text:
I connected to a suspicious public wifi using my phone. Is it possible that my phone was hacked?
I recently was outside looking for public wifi because my android mobile internet wasn't very good. I went past a garage that had free wifi apparently, so I went up there and connected to their wifi.
However, despite being somewhat close to the garage, the wifi signal was still poor. I looked and saw a few dozen meters away some apartments and I realised that I could be connecting to some unknown wifi in the apartments,run by someone bad. I then quickly disconnected and left.
The good thing was that I was only on the wifi network for about 10-15 seconds and I didn't visit any websites where they could look at my data. Also the signal was really really weak. Though I looked online and found this:

Once a victim connects to the rogue Wi-Fi hotspot, the host hacker can then intercept data and even use tools to inject malware into the connected devices.

https://us.norton.com/internetsecurity-wifi-why-hackers-love-public-wifi.html
So I feel a bit uncomfortable. My phone also acted a little strange, saying it had 15% battery still and then suddenly 1% and switching off. Then when i plug it back in to recharge, it suddenly says it has 40% battery.
Just to clarify, I didnt visit any websites on that wifi. But i'm worried maybe it was a bad wifi which was able to infect my phone and access it remotely?

Is it possible? Sure... Is it likely, no. You are probably more likely to get bitten by a shark while being struck by lightning, then to be hacked in this situation.

Is it possible? Sure... Is it likely, no.
Let us consider the scenarios where your phone could be hacked.

Your phone does not have the latest security updates released by google, the network you are connected is rouge, the hacker knows how to exploit the vulnerability on your phone.
You have an app installed that is malware infected, the network you are connected is rouge, hacker's network is registered with the malware infected app. He would then exploit the app to hack your phone.
Network you are connected is rouge, the hacker knows vulnerability related to android OS or a popular android app(that is installed on your phone and) that is not yet fixed by google/your phone maker (for your android phone) or the developer of the app(in case of the vulnerable app).

As you can see, there are multiple parameters/conditions involved here, I believe it would be a rare case where your phone is hacked. To answer your question, as @acejavelin commented,

Is it possible? Sure... Is it likely, no.


text:
How to prevent deletion of /data/data/<pckg_name> while Uninstalling Apps (ROOTED DEVICE)
When I push a command adb uninstall com.pckg the /data/data/com.pckg is deleted, but I want to preserve the folder w/o using adb uninstall -k com.pckg as I need to install another app with same package name & different signature which conflicts with -k cmd.
I tried mv /data/data/com.package /data/data/com.package1 but com.package1 got deleted after adb uninstall command.
I don't want to copy the folder to a new location because it takes a lot of time.

After moving/renaming the package I would reboot the device to make sure all file-handles to the old directory are closed (file-handles survive a rename and then point to the new location).

@Robert I will try that soon and will update here. Btw is there any way to do this without rebooting the device?

AFAIK there is a daemon (installd?) that handles (de)installations. Restarting this daemon would be sufficient. However I have never heard that Android daemons can be restarted linke regular Linux daemons. May be killing the daemon restarts it?

if you are already rooted why dont you use titanium backup
Steps :

Install Titanium Backup ★ root
Launch it and grant root permissions
locate to the app and backup it
now close titanium backup and uninstall app
install the 2nd apk(the one with different signature)
launch titanium backup and restore the existing backup but restore DATA ONLY not whole app

source: Stack Exchange

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

sort: votes


text:
Emoticons/emojis not being sent via SMS
I have a Lenovo K6 with Android 7 and when I try to send an emoticon from any keyboard like Gboard, Swift or Chrooma (the device does not have a native keyboard) the emoticon does not appear at all to the people I sent it to.
For example if I send 'Hi (smileyface emoticon)', only 'Hi' will show up to the recipient but also only 'Hi' appears if I go to messages app and see what I have sent.
I have tried lots of emoticons from complex to very simple and I haven't been able to send any.
This is not a carrier issue because my previous phone (LG G4) with the same carrier and plan was showing emoticons and they reached the recipient.
Is there some setting that I can change so that I will be able to send emoticons through SMS?

After some search I found what the problem was!

In the messaging app settings I went to advanced settings
I tapped 'Input mode' and instead of GSM alphabet which was the default option I selected 'Automatic'

Now my emoticons are delivered and I am :)

Several steps to the solution

Recipients should have Android Kitkat or newer to view the emojis.
The fonts in used on your Lenovo K6 does not support the emojis.
The Android 7 provided for your K6 does not support emojis.

You can't do much for any of the above cases as they depend on someone other than you. Wait until their side is rectified or a workaround is provided.
Solution that you can do!
Install an Emoji Android keyboard. Search for it in the playstore.

Mine is a Huawei Nova 2 that had the same problem I just now fixed it.
Go to Messages - Settings - Advanced, and then there's an option that says "Convert special characters in SMS". If it is on, it will not show emojis when you text. Just uncheck it and it works.

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

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


text:
DAVDroid CalDAV Calender does not show as phone calender account
I have a Xiaomi Redmi 4X Device with stock Android (no custom OS installation or modifications). I run a Radicale CalDAV server at home and have installed the DAVDroid app (via F-Droid). Inside DAVDroid app, I have set up the connection to my CalDAV server and DAVDroid shows up the calendar, so the connection to the server is fine.
Problems occur when I want to use the calendar with the Calendar app on the phone. In the calendar app, I want (i.e. I have) to choose the CalDAV calendar as a "calendar account", but the DAVDroid account is not showing up in the list of available calendar accounts although it definitely exists.
(I did some other tests using the aCalDAV app from the Google Play Store and the aCalDAV account shows up and is working).
Is there maybe a problem that DAVDroid has because it does not have all the needed permissions? I have no idea how to resolve the issue, so any hints are welcome.

I'm not familiar with this app, but it sounds like it just doesn't support being used with the system calendar storage. If you don't get an answer here you should ask the developer of the app.

That seems like an issue with the "default calendar app", as it works with others (OP described such). So the easiest solution is using a 3rd party calendar app, e.g. ETar. I'm a long-term user of DAVDroid (on multiple devices, though no Xiaomi) and never had that issue (I'm using Business Calendar Pro in case you want to know).

I solved the issue. It was an issue with a permission problem, that prevented DAVDroid to do synchronisation. I assume that I granted the permissions "too late" (after DAVDroid already tried a sync before the correct permissions and failed).
A restart of the phone and manual re-triggering of the synchronisation process solved the problem.

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


text:
LG G3 restarts and shuts down automatically
I have LG G3 (D855) and running stock firmware, Someday back my phone start showing invalid sim then i tried same sim with different phone and its working. Now i know there is some fault in phone, i was keep trying then after few minutes my phone restart with awkward loud beat and then shut down/restart to boot. To boot i need to take out battery but it still restart or shut down automatically.
I flashed my phone to stock KDZ successfully but still i am facing same issue. My screen sometimes stuck to LG logo or LG logo disappears and shut down (Need to take out battery to start my phone again), Boot sometimes to home screen then turn off. I flashed to D85530e_00_0927.kdz , which is stock i was using before any issue in my phone.
Please help me to fix my phone

Same problem here. LG service"s solution was a new mobo euro 200. I replaced the battery for euro 5 and everything was like new.

Lots of LG phones are showing up bootloop issues. The issue you are facing can be closely related to other bootloop issues seen in LG phones. And if it is, I dont think you can do much to fix this issue.
You may however give a try installing a light weight OS like lineage OS. I had faced similar situation with Nexus 5x. Installing Lineage OS helped a bit(restarts/sudden shutdowns became less frequent). In my case replacing motherboard solved the issue for me.

Check video how it went down  http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6glqbb


text:
How to quckly copy text from running app activity?
There is running 3rd party app, random text appears every minute on screen. I need to quickly copy text, immediately after it appeared.
root, xposed and etc. are provided.

It is not stated which Android version or device. So, assumption is that the app is user friendly.
When the text appear, long press on the text until the edit text context menu appears. Choose select all, then choose copy. Can be done under 6 seconds.
Later you can paste and edit the text required.


text:
Seperate Ringtone for Unknown Caller (Android 7)
In Android 7, how can I set a separate ringtone for callers who are not in my contact list? I still want to receive the call but I want to know if it is someone in my contact list or not before answering.

Adding the model and specific device could be useful, but I believe the only way is to set the default ringtone to what you want for unknown callers then set a different ringtone for each contact manually (could be the same for all contacts but still have to do it manually).

@acejavelin Samsung S7

@beeshyams :) What "automation approach" are you referring to?


text:
Locating Win10 driver
Is it true that "the Google USB Driver is located in android_sdk\extras\google\usb_driver."`
Because I have none and I have installed Android Studio.

Verify that you've actually downloaded it. Read: https://developer.android.com/studio/run/win-usb.html

@MorrisonChang it says "The best drivers are already installed" when I try to install the "USB driver".

Okay so what device are you trying to connect and what is specifically not working.

Is it true that "the Google USB Driver is located in
  android_sdk\extras\google\usb_driver."

Yes that's the default location where the downloaded google usb drivers are located.
If you can't find them, then it may be that these were not downloaded in the first place. Be sure to download them through the sdk manager interface.
Alternatively you can always download the appropriate OEM driver manually from the website and extract them to the default folder.
Installing the USB driver

Connect your Android-powered device to your computer's USB port.
Press the WIN Key +  X buttons and select device manager
In the Device Manager right pane, locate the device
and right-click the name of the device you connected, and then select Update Driver Software.
In the Hardware Update wizard, select Browse my computer for driver software and click Next.
Click Browse and then locate the USB driver folder. You can also select the option; Let me pick from from a list of device drivers on my computer then browse for the driver. e.g, the Google USB Driver is located in android_sdk\extras\google\usb_driver\.
Click Next to install the driver.


text:
How to inject pictures from the phones gallery into the camera feed in real time?
An android app is requesting pictures from the camera feed. I wish to inject the picture from my gallery rather than doing it in real-time. Any tools on rooted phones or android emulators for this? Thanks!

If the app starts the default camera app to do so,there might be an app that could do this. But if it tries to access the camera directly, a rooted phone will not be enough and you'll need an app for Xposed to do it. Even that wouldn't work if your app uses native APIs.


text:
Will restoring WhatsApp chats also restore my WhatsApp number
As of now I have a non-existent phone number on WhatsApp. My tablet has been running really slow lately so I decided to factory reset it. I backed everything up with titanium backup and also backed up WhatsApp chats to Google drive. I really don't want to create a new WhatsApp account because I'll have to notify all my contacts etc. but as I don't have the phone number that I originally obtained my WhatsApp number anymore I wanted to know if there is a way to restore my WhatsApp account either from the drive backup or titanium backup? (Sorry for the illegibility I've been working on this problem the whole day)

You should be able to restore your account using titanium backup if you have app+data backup of whatsapp taken using titanium backup.
However, there can be cases of app crash, if the backup is corrupted, android version of your device upgraded/changed.
Also there can be a scenario in recent/latest version of whatsapp where it would detect this dirty restore and ask you to authenticate the number again. If this happens try using a bit older version of whatsapp(you can download it here) as I recall I was able restore whatsapp account using titanium backup a couple of years back.

Thanks! Which version would you recommend?

You may start with the version that you backed up using titanium(I am assuming you have backed up the whatsapp apk as well).


text:
Disable fingerprint fail sound
When I accidentally touch fingerprint sensor when phone is locked, it emits a beep sound, meaning that scanning failed.
Can I disable this annoying sound?
I have a Huawei P10 with Android 7 OS.


text:
Bluetooth disconnects when starting to play music
I have a Jabra Move headset that has been working wonderfully for months. However, today it started having connection problems to my Motorola Moto Z: it connects and remains connected indefinitely, as long as I don't start playing any sound.
If I have sound from Google Music or Facebook, the headset plays 3 seconds, disconnects, and reconnects. I have no idea how to solve this.
Here's what I tried:

Restarting the mobile phone
Restarting the headset
Reset the headset
Unpairing and pairing back

I am running Android 7.1.1.
I have no idea how to fix this, please help.

From the bluetooth settings try up-pairing the headset. And then pairing it again you can test if this works.

@rajat do you mean unpairing? I have tried it as well :(

Please do share which version of Android is installed.
Assumption made, there was a recent update to Moto Z  to Android 7.1. There is a high possibility that the bluetooth headset + Moto Z + Wifi versions are now at conflict. From experience with most bluetooth devices, Moto Z will have to rollout a fix or you can get another headset.
Or you can try this

Disable the wifi + hotspot.
Unpair the devices.
Restart both Moto Z handset and the headphone.
Pair both devices.

Looks like a long list, but takes less than 2 minutes to do. Hope it helps.

Thanks. Indeed, I am running Android 7.1.1. I will try your suggestion, but it is weird since other bluetooth headsets work properly


text:
Can I use Droid Explorer to migrate my apps and app data from one device to another?
Examples:
Migrate from old Firestick (small one) to a new one?
Migrate from Note 4 to Note 8?
Or is ADEBAR or something like that a better solution?
If Droid Explorer is the solution can anyone point me at the steps? Not seeing anything after some searching - tho to be fair, this app came off a post in a StackExchange post.

This is the closest to migrate that you can do without additional apps. From what I know, use Android 6 and newer with a valid Google account where all Playstore apps are recorded. I have not tried on older than Android 6 for these to work.
Enable its Google backup and auto sync options. Activate all application that have a backup/restore, such as Whatsapp.
When you login to the new device, the contacts, wireless settings and those auto backup can be restored. The respective Android apps from Google Play Store are listed as Library in My apps & games. Select and install back the required games.


text:
How to fix Dead or Stuck pixels on my android phone using PC?
I currently have fully covered black screen on my phone and it started from a small black spot and it spread. I don't know if its whether it is a dead pixel or stuck pixel. the phone is still functional just no display. How do i fix this using my PC?

I really don't think it is possible to recover it if its dead pixel as its a hardware problem so i highly doubt that some pc tweaks would solve it, if you can elaborate how it started and some images of current state people might be able to help properly

@HarshGundecha , well an image might not help at all since its just my phone with black screen but the phone still functional as in still receive notifications and connected to wifi. And the phone is Oppo R7 lite. But yea, i think its a dead pixels so im just gonna buy a new phone i guess... thanks for trying to help

You can get pixel fixers but it sounds like your whole screen has gone, It's probably a problem with the cable connecting the screen to the motherboard of your device.

You asked how to fix it using your PC, so here's the steps to follow:

Load up Google Maps on your PC.
Search for phone repair shops.
Find a result that's easy to get to and take your phone there.
Tell them your phone screen is broken and needs replacing.

If this started with a new phone, you should instead take it back to where you bought it, tell them they sold you a faulty phone, and ask them to replace it for you. Your PC isn't involved in this case.

i guess this will probably the best answer i could get for this problem. thanks


text:
Auto dim missing from Huawei Y7
Android 7.0 on Huawei Y7 model TRT-LX2, has an Auto dim feature where the screen gets brighter when out doors and dimmer when indoors. To activate, there is a checkbox with a tick next to the brightness sliderbar.
However, the dimmer have not been working the whole week. I just realised that Auto dim checkbox is completely missing. A call to the local support centre and their solution was to clear and reset to factory setting. Plugin to a wifi and do the Android updates. I dont want to go about saving all the data to do the factory reset.
How do I get back a working Auto dim?

Go to settings > display, and make sure that adoptive brightness is on.

In Display, there is no adaptive or adoptive brightness. There is a brightness slider bar. Makes it dim or brighter.

well i guess it's different on huawei phones. On a Moto x4 it's in display settings. It also appears under settings > battery. You can also search all settings for key words like brightness, auto, adaptive etc

Yes, there use to be a Automatic Brightness button/switch. It is now not appearing. Huawei contact centre say only way is to do factory reset. Will do that over the weekend if there is still no other solution.

i also have y7 prime 7 2018,  After doing some repairing auto brightness option is vanished


text:
phone stolen and locked but recovered
My wife's android phone was stolen so she locked it remotely. About a week later we were able to make contact with the thief and he returned it for a small reward.
How do we unlock it?

"she locked it remotely" - how? through Android Device Manager, Airwatch, or some other software?

After turning the phone on, you will be prompted to enter a password. If prior to the theft, you had the phone locked with a code, you should be able to enter that code to get in.
If your phone had no lock prior to the disappearance, you will have to enter the code that you chose when locking using Google find my device.
As you can see in the screenshot, being that this phone doesn't have a code lock, it asks me to choose one when locking. Does this screen seem familiar?


text:
Select my own ringtone on Samsung s7 but only Sound picker is available
I can select only Sound picker as source for my own sound files when choosing ringtone. Right before I could select Google drive and some more.
How can I get the choice back?
TL;DR
When going Settings->Sounds and vibration->Ringtone->(+)Add from phone I got 3 or 4 choices of source. GoogleDrive, Soundpicker, ...
I picked Soundpicker just to see what it was. (but decided I don't want a Samsung app to get even more of my data)
So I did the Settings->...->(+)Add from phone again but this time I could not choose any source any more but Soundpicker was automatically launched.
Is there a way to reset this setting? so I can choose, say, GoogleDrive.
Or any other way to get a sound of my own as ringtone?

All you have to do, is clear defaults for the sound picker app. To do so, go to settings → application manager (apps) → in the three dots menu, select "show system apps" → sound picker → defaults → clear defaults.
After clearing defaults, you will now be able to choose between the other options.
Oh and usually even within the sound picker you should be able to scroll all the way down, and it will have an option to choose a track from your phone.


text:
Unable to choose account to share docs from
Started using this new Samsung S9 a week or so ago and it has an annoying trait/bug in Gmail that my older S6 Edge/S5 never had.
If I choose a document or photo, from any app, to share, the system always choose the same e-mail account and the drop-down menu for my other two accounts is inactive. However, if I use any of these accounts via Gmail first, the drop-down menus appear, showing all three Gmail accounts. I can't figure this out.
Any ideas? The latest update didn't sort it either.

Update: this issue is not with Gmail. I just tried to share a web page and when Gmail opened I managed to get all of my Gmail e-addresses. So, this issue is an Android issue. I checked Gallery Apps permissions and it is allowed to search for accounts.

Can I just check exactly what happens? You have a document open in another app, you click "Share with..." and choose Gmail, and then from Gmail's compose window, the thing for switching accounts is inactive. But if you open Gmail directly, you can change accounts just fine. Is that right?

That's correct, Dan.

Right, for some unknown reason (no obvious updates, either) the drop-down email addressed are now visible when sharing from an app itself! Weird!
Sorted!


text:
Where are the DNS settings stored in Android?
I am using IP tables to force the system to used a specific DNS but it only seems to work for WiFi networks but not mobile data.
These are the IP tables I use:
iptables -t nat -A OUTPUT -p tcp --dport 53 -j DNAT --to-destination 8.8.8.8:53
iptables -t nat -A OUTPUT -p udp --dport 53 -j DNAT --to-destination 8.8.8.8:53

These commands are set to run on startup.
Apparently this is not affecting dns lookups when using mobile data?
Where are the DNS settings stored in Android?
Where does the system obtain DNS when using mobile data?

I expect that the issue you are running into is that the mobile data is not going through the NAT chain.

@davidgo Yes. Why is it happening?

Very often, NAT is applied on the outbound interface. The tunnel creates a new outbound interface which may not be matched against the IPTables.rule to do NAT.

Possible duplicate of How to change mobile connections's DNS on Android KitKat?

I don't think this is quite a duplicate, as the method that's described as not working here is one of the answers on the linked question.

iptables should work with WiFi and Mobile Data both. None of the IP traffic can escape netfilter. Also there are other ways to force DNS globally. See details here: How to configure DNS properly?


text:
Google maps navigation doesn't stay in status bar anymore
When using google maps navigation I remember there used to be a constant notification item which let you switch back to navigation easily. This is not showing for me anymore and I can't find a setting to turn it back on.
Has this feature been removed or is there still a way to turn it back on?

I had notifications disabled for the maps app. :0
The app still closes when i press close all apps. Don't think it used to do that earlier. But at least I can switch to it easily.


text:
What does "automatic" mean under Network restrictions?
I'm running Android Oreo 8.1 on a Pixel XL. When I go to Settings > Network & Internet > Data usage > Network restrictions, I notice that all of my saved wifi networks are listed. Under each one, it says "Automatic". When I select one of the networks in the list, I see "Automatic", "Metered", and "Not metered". What does "Automatic" mean in this context?

As per this , if you set up metered WiFi , new WiFi are automatically added to metered by choosing the automatic option. You may try

As far as I can tell from looking at the code, "Automatic" means the network is metered if it meets at least one of these heuristics:

The WifiConfiguration has a metered hint, which I assume can be done if the network is added by an app.
The network has an "Ant" (802.11u access network type) of PublicChargeable (code).
The DHCP server sent the ANDROID_METERED option (code 1, 2), which the Android hotspot itself sends.  Additional commentary.

(I found the code links by searching the LineageOS source code on GitHub and opening the corresponding AOSP files, since the AOSP repository browser doesn't appear to support searching; maybe there's another way.)


text:
Google automatic typing
How to turn off automatic Google typing when I turned on automatically and I've tried everything else just turn it off to get my keyboard back
`

Is this what you're talking about?

Yeah just appeared in I can't get my keyboard back for texting or anything and I've tried everything

Usually, when that mic icon appears, you can easily dismiss it by pressing anywhere on the screen other than the mic window. You can also dismiss it by pressing on the back button on your phone.

Yes I've done all that to get it off my screen but I can't get the keyboard to come back up I went through all my settings and apps to make sure they're right and it's like a ghost screen

Can you post a screenshot?


text:
Set VPN on the android 7
i want to set vpn connection on my android phone galaxy s6. unfortunately client does not allow me to type my whole login which is my email. Is it some android bug?

I'm not very familiar, but I think the login length is determined by the authentication method. If you set the authentication method correctly (e.g. MSCHAPv2), does that let you enter a longer login?


text:
Card management with Google fit on Android
Google Fit is an Android app. When you run it, on the first screen they have cards with weight graph and personal records. These cards may be deleted  by dragging them side ways. That is how i deleted them. How can I bring them back? I looked through settings menu but card management is not there.
Please help.
One of the cards namely "Your weight" is returned the next day I deleted it.
So far I rated the app as "one star" in Android-Store to send a message to developers that the card management is not that easy to find. If they reply to my review, I'll post it here.
Thanks.

I think Google have bigger fish to fry than your 1* review of their app.

Those option are for starter user i.e to show the new user option available on dashboard. Where ass these options are available in app already . Lets see below .
The first option is Create a new Goal :- If you dismiss the card then there is option on Home to add a goal .
And the second option is Easy tracking :- This is just for description to let the user know the features of app and what activities user can track with GoogleFit.
GoogleFit App also shows some random cards to entertain and let their user know the features of app and track of their Activities time to time. Once to swipe random card you will get one time option to undo the action if you skip it then card is gone forever.

Thank you for your answer, please do it more concise. Please remove irrelevant images and wordings. Thank you.

Another thing. One of the cards namely "Your weight" is returned the next day I deleted it. It is not gone forever.


text:
How to tell which Xposed modules will break OTA updates?
I have Xiaomi MiA1 which being an Android one device gets monthly security updates
One can root it with Magisk and install systemless Xposed 1 . So far, good. My problem is with Xposed modules and not the framework since it's systemless.
Some modules likes adaway write to the hosts files in /system , so that will break OTA. Quoting from Magisk on Github

NOTE: In order to apply OTAs, you HAVE to make sure you haven't modified /system (and /vendor if available) in anyway, even remounting the partition to rw will tamper block verification!!

How do I tell which Xposed modules will break OTA? 2
I am pretty confused

1 Magisk with it's modules passes CTS checks and with Xposed fails as is documented. So I plan to disable Xposed before updating to pass CTS and get OTA. There are ways of doing this and yet get OTA which I intend to try
2 Asking on their module threads doesn't seem to help  . If it matters, Gravity Box, Xprivacy Lua, Greenify, No Lock Home, Amplify are the ones I am currently interested in

My guess is there is no way to tell beforehand but to experiment. Wondering if there is an easy way

If you use Magisk (I do), AdAway will only "think" to write to /system – but Magisk masks that so in reality it writes into the folder provided by Magisk. I know that as I use both :) But I cannot tell whether Magisk masks that for all things there might be; especially for specific Xposed modules.

@Izzy: Yes, one can enable that option in Magisk , I noticed but that example was perhaps wrong. To give a better example, there is a Magisk module that elevates Greenify (which kept waking up screen every now and then so uninstalled ) but with limited functionality as against the Xposed (as claimed by the Magisk module Dev). That made me wonder if that masking is selective for only those Magisk mods who do things system-lessly :)

I suspect there are some such mods. But I fully agree with your initial comment: hard to know before one checks. Unless the dev explicitly states in the description, of course ;)


text:
Is it possible to install Xposed for Oreo 8.0 without breaking the Safetynet Check?
From my research, the two seem to be mutually exclusive: Not passing the Safetynet check will break certain apps like G Pay and Snapchat, but installing Xposed for 8.0 doesn't seem possible without breaking the check.
Can anyone confirm or deny this? If possible, how?

Although I have been out of the realm of rooting personally for some time, I work with users on it all the time... To my knowledge, installing breaks SafetyNet API checks in all cases.

That was already the case in the past. For example, Magisk describes it passes SafetyNet check – unless you install Xposed (even systemless), which then will break it. I'd assume nothing has changed in this regard.

@Izzy It isn't the case for all versions. I currently run Android Marshmallow on my Galaxy S5, with pre-November-2016 patches. I have Root and Xposed installed and actively running, and my device passes all SafetyNet checks and will run Pokemon Go as of 2018. Other than the specific pre-patch ROM versions, you're correct that there is no combination to allow Xposed and also pass SafetyNet.

@StephenSchrauger Good to read there are exceptions! And luckily, for me SafetyNet is not a must. I use nothing that would complain :)


text:
How to get adb access to recovery mode
My phone is stuck in boot loop, but I rooted it before. I want to get adb access to push some files which I deleted causing the loop.
I tried Power + Volume up. But I can't grant adb access there. I use Gionee P5 mini.
What can I do?

What do you exactly want to do? Boot to recovery or gain ADB access?

You could try to flash the entire device with original firmware if it's online anywhere, Needrom.com is a good place to start.

I deleted some system files, now the OS won't boot. I can't find any ROM for the device. So I want to get adb access to push back those files.


text:
Disable Mi5 Touchscreen Input via adb
I've got a Xiaomi Mi5 (gemini) and I encounter the problem of ghost input. I guess my phone could be water-damaged even though I'm not sure. To backup my data I need to access the phone (not just it's flash memory, I need to backup using specific apps). The phone itself still works fine, except the abnormal touchscreen which is ghost touching the phone permanently. I need to disable specific parts of the touchscreen, or if not possible the touchscreen drivers themselves.
I've already tried this solution, but my init.rc does not include any /tsp.

What I've successfully tried so far:

rm -rf /dev/input/event2 (disables touchscreen input)
touch /dev/input/event2 (enables adb input tap /swipe funcitonality)
pm install teamviewer.apk (downloaded from net) and adb shell monkey -p app.package.name -c android.intent.category.LAUNCHER 1 (replaced app.package.name by TeamViewer package name)
Etablished connection
BUT... I can't touch input my device :/
Any suggestions?

I've found the solution myself.
To follow the steps check these requirements:

superuser permissions
debugging enabled
ability to accept debugging request on phone

Find and delete the file which proceeds touch input. In my case it was /dev/input/event2, but it can be another file in the dev/input directory as well. To delete execue the following commands (given adb-tools are installed):

adb shell
su (grant superuser permissions)
rm -rf /dev/input/event2 (replace event2 with your corresponding file if necessary)
touch /dev/input/event2 (to be able to use input commands such as input tap x y and input swipe x y x y, replace event2 with corresponding file if necessary)


text:
Two of my contacts are internally being mixed up
Recently I've stumbled upon a very weird and cumbersome bug. Android mistakes one of my contacts for another. As far as I know it happens to exactly one pair of contacts on my phone (let's call them A and B). When trying to message A, it shows the proper message history, but the messages are sent to B >< This causes a lot of confusion for the recipients, and for me as well.
I've tried using a different messaging app (instead of the default one), but the end result is just the same.
Here's the bug captured on video:
https://vimeo.com/261324755
And in screenshot form:

I enter the name of contact A (starting with "Lucyna")

I select the proper suggestion and I can see the message history with A:

I tap the message field, and the moment it gains focus the name of the contact in the top bar changes to contact B!

Sending the message now causes it to go to the wrong person.
The two contacts aren't related in any way, and I have no idea why did those two in particular get mixed.
I'm on Android 7.1.2

Interesting. They may not be connected in any way on your phone but maybe in Google contacts ( log in on PC and check ). What happens if you delete both contacts and create them afresh(after having backed up messages if they are important )

Is this stock android?  Also try the new default SMS app Android Messenger.  I believe the one you are using is being phased out.

I don't have GAPPS on my device, so it's not Google Contacts... Will try deleting and re-creating the contacts.  I'm using Lineage OS. How can I try the default new Android Messager?

Interesting. A not so useful question here .Do these nos. are identical  like A.1234567890 and B.4321567890.My miui nougat never picked similar nos however i named them and i had to type the dissimilar digits. :(

No, these numbers are quite different...

What's your question? If you've found a bug, you should report it to the ROM developer.

Removing BOTH contacts and recreating them resolved the issue.

no. it does not resolve it. im stuck with the same thing. nothing worked


text:
How to stop system update on Galaxy S8 with Android 7.0?
I have disabled auto updates through developer options, but the S8 is still pushing through the update. I have attempted to restart but the update continues. Is there any way to stop this while on wifi? It is a metered wifi connection, so I cannot have the update running, essentially making my phone unusable.


text:
Display Notification Dot But Not Pull Down Notifications
Is there a way with or without root to display a notification dot for my Messenger(text messaging) app on the home screen but not on the notification dropdown?
Part of this setting is standard for all apps for iOS but the setting "On the lock screen" seems to only be available for certain applications like Gmail and Android Messenger in Android.  Not to mention this doesn't hide the notification on the swipe down notification bar.

This is possible with the Pixel 2 and Android 9.
Go in your app notifications (facebook messenger in this example) and make sure "Allow notification dot" is ON. Then select which category and in "Behaviour", select "Show silently and minimise".

When you get a new message, there will be a dot on the icon (second in the top row) and no notification on lock screen, no notification in top bar with the clock. However, if you drag down the menu, you will see a small notification.

Best I could find. Tested with facebook messenger and gmail.

I believe this only works for some apps at not all but I don't have a Pixel to test this with unfortunately.

This works for a lot but not all apps.  Download an app called "AutoNotification" in the app store.
Open notification categories.
From there set the app to importance to low priority.
Disable vibrate.
Enable Show Notification Dot.
Disable blink light.
On the lock screen. "Don't show notifications at all."


text:
Can not boot into TWRP recovery - Black screen
I am trying to flash TWRP onto a Redmi Note 4X
I have the device's bootloader unlocked.
I tried the following: Boot into fastboot mode on the Redmi (Vol Down + Power). Then type fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.2.1-0-mido.img on my PC. It says
target reported max download size of 536870912 bytes
sending 'recovery' (26868 KB)...
OKAY [  0.625s]
writing 'recovery'...
OKAY [  0.360s]
finished. total time: 0.985s

Then press Vol Up + Power. The mi logo appears and then screen turns black and nothing happens.
When I type adb devices it says
List of devices attached
8dbec68d0604    recovery

So it seems I am in recovery but nothing happens.
I tried alternatively with older TWRP versions available for download. Same result. I also tried fastboot boot twrp-3.2.1-0-mido.img It says
downloading 'boot.img'...
OKAY [  0.617s]
booting...
OKAY [  0.654s]
finished. total time: 1.270s

But also same results.
I can restart and load into MIUI just fine after that.
I tried this with the stock MIUI version that came with the phone, also with the latest Stable ROM and also with the latest Developer ROM. Always same result.
When I choose "Reboot into Recovery" from the MIUI Update Settings, I get to the MI-Recovery which seems to work fine.
Now I am out of ideas. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

Try using USB 2.0 instead of USB 3.0 https://www.xda-developers.com/xiaomi-poco-f1-official-twrp/

I found a thread over at xda that helped me solve the issue:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/redmi-note-4/help/strange-problem-black-screen-redmi-note-t3716706/page10
Apparently it is some issue with a certain kind of display and the official TWRP can't handle it correctly. The proposed solution is to download an unofficial TWRP version found here:
https://cloud.mail.ru/public/9bcY/3AeSnww5N
Hope this helps anyone with the same problem.


text:
IFTTT Toggle Button Widget
I would like to create a button widget in IFTTT for toggling my Bluetooth On and Off with the same button.
However, it is only possible to select either 'Turn on Bluetooth' or 'Turn off Bluetooth' as action for the button press (or any other trigger, for that matter), which means I would end up with two buttons. But I would like to have only one button that turns Off Bluetooth if its On and vice versa.
If this is not possible with IFTTT, I'm open for other suggestions to implement this.

Use Macrodroid. Trigger; Empty trigger; Action: Bluetooth Configure > toggle Bluetooth. Create a short cut to this macro by dragging the Macrodroid  shortcuts widget to home screen and assign it to this macro which you named and saved. I was not sure if you meant other suggestions to include other apps or only IFTTT hence the comment and not an answer

Thanks for the reply. Well, I'd like to do it with IFTTT if possible because I already use it and I don't want to install another app just for this function. But if it turns out that it's not possible at all, I might go to a different app altogether so solutions with other apps are welcome.


text:
What is best way to clean up my contact lists that are synced between Android and Gmail?
Most all of my contacts in gmail have been duplicated (sync issue?) and I also have quite a few outdated contacts to delete. I just figured out how to 'reverse' sync from my phone to gmail which has made an even bigger mess.
I'd like to end up with a nice clean list that is synced 100% between my gmail and my phone, with no duplicates and only current contacts.
What is the best (fastest?) way to do this?  Thanks for any help!

In your android/contacts select only to show contacts from your google account.
You can easily delete your duplicate contacts from your gmail/google account. There is a button on the left side in google contacts for that purpose only.
after deleting contacts recognised by google as duplicate, you can sync your contacts and all your duplicate contacts be gone.


text:
How to root samsung galaxy J5 sm-j500h?
How to root Android 6.0.1 on samsung galaxy J5 sm-j500h?
Please.

The easiest method is flashing a modified recovery with Odin.

Download :

Chainfire autoroot
Odin
Samsung USB Drivers

Open Odin then click on AP, go where the root file was unzipped and select it.
Go to Settings > About >  Hit 7 times on Build number > Back in Settings > Developer's option then Disable OEM unlock
Switch off the phone, connect it in download mode (Volume + Home + Power buttons)

Click on Start and wait until the phone reboot with Odin showing PASS.

Let me present you TWRP + Magisk
How TO:

Download and flash TWRP Recovery using this guide. After that
Download and flash Magisk using this guide


text:
When I'm trying to run "xterm" in termux, it says "failed to open display : :0". Why so?
I'm running XServer XSDL. Then tried running xterm in it after export DISPLAY=:0. If I do export DISPLAY=10.94.XXX.XXX:1, xterm runs fine. I tried to debug it using strace. This is the line, which seems to cause the problem sin_addr=inet_addr("127.0.0.1")}, 16) = -1 ECONNREFUSED (Connection refused).
I've been discussing this problem on Xserver/xsdl. I was told it might be an Android permission issue. So I'm searching for help here.
Can anyone help me sort out this problem?

It seems there is some kind of firewall, which is blocking the connection. I was unable to solve this problem. But I found a workaround.

Entered a terminal with root privilege.
(E.g: used command su in a terminal emulator)
Created a 2nd loopback network by ifconfig
(E.g : ifconfig lo:0 127.0.0.2 netmask 255.0.0.0 up)
Fortunately "XSERVER XSDL" recognized this new network without any complaints (Never thought it could detect such a weird network).
At last set my display to a new server from my chroot environment as shown in XSERVER welcome screen.
export DISPLAY=127.0.0.2:1 startfluxbox ( or any xclient program, now everything runs fine)

Note 1: Each time my phone is restarted, I've to create the loopback network again. There might be some .rc files for adding startup scripts on android too. But I never bothered changing them (because I don't restart my phone often).
Note 2: I would really appreciate a true solution though (better if it works without root) because my method can't be applied on a non-rooted phone. So people with this problem but without a rooted phone can't use xserver until someone finds another solution.


text:
How do I solve these problems when flashing Samsung Galaxy J5 (SM-J510FN)?
The Iusse
Well, this is normally a simple task but I have a lot of problems. I hope you can help me. To begin, let's explain the situation: I have an SM-J510FN device with firmware from Spain to which, according to what I have been told, the unlock pattern was changed and the owner does not remember it, so he can not unlock the phone.

What I've tried
1: The first thing I did was enter Recovery mode with Power + Volume Up + Home. After showing me the android icon looking for updates, I get a screen that says "Sin comandos" ("No commands") for a few seconds. Then the menu appears in which I choose "Wipe data / factory reset". When doing this, this message appears in red:
E:format_volume: make ext4 failed on /dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/userdate with 1(I/O error)

2: After this failure, I downloaded Odin3 (V3.12), Samsung drivers and a firmware from sammobile, the most updated with Android 7 for this device, which is not rooted (I say in case it has something to do with the problems )
I open Odin, I select the firmware where it says "AP", I connect the phone and start it with Power + Volume Down + Home, and the screen that says "Downloading, Do not turn off target" appears. In the log, odin says:
<ID:0/003> Added!!

I configure the options in this way:

After a few minutes in which progress bars in Odin and on the phone are advancing, and messages appear in the log, Odin looks like this:

Obviously, the phone restarts, but it does not start the system normally. Return to the Recovery menu, the same one that I entered to try de factory reset. Select "Reboot system now" and this time if it enters the system... but the same system, with the same unlock pattern. Nothing has changed.
I tried to go back to the Recovery menu in case at least the error had been fixed when I tried to do the factory reset, but it was still the same,
I have to say that I have tried the same with previous versions, even with Android 6 that is the one that comes from factory, but the problem is the same.

3: I tried exactly the same as before, only adding Odin a PIT file for this device and checking the option of "Re-Partition", but the result is the same: Odin does everything he has to do without giving any error, but when it's over, the phone restarts and everything stays the same.

I do not know what else I can try to restart this device. Any ideas?

The file system may be broken or something. Or the file system is read-only for some reasons...
You should know that flashing with Odin using a "normal" (AP)  firmware doesn't wipe the phone, it just upgrade the system but leave the user data partition untouched.
Assuming there is no hardware failure (damaged eMMC), such errors can be corrected by flashing a "repair" firmware which contains a script that wipe everything in the phone.
Try searching for "4 files firmware" on the internet then flash with Odin. Should work now.


text:
Archiving or Exporting SMS Group Messages
How do you export/archive SMS messages received from a group?
Are they stored in some other database separate from all other SMS messages?
I have a Samsung Galaxy S7, and the stock SMS app.
I have several (all the free ones) SMS archival apps, and I notice that messages that I received because they were sent to a group are never included in these archives.
This became most obvious when I received 200+ messages of a conversation between two people, and I was part of that group. I wanted to archive the conversation and it only shows up as 3 messages. Only the ones sent explicitly to me, not any of the other 200 messages.
These messages appear just like all other messages. There is no way for me to distinguish the fact that they were sent to a group and not just myself (except for being told that they weren't texting me in error... I was part of the group).
EDIT
After working on this for some time. I have noticed that the messages to the group are MMS (multimedia messages).
This likely changes the focus of the question.
Is there any way to export the text of a multimedia message?

I don't think you can distinguish that. There is no concept of "groups" for SMS messages if I'm not mistaken. Messages sent to multiple recipients are sent as one SMS per recipient.

@a_horse_with_no_name I would have thought the same, but I have found no way to export these texts. All my other texts export normally. Texts that I perceive to be "to the group" are not exported.


text:
My background is dark and now i cant see my app names. How do i make the words white?
My background is dark and now i cant see my app names. How do i make the words white?!

Screenshot (click to enlarge)

What is your launcher?

This seems to be a non-Samsung default home screen, icons, and the like. Since it seems you are using a customization pack, the capability for screen text color is probably within it. See settings within whichever one is active.


text:
Xperia Facebook messenger acting strange
My sony xperia xa1 decvice keeps reinstalling why looks like a dated version of Facebook and messenger..have I been hacked?

Screenshot (click to enlarge)

Have you been hacked?  No.

It happened with me too.
Just reinstall Messenger again
It worked for me
I hope it will work for you too

Done, I will accept coincidence. I have deleted my former comments.


text:
Is it possible to switch out the voice for the Talkback-reader?
Can you switch out the voice of the Talkback-reader completely?
In car-navigationsystems you can download "funny" or different sounding persons (male, female, actor, ...).
But the for the Talkback-reader you can only change the pitch and speed that it should use.
I am not sure if Talkback is using voice-samples internally, which would make it necessary to record a real person like an actor speaking. Or if Talkback is using synthesized speech, with which parameters you can fiddle around.
So can you change the voice of the Talkback-reader? For instance into a funny voice, or Hawking-like, or your own, ...?


text:
How can I `adb pull` a large file when the USB connection breaks continuously?
I want to transfer a large file with adb pull, but my USB connection disconnects all the time, interrupting the transfer. How can I make this work?

I don't believe there a "resume" or continue option...

Is there a way were I can modify the code myself? Is it open source?

I don't know that... and that is outside the scope of this forum (developer specific questions are off-topic here).

Ok, I will just wait to see if someone knows a way or a "wrapper" that enables the resume

If you have problems with the USB connection but a working Wifi connection you could enable ADB over TCP and therefore avoid USB.

No, the problem is that my device resets in a loop after a few seconds, so the only way I can think of to make a backup is by resuming

A boot-loop probably won't allow enough time for any data to be copied at all, so i doubt that'll work. What type of device are you using, maybe you could fix it with a different approach.

My loop lasts around 20 secs. It is a Xiaomi, and I have seen that there are more people affected, with similar loop times. If I could resume pulling, then I could pull files little by little in those 20 secs to get them all. I cannot think of any other approach, to be honest. Any suggestion is appreciated

Here's a Python 3 script that implements a workaround based on adb and dd. It continuously retries and resumes downloads when disconnection happens.
#!/usr/bin/env python3

# adb-repull.py
#
# ADB pull emulation for machines with problematic USB ports/cables.
# It continuously retries and resumes download when disconnection happens.
#
# Copyright (c) 2018 Alexander Lopatin
#
# Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy
# of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal
# in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights
# to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell
# copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is
# furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:
#
# The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
# copies or substantial portions of the Software.
#
# THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
# IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
# FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
# AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER
# LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM,
# OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE
# SOFTWARE.

import errno
import math
import os
import subprocess
import sys
import time

BUFFER_SIZE = 8192
SLEEP_TIMEOUT = 5

def run_with_retries(function):
    while True:
        try:
            return function()
        except ConnectionError as e:
            print(e)
            print('Retrying after {} seconds'.format(SLEEP_TIMEOUT))
            time.sleep(SLEEP_TIMEOUT)

def size_to_blocks(size):
    return math.ceil(size / BUFFER_SIZE)

def get_size(remote_file):
    print('Getting size of {}'.format(remote_file))
    with subprocess.Popen(['adb', 'shell', 'du', '-b', remote_file], stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.PIPE) as process:
        out, err = process.communicate()

        if len(err) > 0:
            raise ConnectionError('Disconnected')

        size_and_remote_file = out.decode('utf-8').split()
        if len(size_and_remote_file) > 0:
            return int(size_and_remote_file[0])
        else:
            raise FileNotFoundError(errno.ENOENT, os.strerror(errno.ENOENT), remote_file)

def is_execout_supported():
    print('Checking if exec-out is supported')
    with subprocess.Popen(['adb', 'exec-out', 'echo'], stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.PIPE) as process:
        out, err = process.communicate()

        if len(err) > 0 and err.decode('utf-8').strip() != 'error: closed':
            raise ConnectionError('Disconnected')

        result = process.returncode == 0
        print('Yes' if result else 'No')
        return result

def get_size_with_retries(remote_file):
    return run_with_retries(lambda: get_size(remote_file))

def is_execout_supported_with_retries():
    return run_with_retries(is_execout_supported)

def update_progress(remote_file, current_block, last_block, speed):
    if current_block % 1000 == 0 or current_block == last_block:
        progress = (current_block / last_block) * 100.0
        speed_in_mib = speed / (1024 * 1024)
        print('Downloading {} {:.1f}% ({:.1f} MiB/s)'.format(remote_file, progress, speed_in_mib))

def pull(remote_file, local_file, remote_size, execout, output):
    print('Downloading {}'.format(remote_file))

    last_block = size_to_blocks(remote_size)
    local_size = os.path.getsize(local_file)
    current_block = size_to_blocks(local_size)

    time_elapsed = 0
    bytes_downloaded = 0

    dd_command = "dd if={} bs={} skip={} 2>>/dev/null".format(remote_file, BUFFER_SIZE, current_block)
    command = ['adb', 'exec-out', dd_command] if execout else ['adb', 'shell', 'busybox stty raw ; {}'.format(dd_command)]

    with subprocess.Popen(command, stdout=subprocess.PIPE) as process:
        while current_block < last_block:
            time_start = time.time()

            current_block += 1
            expected_buffer_size = remote_size - local_size if current_block == last_block else BUFFER_SIZE

            buffer = process.stdout.read(expected_buffer_size)
            buffer_size = len(buffer)

            if buffer_size != expected_buffer_size:
                raise ConnectionError('Wrong buffer size {}. Disconnected'.format(buffer_size))

            output.write(buffer)
            local_size += buffer_size

            time_end = time.time()
            time_elapsed += time_end - time_start

            bytes_downloaded += buffer_size
            speed = bytes_downloaded / time_elapsed
            update_progress(remote_file, current_block, last_block, speed)
        print('Done')

def pull_with_retries(remote_file, local_file):
    remote_size = get_size_with_retries(remote_file)
    execout = is_execout_supported_with_retries()

    with open(local_file, 'a+b') as output:
        output.seek(os.SEEK_END)
        run_with_retries(lambda: pull(remote_file, local_file, remote_size, execout, output))

def main(argv):
    if len(argv) < 2:
        print('Usage: %s /mnt/sdcard/remote.bin [local.bin]' % argv[0])
    else:
        try:
            if sys.platform != 'linux':
                raise OSError('Unsupported platform')
            remote_file = argv[1]
            local_file = os.path.basename(remote_file) if len(argv) < 3 else argv[2]
            pull_with_retries(remote_file, local_file)
        except OSError as e:
            print(e)

main(sys.argv)

For me, the performance is the same as adb pull. If you experience problems with performance—try to play with BUFFER_SIZE value.

ADB can not pull files partially or resume.
Also modifying the PC side of ADB is AFAIK of no use to you, as the provided functionality is provided by the on-device part (which you can't replace).
From my point of view there are two possibilities left:

Install an FTP server (app) that allows to automatically start with Android and that is able resume the download. Let is share a directory, the file you want to get is located in, or use your 20 seconds time window to move the file into the FTP shared directory.
Another option would be a cloud synchronization app (or command-line tool you could call via adb) that is able to push files automatically block-wise to the server (like the DropBox desktop client does). Unfortunately AFAIK the official Android DropBox client works differently and is of no use for you in this scenario. But some 3rd party Dropbox app or a different cloud sync app may be usable.

You have a few options here if your connection keeps breaking.

Use the script by alopatindev to resume using dd command.

Use Wireless ADB over Wi-Fi. The connection may be slightly slower. This is easier, but will also stop when disconnected from WiFi because it is the same as ADB. Go to developer options, enable Wireless Debugging, then tap on the words/arrow "Wireless Debugging". Now you can start ADB wirelessly. Look at your IP and port, and enter them with adb connect IP:port

Install RSync in Termux (Fdroid). RSync has a resume option. You will need to be able to start the SSH server on one of the devices (either with systemd on the computer, or running sshd directly on Termux), with RSync on both devices. You can do this on Windows using WSL, but the WSL network is quite slow.


text:
After going back to stock ROM from an unstable custom ROM, my Galaxy S6 keeps freezing
I own a Samsung Galaxy S6. I used NNE 5.1 S8 port and it was working well until it got my phone broken somehow.
My phone started acting really strange after 2 months of activity of that new ROM, my phone just started restarting randomly and it got me worried, i thought it's an application problem so i first just factory resetted it. It seemed it was not the problem on an application, so i chose to change my firmware to a stock one. I searched up recently on the newest firmware for S6 and i found out it's: XEF (France) , PDA (AP): G920FXXU6ERC1 and CSC : G920FOXA6ERC1 on 2018-03-22. I Downloaded 4 files: BL,AP,CP,CSC , and i found out about PIT on one of the posts in XDA forum (Filename: SM-G920F-ZEROFLTE_EUR_OPEN.pit).
Before i flashed with Odin, i wiped System, Data, Cache and Dalvik Cache. The firmware worked well but after 1 hour it started doing the same thing but now differently. It happened to me only 1 time that it froze up on an application, but i think that is just an app problem. It isn't actually the app fault, it freezes a while after it boots up. The main problem is that when i lock my screen, i cannot unlock it anymore, it just freezes there until it restarts after a short period of time. After the restart, it just keeps going, restarts, asks for pin, restarts and so on.
I tried removing the sim card and putting it back in, did not work.
I tried Safe mode, still same.
It seems like the phone does not care if it's booted or not. I powered it off charging it, and it restarted itself somehow??
Model of phone: SM-G920F
Current firmware: XEF (G920FXXU6ERC1)
Android version: Nougat (7.0)

Really? No answers yet ?

Samsung isn't the best place to start with gaining root access, Some Samsung devices, the S for security on the end of your device name suggests to me that your device is possibly equipped Samsung's security known as (Knox) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsung_Knox

Didn't you flash the userdata partition when you flashed the stock ROM? That seems like a likely cause of instability; but it's just as likely that this custom ROM just broke the hardware.

If you have restored to stock and the same, or similar, problems exist it is likely a hardware issue. My guess would be a bad/defective eMMC chip but would need to see a logcat of it which could be difficult if you are not sitting with it connected to a PC actively logging via ADB when the "freeze" occurs.


text:
How to make an incoming call silent while the phone is in general mode?
Now I am using Lenovo K8 plus.
How to make incoming call sound to silent mode while mobile in "general" mode.
On Xiaomi Redmi mobiles, if a call coming with sound, I just flip the phone and it will go to silent mode. This feature is available on Lenovo smartphones?

In Motorola devices and perhaps in other near-stock Android ROMs too, pressing the power button once turns off the sound for the incoming call. Try it and let us know whether it works.

I know that @Firelord. I want to make it without press any button. For example - Just rotate the phone or hide the screen using hand or shake the phone.


text:
Is it normal to have two (or more) apps with the same codebase and database in Google Play?
I installed two Google Play applications and saw, that they are actually the same app (completely same functionality and database) with only different splash screens. Isn't it against the rules?

It's not normal but there's nothing to forbid a developer releasing multiple variants of the same product with different branding. Some companies even develop white box apps, which their customers add their branding to and publish, the same way that one off-brand gadget or home appliance is sold by different companies under different names.
It's only forbidden if one developer violates copyright by publishing another developer's app without their consent; for example, if I decompile the APK of Angry Birds, replace the name and splash screens with "Bangin' Avians", and publish it on Google Play, then I'm violating Rovio's copyright on their product.

If they're from the same developer or the software is open-source or maybe they're using a wrapper SDK, it's okay.
But there're also softwares that are truely stealing other people's code as I have encountered such cases.

That would depend largely on the app's license. Many open source licenses allow for such "forking".


text:
Android device stuck in a bootloop and there's nothing I can do about it
I have a Huawei smartphone, which unfortunately bricked and stuck in a bootloop when I flash Magisk. It even got stuck getting into recovery mode. Can't find its firmware for now (Nova 2i - RNE-L22). Factory reset / wipe data also doesn't seem to work. What should I do?

I had a similar problem with a Samsung Galaxy Tab A.  From the Internet I got the idea to disconnect the battery, then let the unit's memory discharrge overnight.
This was not as a recommendation from the Internet, just my idea.  Of course this involves opening the back cover and fiddling with the interior battery connector.  Both tasks are not for the timid craftsman (sorry person).  But with due care it is manageable.  Although it was just a trail, it did work.
When reassembled and booted into the service mode, it did not go into the auto boot loop.  It let me select the factory reset from the menu.  Good luck.

Have you unlocked your phone's bootloader? If you have you can flash a TWRP or CWM recovery for your phone, which would enable any custom ROMs to be flashed. Otherwise you have to request (or buy) an unlock code first.
It is very possible to find twrp recovery and custom ROMs for your device.
To search for results, key words "nova 2i twrp" or "nova 2i rom" may be used. If Google don't give enough results also try Baidu since most of Huawei users are in China. Your browser can translate pages into English. pages about how to flash recs and ROMs usually come with such search results.


text:
Does Magisk Hide provide protection against malicious apps?
While enabling Magisk Hide on the usual suspects, I found myself wondering if Magisk Hide would prevent a malicious app from detecting that the device is rooted, thereby preventing that app from taking full advantage of having root access. After all, if non-malicious apps that check for root access can be "fooled" by Magisk Hide, wouldn't that happen to malicious apps as well?

Taken from the Magisk site here:

Magisk Hide is the feature which is available in the Magisk Manager
  application and if you want to hide the root permission for the
  particular banking application.
You can turn the Magisk hide option from the settings of the magisk
  application then you can easily enjoy your favorite app without any
  issues.

This means that you have to turn this feature on, then select the app from your list of installed applications that you want Magisk Hide to work for.  In the example on the site, they list banking apps, Pokemon Go, etc.  To answer your question, Magisk Hide would not prevent a malicious app installed on your system from "seeing" or accessing root unless you enabled it on that particular malicious app specifically.

Thanks! Makes me wonder why the default isn't to just hide root from all apps, and then have the user explicitly enable root on the handful of root-using apps.

@yeliaB: Because "root" is not a normal permission so .apk files can't ask for it decoratively.

Ah, I see. Thanks, @Joshua!


text:
connecting android to pc via usb cabe and file transfer
So I can connect my android tab to the pc and I can enter the MTP mode yet when I try to transfer files it loads for ages then refuse to move any file to pc or from pc to phone.
The same cable works well with other android without any hustle and fast.
I tried to go to device manager (win 7) and update the android driver but Windows said I have the best.
PLS HELP!
Thanks in advance.
Gihon

What tablet is it?

Tecno DroIpad H8

(Sorry for the late answer, I didn't see your post before.)

Some device is not working as usual. So you have to enable developer option from your mobile setting.
Developer option comes in different location in different mobile
like
may be show in setting
or
may be in setting >> additional setting
If developer option is not shown in your mobile then you have to follow some step for showing developer option in setting.
Go to Settings > About phone > Tap 5 to 6 times on Build number
now your developer option will show in setting or other relative position.
and then enable your developer option as well as enable usb debugging.
and then try with your cable
hope this will work for you

How do developer options speed up MTP transfer? Never heard of that.

Sorry, I only noticed the answer. (I almost gave up...)
So, yes, I did this before I have the developer mode also the debugging mode and it is still the same.


text:
Phone only turns on when it's plugged in but then works normally
The problem regards a cheap 5.1-based Android phone, manufactured by a company named Manta. A few days ago it randomly shut off on its own and it was impossible to turn it on because it got stuck on the producer's logo every single time. I tried all the usual stuff like ejecting the SIM, the memory card, wiping cache from the recovery menu - all to no avail. Suddenly, I found a way to turn it on - namely, if you try to turn it on unplugged, you may leave it for a few hours and it won't go past the producer's splash screen. Try to turn it on when plugged in the charger, though - and it'll power up within 30 seconds to the home screen and keep working with no problems whatsoever.
Normally I would think that it's caused by something battery related - but the thing is, it doesn't seem so. First, if you try to turn it on unplugged and leave it on that never ending splash screen, it'll hold its charge alright, not turn off after a minute. And more importantly, second - if you plug it in, turn it on and unplug it - it'll keep working perfectly until you have to turn it off or restart it. What may be the problem, then? Is there anything I may try to do to fix the issue and allow it to turn on when unplugged as well?


text:
Build kernel module on locked bootloader
I have an device with locked bootloader, but i have the kernel source and prebuilt kernel. I have two questions:

Do i need the kernel to be built to get a module working?
Can i get an module to be built on the prebuilt kernel?

What's the point when you can't replace (flash) the kernel?

To shortcut your two questions: you can't load a module you've compiled yourself without unlocking the bootloader.
Technically you can compile a kernel module without compiling the kernel yourself, if you have the kernel sources and you know what options were used to compile the kernel; it's just easier to compile the kernel and modules at the same time. But that doesn't matter anyway, because you need to be able to sign the kernel and/or sign a system image containing your kernel module, in order for that module to load. You need to unlock the bootloader to avoid the signature check.


text:
Is there a way to load a dex file by an Android app from outside of its own package?
E.g., remotely downloading and executing a dex file by an Android app.


text:
S7 Edge Messaging App Cannot Block a number that is not a contact
I can block a number that is a contact such as my mum. But I cannot block numbers by companies such as my network proviser Three. By block I mean stop receiving annoying text messages,

It is not Three I am trying to block just using them as an example. I cannot add three to contact to perform block options that does not work. What is even more infuriating is that I cannot find a number to block its just "Three" with no phone number to be discovered anywhere.
How can I block these annoying text messages that are not even in my phones contacts.
I am using the default messaging app on the samsung galaxy s7 edge, fully updated, no modifications made.
Long pressing does not work either.

Try long pressing on the contact and select "block number"

That menu yields only "delete" and "pin" buttons, no block options. However with a number in my contacts the block option. Adding a picture to show this in my post. Thank you

I believe that it's the way that your carrier send you those texts, they make it impossible to block, as that don't send it using a number, your phone can't know when to block it. I'm also guessing that when you open the message, there is no place to write a text. Is that correct? Try an app called truecaller. It might be able to get past the issue, but you'll have to switch to their app for that

Thank you I will try the app. But this is not limited to my network provider three. I also cant block messages from Deliveroo a company I work for.

And yes that is correct there is no option to write a text


text:
What might cause Google People details to stop syncing?
I'm having difficulty troubleshooting Google failing to sync "People details". All other categories (contacts, email, etc.) are syncing properly.

This is causing downstream issues in other apps. For example, I can't review businesses in Google Maps because it wants me to "Add your name to your Google account", which I've already tried to set and reset.
I am fairly certain this may be a permissions issue somewhere but I can't seem to track it down. Does anyone have any general advice on how to troubleshoot this issue? Thank you.
Device: OnePlus 3T
Android version: 8.0.0

Had the same issue, tried several solutions but the only one that worked was resetting the phone to factory settings.


text:
How to keep Bluetooth Tethering enabled on LineageOS / how to enable it with Tasker on Moto G 2 LTE?
I need to share wifi connection from my Moto to iPhone over Bluetooth with minimal or no manual interaction on Moto G.
How can I make Bluetooth Tethering always enabled (On) at a LineageOS 14.1 device?
Alternatively, how can I setup Tasker script to enable Bluetooth tethering on Moto G 2nd gen LTE (XT1079), running LineageOS 14.1 (build 20170922)?

See if this helps: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2574310

Automate can do so using its Bluetooth tethering set state block, no additional plug-ins required.

Thanks, it just works! And Automate's in-app search across user-submitted recipes is awesome!

Additional requirements:

Secure Settings
Task
Go to the Task tab and select "New Task + "
You can name this Task AutoBluetoothTether or anything.
Click "+" to add new Action
Plugin  → Secure Settins → [Configuration: Actions → BT Tether] → On (Tick Automatically Enable Bluettooth option)

Be sure to pair your Android device with Iphone (via bluetooth) prior and also you can set your profile to react to wi-fi connection i.e State → Wi-fi Connected (set SSID)

Tasker lists "BT Tether" as disabled option. When trying to enable it in Secure Settings, it says "This feature requires a Bluetooth tetherable interface.

The Automate block doesn't work on my device (Android 8.0, MIUI 9). And the Tasker solution requires a non-free plugin Secure Setting.

Run this(root required) to enable bluetooth tethering:
service call connectivity 24 i32 2 null i32 0
It calls startTethering(), while 24 represents startTethering and 2 represents TETHERING_BLUETOOTH.
Tested on Android 8.0. You can check the interface definition(aidl) for your version if it didn't work on older devices.

Sounds promising. How can I find out "the interface definition (aidl) for my version"?

@yurkennis Switch the branch of platform_frameworks_base(link above) to your version(e.g. nougat-release for Android 7).


text:
Tangerine app security warning?
I recently got the Essential phone and I started downloading all my apps back. I downloaded the Tangerine banking app, and I got this security warning as soon as I opened the app.
"It seems your device has had unauthorized modifications to its operating system. Using this device for your banking could compromise the security of your personal information"

Has anyone else got this with the app or is this a problem? I bought the phone brand new straight from the Telus store. I haven't done any modding or anything to it so not sure why the app is giving me this warning.

Is the USB debugging enabled? That could be a reason.

@beeshyams Checked, no it's not enabled.

Where did you downloaded the app from?. - Is there any pending os update?. - can you retry using USB debugging mode enabled?. Just revert after that. - is your phone rooted or is having su binary on it?. - did you bought it new officially from their website?. - is your phones status official (bootloader, recovery, etc)?.

I downloaded it from the regular Goolge Play Store. No I phone is up to date with the latest that it says. My phone isn't rooted or anything else changed, I literally just bought it out right straight from the Telus store and started downloading my apps, and then saw that warning.

It's time to return the phone. You're not supposed to be worried in the first place


text:
One Plus 5T on US Cellular?
I am wondering if the One Plus 5T will work on US Cellular. I have searched all over and all I can find is that it should. I was wondering if any has ever had any luck with this and actually done it. Thanks.

yes... definitely it should work. If you have any doubt u can check on this link. Not just Oneplus u can check any devices. If u find this as helpful u can give a thumps up.
https://willmyphonework.net/


text:
Disabling screen record protection for specific app using adb
I need to record the screen of an specific app that won't let me do for security reasons. Generally I'd use AZ Screen Recorder but it appears black in this app.
I know it's possible to install some things or plug into the computer to record, but is there a way to disable this record protection on the specific app using adb? Maybe change a flag or something?

There are two possibilities:

Modify the app removing the screenshot protection. However this is not that simple, as the protection is not application-wide but can be set for every activity (screen in the app) individually. Furthermore the protection can be set using the layout definition (xml in the resource) and/or using Java code (FLAG_SECURE). Both could be accomplished using apktool to decompile, modify, recompile, and sign the app - but this requires a lot of knowledge.
Use a rooted device and a screen recorder that can make use of root permissions. Usually this bypasses the screenshot protection.


text:
Can I use my Android device to find out which FM frequency has the least noise?
I have an Android device (Nougat) with a built in FM reciever.
I also have an FM transmitter that I use to transmit audio to my car stereo. As I travel around, I find that the landscape of FM real radio
transmissions differs. I want to be on the frequency  with the least noise (regular transmissions) so that I can get the least disturbance for my own signal.
There are some services where I could look this up online, or I could just do it by trial and error, but as I travel around this gets inconvenient.
I know that dedicated hardware exits to automatically find the FM frequency with the least noise with one click, but I figure my phone already has the hardware to do it. Can I do it with my Android phone?
I have root and Xposed Framework, if it matters.

It is simply an FM tuner with simple controls (frequency and audio output) to the phone... The chipset is very dumb, there isn't much you or an app can do with it except set a frequency and listen to FM radio. I guess you could plug in headphones and sweep through the frequencies listening for a clear one, but otherwise it's just trial and error. I would put this as an answer but I cannot find definitive information to confirm or detract from my statements.

@acejavelin Couldn't an app automatically sweep through the frequencies and find where the largest gap is with no transmissions? I guess an app would be able to differentiate between voice/music and lack of transmissions.

I don't know how the audio is handled... Possibly. Sounds like a lot of work for minimal return.

Old post: https://github.com/mikereidis/androidfm/wiki/Creating-an-Android-FM-app but if you are a developer it looks complicated & if you aren't a developer it looks complicated.


text:
Can an application with the following permissions steal user data?
I would like to use an application which is able to blacken my screen (AMOLED) so it consumes nearly no power (of course, while running an app, that cannot be run in the background). The application has other features, too, like proximity sensor driven blackening.
To make the app able to provide all the features, one has to enable it as an accessibility service (e.g. such services are able to lock usage of "Recents" button and so on). Accessibility services can monitor the users interactions and observe what (s)he types. This is a security risk (think of a keylogger).
Looking at the manifest file, the following permissions are required: RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED, VIBRATE, SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW, BIND_ACCESSIBILITY_SERVICE, USE_FINGERPRINT, BILLING. My understanding is that given there is no network accessibility, this app (or at least this version) is unable to send user data to anywhere, so it cannot steal anything. Is this right?
Any other related comments are welcome.

AFAIK it cannot do so stealthily but still could utilize intents provided by other apps that do ahve network permissions, such as e.g. the browser. While theoretically this would be possible, in practice, I've never heard an app doing that. Also, if there's another app by the same developer present, data could be shared to that.

But if it tries to utilize intents, then I will notice "something", not? Can I somehow block intents coming from that app? The very same developer has no other apps and my mobile only has a very limited set of apps made by well-known, big developers like Google, Samsung, Facebook. How exactly could this data sharing take place?

As I wrote, I cannot remember having heard of such a case, but it's technically possible. And if it e.g. would utilize the browser, that should be recorded in the browser's history. If you'd happen to watch your screen at that very moment, you should notice it. I guess as that could be detected that way, it's hardly ever tried. And as acejavelin pointed out in his answer, the BIND_ACCESSIBILITY_SERVICE could pose additional risks.

Yes, but my understanding is that BIND_ACCESSIBILITY_SERVICE without network access (apart from intents and other possibilities we discussed before) cannot really send any data to the outside work and thus cannot really steal anything.

That's correct. I should have written "additional risks other than that" ;) It might e.g. be used to "remote-control" other apps and push their buttons.

Yes, it could potentially steal your data...
BIND_ACCESSIBILITY_SERVICE can be a dangerous permission as it can allow to the app to view data in any active window, and any data you enter, among other things. More information can be found here.
In the information page for the app you linked, it clearly states how this permission is used and why it's necessary for this kind of app (kudo's to the dev, many apps do not explain why they request dangerous permissions, sometimes purposely). The best thing to do is look at reviews for potential "issues" which does not seem to be the case with this application.
Be aware that although many apps have the permission to "steal" your information, legitimate apps generally do not without clearly stating so in their terms and conditions.
The rest of the permissions are mostly benign...

RECEIVE_BOOT_COMPLETED - Self-explanatory
VIBRATE - Self-explanatory
SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW - Allows apps to create windows on top of other
apps
USE_FINGERPRINT - Allows the app to use the fingerprint scanner
hardware (but not the fingerprint data, so pretty safe)
BILLING - Allows for in-app purchases
Source

I don't believe network access has to be implicitly defined any more, but I could be wrong... It would have to be implied with the "BILLING" permission, although I have no reference for that.

It seems that internet permission is implicitly there (in the manifest) for years. Do you think it would be enough to block app's network access using a 3rd party app? (kind of firewall)

@user1724641 If I think an app is doing that, I get rid of the app, not try to stop it. Remember, although some permissions can be used maliciously, legitimate apps use them appropriately.

I do not think this app would do that based on the reviews (score and textual) and developer "work statement". However, one can never be suspicious enough when it comes to personal/financial data. Precautions must be taken - still better than being totally lost when ones banking data gets into the hand of hackers. On the other side, I also need 'switch-off-screen' functionality.

@acejavelin the BILLING permission does NOT imply network permissions (and yes, the latter are still required explicitly though the Playstore app doesn't list them for being "normal", there's nothing like an "implicit INTERNET permission). See it's complete name and you'll find out it's provided by the Playstore app (…vending.BILLING), which has network access. // Besides, more details on permissions can be found in my permission list, often with some additional context ;)


text:
Problem with Android process manager
When I lock my screen, or when I minimize an application such as Youtube, it has been stay on pause state, but when I minimize an application on Win or Linux, it continue to process,
How can I continue a process with halt/pause?

So you want to use YouTube in background?

Yes, I need to do it. @global_warming

See also https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/3079/how-to-play-a-youtube-clip-in-background-minimised

Here we are talking about completely different things. In Android almost everything related to UI is placed in Activity.

Activities are one of the fundamental building blocks of apps on the Android platform. They serve as the entry point for a user's interaction with an app, and are also central to how a user navigates within an app (as with the Back button) or between apps (as with the Recents button).

When user minimizes the app, the Activity goes into pause state. This does not means system has destroyed the process of app, everything in kept into place and when maximizing the app everything will work correctly. However system may destroy Activity in extreme low memory conditions.
So, what is happening in case of YouTube?
When user minimizes the app, YouTube app pauses the playback and this is performed intentionally and there is nothing wrong with Process Manager.
Can we play YouTube in background?
Yes. There is an Xposed Module called YouTube Background Playback, which requires Xposed Framework installed, of course.
Further, YouTube developers can design the app in such a manner that playback does not pauses when app is minimized, like other music apps does. They can use a Service for playback, which can run in background even if app is minimized.


text:
Mysterious documents in internal storage -android
Screenshot of space issue in Android. Some mysterious documents have taken lot of space. HOW DO I DELETE IT?

IMHO ~1.87Mb is not a lot, the other part is it (but I guess it's the Android System itself).

Nothing mysterious their it looks like app data and its common in all android mobiles

Thanks Mohan! I've already removed all unwanted files and this doesn't belong to app as apps data is in other category of 4.67 G. Moreover, android system has used up 5.54 G already.


text:
How to implement OTP verification?

Can anyone tell me How to implement OTP authentication?
How to implement two-factor authentication?
How many API android has for OTP verification?
Which encryption technique is used to secure it?
Which technique or method is used to generate random number and send
it to user for authentication? Is there any API for generate such
random number?

Answering your questions respectively:
1) You are able to implement OTP using firebase Phone Number Authentication. The related link is here https://firebase.google.com/docs/auth/android/phone-auth
2) Two-factor can be implemented by using a normal login setup in addition to a phone number Authentication. Firebase can also perform login setup for you at https://firebase.google.com/docs/auth/android/password-auth
3) You may google search for SMS OTP Service Providers and you would find ample of messaging companies offering Phone Verification APIs. Here are some of the top listed OTP service providers; 2Factor, Twilio, Plivo, Nexmo, Sinch, Zang.
4) The techniques vary across providers. With AES being more secure while putting a large security load on the system compared to a scrambled 6 digit SMS-code provided.
5) Both methods I have listed in (4) uses a random 6 digit pin with AES encrypting the code additional times with its algorithm. This might be what you are looking for: https://codepen.io/corenominal/pen/rxOmMJ


text:
Install brand new android API on my old Jelly Bean phone?
Hello Android enthusiasts,
I'd like to know one thing :
I have a Jelly Bean phone. Which is API 16. What if I use Android SDK API 26 in Android Studio to create an app that uses classes of API 26... Can I use this app on my Jelly Bean phone ?
If not, how can I install API 26 in my Jelly Bean phone (if at all possible) ? (any option here I will take...)

u can do that only by installing oreo(api 26) based custom rom in your phone and it depends upon ur mobile model and year of manufacture if your is too old its very unlikely to get oreo based custom rom. Best option is using Emulators

Phone is ALCATEL MPOP 5020D... Wow I'll be lucky if I can find a custom Oreo ROM for it... Also, emulator is not an option since I need to perform GSM operations...

What type of gsm operations


text:
HTC One (M8) won't flash RUU or unlock bootloader
I have HTC One (M8). I just found out that the model on the back of the phone is 0P6B100 while it's 0P6B700 in getvar. I found that out after trying all the x.xx.651.x RUUs flashed down below because I thought it needed Sprint RUU.
First of all, every time I reboot I find the same apps installed, pics, and missed calls no matter how many times I erase all that, and if I installed new apps, every reboot it's not there. I wanted to get it back to stock as new but I couldn't and here is what I have tried:

Couldn't flash stock or custom recovery. Got [failed (Remote : Not allowed)] because the bootloader is locked, and I couldn't unlock the bootloader. After getting unlock code from HTCdev.com and installing it and after selecting yes on the phone to unlock the bootloader, the phone just reboots.

Tried to flash RUU (3.30.651.2 & 4.25.651.14) wizard while the phone was on fastboot mode. Phone couldn't boot into bootloader while on fastboot mode so it reboots regularly.

Tried to flash RUU (3.30.651.2 & 4.25.651.14) wizard while the phone was on. Did the first steps and it was ok, but again, when the wizard is waiting for the bootloader while phone was in fastboot mode, it just reboots regularly.

Tried renaming another (4.25.651.14) RUU to 0P6BIMG.zip and put it on SD card and went to Hboot. After clicking yes to confirm the update, the phone rebooted in the middle of the steps.

Tried flashing the same 0P6BIMG.zip from recovery mode. After 3 minutes of hope crushed by verifying update package.... - Installation aborted....

6 Tried flashing RUU.zip via fastboot. The phone just reboots regularly when trying to reboot RUU.
Here is the result from getvar:
version: 0.5
version-bootloader: 3.18.0.0000
version-baseband: 1.08.20.0612_4
version-cpld: None
version-microp: None
version-main: 3.30.651.2
version-misc: PVT SHIP S-OFF
imei2: Not Support
meid: **************
product: m8_whl
platform: hTCBmsm8974
modelid: 0P6B70000
cidnum: 11111111
battery-status: good
battery-voltage: 0mV
partition-layout: Generic
security: off
build-mode: SHIP
boot-mode: FASTBOOT
commitno-bootloader: d4c3cae5
hbootpreupdate: 11
gencheckpt: 0
----------HBoot Menu----------
* Locked *
M8_WHL PVT SHIP S-OFF
CID-11111111
HBOOT-3.18.0.0000
RADIO-1.08.20.0612_4
OpenDSP-v38.2.2-00542-M874.0311
OS-3.30.651.2
eMMC-boot 2048
Jul 7 2014,20:03:18.3

I want to erase everything and start over with any ROM or any recovery.

You will need to unlock the bootloader of your m8 before being able to flash any RUU or custom ROM on it.
In order to do that, I suggest you to visit the XDA forum for the m8 - bootloader threads (XDA is clearly the best site for anything phone related), and try to find one of the many ways to do it that suits your phone and its current state (you might have to change the bootmode - it is now on fastboot).
Best of luck.


text:
Can I trust apps downloaded from Aptoide?
I just downloaded an app from Aptoide that is supposed to allow Screen Off Writing. After installing, it was anything but that.
How much checking does Aptoide do on apps? Can I trust the apps I get from there?

Anyone can upload apps to Aptoide, iirc without good, if any, verification.
Aptoide is also known to be a source of pirated apps, so if you want to use any app, consider downloading it from Play Store or from the official source.
Many apps are the original ones and considered safe. If you have concerns, do not use it.


text:
"Sync is currently experiencing problems. It will be back shortly "
I just got my S8 yesterday and everything is pretty much smooth sailing except for the fact that I cannot sign in into my school's gmail account. I've searched high and low online, following almost everything I could.
I've noticed that when I try to sign in again online, it says that Chrome has requested a certificate and that you can install certificates from a pkcs#12 file with a .pfx or a .p12 extension. It gives me an option to Install or Cancel but whenever I try to install it gives me a blank document with nothing to install.
Then, when I am on the Google Docs app and signed in with my account, it says to refresh the page because it says "Unable to refresh. Check your network connection then swip down to retry". I swipe down, and a window that says Checking Info.. appears for a brief second and then disappears.
I cleared the cache of the gmail app, rebooted my phone, wiped my phone, reinstalled the app, followed these with no success.
Does anyone have any idea how to log in?

Have you tried any alternate browser to Chrome?

Nope. Browser isn't an issue I would think?  I can sign in perfectly fin with my Apple phone. I can try FireFox if you think Chrome is a issue...EDIT: I signed in with my school gmail account for Google Play and it won't connect at all. Signed in with an alternate gmail account and it worked fine...

Is this "school gmail account" @gmail.com, or on your school's domain?


text:
Fequency at which location history gets my location?
I've noticed that Google Location History tracks my position much more frequently and accurately when having Google Maps actively running, compared to when it is not. Is this the case for any app – whenever the GPS is on – or just when Google apps tracks my position?

The "start driving" feature in Google Maps saves your position every 15 seconds. (That's what I do)
Using any other app to require exact gps position in background is less accurate (same accuracy but less frequent data points).


text:
What is the size of the Android System app?
On my phone the Android System app is zero in size.
Is this normal or have I been hacked?
Thanks, J

Which system app? System apps are those apps which are installed out of the box and removing/uninstalling may cause errors on future operations. ex: phone, google etc.

Android System is not an app, it's the whole system itself. But if you are talking about an installed Android System.apk it could be a problem (potential threat).

Android System App is only there to represent the Android Framework. If your device is working, you don't have a reason to worry about that.
If that "App" was really of zero size your phone would not even work up until the point that you could actually see its size (= Android would not boot)
Whether you have been hacked is quite a different story, we can't determine that just out of knowing that it shows zero size for you on Android System.