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Android won't sync contacts no matter what
My boss bought an iPhone and asked me to sync his contacts. I went to the iPhone and turned on the contact sync from his Google account and "all" the contacts got there, but when I looked, none of the contacts from his phone were there! Looking at his Android, none of his Gmail contacts were there either, and now I can't get this thing working! I need help!
He has an LG (I don't know which model it is) and Android 4.0.4

First of all, remember that sync works both ways - if you delete contacts on the phone, it will delete them on google.  If this happens, don't despair, as gmail has a nice "way-back" type of restore; you can restore back to any time.  I used this for my wife's iphone when I set it up.
I mainly wanted to post this for the above CYA, as I think it's important.  I don't remember exactly what settings I had to change to get it working, and she's not around now, so I can't look to see.  But knowing about the restore should give you the ability to experiment more.
I may have set up the sync to their icloud, or whatever it's called, but I doubt that this really buys anything.  I believe that once you get it in sync, so to speak, it will work correctly after that.  I think you just need to restore the gmail contacts, and they will then sync to the phone.  It may have tried to sync gmail to the phone before instead of the other way around previously.
Sorry I can't give the exact settings or procedure to use, but I hope it will help.

I managed to make the android sync by going to the contacts, exporting to internal memory and then importing back... then it started to push contacts to cloud... the iphone picked it up by itself...

authors: กะโต่ย กะโต่ยยย


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Unicode input from a Bluetooth/external keyboard?
Is there a way that I can do Unicode character input on an external keyboard on Android 4.4?
For example, on Linux, you hold Ctrl+Shift+U and then start inputting the code point. On Windows and OSX, there's a similar way to do it using a keyboard shortcut.
Is there any way to insert a specific code-point into a text field in Android? (ie: how do I insert U+2022 using an external keyboard on Android?)

Makes me so sad seeing the exact question I have asked years ago, but no solution. Have you found a solution or workaround?

Not yet, it's been a while since I've tried though. Maybe Android 5/6 fixed it?

I have done more digging. Nothing besides some Root hacking from what I can tell. It's a shame :(

source: Stack Exchange

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sort: votes


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Show boot log at boot instead of boot animation?
I have a Nexus 5 running CyanogenMod 11. Normally, my boot animation looks like this:

Instead of this, I'd like to have something that simply shows me the contents of dmesg, or something else that usefully updates me on the status of what's being loaded and how far along things are.
I'm wondering if there isn't something simpler available. Is there a "developer" boot animation that might report this info? Failing that, what's the best way to get a standard dmesg output or something similar as my boot "animation"?

Note: I've already looked at Chainfire's live logcat, but it's over two years old. Setting it as my boot animation just glitches my screen and soft-bricks my device, necessitating a reflash. So while that would have been an ideal solution if it worked, it looks like that might be the wrong avenue to pursue.

No, there isn't a developer boot mode. System integrators get the same boot animation as anyone else.

There's new version of [root] LiveBoot for devices 4.3 and up on the Google Play Store. There is also a thread for it on XDA

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


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How to export email settings from an android device to another one?
I have configured the stock-email application of my phone to use my four imap accounts. This is quite long and I would rather avoid repeating this for my tablet. How can I export my email settings smoothly ?
I want to point out that I don't use gmail, nor K9 mail.
Thanks!


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Xperia Tipo Reboot Looping at Internal Storage Load
Today, I was listening some music and suddenly my phone rebooted. When it booted back, it rebooted again after it notifies "Loading Internal storage". So the problem probably lies in the internal storage, I don't have an external SD card and I need to somehow do a factory reset. Apparently, I am not able to do a factory reset through the phone since it reboots in 5 seconds. I just want to keep my contacts and messages and do a factory reset. By the way the phone is rooted but it doesn't have any stock or external recovery tool :(

Can you boot successfully into recovery-mode, and if so, does the phone "stay alive" then without booting?

If you are unable to boot the internal memory and don't have special equipment you are likely going to have to bite the bullet and lose your contacts. I would re-flash the phone in this situation. Hopefully you have been using Android's built in contacts backup.
Xperia Tipo Re-flashing


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Is there a way to speed up the delay when pressing the home button?
My guess is that the reason there's a delay when pressing the home button is due to the fact that it could be re-purposed into launching "Google Now" or "S Voice" by pressing it twice. So it has to wait for a second before it sends a signal "this is a single press" to the OS. I don't believe it's caused by phone waking up from sleep because it happens every time and it's consistent.
If my guess is correct and I'm not using "Google Now" or "S Voice", it would be great to remove this delay. How do I do that? Is that even possible?
In my opinion, it is annoying. The moment I press the home button I'm expecting an instant response by showing up the home screen as immediately as possible.
EDIT:
I already disabled all the apps that could possibly make use of double pressing the home button like "S Voice". Now when I open an app to foreground, pressing the home twice doesn't take me to home screen but instead nothing happens. That means there's no longer any function that is currently bound to double pressing the home button. If I press the home button once, it still takes a delay before it takes me back to the home screen.

Disabling apps makes no difference because it's not the apps themselves that wait for the double-press. The Android system itself reads the double-press and sends an intent to start a search app. You might need to use a custom ROM to disable that.

I had to mention I disabled those stuff so others will not try to guess that it's causing it.

An important navigation mechanism in Android is called a long press. You perform a long press by pressing and holding down a physical key or touch (capacitive) button. If the long press is successful, the phone will provide some physical feedback such as vibration, and the long press action will take place.
You can use a long press to open menus that are specific to the active item - think of it like opening a context menu on a PC. For example, performing a long press on a song in the Music player application in Android 2.2 will open a menu that allows you to add or remove it from a playlist. To perform a long press that opens a context menu, press and hold the select key or the trackball.
Yes you can increase/ decrease  the time duration of the home button under the settings>Accessibility scroll down to Mobility.
Select your desired time gap from the three  -Long/short/medium

I have those options, but being honest, even the short is way toooo slow. How can I speed it up more? I need to wait almost an entire second, where maybe 400ms would be enough.

changing the animation in developer mode to be off should speed up this process.

Why? What do animations have to do with it? The reason behind the delay is rather what OP writes in the first paragraph of the question.

When I use other launcher, little bit improved.
I have used poco launcher

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Read logs from recovery
I want to read logs of Android devices having stuck at the boot logo, but I don't have ADB access.
Is it possible to read logs displayed by logcat in recovery by mounting /system partition?

A more recent answer was given here by using pstore: https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/213336/how-can-i-enable-last-kmsg

The files (if they are considered as such) to which logs are written by the device are not in /system but in /dev/log.
These "files" are reset at every boot, so unless the device you have has a boot-time script that automatically saves logs to a file in, say, /sdcard, there is sadly no way to retrieve the logs you want while in recovery.

While true, this doesn't tell the whole story because there is at least one way to see it regardless of it being saved: http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/apps-games/liveboot-t2976189/post57570477

With TWRP, going Advanced → Copy Log could be a solution.

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Tablet radiation (RF vs EMF )
I own a tablet without 3G/phone functionality but equipped with Wi-fi
There is a lot of mixing up RF (radio frequency) with EMF (electric magnetic field) when looking for health issues arising from radiation.
So :
if there is no 3G functionality, am I safe from RF ?
if there is Wifi then there should be RF too. If Wif-fi is enabled but not connected to a network, does it emit RF ?
EMF is another one, but a property of all electrically powered. In what case is it more emitted by the tablet ie when wi-fi is on ?
Which one is dangerous to health , RF or EMF RF vs EMF ? I see that there are cases that reduce radiation but all are concerned with RF and not EMF. Is there a solution that works for reducing EMF emission?

There is no RF versus EMF. Look up the definitions on Wikipedia. The link in your question is from a tinfoil hat vendor who does not know his physics. Radio frequency waves are just a waveband in the electromagnetic spectrum.

There's a lot of mixing up because the "aagh tinfoil hats" brigade are very mixed up themselves. There's no evidence that any radio emissions from mobile phones have any health effects whatsoever. You get a larger radio dose from your local TV transmitter than the phone in your pocket.
To answer your specific questions: yes, you're safe from RF if there's no 3G functionality, or if there is 3G functionality for that matter. If you turn on Wi-Fi, it emits radio waves (that's how it works!) regardless of whether it's connected to a network or scanning for networks.
As you say, EMF is just the "spill-off" from any electrical appliance or even cable. The EMF from tablets is almost too little to measure: it's several orders of magnitude less than from anything with an electric motor, such as a hairdryer or fan.
Neither RF nor EMF emissions from tablets or mobile phones are hazardous to health at all. A case to reduce the RF emissions is a bit pointless. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and 3G protocols all feature methods for the transmitter to change its transmission strength as necessary. Blocking the transmission just makes it transmit with more power, running your battery down faster.


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Google Keep quick add item to list?
Is there any "quick add entry to list" shortcut in Google Keep?
Previously I used a todo app on Android that let me have an icon on my homescreen for adding items to my list. One click and your're in the add entry input form.
Is there any similar widget/shortcut in Google Keep? I would like the least amount of clicks to add an item.

Yes, the Keep 4x1 and 4x4 widget has a button to add a quick note.

I don't really want to add a new note, I would like to add an entry to an existing list.

Lists? Keep just adds notes... It would be quicker to download it or use the http://keep.google.com to have a look how it works than for me to explain it tbh. You could just click on the note and add to it... if that works. I don't know what you want from it.

No, Google Keep can keep lists of items too :)
I've got an unsorted todo list and when I'm on the go I want to add entries to this list from my Android device with the least amount of clicks. Then when I'm back on my computer I sort this list.

Yep my bad. Am blind, it's buried in the UI a little. So there is only the option in the Widget to "Add a quick list" IF your list is on the widget you can click it and edit / add to it. But the Widget only displays about 3 or so objects in it (list or note) so unless it's up the top regularly that won't work out.

After a week of use I can say that my question really is a non issue. Keep launches very fast and remembers the list you left the app in last. All I have to do is to launch Keep and start typing, no extra clicks required and I'm happy :)

Cool, well that's handy! I've only really started using it myself to be honest so I'm not too familiar with it. Usually use calendar for personal stuff and Evernote for work stuff.


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Can I format android phone's internal storage with adb?
I formatted my phones internal storage with ntfs and now it doesn't appeared in usb mode and also not in file manager. And phone's feature like gallery, camera, recording etc are not working. Is there any way to format internal storage again with fat32 file system? I think there should be a way in ADB to format it. I don't have much knowledge about it but think it is easiest way!!! Please someone help me....

How did you reformat it in the first place? Why not just do that again?

And for the next time remember to first check which file systems are supported by your device. NTFS is definetely NOT. Whether FAT will work on internal storage is another thing; today's devices rather use EXTFS internally (and FAT for the external cards). If you remember the file system used before, I strongly recommend reverting to that. For what possibilities exist, you need to provide more details: Device rootet (obviously yes), custom-recovery or stock?

I attached my phone via USB and make it rooted,  and easily done that. And then I format my Internal storage with NTFS without any reason(may be bad luck or to know more about android). And after that when I remove USB the Internal Storage vanished from every where (from Settings, File Manager and also does not shows in USB mode on laptop, so that i cant reformat it again. and

and worst part is my gallery, camera, recording, Whats app videos & Images approximately all features related to storage doesn't work. But now everything is alright.

It is possible. I found some instructions here that partially apply: http://androidandme.com/2009/08/news/how-to-manually-partition-your-sd-card-for-android-apps2sd/
DO TAKE CARE, IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND COMMANDS WELL, DONT TRY THIS OUT.
The difference is that you just want one partition in fat32.
mkpartfs primary fat32 0 [last MB] # where last MB is visible using parted /dev/block/mmcblkXXXXXXXX . Also the article is about an sdcard.
I'd recommend checking carefully if you have the right block level device before issuing any partitioning commands!
When using the appropriate block level device, little can go wrong, as you currently have no access at all.
[edit]
Personally, I'd try to install a new recovery using Fastboot, and then use that recovery to format your internal storage. A lot easier and safer IMO.

thanks for reply and help...i will try and tell u what happen...
thanx

I tried factory reset but nothing was happened.

i tried the link methed and got this error...what should i do now?
Error: Both the primary and backup GPT tables are corrupt.  Try making a fresh
table, and using Parted's rescue feature to recover partitions.

@AJKumar The internal SD is not the same as the EXT SD at all in this regard. Do you have a PIT file for your device? Can you just do what you did earlier, but the right way? Why would you partition he internal memory? Each device has its own internal partition structure (PIT file usually  handles this) and partitioning the internal memory is a guaranteed bricked device. I don't think the above answer will work at all for INT SD. The EXT SD is usually one FAT32 partition or  a FAT 32 and an EXT 2/3/4 if needed, the Internal partitioning is hugely complicated in comparison.

See this post and this part is important: You can repartition the internal memory. In essence it can be done, but what many others have answered is basically correct. Not only is it quite difficult and risky to perform it, it also requires specialized skills which the average user may not have. Flagging this for closure as it could cause other users to further brick their  devices. Android needs /boot  /system  /recovery /data /cache /misc partitions in place, AND the /SD

Thanx for ur suggestion....but i dont want to repartition the internal memory, i want it back in my phone means it vanished from everywhere causing many media features of the phone stop working.

I just did it cant believe...............
I find a command on a website where i just place my mmcblk number that I known via Paragon exFAT,NTFS&HFS+.apk app and run this command as a Super user
  " mkfs.vfat /dev/block/mmcblk0p33 "
and now i got my internal storage back on my phone.

Hi, could you clarify what you did and tidy up this answer as it could be very useful to others who have this issue. I'm not sure what site you are talking about and the steps you took.

I install Paragon exFAT,NTFS&HFS+.apk app on my phone to mount internal storage, this app capable to mount ntfs file system memory in your android device and have feature of Fix and Format (but only with NTFS and HFS,). with the FIX feature it run something and said fixed somewhere mmcblk0p28. And while I'm searching on google just find out a command formatting "mkfs.vfat /dev/block/mmcblk0p33"

(here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1926780 )

formatting something related to my issue "mkfs.vfat /dev/block/mmcblk0p33" and I replaced the "mmcblk0p" number with mine "mmcblk0p28" and run it as Super User in ADB and woa!! it format the internal storage and get back the internal storage on phone.

authors: พลธวัช ีสีสาพันธ์


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Ive lost my phone how do i install an app on that stolen phone from my pc or laptop
Im working in the DRC an sombody stole my Samsung Gallaxy S4 from my car I want to block the phone so he cant use it any more

I've just added the lost-phone tag to your question. Please follow up to its tag-wiki, which completely answers your question.

If you have installed Android Device Manager or Avast (or similar) anti-theft agent apps, you can lock/erase your phone through internet.
If you are lucky enough that the user is using WiFi/3G using same (your) google account, you can even download these (or any other) apps remotely using Google Play.
If none of the above going to work, just report to your service provider, they'll block the phone.


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Nexus 4 soft keys issue, can I reduce the effective touch screen area on the phone
after recent update 4.4.4, my nexus 4 soft keys are not working, after few days, little more area on top of that has went into unusable, is it possible by an xposed module to reduce the effective tough screen area on the phone to only the working touch screen area.


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Gmail app doesn't send messages, gives strange logcat message
Recently, Gmail has stopped sending messages, storing drafts, or basically having anything to do with messages I create. Clicking the "send" button does nothing, and exiting the app doesn't auto-save the draft as expected. Instead, logcat shows the following error (every time I click the "send" button, for example):
W/MessageQueue(27786): Handler (com.android.internal.os.HandlerCaller$MyHandler) {4160e070} sending message to a Handler on a dead thread
W/MessageQueue(27786): java.lang.RuntimeException: Handler (com.android.internal.os.HandlerCaller$MyHandler) {4160e070} sending message to a Handler on a dead thread
W/MessageQueue(27786):  at android.os.MessageQueue.enqueueMessage(MessageQueue.java:320)
W/MessageQueue(27786):  at android.os.Handler.enqueueMessage(Handler.java:626)
W/MessageQueue(27786):  at android.os.Handler.sendMessageAtTime(Handler.java:595)
W/MessageQueue(27786):  at android.os.Handler.sendMessageDelayed(Handler.java:566)
W/MessageQueue(27786):  at android.os.Handler.sendMessage(Handler.java:503)
W/MessageQueue(27786):  at com.android.internal.os.HandlerCaller.sendMessage(HandlerCaller.java:86)
W/MessageQueue(27786):  at android.accessibilityservice.AccessibilityService$IAccessibilityServiceClientWrapper.onAccessibilityEvent(AccessibilityService.java:619)
W/MessageQueue(27786):  at android.accessibilityservice.IAccessibilityServiceClient$Stub.onTransact(IAccessibilityServiceClient.java:70)
W/MessageQueue(27786):  at android.os.Binder.execTransact(Binder.java:404)
W/MessageQueue(27786):  at dalvik.system.NativeStart.run(Native Method)

Does anyone have a hint at what might be causing this? I've uninstalled and reinstalled the app, deleted the /data/data/com.google.android.gm directory, nothing works. I can receive and interact with email fine, it's only sending and saving drafts that doesn't work, afaics.

What device? Is it rooted? What version of Android? Did you install anything recently that could cause this (add on for Gmail). Have you made any changes to the device?

What about a reboot – have you tried that (you didn't explicitely state)? Also: Boot into recovery, and wipe the cache (possible even from stock recovery), maybe some information got stuck there.

@Izzy yes, clearing cache and dalvik did the trick, thank you - if you post it as an answer, I can accept it.

Done – glad it solved your issue! See my answer also for more details and a little background ;)

Things like this sometimes happen when something gets stuck in cache. To solve that, the easiest approach is:

boot into recovery
select to "wipe cache"

Which works for both, stock recovery (aka "3E") and custom recoveries.
Of course, with a custom recovery you can also "wipe Dalvik" – doesn't hurt, just causes a longer first-boot after that. Side effect might even be improved performance, especially when you frequently install/update/uninstall apps, as this wipe forces the entire dalvik cache to be rebuilt cleanly. The important part however is the "normal cache", where it's more common that "things get stuck".

+1 annnnd the easiest solution is the one I didn't even think of! Fair play Izzy, good simple solution!


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Can't send photos from this account - WTH?
I have a Nexus 5 running 4.4.4.  I have a Google Apps account that I use for GMail, G+, etc.  My wife has a standard GMail account with G+ enabled.  We chat back and forth using the Hangouts feature rather than SMS as much as possible.  This works fine.  We can send each other photos through SMS, and it works fine.
She can send me photos using the hangouts feature, and it works.  I cannot send her photos.  The message

Can't send photos from this account

Pops up at the top of the screen immediately.  Is this a feature I've disabled in my account somewhere?  How do I fix it?

What is your wife using for hangouts, if it's an iPhone this seems to be an issue. Is it online, is it on Android? There is an issue where you need to delete your G+ account and reactivate it but consider that the nuclear option. Is hangouts trying to send it via MMS?

She's on a Galaxy S4.  I will not nuke my G+ account. I'm pretty active on it.  It works if I send using MMS.  It does not if I use hangouts (and this is on wifi - I have a usage-based carrier and I'm trying to reduce usage).

I have a nexus 5 and an S4 here and I'm sending pics without any issue. I presume you tried uninstalling updates to hangouts and G+ and re-installing everything? I'm a bit lost for ideas to be honest, it sounds rather localised to the 2 of you. I'll keep looking.

I think I found it.  My account is a Google Apps account, and Hangouts was disabled at the domain level.  I've changed it, but it could take 24 hours before changes propagate.

Lucky you if it works. I was about to post an answer.

OK, if that solves the problem, don't forget to come back and post an answer, to help others with the same problem.

The setting at the domain level was the issue.  I enabled it, and it starting working a few hours later.
This shouldn't be an issue for standard Google accounts - just Google Apps accounts.

Do you know by any chance where to find this option in new shitty Google Admin Console that they've "upgraded" recently ?

Apps / Google Apps / Talk/Hangouts gets to some settings, but I can't seem to find a setting for photos.  Maybe it's always enabled when Hangouts is?

You need to enable Google Photos for the Domain. Once I did this, I was able to send photos via hangouts.


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Encrypted Sony Z1 Compact stolen - will it be possible to reset and reinstall phone without PIN code?
Today my Sony Z1 Compact Android phone (4.4 Kit Kat) is stolen. Bad luck, but nobody's hurt and I'm quite sure my insurance will cover this. I've encrypted the phone and external SD card. Now this has happened I wonder if it is possible (for the new owner) to reset the phone, wipe and reinstall it?!
They don't have the code of course, and trying to enter the code manually will be a waste of time - the code is too long for that.
So what I want to know: can this phone ever be used again?

Update
I've bought a new phone, exactly the same, and it's encrypted again. It is not rooted! I don't know if USB debugging was on, but it could very well be. So let's assume it was.
If I understand correctly, I need to boot into recovery mode to reset the machine. I've found the following guide: How to Boot Into Sony Xperia Z1 Compact Recovery Mode. It offers three methods.
The last method involves the Playstore, which requires that you started up the phone, which is not possible without the PIN code. So that method is out.
The first method doesn't seem to work. When I reboot the phone, I don't see the led flashing, and pushing the volume button up or down many times during startup doesn't do anything, well except that I seem to enter some kind of "secure mode", but then again only after unlocking the phone.
The second method involved the ADB. I have enabled developer options on the stolen phone. I probably have enabled USB debugging, and didn't disable it afterwards. I need to try this, but it seems to me that this method too requires that you can startup the phone. I can only test this on Ubuntu right now, but I don't see how this can work without unlocking the phone. I connected the phone via USB to my ubuntu desktop, the started the phone. First thing that I have to do is unlock the phone. When the phone has started up, and I unlocked another time I get a notice asking to install software. For me this means this method won't work either.
Maybe it is possible to wipe the phone with Windows?
Is there another way to wipe the phone and reset it to the state when I bought it?

You can flash the factory ftf using flashtool. You can connect the phone in flashmode (Volume down) and flash the ftf. This is similar to factory reset. This method does not require USB debugging to be ON.

You need flashtool to be installed in your machine.
Install the flashmode and fastboot driver for your device.
Open Flash tool
Switch off your phone
Hold volume down button
Connect USB cable to PC
Flash the ftf. Refer this

Note : First connect the usb to your phone then hold volume down button and then connect the cable to PC. I dont know why I need to follow this order. But the other way is not working for me.

I tried this, see my comment in the other question.

@SPRBRN I updated the answer

Yes, it's possible to factory reset (wipe) the phone, and then it'll be like new. If you want to make sure the phone can't be used any more, you have to report the theft to the police and make sure to give them the IMEI of the phone. (It should be written on the box it came in, or possibly your carrier will know.) Then they will blacklist the IMEI so the phone won't work on any cell network.

Thanks for your reply. Still wondering - how can you factory reset a phone without being able to login to the settings?

By booting into recovery mode and factory-resetting from there.

I've tried this, and haven't succeeded. I haven't tried the ADB method, will do so soon. I've updated the question. Can you tell me how this should be done on a phone that is not rooted?

I don't see how this can be done via ADB with the phone locked. So please explain how you would do this.

@SPRBRN According to xda, while device is Off, holding Volume_Down and connecting USB cable (with a PC on its other end) starts Flashmode and enables you to install stock firmware.

I tried that method, but still have to enter the PIN code. Maybe I'm doing it wrong. I see that I have to hold Volume Down, THEN connect the USB cable. When I do this, I see a short led flash (orange and green). Then nothing. I hold the volume down for ten seconds or more, then release it. After another minute the phone starts up. Then I have to enter the PIN code. (After unlocking the phone, the LED is orange, without USB connected. After reconnecting the USB and then unconnecting, the LED is gone.) Please explain to me, what am I doing wrong? How can I reset the phone without unlocking?

I had a Xperia Z, with encrypted storage. But it gets factory reset automatically when i enter wrong pass key 5-6 times. Anyways, do you have any anti theft software installed. If yes they might be a help for you.

Interesting. Do you mean that after entering the wrong password 6 times, it automatically resets? Do you get a warning about this? I did have anti-theft software, but it didn't do anything for me. I guess this only works if you have it unlocked, not encrypted, when they can use it right away. They probably destroyed the simcard right away, and another simcard does nothing because you need to unlock it, which is impossible without password. It took me two hours to get to a computer to block simcard and try to activate the anti theft software. I didn't get anything back until now, weeks later.

I really don't like this. That could mean that anyone can erase my phone by simply entering a password several times.


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How to use one Android phone as a handsfree device to another (via Bluetooth)?
I have an extra Android device (a mobile phone, Samsung Galaxy Y Duos, S6102B, Android 2.3.6 - rooted), that I call D1 here, and would like to use it as my "car brain", like a low-cost multimedia central, to do a lot of things.
On this question, I would like to know:

If I have another Android device, called here D2;
How to play every sound from D2 on D1 using bluetooth connection.

Example:

I'm on a call on D2. When I enter the car and turn D1 on, when D1 and D2 become bluetooth-paired, I can drive and continue talking via D1 (like a handsfree device), with D2 on my pocket;
I'm hearing music on D2 with my headphones. When I enter the car and turn D1 on, when D1 and D2 become bluetooth-paired, I can hear the music from D2.

Ok for BT question: it is impossible for a lot of Android devices. But how about the wi-fi solution?? I'll edit it here to be only a BT question and I'll open a wi-fi question :/


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How to recover deleted photo album saved on internal memory - Note 3
I have a Samsung Note 3 and I accidentally deleted an entire photo album from my phones gallery. I didn't enable my device to sync with Gmail. I didn't manually backup any of the data. The images were saved on my phone, not on the SD card. Is there any way for me to recover this deleted photo album? I Google'd and came across SDrescan but that won't work since the images were not initially saved on my SD card.

You can connect your phone to your computer using USB mode instead of MTP mode and use PhotoRec to recover media files

Considering you phone is always writing some kind of data to your internal storage, it's going to be a very difficult to recover them - at least not all anyway.
Unless something like PhotoRec can do it (as mentioned in the comments), I'd say they are gone for good.
An alternative, and probably a very expensive one, is to take it to someone who specialises in data recovery. Search for 'mobile phone data recovery' on Google and see what appears in your area. It may mean sending your phone away.

Yes, that is painful. Happened with me once.
You will have to root your phone in order to get the data back, but it usually only works if the root has been done before the incident. There are several softwares for different OS which enables us to do deep scan and fetch the data files from the phone which had been lost (You should be able to open the phone as a Mass Storage after that which makes it easier to scan for the software). One of the best software is Recuva.  Read this for more information.
Android storage works like a computer storage - every deleted file is still stored in a temporary storage until it is overwritten, but it isn't visible to us. It can be accessed by rooting your device + using certain softwares, but rooting should be avoided as much as possible. So if you think that these pictures are worth that, then check it out. Otherwise take precautions in future.
You can Install this in your phone. This application works as Recycle Bin and stores every deleted file in it and can be restored easily.

Android doesn't have a "recycle bin". If you delete something it's deleted. The reason you can recover things is a function of how the filesystem performs the delete. It doesn't (generally) overwrite the data you've deleted, and instead simply marks the space as "available" and removes the pointer to the file. Thus, until the data is overwritten, it may be possible to recover it.


text:
Samsung Galaxy S3 update installs strange applications
Today I updated the software to latest version. It took around 148MB to update and when finished, I started getting 4 new apps:

mytaxi
kaufDA
pizza.de
BILD

Wondering why these apps were installed, because my friends' S3 didn't have this.
Please let me know, if this is not an original phone or why, as I understood this seems to be a German version. However, when I checked the IMEI, 7th and 8th digits are respectively 0 and 5, not 0 and 8 to be German.

Yes, those apps are stock apps in the German-localized ROMs for the Galaxy S3 (the i9300 version). Likely they were there in the original ROM but you uninstalled them and later forgot about it. It's fine to just uninstall them.
The seventh and eight digits of the IMEI don't have any meaning in current phones. Before 2004, they indicated the country where the phone was assembled, but the structure of the IMEI was changed then so those two digits don't have a special meaning of their own.
There's nothing here to suggest your phone is a fake.

Thanks a lot, do you have any idea why does galaxy s3 gets sluggish when returning from lock screen to home screen? its damn slow. appreciate your reply.

If you have a new question, use the Ask question button. Posting it in the comments below an answer is a good way to make sure people won't see it.


text:
How can I search my Favourites in Chrome and stock on my S3?
I have thousands of favourites in  my stock browser and chrome and every time I'm looking for a specific link I have to scroll through a lot. If I start typing in a word in the URL box in either browser that I'm sure is in the title of the link it never finds it!!  Any tools  out there to help? I tried several bookmark managers from Google Play it always crashes or the app is never able to load my thousands.  Or the app will duplicate links a lot and I
ended up with 11,000 faves once.  I'd like to be able to search all the favourites of every browser at one time.  Any help?
OS: 4.1
S3

I am using chrome beta and it succesfully finds my favourites when I start typing in the top bar (or even the bar on the home screen) could you try installing chrome beta and seeing if it works?

@ollie: but I need to search all the favourites at one time or then I have to open each browser separately searching for stuff.

So you want a method of merging favourites from different browsers, I would recommend you give up in the stock browser, and move your favourites to chrome


text:
Cubot S208 Avoided Bad Internet Connection, How do I disable?
we're hoping somebody out there can help us with a new Cubot S208 smart phone we've just bought. We've been using it for a couple of weeks on various wi-fi networks and not experienced any problems until 2 days ago. We tried to connect to our home network which we'd connected to many times over the last 2 weeks but we got the Obtaining IP address message. This stays on the screen for ages, then the message says Avoided Bad Internet Connection. I tried out the phone on a neighbours wi-fi network (which has the same security type WPA-PSK with its own password), and this worked okay. We used it last night and it intermittently logged onto 1 or 2 different wi-fi networks in town, other networks we got the same error message as we're now getting at home Avoided Bad Internet Connection. So, here's what we've tried so far:

Took the handset back to factory settings
Tried connecting to our home wi-fi on its own (we switched off our wireless laptop in case it was causing the problem)
We deleted our home wi-fi connection and re-entered it on the handset

And today we're still getting the same error message when trying to connect at home. Our wireless router BTW is a Belking54g (not sure if that's the problem?). Does anybody have any suggestions what we can do to rectify this problem as currently we're not able to use the handset at home for internet now. One other thing; we don't have a SIM card in the handset yet (in the process of buying one).
We've seen lots of other comments online where other devices are getting exact same problem, and we've also seen some software online that suggets it can cure it but would appreciate some honest advice.
Really hope somebody out there can help us. Thanks for listening :-)

I've just sorted this problem. This device had been working perfectly on our home wifi connection until 2 days ago so I had no reason to suspect our wifi router. However I thought i'd check and somehow the device's MAC address had 'disappeared' from the MAC address filtering allowed list. How does that happen? Anyway, I reentered the MAC address into the router and it connected straight away. I suspect this might reoccur and I have no idea how it deleted itself from the list, however, at least I know how to rectify it next time.


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I want to move sd card
I want to move a micro SD card from an HTC Aquire into my Galaxy s2 so that I can access the pictures and the music , how do I do that ?

GSMArena's never heard of a phone called HTC Aquire, nor even Acquire. Could you give some more details about this phone?

Well you should not use that site to check for phones then! Google confirms it exists! http://pcdphones.com/our-devices/products/172-adr6285om

I'm not sure what is so complicated about removing a micro SD from one phone and putting it into a another. What is your problem exactly? Can you not find the micro SD card? Can you not get the back off the Acquire?
Seem like a very simple thing to do - something that doesn't usually require the assistance of the internet!

Open the back of the Acquire, gently remove the micro SD card. Open the back of the S2 and gently insert the micro SD card... Result!

It looks like it could be a variant of the HTC Evo 4G based on the specs. Or at least it appers to be very similar to it. http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_evo_design_4g-4202.php

If you go into storage options on your phone under external SD card there should be an option to unmount SD card for safe removal. Select this option and once it is unmounted open the back of the phone eject the SD card, open the back of the Galaxy S2, insert the SD card and you've successfully moved your SD card!


text:
Hundreds of "phantom" contacts
I got my Android 2.3.7 ZTE phone used on eBay, and it appeared to be completely reset.  However, sometimes hundreds of contacts with names like "brwlvweaace" show up.  They all have randomized emails, like "tcgege@hotmail.com".  It almost seems like a list of generated emails for spamming.  I can see them when choosing a contact to send a text to, and if I add the "All Contacts" folder to the home screen.  The SIM card is new, and shows 0/250 contacts.  The SD Card was new as well, and formatted on top of that.  I don't have these contacts in any synced account.  And I can't delete them, because they never show up in the main Contacts app.
How do I get rid of them?  I only have about 15 real contacts, so it's a pain to send a text message to one of them when the list has hundreds of fake names.
Here's a picture:

Are you sure none of these contacts show up in Google Contacts (gmail, "all contacts")? The fact that they are listed in an "all contacts" folder makes me suspect that you might have not checked properly. Also, is there on your phone another type of account, perhaps manufacturer-only that syncs contacts to the cloud? What app are you using for sending texts? Do they show up if you use a different text-sending app?

@surfmadpig I still don't know where the contacts came from.  I use the default messaging app.

What I did:

Move my actual contacts to the SIM card
Wipe the data from the Contacts Storage app in the Application Manager
Load the contacts from the SIM.

Well, that's weird but I think there are two gmail account put over the device, try going to the settings>Accounts and backup. Check if there are two gmail accounts configured, better to remove google account, once you remove the gmail account its again going to ask for the google account, but before configuring also head over to the application manager and clear the cache and the data stored by the contacts, and then restart your device an configure the gmail account which you were using previously again and see this time does the contacts appear again or not ? I don't think it would appear again anyway let me know how it goes for you !

I only have one Google account in the settings, and it is configured not to sync contacts.  Besides that, I have never sent or received email with the phantom addresses, let alone have them as contacts.

Weird, well try heading over to the https://www.google.com/contacts/u/0/ , see if any contacts show up over your gmail account.


text:
What options do I have to purchase a play store app for another account?
Recently my wife gave birth to our son and I purchased the tinycam pro app to use with my d-link DCS-932L as a baby monitor.
After some tests I was satisfied with the results and decided to buy the app for my wife's google account, so she can monitor our child with her own phone. It was a surprise when I found that google provides no simple way to achieve such a simple task.
My wife has no international credit card, and even if she did I would be reluctant to associate her google account with one, since she's very careless regarding account/password security
What options do I have to install the app on my wife's phone without adding credit card information to her account?

I was going to suggest have her create an independent PayPal account and use Google's Pay with PayPal, but I guess that isn't available in Brazil either.

Additional clarification: are both or either of your devices rooted?

Both are rooted

Another solution would be to buy some Google Play credit you enter the code you buy into your wife's play store, and you can use that balance to buy apps

I'm in Brazil which is not listed in the available countries, so I guess this is not an option for me

A solution could be to add your Google Account to her phone, disable all syncing (Gmail, Calendar, Contacts, etc.), and then install the app from the Play store from your account. I did this with my wife's phone so that I could use some apps that I had purchased but on her phone. Google Play currently has "no data move functionality available" source so transferring purchases is not an option.

That's not an option for me for the same reason I don't want to add credit card info to her account: I'm a computer security geek and she's the opposite of it. For example, it wouldn't surprise me if she installed spyware on her phone that would steal information from both our accounts

If the device that already has the app installed is rooted, you can pull the .apk file. This can be achieved a few different ways:

using a specialized app (such as AppMonster or Titanium Backup)
via adb pull if the ADB daemon runs in root-mode (it usually doesn't, but that can be achieved using adbd Insecure) src
Using a file explorer and granting it root access, and searching for the apk in your /data/ partition

DISCLAIMER: As long as you pull these files "for backup" but keep them to yourself, there shouldn't be any legal risks. Any other use may constitute warez. Using this method to install the .apk file to another device is at your own will and risk.

I have a root explorer and can send the apk via Bluetooth, but what about license checks?

Because of how this is verified differently (ie. An additional unlocker.apk, adding LicensingPermissions only, or a custom ServerManagedPolicy), you will just need to try for yourself. Given that you've refused all other methods, your choices are already limited.

If the app is available from Amazon's app store you can buy the app on Amazon from a PC and then install the App on the phone from Amazon's app store app.

Good question, there is no gift system in google play like Steam has. This app has a free version limited to 4 simultaneous cameras and 30 secs audio, try that one. If she really needs the full vesion, you can register your pay method, but each time you CHANGE one payment method to your google's account they discount 1,5 USD from you credit card so take that in count.

There are various ways through which you could buy a premium for other users you wish

You can buy some credit through the Google Play Gift Card as John has suggested although its availability is limited (i.e. If Google Play gift cards are not supported in their area then it would be waste of buying the credit).
Some applications also have the "pay for other's" feature like in whatsapp. Through this if both the users are using and you wish to make another user a premium then you can go in for this option. This option is normally available under the settings.

Good part - this feature is not geographically limited.
Bad part - both the users need to use this software.

Download BlueStacks on any desktop or laptop. Login with the other person's account (your wife's Gmail account). Select the app from my apps and you can purchase it.

Good part - You don't at all require any android operating device. You can download it on any windows operating System.(correct me if I am wrong on this )
Bad part - Although Blue Stacks works perfectly for almost all the apps some applications may not work properly(depending on your machine's hardware limitations) and does not support any OS other then Windows
Update:-here when A has downloaded the blue stacks he will install
the tiny cam app for which he has to purchase it. As A has signed in
using his wife's account all the purchases will be made in the name
of the account holder i.e. his wife not on A so on doing so
automatically the purchase is made on the wife's email id. Later when
his wife will open the play store the application will be
automatically installed/updated as a premium.

I couldn't understand what BlueStacks is about by reading the front page you linked. Can you elaborate?

BlueStacks is an android emulator - you can install and run android apps on a windows machine.

But how will TinyCam appear in his wife's My Apps page if she didn't even purchase it?

@aure Please don't be foolish  here I have clearly mentioned that using blue stacks you can use Android apps on your desktop machine which means that you can download the application on behalf of your wife. Later when your wife opens the play store the applications are updated /synchronised automatically.

in short whatever apps you have installed on your desktop through bluestacks software will later be displayed for you to install it/ gets updated automatically.

@ThiadodeArruda I have  updated the answer for a clear understanding  plz check it

I still cant understand how that will help me. Even if I add her account to a BlueStacks VM, I would still need to associate credit card information(with her acct) in order to purchase, right?

@ThiadodeArruda no not all after adding you can use a gift card from the retailer and use it for your app

authors: Φώτης Τσακίρογλου


text:
Authenticator app is not working
I'm choosing option to add MFA in the Google accounts, scanning barcode, secret is added. Name of the account in the Authenticator is correct. However, when I try to enter the generated code - Google says it's incorrect. The same on all attempts.
Ideas?
UPD I've tried syncing time from the Authenticator - still getting errors
UPD2 Can it be the reason that I previously had Authenticator installed on another phone with different email?

I'm having the same issue. I synced the time and that didn't help. I uninstalled, reinstalled and reconnected the app, and that didn't work either. The device time is correct. I'm not sure what else can be done.

Have you tried the following (taken from Google Authenticator site:

My Google Authenticator codes aren’t working (Android)
This might be because the time on your Google Authenticator app is not
  synced correctly.
To make sure that you have the correct time:

Go to the main menu on the Google Authenticator app
Click Settings
Click Time correction for codes
Click Sync now

On the next screen, the app will confirm that the time has been synced, and you should now be able to use your verification codes to sign in. The sync will only affect the internal time of your Google Authenticator app, and will not change your device’s Date & Time settings.

Yes, I have. No results.

ah. just seen you've updated your answer to say you've tried this. I'll leave it here but update it if I find anything else that might help.

Have you checked your device time to ensure it is correct (even a few minutes may affect it). Can you try using authy and see if that works. It's another app that does the same as the Google Authenticator app (Should work exactly the same)

time is absolutely precise. Is it safe to use this 3rd part application?

It is a popular alternative to the Google authenticator app, it has between 100,000-500,000 installs and has good reviews. I don't use it myself but it appears to be a good app. I can't promise that it's 100% safe though in the same way I can't guarantee any app is safe.

Authy doesn't work too

Your codes are most likely TOTP codes meaning they are time based. The simple fix is to to make sure all your devices are using the correct timezone (time is setup correctly). If the time on your devices are correct, but you are still having problems its most likely the browser.

I had similar trouble when I got a new phone. The app was installed on the new device (because apps were synced with the cloud) and it created codes but they were rejected by the google services on a PC. This helped:

on the PC: log in to google once with a different method
go to account settings > security > login to google > 2-step-verification > Authenticator App > change smartphone > android => a QR code is shown.
on the smartphone: open Google Authenticator > click on "+" button > scan barcode
scan the QR code from the PC

this created a new account in the authenticator app, creating different (correct) codes


text:
Extract Android Image from Samsung Galaxy S4 device
I'm quite happy flashing stock versions of Samsung Android to my Samsung Galaxy S4.
What I'd like to do is install some apps on my phone and then extract the phone into an image that I can flash back to say another S4.
Is this possible?  I have been using Odin to flash the device so far.

If both devices are identical, that could be accomplished via Nandroid. But as you're speaking about stock versions, it probably won't work for you – unless you're using at least a custom recovery.

Our current approach is to load up a stock image using Odin, then use ADB to automate the installation of some apps, rooting, tweaking and unrooting.

Yes, I've understood that. There are ways to upload images to a device that way. But AFAIK no way to download – except for the mentioned Nandroid images.

Go to recovery and create backup or use titanium back up to back up apps. One more way is to recompile rom zip with placing needed apk in installation folder. You can find more details on xda forums


text:
I'm trying to factory reset my phone but...?
...when it reaches the point where it asks to confirm my PIN, an error message saying "Unfortunately, Android keyboard (AOSP) has stopped". So i'm unable to type my pin in. Any suggestions?

Try changing keyboard, go to the Play Store, download a keyboard, then go to settings and activate it and then you should be able to enter the pin

Goto Play store and download Swift keyboard. Now you should be able to reset it for sure.

Try following the below steps on your device. These steps may vary slightly based on the Android version you use but it may  be similar in the settings(i.e. menu option may change ).
1.Open up the menu.
2.navigate to Settings.
3.open Apps>All.
4.Scroll to the app Android keyboard (AOSP).
5.Then choose Clear data option.
6.Scroll to the User dictionary and do a simple force stop
This is just a small bug in the Android Keyboard.
Note:-By doing these steps you will lose all the typed/saved words in the dictionary which you have entered apart from the standard words which remain the same.


text:
How can I remove a blank homescreen page once I've moved all the apps off it
I've consolidated my 5 'pages' of apps into 3 pages.
Now I have two blank pages that have no icons in them.
These are the pages that are represented by the small squares on the home page screen that take you to these various pages that have colletions of app icons.
Having moved apps/icon to other pages, the last two pages are now blank.  How can I actually remove them?
This is a Samsung Galaxy s5 running Android 4.4

You should provide the model smartphone you use, as the techniques can differ by the particular launcher program.

Depends really, try pinching to zoom on a homescreen and see if it zooms out to show all five, then you can drag them to the bin / trashcan / x icon to remove. It really depends on device / launcher though. Those aren't pages of apps by the way, those are homescreens. You can add shortcuts to apps, or widgets etc (very useful). The actual list of apps is in the 'app drawer' usually accessed by pressing the bottom middle icon in the dock (often has a picture of lots of little squares). If you can't delete them look into some useful widgets (calendars, weather, notes, reminders etc)

Added phone model info and android version.

Thanks, I just tried pinch-zooming out but it didn't do it.

Wait I tried pinch-zooming out again (on a different home page) and it worked!  Great!

Finally found that if I went to one of the blank screens and then pinched out from there, I was able to see a trash can at the top and then I could move that empty page into it.

Please accept your answer if it is correct. Also please edit your answer to include a reference that the correct steps where from @RossC

I'm down voting because you took what RossC posted as a comment and used it as your own answer without giving him credit or to ask whether he could post it as the answer. Bad manners. His comment stated "home screens" which includes blank/empty ones.

Go in your home sreen, push the settings button for 1-2 seconds or try to zoom, and then all your pages will appear, now you will be able to delete the pages you don't need anymore by clicking on delete or maybe there is a button in the top right corner.
Hope it will help.

For Xiaomi MI-4, to remove additional blank home screens, put three fingers in blank home screen. And swipe slowly to left and right. This will bring all the home sceen in one sceen with option to delete It and add as well. I did the same way and deleted 5 blank home screens.
thanks.


text:
Can I use a separate profile for corporate security requirements on KitKat?
I tried adding my corporate Exchange user to my KitKat tablet, so I can sync email and calendar. The security policy page that came up states the admins in my company will be allowed to block my device, remotely erase it, change my password, etc. - if I accept the policy. Proceeding without accepting the policy is impossible (obviously).
Since this is a private device that I intend to use personally as well, my question is: can I create a separate user on the device, create the Exchange account under that user, accept whatever policy is required - but not have it applied to the entire device, only to that specific user profile? Or is a policy applied to one user applicable to the entire device?

No. You can only do what you describe on Samsung devices with their "KNOX" feature. This uses special security hardware to provide separate, isolated environments on your phone, so there's no way that information can leak from the "business" environment to the "personal" environment. It's present on their high-end phones since the Galaxy S3, and you can learn more on the official KNOX website.
A similar feature, but for all Android devices, is said to be coming in Android L, but it's not ready yet.
Normal user profiles on Android don't provide enough isolation for corporate security purposes. It's still possible for the profiles to share information, and for rogue apps with the right permissions to access data from all user profiles. If your device is stolen, it's still necessary to wipe the whole device to prevent an attacker getting access to the private data.

Thanks for the detailed reply! Which devices support this KNOX feature, and is it being picked up for support by IT orgs, AFAIYK?

@TravelingTechGuy Obviously I can't maintain an up-to-date list, so I've added a link to their website. Your second follow-up question is really too vague and broad for me to give a useful answer.

thanks. Will take a look, although I suspect my tablet won't be there. Also, this looks like an initiative that Samsung wants companies to buy into - which means my second question will be answered in the negative :(

authors: อรุณ ใจเที่ยง


text:
Phantom device showing on Google Play
I was going to install an app to my device from Google Play on my desktop, when I noticed a "No carrier Samsung GT-N7000" in my device list:

(the Nexus 7 is mine)
Apparently this device is the original Galaxy Note[1]. I've never even seen one of these devices, and there shouldn't be one registered on my account. It doesn't show on Android Device Manager.
Is someone else on my Play Store account, downloading apps/media on my credit card? I use 2FA, so I'm worried about how that could have happened. Is there anything I can do to find out more about this device?

It's a long shot but, have you ever installed custom firmware? If a ROM had an edited build.prop it could happen like this, but it's highly unlikely that they'd put in the original Note details in there. Since this is potentially a fraud situation I would contact Google asap about this, and keep a paper trail in place in the worst case scenario where transactions are initiated on your account you want to flag it ASAP to expedite any dispute resolution that may occur.

@RossC Yeah, I've run Paranoid Android and Cyanogenmod in the past, and I'm currently running the Android L Developer Preview on my tablet. I have contacted Google (though I'm not sure I've done it the right way, they seem intent on not dissuading users from contacting them)

I have a few devices showing that I don't actually own due to ROMs and my own messing with build.prop as well as certain Market Enabler type applications. Plants Vs Zombies 2 not compatible with Google Play Edition S4 ROMs etc, being the kind of thing that prompted messing with the settings. My keyboard has me registered as having 12 devices, six are real and six are the same device that was messed with. Very unlikely you'd get a Note 1 in there though. Unless something like the market enabler use it as a good default device to get compatibility with apps?

Are you using Android emulator on PC, e.g. BlueStacks? Recently I also observed this (Samsung device too) on my account after using BlueStacks and connect it to my Google account. However, I'm still not sure.

@AndrewT. Ah, that's it!

If you're sure that you never login to any Android physical devices recently, then there's a possibility that you're using Android emulator with Google Play services (e.g. BlueStacks), and login your Google account on it.
Based from observation (this question, self-testing, and another source), BlueStacks tends to emulate Samsung devices. As explained by jpr on AndroidCentral forum,

Well, BlueStacks has to show as some type of device if you connect to Google Play to download apps, or you wouldn't be able to download apps from it. Which device it shows as can vary. It historically has been some type of Samsung device, usually a Galaxy, and usually is a T-Mobile version, but of course they could have randomized the carrier now or switched to AT&T to avoid easy detection.

(minor copyedited)


text:
How to close the on-screen list of process
My kids played with my Nexus 7 and since then, I have a list of what I think is process on the upper right corner of the screen.
The first line is three numbers, like 4.38 / 4.7 / 4.77 and a colored bar.
And then, a list of process(?)
com.android.systemui
system_server
mpdecision
...
How can I close all that ?

Hi, Can you go to Settings > Developer Options there are a few things there that could be responsible. They all start with "show ... Something" e.g. Show hardware layers updates and Show GPU view updates and so on. Let me know if this helps.

The problem is that I dont have anything like Developper Options in the settings menu, even in the more.. sub-menu

OK, I found the answer: tap "build number" 7 times to become a developer!!!
bordel...

It sounds like your hunch is correct - it's basically a small process monitor. Go to Settings -> Developer Options and uncheck the setting labelled "Show CPU Usage" to disable it.


text:
"Unknown address" when receiving text message on Samsung Galaxy S3
I have Samsung Galaxy S3 and whenever I get a text message from my friend, my phone says "Unknown address" although I've already saved the number. All their messages are kept under "Unknown address", so I can't really find out whose message they are.
I want to receive messages under the right conversation group, how can I fix this?

The question is a bit confusing, can u assure if ALL the SMS you receive are saved with unknown address, or just the SMS from one contact?


text:
Any phones that support multiple concurrent bluetooth devices?
Just wondering if there are any phones that support multiple bluetooth concurrent connections, such as a set of bluetooth headphones and a smartwatch, or a bleutooth keyboard and a smartwatch?
I have a samsung s4 with AT&T and it doesn't seem that its possible to connect two bluetooth devices of any type at once. I'm sure what the coming wearable craze this will someday be possible, but I'm asking if there are any devices on the shelf today that support using multiple bluetooth devices at the same time.
Thanks in advance!

Yes, most devices support up to 7 devices connected at once. I don't have a Galaxy S4 to test on, but it seems unlikely it would only support one. More likely, there's a particular problem with one of the devices involved.
You should post a new question about why Bluetooth isn't working properly for you, giving full details of the devices you're using, what steps you take, and what happens.

I don't actually have any bluetooth devices other than headets and my car at the moment, but I have Coin coming, along with a GoKey, and am considering a smartwatch and wanted to make sure they'd all work at the same time. Two headsets don't work at the same time, but I guess that's pretty obvious. Thank you for this, I had actually never seen this anywhere before.


text:
Is it possible to extract Nexus 7 serial number through command line (e.g., ADB)?
I'm possibly into a rare situation. I have a Nexus 7 LTE 2013 that suddenly stopped showing anything on the screen. It looks like turned off all the time, even the LED light does not turn on. I tried charging it in various ways and it did not help.
I contacted Asus and they asked me for the serial number, which I don't have. They said I can find this on the box, which I don't have either.
Using ADB, while N7 is connected to my Macbook Air, I did adb devices and it shows up a device that is "offline". When issuing the command adb get-serialno, it says unknown. It looks like the device is not dead but probably the screen is.
Is there any tool that can get me the serial number through command line?
Update:
I had an alarm set on the device. Today the alarm was fired and I heard the alarm ring from the device. I could only turn off the alarm by holding the power button.

"...suddenly stopped showing anything on the screen. It looks like turned off all the time" - I have to provide this as a comment because its not an answer to your primary question. I experienced this issue on two different TF-101 tablets. The first one I had to send back for replacement. The second happened recently when trying to enter bootloader screen manually. After trying to enter the bootloader screen, I found I had to hold the POWER button for 10 seconds to get the device to start. The momentary presses, and the press and hold for 1 second, did not work.

"I contacted Asus and they asked me for the serial number, which I don't have. They said I can find this on the box, which I don't have either" - also see Determine ASUS Transformer Serial Number when you get the device powered up.

@jww Yes you certainly need to hold the power button for some time. And, determination of the serial number on the screen is of course not an option for now. Thanks for the comment anyway.

Yes you certainly need to hold the power button for some time" - did it boot for you?

@jww since "adb devices" returns something but it says the device is offline, it looks like the device is actually turned on.

@ Hussain - OK man. Sorry to waste your time. Good luck with your problem.

The "device offline" output means that the device is detected, but it refuses any operation because the user didn't allow that particular computer to connect (secure ADB). Your device is up and running, and displaying a confirmation window on its non-functioning screen. You could try to power the device on and blindly hit the OK button after unlocking the screen, then all ADB commands should work. Alternatively, if you have used ADB with another computer, try it with that.
Also, all devices offer some kind of ID even in this state, displayed by "adb devices"; this is the serial number most of the time. See if it's the right format.
Edit: "fastboot devices" should show the serial number too. Also, it should be easy to put the N7 into fastboot mode even without a screen.

I used the number that came out from "adb devices" and provided it to their agent, he said this is not the right format.

When using fastboot, I got this: $fastboot devices
ERROR: could not get pipe properties

I haven't yet met that error message, and it seems to be OSX specific after a bit of googling. One site suggests running fastboot as root - it will probably give you the same number as ADB, but it's worth a shot. Did you put the device into fastboot mode?

Also, running the command adb shell getprop | grep serial should show at least two entries, but first you have to get ADB access by blindly tapping that OK button. Also, it may be the case that the serial number in Android from the one you're after. (source, post #12; although it's for N7 2012)

thanks for the help and follow up, I think your answer is actually nearest to the solution. I finally figured out an extremely lightly printed serial no on the back of the device, called them and they accepted it as the device's serial no.

You're welcome, and I'm glad your problem was solved :)


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"Android OS" uses a lot of data in background, how to turn off it?
I have already read this and
this but can't stop the automatic blackground update.
I currently use Samsung grand 2 dual (SM-G7102) android 4.3 and cellular mode.
I'm setting-->usage “Restrict Background data” but the android OS is still running the updates in the background.(see picture)
help me please.

Click image(s) for larger version
I'm setting “Restrict Background data” in 24/08/2557 but On 25/08/2557, "Android OS" was still sending out to cellular.

Click image(s) for larger version
I'm allow Facebook, Line and Messager can use cellular but don't want the "Android OS" Update. The mobile is rooted
The "android os" was “Restrict Background data”.
Help me please.

your 2nd screen shot is not clear from what you want. Could you please update your screen shot without the notification bar sliding down and add another screen shot for the options that are enabled in the shortcut bar.

Put Auto-Sync in Settings to off.

update picture and detail.

This appears to be a similar question to http://android.stackexchange.com/questions/58620/android-os-uses-a-lot-of-data-in-background-how-to-turn-auto-system-update-chec Thanks for the hints from other answers. This is an indirect answer but while on mobile Internet I used Mobiwol firewall without rooting to block "Android OS" background data. It appears to work on Galaxy S5.

@ohno Did you try under the Update>select update only via WiFi,Play Store>Update apps only via WiFi as checked

I tried everything! The ONLY resolution is to remove your google account from the phone when not in use.
level processes into their own applications (such as photos, mail, etc) so there is no way to block data use. The only option is to remove the google account when not in use and re-add it when
you need to update apps via google play. As a side benifit google will also no longer track you when you use gmail or their apps in the browser. YAY!

This is due to Google Backup.Switch Google Backup off and your problem will be solved. Follow these steps:

Open Photos app.
From options goto Settings.
Touch Auto Backup and switch the toggle On or Off.

You need to install a "Root Firewall" in your mobile by which you can control the Internet connectivity of all apps (including system apps). They also offer to block only Data connection and not wifi connection for a specific app.
The app I'm using is "AFWall+" (free).
Note: This type of apps only works on Rooted android phones.
Here is the greate article about rooting in android. It is highly recommended for you to know everything about rooting before choosing this option.
If you have decided to go along with AFWall+ and you understand the risk of rooting your mobile device then visit this link to configure your AFwall+ for the first time use.
Further check this answer by @firelord for step by step configuration and screenshots of AFWall+.
If you need further help and have a question related to this answer please comment. I'll be happy to help you.

@Firelord thank you for your suggestion. I have edited my answer.

+1 for the official FAQ among other things. In case somebody need screenshots, try my answer here.

All other things are also helpful like disabling Auto Sync
Background data, etc.
Try doing this:

Go to Settings -> Apps -> All Apps.
Go to the last app Update Centre  and then tap on it.
After opening it tap on Force close.

I think is is the probable cause of the background data usage by Android OS. And by doing this you may get rid of it.
Note: You need to remember that you will have to do this trick every time you restart the device. If you have a pending System Update, then its icon from the notification tray will disappear. This directly means that your device will no longer search for System Updates until you restart it.
In short, to stop OS using mobile data, force stop Update app.

Its not u but you. Please refrain from using the former.

If you agree then try to use developer options. By using this option when you leave or minimize your app with home button or anything other, your app activity automatically stop. It shows only activity view on task manager but displays activity as not working.
Go to settings -> find Developer option. Tap seven time on developer option and new Developer window will open. Now find "Do not keep activity". If it is not marked, then mark it. By default it will be not marked. Now try to open any app activity and minimize. Then try to restart activity from recent task and see magic. It will not start. It means it stoped.When you want to disable this from working then simple switch off your developer option.

Go to Settings → Data usage → click on the 3 vertical boxes in right top corner → tick the Restrict background data → then remove the tick in Auto sync data.

authors: ابراهيم الحراسيس


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Synchronize/copy OSGB Map
I've paid for & downloaded a map from Great Britain Ordnance Survey onto my Android phone. I want to copy it to my tablet. Can anybody tell me where (i.e. directory) the map is within the phone, or how to copy the map properly?

Have you purchased a map direct from us on our OS MapFinder app? If so, there's advice in the FAQs on syncing downloaded maps between devices that are using a linked Google Play account: https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/shop/mapfinder/mapfinder-android-faq.html
If you've purchased an Ordnance Survey map from one of our partners rather than direct from us, you'll need to check with them on how their apps and services work though.


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Moto E is not switching on after changing runtime to ART
I changed the runtime option from Dalvik to ART. It asked for a restart.
When I did the restart, Moto E has been stuck in boot time.
When I hold the power button for sometime, it starts again.
It is stuck at a point where Motorola 'M' symbol comes and the footer says "powered by ANDROID".
Please help, I am not able to switch on my Moto E.

possible duplicate of Moto E Not Starting Properly After Changing runtime to ART Not exactly the same, but helpful hopefully. It seems you have 2 options 1) Factory reset from recovery (nuclear option), 2) Use ADB and try to change the runtime back to dalvik manually! The important part in ADB is adb shell 'echo libdvm.so >/data/property/persist.sys.dalvik.vm.lib'

@RossC Can you please tell me the procedure. I am a beginner to this android field. I am just a user of android device. Thanks.

You could try using adb to change the device back to Dalvik. However, you will need to have had USB Debugging enabled. If you can't do the below, a factory reset may be your only option.

Android Debug Bridge (ADB)
  A prgram made by Google for Programmers and developers. Its based on command line and basically communicates with your Android to respond to certain commands.

Setting up ADB
Pre Requirements:-
PC
Java Runtime environment or Java Development kit
Your Device Drivers
An Android Device
USB Debugging MUST be turned ON in the device for ADB to see it.
If you are having trouble completing Pre-Requisites, there are several guides featuring them.

First  Download Android SDK.
There may be any compressed zip file or exe file
If zip file, then extract it to C:\android-sdk
If exe file then double click on it and install it in C:\ Drive(or any other drive you want)
Now to get adb and other tools, you need to download 'Platform Tools'
To download them, go to the android-sdk folder and double click on SDK Manager
It will ask you which package to download? However, it is your choice which package to Download, but here, we will only talk about platform
Tools. So, simply tick on Platform Tools and click on install. Once you have done it. Go to the platform-tools folder in the directory where you installed android-sdk. You will find several files there like adb, fastboot, aapt, etc
Now, you can backup the whole folder of android-sdk to any external storage that will make you not download package
again if you want to. You can have it placed in any computer and run it as it does not require registry to work
Now, you are just one step away from using adb. Next step is SKIPPING SETTING ENVIRONMENT VARIABLE (If you however want to set environment variables. Click on Show Content)
You can easily append the sdk platform-tools and tools folder to your systems environmental path variable directly from command line(cmd) by simply issuing one command and performing a system reboot:
SETX PATH "%PATH%;SDK_Install_Path\platform-tools;SDK_Install_Path\android-sdk-windows\tools" -m
Just replace the "SDK_Install_Path" in the above with the proper path of your SDK installation. Example: C:\android-sdk-windows
Type cmd in the search bar. Copy cmd.exe from there. Go to the directory where you have installed android-sdk. Go to platform-tools folder. Paste cmd there, right click on it and in the settings, select Run as Administrator.

To change back to Dalvik:
adb shell 'echo libdvm.so >/data/property/persist.sys.dalvik.vm.lib'


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How do I stop Play Store from randomly opening when I'm in other apps?
Play Store is randomly opening when I'm in another app. It is simply showing me an app it thinks I would like, even though I haven't initiated any action on Play Store. I'm running Jelly Bean on a Motorola Razr Maxx.

I don't know of any legitimate software that does this. It sounds like you've got some malware there. Look under "Security>Device Administration>Device Administrators" to see if anything you've recently downloaded has placed itself here. That'll give you a start to removing it.

I second wbogacz in his suspicion. If there're any apps you remember having installed right before this begun, one of those is the most likely "culprit". Same advice then: Try uninstalling it and see whether the trouble is gone. If so, avoid apps from that dev in the future.

Thanks - I don't see anything there except "Motorola Device Policy" and "Android Device Manager". I doubt it is one of these that's the problem. I'm going to just uninstall the app where I'm having the issue. Hopefully that will resolve the problem.

Are you clicking on ads inside apps? Because they would pop-up Play Store immediately. Remove all those apps which pops-up ads very frequently. If no - try signing out of the Play Store and stop it forcibly using App Manager. Then start it and login again. Post what happened.


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How to fix an andriod tablet which is frozen on the startup menu
The tablet won't go past the allwinner startup menu. A restart was tried but it never worked. This is a Chinese android tablet. It is an allwinner A20. Operating system android 4.2.

You should be able to access the default recovery on your Android tablet and do a factory reset. To do so turn off the tablet and then while holding the Power button press Volume Down and hold for about 10 seconds. If this doesn't work try Volime Up or both. You should be now in the recovery and you can navigate with Volume Up/Down and confirm with Power button. If this doesn't work then your device may need a bit more attention.

I have a mid android phablet.  Had some issues too, but not that one.  Here is a link, they have a lot of suggestions for android tablets (under forums heading, then android tablet): http://www.androidtablets.net/search/33094/?q=android+tablet+frozen&o=relevance
I did a query with "android frozen tablet" in the search.  The search engine is somewhat off on the queries, so search using some of the words or fewer words, otherwise it might not bring up any hits, when there are suggestions/solutions.  This query brought up some suggestions with the mid tablet.  The second suggestion seems possible as many of my issues with the tablet were resolved with simple things, but not things you'd think would be the solution.....It said if frozen to let the battery run down all the way, and then plug it into the power adapter and the other person says there's started working then?!  Good Luck!


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Is it possible to disable 2g connections completely, while allowing 3/4g connections to continue?
I would like to completely disable all 2g connections, but allow 3g and 4g connections. Is this possible? how would one go about doing such a thing?
I see options to disable 3g/4g to "save battery life", but I am looking for the opposite of this option.
command-line/root hacks are OK.

Two questions you might wish to take a look at (of course on their answers, too): Simple way to toggle between 2G and 3G connection / How can I force 3G only on the Nexus S after the ICS update?

@Izzy - looking at them, but the first one seems to be a preference, rather than a full disable, and the second one only blocks data, not voice/text that may go through 2g connections as well.

The second one mentions an "USSD code" which opens a kind of service menu. What's in there depends on device and Android version, but usually it lets you fix it to 2g/3g and possibly also 4g (on devices supporting that). Have you checked that?

@Izzy yup, that would be from the second answer - I get an option of "Set preferred network type", but that doesn't seem to guarantee that it won't connect to other networks, and it gives a lot of options that I am unfamiliar with (GSM only, WCDMA only, GSM auto(PRL), EvDo only, LTE only, LTE/WCDMA, TD-SCDMA, GSM, and LTE, Unknown). - that does seem to be getting close to what I am looking for though.

I might need to leave the "affirmative answer" to someone else, but to me "LTE/WCDMA" sounds to be what you're after: LTE is 4G, WCMDA 3G. So "prefered" here means to take one of the two, as far as I understand this. Give it a try: Remember what it's set to currently, switch to "LTE/WCDMA", and watch your status bar. In the worst case, it shows "no connection" (if your carrier/SIM doesn't support the one or other), and you've got to "switch back".

Yes it's possible but you need a rooted phone.
You can then install the Xposed framework, and the Intelli3G module (available on the Play Store or on xda). Inside the app, you can set any combination you want, like LTE/WCDMA which means 4G/3G but not 2G.

Izzy's comment to the original question is actually correct.
On your phone's dialler, dial *#*#4636#*#* and open the Phone information menu.
In the Set preferred network type setting, you can now select the combination of network types that suits you most.
Unfortunately the list of network types uses fairly confusing abbreviations, I'll try to shed at least some light on it:

2G: GSM
3G: CDMA, EvDo, TD-SCDMA, UMTS, WCDMA (competing standards used in different countries)
4G: LTE

I don't have the first idea what 'Global' and 'unknown' do.
Some entries have additional remarks:

only: use only this particular standard (d'uh )
auto (PRL): when your provider's network is unavailable, use the 'Preferred Roaming List' to determine roaming networks preferred by your provider (e.g. that your provider has partnered with)
preferred: probably means that other network types are not used unless the preferred are unavailable. This may differ from default behaviour because by default, a 2G network may be used even if a (weaker) 3G or 4G network is available.

Remember the original value, in case you pick one that doesn't work for you.
To downprioritize 2G, you might want to try LTE/CDMA/UMTS auto (PRL): It covers 4G and most 3G standards, falls back to 2G if nothing else is available, and uses a PRL for roaming.
If you're still frequently stuck in 2G mode because you're moving around in an area where 3G/4G is available, but sketchy (for example if you frequently pass through staircases that block all but 2G), you can completely disable 2G by selecting something like LTE/TD-SCDMA/UMTS and see if that works for you (depending on which network types are used in your country).

I'll just note that this apparently doesn't work with Samsung or Huawei dialers. (At least, it doesn't work on this old S6, & based on search results that's a known issue with Samsung's non-vanilla dialer.)

You don't need to root the phone. Just install some third-party app from the Play Store to generate an app shortcut (I used "Create Shortcut"). Then, under the application menu, search for 'Mobile Network'. Then, you can either execute it for one time or create a home screen shortcut. Inside this, you can force disable the 2G.


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Whats App+ in Moto G
Recently i bought a Moto G phone. When i tried to install Whats app+ in it, it won't allow SMS verification as well as voice verification.My Android version is 4.4. I also enabled install from third party apps. I don't know what is the problem with it. Please suggest me some solution .

Uninstall Whatsapp plus and delete Whatsapp folder using file manager.
Install official Whatsapp from Play Store and Verify your number.
After complition of verification, just chat with few and then Uninstall Whatsapp.
Now finally install Whatsapp Plus and this time it will verify your number.

Done.

Sorry Whats app+ is down. They infringes the rights of use of whatsapp.

Tat means we can't use whats app+ here after or what ? Since i have it working perfectly in my old mobile(samsung). Why it can't be able to install in New one (moto g)

An application made for old mobile which is running on an older Android OS might not work on newest Android OS. Its all about compatibility. Get it?

@MANI But WhatsApp+ is not made for older mobile rite. I even downloaded the .apk file newly and tried but fails.


text:
How to jump to next chapter when playing back videos?
I'm trying to play back .mp4 videos that have chapters embedded in them. They play fine on desktop players like VLC, and on my iPod, but I can't select/choose/jump to these chapter markers on Android.  What am I missing?

What video player are you using? If it's one that came with your phone, you'll also need to tell us what phone you have.

There is VLC for Android available at F-Droid.

VLC is available at Google Play.

It's likely because the player app you are using is not aware of the embedded chapters.  I recommend searching Google Play Store for video player apps that support this feature.
A quick Google search points to Simple Cinema and XBMC (not on Google Play).  I have not tried these personally, but this should start you off in the right direction.

Try to use VLC for Android.   :)


text:
Is it possible to clear-default of an app using an ADB command?
Not sure if that's the place to ask this (maybe stackOverflow is better), but here we go:
Background
There are plenty of possible commands that you can perform by using ADB.
I use many of them on my tiny app-manager alternative app.
The problem
I can't find a way to clears the default of a specified app.
I mean the clearing of the app as the default one to handle some actions, as being shown on the "app-info" (AKA "manage-app") screen.
What I've tried
In the past, it seems that it was possible by having a certain permission and some API commands, but it's no longer possible.
A possible workaround would be to disable&enable the app, but that causes weird things to happen on some other apps, for example launchers will remove the app's icon when it becomes disabled.
I've also noticed a file on :
/data/system/users/0/package-restrictions.xml

that has some xml tags that include apps, and when I clear-default of an app, it is gone from this file. I don't think that playing with this file would be a good workaround, as things can change over time, and I don't even know if changing it will do anything, especially not in the current session.
The question
If there is no such a command?
Is there any way to do it using root?

Since you're a developer, and happy to investigate the internals, why not take a look at the source of the Settings app, and see what the real "Clear defaults" button does?

@DanHulme I tried, and for some reason I only found the interface of the functions (meaning just signature and name) and not what they really do. Also, even if I do succeed, I'm not sure I will be able to find a way that will work well on all Android devices, and if someone else has a better way to handle it, I want to know about it. I will try to look further.

I believe the code you found was similar like this, and I can confirm that there is no implementation code of those, only the interface, which I'm afraid that the answer is: no, it's impossible to do that using ADB.

@AndrewT. That's too bad. even with root, I can't find how to do it.


text:
Slow home screen load, applications restarting
The problem has a few symptoms. 1) Whenever I return to the home screen it takes a few seconds to redraw. 2) Most applications restart when I switch back and forth between them. 3) If I go to the Running Apps menu many of the apps are listed as "Restarting". 4) Some background applications quit unexpectedly (like playing music in the background).
This is on a Moto G Android v4.4.4. The phone is a few months old and the problem appeared about a month ago. At all times free RAM is ~200 MB out of 870 MB.
Could anyone give me some hints of what is going on? The Internet tells me to factory reset my phone, but that's a bit of the "Reformat your C:" of the PC world back in the day.

Have you changed any of the developer settings in the main settings app? Do you remember installing any apps around the time the problem started?

I don't even have developer settings enabled and the phone is not rooted. The only two apps that I remember installing around that time are "CatLog" and "Super-Bright LED Torch". I have since removed both.


text:
How do I remove Selfmite worm?
In June this year I experienced what I've found to be called the "Selfmite" worm on my Nexus 5 smartphone.
On 24.06 and 29.06 it sent the message "Dear [contact name], Look The Self-time, http://goo.gl/[...]" to 13 of my contacts, chosen in what seems to be a random order.
Once I realised this had happened, I looked the issue up on Google through the phrase used in the message and found that this worm should actually install itself as an app called "The self-timer" that you should be able to uninstall, but I could not find this after looking through all of the installed apps listed in the settings page.
At the time I had enabled the security option within Android that allows the installastion of apps from unknown sources and I realized my mistake then, though I do not know how the worm actually reached my phone since I had never clicked any dodgy links in messages or the internet.
After this I disabled the installation of apps outside of the Play Store, and installed the avast! Mobile Security app for whatever help it may be in the future.
It wasn't until this Saturday, on 23.08, that the messages were sent again to the same contacts. I had not touched any security settings, nor had I accessed any sketchy sites, and once more I have found no unusual app to have installed itself.
My question now is, does anyone know of a way to prevent another occurence of this without actually wiping my phone clean? Though I wouldn't know if this would even help as I don't understand how the worm exists in the phone in the first place.
Would activating Avast's firewall within their app be of use? Rather, I'm asking if going through the hassle of rooting the phone is worth the trouble.
Thank you in advance to anyone who has advice or opinions to offer.

Wipe your phone, and reinstall the OS following the official instructions. Make sure to download the ROM images on a computer that isn't backdoored, and verify the checksums before you install.
That's the only way you'll be able to trust this device with private data again. Since you don't know how this malware was installed, you also don't know what other malware might already be on your phone.


text:
How to change soft key actions
I have a HTC one v, rooted, stock ROM. The home, back and recent app keys are touch on the glass, but not on the actual screen. In some Roms, it gives you the option to change what it does, but not in the one I'm using. Does anyone know how to change it without too much coding?

Figured it out. I installed xposed framework, got xposed additions from play store, and changed it.


text:
Why is hotspot requiring me to go to the settings menu?
I I just click the hotspot app it says checking my subscription status and flashes 'turning hotspot on' but then comes back and does NOT turn the hotspot on.
However If I go to Settings -> More networks => Mobile Hotspot I can turn it on there.  Subsequent to this if I click on the hotspot application icon. It says 'Turning off hotspot'  and it does actually turn it off.  However immediately clicking it again does NOT turn it on.
Is there any way to make it so the application icon itself 'can' turn the hotpot on without doing that from within 'settings'.
This is for a Samsung s5.
I'm using a (99 cents) mobile hotspot app that I downloaded from the play store.

What hotspot app is this? What phone do you have?

Added more info.

I don't know the app, and you haven't supplied a link. I would say your best bet is to contact the developer on this.


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Heimdall error: Setting up interface failed!
While trying to know the pits available in my phone (Samsung GT-I9082, the Grand Duos) heimdall (in Linux) throwed me this error.
What does it mean?
How to resolve it?

There are a few options here, let's do the easiest first:

Do not boot into Download mode from the "4 way menu" from the device, this will cause issues. Ensure you turn the device off and boot into recovery with the Volume Down + Power buttons.
Ensure USB Debugging is enabled on the device.
Ensure samsung-kies has no processes running, or just uninstall it completely. It causes a LOT of issues with USB Drivers.
Ensure you have the correct USB Drivers installed for your device.
Try a different USB port, and cable if possible.
Try deleting /System/Library/Extensions/Heimdall.kext and reinstalling Heimdall
Try running this command: sudo kextload /System/Library/Extensions/heimdall.kext if you get an error then point 3 is your error!
Ensure Heimdall has the correct permissions: sudo chown -R root:wheel /System/Library/Extensions/heimdall.kext
Reinstall your OS (Linux) from scratch (this is a rather nuclear option to be honest)

Finally this is more general for other users. If you are using a Mac OS run the following:
$ sudo kextunload -b com.devguru.driver.SamsungComposite
$ sudo kextunload -b com.devguru.driver.SamsungACMData
$ sudo kextunload -b com.devguru.driver.SamsungACMContro

Drivers? Do we need drivers for Heimdall on Linux?

Nope not necessarily (making this general for as many users as possible) for Linux only (generally) you need Udev rules set-up for your Samsung device, but some distributions of Linux need drivers. There's too many to cover, and I don't know which ones need which, so I'd guess not.

What is kextunload? You answer seems to be aimed at OSX, not Linux (the /System folder is an OSX thing). Am I missing something? What would the equivalent locations be in Linux?

For me, the solution was booting into download mode AFTER powering off my phone first. I used to go into boatloader mode directly while my phone was on.