Most Popular

1500 questions
23
votes
1 answer

Why do some apps with no internet features require internet access?

A couple of apps I've installed or considered say they require internet access even though they have no obvious internet features. One of the most surprising ones was a simple compass app. Why is this?
BrianCooksey
  • 3,281
  • 3
  • 28
  • 43
23
votes
3 answers

Using Android phone without battery

Some Android phones have removable batteries, and others are non-removable. It is the battery capacity that makes the device alive for hours. Also, the device can be used while charging. For an Android device with removable battery, is it possible…
Rahul Gopi
  • 2,243
  • 6
  • 28
  • 50
23
votes
1 answer

How dangerous is the fact that SELinux is in "Permissive" mode? What should I be wary of?

I have installed a certain ROM which comes with SELinux in "Permissive" mode. This is the only (good) ROM that properly fits my device and there is no way to change the state of SELinux. Now I'm not really sure what are the consequences of such a…
j.d'oh
  • 333
  • 1
  • 2
  • 8
23
votes
5 answers

Is there any way to print directly from the phone?

I'm pretty sure the answer is "no" since printer manufacturers haven't yet started making drivers for Android (or iPhone). I guess I'm just curious if anyone has heard anything about this and if/when it will become a reality. (or perhaps if it…
Yevgeny Simkin
  • 1,066
  • 1
  • 11
  • 17
23
votes
3 answers

Determine which app is drawing on top of other apps?

Is there a way to determine which application is drawing on top of other applications? For example, Facebook Messenger app can draw the chat bubbles on top of everything, but how do I know which app is doing this? My problem: I have an app which is…
andreroggeri
  • 333
  • 1
  • 2
  • 7
23
votes
1 answer

SELinux and chroot system call

TL; DR: This is a question about the final step, in a portable, developer-oriented rooting process, that works across all Android machines. It is not based on any exploit - it is something that we are legally and morally allowed to do, as…
ttsiodras
  • 711
  • 2
  • 5
  • 12
23
votes
5 answers

How can data on an unrooted phone be backed up?

What methods are available to back up data (both system and application) from a phone which is not rooted and is running stock Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread? It is my understanding that it is impossible to retrieve application data (not stored on the…
Kevin Reid
  • 760
  • 1
  • 6
  • 18
23
votes
2 answers

How to use ADB to list remote directories?

I used adb push lol.png /storage/sdcard0/ to push a test file to my Galaxy S6, and the file was transferred successfully while failed to show up in my Android File Transfer. This is probably due to the fact that S6 doesn't have sdcard0 directory. I…
Aero Windwalker
  • 1,024
  • 8
  • 15
  • 27
23
votes
3 answers

How to fix 'Android is starting' optimization on every boot?

I recently updated to Lollipop on a Moto G (1st Gen). It was running a bit slow, so I wiped by cache then performed a factory reset as recommended. I now receive the 'Android is starting optimising app xx of xx' every time I boot. Obviously not…
josh
  • 231
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
22
votes
6 answers

Are there any devices that are like an iPod Touch, but run Android?

A lot of people like iPod Touches because they're almost identical to iPhones, but without cell service (and the monthly fees that go along with it), while still being able to connect to a wireless network. Are there any alternative devices that run…
Matthew
22
votes
5 answers

What's the difference between "sd card" and "usb storage"?

Under Settings -> Storage, I see entries for both "SD card" and "USB storage". What's the difference? What should I be using each of those for? In addition, how can I control what data goes where? since so far, everything I've copied into my mobile…
Oak
  • 3,726
  • 7
  • 31
  • 38
22
votes
9 answers

How to sync an Android phone with anything other than Google?

Possible Duplicate: Suggestions for syncing data to someone besides Google? Funambol? As I understand, the Android phone can only sync with Google (GMail, Google Calendar, etc.) out of the box. I can imagine corporate users having a problem with…
Francisco Canedo
  • 320
  • 1
  • 2
  • 5
22
votes
2 answers

How can I stop Lollipop ignoring my wifi network?

Android 5.0 has a new "feature": If a wifi network has no connection to the internet, it will remain connected to it but route traffic over mobile data instead. A small exclamation mark shows in the status bar over the wifi symbol. Unfortunately,…
Flyto
  • 1,044
  • 1
  • 9
  • 15
22
votes
3 answers

WiFi high packet loss at home network

I have a mind boggling problem which I have been trying to solve for the last few weeks. I am new to Android and recently bought Huawei Ideos X5 (Android 2.2.1). I haven't found anyone else having this problem. Problem: My Android phone will be…
Nömmik
  • 321
  • 2
  • 5
22
votes
4 answers

Resize /system partition of Galaxy S 2

I need to increase the size of my Galaxy S 2's /system partition from 503.4MB to... Well, anything possible. The (main) reason why I want to do this is because I want to install GApps 20140606, which is not compatible with devices with small (under…
Bruno Finger
  • 631
  • 2
  • 7
  • 16