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how configure android apps?


Fidcal

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Got an old Samsung Galaxy Tab E tablet. Took me months to discover that 'recent apps' really means 'running apps' like Windows taskbar and that's where you CLOSE them! I've left apps running all day because I had no idea how to stop them!

 

Anyway, what I can't figure out is how do you configure an app? I mean in Windows software there's usually an options menu if any config is available!

 

I just downloaded a digital clock which was described on the download site as having various customisation and can even set an alarm. How? Is there some standard method in android?

 

Tried:

 

  1. Google - hopeless. I don't think they could believe anyone could not see how to configure an app unless they meant software engineers writing an app.
  2. Right pressing clock display (touch screen) but no menu popped up.
  3. Manage Apps in main tablet settings - but this only gives a few basic tablet settings that apply to that app.
  4. Hitting screen with forehead - no effect except for bruising and headache. :(

 

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And for closing apps, i use the standard app switcher (square-button) and apps like greenify or the desktop widget from "advanced task killer free".

And the "apps" category of androids settingsmenu.

 

Or get another "launcher".

Edited by freyk

Info: My portfolio and darkmod graphical installer
Amnesty for Bikerdude!

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  • Got an old Samsung Galaxy Tab E tablet. Took me months to discover that 'recent apps' really means 'running apps' like Windows taskbar and that's where you CLOSE them! I've left apps running all day because I had no idea how to stop them!
  • Anyway, what I can't figure out is how do you configure an app? I mean in Windows software there's usually an options menu if any config is available!
  • I just downloaded a digital clock which was described on the download site as having various customisation and can even set an alarm. How? Is there some standard method in android?

Tried:

  1. Google - hopeless. I don't think they could believe anyone could not see how to configure an app unless they meant software engineers writing an app.
  2. Right pressing clock display (touch screen) but no menu popped up.
  3. Manage Apps in main tablet settings - but this only gives a few basic tablet settings that apply to that app.
  4. Hitting screen with forehead - no effect except for bruising and headache. :(
  • Whats the exact model of the Tab and what version of android are you running on it, settings>about>
  • In the resents tab on all versions of android there will be a clear all running apps option/button/X icon, or you can simple press & swipe the app to the left to remove it from the list of active running apps.
  • Be wary of downloading apps from random sites, I only use Google play and the Xda forums.
  1. yes, I would just disable that app entirely Settings>applications> then click on disable.
  2. some apps dont access the menu that way, you may have to go into the app and look for a menu option.
  3. depends on the version of android you running - it may be worth running an update to see if there is a later version of android for that tablet settings>software update.
  4. Can help you there :-D

If you need more help I can remote into the table via teamviewer and give you more in depth help.

Edited by Bikerdude
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Let's see...

 

Tablet model is SM-T560

 

Android version is 4.4.4

 

By 'app' I suppose everyone means the icon? Yeah, I did try that before but forgot to include it in my list of things I'd done. When I first go to that screen I see the three little dot menu but if I click it then I only get display options for the system itself, eg, show suffixes, show hidden files, nothing else.

 

If I hold the [app] icon for a couple of seconds then it selects it (check/tick mark on left.) That hides the 3-dot menu leaving only the trash icon and a new icon saying 1 item selected. Clicking that does nothing.

 

This is the app:

 

https://www.appsapk.com/digital-clock-shg2-free/

 

You can see it says:

 

Color scheme and display contents can be changed.
Alarm function (Day of week can be selected.).

 

The default display is VERY faint blue digits on black, nothing like that shown. Thing is, how to config it? Or any app! I have another clock and can't config that either. What am I missing?

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You could try dragging from below-the-screen up or from any of the other 3 directions.

You can get to menus via three lines or three dots, and options is sometimes a gear icon.

 

If you can find it on Google Play Store, then you can "review" it and ask your question in your review comment, then the dev or somebody else(?) can reply with the answer. And you can give it a low score and promise to raise the score if your question is answered and your question is more likely to get the dev's attention.

What do you see when you turn out the light? I can't tell you but I know that it's mine.

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I Installed the app.

 

The settings-button is standard hidden on this app.

 

For the settings of the app:

open the app, tap on the time and the settings-button (3 white dots-icon) will appear on the right upperside.

Tap on the settings-button for the settings.

Edited by freyk

Info: My portfolio and darkmod graphical installer
Amnesty for Bikerdude!

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I installed the version from Google Play Store, and there's clearly a three white dots icon in the top-right, pressing gives customization options, including alarm settings. Some options are apparently disabled because it's the free version, and buying the premium version opens those options up. You may be using an older version from that dodgy site, and the Play Store version may be more up to date.

What do you see when you turn out the light? I can't tell you but I know that it's mine.

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Okay, thanks, everyone. Looks like the version I've got (3.2.088) doesn't configure on the Samsung Galaxy E. I'd already tried swiping stroking, tapping holding etc on the display and all I ever see is a system bar with option such as wifi and time and location etc. There's no 3-dot menu. I get that system bar on pretty much any screen even the desktop if I touch an area that's not doing something else.

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Tablet model is SM-T560 & Android 4.4.4

The T560 should be updatable to Android 5.0.1, does it have any letter after the number 560? I ask because the SM-T560NU can be update to Android 7.0.1 and the reason i mentioning upgrade at all is because of 2 reasons.

  1. Android 4.4.4(kitkat) is quite antiquated, its the equivalent of Windows Xp. Newer versions generaly give a device (phone or tablet) a new lease of life and more features.
  2. Security, the later the version of Android you have the better.

Another reason for upgrading, is following on from what Dema/Freyk are seeing. They maybe running latter version also and the gui of the clock app my be optimised for later versions of Android.

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Worth trying. What I get is the message:

 

Manual mode

Applying Multi-CSC

Applied the CSC code BTU

Successfully applied multi CSC

 

Now send the package you want to apply

to the device with adb sideload <filename>

 

I'm guessing it either wants a url or a path name on my pc or maybe I need to download the update first then run this routine. I'll google this to see if I can find out then try again.

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I wasn't trying to get an apk file. I simply recalled that when I did a factory reset this morning (long story but it's not been used for months and the battery was dead then after recharging most everything was gone including the settings) I noticed an option to update android.

 

Thing is, on this Galaxy, to do a factory reset or the above, you hold three buttons then release one when the screen changes. You then get some micro text with options using the vol up/down button as move and the power button to select. One option is factory reset. Another is this android update.

 

Anyway, I've fugged it up good and proper because it's locked up totally with the screen on and even the last resort factory reset doesn't work. I can't do anything but wait a few days for the battery to drain then factory reset it again (if I'm lucky.)

 

before the above, I tried in the settings to update the Galaxy sys settings but they were already uptodate (because by default it was set to auto-update.) I don't recall seeing an android update in those settings.

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Anyway, I've fugged it up good and proper because it's locked up totally with the screen on and even the last resort factory reset doesn't work. I can't do anything but wait a few days for the battery to drain then factory reset it again (if I'm lucky.)

You should be able to force the Tab to shutdown (as I can with my Galaxy S7) - http://www.samsung.com/hk_en/support/skp/faq/1079486

 

And if you want to manually update the tab - with all Samsung devices you can flash the stock room in what's known as download/boootloader mode. Press and hold power volume down and home buttons (howto below) -

 

 

Once your ablve to get into download mode you can flash the entire stock rom using a tool called Odin

 

- https://samsunggalaxyrom.com/2017/03/update-firmware-samsung-galaxy-tab-e-9-6-wifi-sm-t560-t560zts0aqa1-kitkat.html

 

If your not comfortable doing the above, you can post me the tab and I will do it for you.

Edited by Bikerdude
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There is no official 5.0 firmware out there.

 

Official

https://www.sammobile.com/firmwares/galaxy-tab-e/SM-T560/

 

Unofficial:

But you can search xda for roms,

what bikerdude already said.

And find some tutorial sites, like this:

https://www.getdroidtips.com/install-unofficial-lineage-os-13-on-samsung-galaxy-tab-e/

Edited by freyk

Info: My portfolio and darkmod graphical installer
Amnesty for Bikerdude!

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Sounds like I've got the official android for this then.

 

Oh, well, there was no guarantee it would fix the problem anyway. Seems that Samsung hijack a null touch. What they show instead is quick settings and its in the settings for button order but not to be turned off. Crazy because I've never ever used it. The font is microscopic and the info is of no interest except maybe battery status and that's easy to check and they notify low battery anyway. Meanwhile, app developers ought to always show a menu icon for a few seconds each launch so it won't spoil the display once it times out and the user can choose how long it shows up to permanently. That way everyone's happy. Even me. :(

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But don't let these problems turn you down.

the battery problem is just a "normal" problem that people can get.

 

And others are easy to solve,

If you follow parts of the tutorial is posted you get a new android os and you can backup the whole os (and or the settings).

See Benefits of a custom android os.

 

A custom android installation for a samsung device sounds like:

backup your data, enable developer options and unlock your bootloader & google frp (using the internal android settings),

flash with odin a custom rom.

or flash with fastboot, install twrp and flash rom on using twrp.

 

XDA - Galaxy tab-e (sm-t560)

Rom - only existing custom rom for this device : https://forum.xda-developers.com/android/development/rom-lineageos-11-0-samsung-galaxy-tab-e-t3711283(but this os is based on android 4.4).

And the sm-t560 is not the same as the SM-T560NU.

Edited by freyk

Info: My portfolio and darkmod graphical installer
Amnesty for Bikerdude!

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  • There is no official 5.0 firmware out there.
  • Unofficial:But you can search xda for roms,
  • Must be for other version of the Tab E then :-/
  • Yup or As I mentioned previously I am happy to help with this.

Oh, well, there was no guarantee it would fix the problem anyway.

Why did you need ot use a 3rd party clock app..? im sure Android 4 (kitkat) comes with a clock app and widget.

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Seemed like a good idea at the time. The physical clock I have on a shelf near my armchair is the usual LCD - black on dark grey and my eyesight is not getting any better. Those LCD displays haven't improved at all as far as I can see since the 1970's. Well, I believe there are some where the grey is lighter but not good enough and, of course, one cannot tell from the crappy images on-line. So I was browsing around the net then remembered I had this old Galaxy in a drawer somewhere. Dug it out and put it on charge thinking once it's warmed up I can download a clock app in 2 minutes for free and see how it looks propped up on my shelf permanently on charge. HAha! Joke's on me. 2 hours plus later not counting charging time... well, you know the rest.

 

So, yes, the in-built clock on the Galaxy is too thin and small for such use.

 

No matter.

 

 

 

 

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Seemed like a good idea at the time. The physical clock I have on a shelf near my armchair is the usual LCD - black on dark grey and my eyesight is not getting any better.

Funny you mentioned this, as I had the same issue with my eyes not being able to see the time on my bedside clock without my glasses. So my solution was to get a clock that projected the time on the ceiling. So I can still see the time when I'm half asleep.

 

- Sony ICF-C1PJ Clock Radio with Time Projector

 

But if all you want is a large clock widget to be displayed on your tablet, then a quick look on google found this -

 

- https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bojankogoj.giantclock&hl=en_GB

Edited by Bikerdude
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Got an old Samsung Galaxy Tab E tablet. Took me months to discover that 'recent apps' really means 'running apps' like Windows taskbar and that's where you CLOSE them! I've left apps running all day because I had no idea how to stop them!

 

Actually, no, i don't think that's how it works. It's rather a history of the apps you opened. Whether or not they still run in the background is, to my knowledge, not controlled by that view. Of course, doesn't hurt to clear it anyway. I actually think it DOES close some apps, but, some apps won't actually be running in the background anymore. AFAIK.

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