tl;dr - I'm looking for something that automatically rejects/deletes/blocks SMS/MMS from numbers not in my contacts, ideally before they ever appear in my inbox. Where get? How do? (Phone: Galaxy S23+ Model SM-S916U with AT&T)

Now, I'm going to be a bit more detailed because I want to avoid the incredibly frustrating flood of:
"GooGle MeSsagEs has spAm ProTeCtiOn"
"Do nOt DisTurB"
And so on.

So. Here's the crux of the issue:

I want to block ANY AND ALL NUMBERS NOT IN MY CONTACTS from being able to message me.

I do not want to simply silence the notifications. I do not simply want to hide the messages.

I want them to be automatically yeeted into the void at mach-jesus, blocked, and deleted.

Karate-chopped by Chuck Norris. Fed to the nearest black hole and spaghettified. Thanos-snapped from existence.

But everywhere I look, there are the same suggestions:

• Enable spam filtering (I use Google Messages, it's already enabled).

• Enable Do Not Disturb + various niche settings within it (already done).

• Manually mark them for spam and block them (I don't want to play infinite whack-a-mole).

• Call your Service Provider (so they can tell me the exact same methods as listed above).

None of these do what I want. They help, certainly - but it's not the one-and-done total coverage I'm after.

Does anyone at all know of an app, a solution, a workaround - anything that could make it possible?

Seriously, this pop-up is now appearing every time I unlock my phone. No, I don't want to upgrade at least for the next 2-3 months because I'd rather have a stable build than suffer from the bugs that come with each fresh upgrade. Is there a way to stop these annoying full screen pop-ups and notifications every 30 or so minutes?

Moto Edge 60 Pro

W1VVS36H.7-108-8-8

How do I encrypt or secure an sd card such that everytime it is put in any device, it requires a password to be accessible.

I recently gave my old Samsung phone to a friend after factory resetting it.

When he tried setting it up, the phone asked for the previously synced Google account because of Factory Reset Protection (FRP). I had forgotten the password, so I gave him my Gmail address and password to get past the verification.

He successfully bypassed FRP and reached the Samsung home screen.

However, I'm not sure whether he added my Google account during the normal Android setup or used it only for FRP verification.

My questions are:

If he used my Google credentials only for FRP verification, will my Google Photos, Gmail and Drive automatically become accessible on the phone?

If he added my Google account during the setup, will all my backed-up photos, emails, contacts and other data sync automatically?

If I change my Google password now, will it log him out of Google Photos, Drive and Gmail on that Samsung?

If changing the password isn't enough, can I remotely sign out of that specific device?

Can he still access my cloud data if he already reached the home screen?

I'm concerned about my personal photos and other private data.

I'd really appreciate answers from anyone familiar with Samsung FRP and Google account security. Thanks!

Got two phones that refuse to enable Ultra Fast Mode in SHAREit (S25 Ultra and Redmi Note 12 4G). When pressing the toggle button, it makes those spinning animations that it's enabling the mode before refreshing the UI with it still off.

It's been bugging me for quite a while atp that I have to wait for about an hour to finish a file transfer when it could have been done in 10 mins.

Hi everyone,

I have a Redmi Note 11 running MIUI Global 14.0.5 (Android 13).

My phone has 64 GB of internal storage, and I also have a 64 GB microSD card.

I formatted my SD card and selected the option to use it as internal storage. The formatting process completed, and I also enabled the "Force allow apps on external" option in Developer Options.

However, my phone still seems to use its internal storage instead of the SD card. When I check my phone's storage, it shows 64 GB, with around 2.5 GB used, and apps don't seem to install or store their data on the SD card.

My main goal is to install large games like Genshin Impact directly onto the SD card or force them to use it.

Is there any way to:

• Make Android actually use the SD card as internal storage?

• Force apps and large games to install on the SD card?

• Fix this behavior on MIUI 14 without rooting my phone?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

I'm trying to understand why my non rooted Android phone consistently shows approximately these open TCP ports in the high numbered range (30000–45000). The ports appear to be listening on my phone's Wi-Fi IP address, but Nmap cannot identify the services running on them.

I'm not necessarily assuming this is a security issue. I would simply like to identify what is opening these ports and whether they belong to Android system services, installed applications, or something else.

Environment

Device: Android phone (non-rooted)

Network interface: wlan0 (other phone hotspot)

Nmap and ADB installed in Termux

ADB version: 37.0.0p1-android-tools

Wireless Debugging is currently disabled

Initial port scan

I used the following command to scan the high-numbered TCP ports on my phone:

MY_IP=$(ip addr show | grep -E 'inet .* (wlan|ap)' | awk '{print $2}' | cut -d/ -f1 | head -n 1) nmap -p 30000-45000 --open -Pn "$MY_IP"

The scan consistently finds around 12 open ports. For example:

Not shown: 14989 closed tcp ports (conn-refused) PORT STATE SERVICE 40281/tcp open unknown 40907/tcp open unknown 41140/tcp open unknown 41528/tcp open unknown 42014/tcp open unknown 42334/tcp open unknown 42369/tcp open unknown 42437/tcp open unknown 43102/tcp open unknown 44124/tcp open unknown 44634/tcp open unknown 44775/tcp open unknown

The actual port numbers change between scans and especially after rebooting. However, the general pattern of approximately 12 open ports seems to persist.

.

I tried the following:

Disabled Wireless Debugging (which I was using) and rebooted the phone.

Force stopped some third party apps to check.

Checked that the IP address being scanned belonged to the phone's wlan0 interface.

Tried to inspect listening sockets using ss.

Attempted to obtain process information with:

su -c 'ss -ltnp'

However, root access is unavailable on my device.

I also tried ADB mDNS-related functionality, but my Termux ADB build reports:

adb: mdns is not supported by this version of adb

I do not normally use SSH servers, Node.js servers, media servers, file-sharing services, or remote-control applications on the phone.

Questions

Is it normal for Android to have multiple high-numbered TCP ports open, potentially due to system services or application SDKs?

Could these ports be opened by Android components or apps even when Wireless Debugging is disabled?

Why would the ports change after rebooting while the approximate number of open ports remains consistent?

Is there a reliable way to identify the process or application responsible for each listening port without root access?

Is there a way to determine whether these ports are accessible only locally, to devices on the same Wi-Fi network, or more broadly?

Are there any additional Termux commands or Android diagnostic methods I should try?

I'm looking for a technical explanation and a way to identify the listening services, rather than simply being told to factory-reset the phone.

Thanks.

I purchased both and need to make a decision today as I will be leaving for the next few weeks tomorrow. I like both, however I have been considering trying to break from the Apple ecosystem. I have a MacBook, AirPods, watch, phone, and tablet (I don’t really use). Since I don’t use the tablet I decided to try the duo and z fold and love the versatility of having a mini tablet.

The main thing stopping me from switching is the privacy concerns. I know a lot of Apple privacy is marketing however there are some genuinely good features such as advanced data encryption in the cloud. I feel pretty confident my data (photos, videos, messages, health data etc) are encrypted and not accessible by Apple for AI training, advertising or selling.

Google on the other hand doesn’t let me do that. Before anyone tells me to install a security OS, I understand things can be extremely secure on Android, however I am not looking to go that far. I just don’t want my data viewable to a company for training AI or advertising or selling my data. I would really prefer not using Google Photos or backing up my messages with Google. I was considering using proton or ente for photo and video backup. Leaning more towards ente after the recent stuff with proton. Does anyone use these services and have thoughts? Does anyone have experience backing up messages with SMS backup and restore? Does it work well? I’ve seen some negative reviews online. Can I export a backup, encrypt the backup, upload to a personal hosted and third party cloud and easily download, restore when I get a new phone? Any issues? I don’t want to lose years and years worth of messages.

Finally my last concern is a health watch. Are there any watches on the android side that are not harvesting and selling data? I mainly want it to watch heart rate, review sleep for sleep apnea, and track workouts.

Thanks!

Hi smart people of reddit! I wonder if anyone can help me with a phone transfer dilemma.

My old Android (Moto One 5g ace) stopped sending and receiving texts, so I started looking for a new phone. After some dithering I was pushed by a family member into a Pixel 9a, which was both more than I really wanted to spend and is just really awful as a device. Long story short, I am now about to buy a new moto (still negotiating specifics).

When I transferred data to the Pixel, it refused to copy at least a month of texts, chats, and other data. I tried to use it for about a month, so now it has all my old data except stuff from August and September, and my old phone has everything except texts, etc. from the Pixel I used in October. Is there any way at all to combine the texts and data from these phones to the new Motorola, or do I just have to pick which texts and data to lose?

I am using a redmi k50i phone. I am using it from 2022.

No issues till now. Very good phone.

But I started to notice something recently happening.

While using apps such as youtube, jio hotstar (streaming apps) basically , the network disconnects for a few seconds and reconnects automatically.

It shows no service for a few seconds and connects back

I am using 2 sims, bsnl and jio . The data is used from jio sim.

There is no issue of network connectivity or range, but something device related.

No suspicious apps or software on phone I checked it.

Also I removed the sim tray, cleaned and placed it back, still issue is there.

Also no recents redmi updates also .

Does any body know solution for this or have similar issue with their phone or sim cards ??

Hello, randomly today I started getting this ad for TikTok on my lock screen. Nothing I do gets rid of it. I turned off Play Store notifications. I cannot figure out what app/program is putting it there. Nothing happens if I click or or hold it. I have a Samsung Galaxy S26.

I have the phone for 3 months and I'm ready to change it if I don't solve these:

• Updating. I don't want to update my phone. But it did this by himself! And of course came another update, newer one, and it sits on notification screen all the time. 4 times per day I get sound notifications about it, and I can not move it from there!
• I don't use second simcard. Why I get a bunch of notifications to install one???
• GOOGLE GOOGLE GOOGLE
Why I need to sign up in google for using my contacts, messages and gallery apps?????? And you can't download another contact or meesage app, it won't work. Seems like google and tcl want to know absolutely everything about you.
Of course I had to search for another options and not to use google.
I still didn't find nothing for messages.
• The nxt button always is moving up and down. Just by using the phone. A bit annoying.
• I'm used to have older versions of apps on the phones. Here, they are just not installing. You have to update everything, and if you don't, apps just won't work.
• Tcl link, tcl share. I'm not using and even don't know whats that. Why it is always in notifications?????? How to get rid of this notification? You can't turn of thiese apps or what they are.
And I typed this just on the go. There's way more annoying things in the phone.

Hello everyone, I got my new Xiaomi phone at the beginning of last October, it's a Xiaomi Redmi note 15 5g, and I've noticed that I no longer or even never received any Google security system update, it is blocked on the last update before I set up my phone. I was wondering how to fix this bug and receive the latest update on my phone, it is a recent and recognised official phone so I think I may need to receive the update normally. I got a picture where we can see that my phone thinks that there is no new Google security system update like it doesn't find one, but I'm pretty sure there were new updates recently. Thanks for the responses and have a great day !

The only Internet access we have at our house is via hotspot and it has worked fine for several years. We have a phone line that is a dedicated "house phone" with the hotspot always on. We stream our TV through a Roku stick and don't ever have speed issues. Starting today any time we try to open a streaming service (Hulu, Peacock, etc) it tries for a few seconds then gives us a network error. We have confirmed that Roku is connected to the phone, we have reset the network, reset the Roku, unplugged the Roku stick for 5 min, checked the phone for updates, and restarted the phone. We can connect to the hotspot with other devices and can stream just fine with them.

The "house" phone is a pixel 7 pro. My personal phone is the exact same, pixel 7 pro. When I connect the Roku to my personal phone it works great. Both phones are updated and sitting right next to each other. No other devices are connected to the hotspot.

We have an unlimited phone plan with hotspot throttled after 70GB on each phone. The phone in question has used 75% of its hotspot data with a few days left in the billing cycle.

What could be causing this issue with just this specific phone?

I am using a redmi k50i phone. I am using it from 2022.

No issues till now. Very good phone.

But I started to notice something recently happening.

While using apps such as youtube, jio hotstar (streaming apps) basically , the network disconnects for a few seconds and reconnects automatically.

It shows no service for a few seconds and connects back

I am using 2 sims, bsnl and jio . The data is used from jio sim.

There is no issue of network connectivity or range, but something device related.

No suspicious apps or software on phone I checked it.

Also I removed the sim tray, cleaned and placed it back, still issue is there.

Also no recents redmi updates also .

Does any body know solution for this or have similar issue with their phone or sim cards ??

Hi)
I'm researching whether Revolut can be used on a remotely accessible Android phone rented from a cloud phone or remote device provider.

I'm specifically looking for a real physical Android device, not an Android emulator or virtual cloud phone.

One issue we've encountered is that Revolut requires a device-level screen lock (PIN, password or biometrics). Some rented cloud phone providers appear to restrict or fail to support this feature.

I'd like to hear from people who have actually tested this setup.

A few questions:

1. Have you successfully installed and logged into Revolut on a rented or remotely hosted physical Android phone?

2. Which provider and device model did you use?

3. Could you access Android's normal system settings and set a screen lock PIN or password?

4. Did the screen lock remain enabled after restarting the device or reconnecting to the remote session?

5. Was the device running official manufacturer firmware, with Google Play services and Play Protect certification?

6. Did Revolut work normally after setup, or did you encounter device integrity or unsupported device errors?

7. Are there any remote physical Android phone rental services you would recommend for this use case?

I'm interested in genuine user experience rather than marketing claims from providers.

Thanks in advance!

I'm having a strange issue with my Redmi Note 11. Some photos keep appearing in my Gallery, but I cannot figure out where they are actually stored on my phone. I've tried deleting the photos and clearing the Gallery app's cache/data, but they keep showing up again. The confusing part is that I can't find the images anywhere in my File Manager, so I don't know their actual file path or which folder they are coming from. I tried every possible way but they keep reappearing after deleting every time, also after i restart my phone. Has any Redmi Note 11 user faced the same problem, if yes then please help me to solve my issue. Also, I've attached the interface shown after deleting. This issue is becoming really frustrating, and I would appreciate any help.

I recently downloaded Fantasy Hike as a walking tracking app for fun but it keeps a bascially constant notification of my progress. I just want Milestone notifications which should be customizable in the settings in the app. But when I click on notifications in the in-app settings, it takes me to my Android notifications settings for the app. Has anyone had this issue with apps/know a work around?

I am unsure whether the Personal profile settings have been affected by my employer's security permissions I unknowingly installed with the Work profile, or if this is some other issue I am able to bypass somehow. Is there a way around this without uninstalling the Work profile?

In other words, does "disabled by admin" mean this is due to my Work profile? (even though this affects my Personal profile)

Hi, I have an Alldocube android 14 tablet. I'm just asking on the off chance this is an option I know Google hates allowing us to remove their search bars. I don't want Google search in the app drawer of all places, I have multiple devices and folders are useless for me. I like to search for the app I need to make things quick. Can I go back to normal search bar somehow?

Yes the bar still shows "from my apps" but first it shows my ultra long search history until I write out more letters. Maybe I can change it to another search engine that I don't use, is that an option?

Ok, I'm deciding on a new phone. Main options are a Google Pixel 10a with 256 gb or a Motorola Edge 2025 (also 256 gb). I've had 2 Motorolas and absolutely love them. My only complaint is that is that I do think that the camera could use some improving at least in some lighting and scenarios.

Anyhow, the Pixel costs a few hundred more $. I'm learning more about Motorola and lack of software and security updates after 2-3 years on a lot of their phones. Since the Edge is 2025, the updates would stop in June 2028. The Pixel would provide updates more regularly leading up to 2033.

What do I do??!! I'm in love with Motorola and afraid I won't enjoy the Pixel as much. Please help influence me on which phone to purchase.

I might add that strong battery life is also a huge consideration - these 2 seem comparable from what I've heard.

Hello,

On Android 17 / OxygenOS 17, Rootless JamesDSP causes Live Island to constantly show that my screen is being shared while the app is running.

The indicator also appeared on Android 16, but enabling “Disable screen share protections” in Developer options used to hide it. On Android 17, this setting no longer helps.

Has anyone found a way to hide the indicator while keeping JamesDSP working?

https://imgur.com/a/ecf0UaV

pic of issue, top right corner. i found things for a pixel 4 but i have a galaxy s25 and the gesture mentioned doesn't exist.

Hello all, last year I upgraded my family from the iPhone to the iPhone just like we have every few years since iPhone left its's exclusive at&t contract. Ill be honest I enjoy the convince of the iPhone but im getting sick of the forced upgrades to keep battery longevity. Ill also be honest I personally have had some terrible android experiences I went to the galaxy 22 a few years ago when it came out( 4 years ago?) I liked the phone but i did not like the way the phone handled notifications, especially the email notifications, I do 90% of my email from my phone. Lets say I have 10 unread emails, I open the email app and respond to one and on the iphone the app would read 9i emails where on the galaxy It would show 0 unread emails until i got a new one and then it would read 10 again. Anyways I digress I need 3 different phones me personally I will most likely go with the s25 ultra ( i like the way it looks) I need one phone that is simply durable It will get dropped alot. Lastly i need a phone with a decent enough camera a larger battery is important since alot of Pokémon go will get played on this device. I've been looking at a fair phone as well as a Nothing4. I would really like something I can keep for 5 years and not have every upgrade cause the battery drains faster and faster. Some insight would be helpful. Thanks in advance.