Thanks Stephen, but what's the application name as I couldn't find it through application manager.

I'm giving the method to disable this in Xperia phones. Maybe Samsung follow the same. Tap on Settings\Wifi\Advanced settings\Scanning always available. Disable Scanning always available.

I don't think that's happening here, as scanning doesn't connect to a Wi-Fi network, it only scans for available networks, as the name suggests.

Thanks Mani, but this won't solve the problem. I tried all possible solutions in Advanced Wifi settings without any success.

@StephanHanna - Okay. Have you tried power saving mode?

Power saving mode has nothing to do with the wifi auto connection. However, I usually use this feature and the problem still unresolved.

Okay. I'll come back with some solution if possible.

authors: เฉลิมวัชร พุฒพัฒนะ


text:
What does it mean by letter 'g' in a kernel version string such as 3.4.0-gd59db4e?
In my Nexus 5 device, I can see the kernel version as follows:
3.4.0-gd59db4e
I know 3.4.0 is the linux kernel version number, and d59db4e is short of a commit sha1. here is another example.
I just wonder: What does it mean by letter 'g'?

It stands for git, the name of the version control system used for the Linux kernel. Git itself isn't an abbreviation, it's just the name of the system. The git describe command is what's used to generate these version identifiers, and its manpage describes the format:

The hash suffix is "-g" + 7-char
         abbreviation for the tip commit of parent ... The "g" prefix stands for "git" and is
         used to allow describing the version of a software depending on the SCM the
         software is managed with. This is useful in an environment where people may use
         different SCMs.


text:
Boot screen hangs even after factory reset
My Droid Razr XT910 was constantly booting and after a forced reboot still hangs here. As a next step I wiped out the data via the boot menu, i.e. a factory reset. But the phone still hangs with the boot logo. My phone is stock, not rooted. I let it constantly load over night, until the battery finished. Two days ago I tried the factory reset, but it didn't result in showing the home screen. I did several factory resets just to check. Is there any way to let the phone boot again?
Thanks for your help.

Have you tried removing the SDCard to see whether it boots without? Rare cases, but a damaged card might cause this. You could also try to boot it "completely bare" (i.e. removing the SIM card as well), but from your description my guess is rather the SDCard. If all that doesn't help, I can only think of the service point to check.

Did you clear the dalvik cache?

Yes, I removed the SDCard. Still hangs. And I already cleared the cache.

Roman, has this issue solved for you? Have you had the service take a look at it, maybe?

The issue was resolved by sending the device back. Service couldn't resolve it either.


text:
Samsung Keyboard language switch + Accessibility service
I've faced an issue that Samsung Keyboard disables functionality of language switching using space bar... after upgrade to 4.4.2 KitKat. That was messed on a forums a little bit and everybody agreed that Accessibility services should be disabled to enable this functionality...
But I have 7 services and DO want to use at least 4 of them... e.g. one of them forward notifications to my Sony SmartWatch... It become pretty useless without this service...
I really like Samsung Keyboard and want to use it... (I do use continuous input switching to voice input some times... and really love space bar switching of language)
How can I enable both language switching and Accessibility services?
GT-I9505

This answer explains why it's not possible to change the keyboard layout when an accessibility service is on.
I faced the problem on my Samsung Galaxy S3 with Android 4.3 (I9300XXUGOE1), installed Google Keyboard, and use it instead of the default Samsung keyboard.


text:
Android remote factory settings restore
My friend has asked me about the possibility of doing a remote "factory settings restore" in his android devices. He works with android tablets and needs to do an automatic factory-reset every day.
Do you know if it would be possible?

Will this do the job?
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/42491/how-to-remote-view-and-control-your-android-phone/

I don't think so. He has multiple android tablets (>100) and needs each device do a factory-reset each day.
He want an automatic way to do this.
Thanks anyway!!

Here are some general ideas your friend could try. None of them are fully fleshed-out solutions, but they may point him in the right direction.
Custom Rom
If you can install custom Roms, you could set one up that automatically does a factory reset when the device is rebooted. And you could easily use a scripting app to automatically reboot the device at a certain time (ie 3AM).
Tweaked Stock Rom
As long as your device(s) can get root, you could temporarily root them and add a script or app to the system partition. This way, you could do a factory reset without wiping out your script. Once it is on the system partition, you could also remove root if you want.
There is an XDA Thread that has some useful scripts you could use. One of them, ROMReset, should be able to reset the device to factory settings when run. If you have Tasker or another automation app (also installed on the system partition), you could simply call this script every day at 3AM to reset the device.
Note: This also requires a custom recovery. With the scripts in the link, you specifically need ClockWorkMod (CWM).
Limited User Profiles
Instead of resetting the entire device, you could set up a limited user account that lacks the ability to install apps. Then figure out how to automatically remove and readd the user (at a certain time of the day).
Other
There doesn't seem to be anything existing to easily provide a solution. Even for desktop computers, you have to install custom software (such as Deep Freeze) in order to get a similar result.
You will need to make something custom in order for everything to be streamlined.

Great, I'll tell him these solutions. Thank you so much! :)

all_licenses: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/


text:
Trying to perform a system update crashes the Settings app
I've bought a Lenovo A7 3300 16GB tablet running Android 4.2.2. I tried to updated my tablet to the last version of Android by going into Settings > About phone > System update, but when I tap on "System update" this message appears on the screen:

Unfortunately, settings has stopped.

In addition, my GPS is not working properly. I can turn it on, but it doesn't locate my position on Google Maps or other GPS apps.
My tablet is not rooted and I don't want to root it. I've tried factory reset many times, just for the record.

Is there any way to fix these problems without rooting?
What causes these problems?
Is this a hardware problem or a software problem?
Should I bring my tablet back to the seller?

Have you tried this? http://android.stackexchange.com/questions/69768/settings-app-unfortunately-settings-has-stopped

boo. root it. problem solved. custom rom, custom recovery. no settings crashes. no stock bloat.

There a couple of things you can try out, in any order you like!

New Tablet? Surprising, try a factory reset if you have nothing on it. This should fix it for most cases.
A single application crashing could be due to some stale values associated with the data it has cached, you could try force stopping the settings application and then clearing the storage.

If this doesn't work, check for the latest stable build of a rom for your device from the vendor itself, you might have to flash it.
Edit:
Just saw Jeff Chang's comment, and my answer is similar to the one on the link he provided. If it works, you can ask him to answer it for you and award him the bounty.

Unfortunately I had 7 days to return the device to the seller. So before your answer. I've sent it back. I don't have the device right now and I'm going to change it with another brand. Thanks for your time and effort. I vote your answer up.


text:
how to backup cell phone contacts to gmail, and view them on pc
i have synced my phone LG E975K (whatever that means!)
i have tried to save contacts to my gmail account. (gmail account only shows email contacts on - not the phone numbers from my smartphone)
i basically dont know how to save information from my smart phone to my computer.
i need a button repaired on my smart phone, and i dont want to lose all my information when i take the phone in to be repaired...
i believe there is a way to import or export? but my phone threatens me with possible loss of information, so i am scared to try it.
i see there is an option of merging contacts when i looked for info online, but my phone doesnt offer that option
i want to save all my phone information in gmail.
i dont know how to do it,
and i dont know how to find it if it has saved it
and i dont know how to restore it to the phone after it has been repaired, if information is lost....
can anyone help, but give instructions in layman's terms or explanations........

Can you check whether the synch of contacts/People is enabled under Settings?
Settings -> Accounts (google) -> click on Synch -> contacts is checked ? and Synch is successful.

Go to Settings > Accounts - Google > Tap on your account >. Now
select the checkbox for Contacts and see what is the last synced
date and time shown below.
Now login to your Google account and go to Google contacts. You will
be able to see all the synced contacts

From Panel:
Make sure you export all your contacts from sim/phone to gmail account via phonebook, then sync contact again through the direction given above.

thank you.have done all the above. still only shows my email addresses and not the telephone numbers from my LG..  any other suggestions? :(

In Sync list, do you see anything like People Details ? Try syncing that too.

I know this is an old post that the bot brought back to life, but just throwing my two cents in. Make sure to save contacts as gmail contacts when adding them as a contact. If they are labeled as a phone contact, I am pretty sure they don't get synced. Recently had to help a coworker out with this.


text:
Trying to remap my hardware buttons
Since I have a broken back button I have remapped my buttons in such a way that my original volume up button functions as a menu button, and my original menu button as the back button. I've done this by changing the key values in /system/usr/keylayout/generic.kl.
The problem is, I've flashed a new ROM so I had to do it again, but now it doesn't work anymore. The changed values are persistent but my phone ignores it, it seems.
And yes, of course I've rebooted after making the changes again.
Anyone have an idea?

Without knowing which phone you have, which rom, or what version, it's hard to tell you exactly why, but the simplest explanation is that you are editing the wrong key layout file. Cyanogenmod roms tend to support various key layouts specific for certain devices, and those take precedence over the Generic.kl file, for obvious reasons. Key layout files are mapped to individual device types. There may be other .kl files that are specific for your buttons, like sec_key.kl, sec_jack.kl (for Samsung hard buttons and headset buttons), cyttsp-i2c.kl (for Cypress TrueTouch e-ink display controllers used in the B&N Nook), gpio-keys.kl, etc etc.
So you need to see which ones are there, which one is for your specific device (hopefully it's commented), and edit that one.

I would guess that the keymappings are only read at the first boot after flashing the ROM and will be stored in a database on the /data partition. This database won't be updated when the values in generic.kl are changed. You can test this thought by doing a data wipe. This will trigger reading your changed values from generic.kl (AFTER DELETING ALL YOUR USERDATA!). Another way would be finding this database and editing it by hand or just removing it and rebooting for a re-read of generic.kl.

Thank you, that seems like the solution if i can find that database. Do you have any idea or guess where to find it?

That's absolutely not how android handles the key layout and key char map files.


text:
Removed an Xposed module but still causing conflict
I installed Disable Location Consent and have been having GPS issues where I cannot actually use High Accuracy mode so I removed this module but the problem still remains. Are there remnants of the modules modifications somewhere? How can I find them? I've already tried wiping Dalvik, Data, and Cache.

Have you check the xposed module forum site on XDA? Did you deactivate the module before you removed the module?

yes. i also tried reinstalling to deactivate again and still no luck.

Did you read through - http://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed/modules/mod-disable-google-location-consent-t2449926

Did you soft reboot after reinstalling module? Then again after activating the module?

Also this module shouldn't have any bearing on High Accuracy mode, this is only removing the consent notification. Try and think if there were any settings you changed anywhere else, plus did you install any other modules that would affect the GPS?

Yes I rebooted as much as reasonable per step. Not to my knowledge but I was planning to re-flash /system to see if that helped. What appears to be happening is that while I have the phone set to high accuracy mode, it appears to be using device only or some ineffective GPS mode that only updates every minute to several minutes and is abysmally inaccurate (useless for driving).

This is starting to sound like your gps.conf file got borked, which is why i was asking if you added anything else. I have used this ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1239713 ) as a fix for bad gps.conf before on a couple of my devices. Read thoroughly, then make a backup, then try. If this fixes your problem, i will post as a answer. Let me know.

Very good link - I believe it is now fixed and will test it later

let me know and glad you're making some progress :-)

So from a little testing I can say it is still having the same problem in the same location as before (my car). It does however work when not connected to my cars bluetooth. Unfortunately it just so happens that the pioneer radio I have has a GPS that I didn't bother installing because I didn't want to use it however I am theorizing that the phone is attempting to use the pioneers GPS and doesn't fall back to the phones GPS at all.

Try the steps one more time. Follow the directions to the letter. Not saying you didn't, but....make sure you set GPS antenna properly, in settings.

I outlined the problem in an answer. It's unlikely anyone would have guessed it.

The other answers are more useful for the question but unfortunately in my case the problem was something different.
It just so happens that the pioneer radio I have has a GPS that I didn't bother installing because I didn't want to use it however the phone is attempting to use the pioneers GPS and doesn't fall back to the phones GPS at all.
So if I use the GPS anywhere else (wifi or data) when bluetooth is deactivated, it works just fine.

I had a similar problem where my SMS wouldn't send to my contacts. That day I had made a few modifications one included a Xposed module, I uninstalled the module and other modifications, but the problem persisted I resorted to restoring an old backup of my phone and the problem went away. I assume as our using a Xposed module your phone is rooted try restoring to a previous backup, it's always good practice to back up your phone before attempting any modifications. If you don't have a backup, then I'd suggest the only option is to restore your phone using Odin (If your using stock ROM) or to Flash a custom ROM

Very often happens something strange: if you activate the effect of a module and then you remove the module, then the effect will still be there.
It's the same way of acting as Freedom (for example).
Try installing again the module, deactivating the effect and uninstalling again.
This should work. Tell me if it works :)

Did not work. Something still remains in the way of GPS functioning properly.


text:
Persistent download icon in Prestigio (4040 DUO multiphone) pull down menu - even with download over days ago. How to remove it?
In the pull down menu of my Prestigio 4040 DUO multiphone, there is this persistent DOWNLOAD icon, it's just stuck there even though download was completed days ago. It came when I was doing some app DOWNLOADS and has refused to go away even after downloads were long over.
On the top icon row of the phone, the animated download icon also shows, has been showing for days, even with no downloads.
Rebooting does not get rid of the icons. And if you press on it nothing happens. Does anyone know how to get rid of this?
Thank you for your help.

If you have android version 4.1 (jelly bean) or later, you can long-press on the notification and view the app settings page of the app that is showing the notification.
From there, you can force quit the app, or you can permanently disable notifications from that app.
At the very least, you'll know which app is causing the problem, and you may be able to change something within the app itself.

authors: มณีรัตน์ ตัวสะเกษ


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Remove 160 char limit on S5
Is there a way to remove the 160 char limit when replying to a text through the 'toast' method on the galaxy s5 without root

What exactly is "the toast method"?

@DanHulme I presumed it was the toast notification where the notification is placed above anything else, so if your in a game for example the game will not stop the notification will simply appear

Yes, I know what a toast notification is. You mentioned that you reply to texts through "the toast method". What exactly do you do?

@DanHulme When the notification comes up, there's an option to reply within the notification, the problem is that it only allows 160 characters

If anyone else is wondering about this particular problem
There is as far as I know no way to do this however there is an app called 'QKSMS' that has a quick reply mode which is similar to the stock version which does not have a character limit


text:
Cannot hear audio from other side of phonecalls or voicemails
When I make a phone call (this includes to voicemail), I cannot hear the other party and the other party cannot hear me.
The problem is isolated to calling. When I'm having this problem (or more precisely, when I can replicate this problem), the following behavior is consistent:

entering numbers with the dialpad produces the usual audible beep,
the Sound Recorder app on my phone works fine,
any apps that use the speakers work fine (e.g. Apollo, ES File Explorer audio service).

Rebooting my phone temporarily resolves the problem, which seems to recur an indefinite number of hours following a reboot. I have been unable to identify any specific app or service which causes this problem.
(Unrelated to the problem, but still relevant - CM hangs when I attempt to boot into safe mode, which is only resolveable by popping the battery and booting back up normally, at which point all configured widgets sans lock-screen Torch have been removed - these reboots also fix the problem - so tl;dr: being unable to boot into safe mode, I am unable to determine whether a particular third-party app/service is the cause of this problem).
I have a T-Mobile SII (Hercules SGH-T989) running CM 10.2.0-hercules (corresponds to Android 4.3.1, baseband version T989UVMC6 - I assume this is the radio). I have no call recording apps - the closest thing I have is the Dialer app, which (it seems) does not handle any calling, and simply hooks into the stock Phone app to make calls.
This began a number of months after I upgraded to CM 10.2.0-hercules from 10.0, so I highly doubt that CM is the problem here.

lots of people who plopped in new "other" firmware onto a phone lost the ability to make a call (couldn't hear and/or be heard).  Myself I could not believe they would continue trying it after that. "the only thing wrong is it isnt a phone anymore. :-) So while you are sure it is not that, you still have to go back to see :-(

Unless someone built a time bomb into CM 10.2.0, I seriously doubt that's what broke my phone, since my phone worked for a solid two months after the upgrade.


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how to adb wait-for-device until the home screen shows up?
I need to unlock my screen using adb, and wait-for-device exits way too early(when the device is booting up), and screen unlock fails. Is there a way to detect that the home screen, so I can fire screen unlock then?
This is the command I am using to unlock screen -
adb wait-for-device shell input keyevent 82

well wait-for-device, as you already realized only waits until the adb daemon properly started. This is already at init time. In order to check for a complete boot you cann ad to your script something like:
in pseudo:

wait-for-device
long as getprop sys.boot_completed != 1 sleep some seconds
check getprop sys.boot_completed again
shell input keyevent 82

This should work.
Something like this:
#!/bin/bash

adb wait-for-device

A=$(adb shell getprop sys.boot_completed | tr -d '\r')

while [ "$A" != "1" ]; do
        sleep 2
        A=$(adb shell getprop sys.boot_completed | tr -d '\r')
done

adb shell input keyevent 82

This is not tested so be aware of potential mistakes

Please edit your answer to be easily readable. You have a valid answer, but a little clarity would help everyone.  Thanks

answer is now edited. Hope this helps you :)

good answer +1, now others will be able to follow it. Dont forget to add "Always perform a backup", for those accidental moments;)

I found that result of getprop had a carriage return after it, so changing the adb command to $(adb shell getprop sys.boot_completed | tr -d '\r') did the trick. This is just trimming out the carriage return character.

@divided-by-zero please modify your answer to include the trimming mentioned by CoatedMoose. Umang please accept it as a answer as well.

trimming is added. thx CoatedMoose

How would you modify this if there's more than one device/emulator running?

This is an old question and borderline off-topic but here is how to do it in a single line:
adb wait-for-device shell 'while [[ -z $(getprop sys.boot_completed) ]]; do sleep 1; done; input keyevent 82'

Here's what I came up with:
adb wait-for-device shell <<ENDSCRIPT
echo -n "Waiting for device to boot "
echo "" > /data/local/tmp/zero
getprop dev.bootcomplete > /data/local/tmp/bootcomplete
while cmp /data/local/tmp/zero /data/local/tmp/bootcomplete; do
{
    echo -n "."
    sleep 1
    getprop dev.bootcomplete > /data/local/tmp/bootcomplete
}; done
echo "Booted."
exit
ENDSCRIPT

echo "Waiting 30 secs for us to be really booted"
sleep 30

echo "Unlocking screen"
adb shell "input keyevent 82"


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How to received only primary labeled emails
My Nexus 5 battery drains very fast when I am using the Gmail app. Even after I turned synced off. Is there any way to get emails that belongs to primary category?

Even though it's unlikely that Gmail is the cause of your battery drain, here are the steps to minimize the notification spam:

In Gmail app tap on the upper-left corner "hamburger" button to open the sidebar, then scroll down and tap on "Settings":

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Tap on your account and ensure the Notifications option is checked:

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Tap on Inbox sound & vibrate menu, and un-check the Notify for every message option.
Go back to your e-mail list, and navigate to the "Primary" inbox.  Tap the 3-dot button on upper-right corner and tap on Label settings menu:

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Under the "Notifications" section enable Label notifications, and set up sound/vibration to your liking:

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Go back to your main inbox.
Open the sidebar (see step 1) and select one of the other labels.
Tap on menu button, go to Label settings, and un-check the "Label notifications" to disable them for this specific label only:

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Go back, and repeat steps 6 through 8 for every label (other than "Primary.")

You should now only receive notifications for your Primary inbox, and you will be only notified once until you dismiss the notification (as opposed to for every new e-mail.)

"Even though it's unlikely that Gmail is the cause of your battery drain" <-- Was just about to write this myself. I've seen a lot of different Google services drain battery but Gmail has never been an issue. I'd say something else is doind it. Worth looking in Settings>Battery and seeing what is doing it.

authors: محمود عبد الواهاب عبدالواهاب