Develop Bugs

Track lost phone with GPS?

I know that Android based phones have applications where you can track your phone through GPS software should it ever get lost. Is there such an application for our phones? I'd hate to lose my phone that has GPS capability and not be able to find it. And the thought of losing it and someone else finding it, hack it, and use it for their own personal use would be very more irritating.
And I know that the Motorola CLIQ even has the capability to erase all your stored information on the phone should you lose it to prevent someone from hacking into the phone and retrieving your sensitive information. Again, is there any software for our phones also?

Im Packing said:
I know that Android based phones have applications where you can track your phone through GPS software should it ever get lost. Is there such an application for our phones? I'd hate to lose my phone that has GPS capability and not be able to find it. And the thought of losing it and someone else finding it, hack it, and use it for their own personal use would be very more irritating.
And I know that the Motorola CLIQ even has the capability to erase all your stored information on the phone should you lose it to prevent someone from hacking into the phone and retrieving your sensitive information. Again, is there any software for our phones also?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprite Terminator:
http://store.spritesoftware.com/?page_id=280

Search the forum, there are already two threads on this subject:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=479257
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=469415&highlight=anti+theft

i personally prefer remotetracker.
i lost my phone b4. n it works fine. i able to track bak my phone.

[email protected] said:
Search the forum, there are already two threads on this subject:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=479257
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=469415&highlight=anti+theft
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Click to collapse
I always do use the "Search" function, but even with sifting through posts I didn't come across the two you listed. Thank you. Maybe I'm trying to be too technical with my searches...

Free web services (and Beta), with "Find" and "Erase" functions, among others:
www.flexilis.com
www.mobiwee.com

I just tried the Maspware GuardsMobile and ended up locking my phone up. It recommended disabling balloon pop-ups and a soft-restart. I allowed that then it gave me errors loading some related tracking.exe file. I tried to enter the default pin and it didn't work. Gave me 3 attempts. After the 3rd attempt the phone was locked! Searched around and came up with nothing. There's not even a guide explaining what happens.
So now I'm forced to reflash the phone and restore my PIM. I do not recommend this program for anyone with cooked ROMs.
I'm going to now play with Ultimate Theft Alert.

Can't find any command lines for Ultimate Theft Alert V35. I don't think I really like it a whole lot as some of the others...think I'll try my luck at Maspware GuardMobile again.

Ok, reinstalled GuardMobile. Activated it (fingers crossed). It recommended disabling the SMS bubbles again and a soft-reset. I let it and amazingly my phone didnt lock up this time when entering the demo password "1234".
I feel much more comfortable trialing this program than Ultimate Theft Alert as they list the commands on their website, and you don't get ANY commands list until you've purchased UTA. So without having any commands to trial the program I will not be purchasing UTA.
Time to play around with MaspWare GuardMobile now...

Ok, just tried to exit GuardMobile and I got the freaking error again!
"An unexpected error has occurred in GuardMobile_TS.exe.
Select Quit and them restart this program, or select Details for more information.
Luckily this time I didn't leave it active while testing. Reset phone and it works. But everytime I try and test the locate or monitor it fails to send SMS. Then I exit the program and it crashes. I'm going to uninstall and forget this program...AGAIN!

Sprite Terminator seems to work so far. Only exception is that I can't use the "Alternate GPS" It doesn't give me a lock on my position and comes up with all ZEROS. Going to keep playing with this.

Had you tried any of the web services I've posted?
They both work fine for me. And they are both free (at least, for now, at Beta stage...).

there's a program called WIMP, i havent tried it yet though

Sprite Terminator works, BUT when it intercepts the SMS code it doesn't text back.
vmiguel said:
Had you tried any of the web services I've posted?
They both work fine for me. And they are both free (at least, for now, at Beta stage...).
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Click to collapse
Haven't tried them...yet, but I've already downloaded the programs and thank you for the suggestions.
moukun said:
there's a program called WIMP, i havent tried it yet though
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Wimp didn't work receiving SMS codes.

Do any of these programs have a "explode and burn the face off the thief who stole my phone" option?

illmurs said:
Do any of these programs have a "explode and burn the face off the thief who stole my phone" option?
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Click to collapse
Only in the professional edition.

illmurs said:
Do any of these programs have a "explode and burn the face off the thief who stole my phone" option?
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Click to collapse
Well, Flexilis have a "Scream" command, that will make the phone starts playing a rather anoying horn sound, for 30 seconds.
Handy to find a lost device, at least. And to get some atention on a stolen one, but the thief can just turn it off...

Kaspersky Mobile Security 8
Looks like no one has mentioned or tried this software yet.
I've already tried the 1 month trial version and then purchased a 1 year plan which I believe is worth every penny.
It's an anti virus, anti spam, sms and phone blocker and phone locater.
link:
http://www.kaspersky.com/kaspersky_mobile_security?thru=reseller=kmssidebanner3
Features:
Block access to contacts, photos or files on your phone if it is lost or stolen
Get the GPS location of a lost or stolen phone
Encrypt sensitive personal and business data
Remotely wipe your smartphone if necessary
Block unwanted calls and SMSs
Cybercrime and your smartphone
Stop cybercriminals hijacking your smartphone to make money
Block the sending of data to third parties
Prevent corruption of personal data
Hope this helps!

jpijper said:
Only in the professional edition.
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Click to collapse
vmiguel said:
Well, Flexilis have a "Scream" command, that will make the phone starts playing a rather anoying horn sound, for 30 seconds.
Handy to find a lost device, at least. And to get some atention on a stolen one, but the thief can just turn it off...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm might be at least a bit useful like you say - maybe a password to turn off sound will be better?

Well, they are in Beta, so accepting ideas and feature requests... why don't you send them an e-mail?
I'm going to give kaspersky a run, it sounds good.

Security Apps

I recently thought I had lost my phone but I had just misplaced it at home. Because I had powered it off I was unable to locate it by making it ring and I thought it had been stolen.
Unfortunately, I hadn't set a lockscreen pin or installed a security app to help locate and control my phone remotely so my phone was totally unprepared for the situation.
I hurridly set about changing sensitive passwords using my laptop then I tried to remotely install a security app called "Android Lost" and when I eventually found my phone the app was automatically installed but did not work because it needs to be run and activated.
So, I have learned my lesson from this experience and I have now set a lockscreen password PIN and installed and registered "Android Lost".
Now if I really lose my phone I am not completely helpless and I will not power it off unless it is on charge.
I hope my experience acts as a warning to others who have not taken phone security precautions.

Yeah that's basically the first thing I did with the Nexus 4, I ended up going with Cerberus which was about $4aud for a account which I can use on my two previous phones and tablet should I decide to take it away since the Nexus doesn't have USB OTG support.
Does basically everything, my most wanted feature was the invalid pin/pattern photo, where if you put the wrong pin/pattern in it'll take a photo & Email it to me.
Thankfully haven't needed to put it into action but I make sure to test it after each ROM upgrade just in case it doesn't work.

I think the app "Plan B" will work in that situation. Never tried before though.
Using "Wheres my droid" myself.

parker09 said:
Yeah that's basically the first thing I did with the Nexus 4, I ended up going with Cerberus which was about $4aud for a account which I can use on my two previous phones and tablet should I decide to take it away since the Nexus doesn't have USB OTG support.
Does basically everything, my most wanted feature was the invalid pin/pattern photo, where if you put the wrong pin/pattern in it'll take a photo & Email it to me.
Thankfully haven't needed to put it into action but I make sure to test it after each ROM upgrade just in case it doesn't work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your informative reply. I've switched from "Android Lost" to Cerberus which looks better.

Cerebus, Android lost or where's my droid?

I tried Cerberus because of all the positive comments I had seen on xda. I can personally say it is by far the best one out there. I've used seek droid, where's my droid and nearly all of them but Cerberus just seems to do more
Sent from my Nexus 4

ltylty123 said:
I think the app "Plan B" will work in that situation. Never tried before though.
Using "Wheres my droid" myself.
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Click to collapse
Plan B doesn't work on 4.0+
I use Cerberus.

parker09 said:
Yeah that's basically the first thing I did with the Nexus 4, I ended up going with Cerberus which was about $4aud for a account which I can use on my two previous phones and tablet should I decide to take it away since the Nexus doesn't have USB OTG support.
Does basically everything, my most wanted feature was the invalid pin/pattern photo, where if you put the wrong pin/pattern in it'll take a photo & Email it to me.
Thankfully haven't needed to put it into action but I make sure to test it after each ROM upgrade just in case it doesn't work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I use Cerberus as well (got it for free quite some time back when the developer was having a "free for life" weekend special). Also, it's worth mentioning that once bought you can use it on up to 5 devices (which is great if you have multiple phones).
In addition to doing what is quoted above it also lets you do all kinds of things in the web interface. From locking the SIM to tracking the phone's location over a given time period to being able to pull up call and text logs. All of that in addition to the usual features of locating your phone (via GPS) and setting off an alarm (that is insanely, and occasionally scary, loud).
I highly recommend it to my friends and family members. Definitely think you should give it a go. If I hadn't gotten it for free I would gladly have paid for it. Never had to use it (beyond showing off its capabilities to people looking for a security app), but it gives me peace of mind knowing it just works (and does so after ROM flashing).
Also, if you have root and enable it as a device administrator it'll do quite a bit more. From locking your phone to remote wipes to uninstallation protection (of course a complete wipe from recovery will beat that, but there's only so much you can do or not do in that case).

I like the way Cerberus can take a picture of someone trying to crack the lock screen pin and email it. I wonder how difficult it is to get past a screen lock pin?

How big is the impact of Cerberus on battery life guys?

Lexus fan said:
How big is the impact of Cerberus on battery life guys?
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Click to collapse
Almost no impact at all

Anyone using avast?

I just got my Nexus 4 and have yet to setup a security app. I used Prey on my last phone and it seemed pretty good. Anyone know how it compares to these other apps?

Lexus fan said:
How big is the impact of Cerberus on battery life guys?
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Click to collapse
No impact at all. Since the app doesn't run until you manually send commands from the web interface. And even then the app doesn't really "run" per se. There's no visibility at all it's even there, minus the icon in the app drawer. (And you can even hide the app and make it so it's only accessible by dialing a certain code from the phone dialer.)

i want to install these 'lost my phone' apps but dont they really drain the battery and you have to turn on gps and location settings on? also if the thief who steals your phone will read up on how to reflash and wipe the phone? it will render these apps useless

I've been using Cerberus for some time now and it's absolutely perfect! Every part of it functions just as it's intended to and the app has practically no impact on battery life. Great stuff!

elbel86 said:
I just got my Nexus 4 and have yet to setup a security app. I used Prey on my last phone and it seemed pretty good. Anyone know how it compares to these other apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was using prey, but thanks to this thread I just switched to Cerberus - much better deal, interface, and functionality - plus a couple extra features if rooted. Totally worth the USD4.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

[Q] Best way to strip the phone components from the software

I am wanting to remove all the phone components to basically make the phone a portable media player.
What would be the best way to accomplish this. I am not sure what programs would need to be frozen.

slixzen said:
I am wanting to remove all the phone components to basically make the phone a portable media player.
What would be the best way to accomplish this. I am not sure what programs would need to be frozen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2344890
This basically strips the phone to just that a phone with text and internet. You don't have to activate the phone or use any of the 3 to 4 total features. However, I think you need these things to at least get the phone recognize anything. Try that first. If you want to try something different, you can delete these as you see fit.
https://spreadsheets.google.com/spr...1gdDJRekl4QmkyNmIzUmRvX2h3UDVkQXc&output=html

bigmike6200 said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2344890
This basically strips the phone to just that a phone with text and internet. You don't have to activate the phone or use any of the 3 to 4 total features. However, I think you need these things to at least get the phone recognize anything. Try that first. If you want to try something different, you can delete these as you see fit.
https://spreadsheets.google.com/spr...1gdDJRekl4QmkyNmIzUmRvX2h3UDVkQXc&output=html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is here a simpler way? Wouldn't removing the radio from the phone solve the problem of it constantly searching for a signal (besides it being in Airplane Mode)? I appreciate the list, as that is useful, but, I am looking for more then just freezing/removing apks.
I basically want the phone to become a PMP without the ability to call, text, etc.

slixzen said:
Is here a simpler way? Wouldn't removing the radio from the phone solve the problem of it constantly searching for a signal (besides it being in Airplane Mode)? I appreciate the list, as that is useful, but, I am looking for more then just freezing/removing apks.
I basically want the phone to become a PMP without the ability to call, text, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then go with the spreadsheet and delete away. Careful not to delete the stuff to at least get the phone to the homepage. The best way is to make a backup first. Then delete one thing at a time and reboot to ensure the phone will still work the way you want to.
X'ed out the game

slixzen said:
Is here a simpler way? Wouldn't removing the radio from the phone solve the problem of it constantly searching for a signal (besides it being in Airplane Mode)? I appreciate the list, as that is useful, but, I am looking for more then just freezing/removing apks.
I basically want the phone to become a PMP without the ability to call, text, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can't just remove the Modem... what more are you looking for? The only real way to do it is to freeze apps or remove them. Its not like we have a ROM for what you want. If you want it, you're going to have to do it yourself. If there is no service, it is useless for calling and texting. I suggest keeping the phone section active because it can still be used for emergency calls to 911. But as far as completely disabling call and text features, you will have to remove or freeze the apps. There is nothing to disable it from having a signal other than airplane mode. Wifi can still be turned on though.
Sent from my SGH-I337 using xda premium

Won't stay connected

Just got this watch. I had the Moto 360 before, it worked fine.
This doesn't want to stay connected. I have to reset the watch, uninstall Android Wear and re-install it, then it'll connect once. After that, it disconnects and won't connect again. So notifications, syncing, weather, etc don't work.
Looking at my phone in Android Wear it just says Connecting.... on the watch, it says disconnected. Going into Bluetooth settings doesn't do a damn thing either.

Try Bluetooth Auto Connect from Playstore, it´s working for me on a Note3 with Omega Rom

Thanks for the reply. I managed to sort it out... I missed the step to click "trust device" during the initial set up. I didn't realize that was a necessary step for the watch to stay connected. You'd think it'd just do it automatically.

I don´t know, if it´s automatic, but i have the function with klicking on "trust device", no change, only the "Blutetoot Auto Connect" app is working.

This piece of crap is doing it again. Once its been disconnected, it won't connect again without complelety startinh over and resetting everything.
I'll check out that app.
You know, people can bash apple all they want, but at least their **** actually works properly.

Hasn't happened in a while, but if mine won't connect I just go to the android wear app and disconnect the Zenwatch then connect again. Works every time...

Tried that, many times.. never works. That app doesn't work either.

Well this is a serious problem I've had the watch for about six weeks now it took awhile to get initial set up to begin with I was at the point to return it on the first day , then I don't know how but it just paired and started working fine , I was very happy until today turned the watch on it wasn't paired and I've literally been trying for hours to get this chit to connect with no luck I've reset it ,tried the app mentioned above no luck at this point I give up I bough it at best buy but I'm past the return period I'm going to try and find some customer service rep ,at this point I give up trying to get the watch to work,if anyone knows of a customer service phone number I would greatly appreciate it , or if anyone here has any helpful information , ,I'm pretty tech wavy. But I surrender at this point what a shame I really liked the watch but the aggravation factor is to much ,sorry for the.long rant but there's no where else to vent or look for help maybe together as a group we can find some answers again any help would be greatly appreciated......

did you forget the watch in your phones Bluetooth settings?

kellybrf said:
did you forget the watch in your phones Bluetooth settings?
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Click to collapse
Thank's for replying but yes I've tried everything under the sun , just got home from work , going to see if I can't find a customer service number , if I can't get it resolved by the weekend I might as well throw 200$ in the Trash because That's where it's Going ....................:crying:

Go to settings / apps on your phone. Find google play services under running apps. See if device connection service is running. If not try rebooting your phone then the watch in that order and try to pair. You could also check if there is an update for play services and update if there is.
Sent from my LG-D802 using Tapatalk

Same issue here, boxing up my ZenWatch and bringing it back to Best Buy today. Still within the 15 days. I really like the watch but these random disconnects are a killer. Most of the time it auto-reconnects but every now and then I have to reboot everything--which is kinda ridiculous if I'm out running.
At least I'll have a different watch with everything else the same for comparison sake and report back.

Have you tried uninstalling zenwatch manager? Mine started disconnecting after the last update, and uninstalling seems to have fixed my issue
Sent from my SM-N900P using XDA Free mobile app

I had the same problem I think the update from google services broke it.
unpair the watch from your phone then factory reset the watch and this is IMPORTANT pair your watch using "android wear" NOT the Bluetooth from the system phone
after I paired my watch using Android Wear now the watch stay connected and reconnect normally

keops777 said:
I had the same problem I think the update from google services broke it.
unpair the watch from your phone then factory reset the watch and this is IMPORTANT pair your watch using "android wear" NOT the Bluetooth from the system phone
after I paired my watch using Android Wear now the watch stay connected and reconnect normally
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After half a day working this seems to be the solution, thanks. :good:

Bad luck: two days later same problem persists (frequently disconnecting)

I am getting pretty tired of my Zenwatch not staying connected either. $200 is a lot of money for a watch that doesn't work right. It's had three or four updates since I bought it and it still sucks, should have sent it back the first week.
The Google nag to enable Google Now in the Android Wear screen is also a sore spot with me, if I wanted it enabled it would be enabled.
This whole "wearables" thing seems to be a poorly executed fad more than anything else, one that I'll be avoiding from here on out.

why would you have a watch that relies so heavily on google now and not enable it? connection has been just fine for me no several phones and software versions since I got it in January

kellybrf said:
why would you have a watch that relies so heavily on google now and not enable it? connection has been just fine for me no several phones and software versions since I got it in January
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. I mean, it has disconnected maybe 3 times since I got it in November, but it hasn't been a big issue. Toggling BT on the phone reconnected it. I also agree with you about Google Now. It's central to how Wear works. Using a Wear device without Now would be like buying a car and trying to drive it without starting the engine.

kellybrf said:
why would you have a watch that relies so heavily on google now and not enable it? connection has been just fine for me no several phones and software versions since I got it in January
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need Google now to benefit from owning this watch.
1. I like the ability to change watch faces and create my own with Watchmaker.
2. I can answer or dismiss a call from the watch.
3. Text and email notifications.
That's all I care about, anything else is an unnecessary distraction.

Why can't I have it all?

Today is one of the days per year that I have a full Saturday without my family around to bug me. As I sit here wasting my day trying to figure out how to "have it all", I have to "vent". I don't understand why this is so difficult. It's not about the money, I would write a check with several zeros if someone could find a solution for me. All I want, is a phone that Google and Apple can't track, but is still functional for my needs.
LineageOS with Micro is ALMOST that solution. But, every day something doesn't work like it should. I need to be able to schedule texts and send MMS messages that don't sacrafice quality. What do you user for that? Google Messages. Well, I don't want to sign into Google so none of those features work. In fact, even if I do sign in, none of those features work. Ok, I'll try Textra. Nope. Won't work with MicroG because it "needs google service". I have tried around a dozen messaging apps, but either they don't schedule texts or they don't send MMS.
I drive 1,000s of miles for work in different vehicles in unfamiliar areas. I listen to many podcasts and take lots of phone calls on the road. So, given the amount of travel and variation of vehicles I drive, having a physcial GPS or using a phone mount isn't practical. Using my phone as a handheld GPS isn't smart. What's left? Android Auto. Ok, I've tried using a separate phone for Android Auto, but then phone calls don't come through. I've almost crashed trying to juggle those.
What am I working on today? I've been using Brave Browser, but I also use 1password. 1password functionality is broken on 90% of the sites I visit on Brave, so I downloaded Firefox. 1password works great, but my corporate security app routes everything from Firefox through itself, and breaks everything. It doesn't happen with Brave and I can't delete my work app. So Brave wins that battle.
So I thought -- why don't I just install LinesageOS with gapps, create a brand new google account to login with, and never use that google ID anywhere else. But after some research and asking on different message boards, THAT doesn't work either.
At this point, how does someone in my shoes not just say f#*k it, you win Google/Apple, and go back to a stock OS?

faknit said:
have to "vent"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Kinda know this feeling.
faknit said:
want, is a phone that Google and Apple can't track
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How about Librem? Or at least iodeOS?
faknit said:
Google Messages
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Click to collapse
Why in the 1st place?
faknit said:
What's left? Android Auto
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Click to collapse
Well, other than that, perhaps Osmand?
faknit said:
you win Google/Apple, and go back to a stock OS?
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Click to collapse
NO WAY, over my dad's cat!
I do understand and share your frustration but giving up is not a good choice here.
Sometimes less is more, I don't use MicroG at all and people keep pestering me since years to get Whatsapp, Signal, Threema, Telegram, Slack, Discord and all that ****. Nah, stop being stupid and just keep using email, SMS or jabber.
Unless another Noah posts free tickets for Ark 2 on whatsapp, I am perfectly fine, I guess

A little late on my reply! Figured I'd still throw this out there.
I can't use Librem & iodeOS because of work requirements. I have to use their applications for email/messaging etc. Unfortunately the apps also detect/block Custom ROMs so I have no choice but to root so I can use magisk.
Literally the only reason I want Google Messages (which, for what I want requires chat features enabled) is to schedule messages without losing other functionality. QKSMS works great, but you can't share videos. Several others that are recommended won't work without Google services. There was one that worked really well but crashed every couple hours and would only work after uninstalling.
Android Auto, I could care less which application I use TBH, but nothing else will do what I need. I need the map to display on the cars screen so I'm not staring at my phone. A second phone isn't an option because 1. I'd lose it 2. Work won't pay for a phone because they suck and I can't afford 2 plans. Same excuses for a dedicated GPS. A phone mount is difficult because of the sheer variety of vehicles I drive, and I usually don't know what I'll be driving. So I'd have to take several styles of mount on every trip.
All that said --- I vented and I feel better. I'm just dealing with the problems.

faknit said:
Work won't pay for a phone because they suck and I can't afford 2 plans
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Click to collapse
That sounds familiar. A previous company insisted on iphone which I despised but I tried anyway for a month, ever since I hate everything crapple even more
But wait, can't solve issue 1... issue 2: Hotspot on company phone? Muahahahaaa