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Rooting, Flashing, Backing up And Installing New Boot Loader

Hi guys,
I just got a SGS4G about a week ago and I would like to tweak it a little bit but I do have some concerns. This is my first android smartphone
Here are my concerns:
I would like to do a Backup of my ROM in case I ever want to go back to it. How could I do that? Do I need to install a bootloader other than the one that comes with the phone? if yes which one should I install?
I have rooted my phone and would like to get rid of a bunch of apps but was reading that if you remove some of the apps it could cause the phone to malfuncion. Is there a compiled a list of apps that should not be removed? or this is just not true?
When I'm ready to install a Stock ROM how do I do that? Via Odin? (I can look for some guide if it's via Odin)
Can anyone tell me what would be the benefit of installing Deodexed instead of using the Stock ROM?
Will i always me able to come back to my Stock ROM once i figure how to create a backup ROM?
Am I missing any important point that I should know about?
I would really appreciate if you can help clarify this doubts that I got before i try to do anything.
Thanks

i'm new to all of this too but ill try to answer some questions. Although, I think this thread should NOT be in development and should be in general. I personally have read through a lot of threads to get the answers that I was seeking for.
As far as backup goes, I think its possible through Odin via dump option? don't quote me on that, I have not had to do that before, nor have I read up on it. bootloader as far as i see, i did not need it.
there is a thread in here with virgin rom request, LOOK for it.
There is NO compiled list of apps that you can or cannot delete, but if you read, there is a dl for BLOATWARE, use that as a template to what you want deleted.
Right now, ODIN is the only way that you can flash your phone, and use the two roms listed in this development thread.
From what i read a deodexed rom just helps with file system and structure. I think?
you will always be able to go back to stock, if you have the virgin rom.
Imo, you should read up/skim through every thread in here to see what is available, problems people are having and the fixes for them. I know there is alot of information in here and it maybe overwhelming, but there were 172 views of this thread without any replies because us noobs need to READ/SEARCH. Thats the answers we'll get if we continue to make new threads. Just fyi if your new to forums.

Moved as not android development.

As newbie you should first read and use search
then if you dont see question you want, you just ask it
And about Roms , well i tried that deox v2.2 and didnt like it , switched to stock with removed bloat and love it more but thats for different thread

Well thanks for you answers and I do apologize for posting this here. I didn't know. I think i will go with what you have done. Stock ROM without bloatware. Did you flash the Stock ROM from this forum? or did you just deleted the apps one by one?
I will do the fota fix as well.

moshe22 said:
Hi guys,
I just got a SGS4G about a week ago and I would like to tweak it a little bit but I do have some concerns. This is my first android smartphone
Here are my concerns:
I would like to do a Backup of my ROM in case I ever want to go back to it. How could I do that? Do I need to install a bootloader other than the one that comes with the phone? if yes which one should I install?
I have rooted my phone and would like to get rid of a bunch of apps but was reading that if you remove some of the apps it could cause the phone to malfuncion. Is there a compiled a list of apps that should not be removed? or this is just not true?
When I'm ready to install a Stock ROM how do I do that? Via Odin? (I can look for some guide if it's via Odin)
Can anyone tell me what would be the benefit of installing Deodexed instead of using the Stock ROM?
Will i always me able to come back to my Stock ROM once i figure how to create a backup ROM?
Am I missing any important point that I should know about?
I would really appreciate if you can help clarify this doubts that I got before i try to do anything.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ClockWorkMod is the preferred way to backup your ROM, but it does not seem to be working on the SGS4G currently. I was messing with it one night and actually think I got it to backup the Rom one time but I cannot guarantee that I did because I was working on a supposed fix and did not get a chance to copy the backup file to my computer before it got wiped off my SD card. The process is called nandroid backup. If you have a virgin phone and want a clean backup of your ROM you might want to wait until the fix comes out for CWM.
Once you root your phone you can install Titainum backup. That allows you to backup your apps/Data/System settings. At least that’s what it says it does. From what I’ve read, the best way to backup your apps is with ADB which is part of the Software Development Kit. You can also use Android Commander which uses ADB to Pull your apps to your computer and make a backup there. Check http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1010006 for info on SDK and ADB commands. There is also a direction to making new apps install to your SD card natively. This link http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1001202 also shows that command and how to Reverse/Check status of settings.
The Noobs guide to Oden covers the basics to flashing your ROM fairly well: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1001759
The [ROM-ODIN]T959VUVKB5 Stock + Root and [ROM-ODIN] Deodexed KB5 Enhanced v2.2 are the two ROMs that are working now for most people. The first is Odexed the second is Deodexed. Odexed is how it comes stock and takes up less room but making modifications or taking apks from other roms is hard, While Deodexed allows modders to work on the apks & easily change stuff like themes. (Description Taken from Damage's DamageControl Thread) My suggestion is to have some patience and wait for ClockWorkMod to be updated and working for the SGS4G before you dive in too deep. Take some time to look around the 4g posts and read as much as you can to get familiar with what is working and what is not. Check some of the threads with locks on them to see what not to do. There is a wealth of information in these pages.

ClockWorkMod is the preferred way to backup your ROM, but it does not seem to be working on the SGS4G currently. I was messing with it one night and actually think I got it to backup the Rom one time but I cannot guarantee that I did because I was working on a supposed fix and did not get a chance to copy the backup file to my computer before it got wiped off my SD card. The process is called nandroid backup. If you have a virgin phone and want a clean backup of your ROM you might want to wait until the fix comes out for CWM.
Once you root your phone you can install Titainum backup. That allows you to backup your apps/Data/System settings. At least that’s what it says it does. From what I’ve read, the best way to backup your apps is with ADB which is part of the Software Development Kit. You can also use Android Commander which uses ADB to Pull your apps to your computer and make a backup there. Check http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1010006 for info on SDK and ADB commands. There is also a direction to making new apps install to your SD card natively. This link http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1001202 also shows that command and how to Reverse/Check status of settings.
The Noobs guide to Oden covers the basics to flashing your ROM fairly well: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1001759
The [ROM-ODIN]T959VUVKB5 Stock + Root and [ROM-ODIN] Deodexed KB5 Enhanced v2.2 are the two ROMs that are working now for most people. The first is Odexed the second is Deodexed. Odexed is how it comes stock and takes up less room but making modifications or taking apks from other roms is hard, While Deodexed allows modders to work on the apks & easily change stuff like themes. (Description Taken from Damage's DamageControl Thread) My suggestion is to have some patience and wait for ClockWorkMod to be updated and working for the SGS4G before you dive in too deep. Take some time to look around the 4g posts and read as much as you can to get familiar with what is working and what is not. Check some of the threads with locks on them to see what not to do. There is a wealth of information in these pages.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks man! Really helpful. I will read into these threads and probably will wait for the clockwork to work for SGS4G.
I really don't see the advantage of flashing to Deodexed. Maybe i'm missing something?

[Q] Question before rooting

I'm getting ready to root my phone, but one thing I haven't been able to figure out is what is the best way to make an image of my stock rom on the AT&T Nexus S before using a tool that's going to delete all my data?
I would really like to make a full system image so that if anything goes wrong, I can flash it back to where it is before the root takes place. Is this possible? Is there a guide out there that I just haven't seen?
Thanks

VillainousVivi said:
I'm getting ready to root my phone, but one thing I haven't been able to figure out is what is the best way to make an image of my stock rom on the AT&T Nexus S before using a tool that's going to delete all my data?
I would really like to make a full system image so that if anything goes wrong, I can flash it back to where it is before the root takes place. Is this possible? Is there a guide out there that I just haven't seen?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i hate saying this, but its true. this should go into the Q&A section, not into development. anyways, i think that you need root for that. but if there is a way, i think that it would be through adb.

Not a problem, if a mod can move it, that'd be great. I thought that a backup before making modifications would fall under the realm of development. After all, without a good backup, I wouldn't want to make too many changes

VillainousVivi said:
Not a problem, if a mod can move it, that'd be great. I thought that a backup before making modifications would fall under the realm of development. After all, without a good backup, I wouldn't want to make too many changes
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what you want is to perform a nandroid backup, and you can do that through a custom recovery. you either need to unlock your bootloader for that(which wipes your phone and sd storage) or you can search how to root without unlocking the bootloader, root it, and use rom manager to flash a recovery/perform a nandroid backup without wiping but getting root.

Just use my back up pro to back up whatever that app will allow. Then copy over all your SDCard contents to your computer....Google takes care of contacts and apps....
Sent using two tin cans and some string.....

[Q] Best Root Method / Preference -- DooMLoRD's, EasyRoot, or SuperOneClick

Great site and forum you guys have here. I've been lurking in the background for about a month now since converting to Android from Crackberry, studying as much as possible about rooting my new Skyrocket.
I've narrowed down the method that I'll be using shortly to the 3 subject options, and was just wondering, what you recommend and why? I've also watched videos on each, and they all seem like they work and I can handle the task. But I want to avoid tripping the flash counter or getting myself in other more complicated trouble that I'd need your help with.
My plan is to root, flash CWM, do a Nandroid backup, then just freeze some things up using Titanium Backup to start. I think I said that right. Maybe not. But that's the plan for now, without new ROMs or kernels. Thanks in advance for any suggestions, and I apologize for the rookie questions. Again, great forum.

I can tell you a little trick that might save you from ever having to trip you flash counter. Use the odin method of rooting, its in the dev section. After you push cwm with odin, boot into cwm and make a backup of stock unrooted. Then proceed to flashing the superuser zip and rooting. Take the stock unrooted backup and save it to your desktop or something. Now your rooted with cwm . If you ever have to restore to stock you can restore the unrooted stock backup, then push the stock recovery with odin and presto your back to stock without tripping counter. Only works if you backup stock firmware before rooting. Also I've noticed that usually when I softbrick I can get away with just flashing cwm in odin, booting into recovery and proceeding from there. If I could start all over that's how ide do it I think. Just an idea. Also this method gets you farmiliar with odin, which you'll desperately need someday, if you already know how to use it you'll be set. A good thing to do is know is how to fix your phone "before" you break it lol(cause you surely will at some point). Then there's no panic when it happens cheers and good luck!
Here's a link to the root method I've suggested
http://forum.xda-developers.com/sho...CWM | ODIN | SGH-I727 and SGH-I727R Skyrocket
And were always here to help if you have questions.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium

pls4ms said:
Great site and forum you guys have here. I've been lurking in the background for about a month now since converting to Android from Crackberry, studying as much as possible about rooting my new Skyrocket.
I've narrowed down the method that I'll be using shortly to the 3 subject options, and was just wondering, what you recommend and why? I've also watched videos on each, and they all seem like they work and I can handle the task. But I want to avoid tripping the flash counter or getting myself in other more complicated trouble that I'd need your help with.
My plan is to root, flash CWM, do a Nandroid backup, then just freeze some things up using Titanium Backup to start. I think I said that right. Maybe not. But that's the plan for now, without new ROMs or kernels. Thanks in advance for any suggestions, and I apologize for the rookie questions. Again, great forum.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm no expert but when I updated from 2.3.5 to 2.3.6 using S.O.C was no longer an option. I had to use the all power ODIN. link
But I suggest reading, googling, and rereading steps until you're confident of what to do without guessing if you're doing it right or not.
BTW, don't discount ROMs, they will make you love your phone more than you thought possible. And with the initial Nandroid bup you can always revert...
Good luck...
.

cdshepherd said:
I can tell you a little trick that might save you from ever having to trip you flash counter. Use the odin method of rooting, its in the dev section. After you push cwm with odin, boot into cwm and make a backup of stock unrooted. Then proceed to flashing the superuser zip and rooting. Take the stock unrooted backup and save it to your desktop or something. Now your rooted with cwm . If you ever have to restore to stock you can restore the unrooted stock backup, then push the stock recovery with odin and presto your back to stock without tripping counter. Only works if you backup stock firmware before rooting. Also I've noticed that usually when I softbrick I can get away with just flashing cwm in odin, booting into recovery and proceeding from there. If I could start all over that's how ide do it I think. Just an idea. Also this method gets you farmiliar with odin, which you'll desperately need someday, if you already know how to use it you'll be set. A good thing to do is know is how to fix your phone "before" you break it lol(cause you surely will at some point). Then there's no panic when it happens cheers and good luck!
Here's a link to the root method I've suggested
http://forum.xda-developers.com/sho...CWM | ODIN | SGH-I727 and SGH-I727R Skyrocket
And were always here to help if you have questions.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This^^^^ I use odin and only odin

After a few days of research and trying to figure out how not to trip the flash counter, this is the best way. Huge thumbs up for the suggestion!

Wow. That is really great information. Thank you! I had written off the Odin method, as it seemed a little complicated for a rookie like myself -- hence why it wasn't included in the subject options.
But after reading what you had to say, it makes complete sense. The Odin method is the only way to make a complete backup (using CWM) of my truly unrooted device, where the other methods, the mirror (backup) would be of a rooted device so a restore back to stock would be more difficult. Correct?
I just read all 20 pages of the link you supplied, and it seems I've got a pretty good understanding of what to do and what not to do. Will give it a whirl today and let you know. By the way, someone posted a video which talks about how the superuser.zip file is not necessary -- this is not true if you aren't putting on a new ROM. Which I am not. Just a heads up for anyone else out there looking at it. Thanks again man, you nailed it.
cdshepherd said:
I can tell you a little trick that might save you from ever having to trip you flash counter. Use the odin method of rooting, its in the dev section. After you push cwm with odin, boot into cwm and make a backup of stock unrooted. Then proceed to flashing the superuser zip and rooting. Take the stock unrooted backup and save it to your desktop or something. Now your rooted with cwm . If you ever have to restore to stock you can restore the unrooted stock backup, then push the stock recovery with odin and presto your back to stock without tripping counter. Only works if you backup stock firmware before rooting. Also I've noticed that usually when I softbrick I can get away with just flashing cwm in odin, booting into recovery and proceeding from there. If I could start all over that's how ide do it I think. Just an idea. Also this method gets you farmiliar with odin, which you'll desperately need someday, if you already know how to use it you'll be set. A good thing to do is know is how to fix your phone "before" you break it lol(cause you surely will at some point). Then there's no panic when it happens cheers and good luck!
Here's a link to the root method I've suggested
http://forum.xda-developers.com/sho...CWM | ODIN | SGH-I727 and SGH-I727R Skyrocket
And were always here to help if you have questions.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

A restore to stock wouldn't necessarily be any more complicated because we have odin files for that too. But it will trip your counter. Sometimes tripping the counter is unavoidable, I pretend like mine doesn't even exist. Let us know if you need any help
Remember to make the nandroid backup of stock unrooted before you flash the superuser.zip.
When you do flash the superuser zip, it might throw up an error and not flash, this is ok, happens to me everytime, just keep trying to install it and eventually she will take:thumbup:
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium

Perfect success! Couldn't have gone any better. From the driver installs, to the Odin launch, CWM backup, and finally the SU flash -- each step was flawless. It took 3 tries on the Superuser.zip file before it installed without errors, which was expected. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I just updated Superuser to the latest version, but now I'm seeing that Busybox seems to be an important add-on now that I'm rooted for some apps to work properly. Agreed? If so, is the popular version on Play the one to download?
Also, whats the best way for me to send the backup I just made from my phone to computer as you mentioned? Where is it located on phone? Thanks again. You've been a huge help, and I'm stoked to be part of the club -- maybe just a junior member still, but learning more each day.
cdshepherd said:
A restore to stock wouldn't necessarily be any more complicated because we have odin files for that too. But it will trip your counter. Sometimes tripping the counter is unavoidable, I pretend like mine doesn't even exist. Let us know if you need any help
Remember to make the nandroid backup of stock unrooted before you flash the superuser.zip.
When you do flash the superuser zip, it might throw up an error and not flash, this is ok, happens to me everytime, just keep trying to install it and eventually she will take:thumbup:
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

The cwm backup will probably be on you external SD under clockworkmod>backup. If not on external use internal. Just mount USB storage on your computer. After you get the stock backup off your SD , boot back into recovery and make a backup of your rooted stock firmware if you already haven't. You want to always have atleast one nandroid on your SD in case boo boo's occur.
As for the busy box thing I'm not exactly sure. All I can say on that is if any app request you to update it just allow it to. Maybe try the market app you mentioned. I'm not entirely too sure. Also maybe consider flashing a rom. You'll have that rooted backup on your SD you can restore whenever you'd like.
Glad everything went well for you. That's a good example of what reading before attempting does. Good job
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium

Thanks again for the help and props. More success yesterday; moved the full stock ROM (unrooted) Nandroid to my computer, and then made another Nandroid of my rooted stock ROM. That too I put on the computer, but also left a copy my SD card.
Installed Titanium Backup Pro, and am now studying up on which .APK files I can safely freeze. Found a spreadsheet from the SG2 forum, and I'm guessing it's applicable for our device. Would post the link, but I'm not allowed to yet.
Lastly, I picked up the Nexus 2100 mah battery for which I'll be installing shortly as well. Starting to get more tuned up now, but you are right, once all this is complete I'll look at some custom ROM's as well. I guess freezing all of these files wouldn't really be necessary if I put on a new ROM anyway. Oh well. Baby steps.

samsung infuse
bought rooted Samsung infuse, but can not get my contacts.
At&t phone.

infuseal said:
bought rooted Samsung infuse, but can not get my contacts.
At&t phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You just brought a year old thread back to life and your talking about an infuse which has nothing to do with the skyrocket. Search on the infuse topics.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2

Couple questions about flashing KyanROM and nandroid backup

I would like to flash KyanROM (forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1751595&page=1) and he has some very specific instructions (I've read through almost every single post in the 200+ pages!).
Grab a stock ATT rom and flash this. (linky in KyanROM instructions) Do I follow those instructions and flash using ODIN and then come back to Kyan's instructions?
Nandroid backup - this cannot be performed until rooted, so is it possible to do a backup of my current setup? Flashing the stock/rooted ATT rom above, does this keep my settings and thus if I do a nandroid backup then I get my settings?
I would use the nandroid if I ever wanted to go back stock, correct? (That's why I was asking about keeping my settings above)

Oh, and another thing - read in the thread something about no tethering for ATT or something to that effect. I use foxfi, flashing KyanROM would not have an effect on this would it? I mean, I'll still be able to use foxfi after flashing this ROM.

Anyone? What about the nandroid question, it's not 100% related to kyanROM - anyone able to answer that one?

I know these are sorta noob questions - I've flashed e-readers, just never phones. So I never needed to worry about backing up to stock if necessary.

Boy, maybe I'll just flash and give it a try. Ha!

the link i provided leads to stock rooted roms, so u only need to add cwm after root, which is in the same page.
nandroid is recommended, but u can skip it.
anything in data is not deleted. but i heavily advise starting fresh if u want to install kyanROM for the best, lagfree, no issue experience.

Thanks Kyan - if I flash the stock rooted, are all my settings and such left in place so that the nandroid backup has all of that? Then I wipe and move on.

Rooted - What now?

Okay, I've just rooted my S3. First time ever rooting an android phone, so I was thrilled when Odin said "Passed" and I didn't brick it.
Now what? I've installed Titianium (Free) to backup the one app that I wanted fixed LV Sync. I only did this because everytime I rebooted my device it would delete the account that I created with LV Sync. Now after backing up, uninstalling with Titanium and then restoring, it no longer does that. Perfect.
Now what?? When I jailbroker my first iPhone I discovered after the fact that I couldn't go back because I didn't save my blobs. With everything I read about rooting, nothing said to backup first, so I decided I just did it.
Is there something that I should back up now? Is there something that I should do before anything else?
Would appreciate any guidance on this please.

jim.thornton said:
Okay, I've just rooted my S3. First time ever rooting an android phone, so I was thrilled when Odin said "Passed" and I didn't brick it.
Now what? I've installed Titianium (Free) to backup the one app that I wanted fixed LV Sync. I only did this because everytime I rebooted my device it would delete the account that I created with LV Sync. Now after backing up, uninstalling with Titanium and then restoring, it no longer does that. Perfect.
Now what?? When I jailbroker my first iPhone I discovered after the fact that I couldn't go back because I didn't save my blobs. With everything I read about rooting, nothing said to backup first, so I decided I just did it.
Is there something that I should back up now? Is there something that I should do before anything else?
Would appreciate any guidance on this please.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will first you need to install cwm you can probably find that where you learned how to root then you can make a android backup which backups up your whole phone even the operating system then you can install a custom ROM I recommend the latest CyanogenMod 10.1 nightly there very stable
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2

bbrad said:
Will first you need to install cwm you can probably find that where you learned how to root then you can make a android backup which backups up your whole phone even the operating system then you can install a custom ROM I recommend the latest CyanogenMod 10.1 nightly there very stable
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At this time I don't really want to install a custom ROM. I use the phone for work and I don't really want to go through the process of setting everything up again.
Also, the method that I used for rooting it was Chainfire's method which didn't use ClockworkMod. There was a comment about it interfering with something (can't remember what though).
Is there any other way to make a backup of the phone exactly as-is other than CWM?

jim.thornton said:
At this time I don't really want to install a custom ROM. I use the phone for work and I don't really want to go through the process of setting everything up again.
Also, the method that I used for rooting it was Chainfire's method which didn't use ClockworkMod. There was a comment about it interfering with something (can't remember what though).
Is there any other way to make a backup of the phone exactly as-is other than CWM?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really 90% of the stuff requires cwm you can use a app like my backup pro which bakes up all your apps and contacts to your SD. Or you can just go ahead and make the jump to a custom ROM which then you can schedule regular full system backups and exsprience tons of performance increase and you learn a lot about android but if you don't want to make the jump I recommend mubackuppro
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2

bbrad said:
Not really 90% of the stuff requires cwm you can use a app like my backup pro which bakes up all your apps and contacts to your SD. Or you can just go ahead and make the jump to a custom ROM which then you can schedule regular full system backups and exsprience tons of performance increase and you learn a lot about android but if you don't want to make the jump I recommend mubackuppro
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, as mentioned, the guide that I used did not show CWM. Is there a guide that I can use that will work? Will CWM work on all versions of the S3? I have the Canadian version SGH-I747M. I just want to be careful not to brick it.
Also... If I use CWM, will that allow me to make a backup ROM? Meaning, that if I install a custom ROM and don't like it for any reason or run into problems that I can put my phone back exactly as it is now?

CM allows you to do a compete backup of your ROM. I don't think that includes media FYI
Google how to install Cwm on your S3 Version which you should initially flash to device through Odin.
I believe using ROM MANAGER you can locate download and flash your recovery.
International S III 16GB / CM10.1 / Gokhan's SK

Bricking
I wouldn't worry too much about bricking your phone. most of the time when people say they bricked their phone all they need to do is restore it using recovery mode/a computer.
To actually brick your device it needs to stop turning on and stop responding to it being plugged into the computer which is quite unlikely to happen.
If your phone turns on but just doesn't boot into a ROM that is not bricked!

I would just throw in that I have used both CWM ("Clockwork Mod") and TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) and I like TWRP better. It's not a pain to change if you decide to, but doing backups can take a while. You can get TWRP with the Goomanager app in the Play Store. If I were you, I'd recommend researching both a bit and then deciding for yourself.

Brick itttt!!!!!!!
wanna thank xda? here

Well now roms
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using xda app-developers app

If you gamers, cusrom with gamming tweaks recommended. But first, you must backup your rom if you don't like the cusrom gamming mode
Sent from my GT-I8150 using xda app-developers app

Don't worry, within a few weeks you'll probably unlock the bootloader and flash custom roms.
So first step would be to install cwm. Even if you are not gonna unlock bootloader, it will help you to FULLY backup, restore your phone and install modules.
Just for safety keep an ftf file of your stock version with you (on pc).
And do a backup before flashing any custom roms.
Just dig around a lot before doing anything and there won't be any chance of bricking it.
Sent from my Xperia Mini Pro

jim.thornton said:
Well, as mentioned, the guide that I used did not show CWM. Is there a guide that I can use that will work? Will CWM work on all versions of the S3? I have the Canadian version SGH-I747M. I just want to be careful not to brick it.
Also... If I use CWM, will that allow me to make a backup ROM? Meaning, that if I install a custom ROM and don't like it for any reason or run into problems that I can put my phone back exactly as it is now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can use rom manager or rom toolbox (available in the play store) to flash cwm. then use CWM to make a nandroid back of your rom. then try new roms if you don't like them you can unse recovery to reflash your stock rom. after you flash a custom rom play store shoud reinstall you apps for you and your google account will sync your contacts so setting up your phone after a fresh install is not very hard or time consuming

You shouldn't have to worry about setting up your phone all over after flashing a new ROM if you have titanium backup. Just get on Google play and re download titanium, run it and reboot. Your apps and even how you at up your home pages are back to normal, but you'd have the benefits of the new ROM. I love Synergy ROM. there are a lot of good ones.

bbrad said:
Not really 90% of the stuff requires cwm you can use a app like my backup pro which bakes up all your apps and contacts to your SD. Or you can just go ahead and make the jump to a custom ROM which then you can schedule regular full system backups and exsprience tons of performance increase and you learn a lot about android but if you don't want to make the jump I recommend mubackuppro
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also use my backup pro. It's simple and works well for me.
I flash a lot of roms to check them out and my backup pro restores all my apps, contacts, txt messages every time without issue. It will even restore your shortcuts on your home screen if you'd like.
I also use TWRP. like it a lot.
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As said previously, install cwm(through romantic manager) or twrp (through goo manager) (I personally prefer twrp) and make a full nandroid backup.
This backup will be your goto stock image in case you flash something else.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

Thanks to Everyone! Your help has really made the process easy and worry free. I've completed the rooting, installed goomanager and installed TWRP and run a full backup. I'm even starting to get the itch to look at some ROMs... I guess you were right mnishamk.
I have a few questions and was hoping for some clarification please:
1. What is nandroid? I installed the TWRP and clicked "BACKUP". Is that a nandroid backup?
2. Is there a resource that I can go to that will list all of the ROMS that are available and the differences? I'm not really into tweaking a lot of things, but love smooth running/looking apps and efficiency.
3. My mom has a Galaxy Nexus (not sure which version/baseband -- does it matter). I would like to root her device.
4. My Dad has a Toshiba AT100 tablet. I would also like to do that.
I'm not sure where to find the guides for each of the devices.

jim.thornton said:
Thanks to Everyone! Your help has really made the process easy and worry free. I've completed the rooting, installed goomanager and installed TWRP and run a full backup. I'm even starting to get the itch to look at some ROMs... I guess you were right mnishamk.
I have a few questions and was hoping for some clarification please:
1. What is nandroid? I installed the TWRP and clicked "BACKUP". Is that a nandroid backup?
2. Is there a resource that I can go to that will list all of the ROMS that are available and the differences? I'm not really into tweaking a lot of things, but love smooth running/looking apps and efficiency.
3. My mom has a Galaxy Nexus (not sure which version/baseband -- does it matter). I would like to root her device.
4. My Dad has a Toshiba AT100 tablet. I would also like to do that.
I'm not sure where to find the guides for each of the devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Yes that's nandroid
2.Not really but I suggest cm10 its smooth stable and efficient
3.You can look at the thread for the galaxy nexus and there's probably a rooting guide stickied
4 Look at 3
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk 2

I might suggest not rooting your mom's device/dad's tablet. I have helped my mom set up her tablet, but I'm not going to root it unless there's a really good reason where root is absolutely the only solution to what needs to be done.
The problem is, if she doesn't understand what rooting is and what's going on, she can mess up the phone much more than get any advantage. It's not really necessary unless you have a specific goal. I rooted my tablet because I wanted to flash custom ROMs because ASUS no longer supports this tablet. I rooted my phone because I wanted to install Google Wallet. I helped my friend root her phone so she could try out custom ROMs - she is computer literate unlike my mom and understands the risks involved.
Maybe your mom is much more into computers than mine is, but I wouldn't root a device for someone who doesn't understand it and doesn't have a reason to. While a custom recovery is useful for people who want to mess with their phones, it's not something a regular user really needs to the point that the benefits outweigh the risks.
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Look for a rom that incorporates the CM/AOKP theme chooser. So many really nice looking themes. Alloy ui is a favorite of mine
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