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Home screen icon for terminal program?
I'm using terminal-ide http://code.google.com/p/terminal-ide/ which is basically a terminal for android with all sorts of utilities. One is able to create bash scripts for example. Is there a way to create an icon on the home screen that will launch one of these scripts?

Not that I know of. But you might want to take a look at e.g. GScript, which claims to provide such shortcuts.

Is there a way to create an icon on the home screen that will launch one of these scripts?

There is another way (other than this one) if you happen to use Terminal Emulator for Android app. It allows a widget which can be used to execute a script.

Install that app, choose Term Shortcut widget in your current launcher.
Corresponding to Arguments enter:
sh <FILEPATH>

In my case, the query was:
sh  /sdcard/airdroid/dd.sh

As for the root access, you can either provide su access from inside the script and use the aforesaid command for execution, or do:
su -c "sh  /sdcard/airdroid/dd.sh"

Choice is yours!
Choose icon or shortcut label as per your needs, tap OK and an icon would be placed on the home screen.
Tap the icon, the Terminal Emulator app window would open and the script would execute, just like in Desktop GNU/Linux.

We're good to go!

Terminal-ide doesn't appear to have that feature yet, but it does have an issue tracker where you could request it. As it's an open-source program, you might even be able to add the feature yourself if you know (or are willing to teach yourself) a little about how Android apps are written.

If the script isn't dependent on Terminal IDE but on shell only, then you can use Tasker to create a home screen shortcut which would execute the script.
Brief instructions:

Choose Task Shortcut widget in your current launcher.
Create a task name and tap +→ Code → Run Shell. Enter the details there as per your need.
Save the task, choose the icon, and a shortcut (icon) would be placed at home screen.
The shortcut would work as long as Tasker's service keeps running in background.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=os.tools.scriptmanager
worked for me , I made a favorite script and with add-on create a luncher to mount my ext4 USB pens  (with root) .


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Android will not open PDF files from notification bar
I have Samsung galaxy s3 and i recently got system update to 4.1.2 Before update there was no problems with visiting a website, downloading a pdf file and opening it from notification bar. Now after update it says it cannot open this type of files but adobe reader or polaris office still works if i open file from file manager (downloads folder).
Is there any solution for this time consuming problem?
Or can i downgrade this part of android or maybe whole system? It worked like a charm before
EDIT
i have made some more testings and some pdf files are openingand some are not. The ones that im interested in are located on this website (its volleyball statistics)
link to pdf files
Is something wrong with these pdf files or is it a android or adobe reader related problem?
Has someone successfully downloaded one of these files and opened it from notification bar?
Also i have noticed that if i open downloads app (latest downloaded files) it shows as if he cannot determine which app should run the file. But then why it works from file manager or adobe reader itself?

This also occurs with the Samsung Galaxy S4.  I can confirm that the PDF fails to open from the notification area AND from the downloads app with the same error message of "Cannot open file".  It is a valid PDF file and can be opened independently via Adobe Reader and Polaris Office.

source: Stack Exchange

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

sort: votes


text:
How can I "Share To" a network folder from my photo gallery?
I have an HTC Thunderbolt running Ice Cream Sandwich
If I open up my photo gallery and tap on a picture, the "Share" option appears.
Clicking on this gives me some options, such as Facebook, Instagram, Google Drive, etc.
I recently setup a shared folder with my Netgear ReadyShare router that uses Samba. I am able to use the ES File Explorer app to successfully connect to my samba drive and access my folders/files.
How do I setup a "Share To" option that will allow me to copy my photos to my shared samba drive?

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


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Camera app crashing on Nexus i9250 Android 4.2.1
I just bought a i9250 Nexus, and the system proposed to upgrade to newer version 4.2.1 (it is not a rooted phone. It is an unblocked UK phone)
I played with the new phone and after a couple of days I did upgrade it.
Now the camera is not working. When I try to use the camera, it calls the application and before I can see any image from camera, it says "Unfortunately the GALLERY has stopped"
How can I downgrade to previous version? (The phone is not rooted)
Or, does anybody knows how to fix it? or anything that I can try to bring the camera back to action?

Have you tried clearing the data of the camera or gallery apps?

An update to 4.2.2 should fix the bugs. My Galaxy Nexus has been running a lot more stable since the update.
You should be able to find the update in
Settings>>About Phone>>System Updates.


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It seems that I managed to enable "mousekeys" on my android. How do I disable it?
I have a Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1. I am using it with the Apple Bluetooth Keyboard. From time to time, I use a VNC client (androidVNC or FreebVNC) to connect to different machines.
At some point I must have pushed some magical key combination on the keyboard, which enabled the "mousekeys" mode. Namely, the arrow buttons on the keyboard now control the mouse (in the VNC window) rather than act as arrow buttons.
It is not specific to the wireless keyboard. The "Hacker's keyboard" input method (which also has arrow keys) behaves identically.
It is not specific to the machine I am connecting to - it seems the key-to-mousemove translation is happening on the android side.
In all apps except for the VNC clients the arrow buttons work as expected. However, as the problem appears for both androidVNC and FreebVNC applications, it is obviously not a matter of misconfiguration of a particular VNC client. Rebooting does not help.
Hence the question - could it be that I managed to somehow enable the "mousekeys" mode for the android by pushing something? Is there a way to disable or at least to debug it? I have root access.
So far I managed to find out there is something fishy about Linux+MouseKeys+VNC.


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Trace stolen android mobile
I lost my mobile on 26th March, 2013. I didn't install any tracking apps and they removed my sim card from my mobile.  Is possible to track my mobile using the device ID? Is there any Unique ID for android mobiles? Is my device id logged with my associated Google account? contacting Google support works? if yes then how to contact.
OS: android 4.0.4 ICS
Model: Micromax A110 [canvas 2]
Thanks,
Haridharan. R

Have you checked with the lost-phone tag-wiki and the "key-questions" linked there? That should get you started. But with the SIMCard removed, chances get lower. If at least WiFi is on and your device logged in to your Google account, you can use the "Plan B" alternative described in the tag wiki.

Please remove your IMEI for your own security sake! Publishing it, anyone can crawl the web and find a way to unlock the said IMEI from a mobile network.... just saying...

You can remotely install an app like Plan B or AndroidLost from the Play Store website to try to recover the device's location.  Your device has to be un-wiped for this to work, i.e., your Google Account has to be active on the device and it needs to be registered with the Play Store.
Other than that you are likely out of luck unless you have Google Latitude enabled or some other security software.  If you know your IMEI or other device identifiers you could try giving that to law enforcement or the the phone companies in your area, but in many areas there is no sort of coordinated effort to keep stolen phones from being re-used.

In case you weren't aware: http://meta.android.stackexchange.com/questions/1711/can-a-moderator-delete-a-quite-popular-question-to-prevent-discussion-of-a-close


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How to Install Android Apps to the SD Card by Default
I am following this tutorial for moving apps to sd card.
How to Install Android Apps to the SD Card by Default
But My Default Location is not changing. And My Phone Memory is full and unable to install new apps.

Question is not comprehensible without reading external link. Please fix.

After Android Tools Update command adb shell pm setInstallLocation 2 has been changed to adb shell pm set-Install-Location 2
Updated Tutorial can be founded here.


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Booting to recovery
I have Xperia mini pro (4.1.B.0.587 Stock ram), and my bootloader is unlocked.
But I could not boot to recovery mode by pulsing volume down button. I press it after phnoe shakes and before displaying "SONY".
What is wrong?
Update: Whene I install stock ROMs (using .ftf) files The recovery mode is wiped.

It is not clear whether you had flashed CWM's recovery (through boot image). If you had done, you have to press vol up and down while powering on. If not, you do not have a recovery mode at all. You have to flash it using fastboot as described in CyanogenMod's How to install CM in Sony Xperia Mini Pro.

I previously was installed CyanogenMod for a while, and replaced it with Stock ROMs (4.1.B.0.587)

Indeed I want install http://www.technikan.com/how-to-update-sony-xperia-mini-pro-sk17isk17a-to-android-4-1-2-paranoid-custom-rom/ on my phone. Should I yet follow CM related steps?

Yep. Follow till 10th point in section Installing CyanogenMod on Sony Devices and in the 10th point choose the zip file for "Paranoidandroid Jelly Bean 4.1.2".

I think You 1st Press volume button then power it up keep pressing voulme button untill it shakes.. In My Galaxy Gio I do this for bootinh to recovery mode.

I tried it, no success.


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Samsung Galaxy Apollo (GT-I5801) doesn't connect to WiFi connection. What should O do?
Currently my phone doesn't connect to WiFi connection, it always on and off everytime I open my WiFi connection.
What can be possible solutions or what do I need to check in order to connect my Samsung Galaxy Apollo (GT-I5801) to WiFi connection and to stick to on when I open my WiFi connection?

Currently my phone doesn't connect to WiFi connection, it always on and off everytime I open my WiFi connection.
Solution for the i5801:

Go to Settings → Wireless and Network → WiFi
Use the menu button to open the Advanced option
Click on Use static IP
You will see IP address, Gateway, Netmask, DNS1, DNS2. Fill all these things and to see their value:

left click on signal strength (left or right to battery or sound sign)
right click on your network to which you connected
you should see status; click on this
now a page is open (wireless network connection status); here click on details
now you should see IPv4 (IP address), IPv4 default gateway (gateway), IPv4 subnet mask (for netmask), IPv4 DNS servers (DNS1, DNS2)

Save all these setting by clicking on menu then save.

If this does not work check this also:

open 192.168.1.1
open Wireless → Security check (network authentication WPA personal auto)
after that your password
then next [WPA group rekey interval 3600 (in my case this is the problem in my modem here is 4 so i remove it and type 3600)]
after this (wpa/wapi encryption tkip+aes)
then save this setting.

Just formatted that "wall of text". I cannot try this out myself to confirm, but a short hint: I guess by open 192.168.1.1 user43738 meant the settings on a Windows PC? Or what machine does that IP belong to? A router would make the most sense here. But I just updated the formatting of the answer, I didn't want to edit in my own thoughts and possibly introduce misinterpretations ;) // Apart from the formatting, this seems to be a valid and useful answer!


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Losing network operator on Samsung Galaxy SIII mini
For some time now (I think it's from the latest Android update) I have this problem,
that time to time (on daily basis) people can not reach me, like I would lose connection to the Network.
I get an SMS after some time about all the calls I did miss. Sometimes I have a hard time to call as well.
I did call my operator, and they didn't had any report like this so far, and I did call Samsung service, and they didn't know about this issue, so I guess is on my side.
If you have any idea what would the problem be let me know.

Do the callers get any "error", like e.g. line busy, or your device currently being unreachable -- or do they get the feeling you simply don't pick up the phone? I had the latter case from time too with my old phone (no ring, no missed call, but callers got to the mailbox and then I got the SMS immediately thereafter). Did not (yet?) happen with my new device, so it could be something specific to either the device or its software. Though I never had the problems you describe initiating a call.

I experienced a similar problem, and it was caused by physical activity making the SIM card coming slightly loose, just enough so that the phone couldn't read it reliably. Try turning the phone off completely, removing the SIM card, reinserting the SIM card, and then restarting the phone.
If that makes the problem go away (at least for a few days), then it probably is the SIM card coming loose: maybe that specific phone is on the largest extreme of manufacturing tolerance, and the SIM card is at the smallest extreme. In this case, a little paper inserted alongside the SIM card, on the side without the contacts, could provide a more lasting fix.

I have a similar problem with my S3 mini. Two or three times a week the GSM/Edge/3G signal strength indicator is at zero and I cannot make or recieve calls, despite being in a good signal area. A simple power down and power up restores the connection, reports good SSI and the backlog of SMS and voicemail calls start coming.


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Will bootloader unlocking provide access to all the apps in the Play Store?
My flyer doesn't allow few apps to be installed from the Play Store as it shows "This app is not compatible with your device" and this incompatibility is not due to OS. If I get the apk of this app from a forum, I can install it but few apps don't have apks outside Play Store.
I don't want to root my device, but simply unlock the bootloader so that I can access all of the apps on the Play Store without country/device restrictions. I read somewhere that it is mandatory to flash the device while unlocking the bootloader.
If I unlock the bootloader of my Flyer will I be able to install all OS compatible apps from the Play Store?

What version of Android? Speaking of that, all android apks are compatible, its just that devs have put in constraints to the app, such as screen size, gps, etc..

At the core of your question, it sounds like you actually want to know something like How can I buy apps from unsupported countries? and you've got stuck on an XY Problem on the way there? There are a few other questions on here about accessing the Play Store (or Market) without the Device/Region restrictions, if you have a search.

Have you tried FDroid or Amazon to install apps?

No. Unlocking the bootloader will do nothing for Google Play. Even rooting won't do anything by itself as far as phone compatibility goes.
To get access to the apps without device restrictions, you must have a rooted phone. You then must edit the build.prop file to change your phone model to one that can install the app in question. See this android.se question.
To get access to the apps without country restrictions, no root is needed. You must instead have a proxy whos IP address is inside the particular country desired (generally the U.S.). Or you could create an account via a U.S. proxy on your desktop, then push the apps to your linked device despite it's out-of-country location (see this explanation). Alternatively, you could have a rooted phone and download Market Enabler.

Unlocking the bootloader will have no affect on the Play Store and what apps you have access to there. The main benefit of unlocking the bootloader is to be able to flash a new kernel and/or ROM to your phone.
In the past I have seen people post modified versions of the Play Store that have the country restrictions removed from the app itself. I am unable to find a current one at this time.
As far as device restrictions go, they are set by the developer. A developer can specify certain device parameters for the app to work on within the code itself or can specify it from the Google Play Store Developer console. This is why you may find apps outside of the Play Store that may say in the Play Store that they are not compatible with your device, but that will still install and run from a sideloaded apk.

One caveat - if you over-ride device restrictions, don't be surprised if the app has problems. There's a lot of reasons a dev might restrict an app to not run on particular devices. If it works for you, great, but don't get upset if it doesn't.


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Samsung Soft Keyboard Keeps Popping Up when Bluetooth Keyboard in Use on Galaxy Note 10.1 with Android 4.1.2
Models: Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, GT-N8013 (WiFi) and SCH-I925 (4G LTE)
Android version 4.1.2
I've been experiencing problems with the overly aggressive Samsung soft keyboard  popping up whenever I touch the screen to select an input field, even though I am using a Bluetooth keyboard, and only intend to use a Bluetooth keyboard with this device.
Constantly having to dismiss the soft keyboard is a major hindrance to filling out complex forms.
In an attempt to work around the problem, I tried installing the Null Keyboard app from Google Play.
This works for a while, however whenever the Bluetooth connection is lost and reestablished, the Samsung soft keyboard, even though not selected as the default, pops up the following message:

Change input Method. To use Bluetooth keyboard, change input method to
  Samsung QWERTY

The Samsung soft keyboard then resets itself as default input method.
I have tried other workarounds, such as using the Perfect Keyboard app and decreasing its size to the bare minimum, but unfortunately the Samsung keyboard still watches like a hawk and pops up its insipid dialog and resets itself as the default every time a Bluetooth keyboard connection is established...and then proceeds to pop itself up at the first opportunity.  This is irresponsible behavior. The Samsung soft keyboard knows the Bluetooth keyboard is there, yet not only can't it just go away when the Bluetooth keyboard is active, it insists on resetting itself as the default input method regardless of which alternative keyboard you may have selected.
Yes, I know I could root it and disable the otherwise undisableable Samsung keyboard, but unfortunately I need to be able to deal with this solution on about two dozen units in field deployment, so I pretty much need to keep things safe and simple. I'm not trying to do anything crazy - just use a Bluetooth keyboard for one of the primary reasons for which they were created - to be able to type without taking up screen real estate with a soft keyboard.
Has anybody found a workaround for this yet?

It is simple to remove on-screen keyboard when you have Bluetooth keyboard.
To remove on-screen keyboard, follow 5 simple steps.

Go to "Settings"
Select "Language and Input"
Select "Default Samsung keyboard" under "Keyboards and input methods" section
Turn off "Use on-screen keyboard"
push "Setup input methods" button

Unfortunately the "use on-screen keyboard" option is not available under Android 4.1.2.

This worked for me but I needed to toggle "Use on-screen keyboard" on/off a few times to get it to work.

You would be better off accessing the Physical Keyboard settings.  Settings>General Management>Language and input>Physical Keyboard.
In this settings menu, you can set "Show on-screen keyboard" to off by tapping the toggle.
Hope this helps!

Anysoft keyboard from Google Play Store allows you to hide the onscreen keyboard automatically.

Well, the problem with that is that even if it is not selected the evil Samsung Soft Keyboard still watches for a Bluetooth keyboard connection and reselects itself.  No alternate keyboard selection stays for long.

After endless frustration with this issue, I have finally solved it without rooting the device.
The solution for me has been External Keyboard Helper Pro, a $2.45 app on the play store (a demo version is also available).
It detects when a bluetooth keyboard connects, and brings up a pop-up menu allowing you to select "External Keyboard" with two quick taps on the screen, which is definitely tolerable.  This completely disables the on-screen keyboard, so I can type in peace (like having the Null keyboard installed).
A few seconds after powering off the bluetooth keyboard, the same dialog pops up, allowing me to equally quickly select my favorite Swype.  After months of not being able to use my Bluetooth keyboard because of Samsung's inexplicably annoying implementation, I'm in heaven.
Note that in order to get it to work, I had to go into the Advanced Settings of External Keyboard Helper and enable "Old style detection."

Unfortunately, this does not seem to work for me. The infernal Samsung keyboard keeps taking back over whenever it detects the Bluetooth connection.  A couple of times the timing has been just right and the selection dialog has come up just in time, but usually the Samsung Keyboard of Doom switches itself to default before External Keyboard Helper can be of help.

Same problem here.  I wound up rooting it. That alone won't let you disable (uncheck) the Samsung keyboard in Settings. I had to actually rename /system/app/SamsungIME.apk and /system/app/SamsungIME.odex.
Then I was able to use Null Keyboard as the default.
Crazy. I had no other reason to root it and you really shouldn't have to do this.
To avoid this sort of vendor-induced nonsense, and to avoid even having to use the Null Keyboard or similar app, every Android device with Bluetooth should allow you to select Bluetooth Keyboard as the default input method, alongside other input methods.

I don't suppose you have a way to make the popup "To use Bluetooth keyboard, change input method to Samsung QWERTY" go away?

I had the same problem with my GN10.1
I use samsung keyboard dock and the popup keyboard just annoyed me.
Because, I'm Lithuanian, I need a special characters (ąčęėįšųūž) for typing.
There is a https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.apedroid.hwkeyboardhelper
advanced null keyboard with multilanguage support (basic one works just with english).
Off course, it's very easy to find it for free by using google.
It closes the pop-up software keyboard and I can touch the screeen and enter text without any problem.

How how how? I use the full version of that software keyboard so it does not types “(Demo Version)” in all the time, and it is flexible enough to configure the keys. Also the Samsung keyboard doesn't supports the ‘ű’ (Hungarian) letter that I use often. I couldn't configure it to close the pop-up and use the keyboard helper instead. How did you pulled that off?

Sorry, I couldn't wait for your reply, and so with the “hint” of this article: http://blog.apedroid.com/2013/01/ekh-tutorial-6-workaround-for-samsung.html I figured that I had to turn on the old-style detection. (Or was it to remove the auto learning data?) Ugly, but works.

2021 Update for Samsung Phones:

Connect your keyboard.
Go to "Physical keyboard".
Turn off "Show
on-screen keyboard"

Hi so I was checking my settings after reading this, and I found the solution. (I'm not sure if this will work on other Samsung devices tho, I use a Galaxy Tab A 10.1)

Go to Settings>General Management>Language and Input.
Go to Physical Keyboard.
If your software keyboard keeps popping up, it's most likely because the "Show on-screen keyboard" toggle is on. Switch it off to stop the keyboard from popping up.
this may or may not have been said in the comments but I just wanted to offer some assistance. hope this helped!

I have been trying to figure this out for my new Galaxy Note 8.0, and have a workaround that works 98% of the time, which is a huge improvement.  I started using Bluetooth Keep Active fro mthe play store. It has been mostly successful in tricking my tablet into thinking it was using the bluetooth even when it is asleep and prevented the awful Samsung default on-screen keyboard from turning itself on as the default.  I set the timer at a one minute setting. I have been trying it with Null Keyboard, Anysoft Keyboard, Perfect Keyboard, and even turning off all on-screen keyboards.  I'm not sure which default is the best to use with Keep Active yet - still fooling with it.

I was able to disable on-screen keyboards in Android "settings" on my Samsung Tab3.  Now I can use my Logitech K810 finally with no annoying on-screen keyboards constantly popping up and obscuring 50% of my viewable area on my already smallish tablet screen.  I'm running Android 4.2.2.   In settings choose "Language and Input" and click on "default" keyboard option. When the popup menu appears, slide the  "use on-screen keyboard" slider to the "NO" position.  It's not much hassle to go back to settings to slide it back to the "YES" position when my external keyboard is not available. I assume this is an easier fix than installing 3d party software like that "Null keyboard" app.

The following was inserted as an edit to this post - "Mohamed from NYC here. Thanks, works on my GN8.0."

Unfortunately the "use on-screen keyboard" toggle option is not available under Android 4.1.2, as sill found on the original Galaxy Note 10.1.

The best bet, if you are using the chrome browser is to use "tab" to select the field (if you want to select the url bar to search). Another way (if your keyboard has is) is to use the "magnifying glass" quick search button. I noticed that this selects the url and allows you to type a new entry and search.

On Galaxy S10, In settings you turn on show keyboard button. This gives you a handy little button at the bottom of the screen which you can use to switch between different installed keyboards. Touch this, and there is a setting "On-screen keyboard" Just turn this off. No need to install any app.

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


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How do I Restore a ClockworkMod backup with a busted power button or through ADB?
I was trying to flash a new ROM, but can't get it to boot. Usually, I would have just booted into my recovery and restored my last backup. But I can't do that now as my power button is broken and it is impossible to select the "backup and recover" option after booting into the recovery.

Unfortunately send key events via ADB in recovery mode is impossible, otherwise navigating through the recovery options menu would have been easy.
But fortunately, my version of CWM supports the soft keys on my phone. The 'search' button substituted as the selection button (usually the job of the power button). Using that, I was able to navigate into the backup and restore menu and restore my phone.
Hope this helps someone in the future.

You can compile your own version of ClockWorkMod. While I haven't done it myself, I know that each phone port of CWM has different key layouts, so it should be a simple question to a developer who has ported CWM to their phone. Find out the keycodes for the rest of the keys on your phone, then remap the keys in the source of CWM.
Alternatively, you can write a script that runs when you boot into CWM. You can tell the script backup, restore, install a new Rom, etc. See this forum for a push in the right direction.
Another solution is to replace CWM with TWRP. You may need this to do automated scripts, as some newer versions of CWM encrypt the extendedcommand so that only ROM Manager can automate it.

@vr3690, it is very much possible. You just gotta study the events.
Here's something that's gonna help: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1875094


text:
Is it possible to use the Google Play Store without having a mobile provider?
I am trying to install Skype and other applications on my brand new Android tablet but I keep getting stuck with a message:

Can't establish a reliable connection to the server
This could be a temporary problem...
If it continues, call Customer Care

The tablet is running Android 4.0.3
It's a cheap tablet that I ordered from a website for the purpose of doing my own software development. I am using it in Japan. I don't have any contract with any mobile provider. I can successfully access the Internet via WiFi. I tried opening TCP and UDP ports on the router after reading some other threads on similar problems. I updated the Google Play Store apk version 3.4.7 with version 3.10.10 which I downloaded to my Windows PC and transferred with an SD card to the tablet.
It's getting quite frustrating after almost one week of fighting with this problem.
I would appreciated any help or suggestions. Thanks.

It is possible, all WiFi only tablets don't have mobile providers (Nexus for example) and they should work fine. Did you try the call Customer Care bit?

Care to enclose a logcat of when attempting to connect to play store - there might be something in there...

What kind of tablet is it (Name, Brand, etc.)?

@ZnewmaN: it's a no-brand device that apart from the missing logo looks identical to the Hyundai A7 ART

@Peanut: I am not sure what this "Customer Care" wording represents. Does it mean I should contact the company where I bought the tablet ? Does it mean I should post my question into some Google website ? Does it refer to a mobile provider which I don't have ? Is it one of the links in the http://play.google.com/ website ? Do you have a specific URL to refer me to ?

I'm not sure what it means, I suspect it means contact the company you bought it from, and it can't hurt to do that. If you do as @t0mm13b suggested and post a logcat of when you're trying to connect people on here may be able to offer more help.

@t0mm13b I will post the logcat as soon as I solve this other problem that I am getting after installing the Android SDK: upon launching Eclipse it says "Failed to create the Java Virtual Machine"

No need to do that! - on the command line - invoke adb logcat...

Now I am able to start up Eclipse after removing the lines with --launcher.XXMaxPermSize 256M in eclipse.ini. Launching adb from the command line it just says - waiting for device - I suppose I need to install the OEM driver. The Vendor ID of the tablet is 18D1 and the Product ID is DEED, which makes it a Google device. Now I have to figure out which OEM driver to download...

Unfortunately I cannot progress on creating the logcat until I solve the current problem that I reported here

@t0mm13b Finally I was able to create the logcat, which you can access here

To Clarify - What app was it that was showing the above error message? You define Skype and other applications - what were they?

Check if the date/time and time zone are set properly on the tablet.  Some services are known to reject connections that have those settings are out of sync.

@Chahk that's 100% true! Yes... Cannot see anything in the log... my only clue is that the Network error is associated with I/GLSUser ( 4902): GLS error: NetworkError in the log which is associated with Google Now+ hence my previous comment to yours.. Here

@t0mm13b No app. Just trying to login to the Google Play Store and getting the error message

@Chahk The time zone is set to GMT+09:00 because now I am in Japan. The system language is set to English (Australia). When you say out of sync what do you mean ? sync with respect to what ? Actually I just found some setting related to sync: I have two accounts on this tablet, and for both of them I can see the wording "Sync is ON". Is that what you are referring to ?

If all else fails.
So if you can't install apps from the google store. Then you can sideload them with adb.
The apk can be found in backup folders from apps like 'titanium backup' so you can have your friend install it and back it up. then copy the apk.
I had a Cricket phone that I didn't buy service for... and they disabled the app "Google Voice" This sideload method worked to bypass that.

Unfortunately after all this time I am still stuck with the error GLS error: NetworkError I haven't found a way to connect to the Google Play Store yet. I wish there was a way of knowing for sure what is causing this error. I really need to download some apps, for example the VLC player, to verify some videostreaming in my current project. It's very frustrating that the approach to solving this error is to search the web for similar cases and try desperately to see if any of the solutions works for me too. The only progress I have made was to be able to run my own test application.

Interesting, it seems like you have no connectivity to the google servers. Poking around finds me this.. You might try messing with your accounts. Also it might be useful to see if you can ping the google market server with a different device on your network... just to make sure that the ISP isn't blocking your request.


text:
Is it possible to use adb backup in order to make a clone of a tablet?
Is it possible to use adb backup in order to make a copy of tablet? In fact I want to recover the contents of a tablet using adb backup and then install it on the tablet that have the same type with the same version of Android using adb restore  backup.ab.

Just to make clear - the ROM must be identical, otherwise there will be room for errors, force-closes etc. The part is not 100% clear - do you have two identical tablets - same make, manufacturer, ROM? (Am not 100% sure if you're implying to adb backup and restore on to the same tablet - hence my comment) :)

I have two identical tablet but not the some list of application installed in both. i used the first and i executed adb backup -all. Then i executed  restore for the second, i found their is  icon of some application that are installed in only one of them, but when i try to run application. i have a message application is not installed

Did you sign into your Google account on the second tablet (the destination of the adb backup)?

uses, i use the some google count

We already had this question as part of Restoring an ADB backup onto a different phone of the same model?. It should be possible, at least theoretically, and at least when all devices are of the same brand and model as well as share the same Android version.


text:
I cannot use a USB cable to access my version 2.3.6 phone's SD card with Ubuntu 12.04 LTS
I have a problem. Googling shows that other people have similar problems, but unfortunately the solutions that worked for them didn't work so me, so I'm going to have to ask myself.
I have a (rooted) Samsung GT-S5830i ("Samsung Galaxy Ace") running Android 2.3.6, and when I plug it into my Ubuntu 12.04 desktop using the usual kind of usb-to-micro_usb lead...nothing seems to happen.
The command (on the Ubuntu machine)
$ lsusb

gives the same output whether or not the phone is plugged in. In particular the phone does not seem to be being seen by the computer at all.
Similarly the phone does not give me the usual "you've just been plugged into a computer" symbol in the toolbar at the top, and in particular I am not being asked by the phone at all whether I'd like to connect via USB -- the phone offers me no new dialogues or options after being connected; it just sits there charging [in particular it's not the case that e.g. the wire is completely broken, or the port is completely dead; I've tried more than one port on the computer anyway].
I have tried more than one USB connector wire. I have tried more than one USB port on the computer. I don't know where to start debugging this issue.
I can access the files on the phone using various other methods, for example via Dropbox, Software Data Cable, bluetooth etc. The issue is simply that this particular method doesn't work and I don't know why. [Note added later on: I suspect this assertion is actually false -- I think that what I should have said was "yesterday I could access the files on the phone using various other methods; today I couldn't access them on my ubuntu machine, but it hadn't occurred to me that in fact I couldn't access them on any machine at all via any method."]

Have you checked what default USB connection mode the device is set to? I'm not sure where that setting might be (I don't have a Samsung phone), but the first thing I would do is go through everything in the settings that could have to do with USB. I guess it might be set to "Charging only".

I rebooted and it fixed the problem :-\ [and then several weeks later it occurred to me that I should note this fact here, in case it happens to anyone else]. Indeed, I suspect that my phone was in a weird state and probably I could not access the SD card on any computer at all at that point, regardless of what I implied in the question.

If this fixed your problem, please mark it as an Answer, so that it no longer gets bumped up as unanswered. :)


text:
Link2sd boot issues
I've got a stock, rooted firmware on my LG Optimus One (P500) handset.
I installed Link2SD, and I've got roughly 100 apps installed.
Whenever I boot my device, however, it takes 5-6 minutes to boot to lockscreen, and then, for ten-fifteen minutes after that, it gives me the "Internal Storage full" error, and a negligible amount of free memory.
Then, Link2SD finally seems to kick in, and I get my 90Mb of free memory.
What's happening? May I solve this issue?

May I know what Android version (2.2 or 2.3) and what firmware version you have (like v20a, v20c etc)? Mine is 2.3.3 running v20c.

2.3.3 running v20g

It's the data stores for the apps that are actually to blame. While you have so many apps installed, all the data they create when you use them is still being stored internally (For speed) and Link2SD has to fiddle with things every time you boot up, which uses internal memory. The best fix for such a low end phone, and I'm speaking from experience, is to create an "apps" directory on the ext partition of your SD card, and use Titanium Backup's batch option. If an "apps" directory exists on the partition, Titanium Backup will recognize the partition and list it as a2sd and give you the batch option to move data to the sd card. Once you're done with this you will see nearly every bit of internal memory on your phone is now free, and your apps can continue to access their data with no errors.

Wow -- I didn't know about that feature, and I'm using TB for years already! Just googled it and found the corresponding Howto -- but that speaks of a separate partition (not just a folder). Maybe that "extra partition" is rather optional; are you using it without such? Even the TB FAQ writes the extra partition is required.

I am going to suggest a painful solution - when LG provided update to v20d for my country, I felt the ROM was utter slow and I had to downgrade to v20c. Same could be your situation. But before that:

try unchecking Relink lib files at boot and Relink dex files at boot options in Link2SD
if the above doesn't work try Clean up the 2nd partition option.
Remove link for system apps and move it to internal memory.
As a last resort, I would try partitioning my sd card and installing back apps in steps to see whether the number of application is the cause of the delay.

I tried a couple of minuts ago the first and second tip.
They din't work at all. Actually, after rebooting with the relink lib files at boot some apps (Samsung Mobile Printers, Google Maps) left the lib files in the internal.
As for system apps, you mean the updates for the gapps?
As for partitioning, I tried that some time ago.

In my opinion the internal memory is faster than the external SD card. Hence if frequently used apps and its data are kept in sd card, it should be slow than if it is kept in internal memory - that's my theory. Hence if you keep more apps that require frequent thrashing it should be slow.


text:
How to prevent Google aggressively associating my account to my searches?
I understand they can access my searches when I'm logged in, and of course know the search terms I use, but how can I prevent them to logging searches to my account when:

I'm not logged in
and in private mode
my account has search history turned off already (updated thanks to Izzy's answer)

I'm on Nexus One with CyanogenMod 7, using stock browser with no patches or add-ons.
Steps to reproduce:

open browser
enable private mode
clear all cookies
search for "asdf unique search"
close tab
clear all cookies/history/cache
exit private mode
close browser
open Google search
type "a"

Expected behaviour: Google knows nothing of my search
What happens: it autocompletes "asdf unique search"
Also, all my Google Accounts on this phone have history.google.com turned off.
Is there any way to stop this happening?

What browser are you using?

Stock browser. package "Browser" v. 2.3.7

How about Chrome and using Incognito mode?

@AlEverett i will give it a try, but i can't see how chrome will be much different from the stock browser (in fact, for other things privacy related, it's even worse) Also, i think it still uses the same rendering engine the stock browser uses, doesn't it?

That's why I suggested incognito mode. "Pages you view in this tab won't appear in your browser history or search history, and they won't leave other traces, like cookies, on your mobile device after you close all incognito tabs." (Google support on incognito mode)

@AlEverett i'm already using incognito on the stock browser. they don't appear on my history nor the google webhistory. What i think is happening is that the OS has  url activity registered to google.com searchs and it sends the activity to the search app or something. it's invisible to the end user (me) but it sure does get registered in the search app.

The Android Browser doesn't have incognito mode. You must be using Chrome, then.

@AlEverett i'm not sure it has one with the stock image, but using stock on a nexus device is just silly :) i mentioned on the question i'm using the cyanogenmod7 image. I think the incognito (or maybe the whole browser) is backported from newer stock images.

@AlE. btw, i tried chrome, same happens. Then i uninstalled it because the phone only have some 200Mb of app space.

First, you can delete your search history:

Visit your Web History page at https://www.google.com/history or click the gear icon gear icon on the upper right corner of a search results page, and go to Web History.
Click the gear icon gear icon again on the upper corner of the Web History page, and go to Settings.
Click the delete all link.
Click the Delete all button to confirm.

Next, you can turn off your Web History completely (same source):

Visit your Web History page at https://www.google.com/history or click the gear icon gear icon on the upper right corner of a search results page, and go to Web History.
Click the gear icon gear icon again on the upper corner of the Web History page, and go to Settings.
Click the Turn off button next to "Web History is on." To start keeping track of your web search activity again, click the Turn on button.

So now you have deleted all past sources, and prevented new ones from being created. Hopefully.
Further, Turn off search history personalization gives you details on how to opt-out of "Signed in searches" and "Signed out searches". For the latter:

Visit google.com/history/optout when not signed in to a Google Account. (If you see the Google homepage, try visiting the link again.)
On the resulting page, click Disable customizations based on search activity. (Because this preference is stored in a cookie, it'll affect anyone else who uses the same browser and computer as you).

Further readings

HOWTO turn off Google's search-history logging and erase your stored history
How do I view, edit, and disable Google search History?
Defending your secrets from Google's prying eyes: The simple three-step solution that keeps your browsing history private
Google search: "google disable search history" (all the above is from the first results page, btw ;)

odd, my account already have all that set. so, i'm thinking it's something internal to android browser + search app.

OK, so I should add the hints I obviously ommitted: Clear your browser cache and history :) Same for the search app (Settings->Apps->Manage Apps, scroll to the search app, "clear cache" and optionally "delete data"). But that's not the account (which you asked for), but the device. Should I update my answer with these details?

so i have to clear my cache on both apps everytime i do a google search in incognito mode?

You can also use one of the history cleaners from google play, of course :)

Use Firefox.
This is how I solved the problem. Using Firefox and another search provider (DuckDuckGo or Yahoo, etc.), I can be sure that incognito mode works as intended.


text:
Rooted Galaxy Note 2 cant get internet
I rooted my Samsung Galaxy Note 2.  Now I cannot get the internet on it. My purpose was to avoid paying sprint the extra 30 bucks a month for tethering to my Ipad. Now I cant even get the internet on the phone except with wi-fi. I am considering a factory restore because if my frustration. How can I give get internet without restoring to factory settings?

Perhaps you flashed a wrong modem/radio firmware and hence the cellular radio does not work on your network? Going back to factory-defaults/reset would do nothing in that case.

The full internet would not fit on your phone :) Honestly: Did you only root the device, or did you flash anything else? What process/method did you use for rooting? Are you getting any error messages? Have you checked your APN settings?

Can you add links to what ROM you might be running or are you still running stock with root?  Did you flash anything from recovery?  Maybe some links to guides you followed would help.

What might be causing this:
The issue is with the new ROM. What company it is of? For example, I tried Cyanogen 10.1 in HTC HD2, and it was running perfect. But had a little speed issue, as when I started GPRS connection by sim card, the phone started to hang out. But that's not the subject. The main issue here is the Internet connection.
Or the Data Connection (Access Point) error. You might be setting access point  which are not correct. Try to get some help from the Network provider or read some blogs online, to check what settings would work for your phone. Android phones have same settings all around, so that means a setting for Sony Xperia would work in Samsung Galaxy too.
What you should do:

I tried another ROM in my current phone, Qmobile noir A8. It was letting me use Internet before the ROM update, so I was worried what to do? As I was also able to use WiFi, but not the data connection. So I first tried to do a factory reset. But all in vain, as I was having the ROM that has been installed, and my Stock ROM was no more in memory. So I tried to get help from there site, INCPak, No help! Then I tried to check my phone's settings. In settings I saw that there is no Access Point set. So I entered the configurations of my SIM card's grps there, and restarted the Data Connections. Bravo! I was able to get the Internet now! :)
Try to get some help from the people who created this ROM, if this is a ROM created by someone who said: "I will not be responsible if you brick your device." then you have no idea what mess you are in to now. Go find a new ROM for your phone as this aint gonna work. But if you got a ROM from someone like Cyanogen then you can get some help by contacting them. Or you try the first method I posted. I am sure, you will get set by that one. If not, then try to edit the settings. That's all what an Android phone can get issues with.


text:
Activate Android device on IPv6-only network

Is it possible to activate an Android phone on a network with IPv6-only access to the Internet?
Does Google support all their services over IPv6?
Has anyone tried it?

I'm going to need to activate an Android device on an IPv6-only network in the near future. Any help regarding this appreciated.

The only way you can get IPv6 is to roll your own kernel but you are on your own since 1) no device mentioned and 2) no Android version mentioned so we cannot tell from there!

All Google services are accessible via IPv6, since June 6, 2012.
And yes, I've tried it myself. My own Android is on IPv6.

IPv6 unequal to IPv6-only. So are you sure that you did not have IPv4 access (along side IPv6) when you activated your device?

Oh, and just FYI, the page you linked to doesn't mention anywhere that all Google services are available over IPv6. It just said it was enabled, but no mentions of it was full or partial.

Yes, it is fully enabled and you can access Google from an IPv6-only network. Perhaps English is not your native language?


text:
Menu screen won't light on HTC Rezound
I took apart my Rezound (screen broke and I had to fix  it) and I lost those little plastic pieces that transfers the light to the menu.
What are these piece called? How can I find new ones online?


text:
How to transfer installed apps from one account to another
On my Note 2 I have two accounts configured
my.email@gmail.com
my.work.email@company.com
Usually I have the Play Store configured to buy/install apps under my.email@gmail.com but somehow it got changed to my work email a while back. Before I noticed this, I installed ~20 apps using the my.work.email@company.com
Is there a way for me to re-associate those purchases with my.email@gmail.com without manually reinstalling each app? And how will this be different for free vs paid apps that I installed while using my.work.email@company.com?

I have 101 rep here, but apparently that is not greater than the 10 I need to answer here, so I created this question: Transfer Google Play app to another account https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/223912/transfer-google-play-app-to-another-account

There's currently no way to do this. Free apps can be re-downloaded under the appropriate account, of course, but Google has no provision for moving paid apps (or free ones, in bulk) from one account to another. The Google Play support page has their official stance on this:

At this time, it's not possible to transfer apps from one account to
  another.
Some developers are willing to issue refunds for purchases on old
  accounts if you repurchase the app(s) using a new account. You can
  always reach out to the developer of an app, and you can find their
  contact information by following these steps:

Visit Google Play and
  select the app in question
On the app's description page, scroll down
  to the Developer section
Find either an email address, phone number or
  website listed.

Accurate answer.  Google could easily develop a way to do this, but I think they prefer you just spend your money to buy all the apps again.  So much for "do no evil"... again.

While you can't transfer apps, you can sync the appropriate email (with all the apps purchased) to multiple devices so you have access to the apps.  Just be sure to DESELECT all the other things (gmail, calendar, etc.) so the only thing that is synched from that account is the apps (Google Play Store).

Here is some information I've collected on how to move forward with this problem. As instructed, I've added quoted information from the pertinent pages in case the links expire:
What about if an account has been hacked or is the ongoing target of a phishing attack? Is there no way to transfer apps under these circumstances? Where do I complain to Google about this?
From a Google Support Search (https://support.google.com/mail/search?q=transfer+app+account):
How do I transfer all data between two Gmail accounts? https://support.google.com/mail/thread/10761789?hl=en
Transfer my apps and Play store balance to a different Gmail account. https://support.google.com/googleplay/thread/37917054

This Forum is for assistance with Gmail issues.  Answers to Google
  Play questions including the impact on purchased apps will be found
  here: Google Play Community

The first link has the most upvotes, but is locked. The second refers the question to Google Play Support, so search (https://support.google.com/googleplay/search?q=transfer+app+account):
Transfer Playstore app purchases to my new account https://support.google.com/googleplay/thread/16840581?hl=en
Is it possible to shift a purchased app to my account? https://support.google.com/googleplay/thread/15924856?hl=en
How to transfer purchases from one google account to another https://support.google.com/googleplay/thread/9838585?hl=en

How can I transfer these purchases? I don't want them existing in both
  places. I will NEVER go back and want them there (this is a very old
  yahoo-email based google account -- before marrying, I created a gmail
  account that would have my maiden name, if you are worried about
  divorce). I want to be able to open up my google play, and see
  anything and everything I can download. I don't want to repurchase the
  items, because I already bought them and I own them already.

The first two are locked, and the last question has 165 upvotes and is a very legitimate situation. You can Subscribe to get updates on any official development, and upvote as well.


text:
Is it possible to record calls on Galaxy S3
I want to install a working call recording application on Galaxy S3, but I have found problems with a few apps.
I have tried Auto Call Recorder but it doesn't allow me selecting more than Mic as audio source. Perhaps I can record only my own voice (I haven't tried further and I obviously haven't bought the full program)
I have previously tried Call Recorder Pro but it only recorded my own voice and not the other party's.
I have read here that most call recorder apps require root (OK for me) and Requires the kernel with 2-way call recording patch
The question is, then
How do I make a call recorder fully work on a Galaxy S3 (GT-I9300) with only root for now?
Do I need to flash a custom firmware? Or won't it just work at all?

All Call Recorder suprisingly did the thing without root or any additional modifications.

I used to use Auto Call Recorder as well (before my S3), and I was highly unsatisfied when it stopped working (when I switched to S3).
Just yesterday I found out this another great app that just works. And seems like much better than ACR: Record My Call - The solution! No idea how that's even free (even if it does have ads). And, I do have root, but I think this doesn't even need it.

Yes, it is. There is no specific need to flash a custom firmware but you can get the job done with a mod which you can flash from recovery preferably clockworkmod. It is always advised to backup data before flashing. Here's the link for the mod at XDA. But I'm not sure if two-way call recording is supported in this. You can record the other person's voice but not your voice.

Pretty useless if it's still one-way (even if opposite-way). Question updated for sake of non-ambiguity

Try this. This is supposed to work and works well with most users. But make sure that you take the right version which matches with your framework version.

Thanks for the new link and forgive me if I had no time to test. I will wait for the 4.2 update to roll out to try again. In fact I found this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2173126

Why wait for the 4.2 update to roll out? There's a leaked 4.2.2 version from Samsung doing the rounds. You can download it from samfirmware.com. You can also try Android Revolution HD or Omega ROM which are of the latest Android version. You may have to wait forever for the update.

About Revolution and Omega, please understand that I prefer stock by experience. About the leak, I hadn't checked it because I feared it may be unstable for now. Perhaps I could look more into it

I understand. Revolution is the closest to stock. It's just using the same stock rom and stock kernel with minor feature additions and all useless bloatware removed which make the stock experience even more enjoyable. It actually is very stable. Even though Omega uses the same stock rom, there's too many custom apps and unwanted features. I don't like it.

Automatic Call Recorder works great on S3, but it's not free.
If you have rooted device, custom Omega ROM has this feature on board already (just enable in the settings).

Smart Call Recorder MP3 is a fantastic free call recorder. It offers extensive call recording features and it is neatly integrated with Google Drive for automatic backup of your mp3 voice/call recordings.

What's your affiliation with this app?

Yes, you can easily record calls on Galaxy S3 device. Install Total Recall auto call recorder application and get your calls automatically recorded. Free app with free trial period of 30 days. Here is the link- https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.killermobile.totalrecall

Looks like an advertisement. What's your affiliation with this app?

Welcome to Android Enthusiasts! Please confirm what relationship (if any) you have with this app: it's OK to recommend your own app on this site, provided you're honest about it. Both of your answers on this site have been recommending this app which makes it look like spam.

Galaxy S3 has many variants.
Galaxy S3 GT-I9300 in some countries can record calls well (using any call recorder), in other countries Samsung disabled the call recording feature, so you should root the phone then there are several call recorders can fix the problem.
Galaxy S3 SCH-I535(Verizon), SPH-L710(Sprint), SGH-T999(T-Mobile), SCH-R530C(Cricket), SGH-I747(ATT), SGH-I747M(Rogers) etc can record calls perfectly in two directions without root. Here is the solution: Galaxy S3 Call Recorder. It seems this is the only solution without root, because all other recorders ask you root these phones.

I own a GT-I9300 and I can record calls with Boldbeast even without root (my phone is rooted, but BB has not ever yet requested me root permissions)

You didn't read my post carefully. In some countries Samsung doesn't disable the call recording feature of Galaxy S3 (like your country), so almost all recorder record calls well without root. However in some countries Samsung disabled the call recording feature of Galaxy S3, so you should root the phone to fix the recording issue. Boldbeast is one of the several recorders that can fix the issue.


text:
Do I need adb? Whats wrong with terminal?
I'm pretty new to Android, but I have a bit of linux understanding.
Do I need to use adb and do I need to type adb before every command?
I have SSHDroid running on my GS3. I open my regular linux terminal and did ssh root@<ip>. When I got in I typed abd logcat, that failed. just logcat worked.
I'm happy with the shell I know, is this going to cause an issue?

I tried to explain the basic commons and differences with my answer. I might have missed something -- simply point it out, and I'll add it. As a simple short answer: connecting via SSH, think of your Android device as "another Linux machine". No need to prefix anything with "adb" -- you don't do that on your Linux machine either, do you? :)

The answer depends on what you want to do. ADB and SSH serve different purposes, though they have some things in common: you can remotely access your Android device, and execute commands on it. With ADB you can do a lot more -- you will get an idea if you read the ADB tag wiki and also follow the links contained there.
One more thing in common: both can be used interactively.
And one more shorty: they do not depend on each other.
SSH
To use SSH, you will need to install a SSH server on your Android device. If the latter is rooted (as a Linux user, I do not need to explain that "root" is the administrative account, and also known as the "super-user" who has full access to everything), you can set it up to use the default SSH port -- otherwise you need to chose one above 1000, as it is with Linux.
Now you can interact with the device: copy files with scp, or log in to the device directly. This way you reach a shell, and can work on the device like on any other Linux machine (almost -- of course there are some restrictions, like e.g. no X-Server being present, and a limited set of commands).
ADB
With ADB you can also establish such a "terminal mode", by simply executing the command adb shell without any arguments. This directly brings you to the shell prompt. Similar to ssh, you can also directly execute commands by simply pass them as parameters. In this case, as with ssh, you will be returned to your local terminal prompt once the command has been completed.
ADB offers additional commands, not only "shell". So you can e.g. use adb push or adb pull to transfer files (comparable to scp). All the other capabilities go beyond the scope of your question -- but above mentioned tag wiki should get you started here as well.
One last word on ADB: similar to SSH, this is a client-server model. Which means, to execute ADB commands from a client, you must have a server running. This is started when you enable "USB Debugging" in the settings of your Android device.

Thanks... Does ADB require a USB connection?

Usually yes (that's why the corresponding option to start the ADB server on the device is labeled "USB Debugging"). But there's also "ADB via WiFi" alias "wireless adb" (with an app of this name in the playstore) if you prefer such. I hesitated a long time to use ADB (mainly because I didn't want the overload of a full SDK), until I found out about a minimalistic approach -- now I don't want to miss it :)

To me this seems like the most significant difference.  USB or ip.

For security: nothing beats a direct wired connection (pro for USB). For speed probably the same (depends, so neutral). For convenience, wireless get's the "pro" (and to make up with security, here I'd favor SSH). I didn't check about security for "wireless adb", as I never used that. BUT: all the mentioned examples use IP (yes, including ADB -- so your "USB or ip" doesn't fit :)

With the examples you gave, it looks like adb is useless if we already have ssh and scp, is that correct? It seems we can do everything adb can do with ssh and scp.

Is that so? Then try e.g. ssh backup (won't work). ADB has slightly elevated privileges, though they by far don't reach the root level.

"all the mentioned examples use IP (yes, including ADB -- so your "USB or ip" doesn't fit". Do you mean that when connecting a android phone to a computer via a usb cable, adb on the computer identifies the phone by the phone's IP address? Then why do we use a usb cable for connection?

@Tim "including ADB" referred to "ADB wireless" (see the second comment). For "cabled ADB" no IP is used IMHO, just a socket connection.


text:
Clock Widget on tapping does not open
I currently switched to Samsung Galaxy s3! The first two days I would tap on the digital clock widget on the home screen to access the alarm. However, yesterday the software of the phone updated by itself. And after the update, when i tap on the  digital clock widget on the home screen, nothing happens. I cant access the alarm clock by tapping the clock widget anymore. please suggest.

On my S3, the clock widget no longer launches the clock app or alarm. There is, however, a designated alarm app that may be used. That, or you can use a clock widget from the Play Store, there are quite a number that offer a similar experience to Samsung's default Clock app, that allow you to launch a shortcut when tapped on.


text:
Unable to root S7180 MTK6577 Phone
I purchased a Note 2 clone from dhgate which is running on Android JB 4.1.1. I tried to root it with the binary method and it failed. Please find the messages below.
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ___________________
C:\Root_with_Restore_by_Bin4ry_v17\Root_with_Resto re_by_Bin4ry_v17>RunMe.bat
================================================== ====================
=
This script will root your Android phone with adb restore function =

= Script by Bin4ry (thanks to Goroh_kun and tkymgr for the idea) =

= Idea for Tablet S from Fi01_IS01 =

= (22.11.2012) v17 =

================================================== ====================

Device type:
1) Normal
2) Special (for example: Sony Tablet S, Medion Lifetab)

x) Unroot

Make a choice: 1
Checking if i should run in Normal Mode or special Sony Mode

Please connect your device with USB-Debugging enabled now

remote object '/system/app/Backup-Restore.apk' does not exist

remote object '/system/bin/ric' does not exist

.
.

Normal Mode enabled!
.

Pushing busybox....
3881 KB/s (1085140 bytes in 0.273s)

Pushing su binary ....
3207 KB/s (91980 bytes in 0.028s)

Pushing Superuser app
3940 KB/s (996704 bytes in 0.247s)

Making busybox runable ...

.
Please look at your device and click RESTORE!

If all is successful i will tell you, if not this shell will run forever.

Running ...

Successful, going to reboot your device in 10 seconds!

Waiting for device to show up again....

Going to copy files to it's place

**mount: permission denied (are you root?)**

You can close all open command-prompts now!

After reboot all is done! Have fun!

Bin4ry

Press any key to continue . . .

I ran the adb shell and I tried to do an su and I see no popups on my phone. I tried to run the mount command manually to mount the /system file system in read-write mode and I got the message "mount: permission denied".
I did more research and I could see that ro.secure in my boot.img might have been set to 1 and it looks like I need to use Linux to extract the boot.img, make the change and re-pack it. Where can I get the Linux Drivers for MTK6577 phone. I have Linux Mint at home and it did not recognize the phone when I plugged in via USB. Or is there an easy way to root this device?

On some MTK65xx device, the Bin4ry script failed to reboot the device after the first step. So, you have to do that manually.
So, right after this line appear "Successful, going to reboot your device in 10 seconds!"
wait until the Restore data closes, then reboot
I have the same problem with my local branded tablet, and manual reboot solved the problem, and the script proceed to step 2 and finished the rooting process.

can you write step by step.... can't understand you clearly.... sorry


text:
Samsung s duos not booting into recovery
I have flashed the recovery.tar using odin by following this tutorial http://www.droidiser.com/2012/10/how-to-root-samsung-galaxy-s-duos-install-cwm.html
but after this,when I try to boot into recovery mode by pressing volume up+volume down+home+power key simultaneously,it shows samsung logo followed by cwm recovery icon but then it just goes off and boots up normally.
what am I doing wrong ? please help...

I had to release the buttons just after samsung logo and not after seeing cwm screen

Sometimes you need more tries to go back into recovery. If it does not work, you might have to re-flash the proper .tar file with Odin.

Some of the latest Samsung devices do not boot into recovery on a phone reboot. The device needs to be shut down before.
You need to hold Volume Up + Menu Buttons for a few seconds. The power button only triggers the phone startup, do not hold it.


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Google Now "time to leave" notifications are late
When I first got my Nexus 4, the "time to leave" notifications from Google Now were reasonable. I'd get a notification at 9:30am saying that I should leave at 9:45am for a calendar appointment.
After a few weeks, however, the notifications stopped arriving at a sensible time. The best case scenario is that I'll need to leave at 1pm for an appointment and get a reminder at 1:15pm (after I'm already on the road) saying that I should leave at 1:15pm to arrive on time given current traffic. I may also get a notification at 1:15pm saying that I need to leave at 1pm. Since I don't own a time machine, this isn't very helpful. This happens for all of my calendar entries that have an address. The late notifications are rather consistently 10-15 minutes after the time that I think I should leave for a destination.
I found this question which might be related, but my notifications are showing up late rather than displaying absurd times.
Is this a known issue? Is there a workaround?
Update
The alt-text for today's XKCD is

It ships with a version of Google Now that alerts you when it's too late to leave for your appointments.

That seems to confirm that this is a bug other people are experiencing, but I haven't had much luck finding bug reports about it since the search terms are too common.

If the Google developers responsible for this weren't aware of the issue before, they certainly are now!


text:
Can an apk file be written to any type of NFC tag
Is it possible to write an apk file to a NFC tag for it to be downloaded when a user desires? bWe are trying to create a solution in which our reps in the field can simply turn on NFC in specific locations then download an apk file for our custom app. Normally simply providing a link to the file on our server would be ideal by using URI type of tag however these devices (Android phones) may not have WiFi nor Cellular data connection in order to install the app's apk file via a link embedded to the NFC tag.
The NFC tags would be "installed" by a separate team. While it makes perfect sense to have our reps preloaded with the application, the consideration is to also allow customers to download the apk file for installation on their device if they desire as well. The apk is a 6 - 7 MB file.

As far as I know this hasn't been done before although I imagine it would be theoretically possible. Quite a few questions about the usage scenario though: So the NFC tags would be taken out in the field with the reps? Or they would already be out there? How would the NFC tags be put there? Why not just install the application beforehand?

It's unlikely you could store the .apk on the tag itself, as it would not fit (see Matthew's answer below). The URL to download it could be stored to trigger the download, but then you still need a data connection (WiFi or mobile) for the download itself.

@Peanut I edited the original post to give clarification

The 'theoretical' bit of my answer was due to the fact that the size of NFC tags is quite limited currently, if you had a large enough tag then it would work. However it's unlikely that there will be large enough tags brought out because NFC's data transfer rate is so slow any large files would take an unacceptable amount of time to be transferred.

Some resources I've found regarding NFC tags seems to indicate this would not be possible:
NFC Chip Types
The highest memory available is only about 7600 bytes. Which is quite a bit more than most apks.
NFC Data Exchange Format
The standardized data format specification that is supported by NFC Devices.

At a basic level, an NDEF record contains two components: (1) the data and (2) a descriptor of that data which is used to contextualize the data. [ . . . ] NDEF supports a fairly limited set of actions. More complex actions can be implemented with customized software running on the touching device.

So the default actions that may be supported by NFC devices are:

Url
Text
Email
VCard
Phone
SMS
URI

In order to support a non-standard action, you would have to completely implement that in a separate app. Then to transport your apk, it would have to be within the data limitations of all modern NFC tags.

The actual important bit of this answer is the size limitation I think, the fact that NDEF doesn't support an app type isn't really an issue.


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Galaxy S2 on Android 4.0.4 won't vibrate
How can I set my phone to just vibrate? No sound; just vibration. I just got the upgraded version of the S2, and my phone won't vibrate. I tried everything.

Go to System > Sound > Ring mode > Vibrate.

Do you have the "quick toggles" in your notification area when you "drag down" the notification bar (IMHO the S2 has this by default)?

SGS2 Notification Area (click image to enlarge)
If so, simply tap the "speaker symbol" there to switch modes between "ringtone", "vibrate", and "silent" (the symbol then will switch as well to indicate the current mode).


text:
Is it possible to use Samsung Galaxy Nexus as a bootable USB stick?
I want to install centOS linux distro on my desktop, which does not have a disk drive. Moreover, I posses a 4GB usb stick which is insufficient for installation. I need a usb stick with atleast 8GB to install centOS.
However, I've Galaxy Nexus which has lots of space. So I was wondering as to can I use it as a bootable USB stick?

There is currently an application on the Google Play Store called DriveDroid that should be able to handle that task. Please note that it needs a rooted phone.
After you install the app, it's a pretty straightforward process. If you need a helpful guide, this How-to by LifeHacker should help.


text:
USB file transfer only works when HTC One X is connected in internet pass-through mode
When I connect my HTC One X via USB to my PC, I can see my Android storage only when my phone  is connected in internet pass-through mode. I set the mode by Settings > More > Mobile network sharing > USB Network setting. If I select any other option I am unable to see my drives on phone. My Phone is running Android 4.1.1 and Sense 4+.


text:
How do I delete an email in Gmail from the notification screen?
The latest Gmail app update (26 MAR 2013) introduced a feature for devices running Android 4.1 (Jellybean) and higher wherein a user could directly archive/reply to an email from within the notification pull-down.
The "What's New" section on the Play Store however also lists the ability to delete an email.

Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) and up:
• Reply, archive or delete from notifications - no need to open the app

I'm running CyanogenMod 10.1 (Android 4.2.2) on my Samsung Galaxy S2 (i9100) and the options for Archive and Reply show up when I pull down the individual email notification but nothing for Delete shows up, even while in Landscape mode.
Any ideas on how this can be implemented or a setting that I've missed to enable this functionality?

Yes - there is a setting you need to change.
The Notification bar's actions are based on what you have GMail set up to do when swiping away an email within the app.
To change it from Archive:
Open Gmail and go to Settings there change the Swiping conversation list from Archive/unlabel/delete to Always delete
This changed my Notification bar action from Archive to Delete

Just tried it on mine. As advertised.

Accepted. Unfortunately, the behaviour also causes conversation swiping within the app to equal deletion. I wish they'd fit 3 buttons like ARCHIVE / DELETE / REPLY (user-choosable ideally) within the pull-down of the notification.

Agreed. Also, within Gmail itself it should have options to assign left-swipe and right-swipe, that way you could swipe left to archive, right to delete (or the other way). Maybe next update...

Works on Android 9 (Pie) as well!

Since v8.4.x, Gmail has been providing a separate setting to change the notification action and reworded "Gmail notification action" to "Default notification action."
The setting can be accessed by:

Open the Gmail app
Tap the hamburger menu (3 horizontal lines icon) on the top-left corner
Select "Settings"
Select "General settings"
Select "Default email notification action"
Select between "Archive" or "Delete"

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


text:
How to download all my apps in google play when I have flashed a new ROM?
When I have flashed a new ROM, I have to download all the apps I need in google play one by one, which is very inconvenient absolutely. Some of you may recommend "Titanium Backup", but it will lead to some errors with my device sometimes. So I want to download all my apps using google play in one time, instead of downloading my apps one by one. That is, I want google play to download and install all the apps in my previous ROM automatically after I have flashed a new ROM, Is that possible? Better if you have some more convenient methods. Thanks for any help!

You have two options.

Do a factory reset. Go to Settings > Backup & reset > Factory data reset.
When you are asked to log-in your Google account, it will ask you if you want to download the apps you installed before. Usually, your paid apps will be installed (and possibly some of the free apps). You may have to manually install the others.

Or, you can always use Titanium Backup. Make sure to back-up only user apps, not system apps. Then, restore those user apps after you have flashed a new ROM.

Keep in mind that for #1 you must have had the "Google backup" enabled before ("Store my data with Google"). If there was nothing backed up, there's nothing to restore from, obviously :)

Also, if the above doesn't work for you, or there are many apps that haven't been downloaded you can bulk install previously installed apps using the "My Apps" on the Play Store.
My Apps > All

Then press and hold on an app, and it will be selected. Apps that have already been installed onto your device will be greyed out.
You can then press on any other apps you want to install, then "Install" at the top right.


text:
How can I easily restrict all apps EXCEPT specific apps from using data?
Let's say I have 100 apps on my Nexus 4.
I want to limit all but 2 of them from running on my data plan (I have 30MB a month).

How can I easily exclude all apps except specific applications from using data (both fore/background)?

"Limit all except" means using a so-called "white-list". If your device is rooted, you might take a look at DroidWall and its forks AFWall+ plus Android Firewall, they support it. As shipped, with Android's native settings you can AFAIK only limit apps separately (black-list).


text:
How can I delete ALL alarms in the stock Clock app?
How can I delete ALL alarms in the stock Clock app?
I see that you can delete them one-by-one, but I have 50+ (created regularly with voice commands), and I'd like to get rid of them in one action.

I deleted all alarms in Android Jellybean 4.1.1 by performing the following operations in Settings > Apps > All > Clock:
Force stop
Clear data
Clear cache
YMMV

It's very disappointing that this seems to be the best option. Like you, I create a bunch of alarms through voice commands. What I want is a command that lets me delete all alarms that are turned off, since most of them are but I would like to leave the few that are not. Your cache clearing trick obviously doesn't work for this. Poor design by Android.

I wouldn't even understand that this option is missing if it were a niche app found in the depth of the google play store.. but the android stock clock? really?!

Incredibly, this is still an unaddressed issue in 2022.
I have noticed that it's possible to ask google assistant to delete all of your active alarms -- meaning the ones that are scheduled to ring.
So one inconvenient way to deal with this, would be to activate all the alarms manually (which is a bit faster than deleting them manually) and then ask google assistant to 'delete all of my alarms'.
Careful btw: asking Google assistant to 'delete all of my inactive alarms', will actually delete only your active ones (which is how I discovered this).

At the top of the page there is a garbage can. You can click on the can, which will show a multi select option, which lets you mark each alarm for deletion.

That can doesn't show up for me


text:
Samsung Galaxy S III (S3) Won't Connect via USB with Android File Transfer with MacBook Pro - Mountain Lion
I saw some similar questions along these lines with newer Samsung devices, but I will post a question here anyway in case an answer for me ends up being an answer different than that for someone else. I have not seen a post concerning my particular phone, Mac hardware, and Mac OS.
Problem:
My Mountain Lion MacBook Pro (10.8.3) doesn't recognize my Samsung Galaxy S3 (4.1.1) for file transfer over USB. I am trying to use Android File Transfer, having been promised that it would solve all my woes.
The Situation:
I've downloaded Android File Transfer, and, when connected with my device, the app launches, but it just continues to demand that I attach the USB cable and or restart my device.
What I've tried doing:
Settings > Applications > Development > USB debugging
When set to on, nothing happens. When set to off, nothing happens either. I've turned it on, then on and off, then off, and restarted before, during, and after connection, and every combination possible. The result is the same: app launches and then gives error message.
USB Cable:
I've tried with two different new cables and the error message is the same.
Connected to a Windows device:
My phone is recognized just fine by my desktop PC running Windows 7. The phone is recognized and the SD card is recognized, and I can transfer files between them. However, my Windows device is not my primary computing device, and I am frequently away from home (otherwise, at this point, I would chuck the Mac and that would be that).
As with the person who posted a similar question about the Galaxy S2, please do not post answers suggesting the use of Kies, Bluetooth, Wireless, and the like unless they lead to me being able to use Android File Transfer via USB. I want my phone to work over USB and with AFT for a reason (speed, convenience, and better synchronization). Kies seems to be the default suggestion to solve this issue, but it is terribly buggy and it accomplishes file transfer much the same way that nuking my house would get rid of spiders. (Always good to have a little levity at this level of frustration.)

Looked at this linky?

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4163985?start=0&tstart=0
Android File Transfer worked with S3 on Mac running Snow Leopard once I used the right cable!
I discovered I had 2 different type USB cables- one seems to just charge and so Android File transfer didn't recognize the phone at all. The other cable, bearing the Verizon label, was entirely different. Please see link above and go to my posting under Interpret for full explanation.
Post from linked site:

As already mentioned, download and install Android File Transfer app . NOTE: To connect be sure to use the right cable- in my case, I discovered 2 cables - one is a USB plain one that just charges the phone. After much frustration I discovered there was another one (it has a Verizon label in my case.) They both seem to be USB cables but I discovered one works with Android File Transfer and not the other.
When I connected the wrong one, Android File Transfer said: No Android device found. Please connect your Android device with a USB cable to get started. I wasn't getting any notification or option on my phone to switch any configuration menu.
When I switched to the right cable however, I got a notification in the top notification area of the phone stating:
Connected as an installer and a USB icon next to it. Swiping down the top notification part there was yet another notification stating Connected as a media device. Touch for other USB options. Tapping on that statement I got the following screen:
USB PC Connection
Connect as
Media Device (MTP) box to check
xxx explanatory text which mentions you can sue Android File Transfer on a Mac in this mode
Camera (PTP) box to check
xxx explanatory text (transfer to PC that does not support MTP)
(Note that these options were not available and not displayed with the wrong cable. I noticed many users stating they don't see that menu, wonder if the culprit is the cable being used.)
I checked off MTP box and voila, clicking on the Android File Transfer icon I could see  the files organized under Phone and Card and had access to them.

I was in the same situation until just now. Let me start by saying that you should not disregard the suggestions that I make right away simply because i spent all day attempting to figure this out. lol
So, like i said, i was in the same boat:

USB debugging - didnt work (checked and unchecked)
PTP and MTP combos of all types - didnt work
3rd party programs - didn't work

This is exactly how my s3 came to work with AFT via USB:

I installed AFT on my computer and it brought up the error messages that everyone else gets. Essentially it was saying that my s3 didnt exist.
I never previously had KIES installed on my mac (os x mountain lion 10.7.5)
I proceeded to install KIES (in a futile attempt at anything that might work)
It worked for MTP, however i couldnt physically access the files i needed to access on my phone so i deleted it using the uninstaller.
After deleting KIES, I tried one last time (using the Samsung USB that came with my phone) to open AFT and it worked.

There is just no logical reason why it started to work after installing, then uninstalling KIES however it DID in fact work so give it a shot if you havent already.
Best of luck to all of you poor s3/mac owners who are still trying to fix it. I feel for you.

I too struggled with that. Kies is the problem indeed. Just throwing it in the trash did not work. You have to download it again to get the dmg and then use the uninstaller.
AFT was not working on 2 boxes I have here (10.6.8 and 10.9.5) and after properly uninstalling kies, everything started to work perfectly.

Do you have Kies installed on your computer? It tends to interfere with Android File Transfer. If you do, find the Kies dmg file you used to install Kies, and open it. You should find the uninstaller in there. click on it to uninstall Kies, and then try connecting your phone with Android File Transfer.

I just had the same problem earlier today -- after months of no trouble, the AFT no longer would recognize that a phone was connected, and the little USB icon would not show up on the phone notification bar (although the phone WOULD charge).
Here is the fix that worked for me:
I had been using a standard USB 2.0 Micro-USB cable, and up to today I had had no trouble with the phone's being recognized by the AFT.
Once the trouble started today, I brought out the USB 3.0 Micro-USB cable that comes packed with the phone.  With that cable the connection with AFT still works fine.
Why the sudden change -- I have no clue.

After struggling with this issue for many days, uninstalling Kies finally did the magic for me!


text:
Fast, easy, reliable way to transfer large files between Android devices? (aka. WiFi Direct stories from the field)
I'd like to be able to easily transfer large files wirelessly, fast, between Android devices - preferably without requiring root.
As a secondary objetive, it wouldn't hurt if the same solution could be used, to transfer files between the Android devices and a Windows PC.
Specifically, I'm trying to exchange files between my Nexus 7 (Android 4.2.2) and Samsung Galaxy S2 (Android 4.0.4).

Bluetooth is simply too slow, so that's out of the question
Transfer via the Internet is also not an option, hence so is cloud-based solutions
Only Nexus 7 supports NFC, so that's out too
Fast File Transfer looked promising and very simple, but does not work on "Devices that don't have WiFi Tethering setting, such as the Nexus 7"

Wi-Fi direct (supported from Android 4.0 and up) seems to be a decent lowest common denominator between my two devices, however...
Galaxys S2's native Send via Wi-Fi Direct sees the Nexus, but seems to get stuck in the "Connecting..." most times. When there finally seems to be breakthrough, I get "Waiting..." and a spinning circle. Even if it worked, it would only allow me to send from the Galaxy S2 to the Nexus 7, as a similar option os not present on the Nexus 7.
J4velin's WiFi Direct is no longer available in the Play Store, with the following explanation:

WiFi Direct drivers are broken on many devices, which led to users leaving negative reviews for this app. As I don't see any sense in keeping a free app published when only getting 1-star-ratings (for an issue which only your device manufacturer can fix), the app is no longer available at the Play Store.

Nick Adams' WiFi Direct File Transfer seems flaky at best. Invations from Nexus 7 to Galaxy S2 are never received. Invitations from Galaxy S2 are mostly received, but even when accepting promptly, the peers doesn't always show as connected. When they finally do, usually after quite a long wait, I can select a file to send but it's never transferred -
"Transfer failed" it says almost immediately in the notification bar.
budius inc's WiFi Shoot is working slightly better, but still very unreliable. I actually managed to (occasionally) send files both ways, but never when attempting connection from the Nexus 7. To send from the Nexus 7 to the Galaxy S2, I had to go through this akward manoeuvre:

Share the file on the Nexus 7 via the WiFi Shoot intent
Start the Receive WiFi Shoot app on the Galaxy S2
Invite the Nexus 7 from the Galaxy S2 (never the other way around!)
Accept the invitation on the Nexus 7
Press the Shoot button on the Galaxy S2

Take the whole switching back and forth between devices, and garnish with random delays or failures in any step of the process...
Is there really no easy, reliable, fast way to transfer files directly between different Android devices?
Generally, my experience with Wi-Fi Direct is all but positive...

A device often won't even see a device lying next to it
Sometimes, it will see the other device, only to have it disappear from the list, before I have the chance to connect
When I do have a chance, invations are not realiably received (from Galaxy S2 to Nexus 7 mostly reliable, but never worked the other way around)
When invitations are received (and accepted), a partnership rarely manages to be setup ("invited" or "connecting")
And even when that happens, some apps can't seem to transfer files through it...

*Sigh*
Maybe J4velin's explanation pretty much sums up the sad state of Wi-Fi Direct on Android, which otherwise seemed as the best solution to my quest?

Rather than sleeping, I spent a few more hours experimenting.
I found what works best for my needs is an FTP server app.
For casual transfers, when both devices are connected to the same network, I'll just transfer through my Access Point. With the limitations that implies.
If I'm not near an AP or just want full speed, I'll deal with the hassle of setting of the Wi-Fi direct partnership and then launch the FTP server. It usually takes 3-5 tries before the devices connect, but once they do, FTP works stable and fast.
Furthermore, this solution also satisfies my secondary goal, of being able to use the same method to transfer files between Android device and PC.
Now, there are a lot of FTP server apps out there. Most are ad-supported, most are rather big as well. To my surprise, there's also quite a performance difference between them.
I thought I'd might as well shared my experience with the four FTP server apps I tested...
Required Permissions
None of the tested apps required ridiculous permissions. Just the following special permissions:

FULL NETWORK ACCESS
MODIFY OR DELETE THE CONTENTS OF YOUR USB STORAGE MODIFY OR DELETE THE CONTENTS OF YOUR SD CARD
PREVENT TABLET FROM SLEEPING PREVENT PHONE FROM SLEEPING

In addition, Andreas Liebig's FTPServer also required:

READ PHONE STATUS AND IDENTITY

Speed Test Setup
The speed test wasn't exactly scientifically performed, but devices were in the exact same spots during tests.

FTP server app running on Nexus 7
FileZilla FTP client running on Windows 8 laptop
Both connected to the same 802.11n network. Windows reported the link speed as 130 Mbps (I know this is not exact)
I downloaded the same 103,4 MiB large file two times through each app

Test Results
All stats, numbers and other facts are as of March 30th 2013.
Apps ordered by measured throughput, fastest on top.
Andreas Liebig's FTPServer

Price: Free
Latest version: 2.4.0 (2013-03-26)
Size: 78 kB
Install base: 100.000 - 500.000
Avg. rating: 4.6
Android OS requirement: 1.1+
Comments: Initial configuration required, not plug-and-play. Detailed server log on main screen when service is running. No anonymous access possible?
Throughput: 103.4 MiB downloaded in 43 seconds @2.4 MiB/sec, 103.4 MiB downloaded in 47 seconds @2.2 MiB/sec

Boby Ertanto's My FTP Server

Price: Free (ad supported, ad-free version available)
Latest version: 2.1 (2013-02-28)
Size: 1.2 MB
Install base: 50.000-100.000
Avg. rating: 4.1
Android OS requirement: 2.2+
Comments: Simple interface. Very basic settings.
Throughput: 103.4 MiB downloaded in 48 seconds @2.2 MiB/sec, 103.4 MiB downloaded in 49 seconds @2.1 MiB/sec

The Olive Tree's Ftp Server

Price: Free (ad supported, ad-free version available)
Latest version: 1.11 (2013-01-14)
Size: 1.1 MB
Install base: 100.000 - 500.000
Avg. rating: 4.4
Android OS requirement: 2.1+
Comments: Based on Apache ftp server. Simple interface. Configurable port, home dir, username/password, service resillience, energy saving etc.
Throughput: 103.4 MiB downloaded in 56 seconds @1.8 MiB/sec, 103.4 MiB downloaded in 56 seconds @1.8 MiB/sec

Berserker's FTPDroid

Price: Free (ad supported, ad-free version available)
Latest version: 1.3.1 (updated 2012-12-28)
Size: 2.0 MB
Install base: 50.000 - 100.000
Avg. rating: 3.9
Android OS requirement: 2.2+
Comments: Based on  Pure-FTPd. Simple interface. Configurable port, home dir, username/password, service resillience, energy saving etc.
Troughput: 103,4 MiB downloaded in 135 seconds @0,8 MiB/sec, 103,4 MiB downloaded in 121 seconds @0,9 MiB/sec

Conclusion
Not only is Andreas Liebig's FTPServer the only completely free of the apps tested, it's incredibly light weight (78 kB!), can run on any Android phone you can find but also has the fastest throughput of the apps tested.
Once the initial configuration is done, the main window simply displays your standard FTP server log, whereas other applications pretty much displays nothing but a few buttons and maybe the IP address and port of the server.
Thank you, Andreas!

I'm Budius, the developer of the WiFi Shoot! and I must say that J4velin's explanation is really spot on and pretty sad.
I started developing it just because I saw this cool technology and no one was using it but it only proved to be a big headache.
Even during development (I was using a Transformer TF300 and a Galaxy Nexus) it took me much more time than it should had and I had lots and lots of problems simply because the technology is broken on the driver level. Example of that is that Asus removed support for WiFi Direct on their Jelly-Bean built of the transformer (and that was reason for one of my 1-star rating, it stopped work on the user transformer)
If my app was completely free I probably was going to the same approach of J4velin and simply pull the plug on it, but now I feel I can't just cancel it for the users that paid for it.
I started checking some options to allow it to operate over normal WiFi too and only use WiFi-Direct if the user specifically request for it, but it's a personal project and I simply don't have free time now.
Really hope the manufacturers get their act together, but I wouldn't put my hopes up. Anyone who always uses bluetooth everyday (a technology that was originally developed in 1994) know that sometimes you have to reboot your mobile just to have it connect to a headset.

I released an app last week that I hope will solve your problems. WiFi Direct Friends
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cobaltstar.wififriends
Most significantly, it can transfer files in both directions once the two devices are connected, which I think seems to be your main big issue. So even though you may have to guess which device to press connect on (blame the device manufacturers), you'll know that once they're connected you can send and receive no problem. Make sure you aren't connected to any other WiFi networks, or else things will get slow and unreliable.
I also added auto restart of the WiFi when there are problems or hangups in the initial connection process, so hopefully there won't be much guesswork or troubleshooting.
You've hit the nail on the head with regards to finding problems about how WiFi Direct is implemented across these devices. We're dealing with the most trivial use case of the technology here and the internet is full of tales of woe. Direct just does not seem ready for prime time in any big feature that needs to be depended on.

Thanks for your suggestion. Will give it a try. "Direct just does not seem ready for prime time in any big feature that needs to be depended on" - Amen!

I use an app called HitcherNet-BETA to move files across Wifi Direct between devices.  it is fast and stable, great for pushing video files and other big files.  in jelly bean the permissions issues of other versions are solved so two way transfer is possible.  i am working with these guys to build wifi direct into a game app i am building.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kharybdis.hitchernet

Another possible solution that is very useful is using Total Commander with the WiFi Transfer plugin.
Then in TC you select the files or folders to share, tap copy/move and select Wifi. If you're already connected to a Wifi network it will work with that, but if you're not it offers to use Wifi direct instead.
It creates a webdav server that you can connect to with whatever device with a web browser.
The transfer rates are fast too.

In 2021 you can do this from Google's "Files" app directly. It has simple "send" and "receive" buttons and sets up peer-to-peer WiFi temporarily and securely with zero configuration hassle.

Have you tried Superbeam? Should work between Android devices, won't work with PC though.

authors: Евгений Пудовников