Database Users

[Q] First time Tablet/Android buyer.

Hello all,
I just ordered a new Note 10.1 from Costco.com (32 gig) and from reading reviews and such I was thrown into the world of rooting. For my job, we were given iPhones so I've really only had an iPhone and am used to the iOS. Not a fan. Have always wanted to try Android but have never been thrown into it.
Are there any good guides out there to help me better understand rooting, etc.? I understand that you have to unlock it, then flash a custom ROM. What happens when the newer version of that ROM comes out? Do you lose all of your Data? Can any mod be installed on any ROM? I just don't have a good understanding of how or what to do. Granted, I don't even have the tablet yet, however, I don't want to be completely lost when I get it. I do like the idea of rooting, given that you can install powerful apps that are only offered to rooted tablets.
This is my first post here and am hoping for some helpful responses of maybe some threads that I should read to help me understand things better.
Also, where do you find custom ROMS? Is there a certain section you have to go? Or are all the custom ROMS under the ANDROID DEVELOPMENT forum?
Thanks for the help.

Rooting gives you access to the base files of your device. Your device does not need to be "unlocked." That term refers to modifying the device to work with other carriers (i.e. Sprint, ATT, etc) other than the one it was built to work with. Basically, in order to root, you must first install a custom "recovery." CWM (Clockwork Mod Recovery) is probably the best one for our Notes. The recovery files can be downloaded in the development forums. Along with the program (Odin) that you use to get the recovery installed onto your Note. Once you have CWM installed you can then use a couple of different methods to root or install a custom rom that is already rooted (again look for these roms in the development areas of this forum). Make sure that you read and re-read the instructions that each developer lists on their forum until you feel comfortable and then follow the instructions to the letter! Not doing so can result in your Note really getting messed up. I have not rooted my note yet, however I have rooted and installed custom ROMs to several android phones that I have or have had and it can be really worth it to do so. Personally I am waiting for awhile with my Note for some easier and more reliable methods and ROMs to become available. Right now, I have a Samsung Infuse phone with CM10 installed and a Samsung Captivate with Slim Rom-Jellybean on it. I believe that early versions of both of these ROMs are already available for the Note 10.1. Of the two ROMs, I would probably go with CM10 - (Cyanogen Mod) as it seems to be more stable on my phones. Also, when you install a custom ROM on the Note 10.1, there is a binary counter that advances, that lets anyone who would have to work on it (like for warranty service), know that a custom ROM was installed and that would violate your warranty. There is already a modification available (again, in the development section), that resets this counter, so make sure that you research that too! Good Luck!!!

wd4oay said:
Rooting gives you access to the base files of your device. Your device does not need to be "unlocked." That term refers to modifying the device to work with other carriers (i.e. Sprint, ATT, etc) other than the one it was built to work with. Basically, in order to root, you must first install a custom "recovery." CWM (Clockwork Mod Recovery) is probably the best one for our Notes. The recovery files can be downloaded in the development forums. Along with the program (Odin) that you use to get the recovery installed onto your Note. Once you have CWM installed you can then use a couple of different methods to root or install a custom rom that is already rooted (again look for these roms in the development areas of this forum). Make sure that you read and re-read the instructions that each developer lists on their forum until you feel comfortable and then follow the instructions to the letter! Not doing so can result in your Note really getting messed up. I have not rooted my note yet, however I have rooted and installed custom ROMs to several android phones that I have or have had and it can be really worth it to do so. Personally I am waiting for awhile with my Note for some easier and more reliable methods and ROMs to become available. Right now, I have a Samsung Infuse phone with CM10 installed and a Samsung Captivate with Slim Rom-Jellybean on it. I believe that early versions of both of these ROMs are already available for the Note 10.1. Of the two ROMs, I would probably go with CM10 - (Cyanogen Mod) as it seems to be more stable on my phones. Also, when you install a custom ROM on the Note 10.1, there is a binary counter that advances, that lets anyone who would have to work on it (like for warranty service), know that a custom ROM was installed and that would violate your warranty. There is already a modification available (again, in the development section), that resets this counter, so make sure that you research that too! Good Luck!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What are some of the main benefits to rooting then? I would think that if you have rooted a lot of phones you would for sure want your tablet rooted..?? Can you still perform mods to your tablet if it's NOT rooted? I saw someone with a cube on their homescreen with all their apps on it. It was 3D and pretty sweet looking. Will I be able to do stuff like that if I keep it stock.
Another thing, I read that you can't put apps on the expandable storage unless you root it...That is something I would like to do because I plan on putting games on it and such. Seems crappy you can't install some of the bigger apps on your 64 gig sd.

A lot is going to depend on which version of software you get initially on your tablet. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT let your tablet update the software when you first get it. The reason I say this is, if you have the older version of the software there is a very simple way to root your device. It's a simple install of one program and pushing a button. Very very easy.
If you get lucky and you get the older software and then root using the program I'm talking about, the next step is to spend $5 and buy Mobile Odin Pro. You can then download from here the latest software for your device and flash it using Mobile Odin with the ever root option. This will keep root on your new software. This will put you on the latest stock software and keep you rooted.
Custom ROMs can be nice. But I'd get my feet wet with the stock ROM before you start to jump into the Customs. First, stock on the Note 10.1 is pretty damn good. Second, you need to have some familiarity with what you want to be able to choose the right custom ROM to suit your needs. Finally, you'll give yourself some time to learn about your device so that you don't make a fatal mistake flashing, though most can be flashed using Mobile Odin.
Alas, if you get your Note and it turns out to have the latest ROM already, you can pretty much ignore everything I wrote.

just to give you one more thing to think about.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1957002
stock is nice btw

midas69 said:
A lot is going to depend on which version of software you get initially on your tablet. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT let your tablet update the software when you first get it. The reason I say this is, if you have the older version of the software there is a very simple way to root your device. It's a simple install of one program and pushing a button. Very very easy.
If you get lucky and you get the older software and then root using the program I'm talking about, the next step is to spend $5 and buy Mobile Odin Pro. You can then download from here the latest software for your device and flash it using Mobile Odin with the ever root option. This will keep root on your new software. This will put you on the latest stock software and keep you rooted.
Custom ROMs can be nice. But I'd get my feet wet with the stock ROM before you start to jump into the Customs. First, stock on the Note 10.1 is pretty damn good. Second, you need to have some familiarity with what you want to be able to choose the right custom ROM to suit your needs. Finally, you'll give yourself some time to learn about your device so that you don't make a fatal mistake flashing, though most can be flashed using Mobile Odin.
Alas, if you get your Note and it turns out to have the latest ROM already, you can pretty much ignore everything I wrote.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's good to know. Thank you.
jaydubbbbs said:
just to give you one more thing to think about.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1957002
stock is nice btw
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. I'll check that out. Now, the process that you linked me to, will that give me the latest version ROM (4.2.1?). Another thing, once I root it, will I be able to have the Tablet automatically update and download 4.3, 4.4, etc. and so on? or will I have to manually download and install the new one every time it comes out?

I read in sammobile that samsung will launch Note 8.0, it is true?
What do you think?

rooting
deeselcyde said:
That's good to know. Thank you.
Thank you. I'll check that out. Now, the process that you linked me to, will that give me the latest version ROM (4.2.1?). Another thing, once I root it, will I be able to have the Tablet automatically update and download 4.3, 4.4, etc. and so on? or will I have to manually download and install the new one every time it comes out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have rooted several phones but not this tablet. Why? because for me the stock rom is good enough that I personally dont see an advantage to rooting it. Some like to root and install roms for the fun of it but I need the tablet to work and dont have time to futs around with getting to know a new rom.
I also have the impression,correct me if I'm wrong, that with custom roms you loose some of the multiscreen functionality and some of the pen functionality? If true that alone would keep me on stock.

optimus43 said:
I have rooted several phones but not this tablet. Why? because for me the stock rom is good enough that I personally dont see an advantage to rooting it. Some like to root and install roms for the fun of it but I need the tablet to work and dont have time to futs around with getting to know a new rom.
I also have the impression,correct me if I'm wrong, that with custom roms you loose some of the multiscreen functionality and some of the pen functionality? If true that alone would keep me on stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's more reasons to root other than just flashing custom ROMs. As a matter of fact, you really don't even have to root to install a custom ROM, you just need a custom recovery installed.
Personally I'm fine with the stock ROM on this tablet even though I run custom ROMs on my phones. I did have a custom ROM installed for a few weeks that was little more than the stock ROM with a few tweaks. It didn't lose any functionality with regards to multi-screen or pen. But some of the other more customized ROMs do lose functionality.

optimus43 said:
I have rooted several phones but not this tablet. Why? because for me the stock rom is good enough that I personally dont see an advantage to rooting it. Some like to root and install roms for the fun of it but I need the tablet to work and dont have time to futs around with getting to know a new rom.
I also have the impression,correct me if I'm wrong, that with custom roms you loose some of the multiscreen functionality and some of the pen functionality? If true that alone would keep me on stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only thing I care about is having the ability to install Google Apps that can only be installed on rooted ROMS. I've read that there are a lot of great apps for rooted ONLY tablets. Also, some of those 3D cube thingy's that have all the app icons on it are kind of cool. I don't know if you can install those on a stock ROM..??

deeselcyde said:
That's good to know. Thank you.
Thank you. I'll check that out. Now, the process that you linked me to, will that give me the latest version ROM (4.2.1?). Another thing, once I root it, will I be able to have the Tablet automatically update and download 4.3, 4.4, etc. and so on? or will I have to manually download and install the new one every time it comes out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no, it leaves the firmware as is and it simply gives you root access, i.e. administrative control over just about all processes that the tablet is capable of. It also allows you to flash custom ROMS. that method, along with the exynos exploit method ( not possible on 4.1.2), leave you as close to stock as possible . and leaves the official recovery. Someone will undoubtedly correct me if I am wrong, but so long as you don't flash a custom ROM, I believe you can still update through OTA. I know you can through KIES. If you do go with a custom ROM, I'm pretty sure you lose all the touch wiz goodies, like multi screen as another noted above. and likely would have to use ODIN or mobile ODIN to update.

deeselcyde said:
What are some of the main benefits to rooting then? I would think that if you have rooted a lot of phones you would for sure want your tablet rooted..?? Can you still perform mods to your tablet if it's NOT rooted? I saw someone with a cube on their homescreen with all their apps on it. It was 3D and pretty sweet looking. Will I be able to do stuff like that if I keep it stock.
Another thing, I read that you can't put apps on the expandable storage unless you root it...That is something I would like to do because I plan on putting games on it and such. Seems crappy you can't install some of the bigger apps on your 64 gig sd.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Custom apps such as multi window manager. Custom roms if you wish. Overclock cpu with tegrak on stock rooted, it does sometimes come in handy to be safely overclocked. personally this tablet is so good off the shelf you dont NEED a custom rom but that overclock is good. Ability to access and change root files such as dolphin preference in order to make it work with flash player. More reliable backups of apps and data with titanium backup. There are a plethera of reasons for rooting a tablet. But do be cautious.

Don't forget you need root for AdAway. You also need root if you want to play around (very dangerous) with the build.prop file to try to install programs that the Play Store says aren't compatible.

deeselcyde said:
The only thing I care about is having the ability to install Google Apps that can only be installed on rooted ROMS. I've read that there are a lot of great apps for rooted ONLY tablets. Also, some of those 3D cube thingy's that have all the app icons on it are kind of cool. I don't know if you can install those on a stock ROM..??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The 3d cube things I think your talking about are scroll effects, like cube, sphere or card stack. You dont need to be rooted for these, you can just download a launcher (nova, apex, adw) from the play store and change the effects in there.
Sent from my GT-N8010 using xda app-developers app

jaydubbbbs said:
just to give you one more thing to think about.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1957002
stock is nice btw
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One more question about that link. So once I follow the instructions provided in the link to root my Note 10.1, will I still have the custom ROM? And, will I be able to auto update from Samsung or whoever whenever a new version of the Android ROM comes out? I don't necessarily care about having someones custom ROM, I just want the benefits of using the GAPPS that I wouldn't be able to use if I wasn't rooted.
Thanks.

so many choices......Help.

Hello all, new Galaxy user here.....I came from 3D HTC. ok my questions...
1. I am already rooted, what back up , ROM and other stuff do I need to use. There are so many links to so many choices.
2. Which are the easiest to use? I'm not good with complicated options.

kinextions said:
Hello all, new Galaxy user here.....I came from 3D HTC. ok my questions...
1. I am already rooted, what back up , ROM and other stuff do I need to use. There are so many links to so many choices.
2. Which are the easiest to use? I'm not good with complicated options.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First off, you don't NEED to use anything but what you have right? If for some reason you are not happy with what your phone comes with than it is all personal preference. I use TWRP for custom recovery/backups and is very easy to install via GooManager app. No flashing required, all touch based, and designed very friendly I think. As for roms, kernels, etc. they all pretty much install the same and will give different results. If you don't want to complicate things just stick with rooted stock unless it does not do something you need.

kinextions said:
Hello all, new Galaxy user here.....I came from 3D HTC. ok my questions...
1. I am already rooted, what back up , ROM and other stuff do I need to use. There are so many links to so many choices.
2. Which are the easiest to use? I'm not good with complicated options.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The question to start with is, "What do you want your phone to do"?
Look at the capabilities of your phone with the stock ROM:
Are you happy with the way it works? (or can you make it work the way you want by changing the available options)? If so, don't do anything else
Are you not happy with some application? Can you download an app that fixes this? If so, don't do anything else
Are you not happy with the UI? Try out another launcher - if that works for you, don't do anything else
Are you not happy with the bloat on your phone? Can you disable that bloatware? If so, don't do anything else
Are you not happy with the bloat on your phone? If you can't disable that bloatware? If so, you need to root - and then, you can freeze or remove the bloat app
Do you just want to backup everything? If so, you may not need root to use titanium backup - see if Helium backup (by CWM) does the trick for you
Do you want to change everything about your ROM, or flash a new kernel to get better battery life, or get some feature that is not available on the stock ROM (but is available on a custom ROM)? Then, root, install custom recovery (like twrp or CWM), take nandroid backup, and then flash new ROM
To summarize, what do you want your phone to do?

jj14 said:
The question to start with is, "What do you want your phone to do"?
Look at the capabilities of your phone with the stock ROM:
Are you happy with the way it works? (or can you make it work the way you want by changing the available options)? If so, don't do anything else
Are you not happy with some application? Can you download an app that fixes this? If so, don't do anything else
Are you not happy with the UI? Try out another launcher - if that works for you, don't do anything else
Are you not happy with the bloat on your phone? Can you disable that bloatware? If so, don't do anything else
Are you not happy with the bloat on your phone? If you can't disable that bloatware? If so, you need to root - and then, you can freeze or remove the bloat app
Do you just want to backup everything? If so, you may not need root to use titanium backup - see if Helium backup (by CWM) does the trick for you
Do you want to change everything about your ROM, or flash a new kernel to get better battery life, or get some feature that is not available on the stock ROM (but is available on a custom ROM)? Then, root, install custom recovery (like twrp or CWM), take nandroid backup, and then flash new ROM
To summarize, what do you want your phone to do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want the most current updates and best performance from my battery and signal. I also want WiFi tether for free to work.......

kinextions said:
I want the most current updates and best performance from my battery and signal. I also want WiFi tether for free to work.......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For the moment, the stock ROM has the most current updates. (but I'm pretty sure the carriers will delay the release of the next update, so at that time, flashing a custom ROM may be the way to go)
WiFi Tether - you don't necessarily have to flash a custom ROM just for that - you can get that just by updating the services.* files (see the hotspot mod thread in the Android development forum - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2256950)
Best signal - you will get that based on the radios that are being used, and I believe the custom ROMs use the radios from Sprint as well.
Best battery - for that, you will need to pick a good kernel, so a custom ROM will probably be your best bet.
Hope that helps!

jj14 said:
For the moment, the stock ROM has the most current updates. (but I'm pretty sure the carriers will delay the release of the next update, so at that time, flashing a custom ROM may be the way to go)
WiFi Tether - you don't necessarily have to flash a custom ROM just for that - you can get that just by updating the services.* files (see the hotspot mod thread in the Android development forum - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2256950)
Best signal - you will get that based on the radios that are being used, and I believe the custom ROMs use the radios from Sprint as well.
Best battery - for that, you will need to pick a good kernel, so a custom ROM will probably be your best bet.
Hope that helps!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for everything.....got the Hotspot working. More info than I expected. Great stuff.

kinextions said:
Thank you for everything.....got the Hotspot working. More info than I expected. Great stuff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad this info was helpful
Just remember to do a Nandroid backup before you flash any custom ROMs or make any changes to the kernel or the root folders.
Personally, I use the latest touch based version of TWRP (installed using goomanager in the play store) - but CWM works fine too.
Being able to revert back to the nandroid backup has saved my rear end more than once

[Q] Should i root my Samsung galaxy S4?

Hi guys! I got my Samsung galaxy s4 first day of release and I really like it, I had an iPhone before and I jailbroke it because it made it so much better, but the question is, is rooting just as good as jailbreaking? Should I root my galaxy s4? It can sometimes be a bit laggy on the home screen and was wondering if a custom rom would fix it?

Michael1290 said:
Hi guys! I got my Samsung galaxy s4 first day of release and I really like it, I had an iPhone before and I jailbroke it because it made it so much better, but the question is, is rooting just as good as jailbreaking? Should I root my galaxy s4? It can sometimes be a bit laggy on the home screen and was wondering if a custom rom would fix it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need to root it, its already good enough and if the small lag bothers you, have you tried other launchers such as Nova launcher? It's almost lag free.
But if you want the best experience from your S4 then yes root it, try CF auto root, but remember you lose warranty and anything can go wrong, so try to follow instructions properly and always backup your important data.

Jason2k13 said:
You don't need to root it, its already good enough and if the small lag bothers you, have you tried other launchers such as Nova launcher? It's almost lag free.
But if you want the best experience from your S4 then yes root it, try CF auto root, but remember you lose warranty and anything can go wrong, so try to follow instructions properly and always backup your important data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply, I did try go launcher but just couldn't get used to it so I went back, but will give nova launcher a go. If I did root is it easy to un root it if I don't like it?

Michael1290 said:
Thanks for the reply, I did try go launcher but just couldn't get used to it so I went back, but will give nova launcher a go. If I did root is it easy to un root it if I don't like it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes its very easy to un-root, you can always flash a stock rom via Odin, and some custom rom have an option to unroot your phone.

Jason2k13 said:
Yes its very easy to un-root, you can always flash a stock rom via Odin, and some custom rom have an option to unroot your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What about triangle away and resetting the binary counter back to zero? I think its not possible right now on i9500 variant.
Sent from my GT-I9500 using xda premium

yes right now its not possible for the i9500

Rooting all depends on your usage.
The benefits being custom roms, but again it all depends if you want to keep flashing and ensuring you always maximize the phone to its full potential.

norml said:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
super nice and very good !
THX

If you don't know exact reason why you want to root your phone then rooting just for rooting makes no sense. Root access by itself won't make your device any better. Also try to remember that there are many guys here that blow their phones by messing with them.
I've rooted my old sgs2 after few months and used it that way. After some time the only thing I needed root for was the possibility to move apps data to sdcard.
My sgs4 is not rooted for now because I don't need it. Playing with mods or "removing bloatware" is total nonsense to me as I prefer stable device. Also flashing custom roms is nor for me. So widely spoken app Titanium Backup I've used maybe twice in a year, the same I can say about clockwork mod. Just have no time to mess and repair all the time because I need working device as it helps me a lot in my work as smartphone and assistant, not as subject to experiments.
Guy from that video nicely explained what is root for and all of this is definitely true (part about security can be controversial because rooting and installing su does not patch security hole and permission prompt appear only when root access is achieved by su not by security hole), but for me in everyday use it turned to be as useful as towel for a fish.
Android by itself is very good in terms of functionality and far from being restricted in a apple way. You cannot compare root to jailbreak because jb on iphone is needed to get some basic functions. Android has all of this out of the box.
Remember also that rooted phone looses OTA upgrade possibility.
Everything depends on how you use your phone - there is the answer to your question

I am the complete opposite. If I have a device running an os, whether it be a computer, smartphone or whatever, I want full control of the device and it's os as it should be. I want full axx, full power of it.
edit: forgot why I came here in the first place, to the OP, glad you liked the vid and also glad my post wasn't wasted space like the majority of posts I see on here all the time, take it easy.

Rooting all depends on your need while using s4

If you're asking yourself that question then no, you shouldn't root it.

New to Custom ROMs

Hey,
I'm new(ish) to using custom ROMs for my Galaxy Note 3 and I have a few questions, and questions pertaining to previous custom ROM expieriences.
For starters, my Note 3 is already Knox 0x1 (or whichever one means void).
I'm using a Canadian Galaxy Note 3 (Rogers) and I am trying to find a Custom ROM that can suit my needs.
Previously I've used xnote (I think that's what it's called) and it was great, except that trying to re-stock my Note 3 has led to problems with the LTE as LTE service is fairly unavailable since.
So, what I'm looking for is a ROM much like xnote that doesn't require me to change my device from the SM-N900W8 to some other modem or whatever, or atleast can repair the issue with my current stock firmware.
That aside, the features I need are fairly basic. I need something that doesn't hijack my device. I don't like seeing that Facebook starts itself after I close it, I don't like seeing that I can't remove stock applications. So I need something that is free of bloat-ware and gives me full access to my phone and the applications that I've installed. If possible I'd like to limit the permissions they require to be used.. Nothing frustrates me more than seeing that my "clock" app needs to access my phone call history, browsing history, bank info, can install other apps, delete apps, remove the password, create a password, etc. It's absolutely ridiculous that google has allowed these apps to exist with such permissions.
Basically. I am looking for freedom, with a ROM that supports Canadian modems rather than forcing me to mess up my extremely expensive signal. (trust me, Canadians pay $43 more than the rest of the world)

LostKeys said:
Hey,
I'm new(ish) to using custom ROMs for my Galaxy Note 3 and I have a few questions, and questions pertaining to previous custom ROM expieriences.
For starters, my Note 3 is already Knox 0x1 (or whichever one means void).
I'm using a Canadian Galaxy Note 3 (Rogers) and I am trying to find a Custom ROM that can suit my needs.
Previously I've used xnote (I think that's what it's called) and it was great, except that trying to re-stock my Note 3 has led to problems with the LTE as LTE service is fairly unavailable since.
So, what I'm looking for is a ROM much like xnote that doesn't require me to change my device from the SM-N900W8 to some other modem or whatever, or atleast can repair the issue with my current stock firmware.
That aside, the features I need are fairly basic. I need something that doesn't hijack my device. I don't like seeing that Facebook starts itself after I close it, I don't like seeing that I can't remove stock applications. So I need something that is free of bloat-ware and gives me full access to my phone and the applications that I've installed. If possible I'd like to limit the permissions they require to be used.. Nothing frustrates me more than seeing that my "clock" app needs to access my phone call history, browsing history, bank info, can install other apps, delete apps, remove the password, create a password, etc. It's absolutely ridiculous that google has allowed these apps to exist with such permissions.
Basically. I am looking for freedom, with a ROM that supports Canadian modems rather than forcing me to mess up my extremely expensive signal. (trust me, Canadians pay $43 more than the rest of the world)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you don't need custom ROM just for that.
a root access will be good enough

If you need something super responsive with great battery life, I'd recommend Vision X N3. They just released a great update. You mix that with the Compulsion KK 15 kernel and you have a beast in your hands.
I have a Telus Note 3 and I wouldn't want anything else. Maybe the Note 4 soon

Bibz0r said:
If you need something super responsive with great battery life, I'd recommend Vision X N3. They just released a great update. You mix that with the Compulsion KK 15 kernel and you have a beast in your hands.
I have a Telus Note 3 and I wouldn't want anything else. Maybe the Note 4 soon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you experienced any connectivity issues with this? It seems awesome but I don't want to jump the gun and flash this as I'm not a big fan of setting everything up over and over since Titanium Backup is about as useful as a potato for backing up important information / data.

LostKeys said:
Have you experienced any connectivity issues with this? It seems awesome but I don't want to jump the gun and flash this as I'm not a big fan of setting everything up over and over since Titanium Backup is about as useful as a potato for backing up important information / data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have screwed up my modem firmware once because of a bad flash but that's because I was careless. If you follow a tutorial properly and read on the subject (this forum is a great place to learn), you should not have any issues. You'll see that the advantages of a custom ROM will, by far, surpass all the trouble to get there.
I have to agree about Titanium Backup... The thing that I hate the most is re-creating folders and re-arranging widgets. I know that if you use another launcher (ex: Nova Launcher) you can save the layout but personally, I like the stock launcher.

Sorry for the invadence, i have two questions before doing the "damage", i am on the latest NF4, stock rom, i would like to root and install custom recovery and custom rom (i don't care about knox), can i just root with cf auto root, install latest TWRP and then custom rom as usual or, at cause of the locked bootloader, could i have some problems? In the case i want to return "stock", do i just have to flash stock rom with Odin? I already backed up my EFS just yo be sure...
Thank you in advance!
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Free mobile app

sapphire88 said:
Sorry for the invadence, i have two questions before doing the "damage", i am on the latest NF4, stock rom, i would like to root and install custom recovery and custom rom (i don't care about knox), can i just root with cf auto root, install latest TWRP and then custom rom as usual or, at cause of the locked bootloader, could i have some problems? In the case i want to return "stock", do i just have to flash stock rom with Odin? I already backed up my EFS just yo be sure...
Thank you in advance!
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly!
Root > TWRP > Custom ROM
If you need to flash back to stock, use Odin with the stock firmware file from SamMobile.
Let me know if you require more information.

thank you, so i will not have any problem with the locked booloader? do i have to backup anything else more tha the original EFS?

I just flashed Assassin ROM and LTE etc.. are working just fine on that

Over a stock nf4 and locked bootloader?
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[Q] Upgrading ROM etc.

A friend saw my Samsung Note 3 performance & asked if I could do anything for her Razr M.
System - 98..7.XT905.Retail.en.au
Android version - 4.1.2
I haven't rooted a Moto before so I did some reading - seems very different to Samsung methods and also seems to have far more ways to do it and also, the thing which gives me pause, a wider variety of things to go wrong. Don't get me wrong, I am not afraid of risking my phone - I have bricked my S3 and my Note 3 quite a few times in searching for performance and function.
But this is someone else's phone and she gave it to me for a day!!!
So, given all she really wants is better performance, I'd appreciate any advice on what I should tackle.
Some Q's... (as in point me to threads - I can read and work things out but some pointers on where to look can save me having to read all the threads in all the forums for a phone I will probably never touch again)
1. How do I protect against bricking? i.e. what is the standard way to reflash a stock ROM if things go wrong?
2. Is there a Moto repository for stock ROMs? Sammy has sammobile.com where all new releases (and old) are available for DL - does Motorola have similar or is it just Google and hope?
3. What level do I need to go to just to give better performance? (e.g. on my Note I did a lot of debloating to improve things, but that came after root, kernel and custom recovery so I could remove system apps etc.) Do I need to unlock BL or just root and install a custom ROM?
4. At first glance there doesn't seem to be many custom variations of the stock ROM, mostly CM and AOSP types. I am not sure how different that would make her phone to use, so I am assuming I'd be better sticking with a stock-customised ROM - is that a correct assumption?
Thanks for any assistance...

Journyman16 said:
A friend saw my Samsung Note 3 performance & asked if I could do anything for her Razr M.
System - 98..7.XT905.Retail.en.au
Android version - 4.1.2
I haven't rooted a Moto before so I did some reading - seems very different to Samsung methods and also seems to have far more ways to do it and also, the thing which gives me pause, a wider variety of things to go wrong. Don't get me wrong, I am not afraid of risking my phone - I have bricked my S3 and my Note 3 quite a few times in searching for performance and function.
But this is someone else's phone and she gave it to me for a day!!!
So, given all she really wants is better performance, I'd appreciate any advice on what I should tackle.
Some Q's... (as in point me to threads - I can read and work things out but some pointers on where to look can save me having to read all the threads in all the forums for a phone I will probably never touch again)
1. How do I protect against bricking? i.e. what is the standard way to reflash a stock ROM if things go wrong?
2. Is there a Moto repository for stock ROMs? Sammy has sammobile.com where all new releases (and old) are available for DL - does Motorola have similar or is it just Google and hope?
3. What level do I need to go to just to give better performance? (e.g. on my Note I did a lot of debloating to improve things, but that came after root, kernel and custom recovery so I could remove system apps etc.) Do I need to unlock BL or just root and install a custom ROM?
4. At first glance there doesn't seem to be many custom variations of the stock ROM, mostly CM and AOSP types. I am not sure how different that would make her phone to use, so I am assuming I'd be better sticking with a stock-customised ROM - is that a correct assumption?
Thanks for any assistance...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Stock ROM repository for XT905 -> http://sbf.droid-developers.org/phone.php?device=20
You should be able to use towelroot to root it.
Can't help much further since I have XT907
Edit: You could try freezing some unneeded bloatware (I know there's A LOT of that on the stock ROM for my phone) to free up some memory improve performance and conserve battery

rahimali said:
Stock ROM repository for XT905 -> http://sbf.droid-developers.org/phone.php?device=20
You should be able to use towelroot to root it.
Can't help much further since I have XT907
Edit: You could try freezing some unneeded bloatware (I know there's A LOT of that on the stock ROM for my phone) to free up some memory improve performance and conserve battery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the help. I'm learning... I gave her phone back with just a few tweaks and will get it back when I am confident I can unbrick anything that might go wrong.
In the Sammy world, freezing apps requires root - same in the Moto-world?

Journyman16 said:
Thanks for the help. I'm learning... I gave her phone back with just a few tweaks and will get it back when I am confident I can unbrick anything that might go wrong.
In the Sammy world, freezing apps requires root - same in the Moto-world?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root will be required for freezing system apps, not for users apps. Rooting should be fairly simple (hopefully). Install, supersu from the playstore, have data/wi-fi internet connectivity, install towelroot and use that to get root.

Don't let her update it the latest update breaks root. Hopefully she is on kitkat and that is why her phone is performing poorly. Root with towel root then run motoapkakypse.apk to unlock the boot loader. Now honestly there aren't any Roms I'd call a daily driver yet with the kitkat kernel so you'll have to downgrade to the jellybean kernel and install one of the top 3 or 4 Roms... I'm still on stock I found that location services and a few wake locks were the problems and fixed them with an app called app ops
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