29
votes
7answers
20k views
Can I use multiple Android devices with a single Google account?
Surprisingly I haven't found a satisfactory answer for this in a FAQ somewhere or anything.
I have a Motorola Droid (with froyo, if it matters)
I am thinking about getting a Samsung Galaxy Tab.
...
29
votes
11answers
30k views
How do I send SMS from PC through Android Phone or to Android Phone?
I'm looking for an app that will let me type text messages on my PC and send the SMSs directly from the PC through my phone, or save the messages to the phone for later use.
I'm basically looking at ...
28
votes
5answers
5k views
How can I install an app given only its APK file?
I downloaded the APK file for an app to my PC. How can I install it on my phone?
28
votes
6answers
31k views
Is this red star icon malware? How to get rid of it?
Every now and then a red star icon appears on my brother's notification bar, as shown below. The message related to this notification is some advert like "Turbo Boost Your Battery". He has been ...
28
votes
9answers
7k views
How do I disable the 'click' sound on the camera app?
When I take a picture it makes a 'click' sound. As this is default behavior, I would like to turn it off. Is there a setting to do so; or if I find+delete the sound file, will there be repercussions?
...
28
votes
4answers
8k views
Just how secure is a pattern lock?
I recently had a phone stolen. It's been replaced, I've changed my passwords, the phone company has shut down connectivity for the stolen one... I think I'm pretty much as safe as I can be.
However, ...
28
votes
4answers
2k views
How do I tell if my phone has Carrier IQ Software on it?
What is known about the Carrier IQ Software and Android handsets? I see a similar icon as shown on the Carrier IQ app next to an app called "Contact Data" and another called "Contact Sync". Does my ...
28
votes
2answers
2k views
Encrypt the phone's internal storage
Is there a way to encrypt my phone's internal memory, in the same way you would encrypt a computer's partition?
Ideally, the phone would always ask for the password when booting, and even if someone ...
27
votes
2answers
3k views
How to buy an app for a friend?
I would like to buy a game (well several copies of it really) for some of my friends for Christmas. Is there any way to do this? Would I have to rely on the publisher, or is there some way to "gift" ...
27
votes
11answers
915 views
Where can I find a comparison of Android devices?
I recently got fed up with my previous smartphone (name omitted) and I'm considering switching to an Android based phone. However, I have been stumped by the sheer number of handsets. I'm more than ...
27
votes
6answers
2k views
How to search the Play Store by permissions?
How do I specify that I do not wish to see apps that require for example internet access? Or to only show apps that use a specific permission?
A specific repository with search on its webpage? An app ...
27
votes
4answers
2k views
Is an antivirus really needed for Android?
I use Linux for half a decade now, so I am not used to dealing with viruses anymore. To my surprise, I saw some discussion about antiviruses in Android. I haven't installed any yet, but this bugs me: ...
26
votes
6answers
18k views
Recovering from forgotten lock pattern
My son has an impression tablet 10 and has forgot the lock pattern. How can we reset it without knowing the code?
26
votes
11answers
94k views
HTC Desire low on internal storage, I'm clueless — Any help?
It's been bugging me for a while but getting quite bad lately. I get warnings that my internal storage is full, I have about 13mb left of what I believe is 512mb worth of rom. I have checked with the ...
26
votes
6answers
54k views
Can I connect an Android phone to an external monitor, keyboard and mouse?
Is it possible to somehow connect a monitor, keyboard and mouse to an Android phone and then use it as a lightweight computer (netbook-like)? If it is, what Android version / phone type support it, ...
26
votes
3answers
4k views
How do I perform a full pre-rooting backup of an Android phone?
The question arises because the best-rated backup application (Titanium Backup) requires root. So what would one use instead when getting a really complete backup is essential? Is there a file ...
25
votes
1answer
3k views
Android 4.2: How to get the Easter Egg, a new daydream, and Developer options?
How can I get the Easter Egg hidden in Android Jelly Bean?
How could I use that Easter Egg to enable a hidden daydream in Android 4.2?
How can I enable the Developer options, hidden by default in ...
25
votes
5answers
16k views
How to quit Skype on Android?
I'm using the newly released market version of Skype on my ADP1 running CyanogenMod 6.0.
I can't seem to QUIT the Skype program. There doesn't seem to be any mechanism for signing out of Skype once ...
25
votes
4answers
6k views
Where can I find open source Android apps?
I'm not an open source zealot, but I generally prefer to use open source applications over proprietary ones if they stack up. Are there any directory sites with reviews, ect that specialize on open ...
25
votes
6answers
6k views
Can I use 2 android phones as walkie talkie? (without internet!)
I want to use 2 (or more) android phones as walkie talkie (i.e. they talk each other without needing internet/voice call).
Of course this should work with wifi, because it doesn't make much sense a to ...
25
votes
3answers
45k views
How to turn off notifications for individual apps?
On my iphone, there is a "notifications" setting section, which basically just allows me to choose which apps has the power to notify me.
I was wondering if there's anything similar that is available ...
25
votes
6answers
50k views
How to play a YouTube clip in background/minimised?
The stock YouTube app (here on 2.1-eclair, but applies to all android versions) stops playing when I minimised, switched to another application or even when I lock the phone. And when I resume it ...
24
votes
3answers
841 views
What are the drawbacks of moving an app to SD card?
Since I upgraded to Android 2.2, I noted some minor disadvantages of moving an app to SD card, like having to wait the SD card to be mounted after a reboot to be able launch the app.
What other ...
24
votes
12answers
5k views
How can I be informed through my computer if a new SMS is received?
While I'm working with my computer, my mobile lies next to me and every time I receive a new SMS or WhatsApp message, I have to grab the phone, read the message and answer it.
So It would be really ...
24
votes
3answers
24k views
What is an “Emergency Call,” and can I set number for it?
On the default lock screen, whether using pattern or pin, there is a button at the bottom which says "Emergency Call". But if I try to call my home number or anything it tells me "That is not an ...
24
votes
5answers
21k views
How to move phone contacts to Google?
When I create a contact on my Android phone, I can choose to store it to the SIM, the phone or to Google. If I choose phone, is there an easy way that I can move or copy that contact to Google (so it ...
24
votes
2answers
9k views
Is there some SSH server for android?
Is there an ssh server for Android (such as openssh for Ubuntu) that will allow me to access my device console via PuTTY?
24
votes
3answers
2k views
Is it possible to use an Android device as a second monitor?
Sort of like this iPad app. Is there any way to extend your desktop onto your phone or tablet? Not looking for VNC solutions.
23
votes
12answers
3k views
What's the most effortless way for “cloud” back up of photos taken with an Android phone?
After I take a picture with my phone, I want it to be synced (and/or shared) to the "cloud" shortly thereafter. (Say after a few seconds when I have wifi connection but not necessarily right away when ...
23
votes
10answers
25k views
How do I disable the “Select input method” Notification?
I don't know if this is standard ICS behavior or if it's due to my Cyanogenmod based ROM, but every time I open the soft keyboard by clicking on a text box/area a notification appears in the ...
23
votes
4answers
32k views
Why can the Nexus 7 display so much more content on-screen than the Galaxy Nexus?
The Galaxy Nexus is 1280x720, and the Nexus 7 tablet is 1280x800.
I realize that the tablet is physically larger, but it's screen resolution, not display size, that determines screen real-estate.
...
23
votes
1answer
7k views
How do I update the OS on my device?
This Community Wiki question is designed to be the "canonical question" for questions asking how to upgrade one's device to a new operating system.
I want to get a newer version of the OS for my ...
22
votes
2answers
3k views
Do you know other Android keypad commands?
There a lots of differents keypad commands in Android. Which one do you know ?
Some of them are listed here :
*#*#checkin#*#* Phones home to check for updates.
*#*#info#*#* - Enters a detailed ...
22
votes
1answer
1k views
Why does the Google Authenticator app have “obsolete” in its title on Play Store?
Why does the Google Authenticator app have "obsolete" in its title on Play Store?
Does it work? Can I still use it for two-factor authentication? Is there a preferred method?
22
votes
6answers
774 views
How can I get my Chrome-synced bookmarks in an Android device?
I'm using Google Chrome and syncing the bookmarks with the built-in feature. How can I get those bookmarks in my Android device?
22
votes
2answers
8k views
How to remove device(s) from My Market Account?
I know I can choose "Hidden in menus" and never see the devices again when I install a application. But I don't want my old mobile phones display in my account settings anymore. I have sold those ...
22
votes
5answers
93k views
How can I get my Android Phone to use its SD card by default?
I've installed an Android ROM on my HTC HD2, and it's working smoothly and responsively. I've gotten calling, SMS, MMS and internet to work flawlessly. I do however have one small problem. With only ...
21
votes
13answers
2k views
Are there any tools to sandbox a malware application even more than the granted permissions on Android?
Suppose I want to run some program which requests too many permissions. For example, record from the microphone or read IMEI of my phone. However, there are no practical explanation why recording from ...
21
votes
12answers
8k views
Keeping Android quiet at night
I'd like my Android device to keep quiet during the night, no alerts for mails and talk messages, only calls and of course, the wake-up alarm. How can I do it?
21
votes
6answers
13k views
How do I set a custom MP3 as a ringtone for other notifications?
I have an HTC Droid Incredible running Android 2.2 FroYo and would like to use custom sounds/songs as ringtones for text message notifications, event and task reminders, Facebook and Twitter ...
21
votes
4answers
21k views
How can I deal with “Low on Space” messages on my HTC Incredible?
Froyo 2.2
I keep getting the "Low on Space: Application data space is low. To free up" [the rest is cut off] message.
I've moved every app I can over to the SD card, cleared the cache, compacted my ...
21
votes
3answers
2k views
Is Android a 32-bit or 64-bit OS?
The title is pretty much self-explanatory: is Android a 32- or 64- bit OS? I assume that it is one or another and not both, as that would force both 32- and 64-bit binaries to be hosted on Google ...
21
votes
10answers
11k views
How does power usage for data over WiFi compare to data over 3G? (Ignore LTE for now)
If you have unlimited data over 3G so that cost is no option, which is more power efficient?
Using the WiFi or 3G connection for data usage?
Extending battery life being the goal
21
votes
2answers
2k views
Where are the developer options in Android 4.2?
I wanted to access the developer options to enable adb access on Android 4.2 but cannot find it.
How can I enable that?
Once I've activated the menu, how can I hide it again?
21
votes
2answers
3k views
Can I hang up using a button?
When I'm on a phone call nothing is more important than the ability to hang up. If, for whatever reason, I suddenly find myself in an embarrassing situation or interrupted by something important, I ...
21
votes
5answers
25k views
Is there a way for me to run Adb shell as root without typing in 'su'?
Is there a way for me to run Adb shell as root without typing in su? I want to be able to have root access without going into the shell.
21
votes
5answers
11k views
How do I change the name of my Android device?
My Android device is the Nexus One. But this should apply to all current Android devices.
How do I change the name of my Android device?
When I connect to my wireless router's client tables, my ...
21
votes
3answers
477 views
Strange .txt file that has the names of different presidents inside the android system folder
Browsing the systems files of my LG P350 I discovered a strange file inside what seems to be the XT9 files: there's a txt file called heads_of_state.txt, which contents are the following:
Hamid
...
20
votes
4answers
6k views
What happens to a running program when “home” button is pressed in Android phone?
One thing puzzles me. It looks like if I use some program on Android and press the "home" button I see the home screen and can rerun the program and see that program in the same state as it was before ...
20
votes
4answers
4k views
Can I use Gmail while offline?
Is it possible to download the new emails from the Gmail account while online, and then read them while offline? Is it possible to write emails while offline that will be sent when online?
