Smart Lock alllows you not to enter password when the screen is locked. This feature is available on all Android devices from version 5.0 Lollipop. Before we start to set up Smart Lock, you need to go to Settings > Security> Smart Lock. Here you have to enter PIN-code or password, then you can choose the different options of Smart Lock. Now we look at the most popular option of Smart Lock.

Set up Trusted device

If you use devices connected to your smartphone via Bluetooth or NFC, such as wearables, bracelets, watches or other electronic devices, for example speakers and even car, then Smart Lock can recognize all these gadget to unlock your smartphone.

To set up nearby trusted device, follow the steps below:

1. Connect Bluetooth or NFC device to your Android smartphone.

2. The first time it will ask if you want to use it as a trusted device and we can start the configuration. You can also start the setup later in  Settings> Security> Smart Lock> Trusted Devices.

3. Now choose the device type: Bluetooth or NFC.

4. From the list that appears with the connected devices, choose the one you want to unlock your smartphone.

5. Accept the prompt to add a trusted device and you’re done.

Set up Trusted places

You can also set up safe places such as home, work or even the specific place with coordinates. To set up it you need to enter “Trusted places” in Smart Lock menu.

You can select a place from Google Maps list or add a new one from Google Maps with the coordinates. When you will be in that places, your Android device will be unlocked.

Set up Face Recognition

Face recognition uses the front camera. So, you just have to show you face to Android smartphone, it will recognize you quickly, and unlock the devices without having to enter any code.

To set it go into “Trusted face” within the Smart Lock options. First time, you will need to make the first recognition in an interior place with good lighting. Place your face inside the circle and wait for recognition is completed.

Set up Voice Recognition

You can also unlock Android device with the classic “OK, Google.” To activate this option go to Settings> Security> Smart Lock> Trusted voice. The Google’s voice detection settings will be opened and you must activate the ‘From Any Screen’ and ‘Unlock by Voice’ options.

As you can see, Smart Lock on Android is really very useful feature. It helps you save time when unlocking your smartphone.

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Factory reset Android phone from pc is more complicated process than restore from settings menu.  But, if you have no other choice, you should try to do it. We prepared a step-by-step instruction. If you carefully follow each step, then you have not problems.

We want to remind you that you can use special software from your device manufacturer to perform factory reset Android phone from pc. For example, Samsung phones can be reset using Samsung Kies 3 (read here), Sony via PC COMPANION (read here), and others.

If it did not solve your problem, then we offer a universal way to factory reset Android phone from pc using ADB commands.

More details about ADB you can read on Android official website.

ATTENTION: Android device should have enabled USB debugging. If your phone does not have USB debugging, then the following instruction does not help you.

1. Connect Android phone to computer via USB cable. Select “USB charging” on the screen.
2. Next you need to download SDK Platform, which allows you to run commands on Android phone from PC.
3. Unpack the archive to main disk root, for example, c:\adb\.
4. Then you have to create a file named devices.cmd in unpacked folder. Open it, and write the following commands:

• echo off
• adb devices
• pause

5. Run the created file to check the connection of Android phone with computer. If you see the line List of devices attached and the name of your phone, then you can continue the instruction. If the screen is blank, then your computer does not see the phone. Try to reconnect Android phone to the computer. If you still can not see, it means that USB debugging is not enabled.
6. Then press Win + R, and type cmd. The command window will open.
7. Go to ADB directory with command: cd c:\adb\.
8. Then type adb shell and press Enter. When pc connects to the phone, enter another command – #wipe data. Android phone will be reset to factory settings.

That’s all! The instruction is quite simple, but there are a lot of nuances. You must have Android drivers installed, SDK Platform, USB debugging, etc. But if you have no other choice, then you should definitely try to factory reset Android phone from pc using ADB.

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Also you should know that the factory reset erases internal storage of Android device. If you forget to save your important files, you have the question of how to undo a factory reset on Android.

In fact, the answer is simple – no way. If you have already started the process of factory reset, you will not be able to stop it. When you perform factory reset using settings menu or recovery mode you are warned that all files will be deleted. You can choose “No” to undo a factory reset on Android. But if you click “Yes”, then you will not be able to undo a factory reset on Android.

Moreover, if you have already started a factory reset process, you should not turn off or reboot your Android device and remove the battery from the rear panel. Such way you forcibly stop the process of factory reset, but it can damage your device.

If you decide to undo a factory reset on Android, when the process is already running, then it is best to wait for its completion, and then try to recover data with the help of special applications or Google account.

As a result, you should carefully read the warnings and tips before you start factory reset. If you’re not ready, it is best to return to the previous menu or say “No”, so you do not have questions – how to undo a factory reset on Android.

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Hard reset is a built-in function in all electronic devices, not only Android. You can find hard reset in iPhone, Blackberry, Windows Phone, even computers and laptops. Today we will focus on the question – what does hard reset do Android.

Android is the most popular mobile platform in the world. More than 80% of phones around the world use the operating system Android. The most popular manufacturers, such as Samsung and LG, produces quality Android devices and offer excellent after-sales services.

You can also find less well-known companies, such as Chinese brands, which care little about the technical support for its customers. If your phone does not work, what to do? You can not contact the manufacturer, so you should rely on your own resources.

You can use a variety of tweaks on Android, for example, flashing firmware, update to the latest version, ROOT and hard reset. Hard reset is a universal function, which helps to fix many problems on your Android device.

What does hard reset do Android?

Hard reset is also called reset to factory settings. As you can guess from the name, hard reset returns the factory default settings, those that have been set by the manufacturer. It means that all personal data on your phone or tablet, such as contacts, photos, videos, phone book, games, applications, etc. completely removed. Also, all settings, time, date, accounts from social networks, Google account, cache memory, etc., are cleared. That’s what does hard reset do Android.

Although hard reset can help you to fix many errors, you will need to re-configure the smartphone. Modern Android devices offer to create a full backup of the data so that you can restore your personal files after you perform a hard reset. Be sure to do it, so you do not lose important files.

We hope that we were able to explain what does hard reset do Android. Our website offers a lot of instructions on how to make a hard reset for different models of Android devices. You can use the search to find the manual for your model of the smartphone or tablet.

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Then the first Android tablet appears, and now we have TV set-top boxes and TVs, smart glasses, smart watches and other portable devices that are working on Android. However, Android was not available for one of the most popular platforms – PC or laptops. Now you can install Android 6.0 Marshmallow on a laptop or PC without any problems, thanks to Android-x86 project.

The aim of this project is the adaptation of Google Android 6.0 operating system to run on x86-based devices. This means that you can run Android operating system on laptops, netbooks, desktops, monoblocks and even Windows tablets.

The project exists for a long time before, thanks to it we could run earlier versions of Android Honeycomb, Android Ice Cream Sanwich, Android KitKat and Android Lollipop on PC.

And now you have the possibility to run the latest version Android 6.0 Marshmallow on your personal computer. The first release of Android-x86 is available for download on the official website of the project for computers with 32-bit and 64-bit x86 processors.

The current build supports computers with UEFI, graphics cards compatible with OpenGL ES 3.x from NVIDIA and AMD, and can provide valuable work of all equipment on your PC or laptop, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, audio, touchpad, camera, Ethernet, etc.

How you can install Android 6.0 Marshmallow on PC.

– Download ISO file with the image of Live CD here;

– Download and install Linux Live USB Creator (LiLi) from linuxliveusb.com;

– Run LiLi and perform the following steps:

1. Select FAT32 in “Select USB”.
2. “ISO file” – select the downloaded file.
3. Tick “Allow LinuxLive USB on Windows” if you do not want to download and install LiLi on Virtualbox.
4. Push in paragraph 5 on a zipper and wait until the program will create a bootable USB.

Then you can run Android 6.0 Marshmallow from your PC (Do not forget to choose USB drive in BIOS), or if you made a CD with Virtualbox, you can try to run Android directly from Windows.

Most of the equipment, including WiFi, works fine, you can get access to the Internet and enter the Google Play Store.

Also recall that you can use Remix OS to run Android on laptop, netbook or PC.

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Most of the materials in the network to speed up Android are nothing more than dust in the eye and do not bring real benefits. Some instructions really useful, but they are very complicated and not everyone will cope with them.

In 2012, Samsung has developed an entirely new file system called F2FS. Its main advantage over others is that it was originally designed for the flash memory.

According to the results of tests file system F2FS outperforms EXT4 that used in Android. You can see the results on Opennet or XDA.

Required tools

The first thing you need to do is make a backup.

Option 1

• You need to have a computer on Windows
• Enable “on the USB Debugging” on Android
• Install Android drivers on PC
• Download and install ADB RUN

Option 2

• Computer on Windows
• Download TWRP Recovery and install it

Instructions for convert to F2FS file system

Option 1

We warn you that after the process, all data will be deleted!

1. Reload this Android in Recovery Mode.
2. Run ADB RUN and go to Manual Command – ADB.
3. You will need to learn section /dev/block/platform/xxx/by-name. For that you have to go to Memory and Partitions -> Partitions /dev/block/. Try one of the methods to learn the name of section.
4. Then after you have learned the section XXX, enter the following command:

  adb shell

mkfs.f2fs /dev/block/platform/xxx/by-name/cache

mkfs.f2fs /dev/block/platform/xxx/by-name/userdata

Instead xxx is the name of your section, which you learned in paragraph 4.

5. Reboot your Android, you’re done!

Option 2

As in the first method, after the procedure, all data on your smartphone will be deleted.

6. Reload Android in Recovery Mode
7. Go to WIPE menu
8. Go to Advanced Wipe menu
9. Select Cache and Data Sections
   
10. Select Repair or Change File System
11. Select F2FS
12. Pull the slider to the right

Reboot Android. That’s all! You have converted your Android to F2FS file system. Now you can check how much your Android device to speed up.

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1. If Android version less than Kitkat 4.4

Currently only 25% of devices have Android version less than Android 4.4 Kitkat. If you still have not received the update, so you will never get.

Thus, we recommend to think about purchasing a new smartphone, as recent versions of Android offer many useful functions and features that you will never be available to your current smartphone.

2. If screen has more scratches than a disco mirror

Over the years on the screen appears different scratches. It happens when you put the keys and smartphone in the same pocket, and many other unpleasant situations.

The reasons may be very different but the result is the same. If your smartphone has a lot of scratches that you cannot even see the screen, then you should think about buying a new smartphone.

3. If you have keys and it is not a BlackBerry

More than 10 years ago, smartphones with touchscreens have started to conquer the mobile phone market.

If you like physical keys and do not want to stop using them then you can buy BlackBerry smartphone with great keyboard. The good news is that some Blackberry smartphones work on Android and have update to its latest version Marshmallow.

4. If you cannot take selfies

I know that some people still have smartphones without front camera. How is it possible in our time? If you do not want to keep up with the time, you need a smartphone with front camera to take selfie photos and publish them in Instagram and other social networks.

5. If you have no 3G

In this modern world if you are not connected you miss many things. Of course, you can have Wi-Fi at home but what to do when you’re out on the street? A smartphone is a device to be connected and cannot ignore technologies that can give you more speed. Therefore, make sure that your new smartphone has 3G or even 4G for fast internet.

The post How to understand when it’s time to change smartphone? appeared first on Raqwe.

1. Use power-saving mode

Most smartphones and tablets are supplied with their own firmware, which is embedded power saving mode. Leading manufacturers of smartphones, such as Samsung, Sony and LG has power saving mode called in different ways, for example Sony smartphones has STAMINA. If you enable power saving mode, smartphone will automatically limit the performance of some applications and reduce the brightness of screen to save power.

2. AMOLED

If your smartphone has AMOLED-display, it is strongly recommended to use black wallpaper. Unfortunately, Android has no dark interface theme, so you can use different launchers and extra add-ons.

3. Control the brightness

Do not use the automatic detection of display brightness level. Often, this function exposes the brightness almost to the maximum level, and the battery will run down faster.

4. Turn off automatic synchronization of accounts

Google Services and its account are constantly synchronized and transmit data to the Internet. Most users do not need to get Google account is synchronized every 15 minutes. So you need to go to Settings → Accounts → Google → [name of your account], and turn off all unnecessary applications. If you do not have important mail in Gmail, then it is better to disable sync, too.

5. Use “Airplane Mode” in ordinary situations

Those who fly a plane know that before the flight stewardess asked passengers to turn off their mobile devices or to activate “Airplane Mode”. This mode disables all wireless networks – cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and others. Feel free to use “Airplane Mode” in ordinary situations, such as when you are in the cinema, in the shower, on the subway.

6. Manage Internet connection

Your smartphone does not always have to be connected to the Internet, especially if a bad signal. Therefore, if you know that in the place where you are right now, bad 4G / LTE signal, it is better to switch to 3G or even 2G.

7. Disable “Okay, Google”

Google Now assistant with the command “OK, Google” consumes a lot of battery power, so it is best to disable. To do this, go to Google app → Settings → Search → Voice Recognition “Ok, Google” and turn off all the tumblers.

8. Remove unnecessary applications

Go to the menu of application and select only those that you actually use. The smaller applications, the less memory processes and the less is spent on battery power. And, removing rubbish, you can free up the internal storage.

9. Minimum widgets

Widgets on the desktop are very voracious, so it is better to minimize or do not use them at all.

10. Buy External Battery

External portable batteries are gained a lot of popularity. Buy one of these batteries is the easiest way to keep your smartphone or tablet in working condition when it is needed. For those who need to recharge the device only at the end of the day, the ideal batteries are for 2000-4000 mAh, and for travelers and those who are not at home for a long time needs to find a larger battery for 5000-10000 mAh.

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So you bought a new Android smartphone or tablet, and after a while began to receive messages like “Not enough memory to install application”, “not enough memory on device,” “phone memory is full”. You go to Android Settings and see that internal memory is much less than stated by the manufacturer, for example should be 32GB, but actually 24GB. You cheated? Not really.

Why memory is less than stated?

If you think that you have been deceived by manufacturer of Android smartphones and tablets, then you are wrong. The manufacturer says the information is not quite as it should have been.

As you know, smartphones that run on Android operating system have special system partitions, such as:

• System – Android operating system
• Data – installed applications and personal data
• Cache – updates “over the air”
• Recovery – special menu for Android
• Boot – the operating system kernel

And many others … All the memory of your smartphone is distributed between these partitions. Manufacturer itself decided how much memory is needed for each partitions, without your consent. That is, for example, if you buy smartphone with 32GB, then probably you will have only 24GB, so the remaining 8GB are intended for system partitions.

How to solve the problem of lack of memory?

We found out why the memory is less than stated by the manufacturer, and now we know how to solve the problem of not enough memory on smartphone.

• Install only necessary applications.
• Remove unnecessary files.
• Go to Android Settings -> Applications -> Choose Application -> Clear Cache.
• Use applications Scleaner or SD Maid to find and remove unnecessary files from your smartphone.

If you have a lot of pictures, then use Google Photo to store all your photos.

Also you can manually distribute the phone memory, thereby increasing a bit of memory. But for that you need Root. Be careful not to break your Android smartphone.

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As you already know, Instagram app does not allow to download photos, so you will need to install additional application that helps you to download the photo.

1. Install InstaSave from Google Play Store.
2. Select the image you want to save to your smartphone and copy the link to it.
3. Open InstaSave and you will see a picture that you copied.
4. Then you can save photo by using an icon arrow down.
5. When the image will be saved, you will be notified.

How to save your own photos to your smartphone?

When you upload photos to Instagram, it is automatically saved. However, if the photos on your smartphone are not saved, do not worry. You can set this option in the settings. It is very easy:

1. Open Instagram and go to your profile page.
2. Tap on “Menu” (three vertical dots).
3. You need to make sure the box is checked next to “Save original photos”.
4. Below is a similar function but for the video.

How to download photos from Instagram on computer?

Also we know how to download images on your computer, creating of backup. This method is not more difficult than others. Follow our instructions:

1. Open website instaport.me on your PC.
2. Authorize with your account Instagram.
3. Select photo that you want to download, or select all photos.
4. Save photos on your computer.

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