Android 5.0 Lollipop update coming to HTC One (M7) and HTC One (M8) January 3rd

At an event in London, HTC has confirmed that the Android 5.0 Lollipop update will start rolling out to HTC One (M7) and HTC One (M8) in the New Year. While the Google Play Editions of both handsets already have the Lollipop update, there's now not long for everyone else to wait. HTC had promised to make the Android 5.0 Lollipop update available within 90 days of Google releasing the source code, and the company seems to be making good on that promise.

At the very beginning of 2015 the HTC One (M8) is in line for the Android 5.0 Lollipop update. / © ANDROESSENTIALS

If everything goes according to plan, there's just over a couple of weeks until the Lollipop update starts to roll out We've already seen leaked screenshots that show how HTC Sense 6.0 looks in combination with Android 5.0 Lollipop, and this is what owners of the HTC One (M7) and HTC One (M8) have to look forward to. There are slight differences to other versions of Lollipop, including HTC-specific icons and navigation buttons.

A glimpse at Sense 6.0 in Android 5.0 Lollipop. / © ANDROESSENTIALS

The HTC One (M8) is the successor to 2013's HTC One (M7). It was one of the best smartphones of 2014, so it seems fitting that it starts 2015 with some Lollipop goodness.

Are you ready for Lollipop on your HTC One?

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How To Increase Ram Space On Android Phones

One of the main problems that smartphones encounter as they age is that they stop being able to cope with modern apps and new software updates. To help you defend against performance issues with older hardware, here is our guide for how to increase phone RAM, both with and without root access. 

Find out how to increase your smartphone RAM right here! / © AndroEssentials

How to fix phone lag on Android

People complain about "lag" all the time with regard to their Android devices. This is the delay or slowness seen on the device when it opens an application or swaps between windows. Gaming fans are the ones who suffer most, and lag has caused many a device to be thrown across the room in anger. But there is an app which can help remove lag on Android, and its name is Seeder.

How to speed up Android and get rid of the delays. / © AndroEssentials

Please note: AndroEssentials can not be held responsible for any errors that occurred during this process.

How to root your device without voiding the warranty

If you’ve been a rather constant reader of AndroidPIT, you most likely have come across more than your fair share of guides on how exactly you can root your device. However, how many of you haven’t bothered touching this type of things for fear of voiding the warranty on your device?  How about being worried that you might do something wrong and brick your device? Well, if that’s the case, you can now sleep soundly and attempt root yourself with the help of VRoot. This is a bundle of software that allows rooting devices with one click without the fear of voiding your warranty. 

© AndroEssentials

How to block a number on the Galaxy S4

It's something that happens to all of us from time to time. It might be a pushy salesperson, or it could be a misdialled call that just keeps coming through to your mobile – we all get calls we want to avoid. There's no need to ignore the calls, and no need to send it straight to voice mail; you can easily block calls from a specific number on your Samsung Galaxy S4. Once blocked you'll never be pestered with unwanted calls from that number again, and you'll not even be told that the person tried to call – sweet silence!

Plagued with unwanted calls? You can have your phone automatically reject them. / © AndroEssentials

The ability to block calls from a specific number is something that is available on your Galaxy S4 without the need for any software – it is built in by default. There are two different ways to block numbers, the first of which is to make use of call logs.

Fix phone overheating problem with coolify

Whether you’re pushing your Android device to the limit by playing some of the latest games or just using it for extended periods of time, you’ve probably noticed that it gets a little hot.  Well, if you’re not trying to use your smartphone or tablet as a replacement heater during the winter, you might be interested in giving out Coolify a test and help curb your overheating issues.

Overheating will not longer be a problem with Coolify! / © Google / Coolify

Install CWM Recovery on Sony Xperia M2 LTE

Each Android powered smartphone or tablet that is available on the market comes pre-installed with a stock recovery image. This recovery environment enables access to the internal system of your device. But, since we are talking about a pre-installed feature, the same is coming with various restrictions. Thus, replacing the stock recovery with a custom one is a must, especially if you want to tweak your Sony Xperia M2 LTE or your Android smartphone / tablet.

Jellybean Official PAC-Man rom for Galaxy S2

Contents:

• Features
• Disclaimer
• How to install
• Downloads

Features:

• All in One Rom [Core features from PA, AOKP and CM]
•  PAC in Black
•  Status bar tweaks
•  Quick Settings Panel tweaks
•  Notification Drawer tweaks
•  Lockscreen Notifications
•  Active Display
•  Appbar
•  Gesture Anywhere
•  Init.d scripts
•  Build.prop Mods
•  Statusbar Weather
•  Recents RAM Bar
•  PAC Console
•  Latest Version Nightly Builds
•  OTA Updates
•  Changelog Viewer
•  Basically if there is a cool feature out there and it's open source,
•  then we will try to bring that feature into PAC-man
•  (insert PAC-man eating a pellet sound here)
•  And of course, it's android KitKat

NeatROM for Galaxy S2 I9100

- Skip To Screen Shots -
- Skip To Install -

Features

• March 3, 2014
• NeatROM for Samsung Galaxy S2 I9100
• Firmware: XWMS3 NeatROM Lite v5.9 Aroma (4.1.2)
• Build Date: Mon Dec 23 21:28:58 KST 2013
• Modem: XXMS4
• CSC: FOPLS6 Multi
• Change List: 1497824
• Available languages in Rom: Catala, Cestina, Dansk, Deutsch, Eesti, English (Australia), English (United Kingdom), English (United States), Espanol, Estonian, Euskera, Francais, Galego, Hrvatski, Icelandic, Irish, Italiano, Kazakh, Latviesu, Lietuviu, Macedonian, Magyar, Nederlands, Norsk bokmal, Polski, Portugues, Romana, Slovencina, Slovenscina, Suomi, Svenska, Turkce, Uzbek, Greek, Bulgarian, Russian, Ukrainian, Serbian, Korean
• Fully Deodexed
• Zipaligned
• Rooted
• BusyBox
• SuperSU
• EFS auto backup
• NO WIPE
• Disabled boot sounds
• New Tweaks
• More Optimized
• Increase Contacts adding for the message (1000 contacts instead of 10 contacts)
• No Auto Converting messages to MMS
• Enabled Camera Sound Menu
• No Call Ring Delay
• 4 Way Reboot
• Enabled All Languages
• Enabled All Languages For Samsung Keyboard
• Faster GPS Lock
• Enabled Sensor Aiding For Fast GPS Lock
• Enabled More Contacts (999)
• Disabled Scrolling Cache
• Init.d Support
• MultiWindow (Enabled all Apps)

How to transform your Galaxy S4 into an S5

It didn't take long, but all the tools you need to transform your Galaxy S4 into an S5 are already available. In this tutorial we'll show you how to get the Quick Settings, notifications shade, settings menu (in both round icon and list view), wallpapers, icons and the new Galaxy S5 apps. You'll even get access to the impressive new Download Booster option.

With a little bit of work you can set your S4 up like an S5. / © AndroidPIT

What you need

You'll need a rooted S4 running on Android 4.4.2 and a few file downloads we'll move onto in a minute. You'll also need a root explorer like ES File Explorer or Total Commander.

ES File Explorer File ManagerINSTALL

Total Commander - file managerINSTALL

How to fix Android 4.4.2 KitKat problems on the Galaxy Note 3

Have you been experiencing problems with your Galaxy Note 3 since having updated to Android 4.4.2 KitKat? Some problems that users have reported are email and contact sync errors, abnormally fast battery consumption, connection issues to Wi-Fi networks and apps that suddenly stop working. Don’t look any further than Android 4.4.2, the cause for many new problems on your phablet. For some, the Android update is problem-free, but for those who are living with an Android nightmare, here are some ways to solve your KitKat woes.

© AndroidPIT

Update HTC One Mini to Android 4.4.2 with CM11 Custom ROM

Do you want to update your HTC One Mini with a great custom ROM firmware based on Android 4.4.2 KitKat OS? If you do, then you should consider in installing CM11 on your Android smartphone. CM11 is maybe the best Android based custom ROM that can now be flashed on your HTC One Mini, therefore, using this step by step guide for updating your device should be the best thing to do. If I have convinced you, or if you want to learn more about this operation, don’t hesitate and check the guidelines from below.

CM 11 is a free aftermarket distribution of Android 4.4.2 KitKat OS and is developed by third party devs, which means that the update isn’t official and has nothing to do with HTC or with Google. Furthermore, installing CM11 on your HTC One Mini for updating to Android 4.4.2 KitKat firmware implies in completing an unofficial tutorial that is complex and risky. Because of that, don’t perform things without consulting this guide. Don’t worry, the flashing operation can be easily applied even by a newbie but only as long as the guidelines from below are being checked out.

CM11 can be used on your HTC One Mini also for improving the performances of your Android smartphone. Using this custom Android 4.4.2 KitKat firmware will be perfect for those who want to speed up the One Mini or to improve the battery life of their handset. Moreover, CM11 will bring a custom and modified version of the stock Android KitKat OS while stock and extra features, capabilities and apps will be then installed on your phone. On the same time, with CM11 flashed, you will have access to the internal system of your HTC One Mini, thus you will be able to remove in built programs, the bloatware and also to add or remove custom apps and programs.

CM11 for HTC One Mini brings a stable version of Android 4.4.2 KitKat OS that runs without issues or lags. According to those who have already installed the update, the software is smoothly running and there are no bugs reported so far. Therefore, as you can see, you have all the reasons for completing this step by step guide. But first, take a look below and complete the pre requisites list.

• Root your HTC One Mini or else you won’t be able to install CM11 Android 4.4.2 firmware on your Android smartphone.
• Gaining root access isn’t official and the binary flash counter of your phone will be increased. Because of that, after rooting your smartphone, its warranty will be void.
• For restoring the warranty downgrade your HTC One Mini to stock Android OS, or update with an official release of the firmware – do note that on rooted devices the OTA releases can be installed only manually.
• Install a custom recovery image on your phone because CM11 can be updated only by using the same.
• Use the latest version of CWM or TWRP recovery or else you won’t be able to safely update your HTC One Mini to Android 4.4.2 KitKat firmware.
• Make a backup for saving everything that’s important to you – save only the data which is there on the internal storage memory. Do the backup because a wipe will be required.
• For the backup you can use suitable apps from Google Play; also use the recovery image you have installed for making a Nandroid backup – for saving the current ROM and for restoring it afterwards if CM11 will not be on your taste.
• Use a computer and your phone’s SUB cable as a connection between your devices will have to be established.
• In order to make things right, first of all temporarily deactivate the security protection from your computer; programs like antivirus might interfere with the update operation.
• Also charge your handset if the battery status indicates less than 50% power left; if your HTC One Mini gets turned off in the middle of the installation process, it might also get bricked.
• Use this step by step guide for flashing CM11 Android 4.4.2 KitKat custom ROM firmware only if you own the HTC One Mini Android smartphone; the steps from below are compatible only with the mentioned device, so try not to mess things up.

How to Update HTC One Mini to Android 4.4.2 with CM11 Custom ROM Firmware

1. From here download the CM11 firmware file, while from here download Google Apps package.
2. Save both files on your computer – preferable on desktop, and don’t unzip any of the downloaded files.
3. Connect your HTC One Mini with your computer by using the USB cable.
4. Then transfer the downloaded files from desktop on your phone’s SD card.
5. Unplug the USB cord and then turn off your Android smartphone – wait a few seconds before heading to the next step.
6. Enter your Android device in recovery mode.
7. Use recovery mode menu for wiping the data and for clearing cache. So, select “wipe data factory reset”, “wipe cache partition” and “wipe dalvick cache”.
8. Go back to main menu of recovery and select “install zip from SD card” followed by “choose zip from SD card”.
9. Pick the Android 4.4.2 KitKat firmware file and flash the update on your One Mini.
10. Then do the same and install Google Apps package.
11. Wait while the files are being flashed.
12. In the end return to main menu of recovery and select “reboot system now”.

Congratulations; you have successfully installed Android 4.4.2 KitKat OS on your HTC One Mini. The CM11 custom ROM firmware has been flashed on your Android smartphone so you should now test the new software in order to see how it performs and if there are bugs or any other things that aren’t working properly. Anyway, feel free and use the comments field from below for sharing your experience with us and with our readers.

How to Easily Root almost any Android based device (Unlock-Root method)

Having and dealing with an Android based device can turn out to be quite complicated as there are a lot of things and operations to perform in order to take full advantage of its performances and capabilities. The same can be applied when talking about rooting procedures, these operations being extremely annoying especially when there isn’t a dedicated tutorial available for your handset. If so, or if you want to try a “one-click” root method that can be completed on almost all the Android powered devices available on the market, you should try the present step by step guide, which will teach you how to easily gain root access for your Android phone / tablet.

This tutorial will offer a one click root solution as the Unlock-Root tool has been developed and offered in order to help the entry level Android users who are not used with complex and risky operations. Therefore, by completing this guide you will be able to easily root your Android based phone / tablet, all the info needed being detailed and explained during the steps from below. Anyway, for avoiding the unpleasant situations that might occur, I do recommend you to read all the lines from this tutorial; don’t perform things by yourselves as you can end up in bricking your handset or in losing your personal info (from your device).

Take note that this is a general root solution and it might not work for your Android based device. Not all the handsets available out there can be rooted by using the Unlock-Root tool, so if in the end you notice that your phone is still unrooted, then you will have to find a dedicated procedure that can be applied for your Android smartphone or tablet (check through our blog to see if there is any step by step rooting solution). Also, if you have a Samsung branded device, you can check this one-click root solution.

The root procedure must be applied by those who want to obtain more from their handsets. Therefore, you must complete this tutorial if you want to remove the factory restrictions and default setting from your phone. As you will see, by rooting the OS you will actually gain access to the internal system of your device meaning that you will be able to make changes, customize and optimize the same for improving the performances and capabilities. Furthermore, there are many apps that requires root access in order to work properly (like a custom recovery image – CWM recovery), or a custom ROM firmware can be installed only on devices that has a rooted system.

Now, before starting the rooting operation you need to first prepare your device. Also, there are other things that must be noticed, so for ensuring that completing this tutorial is what you really need, check the list from below.

• First of all, by rooting your Android based device you will lose its warranty. This is an unofficial operation, so unfortunately this aspect can’t be avoided.
• Don’t worry as if in the future, you will need the warranty back, you will be able to restore the same. All you need to do is to downgrade to stock ROM, or update to an official firmware; also you can restore the warranty if you reset the flash counter or if you apply a un-root procedure.
• It is more than recommended to backup the data which is being saved on the internal storage memory of your device before starting the root operation. Make sure you are saving all of your personal info from your phone, as all the system might get wiped out
• Enable the USB debugging option on your handset. You can do this by going to “Menu -> Settings -> Applications -> Development -> USB debugging”.
• Also, take a look over the battery status; if there is less than 60% power left you should charge the battery, else skip this step.
• You will have to use a Windows running computer and the phone’s USB cable.
• On the computer and handset there shouldn’t be any security settings or programs (like antivirus or Firewall protection) installed; if different uninstall or deactivate the same before going any further.
• Apply this guide only if you have an Android based device as the one-click root solution will work only for the same.

How to Easily Root almost any Android based device (Unlock-Root method)

1. Download the unlock-root tool by using the link from here; take note that there is available a free-version and a paid variant of the program, so get the one that you prefer the most (I recommend you to get the free one because you don’t know if the tool will work for your handset or not).
2. Save the file on your computer and then install the same.
3. Also, run the executable file.
4. Download and install the drivers for your handset on the computer.
5. Connect the device with the computer by using its USB cable.
6. Up next, from the Unlock-Root tool click on the “root” button.
7. A list of devices will be displayed.
8. Select your phone / tablet from that list and start the rooting process.
9. In the end, a confirmation message will be displayed on your computer.
10. Unplug the USB cable and reboot your device.

Congratulations, that was all for now. Your Android based device should be rooted now, so you can look forward in installing a custom recovery image and update to a custom ROM firmware. Do share your experience with us and if the method isn’t working for your handset, use the comments area from below and share the same with us and with other users who might want to use this guide.

One-Click Root Solution for Galaxy S3, S2, Note 2 and More Available (Root guide Included)

When using a high end Android based smartphone is all about customization and optimization operations, as we can’t stop from improving and upgrading our gadgets for receiving more power, latest apps, new features and a better web browsing experience. But for being able to do the mentioned tasks you must first free your device from the factory restrictions and default settings. Because of that you must learn how to gain access over the internal system of your handset, access that can be granted once you root the OS.

As you know, usually the root procedure is quite complex and risky so not all the Android users are able to safely complete the operation. Furthermore, in some cases, while trying to gain root access the phone gets bricked and since the warranty is void, you will find yourselves in an unpleasant situation. In order to avoid these situations, we have the one-click tool, which offers a safe and fast root solution for the Android based devices. Unfortunately not all the smartphones can be rooted by using the one click root tool.

Now, as mentioned in the title of the present step by step guide, those of xda-developers had made available a one-click root solution for all the most important Samsung devices, so we will be checking in how to easily root your Galaxy S3, S2, Note and Note 2, Galaxy Camera and more. The process will be easy to understand and to complete as there are only a few steps to take care of. Also, being a one click root solution, you will be able to free your Android powered Samsung smartphone / tablet by running a dedicated app that will do all the work for you.

But, before heading to the proper root tutorial, you should check the list from below. You have there all the supported Samsung devices that can be unlocked by using the present method. Don’t apply this step by step guide if your phone or tablet isn’t mentioned in the image from below.

List of supported devices

Now, you should first prepare your gadget for the process that will shortly follow. Else you will not be able to one-click root your Samsung device, and worst you can even end up in bricking your smartphone. So, take your time and read all the lines from this tutorial and especially the pre requisites which are being presented below.

• It is more than recommended to backup the data from your handset. Usually the system is not wiped out by using a one-click root tool, but considering that you can save bank accounts and passwords on your smartphone it is a good idea to save all of your personal info before going any further.
• You can use our backup and restore guides for learning how to save the contacts list, the text messages, the call logs, market apps, internet settings, the EFS folder and even the current ROM.
• Remember that by rooting, the warranty of your device will be void.
• Your Samsung handset must be charged (if there is less than 60% power left) before starting the root operation or else it might get turned off in the middle of the process.
• On your phone the USB debugging option must be enabled; so go to “Settings -> Device Information -> Enable USB Debugging Mode”.
• Remember to check the list of supported devices before applying something on your Samsung tablet / smartphone.

How to Root Samsung devices with One Click app

1. The first thing to do is to download the Framaroot app (this is the one click tool that will be used).
2. Use the link from here.
3. Then, install the APK which has been downloaded before on your Samsung smartphone / tablet or camera.
4. Now, by using the File Manager from your device, search for the APK file and run the same.
5. The installation will now begin; in the end your handset will be rooted meaning that you are done.

So, that was all; what do you think about this method? Don’t forget that the present one click root solution can be applied only for a limited numbers of Samsung devices (you have the full list of supported devices above). Also, this guide has been first developed by those of xda-developers so we have them to thanks for this opportunity.

Now, you can look forward in performing other complex operations on your phone as its system has been unchained. You can install a custom recovery image, update the device with a custom ROM firmware, install apps that requires root access in order to work properly, remove in-built programs for increasing the speeds and a lot more. Do share your thoughts and impressions with us and with other users who might want to try this tutorial by using our comments area from below.

How to Update Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 P5200 to ZCUANA2 Official Android 4.2.2 JB Firmware

If you want to install the latest official Android updates on your Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 then you should know that a new OTA has been rolled out for your Android tablet. The new OS improvement is dubbed as ZCUANA2 and represents only a minor update that comes to resolve the bugs reported and some force closes errors. Thus this firmware is still Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean system, though the ZCUANA2 software is more stable and smooth then the previous versions of JB that were released for Galaxy Tab 3 10.1.

Therefore, as I have stated before, if you want to install the ZCUANA2 Android 4.2.2 official update on your Tab 3 10.1 then you should use this step by step guide. The ZCUANA2 is also OTA available but only in limited markets. Furthermore, when talking about OTA launches, you should know that the software is being offered in phases or gradually which means that some users will receive the notification sooner than others. So, if you want to use a manual update method for flashing official ZCUANA2 Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean OS, then this tutorial will be more than useful for you.

It should be clear for you that you will install the official Android update on your Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 and not a custom ROM. That’s why this manual update operation is official and uses only safe programs (Odin will be used – the program is developed and offered by Samsung so you have nothing to worry about) and not custom or risky tools. Anyway, you should check the guidelines from below, as if you somehow manage to mess things up, you can also end up in bricking your Android tablet.

Since ZCUANA2 is the official Android 4.2.2 update, the same can be installed (manually) on both rooted and locked Galaxy Tab 3 10.1. In fact, if currently your tablet is rooted, after completing this tutorial, the root access will be revoked. Because of that this guide can be used for restoring the warranty of your Android device (the warranty usually gets void when performing unofficial operations such as gaining root access) and for fixing your bricked Android tablet (for example you can brick your Tab 3 while trying to install a custom ROM firmware). Thus, the best will be to bookmark this procedure as who knows when you will need it.

As I have already specified, ZCUANA2 is only a minor update released for your Galaxy Tab 3 10.1. The firmware brings only bug fixes and stability improvements and no new features, apps or capabilities. Anyway, you should flash the ROM if you want to run your tablet on a stable and smooth firmware that has no bugs, things that aren’t working properly or lags. Also, you should always apply the official updates for receiving the best Android experience and for resolving all the problems that were spotted on previous versions of the platform.

But for being able to complete this guide you should first complete the pre requisites list from below. Don’t skip this section as you can end up in damaging your device and not in updating it. Also, this section represents the most important part of the present tutorial, so be careful and apply all the tasks explained and detailed below.

• Backup your tablet in order to save everything that you might use afterwards. I know that when using Odin it is unlikely to lose something, but when talking about personal data, info and accounts you can never be too sure.
• So, take your time and use dedicated backup and restore apps from Google Play for saving the data from the internal storage memory of your tablet.
• Then, make sure that you can use a Windows running computer; also the Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 and its USB cable must be near you since a connection between your device and your computer must be established.
• Due to same reasons, first of all, on your device go to “menu – settings – developer options” and enable the USB debugging option.
• Moreover, from your computer temporarily deactivate the security protection because the antivirus or antimalware programs might interfere with the update operation.
• If your Android tablet has less than 60% power left (check the battery status in that matter) before doing anything else plug in the charger.
• In case your Tab 3 gets turned off in the middle of the installation procedure, your device might also get bricked.
• Android 4.2.2 ZCUANA2 Jelly Bean OS has been officially rolled out for Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 model number P5200. Because of that this step by step guide is compatible only with the mentioned Android tablet, so try not to mess thing up.

How to Update Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 P5200 to ZCUANA2 Official Android 4.2.2 JB Firmware

1. The first thing to do is to download the required files on your computer; so from here download the Android firmware file, then download Odin and Samsung KIES.
2. Save all these files on desktop.
3. First unzip Odin and install the program by following the on-screen prompts.
4. Then on the same folder as Odin unzip the update file.
5. Finally, the Galaxy Tab 3 drivers must be installed on your computer; in order to do that you can use Samsung KIES.
6. Now, run Odin on your computer and also turn off your tablet.
7. Enter your device in download mode: press and hold power, volume down and home buttons at the same time.
8. Up next, connect your Tab 3 with your computer; plug in the USB cable in that matter.
9. Take a look on Odin as now on the program the “added” message must be displayed and the ID:COM section must be yellow or blue.
10. If not, you will have to close the program, to unplug the USB cord and to force restart your device; then retry the process explained above.
11. From Odin the first thing to select is “PA”. Then from the window that will be displayed choose the ZCUANA firmware file.
12. It is important not to change anything else from Odin; at this point you should click on “start”.
13. Wait while the update is being flashed; in the end the “pass” message will be displayed while the ID:COM section will turn green.
14. Just remove the USB cable and reboot your handset as you are done.

If the above method didn't work or if you have any questions, please leave a comment below.

Samsung Galaxy S4 update to Android 4.4.2 littered with bugs

The Samsung Galaxy S4 update has been rolled out recently to carriers in the United States and to international models of the phone as well. The firmware update of the phone is supposed to bring in enhancements to the performance of the phone but apparently it is actually doing the opposite. Reports seems to indicate that the update is littered with several bugs that seem quite serious.

Samsung Galaxy S4 update littered with bugs / © Android Essentials

The most noticeable effect of Android 4.4.2 on the Samsung Galaxy S4 has been the effect on the battery life of the phone. Users have reported a drastic decrease in the battery life of the device since updating to the latest software. Apparently for one user, the battery dropped to 30% after installing the update from 100% and this was after about 20 minutes of browsing and 2 hours and 40 minutes of idleness. This means that battery was depleted by 70% by almost three hours of no work.

Others are complaining that the update results in a complete mess when it comes to the performance of the phone. Reports claim that the phone now lags when switching apps and going back to the home screen takes longer than before. Also using the home screen button also sometimes brings up the menu of apps that are currently running. Below is a video which shows some of the issues in action.

The last problem that has gotten a lot of attention since the update is the black lock screen. Basically, the bug causes the color of the lock screen to a plain black color. Users can unlock the phone using the black screen but that also depends on the amount of familiarity that the user has with his or her phone since that requires a little bit of experience. There hasn’t been any official word from Samsung on whether there is going to be a bug fix update. Apparently going to the settings > lockscreen > lock screen widgets > clock or personal message > clock will get rid of the black screen permanently.

Have you experienced any issues with the Samsung Galaxy S4 updates so far if you have gotten it? If so please leave us your comments on how the update has worked for you and if you have experienced some of the problems detailed below.

How to transfer photos and images from iPhone to Android

Ever since device makers armed mobile phones with top-of-the-line cameras, many have not stopped snapping and capturing those precious life moments. And, when easy Internet connectivity came to the mobile phone, many also started sharing their photos to friends, family, and in many cases also to the world at large.

Yet, despite great strides in digital imaging and mobile interconnectivity, how easy is it to share photos between devices, especially those running different platforms — say, between the iPhone and an Android phone? If you own both — or are switching over from iPhone to Android — you will eventually need to know how to transfer photos and images from iPhone to Android.

In this post, I’ll show you several ways to transfer your photos, albums, and galleries from your iPhone to Android.

Manual Methods (Windows)

Drag and Drop

The easiest way to transfer your photos is to simply drag-and-drop the images from the iPhone’s default photo directory/folder to Android’s image folder.

For this method, you will need a Windows PC and the USB cables for both your iPhone and Android phone. Make sure that you’ve installed the device drivers of both phones so that they will be detected by your PC.

Follow the steps below to drag-and-drop your iPhone photos to your Android phone:

1. Connect your iPhone to your PC via USB cable. Do the same for your Android phone.
2. On your Windows PC, open My Computer.
3. You should be able to see two new drives or entries under Portable Devices. One is for your iPhone storage (usually labeled “Apple iPhone” or “Elmer’s iPhone” or something similar) and the other is for your Android. If you don’t see them, try installing the phone drivers.
4. Open the iPhone’s storage in a new window.
5. Open your Android’s storage in a new window.
6. On the window for your iPhone’s storage, locate the folder named DCIM. You will find your photo folders inside theDCIM folder.
7. Simply select the photos that you want to transfer. Then, drag them from the iPhone images folder and drop them onto your Android images folder.

That’s the quickest drag-and-drop method that I’ve ever used. Sometimes, however, the copying process can stall — and can even completely hang — for some unknown reason, especially when transferring a very large number of images. I usually take an intermediate step by copying the images from iPhone to PC first, then copying from PC to Android. This requires the use of a temporary folder on the PC for storing the iPhone photos.

Importing

As far as manual methods go, I favor the drag-and-drop method because it allows me to select which photos to bring over from iPhone to Android. If you have no use for such selectivity, you can just simply import all your iPhone images to your computer in one go. Then, from your computer you can transfer them to your Android device. The following steps will show you how this is done:

1. Connect your iPhone to the computer.
2. Open My Computer and right click on your iPhone’s storage under Portable Devices.
3. From the popup menu that appears, select Import pictures and videos.
4. Your computer will scan your iPhone for images.
5. Once done, click Import to import all images and videos to your computer. By default, your images will be transferred to your computer’s My Pictures folder.
6. Open the My Pictures folder on your PC.
7. Connect your Android to your computer via USB cable.
8. Open your Android device’s storage and navigate to the image folder. It is usually labeled DCIM.
9. Copy-and-paste or drag-and-drop the imported photos from your PC to your Android device.

The two manual methods will transfer images from your iPhone to your Android device. However, these methods will only transfer images saved in your iPhone’s Camera Roll. Images transferred to your iPhone via iTunes will not be included.

Using the Send Anywhere app

Apps can also help solve the problem of transferring photos from iPhone to Android.  The Send Anywhere (File Transfer) app, which is free for both iPhone and Android, is an example of an app that can help with such task.

The Send Anywhere app allows you to wirelessly transfer files — not just images — from iPhone to Android and vice-versa, without the need to physically connect your devices to a computer.

The file that you want to send to the other device is actually uploaded to the cloud. This means that for the app to work its wonders, both phones must be connected to the Internet and both phones must be running the Send Anywhere app.

For security and privacy, the sending device generates for the receiver an authentication key either in the form of a PIN, a QR code, or a Web URL.

If you already have the Send Anywhere app installed on both your iPhone and Android phone, follow these steps to transfer your photos:

1. Run Send Anywhere on your iPhone.
2. Tap the Send button.
3. From the list of file types, select Photo. Select the photos that you want to send. You’ll see check marks at the bottom-right of the selected photos’ thumbnails.
4. Tap the Send button at the bottom after selecting the photos.
5. The app will generate a PIN and a QR code image for the receiver. These authorization credentials will expire after 10 minutes (by default, but can also be set to 5 or 30 minutes), so make sure that the receiver device gets the file within that time frame. Or, if you want to share the file(s) to multiple recipients for a longer time, upload the file(s) by tapping the Upload button. This latter option will also generate a PIN, QR code, and a Web URL that are valid for use by the receiver(s) within 24 hours (by default, but can also be set to 12 or 48 hours).
6. On the Android phone, run the Send Anywhere app.
7. Tap the Receive button on the main screen.
8. To receive the file(s), you can enter the PIN and tap the arrow button or scan the QR code generated by the iPhone. Or, if the sender shared the Web URL of the file, open the URL in a Web browser.

Transferring images via Dropbox

The popular cloud storage service, Dropbox, can also offer a convenient means for transferring images from iPhone to Android. You need to install the Dropbox app on both your iPhone and Android phone. The app is free.

To be able to bring over to your Android those photos stored on your iPhone, you need to upload them to your Dropbox account first.   To be able to upload and share files, login to your Dropbox account on your iPhone. You can sign up for a free Dropbox account if you don’t have one yet.

Also, you can enable the Camera Upload feature if you want newly captured photos to be automatically uploaded to your Dropbox after you capture the photos. This also uploads existing images in your Camera Roll.

For photos that are not automatically synced to your cloud-based Dropbox, you may manually upload them from any of your iPhone folders/albums to your Dropbox folders. To do this, tap the Menu button (three-dot button) from within any of your Dropbox folders, tap Upload, select photos, and upload away. This can be particularly useful if you want to share photos that aren’t automatically uploaded (i.e., photos that are stored in a different folder or location).

Now that your photos are in the cloud, the next logical step is to enable your Android phone to be able to access them.

To allow your Android phone to access your Dropbox photos, login to the same Dropbox account as you are using on your iPhone. If you do this, you’ll be replicating the folder structure of your cloud-based Dropbox right on your Android phone and your cloud files will be accessible to you.

Or, if you don’t want to use the same Dropbox account or you want to share only some of your iPhone photos to another Android user via Dropbox, you can use Dropbox’s sharing feature. You can share just one file or many, or an entire folder.

Just a very quick note here about the conveniences of the Android version of the app. Dropbox’s folder sharing feature in the Android app exists in two forms: “Send a Link” and “Invite to Folder,” both of which are accessible by long-tapping on a folder name, then selecting Share.

Send a Link lets you share folders but without sharing file management privileges (i.e., the recipient can only view the files, download them, or add them to her or his own Dropbox account). The Invite to Folder option lets you grant file management privileges, which means that both you and the invited user can do stuff to the files in the folder (e.g., delete files, add new files, etc.).

But, here’s some sad news: In the Dropbox app for iOS, you can use the Send a Link option only. Sharing a link is accomplished on the iPhone by opening the target folder in the Dropbox app, tapping on the Share icon (rounded box with upward-pointing arrow) at the upper-right corner of the screen, and selecting the app to use for sending the link. For simple copying of photos from iPhone to Android, this method will suffice.

If you really want to allow other users to be able to manage your Dropbox folder(s), you’ll need to walk the extra mile by logging in to your Dropbox account through a Web browser and set up the shared files or folders (i.e., invite users to your folders) through the Web interface.

On some devices with Dropbox integration (e.g., Galaxy S4, HTC One), you may be able to sync your photos from cloud to phone automatically over Wi-Fi. So, each time your iPhone uploads a photo to Dropbox, the linked Android phone also automatically gets a copy and you can view the shared photos in the Gallery app. You don’t need to export the photos to your SD card for you to view them or share them with your other apps. Unfortunately, you cannot use the Gallery app to manage the shared photos; that is, you can’t delete shared photos or move photos via the Gallery app.

On Android devices with no Dropbox integration, you may not be able to browse your Dropbox-stored photos and albums in your Gallery app. For your photos to appear in the Gallery app, you need to first export them to your SD card through the Dropbox app.

Conclusion

Thanks to mobile devices such as the iPhone and Android phones, we can take and share snapshots of what’s happening around us.  If you have an iPhone and you want to copy or transfer your photos to your Android phone, you can do so easily using any of the methods described in this post.

What method do you use to transfer your photos from iPhone to Android? Tell us about your experiences with photo transferring. We’d love to hear about them in the comment box.