I want to record a video, and stream it directly to the server while recording (i.e. the video should be saved on the server, not necessarily locally on the Android device). How can this be accomplished? The built-in camera app does not seem to offer this feature.
Thursday, May 31, 2018
backup - How to switch sd cards when using a data2whatever (d2w) custom ROM?
I'm currently running MIUI XJ (Gingerbread 2.3.5) with d2w on my HTC Desire with the 4GB sd card it was shipped with, but as I found the joy of the occasional ROM-switch, I found myself running out of storage on the sd card, which was filling up with alternate roms, flashable updates for said roms, nandroid backups of different roms, titanium backups, miui backups and, well, the stuff I'd actually like to use (photos, music).
So my question is: How can I safely replace an sd card with a bigger one, even if the original one is partitioned in a special way to make use of d2w? I realize I could simply partition the bigger sd card similarly to the original one, but what if I need a bigger sd-ext partition? (Which I, indeed, need for some Gingersense ROMs). Will the system simply accept the bigger partition or do I have to make a nandroid backup with the original sd card and reflash that backup once the bigger, partitioned sd card is mounted? Would the partitions remain untouched?
Would there be any considerable loss if I boot the system with the partitioned sd card with an empty ext-partition? As you can see, I don't even really know what sort of data is stored there.
EDIT:
So, I did it. My solution (not optimal, but worked. Keep in mind: With the HTC Desire, you can't switch SD cards while the battery is in, so no "on the fly" way. Also, I have no proper card reader lying around.):
- Backup of ALL the things (Nandroid backup, just in case, MIUI/Titanium Backup for apps+system settings (things stored on the sd-ext partition) and a full copy of the previous FAT32 partition)
- Put the new SD card in the phone and partition it (I used 4EXTRecovery so I could do it in the phone and increased the sd-ext partition from 256 to 1024mb)
- Mount the sd card on a computer, copy the contents of the old FAT32 to the new one (FAT32 partition should now be the same as before and it has your MIUI/TitaniumBackup on it)
- Boot the system (may be slow since there is now an empty data partition), when the system is up, you can restore your backups via MIUI Backup and/or Titanium Backup. I used Google to sync contacts and messages etc were synced with MIUI Backup, if you are not running a MIUI then you can use SMS Backup+ for messages.
- System is now the same as before, but the partitions are bigger :)
Recommended solution I stumbled upon that seems easier to me:
Mount the sd card on a pc, open in the partitioning tool of your choice (I was told partition wizard would do the trick)
Clone the sd card as a whole
Apply that clone to the new sd card
Increase the partitions as you like
Put the new sd card in your phone. Should work exactly like before.
Answer
AFAIK the different partitions are identified by their ordering on the SD card. Therefore the standard FAT32 partition comes first, followed by the app/data partition (usually ext3 or ext4). Sometimes a swap partition follows as third partition.
If you use the same partition pattern (number of partitions and partition types) on the new sd-card there should be no problem. The partition sizes should not play a role - as long as you don't reduce the size. Just partition the sd-card, format the partitions and copy your data from your old sd-card over to the new.
custom roms - How to AutoRotate in LineageOS With ADB?
I am using LOS 14.1 unofficial (by dl12345 user from XDA) in my N910C. AutoRotate doesn't work and i found a solution which is working partly. What does mean partly?
I added these to my build.prob with adb.
log.tag.launcher_force_rotate=VERBOSE
lockscreen.rot_override=true
And I've set permission of build.prop like this.
chmod 644 build.prop
Then rebooted to System.
I tested AutoRotate and it is working good even if i am in main (lock) screen. 2-3 days later i realized it is not working anymore mysterious. In the meanwhile i rebooted the device 1-2 times within 2-3 days. I started to look for a new fix and found this command.
ro.sf.hwrotation=360
I deleted first two (2) commands and added this command to the build.prop with adb and set the permission like that.
Rebooted to System and tested. It is working good and today i realized it is not working again. I started to think what is the problem? It is working some and not working anymore.
I need your ideas and experiences.
P.S: I don't want to use an app always for this.
EDIT: I had edited and pushed build.prop 1 hour ago and had tested, it was working.
I can enable user_rotation to 0, 1, 2 and 3. It is working good but as you know rotating in every app even if in Settings or Phone (Calling). But Auto Rotation is not working.
EDIT2: I enabled Auto Rotation with this command, didn't work.
root@kali:~/Downloads/platform-tools# adb shell settings put system accelerometer_rotation 1
I enabled user_rotation with this command, it is working.
root@kali:~/Downloads/platform-tools# adb shell settings put system user_rotation 1
Results of rests:
Disabled Accelerometer, enabled user_rotation=working
Enabled Acceleremoter, configured user_rotation with 0=not working
Enabled Accelerometer, configured user_rotation with 1=not working
As a result when i enabled Auto Rotation, is not working
EDIT3: I installed this app and tested Accelerometer. I can rotate my phone 360 degree without enabling AutoRotate feature. I had thought my phone's accelerometer is broken, but not.
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Where (and how) does Android store music playlists?
I've noticed that Android keeps the same music playlists across music apps. Where are these playlists stored? How (in what format) are they stored? Can I access them remotely via the USB storage link, or is there instead an app I can use to access them?
Related question: Music transfer and playlists
Answer
They're stored in your music.db file - mine is /data/data/com.google.android.music/databases; I'm not sure if this is exactly the same across all devices but I'd guess it probably is.
They live in a combination of the LISTS and LISTITEMS tables, which are defined as such:
sqlite> .schema lists
.schema lists
CREATE TABLE LISTS(Id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT, Name TEXT NOT NULL,
SourceAccount INTEGER, SourceId TEXT, _sync_version TEXT,
_sync_dirty INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0, MediaStoreId INTEGER,
ListType INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0, ListArtworkLocation TEXT);
CREATE INDEX LIST_SYNC_INDEX on LISTS(SourceAccount,SourceId);
sqlite>
sqlite> .schema listitems
.schema listitems
CREATE TABLE LISTITEMS(Id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT,
ListId INTEGER NOT NULL REFERENCES LISTS, MusicSourceAccount INTEGER NOT NULL,
MusicSourceId TEXT NOT NULL, ClientPosition INTEGER NOT NULL,
ServerPosition INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0, SourceAccount INTEGER, SourceId TEXT,
_sync_version TEXT, _sync_dirty INTEGER NOT NULL DEFAULT 0,
ServerOrder TEXT DEFAULT '', ClientId TEXT);
CREATE INDEX LISTITEMS_ORDER_INDEX ON LISTITEMS (ListId, ServerOrder, ClientPosition);
CREATE INDEX LISTITEMS_SYNC_INDEX on LISTITEMS(SourceAccount,SourceId);
sqlite>
Interestingly, if you're using the new Google Music Beta, playlists that you create don't seem to appear in other apps but they do have entries in the DB. It looks like this is possibly because the MusicSourceAccount field is set to your Google Music account id; other apps set it to 0, and those appear across all apps that take data from the DB.
charging - What is the best state to leave an Android device in?
I have a Moto E phone. I use it as a tablet to run apps, not as a phone, so I do not always need to leave it on.
Is it more likely that the device will last longer if I shut it off whenever I am not using it? Or is it better for the hardware of a phone to leave it constantly on, in sleep mode?
And is it better to leave it constantly charging, or to only charge it whenever the battery is below 100%?
rooting - How to root Acer Liquid Zest (Marshmallow)?
Please help me for those who are truly great in rooting devices.
My Android version for my Acer Liquid Zest is Marshmallow (v6.0) .
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
sync - How can I be informed through my computer if a new SMS is received?
While I'm working with my computer, my mobile lies next to me and every time I receive a new SMS or WhatsApp message, I have to grab the phone, read the message and answer it.
So it would be really nice, if there is an App or another possibility to connect my mobile phone with my computer via Bluetooth, WLAN or USB so that I can read and send SMS messages from my computer desktop.
This would have several advantages:
It is easier to copy page content. A lot of time I'd like to send a SMS to someone with content on my computer. So I don't have to type it anymore but just copy & paste it
My working process isn't disturbed as much it is if I have to grab my phone
It is easier and faster to write with a keyboard than the mobile phone pad
So my questions are:
is there any app/program that can do that?
if not, would it be at least technically possible or are there any restrictions that prevent such an app?
Answer
If you have Android, try Texdro. I tried a few of the other related apps and this worked the best for me. It allows you to send and receive texts from your computer. It also allows you to silence SMS notifications on your phone while the program is running so you can just be notified on your computer (or you can be notified on both). The free version of the app allows you only to connect via WiFi and the Pro version adds USB and Bluetooth options. I will probably be purchasing the pro version when I get some handy $$, mostly to support the dev, because WiFi connectivity works fine for me.
Texdro - Desktop SMS for Android on AppBrain
Android Market QR Code
Monday, May 28, 2018
samsung galaxy s 2 - How do I back up (and restore) my phone before installing a custom ROM?
Possible Duplicate:
How to backup an Android device?
I am thinking of installing a custom ROM such as CM7 on my AT&T Galaxy S2 (SGH-i777). I have already rooted it.
What is the best practice for backing-up (and potentially restoring) my phone?
Notes for answerers:
- I'm interested in step-by-step instructions to obtain a canonical answer rather than links into forum threads.
- Will the method described be able to recover the phone if the ROM install process fails and "bricks" the phone?
- Can the backup be moved to external storage (such as a computer) or is it only resident on the phone's internal memory. If it can be preserved off-device please describe this process as well.
Answer
This is going to vary a bit by device and recovery system, but in general if you want to perform a full, 1-to-1 backup of your phone's internal memory you would need to:
Root your device and install a custom recovery. The most popular recovery is probably ClockworkMod. How you install it will vary widely by device, but ROM Manager can do it for you on most popular devices. You simply launch ROM Manager and select "Flash ClockworkMod Recovery" from the main menu.
If using ClockworkMod, open ROM Manager and select "Backup current ROM". This should do all of the work for you.
If not using ROM Manager or if you use a recovery other than ClockworkMod:
- Reboot your device into recovery mode. This again varies by device, but ROM Manager has a "Reboot into recovery" option that works regardless of what recovery you have installed. Another option is to issue
adb reboot recoveryfrom a connected PC with ADB configured and set up. There may be other requirements for getting into recovery depending on your device (e.g. the Kindle Fire is very different from others). - Navigate to the "Backup/Restore" or "Nandroid" menu (or similar).
- Select "Backup" and (if needed) select which partitions you would like to back up. Some recoveries will also give you the option to compress the backup.
- Select "Perform backup" (or similar) and wait for the process to finish.
- Reboot your device into recovery mode. This again varies by device, but ROM Manager has a "Reboot into recovery" option that works regardless of what recovery you have installed. Another option is to issue
Once the backup has been performed you should be able to use it to recover from many "soft" bricks. However, the two situations you would not be able to recover from with a backup alone would be:
- Your bootloader is invalid/corrupted/etc
- Your recovery partition is invalid/corrupted/etc
In both of thse scenarios, you would first need to fix the offending partition (bootloader or recovery) before being able to restore the backup. Basically, anything that prevents you from accessing your recovery partition will also prevent you from using your recovery to restore your backup. Such situations are, I would say, fairly rare. You can use a backup to recover a bad /boot or /system partition, so flashing a kernel or ROM should have an extremely small likelyhood of permanently bricking your device (unless it modifies your recovery or bootloader, as noted above).
You may be able to flash an uncompressed backup from fastboot but this would depend on what recovery you are using and how it performs its backups. As I recall, ClockworkMod simply uses dd to create the image and they actually will flash correctly on some devices. However, I would strongly advise researching this before trying as a bad fastboot write could soft brick you as well. Of course, as long as you don't try to overwite your bootloader you won't lose access to fastboot, so in some ways this could be a "nothing ventured, nothing gained" situation.
To actually restore a backup you can:
- In ROM Manager select "Manage and Restore Backups", then select the backup you wish to restore from.
If not using ROM Manager or not using ClockworkMod:
- Reboot into recovery
- Select "Backup/Restore" or "Nandroid" (or similar)
- Select "Restore"
- Pick the backup you would like to restore from (if more than one)
- Select the partitions you would like to restore (if givent the option)
- Select "Restore" and wait for the process to finish
Nandroid backups are, by default, stored on your external storage device in pretty much every situation. Some exceptions may be devices with no separate external storage (e.g. devices like the Galaxy Nexus) where the /sdcard directory is actually on the physical internal storage. In any case, though, it will save to your /sdcard directory, which is readable from a PC as USB mass storage or adb. You can copy a nandroid backup off of your phone and onto a computer for safe-keeping, then copy it back over later if you need to restore.
To do this you can simply plug in your device and look for a path like /sdcard/nandroid (or /sdcard/TWRP for TeamWin recovery, possibly elsewhere for others). Then you can copy the contents of the folder over to your computer. Alternatively, you can pull it with adb by plugging in the device and issuing something akin to:
adb pull /path/to/backups
...from a PC shell.
5.0 lollipop - How to prevent brightness when battery reaches high?
I leave my phone (Samsung Galaxy 4 GT-I9506, Android 5.0.1 lollipop) charging on my table when going to sleep. It reaches full after some hours often. It is so annoying when the display becomes bright after battery reaching full, awakening me.
I know the thread How to prevent brightness from going to full when the battery low popup appears? about the prevention of bright display when the battery goes low. The rooted device seems to be the only choice to change the default behavior. I have unsuccessfully installed CyanogenMod in the device a few times. I am open about other ways to root this device and change its default behavior.
Settings > Display does not have any features by which you can alter the brightness mode. It would be great to customize the brightness in different modes, etc when the battery is low. In the link, the user did not want to consume extra battery with display when the battery was extremely low.
I installed Firelord proposed, Tasker, where I am working the automation. I probably need to root my phone for sufficient change.
How can you prevent brightness when battery reaches full in Android?
Answer
You may come close but cannot prevent that behavior unless there is a setting unbeknownst to you or the device is rooted. No matter what automation app you use, the brightness would be set to maximum whenever the battery level reaches 100% and in a matter of few milliseconds, it would revert to whatsoever you want it to be. My solution takes care of that problem. Originally posted here.
The file named max_brightness, a file under /sys, hence a part of Linux kernel and directly managed by it, appears to be the key to the solution. I found that setting the brightness limit in that file is one of the best ways to tackle the issue.
I noticed that once your custom maximum brightness is set, neither Android nor an app was able to set brightness beyond that custom level unless they changed the content of that file, which often an app has no reason to and none of them changed either. Besides, the file is owned by root and is part of group root, so any app or even system_server would require root privilege to make changes into that file.
Finding that file is bit tricky. In my MTK device with Android 4.2, that file appears to be under /sys/devices/platform/leds-mt65xx/leds/lcd-backlight/.
In my Qualcomm device with Android 5.0.2 and above, the file appeared to be in /sys/devices/mdp.0/qcom,mdss_fb_primary.168/leds/lcd-backlight/.
I assume that the best way to find that file is to run a search query (setup adb for that), such as:
(Requires busybox)
adb shell su -c 'find /sys/ -type f -iname "max_brightness"'
In my Qualcomm device, the output it gives is:
/sys/devices/f9924000.i2c/i2c-2/2-0068/leds/red/max_brightness
/sys/devices/f9924000.i2c/i2c-2/2-0068/leds/blue/max_brightness
/sys/devices/f9924000.i2c/i2c-2/2-0068/leds/green/max_brightness
/sys/devices/mdp.0/qcom,mdss_fb_primary.168/leds/lcd-backlight/max_brightness
/sys/devices/qcom,camera-led-flash.81/leds/torch-light/max_brightness
/sys/devices/msm_sdcc.1/leds/mmc0::/max_brightness
/sys/devices/msm_sdcc.2/leds/mmc1::/max_brightness
/sys/devices/01-qcom,leds-d300/leds/led:flash_torch/max_brightness
/sys/devices/01-qcom,leds-d300/leds/led:flash_0/max_brightness
/sys/devices/01-qcom,leds-d300/leds/led:flash_1/max_brightness
/sys/devices/01-qcom,leds-e200/leds/kpdbl-lut-2/max_brightness
/sys/devices/01-qcom,leds-e200/leds/kpdbl-pwm-3/max_brightness
/sys/devices/01-qcom,leds-e200/leds/kpdbl-pwm-4/max_brightness
/sys/devices/01-qcom,leds-e200/leds/button-backlight/max_brightness
The location where lcd-backlight is mentioned was the only one that made sense to me and this is how I found the file in my device. Don't you worry asking about others. I attempted changing the brightness of the screen and looked for the changes in the file named brightness (also located under those said locations). None of them reflected the correct output other than the one at /sys/devices/mdp.0/qcom,mdss_fb_primary.168/leds/lcd-backlight.
Only for demonstration, try setting a limit in max_brightness
adb shell su -c 'echo LIMIT > PATH_TO_MAX_BRIGHTNESS' # in my case PATH_TO_MAX_BRIGHTNESS is /sys/devices/mdp.0/qcom,mdss_fb_primary.168/leds/lcd-backlight/ and set LIMIT to a value less than 30 (not limited to).
Now try maxing the brightness by using brightness slider or a third party app and you would notice that the brightness of your screen doesn't exceed beyond a certain point even when slider or the app's configuration appears to be at maximum. The brightness for that "certain point" would certainly be less than the default one you are used to.
Note that the maximum value in max_brightness is often found to be 255 and the brightness ranges from 0-255. Often, not always true, that is. And fear not from setting the limit to 0. It would cause the screen not to lit until you revert the changes or restart the device.
Find a limit which would not disturb you in your sleep.
For automation, use any automation app that can run a command with root privilege and when the context of your preferred trigger is met. I recommend a time based trigger.
Some working examples:
In Tasker, setup a profile with your preferred context, create a task and use the action: Code → Run Shell:
- Command:
echo LIMIT > PATH_TO_MAX_BRIGHTNESS - check Use Root
- Command:
In MacroDroid, setup your preferred trigger and for action install Secure Settings, choose it → Actions → Run Command:
- Command:
echo LIMIT > PATH_TO_MAX_BRIGHTNESS - check Use Root
- Command:
In Automate, as part of your flow, when setting up an action for your trigger, select Shell command superuser under Apps and do:
- Command Line:
echo LIMIT > PATH_TO_MAX_BRIGHTNESS
Make sure to install all the permissions the flow require.- Command Line:
In DroidAutomation, setup your trigger and under task, select Root → Execute a command line and type:
echo LIMIT > PATH_TO_MAX_BRIGHTNESS
As you would've guessed, you would have to setup two profiles for every app. One to setup a limit and the other to set the maximum brightness to the default you're used to.
I would like you to keep this under consideration (even though you got a hint at the beginning) that using a 100% battery trigger would defeat the purpose of this answer, which is to override the changes Android want to make. As an example, if you setup LIMIT to 0 whenever the battery reaches 100%, what would happen is your Android would lit the screen to maximum as usual and in few milliseconds (you read correctly) your automation app would run and set the limit. Your sleep may get interrupted in those milliseconds.
The workaround is to set up the battery level to 99 or less for full battery charge.
That said, I wouldn't be surprised if you avoid rooting considering that that the biggest compromise you would be making in using an answer with non-root approach is of not accounting those pesky but only milliseconds.
applications - Why does every app has/needs the permission "Send MMS" and "Send Email"?
So, I recently bought Elephone P8000 which has Android 5.1 installed. One of the first things I noticed was the new "App Permissions". After installing a few of my standard apps, I was curious and checked the app permissions, and I was quite surprised when I saw that every app had the permissions "Send MMS" and "Send Email".
I could understand that if it were only WhatsApp, obviously, a chat app might need this permission. But even my GBA Emulator or the Fallout Pip-Boy app had this permission even though they don't have any kind of communication functionality.
So what is the point of these 2 permissions? Why does every app need those?
Sunday, May 27, 2018
unrooting - Does rooting a SONY Xperia Z2 remove SONY specific features?
Dear Android Enthusiasts,
I'd like to root my new SONY Xperia Z2, but feeling a bit unsure about that I may loose SONY specific features. I'm new to Android (switched from iOS) and don't know how deep the SONY Android UI/Skin is integrated in the system. So I'm talking about noice-cancelling headphones, camera app, Xperia Lounge, ... Am I able to install and use these apps after routing?
In addition I got some other questions dedicated to this topic:
- As if rooting does not fulfill my expectations, can I reliably restore a backup somehow without loosing any data/settings/...?
- Am I right that rooting a device removes its guarantee? (And is there a way around?)
- Is there a good website containing instructions about rooting and downloading sources? (deliberately objective question)
- Am I able to install a pure/vanilla/stock android os on my device?
I know that I may find answers to my questions somewhere in the internet (I did search A LOT), but I experienced it's very hard to find reliable answers about the specific device "SONY Xperia Z2".
Answer
As I understand it, if you root your Z2 by unlocking the bootloader via Sony's official method, it will permanently blow away the phone's DRM keys. If you root your Z2 via a non-Sony-sanctioned exploit, you can back up the partition with the DRM keys first & can theoretically restore it at some later time (no hard guarantees, but at least it's a possibility instead of eliminated forever as an option).
I know a recent Sony update disabled the exploit that was popular for several months earlier in 2014, but it's possible that there's a new one now.
To wit: it's to your advantage to root the phone via unauthorized exploit, then back up the hidden partition with DRM keys so you can restore it to stock at some later point in time if desired and "have your cake & eat it too" (or if you prefer, avoid burning the bridge behind you).
If you use Sony's official method, you will PERMANENTLY lose any functionality that requires the DRM keys, and Sony won't allow you to get it back, regenerate the keys, or otherwise undo it.
On a related note, the Z3 goes a step further than the Z2, and stores driver libraries used by the camera in protected storage that gets disabled by unlocking as well.
4.1 jelly bean - How to allow auto-update of apps in Play Store only when plugged in?
I would like apps to be updated automatically when my phone is plugged in (charging) and on wifi. I can easily allow auto-update only when wifi is on with the appropriate option in the Play Store settings, but not prevent auto-updates from occuring if the phone is running on battery.
This is causing an unecessary battery drain when I am using my phone on wifi at home. Given that auto-updating apps is more a daemon job than a time critical task, I cannot believe it is not a standard power saving strategy.
Do you know any apps or system workaround (including if the device is rooted) to achieve this?
wi fi - WiFi Disconnecting (Special Issue)
I could not afford my Internet this month, it has happened before, but I am turning it back on next week.
Anyways, so on my PC (which is connected to the Internet via Ethernet), the Internet works but blocks websites obviously since I didn't pay the bill, but if I use SSH tunneling, or use a VPN I can reroute the web traffic and visit any website I want.
On my laptop, which uses WiFi, I can do the exact same thing...
Now on my Android device (Galaxy S4), when connecting it says "Sign In Required" or something, and when I click Chrome to sign in, it just goes to Google and stuff, and every other site is blocked as expected. I can use a VPN like Betternet to unlock the other sites like I would on my computer. However, the WiFi on my Android disconnects every 3 or 4 minutes, whether I use a VPN or not, and I am not sure why this happens exclusively to my Android, and not any other device such as my laptop.
Any ideas on what is happening? Any router changes I can do, any Android changes I can do?
Where is the root folder of BlueStacks located in PC?
Is there a way to locate the files in pc as shown in the root explorer of BlueStacks?
I.e. how to move files of BlueStacks (APKs or any other file) to PC or from PC without opening BlueStacks?
I mean move files of bluestacks or computer through the pc directories without involving the use of shared folder or root explorer or adb shell a more simpler way?
Saturday, May 26, 2018
Android browser
What browser runs on Android? It is Chrome or a modified version of it? Also, as a side-note, how can I open site shortcuts saved from Internet Explorer on Windows to the SD Card with the browser?
Answer
The default browser is, as far as I can make out, simply called 'Browser', and is based on the WebKit rendering engine. Android 2.2 and above use the V8 javascript engine. The combination of WebKit and V8 make the browser very similar to desktop Chrome.
There's a similar question here: Which is the Android's default browser?.
rooting - Install 4.3 (OTA) on rooted Nexus 4 (CWM + stock rom, kernel)
I'm running Android 4.2.2 on my Nexus 4. It is rooted, and I have ClockworkMod recovery installed, but rom and kernel are stock. I received the OTA update to 4.3, and would like to install it, but it failed. (With a message that CWM couldn't verify a signature. I remember that the previous OTA worked, and I think I had to re-root, but that was easy.)
How can I get the stock 4.3 update on my phone, while keeping root and CWM, and especially keeping all my data? Step-by-step instructions would be great.
Also, I'm curious, what is the technical reason that the update doesn't install?
Update: I found some instructions here, however they didn't work for me. I get the following error from CWM while applying update.zip:
Installing: /sdcard/0/update.zip
Finding update package...
Opening update package...
Installing update...
Warning no file_contextsVerifying current system...
assert failed: apply_patch_check("/system/bin/app_process", "76c3a9a7a6d400a9ff3e4db391327daa33aa0663", "2a221441bf06f2618aa6c35ae0cade13bd4f6e1b")
E:Error in /sdcard/0/update.zip
(Status 7)
Installation aborted.
Update 2: I forgot that I tried out Xposed some time ago. Apparently this modified /system/bin/app_process. I removed it by starting Xposed Installer, and then selecting "Uninstall (restore app_process)" and (probably not neccessary), "Clean up (complete removal of the framework)". I did one complete reboot, and then rebooted into recovery mode to continue the update. But now it hangs because "build.prop" is modified (don't remember changing that). I wonder if there is a way to just flash the new OS files (not patches), overwriting any modifications, but keeping all settings and user files...
google play store - Apps won't install (silently fail after 100% downloaded)
I have a problem with installing apps from Google Play onto my Samsung Galaxy S Plus phone.
It has Android 2.3.6. Yesterday I tried to download some apps. When I clicked 'Install', the app began to download but when it got to 100% it just disappeared and silently failed to install on my phone :\
I don't have an SD card and up to now I saved all my apps on the phone and had no problems like this. It seems to be some settings problem, but I don't know what to do. any ideas?!
How can I edit or remove people from the favourite contacts widget on my HTC Legend?
How can I edit or remove people from the favourite contacts widget on my HTC Legend?
Answer
You can access them through the group "Starred in Android" in GMail
Friday, May 25, 2018
linux - Can't show the content of /sdcard of my Android phone from Ubuntu's Nautilus or FileZilla via sftp
I set up a ssh server on Android using SSH Server by Ice Code App.
After upgrading from Android 4.3 to 4.4.2,
- sftp from Nautilus or FileZilla in Ubuntu to Android can't read or write the content of /sdcard any more.
- But ssh and scp from terminal in Ubuntu can still read, write and transfer files in /sdcard.
I connect using the same ssh user t in sftp from Nautilus, and ssh and scp from terminal, although why is the ssh prompt u0_a116@C6730 rather than t@c6730?
If they indeed use the same ssh user, why is there the difference in read permission?
In ssh to Android, I see the read, write and excecution permissions for "others" users are not allowed:
u0_a116@C6730:/ $ ls -l
...
lrwxrwxrwx root root 1970-01-11 17:07 sdcard -> /storage/sdcard0
...
u0_a116@C6730:/sdcard $ ls -l
drwxrwx--- root sdcard_r 1980-01-01 00:00 Alarms
drwxrwx--x root sdcard_r 2015-07-22 08:05 Android
drwxrwx--- root sdcard_r 2015-08-18 22:41 Cardboard
drwxrwx--- root sdcard_r 2015-08-20 19:40 DCIM
drwxrwx--- root sdcard_r 2015-08-29 21:22 Download
...
I guess my ssh user t belongs to the "other" group. but don't know how to confirm that. I couldn't add the permissions:
u0_a116@C6730:/sdcard $ chmod -R a+r Download/
Bad mode
What does the "Bad mode" error mean?
What are some solutions?
Can I change file permissions on Android directly? Do I need root? But I heard that rooting my device Kyocera Hydro Icon with Android 4.4.2 isn't possible due to locked bootloader?
Can I downgrade Android from 4.4.2 to 4.3?
Can I upgrade my ssh user account to be one level above "others", so as to have write and read permissions? Do I need root? Will that solve the problem, given the difference in read permissions between sftp from Nautilus and ssh and scp from terminal under the same ssh user?
I found a discussion at http://forum.xda-developers.com/google-nexus-5/general/sdcard-problems-upgrading-android-t2938749 , where the suggestions seem to require root, right? Thanks.
6.0 marshmallow - Unlock by fingerprint only
When I initially set up my phone, I had to both choose a pattern and scan my fingerprint, for providing maximal security.
Now, when I want to unlock my phone, I can choose, whether I want to do that with the pattern or with my fingerprint.
Why providing the fingerprint, when someone still can use my pattern?
Is there any way, to deactivate the pattern, so that it can be unlocked by the fingerprint only?
rom flashing - Flash boot.img without using fastboot USB
So I've recently rooted my phone and tried a ROM or two. I find it really handy that you can use TWRP recovery to install another ROM from the SD card, you don't need to have it connected to a PC.
However, on my device (HTC One S) I need to flash a different boot.img file for every ROM as well, so I still need to hook my phone up to my PC to switch ROMs. If I don't do this, it just gets stuck on the loading screen. Then I must use the command
fastboot flash boot boot.img
from the folder where boot.img is located.
Is it possible to flash this boot image with TWRP or any other way without using fastboot over USB?
Answer
What needs to be done is to bundle the boot.img and construct a new zip file suitable for flashing via ClockworkMod or TWRP.
Pre-requisites:
- a Linux environment that has the usual development packages, such as Java installed. (It can also apply to other platforms, just be careful that the instructions here indicating the path used below, uses a forward slash
/, so flip that around to be a back slash\for Windows environment especially!) - adb command line tool installed.
- `testsign.jar' tool, for signing the zip file so that the recovery can authenticate and verify it is a valid archive otherwise recovery will report corrupt archive or similar.
update-binarycommand line application, that is internal for usage with the flashable script. (This can be found with any flashable zip, the important thing is to extract that binary and deposited in the structure of the directory as shown)- zip command line tool.
Assuming your directory is called workdir, for discussion, lets call this the working directory, copy the boot.img into that directory, and create the following directory structure - META-INF/com/google/android, this is important! And within the META-INF/com/google/android, copy the binary application called update-binary into that directory. So the directory structure should be like this:
+ workdir/
+
|
+--+ boot.img
|
|
+--+ META-INF/
+
|
+--+ com/
+
|
+--+ google/
+
|
+--+ android/
+
|
+--> update-binary
|
+--> updater-script
As for the updater-script, copy the contents of the following below:
ui_print("Please wait, boot.img being flashed...");
show_progress(0.1, 0);
assert(package_extract_file("boot.img", "/tmp/boot.img"),
write_raw_image("/tmp/boot.img", "boot"),
delete("/tmp/boot.img"));
show_progress(0.1, 10);
ui_print("It is now safe to reboot! :)");
Remember: Do not get confused here, the updater-script as shown, should be left alone and as-is, so do not try flip the forward-slash to a back slash if doing this under Windows environment.
Go back to the parent of the directory structure, i.e. outside of workdir and do the following, we're going to create a zip file from this:
zip -r my_custom_flashable_boot_unsigned.zip workdir/ which is a recursive function, this will zip up everything into the file called my_custom_flashable_boot_unsigned.zip.
Finally, to sign the zip file, issue this:
java -classpath testsign.jar testsign my_custom_flashable_boot_unsigned.zip my_custom_flashable_boot_signed.zip
Then its a matter of pushing that across the SDCard as in adb push my_custom_flashable_boot_signed.zip /sdcard/ and manually go into recovery and specify that zip archive (i.e. my_custom_flashable_boot_signed.zip) in which it will perform the flashing for you.
wi fi - Shortcut to turn Wi-Fi on/off on Samsung Galaxy Nexus?
Since the sync utility I use to sync my Samsung Galaxy Nexus with Outlook only supports Wi-Fi instead of USB, I searched the AppStore for an application that adds a shortcut on the screen to make it easier to turn Wi-Fi on and off.
I tried DroidMania's, but it doesn't seem to work (when clicking on the icon, it simply displays a text page). Next, I tried Hotspot Widget, but nothing happens when I click on the shortcut. Other apps seem old, are only 1.0, and might not work either.
Hard to believe something that simple couldn't be found easily.
Does anyone know of a very simple application that
- Simply adds a shortcut on the screen to do this.
- And, definitely works on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus?
external sd - How to fix a damaged sd card?
Possible Duplicate:
“SD card is damaged - You may have to reformat.” How do I fix this problem?
I made my SD card available as mass storage, copied one file from the SD card, unmounted the card from OSX (inside OSX) and then .. I am not 100% if I unmounted the card in mobile or it was already damaged at this point.
I tried to reboot the phone but it doesn't help. Removed the card, put back and turned on again. Didn't help either.
Do I have to reformat the card and lose all data on it?
HTC Desire + CM 7 RC2 + Kingston 16GB Type 4
system - How can I monitor and visualize the current resource usage (CPU, Memory, etc.) caused by the running Apps?
I am looking for typical per app/process resource usage information (CPU, Memory, etc.). This information is often useful to find and identify misbehaving apps.
How can I monitor and visualize the current resource usage (CPU, Memory, etc.) caused by the running Apps?
Answer
There are several ways to collect this type of information, I'll be speaking about two that I use on a daily basis as to oversee what's going on with my devices:
Terminal
Using a terminal application, you are able to run Linux commands like top or ps that provide information about the currently running processes:
ps (i.e., process status) displays information about a selection of the active processes.
The top program provides a dynamic real-time view of a running system. It can display system summary information as well as a list of tasks currently being managed by the Linux kernel.
The terminal I most use is called Android Terminal Emulator by Jack Palevich available from Google Play Store.
Application
There are several applications with the sole purpose of providing you with real-time information regarding the processes being executed, detailed information about apps and their system resources usage, system logs or system monitoring:
Android System Info by ElectricSheep available from Google Play Store.
This app presents information divided with 5 tabs:
Dashboard
An overview of you device important information: battery usage; Internal Memory used/free; SDCard size and free space; RAM; etc.
System
All system information is presented here: OS; Buildinfos; Battery; Memory; Telephony; Networks; Wifi; CPU; Screen; Sensors; Features; JavaProperties; and many more. Just tap over each one to unfold the detailed information.
Tasks
Shows the total CPU load and CPU load/memory used for each process. You can tap a process to get more details about it; kill the process or switch to the process.
Apps
List of all installed apps, providing means to stop or uninstall an app. If you tap over an app, you have several options like: launch; Manage; Uninstall; etc. Additionally, you are able to see all the useful information about the package itself and in relation to your system, including all permissions he uses.
Logs
Provides you with your system logs. If you press "menu" the logs will be saved to your SD card.
Is any of the Android rooting software open source?
As an example, the post here for rooting the LG G3:
http://www.reddit.com/r/LGG3/comments/2cdz0y/guide_rooting_roming_xposed/
Gives links to posts elsewhere for downloading APKs which do something and then allow su to work, I think:
PurpleDrake: http://forum.xda-developers.com/tmobile-lg-g3/development/root-twrp-root-twrp-tmo-lg-g3-t2821005
Are there any more details about what these or other root techniques actually do? Are any of them open source?
Answer
I've been battling the same issue. Using closed-source from a private company is a huge mistake if you care about security and privacy. Open-source, though arguably not thst much more secure, has one benefit over closed source from a private company: paid programmers are expensive. What's their motive for paying people to do this? Money. Is the root software free/cheap? Don't use it. Open Source, on the other hand, though while not totally free from malicious additions, is being handled mostly by programmers who, collectively, want to use the software they are helping create. That being said, here's what I've mustered up.
Most actively developed is by this guy, phhusson, who posted an article (https://www.xda-developers.com/the-importance-of-open-source-in-root/) about it in 2015. Then started this (still active) thread (https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/software-hacking/wip-selinux-capable-superuser-t3216394/page246) Here's the repo: https://github.com/phhusson/super-bootimg
Here's another https://github.com/android-rooting-tools
Both of these are still under heavy development.
Thursday, May 24, 2018
backup - Clone Android Device
I have to clone about 65 Android devices (Galaxy Tab 10.1N). I would do it with a Backup in Cyanogen Mod, but the problem with the Cyanogen Backup is, it does not backup the SD card.
Does somebody know any other method to completely clone an Android device? (Homescreen settings, installed Apps, Data on SD card!)
Answer
- Make a nandroid backup from recovery.
- Make sure that the backup is located on the sdcard.
- Mount the sdcard on a computer and copy it's contents to a folder on a pc.
- Copy the entire contents of the folder you made above to the target device.
- Root the device than install a custom recovery if you didn't do this already.
- In recovery restore the nandroid backup.
- Reboot the device. Now everything should be exactly the same as on the original.
Repeat steps 4-7 for every device.
If there're lots of small files that need to be transferred, another possibility is zip them up copy to the phone and than unzip it using
adb shell unzip path/to/file.zip
Once the command is launched you can disconnect the device the process will continue as long as there're no conflicting files or folders.
insufficient memory - What can I do to manage my phone's internal storage?
If you're not used to seeing the 'low on internal storage' notification, what is it that you're doing to keep your phone's internal memory from filling up so quickly?
The 'SD Card and Phone Storage' menu in the settings doesn't really tell me much other than how much is free. And, I don't really have that many applications installed. The top 5 storage hogging apps on my phone are Gmail (18.6 MB), Twitter (17.5 MB), Facebook (12.55 MB), Maps (9.63 MB), and Swype (6.06 MB).
So, are there apps out there (besides your normal file manager ones, like Astro) that will help monitor internal phone storage? Is there something I should be doing to keep my phone storage use to a minimum?
Answer
I'm using an app called DiskUsage which helps visualize what's using both my internal storage as well as the SD card.
recovery mode - Bootlooping LG Volt will not connect w/ ADB
Rooted LG Volt is bootlooping after build.prop and cpu setting changes, and I am unable to connect via ADB to restore build.prop or reflash system
How can I get the phone to connect via ADB?
Attempted to do factory reset from stock recovery, which was successful but there was no change in bootloop When phone is connected to PC during bootloop, it connects as Charge Only, and ADB doesnt recognize the device. When phone is in recovery and "Apply update from ADB" is selected, the phone connects to the computer, but Windows throws error "configuration descriptor request failed", and device is not recognized by ADB. Uninstalled all phone drivers from computer using USBDeview and Device Manager.
Have Android Studio, Android SDK, and ADB installed on Windows 8.1 computer. There are no issues with the ports or cable, tested several different ones.
I do not have CWM recovery, was previously using rooted stock OS
Answer
I solved this by booting into Download Mode (with the phone off, hold Vol+ while plugging in USB to computer).
There were some files that needed to be downloaded, including the LG Flash Tool, which was used to flash the stock ROM to the phone.
After flashing, the phone was in its original pre-activated state but at least it functioned!
sd card - What does the LOST.DIR folder contain?
Whats the use of LOST.DIR folder actually? why does is automatically appear after every reboot?
Answer
The Lost.dir is a system folder. Its a place where the Android OS places files that were recovered during a system boot up.
What is the folder for?
Its quite evident that there is no application named LOST.DIR installed on your device. At times the folder's size can range in gigabytes. In such situations one may wonder about the contents of the folder and its use, and whether it is safe to delete the folder to save memory.
Can I delete the contents of LOST.DIR ?
In order to save precious memory space its completely normal to delete the contents of LOST.DIR as it only acts as a recycle bin. You can also delete the LOST.DIR folder itself but it will reappear the next time the system boots up. When your Android system throws up a message saying 'Preparing external SD card' its actually checking the contents of LOST.DIR, and if it fails to locate the directory, it creates one.
ref : All you need to know about LOST.DIR folder on Android devices
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
2.3 gingerbread - Do I need internet/3G to use GPS?
I have a Samsung Galaxy S2 that has some problems with the GPS:
If I use internet my navigation works but when I turn the 3G off, GPS does not work.
Do I need internet/3G to use GPS?
browser - Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 doesn't recognize double-clicks
I wanted to buy a Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 to demonstrate a web application I wrote, but the one on display was not able to sense a double-click (double-tap?). The salesman said it only had a mobile browser, which didn't know about double-clicks.
Isn't there a way to put these machines into a mode that recognizes normal desktop-type input, like left-click double-click, right-click?
Thanks.
root access - Does cyanogenmod work on my device?
I use a rooted "AOC tb07mc" does cyanogenmod work on my tablet? And if it does, how to mod it?
samsung galaxy s 3 - Can't view Location (textual desciption) information in Windows when opening picture taken with Camera app
On my Samsung Galaxy SIII, I have enabled GPS on my device and have also enabled the GPS tag feature in my Camera application. When a picture is taken, GPS information is attached to the image, and then as soon as either a mobile data connection or Wi-Fi connection is available, somehow the Gallery application is able to retrieve textual information about the street name, city, and country, corresponding to the GPS location stored with the image. When I press the menu hardware key and then select Details I can view this information alongside other information associated with the picture taken.
However, when I attach the phone to my Windows 7 PC and open a picture directly as Computer -> GT-I9300 -> Phone -DCIM -> Camera -> date_sequentialnumber.jpg I am not able to view the embedded textual/alphabetic location information which I was able to see when I was viewing the picture in the Gallery application.
So, what I would like to ask is:
Is it possible to embed the textual location information in the image (besides just GPS coordinates) as EXIF information inside the JPEG so that this information can also be viewed on the PC even when the PC has no network access?
If this information is already embedded but not being displayed by the Windows Live, then are there better, free, image (and video) viewing programs for Windows 7 which will allow you to view this information?
EDIT:
According to this Wikipedia article, the process of enriching geographical coordinates with a description of a location is known as reverse geocoding. This is what the Gallery application above was doing. Also according to this other Wikipedia article Geotagging can also attach not only coordinates, but also place names, which is what I'm after. The EXIF standard does not seem to include any specific tags for place names, although camera manufacturers can embed their own custom format metadata using the MakerNote tag. Upon searching for images with the Advanced Google Image Search, downloading, and viewing with Gimp 2.8.4 I found place name information embedded in the ImageDescription EXIF tag, whereas images downloaded from Panoramio it seems do not contain EXIF informaiton.
So, my question is, how do I embed reverse geocoded place name information inside the ImageDescription EXIF tag of pictures from within my Android smartphone? Thanks!
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
Why does the 3G connection drop issue happen on all Verizon 4G LTE handsets?
OK, after having reviewed the Samsung DROID Charge, reviewing and owning a DROID BIONIC, and hearing from many Thunderbolt users, it seems like one problem is common to all Verizon 4G handsets: a dropping 3G data connection. So far, I've observed the following:
My BIONIC often refuses to get a 3G data connection back when switching from Wi-Fi or 4G back to 3G. If I switch to Airplane Mode and back, sometimes I'll get the 3G connection back, sometimes I won't. In the About Phone -> Status menu, it says the mobile data network is "connecting." Sometimes I end up having to reboot.
Additionally, when attempting to use the phone in CDMA-only mode, the phone seems to decide to drop its 3G connection at random and refuse to get it back - even on reboot the phone is slow to acquire signal. I noticed a similar problem on the DROID Charge.
Is there any theory as to why this is happening? Do all Verizon's LTE phones share a common chipset model? Because it sounds to me like whoever makes the chipset is doing a real bang-up job of shipping phones with near-defective radios or radio firmware. As it appears to happen across three different manufacturers, the buck falls on Verizon and their LTE chip partner. I'm frankly getting very, very annoyed with this problem and think it needs some public exposure with good empirical evidence that it happens on all LTE handsets on Verizon.
So, I'm asking for your assistance in that regard as well. Leave a comment about your experiences with Verizon's LTE phones and connection drop issues, with as much detail as possible. Of course, the answer I'm looking for here is as to why this is happening, but I think this is going to be a fairly long ongoing investigation. If you've found a method of fixing or working around this issue on your Android phone, please leave that an an answer as well!
Answer
It seems the issue is network authentication problems caused by Verizon's switch to a UICC SIM-based authentication for both 3G and 4G connections on all of its 4G LTE devices. See this article:
cyanogenmod - Home Launcher in CM12 lags due to Tasker's accessibility feature
I'm using the Tasker app and noticed that if its accessibility service is turned on the Home Launcher seems to lag horribly. The lag is not only irritating but it also breaks the smooth animation of Lollipop. My views are shared by a user in this bug here. Unfortunately, the bug is still unresolved.
What can I do to fix this lag other than to turn off accessibility feature of Tasker?
Note that this accessibility feature is important because the technique in my previous question (Tasker app is skipping a task when profile is activated) is unresolved for some reason. Also, my other devices with Android 4.2.1 and 4.4.2 (both stock ROM) doesn't need accessibility service turned on to achieve my goal using Tasker.
Device: OnePlus One
OS version: CM12 (bacon)
Tasker version : 4.6u3
wi fi - Prefer 5GHz over 2.4Ghz without disabling 2.4Ghz
I have a DualBand WiFi router, and a DualBand WiFi repeater. Both use the same SSID, both have 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands enabled. But my Android devices mostly connect the 2.4GHz band – even if I stand next to the router or repeater, and thus the 5GHz signal is quite strong.
I want them to prefer the 5GHz band if available (and strong enough), but use the 2.4GHz otherwise.
- using different SSIDs for each band is not an option
- fixing the device to 5GHz is out of question, as then they'd never use 2.4GHz even it its the only one available. Furthermore, not all devices have that option (usually found in Settings › WiFi › (tap the 3-dot overflow menu) › Advanced if available).
Router as well as repeater have "band steering" enabled, so it doesn't look like there's something to force it from that end¹.
So is there anything that could be done on the Android devices? Most of them are rooted (and the one that's not is using 5GHz most of the time), Xposed is available as well if it helps. Modifying wpa_supplicant is acceptable though not the preferred way, as is using a 3rd party app².
So any suggestions?
¹ in case it's relevant: Fritz!Box 7390 and a Fritz repeater 1160
² which then preferably comes via F-Droid. Apps with Google dependencies (Firebase, Analytics, License check etc.) are not acceptable.
Answer
You can take advantage of the experimental "prefer 5 GHz" feature from WiFi band – or Smart WiFi Selector, which offers that as well:
WiFi Band / Smart WiFi Selector (source: Google Play; click images for larger variants)
Unfortunately, WiFi Band comes with AdMob and Firebase, thus not fully meeting the requirements.
Disclaimer ahead!
I haven't really tested all these applications, so I'm not sure if they fall into the acceptable criteria (firebase, google dependencies etc) besides my device comes with this feature already:
Acknowledgements: How to change from 5GHZ to 2.5GHZ frequency on Android N
In terms of potential 3rd party apps, the closest I have come across is WIFi 5, which is dated , but offers such functionality. It specifies the signal level to switch to a 5Ghz access point and displays a notification showing the available bands.
WiFi 5 was last update 2012, unlisted from Playstore in 12/2017, and thus is only available via ApkPure currently. Not sure whether to trust that site.
4.4 kitkat - Download location for Android 4.4 x86 (64bit)
Where can we download following
Android 4.4 ISO
Android 4.4 64bit ISO
I have checked at following location
https://code.google.com/p/android-x86/downloads/list
Seems like android-x86 4.3 is the maximum version provided there.
I am searching for ISO to set it up on VM Player/Virtual Box.
Answer
It looks like there are no Android 4.4 images ready yet for this. In the download area of the Android X86 project you can find a couple of images and more, starting with Android 1.6 (Donut) and currently reaching up to Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean), and also other useful resources. Might be worth checking there again later, as I would expect they add 4.4 as soon as they have an image ready for that.
I'm not sure whether the Genymotion project (the "next generation" of AndroidVM) offers some image downloads as well, as checking would require one to sign-up first. Genymotion is another VM solution, which AFAIK works together with VirtualBox. It should be quite fast and stable, is based on Android x86, and available for MacOS, Linux, and Windows alike.
EDIT (2014-10-31): The download-area now holds the 4.4 images. A second place to check is the project's downloads at sourceforge, which currently also have the 4.4 images available.
google play store - Can't install app (Error code: -26)
I am trying to install Lost Android and Wheres My Droid but I always get this error on both apps:
I have sufficient free space and have installed other apps so that's not an issue. I am using custom ROM MIUI 4.4.18.
I found this page having similar issue. They suggest manual apk install which works but updating the apk results to the same error on Google play.
samsung galaxy note 3 - is there way to remotely turn on your android phone?
I'm not talking about remotely control the device. I'm talking about remotely turn on the cellphone.
I lost my phone and try to connect it remotely. but a device is keep offing for 2 days.
it's kind of strange. so is there any way to remotely turn on the phone?
Monday, May 21, 2018
networking - How to set up reverse tethering over USB?
- My HTC G2 phone is rooted and running Cyanogenmod 7
- I don't have a data plan.
- Sometimes I want to connect the phone to the Internet when there isn't Wi-Fi, to update Market apps, backup SMS messages to Gmail, sync new contacts from Gmail, etc. Things I can't do with USB mass storage mode.
- I have a Windows 7 Professional computer connected to the Internet, but I'm not allowed to set up an ad-hoc Wi-Fi network. (If I do, they will notice and hunt me down.)
Is there a way for the phone to access the Internet through the USB connection to the computer? If so, how do I set it up?
battery life - Can I leave it plugged in for charge all the time? -Samsung Galaxy 3 I5801
In short my question is -
What is the battery level at which it starts charging again Samsung Galaxy 3 I5801 device when kept plugged in for charge all the time?
If you want to know background and why I ask this, read whole question below.
This question is based on below answer Do I have to charge my phone before I use it the first time?
Can I leave it plugged in all the time? Yes, and no. This is very dependent on whom makes your device. For example, my Lenovo laptop will not apply a charge to the battery unless it is under 97%. When it does charge the battery it charges directly to 100%, then stops until the battery sags below 97%. Many laptops did not do this, on most just applying charge if it is not 100%. This would put the battery through thousands of charge cycles in a week when you are not using the battery. This ages a battery quickly.
If your phone maker took the time and paid the extra cash then your phone will stop charging once it reaches full charge and just power the system from the wall outlet. It is significantly more likely that your phone is charging your battery on a short cycle and aging it thoroughly.
The answerer mentions that it depends on manufacturer. What's the answer for Android phone? Or if it depends on the Manufacturer what is the battery level at which it starts charging again Samsung Galaxy 3 I5801 device?
So this question is specific to the device - Samsung Galaxy 3 I5801.
Answer
I don't know about your specific device/battery but here is a rather detailed article on the battery in android phones and the app used in the article to log battery information is called CurrentWidget
If the article is representative of most smart phones, which I suspect it is, to maximize your battery life your phone does an initial charge to 100% and then maintains the battery at about 93%.
My takeaway is that it is good to leave your phone plugged in and charging when you can but it is not good to frequently plug and unplug your phone.
6.0 marshmallow - Rooting Gionee P5W
When I tried Kingroot apk to root, it says that there is no root strategy available for my phone. Is there any working method available for rooting my android phone?
applications - Dangers of ad modules in apps
Nowadays, I see apps containing up to 10 ad modules (maybe even more). While most of them might just be an annoyance, some of them carry a privacy risk, like inMobi ¹ or RevMob ² (for some background, take a look at Beware those snooping mods! on my Android website).
While I know about a few (as listed behind that link), there are hundreds of different ad networks with their modules. One hardly can know them all. So my question is:
How can I tell if an app contains an (ad) module dangerous to my privacy, or otherwise agressive (remember Airpush, do you)? Preferably before I install it?
At least I can check which modules are part of an app if I look it up at Appbrain, where they are listed (if they are available at the Google Play Store that is). But while Appbrain also links to details for each of them, those only include statistics, but don't mention the dangers associated. Yes, there are some apps to Identify Ad-Modules – but most of them haven't been updated within the last 2-3 years. Apart from which, they can only scan apps I've already installed.
So what approaches would you recommend the privacy-concerned user to protect himself against those intruders, and avoid them?
PS: I'm not asking about ad-blockers here, so please do not focus your answers on those.
PPS: As I still didn't find any viable solution, I started a spin-off question on our sister site to build my own: API to access details on modules in Android apps. Input welcome!
¹ inMobi requires access to Internet and Network state – plus uses your location, microphone, calendar (read and write) and more, if accessible to the host app
² RevMob has full network access and reads your device identifiers
3g - How can I send service commands from my Nexus 7?
I have a Nexus 7 3G and I often need to send network service commands (e.g., to use top-up codes or to activate/de-activate data-plans), but can't find a way to do it from the tablet. Instead I'm forced to take the SIM card out of the Nexus and put it into a mobile phone temporarily. Is there a way to do this directly from the Nexus 7?
clockworkmod recovery - Flashing CM 11, I get `set_metadata_recursive: some changes failed`:
ClockworkMod Recovery v6.0.2.3 gives me the folling error when I try to update my Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (GT-P5113) to Cyanogenmod 11:
Restarting adbd...
Finding update package...
Opening update package...
Installing update...
set_metadata_recursive: some changes failed
E:Error in /tmp/update.zip
(status 7)
Installation aborted.
Being desperate I tried the same thing with Team Win Recovery Project (TWRP) v2.6.3.0 -- also the latest for my platofrm,
Checking for MD5 file...
Skipping MD5 check: no MD5 file file found.
set_metadata_recursive: some changes filed
E:Error: executing updater binary in zip '/data/media/0/sideload.zip'
Answer
In short, if you want to flash KitKat Android 4.4, you'll have to upgrade to a version of CWM greater than v6.0.4.5. Or, use an alternate bootloader. For the Galaxy Tab 2 GT-P5113 or GT-p5110 you can find the instructions here.
wi fi - Can my phone act as WiFi Access Point while Disabling Celluar Radio?
Can Android act as a WiFi Access Point while the cellular radio is turned off?
I tried to accomplish that using flight mode, but that won't work. While flight mode is enabled, Androids portable Wi-Fi hotspot option cannot be enabled. Quite logical, because one cannot tether while cellular networks are disabled.
To my knowledge, there is no obvious dedicated option to only disable cellular networks. There is an Cell Radio ShutOff, but that app just crashes when pressing the disable cellular network button on my phone.
Are there any apps for setting up a cellular less, non-tethering WiFi Access Point or other ways to do this?
What's that good for? What is it, what I am really accomplishing to do? See background below.
Background:
For recording interviews, I want to use a newer Android device [Galaxy S3] as a video camera (MirrorOp Sender app), while using an older device [iphone 4] as an external display (MirrorOp Receiver app). In some sense as a "wireless live preview" display.
The MirrorOp app has to my knowledge no WiFi Direct mode. Therefore I am using Androids portable Wi-Fi hotspot option, so the receiver can log into the WiFi AndroidAP (WiFi access point). Took me a while to figure out, but it works so far.
During recording, be not disturbed my cellar calls, voip calls, messenger or update notifications, I would like to disable the cellular network radio. That also seems useful to save battery.
Another reason for not providing internet access is to prevent the receiver phone from using use the WiFi as hotspot (which would in reality, be just a 3G network) to download bigger files, updates, etc.
I don't like blocking mode, because then caller think I pressed the "rejection" button, and because it also does not save battery.
5.0 lollipop - How to open local web pages in Chrome on external SD card
I wanted to be able to open local files in the Chrome browser. If I tap a local file (htm, rss) or paste a valid "file:" URI into Chrome it does not work when file is on external SD card. I am using Samsung S4 Android 5.0.1 (not rooted). I tested a few paths in the chrome browser and found works ok on internal SD card but that there is no read access to any data on the external SD card even the private data folder (I was expecting Chrome should have access to private folder on exteranl card??). Selecting a file E.g. file:///mnt/sdcard/Documents/testarc.htm on internal SD card works fine but paths like file:///storage/extSdCard will not show a directory.
I know that access restrictions were added to Android 5.x but don't applications have access to a private data folder (under /Android/data) on external SD card by default?
Does Chrome (com.android.chrome) have read access the file:///storage/extSdCard/Android/data/com.android.chrome/files/ ?
Is there a way to enable it?
I have two file manager apps installed - ES file explorer, Total Commander, and the is "Myfiles" app which came with the phone. If use ES file explorer or Myfiles the "open with" windows only lists Firefox not Chrome, or Samsung browsers. Choosing Firefox will open the web page file (htm) (even on external SD card), so is there a way to add other browsers to "open with" list?
In MS Windows file association was relatively simple using "registered file types" options. Is the Andriod equivalent?
Sunday, May 20, 2018
security - Preventing browser redirects on Android (and iOS)
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calls - Is It Possible to Know the Location of the Caller?
If I'm using an Android, is it possible to know the physical location of the person who call me/ I call to?
lg optimus one - Why my phone battery has four terminal? what is the use of the fourth?
I have a LG Optimus One (P500). For sometime I am wondering why my phone's battery has four terminals. I am aware that two terminals are for the positive and negative points and the the third connects to the battery's internal thermistor to monitor its temperature. Still that leaves me puzzled with what the fourth terminal could be for?
Interestingly my phone has only three terminal where as the battery has four. I have searched for answers in Google but no useful results other than description about temperature monitoring comes up.
Also since another doubt also lies in the same image, what is the port that is marked as "A" in the following image? It appears to me as some sort connector and my guess is that it is a connector to a cable with which manufacturers can access something deep in hardware. The Nokia phones which I had also had this feature and I guess this should be common for all phone then.
Update: I am more keen on knowing what the fourth terminal on the battery does rather than why there are three in phone and four in battery. As @Axeman said, this battery could be used in other phones (of LG) as well.
Answer
As @Axeman said, the connector is an Ultra Small Surface Mount Coaxial connector (quite a mouthful and still could not get how it was abbreviated as U.FL) which is a kind of expansion port which could be used for any radio communication, including GSM, WiFi, GPS.
And as @Lie Ryan said, the fourth terminal in the battery is for connecting the antennae in the battery to NFC circuitry on the motherboard. Few searches in Google confirmed this and gives raise to following information:
Those who have NFC in their phones, may lose the NFC capabilities if they try to replace with cheap and duplicate batteries which may not have the NFC antennae as said here.
I am summing up all the points to make this question as answered. I was unable to accept @Axeman's answer as complete as it did not answer the NFC part and @Lie Ryan had added as a comment only.
Kudos for them both!
Update: I happen to get hold of LG P500's service manual which confirms the RF connector with the following image tagged as SW1001. 
hardware - What is JTAG in regards to Android?
I see the term JTAG used for reviving dead Android devices that otherwise don't respond to anything and aren't seen when USB connected. It seems that it's something done from the physical hardware side of the device (as opposed to some pure software based solution) and I've heard the term used elsewhere (in gaming consoles). I don't find much else about it, and I'd like to know specifically how it relates to Androids and similar devices. It seems to be a term in electronics or electrical engineering, both of which I am unfamiliar with. I'm wondering what it is and why it can be used on hard bricked devices.
Saturday, May 19, 2018
google play store - How to remove device(s) from My Market Account?
I know I can choose "Hidden in menus" and never see the devices again when I install a application. But I don't want my old mobile phones display in my account settings anymore. I have sold those phones already and never use them again!
In fact, the list look likes a cemetery in my mind now. ;(
Answer
As things currently stand, there is no way to disassociate a device from the ones shown in your Market Account. Keeping them hidden is the only way that Google currently offers.
How (where) do I browse to the /data/Tombstones (on the System Partition, I think)?
Trying to delete some files from my System partition. Someone suggested deleting /data/Tombstones (I.e., what's the Path to it so I can browse to it)
Using Astro File manager I navigated from the SDcard0 up until I got to what seems to be the root. It has folders like:
- acct
- cache
- config
- data (which is empty)
- ...
- firmware
- ...
- tombstones (which is empty)
- system (is this the system partition), it does not contain a Tombstones folder.
applications - Create, edit, and sync-with-PC txt file on Android
There are many apps that allow us to take notes on android.
But just like this thread (Is it possible to create a plain text file in android?), I want to create and edit plain txt file on android.
But moreover, I also want to automatically sync with a txt file in my PC. Ideally, dropbox. So ideally, I edit txt file on my PC then the edit will sync to my Android phone, and vice versa.
But if this ideal solution (dropbox solution) is not available, then I am fine with less ideal solution which will sync txt with PC.
Thursday, May 17, 2018
external sd - "Cannot Move App Not Enough Storage Space" Error Message
I have a Huawei Y635 phone running Android version 4.4.4 with 1GB of RAM and 8GB phone storage. I bought an 8GB SD card to transfer some apps as the phone memory is nearly full. The SD card has 7.19GB of free space but when I try to move apps I get the error message stating there is not enough space. I have made the SD card the default storage location. The app I was trying to move was only 92.09MB. I have read some of the other posts but can't seem to get answer to this specific query. Any help greatly appreciated.
file system - Why is TRIM not supported on encrypted "/data" partition?
I have a rooted Lenovo A369i. I use LagFix (fstrim) to TRIM partitions. Previously it was working well with /data but after I encrypted my phone it doesn't. I decrypted my phone by formatting. But now in the app it shows /data partition having kernel or hardware issues. It's not hardware because before encryption it was working well.
root access - Compatibility problems with x86 phone?
I have read this and this question and I want to ask for some elaboration.
I'm considering buying an x86 phone. I have some questions regarding compatibility issues.
I know that the majority of normal (non-root) apps will work without issue on x86, but I understand that there are exceptions. Apparently some apps use native ARM functions. How common is this? What are some examples of popular apps that won't run on x86? Can I get an idea of how widespread this problem will be?
Is it true that root apps are less likely to run than normal ones? How widespread is incompatibility with x86 in root apps?
I know that Xposed Framework can work on x86, but what about the modules? Are many of them incompatible with x86? If yes, how common is it?
Answer
It's mostly games that might be incompatible with x86. Typically, apps have no reason to use the NDK unless they has special performance or graphics requirements, and their libraries might only be built for ARM.
I don't believe that apps using root are typically incompatible, it's rooting apps — since they often rely on platform-specific binaries/exploits. Root apps are not inherently different in how they are coded than others apart from requesting elevated privileges via
su.Unfortunately I am not familiar with Xposed support for x86, but I believe the answer should be similar to #2. Xposed mostly functions by injecting itself into Android's platform framework, which is Java rather than native libraries. I would advise you to be careful with backups and making sure your device is relatively easy to flash if you need to restore everything to stock.
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