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Can an ADB backdoor persist after factory reset
Recently I started playing with automations in my Android device. Specifically, I used Automate, Tasker and MacroDroid. I also downloaded some Tasker plugins, and some ADB connectors for these apps.
A few days after, I noticed weird stuff. For example, apps were being installed automatically overnight. Also, there was this time when I downloaded Twitter and it downloaded 2 apps: the original and a mock app that only had the login page, clearly a phishing attempt. My guess is one of these apps installed a backdoor in my phone and people were sending remote commands to it.
Anyways, I know that ADB is not root access, but I don't actually know the privileges (fs, proc...) it has. How deep can an ADB installed backdoor persist in Android? Could it survive a factory reset? I think I'm about to sell this phone and get a new one, but I don't want to sell it to someone if it has a backdoor, I wouldn't want to harm someone else's privacy.

A factory reset should be enough. If you want more assurance, flash the stock ROM on your device (just to rule out the possibility that some really evil malacious software has evaded factory reset)//In any case, I would like to sell a phone with stock ROM flashed to give them best experience


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How do I hide 'No Internet Connection' in fullscreen Chrome (on airplane wifi)?
I've started using my phone to watch movies via the in-flight wifi when flying, however Chrome stubbornly reports 'No Internet Connection', which appears as a fairly sizeable and annoying banner on the top when watching a movie fullscreen.  Note: In this case there really is no outside internet connection, I just want to be able to dismiss the warning.
Is there any way to suppress this message?
Or any suggestions on an alternate browser to download+use that might not have this issue?  I've found so far that Firefox browser doesn't work at all for Southwest's in-flght pages.

I didn't find any flags at chrome://flags related to your requirement. But if you ask for browsers there are too many but most of them are chrome based like Opera, Brave, Edge etc. So give them a try. One which is use personally - Via Browser. Some more - Samsung Browser, Kiwi, DuckDuckGo and soooo onnnn...

source: Stack Exchange

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

sort: votes


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What are the limits/powers of android device policy?
I work in a university and when we want to login in our university email id, we go to gmail
So we can also use our official email for creating account on android,but when i try to create account using my university email id, i am prompted to install android device policy, i am not certain regarding its limits? How much power will this policy give to our university IT admin, will it give access to private data(facebook,whatsapp etc) phone contacts lists and banking data etc on our android device?

That totally depends on how it is configured by your university. You need to ask them not here

I am not aware of a way how a managed device should allow access to app-private data. In general a device policy disables certain insecure settings on your device (e.g. requires a lockscreen pin/password). A sample list of device management options available for Android devices can e.g. be found here: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/intune/protect/compliance-policy-create-android As the interface on Android side is the same for all device management systems the policy options are more or less the same for all those MDM solutions.

From: https://developers.google.com/android/management/provision-device#personally-owned_devices A work profile provides a self-contained space for work apps and data, separate from personal apps and data. Most app, data, and other management policies apply to the work profile only, while the employee's personal apps and data remain private.

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


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How to clean up knox filesystem
My Samsung galaxy S9 is giving me notifications to say I am using over 90% of my internal storage. This confused me as the built in file manager (and a couple others I downloaded) showed closer to 10GB used.
I have downloaded termux and run df -h and received the following result.
Filesystem                                     Size  Used Avail Use% Mounted on
/dev/block/dm-0                                4.1G  4.0G  153M  97% /
tmpfs                                          1.7G  1.2M  1.7G   1% /dev
tmpfs                                          1.7G     0  1.7G   0% /mnt
tmpfs                                          1.7G     0  1.7G   0% /mnt/sde
tmpfs                                          1.7G     0  1.7G   0% /apex
/dev/block/dm-1                                622M  617M  4.9M 100% /odm
/dev/block/dm-2                                618M  548M   70M  89% /vendor
/dev/block/platform/11120000.ufs/by-name/CACHE 581M  135M  446M  24% /cache
/dev/block/platform/11120000.ufs/by-name/EFS    16M  2.8M   13M  18% /efs
/dev/block/dm-3                                 53G   48G  4.1G  93% /data
/data/knox/data_de/150                          53G   48G  4.1G  93% /data/user_de/150
/data/knox/data/150                             53G   48G  4.1G  93% /data/user/150
/data/knox/misc_ce/150                          53G   48G  4.1G  93% /data/misc_ce/150
/data/knox/secure_fs/enc_user                   53G   48G  4.1G  93% /data/enc_user
/data/knox/secure_fs/enc_media                  53G   48G  4.1G  93% /data/knox/secure_fs/enc_medi

It looks like the Knox folder has reached 53GB (of a total of 64GB storage). Am I safe to delete this? If so what is the best way to delete/shrink it?
TL;DR Knox filesystem has reached 53GB, how can I reduce/remove it?

I think you misinterpreted the listing. Your user data partition /data has a size of 53GB (64GB - system partition) with 48GB used. Which program is causing this usage can not be determined from the listing you have provided. And file managers always only see the shared space but never the app-private data. Please read https://android.stackexchange.com/q/216087/2241


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Why do (certain) peripherals seem to work out of the box for android but need driver installation on desktop?
Recently I was looking for android compatible pen tablets. The ones that have android compatibility works just fine, no driver needed. Only the OTG support (which I assume is for it work as a USB host) and Android 6.0+. While to use any pen tablets, I needed to install drivers on desktop. (though it is mostly automatic).
Why is this the case, even though Android has no standards, unlike the PC world?
I know drivers are needed as interface for any kind of hardware-software interaction, but that didn't happen on android in case of pen tablet. Although, not a lot of external hardware was supported on android, anyway, until recently.
(I was not sure where to ask this question as I don't know much about android/drivers/hardware connectivity, and the correct terminologies)

Drivers on Android/Linux need to run in the Kernel. As the kernel changes frequently most drivers are developed as part of the kernel. Therefore the list of standard drivers already available in Android is usually higher than on Windows.

Android/Linux kernel does support USB Device Class Drivers. They are generic drivers supporting many similar devices, not bound to a specific hardware or vendor. An example case is explained here.

Thanks, both of these comments answer my question


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Is there any way to remove "Screenshot" option from power menu for Android 10+?
Is there any way to remove "Screenshot" option from power menu for Android 10+ without a 3rd party app, or with a custom xml?

I don't have "Screenshot" option in long press power button menu on Android 10

Please clarify your specific problem or provide additional details to highlight exactly what you need. As it's currently written, it's hard to tell exactly what you're asking.

Hi, could you [edit] and mention the device model? Manufacturers can customize their ROM, so this feature may not be available on every Android device.

As far as I know the "Power menu is fixed and can only be changed by an firmware update by the device manufacturer or by installing a different ROM (the latter only if the device is bootloader unlocked).


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How could an Android device lose its key for the SD-card?
I am right now trying to debug a Lenovo P11 tablet that basically seems to have lost access to its SD card:
11-08 21:24:31.742   592   592 I vold    : Mounting emulated fuse volume
11-08 21:24:31.744   592   592 E vold    : Failed to create /mnt/expand/60dc08e3-0c91-4210-ac5f-88d6a4b4d65f/media/0/Android/: Required key not available
11-08 21:24:31.744   592   592 E vold    : Failed to prepare Android/ directories

This seems to cascade into several problems down the line:
11-08 21:24:41.268   592   592 E vold    : Failed to find mounted volume for /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.google.android.gms/files/
11-08 21:24:46.141   592   592 E vold    : Failed to find mounted volume for /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.google.android.apps.docs/cache/
11-08 21:24:46.799   592   592 E vold    : Failed to find mounted volume for /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.google.android.gms/files/
11-08 21:24:48.680   592   592 E vold    : Failed to find mounted volume for /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.google.android.apps.maps/files/
11-08 21:24:49.574   592   592 E vold    : Failed to find mounted volume for /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.google.android.apps.docs/cache/
11-08 21:24:59.244   592   592 E vold    : Failed to find mounted volume for /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.google.android.gm/cache/
11-08 21:25:07.889   592   592 E vold    : Failed to find mounted volume for /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.google.android.gms/cache/
11-08 21:25:13.926   592   592 E vold    : Failed to find mounted volume for /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.google.android.youtube/files/
11-08 21:25:14.060   592   592 E vold    : Failed to find mounted volume for /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/com.google.android.youtube/cache/

I am not an Android expert and my Linux expertise only carries so far here. But it seems to me that the SD Card was mounted successfully but then a process called "vold" tried to unlock the Android folder with fscrypt because it could not find the key. In turn, several apps fail to read/write their internal storage which was mapped onto the SD card.
Am I right so far?
If I am right, I have to wonder: How does Android identify the key to a folder? Could the device really lose the key (after mere weeks of working just fine)? Could that be the consequence of a recent system upgrade (Android 10 to 11, I think)?
Final question: Is there any chance, whatsoever, to retrieve the key (even with rooting the device)?

usually adoptable-storage uses dm-crypt (but I might be wrong) Where did you see fscrypt? on locked bootloader your only chance is exploit to access /data/misc/vold (like mtk-su). I doubt there is any method to recover data after encryption key is lost


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Limit Google search result pages to those containing a specific string
Before Google started the Google Plus social media service, I could use +"a string" to ensure all result pages contain "a string" of my choosing, and I could use - to ensure it doesn't contain "a string". Since then, Google says to put double-quotes around the string to do the same thing. Well, it's not symmetrical, like using +, but if it would work, that would be fine.
The problem is that it doesn't work. I search for "a string"; get a set of result pages; go into the first one; do a Find within page for "a string" and there are 0 matches. The problem occurs repeatedly with various search keys. Using + the old way also doesn't work; I'm not sure what it does.
So, how do I insist that my result pages contain my string? Did we really go backwards in capability?

Sorry, is this issue specifically about Google Search on Android, or Google Search in general (web)? Note that there's a sister site [webapps.se] for issues regarding Google Search web in general. Though, as far as my experience goes, "double quote" usually works well to force search that keyword, only if the page hasn't changed nor cheated the SEO by keyword spamming.

I just tried to search dozes times using varying keys, each time doing a Find in Page for the quoted term and have found the term on the page only when the search key is very simple & straightforward (easily findable). That doesn't imply "working well" to me.


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Remove calendar accounts without removing gmail
My question is exactly the same as I have multiple google accounts. How can I hide some of them from the Gmail and Calendar apps? But since it's been 6 years since that post and much things have changed, I wanted to ask it again to see if there's currently a good way to do this.
Long story short: I have multiple google accounts (8 to be exact) and every one of the accounts show up as an account in google calendar even though I only use 1 of them. I turned off sync, but they still show up. How do I hide or get rid of the accounts in google calendar without getting rid of the gmail part of the google account. (Aka I want gmail, but not cal)

I don't mind using another app
My phone is not rooted
I have Android 11

Remove those accounts from your device. Enable IMAP on each Gmail [only] account and then add each account as IMAP account in GMail app.

It would get rid of google drive and stuff too right? I just want the cal part gone.

Yes, that would remove all Google services of the removed accounts. You can have only everything of every account or nothing but GMail.

You can hide temporarily or remove an account (needs PC). From calendar help //I haven't tried it

Or even more simple, from the calendar app (if you are using Google calendar), deselct everything!


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How can I recover data from a phone MicroSD card?
I have a Nokia 3 (Android) phone which uses a Micro SD card for additional storage. When I connect the phone to a Win 10 PC I see a CD-ROM added in File Explorer, containing a setup.exe file. If I click use USB to transfer files on the phone and  I see within Nokia 3 folder under This PC a folder called SD card. The properties of the SD card folder indicate the 25 GBytes have been used but within the folders visible  (Android, DCIM, Pictures and Download) there are only 703 MBytes of files which can be copied with File Explorer. The SD Card filesystem is shown as Generic hierarchical.It appears that most of the content is not visible to File Explorer.
If I remove the Micro SD card and try to view it by inserting an adapter and plugging the adapter into the SD socket on the computer, I get the message that the card format is not supported and I am asked if I wish to format the card.
If I try to use a Data Recovery product (Easus Data Recovery Pro) to try and retrieve the invisible files on the SD card it does not show the Nokia 3 folder under This PC so I cannot browse to the SD card folder.
Using Device Manager, Nokia 3 appears under portable devices and if I click Update Driver it indicates that the driver is MTP USB Device and it appears to be up to date.
If I plug the adapter into a 2013 Macbook Pro running Catalina (via an SD to USB adapter) I get the message that the card format is not supported.
How can I get access to the invisible files on the Micro SD card from the phone?

Linux will probably be able to access the card. Most likely it it formatted as ext4 or similar.

If you don't have a nix machine, you can get ExtFS support on the Mac - https://www.paragon-software.com/home/extfs-mac/ - the free trial would let you test the theory.

It is the general concept of Android that users don't get access to their files if the app want to keep those files private. If the SD-card is formatted as internal storage then it is encrypted and it can only be read in the phone it had been formatted. The it doesn't matter which OS you use, they all will fail to read anything.

Does this answer your question? Encryption on SD card. Not recovering data after crashing

Does this answer your question? Backup/dump kernel image (and full ROM) without root for Mediatek Devices

Does this answer your question? Can't access my phone memory suddenly after using SD card as internal memory


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4G symbol appears but no/slow internet
I have a Samsung Galaxy S21 5G which has worked great, but the last day or so I have been having a very annoying issue where the internet just goes really, really slow, yet it is still showing the 4G symbol in the corner.
Normally, when the internet goes slow, it'll show an 'H', then when it's really bad, an 'E', but while 4G is showing, its usually really quick. Since yesterday, it has been so slow to the point webpages time out, and some apps (such as reddit) fail to load at all (just get an error).
Today, it got more annoying where I actually got a "no connection to internet" appearing on my browser and app store, even though the 4G symbol is showing in the corner.
What I have tried:

Turning the phone off & on again
Removing and re-inserting SIM card
Turning aeroplane mode on/off
Reset Access Point Names to default (as per online tip)
Checking Network modes are set correctly

I'm not sure what else I can try. I am using the Virgin mobile network in the UK, which I believe is using the EE network, and their coverage checker tells me everything is fine and I should have good coverage.
Is there something I am missing, or anything else I can try as it's rather frustrating. WiFi works fine.

Couldn't it be a network provider's issue? That would be my guess...

Possible provider issue: https://istheservicedown.co.uk/status/virgin-media

@Robert That link times out every time

Hmm, I can open Robert's link fine. I also noticed Virgin Media mentioned this link to other reporters: https://my.virginmedia.com/faults/service-status

Options you have:

Check with other users who are on same network with different mobile.
Check with other users who are on same network with same mobile.
Get a new SIM card with same number. Yes, SIM cards can cause trouble.
If above 4 are checked, then it is the handset problem. Maybe a software factor reset can do a wonder too.


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How to restore android phone from Google cloud backup to a new phone when unlock pattern is not recognized?
I broke my phone (Android 10). I have a new phone (Android 11).
I tried to restore data from Google cloud backup, but it asks for the unlock pattern of the old phone.
I know the pattern, however, I cannot enter it on the new phone. I have the same dot twice in my unlock pattern, and the new phone just won't recognize the same dot the second time. Now, it says it will delete all my backup data if I fail to enter the correct pattern 5 more times.
How can I access my backup data and restore it to my new phone?
Thanks.

I have the same dot twice in my unlock pattern  Not possible by Android design


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What is meant by "no need to move sd card share the same disk with os"?
I am using Redmi 9, 4/64, Android 11, MIUI Global 12.5.3. I was trying to move apps from internal to sd. But there was no option, though i enabled it in developer settings. I tried some app and they either showed move to sd not supported in this device or no need to move sd card share the same disk with os. So, how this works? If i run out of internal storage eventually, next will my sd card be used to store apps? Is there any way to move to sd?

For historical reasons Android has a section called "sdcard" but it is actually on the same flash chip like the rest of your data. The real SD-card is "external SD-card". I would assume that the message means moving app data onto this "emulated" sdcard doe snot make sens as the app data would still be on the same partition as before.

@Robert From your comment, I assume, if I insert a 64gb sd card, my internal memory will work as if it is 64+64 gb?

Only if your device allows to format the sd-card as internal storage (some manufacturer disable it to sell phones with larger flash memory). Otherwise it will be just another directory which is early used by apps.

@Robert can i get app2sd feature by using custom rom?

Not sure. In my opinion app2sd is a technology from the Android 4.x/5.x era. I have not used it for years. Formatting an sd-card as internal/adoptable storage is much easier as long as the sd-card is fast and reliable. The best way of course is just buying a phone with sufficient flash memory. Internal flash is faster and usually more reliable.

@Robert there was no format as internal option. Just format. Any idea?


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Audio Works on Computer but not Phones
I have recorded the video by Simple Screen Recorder in my Ubuntu OS by below setting :

But when I play the recorded video on the android phone the sound is not clear, although it works on the laptop.
So I guess it must be from the frame rate of audio compressing or its type (mp3 or ...)
If you like, you can see one sample of the video on this video link.
Update 1:
I guess my left mic of laptop is corrupted, so I have changed the recording mic volume in my OS and now it is working with below setting:

So if possible I like to know how it creates corrupted sound in android and if possible how can I edited the audio part of recorded video in my Shutcut video editor by below audio setting:

Thanks.

What video player app do you use? Try e.g. VLC and MXPlayer to check if the audio works at all.

It is working in laptop (VLC Player), and  as I want to send to others for seeing in android it must be ok in default android video players, which the player does not important in android  OS.

Checking the video with different players will allow you to identify if there is a general problem or if this is just an incompatibility. Additionally you should check the values shown by VLC (on PC) or another media info tool if the created video really uses the codecs you have chosen. BTW: Isn't the quality 23 a bit high? May be just the bitrate is too high for the tested Android devices? Use https://jell.yfish.us/ videos to test the capabilities of your device.


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Why I have to turn off mobile data before pinging goes through on bluetooth network?
Android (Version11) phone has mobile data turned on, then it connects to another bluetooth device B which is a Bluetooth pand server.
After pairing and network service connection, B provides an IP to Android phone.
So android phone has mobile data and a new network interface with IP 192.168.44.2;  Device B has 192.168.44.1.
I can ping from Device B to android phone.
But when I ping from android phone to Device B, it can't get response, I have to TURN OFF mobile data first before it can ping B.
If android takes this new IP 192.168.44.2 and subnet 255.255.255.0, how can it fail to ping device B on the same 192.168.44.* subnet ?  Is this new network not in the routing table ?
Thanks a lot !

This might be caused by the same reason as you can't use Wifi and mobile data at the same time. The underlaying Linux system supports multiple network interfaces and specific routes but Android seem to follow the "one IP connection at a time" rule. There are multiple questions on that topic on this site.


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is it possible to use a mobile phone internet access as a hot spot to a PC and PORT FORWARD for TELNET access to BBS running on laptop?
I have set up a BBS on my laptop and use my mobile data for all internet access.
I am able to connect to other BBS's via TELNET so assume port 23 is open on mobile network, EE.
I assume my phone is acting as the router and can get its IP from cmd: ipconfig listed as default gatway.
also setup dynamic IP via NOIP with a host name pointing to the laptop IP found on the noip system
BUT no one is able to connect to 'myhostname.ddns.net:23?
firewall is configured to open port 23.
I am thinking is because I am using mobile data for internet access and port 23 is not open for inbound traffic on the mobile network. yet i did read in another post that EE dont block any ports.
Does anyone know how I can enable connections to my BBS over the mobile network? even if it involves some android app on my phone to open the port
phone is Galaxy A20e
Android 11

Does this answer your question? How to port-forward internet using Android Hotspot to PC?

its half answers it, as it gives the reason no one can connect to the BBS while i use mobile hot spot as internet access, BUT it looks like it can be done via an app, such as https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.elixsr.portforwarder&gl=GB

I suggest rereading my answer. It already mentions the app you linked. The app does just port forwarding which my answer explains in very detail. "no one can connect to the BBS" (from internet) is due to the fact that your mobile data network is behind CGNAT put by your carrier. That's a different issue explained in the other answer linked in the above linked answer.

Solved. Thank you,

Solved. Thank you, What was confusing is there is a video about the App, that implies that the App port forwards, then goes on to say that the gateway IP needs to be public. because of this I thought i could apply for a public IP from my service provider, so thought it would be possible. After doing some reading I see that it is not that at the moment, not possible, due to CGNAT on IPv4, BUT all being well in the future when (if) mobile service providers move to IPv6 it may be. thaknk you for you reply.


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Can Google Chrome Tabs be accessible or exported at runtime without a PC/ADB?
Just like the title suggests. I've been learning Android Development for a year now but I do not know where to approach this particular issue (It might be just impossible but I'm giving it a try).
Is there any way to export the list of open Chrome tabs (or groups) without the need for a PC? I just wanna export, say, a hundred tabs into my device without having to do it in the script-y way. Or did I misunderstand the answers? I've been looking for 4 hours now without any success or breakthrough.

Assuming you've seen How can I export the list of open Chrome tabs? and possibly How can I transfer all of my open tabs in Chrome in Android to Chrome on a desktop? but realize that isolating on-device apps is  generally desirable (spyware, etc.) so doubtful you can get a on mobile device CSV/text file of urls as I'm not aware of any official Google Chrome API.

@MorrisonChang, I've checked all possible links that mention the PC-Android bridging using adb and retrieve tabs list that way. That can be useful for PC users. However, my idea is to retrieve that list on Android from another application. I've tried accessing Chrome's UNIX-Domain socket (where Chrome DevTools on PC seem to retrieve the lists from, I do not have much knowledge on this). But one thing for sure, Android prohibits that access due to SELinux policies. Which means only root access would allow me to actually access it (which I can't do for now to experiment further).

So in other words, I am trying to make an Android Library that reads current foreground Chrome process's tabs. I am starting to believe that cannot be achievable and there needs to be some extraordinary hack.

@Volnutt You are correct, what you are trying to do is impossible without root permissions.


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which adb command to Delete gmail account from a device
Can anyone pls suggest me which adb command i may use to delete gmail account from a device. I can add account through below command but can't delete any account.
adb shell am start -a android.settings.ADD_ACCOUNT_SETTINGS


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Bluetooth codec settings resetting on re-connection
I've got a Surface Duo 2 running Android 11 (build 2021.827.34) paired with some Sony MDR-1000X bluetooth headphones. The Sonys support LDAC and so does the phone (hurrah!), unfortunately when running at full quality (990kbps 96khz) I get choppy/stuttering audio during playback or when doing certain operations on the phone (waking via the power button for example guarantees a ~1sec stutter).
I enabled developer options and used the bluetooth codec settings there to reduce sample rate to 88.2kHz which successfully eliminates the stuttering while retaining LDAC's quality benefits, the problem is that this setting reverts each time I disconnect and re-connect the headphones. Is there any way to make these changes persistent?

Similar https://www.reddit.com/r/GalaxyS8/comments/7x8y8k/set_ldac_as_default_on_oreo/

Disabling multi point seems to help

@beeshyams Sadly neither of those help. I can turn LDAC off completely by disabling the LDAC option on on the device in the "regular" settings for the Bluetooth device and that change will persist through a disconnect-reconnect (only changes made to Developer Settings are lost).

Try Sony connect apps like this // app description screenshot shows LDAC//Also see settings for your Sony that may help https://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/1000x/v1/en/contents/TP0001176179.html

@beeshyams The Sony app(s) don't support the MDR-1000X unfortunately. Changing the settings on the headphones themselves only allows me to set them to set them to SBC only so no joy there.


text:
Open website using Android Webview
I have a custom Rom on my phone and I didn't install Google Chrome; I'm using Firefox instead.
However, once in a blue moon there's a site that complains that it doesn't work with Firefox and suggests using Chrome instead.
I have Android Webview installed and as far as I know it is a browser engine based on Chromium. I believe that apps that want to show web content use Android Webview for that. Am I right about this?
Is there a workaround to open a website using Webview without installing Google Chrome or other browser?

Yes, the Android System Webview "app" (package com.google.android.webview) contains everything needed for displaying a web page.
But this app is designed to be used by other apps only so it does not has an own UI. The only activities it provides are for some sort of developer UI and a license dialog.
So you need at least a second app that shows a WebView to make use of Android System Webview app.

Try Brave: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brave.browser
It's based on Chromium, it has all benefits of the Chrome browser.

While this might be a valid workaround, the question mentioned "without installing Google Chrome or other browser" though.


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Bootloop and inaccessible recovery mode. Fastboot stops when connected to PC
I have ASUS Zenfone Max Pro M2. I installed Pixel Experience and recently tried to update it, but it stuck in a boot loop.
My bootloader is unlocked and the device is not rooted.
Also, the Recovery mode is not accessible.
Fastboot mode is accessible but when connected to and PC, a black screen is visible with a message "press any key to power off".
If there is any way that can reset the device and install any ROM (root or without root).
Please share it.
Opened Fastboot:

After Connecting to PC:

Entering fastboot devices on PC:

hi @alecxs I've added screenshots of what happening after i connect it with the PC.

just after I connect to PC, Fastboot Devices screen disappeared

I've already tried different OS, USB, and PCs but the same thing is happening. Even if somehow a system recognized Fastboot device, the second command does not work and last screen appears on phone that says "press any key to shutdown"

https://youtu.be/-NLJG9CL-uU

https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/guide-fix-press-any-key-to-shutdown-when-unlock-bootloader-or-run-fastboot-cmd.4180389

thanks @alecxs, gonna try it out.


text:
How to create a homescreen shortcut via ADB?
I'm using as an example the open-source app ConnectBot to demonstrate what I want to achieve. I can create a connection's shortcut through the homescreen's widget functionality, but I want to know how to create shortcuts through adb if possible.
Part of the app's AndroidManifest.xml:
    <activity
        android:name=".HostListActivity"
        android:label="@string/app_name"
        android:launchMode="singleTop"
        android:resizeableActivity="true">
        <intent-filter>
            <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN"/>
            <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER"/>
        </intent-filter>
        <intent-filter>
            <action android:name="android.intent.action.CREATE_SHORTCUT"/>
            <category android:name="android.intent.category.DEFAULT"/>
        </intent-filter>
        <intent-filter>
            <action android:name="android.intent.action.PICK"/>
            <category android:name="android.intent.category.DEFAULT"/>

            <data android:scheme="ssh"/>
            <data android:scheme="telnet"/>
            <data android:scheme="local"/>
        </intent-filter>
    </activity>

From the source code of HostListActivity.java:
    @Override
    public void onClick(View v) {
        // launch off to console details
        Uri uri = host.getUri();

        Intent contents = new Intent(Intent.ACTION_VIEW, uri);
        contents.setFlags(Intent.FLAG_ACTIVITY_CLEAR_TOP);

        if (makingShortcut) {
            // create shortcut if requested
            ShortcutIconResource icon = Intent.ShortcutIconResource.fromContext(
                    HostListActivity.this, R.mipmap.icon);

            Intent intent = new Intent();
            intent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_SHORTCUT_INTENT, contents);
            intent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_SHORTCUT_NAME, host.getNickname());
            intent.putExtra(Intent.EXTRA_SHORTCUT_ICON_RESOURCE, icon);

            setResult(RESULT_OK, intent);
            finish();

        } else {
            // otherwise just launch activity to show this host
            contents.setClass(HostListActivity.this, ConsoleActivity.class);
            HostListActivity.this.startActivity(contents);
        }
    }

So in order to make a shortcut icon of a particular connection I tried the following:
adb shell am broadcast -n org.connectbot/org.connectbot.HostListActivity
-a android.intent.action.CREATE_SHORTCUT --es android.intent.extra.shortcut.INTENT '"intent://user@host:XXXX/#HostNickname#Intent;scheme=ssh;package=org.connectbot;end"'
--es android.intent.extra.shortcut.NAME "ShortcutName" --esn android.intent.extra.shortcut.ICON_RESOURCE

The result I get:
Broadcasting: Intent { act=android.intent.action.CREATE_SHORTCUT flg=0x400000 cmp=org.connectbot/.HostListActivity (has extras) }
Broadcast completed: result=0

But nothing happens. If I replace broadcast with start, HostListActivity fires up and shows all stored connections. When I click on the host for which I want to make a shortcut, the activity closes (same as when I'm manually adding a shortcut via the widget screen), however no shortcut is added anywhere to the homescreen.
By the way the intent:// URI that is passed as an extra is correct. I can succesfully use that URI to open a particular connection with ConnectBot:
adb shell am start '"intent://user@host:XXXX/#HostNickname#Intent;scheme=ssh;package=org.connectbot;end"'

To clarify the question is: "How to fire an Intent with action android.intent.action.CREATE_SHORTCUT (and other required extras) from ADB shell to the HostListActivity of ConnectBot app so that in turn it creates a home screen shortcut as specified in the sent Intent.". In my opinion it's a development oriented question because what happens inside HostListActivity (the interaction with Android's ShortcutManager) cannot be observed or controlled by the end user. It's up to the developer of the app how they handle the received Intent. Without knowing that the question cannot be answered.

But we do know what happens in HostListActivity. It shows a list of stored connections. When the activity is called with Intent action android.intent.action.CREATE_SHORTCUT (this is how the activity is called when I manually try to add a ConnectBot shortcut via the home's widget screen) and the user clicks on a host, instead of connecting to said host, it creates an Intent with extras EXTRA_SHORTCUT_INTENT, EXTRA_SHORTCUT_NAME and EXTRA_SHORTCUT_ICON_RESOURCE.

This isn't really a programming question because I'm not asking for help to understand or modify the above code... The question is how to translate this in adb commandline terms and use it with activity manager.

Please see the shortcut Activity guide and the four ways (working and legacy) a shortcut can be pinned to the home screen. An Intent with ACTION_CREATE_SHORTCUT is fired by the launcher app to the target app (which is selected by the user from the ...

... list of widget provider apps). The user selects an item from the list of shortcuts. The target app creates an Intent according to the user's selection and delivers it back to the launcher app which the latter uses to create the shortcut. I hope it clears your confusion.

And that's what I'm trying to do via adb. We know that the target app is launched with ACTION_CREATE_SHORTCUT, we know that the target app returns an intent with the above mentioned extras, we know what these extras contain (perhaps I shouldn't set a null value for EXTRA_SHORTCUT_ICON_RESOURCE though) and we also have a working intent:// URI that will be used when the user clicks on the shortcut. How do we make all this an adb am command?

"... we know that the target app returns an intent with the above mentioned extras ...". The target app returns this Intent by calling the setResult API. How would you do that using am? The launcher app receives the returned Intent because it's waiting for the result. How would you make the launcher app wait for your am command? It's simply not possible without using proper APIs from the Java code.

Okay I see what you're saying. I was assuming that we could somehow bypass the launcher app perhaps. So in theory, we could instead start a particular shortcut-creating activity of the launcher app via adb and try similar extras by trial and error to trigger the shortcut creation?

You can request the developer of the launcher app to add an Activity that takes the shortcut specs from an explicit Intent fired from anywhere.


text:
Reasons behind android always booting into twrp insead of system after reset?
i have the same problem as this question How to fix a phone that always boots into TWRP when OS exists . Except i did the reset via settings "Erase all" and my device is not samsung. Also i noticed, if i stay in twrp for some time, a small area around/above my charging pin's temperature increase abnormally.

if no working ROM exist it will always boot into recovery mode. restore your backup

Okyy. Got the gist.
Dont have backup sadly but have the sock firmware. Planning on flashing stock recovery as proposed by a xda user.


text:
Encrypted device doesn't ask for credential on boot anymore on Android 11
I use Android 11 (LineageOS) and recently noticed, that my phone stopped asking me for a decryption password when booting up, so I tried verifying that my data is still actually encrypted. Settings say so, but after removing all my passwords, pins, fingerprints, etc, the phone asks for no password and just boots straight up. I suspect the encryption password got reset to the "default_password" when updating some time in the past.
Now how can I actually change the encryption key to something else than the standard password (which grants ZERO security at all)? The vdc cryptfs interface does not work like it used to (changepw, verifypw, etc, all don't work), as you can also see on the official Google sources (https://android.googlesource.com/platform/system/vold/+/master/vdc.cpp).
Any encryption experts here? My data is holy to me and I want it actually encrypted...

The password prompt in the boot process was only necessary for Full Disk Encryption (FDE). Modern devices use File Based Encryption (FBE). With FBE device boots up to the common lock screen which is at the same time the encryption password dialog.

as Robert suggested check encryption type. if possible try to access files from TWRP for testing purposes

thats worth a try alecxs! Imma do that and report back

@Robert thats good to know!

I found the answer in the comments to my question: Appearently, you don't have to put in an "encryption password" when booting up anymore. It was required with FDE (Full Device Encryption), but is not with FBE (File-Based Encryption).
I installed a custom recovery and tried to decrypt my data and drum-roll: it works! I can only decrypt data when using my current android-lockscreen password. Thanks a lot!

after removing all my passwords, pins, fingerprints, etc, the phone asks for no password and just boots straight up.

That is the expected behaviour. Removing your phone's password will remove encryption and so the device will not ask for a decryption password after boot. Simply add a password (even a pattern will work) to re-enable encryption
Edit: looks like I was wrong, see the first comment below :P

Note: Device encryption is not removed. It is reset to a hardcoded value.

When I put in a new password, I still dont get asked to input my password before android boots. I dont mean the normal android lockscreen, I mean something like an "encryption lockscreen" which comes before android (and before normal android lockscreen). Once android boots up and wants your SIM-Pin, your data is decrypted in the current session and obtainable when going thorugh enough effort.

@DennisHackerman No no, what you're assuming is wrong: Android will ask for your password after bootup, i.e. at the lock screen. It is completely normal and all the phones I have do the same. I don't know why it earlier asked for your password at bootup. Edit: I see you're talking about some "SIM-Pin", which is completely irrelevant to your device's encryption

@NMrocks No, I wasn't talking about the SIM-Pin. Solved it anyway, edited the question


text:
WhatsApp on two phones
I installed WhatsApp 2.11.431 on LG G4 phone with Android 8.1 Oreo, made a backup with Helium and ADB, after that reinstalled the latest version, and everything is ok, continue working as usual.
To clone WhatsApp without verification, moved the backup to a phone with Android 4.0.4, installed WhatsApp 2.11.431 with Helium, restored the backup, reinstalled the latest WhatsApp, and works really well, both phones with same WhatsApp.
Yesterday, made the same steps on a Samsung Galaxy A6 with Android 10, but when installing the latest WhatsApp, it requested phone verification, but the other 2 phones continue working ok.
Made similar test with other WhatsApp numbers in the same Android 10, backup, restore in Android 4.0.4 and work well.
I am really lost. I want to move my WhatsApp to the Android 10 phones. I can't do the verification because I am out of my country and the line don't have signal.
Android 8.1 rooted, Android 10 not rooted, Android 4.0.4 not rooted.
Why a backup from Android 8.1 doesn't work in Android 10 but work in Android 4.0.4? Any help?

My guess is that Whatsapp uses AndroidKeystore which makes app cloning impossible. Android 4.0 does not support AndroidKeystore so that installation could be copied.

sorry but i think from 4.0 started to use AndroidKeystore

AndroidKeystore was introduced in Android 4.3 but really usable was it starting with Android 5.

And is possible to replicate or clone the Key.. to and in the new phone?

If the key is in stored in AndroidKeyStore and the devices uses hardware security (Android security settings) then the key can't be exported no matter if you have root or not.

You need phone verification to do authentication. If you can't do it, there is no solution for you except do phone verification.

This is not true, because i am using 2 phones with real whatsapp(no web) and in only one i made the verification


text:
Copy Galaxy S4 encrypted storage to computer
My dad passed this summer,
he had a galaxy S4 which probably holds many photos I'd like to recover. I tried many passwords to unlock the phone but now it says that if I try two more times it'll erase the phone. The phone seems to require the password before booting. I saw the logo and now a black screen asking for the pass.
There is a good chance I can find the password if I can try multiple ones. Is there a way to:

Remove the attempt number limit?
Copy the encrypted storage on my computer and use some tools to try passwords and decrypt it?
I'm not a 100% sure the S4 has encryption, maybe I can lift the password if it isn't?

A best case scenario for me would be to have a way to test passwords using command line, I'm a programmer and could make a small script to test combinations of passwords and numbers I know he used.
Any help or insights appreciated.

The S4 is running Android 4.4-5 at that time Android's encryption was pure password based (no hardware anchor). But I am not sure if Samsung had modified the system to use an hardware anchor (if this would be the case off-device encryption would be impossible). Your main problem for off-device decryption is that you can't access the data partition on a bootloader-locked phone. And unlocking the phone erases all data. The only chance would be an exploit in the bootloader or another component that is started before the decryption.

your comment points out that unless I've got forensic tools, I'm out of luck. Thanks.

I recommend to try cf-auto-root or tgalal inception and inject some custom init.rc script in boot or system that deletes locksettings.db (or use heimdall for flashing)

thank you for naming the techs, I will research them and update the thread if it gives me success.

check out the chipset exynos or qualcomm? https://forum.xda-developers.com/general/rooting-roms/how-to-backup-qualcomm-phone-root-t3570178 https://github.com/bkerler/edl

https://forensicswiki.xyz/wiki/index.php?title=How_To_Decrypt_Android_Full_Disk_Encryption#Locating_the_Encryption_Key https://santoku-linux.com/howto/mobile-forensics/how-to-brute-force-android-encryption/#run-brute-force


text:
What could explain that a USB cable starts charging my Samsung Galaxy S9 phone after ~2 secs, but takes over 5 min to start charging my Pixel 6 phone?
I have a male-to-male, USB-A-to-USB-C cable. It starts charging my Samsung Galaxy S9 phone after ~2 secs, but takes over 5 min to start charging my Pixel 6 phone. What could explain that?
I have no information on the cable as nothing is written on it. I tried different chargers: the cable charges my Samsung Galaxy S9 phone but never on my Google Pixel 6 phone. My other male-to-male, USB-A-to-USB-C cables charge my Google Pixel 6 phone just fine (i.e., within a few seconds after getting plugged).
Samsung Galaxy S9 charging:

Google Pixel 6 not charging:

What indicator do you use to see that your Pixel is charging?

@Robert battery icon is at the top right of the screen, next to the percent of much it is charged. https://i.stack.imgur.com/cNkj1.png

As that icon is updated by Android itself it should be correct. Excluding a hardware problem the only thing that comes to my mind is that Pixel phones differentiate between power connected and charging. So if the phone is connected to the charger but consumes more power than the charger provides the battery is still discharging. But I don't know if the icon is showing charging or power connected state.

@FranckDernoncourt I consider it as cable dependant. charger wattage of pixel 6 is 30W and that of S9 is 15W. May be that cable supports fast charging up to 15W only. I also had similar experience with my moto. It accepts fast charging, only when moto charger and cable connected, otherwise shows slow charging.

Not sure if related, but I have a similar experience on Pixel 3a until now when charging through a power bank. When I directly plug the USB A-to-C cable from a power bank to Pixel 3a, it won't charge. But if I charge the power bank for a moment so that it's powered on then plug the USB A-to-C to Pixel 3a, then it will eventually charge (although slowly).

guess the Pixel is confused with USB-PD mode because it detects "some device" (on USB-A side)


text:
Samsung stock rom has 2 vbmeta image(s) but Heimdall only shows one partition for vbmeta
I'm trying to flash stock firmware back to a Samsung Galaxy A51 (SM-A515F), when extracting the rom files and decrypting them from their lz4 formats, I noticed there were 2 vbmeta images (not to be confused with vbmeta_samsung, they're both named "vbmeta.img"), one was at the BL while the other was at the AP, when flashing from Odin3, I noticed that it flashed "vbmeta.img" 2 times, on Heimdall however there was only a single vbmeta partition option available instead of 2, printing the PIT also shows theres only 1 vbmeta partition, how do I flash both vbmeta image(s) to the device using Heimdall? I do not want to use a Windows vm just to get Odin working there.
AGAIN, NOT to be confused with "VBMETA_SAMSUNG", I am talking about "VBMETA"

are that files different?

Hey did you get any answer?

No, however it turns out Heimdall doesn't support newer Samsung devices, I no longer need to flash my A51 as I was forced to make a Windows VM to use Odin anyways.


text:
Setup new device - old phone won't find the new one
I'm trying to use the Google "setup new device" feature to transfer my SMS, apps etc to my new phone.  The old phone however won't recognise the new one.  Bluetooth is on on both devices, both are connected to wifi, and Location is enabled.

The old one is a Nokia 3 with Android 9 and the new one is an Alcatel 1X with Android 8.1.
I've also tried creating a backup on the old phone and using that to set up the new phone, but the new phone says it can't find any backups.
Is the Android version discrepancy the reason for this?  If not is there anything else to check?

I recommend to you to connect both devices via USB. Then those apps from PlayStore that can be migrated will be migrated to the new device.

Do you mean connect them both to a PC? Presumably I also need some software on the PC for this? (I'm using Linux)

No, directly connect both devices using an USB cable (and if needed an adapter). This is the way I know. Modern devices with USB-C can be directly connected.

ah.  No luck - USB-B on both

I suspect a misbehaving wifi router might have been the cause of this.  A router reset fixed the problem.  It seems Bluetooth isn't enough for the two devices to see each other; a functioning internet connection is needed on both.
The restore still isn't working, but that's another question...


text:
Is it possible to stream computer screen to an android phone via USB?
I'm trying to figure out if its possible to use USB debugging on an android phone to view a computer screen. (Not the other way around). I've played with Chrome remote desktop, which uses wifi, and splashtop, which promises to be wired but fails to even run. Are there any other alternatives?

Well, that made me curious now :). I don't know if it is currently possible, but you would certainly need an app for that...

Yeah! I've just tested Apowermirror, it seems that USB connecting for android=>PC works, no wifi, but not the other way around for some reason. I'm guessing its cuz it doesn't seem to be something that has a big market, like why would you need a phone as a screen mirror if the computer is right there. But there are edge cases :)

USB debugging is really for PC controlling the Android device (see scrcpy). If you want Android app to control PC see Izzy's list for RDP or VNC based solutions.


text:
Use physical buttons to take picture when camera is open
Is there an app or other way to use the physical buttons on my phone to take a picture when the camera is open? (I see various apps to open the camera using those buttons, but not to take a picture). It would be a lot easier than trying to tap the screen while using only one hand.
(It's a Motorola G8 that I have if that is relevant).

Not that I know (which must not mean a thing). But some camera apps give you such option in their settings, like assigning what vol+/- shall do (zoom in/out or take a picture, for example). IIRC, e.g. OpenCamera has such.

On most phones you can use the Google Assistant too.  "OK Google take a picture".


text:
Get the real hardware specs of fake device
I brought a new phone and it turns out to be a fake china phone.
But the settings are somehow spoofed and show fake details.
is there a way to get the real details?
EDIT
It is a Huawei mate 40 pro plus fake. When I go to settings and about phone, it shows android 10, RAM 12GB, storage 512GB, 10 core CPU, etc.
But all of this information is wrong, I know this as when I download just a small app of size 100MB the free storage reduces by 100GB.
RAM is not 12 GB as the device is very slow when I play some games.
Also, it seems like there are 5 rear cameras but actually only one is working.

Does this answer your question? How to verify if device is reporting fake technical specs like Android version, RAM, or storage memory?

@alecxs yes, thanks a lot


text:
Deleted media is showing in whatsapp
My phone is Redmi 8A Dual with MUMI version 12 stable, Android 10 . In using WhatsApp, it is showing space of deleted images and videos. On clicking them This file is not supported is showing.
Does anyone know what to to?
I Don't understand what to do to remove these items.


text:
Why does my Samsung A42 delete photos off my phone at the end of the day?
I recently purchased a Samsung A42 and when I take photos and videos, they are on the Gallery that day, but the next morning they have been removed.  They are auto-backed up to Google Photos, but I'm not using Verizon or Samsung Cloud.  I've looked through other forums and the settings in Google Photos and Gallery to make sure there is NOT a setting selected to automatically remove the photos after back up.  If I download a picture, it goes to the "Downloads" or "Restored" albums in Gallery and those don't get removed. Confused...thanks!

Check the settings in the Samsung Gallery App, not just Google Photos.  They could be fighting each other.

By the way, the removed photos do NOT appear in the Gallery trash or under "recent" in the Gallery either.


text:
Transfer data of phone with partially broken touchscreen
I recently dropped my S7 edge and the bottom half of the screen is now unresponsive (It still displays the image but the touchscreen doesn't work) I'm getting a new phone for christmas so I'm not bothered about repairing the screen. However, I would like to get some photos off it.
The problem however, is that the "approve data transfer" message appears in the broken portion of the screen. Does anyone know a way around this?
note
because the bottom of the screen isn't working for touchscreen I am unable to use the keyboard
Thanks

You can try to attach a keyboard via USB or Bluetooth. Mouse also works.


text:
What data is still left after factory reset?
I have an unlocked Xiaomi Poco X3 (surya) and I got banned in Jodel. The app doesn't have many permissions, but somehow the App recognize me even after a factory reset.
On every new instance I only create a new Google Account and Download the app.
I tried:

Wipe everything in TWRP
Fastboot flash with this
Spoof MAC Address with Root
Use VPN

Which data remains on the device after flashing and wiping everyhing I could?
How could an app recognize you after all this?
I appreciate any help!

I assume Jodel simply recognizes that the device is unlocked. Then it have to recognize your device, it simply recognizes that the device is not in a genuine state and denies to run.

@alecxs the phone has no SIM-Card inside.

@Robert Can apps recognize that the phone is unlocked? Safety Net etc. passed. The phone is not rooted just unlocked.
On my other phone which is unlocked and rooted the app runs fine.

https://jodel.com/app/de/login-erklaerung-android

@alecxs yes I read the page already, however I found this in their Privacy Police: "We store unique identifier of blocked users for a period of 18 months to ensure that these blocked users cannot open a new account on their respective mobile device. The legal basis for such processing is Art. 6 (1) lit. f GDPR (legitimate interests; the legitimate interest in using these data results from the fact that access to the App is not possible without these data)."
Unfortunately, they don't write which data they use exactly.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.silverlab.app.deviceidchanger.free


text:
Android 10: unable to change AppStandbyBucket status for any apps
I have two OnePlus 7Pro devices, both running OOS 10.3.8 and both rooted.
On one of these devices, I can go to Settings=>System=>Developer options=>Standby apps, and in the resulting list of installed apps, I can successfully change the status of any app from "ACTIVE" to other values ("WORKING_SET", "FREQUENT", "RARE").
On the other device, when I go to Settings=>System=>Developer options=>Standby apps, I also see the list of installed apps, but all are showing as "ACTIVE", and when I try to change that status for any app, the status does not change, and it remains "ACTIVE". This unchangeability persists after reboots.
I have been trying to deal with doze-related issues on the second device, and I'm guessing that one of the many things I was experimenting with might have caused AppStandbyBucket values to become unmodifiable. What could I have done on this second device to prevent the Standby-app status from being changeable? ... and what can I do on that device to enable those status values to be changed?
Thank you in advance for any thoughts and suggestions.
PS: I'm wondering if there might be some config file somewhere on the device which should be writable, but whose permissions might have gotten changed to read-only. Is that possible? If so, what could be the file (or files) in question?

I have no idea what the exact cause of this problem was, but I fixed it by doing a nandroid restore from a recent backup (via TWRP).
Apparently, one or more files got hosed on my device from all my fooling around with doze management. The restore must have reset them back to a proper state.
Now, all the App Standby Buckets are functioning normally again.
All's well that ends well.


text:
How can i set location manually with adb?
i dont know how to set location over shell with commands, for my test i use "bluestacks 5", i got an native app for setting location manually with mouse click but i need to set it with shell this is my logs and i connot found how to make that :
gps coordinates are anonymized
Native bluestack APP for setting location : com.location.provider
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.release
9
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.sdk
28

returned logs with logcat, when i click on the maps for setting new gps location with my mouse
    12-23 11:32:19.446  1956  2327 I GnssLocationProvider: WakeLock acquired by sendMessage(REPORT_LOCATION, 1, Location[gps 48,384367,7,774755 hAcc=1 et=?!? alt=0.0 vel=0.0 vAcc=??? sAcc=??? bAcc=???])
12-23 11:32:19.447  1956  1970 I GnssLocationProvider: WakeLock released by handleMessage(REPORT_LOCATION, 1, Location[gps 48,384367,7,774755 hAcc=1 et=+6m52s385ms alt=0.0 vel=0.0 vAcc=??? sAcc=??? bAcc=??? {Bundle[{satellites=8, maxCn0=65, meanCn0=49}]}])
12-23 11:32:19.447  1956  2327 I GnssLocationProvider: WakeLock acquired by sendMessage(REPORT_SV_STATUS, 0, com.android.server.location.GnssLocationProvider$SvStatusInfo@1db68ac)
12-23 11:32:19.448  1956  1970 I GnssLocationProvider: WakeLock released by handleMessage(REPORT_SV_STATUS, 0, com.android.server.location.GnssLocationProvider$SvStatusInfo@1db68ac)
12-23 11:32:19.471  3490  3890 I Counters: exceeded sample count in FrameTime
12-23 11:32:20.448  1956  2327 I GnssLocationProvider: WakeLock acquired by sendMessage(REPORT_LOCATION, 1, Location[gps 48,384367,7,774755 hAcc=1 et=?!? alt=0.0 vel=0.0 vAcc=??? sAcc=??? bAcc=???])
12-23 11:32:20.449  1956  1970 I GnssLocationProvider: WakeLock released by handleMessage(REPORT_LOCATION, 1, Location[gps 48,384367,7,774755 hAcc=1 et=+6m53s388ms alt=0.0 vel=0.0 vAcc=??? sAcc=??? bAcc=??? {Bundle[{satellites=8, maxCn0=77, meanCn0=44}]}])
12-23 11:32:20.450  1956  2327 I GnssLocationProvider: WakeLock acquired by sendMessage(REPORT_SV_STATUS, 0, com.android.server.location.GnssLocationProvider$SvStatusInfo@5582975)
12-23 11:32:20.451  1956  1970 I GnssLocationProvider: WakeLock released by handleMessage(REPORT_SV_STATUS, 0, com.android.server.location.GnssLocationProvider$SvStatusInfo@5582975)
12-23 11:32:20.480  3490  3890 I Counters: exceeded sample count in FrameTime
12-23 11:32:21.150  1956  1971 W BroadcastQueue: Background execution not allowed: receiving Intent { act=android.location.PROVIDERS_CHANGED flg=0x10 } to com.google.android.gms/.chimera.GmsIntentOperationService$PersistentTrustedReceiver
12-23 11:32:21.150  1956  1971 W BroadcastQueue: Background execution not allowed: receiving Intent { act=android.location.MODE_CHANGED flg=0x10 } to com.google.android.gms/.chimera.GmsIntentOperationService$PersistentTrustedReceiver
12-23 11:32:21.154  2396  2396 D BstCommandProcessor-Service: onStartCommand called
12-23 11:32:21.154  2396  2396 D BstCommandProcessor-Service: Saving new location: 32.121232346,9.7914821548497375
12-23 11:32:21.155  2531  5077 I NearbyDiscovery: FastPairHandler: Received action android.location.PROVIDERS_CHANGED [CONTEXT service_id=49 ]
12-23 11:32:21.158  1956  1971 W BroadcastQueue: Background execution not allowed: receiving Intent { act=android.location.PROVIDERS_CHANGED flg=0x10 } to com.google.android.gms/.chimera.GmsIntentOperationService$PersistentTrustedReceiver
12-23 11:32:21.158  1956  1971 W BroadcastQueue: Background execution not allowed: receiving Intent { act=android.location.MODE_CHANGED flg=0x10 } to com.google.android.gms/.chimera.GmsIntentOperationService$PersistentTrustedReceiver
12-23 11:32:21.158  2396  2396 D BstCommandProcessor-Service: saveLocationDataToSharedPrefs : 32.121232346,9.7914821548497375
12-23 11:32:21.163  2531  5077 D BluetoothAdapter: isLeEnabled(): OFF
12-23 11:32:21.166  2531  5077 I NearbyDiscovery: FastPairScanner2: eventType=LOCATION, intReq=false, scanning=false, scanAllowed=true, bleEnabled=false, bleScanAvailable=false, lockScanRate=false [CONTEXT service_id=49 ]

Possible duplicate: Is it possible to set device's Latitude and Longitude using ADB SHELL?

its a specific problem with bluestacks 5


text:
Connect to Frida server on same device
Is there a way to use Frida on a rooted emulator without the need for ADB? For example, install Frida tools on the emulator with Termux and copy the frida-server binary on the device, connect to it, and use Frida locally without the need for a separate device.

I only know the way to modify the apk file and to embed Frida gadget + a frida script inside the APK so that the APK will automatically execute the gadget and the script when started.

You can use frida-gadget.so. frida-gadget.so is a Frida's shared library meant to be loaded by programs to be instrumented (when the Injected mode of operation isn’t suitable). By simply loading the library it will allow you to interact with it using existing Frida-based tools like frida-trace. It also supports a fully autonomous approach where it can run scripts off the filesystem without any outside communication, and without root.
Look at https://github.com/ax/apk.sh, patching an APK is simple as running ./apk.sh patch <apk_name> --arch arm.


text:
How does Android know the router administrator interface's local IP?
I saw:

This links to the local IP of the router's admin interface.
How does Android know the router administrator interface's local IP?

Additional info: while the naming of "Manage Router" seems to be only on Samsung, looks like it's possible for Android in general to get the gateway.

A simple way would be to take the gateway IP of the active network configuration (in your case most likely 192.168.8.1). The advanced way uses Universal Plug and Play which uses UDP broadcasts to find devices and then query their type/interfaces.

Router / gateway address, 2. DHCP server address, and 3. DNS server address are part of the DHCPOFFER message that a DHCP client (Android device in our case) receives as a part of the initial DHCP handshake before IP assignment. So the both parties know whom they are talking to. In simple setups all three addresses mentioned above belong to the same network host i.e. router.

Thanks both, you're welcome to convert your comments into answers.


text:
Unable to delete eSIM profile on Google Pixel 3a
I have recently changed phone carriers. I cannot download an eSIM for my new carrier while it is supposed to be compatible with the Pixel 3a. They claim this is because I still have the eSIM profile from my previous carrier. For some reason, I cannot erase this old eSIM profile manually. I get the following error message: “Can't erase SIM. This SIM can't be erased due to an error. Restart your device and try again.” Of course, I still can't erase the eSIM when I restart the phone.
I have contacted both carriers, as well as Google. They had me reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth which didn't work. The next step they advise is a factory reset. I'd like to find another way to erase this faulty eSIM profile and I'm not completely sure that a factory reset would be “strong enough” actually.
Has anyone ever encountered a similar problem or knows a way to force the deletion of the old eSIM profile?
Edit: as Robert suggested I have checked the device log. Here is the result:
12-25 19:36:01.101  2463  2463 I Showing dialog with title = %s: Effacer ce profil SIM téléchargé ?
12-25 19:36:01.145  1770  1921 I ActivityTaskManager: Displayed com.android.settings/.network.telephony.DeleteEuiccSubscriptionDialogActivity: +122ms
12-25 19:36:01.200  2463  2463 W Choreographer: Frame time is 0.220733 ms in the future!  Check that graphics HAL is generating vsync timestamps using the correct timebase.
12-25 19:36:01.200  2247  2247 W Choreographer: Frame time is 0.220733 ms in the future!  Check that graphics HAL is generating vsync timestamps using the correct timebase.
12-25 19:36:01.560  1770  3866 I WifiService: startScan uid=1000
12-25 19:36:01.577  1770  3866 I WifiService: startScan uid=1000
12-25 19:36:02.188  2463  2463 I DeleteEuiccSubscriptionDialogActivity: Subscription deletion confirmed
12-25 19:36:02.188  2463  2463 V SidecarFragment: SidecarFragment.setState(): Sidecar Class: com.android.settings.network.telephony.DeleteEuiccSubscriptionSidecar, State: State.RUNNING, Substate.UNUSED
12-25 19:36:02.189  2463  2463 I DeleteEuiccSubscriptionSidecar: Deleting subscription ID: 3
12-25 19:36:02.192  2463  2539 D OpenGLRenderer: endAllActiveAnimators on 0x70de910f50 (RippleDrawable) with handle 0x6fee8d2fd0
12-25 19:36:02.193  2457  2941 D TelephonyProvider: Using old permission behavior for telephony provider compat
12-25 19:36:02.193  1770  3866 W InputManager-JNI: Input channel object 'd46f1bc com.android.settings/com.android.settings.network.telephony.DeleteEuiccSubscriptionDialogActivity (client)' was disposed without first being removed with the input manager!
12-25 19:36:02.210  2662  2662 I EuiccGoogle: [2] EuiccServiceImpl.onCreate: onCreate DSDS mode: simCardState is 0
12-25 19:36:02.217  2662 10194 I EuiccGoogle: [67] EuiccServiceImpl.onDeleteSubscription: onDeleteSubscription: delete slotId = -1, iccId = 89330120209449770550
12-25 19:36:02.218  2662 10194 I EuiccGoogle: [67] EuiccServiceImpl.lockWriteLock: Successfully grant SIM state write lock
12-25 19:36:02.218  2662 10194 I EuiccGoogle: [67] EuiccServiceImpl.ensureSlotIsEuiccAndActive: ensureSlotIsEuiccAndActive: slotId = -1, forceDeactivateSim = true
12-25 19:36:02.221  2662 10194 I EuiccGoogle: [67] EuiccServiceImpl.ensureSlotIsEuiccAndActive: Passed in slotId=-1; euiccIsActive=false; targetSlotIsRemovable=false; forceDeactivateSim=true.
12-25 19:36:02.221  2662 10194 E EuiccGoogle: [67] EuiccServiceImpl.ensureSlotIsEuiccAndActive: Multiple active slots supported, but slotId -1 is not active
12-25 19:36:02.221  2662 10194 E EuiccGoogle: com.google.android.flib.log.WhatATerribleException
12-25 19:36:02.221  2662 10194 E EuiccGoogle:   at com.google.android.flib.log.Blog.wtf(Blog.java:157)
12-25 19:36:02.221  2662 10194 E EuiccGoogle:   at com.google.android.euicc.logging.EuiccGoogleLog.wtf(EuiccGoogleLog.java:20)
12-25 19:36:02.221  2662 10194 E EuiccGoogle:   at com.android.euicc.service.EuiccServiceImpl.ensureSlotIsEuiccAndActive(EuiccServiceImpl.java:3747)
12-25 19:36:02.221  2662 10194 E EuiccGoogle:   at com.android.euicc.service.EuiccServiceImpl.onDeleteSubscriptionInternal(EuiccServiceImpl.java:1676)
12-25 19:36:02.221  2662 10194 E EuiccGoogle:   at com.android.euicc.service.EuiccServiceImpl.onDeleteSubscription(EuiccServiceImpl.java:1640)
12-25 19:36:02.221  2662 10194 E EuiccGoogle:   at android.service.euicc.EuiccService$IEuiccServiceWrapper$9.run(EuiccService.java:815)
12-25 19:36:02.221  2662 10194 E EuiccGoogle:   at java.util.concurrent.ThreadPoolExecutor.runWorker(ThreadPoolExecutor.java:1167)
12-25 19:36:02.221  2662 10194 E EuiccGoogle:   at java.util.concurrent.ThreadPoolExecutor$Worker.run(ThreadPoolExecutor.java:641)
12-25 19:36:02.221  2662 10194 E EuiccGoogle:   at java.lang.Thread.run(Thread.java:920)
12-25 19:36:02.229  1770 10195 I DropBoxManagerService: add tag=system_app_wtf isTagEnabled=true flags=0x2
12-25 19:36:02.229  2662 10194 I EuiccGoogle: [67] EuiccServiceImpl.onDeleteSubscriptionInternal: onDeleteSubscriptionInternal: slotId = -1, iccId = 89330120209449770550, ensureSlotIsEuiccAndActive = Pair{131083 false}.
12-25 19:36:02.229  1770 10195 W DropBoxManagerService: Dropping: system_app_wtf (1306 > 0 bytes)
12-25 19:36:02.229  2662 10194 I EuiccGoogle: [67] EuiccServiceImpl.onDeleteSubscriptionInternal: onDeleteSubscriptionInternal: slotCheckResult = 131083
12-25 19:36:02.230  2662 10194 I EuiccGoogle: [67] EuiccServiceImpl.unlockWriteLock: SIM state write lock is locked by the current thread. Unlock it.
12-25 19:36:02.230  2662 10194 I EuiccGoogle: [67] EuiccErrorMapper.mapErrorCode: Mapping for error code: 131083
12-25 19:36:02.231  2662 10194 I EuiccGoogle: [67] EuiccErrorMapper.mapErrorCode: Mapping error code: 131083 to: 33554432
12-25 19:36:02.231  2662 10194 I EuiccGoogle: [67] EuiccServiceImpl.onDeleteSubscription: onDeleteSubscription errorCode: 131083, mapped to: 33554432
12-25 19:36:02.242  2463  2463 I EuiccOperationSidecar: Result code : 2; detailed code : 0
12-25 19:36:02.242  2463  2463 E DeleteEuiccSubscriptionDialogActivity: Failed to delete the subscription.
12-25 19:36:02.242  2463  2463 V SidecarFragment: SidecarFragment.setState(): Sidecar Class: com.android.settings.network.telephony.DeleteEuiccSubscriptionSidecar, State: State.INIT, Substate.UNUSED
12-25 19:36:02.242  2463  2463 V SidecarFragment: SidecarFragment.setState(): Sidecar Class: com.android.settings.network.telephony.DeleteEuiccSubscriptionSidecar, State: State.INIT, Substate.UNUSED
12-25 19:36:02.246  3829  3829 I GoogleInputMethodService: GoogleInputMethodService.onFinishInput():3301
12-25 19:36:02.246  3829  3829 I GoogleInputMethodService: GoogleInputMethodService.onStartInput():1979
12-25 19:36:02.247  3829  3829 I DeviceUnlockedTag: DeviceUnlockedTag.notifyDeviceLockStatusChanged():79 Notify device unlocked.
12-25 19:36:02.909  2463  2539 D OpenGLRenderer: endAllActiveAnimators on 0x70de8e37e0 (RippleDrawable) with handle 0x6fee8db040
12-25 19:36:02.910  1770  3246 W InputManager-JNI: Input channel object '7633076 com.android.settings/com.android.settings.network.telephony.DeleteEuiccSubscriptionDialogActivity (client)' was disposed without first being removed with the input manager!
12-25 19:36:02.950  2463  2463 D NetworkSettings: onResume() subId=3
12-25 19:36:02.974  2457  2941 D TelephonyProvider: Using old permission behavior for telephony provider compat
12-25 19:36:02.999  2457  2941 D TelephonyProvider: Using old permission behavior for telephony provider compat
12-25 19:36:03.012  3829  3829 I GoogleInputMethodService: GoogleInputMethodService.onFinishInput():3301
12-25 19:36:03.013  3829  3829 I GoogleInputMethodService: GoogleInputMethodService.onStartInput():1979
12-25 19:36:03.013  3829  3829 I DeviceUnlockedTag: DeviceUnlockedTag.notifyDeviceLockStatusChanged():79 Notify device unlocked.
12-25 19:36:03.049  1770  3246 W InputManager-JNI: Input channel object 'a5961ab com.android.settings/com.android.settings.network.telephony.DeleteEuiccSubscriptionDialogActivity (client)' was disposed without first being removed with the input manager!
12-25 19:36:03.057  1770  3246 W InputManager-JNI: Input channel object '15c0fa7 com.android.settings/com.android.settings.network.telephony.DeleteEuiccSubscriptionDialogActivity (client)' was disposed without first being removed with the input manager!
12-25 19:36:03.928  1770  2180 D ConnectivityService: NetReassign [no changes]

Sorry for the log length, I can't really find where the problem is. From what I understand, it has to do with eUICC. I would bet the old carrier has messed up with permissions, but I can't be sure. Hopefully, someone may be able to identify the problem.

Enable developer options and check the device log via adb logcat while you are trying to delete the eSIM profile. Hopefully logcat will show an error message that helps you to understand what is going wrong.


text:
How to remove uninstalled app?
I know the title might sound strange, but it does happen on my phone (Samsung). As you can see here, these apps can't be viewed (opened), uninstalled, nor hidden because they don't exist and never be installed on my phone.

Initially, those apps came from a system app called Configuration update. It's been uninstalled by LADB, but why those annoying apps still exist (not really exist, but they just appear like that)?
My best thought to solve this problem is installing those apps and then hide it. But I will never install those apps. This is my least possibility that I could think of. Do you have better idea?
Thanks in advance!
P.s. I had never installed the apps in the first place. Before I uninstalled the Configuration update, there were logo of each app (such as bird for twitter, note for tiktok, etc. not those identical android logo) but the apps still gray and when they've been uninstalled, the apps are still gray like that.

By "LADB", did you mean this app? If so, what commands did you use to uninstall the system apps? Is the device rooted?

@AndrewT. Exactly. Yes that app. My app is unrooted. I saw on youtube. I believe it's  (pm uninstall --user 0 ). Did I do something wrong?

I'm sorry I mean, my phone is unrooted. Lol.

Ah, I see. I have never used that command, but based on this XDA article and this comment, that command only uninstalls the app for the main user, making it unavailable only. It's impossible to uninstall system apps completely without root access. As for hiding them from the app launcher, it may be still a valid question though.


text:
Is there a way to force the second SIM to 4G?
My phone is Samsung M12, I want to know if I can switch the SIM 2 into 4G only. I know I can easily download 4G-only apps from Play store, but they work for the first SIM only. I need to force my second SIM to 4G only. Is this possible?

sorry but how can you use 4g on both sims since you can only use mobile data on one sim?

@Silent right. But I can be clumsy and sometimes too lazy if I have to switch the SIMs. Last time I wasn't careful enough, and the tray was broken. It's really comfortable if I don't have to unplug the tray and I can enjoy the 4g only on the second SIM.

Sorry i didnt see you mentiomed that you want to switch 2nd sim to 4g. I dont have an m12 but I can help you.

Found two videos which can solve specifically your problem. This and This

The second video is exactly what you need.

@Silent really nice and much appreciated.  Thank you!

Glad could help


text:
Could I use 2 step verification on my BlueStacks?
When I was checking my google account for some stuff, I noticed that google recognized my virtual BlueStacks emulator as an connected device
So I was thinking if I could use my BlueStacks to actually use 2 step verification

My guess is that it won't work as an emulator is not a valid Google Android device (and thus will not pass the Android SafetyNet check).

But google recognized it as a valid device

Google even thought it was a real device that I could install apps to it @Robert


text:
Galaxy Note 5 suddenly stopped booting up and in recovery mode has dm-verity and failed to mount errors?
All of sudden when I was trying to use my note 5 (unroot), I noticed that it was powered off and I couldn't power it on with power button. Can you please tell me if there is a way I can recover data on my phone without losing them? I also have Google Authenticator which is connected to many accounts online, If I lose data I will lose everything! Here is what I tried so far:
First thing I did was a soft reset ( power button + volume down) and the mobile turned on but unfortunately it kept looping on the Samsung logo screen. Then, I tried to go to recovery mode (power button + home button + volume up) and from there I tried "reboot system now", "wiping cache partition (which I hope it doesn't remove any data?)" and "Run graphics test: which failed with error no command and then wiping cached data" all of them without success. One thing I noticed in the bottom section of recovery mode there are these errors:
ODIN MODE
DOWNLOAD SPEED: FAST
PRODUCT NAME: SM-N920C
CA_ TYPE: CA_2
CURRENT BINARY: Samsung Official
SYSTEM STATUS: Official
FRP LOCK: ON
Secure Download : Enabled
KNOX WARRANTY VOID: 0 (0x0000)
RP SWREV: B:5 K:0 S:1

Android Recovery
samsung/nobleltejv/noblelte
7.0/NRD90M/N920CXXS5CRH1
user/release-keys

No Support SINGLE-SKU
Supported API: 3
dm-verity error...
E: failed to mount /system (Invalid argument)

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

Yeah, sorry about that. System automatically deletes a chat room when it meets some criteria for deletion. I have undeleted the chat room now. You should be able to access the chat room now. Try it again.

You could try to flash all partition images (except userdata.img) via heimdall command line
heimdall flash --BOOTLOADER sboot.bin --CM cm.bin --PARAM param.bin --BOOT boot.img --RECOVERY recovery.img --RADIO modem.bin --SYSTEM system.img --CACHE cache.img --HIDDEN hidden.img

The above example command is created from partition list. This is how you get pit file

install heimdall, python and samloader

download and decrypt stock ROM for your region code
C:\Android\samloader>samloader -m SM-N920C -r AFR checkupdate
N920CXXS5CRH1/N920COJV4CRB3/N920CXXU5CRH1/N920CXXS5CRH1

C:\Android\samloader>samloader -m SM-N920C -r AFR download -v N920CXXS5CRH1/N920COJV4CRB3/N920CXXU5CRH1/N920CXXS5CRH1 -O .
downloading SM-N920C_1_20180820163853_vvggswhd8u_fac.zip.enc4
[################################] 38453/38453 - 00:06:20

C:\Android\samloader>samloader -m SM-N920C -r AFR decrypt -v N920CXXS5CRH1/N920COJV4CRB3/N920CXXU5CRH1/N920CXXS5CRH1 -V 4 -i SM-N920C_1_20180820163853_vvggswhd8u_fac.zip.enc4 -o SM-N920C_1_20180820163853_vvggswhd8u_fac.zip
[################################] 615247/615247 - 00:01:21

unpack files from zip
C:\Android\samloader>7z l SM-N920C_1_20180820163853_vvggswhd8u_fac.zip

7-Zip 18.01 (x64) : Copyright (c) 1999-2018 Igor Pavlov : 2018-01-28

Scanning the drive for archives:
1 file, 2520047837 bytes (2404 MiB)

Listing archive: SM-N920C_1_20180820163853_vvggswhd8u_fac.zip

--
Path = SM-N920C_1_20180820163853_vvggswhd8u_fac.zip
Type = zip
Physical Size = 2520047837
64-bit = +
Characteristics = Zip64

   Date      Time    Attr         Size   Compressed  Name
------------------- ----- ------------ ------------  ------------------------
2018-08-20 16:39:50 .....      5058737      1491256  BL_N920CXXS5CRH1_CL11762721_QB19211222_REV00_user_low_ship.tar.md5
2018-08-20 16:39:50 .....   4797583545   2248597336  AP_N920CXXS5CRH1_CL11762721_QB19211222_REV00_user_low_ship_meta.tar.md5
2018-08-20 16:44:16 .....     38092989     38093065  CP_N920CXXU5CRH1_CP10334463_CL11762721_QB19211222_REV00_user_low_ship.tar.md5
2018-08-20 16:44:18 .....    273756344    231865000  CSC_OJV_N920COJV4CRB3_CL11762721_QB16863364_REV00_user_low_ship.tar.md5
------------------- ----- ------------ ------------  ------------------------
2018-08-20 16:44:18         5114491615   2520046657  4 files

extract pit from CSC file
CSC_OJV_N920COJV4CRB3_CL11762721_QB16863364_REV00_user_low_ship.tar.md5

inspect NOBLELTE_EUR_OPEN_HIDDEN150M.pit pit file with PIT Magic or PIT Viewer

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


text:
An app Can't be connected to Facebook
I installed an app (GRE preparation) from Play Store, but when I tried to log in, this message appeared:

For your account security, logging in to Facebook from an embedded
browser is disabled. You may be able to continue by updating the app
you're logging in from and trying again.

The app is the latest version and it works fine on my another device (Android 8.1, the one I'm using is 11). How to solve this problem? I've tried some tips I got from YouTube without success. I ask this as a general question, because I also encountered this problem when I installed another app, that means, the problem is on my phone.
Link app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.galvanizetestprep.vocabbuilder

Looks like this is not something that an end-user can fix, since it's developer-related: Meta for Developers - For Your Account Security Logging Into From An Embedded Browser Is Disabled. One of the posts linked to an announcement about Deprecating support for FB Login authentication on Android embedded browsers since October 5, 2021.

Perhaps the one on Android 8.1 is still working because you have logged in with your Facebook account before the deprecation. I don't want you to risk this, but if you log out on Android 8.1, then try to log in again, I'm afraid you will face the same issue.


text:
Recieved "can't load android system your data may be corrupt" a couple of times, then booted. Should I wory?
When hanging up a phone call, the phone turned off and rebooted. I have received the "can't load android system your data may be corrupt" two or three times in a row. I set it aside and found it turned on later. This is a google pixel 4a with android 12 build SQ1A.211205.008. I am a newb, so I am giving the details I think are required and if something is missing please add in the comments and I will edit.
Should I worry? Can I somehow find the cause? can it be a virus? should I do anything?
In general, what do you do if you receive this message and it goes away?


text:
Cannot group Apps into folders in my App drawer
Currently using a Samsung S10e with Android 11.
I Smart-Switch'ed from a Samsung J7 prime with Android 8, a couple of months ago.
I could group apps in my Android 8 by (as best as I remember):

From the Home screen, swipe from the bottom up. This led me to the
App drawer.
If creating a new folder, long press on any icon in the App drawer and drop it on top of another app that would share the folder.
If adding an icon to an existing folder, long press on the icon and drag-and-drop it on the folder.

Now, when I long press on an icon in the App drawer and I start dragging it, the Home screen is immediately shown for dropping.
So I can now group icons as above in my Home, same as before.
But I cannot do that in the App drawer, where I am certain all app icons are shown, and thus I am certain all icons are assigned to some folder (or left in the "root" folder).
Is that grouping still possible in the App drawer?
It might not be possible with the default launcher, but I want to make sure before moving to a different launcher, like Nova.
Related:

Folders organization in home screen not always shown
https://www.theverge.com/2019/3/6/18246685/how-to-organize-android-home-screen
https://www.techrepublic.com/article/declutter-your-android-apps-with-nova-launcher/ This suggests you need an alternative launcher to allow for grouping icons
https://www.wikihow.com/Group-Apps-on-Android This suggests you don't need an alternative launcher to allow for grouping icons, although it might be outdated
https://www.forbes.com/sites/ewanspence/2016/03/03/google-android-n-app-drawer-removal/?sh=389ec8a53853: "For those not familiar with Android terminology, the home screen is where app icons can be optionally placed when installed, along with any widgets or shortcuts. The app drawer is an icon present on the home screen that opens up a list of every application installed on the phone. This split nature of home screen and an app drawer is one of Android's main points of differentiation with Apple's iOS."

By "General" screen, I think it's usually called "App launcher" screen. Both home screen and app launcher's behavior depend on the Home app itself. AFAIK, Samsung's own Homescreen app did have such a feature, but I'm not sure with their current Homescreen app though.

@AndrewT. - I have now learned that the screen with all app icons is called App drawer. I could pull that name from the phone itself, and then I confirmed that in many sources online.

I think you can't create folders on app drawer(app drawer is a list of all installed apps). But, you can create custom group of app categories in launcher like poco launcher.(while in app drawer swipe to switch between categories )

Not sure about your specific phone, but what worked for several people is tapping the three dots on the top right of the App Drawer, then "Arrange apps", then drag one app onto another app. Dragging one onto another sometimes requires many attempts.


text:
How can I configure Android 12 so that my phone (Pixel 6) is screen mirrored when connected to a monitor via HDMI?
I'm  connecting my Android phone to a monitor via USB-C -> Hub -> HDMI cable:

My phone  Samsung Galaxy S9 screen is mirrored without any issue, but that  doesn't work with my Google Pixel 6. How can I configure Android 12 so that my phone (Pixel 6) is screen mirrored when connected to a monitor via HDMI?
I use this Lasuney "Triple Display USB Type C" hub.

I believe the issue is that the grey dock that you're using is not compatible with Google Pixel 6. I don't know how to get a list of docks compatible with Google Pixel 6 though.
From https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/2865484?hl=en:

Project with a wired dock
For a faster connection when you play games or compete in esports, use a wired connection. Certain wired docking stations are compatible with Pixel phones. On a compatible dock with an ethernet port, you can also connect to LAN.
To set up and project on your Pixel phone, follow the steps that came with your compatible dock. For example:

On your phone, from the Play Store, install the DisplayLink Presenter app.
Tip: When you connect your phone to the docking station, the app doesn’t need to be open.

With a USB-C cable, connect your Pixel phone to your compatible dock.

With an HDMI cable, connect your compatible dock to your monitor or TV.

Plug in your compatible dock's power cable.

Tip: Pixel 3 and later Pixel phones work with the MediaGear USB-C Hub Docking Station (item 853265008171). Other docking stations can also work.


text:
Not Connecting with private LTE network
I have android camera vehicle mounted device. When install operator public network LTE sim, device is successfully connected to network but when install company private LTE network sim device is not connecting.
When we try troubleshoot via adb observed no any IP assign to device with private LTE
What are the commands available to network troubleshooting via adb

Check the supported LTE bands (transmission frequencies) of the device.
Your company will most likely only operate their LTE private network in one special band which has to be supported by the device. If the device does not support the necessary band/frequency then you can't use the device in the company LTE network.

Checked the band, device is supporting company LTE band. Problem is IP assigned to device from Private LTE core network side but from the device end no any IPs showing that's why need to troubleshoot from device OS level


text:
Is it possible to manage Android Storage and Free Space through PC?
So my 64 GB phone (Realme 5 - 4 GB RAM variant) is throwing warnings of storage being full despite having 5-6 GB of free storage.
As you can imagine, file management is kind of tricky on a smartphone.
I was wondering if there is a way to seek out large file and folder sizes on Android storage by connecting the phone to Windows and using a utility like Space Sniffer ( which finds big files on HDDs/USBs etc)
Space Sniffer did not work on the phone storage, but i was wondering if the good people here could suggest me something relevant to help me out
Edit : I might not have emphasized upon this , but i want to manage Android storage by connecting the phone on my PC, as it is much convenient to select and delete multiple files that way.

The answer is mostly No. First Android uses the MTP protocol to communicate with Windows, and MTP is handled only Explorer-internal so no drive letter and no access for other programs. Second Android exposes only the shared public folders to a PC which is depending on what you store just the tip of the ice berg. The app-private data can not be mananged this way.

May help in understanding the situation in-depth: How disk space is used on Android device?

@Robert thanks for the comprehensive description. I am not looking to remove app private data, that can be somewhat easily managed using apps. But since Android does not share folder sizes with Windows, that's what really hampers finding big chunks of files. I understand it can be done using an app like DiskUsage which is easily available on Google Play Store, but i was hoping to achieve something similar on Windows but for Android devices.

None of the file-systems Windows can use shares the accumulated size of a folder. Windows Explorer always calculates it by summing up all contained files and folders. Most likely because MTP protocol is so painfully slow Windows Explorer does not try to do the same on MTP devices. MTP is designed just for simple file exchange, nothing more. For a more detailed access I recommend enable develop options and ADB. On adb shell you can use standard Linux command-line programs to search for large files.


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saved passwords in google chrome deleted
I was using google chrome browser since last 2 years on my laptops and myu phone. I had more than 100 passwords saved in my google chrome account which was syncing well across my devices. However today when I checked almost all of the passwords have  deleted from this sync account and only 5 passwords are there remaining. What caused this problem? Is there any way to recover this deleted passwords?

Have you checked the passwords on https://passwords.google.com/? Are you using multiple/the same Google accounts?

HI,  yes I have checked this. Even here I have only 4 passwords saved.

I'm afraid that's a bigger issue since the source sync data only has 4 passwords. Unless you're really sure that you are already looking at the correct Google account, someone might have accessed this page and deleted your passwords, then got synced to all devices already. In addition that this is not an Android issue anymore, I don't think there's anything that an end-user can do to undo this. You possibly need to contact Google directly about this.


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Why does Dalvik not support swap space?
I was asked this question and also explain why it is detrimental to the android system as a whole.
I have not found a web page which refers to this specific question about Dalvik and swap space. Any links would be appreciated or an explanation.
What I have answered is
Swap space is a method of using secondary storage of the device to free up RAM. This would not work on android as it is not guaranteed that a device would have secondary storage causing the application to crash.
It is also slow to read from external storage as Dalvik is a JIT compiler this may lead to the code being compiled at a rate which is effecting the users experience with the app.

An initial decision of Dalvik was not to support swap space. Explain what swap space is and
why it would be detrimental to the Android system as a whole.

Dalvik is the Android JVM (thus an program) and swap space is a feature of the OS. I a regular OS a program is never aware if it uses RAM or swap as the OS just provides memory. There are Android stock devices that are configured to have a small swap partition and of course a lot of custom ROMs make use of swap partitions. Therefore I am not sure what actually you are asking.

@Robert thanks for the reply and explanation, I will edit the question to include the  original question and exactly what was asked

As Robert said, saying that "Dalvik does not support swap space" does not make sense. Rather you can say that "Android does not support swap space". But it isn't true. Android is based on Linux kernel. And you can use a swap partition or swap file on Android exactly the same way as you'd do on a Linux PC. But you are correct in saying that Android devices by default do not use secondary storage for swap space. Instead engineers at Android decided to use ZRAM.

Some more details can be found in this answer and this comment.

"why it would be detrimental to the Android system as a whole". Quoted from the link I provided above: "embedded system normally are reluctant to use eMMC or SDCard as swap
because there is wear-leveling and latency issues" and "it sometime ends up making system very unresponsive caused by slow swap
storage performance".


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Google position sharing (permanently) from Secondary Android User - Fails - Is that possibile? (Motorola Moto G8 Plus - Android 10)
We configured two users on our Motorola Moto G8 Plus:  one admin (primary user)  and a one Secondary user.
We usually use the secondary one where we have personal WhatsApp, and google account.
With the personal account, on the secondary user, we have a problem with Google position sharing; In detail I can see the positions of contacts who shared the position with us, and I can also share with them our (secondary user/account) position, BUT only for limited time (you can choose the time, max 1 hr). With the admin user I can share the position permanently, with the secondary user I cannot.
When I try to start, with the secondary user, the Google position sharing settings page (in Andorid Geolocation config, I have an OFF setting on "enable position sharing" (I have the exact name in Italian, this is a fair translation of the field name) it fails with a dialog error: "Cannot start ... "
I already tired:
to disable position share for the admin, primary, user account, but this has not unlocked the setting page on the secondary user.
I also tried disabling completely geolocation for the admin, primary, user account, no changes for the secondary user.
Motorola Moto G8 Plus runs Android 10.
Is there any trick to enable permanent position sharing for the--secondary user--google account?
It seems that the primary, admin user, google account stops updating its position when secondary user is active. In alternative, is there any way to keep updating that?
Regards,

You have to give the secondary user administrator access for direct location value. I would not give my guest user that authorization. A risky patch would be sharing WhatsApp identity if you just require the location. You can Try experimenting with applications that share location abroad and you can share app identity on the device.

Thank you for the suggestions, but in the scenario where the guest is totally trusted... or the same guy..  For the sake of curiosity: How do I give administrator access to a secondary android user? [I have not seen that option around, do I need developer's settings?], Regards


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After "du -a", video file format not supported in android
I connected my android device to ubuntu, and ran the command du -a . | sort -n -r | head -n 10 by going to the home directory of the android file system to know the top 10 largest folders occupying my disk space.
Now, after disconnecting the device, I went back to watch one of the videos I recorded from the camera and eventually found out that all the videos are now not playable because it says "File format isn't supported or files are corrupted".
I know I should have used some other tools for that purpose. But now how can I recover all these video files?

What was the current directory you executed the command in? Try to reboot the phone.

@Robert Internal storage was the current directory. Also, rebooting didn't help.

Cross-posted from Unix.SE

I would recommend to download the video files to the PC using adb and then analyze them if they are still valid video files. You should also mention the used device and Android version.

you did nothing wrong that must be some strange kind of coincidence


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is it possible to intercept Android 12 SSL traffic for specific apps?
I am interested in a way to sniff/decrypt outbound SSL traffic from my mobile device running Android 12. One of the apps stopped working over mobile data recently and I am trying to submit a quality investigation ticket for my carrier to follow by providing endpoints and ports.
I found ways to do it before Android 7, but apparently a lot of security changes completely invalidated them.

As long as the app is not created by your mobile manufacturer it should be enough to sniff the encrypted traffic to see what is going wrong. You should be able to capture data e.g. using PCAP remote app with disable Mitm/SSL interception.

Possibly related: How do I generate a PKCS12 CA certificate for use with Packet Capture? (tested on Android 11, not yet confirmed on Android 12)


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Why don't new android versions work out-of-the box on non-Google phones?
You can install desktop OS's on basically any device...
Why don't new android versions work unless customizations are made for the specific device model?

One reason is that Android phones are embedded devices and thus not standardized on lower level. On a PC you have UEFI which provides a standardized API you can rely when starting an OS. Embedded devices have their bootloader which is CPU/chipset specific and thus Android have to be adapted for every device.

See: Is there a technical reason Android update story is so bad?

Further see: Can I install a ROM made for a different device? // Why is it that Android still can't be installed as regular OS? // Why are there not generic phone OS installers? …