Disable splashscreen - BOOTLOGO disabled First off all I must start by saying that I am not an Android Expert.

I Have some android TV box ( not a phone ) which is of some unknown third party chinese vendor . it is already rooted .

I need to personalize it as much as I can, and I have already made the wallpapers, launcher, and bootanimation

The only thing I have left (and the most annoying one ) is the splash screen.

Now, I have read a lot of posts / articles about it , and I even made a rgb656 .img file, but the whole process is very complicated ( and potentially dangerous ).
So now all i want is to totally disable it .

I opened init.ec and there I saw :

...

export LD_LIBRARY_PATH /vendor/lib:system/lib
export ANDROID_BOOTLOGO 1
export ANDROID_ROOT /system

....

So I wonder , does changing the ANDROID_BOOTLOGO 1 to ANDROID_BOOTLOGO 0 will disable the splashscreen ?

Is there any other easy way of doing it ?
Any advice ?
(If you can avoid answers like "try and see" - I am afraid to brick it ..

I don't know if boot_logo = splash_screen in Chinese ;) But I'd say give it a try. I cannot see any reason that it should "brick" anything (while changing one of the other two settings certainly have the potential, this one is not very likely to do so).
As a reference, see this XDA Developers thread which is dealing with that issue:

From what I understand, you need to change the init.rc file in \
setprop ro.kernel.android.bootanim 0
setprop debug.sf.nobootanimation 1
or simply change export ANDROID_BOOTLOGO 1 to export ANDROID_BOOTLOGO 0 also in init.rc
However, all changes to init.rc are gone after restarting the phone....

Which brings up another information: It's very likely that your init.rc resides on a RAM disk, so those changes will have no effect at all. In that case, you would have to modify the boot image (boot.img). I never did that, but this carries potential to entirely brick it (as it happened to the guy in the linked XDA thread, by the way).


Windows 7 file sharing , not accessible in Android phone using ES File Explorer Trying to access a shared folder on Windows 7, using ES File Explorer on my Android 2.3 mobile phone over WiFi LAN.

The scan on APP detects the Windows machine, but am unable to access the shared folder. It shows logon failure consistently.

Tried multiple logins and login names (local user) but in vain.

TCP dump trace reveals the following

60867 5015.029850 192.168.1.2 192.168.1.3 SMB 304 Session Setup AndX Request, User: BLR5898L\shashi; Tree Connect AndX, Path: \192.168.1.3\SHARE

63058 7068.758590 192.168.1.3 192.168.1.2 SMB 105 Session Setup AndX Response, Error: STATUS_ACCESS_DENIED

I had an issue connecting with ESFE to a Win7 PC.
This did the trick for me:
Go to Network adapter configuration -> Tcp IP 4 settins -> WINS -> Enable NetBios over TCP/IP.

ESFE is looking for NetBios over tcp/ip because android probably doesn't natively run NetBios protocol.


Still visible after I deleted my WhatsApp account I've deleted my WhatsApp account according to the official instructions.

Unfortunately I'm still visible to my friends and they can still send me messages. But with a deleted account that shouldn't be the case — at least in my opinion.

I've already contacted WhatsApp's support but to no avail. Until now I haven't gotten a response.

Do you know what I could do about this issue? Have you already experienced such a problem yourself?

PS: I've just talked to some of my friends and on their phone I disappeared from their Favourites list automatically without manually refreshing.

I've just received the following answer from WhatsApp's support team:

  Hi there,

  Thanks for confirming your account to be deleted within the WhatsApp
  settings. Your phone number has been deactivated and it is scheduled
  to be deleted within 30 days. Therefore, please have your contacts
  refresh their Favorites List so that you no longer appear as a
  WhatsApp user.

  If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to
  contact us. We would be happy to help!

Sad that my friends have to refresh their Favourites list manually for me to be deleted. Especially when exactly this is described by WhatsApp's FAQ to be done seemingly automatically when you delete your account:

  Deleting your account will do the following:
  […]
  Delete you from your friends' WhatsApp Favorites lists.
  […]


Better Russian dictionary for Android's autocorrect? The built-in Russian dictionary is extremely small and I keep adding new words to it every day. Is there a better one anywhere on the web?

Install User Dictionary Manager
-(With this you can import/export/delete/edit dictionaries)

*Now after installing User Dictionary Manager Download Russian Dictionary (Ru.zip 2012) From Here

*Unzip Russian Dictionary File

*Import .txt file with User DictionaryManager.

  DONE

Dictionary Source


Unlocking Bootloader Moto G Unable to bootup I have been trying to unlock the bootloader on my Moto G 3rd Gen, so I can install TWRP Custom recovery and flash a new system image, as my phone will not boot up at all (including recovery mode).

I have tried to follow the steps on the Motorola website, but when I get to the command:
fastboot oem unlock (i have the code, not showing it here)
it says:

(bootloader) Check 'Allow OEM Unlock' in Developer Options.

However, as the phone cannot boot up, I can't check allow OEM unlock in the developer options.

anybody know how to get round this so i can install TWRP?

First download the corresponding firmware for your devices here.

Then follow (at your own risk) this updated guide.

I had the same problem with a Xperia M4 Aqua, and I couldn't override the 'OEM Allow Unlock' since phone wouldn't boot up.
I tried to perform the follwing in order to override that:

fastboot erase cache
fastboot erase userdata

It didn't work for me, but you can try on your phone, maybe you get lucky.

Since I was on Sony Xperia, I managed to flash a stock firmware using Sony Flashtool.


Android wireless debugging on multiple devices By following Google ADB Documentation i am able to connect to device wireless . But i want to connect more than one device.

For adb wireless to work i have to restart adb in tcpip mode

Once i did that i can connect to a device but to connect to another device i will have to restart adb in usb mode again which will disconnect the first device.

Simple solution would be to connect both device with usb and then restart adb in tcpip. But i don't have any extra set of usb cable right now.

So is there any other way to connect more than one device except for the method i mentioned above.

adb tcpip <port> doesn't restart the adb daemon in your PC but in  Android and binds it to listen to that specific  port. You can always connect multiple devices in wireless mode.

Follow these steps:

Plug first device and restart adbd in tcpip mode using adb tcpip <port>.
Connect to first device using adb connect <host>:<port>.
Unplug first device, plug second device and restart adbd in tcpip mode using adb -s <serial> tcpip <port>.
Connect to second device using adb connect <host>:<port>.

You may now unplug the second device. If you execute adb devices you would see both the devices connected in wireless mode. Whenever you intend to do any operation on any of the device, supply identifier using -s.

Example:


No sound on right ear on Motorola G4 I was having an issue this morning with my Moto G4 and thought there could be more victims.

I could only hear the sound from the left speaker of my headphones.

So what was causing it?

I figured out a solution.

At first I wanted to try and fix it physically with the help of this tutorial and as I was building a thing out of cupboard I went to search the internet again.

And then I stumbled about this where someone said, restarting the phone made it work again for him.

This fixed my issue so I came to the conclusion that this is a software issue/bug.

I hope this helps somebody else.

For me it was very annoying because I only have this phone for two weeks.
So restart your phone every once in a while or you won't hear anything soon ;)


very slow performance of Galaxy Grand 4.2.2 After the new update of 4.2.2 on Feb 6,2014 my phone performs very very slow.. cant even run a single application.. cant even pick up the call as the screen remains blank...
Smart phone has become absolute dumb and for no use...

I was facing the same issue after the 4.2.2 Feb 6, 2014 update. Did a factory reset and I'm able to run applications now. The dialing and answering the call problem is resolved, but on the whole, the mobile still lags.


Does a software update affect data? I recently bought an Android smartphone, Samsung Galaxy Core (Model GT-I8262), checked for updates to the software(4.1.2). The package files were downloaded and when it was about to install, it displayed the precautions to take, before installing the update.

After installation, would it erase the contacts stored in my sim card or any other data on my smartphone?

  Phone info:

Manufacturer : Samsung

Model : GT-I8262

Android Version : 4.1.2

No it doesn't but make sure you perform backup's before updating.


How to recover lost contacts from samsung galaxy s3 I was closing all my unused running programs on my galaxy S3, and suddenly closed the contacts app. When I checked my contacts afterwards they were all gone. But when I checked my call logs, the corresponding name for each number showed for few seconds, and then disappeared as though all contacts were deleted from the phone.

Does that mean it is stored somewhere in the phone? I tried recovering from GMail, but unfortunately I had not sync'd my contacts initially. Please help to recover as they were all my office related contacts.

If the phone was synced with your Google Account, you just have to re-sync it and you'll get all your contacts back.


Not able to connect xperia tipo to Ubuntu I can connect my Xperia Tipo to Windows but not able to connect Ubuntu. Why is it so? Is there any changes that I need to make to my phone ?

This question seems to come up every few weeks...

Ubuntu 10 (and sometimes above) requires manual editing of your udev config in order to recognize an Android device.

As root create the text file "/etc/udev/rules.d/51-android.rules” and add this line for a Sony device:

SUBSYSTEM=="usb", SYSFS{idVendor}=="054c", MODE="0666"

Save the file and exit the editor, then set the permissions of the file and tell the udev system to reload the rules:

$ sudo chmod a+rx /etc/udev/rules.d/51-android.rules
$ sudo udevadm control --reload-rules


Uninstalling 360 Security I'm trying to delete 360 Security from my phone ( Samsung J 6 3 ), and it is activated as my device Administrator, when I go to deactivate the device administrative permission it shuts down my settings. How can i get rid of this app?

Try to repeat this step in safe mode. You can access safe mode by these steps.

  Power off your device by holding down the Power button and then tapping on Power off.
  Power on your device by holding down the Power button. As soon as the Samsung Logo pops up, press and hold down the Volume Down key until your device as rebooted.
  You will now be able to see Safe Mode down the near the bottom left of the screen.
  To exit safe mode just reboot the device.

Hope it helped.


How to sync notification and ringtone volumes when pressing up/down buttons on Galaxy S6? When using the volume keys on the galaxy S6 it changes the volume of the ring tone only. However, when pressing the volume buttons I would expect the volume of both the ring tone and notifications to be affected.

Is there a way to link those two volumes in a way that both are changed when pressing the hardware volume buttons ?

My previous phone was a S3 and the volume keys were setting both volumes.

I don't think there is anything built in to the Android O/S to link/sync ringtone and notification volumes (for the Galaxy S6 anyways).

The best I've found (and currently using) is Volume Sync Pro by Plextab Software.
It does exactly what you want with the up/down volume rocker button. It's a paid app though.

I've tried these free apps and they did not work for me.

volume Control + by Coffee Break Apps
Volume Sync by Jesta's Funhouse


Using Alt Gr on external keyboard with Android 4.0.4 I have Sony Xperia P with official android 4.0.4 on board. The Polish language uses some letters, that normally (on PC) are typed by Alt Gr+letter (eg. Alt Gr+a=ą). But using Alt Gr on external keyboard does not work as intended on android. How to make it working correctly?

I've found the solution some time ago. The app External Keyboard Helper Pro makes it work correctly.


Error while flashing CM 11 ROM on HTC One M7 I am trying to flash my HTC One M7. I bought this device from T-Mobile.

I am using ClockworkMod Recovery v6.0.4.8 (recovery-clockwork-6.0.4.8-m7.img). However, whenever I try to flash anything, it give me an error. I am using Cyanogenmod snapshot build (cm-11-20141112-SNAPSHOT-M12-m7.zip).

Steps I am following:

Wipe data/factory reset -> Yes - wipe all user data
install zip -> install from sdcard -> select the zip file

Log:

  Finding update package...
  Opening update package...
  Installing
  update... Installation aborted.

I get same error whenever I try to flash anything. Either it being UPDATE-SuperSU-v2.zip or GAAPPS. I have also tried TWRP (twrp-2.8.6.0-m7.img) still same error.

I am following the instructions from here: wiki.cyanogenmod.org/w/Install_CM_for_m7

What's might be reason for it or where am I going wrong?

Found the issue. It was due to safari auto-unzip file after download. I was making a zip of the file again.

I used chrome to download the file and voila it worked perfectly.


Has Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean officially released for the Samsung Galaxy SIII? Possible Duplicate:
  When will my device get the Android 4.1 update (Jelly Bean)?

Does anyone know if Android 4.1.2 has been released officially for the Samsung Galaxy S3? If so, where can I download it?

I only want the official version.

If it has been released officially, then it will be available either OTA or via a Kies update - however, I am not 100% sure whether or not it has been released, I would say it hasn't - but don't quote me on that.


Decrypt crypt7 without key (phone was factory reset) I have my whatsapp backup db in crypt7 format. I forgot to backup the crypt key.

Now I want to decrypt the crypt7 file but not sure what to do. I have my device with me on which the file was encrypted, but the device has been factory reset, hence I am unable to get the key from it.

Now my question is, if I reinstall whatsapp, will I be able to get the crypt key and will I be able to decrypt the file which was encrypted before factory reset?

if not, is there any other possible way to decrypt it?

Thanks for any help.

As far as i know the whatsapp crypt7 files are not actually encrypted.

There is an app that can encrypt/decrypt/backup the crypt7 files without a key.

Also, over copy-pasting your whatsapp folder will also work, i think i've succesfully tried that already...


Security of Android cryptography in versions < 5.0 against government agencies Recently, both Google and Apple announced their new OSes encrypt the device by default. This caused a lot of complaints from government agencies. Let me quote an article
http://trendblog.net/fbi-worries-android-l-ios-8-data-encryption-going-too-far/

Apple, for its part, has made iOS 8 so thoroughly encrypted that the company itself can’t unlock either iPhones or iPads for police or anyone else unless they have the user’s passkey.
Google is mirroring the same procedure by making the latest (not yet available) version of Android encrypt all user data by default instead of having the encryption as an available option. Just like with Apple’s data protection update for iOS 8, the new version of Android will also be uncrackable without access to the user’s passkey, even by Google itself it seems.

Currently, Android features a cryptography function to protect the sdcard partition and extSdcard too so that the device can be decrypted on boot and unlocked during usage only with a password (you cannot have a pattern lockscreen enforced, for example: certain devices require you a minimum password complexity level).
Here comes my question: given that Google and Apple only announced "by default"-cryptography, and given an expert user can encrypt the device by himself, and given that the FBI deals with people with great expertise in proptection technologies [the criminals, to clarify], what is the real Android security level when using cryptography?
With regards to versions < 5.0

Does Google have ways to unlock or decrypt the device without user key? (Maybe, because you can unlock your phone with your Google account, and Google has technical control over your account)
Is the widely-announced feature a revising of the classic sdcard protection or a brand new way to encrypt the device?

What is the real Android security level when using cryptography?

The cryptography is strong itself.
Its application can be weak in systems of many applications and heterogenous hardware.
Many outdated applications can also increase the risk of security tweaks.
I can say that the security level of Google Pixel (sorry Android 7.x) can be strong because of both hardware and software control in the development of the product.

  Does Google have ways to unlock or decrypt the device without user key? (Maybe, because you can unlock your phone with your Google account, and Google has technical control over your account)

There are no standard ways to do this.
Secondary ways may exists but they are because of other reasons, than Google.

  Is the widely-announced feature a revising of the classic sdcard protection or a brand new way to encrypt the device?

I think no. I see no revises on the classic sdcard protection system here.


Is RAM/HDD Shared on Tablets PCs? First off, this isn't directly Android related, I browsed through the humongous list of Stack sites but couldn't find a better fit. If this isn't allowed, move/delete/eat this post before reading on.

Now - how does Tablet RAM work? Is the hard drive (SSD?) shared with the system memory? I can't seem to find any info on this.

No, RAM is RAM, hard drive space is separate. A smokingly fast SSD would be much slower than typical RAM sticks, and it would be impractical to run a system like that. Even smartphones have real RAM sticks in them (usually LPDDR).


how do I turn OFF Smart lock. I was trying to secure me phone. I had turned on pattern. Then thought for extra security I would turn on Smart Lock. Note the pattern lock is gone. I want to feel that I can leave my phone on the coffee table and walk away.

Go to Settings—Security.

  Under Advanced, tap Trusted agents as shown below.

  Tap Smart Lock (Google) to Enable\Disable it. You can also drag the switch to
  the Right\Left side to Enable\Disable it.


Bookmark current song I don't know if I need an app for this or can I do it with the given music app. I've downloaded a bunch of lectures and they're all in one album.
 Sometimes I want to listen to music, but when I do, I lose my place in the lecture album. Is there a way to bookmark or save the current song/position so I can quickly switch back? Preferably free.

Try using the Audiobook variant of MortPlayer. I believe it ought to suit your needs. Also - it's free.

One of its features is particularly useful:

  List of 10 most recent events for each track (where did you press play, stop, got interrupted by a call, activate the sleep timer, ...)


Phone SMS to Display Google Voice Num? I am using Galaxy S3 with t-mobile. I use Google Voice for my number, and have the phone set to automatically use GV to call. I setup Google voice to forward SMS. Everything works fine with the exception of when I want to sent a new SMS, of course using the phone's SMS app.
How can I get GV to appear as the number from which the sms originated?

With forwarding, you should be able to do this automatically. If your contacts are texting your google voice number, then you must have already told google voice to forward texts to your real number.

You should be able to reply directly to that forwarded message. Google creates a new phone number for your contact and associates it with that person. So if person X at phone number 123-456-7890 sends a text to your Google Voice number, you will recieve it on your regular number as coming from 987-654-3210. When you respond, Google will recieve the message (they own 987-654-3210), then resend it to 123-456-7890 with your Google Voice number as the caller ID.

However, if they are texting your regular number, or if you don't have forwarding enabled, you will be stuck using the Google Voice app to send text messages and still have your GV number show up.*

*There is a paid app (root required) that claims to integrate google voice with the native (and 3rd-party) text messaging apps. The app costs $5 and looks like it does what you want. I haven't tried this, though, and some of the reviews claim it doesn't work right (though others say it works great). Edit: There is a free version here.


Unable to add Rediffmail account in Gmail app I was trying to add my Rediffmail account to Gmail app. After choosing any of POP or IMAP, it says unable to connect server.

I have other mail accounts in the app and all of them are working fine.

How to add Rediffmail account in Gmail app?

Select POP3 → In POP server address, type pop.rediffmail.com → in SMTP server address, type smtp.rediffmail.com.  Then you are all set.


Uninstall system app failed using 'adb shell pm uninstall' I attempted to force uninstall in ADB, but failed:

$ adb shell pm uninstall -k org.openintents.filemanager
$ adb shell pm list packages -f | grep -i manager
package:/system/app/FileManager.apk=org.openintents.filemanager

What went wrong here? What can I do?

I used the internal application manager and there isn't an option to delete it.

Well, since the FileManager.apk package resides in a /system/app/ directory it is a system app. So the general way to remove it is:

adb shell
su
mount -o rw,remount /system
rm -rf /system/app/FileManager.apk
rm -rf /data/data/org.openintents.filemanager
mount -o ro,remount /system
exit
exit


Redirect to a login page when accessing androids tethered hotspot I have an android device which i want to use to provide internet to a group of people. I want to leave the wifi open but a user must acquire a username and a password to properly login to our internet.

Once a user is connected to our wifi,i want the user to be redirected to our login page. Is there an android hotspot app that can enable me to redirect a user to a custom page?.

Its called WIFI Captive Login. Radius server used it. Do some R&D on this and hope you will find some thing helpful.


Daily data usage on home screen Can I see daily mobile data usage (excluding Wi-Fi) on the home screen using a widget?

I think this 3rd party widget will do it. It says that it can be customized.

Data Counter

PS: Sorry for not using the comments field.


Android to listen TCP connection Is it possible to put Android to accept outbound connections, ie. act as a server waiting for connections?

If so, is there any hindrance like an embedded Android firewall?

What I have in mind is to make a server-less, direct Android-to-Android (p2p) connection. My suspicion is that a few applications make use of that, eg. Skype when a call is established.

Your question is very unclear

If you want to share files like from android to android then you can use an app called ShareIt
If you want your android act as SAMBA server, there's Samba Fileshare app
If you want to make your own app that uses P2P between 2 android devices, then you've probably came to wrong place, maybe you'd like to check stackoverflow from top left corner


Why don't I see Twitter's homescreen widget on my Android? When I go to add widgets to my home screen, I don't have any widget from Twitter available. Other widgets are appearing in the widget list, can be added, and work fine. Just nothing from Twitter.

What could possibly be causing this?

I am on Android 6, but it couldn't possibly be too old, as i have an even older device running Android 4.3 where the Twitter widget is available. I have the Twitter app installed, I am logged into it, I can open it and use it. The only thing that is missing is their widget for my home screen.

I have tried removing the app and installing it again, logging back in again, restarted the device a couple times, but the widget just doesn't offer, neither for the default launcher, nor in Nova Launcher.

Sorry, the Twitter widget is gone.

The Twitter widget was removed from service in the newer versions since release 6.8.0. See the report dated July 26, 2015 from Android Police. It is possible the version you are maintaining on the earlier OS was never updated (or can't be) to a widget-less version.

My Samsung S8 carries the latest Twitter App and no widget available, regardless of launcher. (I use Nova, but confirmed this too, by reverting to the default)


LineageOs compatible with European (H850) version of LG5 The "Downloads" page of LineageOS only lists the US version (H830) for the LG5.

Given that they apparently use mostly the same hardware, am I safe to assume that a build of LineageOs that works on H830 will also work on H850 (usual caveats about custom roms applied of course)?

The difference in baseband is often quite crucial - your link isn't showing the bands these models support. This usually warrant separate codenames and builds, although they might be unified in the future.

Given that even unofficial builds for these 2 models still opted for separate codenames instead of a unified build, it's obvious that at least at this moment you shouldn't treat them as one.

You could just use the unofficial builds for now, but shifting back to official builds after that will require a wipe, due to official builds claiming "incompatible data".


Is flashing a ROM made for a very similar model to mine possible? Is it possible that flashing a custom ROM made for another android model could work for me? I'm just wondering this because I have one of those rare models that only a few providers sold, but is very hardware similar to some of the more popular and better supported models. So if I flashed a ROM built for a very similar model to mine would it brick the device?

I'm quite the beginner so if you want to check it out here's my model: SGH-I87D (Samsung Galaxy Ace Q with gingerbread 2.3). I really don't mind taking some chances because it's just my old phone and it was a pretty crappy one at that. So if anyone could give me some tips that would be awesome; oh right and "long live the n00bs".

PS: I've already rooted it so that's not a problem.

Possible? Yes. Dangerous? Extremely.

Depending on how similar the model is, you could have it work fine, not work fine, brick, or, in extreme cases, perma-brick.

If you're willing to take the chance, that's fine, but understand that you could do serious damage to your device if you do.


Samsung Galaxy Ace (Android 2.3.5) Not working correctly I am new to this, I have no idea what to do, as when I went on a trip, and booted my phone, I realised it wan't supposed to be on at all. However, me being in a hurry I didn't have the time to wait until it booted and shut it down, I just removed the battery (smart thinking, I know). The trouble started. My home button is disabled, I have no lock screen, although enabled, and when I hold the power button, instead of saying "Power Off", "Silent", and "Flight Mode", it only says "Power Off". I have no idea what  I am doing wrong, I rebooted around 20 times, removed battery and sim card, plugged it in, etc. I would be REALLY happy if somebody helped.

PS: The home button works, it's just not enabled, I know this because when the screen is off and the home button is pressed, it turns un. I have no trouble with any buttons, not now, not before. Also I'm rooted for over a year now, it's ALWAYS been smooth.

I assume that you have a GT-S5830. Looks like this is a software based issue. I recommend you to perform a hard reset.

Factory reset.

To do that power off the phone. Then press and hold the home, power keys few seconds. When you see the Samsung logo release the pressed keys. The phone will be boot into the stock recovery.
In recovery navigate to wipe data/factory reset option by volume keys and press the power key to select it.
Next navigate to the yes option using volume keys and choose it by pressing power key.
Now your device will be reset. Once it's complicated reboot the Galaxy Ace.

If it's not success, install official firmware.

Install official Samsung firmware using ODIN.

Download your device firmware from sammobile  and download the PC Odin in here.
Next power off the phone.
Press and hold  Volume down, home and power keys until phone boot into the download mode.
Connect the phone to the PC over the USB cable.
Make sure that ODIN  "Com Port " area turn to yellow colour.
Press "Select Ops" button and choose Cooper.ops file.
Under the options make sure that "One Package" checked.
Click "One Package" button and choose the firmware .tar.md5 file.
To start the flash click on "Start" button. Installation will take few seconds and once it completed phone will be automatically reboot.


How to root Redmi 4X? I wish to install TWRP, LineageOS and Magisk on a Redmi 4X I have to replace the stock ROM.
I installed ArrowOS on a Lenovo Vibe K5 Plus very recently and it went very smoothly.
However searching around online, unlocking Redmi phones seem to be a real pain.
While this link tells how to root it and install TWRP(the easy part) it doesn't talk about the part of unlocking the phone's bootloader in the first place.
This link leads nowhere.
This link is pretty irrelevant because I don't have a Windows PC. Any tips to do this with Arch Linux??
I couldn't really make sense of this rather long and intimidating thread though it seems to be the most promising one.
I couldn't make any sense of the other google results and they lead me nowhere.
I'm still quite a noob with Android and so would appreciate any help I get.

So I successfully rooted my device and installed lineageos in it today.
I created an mi account(couple days back) witj my phone number, made a windows vm and used an [unofficial tool] [https://kkworld.in/unlock-mi-bootloader-without-waiting-time/] to unlock the bootloader.
Initially getting my vm to recognise connected usb devices was an issue but I found a [superuser solution][https://superuser.com/a/1295185] and then rebooting.
You can check if usb devices are working without turning on a vm. I've posted it [here][https://github.com/arch-linux-enthusiast/android-rooting/commit/3924a65d6681a4efd9fdfd2931b82d47321e3556]. Yep I've also made a github account (with very little substantial content since I barely know anything).
I didn't have any waiting time for the unlocking to happen, but keep in mind this tool is possibly modded as far as I know. If you have the patience, use the official tool and wait it out.
Thanks for all the support, I couldn't have done it without your help, @alecxs!!!


Tasker "Night" profile won't exit I have a profile set-up to activate when the phone is connected to power AND the time is between 10:30pm and 7:30am.  This shuts off autobrightness, dims the screen, shuts off vibrate, and lowers the ringer (except certain contacts).

This run an exit task to reverse all of this after 7:30am because both conditions are no longer met ... but it doesn't.  If I unplug the phone before 7:30am, it will exit the profile.  If the time passes, it won't exit even if the phone is unplugged.

Any suggestions?

I have a similar profile for nighttime and I don't use an exit task.  Since the task only runs during the time span you specify, it should shut off by itself once it's 7:30am.


Broken Note3 screen with password and debugging mode off need to transfer date any soluations Broken Note3 screen with password and debugging mode off need to transfer date any solutions,

i need to transfer Avery important date from my mobile, my computer recognize it but no data shown as i use password, i need to open the password to take my date
i know my password but i cant even type it the screen is dead
pleasssssssse help me
any smart solution?

Custom recoveries have ADB on by default, all you need to do is mount the partitions in recovery and pull data.

My bet is to flash a recovery image via Odin (CWM preferable, because it accepts hardware key control), boot to said recovery (only requires hardware key combo), connect to PC and use ADB pull to pull whatever data out of its misery.


How to know which Gapps version is installed? How to know which Gapps version is installed in official Roms. I've a Archos 45b Helium with Android 4.4.4 installed.

In SDK package of Android, there's a little tools called "aapt" which gives you information about the version:

#~:./aapt dump badging GoogleServicesFramework.apk
package: name='com.google.android.gsf' versionCode='19' versionName='4.4.4-1288895'
sdkVersion:'19'
targetSdkVersion:'19'

#~:/aapt dump badging GoogleLoginService.apk
package: name='com.google.android.gsf.login' versionCode='19' versionName='4.4.4-1227136'
sdkVersion:'8'
targetSdkVersion:'17'

#~:/aapt dump badging GmsCore.apk
package: name='com.google.android.gms' versionCode='5089038' versionName='5.0.89 (1307510-038)'
sdkVersion:'9'
targetSdkVersion:'19'

I did these commands in a terminal on my linux workstation, after exported the APK files from my /system/priv-app folder was in my phone.


Is it possible to show "all calls" on my Samsung Galaxy S? Under phone -> logs -> menu key -> view by there are options for all logs, dialled calls, missed calls, received calls, sent messages and received messages.

Is it possible to show "all calls" instead?

Is this more of a feature request than an answerable question?

There's an "all calls" option in "Call History" on my phone. (Running 2.2 but on a HTC with their UI, which may be different, as pointed out below.)

When I hit "view", the option buttons are:

All Calls
Incoming Calls
Outgoing calls
Missed calls

Is this what you're after, or have I mis-interpreted your question?


Chromecast Beta Google I/O 2014 During Google I/O 2014, Google announced 'Android L' and a Chromecast update which will support 'Screen Mirroring'. This wasn't possible on earlier Android versions without rooting. The updates will be rolling out to users later this fall. However, they released an Android L Developer Preview for Nexus 5 and Nexus 7.

I own a Nexus 5 & Chromecast. I want to try this Screen Mirroring feature. I installed the Android L Developer Preview on my Nexus 5. Is there a beta release for Chromecast too? How can I start Screen Mirroring from my Nexus 5 (without rooting) to my Chromecast?

Yesterday, Google released ChromeCast app v1.7, for selected devices running Android 4.4.1 and above. This enabled devices to use ScreenCast feature onto their ChromeCast.


"Error: Invalid Number." when sending an SMS I have the 2014 Moto X, running Lollipop. For some contacts, when I try to send them a message, I get an SMS saying "Error: Invalid Number."

I have noticed that this happens when I go to compose a message in the stock Messages app and then search for a contact. For example, if I start typing "Ka" in the search box,it will suggest all contacts with "Ka" in the name. Then I tap the one I want to send a message to, and for some reason, the number gets truncated. If the contact has the number +1 (123) 456-7890, then after I tap it, it shows up as +1 456-7890 and hence is unable to deliver the message since it is an invalid number.

This also only happens with some contacts, seemingly at random, since all my numbers are formatted the same way, so it can't be because of the format.

Has anyone else experienced this and what can be done to fix this?

I have the Moto X as well, same issue (kept showing 7 digit number instead of 10). Read somewhere to delete the entire conversation (all text messages to/from that contact) and after that when I went to compose a new message, the contact showed up as 10 digits and the text went through.

I hope this works for you!


After removing old system app and installing the new version, it forces close I'm using a custom ROM of CyanogenMod 7 (Android 2.3.5) on ZTE Racer. The ROM came with some default system apps like Gmail, Google Translate, Youtube and Adobe Reader. The old version of these apps are kept in internal storage even if you update them, so to save space I uninstalled the updates and them removed them using Root Manager.

The problem is that when I installed the updated versions from Market, they force close during opening (I found out later that Google Translate force close only when trying to translate something).

I had backed up everything before uninstall, and I noticed that if I install the backed up version manually and then update it through Google Play, they work fine. Checking the storage space left, I can say that the old versions were this way deleted, so I suppose the result should be the same.

Since I did not notice that Google Translate wasn't working, I deleted the backed up apk file, so I can't put it to work again.

My question is: anyone knows why does this happen? And if so, how could I make the updated version of Google Translate to work now that I do not have the old default apk anymore?

Edit: I tried installed again to trace the exact error message and it is now working, though I have done anything explicitly.

I cannot say for all apps you listed -- but for some, the following applies:

Some system apps (as e.g. the market/playstore app) have to be present in /system in order to work. For the Playstore app, the reason is: The permission to install other "packages" is only granted if one of the following two conditions is met:

it is signed with the same certificate as the system (ROM) itself -- which does NOT apply in your case, due to the custom ROM used
it is installed as "system app" (i.e. below /system) -- which did no longer apply in your case, since you uninstalled the app from there

Expecting the pre-conditions given, developers might have forgotten to include a check and implement appropriate exception handling -- which then may lead to the described force-close.

Similar constellations might apply to other apps/packages as well -- though I'm not sure what should make the Google Translate app so special (maybe it has some special hooks I missed).

You could try to find out by following Roxan's advice, to integrate the app as "system app" again using e.g. Titanium backup, and see if it still force-closes.


Cannot download apps from Play Store on mobile data I have LeEco Le 2 mobile. I am trying to download applications from Google Play Store - when I click on Install, it displays "Waiting for WIFI...".

I am on mobile data, but it is not downloading through mobile data.

How can I download apps through mobile data?

First, go to your settings and under Data usage select Cellular data usage. Check whether the Google Play Store, Google Services and Download Manager are allowed to use background data.

If this doesn't help, go to Apps and find the Play Store. Tap on Force Stop and then tap on Storage. Tap Clear Cache (you could also clear all the data with the second button). Lastly, tap on Permissions and make sure that all of them are granted to the app.

Finally, reboot the phone. Hope this helps.


Dev/Log's - login attempts and how to read the log? My first post on here and hopefully a easy fun answer.

I'm looking for the location for failed login attempts on the device - I've looked on the device and it seems the logs are located in /dev/log/?

If this is the location of the logs, does this log the failed attempts at log ins? and if so what do these look like? I've download some logcat viewers but these seems to only read live log entries when in the app.

Would a app have access to read these logs?

Thanks for your help

For information about seeing log messages, look at the answers to How can I view and examine the Android log? Note that the behaviour is different between 4.1-jelly-bean and prior versions.

Android users don't work like users on a normal GNU/Linux system, so unlocking the lock screen is not a "login" in the same way that logging into a terminal session, through an X display manager, or via the network are on a GNU/Linux box. Failed attempts to unlock the lock screen are not logged.

The log is meant as a debugging aid, and log messages aren't stored forever, so the lock screen application would have its own way of storing failed attempts. In general, the Android engineers at Google like to keep the logs quiet on production devices, so system apps have a lot of logging that's turned off in the official build. There's nothing to stop a device OEM, or an unofficial ROM, having more logging for failed unlocks (or any other events). You could compile your own ROM to achieve this, but doing so is way beyond the scope of this site.


Android device crash logs? I've been having issues* with my Samsung Galaxy S4 (Rooted, Echoe rom, SCH-i545, 4.4.2) lately and have been trying to figure out why. Problem is, it seems like neither alogcat nor adb can show, that I can see, device crashes - that is to say where the entire device shuts off on its own. Plus the /data folder didn't seem to have any type of panic or kernelpanic folder (Using Root Explorer).

Is there any way I can do this? Ideally finding previous logs, but if need be I think I can recreate the problem with whatever I need installed.

*The crash seems to be caused when I switch from 4g (LTE) to Wifi naturally, such as coming home and my phone automatically connecting to my (Already known) wifi.

If nothing can be retrieved from logcat you are probably running into a kernel panic.

You could check via adb the output of: dmesg

Some devices also have a kernel feature where, on critical errors, the last received kernel message can be read from /proc/last_kmsg

Maybe this will give you some hints whats going wrong.
If not you could stream the full kernel logs via: cat /proc/kmsg and reproduce the shutdown while doing this.


minimum in call volume on lg g2 and samsung s4 too high using headphones I have tried the Apple and Klipsch earbuds with LG G2 and Samsung S4, however, both phones have a minimum in-call volume that is still excessively loud for me. What are some possible solutions? This is not the case when using an iPhone.

I saw Minimum volume is too high with headphones suggested getting an inline volume control. Will this only work for music or phone calls as well?

I have tried equalizer apps like Fine Volume Control but these work only for media and not in-call volume, which is my main issue.

Try this headset : http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00001P4XH/?tag=stackoverfl08-20

Or Try this application

http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=opotech.finevolumev2


Wearing down battery as fast as possible I am trying an experiment and I need to wear down my Droid Incredible's battery as fast as possible. What apps are known battery hogs? I've already beaten Angry Birds so that one is off the list for the time being.

Enable your GPS and use navigator to some location you are not going to that is far away. Then watch a movie on your phone with brightness on max.

This will get the job done.


How do multiple accounts on Play Store work? I have 2 accounts on the device:

abc@gmail.com - Main Account

xyz@gmail.com

With account abc@gmail.com selected on the Play Store, I've downloaded app XPTO and bought some stuff via In App Billing.
I then uninstall it
Change to account xyz@gmail.com on the Play Store
Downloaded the app with that account.

What I'm seeing is that all bought items by account abc@gmail.com are present, although I've downloaded with the account xyz@gmail.com, is this a normal behaviour?

Besides that whenever I try to buy a new product via In App Billing, the Play Store popup to buy it, shows the account abc@gmail.com and not xyz@gmail.com

Can someone explain this behaviour?

Update:

I've found another thread about this: Change Gmail account to make in-app purchase?

To answer the first part of your question, your list of purchased apps in the Play Store is a union of all of the purchased apps on all of your Google accounts. As long as your abc@gmail.com account is logged in on your phone you will have access to all apps purchased on that account. This does NOT mean that they in any way become affiliated with any other account, as removing the purchasing account from your device will disable any paid app that checks for a license and it will no longer show up as PURCHASED in the Play Store. Migrating paid apps from one account to another is a task that Google has left up to app developers to handle and you have to appeal to them to grant your other account access.

So in summary, the list of purchased apps in Google Play is completely independent of which account you have currently selected within the Play Store.

As far as changing your main account, the only way to do this is to perform a Factory Reset and sign in initially with your other account. The main account is so tightly ingrained in Google services that it cannot be changed without wiping your phone. And this process affects a lot more than just In-App purchases.


Samsung galaxy stellar root Is there a way to root a samsung galaxy stellar (4.1.2 jb)? I've searched all over google and have come up inconclusive.

maybe you searched the wrong way because i get a lot of results: that's the link to theunlocker, that worked for a friend of mine. Superoneclick should work on all androids, you could get it here.

don't worry if your rooting fails: generally there are no collateral effects

more results here


changing lock screen effect I upgraded my samsung phone galaxy note 4 to Android 6.0.1. There is now an animation for the lock screen that I don't find convenient. It looks like a a black curtain is closing. How can I change that ?

Usually you would go to settings > lock screen but it could also be in settings > security.


What version of Android Wear is on Motorola Moto Sport? What version of Android Wear is on Motorola Moto Sport? I look lots of old news about plans to issue, but didn't googled any confirmation.

Currently it's Android Wear 2.0.

According to news on Lenovo website, the Moto 360 Sport was in-line to receive this update (which was available sometime around September 2017)

One reddit user also confirmed to have received the update (Android Wear 2.0). So chances are that you can now download this update (if you haven't already) also if you want to.


How to change language to English in Oppo A59s? All the RAM result are in Chinese, and I can't read it. I have an OPPO A59s running Android version 5.1, and a ColorOS version 3.0. All output is really difficult to understand and operate. What to do?

Try going into the settings, and search for language.

Unfortunately, that version of Android and colorOS is very old and outdated. Try and see if you can update it to a newer version.

Some oppo apps may of not been translated into languages other than Chinese.


I keep getting error 911 when downloading large apps When I download anything over 70 mb onto my phone, the download gets about ~95% then it stops and a pop up saying something along the lines of, this app cannot be downloaded due to error (911) appears.

Does anyone know how I can fix this?

I have never encountered this specific error before, but you can find it among a list of common Play Store errors compiled by enthusiasts* on XDA.

They have 4 recommendations for the 911 error:

Method 1: Clear the google play store data
Method 2: If you are using a wifi connection that requires a webpage login, then your authentication has probably expired. Log in to the apn again via your android browser. Open google play store and run the app update again . If that didn’t work the problem is with the wifi network itself.
Method 3: Simply switch to another wifi network and run the update. The error 911 should disappear for the new wifi network.
Method 4: Use your mobile network data services instead of wifi. Turn wifi off and then turn your data on and now open your google play store and download/update your apps or games. However, this method is only suited for apps and games that are small sized. For larger updates you should use your wifi network to save data charge.

*Keep in mind that this list of errors and recommendations is not endorsed by Google, and may or may not be valid in your situation.

*This list is taken verbatim from the linked site, all credit goes to the list of users quoted on top of the linked page for compiling the list


"No language is installed in your default TTS Engine"? What should I do? I have just installed a pdf reader in my Samsung Galaxy Y mobile phone which comes with android 2.3 Gingerbread. This pdf reader has a text to speech option, but I am not able to use it and getting the error message: "No Language installed in your Default TTS Engine".

What should I do? How do I fix this?

You need to install the speech synthesis data for the TTS engine.  You can find it on the play store here.

Edit : The installer seems to have been removed from the Play Store for some reason.  It can be found here.


Which stable and modern custom ROM can I install on Galaxy Tab 10.1 (GT-P7500)? According to the device description at Cyanogenmod, the names for the device are:

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1,
GT-P7500,
p4.

The listed Cyanogenmod ROMs for this device are all "nightly", based on Cyanogenmod 10.1.

Aren't there more stable than "nightly" builds for this device? Are there ROMs that are based on a more recent Android version than Cyanogenmod 10.1 is (or this doesn't make sense for this device)?

I do not specifically ask for an official Cyanogenmod ROM, but it is the first place I look for a open-source custom ROM.

It Looks like there has never been an official supported stable build. That being said, you can try some of the nightly builds and hope they're stable.

Alternatively, you could have a look at some other ROMs such as ColorosOS, ParanoidAndroid, SlimROM (Check the compatibility, i've never used these on a tablet).


Oreo 8.1: Day of the week not displaying in notification drawer I'm running Android Oreo 8.1. How do I have the day off the week show up next to the date in the notification drawer drop-down?

Thanks.

You can use Date in Status Bar. It will display the day of the week in short format above the date. However, the month and year are not shown (I have not seen them when testing). When you expand the status bar, the day of the week, date, month and year are all shown.
Here are how the date is displayed:

a. When the status bar is not expanded

b. When the status bar is expanded


If I try a new email client like K9-mail, can I go back to my original email just by uninstalling it? Before I try something I cannot easily reverse ( and to confirm something I think I already know the answer for ): if I install another email client ( like K9-mail ) on my Samsung phone of even more on my Archos 101 tablet, can I revert back to the email client I already have just be uninstalling the new email client ?

Will I get a choice of email clients ( like you have now when you install Opera or Firefox ) ?

When you first install an application that can handle the same intent as another application install (for the sake of this example, let's say a home launcher, but this works for any similar apps), then the first time you'd press the home button (which calls an intent to go to the home screen, which you now have 2 apps that could handle it), you'll get a selection screen of applications that can fulfill that intent and you'll have the option to set one of them as default.

If set an application as default and you no longer wish to use that application as default you can either uninstall the application OR you can go to Settings --> applications --> manage apps --> go to the app in particular --> and click on "clear defaults".  This will reset the default application for that intent, so the next time you'd press the home button you would again get a selection of home launchers to choose from.


How do you set up a contact on a Motorola Moto G7 Power to dial in with pauses to a conference call? How do you set up a contact on a Motorola Moto G7 Power to dial in with pauses to a conference call?

I'm helping a colleague with her phone. We're all working remotely and we are dialing in for conference calls. To dial in, one enters 3 numbers (the phone number, the access code and #, then 1 to confirm. I have my phone (Pixel 4) set up with a contact so that this happens all with one press. It looks like this in the contacts entry:
5551234567, 987654#, 1

To do this, the Pixel 4 has a second screen on the dialer with more characters:

The dialer on the Motorola looks like this:

I don't see a second screen access, a comma, a pause or anything to string the numbers together.

In most standard dialers you have to type in at least one number or other character before left to the number-to-be-dialed a 3 dots menu appears that has an entry to Add 2-sec pause.

By selecting Add 2-sec pause a comma (,) is appended to the number-to-be-dialed.


Is it possible to completely brick your Android phone by using a Custom ROM? I understand that you can completely "brick" (render unusuable) your iPhone by attempting to Jailbreak incorrectly.

Whether or not this is actually the case, is it possible to do the same with your Android phone?  Or is the nature of that operating system and the handsets such that you can always install a new ROM on it if everything goes pear-shaped?

I assume there could be a difference due to how closely the iPhone is tied to iTunes, compared to how independent Android phones seem.

Yes it is possible to brick and that is why all root methods and custom roms give warnings on their threads. But that said, it is very hard for someone without much knowledge to "brick" a device as long as you follow the directions given. HTC does a great job on their devices and makes it difficult to brick them. Almost always there is a fail safe of some kind.

Most people that claim they bricked their device are mis-using the term and just throwing it around. Even someone that completely cracked their screen and could not use the screen of the phone was still able to successfully root and pull off needed files. The brick cries are no different now then they were with Windows Mobile devices that people tried to unlock. Every time someone saw the bootloader screen they cried brick, but just didn't understand that screen was normal.

If you want more reading on the topic, check out XDA Forums. Also I wrote a guide on XDA forums for rooting and backing up information, tips, etc. While the article was specifically written for the Evo 4g, most of the information still applies to any Android phone. I recommend checking it out for more info.


Can I get a mobile view for every web page on the Internet? Is there an app that lets you view a tiny-screen-optimized version of any web page, whether or not it was coded with this in mind?

Opera's "Mobile View" is like this, but it doesn't give satisfactory results on many pages.  Arc90's "Readability" bookmarklet is also in the similar vein.

Simply put, no.  Web pages are complex to the point where it is effectively impossible to determine what bits are necessary for the page to be usable, readable, maintain the right order, etc. for an arbitrary page.  When you couple this with poorly-coded websites containing errors and the like it becomes quite a mess.  This is why the two things you mention aren't perfect.


Font in messaging has became huge In the stock messaging app on my LG-G3 I have the following problem:

Suddenly, all my conversations is displayed with a font size that is incredibly large. This happened out of the blue. On the other hand, a lot of times when I have been speaking in my phone (and I do not speak for a long while) my cheek has navigated the phone into some app and possibly into some settings.

How do I make it like before? Preferrably at the same size as in the popup window  that pops up and dissapears when I get a sms.

I have not found a setting for the font size or that I should be able to set it using the volume key.

I found the answer: pinch zoom!

Using the two finger gesture in the messaging app changes the font size on:

texts
smileys
the "Enter message" field, default text as well as input text.

But not

messages timestamp
bubbles widths
the menu
the send button
the paper clip icon

If I then close the app, using either triangle or circle, the setting will persist.


Installing apps from desktop site "play.google.com/store" not working/slow When i am signed with the same account as my phone on my desktop, i can choose to install apps from my desktop. I can simply click on install button and choose the device op my preference. I remember when i did this a few years ago, it worked great. But now if it doesn't really seem to work properly. I am waiting 15 minutes for the app to shop up on my phone, but it just doesn't.

Am i doing something wrong or is it a known issue?

Thanks!

Have you checked that your device is recognized correctly? To do this, go to the Settings page and check the Last Used date. You may have multiple entries for the same device if you have switched ROMs or formatted the phone, and if you're trying to contact an old version of the phone, the install requests won't get to the device. If you have unnecessary entries here, you can hide them by unchecking the "Show in menus" checkbox.


How to Install apks from computer? Was just wondering is it possible to Install apks directly from pc. I am not talking it through Google play . I have a rooted device.

There are a few ways.

ADB is the first one. By connecting your phone to your PC with USB Debugging enabled and ADB installed, you can simply run the following command (where 'android' is the location of your ADB or platform-tools installation and 'appname' is the name of the apk to install):

C:\android> adb.exe install c:\somefolder\appname.apk

This assumes Windows. For other operating systems the process is basically the same just executing adb install in the terminal in the folder where adb is installed using the appropriate path name to the app in the format of your OS (forward vs back slashes).

The next way is with an app. Apps like AirDroid will let you install apps and much more over wifi (for free, or you can pay a fee and use mobile network). AirDroid is simple. Install the app on your phone and open it and then go to http://web.airdroid.com/ from the same wifi network and follow the instructions to connect. If you sign up, you don't have to use the Pin or qr code each time, just log in. Then you can install apps and more from the desktop like interface.

If you haven't checked it out, AirDroid is very useful.


How to save photos sent in Facebook chat? My friends and I often share pictures via Facebook and Facebook Messenger app.

I cannot save the photos to my gallery.

Please help

Touch the image and it will be viewed bigger.

Then hold the Menu button.

A menu will come up.

Go for Settings - Save Image to save the image and it will be saved to your photo album.


Can I expect samsung mhl adapter to work on my htc? Mine is HTC One X and I am going to buy a mhl to hdmi adapter in our local store. Can I expect samsung or other random mhl adapters to work on my HTC One X in case Stock adapters are out of stock or too expensive?

Samsung has two types of MHL cable: an 11-pin one for their more recent phones, and a 5-pin one for their older phones. The 5-pin one is standard and will work on non-Samsung phones. The 11-pin one only works on newer Samsung phones.

Third-party manufacturers tend to also sell both kinds, so look at which phones the cable says it is for. If it says it's for Samsung Galaxy S4, or if it's Y-shaped with a second USB output, then it's an 11-pin one and won't work with your phone.

See my other answer on How does MHL work? to learn more about the difference.


Adding a thumbnail/icon to a newsletter When you receive an email, you usually get the first letter of the sender as an icon on the left side, right? Well I was wondering how I would be able to change this icon when sending a newsletter (see example below - the newsletter was sent using MailChimp).

The images come from your Gmail contacts so you would need to create a contact for the "The Nudge" and assign a picture to it. To easily create a new contact for that email, open it up and click the icon next to the name. You should then be prompted to "Add  to contacts?".


Disabling ALL roaming? It's relatively easy to disable data roaming on an Android device in the "Wireless & networks" settings section, but the phone still tries to connect to other services via roaming like voice and SMS.  Is there a way to disable ALL roaming whatsoever?  I know about airplane mode, but that completely disables all connectivity, and it's also annoying to have to remember to keep turning airplane mode off and on again when I enter/leave the vicinity of this network.  I'd like to be able to connect to my network but not allow any roaming.

Why disable?  Becuase the network offering the roaming isn't one I trust, as I think it may be intercepting and recording my data.  So I don't want my phone to use it.

I don't think this is possible.

I think when carriers agree to let users roam on each others use their network, that probably their policies would comply in the way that when you can trust your carrier, you can probably trust it when it trusts the other one.

EDIT: Actually I recently found this out:
When you go to Settings > Wireless and Networks > Mobile networks > Network operators, you can choose to select your network manually instead of having it done automatically. But in fact, I'm not sure what it will do when you go out of coverage of the network you chose.


What feature of Android provide security to reset the /system changes on reboot? I am stuck in a weird situation where I have two Android 10 phones from Samsung. I have rooted the stock recovery of both device as instructions given here. The problem is when I change something via recovery like create a new /system/etc/init/custom.rc file then on One device it persist on /system after reboot but on another it doesn't. The changes does persist when I reboot to recovery back.

I want to understand which layer of Android applied this feature:

Kernel
Stock recovery
System
or another

Any suggestion? and how to fix it?

Removing avb checks form boot.img/ramdisk/fstab.qcom has fixed the issue.


How to remove radio from quick settings in Asus zenfone 4 When i bought my phone it had only 4 icons highlighted in green and some others which could be removed in and were highlighted in blue but suddenly the radio icon appeared and i am not able to remove it and I haven't even update any thing plz help

Open the toggles bar and on the top along with the settings button there will be an icon of pencil and a page tap that and quick settings menu will launch there will be two headings scroll down the first one and uncheck fm radio and select any thing else you want to


Prevent Skype from vibrating/beeping the phone when I'm chatting on the computer I have Skype on my Android phone, and I'm logged into the same account from both the phone and my PC, but it's annoying that when I'm chatting from my PC, the phone constantly vibrates and beeps with every message. I'm on my computer, not on my phone.

Is there a way to make Skype realize that if I'm typing from my computer, it means I'm sitting in front of it (or how else I'm typing there), so it doesn't make noises from the phone?

Unfortunately Skype for Android is still very flawed and has a lot of issues apart from the one you pointed out. Right now the only thing you can do is to go on settings and deactivate the notifications when you're using your PC, and reactivate them when you are away from it.

I always keep the vibration deactivated because either if I am using the PC or I am using the phone, that vibration is definitely too loud.


How can I turn my android phone into a remote control (mouse/keyboard) through bluetooth for ubuntu/linux There are a lot of apps that turn an android phone into a remote control for a desktop system, but only for windows based systems.

I use ubuntu and I only find Remote droid , works ok but only through a wifi network.

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.joshsera&feature=search_result

I tried to used blueputdroid, and the app told me that didnot have support for my rom. My phone is a samsung galaxy S with android 2.1

https://market.android.com/search?q=blueputdroid&so=1&c=apps

Are there other apps that I do not know?

Update: Check UnifiedRemote -- site reference.
Requires Windows and .NET Framework 4.

Older reference,
Have you tried URemoteDesktop?

  Designed to remote control any Ubuntu
  desktop PC. (also can be used on
  windows, but was designed for Ubuntu).
  Change music (Previous, Next,
  Play/Pause, Mute)
  On Ubuntu any player
  on system. (Totem, SongBird <<< no
  need on focus the app).
  On Windows
  (Windows Media Player Presenter
  functions (Next, previous) Compatible
  with Power Point and OpenOffice.

  Screen Control / Desktop Control

  Remote WIFI Keyboard


LG4 - Can't Find App's Data I have a LG4 and I have installed an app being developed internally. I am trying to view the data of this app but can't find it.

Do I have to root the phone to be able to view the data? I look in both internal storage and SD card but can't find the app.

Internal Storage/SD Card

I have no data directory in the root, only Android/Data and in there it's

com.airbnb...
com.android...
com.google...
com.lge...

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

An app has private data and optionally public data. The private data  goes inside a directory with name as the package name and located inside /data/data/ - an ordinary user/app cannot read that data. The public data may either go into internal SD card or external SD card, whichever is set as default and the app having permission to write it. /sdcard/Android/data is where often the public data goes. Some apps opt to create a dedicated folder under the root of default storage as well.

Now, how do you access the private data?

Since you noted that the app is in development, it may be possible that it is marked as debuggable1 (android:debuggable="true"). If that's the case, then setup adb in PC and execute the command:

adb shell
run-as PACKAGE   # PACKAGE is the package name of your app

Note: run-as would work only for debuggable apps.

If successful, run-as would drop you into the data directory of your app where you can see whatever you intend to see.

Follow this answer from marmor as an example.
If the app hasn't explicitly declared itself not to be backed up1 (android:allowBackup="false"), you can use adb to backup the app. To do so, execute the command:

adb backup PACKAGE

This will create a file named backup.ab in the working directory from where adb is called.

In order to extract the data from the backup, follow an answer from here: How do you extract an App's data from a full backup made through "adb backup"?
Yes, if the first two methods fail, then the Android should be rooted. Once you've root, you can use a file explorer or even a terminal emulator app to read the desired data.

1 Unless there is an explicit app to tell you so, you would be required to read the manifest of the involved app in order to ascertain whether it is debuggable or disallows backup. Axel (XML Editor / Viewer) and App Browser can help you to read manifest.


Stand-alone Google docs and sheets apps vs Quickoffice is the addition of the stand-alone Google docs and sheets apps an approach from Google to remove Quickoffice from the base Android build? What is different in the Stand-alone apps vs. the existing Quickoffice?

From self testing of the Drive, QuickOffice and the new Docs apps and an official Google blog posting, it seems like the strategy will be:

Google Drive app to view and organize your files
QuickOffice to open MS Documents
Stand Alone Google Docs apps (Docs, Sheets, and eventually Slides) to open Google Doc Files

Some testing I did shows (Moto X 4.4.2 with Docs v1.3.144.12; QuickOffice v6.3.1.041; Drive v1.2.563.21):

The QuickOffice app ONLY Opens Microsoft Format files; I am unable to load native Google Documents
The new Docs app ONLY opens Google Doc Word files; I am unable to load Microsoft Format files

A Google Blog post has a statement that leads me to believe their strategy is to remove document editing from the Drive app itself, and just have it open the stand-alone apps for Google Doc files, and QuickOffice for MS document files:

  If you don’t have time now, over the next few days you’ll be prompted
  to download the apps when you go to edit or create a document or
  spreadsheet in your Drive app. And of course, you’ll still be able to
  use the Drive app to view and organize all of your documents,
  spreadsheets, presentations, photos and more.

We also may be in line for a new Google Drive update soon - which removes in-Drive editing. The iOS version of Drive has stripped in-Drive document editing (in favor of the external apps) and added a Pin Code to allow you to encrypt local documents. (Source)

Edit: The new Google Drive app has been released, which removes in-Drive editing, and will prompt you to download the new Docs and Sheets apps.


What part of android is responsible for alerts? Some time ago I customized my Android phone by removing all the bloatware and by setting the permissions for a lot of system apps with lbe security center to a more privacy-friendly state. This included disabling access to my phone number, IMEI, SIM number, Internet access for apps that shouldn't have it, and other things. I only removed which I considered bloatware, such as several Samsung apps, Google junk I didn't need such as search, widget, sync adapters,... And I customized the permissions of for example Google services framework (no SIM number access, and other set to on demand), Android market (no phone number and location), maps (location on demand, no phone number/IMEI)...

After that I ran into a problem, namely my calendar alerts don't function properly  and I noticed that my alarms don't activate the second time (using galaxy s3 app). The calendar alerts sometimes function correctly but sometimes either not on time or not at all, and I found on the Internet that some people are experiencing the same problems with the calendar and exactly the same way as for when the alerts do work and when they don't. Some apps that seem to rely on the Android system for alerts (such as wordfeud, buienalarm), don't work correctly either. I noticed, but cannot say this for certain, that the alerts do work once or several times after I enable WiFi for the first time (or was it mobile Internet?)

I have to mention that apps that have  their own alert/notification system do work correctly, such as chaton (using Samsung push app), whatsapp and Trillian.

Now I'd like to know if anyone can tell me which app or feature is responsible for these alerts and notifications and/or how to fix this properly. I installed a custom version of the Galaxy S3 Android 4.1.2 ROM of wanamlite using the mobile Odin app but my problems aren't solved.

specs :

Android 4.1.2 wanamlite
Galaxy S3 international I9300

You should revert the permissions of the Google Services Framework app. This is the app that controls the connection to the Google Servers, and without it Sync and other things will not work.

You should also revert the permissions for all adapters, and non-bloatware system apps. There is a reason the apps need this data.


Is there any way to disable the camera beep when I start recording video? I have an Xperia Ray mobile phone and I wanted to get one of those spy camera applications so as to film undetected.

I tried a couple and the best so far were Ninja Cam and Hidden Mobile Camera. However, all of them have one problem: when I turn out the camera there is a beep (regardless if the sound is off or on).

Is there any app that doesn't have this problem? Alternatively, is there any other way I can delete that sound? I don't really need it anyway.

There are several "silent cameras" available on google play, as e.g. Silent Camera and Silent Camera (and many more) for photos. I remember there was some settings app to completely silence the camera (regardless of the camera app used), but I currently cannot find it.


Backup SIM message and contact without transfer to phone Is it possible to backup the message (e.g. SMS) and contacts inside my SIM card to my external SD Card without transferring them into my Android phone?

That should be possible. There are plenty of backup apps available on Google Play which allow local backups, such as SMS Backup & Restore or SMS Backup. For contacts, there's e.g. Contacts Backup, and for both together Super Backup : SMS & Contacts. They all store the backed-up data e.g. on your SDCard.

Though I found no explicit mention of SIM messages, I'd assume they are covered – but you might wish to check for yourself to make sure.

Update: As it turned out, above apps do not seem to cover SIM storage. But I've just stumbled upon Backup2CSV, which explicitly lists to Export contact directories (SIM CARD and phone) (it also lists Export text messages (SMS), but does not explicitly mention the SIM card in that context).


How to get camera and gallery working for android 5.1 My phone recently couldn't use Camera neither the front or rear camera. It would show black screen and freeze I cleared cache and did a hard reset. It didn't solve it.
So I thought of uninstall both apps(with root) and try to reinstall them. I did but nothing changed. So I decided to uninstall and replace with the gallery and camera app of my marshmallow device. Both were installed but forced stopped. So I moved them to system/app. It still didn't work. Now I don't even have a backup of the original apps. Is there a work around for this? I don't want to flash. And is there a way I can extract those files from the firmware I downloaded?

Extracting them from a firmware is dependent on what is the file extension for the firmware. We have a variety of firmwares:

Fastboot Imaged Firmwares
Full Over the Air zip Updates
We have Odin tar Archives
LG kdz Firmwares
Spreadtrum soc Firmwares
Recovery Flash zip Firmwares
Raw binary Firmwares

So if you may want to extract from Fastboot .img firmware, you should know that img files are specially extracted and edited by repacking. Especially for true boot and recovery images. But hope for you is: /system is not a true imaged partition but its a file system. Though named as System.img in ROMs, it is natively a .tar archive that you can extract using WinRAR on computer and locate the app and extract it. The structure is arranged just like the /system partition of Android.

Recovery Flash zips and Over The Air zip updates, as the name suggests are zip archives which can also be extracted with a method similar like the above

KDZ and SOC Firmwares are also archives. But since you don't want to take a lot of time researching what types of archives they are, just open WinRAR on any device you feel convenient and use it as your file explorer. Navigate to the ROM you downloaded and click on it. This will actually do auto-detect the compression algorithm used and it will open it. It will show what type the archive is in the file name of archive. Find your files and copy them.

ODIN tar is a tarball archive. Just extract it with RAR or any other app you find convenient.

You're only locked to flash a whole ROM if your phone has a RAW binary file which can only handled by certain preloading binaries which understand them natively.

Lets come to laying the file back to rest on your file system. Android Nougat always is simple to lay the apps to system. The containing folder obviously had two or one folders in it. One for .dex classes named OAT for easier preparation by the Dalvik Virtual Machine which takes care of all application preparation. And one for libraries used by application named LIB.

They go here: for example the Camera app

/system/app/Camera/lib/arm/lib_camera.so

That's the library

/system/app/Camera/oat/arm/Camera.dex

That's for the Classes

/system/app/Camera/Camera.apk

That's for the application

After copying them. Fix the permissions to

chmod 0644

For all files

chmod 0755

For all folders

I hope this is all you need. As per your question
But if they don't, just flash the whole phone and be ready to go again.

Be sure to review, vote or mark this answer if it helped you. Waiting to hear from you buddy


How do I run a web application "offline" on my Android? I have a web application written using HTML5 that leverages the application cache for "offline" access.

On my iPod touch, I can go to the web while online, click the "+" icon, and set a shortcut on my home screen. This will launch the web application full screen and run the app, even when there is no Internet connection.

Is there a similar process to use on my Android device, or will it vary by maker?

Offline data saving is supported on Android, you can see this if you go into your browser, select Settings, Advanced Settings, Website Settings and you can see which websites are using your offline cache, as well as which are using other advanced access like GPS.

To create an icon for a website on your home screen: once you've created a bookmark in your browser for the page, you can go to your home screen, long-press on a bit of spare space, select Shortcuts, Bookmark and pick that one. That should give you an icon straight to that page.


How to enable Play Store auto-update for just a few apps? As the title says, I'd like to enable auto-update for trusted apps (e.g. Google apps), but if I open the app in Play Store and check Auto-update, I get the question "Auto-update is currently disabled for all apps. Do you want to enable it? You can always change this in Settings. Data charges may apply." Now, if I select Yes, auto-update is turned on for all apps and I have to deselect each one separately.

What I'm looking for is a way to enable auto-update, deselect all apps from auto-update and manually select which apps are allowed to auto-update (i.e. opt-in instead of opt-out).

Running stock 4.2.2 on Sony Xperia Z. I haven't rooted the device so solutions without root are preferred.

EDIT: The situation turned even worse. Now, if I have several apps waiting to be upgraded and I select Update all, I get a popup for each and every app asking "Auto-update has been disabled for [app], are you sure you want to update?". Seems like we're being driven to enable auto-update for all apps, and I don't like it.

You can do that with Titanium Backup Pro's Market Auto Updates… feature.


Ringtone volume automatic set to zero in Samsung Galaxy S5 I am using Samsung Galaxy S5 SM-G00H Android 5.0. It's ringing volume set to zero after restarting it. Does anyone have solution for this issue?

My Problem is Solved by upgrading Android lollipop to marshmallow 6.0.1.


How to open an URL in Chrome Incognito Tab by launching the Incognito Activity? Is there any way to open a link in Google Chrome's Incognito Mode from the Terminal ?

I tried this but it didn't work:

am start -n com.android.chrome/com.google.android.apps.chrome.document.IncognitoDocumentActvity -d http://google.com

It seems it's impossible, as per the answer of @bmdixon :

  I don't believe this is possible. According to this Reddit post, it is not possible when writing an app as the Chrome code ignores the request if it is not Chrome initiating it, so an app or user cannot trigger the incognito tab. I assume the same applies when trying to launch the activity 'manually'.

    So what these are doing, is checking whether the intent should be ignored based on whether it is the user or chrome performing the action. They make this determination based on whether there is a token from a signed Google app. So unless there is a way to trick find that token and figure out how to attach it to Tasker I don't think it'll work.


my lenovo zuk z1 restart problem Im using lenovo zuk z1. it was working fine but recently it has started restarting very frequently when i use internet. recently i have installed dream11 app which is not available on playstore so installed it from some website. so i have a doubt that it is responsible for phone restarts. and also does lenovo zuk z1 supposts VOLTE ? I need it very badly


how do I make the radio start automatically when I plug in my headset? On my old phone, the radio would automatically turn on when I plugged in my headset. I can't seem to get it to do the same on my new phone?

I have a Sony Xperia go, running jelly bean.

Plug in launcher is a free app that lets you launch any app once you plug-in your headset.


First battery charge on new tablet? I got yesterday a Galaxy Tab 3 and I want to be sure what's the best way for the first battery charge. On the shop, they told just turn it on, wait for the battery to finish and then charge it to 100% (3 times!).

When I got home I turned it on and the battery was at 50%. But then I saw on the little book in the box that said: when you buy a new tablet, or the battery has not been used for a long time, charge the battery.

So, what do I do now?

The tablet is in sleep mode with 20% battery.

Should I turn it off and charge it? Or just charge it as it is (on)?

there is no significant difference between charging it while it's turned off or not.
Modern Li-Ion and Li-Po batteries which are built into tablets and phones nowadays can handle any kind of charging very well. The only thing that should be avoided is a complete discharge as it degrades the battery MUCH faster (aka it loses capacity). With discharging I mean draining it to 0% and leaving it for some days/weeks alone.

TL;DR: Just use your device as you want and avoid being on 0% battery for a long time.


Is there a way to set the default stream in the TuneIn Radio app? I love TuneIn Radio, especially when using the 32kbps AAC audio stream.  But, every time I turn the app off and back on again it defaults to the mp3 stream.

Does anyone know if it's possible to change the default stream?

Open the app,
Go to Settings -> Playback.
Check auto restart player option.


How to change the temperature unit of Google's weather notification? I have my Google Now weather set to Celsius, but when it showed on the notification bar, it's still Fahrenheit.

How to change this?

If it matters, the device is Motorola X Style with Android 7

I don't know why but after some phone restart the notification bar is showed in Celsius now. So I post this to close question.


Record video with external bluetooth mic (ie headset) Can you record a video with the built-in camera while using a bluetooth audio source? Specifically, a standard bluetooth headset.

I know that you can record audio from the bluetooth headset using an app like this. And I just want to use the built-in camera.

I tried an experiment where I started recording audio using the bluetooth recorder app, then attemped to record a video. Unfortunately, the camcorder app refused to start a video recording. And I couldn't flip the order, because once I started recording the video, opening any other app (the bluetooth recorder, for example) caused the video recording to terminate. So it looks like I can't even record the two tracks separately and simultaneously to later splice together on a computer.

Does there exist an app that records video and lets the user choose the audio input? Is this even possible for android, or does the underlying kernel have a hardcoded audio input for video mode? I am a programmer, so if no app exists, I could try my hand at writing an android app if the system is capable.

This app worked better for me:
Cinema FV-5
After installing the app, but before recording the video, do the following:

Click Settings
Click Audio Source
Select Bluetooth Mic

Then record your video.


How does the Android estimate the battery level without a current sensor? The BatteryManager class doesn't have the metric for current: http://developer.android.com/reference/android/os/BatteryManager.html

And then I have found this post: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/2439619/getting-the-battery-current-values-for-the-android-phone  It seems that the author also found it was not possible to get current value from the Linux entry.

I also downloaded the widget called CurrentWidget into my Nexus 7. For the current value, it shows "no data".

So probably a current sensor is required to get the current value and some android systems just do not have such sensors. Then how can the android system know the current battery level? Maybe it will just use the voltage of the battery to infer that(voltage will decrease during the discharge)? But then it would be very coarse-grained. Someone says that there is some 'trick' used to estimate the battery level without current values in Android(probably based on Voltage?). Is there any reference?

PS: for some reason, I know current value can be recorded on iphone 3GS

Battery level estimation is usually performed by a special “fuel gauge” chip; different phone models use different chips. E.g., Samsung GT-I8150 (Galaxy W), according to the kernel config, uses the Maxim MAX17043 chip, which, according to its datasheet, does not have any inputs to measure the current — it has only a battery voltage sensor. According to the manufacturer's description, this chip uses “a sophisticated Li+ battery-modeling scheme, called ModelGauge™ to track the battery’s relative state-of-charge (SOC) continuously over a widely varying charge/discharge profile”. Some information is available in the datasheet, but details of this “ModelGauge” scheme do not seem to be publicly available.

BTW, the driver used for Samsung Galaxy W seems to apply some corrections to the charge level returned by the MAX17043 chip, so probably the estimation performed by the chip is not ideal.

Other fuel gauge chips (e.g., MAX17047) measure both voltage and current, and sometimes also the battery temperature. Such chips can probably provide a more precise estimation of the battery charge level. Again, the datasheet does not provide all details of the used method.

However, even if the fuel gauge chip used in a particular phone can measure the current, accessing that information from Android might be impossible for several reasons:

The chip might just use the current measurement internally and not expose it to the outside. This is not the case with MAX17047 — it has registers holding current measurement values, which can be read over the I2C bus.
The kernel driver for the fuel gauge chip might not have code to expose the current measurement information to user applications.
Even if the kernel driver makes the current measurement information available (e.g., through some sysfs file), Android does not have a standard API for such sensors — neither BatteryManager nor Sensor have anything appropriate for an electrical current sensor. Therefore the CurrentWidget app that you have found may work only on some models for which the developer has information about accessing this nonstandard sensor.


Why do some of my apps show "Update" and some show "Update (manual)"? When I go into the Market app and into my downloads list I can see that 5 of my apps have an available update.

Three of the apps say "Update" in orange, and two of them say "Update (manual)" in dark red. If I click through to the app I just get the normal "Update" button for both the "manual" and otherwise ones.

I assume this is something new with the Froyo version of the Market, but can't work out what the difference is?

You will see Update (Manual) when the app's permissions have changed. So during the Manual update, you should be asked whether you accept the new permissions. Here's a reference from the Android Market forum. I read this somewhere else but this seems to be the only place I can find it right now. Quoting the link:

Froyo added an auto-update feature for
your apps.  If an app has an update
and no new permissions, it will be
marked as the orange "update."  If an
app has changed its permissions, then
it's red and you need to manually
update it (after checking and
verifying the new permissions of
course).
...
One more thing, you can verify this when you update your apps.  If the app was a normal
"orange" update, when you click update, it will start downloading right away.  If the app
was a manual "red' update, when you click update, you have to agree to the new
permissions, then it starts downloading.


boot process recovery or rom When I power my device (htc one m8) on and press the volume down key I get into recovery.

Now which part of the booting process checks if this key is pressed and uses the correct partiton (boot or recovery).

Is this the bootloader?

If yes, is this the 'same' bootloader as formerly found in the aosp tree?

The initial input is read by the bootloader to see which partition to boot. Vol- will trigger bootloader, while no input will trigger ROM partition. The bootloader is initially installed by your OEM. No matter what version of Android you have, you still have the same bootloader until you either update your bootloader or install a custom bootloader. The OEM bootloaders are likely based off the AOSP tree, depending on your specific phone (I am not sure for the M8).


Forgot samsung tablet password So on my samsung tab, it is turned on and i forgot the password, I cant reset it with find my phone because it needs to be connected to a reset, I also cant factory reset it because it is already turned on, what do I do?

Switch it off by pressing : Power+Volume Up + Volume Down + home for almost 13 seconds
Go to recovery mode by pressing: Power+Volume Up + home for around 6 seconds

Here you can factory reset it, of course you have your credentials (email & password)


my nexus 7 keeps getting hacked I have a crazy stalker.  He keeps on getting into my WiFi and on my nexus 7 I've already changed internet providers.  He has even hacked my phone I deleted everything from my nexus and 2 days later he is back in. He knows everything! He even talks about what web sites I visited the night before.  I feel violated can someone please help?

Change your wifi password. Even better, hide the access point and use mac address filtering.
Factory reset your nexus 7. If it was rooted, restore from the factory image available at Google's website.
Delete all the profiles in your desktop browsers and use new ones. This is to prevent the history from syncing with the stalker.


I can't boot my nexus 4 after trying to install custom rom, please help I am pretty new to all this stuff and i tried to install android L alpha preview on my nexus 4. I rooted my phone and downloaded the .zip file and then followed the instructions on the internet site. I reset all my data and wiped dalvik cache but forgot, that i had .zip file under my downloads. I couldn't install it, because i deleted it and i deleted everything else on my phone too. So now my phone won't boot and I don't now what to do. I also can't transfer my files from computer to phone. Please help, I'm really desperate.

(sorry for my English, not a native speaker)

Don't worry, the solution is pretty easy.

Download Wugrfesh toolkit from here:
https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=95747613655047107

Once you open the program, press "Flash stock + unroot" on the right side. Just follow the instructions and you'll do fine.

Good luck :)


How can I find out what causes "Android OS" to consume battery? The issue is that I see a high percentage on the "Android OS" item in the Battery Usage, and I want to find out what is causing it. But let me say that I'm interested in diagnostics techniques and tools, rather than increasing the battery life, as you will see in the below figures that the battery isn't drained much faster than expected.

Here's the situation with the phone right now:

Last charged 13 hours ago
I restarted the phone after charging it
I have switched off everything (such as GPS, WiFi, Data network)
I was on a 2G network all the time
My only use from the phone during the day was a few minutes of WiFi, receiving two SMS messages, and a call that lasted less than a minute.
I have auto-sync turned off

And here's the battery usage stat:

Android OS: 67%
Display: 10%
Cell standby: 9%
Phone idle: 6%

The Android OS shows 1 hour and 30 minutes of CPU time, but the total time that the phone was turned on was less than 30 minutes, and I don't have anything active in the background.

The battery level isn't bad at all (80%), but considering that I haven't done anything with the phone (and that the phone has a 2500 mAh battery) I am curious to find out what is causing the battery usage.

Obviously, this should be caused by some background tasks that aren't listed in the battery usage. I am looking for ways, tools, and methods that enables me to diagnose this further and relate the 67% of the usage to actual applications.

Some additional information:

I have a Galaxy Note, with Gingerbread 2.3.6 installed. I have "Usage Timelines Free" installed (which wasn't running during the day), and it doesn't show any excessive CPU usage by any app that can lead me toward who's consuming the battery.

Related question (helpful, but didn't answer my question) :
What can cause "Android OS" process to use high percentage of battery?

Use an app such as "Better battery stats". This app provides detailed information about all the services running. This is way better than the stock app for diagnostics.

Additionally, a lot of the core services for the system are attributed as part of the "Android OS". There is a very particular bug in Samsung Galaxy S II devices relating to the TouchWiz calendar that keeps doing a lot of unnecessary checks which prevents the device from sleeping properly when the screen is turned off. This causes a huge drain in battery life. Since the TouchWiz on an S II is very similar to the one on a Galaxy Note, you might have the same inherent bug.

These links might give you a better idea:

StartingAlertService Wakelock...
[FIX] StartingAlertService Wakelock (TouchWizCalendar.apk)


Hangouts Crashes on Start can't seem to write to com.google.android.talk I recently updated to a more recent version of the 12.1 nightlies of Cyanogenmod on my Nexus 5. Everything Google related seems to work except Hangouts. When I open hangouts it crashes immediately. The logs seem to show an inability to write to data/data/com.google.android.talk and an inability to read the SQLite databases within (some exploration in the shell reveals that the folder is empty).

What I've tried:

Wiping the caches
Installing new versions of Gapps
Wiping data and cache for Hangouts
Installing Hangouts Dialer
chmod 757 on that folder

I see that just about every data folder has a unique owner and group, could hangouts have somehow gotten mixed up?

I booted to recovery, wiped the caches, flashed a version of gapps for 4.4, then flashed the latest version of gapps then won.


Which process is responsible for capturing (mobile/WiFi) data usage? The problem is that it is broken for me. I customized quite a bit, specifically installing a firewall that uses root and disabling broadcast receivers and services in many Huawei and Google apps that came preinstalled. I guess one of these must be responsible for capturing how much data flows over each interface and from which app it originates, since the feature broke.

Which process (on any Android phone, I can probably find the equivalent once I know where to look) is responsible for doing this?

DataUsageController (a component of Settings app) collects data from NetworkStatsService (1) which is part of Android framework i.e. system_server and depends on (2) TrafficController (a component of netd native service) which in turn uses libqtaguid to tag network sockets on per app/UID basis. Previously qtaguid kernel module was used to track tagged sockets (by reading “/proc/net/xt_qtaguid/stats” (3)) which is being replaced with eBPF framework. Now data usage will be available in a virtual filesystem (“/sys/fs/bpf/traffic_uid_stats_map” (4)).

Network policy restrictions (Data/Battery Saver and Background Data (5)) and Data Limit/Warning are implemented mainly by NetworkPolicyManager and NetworkManagementService. At back end netd inserts/deletes iptables rules (6) to enforce restrictions in kernel space.

Both qtaguid (7) and quota2 modules are part of only Android kernel (8) while owner is part of mainline Linux kernel.

RELATED: How to view network traffic requested by a specific app?

REFERENCES:

1. The one we can access with dumpsys netstats
2. Through NetworkStatsManager / TrafficStats / SocketTagger, JNI NetworkManagementSocketTagger, libcutils (qtaguid), NetdClient, Netd's FwmarkServer and possibly others
5. Can be read / set by dumpsys netpolicy and cmd netpolicy
6. Using modules owner and quota2
7. Based on owner module and depends on socket module