text:
Android keeps downloading an unknown file
about a few days ago i discovered an unknown file in my downloads on my phone (Samsung Galaxy S21FE).
It could not open it on my phone so i just transfered it onto my pc to open it. It contains somethig that looks like Hex-Values "91e1f39[...]092abb0e2333b8f2e" (in the [...] are more of this).
I doesnt have any extension, or information where it comes from. It just has a name "testing". When i delete it, it randomly appears on my phone a few days later...
Do you have any idea what this could be?
Thanks

This may be interesting for this:
once i was in a public space i got bombarded with bluetooth-pairing requests. like someone is using a Flipper-Zero with Bluetooth-LE-Spam.
I dont know which scenario came first..


text:
Is it possible to run comand as Termux after boot process?
I have set up a Node.js app. In order to automatically do all the things after the phone boot, I want to make a Magisk module to run a service. The command is npm start and exposes HTTP service on port 8000. The node app depends on many things on Termux, so is it possible to run that command as Termux?

How to run a program in an app context with Magisk?

source: Stack Exchange

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

sort: votes


text:
In fastboot mode my phone appear locked
My phone is Huawei mate 8 when i try to install a twrp is appear locked in fastboot mode & i cant unlock oem.
I cant acces to my data.
Any one have an idea about recovery data from fastboot mode.
Pleaaaaaaaase

you can unlock bootloader with PotatoNV but you can't decrypt your data without pattern

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


text:
Track device's uniqueness if factory reset is done?
Android device ID is changed with factory reset. Android 10+ no longer allows to track IMEI and serial number. Are there any other identifiers that can be used to detect if somebody used the same device twice using different e-mail?

Apps are not allowed to track. Did you read anywhere that Google doesn't? Curious

I know, but it doesn't mean they don't even if they are not allowed. So I want to make sure if there is still any way they are able to track if factory reset is done.


text:
Silk Browser only deletes highlighted text partially on address bar
I'm using Silk Browser on Amazon Fire 10 tablet. When I highlight an entry in the address bar to delete it using the backspace/delete button, it highlights it, but only deletes some of it.
Ex. https://superuser.com/ is highlighted. When I hit backspace, user.com is left in the address bar.
I'm clueless.


text:
Unlock Android with Pattern Lock Without Losing Data
I have HTC One M7 which I wasn't using from 2018. So I forgot pattern lock but I want check data on this smartphone. It's good scope to develop and practice with Android. What I've learn till now:

USB debugging is turn off (after use "adb devices" command phone didn't show up)
I can't unlock bootloader because I will lose data (I don't want it)

So, there is any possible way to unlock HTC with forgotten pattern lock and without losing data? Thanks for every help!

https://github.com/bkerler/edl

I think its extremely unlikely.  I dont know if the Android phone in 2018, used to encrypt the contents.

Android Jelly Bean is not encrypted, you can just delete locksettings.db


text:
How to log in to a hacked Google account without phone?
I'm trying to log into my Google account, and it won't let me get past the verification steps because I don't know what they changed the password to, and obviously I no longer have access to the number because they stole the phone.

This is a Google-specific problem, and only tangentially Android-related.

There are some solutions that Google suggests, you should try them first.

Forgot your password

Follow the steps to recover your Google Account or Gmail.

You'll be asked some questions to confirm it's your account. Answer the questions as best as you can.
If you have trouble, try the tips to complete account recovery steps.

Reset your password when prompted. Choose a strong password that you haven't already used with this account. Learn how to create a strong password.

Forgot the email address you use to sign in

To find your username, follow these steps. You need to know:

A phone number or the recovery email address for the account.
The full name on your account.

Follow the instructions to confirm it’s your account.
You’ll find a list of usernames that match your account.

Someone else is using your account
If you think someone is using your Google Account without your permission, follow the steps to recover a hacked or hijacked Google Account or Gmail.
Can’t sign in for another reason
If you have another problem, get help signing in.


text:
Where does termux sqlite db files be stored?
There was other questions like this but no answer for this. Where is the path to find my sqlite files?
I have Xiaomi Redmi 10 android. And with termux installed SQLite and i was going to start learning SQLite but I don't know where does files are stored And how to change it. Thank you.

Where do Android apps store data?

Termux is an app and thus it can not access database files of other apps without root access.

Do i really need root access? Wow. That's will be a big problem. Anyway tnx


text:
GBoard not available in work profile
I have Microsoft InTune and this makes two categories of apps: managed (work) apps and personal apps. In MS Teams, for example, I have a problem that there is only default Samsung keyboard and I can't switch it to GBoard which I use normally. I tried to find GBoard in the managed Play store, but it's not there. Ideas?

Unclear if you've seen: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/intune/apps/apps-add-android-for-work and/or requested your device administrators to allow GBoard.

thx I will ask them if possible


text:
Prevent app from reversing the screen and mouse movement on BlissOS
I have installed the latest BlissOS on QEMU VM.
The app which I'm interest in works, but it reverses the mouse (dragging up will move the mouse to left, dragging down will move to right) and the screen.

Disabling auto-rotation didn't work.
Is it possible to avoid this app from reversing the screen?

Solution found by changing Android's "set orientation" to landscape.


text:
A way to separately activate WiFi and Mobile Data internet connection
In my Android 14 (stock/Pixel 7) (it was the same when it was Android 13 before the update), I can activate and deactivate the internet connection via Mobile Data and WiFi. What bothers me is that I have to do two taps.

Is there a way to have Mobile Data and WiFi connection as separate options instead of one? I remember that this was possible on a Huawei with Android 9 flavour.

It's possible if your device is rooted or if you use Shizuku using this app //I've seen some LSPosed module for this but haven't tried it//AFAIK, without root it's not possible since you are attempting to change the OS behavior. See Behind the scenes looks at the new Internet tile for Google's rationale

Shizuku, if you don't want to root your phone//app claims to work with this. Not tested by me since my device is rooted//Reference my first comment

To supplement beeshyams' comment, this change has been applied since Android 12.


text:
How to see the developer of an app?
I have a Galaxy S21+ running Android 14.  In the App Info, I don't see a way to tell which apps were made by which company. I'm especially interested in the pre-installed apps. Is there a way to do this?

Usually preinstalled apps are also available in Google Play or Samsung store. There you can find developer info. For play Store you only need the app packageName. Append it to the following URL: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id= and you get to the app web page (or to the page in Play Store app).

@Robert you will be surprised how many of the preinstalled apps cannot be found in any of the "markets" – usually more than half of them… // Eric:if you don't mind starting the apps, at least some of them might have an "about" menu you could look at. // In the past, I'd have said one could look up the package signatures. But with so many developers having handed over signing to Google, nowadays that only shows "Google" for far too many apps…

@Izzy But apps that are never updated (and thus are not available in any store) are pretty rare. The only parts that are usually not updated are the system apps, but even if some of them seem to be of little use I have never seen an app that was not from the device manufacturer (but my experience is mainly about devices from major brands like Lenovo and Samsung).

@Robert you can check some example device docs from my Adebar here, first look at the creation date of the report, then head to the "System Apps" secrion. Compare "first installed", "last updated", creation date.On some devices I had a hard time spotting an updated app. Follow the app links, you'll have a hard time finding one that's on Play. Most of the system apps I couldn't even find anywhere. And I remember a study that came to the exact same results: most system apps are in no store and never updated (except with ROM updates maybe).

"Developer info" is not something that is usually shown inside Android OS, but mostly only related to the app store.

On recent Android versions, in the App Info screen, there may be a menu to see the app entry in the app store:

Samsung: App details in store
Pixel: App details

Selecting it should open the app directly in the store. From there, the developer of the app can be found.

Otherwise, as stated in Izzy's comment, apps may provide in-app about page where the developer may also be mentioned.

Actually, key store may contain Organization, but I'm not sure how user-friendly it is to check it, or even if it's applicable for this question. Free free to expand it as a proper answer.


text:
Silent notifications except for specific contacts
I have a Android 10 Huawei phone and only want the phone to ring when specific people call. However I do want to keep onscreen notifications and the LED to pulse (which is working atm).
It seems like like Android 10 is very limited in its emergency contact/favorites settings. I have managed to set a favorite contact who can call even on Do Not Desturb but the phone will only vibrate eventho the sound is on. I rather not use DND and prefer regular silent mode since all notifications are how I want them.
Anyone who can point me in the right direction, or perhaps recommend an app that can solve this issue?


text:
What settings are needed to ensure receipt of all types of emergency alert?
I have struggled to find clear information about exactly what settings affect whether various emergency alerts are received or not. Even getting a definitive list of alerts is not as simple as it should be. From what I understand, there are two main types of alert - cell broadcasts and Google crisis alerts (which include earthquake alerts). Cell broadcasts do not require wifi or mobile data, but Google crisis alerts do require either wifi or mobile data.
Questions I have are:

Does Battery Saver delay or prevent the receipt of either type of alert?
Does Do Not Disturb prevent the receipt of either type of alert?
Does either type of alert requires location access (GPS) to be enabled at all times (or is wifi sufficient for determining location)?
What apps, services etc. are involved in receiving the alerts, what minimum permissions do they need and what settings need to be enabled?

I think that for these alerts to be as useful as they can be in saving lives, this information should be absolutely clear and available in one place. In fact, all necessary settings etc. should be configurable from within one app on Android with an option to reset required settings to ensure receipt of all types of emergency alert.
In the meantime, I'd appreciate answers to the above questions.

On my Pixel 6a, Android 14,there is a setting "wireless emergency alerts", which covers all alerts. One can enable or disable from there

So I guess it depends on your OS. I don't know which make/model/OS you are running, so if you don't have a central place for this, it's upto to the OEM//BTW, it doesn't ask to enable any settings of the type you mentioned so either they are not applicable or the feature takes care of them//AFAIK, no special settings are required only a valid SIM since these are sent over mobile signal. Not even mobile data//My operator bugged the hell out of me by repeatedly sending test alerts, and that's when I searched for this and disabled all alerts

More info here https://source.android.com/docs/core/ota/modular-system/cell broadcast  // This system app cell broadcast on my device has location and service permissions

@beeshyams Thanks. "Wireless emergency alerts" are one of the types of alert. The other look like they come through the Google app - if you open it and go to settings and then notifications, you can see "Public Alerts - severe weather and crisis alerts". On my device (Motorola Edge 40) there is also a "Safety & Emergency" setting, where "Crisis alerts" and "Earthquake alerts" can be activated. How those interact with the setting in the Google app I don't know. On top of all that you have the app permissions for "Wireless Emergency Alerts" and the "Google" app. Settings are all over the place.


text:
How to force factory reset Samsung Galaxy S21 with low battery?
My Samsung Galaxy S21 phone is damaged so the battery won't charge when the charger is plugged in. However, the charger still supplies power to the phone. It's been plugged in and sitting happily at 5% all day. I want to do a factory reset, but it says I need at least 10%. There is no possibility of that. I want to reset the phone before I get a new one from insurance and have to send in this one.
How can I force it to reset, or if not, still ensure I wipe all my PII before sending it to Samsung?

Can you provide more detail about the state of your phone: Partially broken screen, working screen but can't boot into OS, or can boot into OS but battery level is stuck at 5%, i.e. when phone says it needs "10% for factory reset" from where is it saying that (hoping from within running OS but unclear).

Your phone comes with a 25W charger. If you are using that, here's a wild guess that may not work - try using an old 5A 2W charger or any lower rated charger

@MorrisonChang everything about the phone works fine other than it can't take a charge. Screen is fine, can boot into the OS, its just stuck at 5%. The Factory Reset option when you go to settings and search "Reset" is what is requiring 10%

@beeshyams its a usb-c charger so I don't know if they make low watt chargers for that? I tried plugging it into a usb 2 hub plugged into my power strip, no dice

Use a regular charger, USB chargers supply very low power comparatively, so slow charging in best of conditions //Even old 5V 2A or any other wall mounted charger you lay your hands on would give better results in usual condition //in damaged condition I can't say but worth trying

To add you get small hardware converters to type C that you plug into your old charger and other end USB C to your device

I used a free 3rd party app "Fast Factory Reset" that warned about the battery but still let me do it. It worked fine.
I was not able to get my hands on a low watt charger to test. FWIW, I plugged my standard charger into a Kill A Watt and it registered 1/1.3 W. If I am able to get a low watt charger before I send it in to insurance, I'll update the answer.


text:
How to connect a non-rooted Android phone to an ethernet LAN as a client
How can I connect a non-rooted Android phone to an Ethernet LAN as a client and use it as a host?
I got a public static IP. It's in my optical fiber router and I can assign it to a LAN host of my choice.
Before answering, please read the following points:

I don't want to use the WiFi interface

I tried an USB-to-ethternet cable but that allows me to configure the phone as an Ethernet-to-LTE access point for the LAN attached hosts. It's a tethering service

I want to use my phone as a power-frugal server with a public static IP address.
Ciao

Public IPs don't appeart out of nowhere.So where should this public IP come from? A Ethernet adapter is just a piece of hardware and the used IP address has to match the network it is connected to, so a public IP has nothing to do with the adapter which makes it difficult to answer your question.

I'm paying for a public static IP. I got it. It's in my optical fiber router and I can assign it to a LAN host of my choice.


text:
How to Add Google Account Without Syncing Contacts on android
I was looking to add a second account to my Android phone running Android version 12. The issue that I keep running into is that as soon as I sign in the contacts from that account are synced and my call records get all messed up.
There are some tutorials on the web that suggest that I turn the wifi (Internet) off as soon as I sign-in and then go to settings and disable contact sync.
I did try it but it does not work as the contacts are synced before I can turn off the interent.
I am looking for a permanent way and not a work around.
Thank you

Before adding the account, simply disable or take away contact permissions from the apps which are getting messed up. You can then go on to disable contact sync settings and enable or give the apps their permissions back.

This seems doable. But its crazy imo that there is no straightforward way of doing this. Just ask me do I wana sync contacts of not when I add the account.


text:
Remove/hide contacts of one account when multiple Google accounts are added to Phone
I have added two Google accounts to my phone running Android 12. Contacts of both accounts are now being shown on the device.
Is there a way I can remove/hide the contacts of one account? Note that I do not wish to remove the account just want to remove/hide the contacts for this device.
Thanks

I encouraged users of the Google Contacts help to submit their feedback in the app and tell the Google developers that they need this feature.

Once they are synced, you need to remove them yourself.
To Stop them syncing

Go to Settings
Account sand Backup (or Accounts and Sync)
Select Manage Accounts (or accounts are displayed anyway)
Select Account (From the ones with the Google Icon) (Image-1)
Select Sync Account (Image-2)
Turn off Contacts switch (Image-3)

To remove the accounts

You can do it manually
Or you can use a third party app such as Contacts Optimizer to help you
I also find MyPhoneExplorer very handy.  You can copy the contacts to your OPC and manage them there.

Image-1

Image-2

Image-3

Are you saying that the Google accounts need to be removed? Isn't there a way to hide the contacts without removing the Google account altogether?

You need to remove the account from the phone, not delete it from Google.

The question clearly states that he needs a solution that does not delete Google accounts from the phone. So this answer is not a solution to the question. It does not hide contacts for a particular Google account.

You can filter the contacts you see in the Google Contacts app to only display the contacts that are stored in a particular Google account's cloud storage. This is the best you can do, there isn't an easy way to permanently hide contacts from a Google account, you can only enable a filter. This has been tested on stock Android 14.

Open the Contacts app (the one made by Google)
In the top right hand corner of the screen, click on the profile picture of your Google account. A list of Google accounts should be displayed now, alongside the menu options "Add another account", "Manage account on this device", and so forth.
Tap on the Google account that you want to focus on. The dialog should close and you should return to the main screen of the app.
Now tap on the hamburger menu icon in the top left corner of the screen. A sidebar should appear, with "All accounts", the name of the selected Google account, and then a list of labels.
Tap on the name of the Google account to filter contacts to just those stored on that Google account's cloud storage.

You can enable or disable Contacts sync for particular Google account, but that isn't enough to hide those contacts from the Contacts app.


text:
How to quickly factory reset an Android phone
Let us assume I am working/living in a potentially hostile environment and want to minimize the risk that somebody can access the data stored on my Android phone. The recommended way is to force-lock the phone to ensure that it cannot be accessed without the password, but this does not fully protect against data extractions applied directly on the phone. And going through the multi-step approach of resetting the phone via Settings is obviously not feasible under pressure.
So I am looking for ways to quickly factory reset on an Android phone. Something like "press one icon, confirm with one button = reset Android phone to factory settings".. with no passwords, no PINs... just quick wipe.
How can I accomplish this?
PS: I am aware that this may also lead to unexpected data loss in case the function is triggered by mistake. That is a risk I am willing to take.

This app was quoted in a different context

Be aware that features like Samsung Knox are targeting governments & organizations concerned about their data at rest on mobile devices. Also realize that 'one button wipe' in the age of phone theft means that some authorization is expected.

Each OEM (and likely individual model) will have their own custom MMI codes, which IMO would be among the fastest methods.  For example, here's the applicable codes for OnePlus 8T+ 5G:
Reset Your OnePlus Device

OnePlus lets you instantly wipe all data and restore your device to factory settings by inputting a variety of dialer codes, depending on how much information you want to preserve. For instance, you can enter *#*#7780#*#* to remove your Google account and all the apps you've installed, along with all data associated with them, but keep all other files like photos and other media files.
*#8778# ...............Resets device, can be canceled
*#*#7780#*#* ..........Erases Google account, third-party apps, & all associated data. Can be canceled
*#*#947322243#*#* .....Instant Data Wipe, BEWARE!!! Get out by booting into fastboot
*2767*3855# ...........Completely wipes device & reinstalls firmware
Be careful of what code you input however, as *#*#947322243#*#* will instantly reboot your device in preparation for a factory data wipe and reset, as opposed to *#8778# and *#*#7780#*#* that can be easily canceled by hitting the back button.

This can be saved as a contact, then added to home screen as a widget.  In my experience, it may not directly launch when invoked as a contact, so you may have to omit, e.g., the last asterick and manually input it instead, etc.  This can likely be circumvented using some other automation tool, e.g., MacroDroid, etc., to implement a true one-touch solution.

See here as to why  codes can't be saved as contacts

There are many apps that will remotely wipe the data from your phone.  I am using Kaspersky (for many things).  Some of the features, on theft, is to locate teh device, lock the device, take a mugshot, wipe data...
But I have used Wheres my droid in the past.  One of the many features is  to wipe personal data when the phone is stolen.

Wipe
Remove all personal data from the device.


text:
Phone free RAM goes very low and apps crash
My Xiaomi phone with 6Gb RAM is misbehaving. Every now and then free RAM goes as low as 500 Mb and apps, even those in the foreground crash.
Developer options don't seem to have a Memory option to see what is hogging RAM.
How do I find out what is causing the issue and solve the problem?

Self promotion: How to free RAM on Android?

Related/possible dupe: How much RAM should I allow an app to use, and how much should I always leave free?


text:
Virtual device in android studio virtual device manager is not play protect certified
I downloaded Android Studio yesterday, so it should be fairly new.
I created 2 virtual devices using latest SDK, version 14 something.
Both device is not play protect certified when I check in:
Play Store --> Profile --> Settings --> About
We can never certify any virtual device in android studio?
How can I certify my virtual device in android studio?

I have never used Android studio but I am aware of MEETS_VIRTUAL_INTEGRITY field in apps testing for integrity
Quoting from Integrity protection for Google Play Games on PC for PC:

The deviceRecognitionVerdict field contains a single value, deviceRecognitionVerdict, that represents how well a device can enforce app integrity

It goes on to describe the different types and relevant to your question

MEETS_VIRTUAL_INTEGRITY: The app is running in a virtual Android environment with Google Play services, currently limited to Google Play Games on PC.

(Emphasis supplied)
Screen shot from TB checker, which I use for checking device integrity, just as FYI

If this answer is not relevant (since I never used Android studio), any reader is welcome to point it out and I will delete it


text:
How do you sync from one calendar account to another?
I am trying to migrate from a broken calendar account (no remote sync access, but the phone has all the data cached locally) to a self-hosted CalDAV calendar (connected to by DAVx).  Both calendar accounts are in DAVx, and both are visible in calendar apps.
Question: How do you export an existing calendar to another calendar on the device?  I have both the "Google Calendar" app and the default Calendar app that comes with LineageOS, but neither appear to support export/import---or at least I cannot find the option.  There are lots of calendar events, so we need to do it in bulk.
With contacts, it is simple: you can export a .vcs to a file and import the .vcs to another contact account with the "Contacts" app.  But with I can't figure out how to do the same thing with a calendar account.
Ideas?

Here is a well-supported and up-to-date solution on F-Droid:

https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.sufficientlysecure.ical/

and this is the project on GitHub:

https://github.com/SufficientlySecure/calendar-import-export

See also this related question:

How to backup the Android calendar file (is there such a file)?


text:
How can I view what file system my SD card has been formatted to?
How can I view what file system my SD card has been formatted to?
e.g. if it has been formatted as FAT12 or FAT16 or FAT32 or NTFS or exFAT


text:
How do I determine frida-server version on device?
I did not push and  frida-server manually on device but I can connect to rooted device with frida-ps and adb enabled. I have magisk and shamiko and Lsposed. Some post suggests that magisk has its own version of frida installed. How do I get details of that installation with frida-tools on my computer?

I discovered that it's possible to emulate the list of processes using frida-ps -U without running frida-server on the android device. Details:
Why you make frida-ps -U return all the process even if the frida-server is not running on the device ?
However you'll need frida server (or frida gadget) if you want to instrument an app
That clarifies that non of my magisk modules run frida and the only server are the ones that I install myself and the frida-boot magisk module (which I did not install either)

Magisk does not include Frida, but there is a Magisk module available which includes frida-server and starts it automatically at boot time.
I don't know if there is a way to check the frida-server version e.g. within a Frida script but you can use the traditional way via adb shell:

Open a new shell via adb shell
Get root permissions by executing su
Check the path of a running frida-server instance via ps: ps -Af | grep frida-server
Use the full path of frida-server shown in the ps output and execute it with the --version option


text:
Multiple DND rules for different schedules
I am looking to have two DND schedules with two different rules as follows:

From 12:00 AM till 7:00 am - No sound for any notification from any application but calls are allowed for everybody.
From 7:00 AM till I stop - No sound, no calls are allowed except for the calls from Favorites contact.

The second one I already have successfully running on my phone but I find no way to have both the schedules running on one phone.
Android gives option to define only one set of DND rule and all the schedules will follow the same rules set.
I am looking for something where I can have two different rule set for two schedules.
As far as I can see and search it is not possible with Android default, or is it in any way?
Or, is there any app which can allow me to do this specific thing? Paid app will also work.

Try [tag:automation]

Please ask for any software recommendations on Software Recommendations SE, as they are off-topic here. See https://softwarerecs.stackexchange.com

Found an amazing in-built way to achieve that.
There is something called Modes and Routines in android where you will find already built Modes, you can create your own ones.
I modified the existing Mode sleep.
This is an amazing feature which allows you to customize almost everything that you want to achieve during certain modes like sleeping, driving etc.
These modes can be made auto activate by defining the timings.
So I modified the Sleep mode to be activated during certain time period and during that mode I defined to switch off the wifi as well as the mobile data.
And these modes work independent of do not disturb.
So now I have a sleep mode running during I sleep which only disable internet and then I have DND running during 7-10 am.
This works like a charm without any external app or any complicated developers' logic building!
This is how my Sleep mode settings look like

Just a note that "Modes and Routines" is Samsung's customization. Other manufacturers may use a different name or not having it at all.


text:
Why is the phone draining battery when the watch is separated?
My wife and I both have Samsung Note20 Ultra5G and Samsung Watch 6 Classic.

I have the 47mm and my wife has the 43mm watch.  We also had E-Sims installed for the watches.
My previous Samsung watch used to last me 3 days, the new one was less than a day.
My wife's went from 2 days to less than a day as well.
Additionally we had to charge our phones several times during the day.
We noticed that when the watch was separated from the phone, the phone battery was discharged much faster.
We went back to Vodafone, and they said of course, it's because of the E-sim.  This is garbage, the point of the E-sim on the watch is that you can leave your phone home and use the watch for phone calls.
Anyway, blaming poorly written software, we have removed the E-sims, my phone and watch has some sanity now, the watch lasts two days (still not 3).

The problem is that my wife's phone still drains battery rapidly (goes from full charge to 10% in 2 hours) when the watch is separated from it.  How can we fix it?

On (the phone's) Settings, have you checked the Battery usage page? It might give an indication which apps are draining the battery.

Have you tried a factory reset of the watch?


text:
Pixel 7 Pro Always on display and tap to check phone stopped working after latest OS update (Android version 14)
I've recently installed the latest upgrade for the Android OS, and since then, the "always on display" and "tap to check phone" features have stopped working. I've tried disabling and reenabling. I've confirmed that I am not on battery saver mode.
Is there anything else I can do? Is there a way to contact Google support? I've tried looking online to no avail.
Things I've already tried and that have not worked:

Force booting phone
Turning off bluetooth
Turning off screensaver
Clear cache and storage for Android Auto
Turning on/off notification for Car Mode in the Android System app.


text:
Home app: cast my screen without all the confirmation steps

I find the Home app the simplest and hassle-free way to mirror phone screen to a videoprojector or tv running Android tv, and the screen-mirroring the simplest way when casting video from a phone (given the limitations of casting directly from a video player, namely subtitles etc).
But I use this very often, devices are all connected to the same wifi, I expect it to start
with one click, and avoid all the confirmation steps I see each time. After opening the app (1st click), selecting "Devices" (2nd click) and then my device (3rd click), another 3 more clicks are needed:

6 in total!
Can that be changed?

As you may have suspected, my Samsung lacks the quick settings (drawer) button for casting.

I don't know if it's available on your device or not, but have you checked the customization of Quick Settings tiles? I found "Screen Cast" on my Pixel 3a, Android 12. Granted, it's probably not from Google Home, but by built-in Android Cast settings.

@AndrewT. - As you may have suspected,  my Samsung lacks that button. When that is present,  it's among the default ones.  When absent,  it cannot be added at all.

@AndrewT. -Oddly, it seems that long-pressing the home button should also show a cast option, or it used to. Not here.

Looking on Google play store for apps that would add a desktop/home cast icon/shortcut, I have found the Cast Menu Widget.
In order to get the quick settings button, the (under 1 euro) paid version of the above tool can be used - or, as said here, one can install Nugat/Oreo Quick Settings.
Both buttons (1st click) will first show the list of available devices (2nd click to select one), then the last confirmation option, "Start now" (3rd and last click).


text:
On a not rooted smartphone, how do I format my SD Card to a file system of my choosing?
On a not rooted smartphone, how do I format my SD Card to a file system of my choosing?
Note that I have ordered an SD card reader so I can put my SD card into my laptop and try formatting it from there. But for now, without an SD card reader / without the ability to put the SD card into my laptop.
I can do
C:\Users\User>adb shell
ocean:/ $

I can even see the contents of the SD Card here
ocean:/sdcard $ ls
ls
Alarms  DCIM     Movies Notifications Podcasts  WhatsApp
Android Download Music  Pictures      Ringtones alt_autocycle
ocean:/sdcard $

I looked here How do I find what type of file system is of an attached USB or SD card?  Currently it's showing as sdcardfs or more specifically vfat (which apparently is FAT12 or FAT16 or FAT32)
I'm interested in formatting it myself and choosing the specific file system.

search for usage of newfs_msdos mkfs.exfat

You can't. In my answer to the question you linked, I mentioned the reason: "Storage devices are enumerated as block devices and device nodes are created with restricted permissions, so that only root processes can access them."

right. I misread "On a rooted smartphone" ;)


text:
Viber on Android - transfer backup from Huawei to Samsung phone
on my old Huawei phone I backed up Viber data (chat history and media) via Viber's Settings/Account/Backup feature. On Huawei there was only the option to backup to Huawei cloud (no option to backup to Google Drive).
Now, I have installed Viber on my other phone (Samsung S21) and there is no restore option in Viber because it is only expecting the backup to be on Google Drive.
Is there any way I can transfer this manually?


text:
How to get rid this purple icon?
The phone is a samsung 21. When I click on the purple icon or just randomly on its own, this screen pops up. It does not matter how many times I drag the icon to the X to remove it, it comes right back.
How do you get rid of this purple icon that opens up ads every time you touch your phone?

I would probably help to known which device model you have and version of OS. Unclear which 'purple icon' you are referring to. If it is the one that looks like the planet Saturn in the center that should be the Samsung Internet app icon. The position is odd so it may be a Samsung customization. See if you can select it an drag it to the bottom / home button there should be a 'X' which will remove it. Alternatively swipe from right or left for a edge menu for possible controls.

It looks like an app icon that got stuck while trying to move - have you restarted the phone since this occurred?

Try: Settings->Apps->Samsung Internet->App Info screen, scroll to bottom to the section named "Advanced" and disable "Appears on Top" and disable "Change system settings" and disable "Picture-in-picture". There is a version number at the bottom, please add it to your question. There is a gear icon at the top of the 'App Info', tap and check the home page URL. Try removing the icon from the home screen/problem locations. If still present go back to the same Samsung Internet 'App Info' screen as earlier and click on 'Force Stop' in bottom menu bar. Report back with details.

@MorrisonChang based on OP's edit, a search for Votiha.com shows it's a luxury yacht service. I would be tempted to think it's a related app or some ad malware but for the fact that icons are different (Votiha vs Saturn) // Stacey, go through your apps list and uninstall any such app//If you can't find any related app, boot into safe mode(Google how to for your device) and if the icon disappears in safe mode, then it is for sure related to some installed app

@beeshyams I agree that something is causing the malware but I doubt a lux yacht service is doing it but some other nefarious app. Such an app may however be using Samsung Internet app (seriously that app has a lot of stuff in its setting including ad blocker plugins which may have been hijacked) as the "front face" so locking that one down is difficult without being in person. To be clear I do agree with your suggested actions.

@MorrisonChang I haven't used a Samsung in ages but you seem to be knowing a lot about them. Probably OP didn't even enable the adb locker plug in (unless it's enabled by default). I appreciate your insights!

After seeing the latest screenshot, looks like it's Samsung Internet app running in picture-in-picture (PIP) mode, hence the partial window and address bar not shown. Tapping the small gray bar at the top of the window will show a small pop-up to modify the PIP mode, including returning it back to full-screen.


text:
Edit Gboard dictionary from a PC or the web
I am using the dictionary in the Gboard app as a text expander app. Is there a way I can add words or edit the dictionary words from a PC?
The reason that I want to do this is because I do not want to introduce a typo.


text:
Log-in to Microsoft 365 apps fails when on wifi only, on some phones
I am playing around with Microsoft Intune enrollment of Android phones, and I have noticed that I am partially able to use Microsoft 365 apps for Android.
I have 2 phones, that are wifi-only.

A fully managed Huawei P10 lite running Android 8
A Fairphone 2 running Android 10 with a work-profile

Both phones can connect to the internet, enrol into Microsoft Intune, install apps.
However, only the Huawei is able to log-in with the Microsoft 365 Office apps, i.e., OneDrive et al.; the Fairphone 2 fails with the error message declaring that no network connection is available.
My Google results are full of similar complaints, however, there's either no possible solution posted, or some seemingly random "tips" such as clearing the app's cache, un-installing and re-installing (an all time Microsoft-support classic), and more various and wonderful actions to take.
I have seen suggestions to change DNS settings to use e.g. the 8.8.8.8 DNS server from Google, however, our guest wifi already uses this DNS; to no avail. While all other apps connect to the internet, Microsoft'S finest 365 apps for Android are blissfully unaware of the available network.
Has anyone from this community some wisdom to share?

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook_com/forum/all/my-phone-app-says-i-dont-have-internet-connection/88010637-227d-4f4f-bfc4-aa9ffac5c139
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/cant-login-to-microsoft-android-apps-with-wifi/52b3a6ed-8f7b-4ddb-92d8-a907b87cfd92
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/office-apps-on-android-problem-on-wifi/2e891a9f-9784-45b9-8a00-5c9513448dd3


text:
Deleted complete OS from my Lenovo tablet
I was trying to root my Lenovo tablet x505x using Magisk patch image file method.And then I accidentally deleted my TWRP backup and now my Lenovo tab has no recovery or OS.
I downloaded the firmware file from the software (official Rescue and smart assistant) and extracted the boot,system,recovery image files and flashed them to my tablet using adb. When in fastboot mode .The image files are being sent to the tablet and are even getting flashed without any error but the thing is they are not getting correctly flashed into the tablet because the boot loop is just being repeated again and again.
Boot loader state --- Unlocked

Device: https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/in/en/products/TABLETS/M-SERIES-TABLETS/TAB-M10-HD/ZA4K/ZA4K0017IN/

flash boot_a + recovery_a + system_a from fastboot, set slot a active

@alecxs
do you mean rename the file name and flash them?

When you boot into fastboot mode adb will not work. I assume from fastboot/bootloader you selected "boot into recovery" which ends fastboot mode. Which adb commands did you execute to install the images? As your tablet seem to be bootloader unlocked you should be able to directly flash the images files via fastboot flash <destination_partition_name> <partition_image_file_name>

@Robert I used the command  'fastboot flash recovery recovery.img'

And alecxs suggested to trybto flash IT to recovery_a instead of  recovery. It would be best of you would edit your question and include the commands you have expected and their output (as Text, Not as screenshot).


text:
When restoring Termux from a backup, how can I specify which shell Termux to use (sh or bash) and how to specify which init files this shell to use?
Because the shell(s) below of Termux are throwing error continously which cannot be canceled with ctrl-c or other means - due to a vim which cannot find/read .vimrc - and since shell actions in Failsafe mode are also of no help, I am looking for a way to control from outside of Termux what Termux will do after it is launched. Regards.


text:
All QDL tools won't see hard-bricked moto g8 power when trying blankflash
I am trying to unbrick my hard-bricked Moto G8 Power, but with all the blankflash tools I have used, the only response is:
< waiting for device >

When running lsusb, the phone shows up as:
Bus 001 Device 009: ID 05c6:9008 Qualcomm, Inc. Gobi Wireless Modem (QDL mode)

I aspect to need the rawprogram* and patch*.xml files, but I haven't been able to find any.
Any solution?

"All QDL tools" - what tool? what cmd?

Running LM 21.2 and Debian 10 under ChromeOS (both same result) and these tools: https://mirrors.lolinet.com/firmware/motorola/sofia/blankflash/ and https://github.com/linux-msm/qdl


text:
What is the difference between ‘used’ and ‘visited’ an app on google Activity page?
I’ve seen these two entries whilst looking at my google Activity page and just wanted to know the difference? I assume ‘used’ means I actually opened the app and used it so what would ‘visited’ an app mean?

"Used" means you opened and used the app, which implies you had it installed at the time.
"Visited" means you went to the app's page on the Play Store, or, presumably, another app store. This can be of interest to parents who want to keep track of their children's apps and usage, as described here.


text:
How to disable bloatware for secondary users?
I have a rooted Samsung A7 Lite tablet. I rooted it and installed Ice Box from Google Play store. It is given root access in Magisk and I use it to disable some Samsung bloatware.
However I realize that these apps are installed on the secondary user that I created. In the secondary user, Magisk app does not detect root status and Ice Box cannot obtain root access either. Non root mode of Ice Box doesn't work either because that requires that there is no additional users (according to its doc) so that defeats the purpose.
I wonder if there's a way to disable the bloatware in the secondary user from the owner user, or delete them completely.

To enable root on the secondary user:

In Magisk settings → multi user mode, select user-independent.
Install Magisk Manager only on secondary user (in case, it's not present) , optionally reboot and check if secondary user has root.

You can then use Ice Box to debloat.

On my device, Magisk was already installed in the secondary user. Before setting it to user-independent, it did not work in the secondary user (that it did not detect the root). After changing this setting as suggested in this answer, once switched to the secondary user, Magisk can detect root and can grant root access to apps that request for it.

Thanks. Edited the answer to add your input


text:
How to mount my USB-C pen drive in Android 12
I am running Android 12 on a Realme 8 5G phone. I've tried inserting a USB-C pen drive into the USB-C port I usually use to charge my phone. According to some websites, I should get a notification showing me that the pen drive has been mounted. However, this is not happening. In fact, the phone does not even make a beep when I insert the USB-C pen drive.
I don't even know whether the media on the pen drive is formatted, and in particular whether it is formatted for use with Android. I bought the pen drive for use with my phone. I would like to back up some internal storage or Google Drive files to the pen drive.
Here is some Termux output.
$ mount

/dev/block/dm-15 on / type erofs (ro,seclabel,relatime,user_xattr,acl,cache_strategy=readaround)
tmpfs on /dev type tmpfs (rw,seclabel,nosuid,relatime,size=2859064k,nr_inodes=714766,mode=755)
devpts on /dev/pts type devpts (rw,seclabel,relatime,mode=600,ptmxmode=000)
none on /dev/blkio type cgroup (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,relatime,blkio)
none on /dev/cpuctl type cgroup (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,relatime,cpu)
none on /dev/cpuset type cgroup (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,relatime,cpuset,noprefix,release_agent=/sbin/cpuset_release_agent)
none on /dev/memcg type cgroup (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,relatime,memory)
none on /dev/stune type cgroup (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,relatime,schedtune)
binder on /dev/binderfs type binder (rw,relatime,max=1048576,stats=global)
adb on /dev/usb-ffs/adb type functionfs (rw,relatime)
mtp on /dev/usb-ffs/mtp type functionfs (rw,relatime)
ptp on /dev/usb-ffs/ptp type functionfs (rw,relatime)
none on /dev/freezer type cgroup (rw,relatime,freezer)
proc on /proc type proc (rw,relatime,gid=3009,hidepid=2)
sysfs on /sys type sysfs (rw,seclabel,relatime)
selinuxfs on /sys/fs/selinux type selinuxfs (rw,relatime)
none on /sys/fs/cgroup type cgroup2 (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,relatime)
tracefs on /sys/kernel/tracing type tracefs (rw,seclabel,relatime)
none on /sys/fs/fuse/connections type fusectl (rw,relatime)
bpf on /sys/fs/bpf type bpf (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,relatime)
pstore on /sys/fs/pstore type pstore (rw,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noexec,relatime)
tmpfs on /mnt type tmpfs (rw,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noexec,relatime,size=2859064k,nr_inodes=714766,mode=755,gid=1000)
/dev/block/dm-4 on /mnt/vendor/my_product type erofs (ro,seclabel,relatime,user_xattr,acl,cache_strategy=readaround)
/dev/block/dm-5 on /mnt/vendor/my_engineering type erofs (ro,seclabel,relatime,user_xattr,acl,cache_strategy=readaround)
/dev/block/dm-8 on /mnt/vendor/my_company type ext4 (ro,seclabel,relatime)
/dev/block/dm-9 on /mnt/vendor/my_carrier type erofs (ro,seclabel,relatime,user_xattr,acl,cache_strategy=readaround)
/dev/block/dm-10 on /mnt/vendor/my_region type erofs (ro,seclabel,relatime,user_xattr,acl,cache_strategy=readaround)
/dev/block/dm-7 on /mnt/vendor/my_heytap type erofs (ro,seclabel,relatime,user_xattr,acl,cache_strategy=readaround)
/dev/block/dm-6 on /mnt/vendor/my_stock type erofs (ro,seclabel,relatime,user_xattr,acl,cache_strategy=readaround)
/dev/block/dm-11 on /mnt/vendor/my_preload type ext4 (ro,seclabel,relatime)
/dev/block/dm-14 on /mnt/vendor/my_bigball type erofs (ro,seclabel,relatime,user_xattr,acl,cache_strategy=readaround)
/dev/block/dm-12 on /mnt/vendor/my_manifest type erofs (ro,seclabel,relatime,user_xattr,acl,cache_strategy=readaround)
/dev/block/by-name/oplusreserve2 on /mnt/vendor/oplusreserve type ext4 (rw,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noatime,data=ordered)
/dev/block/by-name/oplusreserve2 on /mnt/oplus/op2 type ext4 (rw,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noatime,data=ordered)
tmpfs on /mnt/installer type tmpfs (rw,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noexec,relatime,size=2859064k,nr_inodes=714766,mode=755,gid=1000)
/dev/fuse on /mnt/installer/0/emulated type fuse (rw,lazytime,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,user_id=0,group_id=0,allow_other)
/data/media on /mnt/installer/0/emulated/0/Android/data type sdcardfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,fsuid=1023,fsgid=1023,gid=1015,multiuser,mask=6,derive_gid,default_normal,unshared_obb)
/data/media on /mnt/installer/0/emulated/0/Android/obb type sdcardfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,fsuid=1023,fsgid=1023,gid=9997,multiuser,mask=7,derive_gid,default_normal,unshared_obb)
/data/media on /mnt/installer/0/emulated/999/Android/data type sdcardfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,fsuid=1023,fsgid=1023,gid=1015,multiuser,mask=6,derive_gid,default_normal,unshared_obb)
/dev/fuse on /mnt/installer/999/emulated type fuse (rw,lazytime,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,user_id=0,group_id=0,allow_other)
/data/media on /mnt/installer/999/emulated/999/Android/data type sdcardfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,fsuid=1023,fsgid=1023,gid=1015,multiuser,mask=6,derive_gid,default_normal,unshared_obb)
/data/media on /mnt/installer/999/emulated/999/Android/obb type sdcardfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,fsuid=1023,fsgid=1023,gid=9997,multiuser,mask=7,derive_gid,default_normal,unshared_obb)
tmpfs on /mnt/androidwritable type tmpfs (rw,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noexec,relatime,size=2859064k,nr_inodes=714766,mode=755,gid=1000)
/dev/fuse on /mnt/androidwritable/0/emulated type fuse (rw,lazytime,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,user_id=0,group_id=0,allow_other)
/data/media on /mnt/androidwritable/0/emulated/0/Android/data type sdcardfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,fsuid=1023,fsgid=1023,gid=1015,multiuser,mask=6,derive_gid,default_normal,unshared_obb)
/data/media on /mnt/androidwritable/0/emulated/0/Android/obb type sdcardfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,fsuid=1023,fsgid=1023,gid=1015,multiuser,mask=6,derive_gid,default_normal,unshared_obb)
/data/media on /mnt/androidwritable/0/emulated/999/Android/data type sdcardfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,fsuid=1023,fsgid=1023,gid=1015,multiuser,mask=6,derive_gid,default_normal,unshared_obb)
/dev/fuse on /mnt/androidwritable/999/emulated type fuse (rw,lazytime,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,user_id=0,group_id=0,allow_other)
/data/media on /mnt/androidwritable/999/emulated/999/Android/data type sdcardfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,fsuid=1023,fsgid=1023,gid=1015,multiuser,mask=6,derive_gid,default_normal,unshared_obb)
/data/media on /mnt/androidwritable/999/emulated/999/Android/obb type sdcardfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,fsuid=1023,fsgid=1023,gid=1015,multiuser,mask=6,derive_gid,default_normal,unshared_obb)
/dev/block/by-name/protect1 on /mnt/vendor/protect_f type ext4 (rw,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noatime,nodelalloc,noauto_da_alloc,commit=1,data=ordered)
/dev/block/by-name/protect2 on /mnt/vendor/protect_s type ext4 (rw,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noatime,nodelalloc,noauto_da_alloc,commit=1,data=ordered)
/dev/block/by-name/nvdata on /mnt/vendor/nvdata type ext4 (rw,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noatime,nodelalloc,noauto_da_alloc,commit=1,data=ordered)
/dev/block/by-name/nvcfg on /mnt/vendor/nvcfg type ext4 (rw,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noatime,nodelalloc,noauto_da_alloc,commit=1,data=ordered)
/dev/block/by-name/persist on /mnt/vendor/persist type ext4 (rw,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noatime,nodelalloc,noauto_da_alloc,commit=1,data=ordered)
/data/media on /mnt/runtime/default/emulated type sdcardfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,fsuid=1023,fsgid=1023,gid=1015,multiuser,mask=6,derive_gid,default_normal,unshared_obb)
/data/media on /mnt/runtime/read/emulated type sdcardfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,fsuid=1023,fsgid=1023,gid=9997,multiuser,mask=23,derive_gid,default_normal,unshared_obb)
/data/media on /mnt/runtime/write/emulated type sdcardfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,fsuid=1023,fsgid=1023,gid=9997,multiuser,mask=7,derive_gid,default_normal,unshared_obb)
/data/media on /mnt/runtime/full/emulated type sdcardfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,fsuid=1023,fsgid=1023,gid=9997,multiuser,mask=7,derive_gid,default_normal,unshared_obb)
/dev/fuse on /mnt/user/0/emulated type fuse (rw,lazytime,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,user_id=0,group_id=0,allow_other)
/data/media on /mnt/user/0/emulated/0/Android/data type sdcardfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,fsuid=1023,fsgid=1023,gid=1015,multiuser,mask=6,derive_gid,default_normal,unshared_obb)
/data/media on /mnt/user/0/emulated/0/Android/obb type sdcardfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,fsuid=1023,fsgid=1023,gid=1015,multiuser,mask=6,derive_gid,default_normal,unshared_obb)
/data/media on /mnt/user/0/emulated/999/Android/data type sdcardfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,fsuid=1023,fsgid=1023,gid=1015,multiuser,mask=6,derive_gid,default_normal,unshared_obb)
/data/media on /mnt/pass_through/0/emulated type sdcardfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,fsuid=1023,fsgid=1023,gid=9997,multiuser,mask=7,derive_gid,default_normal,unshared_obb)
/dev/fuse on /mnt/user/999/emulated type fuse (rw,lazytime,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,user_id=0,group_id=0,allow_other)
/data/media on /mnt/user/999/emulated/999/Android/data type sdcardfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,fsuid=1023,fsgid=1023,gid=1015,multiuser,mask=6,derive_gid,default_normal,unshared_obb)
/data/media on /mnt/user/999/emulated/999/Android/obb type sdcardfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,fsuid=1023,fsgid=1023,gid=1015,multiuser,mask=6,derive_gid,default_normal,unshared_obb)
/data/media on /mnt/pass_through/999/emulated type sdcardfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,fsuid=1023,fsgid=1023,gid=9997,multiuser,mask=7,derive_gid,default_normal,unshared_obb)
/dev/block/by-name/metadata on /metadata type ext4 (rw,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noatime,discard,data=ordered)
/dev/block/dm-16 on /vendor type erofs (ro,seclabel,relatime,user_xattr,acl,cache_strategy=readaround)
/dev/block/dm-17 on /product type ext4 (ro,seclabel,relatime)
overlay-overlay on /product/app type overlay (ro,seclabel,noatime,lowerdir=/mnt/vendor/my_region/app:/mnt/vendor/my_product/app:/mnt/vendor/my_heytap/app:/mnt/vendor/my_stock/app:/mnt/vendor/my_engineering/app:/product/app,override_creds=off)
overlay-overlay on /product/priv-app type overlay (ro,seclabel,noatime,lowerdir=/mnt/vendor/my_region/priv-app:/mnt/vendor/my_product/priv-app:/mnt/vendor/my_heytap/priv-app:/mnt/vendor/my_stock/priv-app:/mnt/vendor/my_engineering/priv-app:/product/priv-app,override_creds=off)
overlay-overlay on /product/lib64 type overlay (ro,seclabel,noatime,lowerdir=/mnt/vendor/my_region/lib64:/mnt/vendor/my_product/lib64:/mnt/vendor/my_heytap/lib64:/mnt/vendor/my_stock/lib64:/product/lib64,override_creds=off)
overlay-overlay on /product/lib type overlay (ro,seclabel,noatime,lowerdir=/mnt/vendor/my_region/lib:/mnt/vendor/my_product/lib:/mnt/vendor/my_heytap/lib:/mnt/vendor/my_stock/lib:/product/lib,override_creds=off)
overlay-overlay on /product/overlay type overlay (ro,seclabel,noatime,lowerdir=/mnt/vendor/my_region/overlay:/mnt/vendor/my_product/overlay:/mnt/vendor/my_heytap/overlay:/mnt/vendor/my_stock/overlay:/mnt/vendor/my_engineering/overlay:/product/overlay,override_creds=off)
overlay on /product/etc/permissions type overlay (ro,seclabel,relatime,lowerdir=/mnt/vendor/my_product/product_overlay/etc/permissions/:/product/etc/permissions/,override_creds=off)
overlay on /product/framework type overlay (ro,seclabel,relatime,lowerdir=/mnt/vendor/my_product/product_overlay/framework/:/product/framework/,override_creds=off)
/dev/block/dm-18 on /system_ext type erofs (ro,seclabel,relatime,user_xattr,acl,cache_strategy=readaround)
/dev/block/dm-3 on /odm type erofs (ro,seclabel,relatime,user_xattr,acl,cache_strategy=readaround)
tmpfs on /apex type tmpfs (rw,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noexec,relatime,size=2859064k,nr_inodes=714766,mode=755)
/dev/block/loop4 on /apex/com.android.appsearch@300000000 type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/loop4 on /apex/com.android.appsearch type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/loop5 on /apex/com.android.apex.cts.shim@1 type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/loop5 on /apex/com.android.apex.cts.shim type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/loop6 on /apex/com.android.i18n@1 type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/loop6 on /apex/com.android.i18n type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/loop7 on /apex/com.android.wifi@319999900 type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/loop7 on /apex/com.android.wifi type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-22 on /apex/com.android.extservices@341131030 type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-22 on /apex/com.android.extservices type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/loop10 on /apex/com.android.vndk.v31@1 type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/loop10 on /apex/com.android.vndk.v31 type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-23 on /apex/com.android.art@341110062 type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-23 on /apex/com.android.art type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-24 on /apex/com.android.permission@341110010 type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-24 on /apex/com.android.permission type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-25 on /apex/com.android.conscrypt@341110002 type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-25 on /apex/com.android.conscrypt type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-26 on /apex/com.android.tzdata@313110000 type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-26 on /apex/com.android.tzdata type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/loop14 on /apex/com.android.runtime@1 type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/loop14 on /apex/com.android.runtime type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/loop15 on /apex/com.android.vndk.v30@1 type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/loop15 on /apex/com.android.vndk.v30 type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-27 on /apex/com.android.scheduling@340819220 type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-27 on /apex/com.android.scheduling type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-28 on /apex/com.android.os.statsd@341114000 type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-28 on /apex/com.android.os.statsd type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-29 on /apex/com.android.media@341111002 type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-29 on /apex/com.android.media type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-30 on /apex/com.android.mediaprovider@341111020 type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-30 on /apex/com.android.mediaprovider type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-31 on /apex/com.android.adbd@340912202 type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-31 on /apex/com.android.adbd type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-32 on /apex/com.android.media.swcodec@341111002 type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-32 on /apex/com.android.media.swcodec type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-33 on /apex/com.android.neuralnetworks@341010000 type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-33 on /apex/com.android.neuralnetworks type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-34 on /apex/com.android.cellbroadcast@341110000 type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-34 on /apex/com.android.cellbroadcast type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-35 on /apex/com.android.ipsec@340914200 type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-35 on /apex/com.android.ipsec type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-36 on /apex/com.android.tethering@341112070 type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-36 on /apex/com.android.tethering type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/loop26 on /apex/com.google.mainline.primary.libs@311820000 type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-37 on /apex/com.google.mainline.primary.libs@341177000 type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-38 on /apex/com.android.resolv@341110000 type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-38 on /apex/com.android.resolv type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-39 on /apex/com.android.sdkext@341110000 type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
/dev/block/dm-39 on /apex/com.android.sdkext type ext4 (ro,dirsync,seclabel,nodev,noatime)
tmpfs on /apex/apex-info-list.xml type tmpfs (rw,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noexec,relatime,size=2859064k,nr_inodes=714766,mode=755)
tmpfs on /linkerconfig type tmpfs (rw,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noexec,relatime,size=2859064k,nr_inodes=714766,mode=755)
tmpfs on /linkerconfig type tmpfs (rw,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noexec,relatime,size=2859064k,nr_inodes=714766,mode=755)
none on /config type configfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,relatime)
/dev/block/dm-4 on /my_product type erofs (ro,seclabel,relatime,user_xattr,acl,cache_strategy=readaround)
/dev/block/dm-5 on /my_engineering type erofs (ro,seclabel,relatime,user_xattr,acl,cache_strategy=readaround)
/dev/block/dm-8 on /my_company type ext4 (ro,seclabel,relatime)
/dev/block/dm-9 on /my_carrier type erofs (ro,seclabel,relatime,user_xattr,acl,cache_strategy=readaround)
/dev/block/dm-10 on /my_region type erofs (ro,seclabel,relatime,user_xattr,acl,cache_strategy=readaround)
/dev/block/dm-7 on /my_heytap type erofs (ro,seclabel,relatime,user_xattr,acl,cache_strategy=readaround)
/dev/block/dm-6 on /my_stock type erofs (ro,seclabel,relatime,user_xattr,acl,cache_strategy=readaround)
/dev/block/dm-11 on /my_preload type ext4 (ro,seclabel,relatime)
/dev/block/dm-14 on /my_bigball type erofs (ro,seclabel,relatime,user_xattr,acl,cache_strategy=readaround)
/dev/block/dm-12 on /my_manifest type erofs (ro,seclabel,relatime,user_xattr,acl,cache_strategy=readaround)
/dev/block/by-name/cache on /cache type ext4 (rw,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noatime,discard,noauto_da_alloc,data=ordered)
/dev/block/dm-21 on /data type f2fs (rw,lazytime,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noatime,background_gc=on,discard,no_heap,user_xattr,inline_xattr,acl,inline_data,inline_dentry,extent_cache,mode=adaptive,active_logs=6,reserve_root=55436,resuid=0,resgid=1065,inlinecrypt,alloc_mode=default,fsync_mode=nobarrier)
/dev/block/dm-21 on /data/user/0 type f2fs (rw,lazytime,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noatime,background_gc=on,discard,no_heap,user_xattr,inline_xattr,acl,inline_data,inline_dentry,extent_cache,mode=adaptive,active_logs=6,reserve_root=55436,resuid=0,resgid=1065,inlinecrypt,alloc_mode=default,fsync_mode=nobarrier)
/dev/block/by-name/oplusreserve2 on /data/persist_log/oplusreserve/media/log/shutdown type ext4 (rw,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noatime,data=ordered)
/dev/block/by-name/oplusreserve2 on /data/persist_log/oplusreserve/media/log/hang_oplus type ext4 (rw,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noatime,data=ordered)
/dev/block/by-name/oplusreserve2 on /data/persist_log/cache/factory type ext4 (rw,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noatime,data=ordered)
/dev/block/by-name/oplusreserve2 on /data/persist_log/criticallog type ext4 (rw,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noatime,data=ordered)
/dev/block/by-name/oplusreserve2 on /data/persist_log/oplusreserve/media/log/minidumpbackup type ext4 (rw,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noatime,data=ordered)
/data/incremental/MT_data_app_vmdl181/backing_store on /data/incremental/MT_data_app_vmdl181/mount type incremental-fs (rw,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noatime,read_timeout_ms=10000,readahead=0)
/data/incremental/MT_data_app_vmdl181/backing_store on /data/app/~~Es7HI3jynEtlItXob1h4sw== type incremental-fs (rw,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noatime,read_timeout_ms=10000,readahead=0)
tmpfs on /data_mirror type tmpfs (rw,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noexec,relatime,size=2859064k,nr_inodes=714766,mode=700,gid=1000)
/dev/block/dm-21 on /data_mirror/data_ce/null type f2fs (rw,lazytime,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noatime,background_gc=on,discard,no_heap,user_xattr,inline_xattr,acl,inline_data,inline_dentry,extent_cache,mode=adaptive,active_logs=6,reserve_root=55436,resuid=0,resgid=1065,inlinecrypt,alloc_mode=default,fsync_mode=nobarrier)
/dev/block/dm-21 on /data_mirror/data_ce/null/0 type f2fs (rw,lazytime,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noatime,background_gc=on,discard,no_heap,user_xattr,inline_xattr,acl,inline_data,inline_dentry,extent_cache,mode=adaptive,active_logs=6,reserve_root=55436,resuid=0,resgid=1065,inlinecrypt,alloc_mode=default,fsync_mode=nobarrier)
/dev/block/dm-21 on /data_mirror/data_de/null type f2fs (rw,lazytime,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noatime,background_gc=on,discard,no_heap,user_xattr,inline_xattr,acl,inline_data,inline_dentry,extent_cache,mode=adaptive,active_logs=6,reserve_root=55436,resuid=0,resgid=1065,inlinecrypt,alloc_mode=default,fsync_mode=nobarrier)
/dev/block/dm-21 on /data_mirror/cur_profiles type f2fs (rw,lazytime,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noatime,background_gc=on,discard,no_heap,user_xattr,inline_xattr,acl,inline_data,inline_dentry,extent_cache,mode=adaptive,active_logs=6,reserve_root=55436,resuid=0,resgid=1065,inlinecrypt,alloc_mode=default,fsync_mode=nobarrier)
/dev/block/dm-21 on /data_mirror/ref_profiles type f2fs (rw,lazytime,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noatime,background_gc=on,discard,no_heap,user_xattr,inline_xattr,acl,inline_data,inline_dentry,extent_cache,mode=adaptive,active_logs=6,reserve_root=55436,resuid=0,resgid=1065,inlinecrypt,alloc_mode=default,fsync_mode=nobarrier)
tmpfs on /storage type tmpfs (rw,seclabel,nosuid,nodev,noexec,relatime,size=2859064k,nr_inodes=714766,mode=755,gid=1000)
/dev/fuse on /storage/emulated type fuse (rw,lazytime,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,user_id=0,group_id=0,allow_other)
/data/media on /storage/emulated/0/Android/data type sdcardfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,fsuid=1023,fsgid=1023,gid=1015,multiuser,mask=6,derive_gid,default_normal,unshared_obb)
/data/media on /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb type sdcardfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,fsuid=1023,fsgid=1023,gid=1015,multiuser,mask=6,derive_gid,default_normal,unshared_obb)
/data/media on /storage/emulated/999/Android/data type sdcardfs (rw,nosuid,nodev,noexec,noatime,fsuid=1023,fsgid=1023,gid=1015,multiuser,mask=6,derive_gid,default_normal,unshared_obb)

$ mount|grep usb
adb on /dev/usb-ffs/adb type functionfs (rw,relatime)
mtp on /dev/usb-ffs/mtp type functionfs (rw,relatime)
ptp on /dev/usb-ffs/ptp type functionfs (rw,relatime)

Alternatively, how can I format or copy files to my USB pen drive from Android?
Thanks.
My pen drive is not showing in file manager:

EDIT: I have searched for OTG (on-the-go) settings in the settings, and have enabled it, as shown below (not sure if this is the USB OTG or something else, can someone please help me, thanks).

However, even after snacking this option I cannot see my pen drive in the stock Files app that came with my phone.

https://www.easeus.com/computer-instruction/sd-card-file-system-for-android.html Please check it and format accordingly, if needed, using another device.

Ok so Android uses FAT32 or exFAT file system. But how do I format the file system on my USB stick (not SD card), from Android? Is it possible. The tutorial does not say how to do it.

Can you please help me? I don't have a computer, but I want to transfer some files from my phone to USB.

You first have to check if USB OTG is enabled at all: https://www.realme.com/in/support/kw/doc/2072113 If it is enabled and you don't get any notification when inserting the pen drive then that pen drive can not be used by your phone. Connected to a PC it may be possible it reformat and check the pen drive but as you don't have access to a PC this is not an option for you.

Hi. I'm not using an OTG cable (as a matter of fact I do not have one). I'm plugging the USB C pen drive directly into the phone. Am I doing it wrong?

Why can't I format the pen drive from the smartphone?


text:
Checking via a script whether a given app is prohibited from installation on a given device?
(NOTE: the text of this question has been updated to make it much clearer than before as to what I'm actually looking for).
I'm running stock Android 11 on one device and stock Android 13 on another device.
I'd like to write a command-line script (not a Java-implemented app) that can run on both of these systems and on many other Android devices/OS's, and which can check whether or not a given app would be prohibited from installation via the Play Store on the specific device where the script is running.
To be clear, I am not simply interested in whether the app exists in the Play Store on the web. I'm looking for something more specific:
Some apps that exist in the Play Store on the web for general installation might be prohibited for installation on a specific, particular device. This could be for security reasons (e.g., DEVICE integrity is not being reported on the device), or it could be because the device's Android version is too low, or there could possibly be other reasons. In these cases, the app does not even show up in the device's Play Store when searching for it to be installed, although the same app will indeed show up in a Play Store search on other devices that do not have these kinds of issues.
I want to be able to somehow query the current device's Play Store installation (not the generic, web-accessible Play Store pages) to see whether the given app might be prohibited for installation on the current device.
One example is the Netflix app. If the phone does not report DEVICE-level integrity, the user will not even see Netflix as existing when searching it in the Play Store on that particular device.
This is the case I'm trying to find a solution for.
For example, let's assume for the purpose of this discussion that the app happens to indeed be Netflix. That particular app's package name is "com.netflix.mediaclient". If my proposed script is named "app-in-playstore.sh", I'd like to be able to do the following, and have the script print either "false" or "true" to stdout, depending on whether or not this Netflix app is prohibited from installation via the Play Store on the device upon which the script is running, or whether its installation is indeed allowed on that particular device ...
/system/bin/sh app-in-playstore.sh com.netflix.mediaclient

(or perhaps preceded with "su -c" on a rooted device).
If the current device is reporting DEVICE integrity at the moment this script is being run, the script should print "true", because Netflix would indeed show up in the device's Play Store as installable.
If the current device is not reporting DEVICE integrity at the moment this script is being run, the script should print "false", because Netflix would not show up in the device's Play Store as installable.
To be clear, this isn't solely related to Netflix. I'm just using it as an example here, because I happen to know that it indeed will not show up in the Play Store if the phone is not reporting DEVICE integrity. I'm sure there are other apps that are treated similarly, and I want my script to be able to identify these other apps in the same way.
Is writing such a script possible? And if so, how could it be accomplished?
Thank you very much in advance.

If an app is installable or not is determined by Play Store on server side, thus it is not accessible for a script. Even for an app it is very very complicated. See Aurora Store Sources (and even Aurora Store doesn't manage to get all apps Play Store app can download). The only way I see for you is to open the Play Store app with the app to be installed in an automated way and then parse the UI elements if the install button is available. Not sure what software can be used to do so.

Thank  you, @Robert. I was afraid that this might be the case. I already do something similar with UI parsing to go to the Play Store Developer options and query the reported device integrity via a combination of Tasker and AutoInput, and I guess this would be the best that I could do in this case, also.  Oh well ... (sigh) ...

Based on the helpful comment by @Robert, it looks like the only way I could automate the checking of whether or not Google will prohibit the installation of a given Web-store-resident app on a given device of a given user would be to make use of "uiautomation"-based interaction with the Play Store screen on the device itself.
This could be done via the uiautomation utility itself, or also via Tasker working with AutoInput.
I was hoping to avoid that kind of solution, but perhaps I'm stuck with it.
In any case, I'll leave this question open, in case some new information might come this way in the future that could possibly help with this.


text:
Adb refuses to see my phone, lsusb has no problems
After installing android-tools-adb and android-tools-fastboot from a ppa and adding:
SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTR{idVendor}=="18d1", MODE="0666", GROUP="plugdev", SYMLINK+="android%n"

to /etc/udev/rules.d/51-android.rules (plus chmod a+r ...), and 0x18d1 to ~/.android/adb_usb.ini, after issuing:
$ sudo udevadm control --reload-rules
$ sudo service udev restart
$ sudo udevadm trigger

adb devices still refuses to see anything (with or without sudo). It doesn't matter if I start with VolUp in Recovery mode, or not, nothing happens (restarts included). The problem is, somewhere along the road I performed a factory reset, so now I'm stuck on the FRP screen (papers, along with the darn PIN, not available anymore). Since lsusb has no problems, I have to deduce that the cable is not the problem. However, fastboot seems to work (if I get into the menu), but I can't do anything with it.
Unfortunately, USB debugging was not enabled prior to this, and from what I read there is a way to enable it, but that implies adb seeing my phone (as if with a "broken screen"). OTOH, by and large I see that USB debugging must be enabled in order for adb to work. That's very confusing.
I'm out of ideas. Is there anything else that can be done? Contacting seller & co are out of the question -- this was a gift, long time ago, moved out.

AFAIK you can't run adbwithout enabling user debugging Even if you could you are stuck with FRP not allowing you to log into your device

@beeshyams One of the several answers I found was this. There were several others in the same line but, it's also true that the majority of the answers seemed to agree with you. However, you can see the confusion. Because if it is possible then flashing should be possible from the recovery menu (don't care about the FRP). But, if I knew... Also, in that answer it says to mount data but that no longer exists due to factory reset, I think (bummer).

@aconcernedcitizen The mentioned adb commands in those answers are to be used with a custom recovery ROM with adb support. Such a custom ROM requires an bootloader unlocked device.

@beeshyams In the meantime I found this but, even if I can't find the RSA Certificate, as the post in there mentions, it seems incomplete: why go through the trouble of modifying the SU Update thing if nothing happens with it? And if it does, what? Because in the recovery menu, if I issue Apply update from ADB, adb can see the phone as "sideload". So, some hopes?


text:
How do I change the default folder for the Facebook app download location?
When I save a photo from the FB app, it gets saved to the Facebook folder $EXTERNAL_STORAGE/DCIM/Facebook/. I want to change this folder destination to my pictures folder $EXTERNAL_STORAGE/PICTURES/Facebook/. One would think this would be obvious for FB.
I've checked Android settings, Facebook app settings and Googled for both, but can't find anything certain. I'm not sure if it's a Facebook thing or a samsung thing. Here is a kicker for you; in a weird way when saving a meme from Memories in the FB app, it once in a while saves that picture, by default to Pictures/Facebook. For most of the time, pics get saved to DCIM/Facebook by default. As if FB can't make up its mind. Photos of which I'm talking about are all memes.
I managed to find and change the default location for my screenshots from $EXTERNAL_STORAGE/DCIM/Screenshots to $EXTERNAL_STORAGE/PICTURES/Screenshots in Android settings. And this got me thinking, can I do the same for my FB downloads folder?
I don't use FB for taking photos or videos. I'm not looking to move or sync my photos to another folder. I'm looking for a solution of changing the the folder destination like I did with the Screenshots folder. This would avoid having to move or sync my files to another folder altogether.
Samsung A13, Android 13
Thank you in advance.

I don't use that app. However you can try to sync images from that folder to another folder in your desired location, using an app like folder sync. You can configure it to delete images at source as also set up a schedule sync//It's an excellent app and I use it often to sync folders from cloud


text:
How to access photos and videos stored inside Google Photos "Locked Folder" using adb?
I would like to take the backup of all photos and videos stored inside google photo's "Locked folder".
I use adb to pull out files from my android. And i would like to seemlessly pull media from the locked folder using adb and then delete them from my phone.
Any way to do it, without moving the media out of "Locked Folder" first?

In my understanding the purpose of "locking" images is to make them only available within the app itself. As Google knows how to implements such a feature in a secure way there shouldn't be a way to access those images outside of the Photos app (may be with root, but I don't know how exactly locked images are stored).


text:
Parental control of screentime on webOS-based smart TV using (Samsung) Android phone
I've got an LG Smart TV (webOS - not Android), hardwired to the router and I have a Samsung Galaxy A54 phone.  What I thought would be a straightforward IoT service to allow you to set/pause internet-screentime of the LG SmartTV, ideally from anywhere, using the phone, appears difficult/impossible. In summary, this is what I have tried.

Using the router settings (access via 192.168.1.1). This provided very crude settings of time limits in blocks of 1 hour, that can be applied to the SmartTV-internet connection.  When I set these times, they worked somewhat randomly (not triggering at the exact set times or not triggering at all).  Also, there is no app for the phone, and access is only while using the network and using a web portal (e.g. Chrome/Edge) while on the network.

Googling this question mostly brings up links to Parental Control of Android devices (LG is webOS-based).  I tried to use the Android Parental Control app on my phone.  It appears the app wants to pair with a device that has the app installed.  However, the LG webOS is not Android-compatible.

Looked for apps on the LG webOS shop to control the internet connection.  This did not provide any obvious solutions.

I've run out of ideas.  Is there any solution (hardware, software, or combination) where I can control the screen time of Internet TV?
[I am happy to consider using a hardware item (e.g. Chromecast) to put between the router and the TV if such a solution is available/possible]

I'm sorry, this question is off-topic on this SE.  You may want to try Hardware Recommendations SE or Software Recommendations SE, but it will be a bit tricky as there is no "Hardware or Software Recommendations SE".  Perhaps with a little editing, you can post a topic-specific version of your question on each.  I hope you find good answers to your question.

I think this question has enough detail to generalize the question instead of asking specifically for hardware/software solutions. However, looks like the main topic is the webOS-based smart TV, which might be an issue due to the lack of experts in the Android community. I don't know if our sister site for general computing hardware, [su] may accept this question or not.


text:
Multiple notifications
This started with the latest update about a month ago. It first started with getting no notifications. Now i get multiple notifications for each email. They used to be grouped together.  Samsung s23. One email account, one app.

Possibly related/dupe: Why am I getting a separate notification for each incoming e-mail? (not answered yet)


text:
How to fix bootloop after flashing GSIs with no recovery mode and fastboot available
I need help guys.
I am new to flashing and usage of ADB and fastboot. I have a Tecno pouvoir 3 plus and i decided to flash a GSI because the phone comes with android 9 and the manufacturers didn't release a new update ever since. After successful unlocking the bootloader through the official steps, i enter fastboot mode and flashed the official android 14 GSI since GSI's mainly work for all project treble compatible devices and i followed the steps cautiously and precisely, it worked with no errors, but i think because the GSI wasn't stable and fully compatible with my device, my phone entered a bootloop.
Then i was worried because i was new to this and then i entered into recovery mode, but instead of me to just try flashing a different GSI or my device firmware, i ignorantly tried flashing TWRP recovery through a tutorial, which i didn't do correctly and then i fell victim of A/B partition scheme, and now my phone is still in a bootloop but recovery mode isn't working anymore after i booted into TWRP's recovery.img when my device was currently in a bootlooped state, and now i don't know what to do because i can't enter recovery mode or fastboot inorder to fix the mistakes i made.
I was thinking of entering download/Odin mode inorder to flash my decive firmware back, but I don't know how to really do that. Can anyone help.

Just FYI: download/Odin mode is a special mode on Samsung devices, it's not available on other devices.

Your phone seem to use a Mediatek MT6739WA SoC. MediaTek has it's own proprietary Windows based flash tools which do not use bootloader or download mode. The last MediaTek device I had could be flashed only when it had been switched off. If this is still the same with your phone then this would be a possible way.

Thanks, I already did research and I found that there's a Tecno flash tool, which I used in successfully flashing my device firmware back. I'm currently using the phone in replying to this comment, thanks for all the help to all you guys. If it wasn't for the developing community, I wouldn't have fixed it .


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HTTPS filtering breaks some apps
I have enabled HTTPS filtering in AdGuard. I installed AdGuard's certificates, and the Magisk module that moves the certificates to the system store. Nevertheless, some apps don't work. Why is this? If the certificate is in the system store how can they tell the difference? Also is there a way to tell which apps actually use HTTPS?

Most likely this happens because the apps not only perform certificate validation but also certificate pinning.
For certificate validation the validity of the server certificate and the certificates of the certificate chain (this is what you can bypass by installing the custom root CA certificate).
In addition, apps can do certificate pinning: The app includes a check if the used root CA certificate is the expected one. As the companies are buying their server certificate, they exactly know which CA certificate the connection should use. If the app then finds the AdGuard root CA certificate, the connection is rejected. A certificate pinning check cannot be bypassed without modifying the code of the app.
I know that Google (e.g. Play Store) and Facebook (various apps) use this certificate pinning to prevent breaking HTTPS connections.
Bypassing certificate pinning is possible on rooted devices, if the app is not too obfuscated. Those tools are usually based on LSPosed/Xposed or Frida. If AdGuard breaks all HTTPS connections, you could use TrusteMeAlready or JustTrustMe and enable it only for problematic apps (note that those modules not only try to disable pinning but also disable TLS security completely, so it is important that AdGuard intercepts those connections).
For Frida, there are various scripts that can disable pinning in some apps. A nice article about Frida and certificate pinning can be found here: Defeating Android Certificate Pinning with Frida

+1 i use Adguard too but surprisingly haven't come across any problems with Play Store as your answer indicates. Wonder why? //I added an answer to supplement yours

I use Adguard but haven't come across any problematic apps. To supplement Robert's answer, Adguard knowledgebase What is HTTPS filtering says

However, HTTPS filtering has its drawbacks. The most important one is that it hides from the browser the actual certificate of the website. Instead, the browser sees the certificate issued by AdGuard.

(Emphasis supplied)
While it talks of web based Adguard, the concept remains the same for Android apps. The only solution I see for such apps is to exclude those apps from Adguard using the app management icon in the center of icons displayed at bottom.
Maybe the latest version of the app (4.3) addresses this issue? Though from the release notes I don't see anything related, except for one specific app, which this release fixed.
You may as well raise the issue of the problematic apps in the Adguard forum for them to address, just as they did for the app linked above.

I agree, bypassing certain apps and/or domains is a common workaround for dealing with certificate pinning when performing https interception. At least for common apps like Play Store which don't have large ad banners that could be filtered and that are essential for most users.


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How can I unlock my child's phone using Family Link?
My daughter has a Samsung S21 and I set family link for it. Is there any way to unlock the screen PIN of the phone using family link without resetting the whole phone?
Thanks.

Related/possible dupe: How to get into my child's Family Link phone after forgotten password?, Forgot lock screen PIN on child phone with Family Link, can't figure out how to get into it or reset PIN


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Acepen graphics tablet with Tecno Pop 8 phone; synchronises well, but no cursor displayed
Tecno Pop 8 phone with Acepen graphics tablet.
No cursor displayed on screen.
Drawing with an invisible pen tip can be a bit frustrating.
How can I get the cursor to display?


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Phone is bootlooping as I accidentally erased recovery.img
I'm using Realme C11 (2020) edition since it was released. I exchanged the stock rom with Pixel Experience. When doing that, I used TWRP to flash the PE. But as PE was officially not available for my phone, I had to use unofficial one from XDA, so I faced many software issue. So I thought to change this again, with PixelPlus UI.
At this time, I again used TWRP to flash PPUI. So, after making flash using .zip file, my phone was booting on recovery mode instead of system, again and again. Then I decided to erase recovery file to ignore the process. So, on pc, I typed fastboot erase recovery on cmd followed by fastboot reboot.
Now, my phone is bootlooping again and again. I tried to access fastboot mode by pressing volume and power button, but not working. I also tried to shutdown phone, but nothing is happening. It's just bootlooping


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How can I connect my Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra with my Divoom Timebox Mini?
How can I connect my Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra with my Divoom Timebox Mini?
I turned on both of them, and tried to pair the Bluetooth from the S23 but that doesn't work:

Sounds to me more like a topic for the Divoom support....

It turns out that another device was paired via Bluetooth with the Divoom Timebox Mini: disconnecting that other device allowed the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra to successfully pair with the Divoom Timebox Mini.


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How to unlock bootloader of my vivo v20 pro or how to root it
how to unlock bootloader on my vivo v20 so that i can compile and install a new rom. Cause I find no websites to download custom rom for vivo devices
device --- VIVO V20 PRO
Running OS --- Funtouch OS 13 (based on Android-13)

Seems like Vivo phone has no official OEM unlock functionality, therefore users who want to develop a custom ROM just don't buy Vivo phones. Some background is described here: https://www.xda-developers.com/vivo-unofficial-bootloader-unlock-x70-pro-plus/


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"Use screen saver" switch doesn't stay ON
I've got my first real Android device (until now only Android-x86 and Waydroid on PC) - a tablet and now I'm encountering some problems and googling doesn't help. First day I did set up the device, I know the screen saver showing clock was working. And then it just started to turn black. In the meantime I didn't do much changes. One thing I did I installed "System UI tuner" to be able to show seconds in status bar. I seem to remember that the screen saver worked after that because I thought about it not showing seconds.
Now I don't understand what happened but I cannot turn "Use screen saver" switch ON - when I tap it it launches screensaver, then I tap on the screen, the screen saver stops and the switch is OFF. After the inactivity timeout the screen goes black.
It is the same if I choose colors instead of clock, the same for different "When to start". I even tried to add a new user with default settings, anyway the screen goes black.
Android 12, a tablet

Dors ot not sound lime the fault of the System UI Tuner, to you?  Have you tried removing it?

@RohitGupta yes, of course, doesn't change anything. Btw for the new user there is no this app, no seconds in status bar, and anyway black screen.


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Adding a total in a cell when a checkbox is ticked in an adjacent cell
On my budget spreadsheet, in the 'amount' column is the different direct debits going out each month, then I tick the checkbox in the 'gone out?' column when it goes from my account. I'm wanting to add up the the different amounts in the 'amount' in the highlighted cell when a checkbox gets ticked. I'm using Google sheets on android

If your amounts are in the range B3:B23 (for example - I can't see the range from your screenshot), then you could use:
=sum(filter(B3:B23,D3:D23))

We are generating an array corresponding to all amounts where the corresponding gone out tickbox has been ticked, then summing them.

Thankyou, exactly what I wanted


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ADB push sync but delete files at destination that don't exist at the origin
I'm sure I did this a few months back, but I'm drawing a complete blank.
I'm syncing my music using from my computer to my phone via usb using:
adb push --sync local remote
That's all fine until I rename a folder locally and then it adds it remotely, but doesn't delete the remote copy: duplicates things
I'm sure last time I just added --delete to the end like you can do on rsync, but it seems that's not valid, so I must have done something different.
Can anyone enlighten me!? All the googling and reading of docs hasn't helped!

Have you tried adb-sync or it's successor better-adb-sync?


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Can an app install be triggered solely via a script, without GUI interaction?
This current question is indirectly related to the following other question here:
Checking via a script whether a given app is prohibited from installation on a given device?
I'm running stock rooted Android 11 and stock rooted Android 13 on two different devices.
I'm wondering if there's a way that I could write a script that runs on the Android device and which will install a given app from the Play Store.
My goal is to initiate the app installation from the Android device without any GUI interaction; i.e., no clicks nor button presses nor any manual operations, and I want this to be able to be accomlished solely within a script that gets executed on the device.
In the other question I referred to above, I found out that a slightly different Play-Store-related operation could not be invoked in this way, and that the only way it could be accomplished on the device itself is via GUI interaction ... either manually or via some sort of "uiautomator"-like automation.
Is this the same situation here? i.e., is it impossible when running on the device to install any app from the Play Store without some sort of GUI interaction?
Thank you in advance.

The thing you are trying to avoid is 'user authorization' but stock Android wants that for security / anti-malware reasons. On non-root stock devices, Mobile Device Management (MDM) services like Samsung Knox/Microsoft Intune can force push apps to devices under mgmt. If you are okay with side-loading APK rather than Play Store installed see: How to Install the APK package automatically and https://android.stackexchange.com/search?q=install+app+as+system+app . Do think about how two different devices are talking if not via Play Store site.

Thank you. Sideloading is usually fine. I just was hoping that there might also have been some sort of "Play Store API" that could be used to perform the same functions on the device that the gui-based Play Store interaction implements. Such an API could have access to the same MDM services as the manual gui. But I guess I'm out of luck with that.

And yes, I know about copying the APK to the appropriate place under /data/app, and also, thank you for pointing me to that intent. I was just wondering if such an installation could also be performed without the APK file having previously been downloaded ... just like the way the Play Store does it. The Play Store first downloads and then installs, and that's what I was hoping to be able to do via some sort of shell script. But again, I now see that I can't do that.

While not from the Play Store, I remember there was a question about compiling and installing an app from open-source repos directly from the Android terminal, but it seems I missed it now...

Maybe this can be suitably modified https://github.com/aniketkatkar/GPlay-App-AutoInstaller?tab=readme-ov-file

I'm sorry for the late reply. I'll check this out. It's meant to use adb, which means that it (or at least part of it) runs outside of the device itself. But yes, I will see if there might be a way to suitably modify it to run totally within the device to perform what I'm hoping to perform.  Thank you very much.

Google itself shows you the way. If you are logged in a web browser with your Google account you can initiate app installations on all of your devices, so there is an API to initiate the download (calling it directly with the proper cookies). Or you use Selenium or a similar web test system which can even run without UI once you have automated it. Third there is AuroraStore and GPlayAPI. But I don't know if the API included the API form installing apps on different device of your account is available in GPlayAPI project (AFAIR this function is available in Goofle Play Store app).


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Create a complete backup of the Whatsapp "Media" folder by deleteing all the .nomedia files in all the subfolders
WhatsApp stores all sent and received images, documents, and videos in the following file structure:
Internal memory >> Android >> Media >> com.whatsapp >> Whatsapp >> Media ------ (A)
This Media folder has folders named

WhatsApp Audio
WhatsApp Documents
WhatsApp Images
WhatsApp Video
WhatsApp Voice Notes

Now, each of the above five folders has two sub-folders:

Private
Sent

These two sub-folders have .nomedia files inside them.
I have manually deleted all the .nomedia files from all these sub-folders and sub-sub-folders before backing up the chats using Chat backup in WhatsApp settings. However, these .nomedia files are getting re-created every time I tap "Back up now".

To go into a little more detail as to the steps I have followed, they are, in chronological order:

Clear all apps from my Android phone RAM (OnePlus 7 Pro).
Open app WhatsApp.
Go to Settings >> Chats >> Chat backup (but do not tap anything).
Tap the center circle (Home button) so that WhatsApp is not exited in the usual manner.
Open a file explorer app (Solid Explorer) and go to the Whatsapp Media location mentioned in (A) above.
Delete all the .nomedia files in all the folders, sub-folders and sub-sub-folders inside this location.
Tap the center circle (Home button) so that Solid Explorer is not exited in the usual manner.
Tap the recent apps button and go to WhatsApp. Now, I am on the same screen on WhatsApp as I had left it in Step 4 above (Settings >> Chats >> Chat backup screen).
Tap "Back up now"
Wait on the same screen till the backup is complete.

After following the above steps, I see that .nomedia files have been created inside all the folders that I had deleted them from, with the timestamp on each equal to the exact time when I tapped "Back up now" in Step 9 above.
This would mean that the data in the Private and Sent folders inside each of WhatsApp Audio, WhatsApp Documents, etc. have not been backed up.
Can anyone suggest a way so that the data inside those folders are also backed up?
Or if possible, share a different method so that I can have the data inside those folders in my backup?

A backup generally means making a backup copy, not deleting files inside an application's data folders... unless I'm missing something?

@Xen2050 - Can you please elaborate a little on the "backup copy" thing?

@Xen2050 - My goal is to take a full WhatsApp backup so that I can have the "sent images," "sent documents," etc. after installing WhatsApp on a new phone and restoring from the backup.

When you make a backup to Google drive from the chats option or schedule it, everything (including all media) is backed up and the same when restored on a new device.

IMO, the purpose of that .nomedia is only to prevent those images etc showing up in your gallery app or videos showing up in video player,etc.
Edit: See this WhatsApp FAQ (which is probably not updated since you say .nomedia files are automatically created on deletion)

You can also create a .nomedia file in the WhatsApp images folder. Please note this will hide all your WhatsApp photos from your phone's gallery.

In no way do these .nomedia files hamper backing up and restoring from Drive backup.

This exercise of yours in deleting those .nomedia files is pointless,when your aim is to create a backup that can be restored on a new device as you clarified in comment.
I've backed up to drive and restored to new devices/old devices several times without messing with .nomedia files. Only point to note is that while restoring text messages are restored first, and media restored when you are connected to a Wi-Fi.