[Q] How can I prove that my Android Device (SGS2) has been used by someone else? - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Back Story:
My phone was left in my house (shared with other people) yesterday while I was at work. When I got home I was checking missed calls, voicemail etc and I noticed that some text messages were missing. I looked a bit more and it seems that 2 seperate sms message threads had been deleted and a number of contacts had been deleted too. Now, this has happened before to another housemate but we couldn't prove that it had been done. We are pretty sure we know who did it but I need concrete evidence that the phone was accessed.
Phone Specs: Samsung Galaxy S2, rooted, running CM7 latest nightly. I also have Cerebrus installed if that helps.
So my questions are as follows:
1) Is it possible to see what activity was happening on my phone yesterday? I don't have any "logging" software running.
2) Is it possible to retrieve the deleted SMS messages?
I work in IT so am pretty tech savvy, just not in the workings of the Android OS!
All help greatly appreciated.
P.S. I have already been able to restore the contacts that were deleted using the restore functionality in gmail.

The short answer is no. It is, at least in theory, possible to "undelete" stuff, but it isn't usually practical. Even if you did, you wouldn't have "proof" in the legal sense.
That said, I have been involved in a similar situation. Here's the approach we used. It is reasonable to assume that this behavior will continue. Therefore, get some logging software installed. Do NOT talk about it. Do nothing out of the ordinary. Just quietly install some software that will let you see what is going on with your phone. I know there are apps which will email an alert when accessed, snap a pic from the front-facing camera, log SMS to email, remotely lock the phone, etc etc. Based on what you need to accomplish, get these set up and then BE PATIENT. wait a few days (unless you normally leave your phone at home) and leave it again when the person in question might be around.
A pic would be sufficient proof I would think for confronting a roomie. If nothing else log your sms's. I use integrated Google Voice so I'd get an alert on my PC even if I didn't have the phone (very handy, that), but that may not be an option for you.
I also use SeekDroid for remote locking, and I -think- there's a remote camera provision, but it's at a higher paid level than I am subscribed to. At any rate that's my suggestions.
Or, the simple solution: Put a better lock code on your phone.
-JB

A lock code would help prevent the behavior in the future. For catching the vandal red-handed, I believe an app like Gotcha! may do what you need.

Related

[Q] Problems with developing a custom GS2 rom for medicinal purposes.

Hello to you all people of XDA, firstly I must state that I've scoured the forums far and wide and have yet to find some valuable info regarding my problem.
So what we're doing is developing (or trying to, as is obvious from this post) a custom rom for the Galaxy S2 which would be used for a single medical application for sensor tracking and the processing and displaying of said data on the SGS2, while at the same time sending it to his/her doctor.
What we need to be able to achieve with this rom is to put it into the hands of the end-user (a chronical patient which will in turn be able to stay at home instead of being hospitalized) and be able to completely lock down the phone for his use (I know, it sounds terrible) so that he loses the phone/sms/games/youtube/internet functionality as we need the phone to run as stable and for as long as possible without any additional battery stress (the constant sending, processing and processing of data seems enough of a problem for now).
I've searched into some custom roms but we eventually came up with the need for a stock Samsung rom which could be modified as we want to.
See this is where the problem begins, we can't seem to get the phone rooted, the ROM customized and then unrooted again so that the phone can't be fiddled with anymore, except when it's completely dead and we need to fix it.
So to cap it all up:
It needs to allow for a custom load and bootscreen (I almost got this to work)
It needs to be completely locked down for the end user.
It has to have full BT, NFC and WiFi functionality
It has to be able to call out and reciev calls, but only to/from specific numbers (911, doctor, etc..)
It has to basically allow for 2-3 programs to be running, while the others simply don't exist on the phone.
I am terribly sorry if anything like this has been asked about before, I swear I put 2 days of me life into researching already.
Any help, any help at all, ideas and solutions, but mostly links are welcome.
Thank you and good day to all.
Just a detail, but the SGS2 doesn't have the NFC functionality. Project seems to be possible, I would look into CyanogenMod sources if I was you.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Why are you afraid of leaving the phone rooted and in hands of the patient?
Is he so uncritical that he can search the web and find means of unrooting a mobile phone and then get around to actually doing it?
LucLucLuc said:
Hello to you all people of XDA, firstly I must state that I've scoured the forums far and wide and have yet to find some valuable info regarding my problem.
So what we're doing is developing (or trying to, as is obvious from this post) a custom rom for the Galaxy S2 which would be used for a single medical application for sensor tracking and the processing and displaying of said data on the SGS2, while at the same time sending it to his/her doctor.
What we need to be able to achieve with this rom is to put it into the hands of the end-user (a chronical patient which will in turn be able to stay at home instead of being hospitalized) and be able to completely lock down the phone for his use (I know, it sounds terrible) so that he loses the phone/sms/games/youtube/internet functionality as we need the phone to run as stable and for as long as possible without any additional battery stress (the constant sending, processing and processing of data seems enough of a problem for now).
I've searched into some custom roms but we eventually came up with the need for a stock Samsung rom which could be modified as we want to.
See this is where the problem begins, we can't seem to get the phone rooted, the ROM customized and then unrooted again so that the phone can't be fiddled with anymore, except when it's completely dead and we need to fix it.
So to cap it all up:
It needs to allow for a custom load and bootscreen (I almost got this to work)
It needs to be completely locked down for the end user.
It has to have full BT, NFC and WiFi functionality
It has to be able to call out and reciev calls, but only to/from specific numbers (911, doctor, etc..)
It has to basically allow for 2-3 programs to be running, while the others simply don't exist on the phone.
I am terribly sorry if anything like this has been asked about before, I swear I put 2 days of me life into researching already.
Any help, any help at all, ideas and solutions, but mostly links are welcome.
Thank you and good day to all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Block all internet access apart from ones you want or you can just setup iptables rules, shouldnt need root apart from when setting it up
As far as removing programs, just delete the apks from the zip, or before you remove root. My sig has a list of all apks in a upto date rom and what they do.
You can use gemini app manager to control autoruns (stop them etc) also to block (hide and disable apps)
As far removing root, your best bet is to once you are done, use adb (from the android sdk) to remove the superuser.apk then flash the stock kernel back, as far as I know without superuser apps cant grain root permisions.
OR
This app will allow you to block any app behind a password
This app will block incoming and outgoing sms and calls on white and blacklists
Custom boot logo (the first screen before the animation)
Custom boot animation need to go into system/media, I am not sure about the format but there are loads around, like this thread has loads, stock kernel should support them.
I hope that helps
Most of that is easily possible.
If you listed the apps needing removed, the apk files just need deleted.
To control calls, you can use a third party app from market for that.
It's possible to have the custom rom unrooted, and easily flashed, regardless of how badly the phone gets rooted
Boot animation is easy anyway... If you can provide it in a zip like other ones (zip containing numbered png's) then it's a piece of cake.
A little bit of clever firewall stuff would prevent any web traffic, in or out, except to your defined server, which is obviously a concern when a phone is handling sensitive medical info.
genieass said:
Why are you afraid of leaving the phone rooted and in hands of the patient?
The phones are going to be used by around 500.000 people in a year, it's not that we want to take anything away from the user, it's more about not having any problems with the firmware - like ever.
Thanks for all the help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
genieass said:
Why are you afraid of leaving the phone rooted and in hands of the patient?
The phones are going to be used by around 500.000 people in a year, it's not that we want to take anything away from the user, it's more about not having any problems with the firmware - like ever.
Thanks for all the help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LucLucLuc, not sure where you live, but you're entering the patient confidentiality minefield with big, big boots.
Apart from the legal considerations, your question is definitely OS related and not device related.
I see what you want, but legally - where I live anyway - it's too much of a grey area to get involved with.
I use call recording a lot for referrals and info from other doctors, but I've always asked the other party if they're OK with it. I won't record patient conversations, and I won't accept any files whatsoever that have seen RIS or PACS first - not worth it.
Can't see it's worth your while, but I'd appreciate it if you keep me informed should you decide to work on it.
Big boots indeed
We are from Slovenia, Europe.
I'm actually just a student doing the research and some basic Android programming, thank god I wasn't let into the bigger of the projects
But yes, this project is a colaboration of several european firms and you can read more about it at chiron-project.eu - it's a very very interesting project afaic.
I don't think we'll be swimming with lawyer piranhas soon though, the project uses sensor data (which sorta is a privacy issue) which will be monitored on a tablet running Android (currently testing the Galaxy tab 10.1 - we were lucky to order one before Steve had another one of his fits), proccessed in real time and then stored on the central server, from where it will only be accessible by the patients doctor.
Patient consents are dealt with before we even start talking about mobile hospitalizations.
It's very encouraging to see some actual interest, if anyone wants to know more about anything related to this project contact me at [email protected]
Thanks again for all the help.

[Q] [HELP] Google Apps Device Policy Work Around?

Hey everyone,
This one really has me stumped. My work is finally moving it's email from Exchange to Google Apps for Business, and for many reasons at first I couldn't be happier. I signed on as an early adopter and have now realized I've hit a huge snag. I can no longer get email notifications on my device without basically giving my employer nearly full control of my personal device. They are requiring the Google Apps Device Policy and forcing a 6 character password to unlock my device, encryption, and permission to remote wipe, among other things. I just really don't feel comfortable giving them that kind of control over my personal device but I do need immediate access to my email to stay on top of things since I'm out in the field way more often than I get a chance to sit in an office. The mobile Gmail site works well enough, but not as well as IMAP support with push notifications would. When we were on Outlook, their policy was essentially similar in that you couldn't bring your own device, but I was able to find a nice app called Outlook Web Mail for Outlook OWA Web Mail which essentially logs into the webmail site and was able to present it in a mobile format and even offer notifications.
I guess what I'm looking for at this point is something similar. I'm hoping someone can suggest an app that, as far as the server is concerned, is just checking the mail from the mobile website but is presenting it to me in an app that is able to give me notifications, even if it's on an interval and not push. Does anyone know if such an app exists for Google Apps for Business accounts or is even possible?
If not, then I guess the next thing I would be looking for is a hackier workaround that can convince the server that I'm abiding by all the rules and still allow me to do whatever I want with my device. I realize this is riskier as far as getting me into trouble but I am rooted and familiar with flashing, Xposed Modules and whatnot (I was surprised my device was even approved with my root status and custom rom).
So sorry for the dissertation but I wanted to lay the whole situation out. I found other threads about GADP but they were more talking about device compatibility rather than a workaround/bypass for it. Anyone gone through something similar at their job? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Worse come to worse, the mobile site isn't the worst thing in the world considering that Outlook mess we came from. Thanks in advance.
My device:
Retail Verizon Note 3 rooted with SafeStrap running the latest Eclipse ROM
anyone?
Well is there any way to receive notifications from the mobile site? I think I recall a few years back when Google pulled sync support for iOS that some iPhone users had to do some shenanigans like this without push support and people used apps that were essentially browsers to check mail and provide notifications. Is there anything similar on Android? Or does it not exist since it's a niche concept? I just have a hard time believing I'm the only person with this problem.
If you want to just access emails, calendar, etc., try Touchdown. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nitrodesk.droid20.nitroid&hl=en
You will not use the gmail or google contacts/calendar app though.
Blis said:
If you want to just access emails, calendar, etc., try Touchdown. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nitrodesk.droid20.nitroid&hl=en
You will not use the gmail or google contacts/calendar app though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's for the reply. I'll give that a go. I've actually rigged it up so I still get notifications at this point through filters and auto forwards to my personal account. But something more native would be a lot better. Thanks again.
No further information on this thread?
I'm in the same situation with my company making the switch to google apps. They are enforcing encryption and non root'd phone. I have found that I can use IMAP to get my email, but my calendar is not found.
I have looked into just circumventing the checks....the only encryption solution i've found is some twrp/titanium back up so that you can at least easily recover systems after u've already been encrypted (not exactly a great solution).
As for the root access, ,the only solution i've found is with rootcloak (im not even sure if either of these solutions would actually work. I'm very much interested in a real solution.
Rootcloack didn't work for me, but that was 8 months ago. Try Touchdown, it's free for 30 days.
Try bluemail.
nomaanym said:
Try bluemail.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No luck for me. I appreciate the recommendation. I thought it was going to work when it went through my job's secure portal for setup but not such luck.
I'm looking for a way to do this as well.
I'm in a very similar situation and looking for the same workaround. Currently I'm able to use Edison Software's "Email" app to log in my corporate email account, but without the ability to receive notifications... which is a step better to endure the horrible mobile UI on gmail's website, but still would be better to have push notifications
Have you found any good alternative for gmail/hangouts/sheets without having to install "device policy"??
B1gC72 said:
Hey everyone,
This one really has me stumped. My work is finally moving it's email from Exchange to Google Apps for Business, and for many reasons at first I couldn't be happier. I signed on as an early adopter and have now realized I've hit a huge snag. I can no longer get email notifications on my device without basically giving my employer nearly full control of my personal device. They are requiring the Google Apps Device Policy and forcing a 6 character password to unlock my device, encryption, and permission to remote wipe, among other things. I just really don't feel comfortable giving them that kind of control over my personal device but I do need immediate access to my email to stay on top of things since I'm out in the field way more often than I get a chance to sit in an office. The mobile Gmail site works well enough, but not as well as IMAP support with push notifications would. When we were on Outlook, their policy was essentially similar in that you couldn't bring your own device, but I was able to find a nice app called Outlook Web Mail for Outlook OWA Web Mail which essentially logs into the webmail site and was able to present it in a mobile format and even offer notifications.
I guess what I'm looking for at this point is something similar. I'm hoping someone can suggest an app that, as far as the server is concerned, is just checking the mail from the mobile website but is presenting it to me in an app that is able to give me notifications, even if it's on an interval and not push. Does anyone know if such an app exists for Google Apps for Business accounts or is even possible?
If not, then I guess the next thing I would be looking for is a hackier workaround that can convince the server that I'm abiding by all the rules and still allow me to do whatever I want with my device. I realize this is riskier as far as getting me into trouble but I am rooted and familiar with flashing, Xposed Modules and whatnot (I was surprised my device was even approved with my root status and custom rom).
So sorry for the dissertation but I wanted to lay the whole situation out. I found other threads about GADP but they were more talking about device compatibility rather than a workaround/bypass for it. Anyone gone through something similar at their job? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Worse come to worse, the mobile site isn't the worst thing in the world considering that Outlook mess we came from. Thanks in advance.
My device:
Retail Verizon Note 3 rooted with SafeStrap running the latest Eclipse ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
scorpienez said:
Have you found any good alternative for gmail/hangouts/sheets without having to install "device policy"??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope. It just doesn't work on Android. They gave me an iPhone (I asked for a Pixel ) when I got a promotion last year, so now I just carry 2 phones. That said, I haven't rooted in a while so I don't know what's happening in that front anymore.
I don't think there's a way to do what I was trying to do before. Sorry folks.
Me too...
B1gC72 said:
Nope. It just doesn't work on Android. They gave me an iPhone (I asked for a Pixel ) when I got a promotion last year, so now I just carry 2 phones. That said, I haven't rooted in a while so I don't know what's happening in that front anymore.
I don't think there's a way to do what I was trying to do before. Sorry folks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sorry to hear that. My educational institution's unlimited-storage Google account seems like the perfect match for this phone, but draconian MDM is a non-starter. Hopefully someone in the community does find a workaround at some point!
I have the exact same problem. I got a new personal phone which I was hoping I would be able to use Gmail and Google Classroom on for school but the device policy manager deactivates a bunch of my settings when i try it. The accounts just don't work without the policy manager, from the internet or the app. Do you think that if I were to speak to the school about it that they would be able to remove it? or is it impossible from their end due to the privileges they need over the account for security etc?
Thanks for your help,
Boxboy5
Blis said:
If you want to just access emails, calendar, etc., try Touchdown. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nitrodesk.droid20.nitroid&hl=en
You will not use the gmail or google contacts/calendar app though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We're sorry, the requested URL was not found on this server.

[Q] New android phone, multiple questions

Hi all, I just received my new handset, a Sony Xperia Z3 Compact as an upgrade to my Samsung Galaxy S4. I'm not a noob per se, but these are noob questions I have, any answers for which I would be most grateful. My otherwise stellar google-fu has failed me these past two days and some clearer, direct advice and answers would be immensely helpful.
- A general question re: the Play Store. If I purchase a paid app, does it remain available to me to re-download and update forever after? Does it last between multiple/new devices? I want to buy Navigon Europe, but wanted to know if it's a once-only deal or remains available to me to download permanently.
- Contact syncing. On my past android phones, I've always somehow managed to import all my contacts from various online accts (eg. FB, GMail, etc). I have all my contacts (up-to-date) in Outlook on my PC and ideally want them, and only them, on my device contact list. I don't want the phone to synch anything with anything except my Outlook contacts but don't know what steps I can take to avoid that.
- Battery: I've had mixed messages about the first charge (currently in-progress at the time of writing!). Do Li-Ion batteries need to be charged for 16hrs or just until they're full?
- Converting the SIM Card: My S4 uses a MicroSIM, the Z3 Compact a NanoSIM. I heard they can be cut manually...is it safe to do that, or should I wait 3 days for TMobile (UK) to send me one?
I have two last questions that are more general advice than anything, but answers still appreciated!
- What apps/services are best to transfer my data over from my old handset to the new one? I can figure this out, but any recommendations from experience in doing the same would be welcome. I can figure out how to use them, just a general idea of apps/services to make sure I don't miss anything (texts, calendar, apps). Presumably I can download an app, *export* a file to my SD card, install the app and SD card on the new phone and "import" the file?
- This is a tough one...I have Barclays Mobile Banking app and kept my S4 stock since it apparently stopped working on rooted phones. I'd like to root my Z3 Compact but would have to stay stock for the Barclays app alone. Is there a good way to like trick the phone to believe it's not rooted, or stealth it, etc?
Any advice would be most gratefully received. I think I've answered the battery question but am still concerned about the rest. Many thanks in advance.
KingsGambit said:
Hi all, I just received my new handset, a Sony Xperia Z3 Compact as an upgrade to my Samsung Galaxy S4. I'm not a noob per se, but these are noob questions I have, any answers for which I would be most grateful. My otherwise stellar google-fu has failed me these past two days and some clearer, direct advice and answers would be immensely helpful.
- A general question re: the Play Store. If I purchase a paid app, does it remain available to me to re-download and update forever after? Does it last between multiple/new devices? I want to buy Navigon Europe, but wanted to know if it's a once-only deal or remains available to me to download permanently.
- Contact syncing. On my past android phones, I've always somehow managed to import all my contacts from various online accts (eg. FB, GMail, etc). I have all my contacts (up-to-date) in Outlook on my PC and ideally want them, and only them, on my device contact list. I don't want the phone to synch anything with anything except my Outlook contacts but don't know what steps I can take to avoid that.
- Battery: I've had mixed messages about the first charge (currently in-progress at the time of writing!). Do Li-Ion batteries need to be charged for 16hrs or just until they're full?
- Converting the SIM Card: My S4 uses a MicroSIM, the Z3 Compact a NanoSIM. I heard they can be cut manually...is it safe to do that, or should I wait 3 days for TMobile (UK) to send me one?
I have two last questions that are more general advice than anything, but answers still appreciated!
- What apps/services are best to transfer my data over from my old handset to the new one? I can figure this out, but any recommendations from experience in doing the same would be welcome. I can figure out how to use them, just a general idea of apps/services to make sure I don't miss anything (texts, calendar, apps). Presumably I can download an app, *export* a file to my SD card, install the app and SD card on the new phone and "import" the file?
- This is a tough one...I have Barclays Mobile Banking app and kept my S4 stock since it apparently stopped working on rooted phones. I'd like to root my Z3 Compact but would have to stay stock for the Barclays app alone. Is there a good way to like trick the phone to believe it's not rooted, or stealth it, etc?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Paid apps are transferrable between devices, assuming you use the same Google account that it is linked to.
When you sign into Google (and your other accounts) it will ask if you want to Backup and Restore. Just leave it unchecked and then when finished importing Outlook contacts, you can go into your Google account and just make sure to only sync the options you're interested in by checking/unchecking whatever boxes you need.
I find a good way to transfer texts, call logs, apps, etc from device to device is by using an app like Go Backup. You were on the right path with the idea of backing up on the phone, transferring to PC, and switching it to a new phone. If you don't have access to a PC at the time, you can use something like Wifi File Explorer Pro to connect to it, assuming you have access to wifi or can wifi tether between the 2.
Cutting of the SIM is possible manually, but if you don't have access to a good SIM card cutter tool (obviously you don't have one in your possession, but any respectable repair shop or cell phone provider will have one. It only takes 5 seconds, but still there is a slight risk of damaging the card. It is best to get a new one. It is possible to cut with a sharp Exacto knife or something of the sort, but when going to nano, the margin of error is so small that I don't recommend.
As far as root and Barclay's, I don't believe it is an option. There have been attempts to bypass this restriction, but I believe that it has been without success. See:
http://repo.xposed.info/module/com.devadvance.rootcloak
Thank you for your helpful reply! I've moved most of my data over successfully, installed/copied most apps and setup most accounts. I did however ruin my MicroSIM in my attempts at converting it to Nano size. Have ordered a replacement but currently unable to call or text. Ah well!
I took the plunge and blew some money on the Play Store. I have the apps working now, and hope that they will remain available to me hereafter.
Thanks for the info on the Barclays App. I think I will skip rooting again *sigh* It's very annoying. There's a bunch of bloat I cannot freeze/quarantine, the ability to move apps to the SD card isn't available...all for one app If I found an APK of an old version, from back when it worked on a rooted phone, that might be an option?
Only issue I now have (apart from getting used to a few changes!) is with Email. On the S4, I set up my email as follows: Email: Forwarding Address - Incoming Server: BT Internet - Outgoing: Gmail (Set to send using my forwarding address). It worked fine. Now on the Z3C, I no longer have a box to enter my "Email address". Only "Username" and "Password". I can get my Emails from BT, can send via Gmail but it comes with "On behalf of..." in the sender field which is driving me mad! These are the little things that reallyget aggravating. Spent 2 hours already trying to work it out

DeCrypting .crypt8 files from WhatsApp and locating the Crypt Key

Hey guys,
This is my first post on XDA. I have some knowledge of programming or otherwise manual operation of computers and like devices, but I am admittedly no expert, and more likely fall in between the novice and intermediate category. So excuse me if any of my questions sound somewhat fundamental. Normally, with some research, I'm able to figure out whatever problem I'm having and fix it. This time though, I've done all the digging I could and I'm still hitting a wall. So I could really use and would appreciate your help! Here's the situation...
I have a Moto X (2nd gen.) with a shattered screen and broken digitizer/display. The phone still functions (it vibrates and receives messages, etc. but the screen has zero life in it and remains completely black. I cannot get it fixed because I am in Mexico and apparently they do not sell this phone here (I originally bought it in the USA, through Verizon). I'm able to plug the phone into my MacBook Pro (OS Yosemite), and Android File Transfer pops up normally. So pictures, movies, music, all of that stuff I am able to recover without a problem. The main thing I'm after, however, is my WhatsApp History.
I have since bought a "new phone" - a Moto E, which operates almost identically, even though it's a dumbed down version of what I had, in order to be able to chat with people and maintain some very important convos through WhatsApp, which is how the rest of the world outside of the USA communicates. I am able, therefore, to download the WhatsApp folder onto my computer easily. Problem is, none of these programs that I've found are able to decrypt .crypt8 files without me either providing the Crypt Key (which I've gathered is found in a root folder that I cannot access) or by enabling USB Debugging (which I cannot with my broken screen).
Anyone familiar with WhatsApp might ask why I've gone through that trouble when I could simply open WhatsApp on the new phone and verify my number, which would then restore my chat history and contacts, except for this problem: My WhatsApp number was connected to my US line and Verizon phone number and never changed it in WhatsApp, despite having a Mexican sim card. Now, when I start WhatsApp, it requires that a verification text or call is made, which I obviously cannot receive. So I am unable to sync accounts this way.
If anyone could help me out here, I would greatly appreciate it. I don't need to sync them. I just want to read the messages that I missed the last week. Thank you very much.
John

Android 8.1.0 unable to save contacts?

Not particularly mobile-savvy and days of forum searches have yielded nothing, now heartily sick to the back teeth with this data hungry time-vampire and at this point would quite happily drop kick it across the yard and revert to my little Pixi3 so here goes...
Bought a pair of Wileyfox Swift 2+ phones for myself and one of my sons, my lad's happy to leave the Google defaults ex-factory and can enter and retrieve contacts without issue via something called Google Play which seems to have delusions of grandueur and one eye on world domination 8-{ I on the other hand am totally old skool when it comes to handing over personal data to who knows who and cannot see any good reason why Mr. Google should have any involvement with or access to my contacts so have disabled its permissions. Trying for the first time to save a mate's phone number as a new contact threw up a "Couldn't save contact changes" message. Why not? Wot's yer problem??
Restoring permissions for all apps to do what the hell they liked when ever they liked made no difference at all, it still wouldn't and still won't save a contact? Nothing I've yet done has had any effect, it really wants me to use Google Play (whatever that is)
A functional contact directory would seem to be fundamental element of a mobile phone so why on Earth does this now have to be farmed out to an off-device server??? It's insecure, unnecessary, raises all sorts of privacy issues and frankly is taking bloody liberties in my book Why is their no option to either save a contact to the SIM or SD card, what's so hard about that?
The Guv's now pulling out what remains of his prematurely greying hair and needs to know where all the hidden switches are to get this thing to remember that at the end of the day (and the reason for its purchase) ... it's not a life coach, bank clerk and change agent rolled into one - it's a damn phone.
many thanks in advance folks for any assistance
Guv

Categories

Resources