Hi guys, I have read a bit about rooting and flashing custom roms for the GSIV but being my first time (on this phone) I thought it would be better to ask for some help from you experts ^_^
I would like to convert my GSIV as close as possible to a Google Edition one, in the sense that I don't want to have a super custom ultra cool rom, I just want a stock-like one, stock kernel, maybe a few extra features, root, nothing special...
Now, is it possible to do that without voiding warranty, or at least with the possibility to turn back the phone in a warranty covered state?
Could you point me to one simple guide to do so and maybe suggest a rom suited to my needs? It can get a bit confusing, there's too much complicated stuff for a newbie!
Thank you in advance!
Yes, it is possible to convert the i9505 (almost) completely to a Google Play device (though you will not receive OTA updates, so you'll have to download them yourself). It's fairly easy once you have a custom recovery installed.
Though, warranty might be an issue. In many countries, it will be void once you root and install a recovery, though this does vary. This also increments a "counter" in the device, so even if you restore it to its original state, it is still possible to see that you have at some point modified the software (although there are methods to root the device without incrementing the counter, not to mention that many have managed to claim warranty despite this). That said, this will again differ based on your country.
Now, if you're still up for it, there are several guides online which can tell you how to root and install a recovery on the phone. If you're running the stock 4.4.2 firmware from Samsung, then you can follow this guide to root:
samsungsfour.com/tutorials/root-samsung-galaxy-gt-i9505-s4-running-on-android-4-4-2-kitkat.html
Thereafter, you can install a custom recovery from
gadgetsacademy.com/install-cwm-twrp-recovery-on-galaxy-s4-lte-i9505/
(These are just two of the links which you get after a Google search)
Note that you don't really need root for this, just the custom recovery. Though, having root is a nice addition if you want to back up your apps using Titanium Backup.
Once that is done, you can download a Google Play based ROM from here on XDA, such as
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2557353
or
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2544474
Just reboot into recovery, wipe data, and select the zip file from your sd-card/internal storage.
Though, remember to backup your apps/data first.
Takenoko_, thank you so much for the detailed answer, it has been really helpful! One question, if I understood correctly, it is possible to install a custom recovery WITHOUT rooting, so if I did this and then flashed a rooted ROM I should have root in the end, right?
That's right. As you'll be using Odin, root should, at least in theory, not be needed to install a custom recovery. You can instead gain this by flashing a pre-rooted ROM
Great, all done! Thank you!
No problem
yes you can
just install custom recovery, (philz i like)
then flash dandvh rom
done
it comes rooted
----------
sorry i forgot
in some cases, you need to update modems by flashing
or just update your s4 to 4.4.2 then flash the gpe rom
Hello,
my Sony Xperia Z1 Compact has the standard Android 5.1 version of Sony. Now I want to upgrade to a new Android version.
I need it for everyday-use and it should be relatively stable. The camera is not that important, but it should work. I use especially the browser, so the mobile datas should also work. Otherwise it should be only be stable and the battery should not discharge too fast. Is there any good build for me?
That one looks very interesting: AICP 7.1 ROM amami (I can't link the URL, because I am a new user )
Is it okay for a Custom-ROM beginner? I think I will find some instructions and tutorials how to install it. I just have to know if it is a good choice.
If there are any English mistakes, please correct me. I have to improve my English.
Thank you!
Skylac06 said:
Hello,
my Sony Xperia Z1 Compact has the standard Android 5.1 version of Sony. Now I want to upgrade to a new Android version.
I need it for everyday-use and it should be relatively stable. The camera is not that important, but it should work. I use especially the browser, so the mobile datas should also work. Otherwise it should be only be stable and the battery should not discharge too fast. Is there any good build for me?
That one looks very interesting: AICP 7.1 ROM amami (I can't link the URL, because I am a new user )
Is it okay for a Custom-ROM beginner? I think I will find some instructions and tutorials how to install it. I just have to know if it is a good choice.
If there are any English mistakes, please correct me. I have to improve my English.
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anything over LP 5.1 has an unusable camera, with one possible exception: DU Marshmallow rom with custom kernel. Read op of this thread - https://forum.xda-developers.com/sony-xperia-z1-compact/general/z1c-marshmallow-roms-t3372565 Note the addenda at the bottom.
levone1 said:
Anything over LP 5.1 has an unusable camera, with one possible exception: DU Marshmallow rom with custom kernel. Read op of this thread - https://forum.xda-developers.com/sony-xperia-z1-compact/general/z1c-marshmallow-roms-t3372565 Note the addenda at the bottom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for your fast answer.
Is the camera completely unusable or just "not good"? I do not need the best quality, but it should at least work and you should be able to identify what the picture shows.
However, thank you for the link. I think I will try it. Android 6 is, I hope so, an improvement. Maybe I will then upgrade to Nougat.
There are no other options like Ubuntu Touch or Sailfish, right?
Skylac06 said:
Thank you for your fast answer.
Is the camera completely unusable or just "not good"? I do not need the best quality, but it should at least work and you should be able to identify what the picture shows.
However, thank you for the link. I think I will try it. Android 6 is, I hope so, an improvement. Maybe I will then upgrade to Nougat.
There are no other options like Ubuntu Touch or Sailfish, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Put a piece of tape over your camera lens, and turn off the lights, and shake the phone back and forth while taking a picture... That's what most of the photos will look like.
No Sailfish, and @munjeni has built Ubuntu touch for Z1c, but I couldn't get the Internet to work, (except for Ubuntu store, which downloads apps fine). - https://mega.nz/#!YEpCHLoS!tRxZpJHUSKL_cZz9wisGZvWl7igYAlYJRjwbcT_s868 Besides that, fxp has built Firefox OS, but probably hard to find at this point, and there are a few MIUI builds out there that are very good. Check here - https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=71329395&postcount=5 and here - https://forum.xda-developers.com/so...lopment/23-2015-miui-v6-5-5-22-d5503-t3116494
Hello again,
I decided to try out some Custom-ROMs.
Now I find many different ways how to root my phone and unlock the bootloader. Which way do you here recommend?
And how difficult is going back to the stock ROM and lock the bootloader againg, if nothing works?
Thank you!
Skylac06 said:
Hello again,
I decided to try out some Custom-ROMs.
Now I find many different ways how to root my phone and unlock the bootloader. Which way do you here recommend?
And how difficult is going back to the stock ROM and lock the bootloader againg, if nothing works?
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Backup TA - https://forum.xda-developers.com/crossdevice-dev/sony/universal-dirtycow-based-ta-backup-t3514236
Unlock bl - https://developer.sonymobile.com/unlockbootloader/unlock-yourboot-loader
Root and recovery :
Download custom kernel to pc, and extract boot img to ADB directory - https://forum.xda-developers.com/so...rnel-advanced-14-5-0-242-kernel-v1-0-t3096060 and download twrp img to ADB directory - https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=457095661767147235 then use fastboot commands to flash boot and recovery. Now you have recovery, and you can either flash SuperSU zip, or flash custom rom.
Restore TA - https://forum.xda-developers.com/crossdevice-dev/sony/poc-real-trim-instead-drm-fix-t3552893 or use Flashtool relock bl option - http://www.flashtool.net/
levone1 said:
Backup TA - https://forum.xda-developers.com/crossdevice-dev/sony/universal-dirtycow-based-ta-backup-t3514236
Unlock bl - https://developer.sonymobile.com/unlockbootloader/unlock-yourboot-loader
Root and recovery :
Download custom kernel to pc, and extract boot img to ADB directory - https://forum.xda-developers.com/so...rnel-advanced-14-5-0-242-kernel-v1-0-t3096060 and download twrp img to ADB directory - https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=457095661767147235 then use fastboot commands to flash boot and recovery. Now you have recovery, and you can either flash SuperSU zip, or flash custom rom.
Restore TA - https://forum.xda-developers.com/crossdevice-dev/sony/poc-real-trim-instead-drm-fix-t3552893 or use Flashtool relock bl option - http://www.flashtool.net/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One little question: if I unlock my bootloader, my complete internal storage is wiped, right?
But if my bootloader is locked, I can not use the nandroid-backup-function of TWRP, because I can not use the custom kernel to root my phone. (Am I right? )
Currently I only have done your first step - backup the TA.
And of course, thank you again. :fingers-crossed:
Skylac06 said:
One little question: if I unlock my bootloader, my complete internal storage is wiped, right?
But if my bootloader is locked, I can not use the nandroid-backup-function of TWRP, because I can not use the custom kernel to root my phone. (Am I right? )
Currently I only have done your first step - backup the TA.
And of course, thank you again. :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can root with locked bl, but your options are: 1) use Kingroot, (and it's generally preferred to not keep Kingroot, so after rooting you can replace Kingroot with SuperSU or wipe everything and flash a new rom with SuperSU), or 2) downgrade to KK and use doomlord rootkit, then flash LP prf.
levone1 said:
You can root with locked bl, but your options are: 1) use Kingroot, (and it's generally preferred to not keep Kingroot, so after rooting you can replace Kingroot with SuperSU or wipe everything and flash a new rom with SuperSU), or 2) downgrade to KK and use doomlord rootkit, then flash LP prf.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay.
I would like to avoid using Kingroot and downgrade to 4.4 is not even better.
But I found the Sony-Flashtool "Emma" for Windows. It seems to be able to restore completely the Stock-5.1-ROM. So I think I don't need a whole nandroid-backup. Am I right?
So I will unlock my bootloader, flash the custom kernel using TWRP-Tool and have a rooted phone. Then I am able to flash any custom-ROM I want to try out.
Did I misunderstand anything?
Skylac06 said:
Okay.
I would like to avoid using Kingroot and downgrade to 4.4 is not even better.
But I found the Sony-Flashtool "Emma" for Windows. It seems to be able to restore completely the Stock-5.1-ROM. So I think I don't need a whole nandroid-backup. Am I right?
So I will unlock my bootloader, flash the custom kernel using TWRP-Tool and have a rooted phone. Then I am able to flash any custom-ROM I want to try out.
Did I misunderstand anything?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, Emma will restore you to stock. The backup would be if you want to restore the particular state of your phone right now.
Unlock bl, then flash the boot and recovery imgs, and you will be able to get into recovery. You'll want to have whatever rom you want to flash already downloaded on sdcard.
It works.
Now I have the AICP 12.1 7.1.2 Nightly Version.
Only the camera is not good, but better than expected. The aroma-GApps-package does not work, the GUI is hidden under the GUI of TWRP, but you can select your choice. However, after clicking install nothing was installed. After I downloaded and installed the super-GApps-package everything works fine.
If I find some issues, where can I report them? In the officiall AICP-12.1 N 7.1 amami Thread?
And at least a great thank you to levone1. :fingers-crossed:
Skylac06 said:
It works.
Now I have the AICP 12.1 7.1.2 Nightly Version.
Only the camera is not good, but better than expected. The aroma-GApps-package does not work, the GUI is hidden under the GUI of TWRP, but you can select your choice. However, after clicking install nothing was installed. After I downloaded and installed the super-GApps-package everything works fine.
If I find some issues, where can I report them? In the officiall AICP-12.1 N 7.1 amami Thread?
And at least a great thank you to levone1. :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://forum.xda-developers.com/so...lopment/rom-aicp-11-0-mm-6-0-1-amami-t3428288
levone1 said:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/so...lopment/rom-aicp-11-0-mm-6-0-1-amami-t3428288
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is the thread I meant, but I can not post any URLs.
Best Custom ROM for Z1C
Not to open a new thread, which Custom ROM would you guys recommend to install on my Z1C?
I'm having some issues atm. It keeps restarting; I did a factory reset, it worked well for a while, now the issue is back. However, it does seem to work fine when hooked up to my PC (with the PC Companion active). Before I start shopping for a new phone, I'd like to root it first.
For this purpose, I'd like to know whick custom ROM is the most stable that you would recommend I install. Also, I'd be very helpful if you could direct to a good guide about the entire process.
Thank you in advance, I appreciate it!
levone1 said:
Backup TA - https://forum.xda-developers.com/crossdevice-dev/sony/universal-dirtycow-based-ta-backup-t3514236
Unlock bl - https://developer.sonymobile.com/unlockbootloader/unlock-yourboot-loader
Root and recovery :
Download custom kernel to pc, and extract boot img to ADB directory - https://forum.xda-developers.com/so...rnel-advanced-14-5-0-242-kernel-v1-0-t3096060 and download twrp img to ADB directory - https://www.androidfilehost.com/?fid=457095661767147235 then use fastboot commands to flash boot and recovery. Now you have recovery, and you can either flash SuperSU zip, or flash custom rom.
Restore TA - https://forum.xda-developers.com/crossdevice-dev/sony/poc-real-trim-instead-drm-fix-t3552893 or use Flashtool relock bl option - http://www.flashtool.net/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OP's intention is different than mine but this approach looks suit me well. I would like to keep my stock (14.6.A.1.236), so can I flash kernel.sin from Stock Rom via Flashtool after restoring TA and keep root status and recovery or should I use the custom kernel henceforth?
prustr said:
OP's intention is different than mine but this approach looks suit me well. I would like to keep my stock (14.6.A.1.236), so can I flash kernel.sin from Stock Rom via Flashtool after restoring TA and keep root status and recovery or should I use the custom kernel henceforth?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think I've ever done it that way, but I don't see why not. As long as you don't wipe your recovery, you should still be good... (if you'd rather use stock kernel for whatever reason).
levone1 said:
I don't think I've ever done it that way, but I don't see why not. As long as you don't wipe your recovery, you should still be good... (if you'd rather use stock kernel for whatever reason).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the answer. Actually the whole story is, the phone belongs to my wife and she is neither techsavvy nor has patience with electronics, especially when any problem come up. I would like to remove bloatwares and have backup yet keep the phone as Stock as possible. I'm trying to keep my ROM related modifications at minimum. That's been said, I would welcome any correction on this manner as I feel you found returning the stock kernel is pointless.
prustr said:
Thanks for the answer. Actually the whole story is, the phone belongs to my wife and she is neither techsavvy nor has patience with electronics, especially when any problem come up. I would like to remove bloatwares and have backup yet keep the phone as Stock as possible. I'm trying to keep my ROM related modifications at minimum. That's been said, I would welcome any correction on this manner as I feel you found returning the stock kernel is pointless.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't say pointless, but for the most part, any custom kernel is an improvement. Most of the customizations wouldn't mean anything to someone like that, but I doubt there's any harm or risk in keeping it.
Hi, i just got the moto g5 plus, i always have phones that from the moment i bought them they wouldn recive any updates, so i realy didnt care if unlocking the bootloader installing new recoverys will affect the OTA updates. So i have a couple of questions.
1- first i want to at least have a stock firmware just in case, but i cant figure out which one should i download from here
firmware.center/firmware/Motorola/Moto%20G5%20Plus/Stock/
Before i always use sammobile.com and it was really easy to found a stock firmware from Argentina. My compilation number is: npns25.137-15-11 this means that i suppose to download that one XT1681-XT1683_POTTER_BRASIL_LATAM_MEXICO_7.0_NPN25.137-15_cid50_subsidy-DEFAULT_regulatory-DEFAULT_CFC.xml.zip ?
2- it is possible to unlock the bootloader and root your phone without installing a new recovery? i was reading some post and when you change your recovery or you modify something the OTA update will stop working. they are some methods like the magisk but they seem i little bit too complex for me and i don't want to do it every time that a new update is available.
thanks for the help, and sorry for my English i am from Argentina.
1. yes, but any build will flash and run, so it doesn't really matter that much...
2. Nope. You need to flash TWRP in order to root. This is because the stock recovery will only flash signed images... You can use Magisk, after backing up a stock build. Anytime there is an OTA, just restore to that system image, Flash the original recovery via fastboot, and then take the OTA. Once you have it, flash TWRP again, and restore to your other build. Or just run a custom room like Lineage or RR, and this whole thing isn't really an issue anymore.
Karlinski said:
1. yes, but any build will flash and run, so it doesn't really matter that much...
2. Nope. You need to flash TWRP in order to root. This is because the stock recovery will only flash signed images... You can use Magisk, after backing up a stock build. Anytime there is an OTA, just restore to that system image, Flash the original recovery via fastboot, and then take the OTA. Once you have it, flash TWRP again, and restore to your other build. Or just run a custom room like Lineage or RR, and this whole thing isn't really an issue anymore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yeah i know i had a samsung galaxy s3 until now, and i always have cyanogen, slimrom or now lineage, but this is the first device that i have one that will get updates (at least 1 more :S) and i want to seize that
i will start downloading that file just in case
1- ok so unlocking the bootloader doesn't affect updates only when you modify files? when the update is installing is basically comparing the files that you have with the ones that you suppose to have and if there is something different it will fail? its something like that?
2-dumb question how do you do a full backup in the stock recovery there is no option no do a nandroid backup or it will appear after i just unlock the bootloader?
Hello dear users and highly appreciated developers!
I reckon I am not the only one who is stuck on stock Pie and would really like to switch to a custom ROM but either don't know how, or aren't sure about it because of all the threads with bricked phones and all that stuff.
If there is anybody who has a complete tutorial/way of doing it - switching from stock Android Pie - January Security Update to any custom ROM, without bricking the phone, losing IMEI, signal etc. would be so kind to share it with us? Step by step would be convenient because there are people who aren't experienced at all with flashing and stuff like that. Especially in these "circumstances".
Very much thanks in advance, any help is much appreciated!
sainth4tred said:
Hello dear users and highly appreciated developers!
I reckon I am not the only one who is stuck on stock Pie and would really like to switch to a custom ROM but either don't know how, or aren't sure about it because of all the threads with bricked phones and all that stuff.
If there is anybody who has a complete tutorial/way of doing it - switching from stock Android Pie - January Security Update to any custom ROM, without bricking the phone, losing IMEI, signal etc. would be so kind to share it with us? Step by step would be convenient because there are people who aren't experienced at all with flashing and stuff like that. Especially in these "circumstances".
Very much thanks in advance, any help is much appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hotboot latest official twrp using fastboot command "fastboot boot name of twrp.img
Take a backup of efs partition
Wipe system,data and factory reset
Flash the rom of ur Choice
Flash twrp installer by cosmicdan
Reboot>recovery
Flash gapps+magisk
Reboot to system
Thats what i did
And you didn't get any "Your system has been destroyed" messages after hotbooting TWRP or stuff like that?
hot booting twrp is fine, just dont flash it. it mess up everything on pie.
make a efs backup on twrp fist then make a copy of it on your computer.
hot booting to twrp may take up to 30 seconds, dont panic.
@apexashwin
Hey, can you please link me that "twrp installer by cosmicdan"?
Also, if I flash Pixel Experience do I have to still do the steps which'd come after flashing the ROM? (installing cosmicdan's stuff, gapps, etc.)
sainth4tred said:
@apexashwin
Hey, can you please link me that "twrp installer by cosmicdan"?
Also, if I flash Pixel Experience do I have to still do the steps which'd come after flashing the ROM? (installing cosmicdan's stuff, gapps, etc.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's easy to find. Just find it in the rom/kernel/recovery section.
And as they stated in PE OP, it included gapps so you don't have to flash gapps.
I did in fact do what you said and I managed to flash Pixel Experience without any trouble! Thank you very much