text:
Is there a common GPS cache on Android?
From what I understood about Android securty all applications are separated by different user-accounts and different filesystem locations.
BUT: After GPS-test has fixed my location for the first time after powerup, all other applications will fix very fast. My conclusion: This has to be something not in Android user space.
So how does this work?

If every app had to interpret the raw GPS input itself, it would be very silly. Different apps would duplicate the same effort of decoding and interpreting the GPS input to compute a location. Different apps would end up using different libraries to do it, so each app might end up with a different idea of your location.
Instead, the process of interpreting the GPS data to compute with a location is handled centrally in Android itself. The Android system offers an interface for apps to query the location without having to worry about the details of whether it came from GPS, cell towers, or Wi-Fi networks.
This way, only the Android system has to compute the location, using any possible sources, it can give this location to many apps without duplicating effort, and (as you've noticed) each app doesn't have to start from scratch to compute the location. More recent Android versions also do clever tricks like giving a less precise location to apps that have the "approximate (network-based) location" permission but not the "precise (GPS) location" permission, regardless of which methods were actually used to determine the location.
Internally, this works with what's called a bound system service: an IPC mechanism for different processes to receive data from the service that actually computes the location. The service does run in user space, not inside the kernel, and like any other Android app it runs inside its own process. (Only the very low levels of the GPS receiver driver run inside the kernel.) The details of that are well beyond the scope of this site, but if you're interested, you can learn more by reading the Location Strategies page in the official Android Developers' Guide.

com.android.location.fused is a running process that sounds like that. Is that the  application layer you described?

TL;DR; Low level, the GPS caches the location fix and remembers where it left off, thereby making it easier to resume when activated.

@t0mm13b Sounds a little bit like a different answer to me (low-level is even outside Android, right?)

@Nils - at the framework, kernel (driver) level below android :)

@t0mm13b That simply isn't true. In Linux systems (including Android), all of the heavy lifting for GPS location is done inside the user-space libgps library. As I say in my answer, the only kernel driver required is the UART driver to communicate with the GPS hardware. The kernel driver doesn't do any location calculations or caching.


text:
Why is my Samsung Galaxy S still on Android 2.2.1?
I have tried by using samsung kies but it says there are no updates. i have even tried to update it within the phone (software update). Other people are on android 2.3 but i am still on 2.2.1 and it won't update

Let me make a guess: The SGS was released 2010, has already 3 successors (S2, S3, S4) -- I wouldn't wonder if it would have fallen out of support. But according to GSMArena, official support ends with 2.3. Could you provide a few more details on your device, e.g. if it's branded? Maybe it's your carrier blocking the update (as he had to include his adjustments, i.e. the branding stuff, again otherwise -- which would mean additional work for an "outdated device").

i bought it from T-mobile on a contract

That's what I've thought. So T-mobile had to pick the latest update, adapt it, and roll it out. I could imagine they ignore such an "old device". Try contacting their service, asking for the update. If they refuse, an alternative would be to have it unlocked (here T-mobile certainly won't refuse), root it (this they won't do, you must do that) and flash a custom ROM. This way you might even get 4.x onto the device.

As you've got your device with a contract, this added a special barrier to updates. Short explanation how that goes:

Google (or rather the AOSP, Android Open Source Project) releases a new Android version. This is usually immediately available to Nexus devices -- but...
Device manufacturers need to adapt it to their hardware (drivers etc.) and, in many cases, their special "skinning" (HTC Sense, Samsung Tourchwiz, Motorola Blur, etc), which again at least delays availability of this update
Carriers using their special branding (boot logo, special apps, and more)

So if there's a new Android version released by the AOSP does not necessarily mean it becomes available for all Android devices. It might get stuck already in step 2 if a manufacturer decides to no longer support a device (in your case that happened after the 2.3 release, so 2.3 is the latest "official version" available to the device) -- and even if it passes this step, but you've got a branded device, it might get stuck in step 3 (which most likely is what happened to you).
The only way out if got stuck in steps 2 or 3 is checking for custom ROMs. As that "getting stuck" also affects developers, they often decide to build their own ROMs. Many times this is done by porting a ROM from compatible devices, adjusting the missing stuff (or leaving some gaps, so there might be things not fully working, which then is pointed out in the instructions).
So if you want to go the "do-it-yourself" way (after having t-mobile unlocking the device, if needed), check How do I root my Samsung Galaxy S? for how to root your SGS, and Where can I find stock or custom ROMs for my Android device? for fitting ROMs. The "how-to-flash" usually is described on the page you can download the ROM from.

source: Stack Exchange

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

sort: votes


text:
How can I prevent my phone from vibrating when service is lost or re-acquired?
I find it annoying when I'm in an area with poor service, that my phone vibrates every 15 seconds to tell me that service has been lost, or re-aquired.  How can I disable this vibration?
I have a Nexus 4 with CyanogenMod 10.1.0 (Android 4.2.2).
EDIT: As noted in the (so far) only answer, I can disable all vibrations.  I may resort to this, but this is not really what I'm looking for. I'd like to continue with vibrations for other notifications, if possible.

I don't get this at all. Have you tried disabling haptic feedback?

@LiamW: I have not, but that doesn't seem related. That's an input pref, from what I can tell.  The notifications I want to change have nothing to do with input. I'd love to be wrong, though, if you want to provide an answer along those lines...

This might be a specific case to CyanogenMod since I didn't experience this on Nexus 4 with stock ROM.

Check under settings > sound, there will be an option of vibrate on notification turn that off may be this is the possible solution.

That may be what I have to do.  I'd rather only disable service lost/found vibrations, and continue to receive other notification vibrations if possible.

have you any other app that gives you some security features accessing your cell radio?

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


text:
Can I connect my Android Mini PC to my VGA Monitor through Adapter?
I am buying a new Android Mini PC. It has HDMI Output but I want to connect it to my VGA Monitor.
So, Can I use this HDMI Male to VGA Female Video Converter Adapter to connect the VGA cable of my Monitor and use HDMI to HDMI Joiner Connector to join the main adapter cable and the Mini PC?
Will this work? Any Help would be appreciated.

You might get a better response to this question if you accept an answer on your other related question http://android.stackexchange.com/q/46295/12442

please give me some response..........  Can i connect through this ?

Yes it will work. however i can see that this will have lag and will not be sutiable if your going to be playing games and some heavy HD Movies. you'll just get the bare minimum quality. I Would recommend http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-DA-HDVG-Converter-Adapter-INCLUDED/dp/B006FYPT60
Ofcourse if you only need the bare minimum of surfing the web, email, photos, videos, music. i would go with http://www.geekbuying.com/item/Measy--H2V-1080P-HDMI--to-VGA--convertor-cable-for-Android-TV-Box---TV-Stick---MINI-PC-314924.html
as it has audio output also. :) Hope this helps


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How configure the DHCP settings of WIFI Tethering (Hotspot) on Android?
When connecting my PC to Android Wi-Fi hotspot, it assigned a 192.168.42.x address to my PC. I really need to change this as it conflicts with one of our work subnets - is this possible?

My mobile is rooted. I don't mind changing system files if required.

Just as response to nuances in some of the above great answers, in my practice the 192.168.43.0/24 range is by Android/vendor default assigned for WiFi tethering and 192.168.42.0/24 is for USB tethering.

How to change the default DHCP IP address range?

Unfortunately, there is no way to change the IP address range for the builtin tethering support, even in CyanogenMod. The Wi-Fi hotspot IP is hardcoded in android.net.wifi.WifiStateMachine.startTethering(); the USB tethering IP is hardcoded in com.android.server.connectivity.Tethering.
However, if your phone is rooted, you can try using third-party apps for tethering which have the option to change the IP address range. E.g., when the builtin USB tethering was broken in CyanogenMod alphas for Samsung Galaxy W, I used Wired Tether for Root Users, which has such option. For Wi-Fi tethering you can try the Wireless Tether for Root Users app from the same authors, which also has the option to change the IP address range.

Because Google Code was shut down, the above links no longer work. Some people exported the source code from those repositories to GitHub:

https://github.com/luftreich/android-wired-tether
https://github.com/mmorciegov/android-wifi-tether

However, there was no further development activity, and the apps probably no longer work on recent Android versions.
Just in case someone wants to try those obsolete apps, I have been able to find some APK files in the Google Code Archive:

wired_tether_1_4.apk
wifi_tether_v3_4-experimental1.apk

+1 for the info. My device is rooted, but Wireless Tether for Root Users app is not working on my mobile. There should be some way to change the IP range on the rooted phone, C'Mon Man!, Android is an open OS after all.

@VVK There is a way. Just recompile the source.

On Android 11 it seems my gateway IP of my hotspot is changing every time I disable and enable the hotspot, again. So this answer is outdated for the latest Android. The question is now, is there a solution, eventually?

The Android built-in WiFi tethering is designed to use 192.168.43.1/24 as the server, with netd handling the tethering, using dnsmasq. The first DNS range is 192.168.42.1-254 and 2nd DNS range is 192.168.43.1-254.
Netd is not easy to change. It requires a socket to communicate with it, and that socket is taken when Android starts tethering. But going through the source files for Tethering.java (I used Froyo) we see:
// usb client will be provided 192.168.42.129
private static final String USB_NEAR_IFACE_ADDR      = "192.168.42.129";
private static final String USB_NETMASK              = "255.255.255.0";

// FYI - the default wifi is 192.168.43.1 and 255.255.255.0

private String[] mDhcpRange;
private static final String DHCP_DEFAULT_RANGE1_START = "192.168.42.2";
private static final String DHCP_DEFAULT_RANGE1_STOP  = "192.168.42.254";
private static final String DHCP_DEFAULT_RANGE2_START = "192.168.43.2";
private static final String DHCP_DEFAULT_RANGE2_STOP  = "192.168.43.254";

And later on, we see those ranges used, AS BACKUPS.
mDhcpRange = context.getResources().getStringArray(
        com.android.internal.R.array.config_tether_dhcp_range);
if ((mDhcpRange.length == 0) || (mDhcpRange.length % 2 ==1)) {
    mDhcpRange = new String[4];
    mDhcpRange[0] = DHCP_DEFAULT_RANGE1_START;
    mDhcpRange[1] = DHCP_DEFAULT_RANGE1_STOP;
    mDhcpRange[2] = DHCP_DEFAULT_RANGE2_START;
    mDhcpRange[3] = DHCP_DEFAULT_RANGE2_STOP;
}

The main source for the DHCP ranges is not the hardcoded 42 and 43, but read from array.config_tether_dhcp_range, an internal string array. But it is currently empty.
You could edit the Android framework. On my phone, it is /system/framework/framework-res.apk. There are a ton of tutorials online for editing framework-res.apk, from simple strings to full theming. Find one for your phone and Android version.
The main thing you want to change is the /res/values/arrays.xml
Look for <array name="config_tether_dhcp_range" />. Change to:
<string-array name="config_tether_dhcp_range">
     <item>192.168.x.y</item>
     <item>192.168.x.z</item>
</string-array>

compile/zip/sign as needed (follow a tutorial), then reinstall.
If you want more than one range, just copy the two items over and over. You always need to provide a start and a stop for each range. Try to keep it in the same /24, ie 192.168.50.5 and 192.168.50.99 or whatever. You can confirm it is working with busybox ps | grep dnsmasq, or if you don't have busybox ps dnsmasq then use the pid in cat /proc/pid/cmdline. You should get (or similar):

/system/bin/dnsmasq --no-daemon --no-poll -no-resolv --dhcp-range=192.168.50.5,192.168.50.99,1h

FWIW, my WiFi tethering uses the default dnsmasq ranges, yet my computer was assigned 192.168.43.147/24 and gateway 192.168.43.1/24. Not sure why yours defaulted to a 42.x address.

42 is for USBNET 43 is for wifi

Because if you tether by usb you get 42. If you tether by wifi you get 43.

i am on android 11 and it assigns IP even from 192.168.17.*. Looks like ranges have changed

@just yeah its completely revamped. https://source.android.com/devices/architecture/modular-system/tethering no longer part of framework its been moved to its own replaceable module. And it still depends on your manufacturer customization.

It appears some manufacturers and versions of Android now DO allow for the changing of the IP subnet range for the DHCP server through the UI when using the WiFi hotspot feature.  Here's where to find it on an HTC One M8 running Android 6.0.  YMMV.
From the Mobile Hotspot screen, click the 3 dots icon (more), go to Advanced, then LAN settings.
Under "Local IP" change the IP address to your desired IP.  Under "Local DHCP" change the starting IP to match the subnet of your IP address.

Do you know if new HTC phones also have this option?

Default DHCP IP address range is hard-coded, so you can't change it without rebuilding ROM with modified source code. Or use a little hack. Replace /system/bin/dnsmasq (the DHCP/DNS server up to Android 9) with a custom shell script which replaces old subnet with new one before executing actual dnsmasq binary.
For detailed steps see How to change the default DHCP IP address range?

What does Android 10 use now?

@sudo Java implementation of DHCP/DNS server. But at least some ROMs still use dnsmasq.

@Irfan what is the procedure in the implementation?

@JustKhaithang see my comments here and here.

Good old wrappers.

DHCP ranges are not configurable as of now in newer Androids, see the code for details, https://android.googlesource.com/platform/frameworks/base/+/refs/tags/android-11.0.0_r45/packages/Tethering/src/com/android/networkstack/tethering/PrivateAddressCoordinator.java?autodive=0%2F#148

Now they're dynamic.  I have a device that when connected to the phone hotspot gets the address 192.168.XXX.85 where XXX changes all the time, possibly daily or with every reboot.

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


text:
How to put a ROM on read-only /sdcard, while adb shell not working (HTC One X)
I've been searching my _ off for two days now to find a solution for my problem, but I can't find one working for me.
What I do have right now:

NO working ROM (I believe because of a failed atempt to revert to a backup in CWM)
Access to my bootloader (unlocked through HTCDev)
Access to my recovery (Which is the latest CWM)
Fastboot/adb working
Phone boots upon the HTC logo screen
NO ROM zipfile on the SD-Card (I accidentilly deleted that, I still hate myself for that)
I've managed to push to ROM file into both /data and /system, which (of course) isn't usefull to flash from because they don't show up in CWM.

What I've tried:

Reverting to a Nandroid backup, I've 2 on the sdcard. Both don't pass the part where /system is being restored.
adb shell to push files, or mount the SD card, does not work. First I had the error saying '--exec /system/bin/sh failure: file or dir not found (2)'. I managed to push the sh file into system, (and I believe into /system/bin), and the error changed to '[...] No directory (20)'
adb push <ROM.zip> /sdcard/<ROM.zip>; doesn't work because /sdcard is read-only.
In CWM I can't mount as USB storage, is says something about a file which can't be found.
TWRP recovery doesn't work on my device, I can touch whatever I wan't, the only button responding is the power button, which causes a locked recovery, which I can't unlock. (You need to swipe for that, which my phone seems to ignore).
I've read almost every topic on XDA and whatever Google could give me, but most solutions somewhere relied on the adb shell, or pushing into the /sdcard, or simply assume I still can mount as USB storage. :(

Does anyone have any suggestions left on howto get a ROM into the /sdcard so I can flash it? I would be thanking you forever!
Thanks in advance!

What confuses me is: how comes the SDCard is read-only? Never heard such. If you have adb shell access, you could maybe try to remount it: adb shell mount should list up everything mounted, so you can pick the correct parameters, and them mount -o remount,rw it (adding the other parameters to this command, of course).

Another strange thing is non-working adb shell; from the adbd source I see that it should try /sbin/sh before /system/bin/sh, and /sbin/sh should definitely be present in the recovery initramfs. Maybe the “latest CWM” is not actually latest, or is so latest that it is broken. Which CWM build is used, and does it precisely match the device model?

@Izzy I can't mount through the shell, since the shell is not working. :( I tried that.

@SergeyVlasov I went to the website of CWM, entered my devices model (HTC One X), and downloaded the latest Recovery. I reflashed it a few times. I guess the shell doesn't work because the /system partition got messed up in the restoration process. (I tried restoring a nandroid backup, which failed at that point).

Formatting /system from recovery should fix this; did you try it?

@SergeyVlasov yes I've tried to format /system. After which I also tried to reflash my recovery/redo all the commands I'd already tried. I've also tried to manually push a sh file into /system/bin/ but that didn't work. :(

If your version of CWM recovery has the “install zip from sideload” option in the main menu (looks like such recovery version for HTC One X exists), you can use this option to install from a zip file which is stored on your computer without copying it to the SD card:

Select the “install zip from sideload” option in the recovery menu.
Run the following command on your computer:
adb sideload UPDATE.zip

where UPDATE.zip is the zip file you want to install.

You may need to update your ADB executable if it does not understand the sideload subcommand.
Note that currently there is no confirmation when the “install zip from sideload” command is selected, and also no way to abort the sideload mode once it is entered, therefore if you enter the sideload installation mode without a way to give the adb sideload UPDATE.zip command, the only way out would be to pull the battery (on some phones holding the power button for 10–15 seconds to force a reboot also works). Or, if you entered the sideload mode, but do not actually want to install a zip package, run something like adb sideload /dev/null, or use any small file which is not a zip package.
The sideload option is primarily made for phones which do not have internal FAT32-formatted storage, but should also work on other models. One important limitation is that the zip file is temporarily downloaded into the phone RAM (it is placed into /tmp/update.zip, which is in ramfs), therefore, depending on RAM size of your phone, you may not be able to install large packages this way.

I had the latest official CWM recovery from their website. It did not have that option. Also, sideload wasn't available in adb. I did update the SDK tools first, but it still wasn't there unfortunately. The One X has 1 GB of RAM, so most ROM's should've fitted in it. Thanks for thinking along though!

I don't know CWM, but TWRP (which supports your smartphone) allows you to mount the /sdcard partition via USB. If you've got troubles with the latest version, try an older one (I had some problems too in the past with another phone). If that's still RO, you may need to format it (always in the TWRP menu). As a plus, it's a 100% touch screen recovery!

CWM also allows it (should be under "advanced->mount usb" or so).

@Giacomo F. TWRP didn't work on my device. The touching functionality didn't work. ;) (See original post).

@Sander: did you try with older versions? When I took back my Nexus One from the shelf I had to try out several versions until I found one that worked. In any case if CWM continues warning you about the missing file thing, you can take a microSD -> SD adapter and format it directly with your computer and try again.

@Giacomo F. I tried 2 or 3 versions if I recall correctly. Neither one did work. I couldn't take out the SD card, since there's no removable card in the device unfortunately (One X). (also I'd like to mention I've handed in my device a couple of months ago already and they fixed it for me, luckily under warranty). Nevertheless thanks for the input, might be of use for others. :)


text:
Google Hangouts gives "Can't sign in because we couldn't reach Google. Try again" error
I have updated and replaced Google Talk with Hangouts on my tablet running Cyanogenmod 10.1. Now every time I open the Hangouts app it shows me the following error message:

Can't sign in because we couldn't reach Google. Try again

How can I fix this?

Re-installing the 'Google Play Services' updates solved the problem for me.
Simply go to Manage Apps → Google Play Services and press Uninstall Updates. Now if you start Google Hangouts again it will ask you to update Google Play Services. If you do so, it will bring up Google Play where you can install the update.
After this, Google Hangouts started without any problems on my tablet.

Thanks for covering this, first thought it was really just a connectivity issue. Solved it for me. Any idea why this happens?

Glad that I could help. Please also upvote the question if it was helpful for you.

I think it started when I blocked Google services background data?

And this fixed it yay

@endolith Thanks! This is the only way it worked for me. Not been able to Unistall "Google Play Services" updates.

For me, the fix was to update "google play sevices" then remove my app (google photos in this instance) and reinstall it. FWIw


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HTC explorer in boot loop after factory reset
I have an htc explorer. It is not rooted. Some time ago I performed a factory reset through settings. But since then, the phone is stuck in a boot loop. I have tried going through recovery mode and performing a factory reset as suggested by most of the pages on the internet but no luck. So can anyone please help? I am damn tensed!

If a factory-reset doesn't fix it, and also taking out the battery for a minute won't help, you're probably left with a complete fresh install (re-flashing the firmware), or bring it to the service center to check (in case it's a hardware problem).

@Izzy can you provide me the link to the firmware, all the links in xda were dead.

No, I can't (as I don't know). But you might wish to take a look at Where can I find stock or custom ROMs for my Android device?.

authors: Сергей Яхницкий


text:
Factory reset not working on Galaxy 10.1 tab
I have a galaxy tab with following specs
Model number: GT-P7510
Android version: 3.1
Kernel version 2.6.36.3 se.infra@sep-58#1
Build number: HMj37.UEKF3 P7510UEKF3

I have tried
-- Settings > Privacy > Factory reset
-- Powered off the device -> Up Key + Power button -> Recovery mode > Factory reset

, but its not resetting the tab to factory settings, After restarting its always showing me already installed applications and gmail/facebook account.

Depends on your definition. "soft reset" would be a forced shutdown of the device, and nothing is reset. "hard reset" is forcing a restart by removing the power source -- which again doesn't reset anything. Have you tried a factory-reset (either via the Settings menu, or via booting into recovery)?

I misunderstood the soft/hard reset defination. Question is updated now

That's a common mistake, so no need to be ashamed :) We have too many ambiguous terms, and manufacturers are also adding to that (calling something "fast boot" when there's already "fastboot" [not related at all], to give one example). // Thanks for your update. Now I'm really confused: A factory-reset is supposed to remove all user-data and user-installed apps, so your accounts should have been gone. Unless they got restored by Google's Cloud Backup when you re-established your Google account. Can you confirm that? Did you have to setup your Google account after the factory-reset?

Yes, its looking that it is restoring it after reset, but not sure how to prevent it. I got it from my friend and not able to remove his account/apps :(

Oh -- that's strange. You wouldn't have setup his account -- but a factory-reset should have removed it. If you have fastboot available via your computer, you could try to wipe the device using fastboot -w. Flashing a different ROM might solve it (see: Where can I find stock or custom ROMs for my Android device?). Can you ask your friend what modifications he might have applied? He's not playing games with you, is he?


text:
"Avoided poor Internet connection" even though signal strength, speed is great
My phone keeps disconnecting from the WiFi network, saying "avoided poor Internet connection"... but I'm less than 20 feet from the router. It shows full bars while connected and the speed is fine. How can I make it stay connected?

Which manufacturer made your phone? I don't believe "Avoid poor connections" is a part of stock Android, but rather a manufacturer customization.

It's an LG Escape. It only stared doing this after a recent update. The exixtence of this question makes me think it is an official Android thing.

This forum post claims that the “Avoid poor connections” feature was removed in Android 4.0.2.

However, actual implementation is definitely present even in JB — maybe it was just disabled in ICS due to being incomplete, and then fixed and reenabled later.

On HTC One the Advanced setting is 'Best WiFi Performance' but toggling that off didn't change it. Its something to do with the DHCP Client implementation and left over lease information for the IP address. But where to find (and remove) those files?

Figured it out...go to the WiFi settings, hit the menu key and choose "Advanced", and uncheck "Avoid poor connections".

Since you answered yourself, could you put your answer as approved ?

II can't find the checkmark box that said "Avoid poor connections." My Android OS version is 4.0.4.

that option is also not present in android 4.2.2. what to do?

Well, it is present on 4.4.2, but I guess it could well be manufacturer specific. I just activated it on my phone to test it out, as I hate it when I am outside my house in the car finding an address for the navi and the phone just struggles between Wifi and 3G... I was really looking for the opposite config this question/answer addresses, but I still got what I wanted... :D

I don't see this on my HTC One M8s (Android 5.0.2 with HTC Sense 6). There is a check-box called "Auto-switch to mobile network", but it is unchecked and my phone still sometimes avoids my home Wi-Fi.


text:
rooting android phone
Hi guys. I am new to Android. I wanted to know, when I root my phone, will I be receiving pure android os, and get constant update whenever Google releases new OS? Also, will I be able to revert back to the original UI of the manufacturer?

Rooting your phone doesn't change what OS it runs. It just means you have root access to the existing OS. Changing the OS (i.e. flashing a custom-rom) is a separate thing.
See also the answers to What does "to root a phone" mean? and I've rooted my phone.  Now what?  What do I gain from rooting?

...and follow up to the root tag-wiki as well as rooting tag-wiki for details :)


text:
Eroot World’s Strongest Root Tool: Scam or No Scam - That Is The Question?
"Eroot (phone one key root tools) is a free android root tool which is developed by China root team. It is a new tool and become the World’s Strongest Root Tool. Currently the Eroot supports Samsung, Motorola, Huawei, SONY, HTC’s most models, the total number of models have more than 200 models. Root success rate in the industry leader."
Source: Android Groupon
Things that are too good to be true usually are !!
However is this a tool to stay away from or a legitimate product that every android enthusiast should keep by their side ?
Anyone with experience of the above & can comment on its effectiveness, I would be very grateful.

Is there an English version? This is very vague, risking to root without knowing what you are clicking.

@AnasAzeem The link is no longer active, I'll trying looking for another one when I have some time.

Yes it works.I rooted sony er wt19i with locked bootloader and it installed superuser.You should try.Many people asking can  I do this or that  and never did nothing. How can you know if you didnt try?


text:
Change Mac Address on Nexus 7 running 4.2.2
My question is: How do I change/spoof the mac address of my Nexus 7 so that the router sees the spoofed address and will not give an authentication error when connecting?
I have done some looking around, and I have tried apps like this, ip link and if config, and editing my nvram.txt file, but none of these methods appear to work. Has anyone had any luck with this? My tablet is running the faux Kernel with KaosDroid if it helps.

You're not trying to hack your way into another one's network, do you? Assuming you're not, the only other thing I know is Wireless Mac Changer.

That app seems to run the same command as the other app, just with a different interface. Thanks for the suggestion though.

I didn't expect a "Boah eye!" effect -- but thought it might be worth a try, though :) Sorry it wasn't much help -- but it was all I could come up with here...


text:
Linux doesn't recognize Galaxy S 3
I've bought a Samsung Galaxy S 3 device today, but found out that I could not get my PC with Fedora 18 (Gnome 3) to recognize it (nothing happens when I plug it in).
As file transfer etc is essential to me, this renders my device pretty much useless (I don't have an SD card slot on my PC at the moment).
Android lets me choose how I connect though: as a "media device (MTP)" or a "camera (PTP)".
Is there a way to simply access the storage on my phone from a Linux machine?
It's pretty ironic because both my PC and my phone are actually running Linux, yet they can't communicate. For a large company like Google/Samsung there's pretty much no excuse for this, as Linux is quite popular nowadays, especially because Google already does most of its work on Linux.
lsusb:
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 1058:0748 Western Digital Technologies, Inc. My Passport 1TB USB 3.0
Bus 002 Device 009: ID 04e8:6860 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd GT-I9100 Phone [Galaxy S II], GT-I9300 Phone [Galaxy S III], GT-P7500 [Galaxy Tab 10.1]
Bus 006 Device 002: ID 046d:c077 Logitech, Inc.
Bus 006 Device 003: ID 046d:c312 Logitech, Inc. DeLuxe 250 Keyboard
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 005 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 006 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 007 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub

It would seem that the device is somehow recognized.

Do you have udev rules set up? See this (answer)[http://android.stackexchange.com/questions/36954/fastboot-not-working-on-my-nexus-4/37085#37085] to help you

Possibly relevant: http://android.stackexchange.com/questions/15877/better-way-to-connect-galaxy-nexus-ics-to-linux

Also see my answer here. That would be for MTP. You also might want to have a look at QtADB, which is what t0mm13b had in mind when talking about "udev rules". Access via ADB gives you much more power -- while MTP just lets you copy files, basically.


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Stuck in Boot Loop
I have an Android Jelly Bean, DOPO m7088, and its stuck in a boot loop. I did the hard resetting, wipe my data and everything and its still stuck. I've been searching the internet for weeks and haven't found anything that would work. I'm a complete noob when it comes to fooling around with a tablet. >.<... I've came across a few threads suggesting flashing the rom. I would like to try it but how do I go about it? Or should I try something else.
Oh, I've already reached out to the manufacturers and all they said is to reboot and restore to factory settings.
Please can anybody help me?

The easiest way would be telling the manufacturers you did as they said, and it didn't work. If your device is still under warranty, they should replace it (at least as long as you didn't void your warranty). I'd try that first. In case they refuse (or no more warranty), rom-flashing might help (as long as it's no hardware problem). See Where can I find stock or custom ROMs for my Android device?; instructions usually come along on the respective download page.

There is also a way to fix it. They wrote the partitions wrong. A rather long explanation at XDA will help you fix it. I was excited to see it!
The linked post includes a detailed description to solve the issue, too much to even include an excerpt here. It includes dumping the entire ROM, fixing it on a Linux PC (using a LiveCD), and flashing back the fixed ROM to your Android device.

Link-only answers are frowned upon here: in case the link dies, they get useless. Would you please [edit] your answer and include an excerpt?

@Izzy If you look at the length of the linked page, I think you'll agree that there can't really be a useful excerpt.

In such a case, the answer should indicate that :)

I was once struck in a boot loop and when I went to service centre, they found that it was not a software but a battery problem. Try getting it checked too.


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how to arrange icons in TSF Shell?
I'm using TSF Shell, which allows you to drag your application icons around in an overlapping manner. But how do I tell TSF Shell to automatically arrange my icons neatly in rows using a grid?

You can use the 'lasso' option for that. It works real cool.


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How do I move past the ICS lock screen using a bluetooth keyboard?
How do I move past the ICS lock screen using a bluetooth keyboard? Or, alternately, what happens to the keystrokes I type while the lock screen is active? They're different versions of the same question, so I ask them together.


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What does "Add to Queue" mean in "Play Music"?
What does "Add to Queue" mean in "Play Music"?  I've seen an answer elsewhere which said "it adds to the current play list."  That answer makes no sense.  What "current play list?"  There is no such concept in the application.
For example, I'll start the application and no music is playing yet.  I'll go to my playlists and pick one.  Again, no music is playing yet.  Then I can pick "add to queue."  Nothing happens.  I have no idea what that just did.
I then select a song to start playing, and I'm on my way.  I still have no idea what the "add to queue" accomplished.
I'm using the Samsung S4.

This is the expected behavior. Queue is the "Currently Playing Playlist"
You have Playlist A with Song 1,2,3 and 4.
If you start listening to Playlist A, The Currently Playing Playlist will consist of Song 1,2,3,4.
If you see Song 1337 , then "add to queue" while listening to Song 2, the Currently Playing Playlist will consist of Song 2,1337,3,4.
If the next day, you start Playlist A from the beginning, it will still only hold Song 1,2,3,4.

They might have changed the behavior and the queued Song might now play after all objects in the current playlist ( 2,3,4,1337) or if you add song 1338 it might put it after the previously queued song (2,1337,1338,3,4). I cant tell for sure, but the principle is still the same.

Adding to queue means there should be something playing first before the queue is created. Try playing one song then add another music to the queue. Don't pick another song, just wait for the current song to finish. The next song will be the song you placed in the queue.

You add songs one after the other.
So the last song you have added will play at the end.

The accepted answer indicates that the added song will play next, rather than at the end.  Do you see it behaving differently?

If a song is playing and u added a song to the queue and u want to add another it will play after both songs and not after the first one.


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Profanity Galaxy S2 Jelly Bean
I don't know what's changed and I cannot figure out how to set it up but my S2 no longer lets me swear.
I have to manually type in the words every time, it doesn't seem to be updating any dictionaries anymore, it used to just fine before the update to Jelly Bean.
My default keyboard is Swype.
No matter what I do checking Swypes dictionary is always "(empty)"

Apparently this can be fixed by reinstalling Swype but it appears you're not able to uninstall Swype anymore ...


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How can I lockdown an android phone?
I'm looking for a way to help lockdown an Android phone.  I want to be able to configure a phone so that only certain users can make calls/send messages to specific contacts.  It should also only allow access to specific applications, and disallow (un)installation of applications.
Is there any way to do this with Android?

Welcome to the Android Enthusiasts! Please note that recommendations like Is there an app for X are off-topic here (see the FAQ for details). For where your question might fit better, you might want to look into Where can I ask questions that aren't Android Enthusiast questions? (or search Google Play for "app locker" :)

See also: Double Security for Gmail / Is there an application / ROM that allows me to set the phone to “Guest” mode which I can configure? / Child-proofing an Android phone? / How to mod android rom so none can ever install an app in it? / Disable or lock Google Play on my android phone

Seems to be a question about a problem rather than an app request. However it's almost certainly a duplicate.

Perhaps, this has the answer: http://android.stackexchange.com/questions/25149/child-proofing-an-android-phone/25150#25150


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Reregister device with Play Store
I was recently going through my list of devices on the web Play Store to remove an old device.  While looking at the list, I saw that I had two entries for my Nexus 4: "LG Google Nexus 4" and "Nexus 4".  As I installed CyanogenMod shortly after getting the phone, I wasn't surprised to see the second entry.  I decided to delete the one called "LG Google Nexus 4" as it was registered when I first got the phone.
Yesterday, I went to install an app to my phone using the web Play Store, but I no longer have any devices listed there.  I tried reselecting the account to use in the Play Store app, and also wiped data for the app using TitaniumBackup and relogging into the Play Store app.  Neither approach caused my device to be added back to the web Play Store device list.  How can I readd my Nexus 4 to the devices attached to my account?

Have you tried to just install some app (via the Google Play app)? That should trigger something there :)

I installed the new Google Keyboard app last night, but no dice.  Still no device listed on the web Play Store.

That's strange. I wonder if it would help to buy some app (and optionally use the 15min restore window to refund it), which is what helps when you're reloacating to another country (for apps with regional restrictions). But as for the device showing up, a simple install should suffice. I've got no more ideas but to contact the support then -- but maybe somebody else has another idea?

How did you remove your device from Play Store? I don't think there's an option on play.google.com

It might have been me deauthorizing the device for Google Music.

From my understanding each device listing in the Play Store is referenced to a Unique ID. By removing the device you have removed this ID. You should be able to sign out of your Google account on your device, then sign back in, making sure all of the sync features are turned on, this should create a new UID for your device, putting an entry in devices once again.


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Can I share some Google stuff without sharing Gmail?
I have a Nexus 4 and my wife just got an HTC One. I'd like to share accounts in Google play so that we can share app purchases. I'd also like to share Google music, contacts, and some other things. I don't want to share Gmail, Keep, and G+
I saw there were answers like this: Can I share my Google Play "cloud" music with a family member?
But that was last updated a year ago. I'm hoping things have improved.
I understand I can turn off email syncing, but that doesn't stop someone from just going into the mailbox manually.
Creating a separate account for just music is cumbersome and is not an option. I'd rather just setup Spotify.
EDIT to clarify: The solution everyone gives is "new account." I'm asking: Can you share Google Music and purchases and NOT share Gmail?

Is there anything that makes this not a duplicate of the one you linked to aside from concerns that the answers may possibly be out of date? I guess that one doesn't cover anything aside from Music...but keep in mind that you can always start a bounty on an older question and select the "Current answers are outdated" reason.

Any music you have purchased can be downloaded as MP3 files. Once downloaded, it can be uploaded to the Google Music service in another account. My wife and I do this with CDs we've purchased and ripped to MP3. IANAL, but since you are speaking of your wife, your property is shared and your music is owned by both of you.
This, however, does not work for the "All Access" features Google Music. If I understand the terms correctly, that account cannot be shared.

Create new Google account.
Transfer existing Play Store purchases from your personal account to this new account. You need to contact Google Support/Billing for that. Its not just theory.. I have seen such transfer.
Use this new Google account on multiple devices of family.

Since when is step 2 possible?

@Izzy You need to contact Google Support/Billing for that.

You should include that with your answer, Sachin. AFAIK it's not a trivial thing, and even Google Support doesn't do that easily as far as I have heard. In fact, I know of no case where a transfer was accomplished. Isn't that bound to certain conditions? If it were an every-day-issue, it would have been automated.

You cannot separate the GMAIL from the PLAYSTORE. You can let others use your google account to play music or download apps but they would also have access to GMAIL.


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Disable Camera on Android using ADB Shell
I am using 4.1 JB Rooted Device & want to completely disable Camera on my mobile as it is not allowed at my work place. Currently I am using 'Disable Camera device' app but one can easily Enable camera using this app.
I am looking for a way where without a PC & connecting through ADB one should not be able to Enable camera. Technicians at our workplace should also not be able to enable the camera.

I have got the following codes from one of the Camera Disabled app... How to use them?
Support Shell command line operation
> adb shell
$ am start -a android.intent.action.MAIN -n jp.ne.neko.freewing.DisableCameraDevice/.CameraDeviceDisable
$ am start -a android.intent.action.MAIN -n jp.ne.neko.freewing.DisableCameraDevice/.CameraDeviceEnable

The only true way of disabling the camera is to recompile the kernel minus camera drivers...

BTW what is the device in question?

Is it resolved ? How ?


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Prevent Samsung S4 Screen From Turning on Every SMS
How do you prevent the Samsung S4 screen from coming on with every SMS message that is received?

Possible duplicate of: Stop from Samsung Galaxy S4 turning on when receiving text message.

In the galaxy S4 SMS application, go to Settings and there is an option called "Screen On". Untick this option and you should be able to do what you want.

I’m puzzled. Why do you want this behaviour?
Anyhow, I do not think it is possible. Mobile phones have been doing this as a way to silently alert you of activity since foerver.
If you want to preserve battery life, you can try dimming the screen as low as it can go instead.

The Galaxy Nexus does this by default and it is awesome (it lights up a tiny low power LED at the bottom of the phone instead). The screen is the largest power consumer on a device, if my phone already made a sound and vibrated, why do I need my screen on for 20-30 seconds to alert me even more and waste power? Yes it is a small amount but it is also completely unnecessary to do it too IMO.

Aeyoun, Adam is speaking about incoming text messages -- not incoming calls. A sound/vibrate info is sufficient for those, as it's no real-time communication. For incoming calls that's something different. I cannot remember having had any phone that turned on the display on incoming SMS. Should that be because I do not get so many SMS?

If you want to only affect texts, but leave other notifications alone, then go to your messaging app (the screen with all your threads, not a specific conversation), click the menu button > settings  go down to notifications and deselect "notifications".
If you're trying to get your phone to not react at all when you receive a notification, then Blocking Mode is your obvious answer. No noise, vibration, the screen stays off... you can even set it to not blink the notification LED.
I'm sorry if neither of those satisfy the outcome you're looking for, but that's really all that you can do to keep the screen from lighting up.


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Sony Ericsson DISCHARGES when plugged in
I have a Sony Ericsson Live With Walkman (WT19i). About a week ago my phone started discharging when plugged in for charging using either a Samsung wall charger or the USB port on my PC. It charged slowly but correctly when it was turned OFF, but dropped down to zero rapidly from 60% charged state when plugged in ON state.
I fail to understand the reason for this as the phone works correctly when not charging (battery appears to be intact and not leak charge on regular use).

@DanHulme I normally use a wall charger from Samsung which is my brother's. My original charger is a USB-to-phone wire with a wall socket adapter. I was using this wire for charging when this problem arose. I used both modes, PC and wall socket charging, both not working satisfactorily.

The best way to add additional information to your question is by editing it, with the edit button, so I've taken the liberty of adding that to your question. This makes it easier for other visitors to see all the relevant information.

Try using a Sony Ericsson wall charger. Because standard USB can't supply much power, manufacturers often use off-spec currents and/or voltages in their wall chargers in order to charge the device faster. Because they're breaking the standard by doing this, sometimes a wall-charger for one manufacturer's device can't supply enough current to a different manufacturer's device.
This isn't specific to Android devices, but any device that charges using USB. For example, many iPhone and iPad users have noticed that their Mac charges the device faster than a PC does, because the PC has a standard USB port, but the USB ports on recent Macs can recognise that they're connected to an iThing and supply extra voltage and current.
If you don't have a Sony Ericsson wall charger, follow Izzy's suggestion and make sure to keep the screen turned off when you want to charge.

+1 for using official chargers, it's one of the things where you don't want to save money by buying off brand stuff. Wall chargers often use proprietary tech to make your device charge faster than regular USB, cheaper chargers usually give you the same charging performance as plugging it into the computer (bad)

I'm using Galaxy Tab SHW-180S. This same thing happened with me few days ago. This is how i solved it.
1)First remove the battery from the device.
2)Charge your battery from any other electric source.(I don't remember the device name. But most mobile repairing shops have that device )
You can also try by changing your charger or may be your charging source isn't provide decent level of electricity that needs to charge your phone.

If watching the charge level with the display turned on implicates you're using the device while charging, the explanation might be easy -- if the following example somehow matches:
Assuming you're charging via USB from a computer/laptop/other-USB-source (i.e. not the wall-plugged charger). According to the USB specifications, this provides a charging power of 500 mA (USB 2.0) or at maximum 900 mA (USB 3.0), as you can read e.g. in this Wikipedia article. Now taking the Samsung Galaxy S3 (as we've got some reference data for this device, see my answer here), and let's play some numbers:

You're recording some video. This uses 1683 mW.
You're downloading something via UMTS (3G): 1074 mW
You're using the camera: 1460 mW
You tethered your laptop to the phone, and download something: 1254 mW

All these things with the screen off! So you've got to add another ~800 mW for the screen (567 mW to 1568 mW, depending on brightness and colors).
In each example (and I can easily construct several more like that combining some facts, like "Bluetooth download (487 mW) plus average display (800 mW) → 1287 mW), your device uses more juice than the USB power source can provide. Consequently, your phone -- although connected to an external power source -- DIScharges. This would be the case even when performing no actions, just having the display turned to max with a non-black (but rather white/colorful) picture: 1568 mW > 900 mW.

So, rule of thumb: when charging via USB, keep the display off; USB 2.0 cannot even provide enough juice for a fully dimmed display (567 mW > 500 mW), in case of the S3 (it might be slightly different for your device: the Motorola Milestone e.g. needs just 310 mW for a fully dimmed display).

See also:

What causes battery to drain faster than it can charge?

the answer makes sense but might not be applicable to my problem. Anticipating overload on battery, I turned off my mobile data plan and set screen brightness to  the minimum. I have tried USB charging from my laptop before and my USB port (labeled eSATA) was able to charge the phone even while I was listening to music from my phone.

MP3 playback takes less than 200 mA (S3, Milestone), and for sure less than USB power -- even when adding the base consumption (standby for WiFi and mobile network). But adding screen-on, even when on minimum, at least scratches the break-even for USB 2.0 charging. Maybe "back then" you didn't have your display on permanently, and this time you had? Btw: eSATA is for sure the wrong label for USB :)

There's a very interesting G+ thread by HTC PR (Shen Ye) on lithium ion batteries and some useful tips on it, @Izzy, I know you despise Google+ but feel it would serve a useful conjunction to your answer :)

@t0mm13b Fine with me: I don't need to have a G+ account for you to post that hint (or for others to read) :) Thanks! Interesting read, indeed, sums things up :)


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Email client not talking proper IMAP? Unfriendly to other clients
The stock email client in Android 4.2.2 and Thunderbird 17 on my computers do not like each other. I’m syncing against an IMAP server. (I control the server.) These are my problems:
• Android puts sent and deleted messages in the wrong folders. I haven’t found out how to change these on the Android side. Also: is there any standard way of informing the client from the server of which folders it expects the client to use for Trash, Junk, Sent, etc? Is only INBOX standardised?
• If I delete an email on Android, the email is still in my Inbox in Thunderbird. If I delete it in Thunderbird, it is also deleted on Android. Both have different opinions about which IMAP folders to use for Trash, but the message should still be moved out of my inbox. What is going on?
• Moving a message removes it from the originating folder on Android but not in Thunderbird. Moving it in Android removes it from the originating folder on Android. Possibly the same issue as the above with Trash.
How can I get email on Android to behave itself? I can deploy fixes on the server if necessary.

I'm using Android 4.2.2's stock email client and Thunderbird 17 against an IMAP server and both the clients see the same sent/junk/deleted folders. Since Android (as you noticed) doesn't have any options related to this, it would seem the problem must be with Thunderbird or the server, or with either client being out of sync with the server.

There are standards for this, as in the XLIST command for IMAP, which has recently been superseded by the Special-Use extension of the IMAP LIST command. Gmail supports these, and Fastmail, and mail clients like Thunderbird and Opera, and even Outlook 2013 apparently. The problem with the Android Mail app (at least for me) is that it doesn't understand these commands, and simply creates folders with localized names. In Opera Mail and also in Thunderbird, you can also manually pick the IMAP folders to use for storing deleted and sent messages. So you could choose the IMAP folders that the Android client is already using, don't forget to make these changes to all the mail clients if you have multiple machines accessing that IMAP account. That might help.


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Android google keyboard won't install
Google released their google keyboard as an app in the market but I cannot install it. The error is "Application already exists". I am on a Att Note 1 (touchwiz\unrooted). No other keyboards are installed. Does anyone know how to install this?
edit: Despite this error message, the only option I have in my keyboard settings is "samsung keyboard"

It comes as part of the stock android install, mine updated last night (note the word updated, I never installed it).

And before you ask why then it's put on Play at all: 1) to be updated to devices already having a previous version of it, as it also happens with the Google Play app itself, and b) for those devices whipping with a different one (e.g. devices from LG).

AOSP keyboard from Play store requires ICS upwards, just something to keep in mind!

You may change package name and install it as separate user app
Links for version 4.0.21203.1613964 apk with already changed package name and additional symbols: source (russian forum with registration) or mirrors
Screenshot of additional symbols:


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How can I use Tasker to reconnect bluetooth when the connection is lost?
I just bought an Asus Transformer TF300T and I use bluetooth to tether with my iPhone. But it's very unstable and I lose the connection often, and I need the internet on my tablet. I bought Tasker, but I don't have time to learn all its function.
There's what I want to do:
When bluetooth activates: connect to my iPhone
When it loses connection, reconnect on iPhone, after 5 unsuccessful tries, turn off Bluetooth
I'm ready to pay to get this "profile" and "Actions" via paypal or email interact

An app called Bluetooth Auto Connect by a developer named refluxa has the ability to connect to specific bluetooth devices (that have been previously paired) and it acts like a Tasker plugin. So you can have a task that turns on bluetooth, and create a loop that runs five times and uses this plugin to connect to a specific bluetooth source. Then, check if bluetooth is connected and, if it is not, turn bluetooth off.


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How to root the Motorola Droid Razr?
How do I root my Motorola Droid Razr?

I cannot answer your question, but I edited it so it can be found, and also added it to our rooting index. You might want to follow that link meanwhile, and check for related phones and other mentioned methods. With some luck, you already find something there. It would further help to update your question with some more details on your device, such as e.g. Android version, Baseband version. This is important for finding a suitable method.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JA8TKNWTEk it's in spanish, but you can find similar tutorials in your language :)

I used KingRoot. You can download it from the Internet.

There is an app, called framaroot. You can download it from XDA. It's working with XT919 and XT910 (I installed in a razr D3 XT919).
There is also a video tutorial in youtube here

I used iRoot, it worked for me but installs Kinguser as the SuperSU app, still worked though.
Best of all it uses no PC.
Link: http://www.mgyun.com/m/en


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Remove a word from Stock dictionary
When I write the word "OK" in Swedish it says "Ook" which doesn't mean anything in swedish. I haven't added this ook myself so I can't find it in "Personal dictionary". I wonder if it is possible to simply remove this strange word that comes with the stock swedish dictionary?
Perhaps I should add that I use the new Nexus 4 google phone with latest everything.
thanks for any help.

I actually managed to temporarily solve this: add OK to your personal dictionary and be done with it.


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Samsung GT-i9000 not detect USB connectivity in Windows 8
I bought a new windows 8 laptop and tried to install the phone driver to recognize it, but can't succeed: I installed and restared the Samsung driver package and restared my computer, I also tried to search through the device Manager on the web but it didn't find anything (which is strange because in Windows 7 it did find). I also have a Windows 7 laptop and it works there...
What Should I do?
found the solution!
First check if u have normal google adb drivers, if no then download them , put your device in usb debugging mode (this settings location depends upon your android OS version)
Go to Devices and printers in control panel -> go to properties of your device ( device should be connected) -> Change settings -> update driver -> Let me pick driver from my pc -> adb interface -> (it will give u list of adb drivers on ur machice) if you find any Samsung driver there click on it and click next or finish. Else choose google adb interface driver and finish.
Your device should be working properly with proper drivers installed :)

Harel, thanks for sharing your experience! But on a Q&A site, the question goes in one box, while the answers go into separate boxes :) Could you please split your above post, and place the solution into an answer below? Otherwise, in lists it looks like a question without an answer, and many people will miss it. Thanks a lot!


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Samsung Galaxy Nexus - Add new contacts from call log screen
Using the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, How do you add new contacts using a number from the call log screen? According to the manual there should be a +contacts button but I do not see it.

I am going to risk the fact that Samsung probably makes this mechanism similar across systems. On my Samsung Galaxy S3, from the phone log entry, hard press the intended number until the context menu comes up after a second or so. Select 'Add to Contacts', and a contacts template comes up for the intended data, which allows you to add to an existing contact or create a new one.


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"Encryption Failed" on my Samsung Note 2 & it asks me to reset device. Is there a way to back up my data
I have Samsung Galaxy Note 2 from AT&T. At the reboot it displays "Encryption failed", and would ask me to reset device.
I cannot access my phone. I have very important data on this phone. I want to save my data, I am not bothered about the device, all I want is to save my data and after that even if the phone doesnt work I will get a new phone but I want my data as in pictures and contacts. Is there any way to recover them?


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How can I update the "multiwindow" setting in Tasker?
My GS3 just received an OTA update that gave me a multiwindow setting. Cool! Except, I want to turn it off automatically when I'm using apps that take up the full screen (like some games). I can't find this setting anywhere, but I am also pretty new, so I could be missing it. Since the setting is also pretty new, there probably isn't a variable for it. Is there any way to get a list of settings and/or set one by name?
Thanks

I doubt that Tasker already supports this. But you can check with the UserGuide, which includes a list of available events, states, variables, and actions.

@Izzy thanks. I've found and scoured the User Guide, but it is dense for sure. Is there an array of settings or something that I can iterate through and maybe find what I'm looking for? Again, I'm new at this :\

Except for the linked UserGuide, I don't know of any up-to-date "listing". Which leaves you playing with available actions (condition is clear in your case: app in foreground). Not having an S3, I cannot check as MultiWindow is not available on any of my devices. I would check with "Settings" as action. There could also be an addon on Google Play offering that (I don't know by heart, but you might use my Tasker Ressource List as a starting point).

thanks for the link, but i don't speak German :X I tried to find an English version and Google Translate is failing! Sad day...

The lists (second half of that article) do not contain that much German. It's just the first half, which you can skip. You won't find an English version of that article, as I didn't create any :) But many comments are in English as well.

Previously I don't think there was a way to do this unless you wrote some java script that you ran from Tasker, but I could never get this to work. (If anyone knows how to write this type of script, I'd love to know.)
However, the latest version of the 'Secure Settings' plugin (by intangibleObject) now supports enabling and disabling multi-window mode (without needing root - if that's a concern). I've tested it on my S4 and it works great. It should work with the S3 as well. Note that this version of Secure Settings is the current beta version which was released only a few days ago.  The latest released version on the Play Store doesn't have this option yet.
Also, in answer to the question about listing system settings... you can do this with another app/plugin called 'System Settings for Tasker' by David P. White.  In order to actually get the listing of settings through, you'll need to have root access. Without root, you have to know the setting names another way. This app will only monitor setting values. It doesn't have any mechanism for changing those values.
The setting names for multi-window are:
multi_window_enabled
multi_window_expanded
multi_window_flashbar_shown
A quick side-note here... if you want to show/hide the little thumb selector (the flashbar) you can long press the back key.  This is of course a manual action instead of an automatic Tasker action, but does come in handy if that flashbar is in your way and you don't have a Tasker task set up to deal with it.  The Secure Settings plugin action only manipulates the multi_window_enabled setting and not the others.


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What does "loudness compensation" in the volume settings mean?
In my CyanogenMod 10 sound volume settings/equalizer (at least, for headset), there is "loudness compensation" (with values from "disabled" to "strongest").
What is its effect?
(I'm using a Samsung Galaxy S, GT-I9000.)

Loudness compensation boosts the volume on the high and low ends of the frequency band.  As you might expect, the higher you set it, the more it boosts.
It's mostly useful for balancing out the sound on cheap headphones, which tend to have poor response at the upper and lower bounds of their range.
If you're putting worthwhile sound equipment in/on/around your ears, you probably want to leave it disabled.


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CM10.1, GS II, Mount command for encrypted sdcard0
Question: What is the syntax for the mount command within android to mount an encrypted file system?
Context:
I'm using CM10.1 (currently cm-10.1-20130604-NIGHTLY-I9100) on a Samsung Galaxy S2 (i9100) and have encrypted my internal sdcard.  On AndrOId 4.2 the internal sdcard (which is not a physical sdcard, rather a partition of the devices memory) is /storage/sdcard0, it has a link that points to /sdcard
After encrypting and rebooting the 3rd or 4th time sdcard0 doesn't mount.  Further reboots don't fix the problem.
/storage/sdcard1 (the physically removable sdcard) mounts fine.
When sdcard0 was mounted properly the output of the "mount" command included the following line which is now missing.
tmpfs on /storage/sdcard0 type tmpfs (rw,relatime,mode=050,gid=1028)
So,

What is the proper format of the mount command to remount this drive?
Any suggestions on how to fix or trouble shoot this problem?

Thanks
Ed
Edit: posting relevant section of logcat
Volume sdcard0 state changing -1 (Initializing) -> 0 (No-Media)
Volume sdcard0 state changing 0 (No-Media) -> 2 (Pending)
Volume sdcard0 state changing 2 (Pending) -> 1 (Idle-Unmounted)
got storage path: /storage/sdcard0 description: Internal storage primary: true removable: false emulated: false mtpReserve: 0 allowMassStorage: true maxFileSize: 0
addVolumeLocked() StorageVolume [mStorageId=0 mPath=/storage/sdcard0 mDescriptionId=17040710 mPrimary=true mRemovable=false mEmulated=false mMtpReserveSpace=0 mAllowMassStorage=true mMaxFileSize=0 mOwner=null]
volume state changed for /storage/sdcard0 (null -> unmounted)
got storage path: /storage/sdcard0 description: Internal storage primary: true removable: false emulated: false mtpReserve: 0 allowMassStorage: true maxFileSize: 0
addVolumeLocked() StorageVolume [mStorageId=0 mPath=/storage/sdcard0 mDescriptionId=17040710 mPrimary=true mRemovable=false mEmulated=false mMtpReserveSpace=0 mAllowMassStorage=true mMaxFileSize=0 mOwner=null]
volume state changed for /storage/sdcard0 (null -> unmounted)
/dev/block/vold/259:10 being considered for volume sdcard0
Volume sdcard0 state changing 1 (Idle-Unmounted) -> 3 (Checking)
Volume sdcard0 state changing 3 (Checking) -> 1 (Idle-Unmounted)
volume state changed for /storage/sdcard0 (unmounted -> checking)
sendStorageIntent Intent { act=android.intent.action.MEDIA_CHECKING dat=file:///storage/sdcard0 (has extras) } to UserHandle{-1}
volume state changed for /storage/sdcard0 (checking -> unmounted)
sendStorageIntent Intent { act=android.intent.action.MEDIA_UNMOUNTED dat=file:///storage/sdcard0 (has extras) } to UserHandle{-1}
volume state changed for /storage/sdcard0 (unmounted -> nofs)
sendStorageIntent Intent { act=android.intent.action.MEDIA_NOFS dat=file:///storage/sdcard0 (has extras) } to UserHandle{-1}
action: android.intent.action.MEDIA_UNMOUNTED path: /storage/sdcard0
Error opening directory '/storage/sdcard0/log/', skipping: Permission denied.
Permission Denial: broadcasting Intent { act=android.intent.action.MEDIA_MOUNTED dat=file:///storage/sdcard0 flg=0x10 } from berserker.android.apps.sshdroid (pid=5818, uid=10083) is not exported from uid 10017 due to receiver com.android.providers.downloads/.DownloadReceiver
action: android.intent.action.MEDIA_MOUNTED path: /storage/sdcard0
storage path "/storage/sdcard0" mounted readOnly=true
Error opening directory '/storage/sdcard0/log/', skipping: Permission denied.

A hint would be to take a look at the log files. You can do so either via ADB, or use a terminal app. Points of interest are logcat and dmesg. Search them for "sdcard0" to see whether an error shows up. Then either update your question with the details found or, if applyable, already add the solution as answer :)


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Why are Android apps getting rid of "Quit" functionality?
Lately I have seen many apps getting rid of the "Quit" functionality. For e.g. older version of Firefox for Android have a Quit option in menu which now is removed. Same goes for Opera browser which had a Quit option in menu which was removed after it moved to Webkit from Presto.
Wouldn't quitting an app be better for Android as it would consume less memory and resources in turn would give better battery life?

Possible duplicate: http://android.stackexchange.com/questions/8295 . See also http://android.stackexchange.com/questions/927 for more info about whether the "quit" button actually does anything.


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Is it safe to keep Android charging through USB all day?
When I'm in front of the computer, I always keep my Android phone plugged into a USB cable so it's always at a 100% charge and I can type text messages from the convenience of my PC keyboard.
Still, I was wondering if charging a battery when it's already 100% charged hurts: Will it "wear out", ie. won't hold as long?
Generally speaking, is there a good article that explains how to charge and use the main types of batteries? For instance, I seem to remember that some batteries must never be left below 20% charge.
FWIW, I upgraded the original battery in my Samsung Galaxy Nexus to a slightly bigger Li-Ion 1900mAh.
Thank you.

possible duplicate of Does constant charging harm my Android cellphone?; see also: When should I start charging my Lithium battery?

Also related: How frequently is it okay to let the battery discharge fully or as low as possible?


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Google Play app doesn't auto-update
Ever since the new update of Google Play app, I couldn't get the apps to automatically (in background) update.
But instead, they only update, when I open the Google Play app a few times
I have auto-update and notificatoins checked. I have auto-update apps ofer WiFi only set.
I have JB 4.1.2 and Galaxy S3 GT-I9300.

I think any auto-update/notification settings relate to apps installed via the Play Store, not the Play Store itself.  That's updated occasionally by Google.  You could try and force an update, if you're convinced one is available and that you're missing it, by going into the Application Manager and uninstalling updates for Play Store, then clear data, and clear cache, then running the app again and seeing if it forces the download of a newer version.
(Incidentally, I have the S3 too, and am currently on v4.1.10 of the Play store. Which version are you on?)

I can confirm this: the auto-update setting in the Play app only refers to auto-updating apps you install via it, not to the Play app itself. Back in the days when the latter was still named "Market", there was a separate "market-updater" app responsible for that; I assume this part is now covered by the "Google Play Services" app.


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Revert an Android phone to vanilla rom from Google
Can we install a vanilla ROM to a non-Nexus Android device?
I have an Android phone (version 2.3.6) and I don't like the ROM installed by the manufacturer. I want to revert it to a vanilla ROM like Nexus devices have. Is it possible, and if so could you provide a guide?

possible duplicate of Flash a smartphone with vanilla Android ROM; see also: How to remove TouchWiz and revert to a vanilla Android UI?, Can you install vanilla Android on any phone?; How can I install vanilla Android on the Kindle Fire?

A real vanilla ROM is not possible because you need drivers for the hardware in your mobile. This drivers depend on the manufacturer.
The nearest thing you can get is a custom ROM like CyanogenMod.


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Sync contacts and calendar from Outlook 2010 on my laptop with Android phone, avoid data in cloud?
I'm looking to buy a new Android phone, but before I do, I need to know that there's a reliable way of keeping the contacts and calendar data on the phone in sync with the data in Outlook 2010 on my laptop.  For the past 8 years I've been using windows mobile phones, where Microsoft's ActiveSync etc worked well.  Simply connecting my windows phone to my laptop via USB meant that everything almost always sync'd fine without any issues.  I'm looking to get as close to that experience as possible.
I also need to avoid putting any of my data in the cloud (e.g. gmail), because my outlook data contains too much sensitive information.  Security breaches may be highly unlikely, but the potential consequences are too dire to imagine.  One answer to this sync question (Sync setup question: will Android, Outlook 2010, Gmail, calendar and contacts sync?) has a comment which says that Android phones will always sync with google, so I need to disable that.  Is that possible?
I'm aware of Samsung's Kies, but I've never tried it.  If anyone can assure me that Kies works well for what I need then I'd be quite happy to restrict myself to buying Samsung.
I've done other research and found a pcmag.com review from Feb 2012 that suggests in general this isn't an easy problem.  However, that link (and answers that I've found here) are all over a year old, so what's a good way of achieving all this in June 2013?

See: Is there any way to sync my Outlook calendar to my Samsung Galaxy S without Kies?, Sync setup question: will Android, Outlook 2010, Gmail, calendar and contacts sync?, Using Android only with Outlook and not Google Calendar, How can I sync my Outlook calendar with my Android phone calendar?

See also: How to sync contacts with Outlook, WITHOUT Exchange?

I finally ended up getting a Samsung Galaxy S4 mini i9195 LTE 4G, so I tried Samsung's Kies.  As far as I can tell after just 1 day's use, it syncs the phone perfectly with my Outlook 2010, and avoids the cloud too (as long as the cloud sync to my google account is turned off on the phone).

How have you found this Stochastically? I've found it to stall with any decent amount of data after a couple of days/a week of use! It worked perfectly until then! :(

You can easily turn of Google Sync for any Android phone.  Just go to Account Settings, Sync.  One problem is that whenever you get a new ROM, or Google does an update, these settings get turned back on.  So you need to check periodically.
There are a number of 3rd party sync products, with free trial periods.  Just give them a try.  You can find them online.  The best for security may be DejaOffice which has an encrypted mode to really lock down your data.

Thx vm :-).  I've marked your answer as "useful", and when I get an Android phone in a few weeks time, I'll remember to come back and mark it as correct if I go with DejaOffice!


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Seeing links in email before you click them
When you receive an email in ICS that has a link in it you can press the link and it will open in your browser.
How do I know the URL of the link before I press it. I know on iOS you can do a long press and it shows you the URL - is there an equivalent feature in Android?

Long press, select "share", select any text app (SMS, notepads, whatever). At latest there you should see the link, and then can decide to "abort" the action (dismiss the target text).

Are you talking about the stock email app?

Yes - I am referring to the standard stock email app. A long press on a link does not appear to have any action associated with it.

In the latest release of Gmail you can long-press on the link and a menu will appear showing you the link. You then have options to "Open in Browser", "Copy link URL", &c.


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How can I see what a private number is?
I've had a few missed calls from private numbers now, and I'd like to see who it is.
Is there a way to do this with a Galaxy S4 running Jellybean 4.2?
I installed the app 'CIA caller' but that simply listed the private number as '-2', and when it looked up that number, it unsurprisingly said 'number not found'.
Any ideas how to get at these private numbers?

It's called "private numbers" for a reason. It would be stupid, immoral and probably illegal to send enough information to the phone to identify the source.

I don't think there is a good way to do this - the issue isn't that the private number is being hidden by your phone, it's that the phone company isn't transmitting the caller id info to you at all. So there shouldn't be any way for you to get that data working strictly from your phone.
Unless you know people who regularly block caller ID data, but don't leave messages, I'd just assume it's spam callers and ignore them.

There is no way to get the number.
Private numbers are not sent by the network provider therefore your phone has no information about the caller.


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Rooting and flashing the DX2
I have a DX2 I recently rooted (2.3.5) with some self root package.
However, I didn't realize virtually all of the CM roms require 2.3.4. So now I need to SBF back to 2.3.4, re-root and flash. I'd like CM7, and maybe even try CM10.
Is there a comprehensive site with all the necessary files in 1 location? I've searched all over forums and so many sites have dead links. I'm a bit of a noob, but have flashed the optimus elite once before..this motoblur crap is annoying..
Edit :
DX2 = droid x2
CM = cyanogenmod
SBF = system boot file
noob = beginner or novice

CM 4 DX2 w/ SBF? A AAAAA! (Alert the American Association Against Acronym Abuse) #D Following the tags you've used (rom, root, rom-flashing) you will find the necessary information: Where can I find stock or custom ROMs for my Android device?, How do I root my Android device?. If "DX2" stands for "Motorola Droid X2" (can you confirm?), that's still missing in the index -- but check the rooting methods, one of them might fit.

Thanks.. These acronyms should be familiar to all "android enthusiasts" aka this forum..but I agree with you, too many abrves..I will check the link out

So looks like I guessed right with all of them (hard to spell out SBF, I agree, and CM should be also pretty clear -- just the DX2 might need a little expansion, as others might not be that lucky with their guesses -- and simply skip your question). Also, the "Motorola" part I just guessed from the SBF and Motoblur -- remember that e.g. HTC has a "Droid" series as well (oops, OK, the tag should fix that :). It never hurts to be as precise as possible :) // BTW: I just added your question to our rooting index.

Thanks again. The phone is so old now that I'm sure development for it has ceased.. but I just switched to page plus and it requires you to use a 3G phone, unless of course you flash a ROM to a 4G phone to make it pick up 3G only.. but I have no interest in dropping $300 plus for a new phone when the DX2 is really all I need (/end rant).

You're welcome -- and your reason is 100% understandable. Have you checked some of the rooting methods mentioned in above link? There are several of them which should work on Gingerbread.


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Stuck with draconian security restrictions after adding and removing corporate e-mail account
After adding a corporate e-mail account to my phone, my device asked to encrypt itself as well as the attached SD card, and change the lock to password. I immediately removed the account, but the security restrictions are still in place. The device no longer requires encryption, but it refuses to read the SD card without encrypting it ("Preparing SD card") appears in the pulldown menu. It's also stuck on password lock with all other options greyed out.
From reading this post, I tried all of the following to remove these restrictions; nothing has worked.

Deleted all e-mail accounts.
Settings > Security > Device administrators; remove all (including related e-mail accounts.)
Settings > Security > Clear credentials; remove all certificates
Re-connect to the offending account, and repeating steps 2 and 3 before encryption. This actually shows a more detailed message when about to remove device administrators, including all of the security restrictions, but it still doesn't remove them.

Nothing succeeds in a) removing the restriction to password lock, and b) stopping the device from constantly trying to encrypt the SD card. If you uncheck the "Encrypt SD card" it is just checked again automatically. Currently there is no way to access the SD card at all without apparently first going through the encryption.
There must be a way to fix this that doesn't involve backing up and wiping the device, or rooting it. Either this is a really strange bug or I'm missing something obvious. I'm running Android 4.2.2 on a Samsung Galaxy S4.

My response is specifically in respect to Exchange based device administrators.
What you should find is, dependant on some security policies device administrators cannot be removed without a device wipe. This is to protect company data and is set at the exchange level and conformance is met by Android.
I have followed the process on android 4.2.2 and it works however, dependant on which company exchange account I use (i work as a sysadmin contracted to many companies managing many exchange servers so different policies) i can see different behaviours.
If you have not been asked to wipe your phone when device administrators were removed, then I'm shocked. I've not seen this behaviour on any exchange server I've tested with.
I'm sorry to say that generally once you admit an exchange administrator you are stuck with a factory reset.
That does not mean all YOUR data is lost though. You may do a SMS backup, Application backup and if you have root and recovery, a system backup. Do these to your internal SD or external SD as these will not be wiped in a factory reset. If you are concerned about encryption depending on which file systems you encrypted (usually it's just system, not internal or external SD cards) you may want to copy these backups to another device.
Now do your wipe.
Restore your backups and find your applications, sms's and all your photo's etc should be exactly as they were. All that will be missing is the exchange accounts.
This is tedious I'm aware. However this is becoming more common in a BYO device oriented corporate world.

The best way is to ask your corporation's IT support for help. They locked, so maybe they'll know, how to unlock.

This is not relevant...I removed the account as soon as I added it so the restrictions should be removed as well. This seems like an Android problem, because they definitely won't be able to do anything with MS Exchange Server.

Then, restrictions should disappear. I'm afraid that backup and wipe is the only reasonable solution.


text:
What does unlocking the bootloader do?
My understanding is that a boot loader is like a BIOS in a PC, which will help a device to load the OS correctly.
When I unlock the bootloader in an Android device, does this modify the complete bootloader itself? In other words, will this install a completely different bootloader compatible with the device? Or is it just a slight modification in the existing bootloader?

Welcome to the Android Anthusiasts, Sumit! You might want to check the bootloader [tag wiki](learn more…) and most frequented questions, specifically Why does unlocking the bootloader wipe phone?, which most likely already answers your question. A minor addition: think of it as of "switching a security flag" (HTC e.g. calls it S-Off, or uses the term secu_flag).

After some research, I finally got some details.
Unlocking a bootloader will generally not change the bootloader of a device.
The locked bootloader somehow ensures that the device should boot up with the OS that is shipped originally with the device or updated by the vendor officially.
Locked bootloader puts this as a security measure so that it can prevent the users
from installing custom ROM's. When the bootloader is unlocked it will simply provide the booting instructions to the device without checking for the stock ROM
on the device. The device will boot with the ROM present in /boot and /system partitions and thus unlocking a bootloader is an essential step if one want to install custom ROM.
Thus overall, locking a bootloader is just an extra built-in security check and
unlocking will just remove this check but will not modify the entire bootloader
of your device.


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sd card not mounted after formatting
So, I tried to do a clean wipe of my Galaxy SII I1900 variant and flash in Paranoid Android's latest build, and everything was successful, but I realised the clean wipe wasn't that "clean". It did not wipe out anything from my internal data, so my app data and photos etc were not wiped. I tried to wipe it again but it doesn't work somehow.
For some reason my brain thought formatting the sd card means formatting the internal memory (lack of sleep), and after formatting it, neither my phone nor my computer could detect the sd card anymore. I formatted it using the CWM I think (I held power button and chose reboot->recovery), there was no option to format it in any format, it just formatted right after I chose the option. I am not sure if I plugged it out safely but there wasn't any notifications about it being plugged into the computer.
I don't have a sd card reader and I don't think I have any spare sd cards lying around.. Any help for this poor soul here? :/

It would certainly help if you could edit your question and include a few more details: How did you format the card? What filesystem did you chose? If attached to your computer: did you "safely remove" it afterwards (same for the Android device)?

Hmm, I've edited it! Please take a look, and thanks.

OK, that's kinda "2-in-1" answer: using the built-in formatting, a wrong file-system type should not be the issue. However, CWM might have used some EXT format, which Windows (assuming that's what you've got on your computer) doesn't recognize. I'd really recommend using a card reader, attach it to your computer, and format the card again using FAT32 -- a format both sides understand well. Card readers come cheap, and are not wasted :) Maybe you can at least borrow one if you refuse to buy one ;)

I found a spare sd card from my mom as well as a card reader and its formatted now, hope it works! Thanks so much Izzy!

Glad to read! I will sum things up in an answer, which you then could accept (so in lists it's clear this issue is solved).

Summing up the solution from above comments:
While it's not clear what happened with the card, the solution was quite trivial:

take the card out of the Android device, and put it into a card reader
attach the card reader to a computer
format the card using FAT32 (a file-system both sides can handle easily)
"safely remove" ("eject") the card from the computer, take it out of the card reader, and put it back to the Android device

Now the card was recognized fine \o/


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Japanese keyboard/fonts on Samsung Ace
can I add Japanese keyboard and font for e-mail input on Samsung ACE8android 2.Etc?

You might want to have a look at How can I install custom fonts on Android? (plus the list of font questions), and also the questions tagged keyboard while waiting for an anser.


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Best way to get Google contact images from Facebook?
I'm on Android and Syncing my contacts with Gmail/Google contacts.
I don't have a Facebook account.
And lot of my phone contacts are on Facebook where they have a profile ipcture.
Is there any way to sync my contacts and match them against those photos on Facebook based on their phone number?

Your down vote isn't fair. I have already tried that software, If you read my question I have clearly mentioned that I don't have a Facebook account and that software need one. What I'm looking for is a public search and match.

You are right of course.  If you don't have a Facebook account there isn't a way to use information contained within a Facebook profile.  You didn't mention you already tried that software, update your question to reflect that fact, and I will remove the downvote.

If you don't have a Facebook account how do you have contacts on Facebook?

@slybloty, I Think there is a workround, just needs a coder.

Find user id & name: https://graph.facebook.com/nytimes
A search on this page with the Name/Username will return their image, publicaly: http://www.facebook.com/search.php?q=jack&init=ffs
Parse it and append it to Google Contact.

I'm not aware if Google Contacts API can allow such thing or not, just an idea.

Are referring to facebook app or facebook account?

What ever solution that can compare my contact name/phone number to a Facebook users data and get user picture assign it to my contact.


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Root Samsung Galaxy S2 with unconventional kernel version
My Galaxy S2 is running Android 4.1.2. I am following the howto here. I am trying to look for the corresponding CF-Root download, by looking in the xda-developers forum. The problem is that the kernel version of my device does not match the format given in the forum. Here are the details of my kernel:
Model Number     : GT-I9100
Baseband Version : I9100BULS1
Kernel-Version   : 3.0.31-889555 dpi@DELL228 #3 SMP PREEMPT Thu Jan 31 14:48:54 KST 2013
Buildnummer      : JZO54K.I9100XWLSD

How can I choose a CF-Root download based on that kernel version?

Following the rooting tag you've used brings you to our rooting index (first item in "faq" there), which links two guides for the S2. Have you checked if one of those fits your needs? If not: At the end of that index, several rooting methods are listed, some of them covering multiple devices. Anything fitting there for you? If still "no", which model is your S2 (GT-I9100P, GT-I9100G)?

@Izzy From the buildnumber in the quote in the question, it seems like OP has i9100 - the International S2.

@Izzy: I have added Model Number and Baseband Version. With the guides you link to I have the same problem as with the xda-developers forum: the codes in my phone do not match any of the codes covered on any of the guides, so I am not able to choose any of the available guides to proceed. Since rooting is dangerous, I am reluctant to simply try one of the guides. My phone has been acquired in Germany, in case that matters.

If a factory-reset isn't "dangerous" for you, I'd say rooting isn't, either. I'd try one of the "root many" methods for JB -- in the worst case it doesn't work, then it cannot mess up anything in the system (just in "userspace", which is cureable by a factory-reset).


text:
Android device diagnostic application?
My Android phone (LG-P930) with Gingerbread is giving "free games" for several weaks now. I recently lost the telephone application and I had to reboot the phone. Few days ago, the phone hang ringing and I could not stop it (grrrr....!)
I'm wondering if there exists an app that could be used to diagnose the device. Something that scan the memory and the different components like some apps we can find on PC.
If you have any other idea about a solution to solve the problem you will be more than welcome!
Dominique

Try wiping data and cache, and if it doesn't help, reflash ROM to your phone via KDZ Updater.

This option should be the LAST RESORT. He would lose all data.

Oh, I forgot about saying "Backup your data first".

Thanks, I'll see how it can help. Of course, I'll try to backup everything.


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Why can't I stop people from inviting me to group chats on kik?
Someone has been harassing me on kik all week by continually adding me group chats that I did not ask to be part of. The person is blocked, but they are still able to add me to group chats against my will - I don't have the option of accepting or not, it just happens.
If I have to abandon the platform and find another way to talk with my friends overseas I will, but I'm hoping there's some way I can stop this. (And yes, I've reported the offending user to kik support, but they're terribly slow and now it's the weekend...)
I apologize in advance if this isn't a good community for this question, I just can't find an answer anywhere else I can't believe that there isn't one.

Never heard of kik.  Those instant messengers are a dime a dozen.  Why not try your luck with something better like Google Hangouts (my preference - works really well), Skype, Whatsapp, Tango....?

I have been quite disappointed with the contact management aspect of Kik for quite some time. Unfortunately, unless and until the developer gives people more control over who can see them and add them to conversations I'm afraid you're stuck. For me, I'm looking for a better cross-platform solution.

The answer is: you cannot. Either wait out the harassment, don't open the app for a while, or switch discussion platforms with the people you care to talk to. All unsatisfying solutions, but... they are the only ones.

If you want them to stop why don't you make a new kik? I have done the same blocked and it still happens I don't understand why but just make a new one or simply email kik messenger and report that person.


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Can't update Cyanogenmod on AT&T Galaxy S III
I updated to Cyanogenmod 10.1 RC 2 and can't update beyond it. When I try to update to RC5, I get:
assert failed: getprop("ro.bootloader") not matching
"I747UCDLK3" or "I747MVLDLK4" or "I747MUMBLK3" or "I747MUMBLL1"

Which naturally causes the update to be cancelled
Does anyone have a link that shows how to resolve this, or other suggestions to resolve it? Thanks.

The message is basically telling you that you don't have the correct bootloader version on your device; specifically, you most likely have an older ICS bootloader rather than the Jelly Bean one. You can read a bit about this on CyanogenMod's Google+ page, and the CM Wiki page for the S3 succinctly notes:

Going forward, CM10.1 is no longer compatible with ICS bootloaders on this device. Please update or else you will get assert failures in recovery.

You'll need to upgrade to a newer bootloader. This carries some amount of risk since it's one of the few instances where you could potentially brick a device, but the risk is still generally pretty small.
I found links to the newer AT&T bootloader on XDA that will work with CM 10.1. You can flash them using Odin or Heimdall by following these instructions:

Go here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=41503727&postcount=13716
Put phone into download mode and then open Odin.
Choose the PDA slot and then select the correct file for your device (AT&T is LK3)
Hit start and wait until its finished.
Done

Thanks for answering so clearly, when obviously it's something I should have been able to find on my own. Don't know why I couldn't find it. I was able to update to RC5 successfully.

Odin3 v3.07 works with SGH-I747, even though it is not listed on the page.

I ended up following the instructions here and was then able to update to 10.1.3RC2. No need to install Odin or Heimdall on your computer :)


text:
Graph of Android API distribution over time?
Google of course provides their snapshot of the current API situation. I'm curious to know if there is somewhere published a line graph showing the distributions and their change over time.

hm there is a better graph in the Google I/O android videos, I would like to find it. It shows the snapshots pies as larger and larger pies over time as the # of android devices increased.

Here is a site that automatically updates to the latest data from the android.com Dashboard, and which has three graphs showing different aspects of it.

There is this graph from over at wikipedia, which uses the data from Google's dashboard.

This graph, while being nice, is much less up to date than the one found using @Hendrik's answer.

@BenoitDuffez - It was up to date at the time I made this answer (and for almost another year past then), thought it seems that the creator of this graph is no longer maintaining it.

@Compro01 oh! the relentless march of progress


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Motorla Defy+ being not possible to root. Script commands throwing errors when rooting android 2.3.6
It's getting very hard to root a Motorola Defy+ (mb256).
My cellphone is accepting non android market apps, and USB debugging mode is enabled.
I tried:
- using z4Root app.
- doing the scipt commands one by one with adb tool.
- using superoneclick
- using UnlockRoot.
Basically all the scripts I tried returns the same error. Seems like the file system of my android is protected, so can't mount folders, can't change permission of files, etc.. at the end, the Android is not rooted.
These are some prints of the problems occurred:

Content of the Easy Root script showed bellow here.

I solved!
I flashed a hacked chinese sbf. This sbf let me use z4root.apk to get root access.
Sorry about don't put the file name, that's because it does not have a meaningful name, it's just firmware.zip, I found it in xda-developers forum.
Be careful using the files above, you can easily brick you cell phone.
The Chinese hacked firmware is this: Firmware Part 1 and Firmware Part 2.
The application who enables rooting is this z4Root.apk.
*Sorry, I don't know how much time the links will be available.

I tried all those ways(superoneclick, unlockroot)
you have a simple way you didn't try

download framaroot.apk
move it to your defy+
install it
open the app
shoose (install superuser)
press (Gimli) and reboot your defy+
it will works 100%

it is very effective


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How to unlock a G1
Yes, I got the G1 the day it was launched in the UK. Swapped it for HTC Desire when that was launched. Now have a Galaxy S4.
Anyway, I moved away from T-Mobile without removing the G1's network lock (because I was using the Desire then). Lately, I've been experimenting a bit and would like to use the G1 for some things.
How can I unlock it?

go back to the original mobile provider where you got the G1 from and ask for the unlock code (charges may apply)

@t0mm13b Thanks, but I was looking for a more technical, DIY answer.

HTC starting offering their own free unlock tool online some little while ago in an effort to be more hack-friendly, and the G1 (or Dream) is one of the phones you can unlock with it.  Failing that you can also contact HTC support to get the unlock code.

If you wish you can check with online unlocking service provider called Mobile-Unlocker.com who will help you in unlocking your G1 within 1-2 working days...