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How to run a program in an app context with Magisk?
Let's say I'm currently as root in Bash on a terminal, outside any app like Termux. I'm running Magisk.
Now I want to synchronously invoke Termux's Bash, such that it behaves the same way as it would if I had directly started the Termux app (i.e. with the same permissions and SELinux context and user/group and everything else).
How can I do this?

Android framework takes care of a lot of things when forking an app from zygote. In short, it's nearly impossible to run an app process from commandline so that it behaves “exactly the same way” as if the app was properly launched. Continue reading to have an idea of why it's so.
In order to run bash in Termux app's context so that it behaves exactly the same way as if it was started from the app, it must be run at least:

With UID/GID of the app assigned by the Package Manager at the time of installation
With supplementary group inet (3003), which is required to create network sockets and is assigned to any app at the time of installation which declares android.permission.INTERNET in its AndroidManifest.xml. For details see How Android's permissions mapping with UIDs/GIDs works?.
With supplementary group everybody (9997) which is used to control app's read / write access to /sdcard. For details see What is the “u#_everybody” UID?.
With supplementary groups <uid>_cache (UID+10000) and all_<uid> (UID+40000) so that app can access its cache, native executable code etc. But these aren't required necessarily since we are not running the app itself.
By entering the mount namespace of Termux app (com.termux process) which is required for supgid 9997 to work. If the app isn't running (e.g. if running from adb shell), supgid 1015 can be used to get write access to /sdcard but that's not how the app works.
By dropping all Linux capabilities (granular root privileges in Effective, Permitted, Inheritable, Bounding and Ambient sets) as well as setting securebits and process control attribute NO_NEW_PRIVS which make sure that app isn't able to elevate privileges by making use of setuid or file capabilities.
With blocked syscalls by applying seccomp-bpf filter.
With SELinux context of the app, which is determined at install / runtime based on MMAC (1, 2).
By adding the process to relevant cgroups e.g. cpuset, memcg etc. as the Android's framework does.
By catching, blocking and ignoring the same signals as the app would do.
By setting the environment it relies on. E.g. Termux's bash won't execute without LD_LIBRARY_PATH which it requires for dynamic linking.

There isn't a single commandline tool available which can do all of this sandboxing, it can be achieved fully only programmatically (see Minijail), or might be using multiple tools e.g. nsjail/firejail for setting seccomp filters, runcon to change SELinux context, capsh to alter DAC/capabilities, nsenter to enter mount namespace etc. setpriv from util-linux package can do the maximum:
~# uid=$(stat -c %u /data/data/com.termux)
~# pid=$(pidof -s com.termux)
~# label=$(cat /proc/$pid/attr/current)
~# export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=/data/data/com.termux/files/usr/lib
~# exec nsenter -t $pid -m setpriv --reuid $uid --regid $uid --groups 3003,9997 --bounding-set -all --selinux-label $label -- /system/bin/sh -c 'exec /data/data/com.termux/files/usr/bin/bash'

* nsenter and setpriv are busybox applets but with limited functionality. For aarch64 you may get static binaries here: nsenter, setpriv.
However we need to define shell_exec (label of /system/bin/sh) as entrypoint for execution by untrusted_app context which is not part of stock sepolicy (at least on Pie):
~# supolicy --live 'allow untrusted_app shell_exec file entrypoint'

Executing /system/bin/sh before executing /data/data/com.termux/files/usr/bin/bash is required because /data partition is mounted with nosuid option which prevents SELinux context transition (from magisk to untrusted_app) (3) and you get permission denied. You may consider mounting /data without nosuid to skip this step.
For the same reason --no-new-privs and --selinux-label can't be used in conjunction.
All this happens in native world, nothing in Java stack. So we have no direct control on things like manifest permissions which entirely operate inside Android framework. However manifest permission enforcement is also based on UIDs (4). For instance if Termux was granted android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE the bash we are running with Termux's UID will also be able to write to /sdcard.

From your comment:

It doesn't make sense to me how this is possible. Like, consider the output:
u0_a129 ~$ /sbin/su --context=u:object_r:app_data_file:s0:c512,c768 u0_a129 -c /system/bin/id
uid=10129(u0_a129) gid=10129(u0_a129) groups=10129(u0_a129) context=u:r:magisk:s0
u0_a129 ~$ /system/bin/id
uid=10129(u0_a129) gid=10129(u0_a129) groups=10129(u0_a129),3003(inet),9997(everybody),20129(u0_a129_cache),50129(all_a129),99909997(u999_everybody) context=u:r:untrusted_app_27:s0:c512,c768

Well, according to my understanding that's how Unix Discretionary Access Control works. First of all passing --context to Magisk's /sbin/su makes no difference as explained here:

the option still exists for CLI compatibility with apps designed for SuperSU. However the option is silently ignored since it's no longer relevant.

So the context isn't switched as you can see it's still u:r:magisk:s0. Secondly Magisk's su isn't the actual switch user (5), it provides a minimal functionality of standard su binary (the one we have on Linux). For details see How Magisk works?
In your first command it set UID, GID and supplementary groups to the UID you provided. You didn't ask su to set any additional supplementary groups, neither it can.
In second command you see the UID, GID, supplementary groups and SELinxu context which were set by zygote when it forked the app's DVM/ART (com.termux in case of Termux). Supplementary groups are explained above. 99909997 is also explained in the link given above.

It would be nice (hint, hint!) if the termux developers would build some sort of cli-callable utility to perform all of these functions, so that we can write commands that utilize termux capabilities for Magisk, adb, and other utilities. And note that termux-boot does not apparently run with all of these conventions, and programs initiated via termux-boot fail -- even on my rooted device -- because one or more of these necessary capaibilites are not set when the boot scripts run.
IMHO, termux would be much more useful if such a termux helper program was available.

@HippoMan taking care of all of these prerequisites and sandboxing mechanisms (plus those I don't know of or missed) is not the responsibility of app developers, neither they can. It's the Android framework which fulfills all of these requirements when forking an app from zygote. Incorporating these functionalities in an app or a separate utility would be equivalent to including a reasonably large part of AOSP code in them. This answer is just a reference to have an idea of what things are taken care of when launching an app. In actual there are even more complications involved.

For Linux distros, there are --reuid, --regid, --groups, etc. available for setpriv; but I get setpriv: unrecognized option '--groups' in Android. Duh. Maybe there is something missing, or I'm using a wrong BusyBox. Maybe I must compile the tool myself. At last, setpriv does not work with the options mentioned.

@MAChitgarha I mentioned that bb applet is limited. And the static binary link is also given. Just checked it again for you: https://ibb.co/98nQ3g1

@IrfanLatif Thanks for your attention. My phone architecture is arm, not aarch64. Do the files work on my platform, or I should make them myself? If the later, please post the source code of the library I should compile. Thanks.

No. 64bit binary won't run on 32bit arch. setpriv is part of util-linux package: https://github.com/karelzak/util-linux

any other solution without using setpriv ? the latest BusyBox v1.36.1-Magisk (2023-09-02 05:30:11 PDT) setpriv ony support limited option.


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Can I open a second Gmail account in a separate app?
I currently have several Gmail accounts, one for work, and the others personal. I'd like to keep these separate so I can forget about work on the weekends, but I'm finding it hard to do right now.
Is there a way to open the work account in a different app (E.G., Outlook) but not have it show up in the regular Gmail client as well?

Try K-9 Mail. .

If your company uses Google Enterprise and your Android supports work profile, then you can have separate them for personal and work purpose.

Google Mail supports the IMAP protocol. Using this protocol you can use any regular mail app you want.

I know I can access the mail via any app, but the problem is that the Gmail app keeps fetching that mail too.

@RodeoClown with the open source email client I mentioned you don't need to add Google account to device.

Thanks @irfan latif. That might be an option. The only issue is that I actually want the account for the calendar, I just want the email left out of Gmail.

@RodeoClown there are 2 Google accounts in same user profile. Calendar app should have access to both accounts. Gmail app should have access to one account. Any other app(s) which should or shouldn't have access to one or both accounts? Please edit your question to add these details.

Unfortunately the answer is that it will depend...
It will depend how your work email is setup and/or the device being used.
Option1 - Android Enterprise
If your organization has an MDM (mobile device management) and they support a configuration called Android Enterprise it is possible they can distribute another instant if Gmail that keeps your work and personal email separate.  You will need to contact your companies help desk for more info.  Note your device must be new enough to support Android Enterprise.
Option2 - Samsung Devices
Some newer Samsung devices allow you to do this with a feature called Secure folder.  Secure folder allows you to add applications like gmail to the secure folder.  This allows you to run another instance of gmail or most other android.
Hope that helps

source: Stack Exchange

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

sort: votes


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How can I share my free internet vpn connection with my laptop?
I am getting the free internet connection through both HTTP Injector and Anonytun, I want to get the same fast connection in my laptop as in the android phone?
Please use simple language since I'm not exactly very convulsant with these things..but I,m also not thaat dumb...hehe :-). Thank you.

Duplicate of How to share VPN connection with devices on hotspot?

The easy Way...
 1. Start your VPN on your phone
 2. Install/Use Clockworkmod's USB Tether.
2b. Use PDANet/Foxfi for wireless sharing.
The Clockworkmod/PDAnet tether app will connect to the internet like any other app;
through the VPN.

Paid apps, depend on Wi-Fi Direct.

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


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Any way to disable notifications' sound when screen is on? On Stock Android
Is there any reasonable way to disable all android notification sounds (only) when your screen is on, but keeping them working when screen is off?
By 'stock' I mean a Pixel (3) device.

Rationale: If my screen is on, it means I'm actually actively looking at it. I turned it on, and if I'm not looking at it anymore, I'd lock (turn off) it again, or the auto turn-off timer will do that for me, preferably in the shortest amount of time possible, saving battery.
The nature of notifications, as the name imply is to notify. If I'm looking at the screen, I don't need an annoying audio cue as well to notify me of anything: I will see the visual cue.
I've already been notified.
The default behaviour seems rather dumb and unthoughtful to me, and it's beyond me why they wouldn't give such an alternative option.
I've encountered this option on a custom ROM I've used on my OnePlus 3T before, and it was a blessing.
As such, is there a way to fix this (IMHO, terrible design flaw)?

I'm currently testing to see if the app Dingless will work. I should mention however that unfortunately for some reason it's not compatible with my OnePlus 3T running stock OnePlus Pie.

Would this suffice if the default notification sound is changed to none when the screen is on, then back to your default when the screen is off? Automation apps such as MacroDroid and Tasker can do this easily.

@Firelord Yes, off the top of my head I believe the practical results of that method would fulfill all the requirements I was aiming for, and I couldn't think of any meaningful side effects. I'll take a look into that.

Can't upvote this more and weird that so few people are annoyed by this terrible flaw. I'm  going to give a shot to Automateit app.

For what it's worth: After reading the comments here, I've installed MacroDroid, and created the following auto routine: "On screen unlocked -> silence the notifications and disable vibrations -> only if I've not enabled Do Not Disturb". "On screen off -> do the reverse with the same 'only if' condition". 1. I didn't use "On screen on", because that also silences the phone alarm. 2. I added the 'only if' condition, so that I have a way to silence the phone and keep it silenced after I turn the screen off. I.e. I can do it by enabling the Do Not Disturb mode.

So I've tried the app dingless, and it totally works, even on my Galaxy A52s (Android 12). You can even customize it to not vibrate at all, driving mode and a lot more.


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Android 9 on Sony Xperia XA2 not accepting any incoming connections on WiFi
I got an XA2 and did all the updates, which gave me Android 9. I have a few other Android devices but all on versions 6 to 8.
I routinely use FTP servers on Android devices to get files onto them. And it always worked - but on this one, does not work. I start WiFi FTP and it says it has started but the PC can't connect to it.
Upon some forum advice, to see if the issue is with the FTP protocol, I installed Asus File Manager, which accepts HTTP connections for remote file transfer. Still no connection.
Moreover even a ping does not get through!
However, the phone successfully uses the Internet over the WiFi connection. It is also listed in the router's list of connected devices, though it is shown as having no host name, while other Android devices have host names.
So how can I get Android 9 (on Sony Xperia XA2) to accept incoming connections on WiFi/make FTP servers work? Or is this just perma-disabled in Android 9 and/or in Sony's mod?

I'm using SSH + FTP server on Pie for more than a year I think, even accessible on internet. Did you try connecting over hotspot? Android doesn't show hostname, that's expected: https://android.stackexchange.com/a/217171/218526

Hotspot connection worked! WiFi FTP Server sees no files for whatever reason, but ASUS File Manager works. It gives the wrong address in the UI but when I get the right address from WiFi FTP UI, I can use ASUS File manager. I can find an FTP server that will work now, probably. But I do wonder what is happening about a regular Wi-Fi connection.


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Disable Volume and Power button screenshot
Pressing Volume (-Up or -Down) and Power button takes automatic screenshot.
Can I disable this feature?
(I often grab my phone and press those buttons by mistake).
I use OnePlus with OxygenOS 9.

For the moment, you unfortunately can't unless your phone is rooted. A user submitted a suggestion to have Option to disable screenshot using volume down and power button for OnePlus 6T. On the same thread, there are also owners of other OnePlus models asking for the same.
If your phone is rooted, you can disable the package com.oneplus.screenshot although it will introduce the disadvantage of no longer being able to take screentshots.
You can also try to remap the keys as shown here.


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Whatsapp: Continous loop of messages backup and no text box to type in Samsung S10
Gentlemen,
Two problems I'm facing in WhatsApp in Samsung S10 (fully updated)
1- Whenever I open WhatsApp settings, a message appears "backing up your messages" once it is completed and I try to go back to chats and starts again and again for 3 to 4 times then I can come back. (Backup settings: Never and not able to link it to any google account)
2- In any chat, the text box at the bottom is hidden and I cannot type anything, the only way around is to reply to someone then hold the phone horizontally and then I can type and send.
This is really disappointing especially that I just switched from iOS to barnd new Samsung S10 to find these issues!
(Note: I used a WazzapMigrator to get all my WhatsApp data from my iPhone).

Resetting an application usually solves such random issues.
Long Click on Whatsapp -> App info -> Storage -> Clear Data.
It will reset Whatsapp. Now you will have to use WazzapMigrator again to transfer your data. Hope it helps

The only way for fixing this was uninstalling WhatsApp without touching any backups or databases folder. Just Uninstall, restart the phone and install the app. It will restore everything.
It worked for me and everything is fine now.


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Google Photos backup
I've been trying to upload my photos to google photos. It's stuck on uploading x items. I tried restarting, removing cache, clearing storage.
I even tried downgrading the google photos app version.
My backup and sync is on.
Please need help
Thank you

Are you using wifi or mobile data for backup
Check this settings/backup & sync and turn on backup and sync
you can also try backup mode/ and reselect high quality
it will auto upload


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Explore files using Android Studio
Is it possible browsing the device filesystem with the current version of AS? I've read that in the menu View > Tool Windows > Device File Explorer there should be the suitable tool, but I cannot see anything.

I've just checked Android Studio 3.5 for Windows, and it's there on View - Tool Windows - Device File Explorer. By "cannot see anything", did you mean there's no menu entry, or it didn't show Device File Explorer on one of the Sidebars, or it didn't show your device, or it didn't show your device content? Also on Android's official documentation: View on-device files with Device File Explorer

@AndrewT. I follow the menu till to the entry Tool Windows in the upper menu View, and here I don't see anything (i.e. Device file explorer is missed). Android Studio for Linux

The menu is also present here (AS 3.5 on Windows). I find it quite interesting that this explorer is capable of listing /data/data/ which is not possible via adb on an unrooted device.

@Robert Is /data/data/ available only for apps in debugging mode on the device, not for all the installed apps? Maybe if I haven't installed any such app the Device Explorer doesn't appear. Do you see it in the menu even without any app in debugging mode?


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Way to ‘remote clone’ my tablet
Earliert this month, I forgot my Huawei tablet (MediaPad T3) at an airport on a different continent. While I did submit a lost property notice, I didn’t think of checking my Google account’s mail address. Initially, I heard nothing, so I presumed it was gone and bought a new one (same model, same size memory card), logged on with my Google account—and then received the mail to that account that my device has been found.
The airport’s lost and found office told me that shipping it my way would cost around €100, while sending it domestically would cost €50. Picking it up at the office would cost €20. I have friends who live in that country, so needless to say I won’t let the tablet get shipped across the globe.
However, I am wondering if there is any way to clone the tablet’s data from the old (lost) one to the new one I bought the other day. I’m mainly interested in apps and app data (i.e. transfer savegame status and login status); the only files on there were videos that I have backups of.
I heard of Huawei’s PhoneClone app which seems to be the easiest/quickest/dirtiest option, but naturally the descriptions assume that both devices are in the same room. I was unable to confirm whether data transfer works across the internet. Of course, if there are other (better?) options, I might be interested in those, too.
So in short:

Can I use Huawei’s PhoneClone app to clone my tablet’s contents via internet connection only?
Are there other, potentially better options to clone the app data on my tablet without the two being physically close to each other?

As I mentioned, they are logged into the same Google account. Furthermore, I could send images of any QR codes or the likes to whichever friend I ask to pick it up for me so that should not pose any inherent problem either.

If you're having a Google account connected to the device, and don't mind Google seeing those data: did you activate Google Cloud backup on the original device? If not, one option would be doing so, waiting a little for it to be performed – and later reset your new device. The first-run wizard should then ask you whether to restore from the Google backup, and offer you the ones made on the original device. Note however that not all apps support that, so this will certainly be incomplete.

@Izzy I believe I did not but I also assume that I can ask a friend to activate that type of backup after they retrieve the tablet from the lost and found. It sounds like that might be another interesting answer. (I wonder if there is a list of apps that do support this type of backup, too?)

In both cases: unless the device is rooted, the backup will be incomplete (apps can opt-out of it, and do so for queer reasons sometimes). You can use my Adebar which includes this in its app listings (the flags row includes ALLOW_BACKUP if the app supports it); Adebar also creates scripts for backup/restore, using the same mechanism Helium uses ([tag adb] backups). But it requires the ADB tools (and on Windows, device drivers). No big deal on Linux, but the driver might make it tricky on Windows.

A possible solution is to backup the old phone with Helium - App Sync and Backup. Then upload, the data files created by it to Google Drive (or any other cloud storage). Download the data files from the cloud storage to your new phone. Finally restore them using the same app.
Obviously, your friend will do the backup and upload the files. While you will download and restore them.
Note: I don't own a Huawei phone, so I could not advise whether the app you mentioned will work or not.

Just now I was taking a look at Helium for initial testing and it wanted me to connect to a PC to‘perform the backup correctly’. Can you confirm if that is a requirement for your suggestion?

@Jan Yes, it is. You will also need to enable USB debugging in your tablet's Developers options. You can get the desktop app here

I did some testing of the PhoneClone app on just my new tablet. It turns out that when you select ‘this is the new device’ a hotspot is generated with a QR code for direct connection or the manual account information to connect. Thus, data transfer will happen locally via the new device’s hotspot and PhoneClone is not suitable to transfer data from far away.


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Enable and disable system overlays with shell command
I'm trying to create an automatic Dark Mode using Tasker, which would work disabling overlays (to get a default light theme) and enabling others (to get a dark mode). For the light theme I run cmd overlay disable --user 0 + package name
However, when i try to use com.android.system.overlay.dark (an overlay that comes with my custom ROM) it changes it for a moment and gets back to how it was before.
If I do cmd overlay list | grep dark, I can see for a moment that it does get disabled, and enables itself again. When i run cmd overlay enable it does the same, enables and then disables the overlay.
I also tried running the command with su
If I change the theme from the ROM settings, everything works fine. Also, the command works with other overlays from substratum themes and some settings overlays that come with the rom.
Im using HavocOS 2.9, with android 9.0
Can anyone help?


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Why can't I install anything? No error given, just endlessly "tries"
I have been unable to install anything on my Moto E5 Play (Android 8.0). It never gives an error, or any indication that something's wrong, it just eternally spins the loading circle around the app's icon and says "waiting for download." It'll go on for DAYS if I wait that long to press cancel.
I really don't think it's a data usage issue, as it just reset 3 days ago. I also don't think it's a storage issue, as I have 6+ GB free (16 total) and have not been getting any error messages that seem to go along with other questions that end up being storage related.
Things I have tried:
-rebooting (twice)
-installing ~5 other apps, including ones I've never had
-UNinstalling an app, and trying to reinstall it (can't)
-clearing cache for Google Play and Google Play Services
-turning data saver on and off again
-turning data saver on and telling it to let Google Play and Google Play Services have unrestricted data access
-killing and restarting Google Play at nearly every step

I'm probably rambling on this last bit, but I also have the tendency to leave out things that end up being important, so...
I have this vague notion that maybe, somehow, it has too many apps trying to install. My old phone broke a few months ago, and when I got this one, I found that any app I could remember having, was already endlessly trying to install. However, then, I could cancel and tell it to install again right away, and it would work.

It's been happening again lately, but 2 or 3 times now it's resolved itself when I cancelled another forever-pending update I never requested. I get the feeling it's like 2 or more updates are stuck in the door, and neither wants to let the other go first.
Whatever's going on, and in lieu of another, better answer, try this - go to Google Play, tap for the menu (the "hamburger" in the search field) and click "My apps & games." X off updates till one starts making some progress.


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Is there a way to find the IMEI on a Pixel with a completely damaged screen?
A couple weeks ago my Pixel XL 2 (or Pixel XL, not sure) started to have black blotches all over the screen. They grow, enlarge and eventually engulf the entire screen. Now except for a sliver on the upper right corner, the screen is pitch black regardless if it is on or off. What kind of damage is this? There had been no physical damage to the phone. As far as I can remember, the phone has never been dropped or otherwise subjected to excessive physical forces.
I am trying to find the phone's IMEI, but I am not sure how to go about doing it without being able to see anything on the screen.
Also when it is plugged in to my laptop via a USB-C cord, my Windows 10 recognizes the phone, but I don't see an additional drive. How should I access the files on there? Is there a way to reset the phone and clear the data?

See my answer here to retrieve the IMEI using Find my device, Open the link on your PC.

Yes you can find IMEI of your damaged Pixel Device or any Android device if you have or had your google account logged in .
Check Google My Devices
or alternatively logon to Google Find my devices @ https://www.google.com/android/find
on your device list click the ( i ) information icon, you can see your device IMEI.
Hope this helps.

Another source of a phone IMEI and serial number is the package box the phone was bought in.
On the outside of the box there are usually the device serial number and IMEI printed as text and small 2D barcode.


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Dual phone SIM card - how to disable both SIM's
I've a dual phone SIM card (Pocophone). How can I to disable both SIM's without power down everything?

Airplane mode..

Simply switching on Airplane/Flight mode will do the job.

Usually in dual phones in android settings there is a setting as which sim to use for call,data ,text I had such a setting in my sony xperia.I am not sure about it in other phones because my Mi A3 does not have such a setting. Look in your phone settings sim setting and there should be setting for each sim in tray.
If you have such a setting then only you can disable both sim the way you want to.


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Amazon notifications are silent
So I'm looking out for an Amazon delivery I don't want to miss, and the Amazon Shopping app puts up the message in my phone's notification area saying my package is 6 stops away, view it on a map.
But the notification makes no sound, so chances are I don't notice.
Similar to this question about Google Calendar notifications misbehaving in the same way. There are no answers to that one to date, and the person fixed it eventually by reinstalling the app. But I've already tried installing the Amazon Shopping app on three different Android devices (Samsung phone, Motorola phone and Amazon Fire tablet). On all three devices the issue is the same.
I've checked all the related settings I can find, both general Android settings and those within the app.
How is it possible the Android operating system can let the user configure audible notifications and it all works fine except for one app?

If it behaves the same on every device & Android version and independent of the user account, then there's a possibility that the developer didn't let the notification play the notification sound. Weird, but possible, since notification by default doesn't play any sound, and the developer must set the code for it. Some more things to check: how about the Amazon's app "Notification" setting from "App Info", and do you use "Do Not Disturb" mode?

@AndrewT. interesting to know the developer could do that. I agree it would be a weird thing to do, at least for a notification like this one which by its nature is meant to get your attention and not just hang around unnoticed till you next happen to look. (Maybe I'll just have to write an app myself, to monitor Amazon alerts and alert me!) To reply, the app's Notification settings are Allow, and Show Silently is turned off. DND I use sometimes yes, but not at the times in question.
Could folks reading this please comment as to whether or not they get audible Amazon Delivery notifications?


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How to determine what's causing Chrome to consume cellular data
Short: How can I know why my Android Chrome consumes so much data - which sites, maybe some rogue plugins etc.
Background: Recently I've been getting notifications from my carrier and also from my phone that I've exceeded my 12GB/month data plan. Looking in "Mobile data use", I see that that almost all of the data was used by Chrome. I do use Chrome to listen to podcasts (I'm currently considering a dedicated app), but that hasn't changed recently, while data usage have skyrocketed...
What I tried:

I've looked at chrome://net-internals, which my chrome redirects to chrome://net-export, but that looks quite heavyweight to be running for days on my phone.
I've enabled Chrome's DataSaver/Lite Mode (I think it's the same? My phone is not in English, so not sure). It shows usage by site, but the usage shown there doesn't account for the excessive usage reported in mobile data use. The savings were miniscule.
I'm hoping there's some app/plugin/etc. that I can add to Chrome to summarize data usage. If this exists only for Firefox mobile, I'm willing to switch, though I'd rather not.

Device: Samsung Galaxy S7 (SM-G930F), Android 8.0, Samsung Experience 9.0, Chrome 77.0.3865.92.


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Capturing internal Audio without loss
Is there a way to capture the internal audio strean directly without loss?
I know there are numerous screen capturer (Mobizen etc), but I only need the audio, not my screen.

The only conceivable way I can think to achieve this would be the use of some kind of external USB DAC (digital-to-analogue converter), which involves routing the audio out through the USB C port
I've successfully done this using a cheap adapter-type "soundcard" (the 'Sabrent Aluminum USB External 3D Stereo Sound Adapter', bought on Amazon), which involved attaching it via a USB OTG cable to my phone and then connecting its headphone jack directly into its mic jack, using a male-to-male 3.5mm TRRS cable. I don't recall the software I used but it shouldn't be hard to find a good app.
I seem to recall the audio sounding decent enough but, as you stipulated without loss, digital audio will only ever sound as good as is allowed for by the processing of the digital signal by whatever DAC is used (along with the quality of the source, for example Tidal Hi-Fi streams are lossless/uncompressed flac files, whereas Spotify maxes out at MP3 320kbs), so another way which I believe is possible - I intend to try it myself at some point - would be through the use of dedicated HiFi separates.
Either a DAC/amp, Audioquest's Dragonfly range and Schiit's Fulla being good starting points if you're new to this sort of thing, or separate DAC and amp components paired, such as the "Schiit Stack" - their complementary and very fairly priced Modi DAC and Magni headphone amp/pre-amp.
For this to work (without using a PC, anyway), you'd have to connect a TRRS jack cable from the amp to your phone's headphone jack, which also acts as a mic and should - as far as I'm aware - be picked up by Android audio recording apps.
Of course if you own a PC that could make things a lot easier, just hook it up to your amp and record with something like Audacity.
Oh and if you go for the second, more expensive/higher fidelity option, I STRONGLY recommend the USB Audio Player Pro app. This allows you to bypass the phone's internal DAC, acting as something of an interface for/with your DAC by directly feeding it the raw audio data/signal.
It's an all-round great audio player and has many great features, especially support for Tidal (the audio stream playing through it rather than having to use the service's own dedicated app) and a few other streaming services
Hope this helps.


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How to get rid of "Device is not Certified"?
I wanted to ask that is there any solution for getting rid of this "Device is not Certified" without/with root? I have flashed Phusson's GSI and then GApps Micro but the first error j get is that on Setup screen, it sticks on Checking for Update no matter how much time I give it to check(Problem 1). The second problem is that I have sent the Android device ID (or whatever) used to certify the device but if no avail. It's still saying not Certified. I can spoof it by Magisk, that it is Certified by a module ummm... I forgot it's name(but it's not PlayStore Visa for sure) but still I can't use Google Play services in my device. Whenever I use an app that requires so, it gives an error that "Google Play Services is having trouble .....". What can I do to resolve this issue and use Google Play Services? (I have Redmi S2 but the issue seems to be on all devices)

Read an article somewhere that stated when you register with google it will still say not certified. However, Google white list your device so you can download and use Google apps. Your device will still say it is uncertified in the Google Play Store settings. This is normal. All this fix does is white-list your uncertified device so you can still use Google apps and services. https://www.xda-developers.com/how-to-fix-device-not-certified-by-google-error/

@Bo Lawson but still, the Google services aren't working properly as I have specified the error in the question.

Google Apps ( GAPPS ) is a proprietary software bundle that requires a licence to distribute... However you can use Open GAPPS ( OGAPPS ) for devices that require the Open Software... https://opengapps.org/

@Gadget Guru I have flashed Open Google Apps on which this is the problem.

Apparently you can get an Xposed module for it, however i personally do not like installing a system level hack called xposed of all things.


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Is there anything like live CD for android phones?
We can go into recovery mode in android phones, which is usually home+volume up+power for samsung phones
This answer says that the recovery mode is like a simple OS that the device boots into. This OS then is not restricted by protections and folder permissions implemented by android, so it can see root folders and write to it if needed. I have also once seen (not sure of all the steps I did but I remember doing it) that a zip file in the sdcard root can be used to temporarily change this recovery screen software to something else (I think it was CWM recovery zip file, but it was the type where once you restarted the phone and went to recovery mode again, you would have to run the zip file again to get back to CWN recovery screen. There was a way to permanently replace the recovery screen with a CWM recovery but I didn't try it)
If that is the case, is there anything like a live CD for android? preferably also with a touch screen gui, and able to install and run apps from the phone's internal memory or sdcard? Has this been done or is it technically unfeasible? Would it have to be separately made for different phones?

Unlikely. There's no such thing like a "generic Android version" that fits all devices, see Can I install a ROM made for a different device? – so that "Live CD" must be made for each brand/model specifically. Which is more effort than the results are worth.

i know what cwm you mean - it was a flashable zip signed with leaked samsung oem key which booted into temporary cwm session from "apply sdcard update.zip" in stock recovery. But this worked only for older Samsung devices like Samsung Galaxy Y Duos GT-S6102 with Android 2.3.6 and the zip files were always device specific, because each device requires his own kernel. a common standard for installing apps is a flashable zip. but the user need a custom recovery for this


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Repairing a suddenly dead Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2
Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2
(1,
2)
bought used for diversity of Android tests during app development. Died suddenly a year later.
Would still like to keep it running. It now has no sign of life when plugged in, but
because the battery was still holding a 3-hour charge when last used, I suspect that the sudden death is
not caused by the battery. The battery would have dwindled more slowly.

Net chatter suggests that the USB connector is prone to breaking. Have you been there? Is this repairable?
I am content to use it with the power cord attached. Yet replacement battery sellers suggest that presence of a working battery is necessary. Have you been there? Can you confirm one way or the other?

I used the 10.1 tag because the 12.2 is identical in build quality (or lack thereof) to the 10.1. Your experience with the Samsung Galaxy Note pro 10.1 is likely very relevant.

afaik you need a real DC current (not just a pulsed DC from AC-DC Power Supply) best stable solution is always battery

@alecxs Interesting. So the device is sold with a modest adapter, and the battery acts as a super-large capacitor? Does this happen often?

battery is not used as capacitor. but simplyfied, yes it's a common design to use power supply just for charging purposes, while the current is taken from battery only. buy this maybe it is sufficient for your needs https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32858352800.html

maybe interesting too: some batteries can be boosted by heating a little. once you get it above ~2.2 volts the device should start charging again https://android.stackexchange.com/a/145155

@alecxs That's new. I'm assuming heating up to maybe 60C, not much more. What's a safe way to do it? More importantly, Could the battery have died suddenly? Doesn't sudden death mean that something else failed?

safe way is put it in the sun :) i have no clue, but worth a try. maybe the android battery stats was wrong and lied to you, because it was recognizing voltage on data pins 2+3 but the charging voltage on pin 1 was in fact missing or weak current. but that's just rather far-fetched


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After android system update (Oxygen OS 9.0.3) Google can't reached via hotspot
After the system update for Oxygen OS 9.0.3, my OnePlus 3 hotspot has weird problem.
If enable hotspot on my phone and use laptop to browse google.com,
the url is not loading.
If I use a VPN in my laptop and use the same hotspot, everything is fine (so it's not problem in browser/browser plugins).
If I directly use phone to reach google.com, no problem there too (so it's not ISP blocking).
So url filter is happening only in my phone when I use hotspot.
Could someone help me to narrow down the problem?

After another update today (OS 9.0.4) the problem got fixed!
But still it would be good to know what screw up has happened in the last update.


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android x86 - play AgeOfZ - app exits on launch
I'm running android x86, in kvm (virtual machine manager) VM, installed from the iso. It loads great, and i have the playstore.
When i install a game "Age of Z" it exits everytime when i launch it ?
How can i debug this further, or is there things that i could try to resolve this.
I am not sure if it requires the screen to be portrait, as that is how the game normally runs on a mobile phone.

Goto "Settings" > "Android-x86 Options" and enable "Enable native Bridge"

I have the issue, that I can't click anything inside "Age Of Z" on Android_x86. As well after disabling Mouse Integration in VMware.

Hello. How does this help in debugging?


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How to stop Do Not Disturb turning on every day at midnight?
Every day at 00:00 my phone goes into Do Not Disturb mode. I have turned off Do Not Disturb in all settings. I have tried with scheduled Do Not Disturb and with the schedule turned off.

No matter what, it turns on every day at 00:00 without my permission.
How do I stop this?

look in Settings - Apps - Configure - Special Access - Do not disturb access, or in Settings - Apps - Configure - App permissions - Phone, or in Settings - Accessibility - Services for third party Apps like Tasker/Macrodroid/Automate

In Settings - Apps - Configure - [Menu] - Do not disturb access "Digital wellbeing" asks me for overrride then won't let me do it even after clicking "OK" (despite "Digital wellbeing" not existing as an app on my phone).

adb shell pm uninstall com.google.android.apps.wellbeing

Is there really no non-adb method?

you can install terminal emulator app and type pm uninstall com.google.android.apps.wellbeing or install any third party app manager where you can freeze packages

Failure calling service package: Failed transaction  I can see it if I show system apps but only force close not uninstall.

I don't even think it's a google app at all it looks more like a Samsung one. Apparently I need root for a terminal emulator which is not possible.

if not working from terminal emulator, try it from adb shell it has different permissions pm disable --user 0 com.google.android.apps.wellbeing will freeze the package. If you know which app causes this just clear data from app manager


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I have a LG xcharge that is stuck on the firmware update screen and my phone doesnt have a removable battery. what do i do?
My phone is stuck on the firmware update screen and my phone doesn't have a removable battery. What do I do?

Hold power button for 10+ seconds (for hard restart) or wait till the battery runs out.


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Why do some apps still get push notifications when there's no data?
I have both Facebook and Instagram blocked from using data on my phone (only WiFi), but I still get push notifications from them when not on WiFi. How and why is this happening, and how do I stop it?


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How to dismiss non-removable notifications?
So I've got a new Android phone like a week ago. But still couldn't get used to it. Still, couldn't figure out some part that how is it workes. Now, this is about notifications I get by installed apps. On the drop-down menu, I get it usually but some of these notifications are not removing even if I try to remove it. Most of them are saying that some kind of app running. And it won't dismissive.
Does anyone have any idea how to remove these non-removable notifications?

I don't know about making them removable but MacroDroid app can swipe them away automatically. https://android.stackexchange.com/a/163569/96277

What version of Android are you running? The point of these notifications is that they remain there to warn you that the app is doing something, but if you really don't care about them you could, depending on your version, long-press them and mute them in the settings.


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Text recogniser could not be set up on your device error
I have a smartphone with stock ROM Android 7.0 (Nougat). I use OCR apps very often for scanning text documents. Previously, OCR used to work well, but recently I noticed that whatever OCR app I use, it always shows Text recogniser could not be set up on your device error.
Why is this happening and how to fix this? Please help.

Make sure you have updated version of Google play services or it's not disabled and many OCR apps offer a file to download for the functioning of the app

I have the latest version of Google Play Services and it's not disabled, and I have a strong internet connection.


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Problem restoring from a CWM backup
I have a Samsung Galaxy Y (galaxy Young) GT-S5360 La Fleur edition with Android ver 2.3.6
Following method 1B given here, I first found an CWM update.zip file for my phone model from here
I also took a backup after booting into the recovery screen using this update.zip file
It created a clockworkmod\backup\2011-05-17.17.52.06 folder and this folder contains the following files:
.android_secure.vfat.tar   2 KB
cache.rfs.tar             60 KB
data.rfs.tar          166284 KB
nandroid.md5               1 KB
system.rfs.tar        216314 KB
Using the tutorial here, I managed to download android 7 nougat ROM, and it boots and works file (up to now, sometimes shows a crash message, not sure where it's from)
I tried going into recovery mode again (it turns out after after following all the steps of the tutorial above, when I press power+home+Volume up to go to the recovery screen, the built in recovery screen has already been replaced by the CWM one for good, but I think it's probably not important for now) and when I go to the restore option, the restore process completes almost immediately (so I suspect it is failing for some reason, but I can't see any relevant log message)
Then the screen goes back to the CWM recovery menu, and if I select restart system it boots back into the nougat 7 ROM
How do I restore my phone to my previous state (that is, back to gingerbread) using CWM recovery backup?

You can find logs of the process at /cache/recovery/last_log. That would be helpful to see what's going on. If you could paste it to a site such as pastebin.com or which ever you choose then attach the link to your post.

@BoLawSon Thanks I'n not at that computer anymore I'll post an update as soon as I get a chance to get back at it

Sounds good, just a heads up the last_log file is within your GT-S5360.


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how to always ask password in k-9 email app android
I have installed K9-mail in my android phone and mapped my 2 email accounts. When I open the K9-mail app, it opens without asking the email account password.
But I want to make the settings to always ask for the password before it opens an email account in that app and before its sync with the respective servers.
I have Thunderbird on my desktop and have this setting, which always prompts me for a password for the respective email accounts before it syncs (connect to email server). Could anyone help with this, please?


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Restore folder of icons to home screen
My one year old was playing Balloon Pop on my Pixel 2 and accidentally removed a folder of icons from my Home screen. There happened to be 11 icons in that folder and I'm hoping I can easily get it back without rebuilding it manually? (Some sort of undo function or "trash" area?)
As a side note, any recommendations on how to lock the home screen icons? The icons tend to get accidentally moved a lot, though this is the first time they got completely removed.

What launcher do you use?

@ReddyLutonadio - default Pixel launcher. I think I know the answer to the side note now. :)


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inject recorded audio in an in-going call
I need to inject a recorded voice during a live call to test the network, how can I do that?
I got a rooted device working on Qualcomm  MSM9889 soc.

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/57393147

@alecxs its also my question xD


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How can Android be made to stop showing Google Contacts information?
How can Android be made to stop showing Google Contacts information? The title is sufficient to describe the problem.

One way is to prevent turn off the "Contact Sync" off
Goto Settings -> Goto Sync -> Select Google -> Select the Google Account email id if you have multiple accounts logged in.
Uncheck the Contacts so that it would not sync.

Now open Contacts App and open Settings of Contact app. Select Hide Incomplete Numbers (As most google synced contact would have only email id not numbers so they will be hidden)
That's how I guess it can be achieved


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Looking for an interface for numerous video files
I'm using VLC on LineageOS, to browse and play files (audio or video) in folders that can have hundreds of items.
The LineageOS native file manager doesn't let me play some files (notably, Opus), thus I open my files with the VLC file browser. But it has 2 caveats:

The view isn't very compact, so I see only a small part of file names.
When there are hundreds of video files in the folder, VLC starts generating thumbnails for these, with is a very, very long task, and once such a task has begun, VLC hangs when I try to open any file...

Therefore, I'm looking for the following solutions:

Tweaking VLC for a more compact files view, and even more importantly, disabling thumbnails generation.
Finding an alternate file manager that doesn't have the above issues, and let me open my files (mkv, mp4, webm, opus, m4a). As a bonus, I'd really enjoy a file filter so I can search for files with specific words in the name.

I guess the VLC configuration isn't doable (but it would be so great!), so I guess I'm looking for a new file manager that will fulfil my above needs. Thanks in advance!

Are the videos stored in the internal memory ("sd-card" section) or are they stored on a physical sd-card? For the latter the access is a bit more complicated which is the reason that some videos may fail. Anyway VLC is a bit buggy in this scenario. Try MXPlayer to check if it is the file manager or the video player.

Try MX player, according to me, it is better than VLC with much flexibility.

I've tried MX Player very quickly, so far it seems great. Filenames are displayed on multiple lines so I can see the full names, and thumbnails are generated very quickly and there doesn't seem to be hanging issues.


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Vysor app isn't working for chrome on windows 7
I referred this site to install and run vysor app but it turns out that it needed a graphic card instead of using integrated graphic cards on my windows 7
there was solution on how come over this error
but that solution was only for the windows 10 users to turn on multiple displays and that option isn't available in windows 7
help me please

https://github.com/koush/vysor.io/issues/124 it is related to WebGL i never got it work. but there is a nice alternative https://www.xda-developers.com/scrcpy-control-android-on-pc

Yes, scrcpy is a very good alternative. I recently tried it. Teamviewer also works fine but requires internet.


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How to reset a kid's forgotten phone lock-screen password?
My 6-year-old grandson has now made two (ancient) phones useless by changing his password, and then forgetting it. He only uses phones in my house every few weeks.
On my Windows 10 LAPTOP, he has a "Standard" account. I'm the Administrator. Using that configuration, If he forgets his password, I simply reset it and then tell him the value.
Is it possible to do the same thing on an Android phone?
I think there are apps to prevent him downloading stuff, but I haven't found any app that would allow an Administrator to reset a forgotten password.
Thanks.

So the grandson isn't on Google Family Link with the parents? If the loaner devices are older than Android 4.4, then can you set him up as a secondary account so that at worse, you'll have to delete his profile and not factory reset a device.

@Morr. No GFM with parents. Phone is only used in my house. I researched "secondary account". That would be my fallback if there's nothing more sophisticated.

you can use google account password as fallback when device is completely locked after 10 wrong pin/pattern attempts

Download find my device and make it device administrator(which is enabled by default i think..).. And if the kid changes password then you can reset it from the find my device website using your laptop.. Just ensure that the phone has internet connection while trying to reset it..
WEBSITE
APP
DON'T FORGET TO DO A TEST RUN..
If anything goes wrong just comment here.. I'll help

Hello I do not understand how this is done? How do I make my account an administrator? I have the same problem, same question. Thanks for your help.


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Any chance to get rid of "PC Sync" calendar entirely?
Ten years later... Can someone explain me, how did I get "PC Sync" calendar to my stock calendar app on my Android 8.1 / Neffos X9 and -- the most important -- how to get rid of it?
I know, I can uncheck it (what I did) and I won't see any events from it. But, I want to get rid of it entirely. The thing is that it appear on the top of the list of my calendars, when I creating each and every new event, which pisses me a little bit.
Since I've been using Android 8.0 / 8.1 for 1+ year and "PC Sync" appeared just a week ago or so, I'd like to also know what I did or what happened that I was free of it (and happy) for year and now I am forced to see it everywhere around my Calendar app.


text:
Netffos X9 always starts each app / activity as new
I have TP-Link's Netffos X9 and from the very beginning I noticed a weird thing. Each application or activity is always started as brand new. Always, no matter, if I saw or was using given app just like 5 minutes ago, I see loader screen and a home / startup screen, instead of the one, which I left off.
I've been using around a dozen different mobile devices with Android 8.1 and hundreds other with other (older) versions of Android and this is the first time I see such a weird situation.
I have enabled Developers Options and tripple-checked that option Don't keep activities / Destroy every activity as soon as the user leaves it is disabled. I have also checked that a few applications in topic are listed among Developers options > Inactive apps as active. And yet, each time I start it up, they seems to be starting up as freshly new, showing welcome / home / startup screen.
Does anyone have any idea what is going on and how to prevent such behavior?

Netffos X9 (and probably all other TP-LINK's phones) comes with a handy battery optimization functionality which actually kills all the applications that are in background 3 minutes after phone's screen turns off.
One need to go to: ⚙ > Battery > Off-screen cleanup and disable this feature for all applications that should stay in background (and eventually be turned off by system default process, i.e. after few hours).
All applications in question were listed and enabled on the above mentioned list. Turning off this feature for all those applications resolved the issue.


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Connecting my calendar (s) to Google mini?
∆ Huawei p20 lite nova e
∆ Bundled calendar
∆ Google calendar which is set default
∆ Calendar Widget (have given access to G)
I ask my Google mini to tell me what's on my calendar or read out my agenda and it just says I'm sorry I don't understand or something like that and I've looked on a couple of websites and they all have this step-by-step that seems really outdated because my Google activity page looks very different I'm assuming it's the latest.
so folks I would like to have access to my calendar while talking to Google mini home which is a set on the same wifi and and I've tried it with VPN on and off and it still the same.
So there's no confusion I'm asking Google mini to read my calendar which it doesn't.
Thanks

If your calendar events are in Google Calendar (not via some third-party connector), you are using a regular Gmail account (not G-Suite), granted all the Google action permissions, and in a supported country/language, getting voice commands on Android or Google mini should work. The wording about how your "bundled" calendar is configured is unclear.

@MorrisonChang ok that seems to be working fine now except it won't read me my full agenda all the way to September eccetera any ideas


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fastboot doesn´t see device but device manager & windows does
I am trying to unlock the bootloader of my Umidigi F1.
ADB works, recognizes my phone but once I get into fastboot mode, fastboot devices does not display and devices.
I did install all the drivers and Windows itself does see an Android device,
and device manager does not show any unknown devices.
I have attached images of the devices Windows and the Device Manager find once I connect my phone in fastboot mode.

Possible duplicate of Fastboot doesn't see nexus 6p


text:
How do I disable the missed phone call notification light?
The green flashing light whenever I miss a call is really annoying.  I'd like to turn that off while keeping the purplish voicemail indicator light.  I'm not finding a clear way to do it in the phone app nor in general settings.  The similar questions I've seen have actually been about the call log or other notifications which are not the same.


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Link2sd pkg error
I have problem with Link2sd app. When i'm trying to move any app to sd card following error appears. Any ideas how to fix it?
Samsung galaxy J3, 5.1.1 Android

fixed, solution for the future;
Just open Link2Sd and convert the system app to user app by clicking on the app, then click on the three dots on the top-right corner, then select Converto to user app. After that you have to restart and then you can move to sd, or link if you want to.


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Linking social media data to SD card - how does Samsung do this without partitioning the SD card?
I am using a Samsung Galaxy On7, Android 6.0.1. In the latest update (released April 2018), they have added a feature such that you can store your social media content on SD card, but link it to the internal storage. For example, Whatsapp still doesn't support reading the SD card. If you enable the "Move to SD card" option, the phone will move all Whatsapp data from internal storage to SD card, but these will still be accessible when you open Whatsapp.
I know about the Link2SD app, which creates a second partition on SD card and treats it like internal memory. But here there is no such partition created. How does Samsung make this link? Is there any app available that can do this same thing (the app may ask for superuser access, I have no problem with that).

i don't think it is a link (nor samsung feature) https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/155565

init.d outdated but you can still use the mke2fs command to create 4 GiB ext4 image and mount it to /data/sdext2
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/development/tutorial-how-to-emulate-partition-sd-t3554949


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Android : how to remove the downloaded android update
I have a securities concern. I installed a VPN software on my android and just after (the next day) android asks me do install an update (that is already downloaded via the VPN). I don't fully trust my VPN software and I can not trust that the downloaded update is legitimate. I would like to force Android to redownload this update but from OUTSIDE the VPN (so delete the downloaded file and let android redownload it). How to do that?

It would help if you mention which Android device and Android version you are using. For some devices, clearing data and cache of system update app is sufficient, while for some pre-8.0 devices, the update might be located in the cache partition. Additionally, OTA updates in non-A/B devices are cryptographically verified by the recovery partition that the update is genuine (comes from the oem) so your fear might be unfounded. I don't know about such verification for a/b devices though.

@Firelord :  OTA updates in non-A/B devices are cryptographically verified by the recovery partition that the update is genuine (comes from the oem) so your fear might be unfounded ... are you really sure :(

Check "5." under "Life of an OTA" here: https://source.android.com/devices/tech/ota/nonab


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Recovery approach for lost partition and encrypted F2FS
The Problem and Mystery
My ZTE Axon 7 [Android 7] inexplicably wiped its emulated storage area /storage/emulated/0 while retaining all installed applications, albeit with settings wiped clean. There was also a 256GB sd-card mounted as a add-on, system space. I think it was configured as F2FS and encrypted. I've stopped using it and bought a new phone. I want to image the phone's internal memory and the sd-card, and recover what I can that wasn't backed up. I don't know the best approach, but know there are some hurdles, which I'm unsure how to approach.

What is the best way to image phone memory? Recovery mode and ADB?

The F2FS and internal memory may have been re-partitioned and/or reformatted
Getting the image would allow me to scan for text, strings, and file signatures

Where is the encryption key normally kept? Is it backed up anywhere?

The original file systems are likely encrypted, and would need a key
I know the phone would store this somewhere, but unsure how to retrieve it.
Key may have been overwritten or reset, since I didn't immediately realize something happenend, plus don't fully comprehend what did.

Is there any way to view the contents of a GDrive backup? Any chance it contains key?

There is some backup data on Google Drive, but haven't viewed yet
This backup may also have been overwritten, since I see no versioning info
Backup data is not very large. Maybe a few megabytes.

How did this happen? Does my story below add up?

I'm hoping there's an alternative cause and fix to this

How it happened
Not sure since I was using Android Auto for navigation and music, and the phone was normal. At some point the phone became "weird" with the wrong launcher, which I ascribed to accidentally pressing a wrong button and activating another launcher (I had several installed), and I switched to my wife's phone. Later I realized every app was "weird" and then checked the FS and realized everything, photos, docs, were missing even at the file system level.
Maybe I pushed a system upgrade prompt, or confirmed some other crazy phone action. I was driving and don't know.

i am afraid you can do nothing to recover phone because you did not unlock the bootloader. it may caused by f2fs itself (it is buggy) https://forum.xda-developers.com/axon-7/development/recovery-official-twrp-zte-axon-7-t3515715

https://forum.xda-developers.com/general/rooting-roms/how-to-backup-qualcomm-phone-root-t3570178

I'm pretty sure I can unlock the bootloader now, but not sure if it will help

don't do it now, it is too late. find a exploit for booting twrp without unlocking bootloader. maybe there is some way with Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 Driver and QPST

@alexcxs, since my Axon is now an extra phone, after giving up on this data, should I root it anyhow? Root and sell, or just sell? Thanks

Yes, but I thought you just said "you can do nothing to recover phone because you did not unlock the bootloader. it may caused by f2fs itself". Is there a chance to image the data and try to recover something? - Sorry, just saw your updated comment. Will try the Qualcomm driver

try the second link to get a dump of your phone with HDDRawCopy. then we will see if the key is recoverable from /data/misc/vold this would help to decrypt sdcard. there is a exploit to get the Keymasters Key blob (which may help to recover data from phone dump) but this requires highly expert skills https://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/07/01/turns_out_breaking_android_fulldisk_encryption_is_easy_with_the_right_code

Possible duplicate of How to recover a deleted file from /data partition?


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Htc one A9 firmware flashing problem
Htc one a9 (model: 2PQ9100) see the error below i'm facing please help me i am very upset
C:\adb>fastboot oem rebootRUU
...
OKAY [ 0.047s]
finished. total time: 0.048s
C:\adb>fastboot flash zip firmware.zip
target reported max download size of 1166400000 bytes
Invalid sparse file format at header magi
error: write_sparse_skip_chunk: don't care size 617001178 is not a multiple of the block size 4096
sending sparse 'zip' (1139061 KB)...
error: write_sparse_skip_chunk: don't care size 617001178 is not a multiple of the block size 4096
error: write_sparse_skip_chunk: don't care size 617001178 is not a multiple of the block size 4096
OKAY [ 53.554s]
writing 'zip'...
(bootloader) HOSD CL#853511
(bootloader) ERR lzipv2_init : Cannot open file /dev/fastboot_download_z
(bootloader) EOonp
(bootloader) ERR [SD_UPDATE_ERR] update_fb_ZIP_buf: can not find ZIP hea
(bootloader) der
(bootloader) ERR [SD_UPDATE_ERR] sddownload failed: 22
(bootloader) ERR Update zip file failed.
(bootloader) ERR ZIP ERROR, exit read zip loop
(bootloader) ERR ZIP signature checking failed...
(bootloader) Update zip file OK
(bootloader) ERR ZIP ERROR CODE, 22
(bootloader) end@Done
FAILED (remote: 22 RU_HEADER_ERROR )
finished. total time: 91.572s

Is your bootloader locked?

ye its locked and S on.     i aslo use the match Cid HTC__J15 and version is also not down it upper than previous.

Is fastboot up to date? Also what type of OS is your computer using?

sir my software of mobile is not working only htc logo appear on white (as power on) screen then hide after few seconds. i am using windows laptop window 10.

i tried all  adb, fastboot applications all result's are same

Htc has fastboot bineries on there developers site have you tried those? Oh your .zip file is most likely corrupt with that error 22... "22 RU_HEADER_ERROR: something wrong with your zip; check md5 of download"

i don't have too much knowledge about it i tried so many zip and ruu.exe file but none of them work,, PLEASE give me correct one link that i will do. Ask me if you need any info about HTC ONE A9 to installing stockroom on it.

Make sure that you have the correct MID, CID and version-main and that it matches the ruu.zip. you can get that info from fastboot getvar command. Her is a bunch of ruu's for your device make sure you get the correct MID, CID and version-main from your device and that it matches the ruu.zip.
https://forum.xda-developers.com/one-a9/general/wip-ruu-htc-one-a9-t3240344
Here is htc_fastboot version:
https://androidfilehost.com/?fid=24052804347805953 if successful or whatever I will/can write up an answer to your question and how to do it.

i do it with match MID, CID and main version of it also same HIA_AERO_UHL  with this room (2.17.401.2 RUU HTC Europe
modelid: 2PQ910000
cidnum: HTC__001
cidnum: HTC__034
cidnum: HTC__J15 (for my device)
cidnum: HTC__M27
cidnum: HTC__A07
cidnum: HTC__016
cidnum: HTC__002)

Tell me what should i do now HELP ME PLEASE

Use the command fastboot getvar all edit out the
(Bootloader) serialno:
(bootloader) imei:
(bootloader) mei:
Then edit your post adding the rest of the information from the output and i will give you an answer.


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Twrp recovery for mtk6763 (a/b) infinix note 5
Please i need help so much.
My device dont have developers, and we don't have any custom recovery for this device, i don't have any idea to port twrp since recovery included in boot.img, also i don't know anything about compiling from source, i finind smaller guide to port but didnt find tool working well.
So please if someone may help to build or port.
There kernel source available for our device but no device tree.
Thanks so much

I recommend following this tutorial to create a ROM dump of your device. Take the recovery.img from that dump and create a TWRP using this.
If you already have the recovery.img you can proceed right to the second link.

please note tutorials are for older devices. i guess the question is more about this
https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/209673
temporary root shell may helpful to get a backup of stock boot/recovery ramdisk from device
https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/development/amazing-temp-root-mediatek-armv8-t3922213

That's true the TWRP Porter only goes up to Oreo. There is further information on what to do if you have a more recent Android version. They also have a great support forum at Hovatek. If it's root your looking for you can root without TWRP. I've done it with Magisk: https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/software-hacking/root-recovery-root-device-magisk-t3779454 but you would still need the boot image. The first link above can help you get that.


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Pattern Lock Nokia 7.1 even thought i gave correct pass code
i am using Nokia 7.1 mobile phone. i have setup screen lock pattern and finger  print.
Now, i have problem with the phone like not able to unlock the phone eventhought i am giving correct pass code and finger print.
Now i don't know how to fix this issue in Nokia 7.1 phone, please suggest he to fix the issue. I have been restarted multiple time and i dont want to do factory reset.
Thanks in advance.

Boot in safe mode. Delete all your fingerprints. Add one fingerprint. Add again the same fingerprint. If it says it is the same finger, then the reader is working https://community.phones.nokia.com/discussion/5841/fingerprint-scanner-not-working

Lock your phone. Set a temporary password to lock your screen. Unlock your phone with temporary password
https://myaccount.google.com/find-your-phone


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Is there a way to always fire up my express VPN app whenever I open an incognito tab in chrome?
Is there a way to always fire up my express VPN app whenever I open an incognito tab in chrome?
Basically something like a batch file or shell script maybe that can trigger this?

MacroDroid can run shell scripts, but i believe it can not capture the triggering event

The problem is in detecting the incognito mode by end users. Some apps such as SwiftKey are able to guess/know the incognito mode but I don't think any end user solution exists for detection unless somebody copies the logic and provides it to us.

When you open incognito tabs in chrome, there is a notification that appears with the message "Close all incognito tabs". You can use it to automate the process of launching your app.
Using Automate:

In the Interface section, select the Notification posted block. Click on it, select chrome as the package and set Chrome as the title on the Input arguments section. In the output arguments section, set x (or any name).
In the General section, select the Expression true? block. Click on it and set "Close all incognito tabs" as the formula.
In the Apps section, select App start. Click on it, select your app in the package section.
Link the block as seen on the image below.
Save the macro. Grant Automate the Notification Access permission. Click Start.

When you open an incognito tab in  Chrome, when a Notification with the title Chrome appears, if the notification has "Close all incognito tabs", the app selected in step 3 will start.
Note: I don't have your app installed. So I stopped my demonstration at step 3. You could play with other blocks for instance to click at some part of the screen to click a button, minimize the app, go back to chrome after opening it, etc.


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Why is rooting considered dangerous?
I understand that being root, applications can do a lot more with your device, but an application first needs root access, so what is the problem? By that logic, Linux as a whole is a dangerous environment since you can give root access to commands by using "sudo". Wouldn't it be more correct to say that root access is as dangerous as the user? If the user is stupid and gives root access to all applications, then yes it is dangerous, but stupidity of users will always be present in the IT. field.
If you know what you give root access to, in what way is rooting your device more dangerous than not rooting?

root access is as dangerous as the user. thats it. if you talking about vulnerability "user" can also be the attacker. beware on android, apps permissions are based on user permissions - each app is another user. you can not compare with linux

Why is rooting considered dangerous

Because when you root your phone you have (basically) full access to your phone, if you accidentally delete a system file/application it can brick your phone & you have no way to get your files back unless, of course you have the stock firmware downloaded & restore your phone using Odin.

What is your affiliation with the site techwalla.com?

none lol, just a random site i found XP


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TOTP key extraction from Xfinity Authenticator
I've been trying (and failing) to find where the Xfinity Authenticator app stores the TOTP secret. Nothing in any files in shared_prefs looks like a TOTP key, and I'm beginning to suspect that it's being stored elsewhere. In particular, the com.comcast.xfinityauthenticator_preferences.xml file has the following value in it:
<boolean name="keyCredentialStoredInVault" value="true" />
Any guidance on where to go from here would be appreciated.

Could probably in Databases, no backup, or files directory. Check them too.

Yes, I should have clarified that I've been through all of the files inside /data/data/com.comcast.xfinityauthenticator/ and none of the strings that look like likely keys produce codes that match the output of the app.

Isn't there a place in the device's secure storage (can remember the name currently – keystore?)? I'm using andOTP and it offers that. And I've no idea how to extract stuff from there.

@Izzy The Android keystore?

@DeathMaskSalesman Yepp, that one – thanks for linking!

@Izzy Well, if that's indeed what this app is doing, then it looks like I'm out of luck.

Only ways to find out are: checking the source (uh? not a FOSS app? Ouch.), asking the dev – who might even be able to offer some export feature, maybe… Uh, Comcast? That the cable-comcast? Then good luck…


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Prevent unwanted automatic phone call
Before anyone tries to dismiss this question, I know of a identical thread, but that question is too specific about a certain behavior following a user interaction with the phone.
I am in search of a general explanation and solution!
The phone of my 11 yo child is a Huawei P8 Light, which made an automatic call, without any interaction beforehands. At 6 a.m. today my wife heard voices and thought she is crazy, but she could locate it. She picked it up, removed the loading cable and saw, that the child's phone called someone of the contact list!
My child cannot install anything without a technical permission (Google Family Link). Before I gave the phone to the child, it was wiped and reset by myself to factory settings. All updates are installed, including firmware updates.
What exactly does cause this behavior and how do I prevent it by some setting?
I do understand technical explanations (I am developer).

There is a far yet distinct possibility that this may be a screen touch issue. Does the phone open and close, etc. other apps too? If so, we may be dealing with a touch issue on the screen.
Another instance that I have experienced is: my friend had a phone that acted up random things when the phone was charging, meaning that when it was connected to a power source, be it a laptop or its original charger, the phone would do random things when on the table (without anyone touching it).
Also, as a third possibility, please perform a "clear cache" for the "phone" app in the "apps" list in your settings.


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Settings crashes when I try to set a screen lock
I have a Google Pixel. The bootloader is unlocked, but the system software remains unmodified.
A few days ago, I booted into TWRP (flashboot boot twrp.img) to access the data partition. The encryption key for the data partition is encrypted with a key that is partly derived from the unlock code. I was under the impression that touchscreen input with TWRP would be very mininal due to it being a minimal recovery system, so I had figured that I would not be able to enter my password so TWRP could then mount the data partition. I search the internet for this question and the results said to remove the lock screen password. I did that and I was able to access the data partition while booted into TWRP.
I rebooted my phone into normal Android and I successfully set my lock screen password again, BUT I may be misremembering this and it may have been that I had unset my password, then set it back up, and THEN booted into TWRP for the first time. The problem now is that when I either:

Go into Settings and select Security & location > Screen lock
Press the box at the top of the main menu in Settings that says "Secure your phone"

Settings crashes. Now I cannot set a screen lock. Why is this happening and how do I fix this?
These are not solutions:

Wiping my phone.
Restoring from a backup.
Anything to do with syncing with Google.

If you have Android 8+ you can change the lock screen via adb: https://www.theandroidsoul.com/change-remove-lockscreen-pattern-pin-password-adb-android-oreo/

@Robert Sounds too risky. I think I might lose the key that is used to decrypt my data if I do that.


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TWRP Updated version for SM-G530T1?
I have a Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime (SM-G530T1) and I would like to install a version of LineageOS onto it. This is the first time I have ever attempted something like this. I did manage to install TWRP v. 3.1.1 onto my recovery partition. It is able to "boot" into this, but when I go to install the LineageOS .zip file, TWRP says:
Updating partition details...
...done
Installing zip file '/external_sd/rr-oreo-j30_20180804_NIGHTLY-gprimelte.zip'
Checking for MD5 file...
Skipping MD5 check: no MD5 file found
Warning: No file_contexts
E3004: This package is for device: gprimelte,
gprimeltecan,gprimeltetmo,gprimeltetr,gprimeltevl; this device is .
Updater process ended with ERROR: 7
Error installing zip file '/external_sd/rr-oreo_j30_20180804_NIGHTLY-gprimelte.zip'
Updating partition details...
...done

I have tried Googling everything, and everything I see says to install a newer version of TWRP, but there is none released (that I can find). What should I do?

This basically occurs due to the developer of the custom ROM, and can happen either in TWRP or CWM. It is actually an assertion error, and can be bypassed by editing a certain file. You don't have to install/reinstall your custom recovery. At XDA developers, they have already solved the issue. Have a look here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2522762 The solution is too large to copy and paste here.

You seem to have downloaded the wrong ROM, if you are 100% sure this is the correct rom it might be a bug in TWRP.
You could possibly try to reinstall TWRP like this:

Download latest TWRP for your device (you already have)
Copy it to phone via OTG or SD-card
Select 'install' in your current TWRP
Select 'image' option
Choose the TWRP image file
Select the type 'RECOVERY' when prompted, and flash it.
Power off from recovery and boot it into recovery again and try to flash the ROM again.

Another thing you can try is wiping:

Boot your device into recovery mode
Select 'advanced wipe'
Check 'cache', 'dalvik cache', and 'data'
Wipe

Then after wiping try flashing the ROM again.


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Whatsapp isn't performing the expected daily backup
I have a Galaxy S10e with Whatsapp backup setup to backup daily to google drive, according to the guidelines on Samsung's website:

However the backup isn't taking place automatically.  It only backs up if I manually initiate it.  What could be the reason that Whatsapp isn't doing it?

Four points: 1. Change backup frequency to "daily". 2. Change "Wi-Fi only" to "Wi-Fi and Cellular" under Back up over. 3. Select a backup account. 4. Disable battery optimizations for WhatsApp. Do these solve the problem?

how do I disable battery optimizations?

That actually differs from device to device, but if you have the Smart Manager app provided by Samsung, you should have that option there (under Battery option). Otherwise, do a search in Settings.


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Stop Google play store from Auto updating
Okay so this is a weird issue but hear me out. I own an LG G4 and as usual, the play store updates itself to stay on the latest version. But I noticed the original play store that came on the phone is faster, not laggy, and the UI just looks better. Is there a way I can keep the phone ON that older version? Every time I downgrade it, it just updates soon after.

Unless you block Download Manager, Google Play Services and Google Pay Store from accessing internet, then you can't stop it from updating. Blocking them will also have the effect of preventing other apps to update which I presume you don't want.

Yeah. It's just that the new playstore is more laggy for me, and I'm not a huge fan of the UI.

If you can try to find a modified version of your Google Play Store that doesn't allow udates, and but I have never tested them on non rooted devices.


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OS-independent app loading problem
My phone has an odd problem, and I don't know where to start in diagnosing it. Several apps started having problems opening, taking a very long time (sometimes several minutes) to open; sometimes they won't open at all, and a reboot will be needed. Interestingly, once the app has been opened for the first time, it won't have problems again until the next reboot.
So I reinstalled the OS, and the new one is an entirely different version of Android. And yet, the problem was not solved! So I started thinking about a hardware problem (reading the disk? using memory?), but I wouldn't know how to diagnose what it is, and if it's solvable or not. Any hints are appreciated. I understand this will not be enough information to solve it, but I will answer questions.
The phone is a Samsung Galaxy Note 3 with Lineage OS (unofficial, but the problem is present on two different, independently developed versions of the OS).

is it related to user-installed app or does it even happen on a fresh clean rom with default settings?

Which Android/LineageOS version so you use? On some versions the app is converted to native code (OAT/ART) when first run. May be there is a problem with the cache of the converted apps?

Sorry for the late reply. @alecxs: it happens with many apps, including Gallery which comes with the OS. But I don't know what would happen if no apps were installed.

@robert: it initially happened with an old version of Android/Lineage; now I have Android 9 PIE and a recent release of Lineage.

can have various reasons, hardware issue, running out of RAM, maybe dalvik-cache is recreated each time, or maybe decrypting takes time, or just bad file system... best is try to analyze log files https://android.stackexchange.com/tags/logging/info


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Android (Galaxy Tab 6) Will not reboot to bootloader
Im hoping someone can point me in the right direction. So I am in the process of attempting to unlock the bootloader on my Galaxy Tab 6. However, the device will not boot to the bootloader. I can use the Vol up + Home + Power to get to the menu options (Wipe cache, Wipe data, Reboot to bootloader etc..). However, the reboot to bootloader option simply restarts the device to the OS. I have no issue booting to the OS at all.
First I thought I had a corrupt bootloader. I used ODIN to reflash the stock OS, CSC, and BL to the tablet using the Samsung provided files.  in BL I selected BL_T580XXU3BRF1_CL13839138_QB18630808_REV00_user_low_ship.tar.md5 . In AP I selected AP_T580XXU3BRF1_CL13839138_QB18630808_REV00_user_low_ship_meta.tar.md5 , I left CP blank as there was nothing provided, and lastly for CSC I chose CSC_OXX_T580OXX3BRF3_CL13878383_QB18711126_REV00_user_low_ship.tar.md5 . As far as ODIN options go, I have used Phone EFS clear, bootloader update, NAND erase all, and re-partition. I have had no success though. The tablet boots and works fine other than not being able to boot to the bootloader. Its really strange. Can anyone provide any insight?

Samsung devices don't have a fastboot mode in the first place.

If thats the case, how would you unlock the bootloader?

I resolved it. I discovered that its a problem that was quite common with the T580. I was mistaken about fastboot being on there. The issue is actually with the version of TWRP that was being used. It it for the T580, but does not work. This file must be used -- twrp_3.2.3-1_sm-t580_29918.tar . That version works flawlessly.


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How to tell if an SD Card is already internal storage?
I have a Nokia 6.1, and Android One phone, running Pie.  Is there any way to tell if my SD card is already formatted for internal storage?
Thanks

Execute df on a terminal app or adb shell and share output here.

Do df | grep /mnt/expand on a terminal app or adb shell. If you see a dm-crypt virtual volume like /dev/block/dm-1 mounted on /mnt/expand/[UUID] and additionally /mnt/expand/[UUID] is mounted at /storage/media, then your external SD card is adopted as internal storage.
Otherwise it's /data/media mounted on /storage/emulated, and your SD card is mounted as Portable Storage.
RELATED: What is /storage/emulated/0?

When you go to settings>device maintenance>storage (it might be a different path for you I'm running 8.0) does it list your inserted SD card? If not then it's not available.


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Android phone OS crashes when turning on. Can I recover the phones data?
I have an non-rooted Moto G5 phone that crashes when getting to the main home screen. I get a message that says process system isn't responding and I get the the options to "close app" or "wait" and then the phone crashes 10 seconds later.
I can get the phone to recovery mode and I tried to wipe the cache but that did not help.
I can get the phone to the fast boot screen. If I connect a USB to the phone I see text that says "Transfer Mode: USB Connected"
Can I use Recovery mode or fastboot mode to get my data off the phone? I'm willing to trash the phone as long as I am able to get the data off the phone.

What do you mean "the phone crashes 10 seconds later"? Are you saying it actually reboots? Have you tried booting it in Safe Mode as soon as the error message occurs (hold power until the Reboot into Safe Mode options shows up)?

It actually reboots but is not really usable. The home screen isnt visable and I cant access anything other than settings. All phone features are disabled and it says that it cant find the sim card. The phone resets so quickly that I cant really do anything on the settings screen. I've tried booting into safe mode and it only works 1 out of every 10 tries and even when it works the phone will reset after 10 seconds.

Honestly, unless the bootloader is already unlocked, it is unlikely you can recovery anything on this device. The best you can do is perform a factory reset and attempt to recover the device, but all content will be lost. I know that isn't the answer you are looking for, but stock recovery isn't going to allow you to pull the information you want.

the message "close app" is from android system_server, this means your phone is successfully booted. just the gui crashes because of some uid errors. try to connect via MTP

You can try to backup with this method (not sure about encryption)
https://forum.xda-developers.com/general/rooting-roms/how-to-backup-qualcomm-phone-root-t3570178
if this fail you may find a flash tool (Qualcomm SW Downloader, QPST, MSMDownloadTool, RSDLite, Snapdragon Flash Tool) which can flash only system - in this case you can flash a modified system.img where you have adb root enabled. then you can backup from adb regardless system_server is crashing


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Call with another caller ID
Dear Android enthusiasts,
I have a landline telephone with expensive calling rates, while the contract in my android smartphone is quite cheap. In order to save money I would like to call with my handy, but showing the telephone number of my landline.
In that way people can call me back and I avoid revealing my smartphone number.
Do you have any idea, how to show another telephone number when calling? I know how to hide the number, but that is no solution.
Thanks!

That's called Caller ID spoofing and might not be  legal in your region. Anyhow, some SIP services coupled with relevant softwares, such as Linphone, let you do that. You can search in this direction.

@Firelord thanks, I'll take a look at Linphone. By the way, If there is such a law against spoofing is for evil people, I do not feel any guilt by showing my landline number instead of my mobile phone :)

how about just suppressing your mobile no

@alecxs The problem is then twofold: people may not answer, as they do not know who is calling. Moreover, if they cannot answer and they try to call back later, they have no number to do it.


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After flashing from SP Flash tool, phone won't boot up
Device: Huawei Honor Hol-U19
It was bootloop so I tried flashing the firmware sing SP Flash tool. But now, the phone won't even start/boot to it's logo. I can't feel any vibration afte pressing the power button or any of the buttons. Can someone help me?

remove battery and check if preloader drivers detected (pops up for a second when connecting)

I can flash it again and again. But wont boot up

won't boot up, or completely dead? what exactly did you flash and how? make a readback of boot.img. patch it with Magisk Manager and flash it back. do not flash preloader. do not 'Firmware upgrade' or 'Format all'

I used Format All + Download. Then the phone is dead but can still be detected by SP Flash tool. Ho do I fix that?

You need another device for cloning. You have erased important partitions which are not in included in ROM

Can't I get online tools for that without the other device?

open scatter file and change all partitions to is_download = true, find a stock ROM which includes all partitions, flash all partitions except preloader, then find a tool for restoring IMEI (maybe if you read all 246 pages you find solution) https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=64880361&postcount=1250

Do you have the list of all partitions needed? @alecxs

look inside the scatter file on post #2

@alecxs last question. Should I use Format All + Download this time, or Download Only?

@alecxs now the checksum does not match the scatter

i recommend Download only. just delete the checksum

LG hold both volume button and power button same time fir about 20 seconds, worked for me tho cricket had no clue.


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What app is changing my volume?
My media volume occasionally and randomly jumps to 100%
Usually when it does happen it's in the first few seconds after I start playing music on my headphones, which makes me suspect Spotify or Bose.
How do I tell what app is doing this?
How do I tell what apps can change the media volume?

How do I tell what apps can change the media volume?

I have used aSpotCat in the past so I am recommending it for identifying apps by permission. Install and launch the app → tap on List apps by permission → tap on Misc. permissions →  tap on three dots horizontal line icon →  search "Change your audio settings".
This would list all the apps having permission to change the audio in the device globally.
Note: some users commented on the Play Store that the app shows too many ads, so I suggest using this app with internet connectivity disabled.

How do I tell what app is doing this?

This may be Android version dependent since I have tested this only on Android 8.1, but here's how you can find the troublesome app.
Setup adb in your PC and run this command on the PC as soon as you detect the spike in the audio output:
adb shell dumpsys audio

In the overwhelming output, search for the section beginning with the title Audio event log: volume changes. Observe the last written entries (by timestamp). In my test case I launched a video player app to play a video and changed the volume through it. Then I inserted my earphones which are automatically detected by an automation app MacroDroid and the latter automatically lowers the volume to protect my ears. Here's how all these volume changes were reflected in the log I got for my test case:

Audio event log: volume changes (logged when command received by AudioService)
07-22 05:03:57:687 adjustSuggestedStreamVolume(sugg:USE_DEFAULT_STREAM_TYPE dir:ADJUST_RAISE flags:0x1011) from android/MediaSessionService uid:1000
07-22 05:03:57:697 adjustSuggestedStreamVolume(sugg:USE_DEFAULT_STREAM_TYPE dir:ADJUST_SAME flags:0x1014) from android/MediaSessionService uid:1000
07-22 05:04:03:982 adjustSuggestedStreamVolume(sugg:USE_DEFAULT_STREAM_TYPE dir:ADJUST_LOWER flags:0x1011) from android/MediaSessionService uid:1000
07-22 05:04:03:999 adjustSuggestedStreamVolume(sugg:USE_DEFAULT_STREAM_TYPE dir:ADJUST_SAME flags:0x1014) from android/MediaSessionService uid:1000
07-22 05:04:04:792 adjustSuggestedStreamVolume(sugg:USE_DEFAULT_STREAM_TYPE dir:ADJUST_LOWER flags:0x1011) from android/MediaSessionService uid:1000
07-22 05:04:04:809 adjustSuggestedStreamVolume(sugg:USE_DEFAULT_STREAM_TYPE dir:ADJUST_SAME flags:0x1014) from android/MediaSessionService uid:1000
07-22 05:05:09:860 setStreamVolume(stream:STREAM_MUSIC index:12 flags:0x0) from video.player.videoplayer
07-22 05:05:09:871 setStreamVolume(stream:STREAM_MUSIC index:13 flags:0x0) from video.player.videoplayer
07-22 05:05:09:905 setStreamVolume(stream:STREAM_MUSIC index:14 flags:0x0) from video.player.videoplayer
07-22 05:05:09:988 setStreamVolume(stream:STREAM_MUSIC index:15 flags:0x0) from video.player.videoplayer
07-22 05:05:10:492 setStreamVolume(stream:STREAM_MUSIC index:16 flags:0x0) from video.player.videoplayer
07-22 05:05:10:542 setStreamVolume(stream:STREAM_MUSIC index:17 flags:0x0) from video.player.videoplayer
07-22 05:05:10:693 setStreamVolume(stream:STREAM_MUSIC index:16 flags:0x0) from video.player.videoplayer
07-22 05:05:10:845 setStreamVolume(stream:STREAM_MUSIC index:14 flags:0x0) from video.player.videoplayer
07-22 05:05:17:772 setStreamVolume(stream:STREAM_MUSIC index:15 flags:0x0) from video.player.videoplayer
07-22 05:05:17:789 setStreamVolume(stream:STREAM_MUSIC index:16 flags:0x0) from video.player.videoplayer
07-22 05:05:18:275 setStreamVolume(stream:STREAM_MUSIC index:15 flags:0x0) from video.player.videoplayer
07-22 05:05:18:325 setStreamVolume(stream:STREAM_MUSIC index:14 flags:0x0) from video.player.videoplayer
07-22 05:05:18:392 setStreamVolume(stream:STREAM_MUSIC index:13 flags:0x0) from video.player.videoplayer
07-22 05:05:21:665 setStreamVolume(stream:STREAM_MUSIC index:6 flags:0x0) from com.arlosoft.macrodroid

In the highlighted lines, the term that follows after the word from is the package name of the app which triggered the change in the volume level, which in my test case are video.player.videoplayer (for my Video Player app) and com.arlosoft.macrodroid (MacroDroid app).
Whatsoever package name appears in your output, you can find the corresponding app name by using this answer of mine.


text:
Why is ART still needed on Android?
The reason Andy Rubin chose Java for Android Dev is not publicly known, only speculations, but it seems to me that the combination of being able to run a Java app everywhere (because the earliest version of Android used JVM) and the huge popularity of Java made it a sexy choice.
Android Run Time (ART) is the second Iteration of Java Virtual Machine after Dalvik Virtual Machine.
Obviously, Write once, run everywhere, which Java promised is not True on Android due to the highly modified JVM == ART.
My question is this:
since apps written for Android are not portable (i.e the apps are platform dependent), why still hold on to it?
Why convert to bytecode before running it on ART and not just compile to native code directly without the need for an interpreter (ART) like in the case of Apple's Swift?
Why tolerate the performance loss just for ART?
an iPhone App on 4gb ram will perform better than the same app on Android with 6gb of RAM due to the absence of the possibly unnecessary ART layer.
In 2019 and beyond why is the ART necessary?

There is one simple answer: Apple supports ~20 different device (all Apple). Google supports several thousand devices with different CPU platforms (ARMv6, ARMv7, ARMv8, x86, x86_64) and concrete implementations (MTK, Kirin, Exynos, Atom, ...). Precompiling would waste a lot of potential on the different platforms. Anyway Huawei has developed such a system. Read the details on XDA.

@Robert good reason. But then NDK shouldn't be in Android's development suite so that none of app developers' potential is wasted in compiling platform-specific libraries. Or are you talking about the potential wasted in building "all native" ROMs (by individuals or OEMs)?

@Irfan: Google provides what is demanded - there is no "the only correct way". Every programmer has a bit different preferences. The NDK allows you to reuse existing native libraries. This can save thousand of programmer hours by being able to use an already existing library. Especially for games this this very important.

Thanks, @Robert for your answer. Is there a written document that explicitly states the CPU architectures android supports? You should write your comment as an answer. Thanks

@Robert what do you mean by "Precompiling would waste a lot of potential on the different platforms" Please expatiate.

According to Unity in 2017 The most popular CPU architecture is ARM v7 with 98% market share. Even though that data is kinda dated, I do believe the ARM  CPU architecture is the overwhelmingly dominant. Why is google not optimizing for the most dominant and just cut out remaining two percent?

@Micklo_Nerd So you would buy a top notch Samsung smartphone for e.g. 1000 USD with ARMv8 (64bit) and then not be angry that Google only provides you ARMv7 binaries  that don't make use of the special AI co-processor your phone provides?

@Robert If Google made that implementation, the code will not even compile talkless of having a finished product.