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KitKat
Definition of Android and App from a glossary or dictionary.
NEWS
11/12/2020 10:41 pm

The Big Android Dictionary: A Glossary of Terms You Should Know

Android comprises an entire ecosystem of apps, games, functions, and features, so it would only make sense that it has its own lexicon. Words, phrases, and acronyms that didn't exist ten years ago are now used in an off-the-cuff style by developers and support technicians across the web. As the plat ...more

Mobile device settings menu with options for contacts, phone, photos, camera, and Wi-Fi information.
HOW TO
02/25/2019 5:20 pm

6 Habits That Will Help You Avoid Bad Android Apps on Google Play

When I review apps, I'll oftentimes end up downloading at least one or two "bad" apps that either lied about their functionality or were riddled with ads. These apps, while not as harmful as malware, can still be a major headache. This got me thinking about the other bad apps on the Play Store and h ...more

Smartphone partially visible in a brown leather bag.
HOW TO
02/25/2019 5:07 pm

Change These Settings Now to Protect Your Data in Case Your Phone Is Stolen

As smartphone users, we live in dangerous times. The value of phones continues to rise, making them prime targets for thieves. In 2015, the FCC estimated that one million phones are stolen each year, and with several devices starting to hit the $1,000 mark now, these numbers are sure to rise. But wh ...more

Decorative natural balls arranged on a tray.
HOW TO
10/12/2018 4:39 pm

How to Take 'Portrait Mode' Pictures on Android Like on the iPhone 7 Plus

We all got a little jealous of the iPhone 7 Plus's dual-lens camera during the Apple Keynote in September. It's okay, you can admit it. But just because your Android doesn't have two lenses doesn't mean you can't recreate the fun bokeh effect of the iPhone's now wildly popular Portrait Mode. The Goo ...more

Smartphones arranged in a cluster with black screens.
HOW TO
10/04/2018 11:59 pm

How to Root Android: Our Always-Updated Rooting Guide for Major Phone Models

Without a comprehensive root method for all Android phones and tablets, a device-specific approach is needed. And since we always cover new rooting methods for all the popular phones here at Gadget Hacks, we've built this always-updated guide to rooting many mainstream Android devices. Any time we f ...more

Android mascot figurine with Oreo cookies on a table.
NEWS
01/31/2018 7:57 pm

Almost a Year Later, Android Oreo Is Still on Less Than 1% of Phones

The first developer preview build of Android P (Android 9.0) is right around the corner, but less than 1% of Android phones are running Oreo. The fragmentation on Android (the number of devices on different versions of the operating system) is staggering, and a problem that has plagued the operating ...more

Camera settings menu on a smartphone screen.
HOW TO
01/17/2018 1:18 am

Still Missing Live Photos on Your Android? Try These 3 Apps

Apple didn't invent the concept of photos with videos embedded (that credit goes to HTC and their Zoe feature), but they sure did popularize this functionality when they came out with Live Photos. If you're jealous of iPhone users, you certainly don't need to be — there are several great ways to rec ...more

Facebook login screen on a smartphone.
HOW TO
11/21/2017 4:41 pm

Hack Like a Pro: How to Hack Facebook (Same-Origin Policy)

Welcome back, my budding hackers! This is the initial post of a new series on how to hack Facebook. It's important to note here that each hack I'll be covering is very specific. I have said it before, but I feel I need to repeat it again: there is NO SILVER BULLET that works under all circumstances. ...more

Mobile phone displaying landscape images on a metal surface outdoors.
HOW TO
10/05/2017 7:41 pm

3 Ways to Try the Pixel 2's New 'Motion Photos' on Any Android

Google's new Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL have a new camera mode called "Motion Photos." As the name implies, it's quite similar to Apple's Live Photos feature or HTC's Zoe before it. For every picture you take, a few seconds of video footage from before and after the shot was taken will be embedded in th ...more

Smartphone with app icons displayed against a sunset backdrop.
HOW TO
09/11/2017 11:42 pm

Ranked: The 5 Best Home Screen Launchers for Android

One of the best things about Android is the ability to customize your phone to your liking. From changing the layout of icons to finding the perfect wallpaper to reflect your current mood, there's a wide range of tools to make your phone yours. One of the easiest ways is to transform your phone is t ...more

Android mascot with "# What is Root?" text in the background.
HOW TO
05/19/2017 10:53 pm

Android Basics: What Is Root?

If you're completely new to Android, you're in for a treat with all of the software tweaks and customization options that your smartphone or tablet offers out of the box. But if you really want to take things to the next level, the ability to mod your device expands exponentially when you're rooted. ...more

Person playing a mobile game on a smartphone.
HOW TO
04/21/2017 12:34 am

Play DuelBeats on Your iPhone or Android Before Anyone Else

Fans of rhythm tap games and traditional one-on-one fighters finally have something to bring them closer together. DuelBeats, a fighting game that lets you perform moves by tapping to the beat of a song, has been released as a soft launch for both iOS and Android in New Zealand, Australia, and Singa ...more

Person holding a tablet while browsing videos on a couch.
HOW TO
04/05/2017 1:55 am

Enable YouTube Background Playback for Free on Android Nougat

YouTube is a great place for all your mainstream audio and video needs. But you can't simply plug in your headphones, choose a playlist, and put your phone back in your pocket without subscribing to YouTube Red, which costs $9.99/month for ad-free and background playback. If you can't afford that fo ...more

Android logo with padlocks, symbolizing security and protection in technology.
HOW TO
03/15/2017 12:52 am

Android Security: 13 Must-Know Tips for Keeping Your Phone Secure

These days, that pocket-sized computer we call a smartphone is home to your entire digital life. But with the onset of mobile payments and online banking, the line between your virtual world and the physical realm is becoming increasingly blurred. We vigilantly remember to lock our doors and close o ...more

Smartphone leaning against a wooden surface showcasing an app interface.
HOW TO
03/10/2017 12:14 am

Get Sony's New Xperia Music App with Material Design on Any Android

Anybody who was around in the '80s and '90s associates Sony with music still to this day, thanks to their wildly successful Walkman brand. And that's not even mentioning their major label record company. Indeed, the Tokyo-based electronics maker/media conglomerate has music embedded in its DNA, and ...more

Mobile phone displaying a Google search interface.
HOW TO
02/24/2017 4:48 pm

How to Take Partial Screenshots on Android

Being able to take screenshots on Android isn't something we were always able to do. It was added to stock Android in Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0 (Gingerbread 2.3, if you were a Samsung TouchWiz user) as a simple full screen screenshot, and that's the way it's remained ever since—until now. Google is rum ...more

Person holding a large KitKat chocolate bar.
NEWS
01/14/2017 2:32 am

Massive 13-Pound Kit Kat Puts Your DIY Candy Bars to Shame

Breaking off a piece of that Kit Kat bar gets a lot more difficult when the whole thing weighs 13 pounds. Ann Reardon, a food scientist and dietitian with an ironic obsession for unhealthy desserts, started the very successful blog How To Cook That back in 2011 to showcase her homemade cakes, cookie ...more

FORUM
12/13/2016 6:16 pm

Metasploit: EXPLOIT FAIL to BIND

HI all, I am new to Metasploit. Using Kali Rolling: Linux kali 4.6.0-kali1-amd64 #1 SMP Debian 4.6.4-1kali1 (2016-07-21) x86_64 GNU/Linux. I am trying to hack my own phone(Andriod Kitkat) using Andriod Exploit stagefrightmp4tx3g_64bit . In my router i have done port forwarding for port 4444 ,8080,44 ...more

Smartphone screen displaying app icons and notification bar.
NEWS
11/18/2016 8:10 pm

Best Apps for Hiding Android's Soft Keys to Reclaim Precious Screen Real Estate

If your Android device wasn't manufactured by Samsung, chances are it uses on-screen navigation buttons. Colloquially referred to as "Soft keys," these have become commonplace due to their flexibility, as well as the fact that manufacturers don't have to include extra hardware buttons with a propens ...more

Settings menu on a smartphone screen.
HOW TO
08/12/2016 11:55 pm

How to Get Android Nougat Features on Your Phone Right Now

The Android Nougat preview build for Nexus devices comes packed to the brim with new functionality: multi-window mode, a dark theme, and a data-saver toggle, just to name a few. However, unless you have a Nexus device, it will be a while before you get these exciting new features by default. Don't M ...more

"Settings toggle for 'Hey Siri' activation on a mobile device"
HOW TO
06/03/2016 4:07 pm

Hey, Siri: How to Activate Siri in iOS 8 Without Lifting a Finger

It seems that Apple is taking a page from Google's book with their new "Hey, Siri" voice activation feature in iOS 8. This feature mimics the one found in Google Now, the voice-activated intelligent personal assistant available to just about all Android users. Apple's version allows you to bring up ...more

Wireless charging pad next to a smartphone.
HOW TO
05/20/2016 4:39 pm

8 Useful Ways to Take Advantage of Your Android Phone's NFC Chip

Near Field Communication, or NFC for short, is a feature that allows our smartphones to wirelessly communicate with other devices over a short distance while using almost no power at all. Think of it like a slimmed-down version of Wi-Fi or Bluetooth that can send a small burst of data two inches awa ...more

Chocolate cups in pink liners beside a bowl of melted chocolate and a cup of sauce.
HOW TO
05/19/2016 10:49 pm

Making Reese's Peanut Butter Cups at Home Is Super Simple

Rich, creamy chocolate cups stuffed with smooth, salty-sweet peanut butter in a bite-sized package—yep, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups are an amazing fix for your sweet tooth at best, and a guilty pleasure at worst. It's easy enough to buy them on a whim at the local grocery store, but it's even easier ...more

Strawberry smoothie with fresh strawberries.
HOW TO
05/05/2016 9:49 pm

Make Jamba Juice's 5 Best 'Secret' Smoothies at Home

Whenever I go to Jamba Juice, I usually gravitate towards either the Matcha Green Tea or Caribbean Passion smoothies. But when I learned about their secret menu a few years ago, I felt like a little kid all over again—especially with flavors like Pink Gummy Bear and Orange Dream Machine. Don't Miss: ...more

A person using a smartphone to make a contactless payment at a terminal.
NEWS
04/15/2016 5:31 pm

Get Up to 2 GB of Free Data from Verizon Just for Using Android Pay

If you tend to go over your data allotment each month, or are constantly afraid you will, Verizon Wireless is giving you chance to relax a little bit with up to 2 GB free data for two months. The promotion, in partnership with Google, requires you to use Android Pay for in-store purchases to cash in ...more

Kit Kat snack with a small note beside a white mug.
HOW TO
04/13/2016 6:17 pm

Recreate KitKat's Awesomely Alcoholic Sake Flavor at Home

Listen up, children, pregnant women, and lightweights: this particular KitKat variety is not for you. Well, with 0.8% alcoholic content per 2 KitKat bars, it's highly unlikely anyone will actually get drunk on these things. Still... The newest flavor of KitKat (or Kit Kat) in Japan is the Japanese S ...more

Geometric shapes with a blue diagonal bar on a pink background.
NEWS
03/16/2016 4:28 pm

Name Game: These Are My Best Guesses at What Android N Will Be Called

It's about that time again. Spring weather is here, a new season of Game of Thrones is upon us, and we're getting ready for the next version of Android. According to Google's naming convention, the Alphabet company names each Android version for a dessert or sweet-snack, in alphabetical order. To da ...more

Voice search interface over a seaside landscape.
NEWS
03/10/2016 1:24 am

30 Relatively Unknown Google Now Voice Commands & Easter Eggs

As Android's de facto virtual assistant, Google Now lets us speak directly to our phones in plain English to answer our questions and perform many basic tasks. With the app open, just say "Okay Google," then wait for the beep, and ask almost any question. But several Google Now commands aren't as co ...more

Smartphone screen displaying a music volume slider.
HOW TO
03/06/2016 7:41 am

How to Make Your Volume Buttons Control Media Volume by Default, Not Ringtones

The volume buttons on the side of most Android devices—also known as the volume rocker—make it easy to adjust sound output without having to dig around in any settings menus. But the trouble is, they control notification and ringtone volume by default, and will only adjust media volume after a song ...more

Mobile device displaying battery usage statistics on a wooden surface.
HOW TO
01/29/2016 11:36 pm

Boost Battery Life by Taming Android's Background Location Checks

An app can request a wakelock to prevent your Android device from entering sleep mode so that it can sync data in the background. This obviously drains your battery, because instead of running in low-power sleep mode, your processor is fully activated while it performs its tasks. Wakelocks are a nec ...more

Woman using a smartphone while wearing headphones.
NEWS
01/11/2016 9:41 pm

Our Favorite WTF Gadgets from CES 2016

There was lots of new tech to check out at CES 2016, but you could argue that the majority of the big-ticket items weren't the most unique things in the world. Thankfully, there were a few innovative, unconventional ideas on display, and here are some of our favorites. We Get It, You VapeHave you ev ...more

Smartphone screen displaying a colorful background with app icons and a crossed-out symbol.
HOW TO
01/05/2016 7:28 pm

Disable the Redundant Google Now Swipe Gesture on Nexus Devices

When on-screen buttons were introduced alongside Android 4.0, it didn't take long before Google added a gesture to these virtual navigation keys. Since then, an upward swipe originating from the home button has always been a shortcut to Google Now on Nexus devices. But these days, the stock Google l ...more

Android mascot with sunglasses next to a puzzle piece and a smartphone outline.
NEWS
11/18/2015 6:46 pm

The Complete List of Marshmallow-Compatible Xposed Modules

The Xposed Framework was just recently made available for Android Marshmallow, but everything isn't quite back to status quo just yet. Sure, some Xposed modules function properly, but others are a bit buggy, and several don't even work at all. This is mostly a result of changes to the Android system ...more

Smartphone screen displaying app settings and usage statistics.
NEWS
11/18/2015 6:05 pm

The Complete List of Lollipop-Compatible Xposed Modules

Now that the Xposed Framework has finally been updated for Android Lollipop, we're starting to notice that some modules function properly, while others are a bit buggy or even worse—don't work at all. Most of this is a result of changes to elements of the Android system that KitKat modules relied up ...more

Mobile device displaying app settings on a green background.
HOW TO
11/17/2015 4:57 pm

How to Install the Xposed Framework on Android Lollipop Devices

UPDATE 11/17/15 The Xposed Framework now officially supports Android 5.1 through 5.1.1 Lollipop devices as well. Everything will still work the way it has with Android 5.0 through 5.0.2, but there are a separate set of files for the newer Android version. I'll cover both below, but make sure to down ...more

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HOW TO
10/13/2015 6:34 pm

Tor for Android: How to Stay Anonymous on Your Phone

Keeping your online data and identity private is an uphill battle, but with the anonymity network Tor, you have a pretty decent line of defense from prying eyes. But while Tor is great for desktop users, since they can simply install a Tor browser or plugin, it's a bit more complicated on Android. T ...more

Smartphone display showing various app icons.
HOW TO
10/06/2015 4:20 pm

Galaxy Note 4's Exclusive Apps Now Available for Any Galaxy Device

Getting a new phone is exciting, but having access to its exclusive apps ahead of its release is what we're all about here on Gadget Hacks. If you have a Galaxy Note 3, you've probably only had it for a year or less, so upgrading to the Note 4 may not be a viable option when it's released this Octob ...more

Smartphone interface showcasing settings menu and dark mode options.
HOW TO
10/04/2015 7:04 pm

How to Theme Every Aspect of Your Android Phone for a Truly Unique Look & Feel

It seems like whenever someone sees my phone, they ask me two questions right off the bat; "What phone is that?" and "How did you get your Android to look like that?" The first one is pretty straight-forward, but the second one not-so-much. I've spent countless hours searching forums and testing app ...more

FORUM
09/10/2015 11:46 pm

Guys I Was Thinking of Ways to Use My Phone for Hacking with My Pc, Any Ideas?

I Have an android KitKat phone and i wanted to use it with my pc for hacking, i already know about dsploit and wifikill and other "hacking" apps but i was thinking about something more kali like, and i know that there's Kali Nethunter but it isnt compatible with my device, And i also thought about u ...more

Camera lens of a smartphone.
NEWS
09/10/2015 3:47 pm

The 5 Best Free Camera Apps for Android

Practically every smartphone comes with a built-in camera app, but these apps are generally created by the device's manufacturer. And let's face it, manufacturers are hardware companies first and foremost, so they don't always produce the best software. Luckily, though, Android allows us to install ...more

Smartphone screen displaying app notifications and settings options.
HOW TO
08/25/2015 5:23 pm

How to Stop Spammy Notifications on Your Phone

Have you ever had one of your Android games post a notification in a lame attempt to remind you to play? This is becoming a common practice these days, and to me, it's about as annoying as a Best Buy blue shirt when I'm just trying to check out the latest TVs. Or perhaps you're a rooted user, and yo ...more

Smartphone displaying a music identification app interface.
HOW TO
08/24/2015 9:06 pm

How to Get Lock Screen Widgets on Lollipop

The transition from Android KitKat to Lollipop was pretty drastic in the looks department. Google's new Material Design guidelines changed the way many parts of the UI function, like the notification drawer, status bar, and most notably, the lock screen. Don't Miss: How to Protect Yourself from Andr ...more

Android-themed communication apps graphic.
HOW TO
07/28/2015 10:02 pm

10 Free Texting Apps for Android That Are Way Better Than Your Stock SMS App

Texting has become the king of communication—gone are the days where everyone called each other. These days, it's down-right weird when someone calls first. Whether it be on a phone or on a computer, SMS and MMS messages are the most common way people keep in contact, so why not make sure your app o ...more

Person using a smartphone to browse images.
HOW TO
07/13/2015 7:15 pm

How to Instantly Scroll Back Up to the Top of Any App on Your HTC One

Like most of you, I find myself scrolling through endless lists of Facebook feeds, Instagram lists, and tweets. Most of the time, it's a pain to scroll all the way back up to the top. Unlike iOS devices, Android has never had a solution to quickly scrolling to the top of a list in an app, but now wi ...more

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HOW TO
07/13/2015 7:15 pm

How to Get Rid of Annoying YouTube Ads on Your HTC One

YouTube makes money hand over fist every year selling ad space to companies, but unless you're reaping those benefits, they can be pretty annoying. Luckily, there is a simple way to get rid them on your rooted HTC One with Xposed and YouTube AdAway. YouTube AdAway is an Xposed Module created by Moha ...more

Android logo surrounded by various antivirus software icons.
NEWS
06/19/2015 4:11 pm

Best Android Antivirus: Avast vs. AVG vs. Kaspersky vs. McAfee

When it comes to antivirus software, you don't want some fly-by-night developer having access to the sensitive data that these apps can scan. Luckily, most of the longest-tenured antivirus companies from the realm of desktop computers offer complete security suites for Android these days. While Andr ...more

Facebook notification on a smartphone screen.
HOW TO
06/02/2015 6:37 pm

How to Disable Heads-Up (Pop-Up) Notifications in Android Lollipop Without Root

Android Lollipop, introduced an array of new features and aesthetics that pleased many loyal users. One of those additions being the new heads-up notifications. Taking subtle inspiration from iOS, these notifications are visually appealing and can be easily dismissed or expanded, but they do require ...more

Smartphone displaying time and weather information.
HOW TO
05/22/2015 10:00 pm

How to Add Custom Widgets to the Lock Screen on Android Lollipop

When Lollipop was released, Android's lock screen got a huge makeover. But most of the changes were made for aesthetic purposes rather than functionality. In fact, one of KitKat's best lock screen features was removed altogether—the ability to add custom widgets. We've since seen a mod that will all ...more

Smartphone displaying a music streaming app interface.
HOW TO
05/22/2015 7:58 pm

How to Install Sony's Newest Album & Walkman Apps on Almost Any Android

Sony's Xperia line of smartphones are beautifully crafted and have many great features. But considering the fact that Sony has evolved into a media company over the last two decades, it's their media-related apps that stand out the most. Just recently, they've updated their software for Android Loll ...more

Business meeting with a man presenting a growth chart to a group in a conference room.
HOW TO
05/10/2015 12:16 am

Use Your Chromecast to Make PowerPoint Presentations from Your Android

Chromecast is so small and portable that it would seem to be a perfect device for making PowerPoint presentations. But even now that you can mirror your Android device's display, there are still a few issues. For instance, auto-rotation kicks in when you're not paying close enough attention to how y ...more

Smartphone displaying a music player interface on a tiled surface.
HOW TO
04/30/2015 4:34 pm

How to Move Any Screen Freely for Easier One-Handed Use on Android

With smartphone screens getting bigger by the generation, one-handed mode mods are becoming rather prevalent. Most of these function by shrinking the screen to a more manageable size, but this is actually kind of boring when you think about it. Separating itself from the pack, an Xposed module from ...more

FORUM
04/29/2015 7:57 am

How to Make My YU Dual Boot?

I want to make my phone to work on Kitkat and Lollipop by partitioning the drive any suggestion how can i do so. ...more