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Defragmenting my Android Phone
I just received an email from the vendor of a well known de-fragmentation software package suggesting I can make my phone go faster by plugging it into my PC and using the packages "consolidate free space option" on the drive that shows up from the phone.
What do people feel about this? Is this a good idea or are there risks?
Edit: I see they have blogged about it now: http://blog.raxco.com/2012/02/07/fix-your-slow-android-smartphone/

I doubt the usefulness of de-frag software on Android. But could you add a link to the software's product page?

Just updated the original post with a link to their blog. The product is here: http://www.raxco.com/home/home-premium.aspx

Thanks everybody for the really informed comments below. I think one of the key points mentioned below seems to be with the advent of widespread use of MTP rather than just straight mounting the device will make it become impossible. Nevertheless the gist of the discussion has been on defragmentation in general rather than the specific "consolidate free space" option I mentioned in my question. For example - does Android use TRIM - would consolidating free space help or hinder there? What about the problems of write amplification - would consolidating free space help there?

Defragging a normal Windows machine with a normal "spinning disk" hard disk drive rarely produces a noticeable speed improvement, certainly nothing like a lot of the 3rd party companies advertise, and even in edge cases where people are regularly creating and deleting extremely large (yet irregularly sized) files, you'll rarely notice any improvement from running it any more often than every 6 months or so. It's more of a psychological placebo benefit in most cases. SuperUser:Does Defragmenting really help?
Phones don't have spinning hard disks, they use a variety of flash memory, this has massively faster random read speeds than a disk that needs to rotate until the right piece of data is under the read head. Also the controller circuitry in flash memory arranges the data itself as the data is written, allowing it to "write-level" across all of the flash disk and avoid problem parts of memory. See these SuperUser questions on that topic for more info Do I need to run defrag on an SSD?, Is it bad to defragment a USB Flash Drive?
In addition from Honeycomb (Android 3.x) onwards, the Android OS by default doesn't give an attached PC full access to the internal file-system, instead of mounting as a USB drive it uses MTP to control how the PC can access the memory, and only the SD card is allowed to be mounted as a normal USB drive. As far as I'm aware there's no way for a PC to get enough access to the file-system to do a defrag over MTP.

Tl;dr the way that flash memory works means that a defrag actually does almost nothing, and may have a slight side-effect of slightly reducing the life-span of your phone's storage.

Thanks very much for your answer. I have made a general comment at the top as there are some points in the question that I don't feel quite have been addressed. Though your MTP point is important

in my understanding since there is no "rotating disk" but only solid memory like internal ROM and SD card, access time to every single location in the storage is the same regardless the actual position of the data you want to load so defragmentation is unnecessary.

sequential read/write speeds for flash media are (almost) always higher than random read/write speeds. While it's not a rotating disk, contiguous blocks are still faster to access. Modern Linux kernels (esp with ext3) doa very food job of allocating contiguous storage for files. So yes, "defrag" is probably useless, but not for the reasons one might think. http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/2008/06/large-usb-flash-drive-performance.html

@devnul3: Be careful, that post is about USB flash drives and not the internal flash storage found on phones.  Much of the performance hit comes from USB, and is not inherent in flash memory itself.

@MBraedley First, it's not from USB. USB is symmetric (doesn't care what direction the data is flowing). The apparent disparity in up/down speeds comes from the device's own disparity, it has nothing to do with the protocol. Second, if you look at basically all SSDs (internal SATA as well as eSATA) you see the exact same issues (those are NAND flash too). Thirdly, at least on my droid inc the internal flash storage? Attached via USB.

Thanks for your answer, I did write a comment at the top too, wondering about TRIM and write amplification. Have you any thoughts on that?


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What is the equivalent of UEFI/BIOS in Android?
I'm having the hardest time finding the name of Android's equivalent of the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI).
Maybe they are specific to each manufacturer? I am specifically looking for the one used with Samsung Galaxy phones. Is there an open source specification for interfacing with Android phone hardware, similar to how UEFI and BIOS work?
The closest thing I have found is Replicant OS. The description says "Replicant is a fully free Android distribution running on several devices". If it can run on many devices, would that mean it's using the same firmware 'interface' across many devices?

Arm is not as standardized as x86, quite fragmented in fact. On Qualcomm platforms, it tends to be PBL -> XBL (or SBL) -> ABL (or ABOOT) but it's dependent on the board. There is no effective standard yet like UEFI. Arm SystemReady hopes to tackle this problem if the manufacturers try to adopt it.

source: Stack Exchange

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

sort: votes


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What is the star icon in notification bar on Lollipop?
Does anyone know what this icon means? The device is running Android 5.0 Lollipop.

From the placement on the notification bar, it is a system icon. Most systems are customized, so it will be necessary to know the device type and the Android OS on it, before knowing for certain what system component this could be reporting on. Please edit the question with these details.

This means that you only have priority notifications enabled. Pressing a volume button will allow you to select different notifications which show/make a sound.
There is a choice between no notifications, all notifications, and priority notifications, which can be changed by pressing a volume button. Going into Settings/Sound & notification allows you to set which notifications have priority, such as only showing SMS and missed calls.
More help can be found here: https://support.google.com/nexus/answer/6111294

In Samsung Galaxy S4, it is called "Interruptions" under "Sound and notifications" menu.

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


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How to restore expired WhatsApp chat history?
My phone's internal memory is full so I'm planning to reset my entire phone in order to update my whatsapp, however I want to keep my old conversations.
How do I retrieve my WhatsApp conversations after it has expired?

You can use Helium backup to backup all your chats, groups, etc. Moreover, this app can be used to backup all the applications on your phone.
You can store this backup on your PC, and when you reset your phone, you can upload the whole backup folder on your SD card and initiate a restore from Helium app.
If you are not rooted, you will need its desktop application to backup your phone. It's pretty simple and reliable. You can refer to Helium Wiki in case you get stuck.

Wow thank you. Thats brilliant. I will try that :)

Hi was wondering if you know how to increase my internal phone storage. The only apps I have in my phone are the compulsory ones that come with the phone, and WhatsApp & Tubemate. But I frequently get a message saying that its full.

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


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Take a photo and add a comment to it
I'd like to take a picture of something and add some comments/notes (e.g. while shopping, take a pic of something and make a note of its price). Doesn't have to be anything fancy.
How to achieve that?

If you have a Samsung device and a stylus then this is built in.

Evernote has that capabilty as well. You take a picture and add a title and notes

People should be made aware that Evernote only provides a paltry 60MB of free uploads per month (yes, you read that right... just 60MB... not 60GB).  They have had that meager limit for many years without any increase as technology progressed.  Thus, one cannot really effectively use Evernote in this way with their free plan.

I have only used the Samsung Note (with stylus).  It has tools built in.  However, my wife used to use this before getting a Note.
ScreenMaster
Blurb from their site (and I am not associated with it)

Screen Master is a free, easy-to-use, no rooting required screenshot & photo markup tool. With Screen Master, you can capture screen by touching the floating button or shaking device, lets you take screenshot on your tablet, phone or other Android device the easy way!
Screen Master also provides a variety of annotation features such as crop, add text, pixelated image, draw arrow, rect, circle and more. Lets you easily edit and markup your screenshot and quickly share it with your friends!

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


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How to add a link to Wi-Fi on the Home Screen of Galaxy S8+
I am using a Samsung Galaxy S8+ (Android 9)
In order to get to list of available Wi-Fi networks, I must tap the gear for Settings (on the Home Screen), followed by a tap on "Connections", followed by a tap on "Wi-Fi", and then a tap on the name of the available network.
I already have a link to the Samsung gear for Settings on the home screen. Is there a way to add a link that takes me straight to the available Wi-Fi networks?
Tapping and holding the Settings gear on the Home Screen shows this:

In contrast, tapping and holding the Settings gear on a Nokia G20, running stock firmware with Android 12) shows this (the menu item for "Wi-Fi" can be dragged & dropped onto the Home Screen:

Also in contrast, tapping and holding the Settings gear on a Pixel 1, running Lineage 17, shows this (again, the menu item for "Wi-Fi" can be dragged & dropped onto the Home Screen:

I just checked my Galaxy M21, Android 12, and looks like Samsung did heavy modifications to the Settings app, including not providing an app widget and home screen shortcuts for Settings. This means that at least it might need a 3rd-party app (either a shortcut maker or automation app) to do this.

In Android up to version 11 you can swipe down from the upper screen border to get the quick settings bar.
In quick settings there is the Wifi button (unless you removed it). Tap and hold the Wifi button and Android will open the WiFi network list in Android settings.


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Anything on Android like Samsung Sound Assistant that allows you to change the volumes of each app individually while they play simultaneously?
I'm changing phones after 6 years (from Samsung Galaxy S9+ to OnePlus Nord 4) and OneUI has been very convenient, Good Lock and odd. I find it easier to not mind the differences too much, but I have a habit of listening to music and watching videos/listening to audiobooks together, and it's kinda unbearable. I haven't been able to find any alternatives as of yet.
The features I mainly use are:

Individual app volume - allows me to control the volumes of each app individually.

Multi sound - to allow Spotify or YouTube Music to continue playing in the background no matter what I do. For example, whether I start video recording or play a video.

Separate app sound - only use this sometimes when I want to continue playing music on the speaker separately while all the other stuff I do doesn't affect the app playing on the speaker.

Found the solution for 1. individual app volume in Sounds & Vibration in settings. Scroll down a bit and you'll find App-specific volume beneath volume button function.


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How to access the App Drawer on Ulefone Note 14 Pro?
Switched to a new(ish) phone:

Unlocked Cell Phone (2022), Ulefone Note 14 Pro Smartphone Unlocked, 4GB+64GB, 6.52" Waterdrop Display, 4500mAh Battery, 13MP Dual Camera, Android 12, Triple Card Slots, Type-C, GPS, Green

from Amazon but cannot locate the App Drawer.
Certainly, I can go to settings -> apps to see all apps.  What I'm looking for are the icons to apps which I can drag-and-drop so that they're copied to the home screen.
Where is the app drawer?
Not all apps seem available by swiping left and right.

@Andrew_T's answer was the right one, i cannot see it now any more. Long press on the home screen, then in the settings choose all apps in app drawer instead of all apps on home screen. Thanks!


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Why does the play store show "deactivate" instead of uninstall
I was reviewing the recent update changes for the Outlook app when I noticed that instead of the normal uninstall button, it says dectivate instead:

Screenshot showing the button (click to enlarge)
I don't believe that this is a core app as its a Samsung phone (specifically the Core LTE).
Why is the play store showing deactivate instead of uninstall?

This is probably because you have configured Outlook as a Device Administrator. This prevents you from uninstalling the app. If you wish to uninstall Outlook you will need to go to Settings > Security > Device Administrators and uncheck Outlook. This will then allow you to uninstall the app.
Steps taken from Nexus 5 so may differ slightly on other devices

Thanks for the info. I didn't even think of that. +1


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How can I fix my cheap Android 2.2 phone? Should I root it?
I recently purchased a Samsung Intercept for Virgin Mobile. The problem is that it doesn't work very well. There's a delay when doing almost anything on it, even calling or texting. It also has poor battery life. Is there a way I can get it to work decently? Perhaps by removing apps? Would rooting it get it to work better?

IF you know what you're doing, rooting and flashing a custom rom CAN help. Rooting it will allow you to delete some "system" apps that you don't need, and give you access to more control over your CPU, and some ROMs have ways to help save battery. My sister was forced to get a Droid 2 Global after two faulty replacements of her original Droid 1 which she loved, and she hated the Global. Had problems with battery and the way it was set up and everything. So I rooted it for her and flashed a new rom, and she got an extended battery (VERY USEFUL SUGGESTION), and now she loves it. But as rooting voids your warranty, I wouldn't try it if you don't need to or don't know exactly what you're doing.


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How do I prevent auto-mounting of ext2 partition on OSX?
I've created a 512Mb partition on my HTC Desire's (running LeeDroid) SD card to store apps.
When I used Windows, I'd never had a problem with this partition becoming read-only, unreadable or corrupted.
Since I switched to a Mac, this partition got corrupted several times. Somehow, I thought it was LeeDroid's fault, and didn't blame it on the Mac.
I installed Cyanogenmod on the Desire to overcome this problem, but the ext2 partition on the card still kept getting corrupted. I read on the Cyanogen's forums that Linux and OSX automatically mount the ext2 partition when the phone is plugged in, causing the partition to become corrupted, and then this made sense.
Question: Is is possible to prevent OSX from automatically mounting the ext2 partition on Android phone's SD card?

I'm no Linux buff but this Macworld article seems promising assuming you know the UUID for the volume and don't mind working from the terminal. The article wisely recommends backing up the volume before messing around too much.
Also... Googling for Android+phone+UUID is returning links which are related to programming. Perhaps retrieving the UUID from an Android phone is a separate question for this problem.


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How can I access my Android Internal Storage (data/data) from the pc?
Not the SD Card that downloads, folders, gallery, etc. goes to. I mean the data/data internal memory of the Android device, where game saves, factory apps, etc. goes to.
As much as I'd love to root my device to access storage, I am afraid of the risks associated with it, like bricking. It's a Lenovo Ideatab S2109A-F and have found no simple low risk ways of rooting it and no one click root apps support it. It runs ICS 4.0.4.
But anyways now I'm turning to a pc method. We have a Windows Vista Compaq Presario computer, though its internet network card is dead and can't read our wireless router so I must tether to connect it to download whatever drivers I need for the pc to access internal memory. I don't plan to do anything with the storage itself for risk of damaging my device, I only intend to back up a few save game files to a pc folder so I don't lose them, just in case the tablet needs reset for any reason. Don't wanna lose my files and I cannot back them up if I can't access internal storage.
So step by step, what do I have to do and what files to download in order for the pc to read files from my Android internal data? Any alternative solutions would help too and if you know an easy low risk way to root this particular tablet, I'll give it a go. I tried looking up ways and tried, but nothing helped me.

Directly accessing /data/data/* is not possible without root – neither on device, nor remotely from your PC.
But your question rather is a XY problem: what you really want to do is "to back up a few save game files to a pc folder so I don't lose them, just in case the tablet needs reset for any reason". And for that, you've even put a tag that already answers your question: adb. Follow up to its tag-wiki for some general hints (e.g. how to install a minimal version of it). Then see the backup tag-wiki and scan it for "ADB" (also check the linked questions there).
Basically, what you want to do is to adb backup the relevant apps. Such an ADB-Backup always includes the app's data, and optionally the .apk of the app as well:
# adb backup -f <file_name> [-[no]apk] <package_name>
adb backup -f myApp.ab -apk com.foobar.app

The only thing you need to figure first for this is the package name of the app you want to backup. Easiest way of doing that is checking its page on PlayStore, where the package name is part of the URL (id=<package_name). Alternatively, e.g. the app AppInspector can help you find the package name.
If you later need to restore that, adb restore <file name> is all you need to call.

Yeah I knew it had to involve adb but I just wasn't sure on how to use it because I had a program called qtadb but it wouldn't work for me so I must have missed something. I'll have to reinstall what I need step by step so I can backup my save games but if it doesn't work I may be forced to root my device,if I can find a simple low risk way of doing it.

If you're on Windows, you might wish to look at Droid Explorer (Ryan, it's dev, is active here on the site), which allows you easy access also to backups. It's most useful on a rooted device, though (not sure if that's a requirement: I have no Windows, so I can't use it). Also worth a look: my ADB page ;)

I think Droid Explorer is for root only. I looked at the page and it mentioned root but didn't say it would work for unrooted devices. I'll retry qtADB because I don't think I had adb or SDK installed on the pc, just figured out I need SDK installed too. If it doesn't work I'll try others, and I may try Helium as well, I found it on the app store.

Brittany, you do not need the full SDK, see: Is there a minimal installation of ADB? 90% of SDK is complete overkill (and not even used) unless you're a developer. That's why it's called "Software Development Kit" ;) As for Helium: I thought about that as well, but you were asking to access from your PC ;)

Yes, I did install the minimum sdk. Got adb, aapt, etc. And trying to use qtadb now. If it doesn't work I'll have to learn to use the adb in command prompt. (Not really good with certain codes) And yes, was gonna try Helium, but non rooted also has to install Helium to PC so I assume Helium will let me backup save to the pc to store it. And yes I did want a way to access my storage from the pc but you informed me I can't unless I root, which I would love to but bricking scares me. So I'll have to rely on adb and apps related to/uses adb to pull my saves to store on pc.

Damn.....finally gt qtadb to open but it says I don't have aapt.exe but I do. It's with adb.exe in Android folder. I don't know what's wrong. Edit: Opening aapt.exe came up with this message saying C:\Program Files.android\aapt.exe is not a valid Win32 application. Yeah I'm new to these android/windows programs so I'm not sure why aapt is having a problem.

Can't help you with Windows (all the windows I have are for light and fresh air only), sorry. Wouldn't there be the error message, I'd suspect the PATH variable must be updated. Where did you pick your ADB stuff from? You could try the archives from here for a replacement.

Looking at different sites about adb, plus your links. Also gotta different aapt.exe and it works so qtadb opened. But it comes up blank, no apps on the list. http://techchasse.blogspot.com/2011/03/qtadb-is-adb-android-debug-bridge-for.html But I just found this, and it says I must have a rooted device with dropbox to use this. If only they told me on the download page. I'll test helium out and hope it lets me backup to pc, but Helium will work from the tablet and send to the pc, rather than a pc app pulling it from the tablet. Otherwise I'll use adb itself and hope it works.

Brittany, the way which definitely works is command line – as described in my answer. Requires no root, though some apps might have "opted out" of it (a dev can define his app as "no_backup").

Dang I hope not or all hell will break loose. Developers shouldn't take away the option for us to backup apps, or we'd lose all our data if the device dies or needs factory reset. Then we'd have to start all over. But anyways I'll be using the command line later on, heading to bed. Helium needs adb but I figured out it needs another driver that doesn't support Lenovo devices. I gotta learn the adb codes and commands though, plus the program filename of the app. ^^; Thanks for your help so far!

Tell them! Some at least only opt-out the .apk of their paid apps (to protect it against piracy), but allow for the data. Btw, to get you started with ADB, you might wish to see my article ADB for end-users.

I got it, package name in url was com.tinyco.realms. Reread your first post as ref to remember the code. So it's adb backup -f tiny_castle -noapk com.tinyco.realms Thanks for the help! Just checked the file but it's an encrypted mess and I didn't put a password for encryption though.

Sure it is. See: Is there a way to look inside and modify an adb backup created file? / How do you extract an App's data from a full backup made through “adb backup”? (taken from our backup tag-wiki). // PS: Don't forget to "accept" (click the check-mark next to it) and/or "upvote" (click the up-arrow) the answer if it solved your issue :)

Thanks for your help! I figured out the adb now. Still wonder though why the backup data is encrypted when I didn't encrypt it though, but it's no problem. I'll find a way to decrypt it. I wanna be able to read what my data is too.

Just follow above links for that. If you were using Linux, I'd refer you to my Adebar framework, which contains an ab2tar converter. Not sure how to do that on Windows – as my only windows are for light and fresh air (uh, today for "hot air" as well) …

It's /storage/emulated/0/, like if you have downloaded a movie then:
adb pull /storage/emulated/0/Downloads/moiveName /Volume/yourVolumeName

This doesn't save internal app data.


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How to "fastboot flashing unlock" when device has no volume rocker?
I have a android tablet that has no volume buttons, but has an unlocked OEM bootloader. I'm trying to flash a new rom, and after I run fastboot flashing unlock I am presented with a prompt that asks for me to press volume up.
Is there anyway to override this prompt? like -y or something?
I'm asking for a general solution as this problem happens to a lot of people from time-to-time. Whether it be from a broken rocker or from a device that has no volume buttons.
Edit: I didn't think to add the type of tablet, since none of you all would have heard of it. It is an eewrite e-pad pro by Wisky (sold by novadealshop) running Android 7.1.1. Any additional information about its specs can be found here: https://www.reddit.com/r/e_pad/comments/drmi5s/full_device_info_for_eewriter_epad_by_wisky/

fastboot oem unlock-go

Does this answer your question? What is the difference between fastboot oem unlock and fastboot oem unlock-go?

When a device has no volume rocker it is usually flashed using an external tool and not via traditional fastboot methods.
In this case, the device is a MediaTek Android smartphone (MTK based), and nearly every smartphone with this chipset can be flashed not using fastboot, but with the SP Flash Tool.
The latest version SPFlash Tool v5.1924 can be downloaded at:
spflashtool.com or androidmtk.com
This tool allows the flashing of Scatter Based Stock Firmware on devices powered by Mediatek Chipsets. All you need is the correct Scatter based Stock Firmware of your Device.

your question is about unlocking bootloader. your answer is about flashing stock ROM. i don't think your answer is solution for headline


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Can any mediatek android use HotKnot as long as the appropiate files are included in the ROM?
Where I am currently living, my government has blocked internet access.
We are sending important messages to each other using various mesh network apps like 'firechat', but the problem is, many of my friends don't have these apps installed on their phone and they can't access them from the app store or the internet.
Since I often have to troubleshoot without access to the internet, I like to be prepared for various file delivery methods in case one method doesn't work.
My phone is using a ROM that I have compiled myself and thus I can include functionalities into it that are not normally present on many phones, like FM radio, call recording, IMSI-catcher detection, etc...
Could I use HotKnot to send files to another phone if my phone is not a Chinese phone which had HotKnot installed on it originally?
I am wanting to know if it would be worth integrating the HotKnotBeam Service, Share, and Connectivity apks on my mediatek phone's ROM just in case I might need them?
If not, which devices could still use HotKnot even if the service wasn't on the phone originally?

Can someone add the HotKnot tag please?

"There is no such  thing as a Hot Knot app, because it’s part of the hardware of the phone." source

Thank you, you are correct. I have edited my question so it was more specific. I was wondering if all mediatek phones could use HotKnot. As I was wondering if I should include these drivers in a new ROM or not.

@GabrielFair MediaTek is SoC manufacturer. That's no way linked to touch panel.


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Android Account types missing google
When I go to Settings -> Accounts & sync -> Add account, there isn't the option of google, just skype and corporate. How can I get the google account type option? I have rooted my tablet, and have shell access. I am using Android 2.3 gingerbread on a Pandigital Supernova.

if you don't have Google account available, it sounds like you do not have the "google products" installed on the device. Like Gmail, Market, Talk, etc.

I don't. Although I've isntalled the market, but it says I need an account created. But that's my problem. I can't create one.

You will need other supporting apps in your /system/apps before the tablet will allow you to sign into your Google account.

It sounds like your table has not been provisioned with "core" Google apps.  Installing them separately from 3rd-party websites will not resolve this issue, since you will need other "system" APKs as well.
Without an exact make and model of your tablet it's impossible to recommend anything. Knowing those, you might be able to find a "gapps" package built for it.  You will need a custom Recovery image, and very likely a custom ROM installed first before you can attempt to flash GApps.
I'd start with Android development sites like XDA-Developers and RootzWiki, and then searching on Google may bring more results.

If you need to install GMail, you can snag the APK by pointing your Android's browser to DroidLoad and downloading it from there.  You should be able to either launch it directly or save it to your SD card and then launch it via navigating to it in a file browser and clicking on it.  There are more detailed instructions on DroidLoad if you problems.
You should probably also install GTalk, as if I'm remembering correctly quite a few other apps rely on it's transport layer for various things.

I'd use caution when installing apps from 3rd-party websites that you don't absolutely trust.

Unfortunately if you don't have the market enabled, there is very little alternative.

I finally found out where. After trying various "gapps" packages, none of which worked and some of which destroyed the system, I finally found this page: http://www.cesgeekbook.com/2011/12/install-android-market-pandigital.html
That provided some "gapp" apk's and listed in what order they needed to be flashed. No rooting needed, and was a very simple process. Also gave me Full Google Android Market access. Hope that helps somebody as much as it helped me.


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Can I install old paid apps from Play Store on Android 14?
I have some older paid apps, mainly games, which I bought through Play Store. These older apps won't meet the requirement of targetSdk >=23 from Android 14:

Minesweeper Pro (com.xxstudio.minesweeperpro): Target SDK 3
CopyPasteKeyboard Unlocker (com.crane.keyboard.unlock) which is an unlocker for CopyPasteKeyboard (com.crane.keyboard): Both have target SDK 4
Guess-Free Minesweeper (com.fstolt.minesweeper): Target SDK 8
Call Log Backup And Restore Pro (com.riteshsahu.CallLogBackupRestorePro): Target SDK 21

As the apps are paid apps, it's going to be hard for me to get them in APK format for me to use --bypass-low-target-sdk-block in order to install them on Android 14.
So is there any way for me to install such apps on Android 14?

@Robert you are right, I gave a bad example there as I hadn't noticed the update. I have added more examples and have checked all of them to make sure there is no update available.

Possible dupe: Is it possible to recover purchased apps removed from Google Play?.

Just for clarification, are you still able to see them on Play Store? I just checked "Minesweeper Pro", and it seems it has been unpublished (HTTP 404 for those who have never installed it).

@AndrewT. yes I can confirm I can still see the app. when I open its Play Store page, it appears as normal. I think this is typical for apps that have not been updated for a long time; if you'd previously bought them, you can still see them. Of course, for new users it would be hidden as it doesn't meet Google Play's minimum targetSdk requirement.

@AndrewT. Google has changed Play Store. Before the change the web page of an app in Play Store was always available. Now for old apps the web page is only available if you are logged-in and that account had it loaded/purchased before. Otherwise you get the common Play Store HTTP 404 page. This means the web page of an app can not be used to test if an app is available at all in Play Store.

So is there any way for me to install such apps on Android 14?

No. By the time the installer enforces the SDK limit, the distinction between free and paid apps has been left behind.
I suspect Google's answer would be to say that if the apps on the Play Store are still targeting those ancient SDKs, the vendor is no longer supporting them.

It appears that installing of old apps is banned on Android 14.  This includes trying to install them from other places than PlayStore.

The biggest news is that Android 14 will block the installation of old Android apps. As Android changes over the years, new APIs and increased security, privacy, or background processing restrictions could break old apps, but Android's backward-compatibility system keeps these old apps running. Apps can declare the newest version of Android they support via a "Target SDK" flag.
To prevent old apps from breaking, new features and app restrictions in, say, Android 12 only apply to apps that target Android 12 or above. Older apps will continue to run with the older set of restrictions they're used to. (A different setting, called "Minimum SDK," determines if a new app can run on an old Android OS.) The system works great for honest developers, but if you're building a piece of malware, it's an easy decision to target a very old version of Android. While you'll get access to fewer features, you'll also be subject to fewer security and privacy restrictions.

From Android 14 Preview 1 is out, will officially ban installation of old apps

A change coming with Android 14 will impose restrictions on the apps that smartphone users can install on their devices, even if they’re sideloading software rather than installing it through the Play Store.
Google’s change should help stop the spread of malware that takes advantage of exploits found in older builds of its Android OS, though if you’re a frequent sideloader it may make it a little harder to use non-Play Store apps.

From Android 14 could stop you from installing older apps – and that’s a good thing
The requirement for targetSDK >=23 is embedded in the Android Compatibility Definition Document for Android 14 CDD, Section 3.1 Software - Managed API Compatibility

[C-0-8] MUST NOT support installing applications targeting an API level less than 23.

So for devices released with Android 14 and Google Play Services, old apps (free and paid) cannot be installed even if side-loaded. Custom ROM developers may ignore such rule but as the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) advances the removal of legacy APIs will make such old apps crash unless the custom ROM developer backports support which does require effort on the part of the custom ROM developer.

That's correct, and that's the entire reason why I asked this question. Unfortunately, your answer does not answer my question, it does not say anything about paid apps.


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Unlocking (Xiaomi) Redmi 9A without a Windows PC
Xiaomi provides a tool for unlocking their phones called "Mi Unlock" but only runs on a Windows PC. I only have access to Mac (both Intel and ARM64) and Linux. I don't have Windows.
I already enabled USB Debugging and OEM Unlocking. I can get the device with fastboot devices but almost no other fastboot command works.
So what are my options?

Can Mi Unlock work on an emulator like VirtualBox? If so, what is the recommended Windows version?

Does anyone know if Xiaomi has a Linux source or binary of the Mi Unlock tool?

Also, does anyone know why Android Platform Tools don't work? Why can't I just use the command line fastboot oem unlock, instead of their specific app?

To my experience USB connections from within virtual environments don't work reliable for low-level phone tools (because of timing and other side-effects when USB device disappear and reappear e.g. because of a phone reboot) .Or even worse increase the risk of bricking the phone, depending on how risky the operation is.

https://github.com/Canny1913/miunlock

This looks a bit advertising, but the next best tool for unlocking Xiaomi phones along with Official Mi Unlock is that Unofficial XiaoMiTool V2. It can run on Windows, Linux and Mac OS. XMT2 comes with built in bootloader unlock tool. Works the same as the official one.

On macOS arm64 it was a bit unstable (suspect it runs w/ Rosetta). Then I installed on Linux and everything works fine until the unlock step. Then it gets stuck on "Failed to get the device unlock token" Error origin: com.xiaomitool.v2.procedure.install.Fastbootinstall$4.run(Unknown Source)

you have to enable Xiaomi Cloud syncs + Find device, Xiaomi SIM Activation Service, bond sim card in Settings - Mi Account, and enable mi unlock status in developer options, then wait for 7 days, enter fastboot and use the mi account for unlocking

Thank you so much for all the great info ! I performed all those steps and waiting the 7 days. I will follow up on this thread to see how it goes...

It's day 8 and the same problem persists. "Failed to get the device unlock token" Error family code: info_retrieve_failed. Then it shows the class that generated the exception: FastbootInstall$4.run(Unknown Source).


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Can we adjust subtitle size and position in YouTube app?
Using Android 13 in Pixel 7.
Is there any way we can change the font size or placement of subtitles of a running video within the YouTube app without any subscription model? Is that feasible?

The subtitle size can be set from the device settings for captions.
From YouTube Help - Manage subtitle settings

Change default size & style of captions

Tap your profile picture .
Tap Settings .
Tap Captions.
Tap “Caption size and style” to change the default size and font.

The subtitle position cannot be configured from the YouTube app. However, there may be alternative options like:

For devices that have Live Caption, system-generated captions can be moved along vertically (thanks to a YouTube video by Kris Occhipinti.

Move the caption box
To move the caption box: Touch and hold, then drag up or down.

(Note that the YouTube Premium subscription doesn't provide additional settings for subtitles/captions)


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How do I download an app from another country?
I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini and when I go to download certain apps and it will not let me because 'it is not available in my country', however other people within my country have these certain apps and I am confused.

I've just added the google-play-store tag to your question. its tag-wiki holds a pointer to the answer you're after: How can I circumvent regional restrictions in Google's Play Store?

Try using the Hola Android app yo spoof your location with the Google Play Store application. Never used it for this, but I imagine it should work fine.


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Lock screen timeout on Samsung Note 4
I click the home button to activate the phone. If I don't swipe within two seconds, it goes black and I have to hit Home again.
This is frustrating when I want to just view the time and weather on the lock screen. It's almost enough time to view time and weather, but if I also want to see what date it is, then 2 seconds isn't enough time to view all three things and digest the information.
So I find myself hitting the Home button 2 or three times. So I guess I might as well just swipe and activate the phone. But I really wanted to just set the screen to stay on a little longer. I set the display timeout to 10 minutes but this doesn't affect the lock screen. It still blinks off after 2 seconds.
Is there any setting or something from a Tasker app or something, that can extend the time the lock screen will appear?

All you have to do is apply pressure with your thumb on the screen, it will stay on forever until you lift your thumb, after which the non-adjustable timeout countdown begins...

ug. i found this question because i use a bluetooth keyboard to record thoughts during the middle of the night while using the bathroom and the tablet isn't even in the same room - i just want to make sure that during long pauses i don't have to hit enter several times to wake the darn thing back up! (i'm running a text entry field on top of the lock screen)

and i would just disable the timeout altogether when on AC power, except sometimes the device reboots or the power momentarily goes away and then it's sitting there on for hours until it wakes me up...

Please check whether "power save" mode is on. If so, the lock screen will turn black very fast (under 2 seconds). Otherwise it will remain on for over 5 seconds.

Install hilocker and give it requested permissions. Go into its settings > more > select double tap dot to unlock. Cheers

Can you link this app?

I installed hi locker.not only did it NOT affect the lock screen, but I had to call Samsung for help getting it uninstalled as normal uninstall process was completely ineffective in getting app off my phone.


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How can I fix small images on the Facebook website?
Facebook images appear small, and don't take up whole width of the screen:

Screenshots (click images for larger variants)
This problem was reproduced on both Xperia T and Xperia SP (both running CM12, both have HD screen), and also both on Chrome and default CM web browser.
This problem didn't occur on Xperia Mini (HVGA screen), and I don't have any issues with the desktop version either.
Is there any way to solve this?

Try going to Settings > Apps > All > Chrome > Clear Data.
Or try Firefox if it works, or try installing the Facebook app. Or uninstalling Chrome and test the factory version if it works, or updating it to the latest stable version.
Oh! I see.. You are using Cyanogen? Try using other browsers, including Opera Mobile, Mozilla Firefox, and Dolphin Browser.

Changing the browser isn't an option here, I need the features of Chrome. That said, clearing data... actually fixed the issue.

Okay... Hope you like your new photo layouts!

Which Chrome browser version you're using exactly?
So I just went around reading about the issue (of which I also experienced too), and realized it appears to be fixed already, at least for me.
To confirm again, I also quickly pulled my phone and tried viewing images on Facebook via Chrome, and they appeared nicely, not in small size.
Assuming the issue (which is likely a CSS issue) was reported some months ago, I am sure they'll be at it and tried to fix it.
My images appear alright though. Perhaps update to the latest Chrome on phone and it might solve it for you. I didn't even noticed it's been fixed until reading this question and going to explicitly try it out.
As a proof, see image attached. This is how images show on my Chrome when I visit Facebook for mobile, the m.facebook.com
FWIW, my Chrome version is 42.0.23311.bla-bla-bla. I'm on Android 5.1.1, custom build, using CyanogenMod for Xperia Z2

I've got two accounts the problem is only with one of them. The issue is with facebook trying out new stuff on select accounts. Nothing we can do from our phones


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My alarm clock program is no longer installed. Can I re-download it?
I have an HTC Incredible 2. I went to check my alarm clock before I went to sleep last night by pressing the clock on the home screen and nothing happened. It usually opens up my alarm clock.
After pressing several times and nothing happening I went into all apps and clicked the clock app. It said:

The linked program is no longer installed on your phone.

I did not uninstall it. The only unusual activity I did last night was install the 5 Guys app, Opera Mini, uninstall Opera Mini because I did not like it, install Dolphin Browser.
I went into widgets and selected the htc clock and put a different variation on my home screen, it did not work either. I tried to find it on the Android market to reinstall it and its not listed there either.
Is there anything else I can try before I go to my Carrier?

Have you turned the device on and off? Can you see the app in the applications manager? If so, can you clear the data and/or cache?

@AlEverett I have tried turning it off and on. The icon is still there but says the program is no longer installed when you click it. How do you clear the cache?

Settings | Applications | Manage applications | All |

My alarm clock just started working again today, they must have pushed a new update.

I asked Verizon and they said it is because of an update. There are lots of complaints about the same issue and until another update is released there is nothing you can do, not even a factory restore.

Was this caused by a Verizon update, or android update? Any word on when the fix will be available?

@Tester101 From what I was told it is becuase I updated to Android 2.3.3 and I was told htc is working on a fix.

There is an over-the-air downloaded today to get alarms back. YEA!
Go to settings > Download updates > Check new

+1 That worked. Wow, I thought I would never get the default alarm back. However, I have been using the app I downloaded for so long now, I think Ill just stick with it. Thanks :)

I have found the same problem, and just figured it out. I luckily have the digital clock on my wallpaper. I tap it and my clock and alarm come up. I can then adjust whatever changes I need.

Can you get to it from the all apps button in the lower left corner? I've had to remove an app from the home screen and re-add it, although for me it's only been after upgrading it. But if you can get to it from the all apps drawer, then you should be good.

When I go to it from the all apps drawer it says: The linked program is no longer installed on your phone. but the icon is still there.


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Phone no longer recognizes USB connection from computer
Using a Samsung Galaxy S7 (Android 7.0) and a MacBook Air (macOS Sierra 10.12.5), I connect the phone's charging port to the computer's USB port. Neither the phone nor computer bring up any notifications.
I vaguely remember that I used to get a notification when I plugged the phone into the computer, saying they weren't compatible, but I may have opted to stop getting the notification since it happened every time, and I was just plugging it in to charge.
On my Mac I downloaded Android File Transfer, and on my phone I did Settings -> Developer Options -> USB Debugging, but nothing doing. Opening Android File Transfer gives the message "Please connect your Android device with a USB cable to get started.", even when it is indeed plugged in.
Anything I'm forgetting, or ideas for troubleshooting?
(As a note, my goal is to move things from icloud.com to my new android device. For example, I exported a vCard of my Contacts, and I want to move that to my phone to then import into Contacts, etc.)

Some computers only recognize devices when they are plugged into the right usb ports. Have you tried using a different port? Also, some chords can be finicky, some of the cheaper ones don't like you when you try to do get into a device like that.

Using a different USB cable worked :)


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How can I put location in "Battery Saving" mode in Android Pie?
In Android Oreo, when location was on, there were 3 choices for how it worked: Device Only, Battery Saving, or High Accuracy. In Pie, it's easy to change to Device Only or High Accuracy by turning "Google Location Accuracy" on or off in Location settings. How can I change to Battery Saving?

Google has removed all of the UI from the OS to change this setting, but it's still changeable in other ways.
If an app has the WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS permission, it can do this by calling Settings.Secure.putInt(contentResolver, Settings.Secure.LOCATION_MODE, Settings.Secure.LOCATION_MODE_BATTERY_SAVING);. The Tiles app in the Google Play Store includes a Location tile that does exactly this.
Alternatively, if you have ADB or root, you can do this with no third-party apps by running settings put secure location_providers_allowed +network,-gps from an ADB shell or a root shell.

WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS permission is not for use by third-party applications https://developer.android.com/reference/android/Manifest.permission.html#WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS

@Jim yes, but there's a workaround via adb to grant it to them anyway.

thanks~ i'll try, btw after putInt(LOCATION_MODE_BATTERY_SAVING) how can i use back to high accuracy mode? can i simply change it to LOCATION_MODE_HIGH_ACCURACY?


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Is Android associated with a specific set of control keys?
Windows systems typically have three control keys: Control, Alt, and the Windows key. Mac systems have Command ⌘, Option/Alt, and Control. There is historical precedent for a system having even more control keys.
Does Android expect, or is it designed for, a specific set of control keys?
This question occurred to me after trying to connect a wireless Bluetooth keyboard to an Android smartphone. I wondered as to whether there is a best practice as to whether or not a Mac layout keyboard or a PC layout keyboard (or even something else!) should be selected, all other things being equal and assuming that I want to connect the type of keyboard that is closest to that which the designers of Android were thinking about when they designed the system.
To be clear, I'm not asking for a hardware recommendation - this is more of a theory or general design question. I'm aware that most keyboards nowadays "work" (or can be made to work) with most systems with minor adjustments. So, something like, "Android is designed to be compatible with PC and Mac keyboards, but the original spec defines a set of five control keys consisting of Blue Squiggle, Red Squiggle, Wumpus, Marklar, and Shazbot, and having all five keys helps with some obscure shortcuts that most people don't need to use." would be a great answer.

Android CDD -section 7.1.2 does not specify any mandatory requirements, except support for third party IME, say for instance Hacker's Keyboard, which implements those control keys
In my understanding, there is nothing defined as essential support for control keys


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What smartphone and/or app support voice dialing on speakerphone like Moto X 2nd Gen?
My last phone was the Moto X 2nd Gen.  The entire reason I bought the phone was to use its voice command features so I can call for help with my voice.  I'm in a wheelchair, and I refuse to pay for a life line if a smartphone has this capability.
The way the Moto X 2 worked was that you trained a voice command code phrase (with your voice) into the smartphone to unlock the phone.  When utilizing the phone's voice dialing feature, you'd say that code phrase (with your voice) to unlock the phone (or bring it out of sleep mode), and then say "Call {contact}" where {contact} would be the name of an Google Android contact.  The voice command result(s) get verbally read back to you.  If there are multiple, you have to repeat the correct contact.  It would then dial the primary phone number of that contact while also enabling speaker phone.
I tried the Google Assistant and Google Now and I'm unable to find a way to set things up with all of those features.  Google Now can call someone if you say "Google Now.  Call {contact} on speakerphone.", but you need to wake up your phone from sleep mode before "Google Now" will activate.  I've even tried Open Mic for Google Now, but it doesn't solve anything.
If anyone knows how I can get the features of the Moto X 2 on any other smartphone that has Android installed, or knows of an app with these features, with the use of speakerphone, please let me know.  I also would like to buy a phone with high quality microphone and audio hardware.

Looks like the Moto Z has the Moto Voice feature, and the Nexus 5, Nexus 6 and Nexus 6P can be taken out of sleep mode using Google Now.  Other phones using Google Now cannot be taken out of sleep mode.  You must first touch the screen.  So Google Now is useless as a life line if you cannot physically reach your phone in an emergency and must rely on your voice.
Sleep mode and lock mode are different modes/statuses.  Sleep mode is what happens when your screen goes black while the phone is not being used.  Lock mode is when the phone is ready for authentication (keypad, face, voice, code, etc..), but have taken the phone out of sleep mode by pressing a button.  Some forums say you must first unlock the phone.  This is untrue.  I was able to get Google Now to work with the Samsung Galaxy S7 when the phone was NOT sleeping, but was still locked.  But since Google owns the rights to the Nexus brand, they obviously allow their Google Now to work ALL THE TIME, including when in sleep mode.  That's how they keep the edge.  And that's why I'm buying a Nexus 6P now.
Google Pixel phone (new Google phone) might do the same thing, but I haven't looked into it yet.  That phone is a bit more expensive.
It's possible that Google signed some contract with Motorola that allows them to share the patent.  Or maybe Google pays them to use it with their phones.  Because Motorola makes the Nexus 6.


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Where does Samsung's Studio app store cut videos?
I'm on a Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, Android 14, One UI 6, using the built-in "Studio" app that launches by default when you edit a video through the gallery. When I edit a video I took, specifically trimmed it, I can edit it back to its original length. This can be done weeks after the edit.
How does the app achieve this - is the original video stored somewhere forever?
This would namely explain why my storage was bloated with more than 75Gb of "System storage". As a musician, I take long videos which I edit in short snippets, and have no interest in this reverse edit functionality most of the time.

This is one of the features of Samsung's Gallery app, as discussed here:
The Samsung Gallery app keeps a copy of every image and video that the user edits to be able to revert the edited media back to their original version. This backed-up copy is hidden from the user and can not be deleted unless the edited version is deleted too (this is even resistant to renaming and moving files, it must be using some sort of checksum). The used storage appears under the "Other" category on the Android storage settings page.
There are two solutions to the issue:

Always save edited media with the "Save as copy" option, then delete the original;
Download the Media File Guardian app, which allows you to delete these hidden files.

I will use solution 1. for my future videos. However thanks to the Media File Guardian app, I was able to regain 50 GB of storage.


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Chrome desktop lets you force a password suggestion. Does Android Chrome support this too?
The frustrating problem of Chrome sometimes not automatically suggesting passwords (more an issue with the individual sites than Chrome I think) got a nice fix a while back.
On the desktop, I can right-click on the password text input and select "Suggest Password...":

But I'm on my phone a lot and would like to not have to open my laptop to register for a site. Is this supported on Android Chrome?

"Suggest strong password" is available on Chrome for Android as explained here:
When you want to generate a secure password:

Turn on sync in Chrome.
Go to a website and sign up for an account.
Tap on the password text box.
Tap Suggest strong password.

If you don't see this option, tap Password Save your password and then
Suggest strong password.

You'll see a preview of the password. To confirm, tap Use password.
Finish signing up for your account. Your password is automatically saved to Chrome.

However, there is an issue with newer versions of Chrome that does not allow the suggestion to appear as testified here or here by many. As suggested on those links, removing the Chrome updates allows the suggestion message to appear.
On the left, when I uninstalled Chrome updates, on the right Chrome's latest version

Suggested pasword on old version

You can also try to change your autofill service as suggested on one of the posted links.
Or you just wait for future versions to fix the issue.

Is there an open bug tracker for this?

@user1028270 I am not sure if a bug tracker was opened for this issue or not.


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Is it possible to port an Android application to Android Wear?
How can I port a native Android application to Android Wear OS? I know that this is not really possible, especially in the case of complex Android applications. What could be the main drawbacks of the porting process?

Welcome to Android Enthusiasts. Please note that app development is off-topic since Android Enthusiasts focuses on end-users and power users (who are not necessarily developers) solving their issues. Thus, while this community might explain the technicality of Android OS to your queries, development process is generally out of the scope of this community. For programming questions, you might want to try our sister site [so] (if you have the original source code) or [reverseengineering.se] (if you don't have the original source code).

They are so different, it would not be easy to emulate the items missing on the watch such as the keyboard, size of the screen.  And there are watch versions of some android apps.  I tried some, but it was a pointless pain act.
You can however, mirror almost any widget from the phone home screen to the watch.  I have been using Wearable Widgets

Widgets you can wear: Put virtually any home screen widget from your Android™ phone onto your Wear OS watch.
Take a look at the home screen of your phone – you probably have a number of widgets that you refer to all the time. Now imagine how useful they would be if you could see them on your watch: weather, news, sports scores and much more, all at a glance without having to drag out your phone.
Wearable Widgets creates a bridge from your phone to your watch for the widgets you already use. Thousands of Android apps support a watch-sized display right now, under the guise of widgets. You don't need to wait for developers to support smartwatches; get your apps on your wrist now. Get Wearable Widgets.

I am not associated with it, in any fashion.


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Disable touch screen while using scrcpy
I have a broken-screen, non-rooted Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro that looks like this

and I'm experiencing a LOT of ghost touches (and the digitizer's gone).
I am using scrcpy to control it from my PC, so I want to disable the touchscreen because otherwise it interferes with my commands and does what it wants.
I don't want to detach the digitizer physically since I have no tools for opening my mobile and this one has to be opened from the screen, so I could damage it more.
How can I do it (possibly with ADB)?

scrcpy --turn-screen-off

So I fixed it the way it was suggested me by @rom1v scrcpy --turn-screen-off and works better than what I was expecting!

Coming back later, this works for the Note 9 Pro as well. Just make sure it is unlocked when you run the command and don't touch it afterwards.


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Map keys to touchscreen
I'm running Android on a mobile device, but I really just use it as a computer. I have a wireless mouse/keyboard that I use to navigate windows, etc. The keyboard works well generally, but I find some features lacking. I really would like to map keypresses to the touch screen input. i.e. I can set W to send touch input from a part of the screen given by the pixel location or some such thing.
I have a background in computer system, so I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty. I am willing to root the device, install programs, or build in some additional hardware. I can probably do it from scratch, but I really would like to not waste that much time on it.

Have you tried the accessibility options? See: Use TalkBack keyboard shortcuts

I want to map shortcuts to touch signals... I dont want to just map them to specific functions. (i.e. home, back, etc.)

Perhaps you might want to give an example which won't map to specific functions (i.e. menu items, text fields, scrolling, buttons etc.) and applies to multiple apps as Android UI already has a concept of "focus" (which if the app is done correctly can be driven by d-pad)

The whole point is I want to connect to the touch screen so that I can signal inside apps. For instance, a shortcut to open settings in the youtube app by pressing the screen... etc. Focus shifting works but is good enough for my taste.

Theoretically, it's possible: Is it possible to simulate touch without root?, though need a way to map the keyboard to input tap command.

Very promising! I am not against using my laptops keyboard and projecting my androids screen to my laptop's screen... Than it's just a matter of linking the keyboard to the input commands... I wonder how you would do that?

If you are willing to use a PC as the interface.
There appears to exist a modified version of the open-source scrcpy which has keyboard shortcut support for playing games, but should partially map to your requirement:
QtScrcpy - gitee repo or QtScrcpy - github repo
See project README for keyboard mapping feature:
https://github.com/barry-ran/QtScrcpy/blob/master/README.md

It looks promising. Unfortunately I haven't used it, and while open source, most of the project UI/documentation isn't in English.
The issue thread for the keyboard mapping feature for scrcpy:
https://github.com/Genymobile/scrcpy/issues/712
you might want to look there for more options.

You can read mouse and keyboard data from /dev/input/event* and write data into touchscreen by writing data to /dev/input/event*, use EVIOCGRAB to prevent event sent to other program.

Although this question has an accepted answer, I just thought I could add another option, for others looking for something like this.
You could use an automation app like Automate, Macrodroid, Tasker or Automagic(development stopped), to listen for the specific keyboard input, and execute the touch action.
Trigger: keyboard input
Constraints/conditions: external keyboard sends input
Action: UI interaction - touch screen
(Trigger constraints and actions are called differently in different apps.)

You can use a keymapper app like octopus.
This app mirrors the original app and adds keymapper.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.chaozhuo.gameassistant
Here's the link for this app!

This is the type of thing I would like, but after researching it.... I see that some app ban you for having it. I don't really play mobile games that much, but it would be nice to be able to if I decided too. Ill mark this answer as a solution if I do get a more generalized one.


text:
Join an existing Google Meet meeting from the home screen with an URL
This seems to be quite an edge case, as I can find no information on this.
Context
We have a regular "coffee chat" meeting in our group, and we use a Google Meet URL for this meeting, always the same, and we meet at known times a day. No need to have a calendar entry for this.
So, on the desktop computer, I can always easily reuse the URL (e.g. such one: https://meet.google.com/abc-defg-hjk) like described here.
Problem
But now I am mostly using my Android Tablet to join, and I wonder how to set up a Home Screen icon/widget/link with that URL.
I can use Google Chrome to paste the URL into, but it will automatically start the Meet app. I have no chance to create a shortcut link first. Also, I have not found yet a way to create a link directly from the home screen.
Question
How to create a home screen icon/link/widget that directly opens a given Google Meet URL?

I haven't tried this, and this might be a bad workaround after all, but what if you disable the Meet app for a while, then paste the URL on Google Chrome?

On Android 10,even after disabling open links in Hang outs app it  still opens in app. But using Firefox, shortcut opens in web page. @AndrewT our comments crossed. Google seems to hardwire things for their apps

If nothing else works you can think of using Firefox

@AndrewT.How to "disable" an app? I can only "Force Stop", which does not help, and uninstall, which I did not try yet.

@beeshyams Also using Firefox immediately opens the Meet app.

Marcel not for me on One Plus 7. What @AndrewT was referring to is this probably and which I did before testing on FF. From settings search opening links, disable instant apps (maybe not needed), and in the installed apps locate Hangout, click on it and open supported link set it to don't open on this app

See this screen recording https://my.pcloud.com/publink/show?code=XZfolgkZbPiFlTHUOEz8bUPyl14YVHPjpkCX

Sorry, I forgot that only system apps can be disabled while 3rd-party apps can only be forced-closed from App Info. I seem to be mixing up with pm disable thing...

@Marcel if I uninstall hangouts, I can use Chrome shortcut as you wanted but make sure you disabled instant apps preferences as in earlier comment

I now uninstalled both Hangouts and Meet, and still, when opening the link in either Firefox or Chrome, the Play store immediately opens with the Hangouts Meet app recommending to install. WTF!

Also, disabling "instant apps", as recommended above, did not help, still the same behaviour.
How hard can one make this!

In now tried this as a workaround: https://android.stackexchange.com/a/185258/40418 Unfortunately, it now opens the play store first, so requires one additional click. But it's usable.

Turn off the internet on the device and open the meet URL in a browser. Now, the URL will stay in the adress bar, and you can save it to the home screen the usual way.


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Is it possible to mount .iso files (virtual optical drive) on Android?
First of all, I am not sure if my question should be here as I couldn't find a place to shoot it. So please direct me to the right site, if I am barking at the wrong tree..
Question : In our normal PCs/laptops we have the ability to install 3rd party softwares to create a virtual CD/DVD drive and mount .iso files to it.
For the sake of mobility, (as I am on the go 90% of the time) I want to buy a tablet. So I am wondering if I could do the same in either Asus or Samsung tablet 8.0?
If above tablets can't perform this function, can someone point out why and which tablets would do it?

Why exactly do you want to mount ISO images? That's a rather unusual request; perhaps we can suggest something else just as good if we knew why. Generally it's more efficient to rip the content to another kind of file than mount an entire disc.

I am on the go always. And my current laptop is rather heavy. Plus DVD rom is external. So I want to get a tab that can play DVDs from .iso's being mounted on virtual DVD rom. Most of my part time study materials come in CD/DVD format. Anything that goes better than this, would be appreciated too.

@Logos I have the .iso. ill mount them in my laptop to a virtual rom n rip them as .mp4...last resort though

@Logos, to answer your question why you would want to mount ISO images; suppose you go on a vacation, take 10000 digital pictures, copy them to your computer; on linux you can use genisoimage to put a set of files/dirs in a single iso file;on windows you can use infrarecorder(free) to do that;so you have for example,a trip contained in a single iso file,and keep track of 1 file instead of 10000 and it is easier to move around etc;so if you can mount it, you can view the images without having to extract them,as you'd have to from a zip file;so ISOs are great to organize files you don't modify

@jmarina I guess what you mentioned is much better. I will try it out

Underneath Android is Linux kernel. So if you install a custom rom with a custom kernel on any of tablets you can do that. The kernel should have loop device support + CONFIG_ISO9660_FS module or built-in. Then you will need root+busybox. Install some terminal emulator and type this commands:

su
cd /sdcard
mkdir mountpoint
mount -t iso9660 image.iso mountpoint -o ro,loop

Also if your iso contaions UDF file system you will need kernel UDF support.

Appreciate your answer. But I can't try this until I buy a tablet can I?. :) I just want to make sure I buy the right device, so the experiments I do won't explode the entire device, coz I am not good with Linux scripting. Just the basics. I guess I also have to give the correct path to .iso file. It would be great if Samsung/Azuz or any tablet giant can really clarify these features of the device. Because tablet doesn't anyway have a DVD ROM. So how can we play DVDs from a tablet?

@aspiring I don't know any tablet manufacturer who makes tablets with ISO mounting support out of the box. Even the Cyanogenmod(one of the best custom ROMS) doesn't have CONFIG_ISO9660_FS in the default kernel. But as long you understand the commands and have the right kernel built for your device you should be able to do it. After that you can just open .vob files with MX Player in the VIDEO_TS directory inside your mount point.

Now assuming I am all set for your suggestion, yet when I went to the above mentioned product centres they said you shouldn't mess with kernal. If anything goes wrong we won't repair. That was not well... how can I make sure the tablet has the ability before buying? Or else ill have to convert the .iso to a .mp4..

@aspiring Any tablet you buy won't have ability to mount ISO files out of stock. You will have to use custom kernel. That usually means that you will use your warranty. However you can make a backup of original kernel and install it back if you would want to repair it. But it is possible that they will notice that kernel was changed and they would refuse to repair it.

Now that I was forced to get to know Android sdk, ADB commands, I will surely try these one of these days, given my phone comes back live :$


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Touch enabled monitors and Android
I need to buy new monitor for my PC and I'm thinking about touch enabled monitors like DELL ST2220T or IIYAMA T2250MTS. I recently bought Gooseberry Board with Android on it and it would be great if I could connect it by HDMI cable to one of these monitors and use touch screen like i would on a tablet. Does anybody know if Android can work with such touch enabled monitors? Maybe someone have touch enabled monitor and could check it somehow?

The touch-screen part of a touch-screen monitor doesn't work over HDMI, but with a separate USB interface. It requires drivers specific to that monitor. To make it work with the Gooseberry Board under Android you'd have to find or write drivers for that monitor.


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Why are these short USB cables not connecting my Android device?
I have a Galaxy S2 and a Linux Mint laptop. For a while I was using a long USB cable, maybe 1 metre in length, to connect my Android device to my laptop. It worked fine, but the extra length was unnecessary and sometimes got in the way. So I went to my local electronic store and bought a 20 centimetre USB cable.
With the shorter cable, it would recharge my phone, but I could not connect to the file system on the phone in any way. No USB related activities, such as connecting to the device from Eclipse or transferring music files from within Banshee would work.
I thought maybe I was just unlucky and got a bad cable. So I went and bought a second 20 centimetre cable, and it was the exact same situation.
Bad cables are rare enough that it seems unlikely that I got two in a row. In any case, I'm a little hesitant to just go and buy another until I know what's going on. My 1 metre cable still works, so I assume there is nothing about the system that is failing.
Why would the 20 centimetre cables behave any differently from a longer cable? Is there a type of cable I need to be getting? Is there something else I need to know when buying cables?
This is what my 20 centimetre cable looks like:

It's possible that the USB cable is designed for charging only (i.e. not a data cable), or is of poor quality.
Off-topic: Although not a USB cable, I have encountered OTG cables that could not detect a USB drive. In this case, it was a poor (or defective) OTG cable; other cables were able to detect the USB drive.
Related posts (external):

All micro usb cables are not created equal?

The screenshot in this answer might help you understand the first sentence: the cable might just have wired contacts 1+4, while leaving 2+3 (data) "empty".

Turns out the cables I had were indeed for charging only. Once I understood the extent of the difference, I looked more carefully in my local electronics store, and discovered that there was a whole different rack of data cables on a different floor.

I had faced such situations. I am assuming that the second cable you bought is exactly the same as the first one. I think you should try a cable of a different brand.
Hope this helps


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Google Weather's notifications show weather in F°
I'm using a Samsung Galaxy A30s. The following is what I see in my notification panel - 70° in Peniche, Portugal

Clicking in it, I'll get the following screen which has the number for the weather correct

Clicking in the three dots, I can see that the weather is selected to show in Celcius

How can this be fixed?

I've gone to Settings, searched for the term "Weather" and got the following

Clicking in it could see that it was defined here as Fahrenheit. Changing it to Celsius solved the problem

See it working


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How to disable the developer option in Chrome for Android?
I have enabled developer options accidentally by clicking on Settings > About Chrome > Application Version 7 times.
I didn't find any option to disable this developer options. How to disable this?

The flag to show Developer options is stored on Chrome's shared preferences under the developer key, which can only be accessed with root access.
As shown on the source code:

AboutChromeSettings: tapping the Application Version 7 times calls DeveloperSettings.setDeveloperSettingsEnabled()
DeveloperSettings: writes the boolean value true to ChromePreferenceKeys.SETTINGS_DEVELOPER_ENABLED
ChromePreferenceKeys: SETTINGS_DEVELOPER_ENABLED refers to the developer key in the shared preferences

To reset the flag:

With root access
Users can overwrite the value on the shared preferences directly

Browse to /data/data/com.android.chrome/shared_prefs/
Open com.android.chrome_preferences.xml
Search the line <boolean name="developer" value="true" />
Change the value to "false"
Save the change

Without root access
Users can only use Android Settings' "Clear data" to reset the flag. Note that this will also reset all Chrome's settings.


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How to acquire wakelock with Termux on Android 13?
In previous versions of Android, one "Aquire Wakelock" by going to notifications-list, and tapping on the Termux in the list, then Aquire Wakelock is an option.
But on Android 13, there are no Termux notification to tap on at all, so how do you do it on Android 13? (observed on Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra updated to Android 13~)
(I can theorize that Termux not showing up in the notifications list is a bug, and that the procedure is supposed to be the same, but that is just a guess)

The procedure for Termux to acquire wakelock on Android is still the same; through the notification.
However, since Android 13, Termux needs to have the newly introduced Notification runtime permission allowed for the app to show ("post") a notification.

Android 13 (API level 33) and higher supports a runtime permission for sending non-exempt (including Foreground Services (FGS)) notifications from an app: POST_NOTIFICATIONS.

User selects "Allow"
If the user selects the allow option, your app can do the following:

Send notifications. All notification channels are allowed.
Post notifications related to foreground services. These notifications appear in the notification drawer.

User selects "Don't allow"
If the user selects the don't allow option, your app can't send notifications unless it qualifies for an exemption. All notification channels are blocked, except for a few specific roles. This is similar to the behavior that occurs when the user manually turns off all notifications for your app in system settings.

If the notification is not shown and the app does not request permission on startup, then the user must manually enable the Notification permission from the app info (e.g. from the Android Settings, or long-pressing the app icon, etc.)


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Samsung Galaxy J1 stuck on "Downloading. Do not turn off target" screen
I have an old Samsung Galaxy J1 that would turn on and then go to a screen with some cogs that said 'Optimizing Android', but whenever it was just about to finish, it would shut down.
I got a new battery for it and tried to force restart it, but now it is stuck on a screen that says 'Downloading', 'Do not turn off target'. It has been like this for 4 days now.
How can I fix it?

OP's follow-up question: Samsung Galaxy J1 shuts down after "Optimizing Android" on startup

'Downloading' 'Do not turn off target' is a boot mode used for flashing the phone with ROM/firmware, known as Download mode or Odin Mode. It does not actually download anything until you connect it to a PC and flash it with Odin3.
You can exit Download mode by pressing the same key combination required to enter Download mode, usually Home + Volume Down + Power buttons, for several seconds.
If the phone returns to Download mode again, it's due to an emergency situation, indicating that the ROM is corrupted and unable to boot. In such cases, find the appropriate stock ROM for your region/carrier and flash it. Please note that this process will factory reset your phone.

also check your phone model SM-J100M or SM-J120H. use Odin v3.10 or older


text:
"Ok Google" voice unlock stopped working on Google Nexus - "Actually I can't do that while the device is locked"
On the Google Nexus 6P phone, I had a variety of behaviors that were occurring.  Before my Android OS upgrade, Google Now worked fine when the phone was sleeping and locked.  After the upgrade, it stopped working.
Behaviors after upgrade:
Then after I retrained the Google Now app...
I put the phone in sleep mode by pressing the power button once.  You can also put the phone in sleep mode by waiting for the elapsed time period.  When saying "Ok Google", nothing happens.
If I take the phone out of sleep mode, and get the phone to the 4 digit pin code, there's a little microphone icon in the lower left.  If you press and hold and swipe up and to the right, you can begin talking.  Google will say, "actually i can't do that while the device is locked".
There are various forums saying Google Now no longer works.  Is this true with Android 6.0.1?

March 7, 2017 (this edit is no longer the answer):
No, Google Now ("Ok Google" command) is not broken when the phone is in sleep mode or when the phone is locked.  Don't believe all of the forums.  If you haven't asked a real software engineer (like myself) a question about phone configuration, don't trust the internet!  Period!  However, Android 6.0.1 has a slight bug.  The "Always On" toggle switch is broken after an Android 6.0.1 upgrade.  There are two ways to get to this from the Google Nexus 6P phone.
Settings > Language & Input > Google Voice Typing > "Ok Google" Detection > Always On (toggle)
Settings > Google > Search > Voice > "Ok Google" Detection > Always On (toggle)
If you don't reboot after the Android upgrade, this "Always On" option cannot be turned on.  It's forever in the off position.  To fix, reboot the phone, and then turn on the "Always On" toggle.
Wala!  Now you should be able to take your phone out of sleep mode AND unlock your phone with your voice by saying "Ok Google ... Call {contact} on speakerphone", assuming you've trained the phone.  Google paid to patent this.
Note: I also have "Trusted Voice" turned off.  I have NOT tested with this turned on yet.  Will do that now.
March 13, 2017 (this edit is the new answer):
Google decided to remove this feature now.  So now you get the "Actually I can't do that while the device is locked."
Settings > Google > Search > Voice > "Ok Google" Detection > Always On (toggle)
A Google manager must have read my post and told their team to disable this broken feature.  So now the configuration (Always On) controlling this feature (that Google paid the patent for) is missing.  So the Nexus 6P phone cannot be unlocked using this configuration any longer.
To unlock your phone with your voice:
Looks like Google decided to recently start using the Trusted Voice configuration to unlock the phone.  This must be set up and turned on.  Then you will get the functionality back.


text:
Remove lock or enable usb debugging on non-rooted phone?
So my little sister locked herself out of her phone which was not rooted, had no recovery software (Cwm, Xrec, etc.) installed on it, and has usb debugging and auto-mount disabled. We don't know the google account associated with the phone. Basically all I have is the phone and a usb cable. Is there a way to get the user data out of it? Adb won't recognise the device btw. I do apologise if it's a stupid question. The phone automatically connected to the wifi, and I'm on Linux, if that helps.
Update: managed to get into recovery but adb only recognises the device in sideload mode.

check if this thread helps https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2487147

Thanks, I found a work around, I'm not sure this works on all android versions. I inserted a micro sd, went into recovery, backed up user data onto the card, put the card into my computer, extracted the .backup file as explained here http://android.stackexchange.com/questions/141805/how-to-extract-backup-files-created-by-android-stock-recovery, went into the accounts.db file, found the google account, recovered it with the associated phone number and unlocked the phone.

What phone and version of Android?  Potentially see http://android.stackexchange.com/q/127739/1465


text:
ADB/fastboot stopped working in recovery mode
Something went wrong when I updated my Nexus 4 (Mako) with Paranoid Android 6 via TWRP 2.8.
I formated the phone in Recovery Mode but now I unable to connect to adb to transfer new OS image in the internal memory. So, I'm stuck with a phone without operating system.
The battery loads well when connected to my debian but I can't see anything related to the phone with lsusb.
I'm definetly not an expert with TWRP, but I noticed an error when I try to start adb sideload : E:Unable to mount /usb-otg.
I'm also considering to open the device but from informations I found there is no way to extract the internal memory to flash it from my debian.
How can I debug that ? Alternatively, what are my options to send a new image to my phone ?
UPDATE 1: When I enter in fastboot mode (the screen with the android picture) I see:

FASTBOOT MODE
  VARIANT - mako 8GB
  HW VERSION - rev 11
  BOOTLOADER VERSION - MAKOZ10o
  BASEBAND VERSION - M9615A-CEFWMAZM-2.0.1700.48
  CARRIER INFO - None
  SIGNING - production
  SECURE BOOT - enabled
  LOCK STATE - unlocked

In this mode I still have nothing on lsusb or fastboot devices -l.
UPDATE 2: Here is what I see in dmesg -w | grep usb when I connect the phone :

[3416.043914] usb 3-2: new full-speed USB device number 22 using xhci_hcd
  [3416.155984] usb 3-2: device descriptor read/64, error -71
  [3416.371985] usb 3-2: device descriptor read/64, error -71
  [3416.587946] usb 3-2: new full-speed USB device number 23 using hci_hcd
  [3416.700008] usb 3-2: device descriptor read/64, error -71
  [3416.915999] usb 3-2: device descriptor read/64, error -71
  [3417.131964] usb 3-2: new full-speed USB device number 24 using xhci_hcd
  [3417.132235] usb 3-2: Device not responding to setup address.
  [3417.336256] usb 3-2: Device not responding to setup address.
  [3417.539975] usb 3-2: device not accepting address 24, error -71
  [3417.651994] usb 3-2: new full-speed USB device number 25 using xhci_hcd
  [3417.652222] usb 3-2: Device not responding to setup address.
  [3417.856035] usb 3-2: Device not responding to setup address.
  [3418.060047] usb 3-2: device not accepting address 25, error -71
  [3418.060149] usb usb3-port2: unable to enumerate USB device

How's fastboot working?

fastboot devices -l gives me nothing.

Are you in fastboot mode? Don't restrict yourself inside TWRP.

I updated my comment with information relative to fastboot mode. I'm definetly new with android, but don't you think I should see something in lsusb whatever mode I use ?

I updated my question with details from dmesg. Apparently something is wrong on this side.

It turned out that the communication problem on the USB bus came from a "loose" connection of in the micro USB. I succeeded to reset a factory image just leaving the phone and the connector in a particular position to keep the contact.


text:
How do I manipulate the filesystem of my Android smartphone from PC without restrictions? Can I do it on an non-rooted phone?
I want to be able to copy/move/erase/modify files on my phone and transfer them back and forth on my Windows 10 PC. Without limitations hopefully.
My phone ( Meizu Note 8 ) is not rooted, and I'm not sure if I can root it. It doesn't seem to be very popular.
I got the vague impression that I need ADB drivers which I also couldn't get, and I don't know what software to use after. This is the best I found, but it's far from official and also doesn't work: no installer, and the .inf doesn't have the install option in the context menu, which usually means the driver is not compatible.

What "limitations" are you talking about? If you are curious about ADB driver security you can use the one Google includes in it's Android SDK. For Windows you just have to modify the INF file(s) and add the USB ID of your device to it.

What filesystem you are talking about? You can access external shared storage (/sdcard) and mostly OS files (in /system, /vendor) from ADB shell or MTP. Also there are multiple alternatives to both of these native methods e.g. FTP: https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/91900. But you cannot access /data which holds a large part of OS configurations and apps data: Why are superuser permissions needed to access /data partition?.

I wanted to save/manipulate app data. Seems rather inacessible.


text:
How to turn off ringer when connected to particular wifi network
Is it possible (in built or via an app) to silence the phone when it's connected to a particular wireless network, and then unsilence it when the network is out of range.
Use case : When I'm in the office on the company's wifi I want my phone to be quiet, but when I'm back home (or not connected to a wifi, e.g. outside) I want the ringer volume back.

I've just added the automation tag to your question. It's a good source to check, as this kind of question comes up very frequent -- so the answer very likely does already exist on our site. See e.g. Any way to schedule a passive profile-change? (connectivity, volume etc.), Switching profiles based on networks availability

This isn't built-in functionality, but it's something you could achieve with a trigger/event app such as Tasker. This kind of app runs in the background, and lets you configure certain actions to take (such as turning off the ringer) when certain events occur (such as seeing a particular Wi-Fi network). Tasker's not the only such app, but it's very complete and has some users who contribute to this site, which means that if you have questions setting it up you can probably get them answered here. See tasker.

User rules in Android 11 - System, Rules.

The Llama - Location Profiles application should help too. This application uses phone masts around you to determine your location and switch profiles.

Llama uses phone masts to determine your location, so that you can
  change your ringer, vibrate and ringtones depending on where you are
  as well as the time of day. Llama provides you with sound profiles so
  you can quickly switch between quiet, loud, silent and normal sound
  settings. You can set your family, wife and children to ring even if
  your phone is set to silent! You can create events and home screen
  shortcuts to manage your sound profiles and more:
  -Silence your phone at work
  -Turn your Bluetooth on ready to connect your headset for a morning run
  -Set your phone quiet when it's late at night and you haven't gone out
  -Start the music player when a headset is connected

I wrote an app that might be able to help you - Free Busy Silent Mode.
You can use the location feature in your office, and it shall auto silent/vibrate your phone when you are inside the radius

I personally recommend AutomateIt. Not only can it achieve what you are wishing for, but it can also save you some battery life too. The app lets you scan surrounding cell towers in order to determine location. So in this manner you can silence your phone as soon as it connects to a nearby cell tower at your workplace. This way you save some juice by not having to keep your wifi on to determine location.
Give it a try, and if you love it enough, upgrade to the Pro version to make fancier rules that can better suit your needs.


text:
Motorola Defy+: Black Screen and no BootLoader. How to discover what firmware version my device supports?
I did a terrible mistake. After some tentatives of installing cyanogen, I replaced the kernel with wrong version.
I have a Motorola Defy+ (MB526) and I'm trying to use RSD Lite to reflash the firmware.
I'm trying with the Retail Version from here http://sbf.droid-developers.org/umts_jordanplus/list.php.
The cellphone does nothing, only black screen. When I insert the usb cable and open RSD Lite, they recognizes and all the process to send the flash is done, the cell phone is booted automatically but I can't turn it on. When flashing, the cellphone screen show the message that the SW is being updated. The process seems to be done right, but at the end I can't start the operational system.
After finishing the process successfully, I can't turn it on. It's like nothing got flashed. Even the recovery mode was erased.
I don't know if I need some kind of boot loader (like some linux does) or other sbf file. Anyone knows if do I need to flash more files?
Edited
According here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1216982 It seems I downgraded the version, that's why I'm getting a black screen.
How do I know what is the version I need to use?
Can I try Chinese version? It seems that is the newer, but I'm afraid if I would face no English language option to set after installing it.

After months trying, I solved flashing the DEFYPLUS_U3_4.5.1-134_DFP-2311_BLUR_SIGN_USADEFYEMARAB1B8TFDE004.0R_PDS03C_USAJRDNGIBRO2DE_P020_A025_M002_Service1FF.sbf


text:
How to make use of the entire screen area on Android 4.1 in full-screen mode?
The system bar (aka notification bar) on my new tablet (ASUS Transformer Pad) is always visible, even when watching YouTube "full-screen".
The amount of space wasted is not insignificant, especially when watching a 4:3 video. Is there any way to reclaim it and watch videos/play games in real full-screen?

You are probably talking about the so-called "notification bar". Some apps offer a full-screen mode (which makes that bar disappear). Have you checked the options of the affected apps?

@Izzy that's the one. I checked the settings of the YouTube app and didn't find such an option.

OK, so at least the terms are clear. Not having any 4.x device around, I unfortunately cannot offer additional help.

I don't have an answer, but I do know it's possible. I have a couple of apps that I with didn't hide the notification bar. I'm afraid it's something the developer is going to need to add in.

It is not intended to hide the system bar (combined soft button/notification bar) on tablets. Imagine the bar is hidden and the app you are currently using does not offer an option to exit. -> Your are stuck within this app.
Some custom ROMs offer the option to hide the bar.
General option would be to use some third-party-apps like Hide Bottom Bar or full!screen which can disable the bar somehow. Unfortunately these apps require root.

Uh...I have a couple of apps that hide the notification bar. (Games, mostly.) So it is possible.

well "notification bar" might be misunderstood. Romkyns was talking about the system bar on tablets which combines notification area and soft buttons. There is no API-function to hide it since ICS(or HC?). The separate top notification bar which phones have indeed kann be hidden.

Good to know. I haven't gotten my own Android tablet (yet).

I guess most people prefer an always-on-screen button to a hardware return button, though I will probably never understand why...

i might not Right at this time but you may use another home screen called "Launcher Pro" Free version.
In the setting there is an option to hide the system bar(Notification bar). you can try it out if you like the home screen. though i like it better than stock home screen.
Hope it will some how help you.


text:
Default kernel version of Android-x86 ISO
I know that android-x86[...]-k49.iso means it is using kernel version 4.9, but for some ISO like android-x86[...]-r4.iso, the kernel version is not mentioned.
Since 64-bit isn't booting for me, it might have kernel version 4.9+ but not 4.19 since 4.19 is also available for download.
How can I know what is the default kernel version?

How can I know what is the default kernel version?

By reading the release notes. With every new release, the development team publishes the major changes compared to the previous releases. The kernel version is mentioned under the Key Features section.
The Release Note for 8.1-r4 indicates:

Update to LTS kernel 4.19.110.

For 8.1-r5:

Update to LTS kernel 4.19.122.

For 9.0-r2:

Update to LTS kernel 4.19.110.

When the iso file is not for the latest version, then the kernel is also mentioned with the filename.
For example, there are 3 64-bit files for 8.1-r4. The first 2 are for the kernel 4.19.110 (not mentioned on the filename), while the third filename has the kernel mentioned - kernel 4.9.

64-bit ISO:  android-x86_64-8.1-r4.iso
64-bit rpm:  android-x86-8.1-r4.x86_64.rpm
64-bit ISO with kernel 4.9:  android-x86_64-8.1-r4-k49.iso

Thanks you very much that what am looking for


text:
Lowest Bluetooth audio volume is too loud
I recently acquired a pair of Galaxy Buds to use with my Galaxy S10+. I am using them to listen to Spotify at work.  Everything is working fine except the lowest volume setting is a bit too loud. If I were to turn up the volume to 25% then it would be blasting.
I looked around in the system settings and the Galaxy Wear app settings but I don't see any option to adjust this.
Is there a way to decrease the overall Bluetooth audio volume so the lowest notch isn't so loud?

If in Developer options, "Disable absolute volume" is enabled, try to disable it.

@ReddyLutonadio Thank you for making me aware of that setting. Unfortunately it was already disabled. I played around with it for a bit and didn't notice a difference.

There are some apps in PlayStore like "Precise Volume" that claim that they can massive increase the number of volume steps which makes it possible to change the volume below the old minimum.

@Robert I gave the Precise Volume app a shot. It lets you set the volume from 0% to 100% at intervals of 1%, which seemed promising at first. However, on my device, it seems 1% through 9% are the same volume, 10% through 18% are the same volume, etc. So the notches that I'm normally allowed for Bluetooth volume still seem to be enforced.

Then I would contact Samsung support complain about the volume. As phone and headphones are Samsung products they should provide a solution - or at least learn that something is wrong with their product.

I was able to fix this by using the Samsung SoundAssistant app.

Install app from Galaxy Store.

Go to Individual app volumes.

Add application.

Adjust volume for that app.

Browsing to the link provided, which is https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.samsung.android.soundassistant, resulted in "We're sorry, the requested URL was not found on this server."  So in researching this further I found a built-in method to reduce the volume.  I posted an answer for that heres; https://android.stackexchange.com/a/255971/13886

Under the Spotify settings, switch the volume level setting from normal to quiet and restart the app.

If anyone has a better answer as to how to reduce the Bluetooth Audio volume across all applications instead of just Spotify, please post it and I will switch the accepted answer to that one.

This feature is available for Premium accounts only.

From what I see, all answers make other earphones or the speaker quiet, too, which is not exactly what I wanted.
I fixed it for my cheap earphones by disabling absolute volume in the developer settings as mentioned in Reddy's comment. Then disconnecting and reconnecting, and if I now change the volume via the earphone shortcuts, the phone's volume slider doesn't change. It can get a bit messy if phone and earphone volumes are disconnected from each other, but it allowed me to decrease the earphone value to reasonably match the phone volume.

I have an MTK Android phone so I don't know if it will work on others (Snapdragon, Exynos, Kirin, etc)

Launch MTK Engineer Mode app: MTK settings > Hardware testing (tab) > Audio > Volume > Audio playback

Change the selected channel from System to Music.

Then experiment by decreasing the values of Index 1

This answer might be phone-specific (my phone is an "Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra") or Android version-specific, but I am posting this answer anyway just in case someone finds it useful:
I had a similar issue with a set of Bluetooth earbuds (Amazon ASIN B0BPS83P1W), namely this: Pressing the phones volume button to the lowest level (just one level above the level where the sound completely shuts off, or mutes the sound) results in the volume being still too loud for my ears.  I observe that my pair of earbuds is likely different from the OP's earbuds (completely different manufacturer, etc.), so I reason this is an issue that must be rectified in the Android system via app or other means, and might not implicate the bluetooth earbud manufacturer.
I examined DavidEG's answer on 2024-01-27, and particularly the
SoundAssistant app mentioned in that answer, and found it was non-existent (browsing to that link resulted in "We're sorry, the requested URL was not found on this server."). I then searched through for other apps that might directly allow controlling the effective volume level and did not find any app (I did not purchase any apps but only examined cost-free apps) that could effectively reduce the volume level. There may be apps that can do so, but it was next to impossible to identify them without testing them all, which is prohibitively expensive in time-cost. Thus I gave up on that.
I then hunted through my phones built-in settings and found an Equalizer that seemed to work: I found that the levels for all of the frequencies could be lowered. In this particular use-case, I lowered all frequencies down to the same level, as I do not require amplification or attenuation of different frequencies but instead attenuate all frequencies.
The advantage of this approach is that it does not require installation of apps to address this issue only to find they come with other hidden costs such as ads. The possible disadvantage is that this may be phone-specific or Android-version specific, and if so, your phones customized version of Android may not have a/the so-called "Equalizer" setting.
Regardless, below I show the screenshots of how to navigate down to the Equalizer and lower the volume for all frequencies. Other phones may have similar means to lower the volume globally: