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Lost all old wifi ssids after install of new rom

Hello all,
While going through the initial set up stage of a new rom on my Galaxy S2 I wasn't able to connect to my wifi, the rom simply didn't see any wifi points so I carried on and skipped the Google account bit as I didn't want any settings or apps being downloaded over 3G.
Once the rom was set up I was able to connect to my home wifi and then entered my Google account details. I then downloaded all my apps but my list of previously connected wifi ssids has disappeared. Any other time I have installed a rom, and that is many on quite a few phones, the list of wifi connections is always downloaded from Google along with all my other settings but I assume due to not connecting to wifi at the start of set up I haven't got any of my old wifi connections back. This includes my work wifi which is to say the least a pain to get set up.
Short of reinstalling the rom and hoping I can connect to wifi this time is there a way of downloading my old wifi connection details?

Sewrizer said:
ok. this is quite simple IF you restored the old rom.
enter recovery mode, go in backup and restore, choose restore then restore the rom in which you had all the SSIDs.
now go in play store and download "WiFi Pass Recovery & Backup"(free software). it will tell you all the passwords from the networks you connected to in the past. just write them down on a paper or in notepad, re-flash the desired rom and when you are in the area of any network you can connect using the password you wrote down. i can't think of another method. hit thanks if this helped.
good luck:laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I had thought of that method but was hoping for something a little simpler! LOL. Thanks anyway, this looks like the only way to do this.

Better alternative!
Sewrizer said:
...go in play store and download "WiFi Pass Recovery & Backup"(free software). it will tell you all the passwords from the networks you connected to in the past
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This works but TrustGo Inc. Antivirus & Mobile Security tells me that it may collect privacy information like IMEI, device model and email account.
Better use this one without security issues: WiFi Key Recovery :good:

Problem solved. I reinstalled the rom but instead of selecting "Reboot" at the end of the install I held the power button in until the phone then went back into recovery. I then installed the latest Dorimanx kernel and rebooted. Dori 9.12 seems to have problems picking up wifi whereas 9.13 has no problems. My home wifi was picked up at the start of the set up and from then on Google reinstalled apps and settings. Or at least is in the process of doing so!
I was a little worried as skipping the wifi set up at the start of my first install meant that there was no email address in the Backup and Restore field within Settings so although the backup and restore boxes were ticked without an email account they may as well have been unticked.. No way to add an email address either.
Thanks for the suggestions, as ever very helpful folks on XDA!

No VPN on Marshmallow

After I updated my sprint galaxy s6 edge to marshmallow OTA, VPN is not working for me. I have tried more than 5 different VPN apps, but none of them work. They say they are connected, but as soon as I switch to a new app, they stop working. VPN worked fine before I updated, but now it is not. Please help!

Yoshi20017 said:
After I updated my sprint galaxy s6 edge to marshmallow OTA, VPN is not working for me. I have tried more than 5 different VPN apps, but none of them work. They say they are connected, but as soon as I switch to a new app, they stop working. VPN worked fine before I updated, but now it is not. Please help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've got this problem too, on chinese 9250

Go to Settings > More > VPN
Set up your VPN in there. I've set up VPN on my Galaxy S6 and S7 using L2TP IPSec with a signed certificate from GoDaddy.
I had it working on the S7 with a PSK also. Both phones are running Android v 6.0.1 Marshmallow.
It's strange but the VPN connection settings are different. My S6 is a Sprint phone, and I can't assign it a Certificate Authority. But the Verizon S7 won't let me save the VPN connection without a CA. I have to install the certificates in different ways for each phone as well. Very odd.
Anyway good luck.

MrKrunch said:
Go to Settings > More > VPN
Set up your VPN in there. I've set up VPN on my Galaxy S6 and S7 using L2TP IPSec with a signed certificate from GoDaddy.
I had it working on the S7 with a PSK also. Both phones are running Android v 6.0.1 Marshmallow.
It's strange but the VPN connection settings are different. My S6 is a Sprint phone, and I can't assign it a Certificate Authority. But the Verizon S7 won't let me save the VPN connection without a CA. I have to install the certificates in different ways for each phone as well. Very odd.
Anyway good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you tell me how to do this please?

same problem for me Samsung s6 edge android 6..0.1 VPN apps work.... cyberghost / opera max/ and the rest .
PS after Zamber88 suggestion go to settings>> battery>app power saving > turn off for opera max or other vpn app.
PPS: if that is not enough do this: Settings >>Battery >> Battery Usage >> more (right up cornet button) >> Optimize battery usage >> select All apps and choose your VPN app and turn off .
also if in OPERA MAX when u use mobile data u get the error "enable background data " is because of the power saving.
CASE CLOSE !

That's a really strange issue. We did a lot of testing on MM with Nexus devices and everything works as intended. We even have a S6 Edge with MM that works fine (SM-G925F with one of the Unknown build listed on sammobile IIRC).
All I can come out with now is that you could try checking if there aren't any battery saving features interfering with the VPN apps.

Solved.
S6 edge.. disabled powersaving features. Vpns are working fine. Strange but cant figure out how powersaving is meddling with vpn. Solved.

Its not power saving . its restrict background data . just off the restrict background data and will work fine

zamber88 said:
That's a really strange issue. We did a lot of testing on MM with Nexus devices and everything works as intended. We even have a S6 Edge with MM that works fine (SM-G925F with one of the Unknown build listed on sammobile IIRC).
All I can come out with now is that you could try checking if there aren't any battery saving features interfering with the VPN apps.
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Click to collapse
I'm not sure if anyone can help me over here, but I'm not finding anything in the Nexus forums. Since @zamber88 did MM testing with Nexus, maybe you can help me with my Nexus 6. I have a 10 day trip to China coming up in a couple weeks and really need to get VPN working.
Google searches haven't helped, except to point me here. I have purchased VPN Unlimited and tried it with their app and an OpenVPN app. I got a free Galaxy J7 as a spare through the T-Mobile promotion a while back, and both apps work on it with no changes at all. Neither work on my Nexus 6, despite turning off power saving and restricting background data for both apps.
When I select a server, the J7 the Allow connection pops up, I OK it, and connect. On my Nexus 6, the refused to grant permission pops up. See the attached screenshots.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

JimSmith94 said:
I'm not sure if anyone can help me over here, but I'm not finding anything in the Nexus forums. Since @zamber88 did MM testing with Nexus, maybe you can help me with my Nexus 6. I have a 10 day trip to China coming up in a couple weeks and really need to get VPN working.
Google searches haven't helped, except to point me here. I have purchased VPN Unlimited and tried it with their app and an OpenVPN app. I got a free Galaxy J7 as a spare through the T-Mobile promotion a while back, and both apps work on it with no changes at all. Neither work on my Nexus 6, despite turning off power saving and restricting background data for both apps.
When I select a server, the J7 the Allow connection pops up, I OK it, and connect. On my Nexus 6, the refused to grant permission pops up. See the attached screenshots.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll try to cover all of the bases from easiest to most cumbersome. Given you have some time on your hands this should helpful. Read through the list before doing anything and once you start doing stuff note it down as you're going so that we'll be able to pinpoint any other problems that could pop up. If you succeed then you'll have an answer pretty much ready for posting .
Reboot. Sometimes freshly installed VPN apps fail exactly like the screenshots show.
Try setting up a VPN connection with another app. Shameless plug: Opera Max, Opera VPN (note: there's an issue in Max which makes some VPNs disconnect after a couple of minutes so make sure to kill it before running any other VPNs).
Scan the device with Avast, AVG and Avira to rule out any worms.
Rule out any other apps interfering by booting into safe mode and try connecting again (with your app and, Opera Max for a sanity check).
If you don't want to commit to steps that will follow (or the step before this one succeeded) remove apps from least to most needed retesting with your app and Max after each uninstall.
Upgrade to Android Nugat. It shouldn't break anything and could potentially fix this issue. Either ways it's always a good idea to upgrade when updates are available. It's not like you're on iOS .
Now it's a god time to make a backup (frankly, anytime is good for a backup). If you went over with uninstalling apps making one will be easier. If you have root on your device you probably have TWRP, make a backup with it and download it to your PC. You could also make a Titanium backup if you're not big on setting up basic apps but it's optional. If you don't have root just backup all sensitive data (photos, videos, settings if it's possible to export these in-app). Also note down all apps you can't live without. Google Play has a history of installed apps but going through it is a pain and the "Copy settings from another device" option when setting up a fresh device is helpful but will not restore in-app settings. Also I would advise to not use it given that the culprit can sill be lurking in your apps.
MAKE THAT BACKUP, there's no going back from here . Do a factory reset. After that as mentioned before don't restore settings and set up a "new" device. Set up your accounts and check if both VPN apps work (they should by this point). Now start installing your basic app setup and after configuring each one make sure that the VPN still works.
If somehow this didn't help make sure you're not running a ROM that's botched by flashing the official system image (and upgrade to Nugat as a bonus). If you know what I'm talking about then you will know how to do it, if you don't know AND the issue still reproduces the there's something really strange going on.
By now you should have your issue solved, hopefully in the first three steps at most. There's one other thing to take into account. The great firewall does not like VPNs and there's a fair chance that Unlimited VPN will not work so be prepped to have a backup plan. You could try with Opera VPN (no idea if it works, not my project, would be nice to get feedback) and also get a trial for any service that looks interesting to you on this list.
Hope this helps and that you'll have a safe trip .
UPDATED minutes after posting:
One simple step I missed: reboot. In most cases it solves exactly the issue you're having. No idea why it happens but probably there's a 2y bug opened and tagged as low prio in the Android project .

Thanks for the quick reply!
1. Besides VPN Unlimited, I've already tried OpenVPN for Android and OpenVPN Connect. They both use .ovpn files from VPN Unlimited. I just installed Opera VPN and whether I swipe through the intro screens or skip them, I can't click on "GOT IT"; nothing happens. I think this might be the crux of the problem as some of the buttons in the other VPN apps don't respond either. I'm "almost" positive it's not a screen overlay problem because I used to use f.lux that did that, got rid of it, and haven't had any problems since.
2. I run Lookout Security & Antivirus and just scanned again to be sure. Nothing found.
3. I tried safe mode earlier, only to learn that you can't install or run any aftermarket apps.
4-7. Nougat hasn't been released yet and I'm too dependent on systemless root and Xposed, I'm still stock rooted on MM 6.0.1 with the September security update. I do run TWRP and Titanium Backup and make sure their backups are up to date before I try anything dangerous.
8. Unless you can think of why I can't click on "GOT IT" in Opera VPN, I guess my next step is to sideload the latest OTA again and try all of the VPNs before installing TWRP, SU, and Xposed. That's about all that's left.

JimSmith94 said:
Thanks for the quick reply!
1. Besides VPN Unlimited, I've already tried OpenVPN for Android and OpenVPN Connect. They both use .ovpn files from VPN Unlimited. I just installed Opera VPN and whether I swipe through the intro screens or skip them, I can't click on "GOT IT"; nothing happens. I think this might be the crux of the problem as some of the buttons in the other VPN apps don't respond either. I'm "almost" positive it's not a screen overlay problem because I used to use f.lux that did that, got rid of it, and haven't had any problems since.
2. I run Lookout Security & Antivirus and just scanned again to be sure. Nothing found.
3. I tried safe mode earlier, only to learn that you can't install or run any aftermarket apps.
4-7. Nougat hasn't been released yet and I'm too dependent on systemless root and Xposed, I'm still stock rooted on MM 6.0.1 with the September security update. I do run TWRP and Titanium Backup and make sure their backups are up to date before I try anything dangerous.
8. Unless you can think of why I can't click on "GOT IT" in Opera VPN, I guess my next step is to sideload the latest OTA again and try all of the VPNs before installing TWRP, SU, and Xposed. That's about all that's left.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Some of the buttons don't respond? What about Opera Max? Opera VPN is fairly new in the game and it still can have issues (though I haven't found any during the brief time I was testing how it works with Max). This sounds really strange. Does it happen in other apps?
2. Rerunning the same Antivirus app will not double the likelyhood of finding a thread . Try with Avast too. You can safely uninstall it after that.
3. What aftermarket apps you have in mind? APK's installed not from the Play Store? It shouldn't impact testing if Unlimited VPN works fine. All background stuff shouldn't run by definition in safe mode.
4-7. Nougat is released. After beta 4 they started releasing OTAs and images for the final release on the beta channel and now it's going to go global. There are factory images for Nexus 9 which I upgraded recently and we have a Nexus 6 but after checking it looks like got the OTA from the beta channel, so it will take a while for the official release to roll out to 6 (though 6P and 5X already have it). Also you're right, there's no systemless root for it yet. We're rolling standard SuperSU on test devices in the office (no need for Android Pay or banking apps there).
8. I'll reach out to the VPN guys for info on gathering debug information for this. Meanwhile try with Opera Max or even Betternet. Do these also fail to connect? Also does it reproduce on mobile and on WiFi?
Got a response from the VPN guys. Most probably your network blocks VPNs. Try pinging http://api.surfeasy.com/ from mobile and WiFi. If it doesn't go through then your network provider is blocking it. Probably it will be the same case for other VPNs. The issue is known and they'll probably add an error message in the next release .

zamber88 said:
1. Some of the buttons don't respond? What about Opera Max? Opera VPN is fairly new in the game and it still can have issues (though I haven't found any during the brief time I was testing how it works with Max). This sounds really strange. Does it happen in other apps?
2. Rerunning the same Antivirus app will not double the likelyhood of finding a thread . Try with Avast too. You can safely uninstall it after that.
3. What aftermarket apps you have in mind? APK's installed not from the Play Store? It shouldn't impact testing if Unlimited VPN works fine. All background stuff shouldn't run by definition in safe mode.
4-7. Nougat is released. After beta 4 they started releasing OTAs and images for the final release on the beta channel and now it's going to go global. There are factory images for Nexus 9 which I upgraded recently and we have a Nexus 6 but after checking it looks like got the OTA from the beta channel, so it will take a while for the official release to roll out to 6 (though 6P and 5X already have it). Also you're right, there's no systemless root for it yet. We're rolling standard SuperSU on test devices in the office (no need for Android Pay or banking apps there).
8. I'll reach out to the VPN guys for info on gathering debug information for this. Meanwhile try with Opera Max or even Betternet. Do these also fail to connect? Also does it reproduce on mobile and on WiFi?
Got a response from the VPN guys. Most probably your network blocks VPNs. Try pinging http://api.surfeasy.com/ from mobile and WiFi. If it doesn't go through then your network provider is blocking it. Probably it will be the same case for other VPNs. The issue is known and they'll probably add an error message in the next release .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I installed Opera Max and it was the only app that gave me a helpful error message, so thank you and the coders for that! The message said something like it couldn't establish a VPN connection due to an Xposed module. I disabled Xposed, rebooted, and all of my VPN apps worked. Further searching found this thread saying that Xposed's Immersive Mode was the cuprit. http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z2/help/vpn-to-t2850981
I re-enabled Xposed and disabled only Immersive Mode and VPN still works. Hopefully this will help others in this thread too.

JimSmith94 said:
I installed Opera Max and it was the only app that gave me a helpful error message, so thank you and the coders for that! The message said something like it couldn't establish a VPN connection due to an Xposed module. I disabled Xposed, rebooted, and all of my VPN apps worked. Further searching found this thread saying that Xposed's Immersive Mode was the cuprit. http://forum.xda-developers.com/xperia-z2/help/vpn-to-t2850981
I re-enabled Xposed and disabled only Immersive Mode and VPN still works. Hopefully this will help others in this thread too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I missed that you mentioned Xposed earlier. We implemented Xposed detection to prevent abuse so it's good to hear that it helped you to resolve your issue . Thanks forwarded to the developer behind it . Enjoy your trip!

prevent android being "smart" about wifi connectivity

when I connect to a captive wifi, I want to use the connection as is (maybe I want to login without telling google - since the builtin authenticator uses their gstatic domain, or maybe I want to probe the network as it is being redirected, or maybe I just want firefox to manage my password to the portal, etc)
but after I select "use wifi as is" on the android webview builtin auth screen, android starts to route all and every traffic to my 3g/4g data connection instead, until I disable and re-enable wifi.
it will only ever redirect traffic to wifi after it successfully got the correct 204 from gstatic.com
is there anyway to work around this?
I am on android6, but I think I has always been like that.

gcbxda said:
when I connect to a captive wifi, I want to use the connection as is (maybe I want to login without telling google - since the builtin authenticator uses their gstatic domain, or maybe I want to probe the network as it is being redirected, or maybe I just want firefox to manage my password to the portal, etc)
but after I select "use wifi as is" on the android webview builtin auth screen, android starts to route all and every traffic to my 3g/4g data connection instead, until I disable and re-enable wifi.
it will only ever redirect traffic to wifi after it successfully got the correct 204 from gstatic.com
is there anyway to work around this?
I am on android6, but I think I has always been like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have any kind of Linux ide? Have you tried making a tunnel?
Or is that what your looking for. I'm not 100% sure what your looking for. If your trying to skip Hotspot authentication? Or anything like that Then a tunnel would work fine.
Sorry I can't be of much else help

If your phone is rooted or has a custom ROM (Which would obviously indicate that the phone is rooted), there is a solution that you can try using a terminal (Or ADB shell).
Issue the command: "settings put global captive_portal_detection_enabled 0" That should prevent captive portal detection and gstatic confirmation. This should work, I haven't tried it personally though.
Additionally, you can setup a captive server.
Issue the command: "settings put global captive_portal_server g.cn"
Restart your phone, and you should have access to the pages.
Basically, connecting as is, requires you to reach a site that does not require 204 confirmation and afterward other sites should be accessible. Let me know if this helps.

Josh Ross said:
If your phone is rooted or has a custom ROM (Which would obviously indicate that the phone is rooted), there is a solution that you can try using a terminal (Or ADB shell).
Issue the command: "settings put global captive_portal_detection_enabled 0" That should prevent captive portal detection and gstatic confirmation. This should work, I haven't tried it personally though.
Additionally, you can setup a captive server.
Issue the command: "settings put global captive_portal_server g.cn"
Restart your phone, and you should have access to the pages.
Basically, connecting as is, requires you to reach a site that does not require 204 confirmation and afterward other sites should be accessible. Let me know if this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no root on the phone (damn blackberry priv) and no control of the portal.
this is so infuriating. This is trivial, banal even, on any device i control. Feel like a kid on training wheels every time i touch my phone.

TCL Plex T780H Firmware Updates?

I've had this phone since February and it's still stuck on Android 9 and the December 2019 security patch. No updates have ever been reported as available on the phone, and if I go into Settings -> System, it doesn't even have an 'Updates' section.
I've attempted to contact Alcatel Mobile about this several times, but never hear back. Has anyone else had this problem, and how did you resolve it?
Thanks!

SiliconAngel said:
I've had this phone since February and it's still stuck on Android 9 and the December 2019 security patch. No updates have ever been reported as available on the phone, and if I go into Settings -> System, it doesn't even have an 'Updates' section.
I've attempted to contact Alcatel Mobile about this several times, but never hear back. Has anyone else had this problem, and how did you resolve it?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What country are you in?
It may be worth trying a factory reset and before you login to play store connect to somewhere like Spain/ UK and try and do an update with a VPN

rockycocky said:
What country are you in?
It may be worth trying a factory reset and before you login to play store connect to somewhere like Spain/ UK and try and do an update with a VPN
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm in Australia.
Considering it took nearly two weeks to get this set up the first time, I'd really rather not have to go through that again... I use the phone for security for dozens of work sites and accounts, setting up all the 2fa keys all over again is painful.
Updating should be a basic function of the phone :-/
Thanks for the suggestion, I will try that as a last resort if I really don't have any other option.

Should there be a 'System Update' tab within Settings --> System? That doesn't exist on my phone...
I also can't figure out how to edit network settings - if I go into Wifi settings, I can see the currently connected wifi network and the current IP, gateway and DNS settings, but there's no way to override the DHCP provided settings with a manual configuration.

SiliconAngel said:
Should there be a 'System Update' tab within Settings --> System? That doesn't exist on my phone...
I also can't figure out how to edit network settings - if I go into Wifi settings, I can see the currently connected wifi network and the current IP, gateway and DNS settings, but there's no way to override the DHCP provided settings with a manual configuration.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you should access it in Settings\System\System Update (you can also use the search box in Settings main page to find "system update")
about the network, you can access the Wi-Fi settings of your network ('Modify Network') and then use 'Advanced options'.. you have several settings there, inluding Proxy and DHCP

Question Family link [TB-J617F]

Hi all,
I've been trying to get family link working as my daughter uses this tablet. When trying to add her account the setup gets stuck in an endless loop never competing. Having read various threads from other devices, I think it's probably something to do with play services not having certain permissions. I would consider unlocking, installing twrp, magisk etc if required to fix, but I don't want to loose widevine.
The long and short is I can't use her account on the device at all as she's part of the family group - her account won't work at all without family link.
I wondered if anyone here had either tried this, or come across other odd behaviours relating to play services?
I'm running the Chinese ROM ziu 13.
Appreciate any thoughts.
Cheers Matt

Few things I have tried (and eventually got it to work) across 2x Lenovo P11 Plus (J616F)'s:
1st one was a factory reset and then instead of using my home WiFi, setup the device using a 4G hotspot from my phone. (Not a clue why, but my Home Wifi (Unifi Access Points) takes upwards of 2 minutes to get internet with the Lenovo's, even though all other devices are fine).
Second method:
factory reset and setup the device as "Offline" (i.e. dont input any WiFi details, button down bottom right saying "Setup as Offline")
Once gone through initial steps, connect to your WiFi, give it 10 minutes to update a few bits.
Open Play Store (DO NOT SIGN IN!), and press the three dots at the top right and goto updates
Let the device update all apps
When complete, try adding the childs Google Account (again, if this fails, try using a 4G hotspot from another device (disabling Wifi on that device first))
Hope that helps

Ok, that sounds pretty strange but I might give it a go. I just set her up a new Google account as nothing I could do could get the old one logged in. Thanks for your advice.
I suspect your unifi is running a shared ssid and your 5ghz is on an inaccessible band, are you always connecting at 2.4ghz? I had to change the 5g band on mine to even see it!

mdurkin said:
Ok, that sounds pretty strange but I might give it a go. I just set her up a new Google account as nothing I could do could get the old one logged in. Thanks for your advice.
I suspect your unifi is running a shared ssid and your 5ghz is on an inaccessible band, are you always connecting at 2.4ghz? I had to change the 5g band on mine to even see it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only have my 5Ghz on normal bands (i.e. non DFS), even tried a separate 2.4Ghz Guest network, disabled WPA3, all to no avail. Not got a clue what caused it, my ISP doesn't block anything either (Zen UK)
Any other device was fine over WiFi (have setup much older Samsung tablets, newer kids phones) all with Family Link, it was just the Lenovo's that was stuck in a loop saying I needed to remove and re-add the account.
Just couldn't figure it out, and had already spent a few hours trying. Hoped the newest firmware would fix, but that didn't help either.
Hope it helps and good luck

Just playing around on the tablet and it appears that it struggles with IPv6 - could be that my hotspot is IPv4 only. Could be related to the loop it gets stuck in?
Not sure why it doesn't like IPv6 though as all other devices are fine with it...

I've just gone through full reset, then tried using 4g hotspot as you suggested. I have to use Lenovo app centre to get play store, then use play store with no login to update. That all works fine. Then add my daughters account. Then I get stuck in the same loop of not being able to register the device with family link.
In my case, I don't think this relates to internet access, I think there's something going wrong with the software / permissions on the device. It's genuinely very frustrating as I imagine it's probably not terribly difficult for the Lenovo Devs to fix.