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Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)

By default, is Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) advertisement broadcasts turned on in Android Phones? Is there a way to turn this on in Settings?

If not, are there reliable Applications that turn Android phones into BLE enabled devices?

Finally, does Android follow the same standard BLE packet structure for advertisement broadcasts, or are there any idiosyncrasies that I need to be aware of (is there a packet structure document for Android?).

Thanks,

Mohan

Is it safe to still use a Galaxy Note 4

It's not so much a matter of your phone model and its age, but rather the version of Android its currently running and the apps you use. Your Note 4 is running KitKat,or Lollipop, or Marshmallow?. Since none of those versions are still supported there's no OTA security patches so as far as the operating system there are fundamental security issues involved, but at the same time a lot of that aspect is or isn't a significant issue depending on your own online habits -- i.e. if you click on links in emails you're going about things in a risky way and in this matter it's more or less irrelevant which version of Android you're running. Also there's a reality even a lot of people don't take into consideration. Even if your Note 4 was magically running the latest version, Pie, it's still a matter where your Note would be much safer but in no way completely safe. It's mostly fallacy that even if your device is running the most recent version of Android with all the latest security patches applied that your device is safe from being exploited and compromised. A lot of those fixes in the monthly security patches that get released are reactive measures to already existing problems that have been revealed so it's often just reactive, not proactive (fixing issues that are potential problems).
But all that is just regarding the underlying operating system. More importantly are the apps you use. Most of them are still receiving updates on a regular basis, even if Google has stopped supporting a version of the OS that doesn't necessarily mean developers stop supporting their apps. And it's the apps that are what you're using to that directly interface the their respective online services so stress that point. The apps are the direct link to your online accounts, the OS is only indirectly a factor.
So keep using your Note 4, but just be wary and judicious when you do anything online with it. Even KitKat (just as an example) with its current Android market share of just under 7% involves millions of still active users worldwide so while the percentage of single digits isn't notable as is, once you factor in it's a percentage of smartphone users it's not so insignificant.
https://developer.android.com/about/dashboards

--- and to be completely snarky and sarcastic, always be very,very cautious about having the Facebook app on your device, no matter what version of Android you're running. It's not so much a security issue but more about blatant data mining and privacy. Install a secondary web browser app, be sure to restrict that browser app's Permissions to a bare minimum, and only use that browser app to access your FB account via its web site.

Rubbish Keyboard on Z3

Just a couple of additional suggestions, take a look at Google's keyboard app, Gboard:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.inputmethod.latin&hl=en_US
https://www.computerworld.com/article/3048523/gboard-android-shortcuts.html
It's a popular, feature-rich keyboard but if you want to avoid adding in another Google product, Klaus Weidner's Hacker's Keyboard app is a very capable and customizable keyboard. It requires a little set up work to implement correctly but once that's done be sure to tweak its extensive options to make its user interface and functionality match up with what you want.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.pocketworkstation.pckeyboard
https://www.wikihow.com/Use-Hacker's-Keyboard

Marshmallow 6.0 vs Android version 9

Yes, using WiFi would be much easier.

How are you connecting to ethernet?

I've done that with several phones using an ethernet to USB adapter and OTG (On The Go) cable connected to the phone. Didn't have to do anything other then connect them together and wired internet was working (was in airplane mode and had a special icon in the notification bar).

Here is an article listing USB to Ethernet adapters Android supports:
https://www.pcsuggest.com/best-usb-ethernet-adapter/

A Great App to create shortcuts

So I use the office 365 a lot and I am very new to the whole developing world and I have t to navigate through my phone and I can't always get to the function that I am trying to operate with. Hi my name is Jamale Brown and I and I suggest https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.alextern.shortcuthelper, it has all the odds and ends to create the best shortcuts for your Android device.




THANKS FOR THE TIME TO SHARE MY Good Thing with you​

SD Card Problem

• Your photos and videos will no longer automatically sync between Google Photos and Google Drive.
• You will still be able to upload to both services using the Backup and Sync app on your computer.
• We’re also adding a new “Upload from Drive” feature that lets you copy photos and videos to Google Photos.
• Your existing photos and videos are still in Google Photos and Google Drive.

That's why I am worried about my photos.

All that is referring to is the decoupling between Google Photos and Google Drive, both are just services that are a part of your Google account. You're still better off using Google Photos to do the automatic backing up into your Google account. Most people weren't even aware they could link Google Photos and Google Drive together anyway.

this^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Help Can't Remove Phantom Device Backup

I am not able to delete a Google device backup from my Galaxy S7 that appears under "Settings > Google > Restore Contacts". I can restore the backup so there is data in the backup. When I use a web browser to view my Google Contacts there is nothing there and when I view my Google Drive Backups there is nothing there.

I added the problematic Google account to a phone that has never had any of my data on it and the backup is still available to restore. Sounds like the problem might be with my Google account and not my device.

I have tried with no success...
Contacted Samsung.
Removed my Google account from the phone for a least 24 hours.
Turned device backup on then off (This is supposed to delete all backup data on Google server).
Factory Reset.
Contacted Google Drive support.
Posted to Google Forum about 1.5 months ago with no response.

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