[Q] Recovery, download or hard reset without power button - Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Good evening everyone.
Here is my story : my power button was hyper sensitive and locked/unlocked/rebooted my SGS3 by itself, sometimes even when I didn't touch it. I could not use my phone anymore, so I searched for a way to fix it, and I found out that it was a hardware problem. I carefully opened my phone and physically removed the power switch. To turn my phone on, I had to plug a charger/usb cable in, plug it out and immediately pull my battery out and in.
It worked pretty much, and I then decided to reinstall the previous version of Cyanogenmod 11 which I preferred. I don't know why but something went wrong during the installation, and now I can't go further than the unlock screen. Whenever I unlock my phone, a box saying "Launcher 3 has stopped working" shows up, and reappears right after I close it. I can't access to the homescreen, the notification bar is empty and I can't access to my phone parameters. The only thing I can do is opening my agenda or the clock app by clicking the date or the hour (only things in my status bar).
Also, my phone reboots when it connects to some wifi.
I can't hard reset my S3 because I can't access to my parameters, nor to the phone app (emergency call doesn't allow me to reset the dial way). I can't reboot in recovery or download mode because I don't have a power button anymore. ADB tools don't detect my phone (I installed the SGS3 drivers on my pc), and my computer only detects an empty phone.
The warranty is over so I can't just send it to Samsung.
Is there a way to reset my Galaxy S3 or just boot it in recovery or download mode so I can install a clean ROM via CWM or Odin ?
Thank you for your time,
Betatestgw

A jig usb can put it into download mode directly.

dxppxd said:
A jig usb can put it into download mode directly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your anwser, but I found a way to fix it !
I opened the clock by long pressing the hour in my status bar. Then I long pressed my home button, so the recently opened app appeared. I long pressed the clock app in this list, then chose "informations about this application". It led me to the clock app's settings. At the top of this page I was able to press back button to see all my apps.I displayed all the processes, then closed all of them (but settings), especially Launcher 3. After that I was able to access to my home page, so I could go to my settings to hard reset my phone !
Finally, I reinstalled CM11 and now it works like a charm.
I know this is a very specific situation but I hope this little trick will one day be useful to someone.

hi
Betatestgw said:
Thank you for your anwser, but I found a way to fix it !
I opened the clock by long pressing the hour in my status bar. Then I long pressed my home button, so the recently opened app appeared. I long pressed the clock app in this list, then chose "informations about this application". It led me to the clock app's settings. At the top of this page I was able to press back button to see all my apps.I displayed all the processes, then closed all of them (but settings), especially Launcher 3. After that I was able to access to my home page, so I could go to my settings to hard reset my phone !
Finally, I reinstalled CM11 and now it works like a charm.
I know this is a very specific situation but I hope this little trick will one day be useful to someone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or in the future you try this. With volume down and home pressed plug cable and after that the battery. For me is worked.

Related

Stuck in Ultra Power Saving Mode.

I've been using nova launcher for months and finally uninstalled the stock S launcher. Today, I went to put my phone into ultra power saving mode and now I cannot exit it. If I get a notification, I can switch to that app and get into system settings, but I cannot exit ultra power saving mode. Without a notification, I can't even turn the screen off. The home button does nothing (no launcher) and the UPSM toggle is missing from the notification window.
So, my question is- does anyone have the stock APK for the Samsung launcher -OR- know an ADB command or some other way to get out of UPSM?
You didn't say whether you looked at the full quick settings palette or just the selected tiles subset? You should find the power saving tile on the full palette. Also does the phone exit UPSM when you fully charge the phone battery?
If that doesn't work, then just download the firmware for your phone and you can extract the stock launcher with winrar.
.
fffft said:
You didn't say whether you looked at the full quick settings palette or just the selected tiles subset? You should find the power saving tile on the full palette. Also does the phone exit UPSM when you fully charge the phone battery?
If that doesn't work, then just download the firmware for your phone and you can extract the stock launcher with winrar.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are no settings tiles. After I get a notification, I can pull down the notification screen (not before) and hit the gear to get the settings page. In there, there's only wifi, bluetooth, airplane mode, mobile networks, location, sound, and brightness. There's no way to get rid of UPSM.
Fully charging it didn't work. Fully discharging it didn't work. Wiping cache and dalvik didn't work.
Can you provide a link to the file in question? I'm not entirely clear on your terminology. I thought the firmware was just for the radio and such while the rom had the program files?
Kayden96 said:
There are no settings tiles. After I get a notification, I can pull down the notification screen (not before) and hit the gear to get the settings page. In there, there's only wifi, bluetooth, airplane mode, mobile networks, location, sound, and brightness. There's no way to get rid of UPSM.
Fully charging it didn't work. Fully discharging it didn't work. Wiping cache and dalvik didn't work.
Can you provide a link to the file in question? I'm not entirely clear on your terminology. I thought the firmware was just for the radio and such while the rom had the program files?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you rebooted? Usually does it for me.
I tried taking the battery out, restoring my SYSTEM backup from a few months ago, upgrading to a newer version of the stock rom, and nothing works.
Everything I've tried ends up with the phone going back into UPSM with no way to leave it.
Kayden96 said:
I tried taking the battery out, restoring my SYSTEM backup from a few months ago, upgrading to a newer version of the stock rom, and nothing works.
Everything I've tried ends up with the phone going back into UPSM with no way to leave it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are using TWRP there is a file manager under advanced. Use that to navigate to the /system/app directory and rename "Emergency" apk to have .back appended to the end after the .apk. This will "hide" it from the system and should disable it. Btw the name of the apk has Emergency in it i don't recall the exact name of it though.
Kayden96 said:
Can you provide a link to the file in question?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No we can't. And the reason that we can't is that you didn't provide any details about your phone. The firmware is different for every model of S5 and carrier. We don't know if you have a 900T, 900F, 900A or some other S5 version. We can't see your phone and can do little unless you provide extensive details.
Simply go to a firmware site like sammobile, click on firmware and enter the model number of your phone. Or do a search of this forum. Then use the Odin program to write that firmware (factory software) to your phone.
.
I'm having the same issue on a Verizon S5. Under /system in twrp I don't see anything. Tried chmod but didn't help. Any suggestions?
Apps Drawer
Same thing happened to me. Mine was stuck in between normal and Ultra. I was able to go to my apps drawer, clicked on the gear/settings, found Power then disabled Ultra Power Saving mode there.
I had same issue and I SOLVED it.
No disable option in the notification drawer. Gear 'setting' option (in the notification drawer) only display few setting options (no disable ultra saving mode).
I solve the issue by holding down the HOME button to trigger Google NOW app. In the search bar of Google NOW app, I clicked the microphone button and said "OPEN SETTINGS". This will open the full version of setting window. If you scroll down, you will see the 'POWER SAVING MODE', click it and you will see the disable "ULTRA POWER SAVING MODE" option.
It's a unusual way but it worked.
I also faced the same issue while running Action Launcher 3. Google Now wasn't working for me, so the way I solved it is:
- press and hold the menu button (capacitive button on the left) and select "Manage Apps"
- from the three dots on the top right corner select "Reset app preferences"
- reboot
- pressing the home button showed up "TouchWiz Home", which then allowed me to select "Disable Ultra Power Savings mode"
-done
HTH
I have they same problem with S5 LTE+ on Android 4.4.4. (I hate this ****ing bad Samsung Software!!!!) The above two posts unfortunatly don't work for me because Google Now is not working and Home Button does nothing.
I will try to launch settings due adb if I find a PC to do this (Unfortunatly I'm on holiday at the moment)
Were you able to figure this out? Facing the same issue on my friends phone. Can't believe Samsung would takeover the phone like this.
kussface said:
Were you able to figure this out? Facing the same issue on my friends phone. Can't believe Samsung would takeover the phone like this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Best I remember, it had something to do with disabling the stock launcher and I ended up reflashing.
thug_life_inc brought me to my personal solution. I had the problem with the Google Now Launcher. And there is the possibility to go to the app info by placing an app on the home screen, but not dropping it there, but above it (you know the area where you can access app info / delete the app).
That brought me to the settings page for the google app where i could delete the standard launching options.
I had very low battery (maybe 3 or 2%) and then i activated the ultra power saving mode. After a while, the phone battery died, so I recharged it. The problem now is that I got stucked in UPSM. Everything is black and white, I have no acces at any of my apps and the settings is incomplete, I mean I don`t find the "disable UPSM" function. I also cannot factory reset the phone, same reason, I only have acces to wi-fi, bluetooth, volume, brightness and location.
Thank you!!!!
Strykes_Daniel said:
thug_life_inc brought me to my personal solution. I had the problem with the Google Now Launcher. And there is the possibility to go to the app info by placing an app on the home screen, but not dropping it there, but above it (you know the area where you can access app info / delete the app).
That brought me to the settings page for the google app where i could delete the standard launching options.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! It worked for me!
I tried multiple methods include using microphone to trigger Google Now but still nothing in Settings. The idea is trigger the Launcher Picker. here are some notes
Wish I new this sooner, wasted a whole day figuring it out. This fix is way easier
The easy fix - just open the app drawer, drag the google app to app info and drop, clear defaults , when prompted choose you service providers origional default launcher
parislawrence said:
The easy fix - just open the app drawer, drag the google app to app info and drop, clear defaults , when prompted choose you service providers origional default launcher
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is not possible .. in UPSM there is no app drawer or any apps settings.

[Q] Can not pull down notification bar in PORTRAIT mode

I bought K900 from flipkart 2 months ago and everything was working. Now suddenly I have a problem with the notification bar; I can not pull down my notification bar. This problem started when I was using "GOOGLE+ app" and suddenly the notification bar automatically got pulled down; from that point I am unable to pull down my notification bar down. I have tried following ->
1) Disable google+ app, uninstall google+ uppdates
2) Restart phone normally and ALSO restarting the phone in safe mode.
3) clear cache using an app "App managet" and also clear ALL cache using the recovery (by pressing vol down and power button).
4) Factory reset
5) tried another lauchers : LauncherPro, Atom launcher
Has anyone faced this problem? There is an app on playstore "Drop down" which pulls down the notification bar. The touch sensors and also the display is working fine in the area of the notification bar (BUT I can not pull down by using fingers/swipe-down action). When the screen is in LANDSCAPE mode i.e. while playing a video using MXPlayer; the notification bar CAN BE PULLED DOWN, BUT CAN NOT in PORTRAIT mode.
..... .....
I have also read on the internet that some people having samsung galaxy s3/s4 have also faced the same problem.
..... .....
Can anybody suggest me to do something? Are my screen pixels/touch sensors dead on the top most row??
My K900 is stock(non-rooted) and has android 4.2.1; I have not updated my phone to the latest firmware.
asratxda said:
I bought K900 from flipkart 2 months ago and everything was working. Now suddenly I have a problem with the notification bar; I can not pull down my notification bar. This problem started when I was using "GOOGLE+ app" and suddenly the notification bar automatically got pulled down; from that point I am unable to pull down my notification bar down. I have tried following ->
1) Disable google+ app, uninstall google+ uppdates
2) Restart phone normally and ALSO restarting the phone in safe mode.
3) clear cache using an app "App managet" and also clear ALL cache using the recovery (by pressing vol down and power button).
4) Factory reset
5) tried another lauchers : LauncherPro, Atom launcher
Has anyone faced this problem? There is an app on playstore "Drop down" which pulls down the notification bar. The touch sensors and also the display is working fine in the area of the notification bar (BUT I can not pull down by using fingers/swipe-down action). When the screen is in LANDSCAPE mode i.e. while playing a video using MXPlayer; the notification bar CAN BE PULLED DOWN, BUT CAN NOT in PORTRAIT mode.
..... .....
I have also read on the internet that some people having samsung galaxy s3/s4 have also faced the same problem.
..... .....
Can anybody suggest me to do something? Are my screen pixels/touch sensors dead on the top most row??
My K900 is stock(non-rooted) and has android 4.2.1; I have not updated my phone to the latest firmware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same here, but after restarted, everything gets back to normal
Thank you trungduc5151. Which way you restart the phone ? 1) Power button hold -> select "Restart" option 2) Power button hold -> Select "Shut down" option 3)Press Power button till the phone automatically gets off.
..... .....
Since you are also facing the same problem, can I assume that my phone's hardware (display+touch screen) is OK? ... I am really worried, I was thinking of going to service centre. ..... ..... Thanks again.

Tips and Tricks

Post any Tips and Tricks you may know of for the Sony Z3v D6708 model.
I f the phone won't shut down or gets stuck -- open Sim card door, press the off button hidden there (above Sim slot) to shut down phone with a small object, something not sharp.
Settings -> Wi-Fi -> Advanced -> Toggle everything off by "Wi-Fi Optimization.
Turn on NFC and Bluetooth only when needed as it drains battery.
Now my list of apps I've disabled...
Amazon
Amazon app suite
Amazon Kindle
Amazon Music
Amazon Appstore
Audible
Black Hole
Bubbles
Caller ID
Cloud
Enchanted Forest
FamilyBase Companion
Gmail (I use Cloudmagic)
Google Korean Keyboard (include Chinese if you don't use Chinese either)
Google Play Books
Google Play Games
Google Play Movies & TV
Google Play Music
Google Play Newsstand
IMDb
Isis Wallet
Message+
My Infozone
News & Weather
NFL Mobile
Phase Beam
Pico TTS
Podcast
Slacker Radio
TalkBack
TV Launcher
Verizon Location Agent
Verizon Support & Protection
VZ Navigator
Wikipedia Extension
Wireless Emergency Alerts
Xperia Social Engine Sharing
Xperia with Twitter
Youtube karaoke extension
I'd disable the Email app, but there were frequent popups telling me is crashes. So I just leave it enabled. This as as far as I can think on the top of my head. xP
GigaSPX said:
Now my list of apps I've disabled...
Amazon
Amazon app suite
Snip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can we get a thread started dedicated to finding the apps safe to disable? This list is a good start for that.
Isn't the verizon locator agent the cell network location system? Or is it purely spyware...
Wish I knew what some of those more obscure apps actually did.
Marine6680 said:
Can we get a thread started dedicated to finding the apps safe to disable? This list is a good start for that.
Isn't the verizon locator agent the cell network location system? Or is it purely spyware...
Wish I knew what some of those more obscure apps actually did.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seconded on the locator agent, among other nebulous apps.
Maybe killing Wireless Emergency Alerts isn't a great idea? Those are the weather, amber, and presidential emergency notifications.
I've already disabled most of them, I wasn't really sure what else I could disable without screwing something up. Thanks for the list, I will do more tonight.
Sent from my ghost white Z3!
Marine6680 said:
Can we get a thread started dedicated to finding the apps safe to disable? This list is a good start for that.
Isn't the verizon locator agent the cell network location system? Or is it purely spyware...
Wish I knew what some of those more obscure apps actually did.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could go ahead and open up another thread since we're now free to post more to expand this new forum of ours.
Stormwing said:
Seconded on the locator agent, among other nebulous apps.
Maybe killing Wireless Emergency Alerts isn't a great idea? Those are the weather, amber, and presidential emergency notifications.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Eh, when there's a giant tornado coming, I'm pretty sure I'll know what's coming when I see one. LOL
Jk, the real reason is the Amber alerts. Several times I've been alerted for a situation that occurs in a driving distance that's 6-8 hours away from me at 3 in the morning. What kind of BS is this? >_>
GigaSPX said:
I could go ahead and open up another thread since we're now free to post more to expand this new forum of ours.
Eh, when there's a giant tornado coming, I'm pretty sure I'll know what's coming when I see one. LOL
Jk, the real reason is the Amber alerts. Several times I've been alerted for a situation that occurs in a driving distance that's 6-8 hours away from me at 3 in the morning. What kind of BS is this? >_>
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can disable amber alerts in the wireless emergency app.
If anyone else wants to know, our phones can do double tap to wake the screen to reduce wear on the power button. A feature most phones have to get root to add.
And if anyone is taking underwater photography, don't forget to enable No Touch to prevent the screen from spazzing out during your shoots.
Copy number from phone log
Copying number from log is a two step process here. Long press and choose "edit before call" then you can copy it
Try the slow speech effect in call settings. It's amazing tech and sometimes really helpful when dealing with people that talk too fast. There is an article about it here...
http://www.androidheadlines.com/201...low-talk-feature-slow-speech-voice-calls.html
Sent from my D6708 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Starting the camera app from the short cut options (camera key or from lock screen) resets any setting or mode that was previously active. To keep your settings active don't use these shortcuts.
nateperro said:
Starting the camera app from the short cut options (camera key or from lock screen) resets any setting or mode that was previously active. To keep your settings active don't use these shortcuts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice tip! I've noticed it always starts one way or another depending where I'm coming from. Right now I'm seeing there's about 4 ways to activate camera.
1. From physical shutter button
2. From lockscreen
3. From Camera app in app drawer or home screen
4. From the Camera widget (not including the other downloaded camera features)
Obviously 1 and 2 is advised not to reset, but the latter two is then what you should use to activate the previous settings.
GigaSPX said:
Nice tip! I've noticed it always starts one way or another depending where I'm coming from. Right now I'm seeing there's about 4 ways to activate camera.
1. From physical shutter button
2. From lockscreen
3. From Camera app in app drawer or home screen
4. From the Camera widget (not including the other downloaded camera features)
Obviously 1 and 2 is advised not to reset, but the latter two is then what you should use to activate the previous settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now that I understand this camera feature I actually find it useful. Sometimes I want to fire off a quick shot using the short cut to start the camera in SA (superior auto mode) as I don't have time to check settings. Other times it takes a double tap unlock and then selection of the camera app to keep previous settings when I know I have time to think about the shot. [emoji4]
Power the Device Up in Safe Mode - Sony Xperia® Z3v
[Device-Specific Instructions]
Safe Mode puts your phone in a diagnostic state (returned to default settings) so you can determine if a third-party app is causing your device to freeze/reset / run slow. Our Troubleshooting Assistant can help you with other device issues if you aren't currently using the tool.
An alternate method is available if the device can be powered on and is responsive.
With the device powered off, simultaneously press and hold the Power button and the Volume down button (located on the right edge of the device ) until the Sony screen appears then release.
From the System Recovery screen, select Safe mode.
Note Utilize the Volume buttons to navigate and the Power button to select.
Note Allow approximately 1 minute for the device to reboot.
Note Once rebooted, 'Safe mode' appears in the lower-left corner of the screen.
Note Notes:
With Safe Mode enabled, test device and app functionality. If the previous issue fails to occur, the cause has been isolated to a third-party app and all recently installed or updated apps should be uninstalled.
Power cycle device to disable Safe Mode then reinstall and test each app one at a time to identify which app is causing the problem
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Clearing an Application's Cache / Data:
NOTE: Assuming that one of your applications isn't working properly then you may be able to fix this by clearing the app's cache or data. WARNING! Clearing an application's data will result in the removal of all personal information stored within the app. This includes login and credit card information, profiles, saved games, settings, high scores etc. It's recommended that you first try clearing the cache in order to prevent unwanted file deletion.
Tap "Apps" while viewing the home screen
Access the "Settings" menu and scroll to "Device"
Tap "Apps" and access the "All" or "Downloaded" screens
Select the desired application and tap "Clear cache"
If the method above didn’t help, tap "Clear data" too and press "OK" to confirm
Clearing the Phone's Cache Partition:
NOTE: In case your smartphone is not working as intended, it crashes, freezes etc. then you may consider master resetting it. However, you can also try solving these problems without losing personal data caused by a factory reset. To do so, try clearing the phone's cache partition as explained below:
With your smartphone turned on, press and hold the "Power" and "Volume Up" buttons
Wait for the screen to turn off and for the smartphone to vibrate three times
Once that's done, release all buttons
The cache partition should now be wiped. Press the "Power" key to turn on the smartphone as you normally would
NOTE: If clearing the phone's cache partition hasn't solved the problem, then you might want to master reset your phone. To learn how you can master reset the Sony Xperia Z3V, click the link
Enter Safe Mode and Uninstall an App:
NOTE: If you've installed an application that causes issues on your phone and prevents you from removing it as it runs processes in the background, then you can easily dispose of the app by first rebooting your phone in safe mode. In this mode, all third party applications are disabled.
With your smartphone turned on, press and hold the "Power" button
Tap and hold the "Power off" option
At the Safe Mode prompt, tap "OK" and wait for your smartphone to reboot
Once your phone restarts, a "Safe Mode" message should be present in the lower-left corner of the screen
To remove an app, tap "Apps" while viewing the home screen
Go to "Settings"
Swipe to "Device" and tap "Apps"
Scroll to the "Downloaded" screen and select the application you wish to remove
Tap "Uninstall" and press "OK" to confirm
Read more: http://verizonforums.com/threads/so...che-reboot-in-safe-mode.363259/#ixzz3PUePFP00
In case of emergency when your phone freezes and all else is unresponsive
A couple days ago, I was playing asphalt 8 and my phone froze when I tried exiting the game. My power button just pinged the notification ringtone, my camera button played the Cybershot sound but didn't change screen, and I couldn't pick up calls despite my ringtone playing. I thought my last resort somehow was to either wait for the phone to die (sure, waiting 2-3 days is definitely an option here due to battery life greatness, pfft) or use Android Device Manager and factory reset.
Unfortunately I went with the latter and then found out this one incredible tip: a hard reset button. I never knew such a thing existed for our phones and I would like to inform all new users of it too. This is thanks to @jhwookie for the info.
Tlr, there's a slightly brown button found inside the SIM compartment. Grab something such as a toothpick to press and hold onto the button for a few seconds, and voila. The phone will be hard reset to where you were previously.
GigaSPX said:
A couple days ago, I was playing asphalt 8 and my phone froze when I tried exiting the game. My power button just pinged the notification ringtone, my camera button played the Cybershot sound but didn't change screen, and I couldn't pick up calls despite my ringtone playing. I thought my last resort somehow was to either wait for the phone to die (sure, waiting 2-3 days is definitely an option here due to battery life greatness, pfft) or use Android Device Manager and factory reset.
Unfortunately I went with the latter and then found out this one incredible tip: a hard reset button. I never knew such a thing existed for our phones and I would like to inform all new users of it too. This is thanks to @jhwookie for the info.
Tlr, there's a slightly brown button found inside the SIM compartment. Grab something such as a toothpick to press and hold onto the button for a few seconds, and voila. The phone will be hard reset to where you were previously.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for elaborating further I had mentioned this in OG post.
To make the phone appear faster go to Settings>System>About phone>tap Build number several times till you get Developer options>Drawing>Window animation scale>off,Transition animation scale>off, Animation duration scale>off, x1 is default and x.5 works well too, I prefer "off", don't like animations.
YMMV
1linuxfreak said:
To make the phone appear faster go to Settings>System>About phone>tap Build number several times till you get Developer options>Drawing>Window animation scale>off,Transition animation scale>off, Animation duration scale>off, x1 is default and x.5 works well too, I prefer "off", don't like animations.
YMMV
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THat's good advice for most devices. Smooths out the transitions.
If you guys go into Settings -> Data Usage, you can see which apps is draining the most data. If you want to restrict its background data, select the specified app, and scroll to the bottom to enable the checkbox.
If any of you guys have Snapchat installed, I highly recommend it since it's been noted it takes way too much data since its January 27th update.
Creating new folders in Sony Album
I find that Album isn't completely intuitive when it comes to creating a new Folder to help organize all your pictures. Here's how:
1. From the Album app, swipe from the left side of the screen to open the menu and select "Folders"
2. Open the folder where the picture is currently
3. Find the photo you want to move and long press on it
4. Click on the menu button on the top right of the screen (3 dots), then select "Move to"
5. Click on the plus (+) on the top bar to create a new Folder
6. Name your new Folder and select whether you want it on the SD Card or in Internal Memory

Screen off memo - I Can't...

I like the Screen off memo feature where I can pull out the S-pen and start writing notes without turning my phone on! But none of the icons at the top of the Screen off memo work. They are all grayed out, kinda. When I press them, nothing happens so I can't change the width of the pen or anything. I checked my settings and don't see anything different from my wife's Note8 and hers works perfectly fine.
Anyone know how to fix this? Below is a screenshot of my phone and here is a tutorial video from Samsung...
Nickerz said:
I like the Screen off memo feature where I can pull out the S-pen and start writing notes without turning my phone on! But none of the icons at the top of the Screen off memo work. They are all grayed out, kinda. When I press them, nothing happens so I can't change the width of the pen or anything. I checked my settings and don't see anything different from my wife's Note8 and hers works perfectly fine.
Anyone know how to fix this? Below is a screenshot of my phone and here is a tutorial video from Samsung...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My note 5 had this feature. Love it to death
Try toggle the Screen Off memo option on/off...also maybe try it in Safe Mode to see if it works there.
I don't see that 3rd pin icon one mine.?
By the way...read what I wrote in red below, weird but interesting....
babbar559 said:
I don't see that 3rd pin icon one mine.?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, a lot of people say they don't see the PIN icon. I don't see it if I'm on a call and my screen off memo works fine. But if I'm off a call the PIN icon is there but the screen off memo icons at the top don't work. BUT in SAFE mode all works fine and the PIN icon shows up. So I think we all have 3rd party apps that is screwing with the Screen off memo feature one way or another.
SiNJiN76 said:
Try toggle the Screen Off memo option on/off...also maybe try it in Safe Mode to see if it works there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply! I called Samsung tech support and they asked me to do the same same thing but still no luck. Here are the steps they gave me...
Open Settings>Advanced features>S Pen
Toggle the buttons on/of for (Air view, Direct pen input, Pointer, Screen off memo).
This didn't work. Then they had me power off my phone. Wait 10 seconds, power it back on and while it's powering on, press and hold the volume down key until you see the home screen. This puts the phone in SAFE mode. It says SAFE MODE in the bottom left of the screen.
Sure enough, while in SAFE mode the icons at the top worked. So they said an app seems to be interfering with this feature...
BUT I found something out while doing this...
IF I'M ON A PHONE CALL, THE ICONS AT THE TOP OF SCREEN OFF MEMO WORK FINE BUT THERE IS NO PIN ICON. If I'm off the phone, the icons at the top don't work and there IS A PIN ICON. ????? So what's that about? If an app is causing screen off memo not to work correctly, why does it work when I'm on the phone?
Then I pointed out that whenever I restart my phone I get a window that pops up saying Touchwiz crashed do I want to restart it. Definitely have some bugs....
Last, the tech said I can go into my local Best Buy where they can reflash my phone to see if this gets it working again.
Nickerz said:
Thanks for the reply! I called Samsung tech support and they asked me to do the same same thing but still no luck. Here are the steps they gave me...
Open Settings>Advanced features>S Pen
Toggle the buttons on/of for (Air view, Direct pen input, Pointer, Screen off memo).
This didn't work. Then they had me power off my phone. Wait 10 seconds, power it back on and while it's powering on, press and hold the volume down key until you see the home screen. This puts the phone in SAFE mode. It says SAFE MODE in the bottom left of the screen.
Sure enough, while in SAFE mode the icons at the top worked. So they said an app seems to be interfering with this feature...
BUT I found something out while doing this...
IF I'M ON THE PHONE THE ICONS AT THE TOP OF SCREEN OFF MEMO WORK FINE BUT THERE IS NO PIN ICON. If I'm off the phone, the icons at the top don't work and there IS NO PIN ICON. ????? So what's that about? If an app is causing screen off memo not to work correctly, why does it work when I'm on the phone?
Then I pointed out that whenever I restart my phone I get a window that pops up saying Touchwiz crashed do I want to restart it. Definitely have some bugs....
Last, the tech said I can go into my local Best Buy where they can reflash my phone to see if this gets it working again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pin icon only shows up when Aod is on.
Nickerz said:
Thanks for the reply! I called Samsung tech support and they asked me to do the same same thing but still no luck. Here are the steps they gave me...
Open Settings>Advanced features>S Pen
Toggle the buttons on/of for (Air view, Direct pen input, Pointer, Screen off memo).
This didn't work. Then they had me power off my phone. Wait 10 seconds, power it back on and while it's powering on, press and hold the volume down key until you see the home screen. This puts the phone in SAFE mode. It says SAFE MODE in the bottom left of the screen.
Sure enough, while in SAFE mode the icons at the top worked. So they said an app seems to be interfering with this feature...
BUT I found something out while doing this...
IF I'M ON THE PHONE THE ICONS AT THE TOP OF SCREEN OFF MEMO WORK FINE BUT THERE IS NO PIN ICON. If I'm off the phone, the icons at the top don't work and there IS NO PIN ICON. ????? So what's that about? If an app is causing screen off memo not to work correctly, why does it work when I'm on the phone?
Then I pointed out that whenever I restart my phone I get a window that pops up saying Touchwiz crashed do I want to restart it. Definitely have some bugs....
Last, the tech said I can go into my local Best Buy where they can reflash my phone to see if this gets it working again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm. Do you use AOD? Cause the PiN icon only appears if you use AOD right? Maybe toggle AOD off and see if it's the same issue.
Will, taking the phone to get flashed @ BB reset your phone? If so, I would just try a Factory Reset beforehand...and see if that resolves anything.
SiNJiN76 said:
Hmm. Do you use AOD? Cause the PiN icon only appears if you use AOD right? Maybe toggle AOD off and see if it's the same issue.
Will, taking the phone to get flashed @ BB reset your phone? If so, I would just try a Factory Reset beforehand...and see if that resolves anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good point, I turned off AOD and sure enough no PIN icon. But the other icons still don't work on my phone. I then turned on AOD and the PIN icon is there. Other icons still don't work.
So you just figured out why some people don't see the PIN icon. They must have AOD turned off. BUT why would the PIN icon disappear while I'm on a phone call and I have AOD turned on? Maybe that's just my phone?
Last, Samsung tech said reflashing won't delete any info on my phone so I'll confirm this with them before I do.
Nickerz said:
Good point, I turned off AOD and sure enough no PIN icon. But the other icons still don't work on my phone. I then turned on AOD and the PIN icon is there. Other icons still don't work.
So you just figured out why some people don't see the PIN icon. They must have AOD turned off. BUT why would the PIN icon disappear while I'm on a phone call and I have AOD turned on? Maybe that's just my phone?
Last, Samsung tech said reflashing won't delete any info on my phone so I'll confirm this with them before I do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's cool. Guess you can check it out @bb after the flash...If it doesn't work, then Factory Reset there in the store...so maybe they can exchange it for you on the spot.
Cerberus App Interferes With Screen Off Memo!
The problem that was causing my screen off memo not to work correctly is the Cerberus app. Samsung in BestBuy fixed it!
After uninstalling a couple other apps that I thought it was I still had the issue but once I uninstalled this app which is an app that I like but I'll email the developer to let them know to see if they can fix why it's interfering with the screen off memo.
So I took my phone in to BestBuy and went to the Samsung kiosk and the guy fixed it in about 2 minutes. First he said he's concerned it's an app that is causing my issue with the screen off memo and then he told me which three of the apps he was concerned about and sure enough he was right. So he also optimized my battery and RAM by clearing the cache in the ram. At first we thought that is what did it but then the problem came back and I ended up uninstalling the three apps he thought it was and sure enough it was the Cerberus app.
Here's the reply email I just received from the Cerberus app dev...
"Hi Nick,
Sorry but the only way to implement the block status bar feature is to block touches on the top part of the screen when the device is locked. Unfortunately there is no way for Cerberus to realize that other apps are opened over the lock screen, such as the camera or Screen Off Memo."
One more thing, you can not pin memos if you use the edge clock
Hey guys, i found that there is a way to use the of screen memo with Cerberus status bar block. Basically the overlay that blocks that area does block most of the icons so they are unresponsive, BUT if you tap the very bottom of the icons you will find a small area that isn't blocked by the overlay. Just tap repeatedly in the lower area of the icons, it will definitely work. Once you know where to tap you won't have to tap repeatedly and you can keep that vital part of Cerberus security.?
Screen off memo pin option will on my written when to out have your Always in display turned on. If always on display is off, the option will not be available

Rescuing from a faulty/malicious app black fullscreen takeover

Hello. So strange. A friend's HTC U11 Android phone boots up normally and just as the UI starts to load in, the entire screen is taken over by nothing but black. Tapping on the screen unveils a white dot where the tap is occurring (I'm wondering if they messed with Developer options and caused this?). The hard buttons still work. It operates in the background. Swiping down from the top edge doesn't work. Opening the task viewer doesn't work -- you can't do anything. Pressing and holding the power button does bring up the restart/power off pop-up. Gestures work (tried three-point multi-touch swipe downwards and a permissions request for HTC Connect popped up). These pop-ups happen over the black fullscreen. Other than those, nothing works.
For the split second that it loads the UI upon boot-up, I've tried quickly swiping down from the top and tapping on the Settings gear icon, however even though it goes into Settings the black fullscreen takes over just the same.
Tried wiping cache. Tried booting under "Safe Mode" -- nothing helps.
Now, the phone is not rooted, and it's set up with encrypted unlock at boot-up, so that makes things even trickier. Perhaps there's a way to install some sort of app that clears startup apps/services from Google Play remotely using a desktop computer on the account? Or it won't work until the app is first opened on the phone right? Maybe TeamViewer Mobile somehow and see if the phone's screen shows up on the connecting PC?
Tried plugging in a USB keyboard/mouse. I see the mouse cursor move around on-screen. Tried different keyboard shortcut combinations and nothing seemed to work. Any ideas in terms of keyboard shortcuts I should try?
Any ideas on how to salvage the data without losing it by rooting the bootloader? It won't respond to ADB. HTC Sync Manager doesn't see it either.

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