q+a Ever since I switched to the smartphone Spice XLife M5+ with Android 5.1 I am being flooded with messages from various sources under Channel 50. I am using the same SIM card from Aircel that I used on my feature phone.

Sujit Kumar Chakraborty

It is not your SIM card that is to blame, but your phone. Some phones have the option for Cell Broadcast enabled by default. You have to disable this. Open the Messaging app. Click on the menu button on the phone, usually marked by three dots or lines. Now go to Settings - General - Cell Broadcast. If you have a dual SIM phone then you may see two options here, select the relevant SIM. Remove the checkmark against the box for Cell Broadcast.

The regulatory body for the Indian telecom industry has also made it easy for users to stop receiving promotional messages. If the cell broadcast option does not stop your messages, all you have to do is call or send an SMS to 1909. This number is valid for all mobile operators. If you call 1909, just follow the instructions you hear. You can block all commercial messages by SMS by sending START 0 to 1909. You can rest easy, because this does block other messages such as bank alerts, flight, train or hotel booking communications.

Instagram trouble

q+a Whenever I try to download the Instagram app from Google Play, I get the error message, 'device not compatible with this version'. I use a Samsung Galaxy Star Pro with Android version 4.1.2.

Kaushik Roy

Even if your phone supports Instagram , this does happen sometimes. However, there is a workaround. On your phone go to Settings - Application Manager - All - Google Play Store and tap the button for Clear data.
 

Fake FB profile

q+a Someone has created a fake profile of mine on Facebook and is chatting with my friends from that account. How can I stop that person or trace him?

Ranveer Singh

Impostor accounts are not allowed on Facebook. Despite the restriction, impostors can create fake accounts hijacking your photos, copy your personal information and set themselves up as believable impersonations. To bring it down you have to alert Facebook. Sign in to your account and go to your fake profile. Click on the photo to enlarge it and under Options click on Report Photo. Also, when you are on the fake account click on the three dots next to Message and then on Report Page. You can also report an imposter account by going to www.facebook.com/help/ contact/169486816475808.

After reporting the account you must check your Support Inbox to see the status. You will get updates from Facebook here. To go to your Support Inbox click at the inverted triangle on the top right of your homepage and you will find the option there. There is way to trace that account, but at best you will find the person's IP address. After that you will need police help to track the imposter down.

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