Questions related to Android Mobile Settings and Configuration.

learn more… | top users | synonyms (1)

5
votes
4answers
2k views

What is the fastest way to turn the phone into silent mode?

The title kinda tells it all. Sometimes I need to turn silent for a meeting and the procedure is like: Unlock the phone Click on Menu Go to Settings Click on Sound Enable Silent mode Apart from ...
5
votes
5answers
836 views

Quickly connecting to Wi-Fi with Android

I'm having Android Froyo (2.2), in Archos 32. The only way I found for connecting to a Wi-Fi wireless network is through Settings -> Wireless & Networks -> Wi-Fi Settings -> "Wi-Fi ...
5
votes
3answers
2k views

Guide to editing /etc/hosts

It was noted in another thread that it should be possible to build up a white list for an android device using the /etc/hosts file. I would like to experiment with this idea. Does anyone have any ...
5
votes
2answers
2k views

How to get to your settings without a home screen app?

I hadn't used my old HTC Hero for a while, but when I rebooted it I got an error saying: LauncherPro has expired, please download an updated version. But wifi was turned off and when I tried to get ...
5
votes
4answers
8k views

How do I set a system-wide default browser?

I seem to have the opposite problem from this question: I'd like to set a single browser (probably the default one) to open every website. What happens at the moment is that every single link pops up ...
5
votes
2answers
623 views

Is it possible to enable the Android default keyboard on an HTC EVO 4G?

I am not much of a fan of the HTC EVO 4g's custom keyboard, but it appears that they have somehow removed or hidden access to the default Android keyboard input method. Especially now that the ...
5
votes
1answer
281 views

How to activate Android debugging mode

I've recently upgraded my Samsung Galaxy 5 from Android 2.1 to 2.2 and I can't find Android debugging mode in the settings. I need to root my phone.
5
votes
2answers
144 views

Is there a standard place for the Owner Information on an Android phone?

I found an lost Android phone - is there a standard place on Android phones for owner information so I can contact the person who lost it?
5
votes
2answers
622 views

How to set the DNS server on Nexus One?

The ISP I use on my N1 doesn't allow me to open facebook. Using a PC, I can use Google DNS server (8.8.8.8) to by-pass them but on N1, I can't find where to put the stufff. Please help if you know ...
5
votes
3answers
3k views

Silencing a Whatsapp group

I would like to stop receiving new message notifications from a certain Whatsapp group. Is it possible? Clarifications: I don't want to leave the group. I don't want to turn off all Whatsapp ...
5
votes
1answer
42k views

What is the difference between GSM and WCDMA when switching to manual Network Mode?

I was reading this answer and I need to comprehend this better: What is the technical difference between "selecting GSM" and "selecting WCDMA" in Network Mode settings menu? To save battery life, I'm ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views

How can I make scroll bars always visible?

Android hides scroll bars unless the window is actively being scrolled. This makes it hard to tell if a window can be scrolled without actually trying it. Is there a way to force Android to always ...
5
votes
2answers
756 views

Android 2.3.5 unlock screen activated unexpectedly

My Android HTC Sense 3.5 running Android 2.3.5 suddenly and out of the blue activates the unlock screen without pressing the power button. That's a problem because it gets unlocked by itself sometimes ...
5
votes
2answers
8k views

How do I decrypt files on my SD card that I encrypted using the Settings?

I have files that I used to copy from my SD card to my PC using the USB Mass Storage option under the "USB connection" pop-up. I checked the flag under Settings->Location & Security->Data ...
5
votes
2answers
251 views

What system app stores the cellular network settings?

Before installing a new ROM, I backed up all data from my system apps using Titanium. I installed the new ROM, and also put in a new SIM card from a different network (so it was in on first boot-up ...
5
votes
1answer
626 views

Change predefined SMS messages as a reply to being busy

Can predefined SMS messages that you can select when not being able to pick up the call be somehow configurable? Can we change them somehow? I know there's the last option of writing a custom SMS ...
5
votes
1answer
1k views

Cannot set up a yahoo email account with @yahoo.com.au address (.au not accepted)

The mail app on my Samsung note does not allow me to set up my email account with the full Yahoo address: it does not permit adding the .au at the end of the address. If set up the account like this, ...
5
votes
2answers
303 views

Is there a way to disable access to certain Settings components?

The Settings app is common to all Android devices, some have more features than others, but most of them are common, such as "Wireless and networks", "Sound", "Screen" and so on. However, I am faced ...
5
votes
1answer
1k views

How can I force Chrome Beta to display in landscape mode?

The default Android internet browser has an option in the settings to always display webpages in landscape orientation. Is there any way to do the same in Chrome Beta? I keep my auto-rotation off, but ...
5
votes
1answer
105 views

While listening to music on head set: How to avoid sound playing from phone speakers when push event occurs?

I use my Android phone to listen to music at work with standard headset. Yet once an event occurs, e.g. e-mail recieved, the phone switches to standard speakers and plays the music and event sound ...
5
votes
2answers
1k views

How can I disable the front status LED when charging my device?

Charging my smartphone the front LED is always shining annoyingly green. This bothers me especially while reading an ebook which is why I am looking for a way to disable this feature. So how do I ...
5
votes
1answer
3k views

Unable to enable Mobile Network settings (options greyed out). Is there any way to restore lost mobile connectivity data?

I have a HTC Desire HD that up until recently has been running well with a custom ROM. For some reason, the phone started to "misbehave" in a number of ways after about 10 months of painless ...
5
votes
1answer
104 views

Reducing the list of language options

I would like to see an option that allows the list of available languages reduced to those I actually need. When I use Voice Search, switching between English and Spanish is a pain: way too many ...
5
votes
3answers
857 views

Is it possible to override automatic screen orientation?

Very often I use my phone lying in bed (with phone camera facing the ceiling) and the orientation changes drive me crazy. Literally if I turn the phone a few degrees it will go from portait to ...
5
votes
1answer
4k views

How do I change the lock-screen wallpaper?

I've lost the ability to change my lock screen wallpaper (in the course of trigger-happy removal of some phone company apps). I used to be able to do 'Menu > Wallpaper' and be prompted for either ...
5
votes
0answers
904 views

Nexus 4 won't turn Bluetooth on

My LG Nexus 4 runs stock Android 4.2.2. I use Bluetooth for phone calls with a one-ear headset (Plantronics M100). Sometimes I notice in the power toggles menu that Bluetooth has turned OFF and when ...
4
votes
3answers
512 views

Create custom profile for audio / configuration

I've just bought a Samsung Galaxy I5510 with Android 2.2. I haven't seen anywhere (so I assume it is not possible) some profile management. i.e. "Reunion" (Notifications maybe without any alert and ...
4
votes
2answers
2k views

Is it possible to disable roaming entirely, not just networking during roaming?

When trying to google the solution to this I mostly just find instructions on how to disable data connections during roaming. To clarify why I'm asking, I have a contract with a small local phone ...
4
votes
1answer
479 views

What are the Android 4.0.x Ice Cream Sandwich Easter Eggs?

I heard that there are some Easter eggs hidden in ice cream sandwich version. How can I view the Easter eggs hidden in my android device and how can I view them? I'm using Android 4 ICS.
4
votes
1answer
522 views

Restart in safe mode on Galaxy Nexus

I have an unrooted Verizon Galaxy Nexus, just recently upgraded to Jelly Bean. One of the touted features of Jelly Bean was the addition of the "Restart in safe mode" option from the power menu. ...
4
votes
1answer
2k views

What does the option “Allow mock locations” represent?

What does the "Allow mock locations" option under the Applications >> Development settings page represent?
4
votes
1answer
1k views

How to copy wireless networks list from one android device to another?

I got a very long list of free hotspots and friends/family networks on my phone. Recently I bought a tablet and I'm trying to find a way to copy the wireless manager list to this new device. Any idea ...
4
votes
1answer
3k views

What does debug.sf.hw in build.prop mean?

It is advised here and there to add debug.sf.hw=1 to build.prop. They say that this "makes Android render GUI with GPU". This looks very suspicious because what does it debug then (and since when ...
4
votes
2answers
1k views

Why sometimes does my lower menu (ADWLauncher - Dockbar) disappears?

I have the following Android Desktop, using Cyanogenmod: Sometimes, I don't remember how or why, it becomes like this: As you can see, the lower menu (dockbar) just disappears, and only ...
4
votes
1answer
2k views

What does “NFC Connectivity (Optional)” mean for the Samsung I9100 Galaxy S II?

I'm considering to buy a Samsung I9100 Galaxy S II. In the specs, I've read "NFC Connectivity (Optional)". What does that mean? It seems that the first batch of phones won't have an NFC chip. Is it ...
4
votes
1answer
1k views

How can I increase the max windows for the stock browser?

I use the stock browser, and I find it's the best for my purposes. One thing is annoying, however -- I can't have more than four windows open. Is there a way to increase this? I have a Galaxy S ...
4
votes
3answers
2k views

Disable open Google Search by sliding up from the home button “feature”?

Galaxy Nexus running Android version 4.1.1. After a recent update, it seems google has added a feature where you can place your finger on the bottom home buttons, and slide up, to open google search. ...
4
votes
1answer
4k views

How can I change the default location for bluetooth file transfers?

I have an Android 2.3 device (Samsung Galaxy Y Duos, S6102) and want all files that I receive via bluetooth to save to my SD card. How can I do that?
4
votes
1answer
859 views

Restrict access to device settings

How can I prevent people who borrow my device from changing any of my settings?
4
votes
1answer
550 views

Auto sync only when connected to a specific wifi network

I am getting rather low battery life when using auto-sync on 3G. I have wifi in college and at home, so I'm looking for a way to enable auto sync only when connected to those 2 specific wifi networks. ...
4
votes
1answer
2k views

How do you remove words from Swype's dictionary?

I know how to remove words from Swype's user dictionary. I want to know how to remove words from Swype's built-in dictionary. I get very frustrated with all these random words that I know I'll never ...
4
votes
2answers
815 views

Can I change some Android settings from the command line?

I would like to activate "USB tethering" from within a bash script, so is there any possibility to run a command line with adb shell to change some Android settings ? Edit1: The following command ...
4
votes
1answer
455 views

What purpose does the Notification Flash/Email setting serve?

The Notification Flash/Email setting (Settings > Sound & display > Notification flash > Email) appears to have no influence on the stock mail app or gmail app. So does it serve any purpose? In ...
4
votes
1answer
46 views

Where do you find the password attempts setting or option in ICS?

I want to either stop this function or at the very least set the number of attempts to a higher number than 3.
4
votes
1answer
172 views

How can I set my volume to be beyond 15 on my samsung galaxy S? [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: How can I make my Samsung Galaxy Nexus volume go louder than what stock allows? The volume on my media music player sounds very low on my headphones. Wondering if anyone ...
4
votes
3answers
2k views

Hide / Add / Replace dock icons on home screen

I have Samsung galaxy Y and I do have 2 questions about dock settings on home screen. Is it possible to Hide / Modify dock on home screen? Is it possible to make it toggle on touch the home screen? ...
4
votes
2answers
2k views

Where can I get the stock Android Kernel configuration for Galaxy S3 running ICS?

Question: We are trying to find the kernel configuration on a currently running Samsung Galaxy S2, with Android 4.0.3 (Ice-Cream Sandwich). We do not wish to root the phone. We checked /proc/config.gz ...
4
votes
0answers
1k views

Where does Android store the “default application for file type (open with)” settings?

Where does Android store the default application settings that connects each type of content with a designated application? I mean which application open each kind of file or content type so if I got ...
4
votes
0answers
107 views

How do I prevent the Browser and Dolphin HD from deleting old history entries?

So I've noticed that for both the default browser and for the Dolphin HD browser, all the history entries get deleted when you go beyond a certain number of pages visited. Does anyone know how I can ...
3
votes
4answers
1k views

Make my screen dimmer than the lowest setting available on my Moto Droid?

I primarily use my phone at night and any screen that is white is super bright, even when the brightness is turned as low as it can go (0%). Dolphin HD has an add-on called Dolphin Brightness that ...