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Android AVD emulator not working

Can anyone resolve this issue? i just tried every thing..I'm not professional, a niewbie

Try changing GPU mode and install ARMv7 package.


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Mediatek flash tool device in device manager disconnects
I am trying to flash a rom via mediatek flash tool, my problem is that when I connect the tablet to my PC it connects the mediatek preloader but after 2 seconds it disconnects. What can I do with this ?

The preloader port only lasts 3 seconds then closes, you have to click on the flash button first then connect the device to the computer

Flash Stock Roms with SP Flash Tool
Step 1:
Download and install Android USB Drivers on your PC. Skip this step, In case the drivers are already installed.
Step 2: Power Off your MTK Device.
Step 3 Download the suitable Firmware for your device, and extract it on your PC.
Step 4: Download and Extract SP Flash Tool on Your PC.
Step 5: In the extracted folder, launch Flash_tool.exe
Step 6: Click on the Download Tab.
Step 7: In the Download Tab, now click on the Scatter-Loading button.
Step 8: Navigate in your Firmware Folder and select Scatter File (A txt file ending with scatter.txt).
Step 9: Click on the Download Button to launch the download procedure.
Step 10: Connect your device to the PC using the USB Cable. Your device should be Powered-off.
Step 11: Once Flashing is completed, a Green circle dialog appears, now you can disconnect your device from the USB Cable and Power it on to check whether it's ok or not.
P.S: Don't select Preloader while flashing unknown Firmwares.

Thank you, now I have all to flash the tablet, but the only problem I have is that the scatter file in the .zip is in a invalid format (SPFT error). @Abdelhafid Madoui

Now I flashed the firmware(I found it) and I got download OK, but the tablet is not booting, nothing changed.

source: Stack Exchange

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

sort: votes


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Emulator startup issue
I am trying to run a standard AVD (ARM, empty layout, other settings as proposed by Android Studio) on the emulator. Enabled -verbose, -debug all and -show-kernel modes.
The emulator boots, but ends up in complaining that it cannot connect to a certain socket (127.0.0.1:1970). I tried to open a TCP socket at this port, and got a message from SDKCtl multi-touch - it is trying to establish an handshake.
Does anybody know a workaround, or may at least explain what SDKCtl exactly is, and what it is trying to connect to?
I am on a Mac with El Capitan.
UPDATE
I found a workaround. Just use, when starting the emulator, the option:
-screen no-touch

At this point Android boots (very slowly), the device screen is not empty anymore, but a "process system isn't responding" message appears, and the system stays there.
SECOND UPDATE
In the log from the emulator, I noticed this error:
goldfish_fb 9010000.goldfish_fb: coherent DMA mask 0xffffffff is smaller than system GFP_DMA mask 0xffffffffffffffff

THIRD UPDATE
If one does not issue the -screen no-touch option, and waits a lot, in the end the virtual device boots, with the "process system isn't responding" message. At this point one may click on "wait" on the device message. And then the device seems to work. But the errors in the log are still there.

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


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RCA maven pro Android tablet not totally recognizing USB drive
RCT6213W87 DKF.....There is also a letter M sticker a couple of places on the original pkg.
Device is using Android 6.0
Using a 32 gig USB drive, SanDisk, USB 2.0/3.0
Installed the memory zone app. When USB drive is plugged in, this app will detect it BUT when I high lite a file, and choose either "move to" or "copy to", it does not show the USB drive as an option. Tried the drive in a desk top, no probs.
Tried to access it thru settings....USB and storage. No to USB but yes to micro sd. Same with file manager...Internal....No to USB, yes to micro SD.
Just wondering if I am going crazy. Want to move files from internal HD to free up space.
Can anyone offer a suggestion or two.
Thank you in advance!!

Try ES explorer as file manager. Should work

Marshmallow requires apps to have permission to access files. If Memory Zone did not request access permission when you first opened it then it was not written for Android 6.0. Try this: In settings open the apps menu. Tap the gear icon in the upper right corner and then select “App permissions”. Scroll down the list and tap “Storage”. Now find your Memory Zone app in that list and flip the switch on the right hand side.
If that doesn’t work, I would go with a file manager that knows about Marshmallow’s permissions. Personally, I use Solid Explorer and love it because I can have the USB in one pane and Internal Storage or SD card in the other.


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Mikona Tablet Factory Reset
How do I reset my Mikona Tablet to its factory settings the model of tablet I have does not have volune buttons on the side of the tablet. Any ideas?
Regards
Mark

What's the model of your Mikona Tablet? any references may help other people giving you the best answer.
Is it working now or not? means can you access your system right now?


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How to automatically reconnect VPN on network change?
I'm using a VPN service, but so far I've only been using it on my computer. Now I'd like to have it on my phone as well. The service I use allow up to four simultaneous connections, so that isn't an issue. They don't have their own client for Android, but they do make config files available for download and use with any client that supports OpenVPN. I've tried OpenVPN Connect, and it works quite well. However, whenever I switch between networks, for example when I lose my home WiFi on leaving my home, or when switching between public WiFis, it doesn't reconnect, so I have to remember to actively disconnect and reconnect.
I've tried setting up a macro in MacroDroid to automatically close OpenVPN Connect, wait for a few seconds, then reopen OpenVPN Connect, but all that does, is bring up the login screen, and I still have to manually click Connect.
My phone is rooted, and in case it matters, it's a Honor 8, FRD-L09 running EMUI 4.1. I'm not going to upgrade to 5.0 at this time, as TWRP and SuperSU have been reported not to be compatible with the EMUI 5.0 kernel. Other than that, I'm open to suggestions. I'm not afraid to play with shell scripts, as long as I have some understanding of what the script does, and with this, I have no idea how to implement it in a shell script, so if if you have such a solution, please also explain what it actually does.
EDIT: OpenVPN Connect has the ability to create shortcuts to disconnect and connect on the homescreen. I'm assuming that these shortcuts just pass arguments to the executable, telling it what to do, and what config file to use. If I knew how to find what arguments the shortcuts pass, I'd likely be able to write a shell script that I could then call from MacroDroid upon network change.

@AndyYan was mentioning shadowsocks  as an option to keep VPN persitent across disconnects.  Not sure of it is the same one with that name on Play Store. He would respond I suppose since he is tagged ( else please search chat room where he elaborated on this in a comment to me and you can follow up on that )

@beeshyams Unfortunately no. Apparently they've done some work on this, because last time I tested it, a few months ago, it didn't even try to reconnect. Now it does seem to work when going from WiFi to LTE or 3G, but still not when going from LTE/3G to WiFi.

This may give you some pointers

@beeshyams That one brought a nostalgic to my eye. I used to be the proud owner of a N900. The last non-Android I had... Anyway, I'll look into that thread. Thanks.

Does MacroDroid let you send an Intent with extra parameters? I do this with OpenVPN Connect via Tasker, so if you can do that you might be able to use something similar. Here's how mine is configured in Tasker.

@eldarerathis Yes, MacroDroid can send intents, though it's marked as experimental, and I had to enable experimental features in the settings. I just tried this, and it does the same as the macro I tried earlier, i.e. it pulls up the connection display of OpenVPN Connect, and I need to manually click the connect button. Screenshot of the macro and Screenshot of the intent. Some ideas: Did I misconfigure the trigger, should I add something to Data and is VIEW really the right action?

I suggest you ask in Macrodroid forums ( accessible from within app) , posting the screen shots. The developer is usually fast in responding

@beeshyams Will do. Thanks for the tip. While not strictly a requirement to do this with MacroDroid, it'd be a very welcome solution.

VIEW is the correct action, and you shouldn't need anything for Data (unless MacroDroid somehow sends the Intent differently than Tasker). You have the name of your profile specified in the Extra field, correct? Is that the part that's redacted by the red rectangle? And you have the latest version of OpenVPN Connect installed (1.1.17)?

@eldarerathis Yes, the profile name is under the  red rectangle. I tried putting it on one line, with an equals sign, like in the link you posted, but since MacroDroid has two lines, one named Extra name and the other Extra parameter, I assumed that's the correct way. I have 1.1.17. Build 76 to be exact. I've had more pressing activities than this, so I've not played with it since I posted the screenshots, nor have I asked on the MD forum yet, as suggested by beeshyams, but hopefully I'll have the time this evening.

Nougat has VPN on built in. Tested with WiFi and mobile and it works fine

@beeshyams I'm aware of that. However, the versions I have access to (EMUI 5.0 for Honor 8 and Lineage for Galaxy S3 and S5) only support PPTP and IPSec, and the VPN service I use only runs over SSL. As far as I know, PPTP has been considered insecure for several years. I don't know enough about IPSec to reject or embrace it, but since my VPN service of choice doesn't support it, I don't use it. Thanks for the input though.

This seems to have been caused by either a bug or an oversight by the app developer, and it sorted itself after an update. Just make sure the OpenVPN client is recent.
Also, the following settings are worth checking.
Reconnect on reboot. Enable it unless you want to manually decide when to OpenVPN and when not to.
Seamless tunnel. Enabling it blocks all internet traffic while the VPN is (re)-connection, to avoid leaking your real IP.
Connction timeout. How long to try re-acquiring the connection if it is lost. Set this to CONTINOUSLY RETRY to keep trying until a connection is established. If a timeout is set, and a connection has not been established before it runs out, OpenVPN Connect will exit, and the connection will be unblocked, to let you connect unprotected until you manually restart OpenVPN Connect.
Moreover, keep in mind, that reconnect on reboot only works if OpenVPN Connect is connected when you initiate the reboot. If you manually disconnected or if you lost the connection, you need to manually reconnect after rebooting.

Try to check keeplive option in your server and client config. For example "keepalive 5 40" will send test packet every 5 seconds, and will reconnect after 40 seconds. So when you switched from Wifi to mobile internet it will reconnect after 40 sec. Of course you can use less options, 1 10...

This sorted itself out with some update of the OpenVPN client for Android, and now works flawlessly without the need for stuff like MacroDroid or Tasker. Moreover, I'm using a commercial VPN service, hence I do not have access to the server's config. I'm upvoting your answer, but I'm not accepting it, since I can't really try it out.

Have you checked the Settings in OpenVPN Connect (in the burger menu, top left)? There is an option to reconnect automatically and an option to block connectivity when the VPN is offline.
However I have not tried it with multiple connections.

I had tried all options about automatic connection, and they did work when coming back to the same network I had lost, but not when moving to a different network, such as moving between mobile and WiFi or between different WiFi:s. However, it sorted itself out after an update, as I also pointed out in the comment to @DavidK's answer as of Dec 6 2017. +1 because the suggestion is sound, but I can't accept because the problem was most likely a bug or an oversight by the app developer, and it has been fixed.

@DuaneDibbley It's OK, I'm happy it's a valid suggestion and it might help someone else. Thank you. Since you have found a solution, you could maybe write your own answer and accept it.

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


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Play Pokemon GO on Root with joystick on Systemless Root
I have Samsung A5 with android 5.1.1 systemless rooted. I want to play pokemon go. But enabling Mock Locations disable the game. I tried an Xposed module to hide this, then the joystick app also can't detect it.So it won't work. I am also unable to find the pokemon go module from Xposed. Is there any way to play it on root with joystick?? I know it is a violation of rules, but I do not have much option.

No, there isn't... You can try Magisk Hide and it will pass SafetyNet API checks, but when Magisk is hidden you can't hide Mock Locations. Pokemon Go is actively enforcing the rules and app updates are constantly be released with more and more detection of rules violations. "I know it is a violation of rules, but I do not have much option," you will have problems getting people here to assist too much with a blatant violation of terms of service, the best you will likely get is vague pointers like I gave you. (I don't even play Pokemon Go, left it because they actively block rooted devices)


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coolpad note 3 not starting

I was trying to install 8676-I02 6.0 V22 Marshmallow  update on my Coolpad Note 3.
I installed the Drivers on my laptop with Windows 7 Ultimate, the drivers were installed successfully. I haven't attached the phone to the laptop while installing drivers.
Then i tried to backup nvram as described below:

Created file nvram.img
Clicked on readback button
Powered Off my phone, and attached it to the laptop, laptop showed installing drivers.
SP Flash Tool showed the Green Circle.
I found that nvram.img was created.

After closing SP Flash Tool, and disconnecting USB cable, I've tried to Power-On the phone, but it did not Power-Up, there is no charging sign, the phone is not showing anything.
I had not enabled USB debugging. so please help regarding this issue.

Have you updated the 8676-I02 6.0 V22 rom with Download or Firmware Upgarde button? or just you have used readback button only?

Does your phone have a non removable battery?


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How do you open the Google Voice app directly to the voicemail tab?
The new Google Voice app is pretty awesome; clean, simple, usable, etc.
However, I only use GV for the voicemail functionality but the app always opens to the Messages tab.
Is there a way to open the app directly to the Voicemail tab?


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delete operation are extremely slow
For some reason, moving files from my Nexus 5X to my PC takes huge amounts of time.
The copy "part" of the move operation is pretty much as fast as on any other Android device I've used (I can see the files actually being successfully created at the destination folder on my PC), but then, when the deletion "part" takes place (my indication is that all the files have been successfully copied and the progress bar reaches almost the end) -- the Windows File Explorer instance which handles the source folder just hangs, for a really long time.
For instance, when performing a move operation of 50 images, with an average size of 4MB each -- the copy "part" takes a few seconds, while the deletion "part" takes more than 5 minutes.
My question is: are there any specific tools, using which I can pinpoint the problem, or see a detailed log/real-time statistics regarding the deletion operation?
I'd appreciate any suggestions regarding the situation, which is obviously really problematic.
I've tried this on multiple laptops.
An important detail regarding my Android OS -- I have more than 29,000 images on my device (my entire WhatsApp history, since 2011). Maybe it has such impact on the file system?
I've attached a screenshot of the status bar and the "not responding" File Explorer window, during the deletion "part" of the move operation.

Have you tired to create some free space on the phone? I have observed similar things when device is  pretty full

Also on your laptop clearing recycle bin helps

@beeshyams currently I have 1GB of free space on my device. Anyway, it's a loop - I can't really make lots of free space, due to the fact that I can't move my camera photos to my PC.. It just takes too much time. Regarding your second comment - I've tried this on multiple laptops. The problem always recreates.

Interesting. Let's hope to have a definitive solution +1

First of all, what happens when you copy/move files inside phone with file manager without PC interaction? I had similar problem when my sd card went crazy and slowed down r/w speeds, so moving anything was pain in the ass. You can try app called "A1 SD benchmark" it should be able to test internal storage speeds so you can check is there anything unusuall. To me this sounds like hardware issue, and maybe just maybe android went crazy and factory reset will resolve a problem l, but I wouldn't recommend that due you can't backup your data.

@golosovsky Is this behavior experienced even when copying a single file from the phone to the computer?

@DeathMaskSalesman one of the questions I asked is here is a suggestion for a tool/utility to measure this type of things.

@ЈеднорукиКрстивоје thanks for the suggestion, I'll perform this test. BTW, it's an internal SD card.

Yeah I know that, I said similar case not the same. Maybe I'm not even close, but you should check.

authors: Једноруки Крстивоје


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Android terminal emulator run executable
I am trying to run the linux version of the ctrtool executable to extract the RomFS and ExeFS from a .cxi file,
but I got an error that said not executable: magic 7F45.
The ctrtool executable is in /storage/sdcard0/Documents/ROMen/. Is this directory unable to execute files?

Checkout the answers here: http://android.stackexchange.com/q/139347/96277


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Stop automatically setting apps as default
I have an AT&T Samsung Note4 currently running Marshmallow 6.0.1.
In the past it and all other Android phones used to prompt me for and app
to open files or links with. The menu wold have a sellection of apps and 'Once' and 'Always' buttons. An app would only become default for a given link/file type by pressing 'Always'. Otherwise I would get prompted each time.
Not too long ago this behavior changed. The 'Once' and 'Always' buttons are gone and apps automatically become default after the first choice. This is fine for some files/links but not others.
There are many different kinds of things I want to do with some file types (eg pdfs) and I use different apps for each. Now I either have to unset the default each time or open the file in whatever the current default is and than 'share' it to the app I actually want. This is a pain and not all apps are equally good at sharing to other apps.
How can I get the old behaviour back? Or at least select some file/link types to not have a default associated with them? I know how to unset default apps in settings; I am after a way to avoid needing to do that for files/links I open with multiple apps.
I am not sure if this change is due to some update or if it is something I enabled unintentionally
FWIW, I also have a Huawei running Android 4.4.4 that still has the old behavior

This question is about the same problem in a specific context, but i am after a solution to the general problem that none of the commants & answers there address.

Did you try this method ? http://android.stackexchange.com/a/155408/131553

I'm having the same problem but it looks like it's corrected in later updates of marshmallow according to https://www.greenbot.com/article/2991086/how-to-change-your-default-browser-and-phone-apps-in-android-marshmallow.html
So I'm going to try updating and hope it works for both of us.

On my S8
Settings>Apps>default apps>default app selection

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


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Internet doesn't work when screen loses focus
I have a Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Running on Android Marshmallow 6.0.1 Stock with no Custom roms / or root ( and never done , yet ;)
I have a problem with some apps like skype, dropbox and solid explorer ( and probably afew more but im too lazy to write all of them) those apps works fine as long as the mobile screen is on and they are opened in front end so at the moment i decide to press home to put them on background or the moment i close the screen ( by pressing the power button once ) whatever operation running fails ex. Call on skype , download from dropbox / on solid explorer.
The only error i was able to capture (from solid explorer)  is (same happened now while uploading screenshot to stackoverflow -android app- i must keep screen open for it to work) :

The source is a file on the dropbox folder

I figured out that the problem is with the power saving mode , once i turned it off apps worked correctly again ( pretty surprising how aggressive it is )
I hope this helps someone!


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Why won't my purchased YouTube videos play anymore on Android?
I have a Motorola Turbo 2 Android. My purchased YouTube videos will no longer play. I get the following error on the screenshot below. Can anyone give me directions on how to fix this problem?
Thanks for your help.

There are  5 solutions mentioned in this you tube video

I saw that video. But isn't he using an iPhone? It looks like one. However, the title says Android. Let me give it another shot.


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my gaaxy note 8.0 will not me add my google acct
This makes it impossible to use play store. I've noticed app settings I only have play store and not play services. I have feeling this has something to do with my problem. BTW I had to do factory reset.


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how to get back up of all phone data after Flash stock ROM?
i am having Letv 2 mobile phone, unfortunately i uninstall google launcher and my phone stop working. i was advised to update system and my all phone data has been lost. i want all phone data back, please help me how do i get it back?

What data do you mean? Contacts? Music? SMS? or what?

First of all, I would suggest not writing any new file on your device until the deleted ones get recovered. You can use tools like Wondershare Dr. Fone for android(Its a PC app) https://drfone.wondershare.net/android-data-recovery.html. Its paid but you can try it for free if it works or not for you. Another tool I remember is Disk Digger(Android app) and its pro version Disk Digger Pro which requires root access. If they dont work you may need to seek professional help. But remember dont write new files on your phone as they would overwrite the deleted ones and make them unrecoverable.


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Trojan & Malware removal
I have a Samsung Grand neo I9060, in which I recently downloaded an app from the web only for it to install malware and trojan in it. Each time the data connection is on or I'm connected to a wi-fi pop-up ads frequently appear which is pretty disguting. Efforts to uninstall this malware via apps from play store have all been futile.
The device is not rooted.
Kindly assist if you can, please.

Run Malwarebytes - it can remove malware but not all. If the problem persists update your question with results

That is not trojan, just to know. However you can flash stock firmware to get rid of that, maybe it's overkill but it will help. I have feeling like we are in 2005. again when people clicked on ads "you are 999999999 user who visited this page enter cc details to get reward". Watch your clicks people it's not that hard and don't download cracked .apk from everywhere.

authors: Једноруки Крстивоје


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why non rooted android does not support sdcard formatted with ext4?
Prone to data loss, fat32 or exFat are the only options right?
I just lost many files on a sdcard.
Formatted on linux desktop, to ext4, android will not reconize the sdcard, despite it could.
my question is: why this non-sense?
lollipop here :(
is our only option for quality, to root the smartphone?

Root alone won't help you most likely, pure AOSP code does not allow external storage to be anything except FAT. Your assumption here that ext4 is superior to FAT file systems because they are "prone to data loss" is just plain wrong. FAT filesystems have been around for 30 years and are NOT prone to data loss at all. SD cards, particularly ones of lower quality, are quite susceptible to data loss or "wear errors" regardless of filesystem. You are chasing the wrong problem.

@acejavelin could you actually explain why it is not superior? have you ever read about the journaling feature of Ext4? if FAT were at least equivalent, the very android internal filesystem would not be an Ext filesystem... it would just be FAT. Long time in informatics doesnt mean quality, actually it means it is just very well known and spread. My sdcard was not expensive, but it lasted for several years w/o a single problem. Now I just reformated it to exFat and it is working well, but the question is: for how long?If it was ext4, I could rest tranquil, now I have to make backups to be sure

yes , not make any sense , the better I could get until now is mount ext4 , with adb root
Mounting a ext4 formatted sdcard on Android Marshmallow
more info here: https://android.stackexchange.com/a/204616/119381


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I am stuck on the verify your account Google on a ZTE TracFone

It is stuck on the Google login screen

FRP enabled. Enter the email that was synced with the phone. Should be one of your email

There are thousands of guide on how to bypass FRP

With the phone in that orientation, you'll need to scroll down to see the box where you can enter the login details of the Google account you used before resetting the phone.


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Unbrick a non responsive micromax aq4501
So here's the situation. I had a micromax aq4501 which constantly gave me errors like apps have stopped working. So I tried to factory reset it. As soon as it rebooted into recovery mode a screen appeared saying - 'Erasing'. It would reboot again and again on itself and say the same - 'Erasing'. Whatever i tried to do, pressing power button, volume down/up plus power, the same 'erasing' screen greeted me and then it would reboot again in a loop. So I decided to use SP flash tool to flash stock rom. Flashed it. Nothing happened. Same screen. So I tried formatting my phone using sp flash tool. I selected Format whole flash except bootloader option. But now my phone has become unresponsive. Hardware buttons dont do anything. Phone still gets detected in sp flash tool so I tried flashing rom again but nothing happens. Phone is like dead, only my PC still detects it in sp flash tools. What should I do now.

Download another flash file tiil on will fit the phone.


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How to find out the maximum number of contacts that the SIM card phonebook can hold?
I have searched and searched to find out how many contacts my SIM card can hold, but no apps are giving me the answer. Many sites recommended checking the size of SIM card which is printed on it. In my case it's a 64K card, but many sites say that it should support "around 250 contacts" or "usually 500 contacts".
Where or how can I get an authoritative answer?

European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) lays down standards for SIM
From 3GPP TS 21.111 version 8.0.1 Release 8 pertaining to 3G

10.2.6 Number of entries : The specification shall support storage of at least 500 entries.

This does not mention the SIM storage size in relation to the number of entries
I was hoping to find a  correlation between size and entries and this is the only thing I could find.


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how do i use my android tablet as a wired xbox 360 controller
I want to know how to use my tablet as a wired Xbox 360 controller for games, without using a computer or Wi-Fi.

You mean using Smartglass app (basic controls)? If not, I would image you can't without remote desktop to a PC.

When you say "without using a computer", do you mean you want to use it with a real XBox 360? Why? It's going to be so much less useful than a real XBox 360 controller. What's the tablet and what Android version does it have?


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Flashtool gives DOWNLOAD OK but the tablet is not booting anyway
I flashed the firmware with SP FLASH TOOL and it gived me DOWNLOAD OK, but I cannot boot the tablet anyway
Mediatek: MT8163
Android: 6.0

Probably because the rom is not compatible with the target device. You need to download another rom and flash it

If you downloaded even the preloader.bin your device is done with but if you never ticked preloader that's incompatibility issues between the ROM and the phone


text:
Playing audio file latency issue
i have an issue , i hire someone to make music app , but when we try to play audio file located in server  , it gave some latency 6-8 seconds , in other music app it takes milliseconds only , how can we make suck like that speed of playing

This reads like a development question. This site is for users of Android, which means that questions about development/programming are off-topic here (see the What topics can I ask about here?). Development questions are on-topic on Stack Overflow.

I presume it was posted here because it involves an Android app.

It sounds like the answer will turn out to be related to the power-saving settings on your server.  Specifically, the timeouts on the hard drives.
If it takes milliseconds it is probably because the drive is already spinning, and when it takes 6-8 seconds it is probably because the drive has powered down and needs to spin up before looking for the file.
Having more than one drive exacerbates this problem.  If a music file is playing for some time on one drive, another might spin down.  Picking another song from the first drive will play very soon, but picking something from the other drive will involve some time lag before the drive is ready.
But it can also happen on a single drive if the music file is first loaded into RAM before playing.  In that case, short songs will finish before the drive spins down, but longer ones might give it time enough to see no activity and think it isn't needed.
My recommendation is always to disable power-saving mode on hard drives.  They tend to last longer if they are not constantly being turned off and on all the time.


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Android phone won't connect to WiFi when Laptop off
A customer has a weird problem:
After he switches on his router/DSL-modem, his Android phone won't connect to WiFi. When he turns on his laptop (connected by LAN to the router), the phone suddenly is able to connect to WiFi.
When the laptop is subsequently turned off again, the phone stays connected to WiFi.
So, once the router is switched off and on again, WiFi only becomes available to the phone when the laptop is turned on (and then off).
Apparently this started to happen a week ago, without any changes in settings. I checked all his router settings remotely and all seems to be in order. He doesn't have TeamViewer on his phone, so I couldn't really check all its settings, but nothing is supposed to have changed.
Hence, all suggestions welcome.

That makes no sense at all... Default the router, connect and set it up again initially with no WiFI security turned on, then turn off the laptop. Go into the Android device and do a network reset (Settings - Backup & Reset - Network Settings Reset), and attempt to connect to the router. If successful, turn on WPA2, set the passcode and turn on AES only encryption and retest. And why is the router constantly being turned on and off again? It is best to leave it on 24/7

My thoughts exactly, what the sense is concerned. Since I'm 800 km from that customer, I'm postponing further action until I'm there, in order to avoid the risk of him locking everything up for all eternity. Thanks.

Install Vysor, and tell your customer to install also Vysor add-on on Google Chrome, then tell him how to send you remote control to his phone (you will get full access to the phone including adb and view his screen on your computer)


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Bluetooth scanner app don't yield results
I have a OnePlus One with Cyanogen based on Android 6.0.1 as well as an old Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 with stock Android 4.x.
In addition, there is a TV with Bluetooth, and one of this modern Bluetooth speakers.
Both of my Android devices list the three other devices in its Bluetooth menu.
Now, I've tried out several bluetooth scanner apps like

BLE Scanner
Bluetooth LE Scanner
Bluetooth Scanner
Bluetooth 4.0 Scanner

but none of them lists any bluetooth devices. The last one crashes my phone...
May be, the first two scan for BLE devices only, but the last two seem to scan for both.
Does anyone know what the problem is?
(I'd like to get the RSSI to evaluate if it is suitable for a special problem at work, and naively thought each scanner could simply provide it.)

EDIT:
The phone is running Cyanogen 13.1.2.
GPS is on, and the apps have granted permission to access bluetooth and GPS.
I also thought there may be a problem with my phone, but it's exactly the same with my tablet.
And as said, the phone as well as the tablet do list the TV and the speaker in their menu, can connect to them, and play music etc. It's just that the BT scanner apps just list nothing.
(By the way: Many scanners want GPS to link bluetooth devices to position, but why is GPS needed to detect bluetooth devices?)

EDIT 2:
Because my problem drives me nuts, I just wrote my own Android Bluetooth scanner. Before giving it GPS access, it doesn't list anything, but after, it just works.
It's quite interesting, from the apps listed above only two want GPS access...
Oh, and no idea yet why exactly GPS is needed, but the API just requests it.

What's the Cyanogenmod version number? If several apps are behaving the same way, most likely it is a bug in the ROM. Also, don't forget you need to allow the location permission for the app to see any devices.


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Cannot hard reset Huawei P9 (Reset failed)
Recently my Huawei P9 somehow got updated to EMUI 5.0, and everything was going well except the updater setting and camera app was gone and the flashlight would not turn on. I decided to backup my data and perform a factory reset. However, the reset failed and when I turned it on the only keyboard installed was Google Voice Typing and I coudn't use it because I'm Asian and it woudn't recognize what I said. I tried skipping all the steps but it seemed to be stuck at "checking info". After countless times of resetting it i found out I could connect to wifi when I reset it from eRecovery. After doing so, I installed a keyboard using the built in SD card. I tried to use ADB but it only managed to connect once and I made a typo and I cound't connect again. I tried rolling it back but I simply coudn't get past the factory reset stage. Any help would be appreciated, thanks in advance.
Edit: I forgot to mention that I unlocked the bootloader and flashed TWRP onto my device(though I'm not sure if the failed reset removed it).

Turns out I just had to skip the intermediate package and jump to the stock firmware.
EDIT: On the official page, to downgrade, it states to flash an intermediate firmware. The fix was to simply skip it and flash the old one.

Reflash the stock firmware. If you have a recovery installed then format the data and system partition and then flash the rom that you like. Or you can just make a dload  folder in your sdcard ,put the stock firmware for your device and then boot by pressing all the keys of your device (Volume Up + Volume Down + Power). It will make your device do a forced update.


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Android APK installing method
I want to know how the APK installing in Android exactly works. E.g. a downloaded APK is installed when I press 'install' but there is some process, right? I want to know that.
Inside the APK of the game called Mini Militia I found there are three folders inside the assets folder: HD, HDR and SD. The APK installs one of those according to the phone's resolution maybe, I don't know. I edited some files in the HD folder but my phone installs the files from HDR. My mobile is a OnePlus One. I want to know if I could change that.

In Android versions <= 4.4 (KitKat and older) the APK file is simply copied into /data/app folder, a cache file is generated for it and installed on the cache partition. When Android is booting, it checks if cache files for any APKs are missing and generates them if necessary. And that's it.
In newer Android versions (>= 5.0 so Lollipop and newer) it's a bit more complicated because of the new ART virtual machine. A new folder is created in /data/app for every app and the APK is placed there. Libraries are extracted from APK into /data/app/<app_folder>/lib and code is piped through ART's ahead-of-time compiler. That's why installing apps takes much longer in ART-based Androids.
Other files aren't extracted from the APK unless the app itself does it.


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Mystery "notification" sound
Right, so this is a weird one.
LG G4 on Rogers running Android 6.0
I'm randomly getting a loud notification sound late at night that wakes me up, but has no notification that comes with it (so I can't tell what app it's from).
Here's the weird stuff:

Sound, but no notification.
Happens exactly on the hour, but not a consistent hour. I've had it happen at midnight, 1am, and 2am. I can't say with 100% certainty that it doesn't happen during the day, as my phone is on vibrate at work, but it hasn't happened on the weekends.
Not every day. The last two times were last night (friday), and on monday?
Plays the default notification sound.
I have a Tasker profile set up that mutes my notification volumes at night. The only thing that has volume is the ringer. Which means that despite playing the default notification sound, the sound is coming through as either a ringtone or an alarm??
I installed and monitored a Notification History app
When it went off last night, I checked it immediately. But according to the app (which seems to monitor damn near everything), there hadn't been any new notifications in over an hour! (Which is true, with respect to every other notification.)
I've also double checked my email app to confirm no new emails arrived that it wouldn't show notifications for (like promotions). Nothing.
Because I've seen it as an answer on other mystery sound threads, I'll confirm that NFC is indeed off.

Help?

Is it possible you are getting an emergency alert? In Settings, click on the More option under the Wireless & Networks section, and scroll down to the Cell Broadcasts settings.

Interesting. Apparently the option for the LG G4 is in the Messaging app, but I don't seem to have it in either location. Probably because I'm in Canada. So I don't think that's it, unfortunately.


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make notifcation live and be aware of event in android
I would appreciate if you can help me about following problem.
actually i have some social networking app in my android phone.
however i will notified just about some of them as the right as new event occur.
Let me I explain it by an example, consider you are using IMO App. As soon as one of your contact send message you in that, you will be notified.
in fact notification of new event will show up in your screen, however some other app, just when show these notification that you open related app in your phone. Like Line App.
I also check for latest version and check some related setting. However i would be appreciate if anyone can help me about this problem. actually i want to be notified as soon as possible not late. let me know If there is any special setting here too. Thanks.

LINE notifications appear immediately. Did you disable notifications or something?


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Import Contacts from .vcf file (NO google. Ever)
I've looked around... (stack exchange) and no former Q? seems to apply.
I would like to import the contacts so that the NUMBER (and email, if it exists) is listed beneath the contacts name? Instead of a jumbled mess?
The problem could be related to a difference between how android v4.4.2 (old phone, where the .vcf file was generated) and v4.1.2 (new phone) handle contacts. The (stock) app behaves differently.
I do NOT use google for anything, for security reasons. Instead, I use Fdroid apps or apps I've downloaded to PC then transferred and then side loaded. In other words, there is NO google account in my phone (ever)
My Old Phone got stolen, but fortunately I'd backed up the contacts from the phone using
[Frdoid, Export Contacts][1][1]: https://f-droid.org/repository/browse/?fdfilter=contacts&fdid=am.ed.exportcontacts
These save to "contacts.vcf" in a directory of your choosing, I exported mine and saved externally on PC hard drive.
Trouble is, using
[Import Contacts, Fdroid][2][2]: https://f-droid.org/repository/browse/?fdfilter=contacts&fdid=am.ed.importcontacts
The import does happen, however the contacts are scrambled. There is a contact for each NUMBER, and a contact for each NAME, but these have become disconnected.
I've checked the *.vcf file, which appears to be a variant of a comma or semicolon delimited *.cvs file... I can't figure out what's going wrong.


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Unlock your Chromebook with your Android phone
I'm using following:

Huawei Nexus 6p with Android 7.1.2 (up-to-date).
ASUS Chromebook Flip with Google Chrome OS (58.0.3027.0 dev
(32-bit)) (up-to-date).

and I'm trying to follow: Unlock your Chromebook with your Android phone - Chromebook Help, however I'm unable to complete step #7 with following message on my Chromebook:

Failed to connect to "Nexus 6P"

yet through "Notifications", I've got another message:

Bluetooth device "Nexus 6P" has been paired and is now available for
  all users. You may remove this setting using Settings.

Please advise.

If you lock ya Chromebook, there should be a lock icon? Click it, I think. Don't forget Bluetooth needs to be on.

Have you found out the answer somewhere else? I have the same problem with a new tablet now. Samsung galaxy tab. As the bestadvisor says, there are problems with connections. Disappointed.

I apologize for not posting an answer in timely manner, however I'm doing it right now (that's the best I can do); As of now I'm using Google Chrome OS / Version 66.0.3359.43 (Official Build) dev (64-bit) and Pixel, (Phone by Google (1st generation)) w/ Android 8.1.0.
I went ahead and removed my Phone from Chromebook's Bluetooth devices and from Chromebook from Phone's Bluetooth devices, now that everything is tidy widy, you can proceed to next step:
under Settings, expand Screen lock (under People), click on Smart Lock for Chromebook (beta) and follow steps.


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Problem with sound and headphones
I have this weird problem where all sounds while headphones are plugged in my phone is stuck in the background, but without the headphones the sound works fine. I am utterly clueless on how to fix this so any help is appreciated.

The jack is as clean as it can be, not even a single speck of dirt or lint in it. The sound is stuck in the background as in the sound is muffled but still hearable like it's coming from a distance.

Haven't been around to be able to answer, but no that didn't help. No matter how loud the audio is it's still muffled.

Yeah turns out the headphones were only made to be used on a pc or laptop. Got new ones for phones specifically and it works.

Turns out headphones were made for desktop use only. The darn manual had not mentioned this at all.


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How can I make chrome always display the address bar? It autohides when I scroll and then I need to scroll back to show it
How can I make Chrome on Android always display the address bar? It autohides when I scroll and then I need to scroll back to show it.
Please. I have googled it for quite some time already.

Is your device rooted?

If you badly need it switch to Chrome versions before 27

i needed that too. i think that is bad politic of goigke, intentionaly removing bunch of iptions and user cant even customuze simple things in mobile chrome.

Definitely. Google sucks anyway. Linux rocks.

No... It is not possible.

The short answer is no. If you feel that this should be a feature then
  please file a bug on crbug.com/new. :) Hope that answers your
  question.

Source

Logic being ,  it  eats into screen real estate, if always displayed

Google is not a user friendly company. They always try to restrict users and push their Android scam product on users. I want real Linux on my smartphones and I want it now.

@Vesa That comment isn't relevant here... If you don't want Android, but want pure Linux on a mobile device buy an Ubuntu phone. The answer to your problem is then that you bought the wrong phone. https://www.ubuntu.com/mobile/devices


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Is my Galaxy 10.1 Tablet dead forever, or can I bring it back to life?
I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, 16GB, wifi only version, GT-7510. Bought in the US.
It was running a rooted version of Lollipop for a long time with no problems, and then in the last couple weeks, I started to constantly get pop errors at random times saying, "Unfortunately, Google Play services have stopped." Also, Google Play wouldn't load.
I tried a factory reset, and wiping cache, and that sort of thing, but none of it helped. So, I thought I'd try a new ROM. I saw there was a version of Android 6.0.1 available, so I thought I'd give that a whirl. Here's where everything went wrong. I tried installing the ROM, and it failed. Then I noticed that my version of TWRP might be too old. I had version 2.3 or so, and maybe the ROM I was trying to flash needed a higher version. So, I got the latest TWRP, which version 3, and tried flashing that using Odin from my Windows 10 computer.
And that's when everything died. In the Odin interface, it said "FAIL". Then, after that, I couldn't boot into recovery mode. I tried reflashing, I tried finding stock ROMs, and, after following some advice on the web, I tried flashing a PIT file. Nothing worked.
Currently, the situation is that even though I have it turned off, the screen comes on intermittently and says "Firmware upgrade encountered an issue - Please select recovery mode in Kies & try again".
I can hold down the volume down and power button and get into download mode (but not recovery). If I go into download mode and try to flash from Odin, I get the following error.
I've attached screenshots of the ODIN output and the error on my Tablet.
I've tried different versions of Odin, I've double checked every file to make sure I've got the right file for my device, I feel like I've done everything I can do.
Is my Galaxy 10.1 permanently bricked? Or is there any way I can pull it back from the brink?

The red text in the bottom error screen says:

Fail to download [51505][Date:8970.0] > Part 2560(/2560)]
  (2KB unit)
Tegra_nand_Write: Error to DownloadPartition_odin![err:0xffffffff]

Update: It seems I can't turn on the device anymore. No matter how long I hold down the power button, or if I combine it with holding down either volume button, the screen does not respond. There's no charging indicator on screen if I plug the USB cable in, so I can't tell if it can take a charge or not, but I have tried leaving it charging over night.
Anyway, whatever the cause, the device now seems completely unresponsive. So, unless someone has one last thing I can do to try and resurrect this device, it looks like it is bricked and I'll be giving it away.

Have you tried flashing without pit? It is not recommended to use a pit file unless you know what you're doing. And you need 4 files firmware and untick Repartition. By the way, this Odin version is too old! Try version 3.7 (lastest version 12.3)

What reads the red lines? I can't read. "Failed to.... " ?

@esQmo, thank you for responding. I have tried Odin 3.7, and I actually went back to an older version that I had worked with before, because I thought maybe the new version might have problems. I have also tried flashing without PIT. I was originally not flashing PIT, but that didn't work, so PIT was a desperate attempt after everything else failed.

@esQmo, thank you for responding. I've added the error text to my question.

And you are only Flashing the bootloader. You should flash all partitions! Download a stock firmware, now load it from PDA slot, or AP slot (for newer Odin version). Flashing only the bootloader can't unbrick the device

@esQmo ODIN is temperamental, usually the first advice is to try a bunch of different versions. Secondly, I think the fact he keeps tryna flash bootloader is where it goes wrong, soo

@Questioner DONT STICK IT IN BOOTLOADER! STICK IT IN PDA/AP! Samsung devices don't really have a bootloader.

@DanBrown, thank you for responding. I put the tar file in AP, but I didn't get a different result. It still failed. :(


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Block URLs and encrypt hosts file
I am looking to block a few URLs from an android device... however, I would like to take an extra level of security and password protect the hosts file.
I think I can do that with ES File Explorer by the looks of it?
https://www.howtogeek.com/221582/19-things-you-didnt-know-androids-es-file-explorer-can-do/amp/
I'm wondering, if I encrypt the hosts file but then uninstall ES File Explorer, will the hosts file stay encrypted?
Or if not, is there another way to achieve this?

Well, if the hosts file is encrypted, what use will it be? It cannot be read then and thus not be used.

If you encrypt the hosts file, the system won't be able to read the file, so it won't work any more. But there's no need: since you need root access to edit the hosts file anyway, any app that you don't grant root access won't be able to edit the file.


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Making lock screen notifications show only in drop-down menu
Using oneplus 3t, Android 7.0, oxygen OS 4.0.3, not rooted.
I'm trying to get my lock screen notifications to only be visible when I slide down the notification bar, and show the app icons on th top right. Is this possible? Thanks

Go to Settings -> Notification -> Tap on settings icon on right top and click "On the lock screen" -> Don't show notification at all.And for second one (app icons on the top right) is not possible with default lock screen in OP3. Instead you can use LED notification light for the apps or use a custom lock screen app which will disable smartlock.


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How to get access to whole internal memory from computer
Is there a way to access a whole internal memory (with apks, apps data and others)? Because I must backup it, but a state of free space doesn't allow me to install any apps.

You are chasing the wrong problem... have you checked our insufficient storage tag info? http://android.stackexchange.com/tags/insufficient-memory/info

Also see our backup tag-wiki. There are ways to initiate a full backup from PC without installing anything additional onto the Android device. And to partly answer the question you asked: not without rooting the device, no.

I have a rooted device


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TWRP - Redirect script stdout to recovery output
I have a flashable zip that runs a .sh script on flashing it via TWRP.
What it does not do is that it doesn't print stdout of the script to the recovery output (although it logs it in /cache/recovery_log.
I want something like what OpenGapps or SuperSU zips do.
I've referred a guide by Chainfire on XDA, but I'm still confused.
Do I need a different updater-binary/updater-script like Opengapps or SuperSU have, or is there another, way for it?

Does this ZIP only execute the update-binary, or does it execute an additional .sh script?

It executes an additional .sh script


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Notification messages from when I turned on the phone. Where are they?
My Galaxy j7 shows me notification messages when I turned on the phone (i.e. received messages, phone calls, apps updated, etc.)
Is there a way to see those from the normal interface without having to turn the phone off and back on?

I believe you are asking for "Recent Notifications" but it is not clear to me if you know about the swipe down feature.

One way it is possible is by using an app - Toaster or Notification History or Notification Log History
Notification History displays more information

Notification History records USSD, Class 0 (Flash) SMS, popped dialog, app installation, toasts and notifications. This can be used to:

Backup messages by apps and read them later
Find out which app pushed annoying status bar advertisement, and uninstall it.
Auto dismiss USSD and Class 0 dialog (pro version)

Toaster

Records every toast message including the sender package. May be helpful if you get messages and don't know, which app sends it.

Notification Log History: It also let's you view deleted notifications!

I don't want to install an app
Go your widget drawer, find the settings app and drop it on your home screen and choose notification log as shortcut (source). This is possible with recent Android versions and if your device doesn't support, you can try the same trick by using Nova Launcher but then you are adding another app, if Nova isn't your preferred launcher

I could not get Toaster to work and the other apps are essentially logs(useful in some cases.)

In my Samsung Galaxy S21 with android 14, the no-app method does not work, in agreement with
this.
Long press in home screen > Widgets > ... does not have "Settings".

So it isn't clear to me exactly what you are looking for so I thought I would post what fixed this issue for me.
Recent Notification displays the recent notifications as if your phone is locked.  It supports swiping to dismiss notifications, clear all, excluded apps, etc...


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Manually lock device without smart lock
Since Android 5.0 there is a feature called 'Smart Lock', which allows you to access your device without entering your password, pin or pattern.
It is possible to lock the device via shell  by emulating a power button press:
adb shell input keyevent 26

Once on the lockscreen, Smart Lock can be temporarily stopped by holding down on the unlock icon (see question) ↓

How can the device be locked and require a manual unlock using a shell command (or script) with or without root access?

If you lock the device as an administrator this will require a manual unlock, and in fact will not accept fingerprints either. This is not root, whatever app you are doing this from just has to be on the administrator list and has to execute the lock screen command rather than just a button press.
I'm not sure if you can do this direct from shell or not, but a small tasker app could do it I think using the system lock action and you can code it into an app. There are already standalone apps that do this as well.
Making an app administrator
Practical instructions for adding administrator to an app
Command to lock the screen from within an app (if that's what you're making)


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Pressing # before * clears all code in checkin
I want to dial *#*#2432546#*#* so aka *#*#checkin#*#* to check updates http://lifehacker.com/5719657/force-your-android-phone-to-check-for-a-system-update
but when I press # in this place *#*#2432546#  <- this place
it clears and can't type all code
Make: Goclever
Model: Quantum 350
android version: jelly bean 4.2.2

Wow, haven't heard of that one in years... that is from 2010 or so (December 2010 according to the article) so it is quite out of date, like 6 or 7 years old so you are talking about mid-Froyo (2.2) or early Gingerbread (2.3) days. Not all phones use the same dialer codes, although some are mostly universal not all are. My guess is that code isn't compatible with your device, or most likely most devices today. Most devices now have update checks embedded in Settings - About Phone

This is because when you type the # there, the dialpad thinks it as a secret code and try tp trigger the function. It is a bug
Once I had the same problem in my old device.
To type the number,
Try
1.*#*##*#* then add the number between them
Or
2.*#*#*#* then add the number and # between them

I have known I can't upgrade 4.2.2+ but I can use cyanogenmod

Did your problem solved? Can you type it now?

not work clears as I typed before and 2. not work too

What happen when you try 2.

ok I try again 2.

Did you try to type *#*#2432546#*#* completely?

3rd # clears all code

Which # , last one?

6# this hash do this

So it works and the issue is the code doesn't trigger anything. This issue I found on Some LG devices. The code has nothing to do with the phone.


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Where is the "systemless hosts" file under Magisk?
Where is the "systemless hosts" file? I normally just replace the hosts file in /etc/ since I have a customized list. With the systemless hosts, I don't know which file to replace.
P.S., for the newer magisk, it is under /system_root/etc.

The file is in /magisk/.core.

As far as I know, the point of that Magisk feature is to hide the hosts file from both apps and Android itself. That means you should be able to edit the hosts file with a file editor app, or use a hosts editor app, without it being aware of Magisk. You just have to turn the feature on and grant root to the app.
My /etc/hosts is identical to my /magisk/.core/hosts, and I only use a hosts editor app to edit it.


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How to use micro sd card as internal memory on samsung galaxy tab A
I was reading on google that you can make a tablet recognize micro sd card as internal memory? How can this be done on a Samsung Galaxy Tab (Model Number SM-t350) running Android version 6.0.1.
If it can be done what happens to the 16GB of internal storage currently being used. I would prefer not having to root my tablet due to the fact that I know nothing of rooting. All I want to accomplish is more memory for my tablet whether I download apps or put books on my tablet.

I think Samsung have not  implemented Adoptable Storage on its devices : http://forums.androidcentral.com/android-6-0-marshmallow/695816-galaxy-tab-2016-10-1-wi-fi.html, A rooted method described here for Tab S : https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-tab-s/general/patch-adoptable-storage-enabler-t3460478

To add to my answer, here is the answer to your second query i.e. If it can be done what happens to the 16GB of internal storage currently being used. Once a card has been formatted as internal storage, both the device internal storage and the card will show up as "device storage" under storage settings, and applications can be moved back and forth between the two.

So going buy this I can't upgrade my internal storage?

If you don't find any default options available over settings which Chandrani Chatterjee posted, then you don't have any other option until you don't root your device.

So, how would you do it with a rooted device?

To use your microSD card as internal storage follow these steps:
1) Insert the SD card in your device
2) Click on the notification saying SD card detected
3) Select setup
4) Choose Use as Internal storage
But please note that the microSD card needs to be formatted so as to use it as internal storage. So kindly back up files before doing so.
Also note that, using microSD card as internal storage has some cons.
1) It might slow down your device.
2) You can switch from using it as internal memory to portable memory, but it takes time and needs formatting again.
3) Your device will expect the adopted SD card to be always present and it will misbehave it the SD card is removed.
So, use your SD card as internal memory only if necessary.

Please edit posts in totality ( including removing unnecessary tags and adding relevant tags )- in this case adoptable storage tag was relevant and added. 2. Your solution is not complete- OP asked what happens to device storage - see this for explanation http://android.stackexchange.com/q/152308/131553

Got it. Missed the second part of question.

OP is asking for a specific device, on which the default Android options are not available.


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How to change messaging and phone app in Oppo R9s?
Is there a way to change messaging and phone call apps without the phone defaulting to stock on an unrooted Oppo R9s?

Whatever settings you change for the messaging will not make any difference, the phone will always revert to the default app. I took this up directly with OPPO and had the following response:
"We decided not to allow customer to set 3rd party applications as default message application, for security of the devices cannot be guaranteed. We also want to let you experience our built-in application and to be spared from the malfunction like virus, bug or etc."
Not the response I wanted or expected!

A simple way is to download an alternative app from the Play store and then replace it with the stock app in your app drawer. This way you will always open that app instead of the stock one. However this does not guarantee your incoming calls or messages will be received in that 3rd party app. You can try using Truecaller app though. It allows you to replace the stock app with it.

Follow these steps for changing the default app for messaging :

Go to Settings

Select Apps

Select Configure Apps (Top Right icon)

Select Default Apps under Advanced

Tap on your messaging app

Now,the list of messaging apps will pop up which you have installed on your device. Select the one which you want to make default.
Repeat the same for the Calling app.
Hope this helps.

Thanks alot.  i have tried this but everytime a message or call comes through a message pops up saying phone has reset to stock defsult

Try clearing the defaults first. To clear the defaults, follow these steps: Go to Settings -> Apps -> Tap the app you want to clear from default -> Slide down and you will find Launch/Open by default -> Clear Defaults. After this, follow the steps that I mentioned in the answer.


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Mute all but one app
So I have this national radio news app.
Now I should like to use different apps while listening.
This doesn't work.
As soon as I open a different app, the news app gets muted, even when all sounds are turned off in the other app.
How do I change that?

I don't think it's possible as Android design doesn't permit

@beeshyams and yet there ARE some apps that overlay their own sound without issues.

Possibly due to the design of app to overcome this limitation; Android per se doesn't permit it - when an app is minimised it's audio is taken over by foreground app. This is my understanding as a user - I haven't a clue of development


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Remove lockscreen app via adb
A relative installed a bunch of apps, and now I am infected by some app with a pesky ad-filled lockscreen, ON TOP of the regular lockscreen (why are they even allowed to do that).
How can I find the name of the current lockscreen app using adb so I could remove it?
Using adb shell dumpsys activity | grep mFocus yielded com.android.settings which I presume is the stock lockscreen.
I dont want to format the device nor delete a bunch of apps until I uninstall the right one.

Follow http://android.stackexchange.com/q/143330/96277

@Firelord thanks! I don't have any of the apps on the list though.

On that lockscreen, do you get to use Overview button? If yes, you may be able to see the name of the app in the app window when you press that button.


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Prevent %VOLA from changing
Tasker doesn't change neither %VOLA or %VOLM when i lower them on volume panel.
It is a problem since i have a bad habit of setting alarm volume to 0 when i am at school.


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Android Nougat Wi-Fi drop after updating Galaxy Note5
I'm using Galaxy Note5 and updated my phone via Software Update option in my phone and my phone is not rooted. So, i keep the Wi-Fi always on while its sleeping but, in the battery section, when i select wi-fi from the battery using programs&apps list, i just see here "Turn off Wi-Fi when not in use.". Also when my phone goes sleep after 2 mins of wait, i just waited like 5 mins or 10 mins i don't know the exact time, when i wake it up , just saw the wi-fi connected again every time, but as i said i selected always on from the settings.I also tried reset all network settings etc. and tried to find Wi-Fi from apps to prevent it from the power saving but there is no Wi-Fi. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks.


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Replace lockscreen background image using adb
I am using a Lenovo Vibe Shot phone, which has Android 6.0.1 on it. In one of the updates, the change lockscreen background feature stopped work, so I can't change the background, now, regardless of where I try to do it from: settings, gallery, Google Play or 3rd party apps that are made to do that or try to implement the functionality(trust me, if there was a normal way to do it, I'd have found it).
So I've figured out I could maybe use adb to replace my lockscreen background.
Basically, what I'm asking is if there are any special commands in adb shell to do this? If not, does anybody know the location, where Android 6.0.1 stores its lockscreen image? Or if that's not the case, does anybody know the file, which has the string/line that points to the location of the lockscreen background file?
Any of the above mentioned methods are good enough for me. As far as I can see, adb is basically a limited bash shell, or at least has a mode similar to that. So if I get the file location, command or string location, I'll probably be able to continue by myself.

Have you checked here:  /system/wallpaper

I do not own a Lenovo device, but many individuals claim lockscreen images are stored here: /storage/emulated/0/.lelauncher/wallpaper.
You may want to check this Lenovo support forum: Custom picture for lockscreen


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wifi bluetooth not turning on htc 516
when i switched on phone it is not turning WI-fi or blue tooth on but mobile data is working.need help want to fix it.i done restore hard reset but no use. WI-FI based apps also not working.

What excatly happens when you try to turn on the WiFi/Bluetooth? Does it turns back off, Or are the options disabled?

try this, Go to Recovery mode and clear cache(ONLY CACHE AND DALVIK CACHE). Then, reboot and check.


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Phone won't shut up even in Vibrate/Silent mode
If I set my phone to Vibrate or Silent modes, it's still making audible notifications for GMail, Hangouts, Waze, and maybe other things.
It has worked as expected for years, and then started doing this in the last few weeks.  I don't see any other setting anywhere that adjusts this.
All 3 of the main volume controls are at zero.  Is there somewhere else I should look?
The loudness of the notifications matches the loudness of the notification slider when it's not muted.  Like if I set it to high level and then go to silent mode, the notifications are still high level.  If I set it to the lowest level and then go to silent mode, the notifications are at the lowest level.
CM11, Android 4.4.4, Samsung Galaxy S Relay

If wbogacz solution didn't help and you are OK with an automation option, let me know

@beeshyams How would you automate it?

Posted.. Please check and revert

Automation is the preferred option. Many apps are available. I prefer using MacroDroid , since it is free (upto 5 macros) and easy to learn.

Your macro would look like this

Macro : Mute Notification (name of macro as example)

Trigger: Notification → Notification received  → Select Application (S)  → Gmail and others  → Text content contains  → Any
Action: Notification Sound  ( select none, since you don't want any)
Constraints: Ringer Volume → Vibrate or Silent ( Macro works in these conditions only )

Actually it seems I can adjust this in Tasker, which I already use.  I don't understand why the Notification Sound volume is no longer controlled by the system volume though.

Sounds have been messed up after kit kat I understand - in the sense of how they are handled

See for instance this question for changes http://stackoverflow.com/q/21701432/5585644

but I didn't upgrade the OS, it just changed

That's strange though

Wondering if that could be asked as a separate question linking this one as a background- you may find out why it's happening

It is a fact that there are elements of the audio on devices that escape the Vibrate/Silent mode you are dealing with. I was disturbed at the difficulties of closing all audio channels, too. Years ago I found an app that made all the manipulation of the sounds on my devices clear and simple: Volume Ace. It makes it clear which systems still allow audio when in Vibrate mode, or when directed to be Silent. It allows you to control the outliers right from within a single screen, rather than through multiple menus or other activities. It allows for audio profiles for time of day, etc. It allows your settings to be saved, and recalled in case of unintentional disruption. I haven't needed to play with most aspects of audio in some time.
DISCLAIMER: I am not the developer, just a long-time satisfied user. I hope you find it as useful.


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How to stop or cancel download in chrome android
How to stop download in chrome download in Android.

To stop downloading some file in chrome you can do this:
Simply press cancel or x on notification where it shows that file is downloading or it shows remaining time, or you can longpress on that notification (if you don't have cancel button there) and press 'app info' when it opens app in app manager just simply force stop it.

Second method is ok. But first won't work for old version of chrome

@Sagar V  Yes, that's why I mentioned second method.

Here is the short way TO solve this issue.
Go to download FOLDER through Explore app or any files opening app.
Inside you will find the (current) DOWNLOADING file with extension.        .crdownload
Now you try to open the file, it will ask for "open with"
Then select any one to open the file.
Finally wait for sometime, download notification will disappear and download will STOP.

No. It won't. Since chrome lost focus, it is just paused. It will continue when you reopen chrome

Just  clear Chrome  data and cache

I just simply "Restart" my phone. When you on data connection, the downloading will begin automatically and the "Cancel" and "pause" options will appear

Goto to Apps / App Manager
Select Chrome
If Chrome is User Downloaded app You can Press "Clear Data"
If Chrome if System app, You can press
"Manage Space"
Then, Google Chrome Storage will get opened,
Then, Click on Clear All Data.
Note : Please note your all data will be cleared. So Backup your Bookmarks if needed.

Your answer is correct for clearing cache for downloaded files but question is about how to stop a downloading file in android?

Why would he cleared data to stop download?

Because, there is no other option available rather than clearing data right now!

authors: Једноруки Крстивоје


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How to remove "Contents hiddens" from lock screen
I'm currently hiding sensitive notification content from the lock screen. I did that by going in Settings>Notifications>Configure notifications>On the lock screen>Hide sensitive notification content.
Now it shows Contents hidden on my lock screen. I'd like to be able to see the notification but remove that text "Contents hiddens".
Is that possible?
Screenshot.

Thank you

Yah just go to settings>lockscreen and security>notifications on lockscreen and don't allow that app to post a notification to the lockscreen not sure what phone you have so that could be a slightly different path. If you are just trying to remove the "contents hidden" text I'm not sure there is a way at the moment. I'll look into it

@asloss I still want to see the notification, I just want to hide the text. I will update my question to clarify.

Were you able to try the solution posted ?

It should be possible using automation. I prefer Macrodroid, being easy to learn and free (upto 5 macros)
Note: Not tested on Nougat ( I don't have it)
The macro would look like this ( on the left is the macro) and on right is detailed configuration for second action Display Notification

Explanation:

Your messaging app (Textra in my case) generates a notification which has hidden in it - This is the trigger ( you can choose multiple apps as I see from your screenshot, you have two apps)

First action is to clear such notifications

Second action is to substitute that notification with your customised message - you have a message in the example

This is the bare bones macro , you can play around with it and confirm whether it suits your needs - you can customise a lot in the second action by choosing options from ...
Clicking this on lock screen will NOT launch your messaging app. If you want that to be done create another macro, where
Trigger: Empty Trigger
Action: Launch Application → select your messaging app
Constraints : None
Name this macro whatever you like (say, launch messaging app ) and on the second action of first macro tick Invoke macro when pressed and choose launch messaging app
For a rooted device  ( and when Nougat gets xposed ) , SMS Xposed has hide sender , hide message options


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Yuphoria bricked and stuck in bootloop
My Android device YU Yuphoria is currently bricked and stuck in a bootloop. What I tried to do to cause this was that I first rooted the phone and installed TWRP. Then I installed Android Nougat on it, which was a success for the first few days but later got corrupted somehow. Now I'm stuck in a bootloop. Whenever I try to flash its stock ROM, it gives an error message "E: failed to mount". Infact, whatever I try to do in the Cynogen recovery mode, it gives this same error message. Can someone help me out of this?

So you need to flash it using a computer

You should try flashing the phone using a computer.

Download any firmware from this link. - all are for model Y5010a, since you didn't mention which model.
Unzip it and you'll find drivers,  flash files and the flashing instructions.
Install drivers then follow the instructions for flashing.

Your phone should work fine now.
UPDATE:
I thought it would help if I reproduce all flashing steps here

First download the Firmware, Flash tool and driver from above link
Extract the file  (zip files) to desktop (You need to  install winrar software or 7zip to Extract)
Open Driver folder and install Qualcomm_USB_Driver_Setup.exe file and wait until finish installation.
Open QPST.WIN.2.7_Installer-00430.1 folder,  install setup.exe
Now open QFIL from the "C:\Program Files\Qualcomm\QPST\bin" path.
Tick on Flat Build option
Go to Programmer Path and click on Browse.. button and choose prog_emmc_firehose_8916.mbn file
Click on Load XML... button and choose rawprogram_unsparse.xml file and then choose patch0.xml file from the Firmware folder
Now connect USB cable to the phone while holding  volume up + volume down buttons.
Drivers should be installed. Just Click on Download button on the programm and wait until finish procedure.

Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been moved to chat.


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transferring movies from Mac to Samsung Jitterbug
Using Android file transfer, I moved some photos and short videos to a Samsung Jitterbug's photo folder. The photos all show up, the movies do not. Any suggestions? Thank you.


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Wifi Hotspot/Tethering Unstable (Android 7, Xperia Z5 Compact)
I have a Sony Xperia Z5 Compact running Android 7.  The Wifi hotspot/tethering functionality has never been perfectly stable, but in recent weeks/months (I think since Android 7) it has become awful.  What happens is I unlock the photo, pull down the notification screen and tap the hotspot icon to turn it on.  The hotspot icon then shows in the top notification for about 2-3 seconds before vanishing again (I presume: crashing silently).  If I turn it on again sometimes it also vanishes within a few seconds, but it may then stay on for a while.  However, it stops relatively frequently (several times an hour).
It does not appear related to what devices are attached (it crashes before any other device has connected, after all) nor to the mobile data connection (which is usually working fine with good signal at the point it crashes).  My provider does allow tethering, and anyway it's the hotspot wifi functionality on the phone itself which is cutting out and dropping the wifi to the tethered laptop, not the onward connection.
Obviously I'd love to know the solution directly, but even if not: is there any way I can debug what's happening by viewing system logs or similar?  Phone is not rooted and I'd prefer not to root it.

I have the same problem on a Samsung Galaxy S5 running Lineage OS 7.1.2 (klte nightlies) - exactly as you've described.  Did you solve it?

This looks relevant, but inconclusive: https://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=194931

Afraid I never did solve it.  Instead, I downloaded the Mac driver for USB tethering and I've been using that since.  Not ideal (you have to have the cable attached to the laptop) but it's very stable, unlike the Wifi Tethering.


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Possibly bricked moto g4 plus XT1644
I was trying to flash the official OTA for Android Nougat in XT1644 since the OTA hadn't get.
After reading, found this tutorial, and now my Moto G doesn't start properly, it says something like "failed to verify boot image". I ran this tutorial while working on Ubuntu 16.04 having installed adb-tools and fastbool-tools package.
Decided finally unlock bootloader (which worked) and install TWRP (which did not work), and here's the output for the TWRP flash:

How can I manage to install the official Nougat update for XT1644?

Did you try what is discussed here? : https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-g4-plus/how-to/ota-zip-update-npj25-93-14-t3539407

@esQmo I can't boot into recovery mode, since TWRP failed, so I can't flash this version.

This version can only be flashed through a stock recovery, not TWRP! If you are unable to boot into recovery, then you'll need to flash your phone with RSD Lite.

Or simply using fastboot commands. The steps are here: https://www.gammerson.com/2016/05/guide-flash-stock-firmware-moto-g4-plus-2016-variants.html

Thanks. All those system images are not present in the unzipped file you told me to download. How should I proceed?

Download the firmware here, 1.0 GiB file: https://firmware.center/firmware/Motorola/Moto%20G4%20%28Plus%29/Stock/XT1644/

If I'm doing manual, just unzip the firmware and execute the commands you told me?

Yes, simply like that

But from the terminal, you have to cd  to where the files are unzipped then execute the command. .

@esQmo is this firmware for Nougat?

I don't think so, but it's for unbricking the device. You can try reflashing any Nougat update later.

So in Linux isn't working, I'm going to have to try in Windows

Should work if you unzip the flash file into the folder where fastboot is stored

when flashing partition, boot and systems, returns FAILED.


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Disable External Microphone
I have a Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 and use it to listen to music in my car thru an aux cable.
The problem is, when the aux is connected to the phone, its detect an "external microphone" wich capture no sound at all (because my car dont have an external mic).
So, when I try to make a voice record or send a voice message on whatsapp, there is no sound recorded.
There is a way to disable the phone from using an external mic?
I downloaded the app "soundabout", its solves the problem but create others (like pausing/unpausing when aux is connected), so I still need a full fix.
Ty!


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Extract TWRP backups made with adb
I have a Samsung Galaxy S2 GT-I9100 smartphone with LineageOS and TWRP. Every week I make a backup with the following command:
adb backup -f twrp-20170322.ab --twrp boot data system

I may optionally use the --compress option, too.
Is there a way to extract the twrp-20170322.ab backup file with stardard GNU/Linux command line tools? I will also consider installing extra software if needed, but it must be free (as in freedom).
Links:

https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/help/extract-backup-adb-twrp-option-t3577903
https://github.com/TeamWin/Team-Win-Recovery-Project/issues/898

I have found that TWRP-generated .ab files are different from the normal adb backup files, so the offset is different from normal .ab files. I was able to inspect and extract files using (for example to inspect) the following command:
dd if=backup.ab bs=512 skip=1 | tar ft -

Apparently, the header may be longer, but it should be aligned with 512-bytes boundaries, so just bump the skip= parameter if it can't find it at first.
Note that the file format is defined in twadbstream.h, if you need to dig into this further.

The problem with the naive dd-based approach is that there is metadata every so often in the file. This results in corruption for files of any significant length.
I wrote an extraction tool utilizing twadbstream.h (thanks @anarcat) that I have used to successfully recover large (~10GB) multi-filesystem TWRP ADB backups.
twrpabx

Thank you! Your tool worked for me after applying these patches mentioned in the Github issues https://github.com/prudy/twrpabx/tree/img_and_issue4

@TrojanName were you able to extract multi partitions backup with these patches?

@SandroAntonucci Yes I think it did

Provided you didn't protect it with a password:
dd if=$1 bs=24 skip=1 | openssl zlib -d >${1%%.ab}.tar

dd is the "Disk Duplicator" (also known as "disk destroyer" in case you confuse its parameters ans switch if and of ;)
bs=23 advises it to use a block size of 24 byte, which we need to…
skip=1 skip 1 block of 24 byte (the "Backup header")
the output gets piped to openssl to process and unpack it
… and the output from that is redirected to a Tarball

From there, you should know your way: simply "untar" (extract) what you want.
Why it uses $1? Well, I copied this line from ab2tar, which is included with my little tool Adebar you might be interested in as well: creates a nice device documentation, backup scripts and more, all via ADB using nothing but Bash  So put that line in a tiny little shell script, and call it:
ab2tar twrp-20170322.ab

Then find a twrp-20170322.tar as result. Of course, this requires openssl to be installed on your Linux machine.

I get the following error message: 140376894071512:error:29065064:lib(41):BIO_ZLIB_READ:zlib inflate error:c_zlib.c:548:zlib error:data error

Never seen that. Could it be TWRP uses a different compression method than standard ADB (I couldn't find details on that)? Or, as you didn't specify --compress when creating the backup, creates uncompressed backups? In the latter case, try leaving out the zlib parameter (or do it the other way around and specify --compress when creating the backup ;).

I tried with: dd if=twrp-20170320.ab bs=24 skip=1 > twrp-20170320.tar (without inserting openssl). But when I try to list the contents of the tar archive with tar -tf twrp-20170320.tar I get: tar: This does not look like a tar archive; tar: Skipping to next header; tar: Exiting with failure status due to previous errors

There's a reason for not using the --compress option with adb: it compresses way less efficiently than xz. I prefer to save as much space as possible. But that's not related to my initial problem.

What I described above works fine for "normal" ADB backups (I use it frequently for those, and I don't use a --compress there either). From your statement (adb backup …) I assumed the very same format. If you're just using a different compression, you must consider that. openssl is needed to decrypt the backup – so without that, you don't get a valid .tar. From your last comments, I'd assume you should replace zlib by the corresponding part for xz. Apart from that, I'm out of ideas, sorry.

from what i can tell, this procedure only works with "normal" (ie. non-TWRP) generated backups. when TWRP sends the stream, it slaps a new header on top, which is longer (512 bytes). see https://android.stackexchange.com/a/180402/158769 for a solution that worked for me.

@anarcat Thanks for the pointer! So my approach is still valid, one just has to skip a different sector size – and can skip the entire openssl stuff?

@Izzy your answer is for adb backup, not working for TWRP backup. check my script twab.sh

Umpf, so are you saying adb backup is not creating an "ADB backup" here? That's quite confusing.

it's data.ext4.win with a 1536 bytes header, but 'broken' into datablocks. also it may contain multiple partitions https://sourceforge.net/p/adbextractor/discussion/general/thread/f96e7701/#0a6a


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Phone disconnects from USB after 5 seconds on Windows
My phone recently underwent continued exposure to water (in my pocket during a heavy storm), and after drying it out, I have a problem with its USB port:

When connecting the phone to a Windows computer, it indicates charging, is detected as a device by the system, but it is not possible to browse its files. But after approximately 5 seconds, it is completely ejected and stops charging.
When connecting to a Linux or Mac computer, it works flawlessly, charging and able to transfer files.

I suspected it could be some sort of short causing an overload and the motherboard shutting down the port, but does not seem to be the case, since when monitoring the current (with an app in the phone, and an USB volt+amp-meter it looks to be well within range of the expected values.
After ruling out overload, I thought that maybe the data bus could be damaged, but upon testing on a Linux, a Mac and another Windows, it worked perfectly, even transmitting big files to check if it would fail at some point succeeded. Seems this is an exclusively Windows-related problem.
It could be the cable, but after testing with a different one, the same behaviour was observed (works on Mac/Linux,  disconnects on Windows).
Any ideas how to fix this? It's a bit annoying since I usually use my Windows machine to charge the phone.

Is the behaviour same on all ISB ports of windows machine? Asking to rule out problem with a particular port

@beeshyams Yes, same behaviour with all USB ports, on both Windows machines.

time to change the USB cable

@SagarV Forgot to add this info: same behaviour with 2 different USB cables, which work with other phones or when connecting to non-Windows.


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Question on how to decrypt adopted storage
In this answer post, user poqdavid gives an answer on how to decrypt adopted storage. In steps 5 - 8, it says to use a linux computer to perform the commands.
As I don't have a linux computer, I was wondering if those steps can be done on the Android phone, using Busybox and Android Terminal Emulator?  If so, what would be the steps to do it (assuming they differ some from the ones posted there)?
Maybe the better question would be, is there a straight-forward way to decrypt the storage ON THE ANDROID DEVICE, so the SD card doesn't have to be removed and read in another machine?


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System UI Tuner not enabling
How do I enable System UI Tuner on my Lenovo Vibe K4 Note.
It is not enabling on long press of quick settings button in the notification panel.

Long press and hold for a while ?

It is possible Lenovo disabled it in their ROM... If you Google your model and System UI tuner, others have not been able to enable it either.

if you are on marshmallow long press the "GEAR" icon for 5 seconds

(you should see a prompt that says ui tuner enabled)

then go to settings and you should see the ui tuner in the settings.

Link with tutorial here http://gadgetguideonline.com/android/android-marshmallow-guide/how-to-use-system-ui-tuner-in-android-marshmallow/

Considering that manufacturer can customize and enable/disable some features, are you sure this is possible on Lenovo Vibe K4 Note?

@AndrewT. this is a valid point in this case i would suggest Rooting and running a custom Rom. some rom's for this device could be found here https://forum.xda-developers.com/f/lenovo-vibe-k4-note-roms-kernels-recoveries-o.5856/


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HTC One M8 encrypted it's self, decyption failed, data corrupt, reset doesn't work
I have a HTC One M8 not rooted. Yesterday, when I was checking voicemail, the phone was going really slow and rebooted after a minute or so.  Worked fine after that until tonight.  The phone was on my desk in front of me (doing nothing on it for a couple hours) and I saw it reboot again and seemed to be taking longer than usual to boot.  Then I got the message:
Your phone is encrypted. To decrypt your phone, enter your screen lock password. 30 attempts remain before device data is deleted.
There was a button for emergency call and the keyboard popped up for me to enter my password and hit the decrypt button.  I entered the password and got:
Decryption unsuccessful.  The password you entered is correct, but unfortunately your data is corrupt.  To resume using your phone, you need to perform a factory reset.  When you setup your phone after the reset, you'll have an opportunity to restore any data that was backed up to your Google account.
There was a reset phone button.  I didn't have much on my phone that I didn't have elsewhere, so I hit the reset button.  After the reboot, it went back to the "Your phone is encrypted" message and data still corrupt.  I googled how to reset the phone.  I shut down the phone, held the down volume button and power button to get to the menu with fastboot, recovery, factory reset, simlock, check smartsd, image crc, and show barcode.  Image crc and show barcode worked but did nothing to fix the phone of course.  Simlock got SD init OK, Open MCCMNC file fail, Open CID file fail, Open IMEI file fail, Open atsdob file fail, Open SF file fail, Open mane file fail, Check keycard fail, process done, reboot device? All the others just ended up with me back at the Your phone is enctryped message again.
I did not encrypt the phone, so I don't know why I got this message unless it's just an error from apparently having corrupt data.  Any idea on what to try?  I obviously lost anything that's on the phone that I don't have elsewhere, but I'd be fine with the reset back to not been used yet state.
The phone has plenty of power.  It was around 70% when this happened.  It's fully charged now.
::edit::
After doing some more searches, I went to htc's website to get the rom to flash it back to factory settings manually, but both in the hold volume down plus power button boot and letting it boot normally until it got to the decryption failed, it didn't work.  I tried 5 different usb cables on two different computers.  None would keep the phone connected long enough to do much of anything.  I had installed the htc manager so it had drivers, but the phone only showed up in device manager.  It did not show up in file explorer.  In regular boot, it could just not find the phone to try and update it.  Off the fastboot usb screen, it got far enough to show I was already on the current version but let me pick to install anyway.  However, the first thing it did was try and reboot, which only went back to the phone encrypted message and went no further.
I'm thinking it's a lost cause, and I'll have to get a new one.

You can try to download and install the firmware via fastboot.
HTC provides the firmware for a lot of One M8 variants.
Or you unlock the bootloader (oficcially supported by HTC) and install Lineage OS. That would get Android 7 to your device. Even if Lineage has only nightly builds for the One M8, the nightlies of Lineage OS are usually relatively stable (my experience on a different device). Also the encryption usually works and it is better to have a working phone on Lineage than a bricked one.
Note: Even if you do not plan to install Lineage oem unlock may be interesting for you as it erases the user data partition. Afterwards you can still re-lock it.


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Android-to-Android file explorer using WiFi direct
Is there a way to access files of an Android device from another Android device using Wi-Fi? I need something like a file explorer.

Not sure if there's anything to directly browse all files on a remote device, but some of these candidates in my app lists might at least come close to it: Filetransfer between two Android devices.

Generally, any good file explorer with FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, and SMB/CIFS capabilities can handle this task with ease or other Wi-Fi file-sharing applications. You can even browse through Play Store to get the right one, e.g. Solid Explorer, Total Commander etc. For starters, you can run through Izzy's list of Filetransfer between two Android devices.
For purposes of explanation, I chose ES Explorer, it has a lot of functions including remote browser:
You can use the following procedure to access files in another device:

Install ES Explorer on both devices if you haven't already done so.

Switch on a portable hotspot and allow both devices to connect.

Using phone A, open ES Explorer and go to remote manager and turn it on. See below:

(click image for larger variant)

Copy the server details from phone A, you will need them in phone B.

Using phone B, open ES Explorer and navigate to Network → FTP.

Add a new server using the details you previously copied:

When setup is completed, you can now browse the files of phone A from phone B.

See screens from both devices:

(click images for larger variants)

I searched for an app to transfer files from/to the laptop completely locally (= securely) without cable and without additional software (on the PC) and found nothing. So I developed an app myself "wimly" (for Android).
It's completely free without ads.

The best app I've found is X-plore File Manager. It has a WiFi file server and can browse the SD card and internal card of another phone on the same WiFi. The best part is it works both on someone's hotspot and if you are the hotspot as well.

But x plorer need rooted device I need an app which don't need root access @Jessie O'Connor

ummm no, it doesn't need a rooted device unless you want to use root features...
unless you're confusing X-plore with a different app.

Looking for a WiFi Direct emulator, I visited this YouTube video.
Connect two Android devices without a router via Wifi Direct.
From Wi-Fi peer-to-peer overview | Android Developers,

Wi-Fi peer-to-peer (P2P) allows Android 4.0 (API level 14) or later devices with the appropriate hardware to connect directly to each other via Wi-Fi without an intermediate access point (Android's Wi-Fi P2P framework complies with the Wi-Fi Alliance's Wi-Fi Direct™ certification program).

I watched the above video to reproduce the steps. Unfortunately, my 4.2.2 Android tablet shows no menu item for WiFi Direct. Asked my friend to check and his Samsung smartphone Android 5.0 shows a router option and none for WiFi Direct. All I can select from my tablet's Settings/WiFi/other is Hotspot for Internet access sharing/tethering.
My interest is to stream videos from one Android Tablet to another Android Tablet over WiFi Direct. WiFi Direct specification and manual are about 180 pages long. Not sure how to enable WiFi Direct on my tablet.
Anyway, I can still connect from my tablet to P2P (WiFi Direct) camera to watch live video feeds. So if both of your Android devices support WiFi Direct connection, the above video comes with a solution to your question.


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How to Know my Android Processor info using ADB?
I want to know the android QCT Chipsets Processor information like snapdragon version details usind ADB Commands. Can you please explain anyone?

Try the commands http://stackoverflow.com/questions/6630386/how-to-find-arm-processor-version-on-android-device

adb shell cat /proc/cpuinfo

I'm not too sure about how to do so specifically using ADB commands, but there is a free app in the Play Store called " Droid Hardware Info" that displays everything you could possibly wish to know about your device's hardware, including chipset, modem, architecture, etc.


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Galaxy S2 - Can't get rid of Cyanogen Recovery
So here's the deal. I'm running CM 12.1 on my phone.
I really need/want to flash TWRP, but every single time I do it (via Heimdall), no matter what I do, I always get Cyanogen Recovery, which is completely useless, back over it when I boot into recovery mode. I tried shutting the phone off after flashing and booting directly into recovery mode as some people suggested, but it makes no difference. Yes, I've turned off the option in developer options to update cyanogen recovery, but 12.1 ignores that setting anyways and rewrites any custom recoveries anyways.
Does anyone know how I can get rid of cm recovery and replace it with TWRP? I would be extremely thankful.
EDIT: Just tried flashing via adb, didn't work either. Imma start pulling my hair out at this rate.

Found any solution yet? Stuck with the same problem here

To clarify, did you try using adb or fastboot to flash? Also, you shouldn't "get" something different than what you downloaded. Try using a different file and using fasboot to flash.


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How to allow rotating upside down in portait mode
I have HTC 10, Android 7.0. When I charge it, I have the display upside down in portrait mode. I.e. the button is further from me. The screen doesn't rotate by "gravity" so I see everything upside down.
Is there a way to make the phone screen rotate so that the notification bar would be at the actual bottom of the display?
Update: I've tried a Set Orientation app. That works for the above, but causes problems with apps, like, camera app can't layout correctly.

You can try the solution here with Trigger being  Power Connected.

That's a good trick if I always had it like that, but sometimes I take the phone to hand and then I need it in the default orientation again...

settings put system user_rotation x where x is a number between 0 and 3