Database Develop

Locking tablet to specific function...

Our company wants to use the tablet for a specific purpose in our mail room. We want the tablet to be locked into the browser app only and to a specific website only, so the users can't stray into other areas of the tablet. Is there a way to achieve this?

Absolutely but don't ask me how. It might be an idea to ask the Android devs that float about on XDA, in the dev forums for the Nexus 7 would be a good start.

You would have to hide and lock every single application besides the browser using an app from the market. You can put passwords on it so unless they know a password they can't open the app. They will be able to go to the home screen because you can't block yourself out of that screen. Having it locked to a specific website no (not from all the experience I have had) and you can't block other websites unless it's like blocked through the wifi that the tablets will be connected to like how some hospitals or public wifi spots are.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Easy to do if you can code (or get someone from here to do it)
Custom app as your homescreen, uninstall standard home screen.
App is a wrapper of a WebView that locks to your website only.
If ICS+ remove menu bar (needs to be rooted with SU access to kill the service).
Job done.

Quick Qs - Wanam Xposed, Tethering, and disabling OTA

Hey folks!
I followed the instructions posted by allcaps33 at http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=53549710 to get provisioning disabled, and the native hotspot app is working for me now! I just wanted to confirm if this was an operation similar to running Wifi Tether Router on an unlocked/rooted device (I had an S2Sky prior that I tethered off of regularly). I've got one of those too-rare Unlimited Data plans and am traveling cross-country, made possible by being able to tether my laptop to my phone to work. Just wanting to confirm that this was relatively as secure as using the Wifi Tether Router on my S2Sky. On a semi-related note, that app doesn't seem to want to run properly on my S5; when I click Enable Router it turns on the Wifi, which immediately connects to the house's wired router. It still broadcasts but doesn't send data, and it's hit or miss if a device can even connect to it from there.
Next question - I'm used to flashing a CM ROM within the first couple days of getting a new phone, which doesn't seem feasible just yet with the S5 (from what I can tell anyway; I'm not used to having a current-gen device). I've heard about the myriad evils of OTA updates, and was hoping to get help on how to disable them. I would like to avoid my device upgrading to a point where my above-stated desired functionality is disabled. Ideally, I'd like to get rid of the various bloatware apps as well, though am not sure how to go about that.
I appreciate your time and support, and thanks for being a community that's always been there for me as I derp along with my fancy internet boxes!

Hi!
The absolute easiest way is to use Rom Toolbox. I have the pro version, but I believe it's available in the lite version as well.
Download and open up RTB.
Tap on "App Manager"
Then scroll down until you see "AT&T Software Update"
Tap on it.
A popup will display. Swipe from right to left, and you will be on the "Advanced" tab.
Scroll down and tap on "Advanced Freeze."
You will come to a screen which shows you the Activities, Recievers, Services, and Providers. Tap on EACH box/line. This will Disable OTA services.
We're not done yet!
Go back to the App Manager screen again, and repeat the process for an app called "LocalFOTA"
Finished!
I also Disable most of the bloatware and Knox this way.
Have fun!
---------- Post added at 12:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:49 PM ----------
Now for the hard part...
Yes this can be as secure as the other the tether. Ensure you use and change the password service with the app.
As for the tether turning your wifi on, it is supposed to do that. The best way to get this to work is to turn the tether on and off (then on again). If this does not work, try emptying the data/cache for the built-in tether app. And start from scratch.

allcaps33 said:
I also Disable most of the bloatware and Knox this way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
KNOX - What is it? I'm under the impression it's some sort of security for the phone, to protect from malicious activity that you might not be aware of, but also that it'll "tattle" on you if you mod your phone in a way AT&T doesn't approve.

Knox is two things.
1) It is a security container for apps. It works as both a license/drm type software for Samsung official apps.
And
2) Android contains a root environment at all times. This is what makes SU possible. It used to be quite easy to invoke Android system calls as root.
Root is actually separate from super user. Knox, like SEPolicy, helps dev companies detect, halt, and/or hinder apps, not su itself, but apps that that use these root system calls.
Be wise, even though Knox itself does not "report" these types of actions, it still logs them. And there are other apps that can read these logs and send out these reports. I should say (and I'm only guessing) that only work/company issued phones are setup like this. Not your personal phone.
In fact, our phones actually contain a file which logs all root system calls. It has nothing to do with Knox but, I believe this binary is what hinders us open devs, but makes it easy for Samsung and AT&T to restore/repair our phones.
For more info on Knox:
https://www.samsungknox.com/en/partners/app-developers

root your phone with towelroot and then save your battery with DroidWall

this guy just saved me from switching to verizon after being on att before it was cingular. i cant have a non rooted S5 because of the battery consumption from all the web traffic and the bloatware. Bloatware slams the memory and CPUs and consume web traffic making your wifi radio work. warm up my pocket. i can feel myself getting cancer.
if i disable my wi-fi adapter my S5 will last 3 days of low phone calls, tons of text, few pictures and some hours of music. i use an app called DroidWall to block network traffic. I used to use it only on my 4G connection to limit use of bandwidth (still do by the way and saves gigs a month thanks to Facebook and Google updates), but will now use it to limit what apps can talk on wifi when i want them. Droid wall needs root. The other saver is Es File Explorer. It works without root, but with root you can manually remove or disable bloatware. best of all you can disable it from startup so you use when want. you can simply disable it (read up) so you dont actually uninstall it and install it back if you need it for some reason
go the website below and download the app to root your phone, install it, open and click the 'make it rain button'
go to the play store to get droid wall and es file explorer, will need a few more apps to make root work (read up).
here is his first post with all the links and instructions, i take no credit for this guys awesome work and i will probably donate him $100 for saving my phone.
let me know if you have any other questions about what i have done. my phone just went from lasting barely a day with not much use to lasting two days with low use (i havent had root long)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2783157&nocache=1
Don't worry, you don't have to leave your house
When: 10 AM PDT tomorrow(6/15/14)
Where: In this thread, in #towelroot on freenode, and at towelroot.com
Software live at https://towelroot.com RIGHT NOW!
Please report bugs to my gmail geohot+towelroot or in this thread.
New version will be released later today hopefully fixing them.
Definitely invited: AT&T GS5, Verizon GS5, GS4 Active, Nexus 5
May have some troubles at the door but invited: AT&T/Verizon Note 3
Possibly invited: Every Android phone with a kernel build date < Jun 3
Stay tuned right here for updates. I'm coming for that bounty.
v3 is live! More support. Reboot on your own time. modstrings
What's a modstring?
A way to support your obscure phone!
Since I don't own every phone, you can fix it yourself
http://towelroot.com/modstrings.html
And modstrings have their first success!
On LG L34C use "1337 0 0 0 4 0"
Eventually the server will push these if people find enough
Still no real HTC/Moto support from phones without writable system.
If someone is willing to give me one of these phones for testing I'll add good support.
Same deal for Exynos.
Killed bugs:
Note 3 with kernel 3.4.0-722276 is FIXED! Redownload.
Fixed Note 3 with kernel 3.4.0-636608 thanks to analytics.
Download failed issue should be fixed.
Fixed Sprint Note 3 with kernel 3.4.0-951486
Nexus 5 v2 issue fixed
Known bugs:
Note 3 with kernel 3.4.0-257432 doesn't seem to work. Updating to 722276 should fix.
Newest Moto and HTC don't currently work because /system is write protected.
Detected as Andr.Exploit.Ratc by some virus scanners. It is an Android exploit. Will not fix.
Does it trip KNOX?
Most probably not. My phone says "KNOX WARRANTY VOID: 0x0", but no promises.
What's your paypal?
[email protected] if the tool works for you.
I also have a bitcoin: 1DFhk6fs26AafaNiQyEgdGM7NSaLzVN2VE
What's the hash of the apk file?
towelroot.com has https now!
People having DNS issues should clear their cache.
Will this brick my phone?
Most probably not. towelroot alone hasn't bricked a phone yet.
The stupid decisions you make once you have root are all your own however.
I rooted, what's next?
Tweet about #towelroot with #doyoueventowelrootbro

Thanks for the thought and suggestion, sounds promising! So what do I want to disable? Or what do you have it set to? All apps?

Awsome
The Gods Approve This Post, From The Ghost Of Sparta's S5 active.

*AdAway*
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using XDA Free mobile app

Thanks for this.

kalans said:
Thanks for the thought and suggestion, sounds promising! So what do I want to disable? Or what do you have it set to? All apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i am not going to suggest what you should disable, you should probably try this on an app by app basis and see if you break any process or applications while disabling apps. Its best to freeze or disable them then to uninstall. no telling what will happen if you uninstall an important system process.
somehow i have disabled an app that prevents my gear from getting email notifications. so i am trying to figure that out myself. as soon as i make some progress, will share what i have done as a suggestion.

looks like droid wall only works with the menu button. the att s5 doesnt have a menu button, so i recommend using AF wall:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=dev.ukanth.ufirewall

ngravatt said:
looks like droid wall only works with the menu button. the att s5 doesnt have a menu button
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its does have a menu button. Just hold down the recent apps button and that will act as a menu button.

Yeah, I like af better.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using XDA Free mobile app

with the AF firewall limiting apps using my 4g and disabling, freezing the following apps my battery is still at about 70% as opposed to 40% and the end of an 8 hour work day. i also have the gear 2 on all 8 hours to read my email and text messages (and tell time!), so bluetooth and the wifi is always on. Dont even have to use power saving mode
frozen/disabled apps
blurb, dualclock, headlines, knoxagent, knoxsetup, mobile print, onlinehelp, kidsmodeinstaller, sounddetector and travelservice.
all the AT&T apps except the wifi, chaton, chrome, device help, google drive, drive mode, flipboard, google books/movies/newstand/text to speech, isis wallet, my AT&T, play games, s health, samsung billing, samsung print service, yellow pages.
phone works great. check my exchange mail every 15 min, but leave the 4g and GPS off unless i need it.
keep in mind i just froze these apps, didnt uninstall them because i have plenty of space.
i did have samsung account disabled, but realized i couldn't update my gear apps, so i had to unfreeze with Titanium Backup, and then the apps updated fine.
this works for me, cant promise it wont break something you use.
anyone know of any other obvious apps i can disable to save more battery?

You could run the extreme debloated rom and add what you need. Check their logs, it's super extensive!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using XDA Free mobile app

ngravatt said:
looks like droid wall only works with the menu button. the att s5 doesnt have a menu button, so i recommend using AF wall:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=dev.ukanth.ufirewall
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But holding down the Recent Apps button works as the menu button, wouldn't that just work?

mikeeey said:
But holding down the Recent Apps button works as the menu button, wouldn't that just work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah it does, I think he may have not noticed at first. I've ran with both apps now, but I like af better.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using XDA Free mobile app

correct. i didnt know you access the menu button though the previous app button. AF seems to have some more features and allows the live/current logs to show on the screen, even allowing you to filter what is shown on the live logs. i can actually see now when a call is being forwarded from my work phone when i have the live logging on and AF is enabled.

I am in dilemma now...

I am in dilemma now , don't know should I keep my Nexus 5 32 GB rooted with Adaway, You Tube Adaway and Xposed working more than fine or go for S6(getting a great deal on 128GB) and use Samsung Pay but get annoying ads everywere..
I am on Kangakat Rom by IB4STid and literally have no problems with this phone other than maybe battery life .
I know that camera, screen , processor, fast charge on S6 can blow N5 out of water but the whole experience with Nexus 5 was pretty good especially seeing other people having to look at ads everywhere and their relatively new phones being slowed down by bloat and my N5 working faster..
Need some help here my fellow xda riders
Edit: Got an S6 tonight ,now how to disable ads without root?

ABP (ad block plus) is a non-root option to remove ads from browser, but there's no solution for youtubes ads unless you root.
you install ABP and setup network settings for every wifi connection you connect to and your APN settings for when using mobile data, the setup really isnt all that bad (i originally scoffed at having to set the settings to every wifi network, but in actuality i don't use that many networks so its not a big deal in the long run), the app gives you simple to follow instructions (set proxy to localhost and port to 2020 for each network, done)
with that said, i finally solved an issue i was having and discovered ABP will in turn cause MMS not to function properly when its active.
This means if youre connected to a wifi connection with ABP setup in its settings, or setup APN for ABP to work on data, picture messages etc will not send or receive until you disable it.
that was a deal breaker for me, uninstalled ABP the day i figured it out, now I just deal with the ads, but it's the only solution I found for non-rooted users

aff219 said:
ABP (ad block plus) is a non-root option to remove ads from browser, but there's no solution for youtubes ads unless you root.
you install ABP and setup network settings for every wifi connection you connect to and your APN settings for when using mobile data, the setup really isnt all that bad (i originally scoffed at having to set the settings to every wifi network, but in actuality i don't use that many networks so its not a big deal in the long run), the app gives you simple to follow instructions (set proxy to localhost and port to 2020 for each network, done)
with that said, i finally solved an issue i was having and discovered ABP will in turn cause MMS not to function properly when its active.
This means if youre connected to a wifi connection with ABP setup in its settings, or setup APN for ABP to work on data, picture messages etc will not send or receive until you disable it.
that was a deal breaker for me, uninstalled ABP the day i figured it out, now I just deal with the ads, but it's the only solution I found for non-rooted users
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply . I do have unlimited mobile data and rarely using wifi, but like you said would still have mms problem even with mobile data only.
Do you have to start this app every time before you open browser or not? Also , how safe is to use this app since all traffic is redirected thru it?
Will you recive missed mms once app is disabled?

Once you set it up its active, if you know anything about computers its basically just a local proxy to route traffic through that filters ads out.
As far as "safe" goes its all handled local so data like passwords etc never gets stored in outside servers or collected anywhere.
If mms comes in while abp is enabled on wifi/data you get a dl button but will fail to dl until abp is shut off.
For example if abp was enabled on data connection youd make a new apn with all the original settings and enable proxy with abps proxy config. Once that apn is active mms will show a dl button and always fail. To retrieve the mms you would swap back to the original apn and then hit the dl button on whatever mms came in. Not sure if it would auto dl once abp is disabled though
Its free and easy to setup so id suggest just trying it out to answer youre questions. Just know when mms breaks thats why and the solution is to just undo the settings wherever youre data is going through

When I heard that it will brake mms I went different route and installed Adguard for Android. It works pretty well, just needs to be disabled if using tethering..Trial versions is 14 days after that $9.98/year. No more ads , only on YouTube.

roundel77 said:
When I heard that it will brake mms I went different route and installed Adguard for Android. It works pretty well, just needs to be disabled if using tethering..Trial versions is 14 days after that $9.98/year. No more ads , only on YouTube.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Report back with how you like it and how intrusive it is (if any), id be stoked to buy it if its a good solution

aff219 said:
Report back with how you like it and how intrusive it is (if any), id be stoked to buy it if its a good solution
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been using this app for more than 2 week now , as well as my new phone..
Pros:
Well app is great , like I said there is no ads what so ever in chrome browser nor in apps. The only one that still got ads is YouTube App and that is on the beginning of the video (I usually get this kindle tablet app that I can skip after few seconds). There are no ads in the middle of YouTube App videos which is nice. If you wanna use You Tube through browser you will not have any ads. So far I think it saved me more than 1GB of bandwidth which is crazy - Blocked ads 51319( awesome). Customer support is great. Somebody answered when I called on Saturday afternoon. My phone is still not rooted.
Cons :
It is a battery eater (in my battery settings this app is #1 in % when screen is off(I dont know if I can disable AdGuard when screen is off). On stand by during night time it shows AdGuard 17% followed by Android OS at 15%. I've lost around 1% per hour(which is not that bad I guess).
Notification icon is in the notification bar and you CAN NOT remove it or hide it( little annoying). Also when you pull notification down there is message : VPN is activated by AdGuard( this sits in your pull down notification all the time) .
You have to disable app if you intend to use mobile Hot Spot and Tethering.

roundel77 said:
I've been using this app for more than 2 week now , as well as my new phone..
Pros:
Well app is great , like I said there is no ads what so ever in chrome browser nor in apps. The only one that still got ads is YouTube App and that is on the beginning of the video (I usually get this kindle tablet app that I can skip after few seconds). There are no ads in the middle of YouTube App videos which is nice. If you wanna use You Tube through browser you will not have any ads. So far I think it saved me more than 1GB of bandwidth which is crazy - Blocked ads 51319( awesome). Customer support is great. Somebody answered when I called on Saturday afternoon. My phone is still not rooted.
Cons :
It is a battery eater (in my battery settings this app is #1 in % when screen is off(I dont know if I can disable AdGuard when screen is off). On stand by during night time it shows AdGuard 17% followed by Android OS at 15%. I've lost around 1% per hour(which is not that bad I guess).
Notification icon is in the notification bar and you CAN NOT remove it or hide it( little annoying). Also when you pull notification down there is message : VPN is activated by AdGuard( this sits in your pull down notification all the time) .
You have to disable app if you intend to use mobile Hot Spot and Tethering.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can disable app notifications in settings for S6
Settings > Sounds and notifications > app notifications> choose app > toggle "block notifications" switch to on.

aff219 said:
you can disable app notifications in settings for S6
Settings > Sounds and notifications > app notifications> choose app > toggle "block notifications" switch to on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Somehow I can not disable this specific app notification . After pull down when I long press on this "VPN is activated by AdGuard" it shows Android System. ..

In my opinion, don't.
I moved to S6 from then N5 and regret it. Sure the specs are better, but to me it wasn't enough to justify the switch. The N5 and its vanilla non bloated, overall experience to me has been much better than the S6. The moment I have money for the N5X I will be running as fast I can towards it. Id trade mine in right now if i could but gotta pay down the installment plan thing. Ive owned countless phones over my lifetime and N5 stood out as my all time favorite.

aff219 said:
you can disable app notifications in settings for S6
Settings > Sounds and notifications > app notifications> choose app > toggle "block notifications" switch to on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just downloaded the 14 day trial to see it for myself. I see what youre talking about, the actual adguard icon vanishes but the key icon that says "VPN is protected by adguard" stays
I'm not entirely sure, but I think the issue is that icon isnt actually adguard specific, but VPN specific, and theres no "app" to block in the list inside S6 settings because its some kind of internal feature
I could be completely wrong, that's just a guess. I notice inside adguard settings theres an option to remove icon, but it only hides the shield, not the key.

What is the number blocking app/service on the S20FE?

So in what appears to be yet more anti-consumer behavior, by trying foist yet more online-required services upon us into thier ROM's. In this instance it appears Samsung has replaced a local app/function that worked just fine (in thise case number blocking) with an online component.
Rant aside I am fairly sure and thought I had not removed any app that did local number blocking (isnt this part of the phone app), however I do remember seeing a number blocking service (which is an online service) - which of course I have no f-ing interest in using due security/privacy concerns.
So in order for me to try and troubleshoot and narrow down what app the the phone and messages app are trying to open when I want to block a number, can someone remind me what the blocking serevice app was called? I think its might be ' com.hiya.starcom.hiya.star ' (thats the online service I was referring to earlier)

a timely response of yes that's it from me lol

hah better late than never, but already figured it out. And I had already forcebly removed it from the rom and its causing the phone/contacts app to FC. So I have 2 choices atm, reflash the stock rom again and then just hide the ' com.hiya.starcom.hiya.star ' serivce and thats assuming it will hide.
or
Just wait for the custom rom thats being worked on atm to be released and then just flash that from twrp.

can you just find and push the apk ?