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I rooted my nook today and no matter what I try, using Opera Mini, I cannot get any google apps to install. I also cant figure out how to add a device to google apps. Since the Market app never works for anyone this seems to be the only way to install anything but there are no forums mentioning how to install it. I would appreciate some assistance. Thanks.
no one here knows the answer to this? i'm shocked no replies yet.
download gapps.zip and flash it.
Sent from my MT11i using XDA
Just hit thanks if I helped.
Guyman2,
Depending on the rooting method you used, there is way to install gapps, which includes market (google play - they are compatible in use, nothing being left). Check it on the proper post here in the development forum!
Earayil said:
download gapps.zip and flash it.
Sent from my MT11i using XDA
Just hit thanks if I helped.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used Touchnooter. What do you mean by "flash it"?
Guyman2 said:
I used Touchnooter. What do you mean by "flash it"?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Similar to how you flash the rom. Check the forums you will get the answer. Sorry I coudnt give the link. My data plan is slow.
Sent from my MT11i using XDA
To more succinctly state the problem:
How can you get APKs out of Google Play without loading your personal device with a load of junk from Google?
I've got Google Maps on my Nook right now and every time I turn my back it's trying to do something (when not running).
Renate,
Gotta live with that. That's the price of having market (gmail always on the background, etc), but it helps the system runs a little bit better (apps upgrade!).
Guyman,
Look on the thread related to touchnooter, and probably there will be an option to add gapps to your system. Usually the 1st post show you all the options.
Have the same problem - is there a way to install market only?
What I'm going to do is install on my phone, extract it from the phone, then load onto the Nook and delete what's left over! Madness, I know.
A nicer way for me would be to install into a virtual machine and do that. Anyone know if that's possible? Possibly even with Android-x86??
I don't like market in this sense. It's a problem with all Android devices as far as I can see. Market is a bit of a problem in this regard.
I'm not sure about the problem here, but, I can confirm that, I rooted my NST with Touchnooter and market is working fine, I downloaded several apps from market and, I also installed some apps trough Google Play Store from my PC directly to the NST.
For me Market search didn't work after following MinimalTouch so I had to use the SearchMarket app from Appbrain. After this now I can search and install anything but still can't click the notifcations, OperaMini crashes back to the ADW desktop, same for Browser too after clicking a link in Google.
edit:
for Renate re: Maps out of control. Yes, I noticed too that it comes out of the background and wastes battery. 2 ideas: 1) Freeze it when not in use. You can use a Widget from Titanium or AppQuarantine for quicker launch 2) use something 3rd party
I also suggest using a different account for the Nook to any other Android devices you have to keep things separate and clear since the NST is not recognised by Play.
For a bare-bones root with an appstore, tinynoot ought to work.
I cobbled it together for the glowlight but all the parts are from the established NST environment - clockwork, su, busybox, adw, button savior, nook touch and nook color tools.
I include the Amazon appstore, which of course is also an app that likes to be always on, but none of the gapps because the framework for the glowlight stuff hasn't been looked at yet.
The install scripts are based on minimal nooter, which is CWR based file and directory creation.
I didn't include a modded uRamdisk because I find that adb wireless is enough on its own to let me use wifi adb (dont' recall if I've used usb ADB but I suspect it would work, in assocation with nook color tools) - I can shell in via ADB and just need to type su to get superuser.
Downloads and longwinded instructions are up at
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1650593
Renate NST said:
To more succinctly state the problem:
How can you get APKs out of Google Play without loading your personal device with a load of junk from Google?
I've got Google Maps on my Nook right now and every time I turn my back it's trying to do something (when not running).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could format and use one of my minimal zips instead of the full ones, they had only the neccesary apps and libs for Gmail (manual sync) and "Market" to work correctly, nothing more, nothing less, no maps, etc.
Now everything is a bit outdated, as I said, I'll work on this again and update the zips etc.
First of all, thanks a lot to Cpasjuste for making the working gapps flashble zip, here's a link to that. I take no responsibility for doing this, all credit goes to Cpasjuste. Also I do not know a lot about deving myself but i've had two android devices before this and have been avid in modding them, just thought i'd put that out there.
So, first thing I did was get root, factory reset and get safestrap recovery. then I made a backup of my stock ROM, kept it on my kindle, and moved it to a safe spot in my computer (I recommend everyone does this, no matter if they choose to follow this setup or not.) I created a new ROM slot with default partitions, and restored my stock ROM to it (you do this in case any thing happens you have your stock ROM to fall back on). I tried flashing Cpasjuste's gapps rom, but for some reason there were multiple issues with it so instead, i restored to stock, on ROM slot 1, and flashed his gapps zip mentioned earlier. Rebooted and everything (well almost everything) worked perfectly. playstore works and only app that I have discovered to be incompatible is instagram for some reason, but i found a apk download online that installed perfectly to replace it. I installed a app from play store called recent apps quick button, which basically activates android's recent apps, then I installed a app from play store called Home2 shortcut. this lets me assign the resent apps quick button to double tapping the home button so now when i double tap the home button it brings me to recent apps. It's really nice since kindles default Rom doesn't have a recent apps button! Right now I am working on blocking updates from amazon to prevent losing root or bricking, using the tutorial found at the end of the root link. Let me know what you guys have done to make your kindle fire HDX experince better, or any questions you have.
Also, I forgot to mention that using the gapps flashable zip broke my amazon appstore and most amazon services, except video it seams like, but since we have safestrap recovery this isn't a big deal to me because i can always get it back, and im sure it will be fixed in future. Have fun and be safe while experimenting with your kindle.
I TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAMAGE DONE TO YOUR DEVICE, KNOW WHAT YOUR DOING BEFORE YOU DO IT!!!!!!!
Ah! Thats what I missed, I didnt realise I could use restore on a different ROM slot! Thanks for that, going to try it later!:good:
OurFriendIrony said:
Ah! Thats what I missed, I didnt realise I could use restore on a different ROM slot! Thanks for that, going to try it later!:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem! Also if I were you I would delete most of the user apps on your stock ROM, Idk if you did what I said and factory reset before you got safestrap (I would not try it if you already safestrap since you will lose safestrap and possible break you device!) but if you didnt I would just go back and delete most user apps and data off stock ROM and then redo the backup and restore with that. because you most likely wont be using the stock ROM (you don't want to alter it since you want to have a safe spot to restore to) you want it to take up as little storage as possible. My advice, pretend that you don't have root and don't do anything with it, like editing parts of system, or flashing mod packages, etc... (only exception is having super user and safe strap app installed.) Let me know if any part of this was to confusing. Hope this helped!
Haha, I saw your reply about 2 minutes after starting up the factory rest. I can, however, confirm that safestrap is still installed between the boot and IS load, so I'm actually in a perfect position. Have taken a new backup of pure stock rom!
Happy days!
I got a copy of my Stock ROM installed into ROM slot 1 and then added the gapps package, it worked beautifully!
I now have a tablet with all the google features on and have no issues so far.
except...
when I boot to ROM slot 1, I get a message saying "Kindle is Updating/Upgrading". It doesn't do anything and it only takes a few seconds before it gives up. I was just wondering if there was a way of getting rid of this??
As someone who hasn't had any prior experience with Android (although a fair share of experience with GNU/Linux), I appreciate a thread like this.
I also rooted the device (works well from GNU/Linux), installed SuperSU and some essential apps to make the stock OS usable (busybox and a terminal emulator, of course; and also a lightweight file browser that doesn't take much space and does exactly that, lets me browse local files). Then installed SafeStrap and backed everything up to both the Kindle and the PC (the backup is accessible via MTP, in the internal storage, so you can just connect the USB cable and copy the TWRP directory – at least in KDE).
Now I'm going to try the new AOSP ROM. Though since I'm new to the whole Android business, the partition sizes have me a bit confused. I'd want to have three slots – the stock ROM (obviously), the stock FireOS (one that I can modify) and AOSP. What partition sizes for the two slots would be the best, if it's the 16GB HDX? Also, say I download a PDF file; would both FireOS and AOSP see the file if I put it in internal storage, or would I have to manually copy it over to the other slot through my PC?
@GreatEmerald, whats AOSP? I'm thinking of playing around a bit more. I want to try out some more ROMs.
I put my first ROM slot (Stock with gapps added and amazon crap removed) on Flight Mode and now when I try and put it on wireless it restarts....
OurFriendIrony said:
@GreatEmerald, whats AOSP? I'm thinking of playing around a bit more. I want to try out some more ROMs.
I put my first ROM slot (Stock with gapps added and amazon crap removed) on Flight Mode and now when I try and put it on wireless it restarts....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AOSP = Android Open Source Project
Many other devices have an AOSP build and is typically a very nice build to flash if you like the core android feel with some extra very nice features.
OurFriendIrony said:
@GreatEmerald, whats AOSP? I'm thinking of playing around a bit more. I want to try out some more ROMs.
I put my first ROM slot (Stock with gapps added and amazon crap removed) on Flight Mode and now when I try and put it on wireless it restarts....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, as mentioned, AOSP is a ROM for stock Android 4.2.2, pretty much the only big ROM available for the HDX7 right now: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2607185
It works pretty well as it is, I'm impressed it's as good already given how new the project is. Though it still has some issues for normal use. Aside from the bugs mentioned in the post, Chrome crashes as soon as it's launched (but you can use Firefox instead), as does the Kindle app (which is mainly what is stopping me from using it, because the point of a Kindle is the integration with Amazon services...). Also, the Facebook app fails to install for some reason.
Everything else I tried works fine. I installed F-Droid, a file manager, Busybox and a terminal, then the Amazon app and some of the Amazon cloud apps, and finally Skype. All of them work very nicely on AOSP. Even tested a video call on Skype and it worked without any problems (including the camera working correctly).
As someone new to Android and from a GNU/Linux background, I'm really happy that F-Droid exists. It's an app store/package manager that offers only free and open source software. For regular users that might sound as not a big deal, but actually filtering software by license is more powerful than one would think. You're guaranteed to have only apps that have no spyware and adware, because you can't hide them in open code. And those who make apps without publishing their code obviously have something to hide. So much like in GNU/Linux, the first place to check for new apps for me is F-Droid, and after that the main store of the OS (be it Google Play or Amazon Store), and only then 1Mobile market.
I still would like to know more about that partitioning, though. I figured out that the emulated SD card is shared between ROMs (I uploaded F-Droid to the Downloads directory on FireOS, and could see it on AOSP just as well), but I still don't know what exactly the two partitions you have to make to set up a ROM slot are and how much space should be allocated to them.
GreatEmerald said:
Yea, as mentioned, AOSP is a ROM for stock Android 4.2.2, pretty much the only big ROM available for the HDX7 right now: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2607185
It works pretty well as it is, I'm impressed it's as good already given how new the project is. Though it still has some issues for normal use. Aside from the bugs mentioned in the post, Chrome crashes as soon as it's launched (but you can use Firefox instead), as does the Kindle app (which is mainly what is stopping me from using it, because the point of a Kindle is the integration with Amazon services...). Also, the Facebook app fails to install for some reason.
Everything else I tried works fine. I installed F-Droid, a file manager, Busybox and a terminal, then the Amazon app and some of the Amazon cloud apps, and finally Skype. All of them work very nicely on AOSP. Even tested a video call on Skype and it worked without any problems (including the camera working correctly).
As someone new to Android and from a GNU/Linux background, I'm really happy that F-Droid exists. It's an app store/package manager that offers only free and open source software. For regular users that might sound as not a big deal, but actually filtering software by license is more powerful than one would think. You're guaranteed to have only apps that have no spyware and adware, because you can't hide them in open code. And those who make apps without publishing their code obviously have something to hide. So much like in GNU/Linux, the first place to check for new apps for me is F-Droid, and after that the main store of the OS (be it Google Play or Amazon Store), and only then 1Mobile market.
I still would like to know more about that partitioning, though. I figured out that the emulated SD card is shared between ROMs (I uploaded F-Droid to the Downloads directory on FireOS, and could see it on AOSP just as well), but I still don't know what exactly the two partitions you have to make to set up a ROM slot are and how much space should be allocated to them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The system partition only needs to be as big as the Rom or backup you flash is, the data partition I typically make as big as possible (4000 mb) since this is what your Rom will consider internal storage. This is where apps and app data will be downloaded onto, where the rest of the data on your ad card is shared and is used for music, videos and lots of other custom stuff you can add. As for the cache I leave it at the default, this is where temporary data for apps is stored ( for example when you play a youtube video, it is temporarily stored on this partition.
spaghettiknight said:
The system partition only needs to be as big as the Rom or backup you flash is, the data partition I typically make as big as possible (4000 mb) since this is what your Rom will consider internal storage. This is where apps and app data will be downloaded onto, where the rest of the data on your ad card is shared and is used for music, videos and lots of other custom stuff you can add. As for the cache I leave it at the default, this is where temporary data for apps is stored ( for example when you play a youtube video, it is temporarily stored on this partition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, that's good to know. It makes me wonder, though – can I resize partitions in some way? Say, I created a smallish partition setup for ROM slot 1, then another one for ROM slot 2, and then have a bit spare; can I allocate the whole space to ROM slot 1 if I no longer need ROM slot 2? Or to do a backup, clear the partition setup, then restore the backup into newly sized partitions?
GreatEmerald said:
Ah, that's good to know. It makes me wonder, though – can I resize partitions in some way? Say, I created a smallish partition setup for ROM slot 1, then another one for ROM slot 2, and then have a bit spare; can I allocate the whole space to ROM slot 1 if I no longer need ROM slot 2? Or to do a backup, clear the partition setup, then restore the backup into newly sized partitions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, what i would do is backup my current setup, delete the rom slot your using, then remake it with your newly picked partitions
Nevermind. Got it working now. Thanks for the guide!
safestrap not working on my kindle hdx 7"
Hi my kindle is already rooted and I used towelroot. I have supersu installed too. I'm currently on the step of where I should install safestrap, but it seems safestrap is not working on my tablet. I tried 3.65, 3.72, 3.75 version of safestrap but it does not work. It always restart normally. Not in recovery. Pls help. 13.3.2.8 version. Thank u in advance.
pinksummer17 said:
Hi my kindle is already rooted and I used towelroot. I have supersu installed too. I'm currently on the step of where I should install safestrap, but it seems safestrap is not working on my tablet. I tried 3.65, 3.72, 3.75 version of safestrap but it does not work. It always restart normally. Not in recovery. Pls help. 13.3.2.8 version. Thank u in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you blocked OTA with HDX Toolkit? If not your device will likely brick if Amazon attempts to push an update. At present the blocker in HDX toolkit is the only one that works on 3.2.8.
Your attention should be focused on this task; can deal with safestrap once OTA block is in place.
ya I had to learn about that the hard way
DISCLAIMER: though this seems safe, there are always risks. Warranty may be void, bugs might crawl out of your shield. I am not responsible for mishaps, bugs, crashes, damage, loss of jobs, girlfriends, and/or if your shield turns into Skynet and begins to destroy the human race!
Firstly, throughout this tutorial I will be shamelessly pointing you toward others threads. Please, give them your thanks. They are masters in their fields and with out them none of this would be happening! Also remember noone gets paid for any of this, they with their skills and I with time do this out love for tech and a desire to help others and see them enjoy their tech as much as we all love ours. That said... Onto the cookies!
*********PLEASE NOTE*********
*********THIS ENTIRE PROCESS CAN BE DONE WITH OUT ANY ACCESS TO A PC!
--BUT--
TO KEEP A LOCKED BOOTLOADER AND AVOID WARRANTY NASTYNESS PLEASE READ
*If you are still on a locked bootloader, and want to easily keep it. Root ota 2.2.1 first, install flashify, and use it to install twrp.
*Rooting ota 3. 0 and using flashify from there will also preserve locked bootloader.
*Rooted ota 2.2.1 or a custom recovery will break nvidias native ota system. You will have need a copy if the FULL OTA from the links provided. They flash easily in twrp. But ONLY THE FULL OTA, NOT THE INCREMENTAL.
******PREREQUISITES (These Are Required)******
*Must be rooted.
If coming from stock, (unrooted, stock recovery, and locked bootloader) Kingroot will root any ota so far.
Install apk, run it, it will most likely reboot your shield, on ota 3 it will freeze, (mine did at around 30% on ota 3, but instead of a reboot, I got a freeze) this is normal. Hold power button until the shield turns off. Boot back up, and run Kingroot again. It should now complete fine, installing Kinguser as root control app. This gives you enough root to run flashify from play store to install the next step. (thanks to China for making kingroot and whoever translated it for us)
Kingroot link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/apps-games/one-click-root-tool-android-2-x-5-0-t3107461
*Team Win Recovery Project (twrp) must be installed.
Head over here to @Steel01 thread for multi rom twrp. You will only (at the moment) need his modified twrp build. More instructions there. Don't forget to thank him! (Thanks @Steel01)
@Steel01 multi rom twrp thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/shield-tablet/development/multirom-v30-unofficial-port-t3025355
*ota 3.0 FULL OTA (thanks to @MidgetMob)
Link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/shi...k-recovery-images-ota-library-guides-t2988881
*MEGA may or may NOT work. Mega has issues from time to time. (thanks @Ctrl_Alt_Del for the heads up)
****If MEGA links are not working, here's another source.
Thanks @gavin-phelan for the links.
OTHER Link for full ota: http://forum.xda-developers.com/shield-tablet/general/android-5-1-t3115536
*SuperSU recovery flashable installer. (thanks to @Chainfire)
Link to supersu beta (beta works better for the xposed framework):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/apps/supersu/2014-09-02-supersu-v2-05-t2868133
*Fdroid store for selinux mode changer (needed for viper) and ad away apps! (thanks Fdroid!)
Link: https://f-droid.org
*****OPTIONAL*****
*Xposed super alpha for Android 5.1 (sdk22) (thanks @romracer)
Link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed/super-alpha-posted-permission-xposed-t3072979
You must read that thread a bit. You will need the xposed installer from the main xposed lollipop thread. (thanks @rovo89)
Main xposed thread
Link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3034811
*Gravitybox works on 5.1 now (thanks @C3C076)
Link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/xposed/modules/app-gravitybox-v5-0-0alpha-tweak-box-t3037566
*BusyBox - Busybox is required for viper4android install. Make sure to run and install it BEFORE YOU INSTALL VIPER DRIVER. The apk can be installed, but when you run it. It will try to install the viper driver. Selinux must be set to permissive, and busybox installed first.
It can be found in play store.
*selinuxmodechanger can be found in fdroid repository.
*ViPER4Android audio engine (thanks @zhuhang)
For viper install. Be sure to install fdroid and get selinux mode changer. And change to permissive BEFORE YOU INSTALL VIPER DRIVER. the app is fine but for the driver to install selinux must be set to permissive. After that it's fine to set it back to enforcing.
Link: http://vipersaudio.com/blog/?page_id=48
Forum:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2191223
Someone said cookies? (Procedure)
**tip** titanium backup SUCKS FOR backing up app data. Bugs out the apps sometimes. So for games, manually backup saves and place them back after reinstall. It's helpful to use tibu to backup your apps alone. Then use tibu again to make a recovery flashable zip to reinstall them all at once....
*Firstly you will need a root enabled file browser (I use es file explorer)
*On the internal memory, firstly back up any pics or ANYTHING you want saved from internal memory to the external SD card. (I usually name my backup folders starting with a # to keep them separated from anything that's written to external via an app or the system. Helps to keep track.)
*Next delete it ALL. In es file Explorer just as everything in sdcard0. /android gone, all folders, ax them. I even nuked the hidden folders and all. I wanted a totally clean install. So anything in the /sdcard0 folder can get wiped. As wiping through twrp DOES NOT WIPE THESE FILES. And sometimes can cause oddness on new installs. This can also be achieved through twrp but it takes longer. Keep in mind that everything inside /sdcard is rebuilt on FIRST boot. Hence deleting in twrp. Don't navigate to straight / things go bad if you mess about in those files....
*After everything has been deleted on internal, and the folders your not using for backups on external. Namely the /android folder on external. You should be ready to reboot to recovery....
*Now reboot into twrp. Click wipe, advanced, then check dalvik, system, data, and cache. Wipe
*Now flash the FULL OTA for your model of shield.
*Next click the home button in twrp. Then Mount, then, uncheck the box for system, then, re-check it. (remount system)
*Now click on the Home button again, Advanced, File Manager.....
*Now the fun part...
Navigate to /system/app and delete the following FOLDERS, contents and all, by clicking on each folder one at a time, once clicked, it will show you contents of that folder. At the bottom click select, then delete, swipe to delete. For each of the following folders....
++*NOTICE* Some of these folders contain libs (library files) and i discovered some issues with deleting them. (videos not working, possible connection console mode crashing, etc) These folders are indicated below, and any side effects possible due to its removal. Console mode has been solid so far even without the libs. That doesnt mean that it wont cause any issues later and i just havent seen it yet. So BEWARE o0o0o =D
Adobe reader
Books
Calendar
++**Chrome (I use chrome beta) (CONTAINS LIBS) possible connection to the "great chrome slowdown" These ARE SAFE to remove and removal may cure the slowdown bug. either way, using any browser BUT chrome (i.e. Chrome Beta, Dolphin, Opera etc.) also fixes the "Chrome slug races"
Cloud print
Input methods for Japanese and Korean (unless you need it)
++**Drive (CONTAINS LIBS) i havent noticed any side effects from removing these and SHOULD BE SAFE to delete. also i use es file explorer for drive access
Email (I use inbox)
Evernote
Evernote widget
Exchange2
Gmail (I use inbox or reinstall from store)
++**Hangouts (CONTAINS LIBS) i use hangouts for OUTGOING PHONE CALLS, as such i feel these libs are POSSIBLY NOT SAFE to remove. i havent found any issues so far but BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY on an essential core sytem
Holo spiral
Google tts (optional)
Juswrite (I don't use the stylus or handwriting)
latinIME (aosp keyboard)
++**Maps (CONTAINS LIBS) i havent found any issues but NAVIGATION to me is an essential core system therefore i feel these are POSSIBLY NOT SAFE to remove. again BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY
Music2 (I use gonemad music player or reinstall from store)
Newstand
Nvcameraawesome (it sucked and I use camera51)
Phase beam
Play games
++**Print spooler (CONTAINS LIBS) never use(d) it so i dunno really. SHOULD BE SAFE to remove (feedback welcome)
Street
Stylusmobileoem (like I said I don't even HAVE a stylus (unless someone has an extra they are willing to mail....)
Talkback
Trine 2 (unless you like it)
Twitch (unless you use it, also in play store)
++**Videos (CONTAINS LIBS) I had issues playing embedded videos in play store (app trailers) and some websites. i would recommend DO NOT REMOVE THIS. i ONLY left this here for info only. remove ONLY AT YOUR OWN RISK
Write (again with stylus stuff)
++**Youtube (CONTAINS LIBS) never had any issues removing this. but i feel it could be related to my above mentioned video playback bug. this is OPTIONAL.
*now navigate to /system/priv-app
Delete folder musicfx (needs to be gone or disabled for viper4android audio install)
*now navigate to /system/vendor/app
Delete the folder watercolor (dabbler can be gotten from play store)
*if you feel busy /system/media/audio is where the ring tones are and you can delete the ones you don't use for more space but it's only 3mb....
*FINALLY hit the home button in twrp again.
**DO NOT FORGET** Install superSU beta for root!!!
*REBOOT!!
*After system boots up and gets done optimizing, it's safe to reboot back to twrp and flash the xposed framework.
*You're done! That's it... Wait... What? You want even MORE cookies? Well, OK....
*Keep reading for optional steps for even better results!
***PS... Keep checking our friend's @BitOBSessiOn and @twistedumbrella threads for really great kernels for our ota..
Thanks @BitOBSessiOn
Thanks @twistedumbrella
Links:
Bito: http://forum.xda-developers.com/shi.../tweaked-kernel-nvidia-shield-tablet-t3069776
++++++ ***check out @BitOBSessiOn thread, ota 3.0 source built, optimized kernels for all models released!
NEW UNIFIED BUILDS FOR OTA 3.0 (ONE FILE FOR ALL MODELS)
Twistedumbrella: 2.2.1 ONLY http://forum.xda-developers.com/shi...t/stock-lollipop-kernel-cifs-support-t2967839
And some more post script.
PPS **tips**
*System apps always keep a copy of themselves for when it gets updated, so all those apps (that you just deleted) end up being over 400 mb after they all update once. And they ALL HAVE updates at time of install. So you save there. Just takes a minute to reinstall as user apps from the play store,and save a bunch of space.
***WIFI ISSUES!** If you do NOT HAVE a 5ghz router. Go to wifi settings, advanced, wifi band, switch from auto to 2.4ghz, makes the Web run faster and if it's set to auto I notice a good 40 second delay in wifi connecting. Also make sure the box "wifi always scan" is turned in. Otherwise wifi doesn't auto connect at boot.
*Get folder mount from the play store. It automagically patches android to let apps write to external SD. As well as links folders on external to internal so you can move ANY app to sd card. Profit!
*For a cleaner install. Install fdroid, then ad away. And run ad away before you ever open more than play store for es file Explorer to install fdroid. This way ad away is the first or one of the first apps to open. Blocking ads from that point on. That way if apps have built in ads, they won't even be able to load!
*Also thanks to @djdarkknight96 here's a link for a bad ass themed SwiftKey keyboard
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1016053
*To improve system responsiveness, enable developer options (In settings, click about tablet, click build number 7 times.) Then in developer options about midway down, turn "window animation scale" "transition animation scale" and "animator duration scale" from 1.0 to .5 this increases the speed of animations throughout the system/rom
*After installing the gravitybox xposed module, you can turn those 3 animation scales down further to .25 for even faster response.
*Native lcd density for shield tablet is 283.
It comes stock at 320
*Nvidia corporate tegra color scheme. Green is hex (#76b900) rgb (r:118 g:185 b:0), and grey, hex (#5c5c5c) not sure greys rgb. And black.... I looked it up in their corporate and product guidelines pdf.
*You can add apps to console mode by clicking the little + symbol under "android games" and "media apps" in shield hub. They will then be added to the "easier" to navigate shield hub menu.
*In the play store kernel adiutor (yes that's how it's spelled) allows control over the cpu speed and other critical stuff and things. To squeeze alot more juice from your battery, if everything else here is done, I found I could clock the cpu @2ghz (200mhz down from stock) and it's just as fast as true stock. Killer battery savings on top of the improvements already made in ota 3.0
*If you adjust the clock speeds in kernel adiutor... Make sure to reset the minimum to 51 every time and sit and watch to make sure they stuck. They will float around, then settle. But if you exit after altering the max and the minimum is floating high, it will set the minimum to that value.... Found THAT out the hard way......
*The letters that form the word "SHIELD" on the back of our devices.... Are stickers in small indents.... Looks really kewl if taken out. (see post #13 for pics)
+ *POSSIBLE USB ON THE GO (OTG) FIX*
Power off your shield, plug in USB OTG cable with a flash drive in it. Power on the shield. Once booted, pull flash drive and use whatever OTG compatible device you wish (mouse, keyboard, micro missile launcher--thanks ThinkGeek!))
ONE CONDITION! This method BREAKS CHARGING UNTIL NEXT REBOOT! (thanks nvidia!)
Enjoy!
Questions and comments always welcomed and encouraged!
If i forgot something, missed a step, whatever. Let me know!
I'll update/add to this if/when I think of things.
Ideas? Let me know!
CHECK POST #2 FOR UPDATE TIMES.
I'll try to highlight changes until I update again.
Look for the + symbol
Cheers,
Cyris
Mmm cookies just like mom makes!
Just a reminder! ALWAYS CHECK THE MD5 CHECKSUM FOR DOWNLOADED FILES. Md5 checker in play store works great. It can certainly save some headaches!
A SECOND MORE IMPORTANT REMINDER, KEEP A COPY OF YOUR FULL OTA IN THE ROOT OF YOUR EXTERNAL SD CARD. THAT WAY IF THE LIQUID DEFECATION TRULY STRIKES THE AUXILIARY ROTOR. YOU CAN USE NVIDIAS BACKUP STOCK RECOVERY (AT BUGDROID (ANDY ON HIS BACK WITH A RED ! OVER IT) HIT "VOLUME UP" + "POWER") TO WIPE DATA AND FLASH A STOCK FULL OTA AND GET BACK UP AND RUNNING AGAIN. THEN USE KINGROOT, THEN FLASHIFY, THEN TWRP, TO GET ROOT BACK AND CUSTOM RECOVERY....
**UPDATES**
Times are Pacific (my local)
+Initial post 5/25 @ 1300 (apx)
+Updated 5/25 @ 1655
+Updated 5/25 @ 1730
+Updated 5/25 @ 1810 - make sure you check this one for viper audio install
+Updated 5/25 @ 2304 - new full ota links
+Updated 5/26 @ 1030 - @BitOBSessiOn ota 3 kernel release, links posted
+Updated 5/26 @ 1546 - Added usb-otg temporary fix
+Updated 5/27 @ 2200 - Cleanup OP, removed old + symbols
+Updated 6/17 @ 1430 - Added info on folders containing LIBS in the wiping section.
Nice! I will report back once I have redone my tablet.
And please, give me some time. It's the end of a holiday weekend & I have a few things to do before going back to work Tuesday.
Ctrl_Alt_Del said:
Nice! I will report back once I have redone my tablet.
And please, give me some time. It's the end of a holiday weekend & I have a few things to do before going back to work Tuesday.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries. I created this thread for a laid back easy way to (try) and get the most from our device. Xda was always my go to place to find help and it's a bit different now. Not everyone is a developer, but it shouldn't be hard to get knowledge from those that are. Hell I'm no dev, just like to test stuff, a crack flasher. But at one time I didn't know what root was..... We all were. I know I love it when I show someone my device I spent 100s of hours tweaking just right and the look on their face! At one time that was me. I had to ask questions that probably got a few chuckles. But usually there was someone there to ask. If i can help I figure I SHOULD,
As I said I encourage questions. It may help someone else later on. Cheers!
... Wrong button.....
All is well. And the wipe,install directions from TWRP went flawlessly.
As soon as it booted, I was presented with the Welcome screen, as if it were a brand new device, unlike just updating an older OS. Chose the language, if I had a Google account & signed in...all that cookie dust. Apps from the list I have backed up to the Google servers under my account downloaded & installed automagically.
And best of all....no more "Android is Starting" & no more "optimizing the apps" at cold startup! Big thumbs up there! :good:
By the way, I could not get the full install from the link you provided from another user. It went to Mega & Mega is having transfer issues. It would download about 10 thru 15 % then flash something about a transfer error, then reduce the file transferred back down to 8 or 9 %...then download that again up to around 12 % or so, then back down to 8 %....lather, rinse, repeat...indefinitely! I used this user's link in his post to get the correct ROM: Android 5.1 out now
Just an FYI there.
Ctrl_Alt_Del said:
All is well. And the wipe,install directions from TWRP went flawlessly.
As soon as it booted, I was presented with the Welcome screen, as if it were a brand new device, unlike just updating an older OS. Chose the language, if I had a Google account & signed in...all that cookie dust. Apps from the list I have backed up to the Google servers under my account downloaded & installed automagically.
And best of all....no more "Android is Starting" & no more "optimizing the apps" at cold startup! Big thumbs up there! :good:
By the way, I could not get the full install from the link you provided from another user. It went to Mega & Mega is having transfer issues. It would download about 10 thru 15 % then flash something about a transfer error, then reduce the file transferred back down to 8 or 9 %...then download that again up to around 12 % or so, then back down to 8 %....lather, rinse, repeat...indefinitely! I used this user's link in his post to get the correct ROM: Android 5.1 out now
Just an FYI there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad to hear it went well. And thanks for the info on mega. It does that from time to time. Could be alot of people trying to get that file right now. Links updated.
If you go through the xposed install and all. It gets spooky fast....
can you explain about screen density? native 283? how do you know that? table has 320 dpi
Excellent guide and info. Spent all weekend formatting and dealing with "optimizing apps", this fixed it all, great tablet now
GOALAR said:
can you explain about screen density? native 283? how do you know that? table has 320 dpi
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's an 8 inch screen. With a resolution of 1920x1200 I'm not sure the math, but it adds up to 283,or there are a few sites that you can go to and enter your the screen info and it will tell you what you density is. Density is how many pixels are in a square inch. Also GSM arena and a few other sites show this data if you Google "shield tablet specs".
Switching from 320 to 283 just makes the screen look sharper. It also can effect what games are listed as compatible in the play store. Example, dead space and dead trigger 2 will not install @ 283. But will run at it. I have dead space myself and it plays fine but I have to side load it or set my density back to 320 in build.prop then install it.
Think of it like running different resolutions on your pc monitor. The monitor will show them just fine, but only 1 is the exact spec from the factory, and look the best.
Thanks For This
Hi, @Pariahnoble. Just wanted to say that this is great, exactly the kind of effort that supports the XDA community.
I am sure that this will be a huge help to a lot of people.
koop1955 said:
Hi, @Pariahnoble. Just wanted to say that this is great, exactly the kind of effort that supports the XDA community.
I am sure that this will be a huge help to a lot of people.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! =D Just hope it does in fact help some folks enjoy their shields a little more. I've been pretty unhappy so far, it was this or a Nexus 9, now I don't regret my decision anymore lol
Pictures of back of shield with letter stickers removed
Updated again
I'm surprised there aren't more comments on this thread. This looks great.
By the way, did I miss something or can this actually be done completely without the use of a computer?
radio five said:
I'm surprised there aren't more comments on this thread. This looks great.
By the way, did I miss something or can this actually be done completely without the use of a computer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope didn't miss a beat. This whole process can be done with no pc (I don't have a pc, my shield is my ONLY device.) so I've learned how to do it all locally (on board the shield itself).
This is only just now available, 5/13 kingroot was released that would root the tablet stock off the shelf. And flashify to put on the custom twrp. After that it's good times!
Ps, thanks for the heads up on the no pc thing, I forgot to mention that, OP updated...
That's great news for me since my computer recently took a **** and I'm about to throw my old laptop out the window. (windows vista, won't take adb drivers, runs out of memory using chrome, etc...)
Sent from my SHIELD Tablet using XDA Free mobile app
radio five said:
That's great news for me since my computer recently took a **** and I'm about to throw my old laptop out the window. (windows vista, won't take adb drivers, runs out of memory using chrome, etc...)
Sent from my SHIELD Tablet using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ouch! I feel your pain. I recently had to try to flash using add (adb but "add" was a great typo) on Windows xp.... Oh yeah... THAT went well.... Then 2 days later kingroot came out.
Just make sure (and I'll add this to the op as well) to keep a copy of the full ota on the ROOT of your external SD card, that way if your shield take a flaming deuce in your hands, you can STILL use nvidia backup recovery. If you have ever seen the "bug droid" (ole Andy on his back and the flaming red ! Over it) hold the "volume up" button and hit power and the nvidia recovery comes up. Let's you flash a STOCK FULL OTA and bam, back in business, just kingroot, flashify, twrp, keep calm, and carry on!
Man, I'm glad you said something! I'm gathering all the files on my external sd card in a folder (downloads/Shield Optimization) and I was getting ready to take the plunge. I'll move everything to the sd card's root before I get started.
I'm also considering backing all of my sd card to a work computer temporarily so I can reformat it. My junk heap of a laptop can't read it but I suspect my shield may have formatted it to a weird..... format.
I just want to have the card ready in the event I want to transfer large files and not wait as long.
Speaking of which, would I be able to format my sd card via my PC with it still in the Shield, connected by a usb cable?
Sorry if I'm getting slightly off topic.
Sent from my SHIELD Tablet using XDA Free mobile app
@radio five
Firstly the only file you really need in the root folder is the ota zip. That's only because I'm pretty sure that's where the stock recovery will look for it, IF everything goes to hell.
Yes about formatting your card or storing files elsewhere during all this. The closer to a fresh card and internal memory the better.
Not sure what if any besides ntfs that the shield would format it to. But ntfs is recommended. And it's so far the only (I think) supported format for cards over 32gb. Also. After you format it to ntfs, quick format is OK, full is better but much slower on Windows, make sure to name it. Any is OK. "Sdcard" works.
In Windows Explorer, click on the volume (Sdcard you just formatted) to select it. Wait a sec. Then click it again. And name it when it highlights.
It fixes SOMETHING, Noone really knows what, but makes the shield recognize SD cards over 32gb
I'm sure there IS a way to format via adb, but I have no idea how...
What topic? >.< lol all questions are encouraged.
[SIZE=+3]TWRP scripts: Ad removal - Debloat - Block OTA[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+2]Amazon Prime Variant and OEM Variant[/SIZE]
Tested on Prime and OEM variants. Please report back if any issues
[SIZE=+1]This guide only require you to be able to boot TWRP. You can follow this TWRP install guide and perform the installation of these .zip files AFTER step 8) (You must backup your system in case anything goes wrong, you will also need this backup to perform any future OTA, such as the one activating band 12). You can either stop there after installation, or proceed to the following steps if you want to have root access.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]All .zip have to be installed using the TWRP "Install" function. You will need to download them on your phone or copy them on a SD card. You do not need to install all these packages at once. These scripts do not install or remove anything on /system, they only rename some files. All scripts can be extracted and opening "update-binary" with your favorite text editor will allow you to see exactly what is done (always a good idea if you are concerned with your device security), and customize it if you wish.
This will only rename the stock apps in your /system. If an update was performed, or if you used the app previously, the app and it's files may still be present on your device /data even after running these scripts but you will be able to uninstall them as any other app. This also means that you can rerun these scripts after a future OTA and they will not erase any app you reinstalled yourself on /data.
A "reset all" script is also provided to restore all apps and unblock OTA.
You can individually restore any app by using a file manager with root access (or TWRP built-in one) and rename any "*.apk_" to "*.apk", app will show up again after the next reboot.
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]Disable ads, block OTA and Amazon PARTIAL debloat "bluR1-AMZ-PARTIALdebloat-blockOTA"[/SIZE]This package will remove all the ads from your Prime phone and block future OTA. You DO NOT need to reset / wipe your phone after installation.
It will also remove all Amazon apps from your system except for the Amazon Underground app store (recommended).
This option allows automatic background updates from the amazon app store and do not need you allow the installation of packages from unknown sources.
[SIZE=+1]Disable ads, block OTA and Amazon FULL debloat "bluR1-AMZ-FULLdebloat-blockOTA"[/SIZE]This package will remove all the ads from your Prime phone and block future OTA. You DO NOT need to reset / wipe your phone after installation.
It will also remove all Amazon apps from your system including the Amazon Underground app store.
[SIZE=+1]Google PARTIAL debloat "bluR1-GOOGLE-debloat"[/SIZE]This package will remove SOME stock Google apps that can be easily downloaded from the google play store and are not required for the system.
This will only remove apps in the /system partition. This means that if you downloaded or reinstalled some of the apps they won't be removed by the script. It also means that if you previously used the phone and some apps were updated they will still be installed in your /data/app, but you will be able to uninstall them manually as any other app.
List of removed apps and their Google Play link for easy reinstall:
Google Search bar on home screen
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox
Google Talkback
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.marvin.talkback
Google GMail
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.gm
Google Play Music
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.music
Youtube
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.youtube
Google Drive
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.docs
Google Maps
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.maps
Google Chrome
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.android.chrome
Google Talk Services
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.tts
Google Play Videos
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.videos
Google Photos
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.photos
Google Agenda
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.calendar
Google Hangouts
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.talk
Google Calculator
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.calculator
Google Clock
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.deskclock
It will not disable Google Play store, Play services etc. Some of the apps can be removed by editing the script yourself. See the "update-binary" file. No additional help to do so will be provided, do it at your own risks.
[SIZE=+1]Mediatek and BLU PARTIAL debloat "bluR1-MTK_BLU-debloat"[/SIZE]This package will remove SOME stock Mediatek and BLU apps.
Remove useless BLU app and Opera preinstaller.
Remove the ugly File Manager app. Replace it by any other file explorer app is you like.
Amaze File Manager is a great and open source alternative https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.amaze.filemanager
[SIZE=+1]Restore all apps and OTA "bluR1-RestoreApps-OTA"[/SIZE]This package will restore all apps and unblock OTAs.
Changelog:
07/30/2016 - Topic creation. Amazon ad removal / debloat / OTA blocking scripts from the original post moved here for a better visibility. Initial release of Google and Mediatek debloat scripts.
08/17/2016 - MTK debloat script updated to fix FileManager removal bug
10/01/2016 - Scripts updated to v2. Now only rename files, restore script provided (V1 downloads: AMZ-PARTIAL 740, AMZ-FULL 828, GOOGLE 747, MTK 536)
05/31/2017 - Some scripts updated to v2 or v3, support V8.4 and V21 changes in folder and apk names. (V2 downloads: AMZ-PARTIAL 774, AMZ-FULL 1208, MTK 544, RESTORE 294)
07/13/2017 - MTK and OTA restore script updated to fix a typo in BLUHelp debloating. (V3 previous downloads: MTK 60, RESTORE 44)
thanks for this! very nice of you to make all the different options as well.
worked great for me on first try.
Now I'm tempted to buy the 50 version, would this leave your phone as stock?
rmartinezdl said:
would this leave your phone as stock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not have access to a stock ROM or nandroid backup to compare everything so I can't be 100% sure but as far as I know pretty much yes.
Scripts worked perfect and didn't delete the Google apps I actually use! Thanks!
Problems after Factory Reset
after factory reset got a Error looping, “Unfortunately, Setup Wizard has stopped.”
Method to bypass problem,
1. Boot into TWRP Recovery
2. Mount System ( Mount → check System )
3. Advanced → File Manager
4. Browse to /system/priv-app/Setup-Wizard
5. Delete it
Also, home button and menu button doesn't work
(had to restore from backup)
Fibrizox said:
after factory reset got a Error looping, “Unfortunately, Setup Wizard has stopped.”
Method to bypass problem,
1. Boot into TWRP Recovery
2. Mount System ( Mount → check System )
3. Advanced → File Manager
4. Browse to /system/priv-app/Setup-Wizard
5. Delete it
Also, home button and menu button doesn't work
(had to restore from backup)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or in between the pop up error messages you can go to Settings-> Apps->App Permissions and give Setup Wizard the necessary permissions.
So to clarify I can use the script to also disable ota for a prime that's been converted to OEM? excellent
I am a Prime-Member and would like to buy two NEW BLU R1 HD - 16 GB - Black - Prime Exclusive - with Lockscreen Offers & Ads:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H2E0J5M/ref=twister_B01G7TG6SW?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
However, since I am buying these two cellphones for my sons, and I don't want that they have access to my amazon account details...
So, I would like to know if these phones will come fully registered to my Amazon account, or if it is possible to block or unregister these phones to my Account ?
So, my Amazon Orders, List and Shopping Cart, can not be seen or used by my sons ?
At first and if not totally necessary, I not want to root or modify nothing on this Blue phone... I just would like to totally block in some simple way, my Amazon account that I will use to purchase these phones, possibly because both will come already registered to the same account.
ulises.rodriguez said:
I am a Prime-Member and would like to buy two NEW BLU R1 HD - 16 GB - Black - Prime Exclusive - with Lockscreen Offers & Ads:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H2E0J5M/ref=twister_B01G7TG6SW?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
However, since I am buying these two cellphones for my sons, and I don't want that they have access to my amazon account details...
So, I would like to know if these phones will come fully registered to my Amazon account, or if it is possible to block or unregister these phones to my Account ?
So, my Amazon Orders, List and Shopping Cart, can not be seen or used by my sons ?
At first and if not totally necessary, I not want to root or modify nothing on this Blue phone... I just would like to totally block in some simple way, my Amazon account that I will use to purchase these phones, possibly because both will come already registered to the same account.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They do not come registered to your account at all. Signing into an amazon account is an option during setup, but not required.
Thanks for letting me know that these BLUE phones, not come pre-registered to an amazon account...
That's just what I wanted to know before ordering my two phones.
The scripts worked perfectly except for the MTK one. The ugly file manager is still there.
oakami said:
The scripts worked perfectly except for the MTK one. The ugly file manager is still there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is strange. What phone version do you have? (Prime, normal, Prime converted to normal, etc)
Is the Gallery App gone? If yes try to uninstall the file explorer manually like any other app, else try to run the script again to be sure nothing went wrong.
emc2cube said:
This is strange. What phone version do you have? (Prime, normal, Prime converted to normal, etc)
Is the Gallery App gone? If yes try to uninstall the file explorer manually like any other app, else try to run the script again to be sure nothing went wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the prime version. I flashed TWRP plus superSU and Xposed. The gallery app is gone. I tried installing the script again but the file manager is still there.
oakami said:
I have the prime version. I flashed TWRP plus superSU and Xposed. The gallery app is gone. I tried installing the script again but the file manager is still there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Found the problem. Please redownload the script from the original post, I updated it and it should now remove properly the file manager.
Thank you for your bug report!
Thanks so much for this.
Also wanted to let people know that I removed Google Play Service and Google Play (store) without any issues so far.
I will update this post if I run into any problems.
Thanks again!
Any way to make the Camera app launch Google Photos? It now just gives me an error since I removed the Gallery app...
lostman1027 said:
Any way to make the Camera app launch Google Photos? It now just gives me an error since I removed the Gallery app...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, use of the default gallery app is hardcoded in the camera app.
You can only launch Google Photos using the shortcut displayed after taking a new picture.
If you use an alternative camera app (I use Open Camera https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.sourceforge.opencamera ) these will correctly launch Google Photos or any other default gallery app.
For testing purpose (seems to work ok on my phone) here is an update of the scripts.
These ones will not delete the apps in /system but rename them from *.apk to *.apk_ effectively disabling and hiding them.
Two main advantages:
- Each app can easily be individually disabled/reactivated using TWRP builtin file explorer or any file explorer with root access by renaming them back to *.apk.
- Easily revert to an out of the box state to be able to apply an OTA update by simply using "bluR1-RestoreApps-OTA.zip" script. This will "rebloat" your system. If you installed root etc you still have to take care of this yourself.
If you are giving these scripts a try, please report success / failure so I can eventually update the original post.
Edit 09/10/2016: scripts updated to debloat non-prime phones, restore script released.
Edit 10/01/2016: scripts are now available on OP, beta is over. Thanks to the few testers that reported back!
Oops, wrong thread.
Best ROM Currently (11/2018)
Look at the date above. This is for current, relevant info. I'm looking for people's opinions on the best ROMs right now. Things to consider: speed & functionality, & whatever else you think is important. There aren't many options at all these days.
Please chime in & let's get this debate going!
I'll go first. I plan on updating this post as I try more. BTW the big reason I created this thread is to save people time. I spent at least a week now trying to get a functional & fast (or at least usable) ROM. ICS, which is the last ver of Android the manufacturer supports, is just too old to consider an option, in my opinion. So I tried https://forum.xda-developers.com/eee-pad-transformer/development/rom-t3318496 last & it's just way too slow for me. I did the bigwheelie partition increase, but honestly I don't think that's necessary for most of us (& it took me a long time!). & It takes forever to read each thread & hundreds of posts inside them to get up to date regarding these ROMs...just to find out something doesn't work. People often aren't nice about repeat questions & expect you to read through hundreds of pages...Im the opposite! I want to save you time & give you an up to date summary of ROM options & what to expect. I also found out the hard way that Google Play doesn't work on tduros Marshmallow ROM. Not his fault, darn Google. BUT there's MicroG as an alternative.
So there you have my first review:
KatKiss KatchMellow is waaaay to slow for me. Gapps doesn't work (tablet will keep restarting), but MicroG is a Google Play alternative.
I'll try out older ROMs next to see if speed gets any better & report back...
UPDATE:
I exhaustively tried getting microg to work on both KatKiss KatchMellow & Lollipop, but finally gave up. I'm sure its possible, but I ran out of time & patience.
I did however end up with a pretty fast solution: KatKiss Lollipop with Fdroid for my app store, and via that I installed DavCal (to tie into my Google Calendars) & Simple Calendar that displayed this. Many apps I wanted worked. Some not but I found an alternative. MX player plays videos fine & theres a million audio apps. Id recommend this.
Thank you for this. I also came here to find the best and fastest ROM but was overwhelmed by the number of comments to sift through. I have KatKiss 6.0.1 with playstore but no other Google apps. It's a bit slow. I'm gonna try KatKiss Lollipop with FDroid.
If anybody finds a solution to have google play store and no constant bootloping.... I've tried Katkiss 6.01, 5 and now went down to Omnirom kitkat 4.4 they all reboot constantly with google play store
I'm using Tims katsmallow. Gapps is an absolute no-go. I tried microg and ended up with the same bootloop/reboot after installing YouTube. I'm currently using no gapps and f-droid. It works fine, and functional. I want to use the chromecast, and that's not functional. I have seen some reference to CM or even lineage existing for the 101. I can't track it down though. I'm going to dig into that next, maybe even compile a build of lineage if it ever existed.
Reverse-anastomosis said:
I'm using Tims katsmallow. Gapps is an absolute no-go. I tried microg and ended up with the same bootloop/reboot after installing YouTube. I'm currently using no gapps and f-droid. It works fine, and functional. I want to use the chromecast, and that's not functional. I have seen some reference to CM or even lineage existing for the 101. I can't track it down though. I'm going to dig into that next, maybe even compile a build of lineage if it ever existed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We never had lineage. I think the newest CM was all the way back to 10.3. Our TWRP is now very outdated and that may cause problems flashing any newer ROMs
Yeah, I find references to lineage, but it appears that it never was built. I found CM 10.2, and am considering flashing it...but I'm fairly sure it won't be any better than Tims latest build. It would be nice if we could convince him to do one last build for us, but it seems fairly clear that he is done.
4xxxxL said:
If anybody finds a solution to have google play store and no constant bootloping.... I've tried Katkiss 6.01, 5 and now went down to Omnirom kitkat 4.4 they all reboot constantly with google play store
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reverse-anastomosis said:
I'm using Tims katsmallow. Gapps is an absolute no-go. I tried microg and ended up with the same bootloop/reboot after installing YouTube. I'm currently using no gapps and f-droid. It works fine, and functional...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, inspired by your comments I undusted my old TF101 and brought it back to life.
Objective: To have a working tablet for my children to play.
Restrictions: Tablet must be responsive and easy to use. Ads should be eradicated or reduced to a minimum. Tablet must not auto-reboot nor crash.
Initial state: Rooted tablet with TWRP recovery and Timduru's Marsmallow (random reboot problem) ROM installed. Linux computer with adb tools installed. A microSD (FAT32) holding every zip file I needed to flash.
Procedure:
Step 1. I've wiped everything (system, dalvik, cachè), all, using TWRP.
Step 2. Kind of followed Jan's guide at KCORE.ORG. (Read it here).
------ I did install Timduru's last Android 6 (a.k.a. Marshamallow) ROM (v34 from 2017). (Available here).
------ I skipped Super SU 2.52 from Timduru's (not sure whether it was a good idea or not).
------ I did not install any gapps.
------ Flashed F-droid (NanoDroid-fdorid and NanoDroid-patcher zips. I used the latest I found, 20.3.2018208). It was actually Nanolx's NanoDroid (Available here). It might be important to mention that when I selected Timduru's ROM to be flashed using TWRP, it asked me whether I wanted to add more zips to the flashing process; so I added both NanoDroid files to the queue (but skipped Super Su because I didn't want it to be flashed).
It took some time to finish the flashing process. Once it did I wiped dalvik and cachè, and rebooted.
----- Tablet booted just fine. When it finished I immediately rebooted to recovery (TWRP).
----- Then I flashed the last Super Su version I could find (v2.82-201705271822). The official site didn't provide a valid download so I used google to find an alternate source for it. (Remember to checksum everything before installing to avoid errors or malware -Trojans, virus, etc.-)
----- Once Super Su was flashed I rebooted (didn't wipe anything this time). It rebooted a couple of times until it was idle. I then ran Super Su app to check if it was Ok. It was. Then fixed some settings like language (Spanish, in my case), time zone (Mexico City) and location (changed to 'high accuracy' from 'device only'). And then connected to the Internet.
----- I ran F-droid and disabled all repositories but microG. Forced repositories update and installed microG Services Core and microG Service Framework Proxy.
---- Then I re-enabled the F-droid repository, forced it to update and upgraded microG (for me it was available).
---- Installed the recomended backends:
---- ++ UnifiedNlp (no GAPPS).
---- ++ MozillaNlpBackend (I didn't want the one from Apple as Jan did).
---- ++ NominatimNlpBackend
---- ++ WiFi Location Service (I don't know if this was necessary but I installed it anyway).
---- ++ Local GSM Location (I think this wasn't necessary because the tablet doesn't have GSM nor any other cellular SIM, but I installed it anyway to cover all my bases).
---- Patched the ROM to allow signature spoofing. (Check Jan's article about this). The second and third patch weren't applied because the files were already patched but I followed every step there to the end.
---- Followed Jan's article at sections "Configuring microG Services" and "Reinstall Google Play Store"
Step 3. I took the opportunity to install and run the AdBlocker script from this thread. In my case there was no pdf but the script file. I downloaded the raw text file and created a file named adblocker. Used the adb shell to ran it. I needed to remount the system partition in order to move the script to /system/bin. (A google search can help here if you don't know how to do it). Short version: it installed and ran Ok.
Step 4. On my first attempt (second, third, and maybe fourth actually), I installed apps from the Google Store. Eventually I ended with the reboot loop again. So in the end I opted for downloading the apk files of the apps I wanted to install (from apkpure.com) and did it manually (actually I used a for loop and adb in bash, but it counts as manually).
Step 5. That was it. Tested some apps and gave the tablet to my little monsters for further testing. The kids have been very happy playing around with the old tablet.
Additional considerations:
1. In my case I installed an app blocker so the children won't mess with anything important, microG settings and F-droid included.
2. I didn't install Google Play Games nor any games that depended on it. So the idea of me using the tablet to play was abandoned.
3. There are some apps that the old TF101's hardware cannot handle, so I uninstalled them as they crashed at start up.
Conclusion: TF101 is old but with this workaround it might live to fight more battles. Kids apps are simple, but they run (some Ok, some a bit slow). My kids learn and have fun with the old tablet, so mission accomplished!
Further considerations and remarks:
1. Updating apps is not a concern for me unless they stop running. If they run they do stay, otherwise I will check them manually and then decide.
2. No Google account was registered in the tablet. Store is there, but it is not used.
3. I installed some other apps aside from the children's ones, like the app locker, a file manager and things alike.
Good luck.
EDIT: Updated to Super Su SR5 (highly recommended) and added suhide-lite.
EDIT: Reboots restarted eventually. The solution was not installing microG nor Google apps, and therefore no store at all. I installed my kids' apps manually using adb. I also omitted Youtube kids. Tablet has been working fine for almost a week now.
Katkiss Kitkat with no gapps. Smooth like butter.
Workaround is to first flash with gapps, reboot and go through first time setup (skip wifi), then reboot into twrp, wipe system and flash without gapps, then reboot.
Reason is first time setup wont work without gapps for kk.
My detailed instructions in the timduru mm thread (kk was closed)
Yes. I can confirm (after multiple back and forth flashing) that Katkiss works perfectly w/o gapps.
Now w/o gapps how does one get the apps to install?
Edit : Looks like yalp store is the answer
aaranddeeman said:
Yes. I can confirm (after multiple back and forth flashing) that Katkiss works perfectly w/o gapps.
Now w/o gapps how does one get the apps to install?
Edit : Looks like yalp store is the answer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can look for your app's .apk file (e.g., apkpure.com), download it and use adb to install it.
I'm using katschmallow, no gapps. It has been very stable for a couple of months. I have microg installed, and a lot of apps from yalp are working OK. YouTube seems to be the culprit in making it bootloop. I've been using newpipe instead.
Works without gaps
Reverse-anastomosis said:
I'm using katschmallow, no gapps. It has been very stable for a couple of months. I have microg installed, and a lot of apps from yalp are working OK. YouTube seems to be the culprit in making it bootloop. I've been using newpipe instead.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried it as well and works well. I installed rom with the latest gapps (Jan 19th) and it has nice feature that you can disable "autoupdate apps" from upper right corner "three dots". Actually it was quite stable even with the gapps as long as you don't allow autoupdates.
Of course those apps, which are requiring Google play support won't work (mainly google made).
But many apps don't work with TF101 if you load the latest version so I found older versions from uptodown.com site as well other sites have old versions if you just search those.
Here are some apps and working versions. (some never might work as well but I did not have time to try furher)
Dropbox 18.2.2
Firefox 51.0.3
Uptodown 3.18
Chrome 49.0.2 (you need this if you want use your google account)
Mega 3.2.6.2.6
Spotify 8.4.0.534
OneDrive 4.12
Surprise was that the latest version of MS Outlook mail/calendar works
JaTun2 said:
I tried it as well and works well. I installed rom with the latest gapps (Jan 19th) and it has nice feature that you can disable "autoupdate apps" from upper right corner "three dots". Actually it was quite stable even with the gapps as long as you don't allow autoupdates.
Of course those apps, which are requiring Google play support won't work (mainly google made).
But many apps don't work with TF101 if you load the latest version so I found older versions from uptodown.com site as well other sites have old versions if you just search those.
Here are some apps and working versions. (some never might work as well but I did not have time to try furher)
Dropbox 18.2.2
Firefox 51.0.3
Uptodown 3.18
Chrome 49.0.2 (you need this if you want use your google account)
Mega 3.2.6.2.6
Spotify 8.4.0.534
OneDrive 4.12
Surprise was that the latest version of MS Outlook mail/calendar works
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you guys happen to know how I can root my TF101? I have two and I want to see what my best options are to get this thing to work with youtube. Please let me know if these two tablets are still worth the trouble.
I have spent countless hours chasing my tail as ASUS SYNC isn't even online anymore and all the exe files aren't made for windows 10. I have two, I am a college student and I would like a tablet to play Youtube when I am eating, as I don't have a tv in the dinning room/table.
Thanks in advance.
I have not been able to get YouTube working on mine. I have katschmallow without gapps, and use newpipe for YouTube. Anything Google service related seems to boot loop the tablet.
Reverse-anastomosis said:
I have not been able to get YouTube working on mine. I have katschmallow without gapps, and use newpipe for YouTube. Anything Google service related seems to boot loop the tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the quick reply. I guess I'll use it as a paper weight. On the plus side, I use my TF101s as a camera for the apt when I leave for school breaks, via Alfred. The video quality sucks, but at least it still has a little functionality.
It's not quite paperweight territory, but without support from Timduru it's becoming more and more crippled. I'm thankful for all of the years of service it has given.
baylin said:
Do you guys happen to know how I can root my TF101? I have two and I want to see what my best options are to get this thing to work with youtube. Please let me know if these two tablets are still worth the trouble.
I have spent countless hours chasing my tail as ASUS SYNC isn't even online anymore and all the exe files aren't made for windows 10. I have two, I am a college student and I would like a tablet to play Youtube when I am eating, as I don't have a tv in the dinning room/table.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This link goes to a thread with a linux and windows method that could work for you.
Best of lucks
---------- Post added at 08:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:53 PM ----------
Reverse-anastomosis said:
I have not been able to get YouTube working on mine. I have katschmallow without gapps, and use newpipe for YouTube. Anything Google service related seems to boot loop the tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should try OGYoutube instead, it depends on microG. You can use your google account and you will also get rid of the ads.
Look for the apks at apkmirror (ogyoutube and microG for OGYT)
Update for anyone still using this device. I discovered that . apk files can be installed from the terminal emulator. I was using katschmallow without gapps but kept getting random reboots. I went back to KK, and it is blazing fast. No reboots so far. Anyway, when you flash KK without gapps, there is no good way to install apps. I placed the apps that I wanted to install on the external SD, and installed in terminal as follows.
su
cd extSdCard
ls
pm install packagename.apk
Edit:Firefox 51.0 still works on this device on KK and is the minimum version for adbock plus.
Hello sirs
from your post I assume that best ROM il KAT KISS MM without Google Gapps.
I already have this configuration, but too many apks ( I use APTOIDE like market) do not works.
I would like to try a ROM based on original Firmware ( ANDROID REVOLUTION HD 3.6) . do you know if Google works with original FW ?
thanks