Android Forum FAQ

Queen-Mise · 11-09-2013 12:18pm

OK - need some help please.

was on here: http://www.spemall.com/

There is just too much choice. How do I pick one over another?

It's time that I got a good android phone, the whole thing passed me by. But I love my gadgets too much to go much longer without a decent phone.

It won't be my primary way to access the internet - far from it (I love my PC too much).
I'd like it to be able to organise my life, and I want it for all the internet goodies that a good android phone does, ok-ish camera, music, video, etc.

Capri · 13-09-2013 1:32pm

Queen-Mise wrote: »

OK - need some help please.

was on here: http://www.spemall.com/

There is just too much choice. How do I pick one over another?

It's time that I got a good android phone, the whole thing passed me by. But I love my gadgets too much to go much longer without a decent phone.

It won't be my primary way to access the internet - far from it (I love my PC too much).
I'd like it to be able to organise my life, and I want it for all the internet goodies that a good android phone does, ok-ish camera, music, video, etc.

THOUGHT I'd got a 'good' phone 2+years ago , paid €100+ for it and ground to a tech halt because it wasn't an Andriod !
Just got myself a Tesco Mobile Huawei Y201 on special this month at €49 and I've now downloaded Apps from the Google play store - Internet radio, maps, D Bus

, BUT I'm now out of space with the 4GB micro SD card in it so it looks like I'll have to get a bigger one

Q - is 32GB SD micro ok/good, or is a 64GB better with similar quality

And where's a good place pricewise ??

ED E · 13-09-2013 7:31pm

Memoryc.ie or mymemory.co.uk.

Not all controllers can handle 64GB, so check that first. Im a heavy user and have never needed more than 32GB.

Capri · 14-09-2013 8:55pm

Got 32 GB micro SD, but phone still says 'insufficient space on the device' to install TuneIn radio etc.

ED E · 16-09-2013 12:39pm

Capri wrote: »

Got 32 GB micro SD, but phone still says 'insufficient space on the device' to install TuneIn radio etc.

You need to move the current apps from the NAND to the SD card. Some phones this requires rooting.

Capri · 16-09-2013 10:21pm

ED E wrote: »

You need to move the current apps from the NAND to the SD card. Some phones this requires rooting.

NAND ??

I'll check around and see what happens , moving apps

ED E · 17-09-2013 8:03am

The NAND is the 4GB on the actual phone itself. Apps by default install there, but non critical ones can be transferred over to the SD card.

Capri · 17-09-2013 8:52am

ED E wrote: »

The NAND is the 4GB on the actual phone itself. Apps by default install there, but non critical ones can be transferred over to the SD card.

Thanks. But the NAND holds al the 'critical' ones

, so how do I install apps ( from Google play /store ) on the SD card that I bought with 32GB. I can't see anything saying which card do I want to install on.

ED E · 17-09-2013 7:40pm

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=How+do+I+move+apps+to+SD+card

coolhull · 25-09-2013 5:50pm

Hi. My Galaxy Ace freezes often, for no reason I can think of.
I usually have to switch the phone off completely, or sometimes even remove battery for a minute.
Apart from reverting to factory settings, which causes a lot of hassletc, is there anything I can do when that happens?

CyberWaste · 25-09-2013 7:48pm

Ok so im recently after switching from Windows Phone to Android and have a few questions that id love to get some answers on, on if it is possible to do these things that I used to like about windows phone. Thanks id advance.

1) When I set my pin or pattern lock on my phone, is it possible to have it only show up after 15-30 mins of the phone being locked without unlocking, as its slightly irritating having to do the pattern every single time I unlock the phone, which can happen every minute or so during college hours.

2) Is it possible to show my birthday calender, which ive added to google calender, to show on the home screen under the time or whatever and change automatically.

3) On the native gmail app, whenever I load it, it always shows the "priority" inbox first and I have to keep switching back to regular inbox. Is it possible to have it show the regular inbox including priority emails also as standard.

4) On email topic, is it possible to merge both of my gmail accounts (and possibly my yahoo also) into one email client and not have to keep switching between the two unless I specify. Windows phone did this well, all emails from various domains merged together into one big inbox.

5) Is it possible to merge my contacts together with their skype, google +, facebook, twitter, phone number etc. details and have them all appear together when I click their name on the people/phone app?

6) Finally, whats the equivalent on Nokia maps for android, in that you can download complete maps of your country, and save them on your phones memory, and then use very little data when using it for driving directions with GPS.

Thanks.

ED E · 27-09-2013 4:23pm

CyberWaste wrote: »

1) When I set my pin or pattern lock on my phone, is it possible to have it only show up after 15-30 mins of the phone being locked without unlocking, as its slightly irritating having to do the pattern every single time I unlock the phone, which can happen every minute or so during college hours.

2) Is it possible to show my birthday calender, which ive added to google calender, to show on the home screen under the time or whatever and change automatically.

3) On the native gmail app, whenever I load it, it always shows the "priority" inbox first and I have to keep switching back to regular inbox. Is it possible to have it show the regular inbox including priority emails also as standard.

4) On email topic, is it possible to merge both of my gmail accounts (and possibly my yahoo also) into one email client and not have to keep switching between the two unless I specify. Windows phone did this well, all emails from various domains merged together into one big inbox.

5) Is it possible to merge my contacts together with their skype, google +, facebook, twitter, phone number etc. details and have them all appear together when I click their name on the people/phone app?

6) Finally, whats the equivalent on Nokia maps for android, in that you can download complete maps of your country, and save them on your phones memory, and then use very little data when using it for driving directions with GPS.

1. You can. In Samsungs its Settings - Lock Screen - Lock Automatically. Might be *slightly* different on other brands. Mines 30 seconds but you can pick whatever time you like.

2. As in other peoples birthdays? If you go to your widgets there should be a calendar one there, they tend to be large enough though.

3. Settings, hit on the option for your account not general, then the first setting there lets you pick

4. I'd collect your other mails with your Gmail account then label them, then you can get them all in one no matter where you login.

5. contacts.google.com Make sure you dont set your contacts as phone contacts, you want them all to be google contacts so you can manage and merge, along with backups.

6. Google maps can cache maps. Dunno if it will do a full country but will certainly do the greater Dublin area.

The Black Oil · 03-10-2013 7:13pm

My mother has a Samsung Galaxy Express I think it is. Will 4.2 be coming to this? If so, I'd find it a little easier to explain some things to her.

I've just bought a Nexus 4, but only have it going about a week. Had it at around 60% this morning, made a few calls, sent a few texts, mobile data 3-4 times. Battery was down to about 12% before I got home. Pretty happy with that. But, it didn't seem to like my work email, or else Chrome didn't as I kept getting logged out, or session expired. It's webmail, not Gmail. Sometimes it can be a bit funny, even on a desktop. Worked fine on the first attempt - maybe it was my fingers. :pac:

Other questions, can you clear the cache of your apps (at once), or is there any point?

pokeraladin · 17-10-2013 3:11am

If I hook my nexus 7 2013 with the slim port cable to my tv, will the sky go app mirror or is it blocked on android like it is with IOS?

mrmeindl · 19-10-2013 5:50pm

Recommendations around the €200 mark? Thinking of getting a Galaxy S3 mini, looked at the Chinese options in the thread here but I think dealing with ROM issues would be a bit too much hassle. Phone would need to be sim free and preferably available from amazon.

Sp@rtacus · 21-11-2013 3:41pm

Thinking of upgrading Samsung Galaxy Ace GT-S5830i running Gingerbread 2.3.6. to Jellybean 4.1.2. Any advice??

Howrye folks,

I have a Samsung Galaxy Ace GT-S5830i running Gingerbread 2.3.6.

I have rooted it to obtain Superuser privileges and am considering upgrading the OS to Jellybean 4.1.2.

I wonder has anybody done this on the Galaxy Ace and, if so, what was the general feedback? From what I have been able to discern from information on the web, I believe that Samsung have not made Jellybean available for the Galaxy Ace 5830i and as such, its actually a spurious "AceJelly" OS that is available...? Is this true and if so, does does the AceJelly or JellyBlast OS work properly? Are there many bugs? In short, is it worth doing?

Im not very tech savvy, so to avoid bricking the phone Id like to make sure I understand exactly how to go about the procedure and that the new OS will be worth it in the end.

Any feedback would be great, thanks

The Black Oil · 15-01-2014 10:29pm

I was in the US before Christmas. Saw Play store vouchers in supermarkets. Was tempted to buy one, but figured it was best not to in case it wouldn't work...anyone know?

adr1984 · 22-05-2014 9:30am

Need some info on using my htc phone as an internet connection using a USB 2.0 MALE TO MICRO USB MALE 5PIN DATA CHARGING CABLE connected to a 5 in 1 galaxy tab OTG connection when im on the road. thanks

DERPY DERPFACE · 22-05-2014 2:39pm

adr1984 wrote: »

Need some info on using my htc phone as an internet connection using a USB 2.0 MALE TO MICRO USB MALE 5PIN DATA CHARGING CABLE connected to a 5 in 1 galaxy tab OTG connection when im on the road. thanks

Because its a data cable doesn't mean you can use internet over it you would have to use your phones wireless hotspot.

dubsaab · 06-07-2014 4:02pm

I have just upgraded my S3 to an S5 and used Smart Switch to transfer call logs, SMS, photo's etc.

I now want to move my wife from her HTC Desire to my old S3.

Any advice on the best way to do this?

Thanks.

Mantis Toboggan · 27-07-2014 11:26pm

How do I turn off Google + auto back up notification?

A Neurotic · 28-07-2014 12:24am

Buddy Holly wrote: »

How do I turn off Google + auto back up notification?

+1,000

Very annoying notification.

JoeyJJ · 12-08-2014 6:25pm

Strugging to unlock android box mxii running 4.2.2 Every app tries exploit only to fail.

irishpancake · 14-08-2014 1:23am

Buddy Holly wrote: »

How do I turn off Google + auto back up notification?

For photos auto-backup??

G+/Settings/in Account Settings tap your account//Notifications/Scroll down to Photos Section/Untick Photos added from Auto-Backup

If you wanna disable all Notifications from this or most apps, you can do it....

Settings/Apps/scroll to App/Untick "Show Notification" box [Ticked by default]...

See pic from my Nexus 7 2013:

retalivity · 19-08-2014 2:56pm

Have a Note 2 SGH-i317m (Canadian) which I rooted and unlocked myself. All was going well with it for a year or so until last week, when the wifi stopped working. It just doesn't switch on anymore, when I try to do it, the little switch goes grey for a second before reverting to off.
Did not update any software or firmware recently which may have caused this, Looked around on xda and other sites and tried a couple of the fixes available but to no avail.
The next step I was going to try was to remove & replace the wifi antenna, however I am not sure where I can get a replacement antenna relatively quickly, or whether it would even work. Any advice on the root of the problem, or suggestions on anywhere reliable in Dublin I could take it?
Pretty sure I can't send it to Samsung themselves as its been rooted & flashed.

bazzamac · 08-09-2014 12:29pm

just changed phones but when I receive calls the name does not appear only the number.any ideas how to correct this?

statto25 · 08-09-2014 12:33pm

bazzamac wrote: »

just changed phones but when I receive calls the name does not appear only the number.any ideas how to correct this?

Was your last phone also an android smartphone? Sync your contacts on the old phone with Gmail and then do the same on the new phone.

bazzamac · 08-09-2014 12:35pm

cheers.done that but with no joy.could it be a carrier problem{meteor}?

EGriff · 08-09-2014 12:57pm

Carrier shouldn't make a difference, your contacts should be linked to your google account and they should be downloaded when you sign into it on your new phone. Go into settings > accounts > google > click on your e-mail address there and see if the box is ticked to sync your contacts.

On mine it says google sync is experiencing problems so it might be down temporarily.

alwald · 14-09-2014 8:28pm

what is the easiest way to create a back-up on the computer for most data on the phone such as contacts, messages, MMS, pictures, music...in case I lose or I want to change from one phone to another?

Worztron · 16-09-2014 12:59pm

Hi. If I rooted my Android phone, can I still use O2 with it without issue?

Copper_pipe · 16-09-2014 1:02pm

Worztron wrote: »

Hi. If I rooted my Android phone, can I still use O2 with it without issue?

Yeah

irishpancake · 17-09-2014 1:25am

Worztron wrote: »

Hi. If I rooted my Android phone, can I still use O2 with it without issue?

Yes. Rooting will have no effect on your Network Provider.

Network/SIM unlock is another thing.

Why do you need to root?

Worztron · 17-09-2014 1:30pm

irishpancake wrote: »

Yes. Rooting will have no effect on your Network Provider.

Network/SIM unlock is another thing.

Why do you need to root?

Hi irishpancake.

I want to give it a try. I can then install certain apps that require root and remove bloat-ware among other things.

irishpancake · 17-09-2014 7:40pm

Worztron wrote: »

Hi irishpancake.

I want to give it a try. I can then install certain apps that require root and remove bloat-ware among other things.

Well, depending on your phone, rooting could be a two stage process, like unlocking the boot loader first, then the rooting process, which really takes advantage of an exploits or loopholes to give access to system areas not usually allowed by vendors, for the simple reason that real damage can be done by executing command line Linux, which is what Android is.

"Being able to run arbitrary commands as the root user allows you to do absolutely anything on a Linux / Android system, and this is real goal of rooting."

If you are comfortable with this, by all means do root, as you say, there are a lot of apps, mainly system and other ones which can radically modify your user experience, and generally they are safe, but there are others which are not, and humans with a Terminal Emulator, or ADB access, can do untold damage.

Read this too, better to be informed:

http://www.seasonofcode.com/posts/how-rooting-works-a-technical-explanation-of-the-android-rooting-process.html

Worztron · 17-09-2014 7:59pm

irishpancake wrote: »

Well, depending on your phone, rooting could be a two stage process, like unlocking the boot loader first, then the rooting process, which really takes advantage of an exploits or loopholes to give access to system areas not usually allowed by vendors, for the simple reason that real damage can be done by executing command line Linux, which is what Android is.

"Being able to run arbitrary commands as the root user allows you to do absolutely anything on a Linux / Android system, and this is real goal of rooting."

If you are comfortable with this, by all means do root, as you say, there are a lot of apps, mainly system and other ones which can radically modify your user experience, and generally they are safe, but there are others which are not, and humans with a Terminal Emulator, or ADB access, can do untold damage.

Read this too, better to be informed:

http://www.seasonofcode.com/posts/how-rooting-works-a-technical-explanation-of-the-android-rooting-process.html

I have a Xperia E. I use GNU/Linux so am familiar with terminal commands - I dropped winblows years ago.

I've come across these but no joy yet. It's the bootloader is what's tricky.
http://lifehacker.com/towelroot-roots-android-kitkat-devices-in-one-tap-no-p-1592226618
http://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/framaroot/root-framaroot-one-click-apk-to-root-t2130276

Edit: I went here and it seems I'm out of luck: http://developer.sonymobile.com/unlockbootloader/unlock-yourboot-loader/

Please note! It will only be possible to unlock the boot loader for certain releases. You can check if it is possible to unlock the boot loader of your device in the service menu by following the steps below:

    In your device, open the dialler and enter *#*#7378423#*#* to access the service menu.
    Tap Service info > Configuration > Rooting Status. If Bootloader unlock allowed says Yes, then you can continue with the next step. If it says No, or if the status is missing, your device cannot be unlocked.

Mine says 'No'.

irishpancake · 18-09-2014 3:33am

Worztron wrote: »
I have a Xperia E. I use GNU/Linux so am familiar with terminal commands - I dropped winblows years ago.

I've come across these but no joy yet. It's the bootloader is what's tricky.
http://lifehacker.com/towelroot-roots-android-kitkat-devices-in-one-tap-no-p-1592226618
http://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/framaroot/root-framaroot-one-click-apk-to-root-t2130276

Edit: I went here and it seems I'm out of luck: http://developer.sonymobile.com/unlockbootloader/unlock-yourboot-loader/
Please note! It will only be possible to unlock the boot loader for certain releases. You can check if it is possible to unlock the boot loader of your device in the service menu by following the steps below:

    In your device, open the dialler and enter *#*#7378423#*#* to access the service menu.
    Tap Service info > Configuration > Rooting Status. If Bootloader unlock allowed says Yes, then you can continue with the next step. If it says No, or if the status is missing, your device cannot be unlocked.
Mine says 'No'.

bummer....sorry...

I'm not familiar with Sony, but find it hard to believe there is not a process to unlock the BL??

I looked up vRoot, the Chinese Master root App I have used on some Androids, but can't find the Xperia E mentioned in their list of devices it can successfully root.

There are a few other Chinese ones, but, as you know, they like dropping little bombs into your Android!!!

Hard luck, but perhaps XDA?? always someone there who knows.

And Modaco.

Worztron · 18-09-2014 7:57pm

irishpancake wrote: »

bummer....sorry...

I'm not familiar with Sony, but find it hard to believe there is not a process to unlock the BL??

I looked up vRoot, the Chinese Master root App I have used on some Androids, but can't find the Xperia E mentioned in their list of devices it can successfully root.

There are a few other Chinese ones, but, as you know, they like dropping little bombs into your Android!!!

Hard luck, but perhaps XDA?? always someone there who knows.

And Modaco.

Maybe in time it can be done. Cheers irishpancake.

ED E · 21-09-2014 1:19am

Worztron wrote: »

Maybe in time it can be done. Cheers irishpancake.

My old XS is still locked years later with no workaround. If it comes sim and BL locked new you can get the simlock removed but never the BL no matter what you do. Its a right pain in the hole.

neacy69 · 25-09-2014 12:22pm

Is there a thread for discussing tablets Chinese or otherwsie (similar to the Chinese Android Phones thread)? could be a lot of people looking for info on tablets for xmas

The Black Oil · 05-11-2014 11:39pm

Is there some way of seeing - detail - what's taking up your space? My mother's forever stuck for space on her Samsung Galaxy Express, I thought I had successfully move her photos to the SD card, but it says that's mostly free with about 6GB available. When I look at internal storage (which is jammers) it just stays there calculating for ages.

Mantis Toboggan · 12-11-2014 8:19pm

I don't like the new updated chrome app without the refresh button so I've uninstalled the update but it keeps trying to update the app automatically.

IIs there any way to stop this?

Cienciano · 25-02-2015 11:21pm

Anyone know any good sites for unlock codes? Want to unlock a galaxy s4 from the O2 network, sites I found are looking for €50!

Mantis Toboggan · 25-02-2015 11:49pm

Cienciano wrote: »

Anyone know any good sites for unlock codes? Want to unlock a galaxy s4 from the O2 network, sites I found are looking for €50!

Ebay?

Cienciano · 25-02-2015 11:53pm

Louis Van Haal wrote: »

Ebay?

Nothing for an s4 on o2 ireland!

Ageyev · 08-03-2015 12:39pm

Is it possible to set default download location to external SD card on a Samsung Galaxy Tab4?

laraghrider · 11-03-2015 9:32am

For those that have rooted non vanilla devices. Do you get the updates straight away then as per say the nexus or how does that work. Where do you even download android?