Key Points

1. a relatively open source mobile OS ( vs Apple )
2. easier to customize the Apple
3. Options to install, run Linux desktop OS on Android

References

Key Concepts

Android Debug from Windows or Mac using adb.exe

use google adb.exe tool

the process is a little work if you want to try.

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basically there is a tool called ADB that can pull the log file from the device once you have it connected to your laptop for example.

How to get an Android System Log

Sometimes there's a hardware issue that is specific to a single device or a device model that we can not reproduce in our office. In these situations we will need a system log from the device that...

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Sometimes there's a hardware issue that is specific to a single device or a device model that we can not reproduce in our office. In these situations we will need a system log from the device that is having the problem to try and figure out what is going wrong. These instructions can be used to create that log and send it to us.

1. Install your device driver

• Your device driver should install when you connect your device to the computer over USB. If it does not you may need to locate and install the driver from your manufacturer's website. Once you get to Setup the Log step 7 (6 for Mac) you will know if you need a different driver.
  
  ( For Samsung Note 8 I had to manually search the Web for the right USB debug driver. )

2. Connect your device

1. Plug in your device via USB to your computer

2. Go to your Settings app

3. Scroll down to the bottom and tap on Developer Options

   • If this option is not there then:

     1. Scroll down to the bottom and tap on About Phone (or Device)

     2. Scroll down to the bottom and tap repeatedly on Build Number

        • Stop once the message says you've unlocked Developer Mode

     3. Tap back

4. Make sure Android Debugging is checked

3. Setup the log

Windows

1. Download Platform-tools from Google

   • Windows - http://dl-ssl.google.com/android/repository/platform-tools_r20-windows.zip

2. Create a folder in your C drive called 'adb'

3. Unzip the Platform-tools zip file to this folder

4. Press the win+r on your keyboard

5. In the run window type cmd.exe and press enter

6. in the CMD window type 'cd c:\adb' and press enter

7. Type '
   adb devices
   ' and press enter

   • This should write a line to the CMD window that says '009ab325109378df7e device' or something like that

   • If it says that there aren't any devices, then you need a different device driver

8. Type '
   adb logcat > android.log
   ' and press enter

   • This will just show the cursor (blinker) sitting on a new line (with no 'C:\adb' in front), blinking. This is good.

Mac OS

1. Download Platform-tools from Google

   • Mac OS - http://dl-ssl.google.com/android/repository/platform-tools_r20-macosx.zip

2. Create a folder in your hard drive called 'adb'

   • This will be next to folders like; 'users', 'applications', 'system', etc..

3. Unzip the Platform-tools zip file to this folder

4. Go to the Utilities folder and run Terminal

5. in the Terminal window type 'cd \adb' and press enter

6. Type 'adb devices' and press enter

   • This should write a line to the Terminal window that says '009ab325109378df7e device' or something like that

   • If it says that there aren't any devices, then you need a different device driver

7. Type '
   adb logcat > android.log
   ' and press enter

   • This will just show the cursor (blinker) sitting on a new line (with no '\adb' in front), blinking. This is good.

4. Recreate the issue

1. Pick up your device

2. Open the your app to test

3. Take photos or do what every you need to in the app to create the error(s)

5. Finish up

Windows

1. Click inside of the CMD window on your computer

2. Press ctrl-c

   • This will stop the log

3. Open a folder on your computer and go to C:\adb

4. Attach android.log to a reply email for your open ticket

Mac OS

1. Click inside of the Terminal window on your computer

2. Press cmd-c

   • This will stop the log

3. Open your hard drive and go to the adb folder

4. Attach android.log to a reply email for your open ticket

Find USB debug drivers for different phones

Get USB debug driver for a phone if it didn’t automatically download on Windows USB connect

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https://www.mobileheadlines.net/samsung-note-8-usb-driver/

Potential Value Opportunities

Developers - Run Ubuntu server on Android - Options

Using a pre-made Ubuntu image, your phone creates a running version of Linux. There’s not much installed and it runs on LXDE to make sure everything fits within the phone’s memory. However, it is very much a legitimate copy of Linux.

The catch is that you can’t actually see Linux when it runs. The process is contained within an invisible set of programs that is not visible above the Android OS. In order to actually see Ubuntu in action, you need to use a VNC server app.

Ubuntu on Android - Ubuntu docs

https://docs.ubuntu.com/phone/en/devices/installing-ubuntu-for-devices

Warning - Do NOT use Ubuntu Touch option !! You want NORMAL Ubuntu and VNC access to the desktop

Warning: data loss of Android Apps, Data !!

Installing Ubuntu for devices deletes all data (including applications and data such as contacts, photos, and etc.) from the device.

An optional procedure is provided below that backs up the Android apps and data to a local file. There is no guarantee that a restore will succeed.

Warning: Must remove encryption and do Factory reset on phone !!

Warning: If your device is encrypted you must perform a full factory reset before installing ubuntu. This also will delete all data from the device, including apps and other data. You may want to create a backup first. You can perform a factory reset via the settings screen

Unlock the Android device ...

https://docs.ubuntu.com/phone/en/devices/installing-ubuntu-for-devices#unlock-the-android-device

Technorms article - Install Ubuntu on Android

https://www.technorms.com/12451/install-ubuntu-on-android

Run VNC Server on Android

https://www.realvnc.com/en/connect/download/viewer/android/

You can also use Google Play to download this app to the phone.

Download VNC® Viewer to the device you want to control from, below. Make sure you've installed VNC® Server on the computer you want to control.

You can also run the VNC client on Android as well.

This allows you to access a Linux OS Desktop running from your Android device in theory.

You run VNC server for Linux on Ubuntu

You run VNC client on Android or Ubuntu

In theory you have access to the Ubuntu Deskop via the VNC client app

Potential Challenges

Candidate Solutions

Step-by-step guide for Example

sample code block

Recommended Next Steps

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