text:
Show remote android emulator window in local
Hi I've configured Android development environment in a remote dedicated server running Ubuntu 20.04 with the help of the tutorial https://proandroiddev.com/how-to-setup-android-sdk-without-android-studio-6d60d0f2812a.
Installed related tools by sdkmanager --install platform-tools emulator "build-tools;30.0.3" "platforms;android-30" "extras;android;m2repository" "extras;google;m2repository" "system-images;android-30;google_apis;x86_64" "system-images;android-30;google_apis_playstore;x86_64" "patcher;v4"
Created the avd by avdmanager --verbose create avd --force --name "generic_30" --package "system-images;android-30;google_apis;x86_64" --tag "google_apis" --abi "x86_64"
I had to install apt-get install libgl1-mesa-dev libglu1-mesa-dev to run the Android Emulator.
Ran the emulator with emulator -avd generic_30 -noaudio -no-window -no-boot-anim -gpu off -screen touch and it ran with desired output.
emulator: Android emulator version 30.5.5.0 (build_id 7285888) (CL:N/A)
emulator: ERROR: FeatureControlImpl.cpp:269: Feature control already exists in create() call
handleCpuAcceleration: feature check for hvf
emulator: feeding guest with passive gps data, in headless mode
emulator: WARNING: Your AVD has been configured with an in-guest renderer, but the system image does not support guest rendering.Falling back to 'swiftshader_indirect' mode.
cannot add library /home/arnab/.android/emulator/qemu/linux-x86_64/lib64/vulkan/libvulkan.so: failed
added library /home/arnab/.android/emulator/lib64/vulkan/libvulkan.so
cannot add library /home/arnab/.android/emulator/lib64/vulkan/libvulkan.so.1: full
emulator: INFO: GrpcServices.cpp:301: Started GRPC server at 127.0.0.1:8554, security: Local
Your emulator is out of date, please update by launching Android Studio:
 - Start Android Studio
 - Select menu "Tools > Android > SDK Manager"
 - Click "SDK Tools" tab
 - Check "Android Emulator" checkbox
 - Click "OK"

emulator: INFO: boot completed
emulator: INFO: boot time 24232 ms
emulator: Increasing screen off timeout, logcat buffer size to 2M.
emulator: Revoking microphone permissions for Google App.

From my Windows 10 machine created SSH tunnel with the command ssh -NL 5554:localhost:5554 -L 5555:localhost:5555 user@xx.xx.xx.xx and connected adb with adb connect 127.0.0.1:5555.
With the command I could see that the device is also connected.
Connected devices & emulators
Searching for devices...
┌───┬─────────────────────────┬──────────┬───────────────────┬────────┬───────────┬─────────────────┐
│ # │ Device Name             │ Platform │ Device Identifier │ Type   │ Status    │ Connection Type │
│ 1 │ sdk_gphone_x86_64_arm64 │ Android  │ 127.0.0.1:5555    │ Device │ Connected │ USB             │
└───┴─────────────────────────┴──────────┴───────────────────┴────────┴───────────┴─────────────────┘

Until this everything has worked as expected (or I think so).
Now my question is how to show the emulator window in my local Windows machine? It's possible I think. At-least this is how SauceLabs or other online mobile test suites may be working. Do you know any solutions as such for this?

What you are asking is just the standard x11 forwarding e.g. via SSH which works with all X11 programs. On Windows side you need an X11 server for displaying the forwarded windows. Alternatively you can install xrdp on the server and use Remote Desktop Client to start a GUI session on the server. Or you can try to use scrcpy via adb connection.

I tried with xrdp first. But it didn't work due to some unknown reason. And the emulator screen always remained black. Also somehow VNC also didn't work for me. I'll surely look into scrcpy.

Did you ever get this sorted?


text:
Invalid zip file format - Magisk 22.1
I have OnePlus 5t, Twrp 3.5.2_9-0-cheeseburger_dumpling, and when I'm trying to flash the magisk zip it's tell me: Invalid zip file format.
I searched google and found that I need the least TWRP version, but I have the least version... What can I do?
Edit:
In V22.1 (least) the only zip file is called "Source code (zip)", and in the TWRP its says Invalid zip file format. Same in V22.0. The next version available is 21.4, in V21.4 the link name is not "Source code (zip)", the link name is: "Magisk-v21.4.zip", and in the TWRP it's working well and flash into the system! Why it is like that? And what I don't understand?
Link to all versions: https://github.com/topjohnwu/Magisk/releases

Ty Robert!!!
In V22.1 (least) the only zip file is called "Source code (zip)", and in the TWRP its says Invalid zip file format. Same in V22.0. The next version available is 21.4, in V21.4 the link name is not "Source code (zip)", the link name is: "Magisk-v21.4.zip", and in the TWRP it's working well and flash into the system! Why it is like that? And what I don't understand?
Link to all versions: https://github.com/topjohnwu/Magisk/releases

LOL... so the real least version is V21.4?

read the install instructions. download apk and rename to zip

I didn't notice... ty!

yeah that's new since v22.0 now all inofficial tutorials  are outdated. most people did not even notice that custom recovery flashable zip is no longer official recommended install method and only exist for legacy support :)

You have downloaded the "Source code" release of Magisk which is for developers you want to build/compile Magisk on their own or make modifications to the code.
If you want to install Magisk from within a custom recovery ROM such as TWRP since Magisk v22.0 you have download the "APK" release which is at the same time a ZIP file with can be installed via recovery:

In some custom recoveries, the installation may fail silently (it
might look like success but in reality it bootloops). This is because
the installer scripts cannot properly detect the correct device info
or the recovery environment does not meet its expectation. If you face
any issues, use the Patch Image method as it is guaranteed to work
100% of the time. Due to this reason, installing Magisk through custom
recoveries on modern devices is no longer recommended. The custom
recovery installation method exists purely for legacy support.

Download the Magisk APK
Rename the .apk file extension to .zip, for
example: Magisk-v22.0.apk → Magisk-v22.0.zip. If you have trouble
renaming the file extension (like on Windows), use a file manager on
Android or the one included in TWRP to rename the file.
Flash the zip
just like any other ordinary flashable zip.
Warning: sepolicy.rule
file of modules may be stored in cache partition, do not clear it.
Check whether the Magisk app is installed. If it isn’t installed
automatically, manually install the APK.

https://topjohnwu.github.io/Magisk/install.html#custom-recovery

source: Stack Exchange

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

sort: votes


text:
Cannot disable MMS link sharing without creating Samsung account
When I try to send a picture using the standard SMS/MMS app "Messages", my Samsung S20 does NOT send it as an MMS.
Instead, it sends a plain SMS with a web link to a deep subdomain of 3gppnetwork.org (for example https://ftcontentserver.rcs.mnc001.mcc288.pub.3gppnetwork.org/cs/...etc. ).
I found these Samsung instructions on how to disable this "feature". But when I click on the "Off" icon to disable link sharing, I come to screen offering "Connect to your Samsung account" or "Continue with Google", and no other option to continue.
So how can I disable this without creating a Samsung account or giving Samsung access to a Google account, which should all be completely irrelevant to sending MMS messages.

The phone sending SMS messages with links instead of MMS messages was due to RCS (Rich Communication Services). It was turned on by default in my new phone.
Because it was not enabled or not available on the recipient's phone, the messaging app was sending web links instead of standard MMS messages.
But the setting to turn it off is not in the Messages app itself. It's under the general "Settings", in
Connections > More connection settings > Rich Communications
It seems that the Samsung instructions about disabling link sharing and which required a Samsung account were about some other unrelated "feature", irrelevant to my real problem.

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


text:
How do I download an Android 10 system update over cellular after I already said I want it over wifi?
My Moto G8 running Android 10 asked me how I want to get an update that just became available. I picked wifi only, but then realized I don't have wifi right now. I can't find any UI that would let me change my answer. It just says it's waiting for wifi and only offers me to check my wifi settings or configure "smart updates" which just means automatic download, install, and restart. What can I do?

Maybe this helps - from developer options (enable by tapping build number 7 or more times) find  “Download updates automatically.” or similar and disable it//next, go to  system updates in settings and search for updates. Maybe, you can now download over mobile data

Goto Settings
Goto "About phone" or "Software Update" (depending on your phone)
Find settings icon on top or setting item that says
"Download Automatically" or "Automatically Download over wifi"
Toggle This once
It will prompt you if you wish to use cellular data. If it does not
prompt. Then just restart and repeat this process once.


text:
Cannot use LDAC for my Sony headphones
I have a Sony WH-1000XM4 headphone.
On my Android phone I have installed the Sony Headphones application.
On the upper bar of the application I see the audio is sent over to my headphones using AAC.
How can I have it send LDAC?
I have a 2018 smartphone, a Huawei Mate 20 Lite, with Android 10.
Maybe my smartphone is too old for LDAC?

According to Wikipedia LDAC is part of Android since Android 8. But that does not imply that every device now comes with Leap support, this just an easy option for the manufacturer. I would recommend to enable Developer options in settings app, because in this menu there are some options about Bluetooth codecs. If LDAC is mentioned there you may be able to select it as default codec. At least on my Lenovo with Android 9 I can see LDAC there.

The Bluetooth codec option is greyed out in my menu


text:
Strange build number on Alcatel phone
According to this site, since Android 8, build numbers have a certain format. However, I have an Alcatel 5030D_EAA with Android 10 with a build number 01011
What should I think of that?
The reason I ask this, is because I have some Bluetooth code in my app that does not work on this phone, but does work on many others (including with newer Android versions).

@Robert thanks. The "Bluetooth code" question I have asked on StackOverflow (https://stackoverflow.com/questions/67305419/startdiscovery-does-not-start). This was just to see if there is something fishy going on with the build: apparently not. If you make it an answer, I can accept.

That site you have linked to explains the build number of Android Open Source project (AOSP). AOSP is the base of all Android versions, however (except for the Google Pixel devices) AOSP is not used directly on Android phones. Instead each manufacturer adapts AOSP to each device and additionally usually a lot of manufacturer specific modifications are applied.
Therefore most Android builds you can find on real phones don't follow the build number scheme proposed by Google in AOSP.
As long as the built Android OS in the end passes the Google Android compatibility test it can be sold as Android phone with pre installed Google Android Apps (especially Play store).


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Automatic app opening + power, home button not working J Max [SM-T285YD]
My device is Samsung J Max (SM-T285YD). I can go onto download mode, recovery mode. Even after restart power button also working. But after sometimes suddenly it opens chrome, google automatically. Even when i am starting an application it is coming back to home automatically. I am not touching anything. During this time power and home buttons are not working. Even after factory reset the problem remains same. I wiped all files even the os and installed the firmware in the morning. The whole day it was fine. Now at night it is showing the same problem. What should i do ?

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

Done..but no effect

wait some weeks


text:
Bluetooth headphone volume buttons make big steps
When I change music volume using the volume buttons on my bluetooth headphones, each click moves the volume 2 or 3 volume steps (compared to when I change volume using the volume buttons on my phone itself). This often means that it jumps right from too loud to too quiet, so I have to dig out my phone to get the volume to a comfortable level.
I've already tried Developer Options > Disable absolute volume, which didn't seem to make any difference. I'm using a Pixel 2 (stock Android 11) with Soundcore Life Q20 headphones.

I have the same prob (with a Samsung, Android 14) and tried this option, too (which is the only hint I found yet). The option is effective only after disabling bluetooth and reconnecting afterwards.
But for me the effect is that volume control is not at all effective on my BT device (except setting zero volume works).


text:
Opening docx files in Google Drive viewer when other apps capture intent
I'd like to open docx files directly into Google Drive viewer.
When another application like Epson iPrint or Termux is installed, I don't have other choice than those apps. When they're not installed, it opens in Google Drive viewer like a charm.
I think it is related with intent-filters.
When examining manifest files :

Termux has a VIEW intent-fiter on application/*.
Epson iPrint has a VIEW intent-fiter on application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document (and others) which is the mime type of docx document.
Google Drive has a VIEW intent-filter on */* so should be able to open anything.

Is there a workaround for this problem ? (appart from uninstalling other apps of course)
Is this a bug or on purpose (thanks in advance to android devs here) ?
I already tried "Open with" type apps with no chances...


text:
Why can I receive a 7mb video text but it is too large to forward?
Problem: I have an A51 Samsung. I can't forward a text video that was attached and text to me from another A51 (my wife's).
What I tried: I tried saving smaller since I cannot trim it.
It just doesn't make sense to me that my wife can attach and text me a 7 MB video but I can't do the same, having the same identical phone.

This could just be a bandwidth limitation. Is this a single message recipient, a group with messages sent as MMS, or a group message sent as a group of SMS (i.e. singlular texts to many people, each harboring the same video?) These are all possibilities integral to texting apps, and can be set with differing settings/priorities per user or device.

What is the complete error message? Could you provide a screenshot? Might also be the mobile carrier's restriction, do both of you using the same carrier and same plan?

Do you both have the same service provider?  If so, it's possible you just married up. ;)

@wbogacz, and everyone.  --  This is just a single message I want to send to a single recipient. A screenshot would simply just be an image of the video I want to forward that I received. My wife and I have the same exact phone and carrier. We bought them at the same time.... liked "it's possible you just married up." Ha! :)   -- I'm open to any user settings if that is a possible solution. I'm just not sure what that would be.

Are you both using the same messaging app? Samsung has their own that is different from the standard Android app.

@girolamous Yeah, we are. Just the standard "Messges" app.


text:
Cannot Set Up Samsung Default Email and Add CenturyLink.net Account
Samsung Galaxy S9 phone
Until recently I could send/receive emails on my phone with the Samsung default email app with an email address at centurylink.net.
I had a problem with my centurylink.net email and a Samsung support person told me to go into the Mail app and Delete Data, and then I would just have to log in again.  However, I have not been able to Set Up Email and Add Account.
I get “Couldn’t verify account
The username or password is incorrect or POP3/IMAP access isn’t turned on for this account.  Check your email account setting on the web, then try again.”
I have confirmed that I have entered my full email address and password correctly (Show password).  I can log onto centurylink.net with them on my phone with a browser.
Samsung support says talk to my email provider and Centurylink support says to talk to Samsung.  I have gone through this loop 3 times, but still have the problem.
I have also searched online for a solution, but found none.
I am using these parameters, as Centurylink says to use at
https://www.centurylink.com/home/help/internet/email/setup-email-on-android-device.html
Domains centurylink.net
Incoming Server (choose one)    POP: pop.centurylink.net, Port: 995, Security: SSL
Outgoing Server SMTP: smtp.centurylink.net, Port 587 TLS
Username    Full Email Address

Are you sure you want to use POP3? Nowadays most people use IMAP instead of POP3 as on IMAP the mails stay on the server, instead of POP3 which downloads the mails and deletes them on the server. Therefore my recommendation is to use IMAP instead. What is the error message you get? Please screenshots of the settings pages of Samsung Mail so we can see what you have configured.


text:
mount multiple ext4 partitions manually
I have rooted android phone running android 10. I have one ext4 partition created using :
  #  dd if=/dev/zero of=/sdcard/ext1.img bs=1M count=1024
  #  mkfs.ext4 -F /sdcard/ext1.img

which I mount using below commands:
  #  mknod    /dev/block/loop52  b 7 0
  #  losetup  /dev/block/loop52  /sdcard/ext1.img
  #  mkdir /mnt/ext
  #  mount -t ext4 -o rw,noatime  /dev/block/loop52  /mnt/ext

ext1.img file gets mounted successfully but when I create another ext4 file and try to mount in /mnt/ext2 using following commands. It gets mounted but the contents of ext1.img are shown in /mnt/ext2.
  #  mknod    /dev/block/loop62  b 7 0
  #  losetup  /dev/block/loop62  /sdcard/ext2.img
  #  mkdir /mnt/ext2
  #  mount -t ext4 -o rw,noatime  /dev/block/loop62  /mnt/ext2

What changes do I need to make to mount multiple ext4 files in android ?

You are using the same minor number for both devices. Second time you should do mknod /dev/block/loop62 b 7 1. But why are you doing mknod and losetup manually? Mostly devices have already a few (usually 8) loop devices created on boot (which you might be overwriting by using the same major/minor numbers). And mount command handles losetup on its own. Just do mkdir <mount_point>; mount <img_file> <mount_point>.

Using mknod /dev/block/loop62 b 7 1. then  losetup  /dev/block/loop62  /sdcard/ext.img gives error: losetup: /dev/block/loop62=/sdcard/ext2.img: Bad file descriptor.     Aren't those loop devices (created on boot) used by the system itself ?  Running mount  /sdcard/ext2.img /mnt/ext2  shows error: mount: can't setup loop device: No such device or address

Which losetup and mount binaries are you using? busybox, toybox, standalone? Share strace of both commands. Also do ls -l /dev/block/loop* and grep -H . /sys/block/loop*/loop/backing_file.

The problem is solved. I used the existing system /dev/block/loop*  i.e. /dev/block/loop0 and /dev/block/loop1.  Then mounted both ext4 files using :  losetup  /dev/block/loop0  /sdcard/ext.img ; mkdir /mnt/ext ; mount -t ext4 -o rw,noatime  /dev/block/loop0  /mnt/ext ;  losetup  /dev/block/loop1  /sdcard/ext2.img ; mkdir /mnt/ext2 ; mount -t ext4 -o rw,noatime  /dev/block/loop1  /mnt/ext2 .


text:
ANDROID apps installed on my phone without my permission- i think my flatmate is controlling my phone?
Can someone you live with install android permissions to your apps on your phone and control your phone. Strange things are happening on my phone and I can't change permissions on apps and other apps are installed and and I never installed them and I can't uninstall them.
It's making me paranoid and I just want proof who installed them- can anyone help?
I have a Samsung s21 ultra and a Google account which sometimes I get logged out of and password changed. I did factory settings but the same thing happened again. I'm really stressed. Wifi and Bluetooth get turned on and data is being used. Once wifi calling was on when I switched my phone on and sim 2 was in use- I don't have a sim 2! Help me please.

there will be no proof who installed them. is Samsung Knox Secure Folder still working - then your phone is secure. just remove all google accounts and samsung accounts from phone, factory reset phone from settings and never use the same accounts again

If someone has access to your Google account installing apps via Play Store web site to your device is simple. Consider activating two factor authentication for your Google account. But make yourself familiar with the consequences of two factor auth and keep the backup codes in a safe place.

okay there is one way to proof.. write some whatsapp to any of your (dedicated) contacts your flatmate is your swarm or other stupid things which will confuse your flatmate.. things only the suspect can know.. socialscam the hacker :D


text:
Is there a way to access the wide-angle camera in xiaomi redmi 9 from the computer?
I'm currently trying to access the wide angle camera that xiaomi redmi 9 has. My end-goal is to be able to stream frames from the camera in a python script (using openCV). But knowing how to access this camera from the computer will be enough.
So far, I've tried to do this by using Droidcam, iVcam and IP Webcam. They work great with the main camera, but I'm unable to use the wide-angle one.
I've found a similar question here, but I believe that my question may be different as it's more specific.
PS: I'm completely new here so I'm not sure if this is the correct stack exchange to ask this. I'm sorry if it's not.

If something does not work now may just mean that no one has yet tried to change the situation. If I would be you I would try to find a non-Xiaomi camera app that can access the wide-angle camera. Best would be an open source app. Check also xda-developers forum for that topic. Once you found a working app ask the developers of the mentioned IP cam apps If they can add access to that can and link to the working cam app. If the way how to access that can is clear it should be not a big problem to add it to other apps (for an app developer).

Thanks for the suggestions @Robert


text:
How can I add a video camera shortcut to the home screen?
My Pixel 3 (standard size--why no tag?) had both camera and video shortcuts on the home screen. I must've pocked-edited it, because the video camera one is gone. I can't figure out how to add it back. There's no dedicated video camera app.
Thanks much.

You may be able to recreate the shortcut using this app. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sika524.android.quickshortcut&hl=en_IN&gl=US

Long press on the default camera icon from the home screen and there should be popup menu with "Take a video"

Press and hold on "Take a video" from the popup menu to create a "Take a Video" shortcut which you can drag and place on your home screen.

Thanks, but that's one of the first things I tried. It's not like that anymore. I get 'Pause app' and 'App info' in Android 11.

Strange. I'm running a Pixel 2, Android 10 OS, Pixel Launcher version 10, Camera version 7.4.201.322479879. I don't see any options in Pixel Launcher settings that would block the behavior. A suggestion would be to try Nova Launcher but as I'm reading through the Google Play feedback, I see some similar reports and noticed: https://9to5google.com/2020/01/01/pixel-launcher-icons-disappear/.


text:
How to install a certificate on Android TV?
I've installed certificates (especially the FiddlerRootCA) on several android devices already, since it has a security section in the menus.
On Android TV on the other hand, I was not able to find anything in the settings, altough I went through them? I would like to install the certificate here on my Android TV stick, on which I have adb root access to.
How can I install a certificate on my Android TV?

On regular Android devices installing Fiddler Root CA certificate is useless, as Android and nearly every app just ignores user installed root certificates. Not sure if Android TV also works this way, but I would assume so. See e.g. https://stackoverflow.com/a/62731432/150978 for details.

@Robert the correct and complete statement is:  "Apps that target API Level 24 and above no longer trust user or admin-added CAs for secure connections, by default." "But app developers can choose to let their apps work with manually added CA certificates" by adding <certificates src="user" /> to Network security configuration. So if the app is targeting Android version below Nougat or if it deliberately makes use of user certificates, it's definitely gonna work.

@IrfanLatif But Google does no accept apps with a lower than maximum targetSdkVersion for Google Play Store. Therefore in Play Store only apps that have not been updated for about more than 3 years can have a targetSdkVersion lower than 24. But of course it may apply if that app was side-loaded.


text:
What is this S icon inside white square?
Anybody who knows about this app please reply.
Phone is Vivo

Hi, please follow the given link to help you identify it.

It's in my granddad's phone. I can't access it. Concerned if any scam app has been installed accidentally.

Let someone who has access do the need. With millions of Android apps available, we can't identify every notification either, moreover from non-store apps.


text:
how can i boot Oppo a12 into fastboot mode
I am not able to boot my oppo a12 into fast mode. Because i want to root my oppo a12 withot going fastbbot mode it is not possible .so please help me

you can't unlock bootloader on Oppo A12 because Oppo does not support unlocking. There is however some hack but i doubt it is for A12 https://easy-firmware.com/index.php?a=downloads&b=file&id=338154


text:
Why does Sound Search Widget Keep Disappearing?
Ever since I got the phone and continuing to this day, if I reboot the phone the Google Sound Search widget disappears from my home screen. I reinstall it from the widgets menu, and it's all good--until next time the phone restarts, and then it's deja vu, gone again!
Sometimes I don't notice until I need the widget. That's usually when I'm driving and hear a song I like on the radio. I can't safely reinstall a widget while driving so this is not good.
Is there any logical reason for this? Any way to prevent it?
I'm using a Nokia 7.2 running Android 10. I've had the phone about six months.
Currently the phone has build number 00WW_2_400_SP02 based on the "about device" info in the settings menu.
Other widgets I use do not have this behavior.

I was having the same problem. All you need to do is clear the data of Google play services and redownload it.

Thanks for the answer! When I go to clear the data, should I hit "clear cache" or " clear storage" or both? Any idea why this works?

Hit clear cache and try, if it does not work then clear storage. All Google apps work through Google play services. These services store server and user data. Sometimes these play services get bugged because of corrupted cache, you just need to clear it from time to time

I appreciate your suggestion and thank you for your time. Unfortunately this did not work for me. I cleared the cache from Google Play services, and rebooted. Widget disappeared. I reinstalled the widget, and then cleared the storage from Google play services. Rebooted again, and the widget was gone again!


text:
I no longer receive sms from services (bank, google otp, confirmation throught sms, ...)
I found myself in a really strange problem, I have not received text messages from services for several months, while I continue to receive any other type of text message (e.g. if a friend of mine sends me a text message I receive it and I can also reply, but if I register somewhere and I receive a confirmation SMS, or if I have to make a payment with my credit card and receive the OTP from my bank, and other such messages are not received).
I use the google messaging app as an SMS app, I disabled spam protection for the test but nothing seems to have changed.
In the advanced section of the settings of the "Google messages" app I have:

receive service messages: enabled
the entry "phone number" is filled in with my phone number
the "Custom SMSC" item is filled in with the SMSC provided by my telephone operator

I tried to:

reset the network settings and restart
turn off and on again (removing the sim)
delete all SMS
Boot in safe mode
insert the SIM on another mobile phone (it works)

know that android StackExchange is my last hope, I spent 2 days talking to my telephone operator who did nothing but give me solutions such as: switch off and on, buy a new phone, or "we don't take care of it, call your device manufacturer "
I then call Huawei (I have a Huawei P20 Pro) and I am told that the problem is not theirs as "Huawei is just one of many brands and they do not add particular SMS blocks to their devices other than those of any other mobile", and then to call my telephone operator again.
I hope to find a solution here at least, thanks in advance to those who want to help me.
Huawei P20 Pro (CLT-L09), EMUI 10.0.0, Android 10

Reinstalling com.google.android.gms solved my problem:
adb shell cmd package install-existing com.google.android.gms

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


text:
Is it possible to unbrick an Allwinner Android tablet?
A few months ago I got my hands on a cheap Allwinner tablet. I wanted to experiment with running Linux on it, but in the process of my experimentation I (stupidly) deleted/overwrote both the /boot and the (I think) /recovery directories.
Surprise surprise, now it won't boot. Won't event display the logo on the screen. Neither adb devices nor fastboot devices detect it. It only has 2 buttons, the power button and another tiny button on the side of the motherboard. I discovered that if I held both those buttons down while plugging in the usb cable into my computer, lsusb detects it:
Bus 002 Device 041: ID 1f3a:efe8 Allwinner Technology sunxi SoC OTG connector in FEL/flashing mode

dmesg also detects it:
[145566.567458] usb 2-3: new full-speed USB device number 41 using xhci_hcd
[145566.708277] usb 2-3: New USB device found, idVendor=1f3a, idProduct=efe8, bcdDevice= 2.b3
[145566.708292] usb 2-3: New USB device strings: Mfr=0, Product=0, SerialNumber=0

Is it possible to get the tablet back to a working state? If so, any pointers to instructions on how to do so are very welcome.
I'm running Arch Linux. Running adb/fastboot as root doesn't seem to make a difference.

Searching Google for allwinner flash tool brings up a lot of pages talking about flashing Allwinner device using "PhoenixSuit" or "LiveSuit". Also some open source programs can be found - have you tested those tools?

@Robert Thank for the tip; I'm trying to get LiveSuit running on linux.
I also landed on this page. Running sunxi-fel -l returned
USB device 002:008   Allwinner A64     92c001ba:94104620:78864320:640803cf
and sunxi-fel version returned
AWUSBFEX soc=00001689(A64) 00000001 ver=0001 44 08 scratchpad=00007e00 00000000 00000000

https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/224047/i-need-help-with-my-bricked-tablet#comment290801_224047


text:
Wifi WPA Enterprise - In android 11 under 'Online Certificate Status', what is the difference between the various options?
Recently I noticed that my Note 10 would no longer associate with my wifi but all other phones would.  I have since resolved the issue by rerolling my certificates but cannot get the options 'Require status for all certificates' or 'Require status for untrusted certificates' to work.  'Request Status' does work as well as 'Don't validate'
'Require status for all certificates' fails with on the freeradius end with -
(36) eap: Expiring EAP session with state 0xb8be52eabb005f50
(36) eap: Finished EAP session with state 0xb8be52eabb005f50
(36) eap: Previous EAP request found for state 0xb8be52eabb005f50, released from the list
(36) eap: Peer sent packet with method EAP TLS (13)
(36) eap: Calling submodule eap_tls to process data
(36) eap_tls: Continuing EAP-TLS
(36) eap_tls: [eaptls verify] = ok
(36) eap_tls: Done initial handshake
(36) eap_tls: <<< recv TLS 1.1  [length 0002]
(36) eap_tls: ERROR: TLS Alert read:fatal:internal error
(36) eap_tls: TLS_accept: Need to read more data: error
(36) eap_tls: ERROR: Failed in __FUNCTION__ (SSL_read): error:14094438:SSL routines:ssl3_read_bytes:tlsv1 alert internal error
(36) eap_tls: TLS - In Handshake Phase
(36) eap_tls: TLS - Application data.
(36) eap_tls: ERROR: TLS failed during operation
(36) eap_tls: ERROR: [eaptls process] = fail
(36) eap: ERROR: Failed continuing EAP TLS (13) session.  EAP sub-module failed
(36) eap: Sending EAP Failure (code 4) ID 190 length 4

'Require status for untrusted' hangs with android eventually giving up with this on the freeradius end -
(5) eap_tls: [eaptls start] = request
(5) eap: Sending EAP Request (code 1) ID 243 length 6
(5) eap: EAP session adding &reply:State = 0xcff1ecc3cf02e118
(5)     [eap] = handled
(5)   } # authenticate = handled
(5) Using Post-Auth-Type Challenge
(5) Post-Auth-Type sub-section not found.  Ignoring.
(5) # Executing group from file /etc/raddb/sites-enabled/default
(5) Sent Access-Challenge Id 247 from 192.168.45.251:1812 to 192.168.45.37:33524 length 0
(5)   EAP-Message = 0x01f300060d20
(5)   Message-Authenticator = 0x00000000000000000000000000000000
(5)   State = 0xcff1ecc3cf02e118ed54fc1c4b664912
(5) Finished request
Waking up in 4.9 seconds.
(5) Cleaning up request packet ID 247 with timestamp +19
Ready to process requests

What do I need to implement or correct so these two options will work as well?

"Certificate status request" is the official TLS terminology for OCSP stapling.
The Android option is very likely a direct mapping to the corresponding wpa_supplicant option (just like the "Domain" field is domain_suffix_match, and so on).

I have a (possibly) related issue: on Android 13, the 'request' option works, but the 'require' fails, which makes me think the certificate is not actually validated. I believe this can be due to the domain *.ruw.mydomain.com containing a *: do you know whether this can be the issue?

OCSP doesn't validate hostnames (that's already done as part of the normal checks) – the purpose of OCSP is to verify that the certificate hasn't been revoked and nothing else. If "require" fails, that sounds like the EAP TLS server isn't set up to respond to the OCSP-stapling requests.

I see, thanks. Perhaps then I have not noticed this issue with wpa_supplicant on linux as i'm not explicitely enforcing ocsp there.


text:
What files on Android phone allow remote access to the device?
I was wondering what files/apps on Android phone allow remote access to the device.  For instance I had a problem with my phone and had to speak with my provider and they asked permission to access the phone remotley.  Which files/programs allow for that type of access?

Please explain "remote access". There's no universal remote access method available on Android devices except ADB.

Is your phone a generic Android phone or is it branded by your mobile network operator? What device model is your phone and have you notice something while your provider was connected remotely?

Well when this happened it was an LG v10 I believe.  However now I have a Samsung, but all Android devices can be accessed remotely by the carrier correct?

All Android devices aren't sold by carriers. You can buy an Android device which is not bound to any network. And providing remote access to carrier is not a universal phenomenon AFAIK.


text:
Recover Draft Emails from Deleted Account
I have a Samsung Galaxy S5 phone and use the native, built-in email app for two corporate/ActiveSync accounts.  Recently something went wrong with the settings of one of the accounts, which caused my contacts to disappear.  Removing the account and adding it back fixed that issue.  Since the account syncs to the server (Outlook 365), I didn't think there would be any loss taking this approach.  I was wrong.  Evidently draft emails are not synced, and I lost several very important ones.  I am desperately trying to find a way to recover the contents of these draft emails that disappeared.
On the recommendation of a friend, I tried using a full-text search program (Astrogrep) to search the phone while connected to my computer, but the program wouldn't allow me to search the phone folders.  I also tried using the Wondershare Dr. Fone DataRecovery program to recover messages, but this just keeps getting stuck at 99% during the scanning process (stayed there at least 30 minutes before I backed out) and doesn't bring any results.
I've read in a few places that these emails might be stored in an SQLite database, but I'm not sure how to browse, search, or access this.
I'm grasping at straws at this point, hoping there is some way to find the old draft emails in a file or database of the phone.  I'm probably "moderate" when it comes to being tech savvy...so by now I'm looking for some good advice and step-by-step instructions from anyone who might know 1) if these drafts could still be in the phone and 2) how I can locate them to access the content.
Thanks to anyone who can help!

The default Samsung mail app is com.samsung.android.email.provider.
Unfortunately backup is disabled for this app (the app's AndroidManifest.xml contains the entry android:allowBackup="false"). Because of this you can't access the app's private data directory /data/data/com.samsung.android.email.provider on a non-rooted device.
As the mail storage database is placed inside this app-private data directory you can't extract the files for manually searching the data base e.g. using a hex editor or a different data recovery software.
As your device is pretty old (it is from 2014 and should be running Android 6?) any thus have not received Android security updates for years there may be the possibility to temporary root the device using an exploit. Unfortunately I don't know a reliable and trustworthy rooting app that would work on your device. Note that using such rooting apps may be dangerous as you never know what the app is actually doing in background.

So, if I am able to root the device, then what?  Does that suddenly give me access to the protected directories and database files...and how would I then go about accessing them?
It looks like the Dr. Fone program can root this phone, among other possible options.
Thanks!

@Luminocity Then you would be able to access the SQLite database files on RAW level. Often databases still contain deleted content (which is only marked deleted). Using a hex editor you may be able to recover some draft message texts.

Once the phone is rooted, would I be able to use Windows Explorer to find the database files, or would some other program be needed?  (I'm not sure what you mean be RAW level.)  If you can recommend a hex editor that would be much appreciated.  Finally, do you know where I should be able to find the database file with deleted content -- in this com.samsung.android.email.provider location...?  Thanks!

@Luminocity No Windows Explorer uses MTP which will never make use of root permissions. Use adb from Android SDK and then execute the exploit to get root for a temporary root. Otherwise simply execute su. The database location path is already contained in my answer.

I have no experience with rooting and I'm not a developer...so any layman's step-by-step instructions and commands for getting to these sqlite files would be immensely helpful.  I really want to make sure I can do this without screwing something up or spinning my wheels.  For instance, can you suggest the ADB commands to use and/or how to "execute su" for locating and copying the database files?  Can this be used to actually search the sqlite files for the deleted draft emails?

Further note: I've found a video about rooting this device at https://youtube.com/watch?v=Xdvl-YBnZHU. There is a root file for the SM-900V version (https://download.chainfire.eu/1097/CF-Root/CF-Auto-Root/CF-Auto-Root-kltevzw-kltevzw-smg900v.zip), although I saw a few comments that people had trouble with this version. It'd be great to hear from anyone who has successfully done this with a Verizon Galaxy S5.

Note that I have tried the CF-Auto-Root and Towelroot methods found online and neither have worked to root this device.

com.samsung.android.email.provider -- This does not appear to be the default app on my phone.  I say this because, when I follow the Play Store link you provided on my phone's browser, it tells me "This app is not available for your device."  (Mine could be an older version that they no longer update.)  So, I wonder if the directory location you mentioned before is actually correct in this case.

Additionally Kingroot didn't work.  I basically need a good solution for rooting at this point.  I see how to use ADB now, but I can't do anything with the data directory due to permissions...which I think goes back to getting root access.


text:
Manual screen rotate via terminal isn't working
I want to fix the custom ROM (android 7.1.1 Resurrection Remix) issue on my tab TB2-X30L (portrait orientation instead of landscape on startup), but when I write the command content insert --uri content://settings/system --bind name:s:user_rotation --bind value:i:1, the screen doesn't rotate (on my phone with android 9, sm-j600f, this command is working).
Autorotation is working. Root access and TWRP are present.
Any way to rotate the screen via terminal?

Can you please edit your question and give more details on on the two devices you mention? At least the Android version would be good to know and the device model would be good, too. As you are running custom ROM the used ROM way also have an influence on your problem.

Have you actually ascertained that your custom ROM is using the same key "user_rotation" and expect the same value you are supplying to act on rotation? It is best if you toggle auto-rotation through quick settings and watch what changes it make to a Settings' key, using logcat.


text:
Why I cannot delete contacts from my Samsung Phone
Recently I realized that I have a hard time adding contacts to my samsung phone.
So I want to delete contacts. I remove google account with contacts. Turns out the contacts are still there.
4400 of them
Even though contacts in my google account is only 2200.
So I want to delete all contacts in my android and then resync it with google.
I can't delete contacts at all.
Not even if I delete the whole thing. Not if I do it one by one.

This is the screenshot. The progress bar just stay there.
Do nothing like an idiot.
I am thinking or factory resetting but that's probably overkill.
I've heard many people have same problems.
What's the problem.
I have no idea what can possibly be wrong. Where are all those contacts stored anyway? SIM? Samsung account? Google account, which I have removed?
Where? Why I have a hard time to add or delete contacts?

If a contact is stored on your SIM card can be determined easily: SIM card contacts only how two fields: one for the name, the other for the phone number. If a contact has more data it can not be a SIM card contact. You can also check that easily by removing the SIM card and rebooting the device.
Regular contacts are stored in one or more databases that belong to the device's contacts provider app com.android.providers.contacts. Therefore you find the contact data in the directory /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts (only accessible with root permissions).
You you have removed all online accounts your device can sync accounts to the account data is only available locally. For deleting every contact you may simply clear the app data of the contact provider com.android.providers.contacts. It is a system app therefore make sure to enable the "Show system apps" option in Android settings to see this app.

let me check first. I don't root my computer. So there is an app called contact provider. This is different than the default contact app and the contact app from google right?

@user4951 Every Android phone has one "app" (running invisible in background) that is dedicated to store the contact data of all contacts no matter if the contacts are synced e.g. from Google or are just local contacts. Think of it as a special database program that don't have an own UI. It provides contact access to other apps that my sync contacts or let the user show/edit contacts in an UI. This is the contacts provider app. You don't need root anywhere to clear app data of an app. Just use Android settings -> Apps.

There is no com.android.providers.contacts however there is an app called com.android.providers.partnerbookmarks also there is an app called contacts storage

Cleaning contacts storage app seems to delete all contact and hence, answer this question. So this it. I'll ask follow up questions latter


text:
Changing country in Android play store is not working, how can I change it?
I have moved from Hong Kong to the UK. I am now physically in the UK connected to the UK network with a UK number and a UK SIM. However, I can't change my Play Store country to the UK.
Initially, in the Play Store app in Android, under country and profiles, there was Hong Kong and it suggested me to change to the UK, listing a few options how I can add a payment method, including adding credit / debit card, Three Pay, etc.
I tapped adding credit / debit card, and it showed a warning saying that I won't be able to use my current balance, and I won't be able to change again for 365 days. I tapped continue, the warning disappeared, and nothing happened.
I then used my computer to signed in Google Pay, created a UK profile, and added a UK debit card to it. Then under country and profiles, both Hong Kong and the UK appeared, with Hong Kong selected.

When I tapped the UK, the same warning appeared, and after I tapped continue, the warning disappeared and nothing happened.

I have two Android phones and they behave the same. I cannot delete my Hong Kong payment profile as I have a Developer account and an AdSense account tied to it. How can I change my Play Store country to the UK?
I have tried deleting storage and cache for my Play Store, and also tried removing the Google account and adding back in, but they didn't help. Initially on the first day I landed the UK a box did appear for me to enter my account details, but I hadn't got my debit card yet at that moment so I didn't continue.

Have you read this https://stackoverflow.com/questions/23469010/migrate-google-merchant-account-to-different-country?

I used a 3rd phone with an older Android version, added my Google account into that phone, and changed using the exact same way in the Play Store.


text:
contacts app makes calls with a voip app instead of normal phone app
I installed a voip app, Talkatone, and now Contacts always use Talkatone instead of making normal phone call. Any workaround? Sometimes I would like to place normal call, because Talkatone is not making call to some numbers. Android Go Edition.
Curiosly, Fongo app, another voip, allows one use Contacts within app, but does make call itself, not through Talkaton, like regular Phone app. Regretfully Fongo sms messages are not free.

Is Talkatone set as the default phone app?

Do not know, perhaps. Should I install some default app configuration utility and change it back to phone?


text:
Booting Fairphone Open OS automatically after sideloading from TWRP
After writing a bash code that automatically installs LineageOS on the Fair Phone 2 (FP2), I am also implementing the "reverse" OS installation, from LineageOS to Fairphone Open OS. From Fairphone Open OS to LineageOS works flawlessly, however the other way round does not yield the expected behaviour.
Expected behaviour
I would expect the FP2 to successfully boot up into a new instance of Fairphone Open OS after executing:
sudo adb shell twrp sideload
sudo adb sideload 19.11.2-sibon-24df0be9-ota.zip
# terminate/end the sideloading modus
sudo adb sideload /dev/null
adb reboot

Observed behaviour
That does not work, as the phone gets stuck in an infinite boot until the usb connection with the host is disconnected. In that case,

the phone starts the new Fairphone Open OS installation for about half a second,
then displays the "power off" message,
and reboots into the Android Recovery menu whilst displaying:

**Android Recovery**
Fairphone/FP2/FP2
9/21.03.0-rel.2-sibon-3cb25d6c
userdebug/release-keys
Use volume up/down and power.

Can't load Android system. Your data may be corrupt. If you continue to get this message you may need to perform a factory data reset and erase all data stored on this device.

**Try Again**
**Factory data reset**

If the option Try Again is selected, the phone reboots, and then repeats itself coming back at this menu. However, if Factory data reset is selected, the factory data reset is executed successfully and the phone successfully boots into Fairphone Open OS.
Error Mitigation Strategy I
Since the factory reset "solves the problem", I tried to automate this. However, I am experiencing some difficulties doing so. The main issue is that I do not have control over the phone anymore as soon as I reboot it after sideloading the Fairphone Open OS in TWRP. This is because throughout the booting (up to failure/reboot into Android Recovery mode), the adb is unauthorized:
List of devices attached
somedeviceid    unauthorized

So I tried to erase the data after sideloading in TWRP, but before rebooting, using:
adb shell twrp wipe data
adb shell twrp wipe cache
adb shell twrp wipe dalvik

However, that also leads to the observed behaviour as described above.
Error Mitigation Strategy II
Since erasing the data from the TWRP system did not equal a factory reset in/of the Fairphone Open OS, I thought I might reboot into fastboot and do a factory reset from there, as is explained here, using the code:
adb reboot bootloader
fastboot erase userdata
fastboot erase cache
fastboot reboot

However, that soft-bricked the device. I think this soft-bricked it because, Fairphone Open OS replaces the TWRP recovery system with its own Android Recovery system, which corrupts the TWRP recovery system, and then the Fairphone Open OS tried to fail into its recovery mode, but that still was set to the TWRP because it was not removed due to the use of fastboot in between, yet the TWRP was corrupted. However, after some of trial and error and some improperly documented actions, I did manage to unbrick the TWRP somehow, which brings me back to trying to the observed behaviour.
Error mitigation strategy III
I tried the reset functionality as described here, from twrp after sideloading, before rebooting:
adb shell
recovery --wipe_data

Which outputted:
I:Lun file '/sys/class/android_usb/android0/f_mass_storage/lun0/file' does not exist, USB storage mode disabled
TW_INCLUDE_CRYPTO := true
I:Found brightness file at '/sys/class/leds/lcd-backlight/brightness'
I:Got max brightness 255 from '/sys/class/leds/lcd-backlight/max_brightness'
I:TWFunc::Set_Brightness: Setting brightness control to 255
I:LANG: en
I:TW_NO_LEGACY_PROPS := true

However, it resulted in the same described observed behaviour, needing a manual factory reset before Fairphone Open OS would boot successfully.
Question
What could I do to successfully sideload and boot into the Fairphone Open OS coming from a LineageOS system without the user having to perform a manually factory reset?

fastboot erase does delete the entire file system from partition. twrp wipe data does only delete files from file system. but switching between different (encrypted) ROMs requires fresh formatted partition with (unencrypted) file system (ext4/f2fs) that's why one should format data instead (aka factory reset)

Road to answer
Because I did not clearly understand the difference between selecting, Wipe>Advanced Wipe>Data>yes, and Wipe>format data>yes I did not thoroughly/consistently test the latter option as I thought it was the same as the Wipe>Advanced Wipe>Data>yes option.
Since I experimentally determined that a factory reset did fix the issue, I focused on automating that option in the given constraints. Doing so in this question, I was reminded of the Wipe>format data>yes option again and provided with the adb command in a comment. Since I did not yet find a factory reset method I tried the sudo adb shell twrp format data command manually, and it worked. Then I tried it again in the automated setting with: format_data=$(adb shell twrp format data) and it still worked. This answer has been made possible thanks to the comments of alecxs.
Answer
I was able to automate the installation and booting of Fairphone Open OS using the following set of commands:
sudo adb shell twrp sideload
sudo adb sideload 19.11.2-sibon-24df0be9-ota.zip
sudo adb shell twrp format data
adb reboot

That made the phone successfully boot into the new instance of Fairphone Open OS.
Note
The termination of the sideload modus was not needed anymore, hence the following lines were ommitted:
# terminate/end the sideloading modus
sudo adb sideload /dev/null


text:
What are the adb commands for Wipe>Swipe right to Factory Reset>yes in TWRP?
Question
What are the adb commands to perform the following action sequence in TWRP:
First click Wipe, then Swipe to Factory Reset, enter yes?
TWRP documentation
The interface shows the wipe>Swipe to Factory Reset>yes however, the TWRP documentation does not seem to show/discuss this option.
Note
I am aware of the adb commands for the set of actions that select Wipe the Advanced Wipe and selecting
Dalvik ART Cache
System
Cache
Data
Internal Storage

however they seem to be a different set of actions than the Wipe>Swipe to Factory Reset>yes. Similarly, the set of Wipe>Format Data>yes actions is also different than the Wipe, then Swipe to Factory Reset, enter yes sequence.

Yes based on empirical testing, it seems to me that the adb twrp wipe data corresponds to Wipe>Avanced Wipe>Select Data, and not Wipe>Swipe right to Factory Reset>yes. Similarly, the adb twrp format data command seems (to me) to be equal to the Wipe>Format Data>yes command, and not equal to the Wipe>Swipe right to Factory Reset>yescommand.


text:
No Google Play Store on Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G
I got a Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G, and it had Google Play Store and I used it to install Pokemon Go and used its Dual app mode.
And then I had two Pokemon Go running, but then I tried installing Plants vs Zombies, and Angry Birds 2, but it stopped somewhere during the game start up.
And then now, Pokemon Go cannot log in, and I tried Google Play Store and it could not go in.
I then followed the instructions on the Mi Community but the methods do not work, and since I got the phone on eBay, I thought it may be good to do a factory reset just in case the phone has something installed by the third party that I am not aware of.
After the factory reset, there is no Google Play Store, and when I go to Settings -> Account, there is no way to add any Google account either.
I can go to apkmirror.com to install Google Play Store, but it'd run and then flash and then quit.  I also installed Pokemon Go from apkmirror.com, but then there is no Google account to use either and it doesn't allow to go on. (which is what I used to log in, using my previous phones).
So what can be done that can get back the Google Play Store?

I would try to download a full firmware image for your device and install it https://www.getdroidtips.com/xiaomi-mi-11-lite-5g-europe-stable-rom/

I also saw YouTube and another blog post mentioning https://google-installer.en.uptodown.com/android do you know if that is alright?

I am not familiar with Xiaomi devices, but I would assume that all Xiaomi device come with pre-installed Google services (even for those devices only sold in China?). Therefore if you do a factory reset and afterwards Google Services and Play Store are missing means that the device is manipulated. Effectively the person who manipulated could have installed back door or remote admin software as system app. Therefore my advice is to fully erase the device and install a known to be genuine firmware (with Google apps). Otherwise you can not be sure the device is really under your control.

according to https://soyacincau.com/2021/02/07/xiaomi-gms-google-apps-services-support-official-response it says International model comes with Google (GMS), and "some" domestic version has it. Mine is shipped from ShenZhen, China (bought from eBay)... so mine falls under "domestic"... I'd imagine if it is a Xiaomi selling in Hong Kong, it probably will have GMS. (by the way, I'd imagine if people install "back door", they can fake it 100%, meaning they also install GMS as well as the back door... which is why I feel uneasy to buy smartphone on eBay (but sometimes it is the only option)

When you go to any app page on the Google Play website, you will get an option to bring it up in Google Play. Try clicking on that option, and observe the results. This will at least tell you if it's actually hidden on your system somewhere. I've seen apps disappear from the UI completely while still being on the hard drive. It's worth checking. If it is still there by chance, opening it should bring it back into the land of the living.

Is Google Play one of the apps that checks for root permission now? Most apps of which Google has any sort of hand in development (e.g. Pokemon go) will not install on rooted devices. If it really is gone, I'd bet money on the fact that this has something to do with it. What version of Android is your device running? As you likely already know, Android 10 and 11 made a lot of changes in the name of "security" which devastated the root user community. It wouldn't surprise me if this is one of them.


text:
How can I find the oldest SMS that is stored on my phone?
How can I find the oldest SMS that is stored on my phone?
Since SMSs are threaded I can't just scroll all the way down to find my oldest message.
The reason I want to do this is that I use a backup solution for SMS that, for unknown reasons, has failed to copy some messages from my current phone. I therefore want to startover and make a full backup of my current phine. At the same time I have a decade worth of history backed up in this solution and I just want to cull the messages that is on my current phone.
Basically, in my backup solution I have messages 1 to 1200. 1 to 1000 are old, from old phones, while 1001 to 1200 are on my current phone. I want to find 1001 and then delete all messages newer than that from the backup. Finally I will backup 1001 and newer again.
Android 10 on a Oneplus 6T


text:
Are the IMG files in the AVD data directory really encrypted?
If I enable phone encryption with password or PIN on my Android Virtual Device, will that actually make the raw NAND images (*.img / *.qcow2) encrypted?  Does it render the data in those files inaccessible?
If the *.img and *.qcow2 files are really sector-level-encrypted, is there a script or program to decrypt them outside of the AVD?
I'm not referring to the sdcard img and qcow2 files, but rather the userdata-qemu img and qcow2 files.
Reference:

https://developer.android.com/studio/run/emulator-commandline#data-filedir

Sector level encryption would be in Android Full Disc Encryption which no longer used for modern devices. Usually now File Based Encryption is used. If it is used in your case you should be able to mount the image but file names and data can be encrypted.

@Robert, so the belief is that if encryption is enabled in AVD, that the image files will have their data encrypted.  If not by sector, then by file.  But with either case the data at rest is not decryptable without the decryption keys and tokens.

The Android encryption has been designed to work with a hardware security element as it can be found in ARM CPUs. Such a hardware element is of course missing in the emulator. The main purpose of the emulator is to provide an environment for app development. I would not use it for security critical data.

@Robert, good point about the missing SE.  But my understanding about the android keystore is that both the PIN and SE are mixed to provide the initial entropy for the encryption.  Even if there is no SE (null SE), if mixed with a sufficiently complex PIN (password really), I would think reasonable security could still be achieved.  For example Oreo allows for 17 char passwords providing ~102 bits of entropy.  102 bits is "pretty good", if my assumptions are not totally off base.

originally the user password was used via key derivation to encrypt the user data. But on modern devices the architecture is more complex and user password is use for authentication against Android Gatekeeper. If I remember correctly the user password is not used for data encryption anymore. Security of encrypted data mainly depends on the hardware security based keystone...

@Robert, good points.  A strong passphrase to unlock a trivial keystore does no good.  I just noticed that the AVD emulator command allows me to pass -qemu commands.  I'll look at converting the image files to qcow2 encrypted images and see if I can solve this problem that way.  If I get it working I'll report back.

You may also check the Genymotion emulator (free for private use). It bases on VirtualBox and VirtualBox has the feature to encrypt virtual drives by a  password. I am not sure if disc-encryption can be used with Genymotion but it would be worth a try.


text:
How google check the apps submitted for publication in playstore?
I knew playstore authority ( None other than google)  take some time to analyze the app and then gives permission.Am I right? What do they do to analyze the app?
and how they check all assets( image or audio or video) are used without infringing copyright ?

I never heard that Google performs copyright checks. You as the developer are responsible for this. Only if you mimic an existing successful app Google may not publish an app as such mimic apps are usually spam or malicious apps.

As per Play Console Help - Intellectual Property, Google rely on users' reports since they don't (and can't) check by themselves.

Thanks for comments.One more thing, If someone uses my artwork anywhere without my permission, how can I know that?(It's definitely not possible to check everything in internet)

You can't......


text:
Unlocking bootloader for samsung A10 only
Is there any possible way to unlock bootloader on samsung A10..I've tried fastboot I've tried everything..LXDE?..I'm dying here..

https://topjohnwu.github.io/Magisk/install.html#unlocking-bootloader

https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/android-unsamlock-bootloader-unlock-for-samsung-us-canada-devices.4215101


text:
What is the approximate battery discharge rate of Google Pixel 3XL phones when turned off?
I am considering purchasing a new Google Pixel 3XL Android phone, primarily for photography.  I don't believe those phones have been manufactured for 2-3 years, so I am concerned about the battery health.  If the phone has been sitting in a box for 2 years with 0% charge, my understanding is that it's likely the battery will not function well.
For this reason, I'm wondering: What is the approximate battery discharge rate of Google Pixel 3XL Android phones when turned off?
(Also, if anyone happens to know how approximately much battery charge was present when the phones were placed in their box, that will be helpful.)

The answer starts from what you asked towards the end of your question.

Li-ion battery's are charged to around 40% while storing. That's about the charge level (give or take few % points) you'd see when you take a phone out of box for first time. Reason

Lithium-ion must be stored in a charged state, ideally at 40 percent. This prevents the battery from dropping below 2.50V/cell, triggering sleep mode.

Sleep mode is a protective mechanism to prevent deep discharge and you can't charge the battery conventionally when it enters that mode.

But batteries do self discharge and the typical rate of Li-ion batteries is about
2% per month (Table 3). But this does not mean you get a fully discharged battery say after 2 years. That's because

There is virtually no self-discharge below about 4.0V at 20°C (68°F); storing at 3.7V yields amazing longevity for most Li-ion systems

But yes, your battery would suffer a capacity loss as you can see in Table 2 of link quoted in above point. If you can get a new battery from OEM, which is manufactured recently, this risk can be mitigated and you can use it for long.
But if your use case is only photography, I guess you need not change battery at all.

This is generally applicable to all Android devices and  your specific model should not be an exception.

Thank you so much.  That is all excellent information!  A comment then a question: Comment: It's unsettling that the site you found states ~2%/mo, but this other site states 10%/mo for Li-ion: https://www.batteryeducation.com/2012/10/battery-self-discharge-rates.html  Question: In item 3, you mentioned "Table 3". Did you mean Table 2?  If so, and we extrapolate the data from Table 2 linearly (any idea if linear would be correct curve for extrapolation?), that would mean a 3 year old battery stored with an initial charge of 40% at 25C would have ~88% capacity; if stored at 30C, ~77% capacity.

Thanks. There is lot of conflicting information on the net on these aspects. That's why I prefer Battery University as it has a series of articles which are not internally conflicting - to address your comment //Coming to your Question in comment, it isn't linear. AFAIK there is nothing like negative storage - any battery is technically EoL of it's capacity is down to 80% of rated capacity. Of course it can still be used for a long time, only charging needs to be frequent, to a point is reached where it needs to be on charge to be used // Yes I meant Table 2, fixed typo, thanks catching that

Thanks. You mentioned that any battery is technically EOL at 80% of rated capacity.  Does Google replace them for free under warranty if they drop below that level?

Of course NO... Batteries aren't covered in warranty AFAIK

Of course not.  LOL.  It reminds me of crappy vehicle warranties that pretty much only cover components within the drivetrain and very little else.


text:
Output audio from mic on bluetooth headset to phone speaker
I want to get audio from the mic on a bluetooth headset, send it to the connected phone, and play it on the phone speakers. I'm aware there are different profiles and protocols to be used, but I'm unsure on how to start. What method can I use to achieve this with minimum delay?
Context: A friend of mine works in healthcare and is shouting themself hoarse while speaking to others through the PPE. If possible, I'd like to provide them with an app that lets them use their phone speakers as a megaphone to amplify their voice  - If such an app already exists, please let me know.
Thanks in advance.


text:
How to change color of an app?
I don't know programming,but I know that we can change color of an app by going to res>>values>>color and editing it there with the app
"apk editor".
But this app is not working now.
when i click "build" it shows this error message:

invalid resource directory name: /data/user/0/com.gmail.heagoo.apkeditor/files/decoded/res navigation
invalid resource directory name: /data/user/0/com.gmail.heagoo.apkeditor/files/decoded/res font>

Notice that this error message shows up even if i don't make any changes. Even if I just open an apk and press build, this error message pops up.
So, is this a problem with the application?
What should i do?
How can i change color of an app?

It seems that the APK file you want to edit is not supported by "apk editor". May be you should just talk to the developer of "apk editor"?

Wasn't your identical question closed earlier this morning? This seems to have been submitted as Q#237025 [closed], and now again as Q#237026.

I asked for suggesting an app in that question. That is why it was closed. But even after  i edited out that sentence , the question was not reopened. I think it take some time to reopen that question. So, I posted this question. However this cannot be considered a duplicate because i edited the first question to "This was deleted" because there was no option to delete that question

res>>values>>color isn't the only place to save colors. A developer can hard-code the colors e.g. in styles.xml or may change dynamically from Java code. So there's no general answer to your question. Ask the developer or reverse-engineer the app fully and dig it out yourself. // Regarding the error you're getting, again, there is no universally working solution for all apps to decompile and recompile them. Developer may use some obfuscation method which makes it impossible or very difficult to de/re-compile the app.

@Irfan Latif Ok,thanks


text:
Realme C2 phone bricked, bootloader locked, can't access fastboot or recovery mode, not getting connected to PC
My Realme C2 phone has been bricked, it had bootloader locked, and I can't go to fastboot or recovery mode, it is not getting connected to PC.
After booting the phone, it shows this screen and not doing anything next.

The current image(boot/recovery) have been destroyed and can not boot.
Please flash the correct image or contact customer service to fix it.

I want to flash stock ROM but not able to do it because it's not connecting to the PC.

Have you tried to go into fastboot/bootloader mode? (hold Volume Up + Power button while booting). Fastboot needs special fastboot drivers installed on Windows.

How did you flash it previously on locked bootloader?


text:
How to set dark mode except for text?
I like dark mode but the problem is that it is difficult to read text on a black background so that when I read in dark mode, my eyes become watery.
So, is there a way to exclude texts from darkmode, such that there is a white box behind texts..?

Not possible in general but a developer can make an app that way.

@Irfan Latif How can we do that? Can we edit an app to make it like this?//Thanks for replying


text:
New firmware (with bug fixes) is available on the official website of the manufacturer - do I need to update via PC?
I have Cubot KingKong Mini 2 (Android 10 smartphone) and the new version of the firmware is available on the official website of the manufacturer: https://cubot.net/Support/id/60/cid/16.html#hh

It contains "minor bug fixes". They also gave instructions on how to update firmware: via PC, using SP Flash Tool.
My question is: does the "standard" update from Android app settings (System > Advanced > System update) also include the same bug-fixes? If so, then I don't have to do anything via PC & SP Flash Tool.
I tried to find the answer by searching on Google, and on some sites it says that "firmware update = Android update" (which means that I don't have to do anything via PC?), while on others it says that it is not (which means that I would have to update firmware via PC/SP Flash Tool?).

Usually device are getting updates as OTA update (Over The Air) and the on-device System update retrieves and installs them. But we are here talking about a Chinese manufacturer of cheap phones, there is everything possible. Check your system version and build number, may be you already have this "2020-11-13" update installed.

Thanks @Robert
If I understand correctly, OTA & System update should also include "firmware" updates, not just updates for OS?

On Android firmware == OS. It is a common misunderstanding that there is a difference between firmware and OS, on Android they are more or less inseparable.

OS is system partition. firmware is other partitions like vendor, tee, secro, nvram, modem etc


text:
"Add widget" option not appearing on home screen
I would like to add a widget to my home screen. According to the official help page, I should touch and hold an empty space, and then tap "Widgets". However when I touch and hold an empty space on the home screen, there isn't any "Widgets" button, all I see is "Home settings" and "Wallpapers". However, I found a screenshot on internet where that button is clearly visible, the problem isn't that I'm looking in the wrong place.

My phone
Screenshot of someone else's phone I found on internet

So it seems like this "Widgets" buttons exists on other phones, but it's disabled on my phone for some reason. I tried googling for why this button could be disabled, but I couldn't find anything related to my problem.
I also tried clicking on "Home settings" to see if there was anything related to widgets in there, but there wasn't. I also tried opening the settings app and searching for "widgets" in the search bar, but it didn't give any results.
In case it matters, I'm using a Motorola Moto E6i.
Why is that "Widgets" button disabled and how do I enable it?

Your phone Motorola Moto E6i is running Android 10 Go.
On Android Go the default launcher has no widget support. This is the reason this option is missing.
I am not sure if different launcher apps also face this limitation. You can try to install a different launcher app that has built-in widgets. Widgets of other apps may still be impossible because of Android Go.

If there are no widgets, then why is there the built-in Google Search widget? Also I had another built-in clock widget that I accidentally deleted.

@DonaldDuck so, that's the weird thing about Android Go. Vendors can set the factory default of placing the built-in clock widget on the home screen, but the access to widget setting is disabled due to the app detecting the device running on Android Go.

I tried the Microsoft launcher app and it seems to support widgets.

Can confirm installing the Microsoft launcher app solution works on a Redmi A2 running Android Go 13


text:
Writing Scripts For Android
So I recently downloaded ScriptRunner for android and was wanting to learn how write a basic script to open an app click at a certain x y coordinate and perhaps take a screen capture at a given time. So if anybody could get me started in the right direction id very much appreciate it.

There are a number of apps with "ScriptRunner" in the name. You should edit your post to include a link to the website/Google Play Store page. Also it would help to know if you intend to run scripts on a rooted device or not.

Have a look at UI Automator https://developer.android.com/training/testing/ui-automator
If you want just something very simple, you could create a shell script with adb commands instead. E.g.:
Click on coordinate 500, 500:
adb shell input tap 500 500

Launch an app:
adb shell am start com.package.name

Take screenshot:
adb shell screencap -p /sdcard/screenshot.png

So with those commands do I need a hash bang first if I'm using script runner for these particular commands?

What is this script runner you're talking about?

it was this scripting app I download but this UI automator you speak of is that also a scripting app for android although I can't seem to find it in the App Store


text:
Moto G Play (2021) is not detected on Windows PC
I'm trying to connect my Moto G Play (2021) to my PC with Windows XP SP3 and my computer doesn't know it's even there, where do I get Windows drivers for me to transfer what I want from phone to PC?

Like Heitor in the answer below said, did you try MTP mode? Is your device still not detected? Are you sure the USB port of your PC and the USB cable you are using are alright?

For USB drivers: Where can I download the USB drivers for my device?

Probably the device is connected in charge mode. Verify if the USB connection type is displayed in notifications, then open it and choose File transfer (MTP).


text:
Web Browser Screen Resolution / ViewPort width
I've recently upgraded from a OnePlus 5T to a Oneplus 9 Pro.
I have noticed that when viewing webpages, the viewport width on the 9 Pro is smaller than on the 5T, even though the 9 Pro has a higher screen resolution.
When I visit http://whatismyscreenresolution.net/ on the 5T, it shows 412x823, and on the 9 PRO it shows 384x858.
Is there anyway to 'fix' this so that the 9 Pro has a higher viewport width?

Fixed this by changing the 'Display Size' setting in phone settings to 'Small'.

Upvoted for posting your solution..  Just FYI, you should be able to accept your own answer, although perhaps not immediately.


text:
Can any Google Pixel smartphones take 12MP or better photos in 16:9 aspect ratio?
I have been considering buying a Google Pixel 3 or 3 XL Android smartphone to use primarily for photography and phone calls.  Google advertises that these phones have 12MP main cameras.  That's fewer megapixels than I would like in a camera, but I was still considering those devices as possibilities.
While performing research, I saw a short video clip that showed Google's UI.  From what I could tell, 12MP is only available in 4:3 aspect ratio.  In 16:9 aspect ratio, the resolution drops all the way down to a paltry 8MP.  That's much less resolution that what I what in a camera.
Is the resolution of the main camera in the Google Pixel 3 and 3XL only ~8MP in 16:9 mode?  If so, is this limitation true for their entire line of Pixel smartphones?

Why camera sensor size is more important than more megapixels

16:9 is only a common video but not a common photography format, therefore the camera chips usually have 3:2 or 4:3 ratio. 16:9 is created by cropping the image, therefore the megapixel value is always lower for a 16:9 image. See this article for details: https://photographylife.com/aspect-ratio

See related answers on why 16:9 has less pixels and not a preferred photo format in most cases

@Robert I can't speak to current Samsung flagship smartphones, but I know that for years their market-leading flagship phones featured maximum resolution at 16:9 aspect ratio.  For example, their Samsung Galaxy S6, S6 Edge, S6 Active (and I think S7 and S7 Edge) all support 16MP at 16:9 aspect ratio, but only 12MP at 4:3.

@beeshyams Thanks. Both answers to that question are, unfortunately, incorrect.  It all depends on the aspect ratio of the sensor.  Sensors come in a variety of aspect ratios, including 1:1, 4:3, and 16:9.  Since most people view images on ~16:9 screens these days, I would postulate that 16:9 is the preferred ratio.  Otherwise, you'll wind up with large bands on your screen or a cropped image where the primary subject may be partially off-screen.  For prints, at only 300DPI, 12MP does not have enough pixels to make a print much larger than a common piece of paper. At 600DPI, cut that in half.

Well, it looks like the Google Pixel 6 Plus (or Pro, or whatever they decide to call it) will finally have a camera sensor that isn't limited by technology that's a decade old.
That phone is supposed to come out sometime around the end of 2021.  Of course, it will cost more than most computers, so it won't be practical for most people to own.
For all practical purposes, the answer is that Google does not currently have any smartphones that can take 16:9 photographs with greater than 8MP.  In a few months, this might finally be possible, but the device will cost more than a mirrorless DSLR camera with a professional sensor that has much better characteristics.


text:
How to "adb push" files from linux to android without the non-permissive symlinks
I want to push over 120K small files including symlinks using "adb" but without those links if they fail in "remote symlink failed: Permission denied" to Android device.

Copying a large number of files from/to the device you better tar the files and extract them after transferring them. Using adb exec-in you can pipe the tar file to the device and directly extract them without ever saving the tar file.

that will defeat the purpose of fast copying, packaging and extracting is not the right approach to this problem.

Irrespective of what method you use to transfer files, symlinks aren't supported in Android's shared storage: https://android.stackexchange.com/a/218944/218526

thats why i need to skip those :)

You want to skip symlinks? I couldn't get that point from your question. adb push provides no filtering options based on file type. You need to use some other method, possibly combined with adb push e.g. find -type. But pushing individual files would largely reduce the transfer rate. Better use some other file transfer method.


text:
ADB requires drivers that are installed, not fastboot though, what drivers are required for fastboot?
I want to use ADB to backup everything on my phone so I can use CFAutoroot and restore root permissions, without erasing my entire phone, or deleting an app. I've had issues with this phone, I still have root access, but my Superuser or root control app is fucked up, to where it freezes or says binary reserved. I don't know how to fix this, so I want to back up my phone with ADB.
So I have used ADB and it restarts my phone adb restart bootloader, but when I use fastboot to flash it waits for devices, and nobody is providing sufficient answers, so I need the help or you guys. I'm trying to flash TWRP to my Samsung Galaxy S4 IGH-I337. It doesn't work.

Have you read this question and answer? https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/162664/fastboot-on-samsung-devices

adb backup is running in boot mode. not all apps support it. re-install kinguser apk or whatever gui kingroot provides to grant root access. you can backup apps with Migrate instead

root goes through but the supersu still says binary reserved or it crashes.

refer to comment


text:
/data - Error: Failed to open the device
Device (Nook HD+) will not boot.
It was running LOS 14.1 with TWRP recovery, to which I can still boot up, but any attempts to wipe, or format the /data partition fail.
I also can access the shell (BusyBox) on the device through 'adb'. From there: mkfs.f2fs /data fails with Error: failed to open the device. I can format the underlying block device, but when I try to mount it, I get ...failed: no such file or directory.
And, that's all I know, and could use any and all pointers/advise if there's a way to recover from, what looks to me like, a corrupt storage. Is there a way?
Thanks
Edit: including terminal output:
#=========================
~ # ls
boot                       init.rc                    selinux_version
bootdata                   init.recovery.hlthchrg.rc  sepolicy
cache                      init.recovery.ovation.rc   service_contexts
charger                    init.recovery.service.rc   sideload
data                       init.recovery.usb.rc       supersu
default.prop               license                    sys
dev                        proc                       system
emmc                       property_contexts          tmp
etc                        recovery                   twres
external_sd                res                        ueventd.ovation.rc
file_contexts              root                       ueventd.rc
fstab.ovation              sbin
init                       seapp_contexts
~ # ls -la /data
__bionic_open_tzdata: couldn't find any tzdata when looking for localtime!
__bionic_open_tzdata: couldn't find any tzdata when looking for GMT!
__bionic_open_tzdata: couldn't find any tzdata when looking for posixrules!
drwxr-xr-x    2 root     root             0 Jan  1  1970 .
drwxr-xr-x   22 root     root             0 May 11 21:47 ..
~ # mkfs.f2fs /data

        F2FS-tools: mkfs.f2fs Ver: 1.4.0 (2014-10-18) [modified by Motorola to reserve space]

Info: Debug level = 0
Info: Label =
Info: Segments per section = 1
Info: Sections per zone = 1
Info: Trim is enabled
        Error: Failed to open the device!
~ # mkfs.f2fs
        Error: Device not specified

Usage: mkfs.f2fs [options] device [sectors]
[options]:
  -a heap-based allocation [default:1]
  -d debug level [default:0]
  -e [extension list] e.g. "mp3,gif,mov"
  -l label
  -o overprovision ratio [default:5]
  -O set feature
  -q quiet mode
  -s # of segments per section [default:1]
  -z # of sections per zone [default:1]
  -t 0: nodiscard, 1: discard [default:1]
  -r reserved_bytes [default:0]
     (use only device_size-reserved_bytes for filesystem)
sectors: number of sectors. [default: determined by device size]
~ # cat /fstab.ovation
# Android fstab file for emmc-based device
#<src>                                                  <mnt_point> <type> <mnt_flags and options>                                  <fs_mgr_flags>
# The filesystem that contains the filesystem checker binary (typically /system) cannot
# specify MF_CHECK, and must come before any filesystems that do specify MF_CHECK
/dev/block/platform/omap/omap_hsmmc.1/by-name/system    /system     ext4   ro,errors=panic                                          wait
/dev/block/platform/omap/omap_hsmmc.1/by-name/userdata  /data       f2fs   rw,discard,nosuid,nodev,noatime,nodiratime,inline_xattr  wait,nonremovable,check,encryptable=footer,length=-16384
/dev/block/platform/omap/omap_hsmmc.1/by-name/userdata  /data       ext4   rw,discard,nosuid,nodev,noatime,errors=panic             wait,check,encryptable=footer,length=-16384
/dev/block/platform/omap/omap_hsmmc.1/by-name/cache     /cache      ext4   rw,discard,nosuid,nodev,noatime,errors=panic             wait,check
/dev/block/platform/omap/omap_hsmmc.1/by-name/rom       /rom        vfat   rw,noatime,nodiratime,uid=1000,gid=1000,fmask=117,dmask=007  defaults
/devices/platform/omap/omap_hsmmc.0/mmc_host/mmc1       auto        auto   defaults                                                 voldmanaged=sdcard1:auto
/dev/block/mmcblk0p4                                    /boot       emmc   defaults                                                 defaults
/dev/block/mmcblk0p3                                    /recovery   emmc   defaults                                                 defaults
/dev/block/mmcblk0p6                                    /bootdata   vfat   rw,noatime,nodiratime,uid=1000,gid=1000,fmask=117,dmask=007  defaults
/devices/platform/omap/musb-omap2430/musb-hdrc/usb1/1-1 auto        auto   defaults                                                 voldmanaged=usb0:auto
/dev/block/zram0                                        none        swap   defaults                                                 zramsize=67108864
~ # ls /dev/block/platform/omap/omap_hsmmc.1/by-name/userdata
/dev/block/platform/omap/omap_hsmmc.1/by-name/userdata
~ # ls /dev/block/platform/omap/omap_hsmmc.1/by-name/
boot        bootloader  factory     rom         userdata
bootdata    cache       recovery    system      xloader
~ # mkfs.f2fs /dev/block/platform/omap/omap_hsmmc.1/by-name/userdata

        F2FS-tools: mkfs.f2fs Ver: 1.4.0 (2014-10-18) [modified by Motorola to reserve space]

Info: Debug level = 0
Info: Label =
Info: Segments per section = 1
Info: Sections per zone = 1
Info: Trim is enabled
Info: sector size = 512
Info: total sectors = 27000832 (13184 MB)
Info: zone aligned segment0 blkaddr: 512
Info: format version with
  "Linux version 3.0.31-ovation-green+ (green@fatbox1.localnet) (gcc version 4.4.3 (GCC) ) #2 SMP PREEMPT Mon Jun 17 01:18:23 EDT 2013"
Info: Discarding device: 3199798464 sectors
Info: Overprovision ratio = 2%
Info: Overprovision segments = 236 (GC reserved = 108)
Info: format successful
~ # mount
rootfs on / type rootfs (rw)
tmpfs on /dev type tmpfs (rw,nosuid,relatime,mode=755)
devpts on /dev/pts type devpts (rw,relatime,mode=600)
proc on /proc type proc (rw,relatime)
sysfs on /sys type sysfs (rw,relatime)
tmpfs on /tmp type tmpfs (rw,relatime)
/dev/block/mmcblk1p1 on /external_sd type vfat (rw,relatime,fmask=0000,dmask=0000,allow_utime=0022,codepage=cp437,iocharset=iso8859-1,shortname=mixed,errors=remount-ro)
/dev/block/mmcblk0p9 on /cache type ext4 (rw,relatime,barrier=1,data=ordered)
~ # mount -h
mount: invalid option -- h
BusyBox v1.22.1 bionic (2017-12-10 05:05 +0000) multi-call binary.

Usage: mount [OPTIONS] [-o OPTS] DEVICE NODE

Mount a filesystem. Filesystem autodetection requires /proc.

        -a              Mount all filesystems in fstab
        -f              Dry run
        -v              Verbose
        -r              Read-only mount
        -w              Read-write mount (default)
        -t FSTYPE[,...] Filesystem type(s)
        -O OPT          Mount only filesystems with option OPT (-a only)
-o OPT:
        loop            Ignored (loop devices are autodetected)
        [a]sync         Writes are [a]synchronous
        [no]atime       Disable/enable updates to inode access times
        [no]diratime    Disable/enable atime updates to directories
        [no]relatime    Disable/enable atime updates relative to modification time
        [no]dev         (Dis)allow use of special device files
        [no]exec        (Dis)allow use of executable files
        [no]suid        (Dis)allow set-user-id-root programs
        [r]shared       Convert [recursively] to a shared subtree
        [r]slave        Convert [recursively] to a slave subtree
        [r]private      Convert [recursively] to a private subtree
        [un]bindable    Make mount point [un]able to be bind mounted
        [r]bind         Bind a file or directory [recursively] to another location
        move            Relocate an existing mount point
        remount         Remount a mounted filesystem, changing flags
        ro/rw           Same as -r/-w

There are filesystem-specific -o flags.

~ # mount -av
mount: mounting /dev/block/mmcblk0p10 on /data failed: No such device
mount: according to /proc/mounts, /dev/block/mmcblk0p9 is already mounted on /cache
mount: mounting /dev/block/mmcblk0p8 on /system failed: No such device
mount: according to /proc/mounts, /dev/block/mmcblk1p1 is already mounted on /external_sd
~ # ls -l /dev/block/mmcblk0p10
__bionic_open_tzdata: couldn't find any tzdata when looking for localtime!
__bionic_open_tzdata: couldn't find any tzdata when looking for GMT!
__bionic_open_tzdata: couldn't find any tzdata when looking for posixrules!
brw-------    1 root     root      259,   2 May 11 22:09 /dev/block/mmcblk0p10
~ # cat /etc/fstab
/dev/block/mmcblk0p10 /data f2fs rw 0 0
/dev/block/mmcblk0p9 /cache ext4 rw 0 0
/dev/block/mmcblk0p8 /system ext4 rw 0 0
/dev/block/mmcblk1p1 /external_sd vfat rw 0 0
~ # mount /dev/block/platform/omap/omap_hsmmc.1/by-name/system    /system
~ # ls -l /system
drwxr-xr-x    2 root     root          4096 May 11 17:45 addon.d
drwxr-xr-x   38 root     root          4096 May 11 17:45 app
drwxr-xr-x    2 root     shell         8192 May 11 17:45 bin
-rw-r--r--    1 root     root          3955 Jan  1  2009 build.prop
drwxr-xr-x   16 root     root          4096 May 11 17:45 etc
drwxr-xr-x    2 root     root          4096 May 11 17:45 fake-libs
drwxr-xr-x    2 root     root          8192 May 11 17:45 fonts
drwxr-xr-x    2 root     root          4096 May 11 17:46 framework
drwxr-xr-x    6 root     root          8192 May 11 17:46 lib
drwxrwx---    2 root     root          4096 May 11 17:45 lost+found
drwxr-xr-x    3 root     root          4096 May 11 17:46 media
drwxr-xr-x   46 root     root          4096 May 11 17:46 priv-app
-rw-r--r--    1 root     root       1436220 Jan  1  2009 recovery-from-boot.bak
drwxr-xr-x    3 root     root          4096 May 11 17:46 tts
drwxr-xr-x    8 root     root          4096 May 11 17:46 usr
drwxr-xr-x    4 root     shell         4096 May 11 17:46 vendor
drwxr-xr-x    2 root     shell         8192 May 11 17:46 xbin
~ # mount -fv /dev/block/platform/omap/omap_hsmmc.1/by-name/userdata  /data
~ # ls -l  /data
~ # mkfs.f2fs /data

        F2FS-tools: mkfs.f2fs Ver: 1.4.0 (2014-10-18) [modified by Motorola to reserve space]

Info: Debug level = 0
Info: Label =
Info: Segments per section = 1
Info: Sections per zone = 1
Info: Trim is enabled
        Error: Failed to open the device!
~ #
C:\Users\MarS\Downloads\-Save-\Nook\try\First-200325>adb devices
List of devices attached
3024360011144302        recovery
C:\Users\MarS\Downloads\-Save-\Nook\try\First-200325>adb shell
~ # cat /etc/fstab
/dev/block/mmcblk0p10 /data f2fs rw 0 0
/dev/block/mmcblk0p9 /cache ext4 rw 0 0
/dev/block/mmcblk0p8 /system ext4 rw 0 0
 /external_sd vfat rw 0 0
~ # mkfs.f2fs /dev/block/mmcblk0p10

        F2FS-tools: mkfs.f2fs Ver: 1.4.0 (2014-10-18) [modified by Motorola to reserve space]

Info: Debug level = 0
Info: Label =
Info: Segments per section = 1
Info: Sections per zone = 1
Info: Trim is enabled
Info: sector size = 512
Info: total sectors = 27000832 (13184 MB)
Info: zone aligned segment0 blkaddr: 512
Info: format version with
  "Linux version 3.0.31-ovation-green+ (green@fatbox1.localnet) (gcc version 4.4.3 (GCC) ) #2 SMP PREEMPT Mon Jun 17 01:18:23 EDT 2013"
Info: Discarding device: 3203800288 sectors
Info: Overprovision ratio = 2%
Info: Overprovision segments = 236 (GC reserved = 108)
Info: format successful
~ # mount /dev/block/mmcblk0p10 /data
mount: mounting /dev/block/mmcblk0p10 on /data failed: Invalid argument
~ #
C:\Users\MarS\Downloads\-Save-\Nook\try\First-200325>

Still no joy. Tried it all you suggested with the latest busybox. The block device formats OK, fsck runs clean on it, but it will not mount. Sigh.

there is something wrong with journaling or disk quota i can see ext4 on your fstab. also check partition size from /proc/partitions is different from file system size (-16384 bytes)

check this link how to resize file system with resize2fs https://chat.stackexchange.com/transcript/message/56826844#56826844

For now, I bypassed the (f2fs?) problem by formatting the partition as ext2. I will try your resize2fs approach later. Thanks for all the pointers, alecxs


text:
ADB does not install any APK
This is an old phone LG L90 with Android 5.0.2 Lollipop (it does not support any newer version).
ADB does not install any APK, like literally any, old or new, any app, downloaded from anywhere on the internet. E.g. Google Play will fail installing Google Drive latest version assuming they dropped support for Lollipop.
So e.g. you can download older versions from APKMirror (versions tthat support Android 5+ and I tried most of them).
E.g. you can still install many apps via Google Play successfully, but if you download that same APK file with same version and try to install it via ADB it fails?
Command used is adb install filename.apk
Error Invalid APK file

Debugging via USB is enabled
Play Protect disabled
Device is not rooted

Can you download this app (or any app that supports your Android) from F-Droid (it is a Free/libre app repository) and install it using adb? Do you still get an error? Can you try installing it using a file manager app? Do you also fail to install using a file manager app?

@Firelord hi, it did install via File Manager, but I get same error via ADB https://i.imgur.com/MqL5phr.png

Usually you execute adb install without executing adb shell before. Therefore on your PC just execute adb install ... and afterwards (or in a second terminal) adb logcat. The logcat output should include the real error/exception what is going wrong.

@Robert Hi, thank you for your help, it does attempt installing apps now and it did succeed, but I still can't install Google Drive. I get error Failure [INSTALL_FAILED_ALREADY_EXISTS], but there is no existing installation, or at least I cannot find it listed with pm list packages. List of all packages https://pastebin.com/yrA3BaYW

Most likely Google Drive is installed as system app on your device. You can try to install the app as update via adb install -r .... But you should really go back to the app Firelord has linked. Don't start with the hardest enemy, start with the most easy one...

Android Explorer installed successfully and some others. But I really just want to have Google Drive installed and running. I guess this is going off topic.

The -r did install Google Drive, but no icon available to start the app and in Apps settings it says it is running?

Can you respond with Answer so I can close this thread, please? I will start new one for Google Drive issue.


text:
using adb command for Samung Galaxty A51
I have a samsung galaxy A51 i already had the developer mode on my phone but i forgot to allow usb debugging on it before my screen broke. The phone still works but the screen wont light up & wont come on. I download the android debugging bridge. I dont even know how to work the commands. Can anyone please help. I am trying to get everything off the phone & save it to my comouter. I am currently running a Windows 10 program. I habve the acer spin 3 computer

kindly check broken-screen questions