Ask Android

Hello all,

I have a Pixel 3a with Lineage OS.
I also have wired EarPods from Apple (3.5mm jack not the USB-C one) however it seems like the volume controls on there do not work (only play/pause). This is apparently nothing new as Apple and Google implemented inline controls differently.

I saw a couple of apps on fdroid improving AirPod support however I was not able to find the same for wired EarPods.
https://f-droid.org/packages/com.dosse.airpods/
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=me.kavishdevar.librepods
https://f-droid.org/packages/eu.darken.capod/

Does anybody know if there is a way to fix EarPods on Android?

I understand it's a very stupid question, but l really need to master the skill of cleaning of my device very frequently, as this is the only one l have to do all of my work. Here's the current available space :

Can't find the option anywhere.

cross-posted from: https://piefed.social/c/android/p/2040603/does-aurora-store-automatically-install-google-services-microg

Hello all,
just got my Android Phone with LineageOS installed. (Pixel 3a (LineageOS 22))

Have a question now regarding Apps needing Google Services. When Installing LineageOS i have opted out of installing any Google Apps, at least I really do think so.

However, I just installed Aurora Store to install a banking app I need. I did not do anything else and only installed Aurora Store and the Banking App without microG or other replacement. It says under compatibility that it would work with limited features if Google Play Services are not installed so I thought I give it a try and see how far I get.

Surprisingly far as it turns out. Everything works except for notifications, but that was to be expected. But now I notice two updates in the Aurora Store:

• Android System Intelligence
• Private Compute Services
  Am I correct to assume that these are integral to the AOSP/LineageOS? or does Aurora Store install Google Services when missing? I kinda expected that those components would be updated through the normal LineageOS update flow and not through Aurora Store.

Hope somebody can clear those questions up.

PS: Android is so incredibly delightful btw. happy to have switched back.

When I'm logged into my home wifi there's frequently a media player window showing me being connected/playing media from a xiaomi tv box (possibly a roommate's) that to my memory I never connected to. What is it doing there? Did the tv box possibly get hacked and is doing uncool stuff now? How do I disconnect from it/block it? I can't really find anything useful in the settings.

cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/36195475

Hi I am looking for a good e-book reader that is FOSS I tried myne but when I try to import my EPUB file it gives an error.

Ok, I was looking at developer options and found this "grammatical gender" mean in terms of android device? Like, I tried selecting it and doesn't seem to do anything....

Device is Galaxy A71 with lineage os 22.2, also my Galaxy A55 with stock oneUI 7 has it. (Both android 15) like what does it do? Just curious...

Is there a modern Darq alternative which forces dark background on other apps targetting modern android versions like 15, 16?

Darq was last updated in 2022 and play store flags it as malicious for some reason.

I've got a Mi 10t Lite 5g that's starting to show its age, and could do with a factory reset to clear some of the crap. Ideally I want to unlock the bootloader and try some custom ROMs too.

It's been years since I did a backup without moving to a new phone, so I don't know the best way to do it anymore. What's the best way these days?

So, I've had a s21 ultra that I bought second hand years ago and I love it. I don't use as primary because I don't trust google/samsung (I use graphene on a pixel5) but I keep it as stock for the amazing camera.

I made the mistake of making a google account to play games. I just used random letters as I have no interest on it and I'm just being forced for the game to run. Today the phone was stuck on "phone is starting". I tried reseting cache on recovery, but nothing. I figured only factory reset would work.

Now it forced me to login to my @#$@$#%ing google account that I never wanted. It won't let me use my @#$@#$ing phone if I don't know the @#@%@ing google garbage. Is my amazing phone now a piece of brick because google needs to sell my data for my "security"? Is it really gone?

It's recently updated. I don't remember if I unlocked the bootloader (I don't think there are custom roms for it so I didn't bother) but it seems to be locked. Is there really nothing to be done?

I bought it for 1/4 of the price, but it was still a lot of money for me. Totally worthy because the camera is amazing, but did google really destroy my phone for my "security"? I understand forcing to wipe out data, but bricking the phone? How on hell is that for my security?

Just complaining out loud. I know that the answer is the same as "protect from terrorism" or "protect the children" is just really "to give us more money". But anyway, is there something that can be done?

Apple is the same or even worse right? if not, as much as I hate them, I would move. But now... It looks to me that if I want a good camera, I buy a real bulky one. If I want a good processor, I buy a laptop. Nowadays phones need to be just cheap garbage that can be thrown away easily if you don't want to please google/apple....

Anyway, any help is appreciated, though with my knowledge of phones, I think there is none. It's a brick now, that I wish I could throw at some people on google...

Something turn-based, battery-light and enjoyable.

Lichess was my first guess, but I'm looking for some other options.

hey guys

which apps would you say are must have for you for a trip abroad also general apps recommendations are fine

preferably ipen source (foss)

hopefully here is fine i didnt see any rule against it if its not okay remove the post

I use Transit, but I'm always curious what else is out there, particularly for bike navigation on protected bike lanes.

Hello guys. I have island installed and have my "work profile" installed, which contains among others my browser in the island tab. The situation is that I have several PWAs that I dont want to receive notifications for while I am at work as they are distracting and unnecessarily annoying, but I want to receive them normally while not at work.

I have been trying to figure out how to get it set up so that I can both trigger the actions at scheduled times, or manually through the quick tile I created from macrodroid (my work hours are not really stable/fixed).

However, when testing with a push notification testing site, regardless what I do I still get the notifications.

Here is my setup so far:

Macros:
Enable Work Profile
--------------------------
Triggers:
    Day/Time: 08:00 Mon, Fri
    Quick Tile On/Press

Actions:
    Action 1:
        Target: Broadcast
        Send Intent: island.intent.action.FREEZE_APP
        Extra 1: package_name = com.brave.browser
    Action 2:
        Display Notification (with a message saying work mode enabled)

Constraints: None

Disable Work Profile
--------------------------
Triggers:
    Quick Tile Off

Actions:
    Action 1:
        Target: Broadcast
        Send Intent: island.intent.action.UNFREEZE_APP
        Extra 1: package_name = com.brave.browser
    Action 2:
        Display Notification (with a message saying work mode disabled)

Constraints:
    Day of the Week: Mon
    Time of Day: 19:00 - 19:01
------------------- OR --------------------------
    Day of the Week: Fri
    Time of Day: 22:00 - 22:01

Some things to note:

I am using /e/os version 3.0.1-t-20250606498724-official-FP5 Android is version 13

What am I doing wrong here? Ideally I would like to have as few apps installed as possible to achieve a single task, but as I understand it macrodroid doesnt have the necessary permissions to affect other apps notifications (hence why island is necessary).

If there is another way which is easier to achieve what I am trying to do I'm all ears, however I do not want to use do not disturb for this purpose because obviously I need to be able to use my phone normally while at work except for those 2-3 apps I dont want to receive notifications for, but there are also situations where I want a full DND experience where I will get nothing coming through, not even alarms (e.g. meetings/classes, etc). Also for those unfamiliar with /e/os, it doesn't currently have the Focus Mode feature so that is also out of the picture.

Many thanks in advance!

There was once a tremendous app on IzzyOnDroid called SuperImage, which allows me to upscale images.

However one day the developer decided he was moving to a closed source model and archived the repository: https://github.com/Lucchetto/SuperImage

I've been using the app the whole time but it's now two years since the last update. I guess I was hoping someone would fork it and keep it alive, but I've had no joy in that regard.

Having looked at what the app has now become, it seems the developer hasn't slacked. I don't mind paying for the pro, but I'm also in my feelings about the fact it became closed source. Should I just switch to the new closed source version? https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.zhenxiang.superimage.pro

I recently installed Wallabag and the software does the job, but the apps to interact with it, that I've found, could all do with a lick of paint. I'm currently using Frigoligo but I'm hoping there's something better out there. Anyone know of one?

My phone still works perfectly fine despite its age and I'm too cheap to buy a new one.

I have a problem with noisy neighbours and want an app to measure and record the volume of their noise for possible legal action.

I prefer free-libre from F-Droid, but they don't have one.

Google Play has... hundreds of apps (one at US$100!). No idea which to choose, hopefully a free one without ads and data surveillance.

Web search results filled with sites I don't know/trust, and obvious SEO or AI slop.

So I'm asking folks here: anyone have any experience of a decibel meter app that's:

• preferably free-libre
• free-gratis (I might pay for a reasonably-priced pro version after I've tried out the free one)
• zero or tolerable ads
• zero or minial data surveillance

Thanks.

Hello folks,

I know that we can call using termux-api, ( termux-telephony-call command) but I want to also just sent out a voice message using termux. so basically I want to have termux just send me some pre recorded voices over call.

Thanks in advance!

i am having a problem the massive reset/reload of continuous frequent cell phone data connection

the point is this. the VPN is great if i am not being mass bombarded by network reset signals. (signal lost, reconnecting) what can you suggest, so i can have a connection the phones networking manager see’s as stable. in order to avoid the resets?

so the on-phone network manager see’s the connection as alive for X amount of time, and the VPN is not reconnecting every 1 to 30 seconds? i had this in an APK about 15 years ago and it enabled me to use phone as a modem.

right now i see nothing on the market at all.

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a second hand phone (Budget around $400aud, ~ 1kMYR or ~$260usd)

My dream phone has:

• Dual Sim (preferably at least one esim)
• USB C with OTG (preferably at least usb3)
  • 2 usbC ports would be extra nice to have (allow me to dream)
• 3.5mm headphone jack (preferably 24-bit/192kHz)
• microSDXC slot (preferably dedicated)
  • if not dedicated then one where sticking the Sim chip to the SD card hack works
• decent custom rom and with it android 15 support!!
• at least 8GB RAM
• not a potato for a camera
• battery life to last bored geeks day
  • at least a work day of music and some comics and some brain rot on the socials and when I get home I got 20% left

Nice to have would be:

• ok Selfie camera
• fully charged in a hour
• 5G
• wifi 6
• a decent GPS chip

Phones I'm currently kinda looking at:

1. Sony Xperia 1 IV
   • insufficient custom Rom support, 2 guys are working on a linage port
2. Sony Xperia 1 iii / current favourite
   • ok custom rom support, bit old, unsure about camera quality
3. Poco x5 pro (5G)
4. Samsung A72

I'm a big fan of OnePlus, had the 1 and 7 but hate the trend towards no headphone jack and no SDcard support and then not even a second USB port

I used LinageOS a while back and quite liked it ... On my last phone I used YAAP and loved it

Cheers for reading ... PLS drop your 2 cents below