Develop Bugs

[Q] Remote Deletion Question

Hey folks. My Evo got stolen today, and I have a question. I've already reported it stolen to Sprint, started the Asurion claim, and changed the passwords to all the services my phone had stored passwords for. Unfortunately, there's a fair bit of info on that phone that it would do best not to spread. I have phone numbers for the vast majority of my squadron, along with some passwords for a few secure government systems. Granted, the passwords are in one of the password vault apps behind a different master password and I'll be changing them tomorrow morning anyways, but is there a way I can have google remotely delete that app and de-sync my contacts if my phone ever connects to a wifi network (or gets used on MetroPOS)? Sprint says all they can really do is blacklist the ESN, which they've done.

I don't believe so, unless you had like lookout mobile, where you pay for the premium service that allows it to do that.

There's a sprint app in the market just for future reference its called sprint total protection app(free). It saves your numbers and allows you to remotely lock your phone. It also sends gps coordinates every 2 hours of your phones location so you can find those pesky thieves and give them a piece of your mind. You get a pin code to login the website to view the gps locations and it works like a charm.
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dirkyd3rk said:
There's a sprint app in the market just for future reference its called sprint total protection app(free). It saves your numbers and allows you to remotely lock your phone. It also sends gps coordinates every 2 hours of your phones location so you can find those pesky thieves and give them a piece of your mind. You get a pin code to login the website to view the gps locations and it works like a charm.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App
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That actually works? I have it, but never set it up. May look into it now.
but OP, go for that -pushes you to it-

Thanks for the snappy replies, I'll definitely be using one of those security apps next time. Oh well. At least now the thieving bastard can never use the phone to its full potential. At this point aren't the second rate providers like Metro and cricket the only ones that will activate a phone with a dirty ESN?

teh roxxorz said:
That actually works? I have it, but never set it up. May look into it now.
but OP, go for that -pushes you to it-
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Yes it actually works, oddly enough it doesn't drain battery since it only uses gps to send location then turns back off. I've been using it. Theres a weird issue with cm7 to where the app ask you to turn on gps even though it's on but it works!
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jdelforge5684 said:
Thanks for the snappy replies, I'll definitely be using one of those security apps next time. Oh well. At least now the thieving bastard can never use the phone to its full potential. At this point aren't the second rate providers like Metro and cricket the only ones that will activate a phone with a dirty ESN?
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I believe so, but they'd be risky for flashing it. Unless they tried to clone a good esn...but most people aren't skilled enough or would think of it.

dirkyd3rk said:
There's a sprint app in the market just for future reference its called sprint total protection app(free). It saves your numbers and allows you to remotely lock your phone. It also sends gps coordinates every 2 hours of your phones location so you can find those pesky thieves and give them a piece of your mind. You get a pin code to login the website to view the gps locations and it works like a charm.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App
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Click to collapse
Should note that this app will not work with phones running non-sprint ROMs.

Best "lost device/remote wipe" apps

I'm looking for a good security app that can track and remote wipe the Nexus without using text (since this doesn't have data), and is free or close-enough.
I used to use Wavesecure, but they got bought and changed their pricing.
Lookout only does remote tracking for free.
Prey seems to rely on text.
MyBitdefender costs, and uses text (as far as I can tell).
Any other suggestions? Decided to start a thread in the apps section rather than Q&A so we can compile a comprehensive list for others.

drpfenderson said:
I'm looking for a good security app that can track and remote wipe the Nexus without using text (since this doesn't have data), and is free or close-enough.
I used to use Wavesecure, but they got bought and changed their pricing.
Lookout only does remote tracking for free.
Prey seems to rely on text.
MyBitdefender costs, and uses text (as far as I can tell).
Any other suggestions? Decided to start a thread in the apps section rather than Q&A so we can compile a comprehensive list for others.
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I'm using Cerberus, they give away free licenses from time to time, that's how i got mine wonderful app and I can use it up to 5 devices

give avast a try. it does all that and has options for rooted users. pretty cool app second to lookout.

Cerberus
For my phones I use AndroidLost... free works well....
For my Nexus 7 however, it didn't work because it is tied to the same gmail account as my phone...
I gave Cerberus a try and it works well.
Need to have WiFi connection to do anything with it as you can't text to it, but seems to work well.

cerberus. hands down.
it works on jb but has one or two small issues that have been fixed.in latest beta version.
as i use bt as my isp, i have installed BT Wifi app on my nexus. It auto connects to any bt openzone or bt fon wifi network. this means that with the amount of bt wifi networks out there, if someone steals my device, there's a good chance my device will be contactable remotely, even without 3g
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Yeah check out cerebus
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

Awesome - Cerebus it is. Thanks everyone.

Cerberus is the best. No other choice.

Cerebus.
Here's an over view:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NK9BkOzlFPE

I use web root antivirus which has the remote wipe as well.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

is there an app that can find the tablet just with gps on?

lionheart7282 said:
is there an app that can find the tablet just with gps on?
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Not for the Nexus 7. As the only way for it communicate with the outside world is via Wifi.

Issue is the lack of data. If you leave it in a starbucks and it's not on the wifi, you're screwed.

[Q] FoxFi app

Is this app safe to use, thanks

tongphan said:
Is this app safe to use, thanks
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So :good:far so good my friend

tyshemi said:
So :good:far so good my friend
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my phone is not rooted, do i need to root my phone to use this app

tongphan said:
my phone is not rooted, do i need to root my phone to use this app
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The app is literally called, FoxFi (WiFi Tether w/o Root).
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...ch_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS5mb3hmaSJd

TheFiveDots said:
The app is literally called, FoxFi (WiFi Tether w/o Root).
https://play.google.com/store/apps/...ch_result#?t=W251bGwsMSwyLDEsImNvbS5mb3hmaSJd
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Lol this is very true
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I've been using Wifi Tether very occasionally, a few times a month maybe. A few days ago received message from ATT telling me that my unlimited plan is about to be changed if I don't call them.
So while I'm on phone with ATT pretending like I have no clue what they are talking about, the person I talked to gave me a list of about 10 apps that they can detect, one of them was FoxFi. Basically anything available at google play is no good...

[email protected] said:
the person I talked to gave me a list of about 10 apps that they can detect, one of them was FoxFi. Basically anything available at google play is no good...
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That's certainly interesting information. I guess the question is, do they care only because you're on an unlimited plan, or will they give anyone trouble for even limited tethering?

Is it legal for them to do that? I'm on a grandfathered unlimited data plan. Pretty sure there is nothing in my contract about restricted apps....
Samsung s3

The app is not illegal to use. If you get caught they will force you onto a tethering g plan, but not before warning you first
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I'm curious, how would they detect which apps I have installed?
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Is there no privacy laws that protect me from warentless monitoring on my cell phone?
Samsung s3

jcejohnson said:
I'm curious, how would they detect which apps I have installed?
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I think it's more that they can detect patterns in tethering traffic that are not seen in standard mobile traffic, rather than knowing exactly which apps you have installed and are tethering with.
Keeping in mind I have no idea how this works (or if this approach would be legal), but it would be pretty simple to figure out based what content is frequently being accessed via your "mobile device". e.g. if your phone regularly contacts the Windows Update server, they may suspect you're tethering. Combined with some analysis of how you usually use data much more quickly and differently on a computer vs. a mobile, the patterns would become clear pretty quickly. I'm sure if you mapped out browsing traffic of 1 hour on a desktop vs. 1 hour on a mobile phone, they would look quite different for most people.

TheFiveDots said:
I think it's more that they can detect patterns in tethering traffic that are not seen in standard mobile traffic, rather than knowing exactly which apps you have installed and are tethering with.
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OK, that makes more sense. I left my tin-foil hat at the cleaners and was worried that AT&T were sending their brain-rays into my head to determine what I've installed (e.g. -- that they have a deal with Google to get access to get a report of installed apps). While that could be true, I expect it is highly unlikely.
TheFiveDots said:
Keeping in mind I have no idea how this works (or if this approach would be legal), but it would be pretty simple to figure out based what content is frequently being accessed via your "mobile device". e.g. if your phone regularly contacts the Windows Update server, they may suspect you're tethering. Combined with some analysis of how you usually use data much more quickly and differently on a computer vs. a mobile, the patterns would become clear pretty quickly. I'm sure if you mapped out browsing traffic of 1 hour on a desktop vs. 1 hour on a mobile phone, they would look quite different for most people.
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Indeed. But tethering my Android tablet for some bigger-screen browsing & such would't trip the sensors (or should I say "censors") with FoxFi's proxy mechanism. Like your Windows example, though, letting a friend tether their iDevice for a big app install might do so.

I beleive there are some proxies you can use to hide tethering but i have no idea as to how to find or implement them
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AT&T Galaxy S3, what tethering app is everyone using?

So I know AT&T, being the disgusting American capitalist corporation that they are, decided to completely disable wireless tethering and make you pay for it with a monthly fee on your bill. This is completely unacceptable if you ask me.
This is a thread to see what Wi-Fi tethering apps you guys are using, with and without root. Hopefully we can get a list going so people can try out some different ones if certain ones don't work for them.
I'm using a completely stock phone, unrooted. Just downloaded FoxFi from their website, and installed the apk on my phone. It's usually available on Google Play but AT&T decided to block it. However, I can confirm that if you download the APK and install it that Wi-Fi tethering works perfectly. I connected my work laptop to my phone just now and used dropbox for a bit, and I also tried a few different websites.

Elixir 2

Foxfi here. It works great on my unrooted phone.
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Easytether

When I used to tether with an Iphone att noticed it right away and sent me automated messages... Can they also detect tethering with Android??
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if you download an app, the only thing AT&T would be able to see is your data usage. if your data usage all of sudden goes up, that's usually related to tethering.
i use FoxFi on my unrooted Galaxy S3.

mrhomiec said:
if you download an app, the only thing AT&T would be able to see is your data usage. if your data usage all of sudden goes up, that's usually related to tethering.
i use FoxFi on my unrooted Galaxy S3.
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definitely not true.
they can tell by the number of 'hops' that data traffic goes through to the end client. that is how they found me. i was using CM9 (built-in enabled hotspot) for 3 months on my old phone and they finally sent me the "Did you know tethering requires a plan?" text, and sent me a letter telling me I had to stop before X date or they'd change my data plan. when I called in playing dumb they listed off a number of apps that i might have used 'accidentally', which was the list of all the tethering apps i've heard of, and asked if i used them.

IMHO, the only safe way to tether via wifi on an unrooted phone would be to set up ADB via wifi, then use Easytether over that wifi ADB connection. Anything that resembles straightforward "phone as transparent access point" is too easy for carriers to detect. You have to masquerade your traffic, and the more opaque you can make it (say, by further tunneling it over a PPTP or L2TP VPN), the better.
A rooted phone has a few additional possibilities, but they involve completely replacing the tethering app that's bundled with the phone with one that goes out of its way to masquerade your traffic and disguise its wifi-routed origins.

You can also change over to a mobileshare plan. It's saving me a few bucks per month, and tethering is allowed with no additional fee.
"Tethering and/or mobile hotspot use is permitted with Mobile Share plans with capable Designated Devices; provided, however, that such use is limited to a maximum of five (5) simultaneous users per Device." "If you use a tethering and/or mobile hotspot Device with more than five (5) simultaneous users, you agree that AT&T may suspend or terminate service to the account."
So it looks like they're watching for multiple receivers in the traffic and if they see more than 6 (the device itself and 5 attached clients), then it flags.

Good Call
Srgsx said:
Elixir 2
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Good call on Elixir 2. Works really fast on an non-rooted Galaxy S III

Foxfi worked perfectly for me up until this latest OTA update and now it won't work at all. Was using Power Toggles to activate it, but this is no longer working. I've been searching for a working replacement for the last few days without any luck so if anyone has found an app that works after the update I would greatly appreciate you sharing the name. Thanks!!

I use wifi tether on a rooted S3. It works pretty well. It has similar options to that of a router.
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dLo GSR said:
definitely not true.
they can tell by the number of 'hops' that data traffic goes through to the end client. that is how they found me. i was using CM9 (built-in enabled hotspot) for 3 months on my old phone and they finally sent me the "Did you know tethering requires a plan?" text, and sent me a letter telling me I had to stop before X date or they'd change my data plan. when I called in playing dumb they listed off a number of apps that i might have used 'accidentally', which was the list of all the tethering apps i've heard of, and asked if i used them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So what app were you using when you got caught? Rooted?

I use the built in CM10 tether.
t-tyme01 said:
So what app were you using when you got caught? Rooted?
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He was using the built in tethering feature of CM9, which is also part of stock Android.

I use wifi tether. It was the only thing that let me connect to my vpn and tether at the same time.
Haven't used it very much tbh. Maybe 2 hours total in the past couple of weeks. But so far so good
I don't think att would have an idea I was tethering since all the data is going through my vpn and is encrypted.
If they somehow managed to find out, I'm prepared to take them to court and will ask for proof in discovery which would make everything public as far as how they caught me.
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Stock from settings in AOKP.
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Was working...
Hello all,
I have been using this tethering method for a few weeks now, but all of sudden, my phone gets stuck on "Please wait while verifying..." message. It never errors, and I can cancel the process. I have tried to restore the offical tethering files, in hope to get the "Please call blah blah for more information message, but the same result happens too. My phone did recently download a system update, but I haven't allowed it to install. If anyone can shed some light on this I would greatly appreciate it.

[Q] Cell Data Issue with 2 Apps

The NY Times and Wells Fargo apps on my Note 2 won't work will the cell data connection. Either the progress indicator spins endlessly or they report there's no connection to the internet. I use both these apps on a Galaxy S3 and they work fine. If I switch the Note 2 to WiFi the apps work fine.
Has anyone else seen these or other apps not work with the cell data connection?
Thanks

Wells Fargo works for me. I use opendns for dns server so don't know if that would make a difference.
Update
Yo I can confirm when using opendns set through rom toolbox is what is letting me through. When I disabled it I could no longer access it. After I enabled it again I still had to reboot to get it to work again.
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This must be something that happened recently because I've used the wells fargo app on here before and it worked fine. Just tried and it just stayed on signing in. Maybe they're having a hiccup somewhere
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Thanks both of you for checking, now I won't go mad trying to debug it.

The WF app just worked for me over LTE, and I was able to mobile deposit even.

Wells Fargo is still not working for me, but there was an update to the New York Times app today which fixed the problem. The notes said it affected "a small number of users". Why is it I'm generally in the "small number" for problems, but not in the lottery
Since my original post I've also noticed Flipboard will occasionally claim "no internet" and refuse to update. Hopefully that and WF will both be cured by updates.