text:
Crash when installing application leading to weird "No such app found" entry in drawer and forced reboot
A few days ago I installed a app from an .apk file. Unfortunately, my phone decided to die during the installation process. Since then I have a weird entry in my drawer looking like this:

If I click on it, I get a toast saying "No such app found". This alone wouldn't bother me but since then my phone also crashes after about two minutes after it started.
I've tried investigating this problem but I couldn't find anything really helpful. The only thing I found is a post from StackOverflow describing what happens when you install an application. Based on this I think there went something wrong with the intent registration, corrupting a intent register or something like that.
What I've tried so far is cleaning the cache and installing and uninstalling the app again. When the app is installed again, the weird entry in the launcher disappears and even after the app is uninstalled, it doesn't reappear. However, my phone still keeps crashing and after a reboot it reappears.
Does anyone have a idea what is going on here and how to fix this? I would be very thankful for any help :).
Additional information:

Device: Samsung Galaxy S7 (herolte)
ROM: LineageOS 15.1 (Android 8.1.0)
Rooted: Yes

EDIT:
I've also already tried getting the logcat output before the crash but unfortunately it shows nothing really interesting and I think the reason for the crash is not included because it crashes before a write to the logcat takes place.
Also, for clarification, I would like to avoid a factory reset.
EDIT 2:
I've now tried rebooting into safe mode. The drawer entry persists, but the system doesn't crash here. Also, when long pressing on the app and selecting "App info", the launcher crashes with the following entry in logcat:
06-17 18:16:00.960  4599  6669 I ActivityManager: START u0 {act=android.intent.action.VIEW dat=market://details?id=<redacted>} from uid 10026
06-17 18:16:00.960  6727  6727 D AndroidRuntime: Shutting down VM
06-17 18:16:00.961  6727  6727 E AndroidRuntime: FATAL EXCEPTION: main
06-17 18:16:00.961  6727  6727 E AndroidRuntime: Process: org.lineageos.trebuchet, PID: 6727
06-17 18:16:00.961  6727  6727 E AndroidRuntime: android.content.ActivityNotFoundException: No Activity found to handle Intent { act=android.intent.action.VIEW dat=market://details?id=<redacted> }
06-17 18:16:00.961  6727  6727 E AndroidRuntime:        at android.app.Instrumentation.checkStartActivityResult(Instrumentation.java:1937)
06-17 18:16:00.961  6727  6727 E AndroidRuntime:        at android.app.Instrumentation.execStartActivity(Instrumentation.java:1616)
06-17 18:16:00.961  6727  6727 E AndroidRuntime:        at android.app.Activity.startActivityForResult(Activity.java:4487)
06-17 18:16:00.961  6727  6727 E AndroidRuntime:        at com.android.launcher3.Launcher.startActivityForResult(Launcher.java:1916)
06-17 18:16:00.961  6727  6727 E AndroidRuntime:        at android.app.Activity.startActivityForResult(Activity.java:4445)
06-17 18:16:00.961  6727  6727 E AndroidRuntime:        at android.app.Activity.startActivity(Activity.java:4806)
06-17 18:16:00.961  6727  6727 E AndroidRuntime:        at android.app.Activity.startActivity(Activity.java:4774)
06-17 18:16:00.961  6727  6727 E AndroidRuntime:        at com.android.launcher3.InfoDropTarget.startDetailsActivityForInfo(InfoDropTarget.java:70)
06-17 18:16:00.961  6727  6727 E AndroidRuntime:        at com.android.launcher3.popup.SystemShortcut$AppInfo$1.onClick(SystemShortcut.java:97)
06-17 18:16:00.961  6727  6727 E AndroidRuntime:        at android.view.View.performClick(View.java:6294)
06-17 18:16:00.961  6727  6727 E AndroidRuntime:        at android.view.View$PerformClick.run(View.java:24770)
06-17 18:16:00.961  6727  6727 E AndroidRuntime:        at android.os.Handler.handleCallback(Handler.java:790)
06-17 18:16:00.961  6727  6727 E AndroidRuntime:        at android.os.Handler.dispatchMessage(Handler.java:99)
06-17 18:16:00.961  6727  6727 E AndroidRuntime:        at android.os.Looper.loop(Looper.java:164)
06-17 18:16:00.961  6727  6727 E AndroidRuntime:        at android.app.ActivityThread.main(ActivityThread.java:6494)
06-17 18:16:00.961  6727  6727 E AndroidRuntime:        at java.lang.reflect.Method.invoke(Native Method)
06-17 18:16:00.961  6727  6727 E AndroidRuntime:        at com.android.internal.os.RuntimeInit$MethodAndArgsCaller.run(RuntimeInit.java:438)
06-17 18:16:00.961  6727  6727 E AndroidRuntime:        at com.android.internal.os.ZygoteInit.main(ZygoteInit.java:807)
06-17 18:16:00.965  4599  6669 W ActivityManager:   Force finishing activity org.lineageos.trebuchet/com.android.launcher3.searchlauncher.SearchLauncher
06-17 18:16:00.970  4599  6781 W DropBoxManagerService: Dropping: system_app_crash (1567 > 0 bytes)
06-17 18:16:00.971  4599  4614 I ActivityManager: Showing crash dialog for package org.lineageos.trebuchet u0

You have to use logcat. If you know that an auto-restart is imminent it is best to put the device plugged Into PC and logcat output being redirected to a file. Once restart happens, check the contents of the file from bottom to top. Errors or warnings should be the first to look after. As for a fix, are you willing to try a factory reset? A lot of times, a reset fixes manifestation of a problem (not the problem itself if it is due to a bug).

@Firelord Ahh yeah, forgot to mention I've already tried getting the logcat output before the crash but unfortunately it shows nothing really interesting and I think the reason for the crash is not included because it crashes before a write to the logcat takes place. As for the factory reset this would most likely solve the problem but I don't want to loose my app's data :/. Would you know a way to backup my apps despite the crashing?

Assuming your device is rooted you can try to check the various places mentioned here: https://android.stackexchange.com/a/200983/2241

@Robert Thank you for the hint. I've checked all locations mentioned there but my app doesn't turn up in any of there lists.


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How to have a different input/output audio source
I have a one plus pro 8. It has excellent microphone (output) noise cancelling. I also have a Bose quiet comfort 35 II which has excellent noise (input) cancelling as well.
My problem is they when I ride the bus and talk to people:

If I use the phone default speaker they can hear me great but I cannot hear them
If I use the bose speaker then I hear them great but they don't hear me

Question: how can I speak using the phone microphone (output) but listen (input) using my Bose earphones?

I don't have an answer but Android's lack of support for sensible audio device selection (as on Windows for example) gobsmacks me. Cone on Google, put some of those development dollars towards something that affects lots of people lots of the time.

As long as you have an Android phone, you can use Lesser AudioSwitch, an Android app found on the Play Store that allows you to switch between input and output for microphone and headphones both connected via Bluetooth or wires.

For some reason this app isn't compatible with my device

My phone is android 11

source: Stack Exchange

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

sort: votes


text:
Android 10 on car doesn't have a sleep mode option
I got a head unit in my car that runs android 10. I'm kind of disappoint with this unit, and the most annoying thing is the loading time at boot, since I need to go reverse and need to wait for the rear camera.
I saw on youtube that there is an option to make the device not going to sleep for hours/days (under Settings > Car settings)... but I can't find "Car settings" on my device. I was also looking for it under Settings > Display, but no luck again.
Any suggestions?
Thanks

Youtube videos are usually a bad information source especially as each manufacturer may modify Android e.g. by adding new featured and options. Therefore unless the car was the same model from the same manufacturer the video is no applicable to your car. If the boot time is too long you should complain at the car manufacturer.

I am new so I may be totally wrong here but...
You could root the device and change the sleep file/delete it.
Also, for me personally, I would take maybe 20 minutes to study all the device's content especially the settings.
Cheers!

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


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Android Chrome cookies all suddenly disappeared
This morning all the cookies seem to have disappeared from Chrome on my 'phone. When I log in again they stay, so it's not a bug or settings problem I think. They definitely have not all expired at the same time. History is fine, it's just the cookies. Can't find any references to this particular issue elsewhere.

Did you find the reason why it happened?

No, though I did wonder whether it was related to a Chrome update


text:
Rooting a phone that doesn't have stock rom download on the internet
I've posted here here earlier about me needing help to restore a system application that I uninstalled using adb. After trying for the entire day with no solution I've decided to download Bromite as webview, however since I have an unrooted android 5.1, I can't change the default webviewer to Bromite (I had uninstalled the google webviewer). I've got two choices left now, which is rooting my phone and hard resetting, and I would rather risk it rooting my phone since I got a ton of important 2fa on it.
As reference, my android version is 5.1
My phone model is Coolpad porto S E570,  in numbers - CP8722_U00
I've looked up a couple of guides on how to root the device but most of the legit rooting methods require having a stock ROM of your device that is going to patched, and later, installed. However, after searching the web for a while I just can't seem to find any stock ROMs that are for CP8722_U00, only for CP8722_S00 which I assume is probably incompatible.
The less legit looking guides said to use tools like Kingoroot, however the public reception on them is mixed to say the least, some outright saying that it's malware.
So my question is this: Are there any other ways to root, maybe obtain stock ROM for my device without root? Or do I have to sell my soul to those one click root applications?
Thank you in advance.

The default webview component can be set in the Android Settings Developer Options menu. For accessing this you don't need root.

Worst case, there's a guide to manually root an Android device

There is no option to replace the default webview component in android 5.1. AFAIK that feature got added in Android 7.0+. And I'll definitely try out the manual root method, Andrew.

Does this answer your question? Smart Phone flash tool - Readback - EMMC_USER backup

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

Yeah, this actually was the solution I ended up going with, thanks. I'm still a bit worried because my processor isn't supported by the sp flash tool, but fingers crossed.


text:
Programming an Android application to switch default SIM for mobile Data
I am working on a project in which I have to switch the default SIM for data automatically, and without the need for user intervention. I read some posts on internet and got to know a method in which we can switch off one of the sim and Data will automatically be switched to secondary sim.
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/48696898/turning-off-second-sim-via-adb-shell-tasker-using-activities-intents
This needs Android debug bridge. But, I am not able to find any function responsible for switching default data sim.

Hi, note that app development is off-topic since Android Enthusiasts focuses on end-users or power-users (but not necessarily developers) solving their issues. We might be able to help as far as the ADB command, but we can't help with Java API.

Switching SIMs is a privileged action. I don't think Google will happily let a non-privileged app do it without user interaction.


text:
Enable Package Installer
I have rooted OnePlus 5t, I used Lucky Pacher to disable Package Installer and when I reboot my device I got boot loop... Is there something I can do beside factory rest? is there an option to enable it via recovery or fastboot mode?
I have OrangeFox recovery mode
This is the XML file package-restrictions.xml:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FThuUEt4pII_FBVpSUl7sjWoXLiq_zcG/view?usp=sharing
https://pastebin.com/XXE455pJ

Did you do anything beside disabling Package Installer when using Lucky Patcher? Did Lucky Patcher do anything to Package Installer app aside from simply disabling it? Look for the  package name  of Package Installer app inside /data/system/users/0/package-restrictions.xml. Edit out the related lines or change enabled= to enabled=1. Reference: my own answer here

I didn't do anything beside disabling Package Installer when using Lucky Patcher - Just disable. In OrangeFox recovery I go to > /data/system/users/0/package-restrictions.xml, and then click on it >> Open as... >> Text File. I can't edit the file but I can see it. Its a very very long text... what line I need to check?

This is the XML file package-restrictions.xml: https://pastebin.com/XXE455pJ. and how can I edit this file?

Link to file in Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FThuUEt4pII_FBVpSUl7sjWoXLiq_zcG/view?usp=sharing. and how can I edit this file?

Open adb shell and execute these two commands: busybox sed -i '/1570736/s/enabled="2"/enabled="1"/' /data/system/users/0/package-restrictions.xml and grep 1570736 /data/system/users/0/package-restrictions.xml. Report the output. It should have enabled="1". If it does, reboot the device and see if the boot loop still persists. Report your observation back here.

If boot loop still persists, reboot back into recovery, run adb shell and run this command: busybox sed -i '/1570736/d' /data/system/users/0/package-restrictions.xml

/sbin/sh: busybox: not found. In the adb on the computer when phone is in Recovery mode --- When I am typing “adb shell” I got: “dumpling:/ # ”. Then when I’m typing “su” I got: “/sbin/sh: su: not found”. Same with “adb shell pm list packages” I got: “/sbin/sh: pm: not found”

Ah yes. Your recovery doesn't have busybox. That's okay. Just enter adb shell. A custom recovery always give you a shell with default root access, (that # means root), so you  don't need to run su. Just enter my commands without busybox word in them and report your findings.

WOW!!!!! my phone is working! ty!!! now it's keep giving me a message: com.android.phone has stopped working non stop! I can't use my phone... It's endless LOL what happened?

I don't know why it is giving you that error. Did you do anything with Lucky Patcher other than disabling Package Installer? You would want to use logcat to get the errors and figure them out.

What is logcat?

Search Google for logcat and how to use it.


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How to format the internal memory of a Huawei Mate 20 Lite?
I have a Huawei Mate 20 lite I need to format its internal memory.
I don't mean to reset it to factory defaults.
I mean I have to format it, that is, I have to overwrite the internal memory with 0s (or with random data and then with 0s).
How to do that?
I have a Linux desktop.

Could you explain what you want to achieve? Modern Android devices by default encrypt user data. In such a case you don't have to erase all data only the used encryption key. Afterward the data is better erased that any overwrite which is not that simple with flash memory because of overprovisioning, reserve sectors, ... Overwriting is more useful for simple magnetic media like HDDs.

@Robert i am trying to trash my old mobile phone without Mallory recovering my data

Does this answer your question? How to make a complete factory reset, without anyone being able to retrieve my data?


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Auto-correct highlighting instead of bolding
Running Android version 11, this change happened very recently with a new patch.  Now instead of autocorrect bolding the center word it will correct mine to, it highlights it. This is extremely distracting, as now I have a teal/blue box flashing, flashing, flashing in my peripheral vision as I'm typing. How can I make it stop highlighting and go back to its previous behavior?
Edit: I seem to be running gboard.

This behavior depends on the Keyboard app. I'd assume it's Gboard, since I also noticed it recently?

Oh yes, it does appear to be gboard. I don't know if that's the standard option, or if I should be trying a different keyboard or what.


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How to flash AOSP 11 on to Redmi 6A?
I've successfully compiled aosp_arm64 and now I'd like to know how to flash it on to my device.
I couldn't do it with command fastboot flashall -w as it outputs this:
--------------------------------------------
Bootloader Version...: cactus-0deb5cf-20191022185025-20200508231234
Baseband Version.....: MOLY.LR12A.R2.MP.V66.P18
Serial Number........: 0f70e4b47d2b
--------------------------------------------
Checking 'product'                                 FAILED

Device product is 'cactus'.
Update requires ''.

fastboot: error: requirements not met!

I'm guessing I need to flash images individually, but I'm really unsure what to do.

AOSP will most likely not work because AOSP is not a generic distribution like RedHat or Fedora. If you want to build a ROM yourself you first need a device tree matching your device. As your device is most likely Treble compliant you could try a Generic System Image (GSI). Besides that I would recommend to learn more about Android and it's specialties.


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CIFS mount SMB into a folder results in "no such device" error on Android 10 Lineageos 17.1 and stock Google Pixel
I've tried these commands with root access
mount -t fifs //192.168.62.118/xyz -o username=user,password=pw /mnt/sdcard/xyz

mount -t cifs //192.168.62.118/xyz -o username=user,password=pw /mnt/sdcard/xyz

mount iocharset=utf8 -t cifs -o username=user,password=pw,rw,noperm,iocharset=utf8 //192.168.62.118/xyz /mnt/sdcard/xyz

mount -o username=user,password=pw,nodfs,rw,iocharset=utf8,noperm,dir_mode=0777,file_mode=0777 -t cifs //192.168.62.118/xyz /storage/self/primary/xyz

all of them results in "no such device". Googling around, it seems its due to the kernel not supporting CIFS. But this also happen in LineageOS 17.1 where other people reports able to mount cifs, albeit on a different device.
WHat I could do to get cifs smb mount working?

If mount returns ENODEV (no such device) error it always indicates: "filesystemtype not configured in the kernel". You can simply check if your kernel supports CIFS: grep cifs /proc/filesystems. Might be helpful: https://android.stackexchange.com/a/201191/218526


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Can't upload files to Google Drive from ES File Explorer
I opened the Google Drive app and tried to upload files using ES File Explorer, but it said upload fails. It gave two options, upload in the normal Android way, and file way (if above fails). I tried both, but it failed.
Some of the files having the same types did upload, but some exact same PDF didn't.
The system and apps are up to date.
Device - POCO X3 PRO(india)
Android version 11
MIUI - 12.0.5(Global)

Could you mention the device model and the Android version?

I don't know how to ping here, xd

Use @ followed by user's name to ping them. Example: @Natsu21

Oh i don't whom to ping, i thought people will view this questions without any mentioning, any suggestions? @firelord


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Reboot Android devices automatically at a specific time (i.e. 3 AM) every day
I have a rooted Lenovo Vibe K5 Plus (A6020a46) running TWRP + Arrow OS. It doesn't provide an automatically scheduled reboot out of the box. None of the apps worked. Also the apps that claim to provide this functionality are suspiciously ad-filled and I'm not comfortable giving root permission to them.
So, here is what I've tried till now:

SMManager. Didn't work. Also, suspicious app.

Wrote an infinite loop shell script, but I'm afraid it'll make my system too busy:
while true; do
  if [[ "$(date +"%H")" -eq "3" ]] ; then
    reboot
  fi
done

But I don't know how to autorun it on boot and I'm afraid it'll break my Android

Tried Termux (elevated) with cronie
I'd put 0 3 * * * /system/bin/sh reboot in /data/crontab/root like mentioned in this link, but crond isn't recognised as a valid command in root shell.

Further, the init.d directory doesn't even exist, but an init directory does with a bunch of .rc files.
I've ran sudo crontab /data/crontab and then crontab -l lists the proper crontab, but it doesn't show up anywhere else. I'm not sure it will work. Further, I'll have to always manually run this (as far as I understand it) and seriously manually rebooting is infinitely easier.
I'm out of ideas. Any suggestions appreciated. I'd prefer shell scripts over shady apps.

I have a feeling that this might be an XY-problem since this is quite an uncommon request: why do you need to restart the device every 3 AM? (That said, googling a6020a446 doesn't return anything).

sorry it was dumb of me to not notice the spelling error. It is a6020a46. Also, I just want to restart my device everyday at 3 am with possibly a shell script. I have shared what I've tried and the outcomes but my original problem still remains, I want to restart my device automatically at 3 AM. This is to have optimal performance and avoid network issues which for some reason appear when my phone has been running for abt 2+ days.

[tag:automation] is an option. Using MacroDroid, create a macro with trigger of day /time and action - reboot. If you are OK with apps. You can test it by adding empty trigger as another trigger and testing the macro from 3 dots menu

Why not just write a normal alarm clock app that will run system("su -c reboot"); (or maybe even call the Android API function for this, if it exists) when the alarm is triggered? Alarm clocks made correctly don't usually suffer from energy saving modes.

@beeshyams, thank you that app seems good enough and is what I'll probably use for now since I am not technically advanced enough (yet) to implement the other solutions. Nonetheless it is an app, one that perhaps isn't gpl and hence I'm still suspicious of it.especially since it now has root access.

@Ruslan, I am unfortunately not skilled enough in Android Dev to make an alarm app from scratch. Right now I am only a consumer and a tinkerer with Android devices but not yet a dev. Forget "made accurately", my skills ensure that (for now) I can't even make one. Further I've lots of other work (unfortunately) and I'd rather use a script than write an app from scratch. However I shall look into it. Thanks.

There are some opensource alarm clocks that you could modify to your needs.

@Ruslan could you give me some examples which would be easy to modify for an absolute beginner with ZERO prior experience with Android programming??

ok I have pretty much fallen in love with the Macro Droid app. It is fantastic and does exactly what I want. Who knows, maybe it will make me too lazy to actually solve this problem on the cli

@beeshyams looks like your answer using MacroDroid helped the OP. Would you like to post it as a proper answer?

@AndrewT sorry for delay in reverting// I think it's better if the OP does that (being lazy).  Thanks for tracking comments and checking!

Run the following shell script from init.d (or /data/adb/*.d/ in case of Magisk). Or run directly from init's .rc file. See How to run an executable on boot and keep it running?
#!/system/bin/sh -e

# ignore signals
for i in $(seq 64); do trap '' "$i"; done

# seconds until today 3AM
SECS=$(( $(date -d '03:00' +%s) - $(date +%s) ))

# if today's 3AM has passed, set it to tomorrow's
[ SECS -gt 0 ] || SECS=$((SECS + 86400))

# wait until 3AM
echo "${0##*/}: sleeping for $SECS seconds"
sleep $SECS

# Reboot device
echo "${0##*/}: restarting"
/system/bin/reboot scheduled-reboot ||
/system/bin/setprop sys.powerctl reboot,scheduled-reboot

doubt it will work, guesswork sleep is stretched in idle mode (power saving)

This answer is interesting, one that I think I'll eventually use. However, I haven't understood completely and shall use it only when I do so. Also could you clarify what @alecxs has said in his comment above?

@alecxs that's correct. But the process can be added to foreground cgroup so that it's not affected by idle mode. That's how services work. Or sleep for smaller intervals like 1min and check intermittently if 3AM has passed. Else the only way to wake up the device from idle mode to perform a task at exactly 3AM is to use AlarmManager API from an app. It's not possible with a shell script.


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How to install a mobile-only Android app on an Android tablet?
How to install a mobile-only Android app on an Android tablet? By "mobile-only", I meant the app has only released a mobile version and no tablet version. For example, DoorDash is one such app.

In case of the DoorDash app I would say the developers are simply too stupid to understand that in the Android eco system there are still tablets without cellular.
From my perspective the only functionality of this app which requires a mobile is the function to make phone calls from within the app (Android CALL_PHONE permission). I am not familiar with DoorDash but I would assume that is is not a fundamental problem if you just want to order something.
If Google Play Store refuses app installation then you can still use one of the free APK sources like https://ApkMirror.com or https://ApkPure.com (as long as you trust those sites).
Both provide the DoorDash app and it can be installed on a non-cellular tablet without problem.

https://apkpure.com/de/doordash-food-delivery/com.dd.doordash
https://www.apkmirror.com/?post_type=app_release&searchtype=apk&s=com.dd.doordash

Thanks, glad to see the answer is this simple. I'll try to get in touch with some DoorDash developers to get this $1M easy bug fixed...

You can try finding an APK for the app online. If it's not on the Play Store, it probably won't work with your device. Normally, apps are available for both  phone and tablet, whether or not it's made for mobile. Correct me if I am wrong.


text:
Auto voice reply to phone calls?
I'm looking for a way to automatically answer any incoming phone calls with a voice message, i.e. an autoresponder.
So actually much like voicemail, except I don't want people to leave me messages. I just want to play a welcome message or "I'm currently not available by phone" and refer them to my email address or Whatsapp.
Upon looking around I find tons of solutions which can auto respond by SMS, i.e. sending an auto reply text message. But that's not what I'm looking for, I prefer to play back a voice message.
Is there a way to do this, either natively from within Android or with an app?

That is possible, you can record a greeting in the Google Voice app. Take a further look here. Hope that helps.

I've looked at Google Voice before, but unfortunately it says "Google Voice isn't supported in your country"

My answer is correct but the law is making it impossible for you. Not fair enough. Hope you find a solution and my answer can help others too. Cheers!

Yes, I'll mark your answer as correct, hoping that it helps someone else. Very frustrating that stupid regulations make this solution unavailable for me :(


text:
pm Disable activity
Have been asked many times, how to block the installation of applications from an apk file, how to block the package installer ... The common answer is that it is impossible because even if you will disable the package installer the device will not boot and will remain stuck in a bootloop.
Fixing the bot loop is very simple but does not matter at the moment. I found a way to block an activity of the package installer so that the device could start normally: pm disable com.android.packageinstaller/.InstallInsalling
It works great and blocks application installation and the device works without any issues. I know it is still possible to bypass it and install apps through ADB but it still helped me a lot.
Now I'm looking for the name of the activity that will disable the developer options. Mybe block the "about phone", or the clicks on "Buiild Numbe" or only the "Usb debugging" options - through pm disable activity, or maybe through permissions, does anyone have an idea or can help me find the names of the activity?
The activity name of the developer options is com.android.settings/com.android.settings.SubSettings but it's related to almost every part of the settings... is there anything more specific?

Open the app/activity and run adb shell dumpsys window | grep mCurrentFocus.

Answered here: https://android.stackexchange.com/a/175410/218526

Install App Manager app from F-Droid, find Settings app in the apps list shown in it, click on it  then Activity, then search for the term "develop". You will get very close to what you need.

@Fireloard I have already tried AppManager, there are only 2 activities related to Developer options, and even after I blocked both nothing happened. I'm now trying irfan's advice

@Irfan the name is "com.android.settings/com.android.settings.SubSettings" but it's related to many other options... is there anything more specific? I can't find the name of the activity of the Usb debugging switch with your command because when I click it the adb disconnect...

Anther question, when I'm entering DO via settings and use the command adb shell dumpsys window | grep mCurrentFocus I get: com.android.settings/com.android.settings.SubSettings  ..... But when I'm using an app called "developer options Shortcut" and then the dumpsys window command I get com.android.settings/com.android.settings.Settings$DevelopmentSettingsDashboardActivity - and when I'm pm disable it just block the settings main app with all the settings.... when blocked via AppManager it dose nothing.... why its like that?

Activity - which can be disabled or enabled - is the whole screen of an app, not a part of it, like you are looking for just USB Debugging switch. Also note that any app can disable or enable any of its components (which include Activities) at any time. So what you disabled may not remain disabled forever.

I understand any app can enable any of it components at any time, but why after 2 years it will suddenly decide to do that? 2. So there is no way you know that can block a part of an app like usb debugging? 3. is there an option to revoke the permission: android.permission.MANAGE_DEBUGGING, from Settings app or form --user 0? I got this message: is not a changeable permission type?


text:
Flashing without a firmware
I received a second handed tablet recently, but it came with a custom formware that had some problems.
I proceeded to remove it and flashed the stock one but came across two problems. If I try with adb sideload it's telling me that the signature failed and won't install.
If i try with the .zip file it says Failed to mount "/aboot" and won't install it.
I tried with different firmwares for all the different versions of the model but without success
The tablet is a Mediacom SmartPad i10 3G, sadly I don't have access to further informations about it since I can't boot. Also, the tablet won't recharge and actually lose battery when plugged even if it was turned off before plugging it and now is at 2%.
How do I fix this situation?

return it to seller

https://androidmtk.com/flash-stock-rom-using-intel-phone-flash-tool Disclaimer: Do not try to flash with low battery. Flash at own risk. https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3679519


text:
Move contacts between 2 accounts
On my Samsung Phone with Andorid 11 and OneUI Core 3.1
I have 2 google accounts. Lets call them ACC1 (private) and ACC2 (corporate).
By default when I add new contacts, phone add them to google ACC2.
Very often I change the destination account in time when I create new contact, but also very often forget to change them.
I do not see possibilty to change account after the creation process is done.
As I have them both (google accounts) configured on my Phone I want to ask:
How to easily move specific contact from google ACC2 to ACC1 ?

It started to get more compiled.
I have two contacts both with the same name. 1 stored in the phone. 2 saved in google contacts. How to check with the "Google contacts" application, ie without logging into the web, which contact is saved in the cloud and which on the device? I just want to select the correct contact on my phone and remove it from the device.

If you want to copy multiple accounts you can use Google Contacts web UI and their export/import function:
Step 1: Export existing Gmail contacts

On your computer, go to Google Contacts
At the left, click Export.
Select which contacts to export.
Select Google CSV.
Click Export.
At the top right, click your profile picture and then  Sign out.

Step 2: Import the file

On your computer, go to Google Contacts, then sign in with your other Gmail account.
At the left, click Import.
Click Select File.
Choose your file.
Click Import.

https://support.google.com/contacts/answer/1069522/add-move-or-import-contacts-computer?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop#zippy=%2Cfrom-a-gmail-account

Yes, I know this feature, but very often I want to move single specific contact, which I added few minutes before by mistake, and I do not want to especially login,export,delete,import via browser. It is too time consuming to do this several times a month. So I was wondering that maybe there is some utility program to transfer contacts between accounts, or just some option in the system that I don't see.


text:
When I take pictures of text with my android the text is too blurry to read
I have tried this with two separate Android phones.
When I take a picture of text, say a letter posted on a window or a serial number on a device, etc., the text is out of focus and too blurry to read in the picture.
Often the text goes into focus in the camera for a split second but then immediately goes out of focus so that I am not able to take a picture of text where it is readable.
What is the solution to make text clear when I take pictures of it with my Android cam?

Have you tried to tell the camera app what area you want to focus? Usually this can be done by touching the area on the preview image.

Yes, that works thank you


text:
Internet doesn't work over Wifi hotspot
I am using OnePlus 3T with 4G. Internet works fine on the phone but when I connect a laptop or other phone to the phone using Wifi hotspot internet doesn't work at all. It used to work fine earlier.
I have tried the following:

Change the name, password and AP Bands between 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz in the hotspot settings.
Deleted the saved info from connected devices and re-enter.
Contacted my TSP. According to them its outside their scope. Later tried with a different network service provider but still didn't work. So issue is definitely with the phone.
Bluetooth Tethering works.
From the other phone, Wifi hotspot works fine on the laptop. the other phone is an iPhone if it's relevant.
Wifi on the phone works fine.

I can't think of any other way to troubleshoot. I don't want to format or factory reset my phone. What's the solution here?
Additional info: Android Version 9, OxygenOS version 9.0.6

Have you tried to give the pc and other phone static IP addresses?

No, I haven't tried that. I want to know what's causing the problem.

Check if setting static IP addresses might solve the problem or not.

In Settings>Developer Options, turned off the Tethering Hardware acceleration. It worked.


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Logcat analysis Android
I am analysing the logs of an app and I found this message after the app has been successfully lanuched
ActivityTaskManager: The Process packagename Already Exists in BG. So sending its PID: 14389
W/ActivityTaskManager( ): Activity top resumed state loss timeout for ActivityRecord{28ecd14 u0 packageName/full_path_toActivity}
W/ActivityTaskManager( 1566): Activity pause timeout for ActivityRecord

When I am running the same app multiple times (under the same environment, like running the app for the same amount of time, without manual intervention, clearing the logcat before launching of the app), then also the number of times, the particular tag is shown on the logcat is  different (I am filtering the logs using package name and the pid of the app). I want to know why the frequency of the tags are coming different even though I have not modified the apk.
Is it like there are few tags whose frequency should be same and there are ones for which it may be different?
I want to know the meaning of various tags which are coming from the Android SDK side like ActivityTaskManager, ActivityManager, etc in the logcat, (i.e the tags which are not being written by the developer of the app). Would you like to recommend to read any document so that I will be more comfortables understaing these Tags in the logcat?
Thanks in Advance

The best "document" you can read is the AOSP source code. Google provides the AOSP source code with all braches of all versions. Additionally AOSP source code is mirrored to GitHub and some other places.

Android also provides a simple interactive user interface for browsing source code on Android Code Search


text:
Is there any virtual webcam on Android that can remove the background?
I use Snap Camera on Microsoft Windows as a virtual webcam to remove the background when I use Meet/Skype/Teams/Zoom/etc.
Is there any virtual webcam on Android that can remove the background?
I am using the Android version of Meet/Skype/Teams/Zoom.

The Android framework has no exposed APIs for third-party plugin app camera filters.
If a third-party program can inject itself into the Camera API, it would need to read the image data, if it can read the image data, it could exfiltrate the image which would be a security issue.
Applications themselves provide any visual features generally with OpenGL shader code or a ML pipeline.
My only suggestion is to submit feedback to the various Android apps the need for such a feature.
For an example of the complexity to developers see my answer to taking a picture with a Depth of Field camera.


text:
Import settings from Habit Browser
I'm trying to import settings for Habit Browser. After navigating to Settings -> Advanced -> Import Settings, I get:
0
../

How can I change the location to the Download folder? Alternatively, what's the ../? - So that I could move my backup file to that location?

Storage access permission should be granted manually.
Many thanks to user Hardon from Android Forums.

OK, I think I see what it's doing, and I might have a guess at what your problem was. Have you granted it storage access permission? Without that it cannot see any of your directories, and because it's an old app (not updated for 4 years) it doesn't know how to request that permission from a modern Android version. So you need to go into Settings > Apps > Habit > Permissions and grant it storage access. I think that should fix it for you (it did for me).


text:
How can I view a .docx document using dark mode on Android?
How can I view a .docx document using dark mode on Android?

If you are running Android 11 (Not sure about lower versions if they have the system-wide dark theme) and system-wide dark theme is enabled. Google Docs will open the document in dark mode.
It'll be helpful if you provide more details about your device.

Firelord♦ mentioned that WPS Office allows users to view a .docx document using dark mode on Android:

Wps office supports night mode which acts as dark mode actually, though you have to enable it explicitly for every document. – Firelord♦ Jun 7 '20 at 4:20


text:
Boot-Up System Test tools
I am a test automation script developer using Python.  One of my recents tasks has been to create scripts that can output the following test cases from an Android device under test during boot-up:
-Identification - SW Ver, SN, CPU, memory,....
-Memory test - bad block count
-DDR Training
-Peripheral inventory check
-Error logging
Ideally, this would all be done via adb interface, but I don't know what tools or commands are available to do such tests.  Some are trivial such as SW ver, SN.  But others like the memory test, and ddr training are new to me.
If anyone can point me in the right direction in terms of adb commands and/or test apps, that would be great.
I'm not an Android developer nor do I know Java so my knowledge of the inner workings of Android is very sparse.

Android die more a special Linux system, you will not need Java. Try the getprop command for identification data. For the rest we can't help you as such data is not available in general Android.

maybe interesting / related
How to disable bad RAM addresses and fix bad storage blocks?

logcat or dmesg is available via adb

Does this answer your question? How long until my eMMC is dead?


text:
Redmi Note 8 Pro flatly refuses to boot into TWRP
Before we start, just want to make it clear that I am aware how easy it is to brick this device, and have decided to go ahead rooting and installing a custom ROM anyway. My goal currently is to use twrp to install magisk and root the phone, but I cannot get the thing to boot into twrp.
In case it matters, I'm running Miui 12.0.8.0 Global with Android 10 (4/01/21 patch) on a Global phone. My device is a 6GB/64GB variant with plenty of storage available.
I've grabbed the required twrp image from the link in the XDA developers guide (https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/guide-begonia-unlock-bootloader-flash-twrp-and-root-proper.3995919/) as well as a vbmeta image for a Redmi Note 8 because I couldn't find one for the pro variant. I wouldn't expect that's an issue because they run the same OS, but because mine has a mediatek SOC I won't rule it out; if someone has the right vbmeta for me, it would be appreciated.
My procedure is as follows:

Boot phone into fastboot, open minimal fastboot/adb from the guide.
Make sure twrp.img and vbmeta.img are in the fastboot directory
fastboot --disable-verity --disable-verification flash vbmeta vbmeta.img
fastboot erase recovery
fastboot flash recovery twrp.img
Hold power and volume up to try to boot recovery.

At this point, as long as I keep holding power+vol up the phone will make it to the "REDMI" splash screen, show me the unlocked bootloader icon, and power off. A few seconds later, it will try again to the same result. This will loop indefinitely until I stop holding volume up, at which point it happily boots into Miui; I've let it loop 5 times to be sure. If I hold just vol up (no power) once the phone turns on, like the guide says, it will pass the splash screen and simply shut off. I've tried multiple twrp and vbmeta images to the same result.
The next thing to try was to boot directly to the image. I erased recovery, flashed vbmeta, and ran 'fastboot boot twrp.img." The phone hung on the fastboot screen for about 90 seconds before shutting off, and frustratingly then rebooting into Miui like nothing happened.
If I try to boot to recovery after successfully booting Miui, it works, but I get the stock Xiaomi recovery, which will not help me root my phone. I'm running out of ideas on how to get this thing into the custom recovery. Still a little suspicious it's an AVB related issue, or some form of anti-rollback protection kicking in. Anyone here got any better ideas?

You can maybe try rooting with a patched image?

root your device first before installing TWRP. use TWRP for mediatek chipset for exact device model code name begonia. as the xda support thread is closed for unknown reason i suggest to request android 10/11 compatible update by opening github issue instead. this TWRP should work with android 9 downgrade MIUI (guess due the change from FDE to FBE)

Does this answer your question? Android Verified Boot and generation of vbmeta image


text:
Chrome won't open unlinked URLs on Android 11
I have a Google Pixel 4a running Android 11, and I haven't been able to open any links in Chrome by tapping them. On my old Android 9 phone, I was able to tap/select a URL, and there was an option to open the URL in Chrome. I used this feature heavily when opening links from my email client.
Chrome is set as my default browser. In the app permissions for Opening Links, Chrome's option to open supported links is greyed out. The option to open supported links is also greyed out for all other web browsers.

Interestingly, if I select the first part of a link, like https://www.example.com, there is an option to open the URL in Chrome. But if I select the full link, like https://www.example.com/abc, then the option to open in Chrome disappears.
Screenshot for selecting partial link:

Screenshot for selecting full link:

My phone is rooted.

Did you update Chrome to the latest? I am able to open your example.com/abc also https://onemileatatime.com/united-airlines-mileageplus/

Also https://onemileatatime.com/deals/world-of-hyatt-award-discount/ //Try clearing default and see (open by default)

Clearing cache of Chrome may help too

@beeshyams I cleared the default applications, cleared the Chrome cache, and updated Chrome. It is still the same result - when I select a URL, the option to open in Chrome does not appear.

I have also tried updating WebView and rebooting. Same result.

Very strange. Let's hope you get a solution soon

Go to settings, apps, Chrome, there's a menu "browser app", where you may change the default browser from webview to Chrome.
This is probably related to the recent change to Webview. Google has decided that opening links with a generic chromium browser without any stored user information is more convenient for the user.

Thank you for your answer. What I have ended up doing is just tapping "Web search" when I select a URL. I set the default browser to Chrome as you mentioned, and tapping "Web search" opens the URL in Chrome.


text:
`adb shell service call isms` message size limit
I am using the following:
adb shell service call isms 7 i32 0 s16 "com.android.mms.service" s16 "%num%" s16 "null" s16 "'%THISMSG%'" s16 "null" s16 "null"

(in a batch file)
Wondering if there is a limit on the message size. I did some experiments and when I add a few more characters, the sending fails. It seems that the limit is 70 (?) chars.
When the text size is up to 70 chars, the sending works fine!
I used just simple characters.
Any info available?

AFAIK, it depends on the character encoding, as per Twilio Docs' explanation


text:
How to disable headphone jack in Android
I want to completely disable headphone jack in Android 10 without using 3rd party app.
I want to disable headphone jack and use headphones with USB Type-C to 3.5mm jack connector via usb instead.

i have edited your question, please feel free to revert if i got your goal wrong. it should be sufficient if you restrict google play services access, did you check android settings for headphone jack permissions? did you check usb settings when usb headphones connected? there is also some usb settings in developer options


text:
How to root Redmi 9C (Redmi 9 India)?
As I understand I can get root access without installing a custom recovery with fastboot commands as described in the Magisk Installation Instructions.
I have downloaded the Magisk app and under Ramdisk I do get a yes.

The name of the device is indeed cattail which I have confirmed by running

adb shell

in my terminal, screenshot posted:

However I came across this XDA forum post where it wasn't possible to get root access with Magisk and fastboot.
This post appears to offer a solution but upon a little digging it seems that the instruction provided here cater to the device "angelica" but not cattail.
Here is how I found out it was angelica: In the screenshot provided in the forum, you can see model name of the device is:

M2006C3MG

while the model name of my phone is:

M2006C3MII

Upon searching the different model names on the internet, it is quite obvious that device is different from mine.
So here are my questions:
1. Where should I download the firmware from to extract the relevant boot.img file?
1. This link or 2. This one. I am confused because I had bought the Redmi 9 India (from Amazon) but apparently cattail is Redmi 9C. The first link(for Redmi 9) has an option having India while the second one(for Redmi 9C) doesn't.
2. How do I even root this device?
I'm unable to properly piece together all the info online and would greatly appreciate any pointers or guides. Searching for "how to root redmi 9 india" gives weird results asking to use Kingo Root and the like.

https://xiaomifirmwareupdater.com/archive/miui/cattail

This may help with more details re :second part of your question https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/232257/how-do-you-root-a-device-with-magisk-when-it-doesnt-have-a-custom-recovery

OK @alecxs. Should I flash the vbmeta then? Is my device not different from the one mentioned in the XDA thread? Or are the model numbers unique for every phone and they are indeed referring to cattail?

@beeshyams I already know how to root supported devices with fastboot. I've done it successfully in another phone I have which is the Lenovo Vibe K5 Plus (a6020a46) which is 6 years old at this point. I would have gone ahead and done the same on this device had I not had a confusion regarding relevant boot.img file as well as the link I found on XDA.

rooting steps are identical, devices are not. Do not flash foreign boot.img. vbmeta provided on xda is just empty file and therefore universal

Hey @alecxs should I download the recovery option's img file or the fastboot option's ? I'm runnign 12.0.10.x .This probably is a dumb question, sorry.

fastboot download contains all partition images. recovery download should contain desired boot image too. in your case it probably doesn't matter

okay @alecxs thanks


text:
What are the physical causes of motherboard-related bootloops?
A lot of Android phones, from the Nexus 5X to the LG G4, have suffered from hardware-related bootloop issues.
I have recently purchased a Google Pixel XL first gen, and want to minimize the chances of such issues, and so I'm wondering what the possible physical causes of hardware-related bootloops / hardware failure are?
For example, it's been rumored that the 5X's problem was the cracking of solder joints from repeated heating and cooling.
I will be using this specific Google Pixel XL as a backup server, and so won't undergo regular usage patterns, as it can essentially stay on 24/7 with the screen off, or only be turned on occasionally. So what would the best conditions be for such a usecase in order to minimize the risk of any hardware issues?
Should I leave it on 24/7? It won't get hotter than 30 degrees or so, and cools down to around ambient temperature (20) for most of the time when not in use. Or is it better to only turn it on every couple weeks?

Does this answer your question? How long until my eMMC is dead?

if your focus is more on sustainability than on security you should first unlock bootloader because fastboot is the official (and only) method to flash firmware on bricked google devices Recover files from android that wont turn on

@alecxs Sort of, that's a good factor to consider as well, but I can't really optimize that / minimize writes as the only writes it will be doing anyways is the files that get transferred for backup. I'm more concerned about risk factors for bootloops that I can actively reduce. I do have the bootloader unlocked as well.


text:
How can I restore Chrome capability to my android TV PCs?
I have several android TV PCs used as thin clients against a Windows machine. I do some things on the android box and some things in Windows. I've had the current set of TV PCs for about two and a half years and keep them configured exactly the same. Suddenly the Chrome icon disappeared from apps. Chrome is still installed and receives updates but no way exists to open it.
In January I purchased two Hisense 75 inch android TVs. The PlayStore said Chrome was not compatible so I sideloaded. It worked fine for awhile, then I could no longer open Chrome. At the same time I could not open Chrome on the Hisense TVs, the Chrome icons disappeared from all my TV PC workstations.
Probably the Hisense TVs are coincidence, but I wonder if Google maintains an evil person list and added my Google account to it. I could I guess delete the Google account from one of the TV PCs and see if Chrome then works. That seems silly, though. I have no problem with my phones which use the same Google account.
Is there anything I can do to reenable Chrome on the TV PCs? They all came rooted.
device name: TX92 02
model: TX92
android version: 7.1.2
kernel version: 3.14.29

Regarding the disappearing Chrome icon, consider trying Sideload non-'Android TV' app to show on the home screen

I use Nova Launcher on the TV PCs and do not watch TV on them at all. No Android TV stuff.


text:
is it possible to impose speed limit to certain device connected to my hotspot?
I have several devices connected to my android hotspot and would like to rate limit certain device from hogging the bandwidth too much. Phone is already rooted, and i've tried using built-in 'tc' program (followed the guide from here https://serverfault.com/questions/191560/how-can-i-do-traffic-shaping-in-linux-by-ip) from android terminal with no avail.
Is it even possible to do such thing?

tc is the perfect tool for this purpose, and it works on Android. I've experimented with it in past. But IIRC I used my own custom built binary.


text:
Not able to flash any os on my phone
Hi One day i tried to install a custom OS on my old phone it was already rooted and a custom recovery was also installed (TWRP)
after i booted into recovery i wiped cache and installed evolution x it showed an error Updater process ended with ERROR 7
i tried removing assets line in updater file but the same happen it showed the same thing
then i tried to go back but after a ( SAMSUNG GALAXY J7 PRO powered by android ) nothing showed up i waited hours but still nothing
i tried each and every possible custom rom on the internet but nothing works everything shows the same error i also tried flashing stock rom using Odin but it failed too its 3 days now and i am trying to get my phone back
is there any way my phone can boot into something also i noticed that every thing shows error although some YouTube videos have the same phone and booted correctly i followed them and still nothing even trying to rename files shows error it means there is some other problem plz anyone can help me it is very hard to live without a phone
This is the error from odin
<ID:0/006> Added!!
<OSM> Enter CS for MD5..
<OSM> Check MD5.. Do not unplug the cable..
<OSM> Please wait..
<OSM> Checking MD5 finished Sucessfully..
<OSM> Leave CS..
<ID:0/006> Odin engine v(ID:3.1205)..
<ID:0/006> File analysis..
<ID:0/006> SetupConnection..
<ID:0/006> Initialzation..
<ID:0/006> Get PIT for mapping..
<ID:0/006> Firmware update start..
<ID:0/006> SingleDownload.
<ID:0/006> sboot.bin
<ID:0/006> cm.bin
<ID:0/006> FAIL!
<ID:0/006>
<ID:0/006> Complete(Write) operation failed.
<OSM> All threads completed. (succeed 0 / failed 1)

and on phone it shows SECURE CHECK FAIL (BOOTLOADER)

Does this answer your question? Explain "Don't Downgrade!" warnings when flashing stock firmware

bro you are a legend i got my phone back
whenever i will become rich in my life i will gift u something thanks a lot


text:
How To Add A Custom Border Which is unable to be touch Android

As an example the phone above contains border really close to the edge which is one the same as my current phone, playing games sometimes causes accidental touch from the side which will block touches, Example: PubgMobile
I'm wondering is there a way to add a custom border (black bar preferably) which blocks touches and fixes screen resolution as the camera blocks the game instead of going around
Extra :
Wondering if theres a way to lock rotation on horizontal on certain position ie not moving up or down

Please check out this question and answers: https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/57267/resize-screen-for-dead-touch-zone


text:
Android 6.0 optimizing app 1 of 1 on smart tv
I have a TV that runs on android 6.0 and it gives me the optimizing app 1 of 1 message each time I start it, I have to factory reset everytime and it only lasts for a month before ir comes back, any way to fix it once and for all.

why factory reset? that is just some app refreshing dalvik-cache

It keeps optimizing for about 30 min everytime i turn on the tv and that's the only way i found to stop it.


text:
Amazon Alexa app prohibits disabling of Amazon sidewalk
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GZ4VSNFMBDHLRJUK
gives instructions on how to disable Amazon sidewalk from within the Alexa app. But on my phone following those instructions does not show the selection.
My phone is a stock Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Lite:
Model name  Galaxy Note10 Lite
Model number  SM-N770F/DS
One UI version
3.1
Android version
11
Google Play system update
May 1, 2021
Baseband version
N770FXXU7EUC6
Kernel version
4.9.191-21082235
#1 Fri Mar 26 21:29:05 +07 2021
Build number
RP1A.200720.012.N770FXXU7EUC6
SE for Android status
Enforcing
SEPF_SM-N770F_11_0008
Fri Mar 26 21:42:21 2021
Knox version
Knox 3.7
Knox API level 33
TIMA 4.1.0
Service provider software version
SAOMC_SM-N770F_OLM_XXV_RR_0007
XXV/XXV,XXV/XXV
See the screenshot below showing that the entry does not exist.
Is this a defect in the Amazon Alexa app, or a defect in my phone?


text:
How can I restore a backup made using Samsung Switch onto an LG phone?
My Samsung Galaxy A51's screen broke; I got the purple screen of death. I was able to backup up the data using Samsung Switch before the screen was completely taken over by the purple ooze. However,  I ended up replacing the A51 with an LG phone and now I don't know how to restore the backup I made using Samsung Switch; I can't use the Samsung Switch app, as that only works for Samsung phones.
About the backup files: There are numerous folders, each containing a backup file for a category of data (e.g., contacts, messages, etc.). I really only need the contacts and the messages. The file extension for the contacts is "spbm" and the file extension for the messages is "smem". After googling these file extensions, it appears that these are proprietary file types that are exclusively used by Smart Switch. Sounds like I will not be able to restore this data without using Smart Switch.
Is it possible to restore my data onto the LG Phone using the backup I made with Samsung Switch?
I would just make another backup using my old phone, but the display is completely gone; I'd be flying blind.

Restore it on an old samsung and then backup using android backup rather than smart switch

I can give you part of the solution, which is that SPBM is just ZIP with the file extension changed. Most likely, SMEM is the same deal. However, once you open the ZIP file (e.g by changing the extension to ZIP), the contacts are stored in a ".BK" format, which Notepad thinks is UTF-16 LE text. I have a suspicion that it's some kind of binary-to-text since Samsung has been known to use similar encodings with contacts.
The hex editor shows the length of the .BK is 16-byte-divisible, which would be typical of a binary.


text:
What is Android OS in context of Chrome OS?
What kind of operating system is Android? I've tried using other file types, but not any of them work: .ios, .img, .exe, .pkg.
My terminal needs a password which is chromeos-setdevpasswd. Yet, when I use it with sudo sh, it times out and resets its own pass.
As I know, I have to take out the data strips screw to stop it from timing out. I don't know if that's why I can't use certain commands because I've already been to root status in crosh.

Please read at least the first sentence on the Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(operating_system) it answers your question what OS Android is. Note that Chrome OS is not Android, it also comes from Google but is totally different from Android.

For a little more context about how Android is run inside of ChromeOS see: What differences are there now adays from Chrome OS and the Android OS?


text:
Disabling Chrome tab groups in Chrome v91
A while back, I asked this question about disabling tab groups in Chrome v85. And that worked.
Now in Chrome version 91 they're back, with a vengeance. Trouble is, the flag that let me solve it last time is gone. The only flag that relates to tab groups is Tab Groups Continuation. And that's still disabled.
Is there a way of disabling them hiding away somewhere, or is this a lost cause?

This link detailed the following procedure, which worked:

Go to chrome://flags

Disable the flags Temporarily expire M89 flags and Temporarily expire M90 flags. This makes the flags in the next point appear.

After relaunching browser, search for the option Tab Groups and disable.
Finally, search for the option Tab Groups UI Improvements and set it to disabled too.

Another two relaunches was necessary, but I once again seem to be group-less.

Didn't work for me :(


text:
Lineage boot on power script
I've installed Lineage on a Samsung tab s2 which I use in the car. I've added the following to get it to auto start when it goes on charge
# /system/etc/init/off_mode_charge.rc
on charger
    setprop sys.powerctl reboot,leaving-off-mode-charging

But does anyone know a way to add a script to the startup routine so if the battery is below say 10% it won't continue starting? I use tasker to power off the tablet when the usb power drops but there have been a couple of times for some reason it doesn't, meaning the battery can drop to 0% and then it goes into a restart loop as the low power supply in the car isn't enough during startup. I can read the power using the capacity file in /sys/class/power_supply/battery/ just not sure how, or if, I can add a script to the startup sequence to use this.
Thanks

Does this answer your question? How to run an executable on boot and keep it running?

Do not call setprop sys.powerctl ... directly from .rc file. Instead use exec or exec_background to run a shell script which first checks battery level or any other conditions. Already mentioned in the last point of my answer from where you copied the off_mode_charge.rc file: https://android.stackexchange.com/a/221384/218526


text:
Is Android 11 "flashable" on Xperia X F5121?
sorry I'm not sure if "flashable" is even a word but my Xperia X
is stuck on Android 8 and I've seen an article speaking about the possibility to upgrade it to Android 11 with TWRP recovery tool.
The tool crashes on my Xperia.
You may say "just get newer phone" which is a sound advice but the thing is my Xperia X is practically new phone. No scratches, no visible wear so getting new phone would be just a waste of money.
Can anyone confirm that it didn't brick your F5121 after flashing Android 11 on it?

Does this answer your question? Where can I find stock or custom ROMs for my Android device?

My question was rather "Have you used TWRP to flush newest ROM on your F5121 without bricking the phone ?"

I've posted on XDA forums 2 days ago with no responses.

there exist no android 11 you can flash therefore your question is pointless. most recent seen so far is android 10

OK, so the article I came across is a spam then.

It is strange though if the ROM is compatible with the model why user isn't prompted in the phone for direct upgrade like it was with previous Android versions.

Those ROMs are unofficial ROMs, not released by Sony and neither by LineageOS (pupular custo ROM project with a relative high trust level). Therefore they can work, but they can also harm your device or even contain malware. On custom ROMs everything is possible. Through the official update function you can only find and install official releases from Sony. BTW: usually you only "flush the toilet", I think you mean "flash" (because the memory is called flash memory).

smartphones are embedded devices each firmware is built unique. you wouldn't expect netgear firmware will work on linksys wifi router

@Robert Thanks for clarifying "flush" and "flash" for me. I sometimes use them interchangeably and it makes some people chuckle.

Well in the XDA thread I can see that the ROM had few F5121 owners stuck on splash screen. So it's not 100% compatible.

I'll close this question as it doesn't have clear-cut answer. There might be Android 11 version out there but it's not official and can potentially brick the phone.


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How to launch Tasker Task from app drawer? Can't move shortcut from home screen into app drawer
I have created a shortcut/widget to link to a Task in Tasker. This shortcut/widget appears on the home screen. I don't like the clutter and would like to move it into the app drawer. How can I do this? I tried dragging it but how can I open the app drawer while dragging? I tried opening the app drawer and holding down in an empty area to see if the option comes up to create a widget, but it doesn't. I am using Nova Launcher.
In other words, how can I launch a Tasker Task from the app drawer?

If your device is rooted, you can possibly assign the shortcut to that task to navigation bar buttons (I do this, with MacroDroid, another automation app) or even volume keys // That aside, it may be easier to choose a launcher (or check if your launcher can) add additional screens and add that widget there. AFAIK, widgets can't be launched from app drawer but then it may be possible IDK

Reading your question again, Nova Launcher allows you to add as many screens as you like

@beeshyams this is true but I'd prefer it go in the app drawer than on another home screen. I thought this would have been easy.

Adding to the app drawer usually needs changing the app's manifest that is done on install-time, not run-time. Adding a home screen shortcut doesn't have this restriction though.

You can use Tasker App factory to turn your task into an app. Then it would be available in app drawer. Otherwise, you have to ask Nova launcher developer to provide feature  to add custom shortcuts in app drawer.


text:
Custom ringtones at the second WhatsApp account?
On my Galaxy A70 (dual SIM card) I installed via Dual Messenger a second WhatsApp account for my private SIM card. Unfortunately the new account contains only the default ringtones. How I can add the custom ringtones to this account?

You can send the ringtone you want as mp3 or ogg file attached to a WhatsApp message from your primary WhatsApp account to your secondary Whatsapp account. In the secondary WhatsApp save it to the folder Ringtones on the internal sd-card section (should be path /sd-card/Ringtones).
Afterwards your system should be able to detect and use the saved ringtone. May be a reboot is required if the ringtone does not directly appear in the ringtone list.

After re-check and tests I have to state the following: The folder "Ringtones" in the internal sd-card section is not necessary for this problem! So I placed the folder "Ringtones" with the customized sounds inside the folder "DualApp", this folder appeared after the release of the second WhatsApp account inside the main root (internal storage). After that a reboot is necessary!


text:
How to make a call from a phone without SIM using a hotspot with SIM?
I would like to use a single SIM by installing a mobile hotspot at home. This mobile hotspot could be a dedicated hotspot device or an older smartphone with hotspot enabled. This hotspot will serve all my devices at home or on the go.
Meanwhile, I would not have a SIM on my main mobile phone (Google Pixel 3A). This means it will not be able to receive or make dial calls.*
Is there a way to enable my main phone to make calls remotely, via Bluetooth or WiFi, using the Hotspot's SIM?
*I was thinking of using my main phone as the hotspot, but it would probably deplete shorten the life of the battery. This is why I would prefer a dedicated hotspot.

Theoretically you could run a software on the hotspot phone that acts as a gateway between GSM and SIP (VoIP protocol). On your second phone you could the use a SIP phone app and connect to this server. Unfortunately I don't know a GSOM-SIP gateway software that rund on Andorid.

Saw some related info on GSM-SIP gateway here: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/4723453/android-as-sip-to-gsm-gateway but it's above my technical understanding. I am hoping that the same system which allows to call from a smartwatch via phone can be used to call from phone A via phone B.


text:
How to make Private DNS unchangeable?
Are there any way to make android private dns settings unchangeable?
I need app locker for android that password-protect private dns activity or class


text:
Alternatives to App blockers?
There are work arounds to using the app blockers from the play store.
For example: If I am quick enough I can access the play store and download apps.
I can also restart my phone and quickly access a blocked app. I can also use split screen mode to access an app as well.
Are there any alternatives instead of using apps that block other apps? Most of these apps require a purchase of a feature, so a free alternative would be appreciated.
Just to clarify I am not looking for app blockers from the play store, I am looking for other ways to block apps.
Thanks in advance.

You should mention what devices/OS versions you are trying to control. As you tagged your question parental-control do check out Google Family Link and see if it fits your needs.


text:
WhatsApp partial restore from Google drive
I cannot restore all chats from a Google drive backup which was manually performed from scratch on the old phone before restoring messages on the new phone
Basically only some chats are restored on the new phone .. What can I try?


text:
How to set which options appear on the text selection toolbar?
I'm referring to the menu that appears when you tap and hold on some text to select it. How do you change which options appear by default and which appear in the extra (. . .) menu?
I have to translate text regularly, and Google Translate used to appear on the text selection menu without tapping into the extra options. As of a week ago, Google Translate has been moved to the extra options menu, and a regular Google search is in its old place, so it's an extra tap for me to translate text. I feel this is a system setting somewhere but cannot find anything about it.
Thanks in advance!

As an end user you cannot do anything about it. As an app developer you can handle android.intent.action.PROCESS_TEXT in one of your app's Activities. That Activity's label will appear in text selection context menu in all installed apps. You can get your own app developed to add any custom options in the menu.

Thank you @IrfanLatif! It's a bit frustrating that end users cannot customize the menu, but please add this as an answer so I can mark it as the answer. Thank you!

Duplicate of How to edit the Android context menu?


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Why does the Google Photo App (not storage of photos) take up 0.92 GB? Samsung S 7
I've 'freed up space' so that the actual photo storage should be entirely empty, yet my phone shows 0.92 gb of storage taken up. As far as I can tell, this has nothing to do with the images on my phone; I've checked in all the other folders and there's nothing that would indicate why this amount of space would be taken up by the app itself.
I've tried googling the problem, but all of the answers point to stories about how Photos stores your photos in the cloud, how that policy is changing, how to 'free up space' by uploading, etc.
I've done all that! And the app is still too huge.
Maybe it's got it's own hidden cache or something that I can clear? (I've already cleared the cache via the app management tools in settings.)

this app has trash bin containing deleted pictures in app data directory

This was it! Thank you! I hope someone else finds this post when they have the same problem!
(I had accidentally created a video from my camera that ate up a bunch of MB, it was sitting in my trash bin but still taking up app storage space.)

User @alecks answered this for me: the 'trash' folder in Google Photos was the culprit of taking up space.
I had one video file in there from my phone accidentally captured 3 minutes of video in my pocket, taking up hundreds of MB. I deleted it (and a bunch of other photos) and now the app is taking up 400+ MB instead of 0.97 GB.
TL;DR - if your Google Photos seems to take up too much space and you've already uploaded all of your photos off your phone, the trash bin may be holding a lot of files or a few big ones. They clear after 60 days, for what that's worth!


text:
How to fix Huawei P30 "Getting Package info Failed Error"?
I am trying to fix my Huawei P30 (Android 10) which gets stuck in recovery mode. I tried to fix it by using eRecovery but I get the error "Get Package info failed".
Around the internet, I was told to flash a new ROM to solve this problem, but there is no tutorial for flashing stock ROMs for Huawei P30 on the internet. My Huawei P30 does not have an SD Card slot meaning I can't use the method of adding update.app to /dload folder on an SD card.
I also cannot use ADB fastboot because the Huawei on Android 10 does not have the image files required (boot.img, recovery.img, etc.) Instead, it has a myriad of images like Super.img, Ramdisk.img, erocovery.img, etc. I don't know which ones to select because I am unable to find a tutorial on the internet that tells me which files to select.
I also cannot use the SP Flash Tool because Android 10 stock ROMs do not have scatter file XML or txt (it has update.app)
I am unable to use SigmaKey as well because of the "SmartCard resource manager not running" error (I'm on Windows 10)
I have exhausted many options with no luck, please help me.

Hold the volume up button and put the charger in. When it turns on, release it, reset it, type yes, scroll up with the volume button, press the on and off button after scrolling down with the volume down button. After that, go to reboot.


text:
Why is OTG not working on Android 11?

I have a Samsung Android 11 device and I can't open the usb via OTG and I think the problem is with the Android 11 update. Is there a solution?

The USB mode shown on your screen shot is not OTG, instead it is client mode like if you are connected to a PC.

I am facing same problem, OTG is not working in Samsung M31 after android 11 update.


text:
Nexus 7 (2013) fastboot connection to PC
I've been trying for a few days to install LineageOS on a Google Nexus 7 (2013 version, or "flo"), using this guide here, but the USB cable connection seems to be very unstable for anything to work properly. It seems like there's a problem in the cable or the USB port, but it is still charging normally (even if the data connection seems frail) and I thought maybe someone has more information.
On Windows, the USB connection to the tablet has always been unstable, with it popping in and out of the devices listed on "device manager". I think I have the proper drivers, since I managed to follow the LineageOS installation up to the repartition step. After I entered the "modify" command on adb shell, it took a long time and a bunch of "file or directory not found" error messages started showing up. I was using Lineage Recovery and, following step 5, a clicked on "Reboot system now". Here's a log:
C:\Temp>fastboot devices
08460011        fastboot

C:\Temp>fastboot boot recovery.img
Sending 'boot.img' (10884 KB)    OKAY [  0.351s]
Booting                                            OKAY [  0.035s]
Finished. Total time: 0.491s

C:\Temp>adb sideload flo-repart.zip
* daemon not running; starting now at tcp:5037
* daemon started successfully
Total xfer: 1.00x

C:\Temp>adb shell
flox:/ # modify
2048+0 records in
2048+0 records out
1048576 bytes (1.0 M) copied, 0.077575 s, 13 M/s
20480+0 records in
20480+0 records out
10485760 bytes (10 M) copied, 0.289826 s, 35 M/s
umount: /mnt/system: Invalid argument
umount: /data: Invalid argument
umount: /sdcard: Invalid argument
GNU Parted 1.8.8.1.179-aef3
Using /dev/block/mmcblk0
Welcome to GNU Parted! Type 'help' to view a list of commands.
                                                      (parted)   rm 22
                                                      (parted)   rm 23
                                                      (parted)   rm 24
                                                      (parted)   rm 25
                                                      (parted)   rm 30
                                                      (parted)   mkpart primary 614429696B 2187293695B
                                                      (parted)   name 22 system
                                                      (parted)   mkpart primary 2187293696B 2263875583B
                                                      (parted)   name 23 cache
                                                      (parted)   mkpart primary 2263875584B 2264924159B
                                                      (parted)   name 24 misc
                                                      (parted)   mkpart primary 2264924160B 2281701375B
                                                      (parted)   name 25 recovery
                                                      (parted)   mkpart primary 2348843008B 2610987007B
                                                      (parted)   name 30 vendor
                                                      (parted)   mkpart primary 2610987008B 15757983231B
                                                      (parted)   name 31 userdata
                                                      (parted)   quit
                                                      Information: You may need to update /etc/fstab.

mke2fs 1.45.4 (23-Sep-2019)
The file /dev/block/mmcblk0p22 does not exist and no size was specified.
mke2fs 1.45.4 (23-Sep-2019)
The file /dev/block/mmcblk0p23 does not exist and no size was specified.
mke2fs 1.45.4 (23-Sep-2019)
The file /dev/block/mmcblk0p30 does not exist and no size was specified.
mke2fs 1.45.4 (23-Sep-2019)
The file /dev/block/mmcblk0p31 does not exist and no size was specified.
2048+0 records in
2048+0 records out
1048576 bytes (1.0 M) copied, 0.163787 s, 6.1 M/s
20480+0 records in
20480+0 records out
10485760 bytes (10 M) copied, 1.376526 s, 7.2 M/s

After rebooting, there is not an operating system in the tablet anymore. All that is possible is to open fastboot mode with VOLUME DOWN + POWER. When USB connected to Windows, it will sound repeatedly as the connection is tried but fails. I tried the next step on the guide, which is to format one of the partitions with "fastboot -w", but it ended in error.
I tried to connect the tablet using fastboot on Ubuntu, but it never did establish a connection. The tablet does not appear with "lsusb", and using "dmesg" I can see the following:
[ 3452.967123] usb usb3-port11: Cannot enable. Maybe the USB cable is bad?
[ 3453.935126] usb usb3-port11: Cannot enable. Maybe the USB cable is bad?
[ 3453.935202] usb usb3-port11: attempt power cycle
[ 3455.219195] usb usb3-port11: Cannot enable. Maybe the USB cable is bad?
[ 3456.187128] usb usb3-port11: Cannot enable. Maybe the USB cable is bad?
[ 3456.187203] usb usb3-port11: unable to enumerate USB device

Nevertheless, the tablet is still charging its battery though the USB connection as if the cable and port were working normally.
I hope someone has any insight on this. I really don't understand much of this process, and I hope there's something I'm not doing right that is fixable.

Making system modifications using an unstable USB connection is a bad idea. First try to fix the USB problem and then start repartitioning and installing the OS.

flash TWRP recovery + 'adb push flo-deb_clamor_repartition.zip /tmp' + install zip from TWRP menu (no usb connection needed)


text:
does "adb install"overwrite or skips when the apk is already installed?
i just want to have more clarity in what adb does by default .
when i run adb install for an apk that is already installed the cmd only shows :
Performing Streamed Install
Success

it does not specify if it is skipping the install or if overwriting.
and is there a verbose option for adb for it to be more clear of what is doing ?

It's never skipped silently. It overwrites if new APK's signature matches with and the version is equal or greater than the preinstalled one. Otherwise it throws error stating clearly the reason, which might be also other than the signature and version e.g. an app component contradicting with some preinstalled app.

when it overwrites does it make it silently or it tells that its being overwritten?

General restrictions
You can only install an APK file that has the same package name as an already installed app if the following two requirements are met.

The installed app and the APK file you want to install must be signed by the same developer key, otherwise you will get the rror INSTALL_FAILED_UPDATE_INCOMPATIBLE Package <packagename> signatures do not match previously installed version; ignoring!
There is a app down-grade protection which means the versionCode (specified in AndroidManifest.xml) of the app to be installed have to be equals or greater than those of the already installed app. Otherwise you will get the error INSTALL_FAILED_VERSION_DOWNGRADE. This can only be bypassed for apps that have the debuggable flag set. Then you can add the adb option -d to bypass this restriction.

The last factor is the Android version. The behavior of adb install seems to be dependent on the Android version.
Android 10+
On Android 10 and 11 I was able to observer that Android does not care if an app is already installed or not.
Therefore as long as the new APK file signed with the same developer key you can simply execute adb install to install an updated app version.
Android 9 and lower
On Android 9 and before however by default the simple adb install command will just fail with the error INSTALL_FAILED_ALREADY_EXISTS if an app with the same package name is already installed. The specified APK file will not be installed in such a case.
Only if you use adb install -r an existing app that has the same package name as the one you want to install can be replaced but there are two restrictions.

i  used adb install only without the " -r" and they didnt failed just said success. the apk i used is the same one. i installed the apps and when runned the install again they all said only success.

@bigubr Installing the same APK again may be a special case. Or the behavior also depends on the Android version.

@bigubr The Android version is really important, since Android 10 you don't need to specify the -r option anymore.


text:
How to flash Huawei P30 firmware via PC?
I need info on how to flash Huawei P30 rom without sd card via PC.
Please help.

What have you tried?

I've tried to use dload method but this phone doesn't take an sd card
I've tried using SigmaKey but that fails on my PC
I've tried fastboot but the images on the unpacked firmware are not the same as on the tutorials I even tried to download a different version but still the images  (boot.img, recovery.img etc ) are missing
I've tried a lot I even posted about it in a different question but got no response


text:
Read input from stdin when using `pm install`
I would like to install an application using pm install but not provide the APK path and rather provide application data using stdin as shown in the documentation below:
install [-rtfdgw] [-i PACKAGE] [--user USER_ID|all|current]
       [-p INHERIT_PACKAGE] [--install-location 0/1/2]
       [--install-reason 0/1/2/3/4] [--originating-uri URI]
       [--referrer URI] [--abi ABI_NAME] [--force-sdk]
       [--preload] [--instant] [--full] [--dont-kill]
       [--enable-rollback]
       [--force-uuid internal|UUID] [--pkg PACKAGE] [-S BYTES]
       [--apex] [--wait TIMEOUT]
       [PATH [SPLIT...]|-]
    Install an application.  Must provide the apk data to install, either as
    file path(s) or '-' to read from stdin.  Options are:
      -R: disallow replacement of existing application
      -t: allow test packages
      -i: specify package name of installer owning the app
      -f: install application on internal flash
      -d: allow version code downgrade (debuggable packages only)
      -p: partial application install (new split on top of existing pkg)
      -g: grant all runtime permissions
      -S: size in bytes of package, required for stdin
      --user: install under the given user.
      --dont-kill: installing a new feature split, don't kill running app
      --restrict-permissions: don't whitelist restricted permissions at install
      --originating-uri: set URI where app was downloaded from
      --referrer: set URI that instigated the install of the app
      --pkg: specify expected package name of app being installed
      --abi: override the default ABI of the platform
      --instant: cause the app to be installed as an ephemeral install app
      --full: cause the app to be installed as a non-ephemeral full app
      --install-location: force the install location:
          0=auto, 1=internal only, 2=prefer external
      --install-reason: indicates why the app is being installed:
          0=unknown, 1=admin policy, 2=device restore,
          3=device setup, 4=user request
      --force-uuid: force install on to disk volume with given UUID
      --apex: install an .apex file, not an .apk
      --wait: when performing staged install, wait TIMEOUT milliseconds
          for pre-reboot verification to complete. If TIMEOUT is not
          specified it will wait for 60000 milliseconds.

However, I did not understand how to exactly provide an option to use stdin. I have tried:

pm install -
pm install '-'
pm install "-"

However, it does not prompt me for input using stdin but instead gives this error:
java.lang.IllegalArgumentException: Unknown option -
        at com.android.server.pm.PackageManagerShellCommand.makeInstallParams(PackageManagerShellCommand.java:2921)
        at com.android.server.pm.PackageManagerShellCommand.runInstall(PackageManagerShellCommand.java:1258)
        at com.android.server.pm.PackageManagerShellCommand.onCommand(PackageManagerShellCommand.java:194)
        at android.os.BasicShellCommandHandler.exec(BasicShellCommandHandler.java:98)
        at android.os.ShellCommand.exec(ShellCommand.java:44)
        at com.android.server.pm.PackageManagerService.onShellCommand(PackageManagerService.java:26636)
        at android.os.Binder.shellCommand(Binder.java:965)
        at android.os.Binder.onTransact(Binder.java:839)
        at android.content.pm.IPackageManager$Stub.onTransact(IPackageManager.java:5206)
        at com.android.server.pm.PackageManagerService.onTransact(PackageManagerService.java:5281)
        at android.os.Binder.execTransactInternal(Binder.java:1195)
        at android.os.Binder.execTransact(Binder.java:1159)

What am I doing wrong?

Have you seen in the help text that you need to specify the size using -S parameter when using stdin?


text:
Is possible to see battery status of a bluetooth audio device if is not used for calls?
I have bluetooth audio receiver which shows its battery level in Bluetooth settings. But when I disable Phone calls for this device, can't see battery level anymore.
It's even possible to see it without using the device for calls?


text:
How can I download a file with the Google Drive program directly to my phone's SD card?
I use Samsung Galaxy S9 with Android 10. How can I download a file with the Google Drive program directly to my phone's SD card? By default files are downloaded to my phone's internal storage.

If Google Drive app doesn't have an option, you can't. Plus, apps can only write to their private directories on external SD cards, even with Storage permission granted: How to save files to external SD card on a non-rooted Android?. Things are getting more difficult with Scoped Storage concept on Android 11+

@IrfanLatif thanks you're welcome to convert your comment into an answer

Access to Google Drive can be added to apps directly (no need to go through the Google Drive app). For example there is an add-on for tasker that allows upload/download tasks with Google Drive.


text:
A515F Global version in Bootloop
Anyone, please help, I charge the phone overnight at normal, wake up in the morning the phone is in bootloop Forever! (It's Samsung A51 Global version, A515F with the 5/18 firmware stock ROM, NO rooting, No custom ROM)
I even try Reiboot's repair function multiple times and it didn't work.
It did re-apply the latest Firmware to the phone for me but still cannot boot to android.
The phone is able to boot to recovery mode only, I cleaned up the dust of the internal also as it has no warranty at all. I am not attempting to fix the phone, I just wanna pull all the files of the internal memory back before I can factory reset it in Recovery mode.
I have the USB debugging activated. Any questions or details please ask, I can replace it with a new phone, but at least I can pull the data out, or better yet, able to boot it to the android system, I tried the safe mode method NOT working.

try to capture logcat (and share via pastebin.com if you are not concerned about privacy)


text:
Why fastboot isn't accepting unlocking code I received from Sony?
I'm following this https://www.getdroidtips.com/android-10-q-sony-xperia-x guide about changing ROM of my phone to Android 10. My Xperia X is stuck on Android 8
and isn't getting any further upgrades. It gets only security patches. But that will end soon too.
I got unlocking code from Sony but I got a pushback from fastboot:
running fastboot -i [received code here]
resulted in error: invalid vendor id '[received code here]'
Edit:
I already toggled on OEM unlocking in the system's settings. After running fastboot flash recovery twrp.img I got:
sending 'recovery' (21824 KB)...
OKAY [  0.697s]
writing 'recovery'...
FAILED (remote: Command not allowed)
finished. total time: 0.699s

which hinted me that I needed the unlocking code from Sony.

How should I proceed ?

I would prefer the official unlocking guide from Sony: https://developer.sony.com/develop/open-devices/get-started/unlock-bootloader/how-to-unlock-bootloader/ According to them you only need to enable OEM unlocking in developer options.

I did follow the official guide. It is how I got the code for unlocking bootloader. fastboot -i [code] isn't in the linked article but I've found thread where another Xperia user used the flag to use the code to unlock the bootloader.

I added a screenshot to my question.

That did it ! Unlocked and flashed. Feel free to post it as an answer.

Funny enough after running adb reboot recovery it doesn't reboot into recovery mode. It just reboots and loads into Android.

Yeah I figured that concealing the unlocking code is super unnecessary. This isn't a security issue. I did it out of habit concealing any authentication codes. :) Even people having my IMEI doesn't really do anything. It's not like you can hack into my phone using the IMEI.


text:
Xiaomi Mi A2 + Lineage OS 11 = no mobile network internet
I have an Xiaomi Mi A2 with Lineage OS 11 installed.
Calls, texts and wifi work fine but switching off wifi or moving out of range of router results in loss of internet, i.e. my mobile network does not kick in.
I have tried reinserting sim and toggling aeroplane mode with no results.
Putting the sim back in my old phone and the internet works fine,
Any ideas?
Thanks
update
I am been revisited the instructions on  https://lineageosroms.com/jasmine_sprout/#installation and tried the below builds:

lineage-17.1-20210327-nightly-jasmine_sprout-signed.zip
lineage-17.1-20210320-nightly-jasmine_sprout-signed.zip
lineage-18.1-20210626-nightly-jasmine_sprout-signed.zip

Still no mobile internet.

Android 11 is LineageOS 18.1 which is only available as unstable nightly such problems can occur. Which exact version (nightly build date) have you installed?

@Robert lineage_jasmine_sprout-userdebug 11 RQ2A.210505.003 f101ae3ac9 -- I think you have identified the problem. I shall install 17.1 and report back.

@Robert I have now tried the remaining builds on https://lineageosroms.com/jasmine_sprout/#installation
lineage-17.1-20210327-nightly-jasmine_sprout-signed.zip
lineage-17.1-20210320-nightly-jasmine_sprout-signed.zip
Still no mobile internet.


text:
Run a batch file in Android
I have WhatsApp installed, and the notifications from one group that I am admin for are driving me mad.
WhatsApp has the facility to "mute" notifications for 8 hours, but I have to do this manually every night. I would like to be able to just let a script do that every night at a set time.
Is that possible?

What about the "Do not disturb" mode of your devices?

This is an XY problem. You want to do X and think that Y ought to be the solution, and hence, you are asking  for Y instead of X. In addition to DND as Robert mentioned, you can install and configure a third-party app to snooze / dismiss all or selective notifications from Whatsapp during A to B hours. AFAIK, MacroDroid can be configured to "selectively"  or in entirety dismiss all notifications of an app during A-B hours.

Also, a script or anything cannot interfere with an app unless the target app is designed to permit it (in this case, not), OR, the app is in foreground and script is using some accessibility service UI hack.

There are dozens of utilities available that will do this for you.  You only have to search for them.

No, it is not possible to run a batch to change things from inside an app. You couldn't do it on Windows, Linux, Apple devices and you will not be able to do that on Android. You could, however, as Robert said, use the "Do not disturb" to silent your phone during the night automatically.

settings - apps - whatsapp - notifications - silent

WhatsApp group messages can be muted for 8 hours or one week or forever, why not just choose one of those?
Or better yet, just look in the app's notification settings in Android... one of the granular options is [all] "Group chats," and what you set there will take precedence anyway.  "Default" with the notification sound set to None; or set to "Silent," with or without notifications appearing on the lock screen; or best yet, just go with Silent + Minimized = any such notifications are shrunk to a single (but expandable) line + display on the lock screen is disabled automatically.
i.e. still no need to open the full app to check for new messages -- just pull the notification shade down when you care to look, but otherwise they'll stay completely (and permanently) silent & out of sight.
HTH

Based on the commenters and my understanding, the question wants to have audible WhatsApp notifications on the day but silent notifications on the night automatically. They don't want to silence them permanently.


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What does it mean when a file is owned by the user “system” and the group “system”? in android file system
I just trying to understand What does it mean when a file is owned by the user “system” and the group “system”? in the android file system.
In the android device file system
root@xyz:/ # ls -l cache/
drwxrwxr-x system   system            1969-12-31 17:00 SH_DIR
drwx------ system   system            2021-06-02 23:26 backup
drwxrwx--- root     root              2021-06-02 23:17 lost+found
drwxrwxrwx root     root              2021-06-08 02:12 test
drwxrwx--- system   cache             2021-06-07 05:40 recovery

For SH_DIR and backup have owned by the user “system” and the group “system”.
Thanks in advance.

It means that the file is owned by UID 1000 and GID 1000 in Discretionary access control. Getting familiar with DAC is usually the first step in the introduction of any Linux/UNIX based system, including MAC and even Windows (though with major differences in nomenclature). This answer of mine includes some details on Android's DAC. And this one a little more.

Very helpful link: Unix File Permissions. Originally commented by Firelord :)


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Xperia X F5121 won't boot past splash screen
I'd appreciated any feedback on the below.
I followed this https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/rom-10-0-aosp-suzu-sonyxperiadev-q-builds.3969967/ thread about upgrading Xperia X F5121 from Android 8 to 10.
After going through the steps my phone is stuck on the splash screen with SONY logo. Won't boot further.
I used TWRP to wipe data, system, Darwik and cache, then flashed custom ROM, then I used fastboot to flash oem binaries, then flashed Gapps and rebooted.
Where did I probably go wrong ?

https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=4015131

I followed the guide and instead of screen with Sony the phone just keeps rebooting now. It's interesting to see how the same guide can work differently for people. Some people are successful and some end up with splash screen.

that depends on base. working device is required, furthermore rom version mismatch may be cause of trouble. try older oem partition (android 9). also check dm-verity

So I've tried like 50 different builds from XDA threads. Each of them resulted either with my phone stuck on splash screen or phone keeps rebooting. TWRP keeps saying "no OS found". The latest I've tried is this https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/rom-unofficial-aosp9r46-pie-aosp10r41-x-x-dualsim-x-compact-2020-11-01-builds.4004959/ which people in the thread are praising.

I've managed to get stock ROM back on the phone. It boots past the splash screen
but the "XPERIA" animation keeps looping forever.

either restore all partitions to stock (including recovery) or disable avb/dm-verity and fix encryption