yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[General Questions and Answers] Raltar:
Contact Tracing

Hi everyone, extreme noob here. I'm not totally technically illiterate, as I was a hardcore gamer back in the 2000's and built my own desktop PCs as well as designed websites, administrated forums, voice chat servers, etc. But you know how it goes, you get married, have a few kids, bank account runs on empty most days, yadda yadda. So I've been out of practice of this stuff for about a decade now and never really got into this "mobile" stuff. I have fairly limited funds and only outdated hardware at my disposal at this point.

So as I'm sure all of you already know, governments are developing contact tracing apps (which they will likely attempt to make mandatory) and Google has already begun installing API onto Android devices to facilitate this.

Simply put, I'm not cool with this and I want to disable it by whatever means necessary. Not just for myself, but I would like a simple set of instructions that others can follow for their devices as well. I searched the forums here and found only a few posts even mentioning contract tracing.

So, here are my basic questions:

1. How much is currently known about Contact Tracing on phones? Is anyone already working on disabling this?

2. Some sources I have seen indicate that contact tracing will make use of bluetooth pinging of nearby devices to determine who you have had "contact" with. I naturally assume that contact tracers will not be friendly enough to allow us to simply switch off bluetooh to prevent this. Is there a way to permanently (and ideally irreversibly) disable bluetooth without causing harm to a device?

3. Would "Rooting" my device help me to identify and remove any potential contact tracing methods installed on my device without my knowledge or consent? Or is there some other more direct method I can use and recommend to others?

Thanks in advance for any advice or getting me pointed in the right direction on this.
[General Questions and Answers] Droidriven:
Rooting a device would definitely give you pretty much absolute control of what is or isn't on your device and the things that are on the device can be made to function exactly when and how you want.

But, this is all provided that you understand your hardware and software at a deep enough level to achieve that strict level of control.

How to achieve all of this is much too deep a conversation to have in this thread. It would be better to post a thread to specifically deal with the questions and answers regarding this subject. That would facilitate a broader spectrum of questions, answers and viewers with various areas/levels of expertise.
[General Questions and Answers] DiamondJohn:
Ignoring googles changes, as I have no idea what they are doing.

In Australia, you have to install an app to enable contact tracing. And even then if you install the app, the govt has to get your express permission (and your physical device) to see your tracing data. Which only happens when you get a confirmed Corona virus test results to see who else needs one; and hence "contact" tracing.

So as a starting point, don't install the app.:silly:

If you live in a country that uses tracing data passed to a centralised internet server without your permissions (and/or if google are using this technique, which I doubt without your express permission), you could possibly use a host blocking or firewall if its IP based.
[General Questions and Answers] sanguinesaintly:
Firstly, contact tracing apps gather much less information than many others on your phone, so don't let covid paranoia get the better of you.

If you don't want your phone or carrier or Google or whoever, to know where you are or what you're doing, just get a feature phone.

If you don't want the app, don't install it.

If you don't want BT, disable it.

And yes, rooting your phone will assist you to remove apps and disable features, but can reduce functionality as well as improve it.

It's your call.
[General Questions and Answers] DB126:
The frameworks Apple, Google and others are installing do not enable contact tracing; you need an app for that along with explicit permissions. Your devices already reveal far more private information through daily interactions.
[General Questions and Answers] Tyler2265:
Hi everyone. I could use some serious help as I am completely lost! Below is a copy of a post that I posted about 2 months ago now. Never gained much traction so hopefully I can get some good news here. The device I am working with is a DROID Turbo and below explains what happened and what I'm trying to do with it. My main goal is to try and recover the internal storage files if at all possible.

Post starts below:

So I've had this device for several years now. The last time that I used it my battery was about dead as in 5-0% range and I was with some friends. So I plugged it into their car charger to try and get some charge. But instead of the phone gaining charge it went to zero and eventually quit responding. I remember trying all sorts of things to get the device to function again but nothing would happen. Remember taking it to a repair store and they couldn't do anything.

Fast forward to today. I decided to tinker with it to see if I could figure some things out. I noticed in device manager that the device was listed under other devices (QHSUSB_BULK). After researching I discovered the phone was hard bricked and was why I never could get it to respond.

So, I was wondering if there is anyway to salvage any/all files that are on the internal storage of the device. I don't really care if the device functions or not I would just like to be able to recover the files on the internal storage and throw the device away. Hoping to get good news on the matter.

Thanks in advance!
[General Questions and Answers] :
Sandboxing. Also APK mirror can be your friend for earlier versions of an app also rip it apart. [emoji16]
[General Questions and Answers] DB126:
?? - not relevant. Frameworks are not 'apps'.
[General Questions and Answers] DiamondJohn:
I also just remembered that they (the Govt) are/were planning on releasing the source code; ie making it publicly available/viewable. But I haven't heard anything regarding that since a week or two ago.
[General Questions and Answers] GOOGLE_USER:
BUMP?
[General Questions and Answers] Droidriven:
This is more along the lines of what I was referring to. I know they asked about contact tracing specifically, but, their question made me consider that they are concerned with privacy issues and data collections. That being the case, there are quite a few things they can do using root to control what data is collected and what data isn't. I was answering with a broader sense of security/privacy.
[General Questions and Answers] SubwayChamp:
I know you said no matter device but you should need to recover your device from the brick status to gain access to more partitions in order to try some things and the data inside and the internal storage be visible through your PC.

I mean in this state only with a box from a technician this data can be pulled out but if you want to do it by your self this would be the way.

As far I understood you can't boot to fastboot nor recovery but device is detected under a kind of download mode (bricked), you should need before update the drivers and your device be detected first like Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 https://gsmusbdrivers.com/download/qualcomm-hs-usb-qdloader-9008-driver-64-bit-windows/

Then read and try this https://xdaforums.com/droid-turbo/general/turbo-unbrick-t3139811 if it works you will have accessibility to fastboot and probably to recovery mode, once in fastboot mode, download the proper ROM for your model and flash only system and if needed boot images and try to reboot device. This can be done only if your bootloader can be unlocked.

You could try alternatively to apply this method https://xdaforums.com/general/rooting-roms/how-to-backup-qualcomm-phone-root-t3570178 then you should restore it once device gets unbricked so it has to be done in the same model.
[General Questions and Answers] Tyler2265:
So in other words you think it's possible that the files are still intact?? And that a technician should be able to access the internal storage to get to the files? I don't really mind if the device works or not. The device just has so important to me videos and pictures that I would really really like to be able to recover. I'm afraid if I try to mess with it that I'll screw something up and accidentally erase all files while trying to flash the rom back to the device.

Isn't there a chance that it I flash the rom that storage could potentially be over written? Haven't done much of that in a long long time. Last phone I ever messed with relating to rooting and modding was a DROIDX so I'm definitely for sure a Noob on that front lol.
[General Questions and Answers] SubwayChamp:
Theoretically yes, if after of years according your story you didn't nothing like to format or upgrade the firmware. Some years ago a relative was able to recover all their data including contacts and more thanks to a technician so it's possible.

No, if you only flash system and boot images the internal memory won't be overwritten but it's true too that you would need to read a bit more in order to get good results.
[General Questions and Answers] B1nz:
can anyone help me why my banner is not showing in thread post?

it's like the only one who can see is myself only,

i've turned on the show signature option in my setting tho, thanks

Update: Whoops, nvm now showing back to normal
[General Questions and Answers] zarathustra$:
Hello community,

need your guide.

what is "mab" application on Xiaomi phone?

what's it doing there? and is possible to uninstall it without any issue?
[General Questions and Answers] Raresh T:
Mate, this is not Google. have you searched on Google beforehand? no, you have not. here https://www.google.ro/m?q=mab+app+xiaomi&client=ms-opera-mobile&channel=new&espv=1
[General Questions and Answers] naflush02:
pocophone locked

I need help, in order to reactivate the pocophone mi acct again it needs the old number but totally forgot it since using a new number now. How do you activate your pocophone again to get the newly fresh setup if you don’t have access to the old number anymore? The phone suddenly turned off like there is a virus then when it opened again it is asking for the old number mi acc to be reaactivated again. Do you know a solution for this? There is no email registered, only the number
[General Questions and Answers] scorpio76r:
Sounds like only option is to contact pocophone for the solution.
[General Questions and Answers] Tyler2265:
Alright, thanks! Appreciate the response! Was sounding like with all the research I've done that it could potentially be impossible to recover data.

So as it relates to a technician. Who would be best suited for this type of job? Around where I live there is a store called "ubreakifix" that could potentially be able to handle this for me. I know that I took it to a different phone repair store years ago when this first happened and they told me there was nothing they could do with it. Really don't want to send the device out to someone as that involves quite a bit of risk as well. Just not really sure who would be the best suited and safest to do this job.
[General Questions and Answers] Tshirt66:
Thankyou kindly for this response, I have left the device alone and need my other note 4 just to charge the battery as otherwise if i plug it in to charge it, it simply gives me the stupid firmware screen thing. Just curious but does the size of sd card make any difference as my 256gb one had a bit of lag. I ordered a 128gb one which should come in a day or two. Im finishing my night shift today so will have a good sleep wait for the sdcard, recharge the battery, and give it my best. I literally didn't do anything after i deleted the camera folder so im hoping that will also get recovered?

Am I correct in thinking that the TWRP program will rescue the data i didnt wipe as well as the data i deleted momentarily before i started this whole adventure or will i need to attempt to rescue my deleted data after another root or sonething

Ideally id like to use the phone after as well as i love the 16mp camera. Eitherway thanks again and ill let you know how i get on!!

Mac
[General Questions and Answers] xunholyx:
It's literally rule #1 on the XDA forums: https://xdaforums.com/announcement.php?a=81
[General Questions and Answers] SubwayChamp:
For the second part there is no risk unless the guy don't know what is doing or how to do it. It's just a thing that either can be done or not if they have the appropriate tool.

As for the first part it's hard to say it so you didn't try nothing yet by yourself, device is detected how is supposed to be detected.
[General Questions and Answers] naflush02:
Thanks, those youtube video bypass mode are fake?
[General Questions and Answers] Droidriven:
Any card bigger than 4GB will work.

Yes, TWRP will backup the existing data that is still on the device. No, TWRP will not be able to save any data that got wiped, you will need to try using data recovery programs to retrieve the wiped data, if it is still there.
[General Questions and Answers] :
Thank you for that useful information. In my defence I was high =p
[General Questions and Answers] stingerfire:
Inherited a rooted 5th gen Kindle Fire with a few problems.

Hello there.

A long and confusing story:

Years ago I convinced a friend to root their Amazon Kindle Fire 5th 5.1.1. using SuperTool.

Recently they screwed up their actual Kindle e-reader app by deleting "ALL files that had the word Kindle in it" using a root access Delete System File app. They tried different things including trying to use TWRP to bootload and have saved "original" boot and recovery files saved, downloading someone else's Kindle app, and I don't know what else. They fried the recovery bootloader somehow and there doesn't seem to be an easy way to get into it.

They became so frustrated and were mad at me that I couldn't help them. I ended up just trading them a 5th gen 5.3.! (that is not rooted, but at least has Google Play).

So now I have this rooted 5th gen. I would love to install a new OS/ROM AND keep it rooted if that can happen, BUT I have a problem: My only computer now is a Chromebook and I don't know how to use .cmd on that machine. My roommate has a old Windows 7 machine which I can use a .cmd window to at least get into Fastboot or ADB, but I am expressly forbidden to download any "Linux" programs that will "ruin [their] computer". There is no convincing them that it won't.

Is there anyway I can fix this old FIre (that can't get into bootloader) by just using ADB or Fastboot? If not, are there any services that can fix this for me for a reasonable fee?
[General Questions and Answers] Droidriven:
All you need is a Windows program called "15 second adb installer". Install it, run it, use it, remove it when you're done. All it really does is install the standard Google Android drivers and scripts/resources to execute the ADB/fastboot commands. No real "Linux" stuff involved, mainly Google.

If that doesn't satisfy them.....

Create a "Linux live USB", then, use your friend's Windows system. You will have go into the BIOS on that system and set the boot priority to boot from USB then save those settings and exit BIOS. Or, if that system has a boot menu, i.e. F12, F10, F8, etc, you will be able to choose the USB to boot first.

After you get it to boot the USB drive and you get into the Linux operating system, you can go ahead and open a terminal and begin using ADB/fastboot.

This will not even touch their Windows operating system, their hard drive, their data, their files or anything, you will be running a full Linux operating system directly from the USB drive without ever booting into Windows. When you are finished using it, you can power off the system, remove the USB, boot into BIOS, change boot priority back to boot from hard drive first, save settings and exit BIOS, it will reboot to their untouched Windows system.

***NOTE***

When using the Linux live operating system, do not choose the option to "install" Linux, just continue using it in its "live" state until you're finished.
[General Questions and Answers] stingerfire:
I have a USB flashdrive with an ADB installer on it. I have already figured out if I copy that to the desktop in a folder with my name on it and then copy a cmd .exe into that folder, I can get into the Fire via ADB with or without Fastboot just fine.

But where would I go from there in order to upgrade the OS/ROM of the fire? (Remember, it still doesn't boot to the recovery screen/options. )
[General Questions and Answers] Droidriven:
Do some searches for how to use fastboot to flash the stock firmware on your version of kindle fire. Get it restored to full working stock, then move on to updating the device. Get it working, THEN update it.
[General Questions and Answers] stingerfire:
Can you direct me to a specific thread? In my searching on this site, every thread I have come across still needs the recovery bootloader to work.
[General Questions and Answers] Droidriven:
This thread isn't specific to your device or issue, but the members there have extensive knowledge of various Kindle devices and the tricks required to flash them and unbrick them.

https://xdaforums.com/amazon-fire/development/unlock-fire-t3899860

I'm sure they can help figure out what you need.
[General Questions and Answers] DragonFire1024:
Just make sure you download the exact firmware specific to your exact device. rest assured there is firmware for pretty much every kindle in existence and almost every version, e-reader or tablet. Depending on what kind of tablet it is and what date it is you might be able to unlock it so far as I know if it is a mediatek device you can unbrick and unlock for several of the modern day Kindles. But be very careful because using wrong firmware even if it's one incremental off can ruin these tablets forever.
[General Questions and Answers] Droidriven:
Post this for the guy I was helping or give them a mention so they see your response.
[General Questions and Answers] thunderay:
Hello everyone, hope you're all safe!

I'm thankful I found this noob friendly thread, but I'm also afraid this might be a frequent question here... But still gonna try my luck.

I want to start developing for android devices. Back in the end of March, I started my "quest" to upgrade my OnePlus One and since then I've been looking for information around this forums for other devices (a Huawei Ideos X5, a Sony Xperia T2 Ultra and my precious Sony Ericsson Xperia Play), but didn't have that much luck. There is a lot more information for OPO tho, thankfully.

But I'd like to actually understand more about developing for these devices, especially since I still care a lot about my Sony Ericsson Xperia Play and it seems it's a "too old" device, so I though maybe I could start learning about this and do it myself?

I have no experience on Computer Sciences or anything. Most I did was code a little javascript. So yea, I'm REALLY a noob. But this sparks my interest and I have time to learn! Problem is I don't know where to start.

Some tips and links would be really appreciated! :o I apologize once again for the amount of noob this reply is.
[General Questions and Answers] xunholyx:
https://xdaforums.com/general/xda-university
[General Questions and Answers] zarathustra$:
Hello,

need your suggestion uninstalling that app from my Xiaomi redmi note 4x:

1. Android Accessibility Suite - com.google.android.marvin.talkback;

2. Cleaner - com.miui.cleanmaster;

3. DiagLogger - com.huaqin.diaglogger;

4. feedback - com.miui.bugreport;

5. Freeform - com.miui.freeform;

6. HybridAccessory - com.miui.hybrid.accessory;

7. Joyose - com.xiaomi.joyose

8. MAB - com.xiaomi.ab

9. MSA - com.miui.msa.global

10. Mail - com.android.email;

11. Market feedback agent - com.google.android.feedback;

12. Mi app store - com.xiaomi.mipicks;

13. Mi recycle - com.xiaomi.mirecycle;

14. Mi VR - com.mi.dlabs.vr ;

15. Mi wallpaper

16. Mi wallpaper carousel

17. Mi connect Service - com.xiaomi.mi_connect_service

18. miuiDaemon

19. PAI - android.autoinstalls.config.xiaomi.mido

20. Package installer - com.miui.global.packegeinstaller

21. Partner Bookmarks - com. android.providers.partnerbookmarks.

22. quick apps - com.miui.hybrid

23. service & feedback - com. miui.miservice

24. Uniplay service - com.milink.service

any ideas would be appreciated friends.
[General Questions and Answers] zarathustra$:
that theme is for noob questions so what's problem if asked?

if i broke rules sorry.
[General Questions and Answers] Raresh T:
Mate, the first rule of xda specifies that you should search the internet about your problem, because there might be a big chance someone had the same exact question. you didnt do anything of that sort. this forum is for helping you, not for spoon feeding you very easy answers, answers that can be found on the first links of a google search. hope i ve clarified enough. you are welcome anytime with other questions, but please do search them on internet beforehand.

---------- Post added at 06:47 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:44 AM ----------

for this, do search on Google something like this :

"can i uninstall Android Accessibility Service Xiaomi Redmi Note 4x?"

or

"Debloat list for Xiaomi Redmi Note 4x"

---------- Post added at 06:48 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:47 AM ----------
[General Questions and Answers] xunholyx:
I apologize.

You are correct, the name of the thread is "Ask ANY Question".
[General Questions and Answers] GOOGLE_USER:
QUANDARY?

Ah, yes. I applaud your sentiment expressed here.

Indeed, that would, at a glance, appear to be an all-inclusive title; though one would be ill-advised to inquire about methods to drizzle caramel icing on a bundt cake in this thread.

We sometimes require parameters expressly defined.

The Chicken Or The Egg

has a lesser known cousin:

The Thread Or The Rule

.

Firmly in the "Egg" corner on this one.

[MENTION=10808531]zarathustra$[/MENTION] -- There is no harsh intent here when I type this. :angel:

The advice offered by [MENTION=4987085]xunholyx[/MENTION] and [MENTION=5946967]Raresh T[/MENTION] is important for you to understand because adherence to conventional expectations will positively impact your experience here. You were uninformed and, therefore, provided a link and suggestions to rectify that.

Take heed; follow the link and read. To not do so is to remain willfully uninformed and certainly will draw the ire of members in your future posts -- of which we hope there will be many. :D

Welcome to XDA!

May your browser sessions always terminate leaving you more enlightened.
[General Questions and Answers] Raresh T:
i am looking for an app to do the following : simulate user press on some part of the screen, wait 30 seconds, then press back. and repeat this process in 3 hours. found some users on stackoverflow suggesting tasker, but i cant get my around it. also, root is available. anyone got tips on some other apps or advices on how to set tasker?
[General Questions and Answers] Droidriven:
Tasker is the way to go when setting up automated processes. The particular tool or method to actually simulate the "touch" may vary and will be independent to Tasker. You need to find an app, tool or method that simulates the touches to "what" you want, "where" you want and then use Tasker to setup an automated task "when" you want Tasker to run them.

There is a way of using terminal emulator to simulate touch input on the screen. I don't know the commands but it involves commands that have the screen coordinates of the area that you want to "touch". It may be as simple as installing a terminal emulator app and then finding the correct commands that simulate touch and then creating a simple script using those commands that runs the simulation of the touch input in the sequence that you want them and then setting Tasker up to start the terminal emulator and run the script at your desired timing intervals.
[General Questions and Answers] geraIT:
Poco F2 forum

Is there Poco F2 development forum? I can't find it.