text:
If I buy the cheapest possible Android smartphone today, how long can I keep it without having to buy a new one?
I'm forced to get a "smartphone", even though I want nothing to do with them, simply to be able to use as a "digital identification" thing and similar things for companies that refuse to provide a website -- only an "app". So I'm trying to find the cheapest possible one.
There appears to be only two "kinds": iPhone (ridiculously expensive beyond words) and Android (less expensive, but infested with Google). Since I don't actually want to use them for their intended purpose, and will only power it on briefly when forced to, I'm going to have to pick an Android one.
The cheapest one I can find where I live is $189. A bit more than I expected. Could've sworn they sold sub-$100 ones not long ago. Either way, what I'm wondering is if they are going to make me keep buying new ones every few years, or if I can just perpetually update that one with new versions of the "Android" OS? Or do new versions eventually require newer phone hardware and refuse to install, leaving me with a rotting brick which eventually stops working?
I have a feeling that these things are made to become obsolete rather quickly. Is that feeling correct?

On Android there is one rule of thumb: The cheaper the device is the less updates you will get. Very cheap Android phones usually do not get updates at all. You can use such phones for years, however with every vulnerability found the risk increases that the device can be hacked.

buy used Xiaomi with Android 9.0 for $ 30-50 (i never paid more than this for any of my family members)

I have an old Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S, its a phone from 2011. It still working, you can use the browser and make calls ets... The play store don't support it because the android version of this phone is 4... so I can't install new apps from the play store, but I still can download them from the internet. This phone is so weak and old that many apps just wont work on his system...
But you can still use your phone even after 10 years

are you sure? https won't work because of outdated ssl certificates. navigation won't work because of outdated google APIs etc

"Planned obsolescence" is synonymous with "Android".  As a general rule, you cannot upgrade the Android OS on a device unless the manufacturer provides you with an update.  And huge companies like Samsung typically do not provide OS updates to customers for very long.
Even Google themselves, which typically provides the longest "promise" (the word of Google always has to be placed inside quotation marks) of OS upgrades for their hardware, but even they max out at under a half-decade (which, itself, is only a tiny fraction of what should be the usable lifespan of the hardware).  And with a Google phone, you become even more entrenched with the Evil Empire.
That ugliness disclosed, the reality is that you can more or less continue to use Android devices well past the time when greedy self-centered manufacturers hope you throw them in the back of an obscure drawer.  They key is finding apps (and app stores) that are compatible with your devices and not worry about the actual OS.  If you can, removing the Google Play store and Google Play services can often dramatically increase the lifespan of an Android device, as well as its battery life.  Yes, security will be an issue, but frankly, I consider all Android devices to lack effective security.
In all likelihood, though, the developers of your corporate "identification thing" will be using the latest version of Android on their development phones, and not pause to consider that most regular people are not interested in spending all the money required to buy that kind of hardware.  As such, you'll probably need to run whatever OS version they demand.
One solution, if you aren't overly concerned about security, is to buy used Android devices.  They are often much less expensive, and someone with your uses will likely not care about scratches or dents.  In most regions, you can pick up a working, yet scratched and dented, Android phone for a low cost (same with iPhones).
That said, I think the best choice for you would be a used and beat-up iPhone that supports the software required by your company.  Apple is well known for upgrading older devices to their latest OS, so an old iPhone may work.  The downside to this is that Apple is also well known for intentionally degrading performance on such devices so the battery will last longer with all their new bloatware built into the OS.  But for your uses, that shouldn't matter.
I learned about all this the hard way.  Early during the ongoing pandemic, I wanted to see a doctor online.  The doctor I found only performed video visits using software (written by her wealthy family) that supported the very latest Android devices or a recent iPhone.  I had neither, and she simply didn't care that she was excluding all patients who could not afford such luxuries.

We've had a Q&A recently about why app developers don't support old Android versions. I think it ought to be mentioned here so that non-Android-developer folks don't end up thinking that all app developers are corporate drones  and serves their employer's interests only, and hence, don't support legacy Android versions. https://android.stackexchange.com/q/234334/96277

Another point is that, if you are going to question an OS' security architecture, do consider linking to an alternative (idea/implementation) you think Google should adopt. Because otherwise, one cannot distinguish genuine dissent from rant. For example, when you say "Android device lack effective security", how do you expect a reader to know what counts as "effective security" for you? If they can't compare, they are left to believe in your words. What is worst is the objection from folks to such mentions of security risks diluting the efficacy of the overall message you are presenting.

@Firelord Thanks. All good points! I spent more time writing that answer than I planned, so I only have a moment right now to respond. To your first comment, yes, like any diverse group, Android developers span a wide range of different attributes, and many are hired to perform jobs with which they don't entirely agree (although they could refuse such jobs). Regarding OS security architecture, Android allows all apps to access the internet without asking the user's consent.  That alone makes the OS a security nightmare. If the user can't control data ingress/egress, security does not exist.

the problem is with question, not with answer. it's opinion-based. if you compare iphone with android, android is clearly not synonymous with planned obsolescence (consider removable battery, modular hardware design like fairphone, unlockable bootloader, open source custom ROM community, microG, f-droid, etc)

@alecxs I think all the wonderful things you mentioned (and they are wonderful!) are the "exceptions that prove the rule". I don't know the exact figures (likely no one does), but I think it's safe to say that well over 90% of device owners do not know about all the great things you mentioned, with the exception of removable batteries. And even regarding removable batteries, many (most?) Android devices do not have those (although certainly more Android phones have removable batteries when compared to iPhones, as AFAIK no iPhones have removable batteries)  [continued...]

[...continued]  I think both Android devices and iPhones are designed planned obsolescence.  The exceptions are the amazing Android projects, such as Fairphone.  I'm not aware of any similar projects for the iPhone, likely because it's much more of a closed system, which is perhaps iPhone's largest detraction.


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Unable to switch hw keyboard language
Do I have to buy HW keyboard located to my native language in order to be able to write in my native languag ?
So far, everytime I connect HW keyboard which has natively only EN characters, I am not able to write interpunctions and any special characters of my native language, despite Android shows that my native language is choosen.
I've used stock (LG keyboard), gboard, swiftkey
nothing helped, once HW keyboard is connected, only English and characters which are on the keyboard physically marked, I can use.
Thank you

An USB keyboard is language independent (except for it's key printings), it simply sends keycodes of pressed keys. What character is assigned to each key only the OS knows which processes the keycodes.

So, it simply doesn't work. Shame

source: Stack Exchange

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

sort: votes


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Can't factory reset my Galaxy S20
I'm trying to factory reset a Galaxy S20 because I've forgotten to add MDM in the intial setup and as far as I know you can't add this later.
To do the factory reset I've done Settings > General Management > Reset > Factory data reset. Then tap Reset and Delete all. But it then asks me to confirm my Samsung Account which it somehow can't do, because I always get a loading icon which fails after some time. Then it asks me for the password of my Samsung Account and again goes into a loading icon which also just stops after some time. I don't get any error message.
There's also the option to send a confirmation e-mail, but this also leads to the loading screen but after some time I get a little pop-up telling me there is a network error. The screen here stays white and I need to use the back button to go the confirmation screen of my Samsung Account.
I do have internet access on my phone, because I can open websites with Chrome. I'm using my home Wlan Network to connect to the internet.
I didn't find any solution to this problem with Google, just the normal documentation from Samsung of how to factory reset a phone, which doesn't work for me.

Have you removed all accounts shown in Settings -> Accounts (or wherever the accounts are listed on Samsung devices)?

No I didn't, I didn't know you need to do this before a factory reset. But it looks like I can't remove my Samsung Account?

You don't have to, but without any accounts left there should be no query for Samsung account data.

I've removed my other accounts, but I don't see how I can remove my Samsung account and it still asks me for it in the factory reset.

Your Samsung account should be present in the accounts list: https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS00062033/

Yes thanks it was a little more hidden with the Samsung account than with the others. Here I have the same problem with accessing the Samsung account site.

The solution to my problem was that somehow my phone couldn't access the Samsung Account site over my home network. I've switched to a hotspot of my other phone, and now everything is working as it should. I was lead to this solution because I've seen other people having problems with accessing the Samsung Account site. Perhaps some providers have problems with this.

If you'd like to factory reset your Samsung device, you must hold the Home, Power, and Volume Up button. It will then take you to the Samsung recovery mode. When there, use the volume keys to control the options and the home buttons to press. There should be an option called factory reset, press that and wait for it to delete all data from your phone. Then, click restart the phone. The phone should boot up normally and the setup will begin. I hope this solved your problem.
Regards.

after factory reset that still requires password of Samsung Account on initial setup - which for some reason did not confirm because of network issues. this answer is partially helpful, but will not solve the problem

There is a sort of recovery mode called EDL, the new ODIN mode.
As you are using a samsung phone, download galaxy S20 firmware (you need to type somewhere the phone e.g. SM-G530FZ Galaxy Grand Prime phone code), and downlaod Odin.
Shut Down completely your phone.
Press volume down button until connect your phone to pc, and the phone should be recognized  by ODIN.
Else if it's not, Download some EDL Utility.

EDL mode is for qualcomm chipset only, this phone is Exynos chipset. EDL mode always existed on qualcomm devices, not to mix up with Odin/Download mode (which is a different mode). EDL mode requires device specific OEM signed factory loader (firehose programmer) which is not available for consumer

Ok, sorry becasue i don't know what CPU has every phone,

Anyways, thanks.

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


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Web video from archive.org does not play
I have an Android 9 box with Chrome and Firefox installed. Usually if video does not play in one browser, it does play in another, YouTube works in both. However, videos from archive.org do not play, one can select an episode, but when one clicks on white triangle to play nothing happens. I can play on laptop, there if I Ctrl+click on the video, it says JW Player 8.8.2. I am new to Android; how do I fix/troubleshoot?
Example link: https://archive.org/details/poirot-series/01.06+Triangle+At+Rhodes.mkv

I have downloaded this video from archive.org with Chrome. Chrome downloads files to some hidden folder, but when download is complete, it appears in Files and in Chrome downloads. It does not play in Chrome when downloaded. It can be opened in 4 video players from Files: TVMC Player (version of Kodi) cannot see the file, VLC can play, Movie player and Video player (I guess these are built in Files or system, as they have no icons in launcher) one can and one cannot show video.


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How to root access a motorola one fusion plus
I don't have a pc and I want to root my motorola one fusion+ I've tried kingroot farmaroot

Your device is from 2020, those old rooting tools only work with ancient Android versions. May be you should just stick to the official way: https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/standalone/bootloader/unlock-your-device-a Note that doing so usually will void warranty. But a PC is needed, without you won't succeed.

Relevant: Why are the rooting apps not working anymore?


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What is the best dual boot Android OS for getting easy root and unroot access?
I have installed Android x86 on my Windows 10 HP Laptop. It was "Android-x86_64-9.0-r2.iso".
I ran it on my PC and it opened rooted.
I installed an app I required. The app has got lots of videos that are supported for playing only on an unrooted device.So, I couldn't play the app's videos.
What I did:

I enabled developer's options and disabled root access in it. I still couldn't play the videos.

Enable Developper Mode. On the developer's options, enable full root access. Run the terminal emulator. Use the followings commands :

su

rm /system/bin/su

rm /system/xbin/su

After typing these commands as: These files are read only files type of message. The last command resulted in a question y/N and after writing 'y', I still got the former message.
None of these methods worked. I need an OS that gives me both root access and unroot access as and when I require. This is quite easy in Android emulators as they have a single option on setting which can enable or disable root access. But my app is not supported on emulators. Hence, the need for OS.
PS: I don't know if this is the correct site for my question. I couldn't find very appropriate tags. Please suggest the correct website.Thank you.
PS: I am asking regarding whether other OS might be suitable for what I need. Like PrimeOS, BlissOS, RemixOS, etc.

First you have to be aware that what device is considered "rooted" by an app depends on the app. Some apps may consider a device rooted, other not and the other way around.
Second the term "rooted" is often used in a very generalized way, in the meaning of "the system is not genuine" or "the system seems to be manipulated". If the device offers a su binary to get root access or not is usually just one of multiple factors an app will check.
Furthermore emulators and custom "ROMs" like Androidx86 are usually always detected as "rooted" devices, because they are not official Google Android devices. Only physical Android devices, certified by Google can pass the "Google's SafetyNet" check which is commonly the first test performed by an app for a rooted device.
Therefore depending on what checks the app performs you might not succeed no matter what modifications you do to Androidx86. The app may always detect the system as "rooted" (not genuine).
The only real way to bypass this root check is usually to reverse engineer the app, check what "root" check it performs and modify the app using apktool or Frida so that the root check returns the desired result (only works if there is not a back-end involved that checks e.g. the Google SafetyNet check result).

I don't know what root checks the app performs nor I do know how do I go about knowing that. Any suggestions ? Similarly, I don't get what modifications I would have to do using Frida and apktool. Please elaborate.

This all depends on the app, each app is different and thus require different measures to bypass the check. There is no general answer how to do it.

Is there any other Android OS that may be made Rooted and Unrooted as per convenience ?

Please re-read the section that mentions Google's SafetyNet. Only on real physical Google certified devices you can be sure that an app considers it as not rooted. There is no official Android for x86 PCs available. All those systems are unofficial and thus can be considered non-genuine. If an app considered such a system as non-rooted depends on what the app checks.

I am asking about PrimeOS, BlissOS, PhoenixOS, RemixOS, etc ? these options not of Androidx86. Google is not owning the rest of them, is it?


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Enabling/disabling Ethernet interface via shell without root?
I am trying to create a shell script for enabling/disabling Ethernet interface on my unrooted Android 8.0 Set-Top Box. The box is connected both via Ethernet and Wifi - Ethernet has only IPTV vlan access, and Wifi has Internet access. My problem is that when Ethernet cable is connected, all traffic is routed through that interface, which means no Internet access for other apps (only IPTV access). That is why I am trying to automate Ethernet interface enable/disable when starting specific apps.
However, I cannot find a way to do this programmatically or via shell - all methods I tried require root access. Also, I know that a better way to enable both IPTV and Internet access would be by setting custom routing tables, but that also requires root access...
I have tried the following:
ifconfig eth0 down (requires root)
settings put secure ethernet_on 0 (requires reboot, which is a huge hassle)

Is there any other method to disable Ethernet interface which does not require root access? I can do it via Settings GUI, so I assume there must be a way to do it via terminal as well. Thanks.

Tried looking into that as well, to broadcast an intent, but could not find if there is a specific intent string for Ethernet enable/disable. Chipset is HiSilicon Hi3798M V200, ARM Cortex-A53.

there is some rooting guide for android 7 claiming that recovery is not signature enforcing. rename magisk.apk to update.zip and try to install from recovery, maybe you are lucky


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Issues in Dual booting Android x86 with Windows 10 on an HP Laptop
I have installed "android-x86_64-9.0-r2.iso" using USB Bootable Drive method. I am facing two big problems here.

After completion of Installation I get two options - Run android or Reboot. I clicked on reboot. My computer booted to Windows 10. The grub menu asking for which OS to boot does NOT appear. I have got UEFI Boot mode with Secure Boot off. My laptop does not support Legacy boot. What can I do about this?

When I clicked on Run android after installation or when I run Android Live from the bootable USB Drive only, I don't get a cursor on the screen. My touchpad does not work. My keyboard works. Connecting an external mouse works. I have tried dual booting on my previous Dell Laptop and the touchpad used to work there. Why doesn't it work with my HP PC ?

I have searched the internet and lots of other forums regarding this and did not get any conclusive results or workable solutions. Any help would be appreciated.

Android-x86 is a giant hack. It is not ready for productive work. Google doesn't build a x86_64 version  at all. Android-x86 should not be installed directly on any PC for productive work. Try it, test it, report bugs, repeat. Live boot and installed Android-x86 varies vastly in performance. I have seen live boot booting up fine, but installed version failing to boot because of some video driver issue! If a problem comes up with your hardware, than you and us are in the same boat. You've got to fix it yourself or seek help from a community revolving around Android-x86.

If your PC is going straight to Windows boot on every start/restart, than your boot device / bootloader priority needs to be changed. Check your UEFI settings for such and report its snapshot/pic in your question. Also see https://www.google.com/search?gl=us&hl=en&pws=0&filter=0&q=uefi+boots+straight+into+windows&gl=us&hl=en&pws=0

@Firelord What should I be changing my UEFI settings to ? Also so it might be that the issue is with Android x86 being not compatible. But I have tried other- Linux, BlissOS - Neither of them showed the boot menu. I have scowered the net for some solutions. But its either I don't exactly understand them or they don't work when I do.


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ADB Reboot Failed: -1 When using "adb reboot bootloader". (Infocus M530)
I have an Old Infocus M530 (Mediatek 6595) running on Android 4.4.2 (KK) (Which i believe is made by Foxconn), I've been trying to make some Custom Recoveries for this device for quite some time and i always end up leaving it because of this problem that I've been having for about a year now. This device just doesn't reboot into bootloader/fastboot.
I tried "adb reboot bootloader" and adb gives "reboot failed: -1", tried "adb reboot fastboot" then the device just reboots normally back to system.
Also this device uses a program called "SUTL" to flash it's stock firmware which i have used numerous times since I've bricked it by removing several apps via root. (I gained root via Kingoroot). The firmware image(archive) also can't be extracted via 7Zip or similiar programs because it probably have some modified or custom header.
Tho this device works fine i can't seem to get the bootloader unlocked on it. I can't even pull images of partitions via adb shell it gives me "Permission denied" error.
So all i wanted to know at the moment is how can i unlock it's bootloader so i can pull some system images. Thanks.

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


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Swap back & recent button
I am using Moto-g30 running Android 11 (Pure-stock ROM with moto bloat). By default it's using three button navigation bar with the following layout
back; home; recent
I'm trying to swap the recent & back button for easy right handed accessibility. So far I've tried these possible solutions to change the order.

Look inside system settings to change the order. - No Success
Use adb command settings put secure sysui_nav_bar "space,recent;home;back,space" - No Success

Any other alternative to achieve this without root permissions ?


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"Verify it's you" pop-up when I try to make a purchase through Google Play
Whenever I want to make an in-app purchase, a prompt with the header "Verify it's you" with a text box and a submit button appears, but it doesn't say what i need to introduce in the text box. I tried my password, security codes etc, but it doesn't work. I couldn't take a screenshot due to security. Has anyone encountered this issue?

Possible duplicate of this unanswered question. What is your device model and if you're okay with sharing it, the mobile carrier, the country where you live, and if you have some payments linked to the Google account? Most of us haven't experienced this, so it's hard for us to answer.

Typically a "Verify it's you" dialog from Google looks like shown in this question: https://security.stackexchange.com/questions/184927

May be this dialog is created by the Sim-toolkit (would be an explanation why the dialog is so simple)? This would make sense if GooglePlay Store is trying to charge the payment via your mobile network carrier.

this usually happens when your google account is used on other devices

@Andrew T. yes that one but I don't have the "Resend code" button. I have a Samsung Galaxy S20+ serial number:R58N93LAYYL carrier Vodafone country Romania

Also transactions worked like a month ago.

Appreciate the clarification. By "payments linked to the Google account", it was supposed to be "payment methods", not "transactions" (sorry, my bad). From Google Play's Payment methods, is there anything related to your mobile carrier, or probably something else other than cards? Just like Robert, I also have a suspicion that this may be related to "direct carrier billing". If that's the case, perhaps you can try contacting customer service about this? Otherwise, what is your current payment method?

Nope other than my credit card I don't have another payment method


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Dismiss ANR dialog on rooted device
I have a device that is rooted that is just used to display information on the screen without user interaction, screen is just a regular screen not a touch screen.
Since my device is rooted is there a way to dismiss this dialog through an adb command or something?
ANR dialogs are coming from some external app on the device I have no control over so I cant just "fix" the issue to make the ANR go away hence why I am wondering if there is a way to just dismiss it myself

can be solved with automate apps likes macrodroid


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Making LineageOS even more lightweight

How can I minimize the power footprint of my LOS?

My device is rooted and I have Termux. There I can run
$ su
# htop

and see that the device is running 83 processes (!).
These are the processes ordered by RAM-consumption:
  1  [||||                                                    5.6%]   Tasks: 83; 1 running
  2  [|||||||||                                              13.6%]   Load average: 2.92 2.41 2.25
  3  [|||||                                                   7.1%]   Uptime: 08:41:45
  4  [||                                                      1.2%]
  Mem[||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||473M/1.23G]
  Swp[                                                    0K/1024M]

VIRT   RES   SHR S CPU% MEM%   TIME+  Command
349M  213M  182M S  6.1 17.0 10:40.71 system_server
942M   98M 64496 S  0.0  7.8  2:07.61 com.android.systemui
898M 73096 53764 S  0.0  5.7  0:12.71 com.android.launcher3
869M 70724 48804 S  7.9  5.5  0:28.07 com.termux
001M 69448 59892 S  0.0  5.4  0:04.49 zygote
850M 66664 49636 S  0.0  5.2  0:06.64 com.android.inputmethod.latin
858M 58840 45960 S  0.0  4.6  0:04.01 com.android.phone
841M 58288 43200 S  0.0  4.5  0:02.12 com.topjohnwu.magisk
824M 53216 41948 S  0.0  4.1  0:02.28 com.joshsera
828M 51044 38292 S  0.0  4.0  0:29.72 android.process.media
833M 49820 37400 S  0.6  3.9  4:57.86 com.android.nfc
827M 45232 35236 S  0.0  3.5  0:00.38 com.android.deskclock
824M 42824 33144 S  0.0  3.3  0:00.29 com.android.calendar
827M 42032 32384 S  0.0  3.3  0:00.30 org.lineageos.lineageparts
824M 41924 32244 S  0.0  3.3  0:00.25 com.android.traceur
820M 41364 31636 S  0.0  3.2  0:00.40 com.android.settings.intelligence
824M 40452 30620 S  0.0  3.1  0:00.24 org.lineageos.audiofx
822M 39488 29944 S  0.0  3.1  0:00.26 org.lineageos.lockclock
818M 38960 29456 S  0.0  3.0  0:00.21 com.android.keychain
820M 38836 29092 S  0.0  3.0  0:00.21 com.android.se
817M 38252 28512 S  0.0  3.0  0:00.19 com.validity.fingerprint
005M 29012 19480 S  0.0  2.3  0:00.14 webview_zygote
9248 12664  9816 S  0.0  1.0  0:00.97 /system/bin/gpsd -c /system/etc/gps.xml
9304 12476  8460 S  3.6  1.0  2:08.56 /system/bin/surfaceflinger
1136 12120  9208 S  0.0  0.9  0:01.16 /system/bin/audioserver
6084 10360  8172 S  0.0  0.8  0:00.78 /system/bin/mediaserver
1004  9964  5780 S  0.0  0.8  0:00.70 /vendor/bin/hw/rild
4364  8812  5732 S  0.0  0.7  0:01.09 media.codec hw/android.hardware.media.omx@1.0-service
8556  8444  6200 S  0.0  0.7  0:00.50 media.extractor aextractor
0856  6708  4884 S  0.0  0.5  0:00.37 /vendor/bin/hw/android.hardware.camera.provider@2.4-service.kminilte
8504  6040  4656 S  0.0  0.5  0:00.27 /system/bin/drmserver
8300  6004  4656 S  0.0  0.5  0:00.26 media.metrics diametrics
6864  4288  1340 S  0.0  0.3  0:36.68 /system/bin/logd
2432  4028  3180 S  0.0  0.3  0:00.15 /system/bin/keystore /data/misc/keystore
1644  4016  3244 S  0.0  0.3  0:00.10 /vendor/bin/hw/android.hardware.drm@1.0-service
5596  3920  2680 S  0.0  0.3  0:00.44 /system/bin/vold --blkid_context=u:r:blkid:s0 --blkid_untrusted_context=u:r:blkid_untrusted:s0 --fsck_c
6320  3476  2628 S  0.0  0.3  0:00.59 /system/bin/netd
8008  3456  2740 S  0.0  0.3  0:01.03 /system/bin/vcsFPService
9616  3444  2792 S  0.0  0.3  0:01.14 /vendor/bin/hw/hostapd
2012  3400  2616 S  0.0  0.3  0:00.64 /system/bin/statsd
9484  3356  2588 S  0.0  0.3  0:00.65 /system/bin/hwservicemanager
9568  3324  2684 S  0.0  0.3  0:00.64 /vendor/bin/hw/android.hardware.wifi@1.0-service
6512  3312  2604 S  0.0  0.3  0:00.44 /system/bin/gatekeeperd /data/misc/gatekeeper
1808  3236  2620 S  0.0  0.3  0:00.08 /vendor/bin/hw/android.hardware.gnss@1.0-service
5320  3132  2068 S  0.0  0.2  0:01.60 /system/bin/installd
2796  3112  2240 S  0.0  0.2  0:15.73 /system/bin/storaged
0096  3048  2364 S  0.0  0.2  0:00.08 /system/bin/mediadrmserver
8368  3028  2392 S  0.0  0.2  0:00.07 /vendor/bin/hw/android.hardware.keymaster@3.0-service
9284  2964  2296 S  0.0  0.2  0:00.07 /system/bin/wificond
1672  2856  2116 S  0.0  0.2  0:00.07 magiskd
7572  2572  2024 S  0.0  0.2  0:00.06 /vendor/bin/hw/android.hardware.cas@1.0-service
0020  2568  1988 S  0.0  0.2  0:00.06 /system/bin/incidentd
8308  2472  1936 S  0.0  0.2  0:00.06 /system/bin/thermalserviced
7204  2412  1896 S  0.0  0.2  0:00.05 /vendor/bin/hw/vendor.lineage.touch@1.0-service.samsung
6848  2408  1716 S  0.0  0.2  0:00.09 /data/data/com.termux/files/usr/bin/bash -l
5856  2404  1200 S  0.0  0.2  0:03.80 /system/bin/dnsmasq --keep-in-foreground --no-resolv --no-poll --dhcp-authoritative --dhcp-option-force
7012  2376  1900 S  0.0  0.2  0:06.52 /system/bin/healthd
7228  2372  1864 S  0.0  0.2  0:00.05 /vendor/bin/hw/vendor.lineage.trust@1.0-service
7628  2312  1780 S  0.0  0.2  0:00.28 /vendor/bin/hw/android.hardware.graphics.allocator@2.0-service
5780  2284  1332 R 10.3  0.2  1:13.78 htop
3028  2252  1324 S  0.0  0.2  0:02.97 /init
6880  2216  1720 S  0.0  0.2  0:00.04 /vendor/bin/hw/android.hardware.memtrack@1.0-service
6876  2212  1716 S  0.0  0.2  0:00.04 /vendor/bin/hw/android.hardware.ir@1.0-service
7568  2156  1648 S  0.0  0.2  0:00.06 /vendor/bin/hw/android.hardware.configstore@1.1-service
9340  2136  1608 S  0.0  0.2  0:00.04 /system/bin/perfprofd --binder
8128  2064  1592 S  0.0  0.2  0:17.77 /vendor/bin/hw/android.hardware.biometrics.fingerprint@2.0-service
5916  2048  1192 S  0.0  0.2  0:00.12 /system/bin/ip6tables-restore --noflush -w -v
6744  2040  1584 S  0.0  0.2  0:00.04 /vendor/bin/hw/android.hardware.usb@1.0-service.basic
6688  2012  1572 S  0.0  0.2  0:00.11 /system/bin/hw/android.hidl.allocator@1.0-service
6416  1956  1404 S  0.0  0.2  0:01.37 /system/bin/servicemanager
5908  1912  1180 S  0.0  0.1  0:00.13 /system/bin/iptables-restore --noflush -w -v
1160  1720  1204 S  0.0  0.1  0:00.29 /system/bin/mcDriverDaemon -r /system/app/FFFFFFFF000000000000000000000001.drbin -r /system/app/mcRegis
5904  1692  1264 S  0.0  0.1  0:00.02 /vendor/bin/vndservicemanager /dev/vndbinder
4516  1580  1160 S  0.0  0.1  0:00.03 /system/bin/sh
4992  1544  1148 S  0.0  0.1  0:00.74 /system/bin/logcat -s Magisk
6348  1528  1160 S  0.0  0.1  0:00.41 /sbin/cbd -d -t ss222 -b m -m m
4884  1460  1120 S  0.0  0.1  0:00.10 /system/bin/lmkd
6668  1424  1072 S  0.6  0.1  0:02.13 /sbin/su
4680  1420  1076 S  0.0  0.1  0:00.03 /system/bin/tombstoned
4568  1164   760 S  0.0  0.1  0:01.13 /sbin/ueventd
3544   960   532 S  0.0  0.1  0:00.01 /init subcontext u:r:vendor_init:s0 9
3416   952   532 S  0.0  0.1  0:00.00 /init subcontext u:r:vendor_init:s0 10
6936   436   316 S  0.0  0.0  0:00.04 /system/bin/adbd --root_seclabel=u:r:su:s0

I am using an old Galaxy S5 mini with LOS-GAPPS-free as a wireless touchpad. :)
It is nice, but I'd like the battery to last more than a day. (In flight-mode, with the screen off, and its used battery, the s5-mini achieves more than a week of battery life!! remember this is w/o GAPPs!)
How cool would it be to have an old device be your PC's touchpad and last over a week?!!
It all boils down to the processes that are active.
I certainly don't need 83 for a touchpad!

I have used Link2SD to deinstall and deactivate software and features in devices before to save machine-resources. It gives the option to Freeze as well, but many times, I have an annoying message that appears every 3 seconds about an app crashing. Like telephony. My smatphone-touchpad doesn't need telephony or gps services running. I would happily turn them off if the OS would stop annoying me about it being off and rebooting to recovery by itself!

I have come across this xda-post
https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/rom-unofficial-11-r-lineageos-18-1-for-z5c-suzuran.4205135/#post-84135891
and it seems to lead to the right direction.

Does anyone here has experience with something like this? Which apps are the ones I can disable?

In standby the phone goes to proper sleep mode; when awake it doesn't and additionally boosts CPU on touch for responsiveness - these are kernel-level stuff that 1) can't be easily modified and 2) are for your own good (you don't want your touchpad to lag in use do you?)

true. still, those 83 processes can surely be reduces to (may be) 40, or even further.

for example the following could be (just guessing) removed: phone, nfc, calendar, traceur, audiofx, intelligence, keychain, fingerprint. without those I'd stay below 1G of used RAM.


text:
can only access SD card; cant access the internal storage on pc
i need to delete 3 gigs of "pictures" from my internal storage,it says there is 3 gigs of photos in there but they dont show up in the google file manager and when i connect to pc it only shows the SD card and not the internal storage.

you should not delete files via MTP this is weak protocol

On Android for historical reasons a certain part of the internal storage is often calls arcade section. Are you sure you are really see the sd-card and not that part of the internal storage?

i recommend to delete pictures on the phone itself instead https://android.stackexchange.com/q/232775

i cant delete the pictures on the phone because they dont show up in the google file manager...

Try going to the settings and then storage and then files to explore if there are any pictures that you can delete.

the pictures folder is empty in google file manager but it takes up 2.9gb


text:
How options do I have for data recovery for my Samsunge Note 4?
The screen on my Samsung Note 4 cracked. Unfortunately, I did not back up the data in internal memory before that happened. Although the phone works, I have no way to access my data since I don't have a screen.
I am trying to determine what the best path forward is for recovering my data. These are the options I have identified as of the the moment.

I have an extra note 4 lying around and thought it might be possible to try and switch the screens, but I am not sure if that is easily doable.
Have a professional recover the data for me.

If anyone knows of other options then please let me know. For example, if there is a way to access the contents of the phone without a screen that would be really helpful.
Which is the best path forward? Should I just bite the bullet and pay for recovery services?

https://android.stackexchange.com/q/159551 you have a second device - perfect for doing things "blind"

even more lucky your devices support MHL 3 TV-out, just need MHL compatible TV or MHL to HDMI adapter and connect monitor + mouse + keyboard with OTG hub


text:
How to "allow USB debugging" without being able to click OK on dialog?
I have a Galaxy S8 Edge with a broken touchscreen, and I'm trying to recover files by remote controlling it. I can see only the top half of the screen and there is touch sensitivity in only the bottom 5% or so (I can barely tap the home button). All of the options I've found require USB debugging to be enabled, which I managed to do with a mouse and some lucky clicking. I am looking at Vysor, but I can't get to that point yet so it's most likely irrelevant for this question.
I'm stuck on the "Allow USB debugging" dialog that shows up when I plug it into the computer, because I cannot have both the mouse and the data cable plugged in to the phone at the same time, and therefore cannot click OK to allow the computer access.
The OTG cable (more like an adapter, not sure if it is technically called an OTG cable since I found it in a random old box) allows both USB-C and USB-A at once, but it seems that if the data cable is connected through this, only charging is allowed.
I tried using a clicker app to click in the area where the dialog shows up after a 30 second delay, but the app apparently can't go over the dialog screens.
Is there any other way I can do this, either a different cable, a different clicker app, or a different method altogether? It seems like I'm almost there but experiencing a stupid roadblock where there shouldn't be one.
I have not tried anything with command line because I'm not familiar, but if anyone can offer more specific instructions with that, I am happy to try.
Not sure if the whole cable thing was clear, so my options are either:
Phone << USBC---USBC >> Laptop

Where I cannot use the touch screen
or
Phone << USBC---USBA << Mouse
             ---USBC << USBC---USBC >> Laptop

Where the USBC-USBC wire only allows charging

You should edit your post to include the device make/model. Also do you have a Bluetooth keyboard/mouse/gamepad to test/click approval.

your device supports DisplayPort over HDMI Adapter, but that isn't of any use for adb. bluetooth is your way to go

I don't think I have a bluetooth mouse, but thanks. I'll look around for one and for a DisplayPort cable as well. If that works doesn't that mean I don't need the Vysor/remote control at all?


text:
Restrict app's background battery usage using terminal (root granted)

Is it possible to change this setting using termux?

Run: appops set <package> RUN_ANY_IN_BACKGROUND ignore; appops set <package> RUN_IN_BACKGROUND ignore. See Disable autostart on boot and restrict background execution. For more detailed and fine-grained control of AppOps you may check my open source app PMX.

I initially asked this question to figure out a bug-fix for an open-source app but it turns out it's in AOSP (see here if you're interested to learn it, https://github.com/MuntashirAkon/AppManager/issues/388)
Now, for Users who want to apply this setting to a batch of apps the best and easy method would be to use this app, https://github.com/MuntashirAkon/AppManager
From AM's prevent background operation option available in the batch operations.
There are should be many alternative apps such as https://github.com/mirfatif/PermissionManagerX
and App Ops which you can try and see what it offers.
This answer didn't cover how you can do it using CLI but you can check the comment by Irfan Latif if that's any help.


text:
Uninstall system apps on rooted android 10
I've been trying to remove the chrome, youtube and playstore applications from my android device, however, I've run into some issues. I've tried rooting my device, but the systems folder is hard-coded as read-only on android 10, so I've not been able to permanently change build.prop or directly uninstall any of these apps. My current workaround has been to remove these apps from my user profile and disable the multiuser feature using the ADB tool. However, when I restart my device, the feature reenables itself. Does anyone know of a better way to approach this problem?
Edit: I've rooted my phone using magisk. Apps like titanium backup have not been able to uninstall these apps.
This is the code that I've used to disable the multisuser feature:
setprop fw.show_multiuserui 0
setprop fw.max_users 1

It is the other way around: you have to first root your device and then you are able to remount system partition writeable. Be aware that deleting something from system partition is an easy way to brick your device if you are deleting the wrong file. Why do you want to delete/disable only those apps? E.g. regarding to Google the PlayServices system app does way more than PlayStore.

Ah okay, so I'll have to mount the system partition. I'll do some research on how to do that. As for the reason, I'm trying to create a distraction free phone for myself, which might be a bit odd, but I find it really nice to not have that constant pull.

An alternative would be to strengthen your mind to say no to those digital temptations. Also if you don't have a Google account logged in PlayStore app won't work but still install the necessary app updates.

Flashing a custom ROM might be an alternative since custom ROMs cannot have Google apps packaged together in the first place.

Find and edit your fstab, look for system partition entry, change/add mount option rw. Also, 'mount -o rw remount ' You might need to invoke through busybox/toybox.

(1) easy method, (2) permanent solution


text:
Pen with palm rejection support
My pen(or my tablet(?)) doesn't support palm rejection. What can I do to make it usable? Is there a way to "simulate" palm rejection? Any tricks that I can try?
This is the pen: https://www.amazon.it/Hommie-Universale-Protettiva-Ricaricabile-Smartphones/dp/B08G82VPBK/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
This is the tablet: https://www.amazon.it/Lenovo-pollici-Qualcomm-Snapdragon-Android/dp/B07WY88LT3
What can I do to make it usable? Is there a way to "simulate" palm rejection? Any tricks that I can try?

Probably related? Samsung Galaxy S6 Lite Tablet Pen: Palm Rejection in Android

@AndrewT. nope :( I've altready tried with a glove


text:
Receive a notification when the phone goes offline
How do I get a notification when my phone actually has no internet service?
I'm using an Always On VPN connection that sometimes silently goes offline (it's a known problem).

OS: Android 10 (Anroid One)
No root
Without Google account
F-droid or other FOSS source are OK

Looks like Automate can do this but it's only available in the Google Play.
I would prefer a method that does not require additional software.

You can download Automate from APKMirror or using Raccoon apk downloader.


text:
How can I open all the links of a bookmark folder on Chrome for Android?
On Chrome Microsoft Windows I can do:

I don't think there is a way to do that today. The Chrome for windows is different from the Chrome app - the latest is lighter, since mobile devices usually have less hardware power...

On Android, the process is not as quick as on PC. You need to go to Bookmarks, open the bookmark folder, select the bookmarks one by one, select the 3-dot, then select Open in new tab.


text:
Recovering files after accidental reset
My father has done a reset to factory by accident.
We are trying to restore photos, videos and other if possible.
It seems that the recovery programs for android are not as good as the pc ones so I thought:
Is it possible to make a byte-by-byte copy/image of the smartphone and afterwards use pc programs to recover the files?
If you have any recommendation of such program to create the copy/image please share.
Thanks!

What Android version is running on that device? Check Android Settings if the device is encrypted. If it is then recovery programs should not be able to recover anything because a factory reset resets the encryption key and without that key all saved data turn to cryptographic glibberish.


text:
How to create an exact image of all the internal memory including the "free space"?
My father has done a reset by accident on his smartphone.
He has very important data he needs that was deleted.
Is there a software/app/way that will copy the internal memory (hard disk) exactly as it is byte-by-byte to my computer (also copying the "empty" parts of the disk because this is where the deleted files I want to recover are located)?
I want that as first step because I see there are a lot of different software that offer that but I would rather try more then 1 in order to extract as much data possible (they each have their pros and cons). Most of these programs also install an app or tweaks stuff on the phone and I would like to use each on the original copy.

Have you read my comment on your last question? You still don't name the Android version or the device model you use and if the device was encrypted because it it is then what you are trying to do is useless because encrypted data can not be recovered without the key.

raw dump: for Qualcomm chipset in EDL mode with edl.py, for Mediatek chipset in preloader mode with SP Flash Tool. but as Robert already stated raw dump is useless because encryption keys are UNRECOVERABLE from factory reset

Pocophone f1
@Robert

Pocophone F1 is encrypted with full-disk-encryption. crypto footer is located at the end of userdata partition. userdata partition is formatted on factory reset. new crypto footer is created on boot. old crypto footer is overwritten and therefore unrecoverable. disk image is of no use for data recovery

Thanks @alecxs and @Robert!


text:
Importing messages from Whatsapp to Telegram has size and count limitation
Telegram has recently announced that you can transfer chat history from Whatsapp and some other apps to Telegram. I tried to export a chat from one of my contacts in Whatsapp but I realized that it has not been exported completely.
On Whatsapp website, it says there is 10,000 messages limitation if you include media and a 40,000 messages limitation if you don't include media.
But actually after some research I found this post that says there is also a size limitation (how many megabytes) which can limit the number of messages to be exported way below 10,000 if you include media because you might have many images or voices.
Is there a workaround that I can export all the messages in a Whatsapp chat to Telegram?
For example a possible workaround might be that first I export to Telegram then come to Telegram and see what has been exported. After that, I go to Whatsapp and delete the previous exported messages and do this process for the remaining messages until no messages remains in Whatsapp. But I have not tried such a workaround.


text:
Android One slow internet over time (Wifi)
I own a Xiaomi Mi A3 with Android One.
My phone gets reaaaally slow internet connection every few months and stays that way until I factory reset it. It only happens on wifi, not on data. The wifi is fine, other devices connect to it perfectly. It happens across apps (youtube, browser, banking apps) and it's actually quite unusable.
It is clearly a software issue, since resetting the phone gets everything back and running smoothly again. It runs smooth for 3-4 months or so before I need to reset again.
This has happened a few times in the past, but I always solved it by Factory resetting it. However, that is pretty annoying since I have to set everything up from scratch (internet banking, etc).
Does anyone have any ideas about what I could do to solve that? Does anyone else have that problem?

What steps have you already tried other than performing a factory reset? Does it occur with every Wifi network?

It happens on other networks as well. I tried "resetting internet cache" or something like that. I can't remember exactly what the option said on settings. That didn't help at all.


text:
My galaxy M10s stuck on download mode showing 'error verifying vbmata image'. Samsung galaxy M107f
I had rooted my galaxy m10s with eftsu to fix Imei NG status. then I wiped EFS but no longer started, just stack on samsung logo even if i wipe data. then I locked bootloader in download mode. and now it just keeps on download mode and shows 'error verifying vbmata image' and 'vbmata:no sign info'.
so guys please help me what shall i do?

https://www.xda-developers.com/samloader-download-updates-samsung-galaxy


text:
Internal storage shows is mounted twice on a Pixel 4a
I have a rooted Pixel 4a on LineageOS 18. For some reason, whenever I plug my phone into my PC for file transfers I am seeing two internal storage drives being mounted. The Pixel 4a doesn't support SD cards, it's all internal storage. How do I make it show just 1 internal storage drive?

Check the device manager if the device is there also seen twice. Change the device manager view to "Devices by connection" to see related USB devices together.


text:
uTorrent and bitTorrent on Android cannot download anything?
I tried to see how download is like on an Android phone, so I emailed myself a torrent file and then saved it in the Download folder.
And then I tried both uTorrent and bitTorrent app. But it only has "Open the torrent on http://____________", or there is a search function that leads the user to do searching on duckduckgo.com
There was no way to use a local torrent file in the Download folder.
So I tried setting up a webserver on my Mac and then use http://128.0.1.123/try.torrent (something like that) but it could not load it.  Duckduckgo.com led to some magnetic URL site, and I copied and pasted to uTorrent, and they cannot load either.
Is it possible to make it work?  I tried the LibreTorrent app and at least it can open a local torrent file and start downloading.

I found one solution: go to the File Manager, and then open the torrent file, and choose "Open in app" and choose the app.
Why the app itself doesn't allow opening the file in itself, I am not sure.


text:
Does Samsung Knox keep a log of every app running on this device?
I was reading the policy of Samsung's Knox and it states that they keep the log of your personal data and apps running on your device. This is like a spyware itself by the company.  Is this true?

If the policy already says so what are you really trying to ask then? It would be best if you link the policy.


text:
Notify when getting "no signal" on the LG Q6
For several days now, the LG Q6 has made me angry when it suddenly stops detecting the SIM card. (once or twice a day)
I don't want to discuss the cause and possible solution. (Restart always helps)
The worst part is that the outage cannot be predicted.
Therefore, I want to ask if there is any way that would alert me to this. Either in the absence of a SIM card or on the loss of connection (of course, when the airplane mode is not activated).

Hi, take note that questions directly asking for app recommendations are off-topic. Instead, we prefer the asker to just state the underlying problem that they want to solve and not putting any restriction for apps-only. Otherwise, you might be interested in our sister site, Software Recommendations Stack Exchange instead.

@AndrewT. OK, sorry. And is there another way?


text:
HP Slate 7 VoiceTab not entering Recovery Mode
I have a HP Slate 7 Voicetab running Android 4.4.
I was trying to root it through Kingo Root and then flashing with a custom ROM using TWRP.
But I think I made some mistake and now it won't boot to recovery mode.

Tried the key combination (Vloume Up + Volume Down + Power), and it opens a Black screen with "Product Mode" written, none of the volume keys work at this page, and long pressing the power key triggers a normal boot.

Volume Up + Power key doesn't do anything.

Tried booting to recovery mode through ADB, that doesn't work either.

Apps like Quick Reboot also failed to boot to recovery menu

Factory Reset option has also ceased to work. On doing a Factory Reset through settings, it just restarts the device with no change.


text:
Is this Doro Liberto forever stuck with Android 4.4.2?
My wife made the mistake of buying a Doro phone, under the impression it was 'easier to use'. Actually, it's made updating the OS close to impossible, which is why I'm seeking the help of the experts on here.
As some of you may know, Doro inserts some sort of software layer between the user and Android, which does the equivalent of shouting: "Did you want to phone your Grandson dear?" in order to assist the more senior user.
Unfortunately, Doro no longer supports this model, so if you go System Update/Update, it takes you into a section called Software Management. After several minutes of 'Checking for updates...', it reports a server error.
I've read multiple times the standard way to upgrade Android on a phone, but the Doro software prevents me from doing that. Doro themselves took five days before 'Technical Support' told me that it was an old phone and no longer supported. When I replied that this answer was neither technical nor of any support, I got a very rude reply!
Any ideas as to how I can get round the Doro nonsense and simply install the latest viable version of Android, please?
My wife is very keen to install the NHS Test & Trace app, which requires a more recent OS.

You are making the mistake to think Android is like Windows or Linux, a multi-purpose OS that can be installed "everywhere". An Android phone is an embedded device with an OS named Android that is adapted by the manufacturers to each on the market individually. Therefore there is no Android you could install. Adapting Android to a phone require a lot of work. The cheaper the phone and the more modifications to Android was made the more unlikely are updates. Also newer Android versions require more RAM than your old system provides. Conclusion the answer is yes this device will stay where it is

This may answer your question: https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/236538/if-i-buy-the-cheapest-possible-android-smartphone-today-how-long-can-i-keep-it/236543#236543


text:
Cxxdroid can execute c++ binary in any internal storage directory, but Termux cannot
I was testing some c++ executable in my old smartphone (Android 8, no root). Here's the description of the problem:
I have both Termux and Cxxdroid installed in that phone. And in termux, I have clang installed.
Let's enter Termux.
cd /storage/emulated/0/c++    # current dir is now c++ which sits in the internal storage
ls    # this prints 'hello.cpp', a simple hello world program. let's compile it.
clang++ hello.cxx -o hello
ls    # this prints two files now, hello and hello.cxx. let's execute hello.
./hello    # prints: bash: ./hello: Permission denied. let's grant permission.
chmod +x hello
./hello    # prints: bash: ./hello: Permission denied

As you can see, there's no way I can execute hello in the c++ directory. I know that if I move hello in $HOME and run it, it would work right away. But that's not the case.
Now, let's enter Cxxdroid.
Enter 'Terminal' from left menu. Let's execute our hello binary.
cd /storage/emulated/0/c++
ls    # contains two files. hello.cxx and hello (which is the binary generated from Termux clang). let's run it.
./hello    # prints 'Hello World'

See? The same binary does not run in Termux but runs right away in Cxxdroid. Why? What technique is Cxxdroid using under the hood? Permission of the hello binary for both Termux and Cxxdroid is:
ls -l hello    # prints: -rw-rw---- 1 root everybody 115588 Apr 25 00:32 hello

Any help is appreciated.

"What technique is Cxxdroid using under the hood?" You can ask the developer directly. But files in emulated storage aren't executable. That's the expected behavior. See my answers to https://android.stackexchange.com/a/217356/218526 and https://android.stackexchange.com/a/208927/218526

@Irfan Latif Thanks for the suggestions. But, do you know any way to grant execute permission in emulated filesystem without root?

No you can't, even with root. It's a limitation of the filesystem. That's how Android's storage is designed. Read my answers for details.

You can find out yourself. Implement a hello world program that in the end waits for user input, then check via ps what processes are running and where they are located. I would assume that Cxxdroid simply copies the files to be execute to the internal storage where execution is allowed. Or is has a loader wrapper that allows to execute the wrapper which then loads the file to be executed that replaces all the process RAM.

You need to root access. without root you can try this
cp /storage/emulated/0/c++/hello $HOME
chmod +x $HOME/hello
$HOME/hello


text:
Samsung reboots daily, but 'uptime' says otherwise
I'm pretty sure my Samsung Galaxy A20 reboots daily, at around the same time, showing the usual signs of a reboot: sounds some kind of notification it's rebooted, takes a few seconds to find the SIM and reload the weather widget, asks for the password instead of a fingerprint to log in ("after a reboot").
However, Settings/About Phone/Status/Uptime says it's been up for weeks.
What's going on with it? Is it just reloading part of the OS? Is this normal? Why is it rebooting daily?

Uptime (as exported in /proc/uptime and as in source code) changes only if kernel restarts. The signs of a reboot you've described may occur even if only Java stack is restarted i.e. Android framework has performed a soft reboot.

@IrfanLatif I think the big questions are why would it be doing this, and is this normal?  What do you think?

@RockPaperLz-MaskitorCasket why is it restarting? No it's not normal. Might be a bug. And bugs have many possible reasons, in fact countless. logcat (or pstore in case of kernel panic) usually helps to trace the root cause. But apparently this isn't the main question OP asked about.

@IrfanLatif Thanks.  I've never heard of it for a Samsung phone, but I wanted to make sure it wasn't some sort of weird Samsung thing.  Over the years, I've had various devices that intentionally auto-restart at a certain point, but IIRC, never an Android phone.  I think some of the Android-based TV boxes may auto-reboot once in a while though.

do another reboot yourself and check uptime


text:
The powerprofile and systrace outputs are not consistent
I'm generating the PowerProflie file and the Systrace file to get the energy consumption of an Android Application, but I found that the number of cpu cores is different between the two files.
I'm using this command line for Systrace:
python C:/Users/BJI/AppData/Local/Android/Sdk/platform-tools/systrace/systrace.py freq idle -o C:/Users/BJI/Desktop/systrace

and for PowerProfile :
java -jar apktool_2.2.2.jar if framework-res.apk
java -jar apktool_2.2.2.jar d framework-res.apk

then I get the power_profile.xml from this folder: framework-res/res/xml/
this is a part of the PowerProfile file I've got :
<array name="cpu.clusters.cores">
    <value>4</value>
</array>
<array name="cpu.speeds.cluster0">
    <value>850000</value>
    <value>918000</value>
    <value>987000</value>
    <value>1056000</value>
    <value>1125000</value>
    <value>1216000</value>
    <value>1308000</value>
    <value>1400000</value>
    <value>1466000</value>
    <value>1533000</value>
    <value>1633000</value>
    <value>1700000</value>
    <value>1767000</value>
    <value>1834000</value>
    <value>1917000</value>
    <value>2001000</value>
</array>
<array name="cpu.active.cluster0">
    <value>9.3</value>
    <value>9.3</value>
    <value>10.6</value>
    <value>11.6</value>
    <value>13.3</value>
    <value>15.0</value>
    <value>17.2</value>
    <value>20.2</value>
    <value>22.8</value>
    <value>26.3</value>
    <value>27.4</value>
    <value>29.7</value>
    <value>30.2</value>
    <value>32.1</value>
    <value>33.9</value>
    <value>38.5</value>
</array>
<item name="cpu.idle">4.1</item>

and this is a part of my Systrace file :
<idle>-0     (-----) [005] dn.1 51825.602907: cpu_idle: state=4294967295 cpu_id=5
<idle>-0     (-----) [006] d..1 51825.602915: cpu_idle: state=0 cpu_id=6
ipi_cpu_dvfs_rt-251   (  251) [005] .... 51825.602942: cpu_frequency: state=900000 cpu_id=0
  <idle>-0     (-----) [004] dn.1 51825.602989: cpu_idle: state=4294967295 cpu_id=4
ipi_cpu_dvfs_rt-251   (  251) [005] .... 51825.602994: cpu_frequency: state=900000 cpu_id=1
ipi_cpu_dvfs_rt-251   (  251) [005] .... 51825.603000: cpu_frequency: state=900000 cpu_id=2
ipi_cpu_dvfs_rt-251   (  251) [005] .... 51825.603003: cpu_frequency: state=900000 cpu_id=3
  <idle>-0     (-----) [005] d..1 51825.603034: cpu_idle: state=0 cpu_id=5
  <idle>-0     (-----) [004] d..1 51825.603100: cpu_idle: state=0 cpu_id=4
  <idle>-0     (-----) [007] d..1 51825.610061: cpu_idle: state=4294967295 cpu_id=7

As you can see in the power profile file I have 4 cpu cores (cpu.clusters.cores=4) but in Systrace file I have 8 cpu cores (cpu_id=0-7) and most of cpu frequencies (cpu_frequency) in Systrace file doesn't exist in powerprofile file (cpu.speeds.cluster0) so I can't get the energy consumed, Please let me know if you have any solution for this.


text:
Block USSD carrier notification
My carrier, Vodafone, sends multiple spam popups every day via USSD like the following image:

I am rooted with EdXposed installed. Pixel 2 XL with Android 11 but willing to downgrade to Android 10 if needed.
I have tried to disable the SIM toolkit but it did not stop these pesky popups.
I have enrolled in the Do Not Disturb list by the carrier, but is there anything that I can control on my end?

Did you try their customer support? What did they suggest?

Possibly a duplicate of: Is there a way to block USSD balance notifications (on Android 4.3)?, How to disable USSD notifications?

@Firelord customer support wass clueless and not helpful at all.

@AndrewT. that method is for android 4 and very old. i tried anyway but not working as expected

so far there has been no answer to this, maybe one day a hero can answer it, i can only hope


text:
Unable to block element Adguard content blocker
I am using AdGuard Content Blocker with Samsung Internet on Android. I want to block an element (top ad banner) on livemint.com
After inspecting element, I found these div tags.

I followed this AdGuard guide
In AdGuard user rule I wrote livemint.com###adfreeDivMobile
but it doesn't work :/

Livemint.com is delivered via SSL.  Did you install AdGuard's SSL certificate?  Is Samsung Internet compatible with it, or does Samsung use their own certificate repository?

If you are open to switching web browser, you can install Firefox for Android and its addon Ublock Origin (UBO). UBO is a content blocker which very easily can block what you are trying to.

@RockPaperLz-MaskitorCasket
The ad isn't displayed on the top banner but that area is still visible and that's not being blocked using cosmetic rule as mentioned in main post. I tried over-writing CSS rule it too doesn't work. Any workaround?
In inspect, I tried changing property of class="mobileAd"
`livemint.com#$#.mobileAd {display: none!important; }`

@Firelord AdGuard is compatible with Firefox.  No need for uBlock Origin if Karl has AdGuard.

Karl, it looks like you are doing everything correct, but you probably need to have that SSL certificate installed and working in the browser you are using.  Likely, the ad itself is blocked by either DNS or URL filters, but the CSS is not getting injected for some reason.  To test, you can disable all the DNS and URL filters and keep the CSS filters.  If the ad re-appears, you'll know for sure.

@rockpaperlz Yeah, I performed checks by several methods. And it seems it is browser specific problem. How can I install SSL certificate or it's browser side issue.

IIRC, Samsung Internet browser is a bit of an anomaly.  I don't recall which SSL certificates it uses.  In AdGuard for Android, you go to Settings -> Network -> HTTPS Filtering to install its SSL certificate.  You'll be given the choice to install one globally for Android or specifically for Firefox (Firefox uses its own certificate store for improved security).


text:
Can 2 smartphones comunicate with each other over bluetooth if bluetooth is turned off?
Such a situation:2 smartphones have the same app and they are in the same bluetooth range. Can the app detect proximity between 2 devices over bluetooth if bluetooth is turned off on 2 devices

If Bluetooth is off on both devices how should they communicate?

@Robert I don't  know. I read somewhere that for example  NFC can communicate  in such a way.

It won't communicate with Bluetooth.

@Jacewerlock using NFC two devices can exchange some data but they have to be very close to each other. The maximum distance is usually about 15 cm and the amount of data that can be transmitted is very small (a few hundred bytes?). And for NFC it is the same as with Bluetooth if NFC is disabled one one device communication will fail.

Sorry but your question is unclear, what do you mean by "this way"?

@Robert  I mean for detecting proximity between 2 smartphones over wi fi direct   we also need to have 2 devices  that turned  on wi fi direct?                                                                                And is that mean that apps can't detect proximity between 2 smartphones if users haven't enabled Bluetooth, Nfc, wi fi  direct ?


text:
weird sound clip plays randomly. how to track/find it. was I hacked?
Samsung Note 8 running Android b. 9  here is a screenshot of SW info:

My Android is playing weird 5-10 sec sound clip at random times.  It sounds like a combo of a hippo and then a slot machine paying out winnings.
But I can't figure out where the sound is coming from.  I've turned off notifications for all apps, and even made the default android notification SILENT.
But, it's still happening several times a day.  Is there any way /software I could install to watch the OS and figure out /teach where this is coming from... Or at least where it's stored so I can at least delete it.
I'm worried it might be some malware.  But I've scanned using lookout several times.
UPDATE:
per Suggestion, I installed/used ADB on my MacOS Catalina & got some info:

first took care of brew:

brew update
brew upgrade
brew cleanup
brew doctor

installed ADB on my Mac:

brew install android-platform-tools

checked to see if ADB could see my phone, ran adb devices ==> actually got a weird error the first time:

   adb server version (36) doesn't match this client (41); killing...
   * daemon started successfully

   List of devices attached
   ce071827a99a952b057e  device

somehow fixed this, by doing nothing more than running the following commands a few times:

adb
adb devices
which adb
adb devices
whereis adb

After that, I tried adb devices again, this time I got:

   List of devices attached
   ce071827a99a952b057e  device

then ran adb shell dumpsys audio  ==> huge dump, so trimmed it - with a few pre-steps in case I was going to have to run this a few times:

ran adb shell and got this (Android OS shell?) prompt: greatqlte:/ $ ==> then ran to rim results/narrow the time a bit:

greatqlte:/ $ dumpsys audio | grep "04-28 18:0."
04-28 18:00:02:105 requestAudioFocus() from uid/pid 10009/6846 clientId=android.media.AudioManager@5492af0 callingPack=com.android.systemui req=3 flags=0x0 sdk=28
04-28 18:00:04:680 abandonAudioFocus() from uid/pid 10009/6846 clientId=android.media.AudioManager@5492af0
04-28 18:00:01:954 new player piid:107767 uid/pid:10009/6846 type:android.media.MediaPlayer attr:AudioAttributes: usage=USAGE_UNKNOWN content=CONTENT_TYPE_UNKNOWN flags=0x0 tags= bundle=null
04-28 18:00:01:955 player piid:107767 new AudioAttributes:AudioAttributes: usage=USAGE_NOTIFICATION_EVENT content=CONTENT_TYPE_UNKNOWN flags=0x0 tags= bundle=null
04-28 18:00:01:959 player piid:107767 has OP_PLAY_AUDIO:true in uid:10009
04-28 18:00:02:611 player piid:107767 state:started uid:10009
04-28 18:00:02:617 releasing player piid:107727
04-28 18:00:04:671 player piid:107767 state:stopped uid:10009
04-28 18:02:31:090 new player piid:107775 uid/pid:1000/3362 type:android.media.MediaPlayer attr:AudioAttributes: usage=USAGE_UNKNOWN content=CONTENT_TYPE_UNKNOWN flags=0x0 tags= bundle=null
04-28 18:02:31:151 player piid:107775 new AudioAttributes:AudioAttributes: usage=USAGE_NOTIFICATION content=CONTENT_TYPE_SONIFICATION flags=0x0 tags= bundle=null
04-28 18:02:31:152 player piid:107775 has OP_PLAY_AUDIO:true in uid:1000
04-28 18:02:31:221 player piid:107775 state:started uid:1000
04-28 18:02:32:923 player piid:107775 state:stopped uid:1000
04-28 18:02:32:926 releasing player piid:107775
04-28 18:05:46:607 new player piid:107783 uid/pid:1000/3362 type:android.media.MediaPlayer attr:AudioAttributes: usage=USAGE_UNKNOWN content=CONTENT_TYPE_UNKNOWN flags=0x0 tags= bundle=null
04-28 18:05:46:685 player piid:107783 new AudioAttributes:AudioAttributes: usage=USAGE_NOTIFICATION content=CONTENT_TYPE_SONIFICATION flags=0x0 tags= bundle=null
04-28 18:05:46:687 player piid:107783 has OP_PLAY_AUDIO:true in uid:1000
04-28 18:05:46:822 player piid:107783 state:started uid:1000
04-28 18:05:48:580 player piid:107783 state:stopped uid:1000
04-28 18:05:48:596 releasing player piid:107783
04-28 18:05:52:569 player piid:106799 state:started uid:1000

then I looked for packages that matched?? with:
greatqlte:/ $ cmd package list packages -U | grep "10009"
package:com.samsung.android.app.aodservice uid:10009
package:com.sec.android.easyonehand uid:10009
package:com.sec.android.cover.ledcover uid:10009
package:com.samsung.desktopsystemui uid:10009
package:com.android.systemui uid:10009

Note down the time whenever that sound plays. Then setup [tag:adb] and run adb shell dumpsys audio. Look under Playback Activity section in the dump. (Better if you post the output in the question). You would find some uid/pid lines. They can help you out narrow the problem. Write down all UIDs closer to the time you noted. Next step is to find out which UID belongs to which app. Run the command adb shell cmd package list packages -U. It would list package name and next to them, their UID. Find which UID belongs to which package there and report back.

@Firelord If the app that causes this is just aiming in generating money by playing ads invisible in the background then it would only misuse network access and CPU resources but I would still call it a malware.

@Robert valid point. I have removed my incorrect comment.

You guys are awesome... Thanks. I just saw these comments now. Will try these steps tonight. OOC @firelord why didn't you answer the question as opposed to only comment on it?

@FlakDiNenno because I like to answer only when I'm certain it has worked for the asker. If my comment helps solving your problem, let me know. I'll post it as a proper answer. :)

ok... so first new thing/problem... is I somehow got rid of the sound... BUT, it's now playing whatever default sound I've set and I can't figure out what's playing it.  I will post the dumps in the question. ok, thanks!

@Firelord, please take a look.  I probably need to include more... but I the logs are really long

@FlakDiNenno can you post the full dump the next time that sound plays? Here's how to capture the dump: adb shell dumpsys audio > audio_dump.txt. This command would dump the text in a text file named audio_dump.txt. Share this text file with us using pastebin.com. The location of text file is the folder from which you ran adb executable.

Ok. Will do tomorrow. Thnx again


text:
SFTP and Yubikey
I want to access my sftp server using a private key stored on a Yubikey 5. How do I do it? The internal file browser requires me to provide a local file with the private key. My system: Android 10, Samsung A71 (NFC support).

According to the Yubikey documentation some keys support the OpenPGP interface and in ssh OpenPGP can be used as private key source. On Linux and Windows collaboration between those standard programs is easy but on Android neither ssh nor OpenPGP is available directly and collaboration between apps does not work the same way as on Linux. Therefore the used sftp app has to support everything including the Yubikey support. Also the Yubikey documentation does not mention Android for ssh authentication which can mean that this platform is not supported at all in this scenario.

I see, thanks a lot, I was afraid of that.


text:
Open Chrome URL home screen shortcut in incognito mode
I have a shortcut to a Google Form on my home screen. For a couple of reasons I would like for it to open in incognito mode (to prevent the option of editing the form, and so that once the Chrome app is closed the tab will not still be there the next time I open Chrome), however there doesn't seem to be a straightforward way to achieve this.
I do also have Tasker but I'm completely unfamiliar with it's capabilities, so if it can help in any way that's fine.

An alternative way would be to install a different web browser like Firefox, Opera, ... and create the link using this browser where you are not logged in.

Not looking positive. https://android.stackexchange.com/q/148326/96277

Disappointing but not the end of the world. I've taken the suggestion of @Robert and just installed a different browser, and configured it to close tabs on exit.


text:
Android Go - Widget Support
I currently have a Samsung M01 Core running on Android 10 Go Edition. The installed launcher is One UI Home.
This launcher have some predefined widgets but an important one is missing: a clock. Since it's a Go edition phone, Android Widgets downloaded from the Play Store won't work out of the box and you need a custom launcher to use those.
The issue is that custom launchers do not have access to the notification list (the option is missing from the Accessibility settings since it is not supported) therefore they can't display the notification count next to apps which is also critical for me.
Is it possible to somehow force a simple widget (a clock) to appear within the default list of widgets in One UI? If not, is there another solution (maybe enabling notification access) that I can look into?


text:
Connect PC with USB modem to device on WiFi hotspot
I am trying to connect my Oculus Quest 2, which is connected to my phone's WiFi hotspot, to a PC, which is connected to the same phone using USB tethering (USB modem). What I found out was that they get assigned different subnetworks, the one on the WiFi hotspot gets 192.168.43.x, while PC gets 192.168.42.x. They also get different gateways and DNS servers.
Now, I've found this answer right here (Packet forwarding between USB Tethering and Wifi on Android), which shares similar problem to mine, except the device is rooted. I am really not sure if this is the dealbreaker, so I'm asking general directions. Is there a way to do it without root?

As far as I know there is no way to do this without root. If you want to place Oculus and PC in the same network you better buy a cheap Wifi stick for the PC and let the PC open a hotspot. A hotspot is easy to install e.g. on Windows (build into Windows) or Linux.

Alright, @Robert, thank you! Well, might as well order a good router for this, since 5Ghz would be crucial..


text:
Is it possible to default to a host name instead of a search query on Chrome for Android?
I would like to type in "server" in the address bar in Chrome on Android, and have it go to http://server (like things worked in the old days) rather than searching Google for the word "server".  Is this possible to do?
I'd also consider other browsers, such as Brave, if they have this feature.  Thanks!

If you have root on the device, you should be able to access and edit your host file on-device.  If you don't have root, you can still look into:

configuring something at the router level,
add site as a search engine (I know Vivaldi supports this), or
search for browsers that support "!bangs".

Note that you can produce the desired behavior by selecting the omnibox choice with the website icon rather than the search icon, but defaulting it is not currently an option that I'm aware of.  There's a thread in the Vivaldi forums that discusses this very issue.

Yea, the DNS the phone is using already has a record for the thing I'm trying to go to.  It's just that if you don't fully qualify it with the DNS suffix (like server.mynetwork.local or something), it thinks it's a search query rather than a DNS entry.  Honestly I just want to turn off search completely, but it doesn't seem that's an option.  You must select some sort of search provider.

Then perhaps the !bangs would be a more painless option, as it doesn't require root or any additional backend or network configurations and you're only sacrificing an additional keystroke in exchange.  I've also seen people posting questions about whether a particular browser can be deployed and configured to exclusively access a company intranet/captive portal, which I would know nothing about; just mentioning it as food for thought!


text:
What are validated connections?
The FairEmail client has the option to use only "validated" connections. The only explanation given in-app is that a VPN might prevent synchronising from working if this option is enabled, but what does this actually mean? Is this about not using the very weak 2G/3G encryption or open/WEP WiFi?

In the source code I see this sets a preference which is later read and enables the checking of NET_CAPABILITY_VALIDATED. This capability is documented as "Indicates that connectivity on this network was successfully validated." which tells you absolutely nothing. However, an example is given for "a network with NET_CAPABILITY_INTERNET, it means that Internet connectivity was successfully detected." Digging into when that capability is set: "Indicates that this network should be able to reach the internet."
So if it expects that a connection should reach the internet, some part of the OS will check it, and then apps can check that the check was successful, and only then they will try themselves to talk to the internet. That's what this switch does.
Presumably this will prevent custom setups from working, such as when you change routes after making a WiFi hotspot (without mobile data enabled) where it wouldn't expect to be able to reach the internet regardless of whether it can. Or if you, indeed, have a VPN where the email server is reachable but the internet in general is not.


text:
Background ble scan in one plus
We are trying to build an app which scan nearby Bluetooth devices and shows on the UI, we also have event listener which detects whenever location or bluetooth state is changed and accordingly we start the Bluetooth scan, we also make sure no more then 5 bleScan happens within 30 seconds.
Now heres the problem,
This app works fine for phones like Nokia, Asus etc, but for one plus what we have noticed is, whenever we are in background, and we disabled and enabled bluetooth, it dosent start the scan(in the code it reaching but no errors are been thrown) nor it throws error in onScanFailed callback, we didnt see this behavior in other phone
so it dosnet work if the setting is the following

but if we make the location "Allow all the time" , then it works perfectly

My question is who is doing it properly one plus or other phones? Am i missing some additional settings for one plus. please help

Hi while app development is off-topic since Android Enthusiasts focuses on end-users or power-users (but not necessarily developers) solving their issues, I'd assume this is asking for the behavior discrepancy between devices, which is still off-topic. That said, permissions that are related to user's privacy generally become stricter on the newer Android version. What are the Android versions of each device?

Apparently, I had a big typo yesterday... it was supposed to be "still on-topic" and that's why I didn't close the question. So, feel free to post the answer and possibly adding an explanation that is end-user-friendly :)

HI Andrew, Sorry wasnt aware of what we can post here, anyways i have found what the issue was basicaly the one plus which i was using had andriod version 11, and nokia and asus had andriod version 10. In Andriod 10,, and i completly misunderstood the differentce between  "Allow all the time" and "Allow only while using the app",
In Andriod 11, to give background permission , you need to go to App setttings and in permission select "Allow all the time" , because in Android 11, that "allow all the time" settings removed from the location popup

In "Allow only while using the app", calling startBleScan wont actually start the ble scan, n if u are unlucky the failure callback wont return an error also


text:
when i enter my android into download mode, it restarts like after 5 seconds. is this normal?
Brand: Oppo A92
Model: CPH2059
I tried installing a USB driver and it didn't work.
I hope you can help me with this, thanks

fastboot is disabled because Oppo does not allow to unlock bootloader. therefore no driver to be installed


text:
USB ethernet goes to sleep, has to be reconnected to restore
I have an old Nexus 7 tablet running LineageOS that still works but has poor battery life. I've set it up in a fixed location with AC power instead. Its location has poor wifi so I've added a UGreen micro-USB 100Mb ethernet adapter, which also provides power. It does work correctly when first plugged in, so the device is supported by Android - it gets an IP address and communicates without wifi.
Shortly after the screen goes to sleep, the NIC goes down. I assume this is some sort of power-saving mode. However, it doesn't come back up when the tablet is woken. It has to be unplugged and plugged back in to work. Is there a setting I can change that will leave the NIC enabled at all times? Or at least resume the ethernet connection when it wakes up.
Android version: 7.1.2
LineageOS version: 14.1

As a workaround you may want to look into how to keep the screen/display off after X minutes while preventing the phone from going into sleep mode. If phone doesn't go into sleep mode at all, your adapter should keep working.

@Firelord yes, I've considered that. It is a workaround though - the tablet only gets used for about an hour a day, so keeping the screen awake for the other 23 seems wasteful.


text:
Faster way to copy slot B back to slot A after update
After update into Slot into B, is there any way to mirror the contents of B back to slot A? So that both slots have the same versions.
How do copy complete updated slot B back to slot A efficiently?

Search android rsync as a possible solution ?

https://github.com/Magisk-Modules-Repo/twrp-keep

I have had to do this while installing Lineage OS on my Moto X4. You can find the "copy partitions" ZIP file on the official installation site here:

Pre-install instructions
In some cases slot b can be unpopulated or contain much older firmware than slot a, leading to various issues including a potential hard-brick. We can ensure none of that will happen by copying the contents of slot a to slot b. This step is NOT optional.
To do this, sideload the copy-partitions-20210323_1922.zip package by doing the following:

Download the copy-partitions-20210323_1922.zip file from here.
Sideload the copy-partitions-20210323_1922.zip package:

On the device, select “Advanced”, “ADB Sideload”, then swipe to begin sideload
On the host machine, sideload the package using: adb sideload copy-partitions-20210323_1922.zip

Any clue how does copy-partitions-20210323_1922.zip works, like what it contains what special thing it contains it copies slot A to slot B ?


text:
Unlocking device without virtual keyboard?
I have just uninstalled Gboard from my device, using adb shell. However, unfortunately it seems my device cannot use OpenBoard, the virtual keyboard which I installed from F-Droid, from the lockscreen, and thus I cannot enter my passhphrase in order to unlock my device.
I already have USB debugging enabled and I can see my device connected. However, it seems that in its current state, being locked, it has either 'insufficient permissions' or if I run adb start-server as root then it's 'unauthorized' and thus I am unable to enter adb shell and interact with the device.
Is there anyway to get around this issue, i.e, by getting access to the device via adb, or by somehow bypassing the lockscreen temporarily; or perhaps by somehow sideloading another virtual keyboard, such as AOSP keyboard, in order to use the virtual keyboard from the lockscreen and enter the passphrase as normal?
Any help is much appreciated.
P.S I am trying to avoid having to wipe/format my device clean!
Edit: If anyone knows how to unlock the bootloader, without having to manually enable it through the developer options, then I could install TWRP custom recovery and, in theory, delete the .key files pertaining to passwords, pins, etc.

Use an USB keyboard and connect it to the phone.

I don't have a USB to micro USB adapter to try this on the device in question but I just tried it on a Samsung Galaxy s9 using a USB to USB type-C adapter and no keystrokes were recognised :/

I also just tried sideloading an open-gapps zip file (containing gboard) by booting into recovery (stock) and choosing 'apply update from adb' but the signature verification keeps failing and the installation is aborted.

On some devices USB otg does not work but a lot of devices support it. May be your keyboard needs too much power. Best is a plain simple USB keyboard. On some devices you need an additional self powered USB hub. And the USB OTG adapter is pretty cheap and really useful assuming USB OTG really works on your device. And it is a better option than a factory reset.

Which Android device and Android version are you using? On my OnePlus 6 with Android 10, I can use adb in direct boot mode (the screen where one  needs to supply credentials to decrypt and unlock the device).

The device is an Alcatel 5033D running Android 9 (I believe). Have not come across any sort of direct boot mode, do you access that via the recovery on your device? Also, thanks Robert, I will look into a cheap adapter. I did try a few different boards but maybe my test unit, a galaxy s9 running lineage-os 17.1, just doesn't support a physical keyboard; it absolutely supports OTG though as it works with a flash drive...

Unfortunately, I do not have a google play account set up on the phone, otherwise that would probably work. I thought so too about sideloading, perhaps the install couldn't verify the signature because it didn't recognise Open GApps? Is there anyway to get the official gboard apk via PC? I already tried sideloading the apk from apkpure and it too didn't pass signature verification.

other method: disable adb authorization in boot.img and flash with SP Flash Tool. read default.prop instructions

once adb is "authorized" you can unlock with 'adb shell input text ' or input keyevent. scrcpy can do this straight from pc keyboard. be aware scrcpy comes with it's own adb which one should delete to avoid trouble with different RSA-keys (in case you already have working adb connection)

I ended up just going with an OTG adapter and unlocking with a physical keyboard; worked fine. That's an interesting suggestion though alecxc, I will definitely keep that in mind for any future use case :)


text:
stuck on Bootloop twrp not installing
HI guys my phone is stuck on fastboot,
its showing the current image(boot/recovery) have been destroyed and can not boot
pressing volume + power put it into fastboot and it shows in adb "fastboot devices" i tried to install custom recovery with "fastboot boot recovery.img" and its not working picture attached and i tried to boot img but same error shows FAILD(remote: unknow command)

Please do not post console output as screen-shot. You can simply copy the console content and paste it into your question.

fastboot boot is disabled on some devices, only fastboot flash will work


text:
How to remove or find details about malicious "unknown" app that causes suspicious DNS requests
Using RethinkDNS firewall, I observe suspicious requests for the router IP 192.168.2.1 that is labelled by RethinkDNS as comming from an "Unknown" app (whereas RethinkDNS displays the proper app for all other non-suspicious requests).
After blocking requests by the "Unknown" app, this app massively tries to connect to various IPs.
Is it correct to assume from this observations, that there is malware on my phone? If no, what else could I do to become sure about it? If yes, how to remove it?
Please excuse, that this question is possibly broad, I am egaer to learn, but I found no systematic information on how to do tackle this problem.
I am on a Google-Service free LineAgeOS with an old Android version 7.1.2 (due to their drop of support for my device Xiaomi Redmi Note 3). I am very picky about apps, and so far I have only installed OSS apps from FDroid-Repositories, but if there is a good recommendation I would also use Google store apps to solve this problem.

Get the UID of the app and run pm list packages -U to find the app's package name. Relevant details: https://android.stackexchange.com/a/204022/218526


text:
Chrome app returns after restart
I have a rooted OnePlus 5t, I'm trying to remove the Chrome app (same problem with Google Duo), using a system app remover, or through Total Commander delete it from its folder. As soon as I do that the app stops working, and after rebooting it always goes back to the folder: system \ product \ app \ Chrome \ Chrome.apk
If I'm typing in adb: pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.chrome and delete the Chrome.apk with Total Commander - the app is removed from my device even after reboot! but the installation apk still coming back after the reboot!!!!
When I'm installing the app from the Chrome.apk the apk path know is: \data\app\com.android.chorme-zqnclvqlfjlosvpkkista==\base.apk
I googled and found no answer

/system is the system partition which is read-only. If you uninstall an app the apk on the system partition will always stay instead the app is just disabled.

I root my device for a reason... Is there any way to delete it permanently? I am a SU...

Even on rooted devices the system partition is read-only, however with root permissions you can remount the partition read/write. Please be aware that removing web browser/WebView providing app may end up in a non-booting device.

however with root permissions you can remount the partition read/write How can I do that? can you help me?

You can simply search this site for system remount and end up e.g. here: https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/109655/remount-system-rw

WOW ty! I'm trying that right know... I saw solution with adb, is there a way to do it with the TWRP?

The TWRP versions I know have a button for remounting system partition.

WOW! its worked!!!!!! ty !!! I found this command: mount -o rw,remount /. The chrome is gone! and even the apk is gone from: system \ product \ app \ Chrome \ Chrome.apk


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Stuck entering Recovery mode plus Power and Home Button not working
My phone is Samsung Galaxy J Max Tab (SM-T285YD). My phone's power and home buttons are not working. Now somehow i entered into recovery mode. But while entering it got stuck. What should i do now. It is stuck in this stage.

your buttons are wet/short circuited. dry smartphone in sun


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How is the gmail sync interval determined on Android?
Today I stopped getting notifications for gmail messages received on Android. This has happened before and always seems to fix itself after a day or two, but I want to find out why. So I looked under
(Main phone settings) > Cloud and accounts > Accounts > Google

and indeed I see all the Google apps like this
Sync Calendar (On) / Last synced on 4/27/21 07:50  [8 hours ago]
Sync Chrome (Off) / Sync turned off
...
Sync Drive (On) / Last synced on 4/25/21 10:36  [2 days ago]
Sync Gmail (On) / Last synced on 4/27/21 07:50  [8 hours ago]  <-- this must be the problem
...

In the past, Sync Gmail would show that it last synced just a minute ago. Why did this change? How can I set it back? The only setting I can find is to turn sync off entirely, and then turn it back on. Ok, this syncs once when I do it but doesn't continue to sync. I want it to sync automatically every few minutes like it normally does.

Have you enabled on Gmail settings -> your email account -> Sync Gmail?

From my understanding Gmail app in combination with. Gmail account uses Google proprietary protocols for notifications such as Google push notification service. I would assume that this service always fails when Google has again a big outage. I do remember having read that some Google services failed in the last days. May be you were affected?

@ReddyLutonadio Yes, that is enabled


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How to use different audio device for different apps?
I want to play the sound of one app through integrated phone speaker and the sound of another app through bluetooth earspeakers.
Is it possible to set different audio output devices for different apps?


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Internet access via wi-fi is ok, but just not financial apps
I have hit the same problem with a couple of apps on an Android phone. The phone has no issue with Internet access using wi-fi. Web browsing and other apps run ok. However, two apps hit connectivity issues when the phone is on wi-fi. During the moments I am facing the problem, if I turn off wi-fi so that Internet connectivity switches to cellular (4G), the apps breeze through immediately.
It so happens that both apps are finance apps. One is a bank's app and the other is a payment app. Both are not related to telcos, ie they don't use cellular for authentication. They have been working fine on wi-fi all along until recently.
What could possibly explain this behavior?

What phone and Android versions? Although I doubt this is an "Android issue", do you have "Private DNS" defined and can you go to those sites and login via your mobile browser (not the same always, but a valid test). The suspect here is DNS actually, as your mobile carrier will likely give you unfiltered/public results, but your WiFi may be acting as it's own DNS server or using a filtering list incorrectly or any host of other things. The fact it works on mobile data and not WiFi definitely implies a WiFi issues.

Put the phone in Airplane mode for one minute. Remove from Airplane mode. Wait one minute. This resets the phone's DNS. Does it work now?

Yes, a different DNS server from the telco could explain the phenomenon. However, I have just tested with another phone side-by-side connected to the same AP. Both devices are showing the same DNS server (192.168.7.1) in use, but the other phone works fine for the problematic app.

In your case the best chance to understand what is going wrong would be a network dump from the router while the app is making problems. Without such a network trace understanding what is going on is pretty difficult. I don't know how much you know about networks if creating and understanding a network dump in Wireshark is a realistic approach but as I said this is the best option to understand the problem.

Check WiFi device if you are the owner. Some adjustable features like QoS, priority or Gaming may affect some Apps.
Then check with the provider behind the wireless service. They might have blocked some ports or IP addresses, intentionally for performance or security reasons.

I solved my problem without knowing what the causes of the problem were. In my version of Android, there is an option to configure an app to use cellular data only, even if wi-fi is available. This feature is called Mobile data only apps under Data usage in Connections.


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Google play store available apps whilst on VPN vs native Google Play Store country
I've read a few threads as well as the Google requirements for changing the country in the Google play store. My question doesn't pertain to actually changing countries, it's about how the play store distinguishes the available apps to download.
For example, when using a VPN to the USA(current play store is UK) I am able to download Venmo(which is not available in native UK play store). However I am not able to download HBO GO(which is available in the native USA play store). Why?
I imagine some apps are only available if the native app store is the specific country (where a payment card is required, etc). Are there further aspects aside then IP that PlayStore looks at? Does the app developer play into the requirements?

App developers can restrict not only to countries but also to to mile network provides, certain device(s) and other hardware features of a device. Therefore even if you are able to take the correct country one of the other restrictions may still prevent you from seeing the app.

@Robert gotcha, thanks a bunch

Don't ask for problem. Ask for solution. Try making two accounts add both to a family group and share both with each. That way you pay once and get both apps on both accounts. Thats what i would do. I recommend sharing with nearby share. (offline)